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Finally, detailed recommendations about optimized imaging technique and imaging strategies are summarized (Section III). The second part of this consensus paper (Part II) is focused on structured reporting of carotid imaging studies with CT/MR. KEY POINTS • CT and MR imaging-based evaluation of carotid artery disease provides essential information for risk stratification and prediction of stroke. • Imaging-derived biomarkers and their potential use in risk stratification are evolving; their correct interpretation and use in clinical practice must be well-understood. • A correct imaging strategy and scan protocol will produce the best possible results for disease evaluation.The European Society of Cardiovascular Radiology (ESCR) is the European specialist society of cardiac and vascular imaging. This society's highest priority is the continuous improvement, development, and standardization of education, training, and best medical practice, based on experience and evidence. The present intra-society consensus is based on the existing scientific evidence and on the individual experience of the members of the ESCR writing group on carotid diseases, the members of the ESCR guidelines committee, and the members of the executive committee of the ESCR. The recommendations published herein reflect the evidence-based society opinion of ESCR. The purpose of this second document is to discuss suggestions for standardized reporting based on the accompanying consensus document part I. KEY POINTS • CT and MR imaging-based evaluation of carotid artery disease provides essential information for risk stratification and prediction of stroke. • The information in the report must cover vessel morphology, description of stenosis, and plaque imaging features. • A structured approach to reporting ensures that all essential information is delivered in a standardized and consistent way to the referring clinician.<br /><br /> Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population, especially in young infants. This review of the literature aimed to understand the characteristics of AHT in Japan.<br /><br /> PubMed and the Japanese database Ichuushi were searched to understand the differences in AHT between Japan and other countries.<br /><br /> Shaking was identified as an uncommon cause of injury, while mothers were the most common perpetrator of pediatric AHT in Japan. Although uncommon in other countries, infantile subdural hematoma caused by an accidental slight head injury was reported in Japan.<br /><br /> As in other countries, AHT is a major condition which pediatric neurosurgeons face in Japan. The mechanisms of injury and perpetrators of AHT seemed to differ slightly between western countries and Japan. Additionally, non-accidental infantile acute subdural hematoma was reported mainly in Japan. Therefore, further care and fair judgment is necessary when investigating child abuse in Japan.<br /><br />As in other countries, AHT is a major condition which pediatric neurosurgeons face in Japan. The mechanisms of injury and perpetrators of AHT seemed to differ slightly between western countries and Japan. Additionally, non-accidental infantile acute subdural hematoma was reported mainly in Japan. Therefore, further care and fair judgment is necessary when investigating child abuse in Japan.Rhodococcus opacus PD630 is a biotechnologically important bacterium with metabolic capability for bioremediation, metal recovery, and storage of triacylglycerols. Genome editing by homologous recombination in R. opacus is hampered by a very low combined frequency of DNA transfer and recombination. To improve recombination in the species, a conjugative, conditional suicide plasmid based on the replicon derived from the Corynebacterium glutamicum plasmid pGA1 was constructed and evaluated in R. opacus. The replication of this plasmid is controlled by a dual inducible and repressible promoter system originally developed for Mycobacterium spp. Next, we demonstrated that a derivative of this plasmid containing sacB as a counterselection marker and homologous regions of R. opacus could be used for homologous recombination, and that the problem of obtaining recombinants had been solved. Like for other Corynebacteriales, the cell wall of Rhodococcus spp. contains mycolic acids which form a hydrophobic and impermeable outer layer. Mycolic acids are essential for Mycobacterium smegmatis, but not for Corynebacterium glutamicum, and the new vector was used to study if mycolic acid is essential for R. opacus. We found that accD3 that is necessary for mycolic acid synthesis could only be deleted from the chromosome in strains containing a plasmid-encoded copy of accD3. This indicates that mycolic acid is important for R. opacus viability. The conditional suicide vector should be useful for homologous recombination or for delivering gene products like recombinases or Cas proteins and gRNA to Rhodococcus and related genera, while the approach should be applicable for any plasmid needing a plasmid-encoded protein for replication. KEY POINTS • Improved vector for homologous recombination in R. opacus. • Mycolic acid is important for survival of R. opacus like it is for Mycobacterium. • Similar conditional suicide plasmids may be constructed for other bacteria.Bioleaching of metal sulfides is performed by diverse microorganisms. The dissolution of metal sulfides occurs via two chemical pathways, either the thiosulfate or the polysulfide pathway. These are determined by the metal sulfides' mineralogy and their acid solubility. The microbial cell enables metal sulfide dissolution via oxidation of iron(II) ions and inorganic sulfur compounds. Thereby, the metal sulfide attacking agents iron(III) ions and protons are generated. Cells are active either in a planktonic state or attached to the mineral surface, forming biofilms. This