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Although some members of the viral family Papillomaviridae cause benign skin warts (papillomas), many human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are not associated with visible symptoms. For example, most healthy adults chronically shed Gammapapillomavirus ( Gamma ) virions from apparently healthy skin surfaces. To further explore the diversity of papillomaviruses, we performed viromic surveys on immunodeficient individuals suffering from florid skin warts. Our results nearly double the number of known Gamma HPV types and suggest that WHIM syndrome patients are uniquely susceptible to Gamma HPV-associated skin warts. Preliminary results suggest that treatment with the drug plerixafor may promote resolution of the unusual Gamma HPV skin warts observed in WHIM patients. Several immunodeficiencies are associated with high susceptibility to persistent and progressive human papillomavirus (HPV) infection leading to a wide range of cutaneous and mucosal lesions. However, the HPV types most commonly associated with such clinical manifestations in these patients have not been systematically defined. Here, we used virion enrichment, rolling circle amplification, and deep sequencing to identify circular DNA viruses present in skin swabs and/or wart biopsy samples from 48 patients with rare genetic immunodeficiencies, including patients with warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, myelokathexis (WHIM) syndrome, or epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV). Their profiles were compared with the profiles of swabs from 14 healthy adults and warts from 6 immunologically normal children. Individual patients were typically infected with multiple HPV types; up to 26 different types were isolated from a single patient (multiple anatomical sites, one time point). Among these, we identified the complete genomes of 83 previously unknown HPV types and 35 incomplete genomes representing possible additional new types. HPV types in the genus Gammapapillomavirus were common in WHIM patients, whereas EV patients mainly shed HPVs from the genus Betapapillomavirus. Preliminary evidence based on three WHIM patients treated with plerixafor, a leukocyte mobilizing agent, suggest that longer-term therapy may correlate with decreased HPV diversity and increased predominance of HPV types associated with childhood skin warts. IMPORTANCE Although some members of the viral family Papillomaviridae cause benign skin warts (papillomas), many human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are not associated with visible symptoms. For example, most healthy adults chronically shed Gammapapillomavirus ( Gamma ) virions from apparently healthy skin surfaces. To further explore the diversity of papillomaviruses, we performed viromic surveys on immunodeficient individuals suffering from florid skin warts. Our results nearly double the number of known Gamma HPV types and suggest that WHIM syndrome patients are uniquely susceptible to Gamma HPV-associated skin warts. Preliminary results suggest that treatment with the drug plerixafor may promote resolution of the unusual Gamma HPV skin warts observed in WHIM patients.

Background Umbilical venous catheterization is a common procedure performed in neonatal intensive care units. Hepatic collections due to inadvertent extravasation of parenteral nutrition into the liver have been described previously in literature. Objective To recognize the clinicoradiologic features and treatment options of hepatic collections due to inadvertent extravasation of parenteral nutrition fluids caused by malpositioning of umbilical venous catheter (UVC) in the portal venous system. Materials and methods This is a case series describing five neonates during a 6-year period at a single tertiary care referral center, with extravasation of parenteral nutrition into the liver parenchyma causing hepatic collections. Results All five neonates receiving parenteral nutrition presented with abdominal distension in the second week of life. Two out of five (40%) had anemia requiring blood transfusion and 3/5 (60%) had hemodynamic instability at presentation. Ultrasound of the liver confirmed the diagnosis in all the cases. Three of the five (60%) cases underwent US-guided aspiration of the collections, one case underwent conservative management and one case required emergent laparotomy due to abdominal compartment syndrome. US used in follow-up of these cases revealed decrease in size of the lesions and/or development of calcifications. Conclusion Early recognition of this complication, prompt diagnosis with US of liver and timely treatment can lead to better outcome in newborns with hepatic collections secondary to inadvertent parenteral nutrition infusion via malposition of UVC.

