Detection and molecular characterization of noroviruses and sapoviruses in children admitted to hospital with acute gastroenteritis in Vietnam

Noroviruses (NoV) and sapoviruses (SaV) are recognized as important causes of acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide. In this study, the prevalence and genetic variability of NoV and SaV were determined in hospitalized children <5 years of age with acute gastroenteritis in Hanoi, Vietnam. A total of 501 fecal specimens collected between November-2007 and October-2008, that previously had been tested for rotavirus (RV), were tested for NoV and SaV by realtime RT-PCR. Positive samples were genotyped by conventional RT-PCR followed by sequencing. GII NoV was detected in 180 (36%) and SaV in 7 (1.4%) of the samples. NoV was detected year-round ranging from 9.5% in April to 81.5% in September among RV negative samples. NoV GII.4 Minerva (2006b) was the dominant genotype (93%) with a few other genotypes detected including GII.3 (4.4%), GII.13 (1.7%), and GII.2 (0.6%) but no GI strains. Only GI and GII SaV strains were detected in this study. No difference in NoV prevalence between age groups was noted. Frequency of vomiting or fever was similar between children with NoV and RV infection, yet, NoV caused diarrhea with longer duration. In conclusion, NoV is the second most frequent cause of diarrhea in hospitalized children in North Vietnam.     

Leadership diversity in prosthodontics: Number of women and nonwhite individuals serving as President of selected prosthodontic organizations in the last 20 years

Statement of problemAs a measure of the leadership diversity in prosthodontics, the number and percentage of women and nonwhite Presidents of prosthodontics organizations is unknown.PurposeThe purpose of this observational study was to calculate and compare the number and percentage of women and nonwhite Presidents of 10 selected prosthodontic organizations over the past 20 years and to determine whether the number of women and nonwhite Presidents has changed over the time frame of 2000-2019 in comparison to male and white Presidents.Material and methodsThe number of women and nonwhite Presidents of the Academy of Prosthodontics (AP), American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics (AAFP), American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics (AAMP), American College of Prosthodontists (ACP), American Prosthodontic Society (APS), European Prosthodontic Association (EPA), International Association of Dental Research - Prosthodontics group (IADR-P), International College of Prosthodontists (ICP), Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics (GNYAP), and Pacific Coast Society for Prosthodontics (PCSP) was recorded. The chi-square test was used to determine differences in the percentage of women and nonwhite Presidents over time and between organizations.ResultsThe range of women Presidents in the selected years was 20% (EPA) to 0% (APS) with a mean of 10%. No statistically significant differences over time and between organizations were observed. The range of nonwhite Presidents in the selected years was 25% (ICP) to 0% (AAFP, AAMP, ACP, and GNYAP) with a mean of 7.5%. No statistically significant difference over time was observed while a statistically significant difference between organizations was observed (P=.015). Multiple comparisons revealed the ICP had significantly more nonwhite Presidents in the selected years.ConclusionsThe relatively low numbers of women and nonwhite Presidents in the organizations studied is compelling evidence that there are an insufficient number of women and nonwhite role models in prosthodontics and that important voices representing the diversity of members of the prosthodontic community remain unheard. Clinical Implications     

Causes of fever in adults on the Thai-Myanmar border

A hospital-based study was conducted along the Thai-Myanmar border to provide greater knowledge of the causes of febrile illness and to determine what zoonotic and vector-borne emerging infectious diseases might be present. A total of 613 adults were enrolled from June 1999 to March 2002. Cases were classified based on clinical findings and laboratory results. An etiologic diagnosis was made for 48% of subjects. Malaria was the most common diagnosis, accounting for 25% of subjects, with two-thirds Plasmodium falciparum. Serologic evidence for leptospirosis was found in 17% of subjects. Other etiologic diagnoses included rickettsial infections, dengue fever, and typhoid. The most frequent clinical diagnoses were nonspecific febrile illness, respiratory infections, and gastroenteritis. Clinical associations were generally not predictive of etiologic diagnosis. Apparent dual diagnoses were common, particularly for malaria and leptospirosis. Findings have been used to modify treatment of unspecified febrile illness in the area.