Search

Staphylococcus schleiferi is an opportunistic pathogen in humans and dogs. Recent taxonomic reassignment of its subspecies (S. schleiferi subsp. schleiferi and S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans) into two separate species (S. schleiferi and S. coagulans) lacks supporting data for diagnostic implications and clinical relevance. We aimed to confirm the reclassification of S. schleiferi by using genomic and matrix-Assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) data for a large set of isolates from humans and animals to investigate their molecular epidemiology and clinical relevance. Routine MALDI-TOF analysis and Illumina sequencing were performed on 165 S. schleiferi isolates from the Netherlands. With 33 publicly available genomes, the study included 198 genomes from 149 dogs, 34 humans, and 15 other sources. The Type Strain Genome Server was used to identify species in the genomes, and the MALDI-TOF MS database was extended to improve species differentiation. MALDI-TOF did not discriminate between S. schleiferi and S. coagulans. Genome phylogeny distinguished the two species in two monophyletic clusters. S. schleiferi isolates originated from humans, while S. coagulans isolates were found in animals and three human isolates clustering with the animal isolates. The sialidase B gene (nanB) was a unique marker gene for S. schleiferi, whereas the chrA gene was exclusive for S. coagulans. The mecA gene was exclusively detected in S. coagulans, as were the lnu(A), blaZ, erm(B/C), tet(O/M), and aac(69)-Aph(299) genes. The MALDI-TOF database extension did not improve differentiation between the two species. Even though our whole-genome sequencing- based approach showed clear differentiation between these two species, it remains critical to identify S. schleiferi and S. coagulans correctly in routine diagnostics. IMPORTANCE This study clearly shows that S. schleiferi is a concern in human hospital settings, whereas S. coagulans predominantly causes infections

Acinetobacter baumannii is a nosocomial pathogen that frequently causes healthcare-acquired infections. The global spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains with its ability to survive in the environment for extended periods imposes a pressing public health threat. Two MDR A. baumannii outbreaks occurred in 2012 and 2014 in a companion animal intensive care unit (caICU) in the Netherlands. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on dog clinical isolates (n = 6), environmental isolates (n = 5), and human reference strains (n = 3) to investigate if the isolates of the two outbreaks were related. All clinical isolates shared identical resistance phenotypes displaying multidrug resistance. Multi-locus Sequence Typing (MLST) revealed that all clinical isolates belonged to sequence type ST2. The core genome MLST (cgMLST) results confirmed that the isolates of the two outbreaks were not related. Comparative genome analysis showed that the outbreak isolates contained different gene contents, including mobile genetic elements associated with antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). The time-measured phylogenetic reconstruction revealed that the outbreak isolates diverged approximately 30 years before 2014. Our study shows the importance of WGS analyses combined with molecular clock investigations to reduce transmission of MDR A. baumannii infections in companion animal clinics.

BackgroundAntithyroid drugs, such as methimazole (MMI), are standard therapies for the medical management of thyrotoxicosis. Agranulocytosis is a rare but lethal adverse effect of antithyroid medications. We have reported 2 cases of MMI-induced agranulocytosis with similar risk factors that likely predisposed them to this adverse reaction.Case reportCase 1 involved a 71-year-old woman, with a history of Graves disease, who presented with an altered mental status. She was recently discharged on 40 mg of MMI twice daily, and she continued this dose for 2 months. She was readmitted and found to have neutropenic fever in the setting of MMI-induced agranulocytosis. MMI was discontinued, and she was started on filgrastim. Her cell counts gradually improved, and she was subsequently discharged.Case 2 involved a 68-year-old woman, with a history of Graves disease, who presented with severe back pain, nausea, and vomiting. She was recently discharged on 10 mg of MMI twice daily, which was increased to 10 mg 3 times a day. She was readmitted to the hospital because of a septic shock in the setting of pneumonia, colitis, bacteremia, and MMI-induced agranulocytosis. A bone marrow biopsy showed a polyclonal infiltrate with up to 85% plasma cells. Despite treatment with antibiotics, filgrastim, and continuous renal replacement therapy, she ultimately passed away.DiscussionAlthough these cases had differing outcomes, they shared similar features and risk factors, including older age, female sex, and relatively higher doses of MMI.ConclusionClose follow up and awareness of risk factors, such as age, female sex, and higher doses of MMI, may decrease the risk of MMI-induced agranulocytosis and fatal outcomes.

