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Prophage exotoxins enhance colonization fitness in epidemic scarlet fever-causing Streptococcus pyogenesThe re-emergence of scarlet fever poses a new global public health threat. The capacity of North-East Asian serotype M12 (emm12) Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus, GAS) to cause scarlet fever has been linked epidemiologically to the presence of novel prophages
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Characterizing newborn and older infant entries into care in England between 2006 and 2014The risk of entry to state care during infancy is increasing, both here in England and abroad, with most entering within a week of birth ('newborns'). However, little is known about these infants or of their pathways through care over early childhood.
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Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysisMultidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a major global public health concern. However, there is a dearth of literature on whether MDR-TB and its medications impact maternal and perinatal outcomes, and when such evidence exists the findings are conflicting. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the impact of MDR-TB and its medications during pregnancy on maternal and perinatal outcomes.
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Early disease surveillance in young children with cystic fibrosis: A qualitative analysis of parent experiencesSensitive measures of early lung disease are being integrated into therapeutic trials and clinical practice in cystic fibrosis (CF). The impact of early disease surveillance (EDS) using these novel and often intensive techniques on young children and their families is not well researched.
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Spatial analysis of hepatobiliary abnormalities in a population at high-risk of cholangiocarcinoma in ThailandCholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a serious health challenge with low survival prognosis. The liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, plays a role in the aetiology of CCA, through hepatobiliary abnormalities: liver mass (LM), bile duct dilation, and periductal fibrosis (PDF). A population-based CCA screening program, the Cholangiocarcinoma Screening and Care Program, operates in Northeast Thailand. Hepatobiliary abnormalities were identified through ultrasonography.
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Microbiomic Analysis on Low Abundant Respiratory Biomass Samples; Improved Recovery of Microbial DNA From Bronchoalveolar Lavage FluidIn recent years the study of the commensal microbiota is driving a remarkable paradigm shift in our understanding of human physiology. However, intrinsic technical difficulties associated with investigating the Microbiomics of some body niches are hampering the development of new knowledge. This is particularly the case when investigating the functional role played by the human microbiota in modulating the physiology of key organ systems. A major hurdle in investigating specific Microbiome communities is linked to low bacterial density and susceptibility to bias caused by environmental contamination.
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Pathobiologic Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration in Osteopetrosis Derived From Structural and Functional Analysis of 14 ClC-7 MutantsClC-7 is a chloride-proton antiporter of the CLC protein family. In complex with its accessory protein Ostm-1, ClC-7 localizes to lysosomes and to the osteoclasts' ruffled border, where it plays a critical role in acidifying the resorption lacuna during bone resorption. Gene inactivation in mice causes severe osteopetrosis, neurodegeneration, and lysosomal storage disease. Mutations in the human CLCN7 gene are associated with diverse forms of osteopetrosis.
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Mapping Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination coverage in Africa from 1990 to 2022: a novel spatiotemporal modelling studyBacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) protects children from severe tuberculosis and remains the only licensed vaccine for tuberculosis. Subnational estimates of BCG coverage are essential for identifying underserved populations across Africa. This study aimed to map BCG vaccination coverage in Africa from 1990 to 2022.
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Boosting the influenza vaccine schedule in children with cancer: a prospective open-label studyCurrent immunization guidelines recommend one dose of influenza vaccine for children aged ≥9 years and two doses for younger or vaccine-naïve children. However, children receiving chemotherapy have an attenuated immune response. We performed a prospective open-label study in children undergoing treatment for cancer at Perth Children's Hospital, Western Australia, to examine the safety and efficacy of a boosted influenza schedule.
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Neonatal and infant mortality after maternal influenza and pertussis vaccination: Probabilistically linked cohort studyMaternal influenza and pertussis vaccination is an important strategy to reduce morbidity and mortality in infants. Previous vaccine safety studies have mostly focused on the association between maternal vaccination and fetal death.