scholarly journals A revision of malbranchea-like fungi from clinical specimens in the United States of America reveals unexpected novelty

IMA Fungus ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Rodríguez-Andrade ◽  
José F. Cano-Lira ◽  
Nathan Wiederhold ◽  
Alba Pérez-Cantero ◽  
Josep Guarro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States Of America ◽  
The United States ◽  
New Combination ◽  
Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
In Vitro Activity ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
In Vitro Antifungal Activity

ABSTRACTThe fungi of the order Onygenales can cause important human infections; however, their taxonomy and worldwide occurrence is still little known. We have studied and identified a representative number of clinical fungi belonging to that order from a reference laboratory in the USA. A total of 22 strains isolated from respiratory tract (40%) and human skin and nails (27.2%) showed a malbranchea-like morphology. Six genera were phenotypically and molecularly identified, i.e. Auxarthron/Malbranchea (68.2%), Arachnomyces (9.1%), Spiromastigoides (9.1%), and Currahmyces (4.5%), and two newly proposed genera (4.5% each). Based on the results of the phylogenetic study, we synonymized Auxarthron with Malbranchea, and erected two new genera: Pseudoarthropsis and Pseudomalbranchea. New species proposed are: Arachnomyces bostrychodes, A. graciliformis, Currahmyces sparsispora, Malbranchea gymnoascoides, M. multiseptata, M. stricta, Pseudoarthropsis crassispora, Pseudomalbranchea gemmata, and Spiromastigoides geomycoides, along with a new combination for Malbranchea gypsea. The echinocandins showed the highest in vitro antifungal activity against the studied isolates, followed by terbinafine and posaconazole; in contrast, amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole and 5-fluorocytosine were less active or lacked in vitro activity against these fungi.

scholarly journals Rare malbranchea-like fungal isolates from clinical specimens in United States of America.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Rodríguez-Andrade ◽  
Jose F. Cano-Lira ◽  
Nathan Wiederhold ◽  
Alba Perez-Cantero ◽  
Josep Guarro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States Of America ◽  
New Combination ◽  
Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
New Genera ◽  
Clinical Specimens ◽  
Fungal Isolates ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Human Infections

Abstract The fungi of the order Onygenales can cause important human infections; however, their taxonomy and worldwide occurrence is still little known. We have studied and identified a representative number of clinical fungi belonging to that order from a reference laboratory in the USA. A total of twenty-two strains isolated from respiratory tract (40 %) and human skin and nails (27.2 %) showed a malbranchea-like morphology. Six genera were phenotypically and molecularly identified, i.e. Auxarthron/Malbranchea (68.2 %), Arachnomyces (9.1 %), Spiromastigoides (9.1 %), and Currahmyces (4.5 %), and two newly proposed genera (4.5 % each). Based on the results of the phylogenetic study, we synonymysed Auxarthron to Malbranchea, and erected two new genera: Pseudoarthropsis and Pseudomalbranchea. New species are proposed: Arachnomyces bostrychodes, A. graciliformis, Currahmyces sparsispora, Malbranchea gymnoascoidea, M. multiseptata, M. stricta, Pseudoarthropsis crassispora, Pseudomalbranchea gemmata and Spiromastigoides geomyces, along with a new combination for Malbranchea gypsea. The echinocandins showed the highest in vitro antifungal activity against the studied isolates, followed by terbinafine and posaconazole; in contrast, amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole and 5-fluorocytosine were less active or lacked in vitro activity against these fungi.

scholarly journals Scedosporium spp. from Clinical Setting in Argentina, with the Proposal of the New Pathogenic Species Scedosporium americanum

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Ruben A. Abrantes ◽  
Nicolás Refojo ◽  
Alejandra I. Hevia ◽  
Julián Fernández ◽  
Guillermina Isla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Phenotypic Characterization ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
In Vitro Susceptibility ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Scedosporium Species