Introduction: There is a growing interest in the potential contribution the private sector can make towards increasing access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low- and middle-income settings. This article describes a public–private partnership that was developed to expand HIV care capacity in Yangon, Myanmar. The partnership was between private sector general practitioners (GPs) and a community-based non-governmental organization (International HIV/AIDS Alliance). Methods: Retrospective analysis of 2119 patient records dating from March 2009 to April 2015 was conducted. Outcomes assessed were immunological response, loss to follow-up, all-cause mortality, and alive and retained in care. Follow-up time was calculated from the date of registration to the date of death, loss to follow-up, transfer out, or if still alive and known to be in care, until April 2015. Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify predictors of loss to follow-up and mortality. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to estimate survival function of being alive and retained in care. Results: The median number of patients for each of the 16 GPs was 42 (interquartile range (IQR): 25–227), and the median follow-up period was 13 months. The median patient age was 35 years (IQR: 30–41); 56.6% were men, 62 and 11.8% were in WHO Stage III and Stage IV at registration, respectively; median CD4 count at registration was 177 cells/mm3; and 90.7% were on ART in April 2015. The median CD4 count at registration increased from 122 cells/mm3 in 2009 to 194 cells/mm3 in 2014. Among patients on ART, CD4 counts increased from a median of 187 cells/mm3 at registration to 436 cells/mm3 at 36 months. The median time to initiation of ART among eligible patients was 29 days, with 93.8% of eligible patients being initiated on ART within 90 days. Overall, 3.3% patients were lost to follow-up, 4.2% transferred out to other health facilities, and 8.3% died during the follow-up period. Crude mortality rate was 48

This study was conducted to evaluate the response of Bali bulls (Bos javanicus) to different semen collection methods and their effects on fresh and post-thawed semen quality. The collection methods employed were electro-ejaculation (EE), transrectal massage (RM) and RM followed by EE (RM + EE). A total of 25 untrained Bali bulls (age between 2 and 4 years old) were subjected to the different semen collection methods. Fresh semen samples from all the 25 bulls were evaluated for volume, pH, general motility, live/dead ratio and abnormality using the conventional method. For fresh and frozen samples collected by EE and RM from 10 bulls, computer-assisted semen analysis system was used for precise quantitative measurement of motility, velocity and forward progression. Accucell photometer was used to measure sperm concentration in all samples, regardless fresh and frozen. Semen samples were obtained 100% of the attempts using EE, 84% using RM and 96% using RM + EE. There were no differences among the collection methods for fresh semen quality characteristics, including motility, morphology and viability, but pH and volume were higher for EE than RM and RM + EE. Higher sperm concentration was observed in semen collected by RM than the other two methods. Different age groups (2–3 and >3–4 years old) of the bulls did not show significant differences in volume, pH, sperm concentration, percentages in motility, live/dead ratio and normal sperm morphology. The quality of semen for general and progressive motility, VAP, VSL and VCL and acrosomal integrity after thawing was higher for RM than EE. In conclusion, Bali bulls appeared to respond best to EE and the combination of RM + EE than RM, as a method of semen collection, with a shorter time of stimulation required. Differences in age of the Bali bulls did not affect the semen quality.

Reconstructing the origin and early evolutionary history of anthropoid primates (monkeys, apes, and humans) is a current focus of paleoprimatology. Although earlier hypotheses frequently supported an African origin for anthropoids, recent discoveries of older and phylogenetically more basal fossils in China and Myanmar indicate that the group originated in Asia. Given the Oligocene-Recent history of African anthropoids, the colonization of Africa by early anthropoids hailing from Asia was a decisive event in primate evolution. However, the fossil record has so far failed to constrain the nature and timing of this pivotal event. Here we describe a fossil primate from the late middle Eocene Pondaung Formation of Myanmar, Afrasia djijidae gen. et sp. nov., that is remarkably similar to, yet dentally more primitive than, the roughly contemporaneous North African anthropoid Afrotarsius. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Afrasia and Afrotarsius are sister taxa within a basal anthropoid clade designated as the infraorder Eosimiiformes. Current knowledge of eosimiiform relationships and their distribution through space and time suggests that members of this clade dispersed from Asia to Africa sometime during the middle Eocene, shortly before their first appearance in the African fossil record. Crown anthropoids and their nearest fossil relatives do not appear to be specially related to Afrotarsius, suggesting one or more additional episodes of dispersal from Asia to Africa. Hystricognathous rodents, anthracotheres, and possibly other Asian mammal groups seem to have colonized Africa at roughly the same time or shortly after anthropoids gained their first toehold there

