York City Medium Research Articles

The travel of an iPhone: ineluctable connectivity, networked precarity, and postsocialist politics

ABSTRACTThis essay considers the homosocial ‘love story’ between a New York City media worker and a poor Chinese worker incidentally triggered by the iCloud connection of a lost iPhone in relation to the global chain of iPhones production, circulation and consumption. It asks how information technologies have become the loci for the global redistribution of racialized labor and the production of subjectivities across the networks. By mapping out the ineluctable connectivity and networked precarity that binds together affective and information labor with factory work and other unrecognized forms of labor in the global political economy, this essay reveals the forced severance of information work from sectors of material production that is imposed by capitalist distribution and compartmentalization of labor. In the end, I argue that the very erasure of this global connectivity of precarious labor reveals postsocialism as a global condition under which the potential formations of collectivities and sociality for political possibilities are at once conditioned and obscured by capitalist global networks.

Meningococcal Carriage in Military Recruits and University Students during the Pre MenB Vaccination Era in Greece (2014-2015).

PurposeThe aim of the study was to estimate the meningococcal carriage rate and to identify the genotypic characteristics of the strains isolated from healthy military recruits and university students in order to provide data that might increase our understanding on the epidemiology of meningococcus and obtain information which helps to evaluate the potential effects on control programs such as vaccination.,MethodsA total of 1420 oropharyngeal single swab samples were collected from military recruits and university students on voluntary basis, aged 18–26 years. New York City Medium was used for culture and the suspected N. meningitidis colonies were identified by Gram stain, oxidase and rapid carbohydrate utilization tests. Further characterisation was carried out by molecular methods (multiplex PCR, MLST, WGS).ResultsThe overall carriage rate was of 12.7%; 15% and 10.4% for recruits and university students respectively. MenB (39.4%) was the most prevalent followed by MenY (12.8%) and MenW (4.4%). Among the initial 76 Non Groupable (NG) isolates, Whole Genome Sequence Analysis (WGS) revealed that 8.3% belonged to MenE, 3.3% to MenX and 1.1% to MenZ, while, 53 strains (29.4%) were finally identified as capsule null. Genetic diversity was found among the MenB isolates, with 41/44 cc and 35 cc predominating.ConclusionMeningococcal carriage rate in both groups was lower compared to our previous studies (25% and 18% respectively) with predominance of MenB isolates. These findings, help to further our understanding on the epidemiology of meningococcal disease in Greece. Although the prevalence of carriage seems to have declined compared to our earlier studies, the predominant MenB clonal complexes (including 41/44cc and 35cc) are associated with invasive meningococcal disease.

Non-cultural detection of rectal and pharyngeal gonorrhoea by the Gen-Probe PACE 2 assay.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the Gen-Probe PACE 2 assay, which uses a chemiluminescent labelled single-stranded DNA probe to detect gonococcal ribosomal RNA (rRNA), for the non-cultural...

AIDS coverage: Ethical and legal issues facing the media today

As the media wrestle with ethical and legal problems in coverage of AIDS stories, such as privacy, terminology, and disclosure, a question is raised about the educational role the media will assume in the face of this health threat. Despite health department hopes for candor in dealing with the threat, blunt‐language ads and commercials have been rejected by most New York City media and legislation may restrict the extent to which media deal with the question. Though the media alone cannot bear the burden of AIDS education, they must provide point‐man services.

Characterisation of Branhamella catarrhalis and differentiation from Neisseria species in a diagnostic laboratory.

To distinguish Branhamella catarrhalis from Neisseria species a study of 140 strains was made on simple laboratory media, with particular reference to deoxyribonuclease (DNase) production, superoxol reaction, and growth characteristics. All 97 clinical isolates of B catarrhalis (58 of which were beta-lactamase positive) and eight strains of B catarrhalis from the National Collection of Type Cultures were DNase positive and superoxol positive. None grew on modified New York City medium, modified Thayer Martin medium, MacConkey agar, crystal violet blood agar, nor under anaerobic conditions. Of the 16 different non-pathogenic Neisseria species tested, all were DNase negative, eight (50%) were superoxol reaction negative, and 13 (81%) grew on crystal violet blood agar. Using simple laboratory media, DNase, and superoxol tests, it was possible to identify B catarrhalis and to distingish it from pathogenic and non-pathogenic Neisseria species.

Laboratory and clinical evaluation of modified New York City medium (Henderson formulation) for the isolation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The growth-promoting properties of several ingredients of New York City (NYC) medium were investigated by using 100 recently isolated clinical strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Difco GC medium base promoted the growth of large colonies of gonococci significantly better than other commercial GC medium bases. A 1% agar concentration resulted in the growth of larger colonies than 2% agar, without affecting the stability of the gel. Neither replacement of horse plasma with horse serum nor reducing the concentration of added serum from 12 to 3% affected the growth of even the most fastidious strains tested. From these observations, a modified NYC medium (Henderson) has been formulated which is easy to prepare and less expensive than NYC or Thayer-Martin medium. In a direct clinical comparison with 1,275 specimens, an isolation rate of 6.5% was achieved with both NYC medium and the Henderson formulation.

Neisserial colonisation of the pharynx.