Species of the genus Scedosporium (family Microascaceae, phylum Ascomycota) are responsible for a wide range of opportunistic human infections, and have a low susceptibility to most antifungal drugs. It is well known that the pattern of Scedosporium species distribution varies according to geographic region. To assess the diversity of Scedosporium species in Argentina involved in human infections, we carried out a retrospective study reviewing 49 strains from clinical samples sent for diagnosis to the National Clinical Mycology Reference Laboratory between 1985 and 2019. Then, a phenotypic characterization, a phylogenetic study and and in vitro susceptibility test to antifungals were carried out. An analysis of combined nucleotide sequences dataset of the internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal DNA (ITS) and of a fragment of the β-tubulin gene (BT2) demonstrated that 92 % of the strains belonged to the species S. boydii, S. apiospermum and S. angustum, all them pertaining to S. apiospermum species complex. However, two strains (4%) were identified as S. aurantiacum, a species never reported in clinical settings in the Americas’. Surprisingly, one of them displayed a polycytella-like conidiogenesis, up to date only reported for S. apiospermum. In addition, the strain DMic 165285 was phylogenetically located far away from the rest of the species, so is proposed as the novel species Scedosporium americanum. On the other hand, from all seven antifungals tested, voriconazole and posaconazole were the most active drugs against Scedosporium spp.

scholarly journals Activity of Antistaphylococcal Lysin CF-301 against Contemporary Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates from the USA and Europe

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S370-S371
Author(s):  
Jun Oh ◽  
Maria Traczewski ◽  
Raymond Schuch
Keyword(s):  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Horse Serum ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
In Vitro Activity ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Testing Medium ◽  
Conventional Antibiotics ◽  
Human Infections

Abstract Background CF-301 is a novel, recombinantly-produced bacteriophage-derived lysin (cell wall hydrolase) and is the first agent of this class in the US to enter into clinical development for the treatment of bacteremia including endocarditis due to S. aureus. Hallmark features of CF-301 include rapid and pathogen-specific bacteriolytic activity, synergy with antibiotics, biofilm-disrupting activity, a low propensity for resistance, and the capacity to suppress antibiotic resistance. This is the first report of an international surveillance study for CF-301. Methods 349 methicillin-sensitive and –resistant S. aureus (MSSA and MRSA, respectively) isolates were collected from various infection sources at multiple hospitals from 2015–2017 throughout the US, Greece, Hungary and Italy. In addition to the contemporary isolates, a set of 149 MSSA and MRSA clinical isolates from 2011 were also obtained from US hospital sources. MICs for CF-301 were determined using a new antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) medium for broth microdilution recently endorsed by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) for use with CF-301. The testing medium consists of cation-adjusted Muller Hinton Broth supplemented with 25% horse serum and 0.5 mM DTT (CAMHB-HSD). Susceptibility to conventional antibiotics was also examined in this study using standard methodology (CLSI document M07-A10) and included: vancomycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, daptomycin, oxacillin, linezolid, clindamycin, and cefazolin. Results CF-301 had MIC50, MIC90, and MIC100 values of 0.5, 1, and 2 μg/mL, respectively, against each set of contemporary MSSA (n = 176) and MRSA (n = 173) clinical isolates. There were no differences noted with respect to the geographic source (in the US and Europe) of isolates. Furthermore, the CF-301 MICs reported here for 2015–2017 isolates were identical to that observed for MSSA and MRSA isolates from 2011. Conclusion CF-301 demonstrated potent in vitro activity against a total of 498 clinical S. aureus isolates from a range of human infections (including bacteremia) and different geographies. Contemporary clinical isolates did not demonstrate reduced susceptibility to CF-301 compared with the 2011 isolates. Disclosures J. Oh, ContraFect Corp: Employee, Salary; R. Schuch, ContraFect Corp: Employee, Salary

Russian Federation and the United States of America: geostrategic directions to manage the Ukrainian crisis

2019 ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Attarid Awadh Abdulhameed
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
European Union ◽  
National Security ◽  
Russian Federation ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
The United States ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Ukrainian Crisis ◽  
Zero Sum

Ukrainia Remains of huge importance to Russian Strategy because of its Strategic importance. For being a privileged Postion in new Eurasia, without its existence there would be no logical resons for eastward Expansion by European Powers.  As well as in Connection with the progress of Ukrainian is no less important for the USA (VSD, NDI, CIA, or pentagon) and the European Union with all organs, and this is announced by John Kerry. There has always ben Russian Fear and Fear of any move by NATO or USA in the area that it poses a threat to  Russians national Security and its independent role and in funence  on its forces especially the Navy Forces. There for, the Crisis manyement was not Zero sum game, there are gains and offset losses, but Russia does not accept this and want a Zero Sun game because the USA. And European exteance is a Foot hold in Regin Which Russian sees as a threat to its national security and want to monopolize control in the strategic Qirim.