Helicobacter pylori, a microaerophilic, spiral-shaped, Gram negative bacterium is a gastrointestinal pathogen. Plasmids from H. pylori are currently being sequenced and characterized in our laboratory to determine their role in H. pylori. A previous study indicated unexpectedly that H. pylori strain AL236 might contain three separate plasmid species. This observation was based on the insertion of the EZ-Tn5™ < R6Kγori/KAN-2> transposon into the total AL236 plasmid DNA, which yielded recombinant plasmids pAL236-2, pAL236-5, and pAL236-11. In this study, all three plasmids were sequenced and characterized. Utilizing forward and reverse primers specific for the EZ-Tn5™ transposon, initial plasmid DNA sequence was obtained. To determine the remaining DNA sequences, unlabeled M13 forward and reverse tailing primers were designed for each recombinant plasmid and utilized to produce PCR products containing M13 primer sites. Sequencing of these PCR products provided the remaining DNA sequence for each plasmid from strain AL236. Results indicated that pAL236-2 is 1448 bp, pAL236-5 is 1216 bp, and pAL236-11 is 3148 bp. Each plasmid sequence was submitted to BLAST at NCBI, and was reported to have identity with other H. pylori plasmids. Results also indicated the replication proteins of plasmid pAL236-2 and pAL236-5 had identity with H. pylori plasmids that replicate via the rolling-circle mechanism. For plasmid pAL236-11, results indicated the replication protein, RepB, had identity with H. pylori plasmids that replicate via the theta mechanism. Computer analysis of the plasmid sequences was used to determine open reading frames (ORF), promoter, and ribosomal binding sites (RBS). Phylogenetic trees were constructed through ClustalW2 of known H. pylori plasmid replication proteins. Results showed the existence of three classes of H. pylori replication proteins which included RepA, RepB, and RepH. Both RepA and RepB are involved with theta replication while RepH is involved with rolling-circle replication.

The purpose of this work was to explore the impact of neutron irradiation (1018 n/m2 to 1021 n/m 2) on the aluminum alloy 2024 T-3, and several corrosion resistant treatments commonly used. The irradiation was conducted in the Utah Nuclear Engineering Programs Reactor facility using the Fast Neutron Irradiation Facility (FNIF) with a 1 MeV equivalent beam and the Center Irradiator (CI) with average neutron energy of 0.58 MeV. Historically, materials tests have focused on mechanical failures occurring at very high fluence. These same tests have generally been conducted for pure materials: the limited research existing for alloyed materials focuses on power plant materials such as zircaloy and steel. This body of information is mainly used to avoid catastrophic performance failures. Small research and test reactors operating at low power will subject core materials to fluence from 1014 n/m2 to 1024 n/m2. Aluminum alloys are very common in these systems. Materials used in research reactors, such as aluminum, have been deemed adequate due to high radiation tolerance and low mechanical failure rates. While aluminum and its alloys are a well-defined set of materials in nonradiation environments, there are very little published data for them for low fluence neutron radiation. This work measured Al 2024's (T-3) thermal conductivity, electrical resistivity, oxide layer thickness, oxide/metal interface and corrosion resistance (using passive current density) for Alodine, Anodize type II, Anodize type III and native oxide. These measurements were taken before and after irradiation and results were examined. Over the course of 30 to 50 years, property changes will likely impact thermal diffusion, corrosion properties and electrical properties. Defining these changes may give future engineers the tools needed to safely justify life extensions and build inspection methods to identify pre-failure conditions.

Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) catalyzes the methlyation of thiopurine compounds, and is measured prior to using medications such as 6-mercaptopurine or Azathioprine. TPMT can be measured as blood enzyme levels or allelic variations (phenotype or genotype assay), both of which are important in distinguishing the possibility of desired clinical effects versus toxicity. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of variations in TPMT activity in pediatric Hispanic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients in our South Florida based Pediatric Gastroenterology practice, and to evaluate the reliability of TPMT levels in predicting toxicity risk in our studied population.MethodsSixty-four pediatric Hispanic patients treated with either 6-mercaptopurine or Azathioprine for IBD were retrospectively studied. Either a radiochemical method to measure TPMT phenotype or TPMT genotype was analyzed to detect allelic variations and predisposition to myelotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and pancreatotoxicity.ResultsOf the 64 Hispanic patients included (mean age: 16 years): 54.6% with Crohn's disease, 37.5% with Ulcerative Colitis, 4.6% with nonspecific colitis, and 3.1% with other unspecified abdominal complaints. TPMT phenotypes were documented in 50 patients and Genotype analysis was documented in 14 patients. TPMT phenotype was distributed as: Normal level 80% (40/50), Intermediate 18% (9/50), Low 2% (1/50). TPMT genotypic variations were distributed as: Normal 92.8% (13/14), Intermediate 7.1% (1/14), Low 0% (0/14). Toxicity was characterized by leukopenia with or without neutropenia, anemia, pancytopenia, elevated transaminases, or pancreatitis. The percentage of patients with toxicity regardless of normal or abnormal TPMT levels or alleles were 37.5%. This was further evaluated to find that 12.5% had liver toxicity, 15% had bone marrow toxicity, and 10% had both. The percentage of patients with toxicity despite normal TPMT phenotype was 22.5%. The percentage of patients with toxicity despite normal genotype was 23.07%.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that 17% (11/64) of pediatric Hispanic patients in our practice have either an abnormal phenotype or genotype TPMT enzyme analysis, which is greater than previously documented in other ethnic groups. Additionally, the risk of toxicity despite normal TPMT enzyme levels and alleles was higher in our studied group compared to other previously studied populations, indicating that pediatric Hispanic patients must be monitored carefully at regular intervals to monitor for adverse reactions to thiopurine based medications.

