Molecular epidemiology of late recurrent candidaemia--a population-based study in Iceland.

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field.Candidaemia is associated with high patient mortality. Among those who survive an initial episode of candidaemia, the incidence of recurrent episodes has been incompletely defined. All patients in Iceland with candidaemia in 1980-2008 were identified, and clinical information was reviewed. Episodes of candidaemia in the same patient were considered to be separate if they occurred ≥ 1 month apart or were caused by different Candida species. The isolates were genotyped by using PCR fingerprinting, and antifungal susceptibility was determined. During the 29-year period, candidaemia was diagnosed in 307 patients in Iceland, 298 of whom (97.1%) had a single episode. Overall, 206 patients survived >1 month from the first episode and were therefore at risk of recurrence, yielding 1062 patient-years of observation in the survivors. Of those, nine (4.4%) later developed recurrent candidaemia. The median time between recurrences was 6 months (range, <1 month to 14 years). Patients with late recurrences were younger (p 0.012) and more likely to have underlying gastrointestinal diseases than patients with single episodes (55.6% vs. 18.5%, respectively; p 0.017). The recurrences were caused by identical Candida sp. genotypes in two of 13 cases (15%), but by different species or dissimilar genotypes in eight of 13 (62%); isolates were missing in three cases. In conclusion, late recurrent candidaemia was a relatively rare event, and younger patients with gastrointestinal disorders were more prone to recurrent infections. The majority of late recurrences represented re-infections with new Candida strains that were susceptible to common antifungal agents.Landspitali University Hospita

Self-Study Methodology: An Emerging Approach for Practitioner Research in Europe

© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019.This chapter highlights the European contribution to the growing knowledge about self-study methodology. Europe is a patchwork of countries, cultures and languages. Looking at teacher educators in Europe, we see a broad variation in background, tasks and opportunities for professional development and self-study research.In this chapter we firstly map the development of self-study research in Europe which has mainly been the work of individuals and small groups. Then we focus on four countries that are in the forefront: England, Iceland, Ireland and the Netherlands. In all four countries self-study has proved to be a useful and stimulating way to aid the transition from being a teacher - or researcher - to becoming a teacher educator. Self-study methodology not only supported the understanding and development of the teacher education practice, but also led to identity development. Most helpful proved to be working together and mentoring, and sharing results publicly. In this context the role of the biannual S-STEP Castle Conference in England, which offers European self-study researchers to connect with colleagues from North America and Australia, plays an important role

The Role of MITF Phosphorylation Sites During Coat Color and Eye Development in Mice Analyzed by Bacterial Artificial Chromosome Transgene Rescue

The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) has emerged as an important model for gene regulation in eukaryotic organisms. In vertebrates, it regulates the development of several cell types including melanocytes and has also been shown to play an important role in melanoma. In vitro, the activity of MITF is regulated by multiple signaling pathways, including the KITL/KIT/B-Raf pathway, which results in phosphorylation of MITF on serine residues 73 and 409. However, the precise role of signaling to MITF in vivo remains largely unknown. Here, we use a BAC transgene rescue approach to introduce specific mutations in MITF to study the importance of specific phospho-acceptor sites and protein domains. We show that mice that carry a BAC transgene where single-amino-acid substitutions have been made in the Mitf gene rescue the phenotype of the loss-of-function mutations in Mitf. This may indicate that signaling from KIT to MITF affects other phospho-acceptor sites in MITF or that alternative sites can be phosphorylated when Ser73 and Ser409 have been mutated. Our results have implications for understanding signaling to transcription factors. Furthermore, as MITF and signaling mechanisms have been shown to play an important role in melanomas, our findings may lead to novel insights into this resilient disease

At the world’s edge: reconstructing diet and geographic origins in medieval Iceland using isotope and trace element analyses

Objectives. A multi-isotope study was conducted on individuals buried at Skriðuklaustur monastery (AD 1493–1554) to investigate their geographic origins and dietary composition. Comparative material from individuals excavated from Skeljastaðir, an inland farm site was also analysed. Materials and Methods. Bone collagen was extracted from 50 humans (Skriðuklaustur and Skeljastaðir) and 25 animals (Skriðuklaustur) and analysed for δ13C, δ15N and δ34S. Dental enamel samples from 31 individuals (Skriðuklaustur) were also analysed for 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O, δ13C and trace elements (Pb, Sr, Zn, Ba). Results. The mean value determined from individuals from Skriðuklaustur (n = 36) was δ13C = –18.7 ± 0.8 ‰, δ15N = 12.8 ± 1.1 ‰ and δ34S = 9.0 ± 1.6 ‰, whereas at Skeljastaðir (n = 14) it was δ13C = –20.5 ± 0.8 ‰, δ15N = 7.8 ± 0.9‰ and δ34S = 9.4 ± 1.6‰. At Skriðuklaustur, human dental enamel samples (n = 31) provided a 87Sr/86Sr range of 0.7060–0.7088, δ18Ophosphate from 13.9 ‰ to 16.1 ‰ and δ13Ccarbonate from –16.6 ‰ to –12.9 ‰. Inferred drinking water (δ18Odw) values range from –12.3 ‰ to –8.9 ‰. Sr concentrations range from 25.8 to 156.7 ppm, Ba from 0.11 to 0.81 ppm, Zn from 43.8 to 145.8 ppm and Pb from 0.13 to 9.40 ppm. Discussion. A combination of results indicate that the people from Skriðuklaustur were born in Iceland, but some lived inland during childhood while some lived closer to the coast. Since Skriðuklaustur was a hospital, these individuals may have sought medical treatment at the monastery. The δ13C and δ15N values determined from bone collagen indicate that the people residing at Skriðuklaustur consumed a diet high in marine protein, while those residing at Skeljastaðir exhibit values more consistent with terrestrial resources

The relationship between motor competence and health-related fitness in children and adolescents

In the last twenty years, there has been increasing evidence that Motor Competence (MC) is vital for developing an active and healthy lifestyle. This study analyses the associations between motor competence and its components, with health-related fitness (HRF).A random sample of 546 children (278 males, mean = 10.77 years) divided into four age groups (7-8; 9-10; 11-12; 13-14 years old) was evaluated. A quantitative MC instrument (evaluating stability, locomotor and manipulative skills), a maximal multistage 20-m shuttle-run test and the handgrip test, height and BMI were used in the analyses. Pearson correlations and standard regression modelling were performed to explore the associations between variables.Moderate to strong significant correlations (0.49 < r < 0.73) were found between MC and HRF, for both sexes, and correlation values were stable across the age groups. The MC model explained 74% of the HRF variance, with the locomotor component being the highest predictor for the entire sample (β = .302; p < .001). Gender-related differences were found when boys and girls were analysed at each age group. Locomotor MC for girls was the most consistent significant predictor of HRF across all age groups (0.47 < β < 0.65; all p≤.001). For boys, significant predictors were locomotor and manipulative MC (0.21 < β < 0.49; all p < .05) in the two younger age groups (7-8 and 9-10 years) and stability (0.50 < β < 0.54; all p≤.001) for the older two age groups (11-12 and 13-14 years).These results support the idea that: (1) the relationship between overall MC and HRF is strong and stable across childhood and early adolescence; (2) when accounting for the different MC components, boys and girls show different relationship patterns with HFR across age