A new species of Mayfly, Maccaffertium annae sp. n. (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae) from Mexican Amber (Miocene)

Maccaffertium annae sp. n. is described in the Mexican amber of early Miocene age. It constitutes the first species of mayfly (Ephemeroptera), the first record of the family Heptageniidae to be described from this amber, and also the first fossil record of the genus Maccaffertium. The species is represented by male and female imagos in one piece of amber

Generated randomly and selected functionally? The nature of enterovirus recombination

FA was supported by a PhD studentship from the Ministry of Education, Government of Saudi Arabia and KB was supported by Biological Sciences Research Council award BB/M009343/1to D.J.E and an ISSF award from The Wellcome Trust to the BSRC, University of St Andrews.Genetic recombination in RNA viruses is an important evolutionary mechanism. It con-tributes to population diversity, host/tissue adaptation and compromises vaccine efficacy. Both the molecular mechanism and initial products of recombination are relatively poorly understood. We used an established poliovirus-based in vitro recombination assay to investigate the roles of se-quence identity and RNA structure, both implicated or inferred from analysis of circulating recom-binant viruses, in the process. In addition, we used next generation sequencing to investigate the early products of recombination after cellular co-infection with different poliovirus serotypes. In independent studies we find no evidence for a role for RNA identity or structure in determining recombination junctions location. Instead, genome function and fitness are of greater importance in determining the identity of recombinant progeny. These studies provide further insights into this important evolutionary mechanism and emphasise the critical nature of the selection process on a mixed virus population.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Third generation vaccine for world eradication of poliomyelitis

Great efforts have been undertaken by the World Health Organization to achieve eradication of poliomyelitis, a paralytic disease. At present, two different vaccines are available: inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) developed by Salk based on chemical inactivation of the virus and oral polio vaccine (OPV) developed by Sabin based on live attenuated virus strains. The risks associated with IPV concern the safety of the production process as it is based on highly virulent wild type strains, and in contrast, the OPV risks are associated with the reversibility of the attenuated viruses to a transmissible paralytic form. There is therefore a need for a new generation polio vaccines capable to overcome outbreaks and manufacturing risks. With the evolution of molecular virology of Sabin vaccine strains, it is now possible to design extremely genetically stable and hyperattenuated strains without the associated reversion risks. Sabin poliovirus strains were therefore genetically modified giving rise to the third generation of polio vaccine strains [1, 2]. In the present work we have explored the possibility of using the already well-established IPV production process, developed at our site [3] and integrated worldwide [4] for the production and manufacturing of third generation of IPV strains. Specifically, we have produced third generation vaccines in animal component free medium and at 50-L pilot scale. The product obtained did show acceptable yields and was immunogenic in rats. Together, our results indicate that the third generation vaccine strains produced under the flexible platform process are potential candidates which provide increased biosafety during manufacturing which is necessary after polio eradication. In addition, the flexibility and scalability of the process constitute a platform for the production of a large range of vaccines worldwide. 1. Knowlson, S., et al., New Strains Intended for the Production of Inactivated Polio Vaccine at Low-Containment After Eradication. PLoS Pathog, 2015. 11(12): p. e1005316. 2. Macadam, A.J., et al., Rational design of genetically stable, live-attenuated poliovirus vaccines of all three serotypes: relevance to poliomyelitis eradication. J Virol, 2006. 80(17): p. 8653-63. 3. Thomassen, Y.E., et al., Scale-down of the inactivated polio vaccine production process. Biotechnol Bioeng, 2013. 110(5): p. 1354-65. 4. Wezel, v., Monolayer growth systems: Homogeneous unit processes. Spier, R. E. and Griffiths, J. B., eds., 1985: p. 266-281

Hospitalization and emergency department visits among seniors receiving homecare: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Despite the recent growth in home health services, data on clinical outcomes and acute health care utilization among older adults receiving homecare services are sparse. Obtaining such data is particularly relevant in Ontario where an increasing number of frail seniors receiving homecare are awaiting placement in long-term care facilities. In order to determine the feasibility of a large-scale study, we conducted a pilot study to assess utilization of acute health care services among seniors receiving homecare to determine associated clinical outcomes. METHODS: This prospective cohort study followed forty-seven seniors admitted to homecare by two homecare agencies in Hamilton, Ontario over a 12-month period. Demographic information and medical history were collected at baseline, and patients were followed until either termination of homecare services, death, or end of study. The primary outcome was hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included emergency department visits that did not result in hospitalization and death. Rates of hospitalization and emergency department visits without admission were calculated, and univariate analyses were performed to test for potential risk factors. Survival curves for accumulative rates of hospitalization and emergency department visits were created. RESULTS: 312 seniors were eligible for the study, of which 123 (39%) agreed to participate initially. After communicating with the research nurse, of the 123 who agreed to participate initially, 47 (38%) were enrolled in the study. Eleven seniors were hospitalized during 3,660 days of follow-up for a rate of 3.0 incident hospitalizations per 1,000 homecare-days. Eleven seniors had emergency department visits that did not result in hospitalization, for a rate of 3.3 incident emergency department visits per 1,000 homecare-days. There were no factors significantly associated with hospitalization or emergency department visits when adjustment was made for multiple comparisons. CONCLUSION: The incidence of hospitalization and visits to the emergency department among seniors receiving homecare services is high. Getting satisfactory levels of enrolment will be a major challenge for larger prospective studies

Recommendations for enterovirus diagnostics and characterisation within and beyond Europe.

