Reproducibility of different screening classifications in ultrasonography of the newborn hip

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ultrasonography of the hip has gained wide acceptance as a primary method for diagnosis, screening and treatment monitoring of developmental hip dysplasia in infants. The aim of the study was to examine the degree of concordance of two objective classifications of hip morphology and subjective parameters by three investigators with different levels of experience.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In 207 consecutive newborns (101 boys; 106 girls) the following parameters were assessed: bony roof angle (α-angle) and cartilage roof angle (β-angle) according to Graf's basic standard method, "femoral head coverage" (FHC) as described by Terjesen, shape of the bony roof and position of the cartilaginous roof. Both hips were measured twice by each investigator with a 7.5 MHz linear transducer (SONOLINE G60S^®ultrasound system, SIEMENS, Erlangen, Germany).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean kappa-coefficients for the subjective parameters shape of the bony roof (0.97) and position of the cartilaginous roof (1.0) demonstrated high intra-observer reproducibility. Best results were achieved for α-angle, followed by β-angle and finally FHC. With respect to limits of agreement, inter-observer reproducibility was calculated less precisely.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Higher measurement differences were evaluated more in objective scorings. Those variations were observed by every investigator irrespective of level of experience.</p

The Core Protein of Classical Swine Fever Virus Is Dispensable for Virus Propagation In Vitro

Core protein of Flaviviridae is regarded as essential factor for nucleocapsid formation. Yet, core protein is not encoded by all isolates (GBV- A and GBV- C). Pestiviruses are a genus within the family Flaviviridae that affect cloven-hoofed animals, causing economically important diseases like classical swine fever (CSF) and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD). Recent findings describe the ability of NS3 of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) to compensate for disabling size increase of core protein (Riedel et al., 2010). NS3 is a nonstructural protein possessing protease, helicase and NTPase activity and a key player in virus replication. A role of NS3 in particle morphogenesis has also been described for other members of the Flaviviridae (Patkar et al., 2008; Ma et al., 2008). These findings raise questions about the necessity and function of core protein and the role of NS3 in particle assembly. A reverse genetic system for CSFV was employed to generate poorly growing CSFVs by modification of the core gene. After passaging, rescued viruses had acquired single amino acid substitutions (SAAS) within NS3 helicase subdomain 3. Upon introduction of these SAAS in a nonviable CSFV with deletion of almost the entire core gene (Vp447Δc), virus could be rescued. Further characterization of this virus with regard to its physical properties, morphology and behavior in cell culture did not reveal major differences between wildtype (Vp447) and Vp447Δc. Upon infection of the natural host, Vp447Δc was attenuated. Hence we conclude that core protein is not essential for particle assembly of a core-encoding member of the Flaviviridae, but important for its virulence. This raises questions about capsid structure and necessity, the role of NS3 in particle assembly and the function of core protein in general

microRNA-122 stimulates translation of hepatitis C virus RNA

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a positive strand RNA virus that propagates primarily in the liver. We show here that the liver-specific microRNA-122 (miR-122), a member of a class of small cellular RNAs that mediate post-transcriptional gene regulation usually by repressing the translation of mRNAs through interaction with their 3′-untranslated regions (UTRs), stimulates the translation of HCV. Sequestration of miR-122 in liver cell lines strongly reduces HCV translation, whereas addition of miR-122 stimulates HCV translation in liver cell lines as well as in the non-liver HeLa cells and in rabbit reticulocyte lysate. The stimulation is conferred by direct interaction of miR-122 with two target sites in the 5′-UTR of the HCV genome. With a replication-defective NS5B polymerase mutant genome, we show that the translation stimulation is independent of viral RNA synthesis. miR-122 stimulates HCV translation by enhancing the association of ribosomes with the viral RNA at an early initiation stage. In conclusion, the liver-specific miR-122 may contribute to HCV liver tropism at the level of translation

Schnelltest-Diagnostik sexuell übertragbarer Infektionen in niedrigschwelligen Einrichtungen