The objective of this study was to compare the characteristics of Bali bull semen collected by electro-ejaculation (EE),and transrectal massage (RM), and to determine the effect of semen collection method on semen traits. Semen collection was performed on Bali bulls unaccustomed to being handled by EE or RM two times by each method. In both methods, the semen was evaluated for volume, pH, sperm concentration, percent of motile sperm, live, and normal morphology.Semen collected with the RM required more time (50 s, P <0.01) for obtaining a semen sample in RM compare with EE. However, higher volume and pH of the semen was obtained following EE, conversely, higher concentration was observed in semen collected with a RM. No differences in motility, viability and normal morpohology were obtained in fresh semen between methods. In conclusion, semen could be collected by RM from approximately 72% and 100% by EE from unaccustomed Bali bulls (Bos javanicus). Sperm morphology, viability and percent of motile sperm were not affected by the method of semen collection, but sperm were lower in volume from samples collected by RM.

In order to improve Boer goat semen quality during cryopreservation process, the influence of sugar supplementation on semen characteristics of sperm were investigated. Three experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of (a) addition of two monosaccharides (fructose and glucose) and two disaccharides sugars (trehalose and sucrose) (b) sugar combination (fructose and trehalose, sucrose and trehalose, glucose and trehalose), and control (glucose without trehalose) (c) different concentrations of trehalose on cryopreservation using Tris based extender. The total motility, forward motility, viability, normal spermatozoa, acrosome integrity and membrane integrity were assessed subjectively. Differences were not detected among monosaccharides, but glucose increased (P < 0.05) sperm forward motility in post-thaw goat semen compared to trehalose or sucrose supplementation. Semen quality did not differ (P > 0.05) among disaccharide sugar supplementation. Combination of glucose and trehalose significantly improved the characteristics of Boer spermatozoa after cryopreservation (P < 0.05). Supplementation of trehalose (198.24 mM) into the glucose extender significantly increased total motility, forward motility, live spermatozoa, acrosome integrity and membrane integrity following cryopreservation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, glucose had the better ability to support Boer sperm motility and movement patterns. Combination of monosaccharide (glucose) and disaccharide (trehalose) improved semen quality following cryopreservation. Trehalose supplementation at the concentration of 198.24 mM to the glucose extender conferred the greater improvement of semen quality for Boer semen cryopreservation.

We briefly summarize the fossil expeditions of the Eocene Pondaung Formation of central Myanmar by the Kyoto University field parties with Myanmar researchers during the field seasons of 1998-2003. We briefly report our contributions to the study on the Pondaung fossils, providing locality data, a list of the Pondaung vertebrate fauna, comments of the repositories of the specimens, and specimen lists, with references of the studies on the Pondaung Formation and Pondaung fossils. The Pondaung vertebrate fauna currently consists of three species of fishes (three orders and three families), 16 species of reptiles (three orders and 10 families), one species of birds, and 53 species of mammals (seven orders and 25 families). The age of the Pondaung fauna is determined as the late middle Eocene by the geological and microfossil evidence. The paleoenvironment of the Pondaung fauna is estimated to be forested/woodland vegetation with humid/subhumid moisture and large rivers, which were located not far from seashore. The Pondaung mammalian fauna includes many artiodactyl taxa compared to other middle Eocene faunas of East Asia and shows relatively high endemism at the generic level among the contemporaneous mammalian faunas of East Asia. The Pondaung fauna includes several mammalian taxa that indicate migration between Eocene Southeast Asia and Eocene western Eurasia/North Africa.