review, as an update of the previous one (Vera et al., 2013a), summarizes some recent discoveries relevant to bioleaching microorganisms, contributing to a better understanding of their lifestyle. These comprise phylogeny, chemical pathways, surface science, biochemistry of iron and sulfur metabolism, anaerobic metabolism, cell-cell communication, molecular biology, and biofilm lifestyle. Recent advances from genetic engineering applied to bioleaching microorganisms will allow in the future to better understand important aspects of their physiology, as well as to open new possibilities for synthetic biology applications of leaching microbial consortia. KEY POINTS • Leaching of metal sulfides is strongly enhanced by microorganisms • Biofilm formation and extracellular polymer production influences bioleaching • Cell interactions in mixed bioleaching cultures are key for process optimization.DinJ-YafQ is a bacterial type II TA system formed by the toxin RNase YafQ and the antitoxin protein DinJ. The activity of YafQ and DinJ has been rigorously studied in Escherichia coli, but little has been reported about orthologous systems identified in different microorganisms. In this work, we report an in vitro and in vivo functional characterization of YafQ and DinJ identified in two different strains of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei and isolated as recombinant proteins. While DinJ is identical in both strains, the two YafQ orthologs differ only for the D72G substitution in the catalytic site. Both YafQ orthologs digest ribosomal RNA, albeit with different catalytic efficiencies, and their RNase activity is neutralized by DinJ. We further show that DinJ alone or in complex with YafQ can bind cooperatively to a 28-nt inverted repeat overlapping the -35 element of the TA operon promoter. Atomic force microscopy imaging of DinJ-YafQ in complex with DNA harboring the cognate site reveals the formation of different oligomeric states that prevent the binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter. A single amino acid substitution (R13A) within the RHH DNA-binding motif of DinJ is sufficient to abolish DinJ and DinJ-YafQ DNA binding in vitro. In vivo experiments confirm the negative regulation of the TA promoter by DinJ and DinJ-YafQ and unveil an unexpected high expression-related toxicity of the gfp reporter gene. A model for the binding of two YafQ-(DinJ)2-YafQ tetramers to the promoter inverted repeat showing the absence of protein-protein steric clash is also presented. KEY POINTS • The RNase activity of L. paracasei YafQ toxin is neutralized by DinJ antitoxin. • DinJ and DinJ-YafQ bind to an inverted repeat to repress their own promoter. • The R13A mutation of DinJ abolishes DNA binding of both DinJ and DinJ-YafQ.<br /><br /> To describe the Norton Healthcare electronic antimicrobial stewardship program (E-ASP), a novel prospective audit and feedback approach that leverages the electronic medical record to overcome efficiency barriers. Additionally, to describe an accompanying opt-out antimicrobial stewardship approach that addresses provider nonresponsiveness.<br /><br /> Prospective audit and feedback is recommended by antimicrobial stewardship guidelines; however, execution can be difficult due to labor requirements, delays in communication, and provider nonparticipation. The Norton E-ASP was developed to address these issues by reliably identifying target patients, documenting assessments, streamlining recommendation delivery, promoting handoff, and providing automated tracking of recommendation responses. Opt-out stewardship allows recommendations to be implemented if not rejected after 24 hours.<br /><br /> A 25% reduction in target antimicrobial use has been achieved and sustained with the program. Use of the Norton E-ASP, including opt-out antimicrobial stewardship, broadened the reach and furthered the impact of infectious diseases pharmacists. Successes of this program justified addition of 3 full-time infectious diseases pharmacist positions at a large community health system. This strategy may serve as a model for tele-antimicrobial stewardship or other pharmacy recommendations.<br /><br />A 25% reduction in target antimicrobial use has been achieved and sustained with the program. Use of the Norton E-ASP, including opt-out antimicrobial stewardship, broadened the reach and furthered the impact of infectious diseases pharmacists. Successes of this program justified addition of 3 full-time infectious diseases pharmacist positions at a large community health system. This strategy may serve as a model for tele-antimicrobial stewardship or other pharmacy recommendations.Acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) is a rare hematologic disorder characterized by quantitative or qualitative defects of von Willebrand factor (vWF), a protein crucial for normal hemostasis. AVWS has been described in association with several pathologic entities with varied mechanisms. Among these, lymphoproliferative disorders are the most common, with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) being the most frequently reported. AVWS in this setting is commonly associated with the development of bleeding that is clinically challenging to manage due to accelerated clearance of vWF, limiting the utility of many conventional treatment modalities such as DDAVP or vWF/FVIII. We report a case of a 43-year-old male who was sent to our institution for new-onset easy bruising and laboratories concerning for von Willebrand disease (vWD). [https://www.selleckchem.com/products/pf-06463922.html PF-6463922] Further diagnostic workup revealed evidence of an IgG monoclonal gammopathy and findings suggestive of vWF inhibition. Ultimately, he was found to have monoclonal gammopathy of clinical significance (MGCS)-associated AVWS refractory to conventional treatment but responsive to lenalidomide and dexamethasone.