Enteroviruses (EV) can cause severe neurological and respiratory infections, and occasionally lead to devastating outbreaks as previously demonstrated with EV-A71 and EV-D68 in Europe. However, these infections are still often underdiagnosed and EV typing data is not currently collected at European level. In order to improve EV diagnostics, collate data on severe EV infections and monitor the circulation of EV types, we have established European non-polio enterovirus network (ENPEN). First task of this cross-border network has been to ensure prompt and adequate diagnosis of these infections in Europe, and hence we present recommendations for non-polio EV detection and typing based on the consensus view of this multidisciplinary team including experts from over 20 European countries. We recommend that respiratory and stool samples in addition to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples are submitted for EV testing from patients with suspected neurological infections. This is vital since viruses like EV-D68 are rarely detectable in CSF or stool samples. Furthermore, reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) targeting the 5'noncoding regions (5'NCR) should be used for diagnosis of EVs due to their sensitivity, specificity and short turnaround time. Sequencing of the VP1 capsid protein gene is recommended for EV typing; EV typing cannot be based on the 5'NCR sequences due to frequent recombination events and should not rely on virus isolation. Effective and standardized laboratory diagnostics and characterisation of circulating virus strains are the first step towards effective and continuous surveillance activities, which in turn will be used to provide better estimation on EV disease burden

The effects of integrated care: a systematic review of UK and international evidence

BACKGROUND: Healthcare systems around the world have been responding to the demand for better integrated models of service delivery. However, there is a need for further clarity regarding the effects of these new models of integration, and exploration regarding whether models introduced in other care systems may achieve similar outcomes in a UK national health service context. METHODS: The study aimed to carry out a systematic review of the effects of integration or co-ordination between healthcare services, or between health and social care on service delivery outcomes including effectiveness, efficiency and quality of care. Electronic databases including MEDLINE; Embase; PsycINFO; CINAHL; Science and Social Science Citation Indices; and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant literature published between 2006 to March 2017. Online sources were searched for UK grey literature, and citation searching, and manual reference list screening were also carried out. Quantitative primary studies and systematic reviews, reporting actual or perceived effects on service delivery following the introduction of models of integration or co-ordination, in healthcare or health and social care settings in developed countries were eligible for inclusion. Strength of evidence for each outcome reported was analysed and synthesised using a four point comparative rating system of stronger, weaker, inconsistent or limited evidence. RESULTS: One hundred sixty seven studies were eligible for inclusion. Analysis indicated evidence of perceived improved quality of care, evidence of increased patient satisfaction, and evidence of improved access to care. Evidence was rated as either inconsistent or limited regarding all other outcomes reported, including system-wide impacts on primary care, secondary care, and health care costs. There were limited differences between outcomes reported by UK and international studies, and overall the literature had a limited consideration of effects on service users. CONCLUSIONS: Models of integrated care may enhance patient satisfaction, increase perceived quality of care, and enable access to services, although the evidence for other outcomes including service costs remains unclear. Indications of improved access may have important implications for services struggling to cope with increasing demand. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospero registration number: 42016037725

Toward the integrated marine debris observing system

Plastics and other artificial materials pose new risks to the health of the ocean. Anthropogenic debris travels across large distances and is ubiquitous in the water and on shorelines, yet, observations of its sources, composition, pathways, and distributions in the ocean are very sparse and inaccurate. Total amounts of plastics and other man-made debris in the ocean and on the shore, temporal trends in these amounts under exponentially increasing production, as well as degradation processes, vertical fluxes, and time scales are largely unknown. Present ocean circulation models are not able to accurately simulate drift of debris because of its complex hydrodynamics. In this paper we discuss the structure of the future integrated marine debris observing system (IMDOS) that is required to provide long-term monitoring of the state of this anthropogenic pollution and support operational activities to mitigate impacts on the ecosystem and on the safety of maritime activity. The proposed observing system integrates remote sensing and in situ observations. Also, models are used to optimize the design of the system and, in turn, they will be gradually improved using the products of the system. Remote sensing technologies will provide spatially coherent coverage and consistent surveying time series at local to global scale. Optical sensors, including high-resolution imaging, multi- and hyperspectral, fluorescence, and Raman technologies, as well as SAR will be used to measure different types of debris. They will be implemented in a variety of platforms, from hand-held tools to ship-, buoy-, aircraft-, and satellite-based sensors. A network of in situ observations, including reports from volunteers, citizen scientists and ships of opportunity, will be developed to provide data for calibration/validation of remote sensors and to monitor the spread of plastic pollution and other marine debris. IMDOS will interact with other observing systems monitoring physical, chemical, and biological processes in the ocean and on shorelines as well as the state of the ecosystem, maritime activities and safety, drift of sea ice, etc. The synthesized data will support innovative multi-disciplinary research and serve a diverse community of users

Molecular characterisation of Barley Yellow Mosaic Virus

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The genome sequence of the Large Brook Dun, Ecdyonurus torrentis (Kimmins, 1942) [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Ecdyonurus torrentis (the Large Brook Dun; Arthropoda; Insecta; Ephemeroptera; Heptageniidae). The genome sequence is 503.2 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 11 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.69 kilobases in length