Beerheide v Suthers: A Case Study Concerning Religion in Prisons in the USA

2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (36) ◽  
pp. 67-73
Author(s):  
Scot M Peterson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
Religious Beliefs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Religious Institution ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Kosher Food ◽  
Bible Reading

The penitentiary in the United States of America originated as a religious institution. Its roots lie in the belief that inmates could reform if they were given an opportunity to engage in reflection, prayer, Bible-reading and work, thus establishing a new personal foundation for functioning as productive members of the larger society. Not surprisingly, given American's predilection for maintaining a secular civil society, this original foundation for the prison eventually fell from favour, and American penological theories became more sociological or psychological in nature. The fact remains, however, that society in the United States is broadly religious, and prisons continue to address the religious beliefs of inmates and how to accommodate those beliefs in a penological setting. This comment provides a case study on this topic, based on littigation concerning the provision of kosher food to Orthodox inmates in the prisons in Colorado.

External Validation of the Cardiac Surgery Score in a Quaternary Hospital in the United States of America

2021 ◽  
pp. 088506662110668
Author(s):  
Asha Singh ◽  
Chen Liang ◽  
Stephanie L. Mick ◽  
Chiedozie Udeh
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cardiac Surgery ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
Predictive Accuracy ◽  
External Validation ◽  
Cleveland Clinic ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
The Usa

Background The Cardiac Surgery Score (CASUS) was developed to assist in predicting post-cardiac surgery mortality using parameters measured in the intensive care unit. It is calculated by assigning points to ten physiologic variables and adding them to obtain a score (additive CASUS), or by logistic regression to weight the variables and estimate the probability of mortality (logistic CASUS). Both additive and logistic CASUS have been externally validated elsewhere, but not yet in the United States of America (USA). This study aims to validate CASUS in a quaternary hospital in the USA and compare the predictive performance of additive to logistic CASUS in this setting. Methods Additive and logistic CASUS (postoperative days 1-5) were calculated for 7098 patients at Cleveland Clinic from January 2015 to February 2017. 30-day mortality data were abstracted from institutional records and the Death Registries for Ohio State and the Centers for Disease Control. Given a low event rate, model discrimination was assessed by area under the curve (AUROC), partial AUROC (pAUC), and average precision (AP). Calibration was assessed by curves and quantified using Harrell's Emax, and Integrated Calibration Index (ICI). Results 30-day mortality rate was 1.37%. For additive CASUS, odds ratio for mortality was 1.41 (1.35-1.46, P <0.001). Additive and logistic CASUS had comparable pAUC and AUROC (all >0.83). However, additive CASUS had greater AP, especially on postoperative day 1 (0.22 vs. 0.11). Additive CASUS had better calibration curves, and lower Emax, and ICI on all days. Conclusions Additive and logistic CASUS discriminated well for postoperative 30-day mortality in our quaternary center in the USA, however logistic CASUS under-predicted mortality in our cohort. Given its ease of calculation, and better predictive accuracy, additive CASUS may be the preferred model for postoperative use. Validation in more typical cardiac surgery centers in the USA is recommended.

scholarly journals Current Nuclear Strategies and Arsenals of the United States of America and the Russian Federation

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 23-44
Author(s):  
Adam Potočňák
Keyword(s):  
Cold War ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Other ◽  
Nuclear Forces ◽  
Nuclear Strategy ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
The Cold War ◽  
The U.S

The article holistically analyses current strategies for the use and development of nuclear forces of the USA and Russia and analytically reflects their mutual doctrinal interactions. It deals with the conditions under which the U.S. and Russia may opt for using their nuclear weapons and reflects also related issues of modernization and development of their actual nuclear forces. The author argues that both superpowers did not manage to abandon the Cold War logic or avoid erroneous, distorted or exaggerated assumptions about the intentions of the other side. The text concludes with a summary of possible changes and adaptations of the American nuclear strategy under the Biden administration as part of the assumed strategy update expected for 2022.

scholarly journals Sickle Cell Anemia and Babesia Infection

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1435
Author(s):  
Divya Beri ◽  
Manpreet Singh ◽  
Marilis Rodriguez ◽  
Karina Yazdanbakhsh ◽  
Cheryl Ann Lobo
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Sickle Cell Anemia ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
Parasite Resistance ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Human Infections

