Intricate gastroschisis a fresh sign for baby surgical treatment

Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.Diagnostic tests for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) include the detection of antibodies against either the viral non-structural proteins or the capsid. The detection of antibodies against the structural proteins (SP) of the capsid can be used to monitor seroconversion in both infected and vaccinated animals. However, SP tests need to be tailored to the individual FMD virus serotype and their sensitivity performances may be affected by antigenic variability within each serotype and mismatching between tests reagents. As a consequence, FMD Reference Laboratories are required to maintain multiple type-specific SP assays and reagents. A universal SP test would simplify frontline diagnostics and facilitate large-scale serological surveillance and post-vaccination monitoring. In this study, a highly conserved region in the N terminus of FMDV capsid protein VP2 (VP2N) was characterised using a panel of intertypic-reactive monoclonal antibodies. This revealed a universal epitope in VP2N which could be used as a peptide antigen to detect FMDV-specific antibodies against all types of the virus. A VP2-peptide ELISA (VP2-ELISA) was optimised using experimental and reference antisera from immunized, convalescent and negative animals (n=172). The VP2-ELISA is universal, simple and provided sensitive (99 %) and specific (93%) detection of antibodies to all FMDV strains used in this study. We anticipate that this SP test could have utility for sero-surveillance during virus incursions in FMD-free countries and as an additional screening tool to assess FMD virus circulation in endemic countries. Copyright © 2020 Asfor et al.The laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease relies upon serologic testing. HPK1-IN-2 datasheet A standard or modified two-tiered algorithm is used to enhance the accuracy of antibody detection. However, this approach suffers from a lack of sensitivity in early Lyme disease. Ongoing efforts to develop more sensitive antibody detection technologies and other diagnostic approaches is dependent upon the availability of quality-assured biospecimens linked to reliable clinical data. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, E. J. Horn, et al. (J. Clin. Microbiol. 58e00032-20, https//doi.org/10.1128/JCM.00032-20) described the development of the Lyme Disease Biobank. Clinically categorized case patients with early Lyme disease and healthy controls were identified (without laboratory diagnostic testing) from three endemic sites. Subjects provided whole blood and urine that were processed and stored at a central biorepository. Whole blood, serum and urine aliquots were prepared and are available to investigators developing laboratory diagnostics for Lyme disease. After obtaining samples, extensive laboratory testing was performed including serologic and nucleic acid amplification testing for B. burgdorferi and other tick-borne pathogens. Direct detection methods yielded few positive results. Relative to another commonly used biorepository cohort, the results of this testing demonstrated a low seropositive rate as determined by standard two-tiered testing. Additionally, relatively few subjects demonstrated seroconversion with testing of convalescent samples. This clinical and serologically defined cohort of Lyme disease and control cases from endemic areas offers an additional valuable resource for novel test development that includes alternate specimen types. Copyright © 2020 American Society for Microbiology.Objectives Management of invasive aspergillosis has been improved by biomarker assays, but limited accessibility and batch testing limit impact. Lateral flow assays (LFA) are a simple method for use outside specialist centres, provided performance is acceptable. The objective of this study was to determine the performance of the recently released IMMY sona Aspergillus LFA when testing serum samples.Methods The study took the form of a retrospective, anonymous case/control study, comprising 179 serum samples from 136 patients with invasive fungal disease, previously documented using recently revised internationally accepted definitions. The LFA was performed following the manufacturer's instructions, using a cube reader to generate a galactomannan index (GMI). Performance parameters were determined and receiver operator characteristic analysis was used to identify an optimal threshold. Concordance with the BioRad Aspergillus Ag assay (GM-EIA) was performed.Results At the recommended positivity threshold (GMI ≥0.5), LFA sensitivity and specificity were 96.9% (31/32) and 98% (98/100). ROC analysis confirmed the optimal threshold and generated an area under the curve of 0.9919. Qualitative agreement between LFA and GM-EIA was 89.0%, generating a Kappa statistic of 0.698 representing good agreement, with most discordance arising due to false negative GM-EIA samples that were positive by LFA. The median GMI generated by the LFA was significantly greater than that generated by the GM-EIA.Conclusions The IMMY sona Aspergillus LFA, when used with cube reader provides a rapid alternative to the well-established GM-EIA, potentially detecting more GM epitopes and enhancing sensitivity. Copyright © 2020 American Society for Microbiology.Every month, DTB scans sources of information on treatments, disease management and other healthcare topics for key items to bring to our readers' attention and help them keep up to date. To do this, we produce succinct, contextualised summaries of the information concerned. © BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.Every month, DTB scans sources of information on treatments, disease management and other healthcare topics for key items to bring to our readers' attention and help them keep up to date. To do this, we produce succinct, contextualised summaries of the information concerned. © BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.Review of Poly TN, Islam MM, Wu CC, et al Proton pump inhibitors and risk of hip fracture a meta-analysis of observational studies. Osteoporosis Int 2019;30103-14. © BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.