Isolation of dermatophytes from dogs and cats in the South of England between 1991 and 2017

Background Since the epidemiology of canine and feline dermatophytosis might evolve in response to chronological, sociological and ecological factors, the authors studied the occurrence of dermatophyte pathogens over 27 years subsequent to the last major UK survey. Methods Dermatophyte culture submission records from dogs and cats to the Royal Veterinary College Diagnostic Laboratory in England between 1991 and 2017 were reviewed. Samples were routinely cultured aerobically at 26°C for up to four weeks on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar containing cycloheximide and chloramphenicol; dermatophytes were identified using conventional phenotypic methods. Results Proportional isolation from cats (15.9 per cent of 1389) exceeded that of dogs (8.1 per cent of 2193) (P<0.001). Together, Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes accounted for 91.9 per cent (n=203) and 80.2 per cent (n=142) of isolations from cats and dogs, respectively. M canis was more frequently (P<0.001) isolated from cats and dogs under two years of age. Dermatophytes were more frequent (P≤0.001) in samples from first-opinion rather than referral practice, and from Jack Russell and Yorkshire terriers and from Persian and chinchilla cats (P≤0.002). Conclusions M canis and T mentagrophytes remain the most common agents of canine and feline dermatophytosis in the South of England; continued clinical vigilance is required

Sleep disturbance in hospitalized recipients of stem cell transplantation

Disrupted sleep is considered a patient outcome sensitive to oncology nursing care and can lead to a variety of physical and psychologic dysfunctions, such as insomnia, chronic pain, respiratory distress, obesity, stress, and anxiety. Although sleep disturbances have been studied in recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCTs), these studies have not examined the acute phase of transplantation. The current study aimed to identify the level of sleep disturbance in this patient population, identify factors contributing to decreased ability to sleep for hospitalized recipients of HSCT, and compare the differences in sleep disturbance between age, gender, type of transplantation, and initial stem cell transplantation versus readmission for transplantation-associated complications. Among the 69 patients studied, 26% reported clinical insomnia, as measured by the Insomnia Severity Index, and 74% had some degree of insomnia. Patient characteristics were not significantly associated with insomnia scores. Patients reported bathroom use as the most frequent reason for sleep disruption (85%). These findings suggest that sleep disturbances are common in hospitalized patients undergoing HSCT, and strategies to reduce disruptions are needed to improve patient outcomes.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94116/1/Sleep disturbance in hospitalized recipients of stem cell transplantation.pd

Temperature Tolerance and Stress Proteins as Mechanisms of Invasive Species Success

Invasive species are predicted to be more successful than natives as temperatures increase with climate change. However, few studies have examined the physiological mechanisms that theoretically underlie this differential success. Because correlative evidence suggests that invasiveness is related to the width of a species' latitudinal range, it has been assumed – but largely untested – that range width predicts breadth of habitat temperatures and physiological thermotolerances. In this study, we use empirical data from a marine community as a case study to address the hypotheses that (1) geographic temperature range attributes are related to temperature tolerance, leading to greater eurythermality in invasive species, and (2) stress protein expression is a subcellular mechanism that could contribute to differences in thermotolerance. We examined three native and six invasive species common in the subtidal epibenthic communities of California, USA. We assessed thermotolerance by exposing individuals to temperatures between 14°C and 31°C and determining the temperature lethal to 50% of individuals (LT50) after a 24 hour exposure. We found a strong positive relationship between the LT50 and both maximum habitat temperatures and the breadth of temperatures experience across the species' ranges. In addition, of the species in our study, invasives tended to inhabit broader habitat temperature ranges and higher maximum temperatures. Stress protein expression may contribute to these differences: the more thermotolerant, invasive species Diplosoma listerianum expressed higher levels of a 70-kDa heat-shock protein than the less thermotolerant, native Distaplia occidentalis for which levels declined sharply above the LT50. Our data highlight differences between native and invasive species with respect to organismal and cellular temperature tolerances. Future studies should address, across a broader phylogenetic and ecosystem scope, whether this physiological mechanism has facilitated the current success of invasive species and could lead to greater success of invasives than native species as global warming continues

Does Television Exposure Affect Emerging Adults' Attitudes and Assumptions About Sexual Relationships? Correlational and Experimental Confirmation

Because concern is frequently raised that TV's abundant yet stereotypical portrayals of sexual relationships may mislead young viewers, this study examined the effects of both regular viewing habits and experimental exposure on students' conceptions about sexual relationships. A multiethnic sample of 259 undergraduates aged 18–22 was assigned to view a set of clips depicting either 1 of 3 sexual stereotypes or neutral, nonsexual content. Participants then completed measures assessing their attitudes about sexual roles and relationships, their assumptions about the sexual experiences of their peers, and their regular viewing habits. Both correlational and experimental connections emerged between TV viewing and students' sexual attitudes and assumptions. More frequent and more involved viewing were repeatedly associated with students' support of the sexual stereotypes surveyed. Similarly, women exposed to clips representing a particular sexual stereotype were more likely to endorse that notion than were women exposed to nonsexual content. Finally, both experimental exposure and aspects of regular viewing significantly predicted students' sexual attitudes and assumptions, even with demographics and previous sexual experiences controlled.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45292/1/10964_2004_Article_364602.pd

Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: Many patients with COVID-19 have been treated with plasma containing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]) is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. The trial is underway at 177 NHS hospitals from across the UK. Eligible and consenting patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either usual care alone (usual care group) or usual care plus high-titre convalescent plasma (convalescent plasma group). The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The trial is registered with ISRCTN, 50189673, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04381936. Findings: Between May 28, 2020, and Jan 15, 2021, 11558 (71%) of 16287 patients enrolled in RECOVERY were eligible to receive convalescent plasma and were assigned to either the convalescent plasma group or the usual care group. There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality between the two groups: 1399 (24%) of 5795 patients in the convalescent plasma group and 1408 (24%) of 5763 patients in the usual care group died within 28 days (rate ratio 1·00, 95% CI 0·93–1·07; p=0·95). The 28-day mortality rate ratio was similar in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including in those patients without detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at randomisation. Allocation to convalescent plasma had no significant effect on the proportion of patients discharged from hospital within 28 days (3832 [66%] patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 3822 [66%] patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·94–1·03; p=0·57). Among those not on invasive mechanical ventilation at randomisation, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients meeting the composite endpoint of progression to invasive mechanical ventilation or death (1568 [29%] of 5493 patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 1568 [29%] of 5448 patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·93–1·05; p=0·79). Interpretation: In patients hospitalised with COVID-19, high-titre convalescent plasma did not improve survival or other prespecified clinical outcomes. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research