Approximately one-third of the patients with Crohn's Disease have perianal involvement. Cessation of drainage from the orifices of the fistula is still been used widely as an indicator for cure in the pediatric population. However, recent literature has shown us that cessation of drainage is not equivalent to healing of a fistula. Contrast-enhanced pelvic Magnetic Resonance Imaging has been used to diagnose and monitor perianal Crohn's Disease. Adult studies have used various radiologic parameters (T2 hyperintensity, rectal wall thickening, bowel stratification, Percentage Increase in T2 hyperintensity etc.) and scores (Van Assche Score) to monitor perianal Crohn's Disease. However, similar studies are lacking in pediatric population.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of children under the age of 18 years at initial diagnosis who underwent contrast-enhanced pelvic MRI for perianal Crohn's disease. We analyzed a total of 44 pelvic MRI images. Of those, 29 were baseline images, performed at the time of diagnosis and 15 were follow up images (while on treatment). We also noted down clinical (fistula drainage) and laboratory (hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin, ESR and CRP). We compared various radiological parameters and scores amongst the two groups. We also compared the correlation of the radiological parameters to laboratory values at the time of MRI.ResultsWe found that amongst individual parameters, the PI (percentage increase in intensity on contrast enhancement compared to fat) [2], was significantly higher in the baseline group compared to treatment group {318.97 ± 116.81 vs. 246.15 ± 74.89 P = 0.021}. There was no significant difference amongst the other individual parameters (T2 hyperintensity, rectal wall thickening, Park's classification, St James classification, presence of abscesses). However, the MRI based scores suggested by Van Assche et al [1] (15.28 ± 3.82 vs10.47 ± 4.62, P = 0.002) and Horsthius et al [1] (21.34 ± 4.74 vs 14.87 ± 6.02, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in the baseline group compared to treatment group. Also, MRI scores by Horstheus et al showed significant positive correlation to ESR (Pearson co-efficient = 0.398, P = 0.012) and negative correlation to serum albumin (Pearson co-efficient = -0.558, P = 0.00), hemoglobin (Pearson co-efficient = -0.317, P = 0.016) and hematocrit. (Pearson co-efficient = -0.383, P = 0.016). Similar results were seen with the Van Assche score.Conclusion(s)Authors suggest that the use of radiological parameters and scores described above will help the pediatric gastroenterologist to better monitor treatment of perianal Crohn's disease. To the best of authors' knowledge; this is the first study in pediatric population which demonstrates the value of using the above radiological parameters and scores to monitor perianal Crohn's disease. References 1) Horsthuis K, de Ridder L, Smets AM, van Leeuwen MS, Benninga MA, Houwen RH, et al. Magnetic resonance enterography for suspected inflammatory bowel disease in a pediatric population. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. Nov; 51(5):603-9. 2) Villa C, Pompili G, Franceschelli G, Munari A, Radaelli G, Maconi G, et al. Role of magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of the activity of perianal Crohn's disease. Eur J Radiol. Apr; 81(4):616-22.

We present high resolution (subarcsecond) observations at 6.2 and 19.6 GHz made with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array of 113 radio-loud quasars that form a complete flux limited sample (> 70 mJy at 1.4 GHz), with spectroscopic redshifts between 2.5 and 5.28. These redshifts correspond to ages since the big bang of 1.1 to 2.6 Gyr, or more colloquially, from Cosmic Dawn to Cosmic High Noon. This is when large scale structure formation and galaxy formation were proceeding at an ever increasing pace, and this sample appears to be unique (for now) for spanning this era. We show images of the significantly resolved sources, and list structural properties of all of them.