Norovirus disease surveillance using google internet query share data

Google Internet query share (IQS) data for gastroenteritis-related search terms correlated strongly with contemporaneous national (R(2)?=?0.70) and regional (R(2)?=?0.74) norovirus surveillance data in the United States. IQS data may facilitate rapid identification of norovirus season onset, elevated peak activity, and potential emergence of novel strains.     

Use of Internet search data to monitor impact of rotavirus vaccination in the United States

Google-based Internet query share (IQS) for rotavirus search terms correlated well with US rotavirus laboratory detections from 2004 to 2010 (r = 0.88; P < .001), capturing the reduction observed during postvaccine years (2008-2010). IQS analysis could become an inexpensive and reliable supplement for monitoring the impact of rotavirus vaccination in the United States.     

Involvement of caspase-3, lipid peroxidation and TNF-alpha in causing apoptosis of macrophages by coordinately expressed Salmonella phenotype under stress conditions

Invasive Salmonella has been reported to induce apoptosis of macrophages as a part of its infection process, which may allow it to avoid detection by the innate immune system. However, the bacterial components capable of inducing apoptosis, particularly under the environments offered by the host have not been fully identified. Therefore, in the present study, attempts were made to evaluate the apoptotic potential of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. typhi) outer membrane protein expressed under stress conditions like iron, oxidative and anaerobic simulating the in vivo situations encountered by the pathogen. Analysis of data revealed that a coordinately expressed 69kDa outer membrane protein (OMP) expressed with enhanced intensity under iron, oxidative and anaerobic stress conditions caused apoptotic cell death in 51% of macrophages, whereas OMPs of S. typhi extracted under normal conditions accounted for apoptotic cell death in only 31% of macrophages. A significantly enhanced activity of caspase-3 was observed during macrophage-apoptosis induced by this protein. A significant increase in the extent of lipid peroxidation (levels of oxidant) and decrease in the activities of antioxidants was also observed which correlated with the increased generation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukine-1alpha and interleukine-6. These results suggest that caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in conjunction with other cytokines may induce apoptotic cell death through the up-regulation of oxidants and down-regulation of antioxidants. These findings may be relevant for the better understanding of the disease pathophysiology and for the future developments of diagnostic and preventive strategies during the host-pathogen interactions.     

Surgical Management of Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease After One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass — a Systematic Review

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) after one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) remains a concern. We reviewed the current literature on revisional surgery after OAGB for GORD. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed databases were searched. We identified 21 studies, appraising 13,658 OAGB patients. A total of 230 (1.6%) patients underwent revisional surgery for GORD. Revision to Roux-en-Y configuration was performed in 211 (91.7%) patients. Six (2.6%) patients had a Braun entero-enterostomy added to the OAGB. Thirteen (5.6%) patients underwent excluded stomach fundoplication (ESF). Reflux symptoms resolved in 112 (48.6%) patients, persisted in 13 (5.6%) patients, and were not reported in 105 (45.6%) patients. Revisional surgery after OAGB for GORD appears to be rare, and when required, conversion to Roux-en-Y configuration is the commonest choice.

     

MYD88 L265P mutation in intraocular lymphoma: A potential diagnostic marker

Purpose:Vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) is the most common intraocular lymphoma (IOL). This can be either primary or secondary to the central nervous system lymphoma. The diagnosis of primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) currently relies on clinical diagnosis and cytological analysis of the vitreous or subretinal biopsy. Although most cases are diagnosed without much issue, the limited amount of vitreous fluid, subjectivity in cytological reporting, and special expertise in ocular pathology make the diagnosis challenging. MYD88 L265P mutation has been implicated to have diagnostic utility in PIOL. In this study, we screened consecutive vitreous biopsies for the presence of MYD88 L265P mutation to understand its diagnostic utility compared to conventional cytological analysis.Methods:Cytological analysis and MYD88 L265P mutation by PCR-based sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were carried out on consecutive vitreous and subretinal biopsies collected from 21 patients. The diagnostic utility of the cytology and MYD88 L265P mutation analysis were compared.Results:Out of the 21 patients, 15 had clinical suspicion of having PIOL. Out of these suspected cases of PIOL, nine were confirmed on follow-up, while six were diagnosed as other intraocular pathologies. Diagnostic utility of MYD88 L265P mutation analysis revealed a sensitivity of 88.9%, specificity of 91.6%, positive and negative predictive value of 88.9% and 91.7%, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of 90.5% was achieved with the mutation analysis that shows the superiority of MYD88 in both ruling in and ruling out PIOL. The diagnostic utility of MYD88 L265P mutation was superior to conventional cytological analysis.Conclusion:The analysis of MYD88 L265P mutation is reliable and efficient in the diagnosis of PIOL.