Am 5.2.16 fand am Robert-Koch-Institut in Berlin ein Expertentreffen zum Thema „Schnelltests in der Diagnostik sexuell übertragbarer Infektionen“ statt. Das Ziel dieser Tagung war, die in einem vorangegangenen Treffen im Januar 2012 erarbeitete Bewertung der Schnelltests für den Einsatz in der Infektionsdiagnostik von HIV, HBV, HCV, T. pallidum, C. trachomatis und N. gonorrhoeae in „niedrigschwelligen Einrichtungen“ unter Berücksichtigung neuer Erkenntnisse und Entwicklungen dem aktuellen Stand anzupassen. Die von der Bundesregierung kürzlich beschlossene Strategie zur Eindämmung von HIV, Hepatitis B und C und anderen sexuell übertragbaren Infektionen beschreibt einen Mangel an Testmöglichkeiten und verfolgt eine Steigerung der Testangebote und einen besseren Zugang. Eine wichtige Option um Testbarrieren zu senken, repräsentiert der Einsatz von Schnelltests, die als niedrigschwelliges Testangebot in Beratungsstellen angeboten werden und auch als Heimtests durchgeführt werden können. Basierend auf den in klinischen Studien evaluierten Leistungsmerkmalen sind einige HIV-, HCV- und Syphilis-Schnelltests durchaus als point-of-care Test (POCT) geeignet. Für C. trachomatis und N. gonorrhoeae erreichen nur PCR-basierte POCTs eine ausreichende diagnostische Genauigkeit. Der Einsatz von Schnelltest ist in Deutschland an bestimmte Vorgaben des IfSG und MPG gebunden. Die Abgabe von HIV-Diagnostika an Privatpersonen (zwecks Heimtestung) ist in Deutschland untersagt (§ 11, MPG). Die Feststellung und Übermittlung einer Infektionskrankheit ist einem Arzt vorbehalten und darf auch nicht als Ferndiagnose erfolgen (§ 24, IfSG). Darüber hinaus unterliegen Schnelltests, wie alle labormedizinischen Analysen einer Qualitätssicherung entsprechend den Richtlinien der Bundesärztekammer

International collaborative study on the 3rd WHO International Standard for hepatitis B surface antigen

AbstractBackgroundThe WHO International Standard (IS) for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is used to standardize HBsAg assays. Stocks of the 2nd IS for HBsAg are depleted. The proposal to establish its replacement was endorsed by WHO in 2012.ObjectivePreparation of a freeze-dried candidate 3rd IS (NIBSC 12/226); evaluation of its suitability in a WHO international collaborative study; calibration of its potency in International Units (IU).Study designThe 3rd IS is based on plasma-derived, purified, inactivated HBsAg from Vietnam. Qualitative and quantitative HBsAg assays were used to evaluate 12/226 alongside the 2nd IS and 1st IS. Blinded study samples included a duplicate of 12/226, a negative control and two diluted plasma samples representing hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes A and B.ResultsTwelve laboratories from 9 countries returned 22 data sets from 15 methods. The overall geometric mean potency of 12/226 is 47.3IU/mL (±13% CV) when compared to the 2nd IS with HBV subgenotype A2. The 3rd IS has HBV subgenotype B4 with a heterogeneous HBsAg subtype population of ayw1 and adw2. Some genotype-dependent effects on the inter-laboratory variability were observed but overall mean potencies were virtually identical irrespective of the IS used for calibration. Stability studies indicate that the candidate is stable for long-term use.Conclusions12/226 was established in October 2014 by the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization as the 3rd IS for HBsAg with a potency of 47.3IU per ampoule maintaining the continuity in the standardization of HBsAg assays

Qualitative hydrology: a review of the last quarter century and a glimpse into the future from the perspective of the Division G of the Federal Institute of Hydrology

Abstract With the nationwide introduction of wastewater treatment the overall water quality improved significantly, but challenges remain, including diffuse pollution, historical sediment contamination and the presence of a multitude of anthropogenic chemical species. The implementation of several EU directives in the twenty-first century led to a stronger focus on improving water and sediment quality and the sustainable management of sediments at river basin scale. Hence, in the last 25 years, not only have the regulatory frameworks significantly changed, but also the scientific backbone of our products, delivered to Germany’s federal ministries, practitioners from the German Waterways and Shipping Administration, German federal states and the public. In this respect, approaches such as non-target screening, multi-element analysis, effect-based methods, novel approaches in microplastic and nanoparticle analysis and the benefits from the increase in digitalization and automation are key methods and processes to face future challenges, especially those connected to the global climate crisis