Babesia is an intraerythrocytic, obligate Apicomplexan parasite that has, in the last century, been implicated in human infections via zoonosis and is now widespread, especially in parts of the USA and Europe. It is naturally transmitted by the bite of a tick, but transfused blood from infected donors has also proven to be a major source of transmission. When infected, most humans are clinically asymptomatic, but the parasite can prove to be lethal when it infects immunocompromised individuals. Hemolysis and anemia are two common symptoms that accompany many infectious diseases, and this is particularly true of parasitic diseases that target red cells. Clinically, this becomes an acute problem for subjects who are prone to hemolysis and depend on frequent transfusions, like patients with sickle cell anemia or thalassemia. Little is known about Babesia’s pathogenesis in these hemoglobinopathies, and most parallels are drawn from its evolutionarily related Plasmodium parasite which shares the same environmental niche, the RBCs, in the human host. In vitro as well as in vivo Babesia-infected mouse sickle cell disease (SCD) models support the inhibition of intra-erythrocytic parasite proliferation, but mechanisms driving the protection of such hemoglobinopathies against infection are not fully studied. This review provides an overview of our current knowledge of Babesia infection and hemoglobinopathies, focusing on possible mechanisms behind this parasite resistance and the clinical repercussions faced by Babesia-infected human hosts harboring mutations in their globin gene.

scholarly journals Serialised Novels in the Polish Emigré Press in the USA, 1881–1918

2022 ◽  
Vol 124 ◽  
pp. 207-238
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Nowosielska
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
The United States ◽  
Editorial Boards ◽  
Everyday Lives ◽  
Financial Difficulties ◽  
The Everyday ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Historical Themes

This article discusses serialised novels published before 1918 in the Polish émigré press in the United States of America. These works were a popular feature of dailies and weeklies, but the periodicals’ regular financial difficulties meant that it was books published several years or indeed several decades earlier in Europe which were most often serialised. Consequently, most of the works that appeared in the periodicals failed to reflect contemporary literary trends while also overlooking subjects relevant to the everyday lives of Poles abroad. Still, the prevailing patriotic and historical themes complemented the values that many editorial boards subscribed to.

scholarly journals The socio-political context of the application of fair selection models in the usa

1996 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. K. Huysamen
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South African ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
Personnel Selection ◽  
The United States ◽  
Political Context ◽  
Preferential Treatment ◽  
Selection Models ◽  
The Usa ◽  
History Of

In an earlier article, the psychometrics of various fair selection models that had been proposed in the United States of America in the late 1960s, early 1970s were presented. The purpose of the present article is to discuss the subsequent history of the application of these models in personnel selection in that country and to view its implications for the South African situation. Because the question of fair selection models ties in with the issue of affirmative action, a brief history of this issue as it pertains to personnel selection is also given. Key decisions of the American Supreme Court that have a bearing on this matter are also reviewed. The failure to widely apply these fair selection models may be attributed to the prevalent socio-political context which favours the preferential treatment of certain groups but is hesitant to specify the particulars and limits of such treatment. Opsomming 'n Vorige artikel het die psigometi-ika onderliggend aan verskeie billike keuringsmodelle wat in die laat sestigerjare, vroee sewentigerjare in die Verenigde State van Amerika voorgestel is, behandel. Die doel met die onderhawige artikel is om 'n oorsig te verskaf van die daaropvolgende geskiedenis van die toepassing van daardie modelle in personeelkeuring in daardie land, en om die implikasies daarvan vir die Suid-Afrikaanse situasie te belig. Omdat die aangeleentheid van billike keuringsmodelle verband hou met die kwessie van regstellende aksie, word 'n bondige geskiedenis van hierdie kwessie soos dit op personeelkeuring van toepassing is, ook verskaf. Sleutel-uitsprake van die Amerikaanse Hooggeregshof wat betrekking het op hierdie aangeleentheid word ook beskou. Die beperkte toepassing van hierdie billike keuringsmodelle kan toegeskryf word aan die heersende sosio-politieke konteks wat die voorkeurbehandeling van bepaalde groepe voorstaan, maar wat huiwerig is om die besonderhede en perke van sodanige behandeling te spesifiseer.

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