Columnar sections of the Pondaung Formation along the Tabyin-Kyauktakha route are measured and described in detail. The Pondaung Formation of the section is composed of sandstone, siltstone and claystone with minor amounts of coal, acidic tuff and gritty-pebbly sandstone. The total thickness of the Pondaung Formation along the Tabyin-Kyauktakha route amounts to ca. 1, 170 m. While the Lower Member of the Pondaung Formation contains a large amount of claystone and siltstone sequences, the Upper Member of the formation consists merely of sandstone that exhibits trough-type cross bedding frequently. In contrast to the fossil-bearing Upper Member of the Pondaung Formation in the areas of Pale and Myaing townships, the sandstone sequences of the Upper Member of the Tabyin-Kyauktakha section were deposited under the high energy sedimentary environment that eliminated the preservation of fossil vertebrates.

The work presented in this thesis was undertaken as part of the three-year ‘Jigless Aerospace Manufacture’ (JAM) project which was set-up to investigate and address the significant scientific, technological and economic issues to enable a new design, manufacture and assembly philosophy based on minimising product specific jigs, fixtures and tooling. The main goal of the JAM project at Cranfield was the development of appropriate jigless methods and principles, and the subsequent redesign of the JAM project demonstrator structure – a section of the Airbus A320 aircraft Fixed Leading Edge – to fully investigate and realise the capabilities of jigless methodologies and principles. The particular focus of research activity described in this thesis was the development of a methodology to design for jigless assembly and a process of selecting assembly features to enable jigless assembly. A review of the literature has shown that no methodologies exist to specifically design for jigless assembly; however, previous relevant research has been built upon and extended with the incorporation of novel tools and techniques. To facilitate the assembly feature selection process for jigless assembly, an Assembly Feature Library was created that broadened and expanded the conventional definition and use of assembly features. The developed methodology, assembly feature selection process and Feature Library have been applied and validated on the JAM project demonstrator structure to serve as a Case Study for the tools and techniques developed by the research. Additionally, a Costing Analysis was carried out which suggests that the use of the tools and techniques to enable jigless assembly could have a large and considerable impact on both the Non-Recurring and Recurring costs associated with the design, manufacture and assembly of aircraft.

A diverse array of mammalian species is now known from the Pondaung Formation, located in central Myanmar. The new mammals for the Pondaung fauna are: Anthropoidea gen. et sp. nov. (Primates); Hyaenodontidae indet. A, and indet. B (Creodonta); ?Phiomyidae indet. C (Rodentia); Ungulata indet. D; ?Agriochoeridae indet. E (Artiodactyla); cf. Ilianodon (Rhinocerotoidea; Perissodactyla); Amynodontidae indet. F (Perissodactyla). The stratigraphical and microfossil evidences suggest that the Pondaung Formation is referable to the period from the middle to late Eocene. Concerning the dating of the Pondaung mammal fauna, middle middle to late Eocene (most probably late middle Eocene) is suggested based on comparisons of it with other Eocene mammal fauna; however, further information is necessary to identify the date more precisely.

So far four primate taxa have been discovered from the latest middle Eocene Pondaung Formation, Central Myanmar (=Burma): Pondaungia cotteri, Amphipithecus mogaungensis, Bahinia pondaungensis, and an unnamed new taxon. Especially the phylogenetic positions of Pondaungia and Amphipithecus have been discussed by many researchers since their first discoveries in the early part of this century. Recent new specimens, including maxillary fragments, of Pondaungia and Amphipithecus may reveal then taxonomic status and phylogenetic position in the evolution of early anthropoids in East Asia.

Pondaungia cotteri is the largest primate known from the Late Middle Eocene Pondaung Formation, Myanmar. Its taxonomic status has been the subject of much debate because of the fragmentary nature of its remains. Initially described as an anthropoid, some authors recently have associated it with adapid primates. These debates have been fueled not only by the incompleteness of the fossils attributed to Pondaungia but also by the reticence of many authors to regard Asia as an important evolutionary theater for Eocene anthropoids. During the November 1998 Myanmar-French Pondaung Expedition, a right lower jaw was discovered that yields the most nearly complete dentition of Pondaungia cotteri ever found: it shows the complete horizontal ramus, alveoli for the second incisor and canine, three premolars, and three molars. The symphysis showed all characteristics of anthropoids but was unfused. The canine root is large, the first premolar is absent, and the second premolar is single-rooted, reduced, and oblique in the tooth row, as in anthropoids. The premolars show a reduced mesio-distal length compared with the tooth row, and their morphology is very similar to that of Amphipithecus mogaungensis. Therefore, the two Pondaung taxa appear to be closely related to each other, with Siamopithecus as their sister taxon