The spectrum of neisserial colonisation of the pharynx was determined from 3557 throat exudates cultured on modified New York City (MNYC) medium. Oxidase positive Gram-negative diplococci (GNDC) were isolated from 1204 (33.8%) of the throat cultures. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, N meningitidis, and N lactamica accounted for 20.3%, 74.2%, and 3.7% of the oxidase positive GNDC respectively. The observed coexistence of gonococci and meningococci in the pharynx (0.39%) was significantly different (p less than 0.001) from the theoretical expected value (1.7%). The prevalence of pharyngeal infection in patients with gonorrhoea was 4.3% for all men, 11% for homosexual men, and 7.9% for women. Despite the risks of disseminated infection and spread to sexual partners, the detection of pharyngeal gonorrhoea is less important than that of endocervical infection in women, urethral infection in heterosexual men, and anorectal infection in homosexual men.

New York City medium for enhanced recovery of Mycoplasma pneumoniae from clinical specimens.

Modified New York City (MNYC) medium and PPLO medium without methylene blue (PPLO agar) were compared for their ability to support the growth of Mycoplasma pneumoniae from clinical specimens. Pharyngeal specimens were collected from 1,070 college students who visited the Syracuse University Student Health Center. Of these patients, 623 were symptomatic for respiratory infection, and the remaining 447 were asymptomatic for respiratory illness. Throat swabs were inoculated into PPLO broths, and these broths were subcultured onto MNYC medium and PPLO agar after 3 and 14 days of incubation. A total of 222 (20.7%) clinical isolates of M. pneumoniae were recovered on these solid media, with the majority of the isolates (196) recovered from symptomatic patients. All isolates grew on MNYC medium, whereas five isolates failed to grow on PPLO agar. All isolates of M. pneumoniae recovered from symptomatic patients were detected on MNYC medium within 1 to 5 days of incubation, whereas 5 to 7 days of incubation were required before mycoplasmal growth was detected on PPLO agar. Over 86% of these mycoplasma isolates were detected on MNYC medium within 3 days of incubation and before the detection of any mycoplasmal growth on PPLO agar. A similar pattern of recovery times was observed for mycoplasmas isolated from asymptomatic patients. The results of this study have shown that MNYC medium is better than PPLO agar in supporting the rapid growth of M. pneumoniae from clinical specimens after 72-h blind subculture in PPLO glucose broth.

The Role of the Amsterdam News in New York City's Media Environment

The Role of the <i>Amsterdam News</i> in New York City's Media Environment

Evaluation of preservation methods and solid media suitable for recovery of Ureaplasma urealyticum from transported urine specimens.

Urine specimens to be tested for Ureaplasma urealyticum (T-strain mycoplasma) must often be transported to a central laboratory for identification. To examine survival of these organisms over 2 days of transport, fresh urine samples were tested for the presence of ureaplasmas and then divided into four groups: (i) fresh, (ii) frozen, (iii) preserved with 1% (wt/vol) boric acid at room temperature, and (iv) preserved with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide and frozen. The samples were cultured on both A7 and New York City solid media, and the estimates of survival were compared to that of fresh urine. Less than 10% survival of Ureaplasma was observed in 11 of 14 specimens stored frozen for 2 days without preservation; six specimens lost all organisms. Specimens containing either dimethyl sulfoxide or boric acid showed higher survival rates, although neither method consistently approached the full recovery of the T-strains found with the fresh urine. Ureaplasmas from fresh specimens grew well on both New York City and A7 media; however, the New York City medium proved superior for those preserved with boric acid and for urine samples containing few ureaplasmas. These results indicate that preservation of samples does increase the yield of U. urealyticum from urine samples delayed in transit.

Comparison of modified New York City medium with Martin-Lewis Medium for recovery of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from clinical specimens

A modified formulation of New York City medium was comparatively evaluated with Martin-Lewis medium for the recovery of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from clinical specimens. A total of 240 strains of gonococci were recovered from 1,250 specimens collected from walk-in patients attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic. N. gonorrhoeae was cultivated on both of these media from 182 clinical specimens with an additional 58 gonococcal strains isolated on either of the media. Of these discrepant gonococcal isolates, 27 strains were recovered on only modified New York City medium, whereas the remaining 31 strains were recovered on only Martin-Lewis agar. The differences in these isolation rates were not statistically significant. The overall results showed that modified New York City and Martin-Lewis media were comparable in their ability to grow gonococci from clinical material. Since modified New York City medium is capable of supporting the growth of N. gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and urogenital mycoplasmas and inhibiting the growth of commensal microorganisms, it is possible that it may have considerable application as a multifunctional plating medium within the clinical laboratory.

Diagnosis of Gonorrhea-Reply

In Reply.— We would like to respond to the letter submitted by Dr Pearson and Ms Anderst and to the one by Mr Neimeister and Mr Iampietro by first thanking them for bringing up the remark that was made parenthetically in our article. In our summary, we pointed out that Gram-stained smear was not efficacious in diagnosing rectal gonorrhea. In the section Methods of Obtaining the Specimen, it was stated: Rectal culturing should be done on all persons who engage in rectal sexual activity. In this context and to clarify the parenthetical statement that sugar fermentation tests should be done in oral infection, we would like to state that this recommendation is being made only if New York City (NYC) medium is used. Colonial characteristics alone on NYC medium can distinguish N gonorrhoeae from N meningitidis , and because of the large number of rectal specimens submitted, further biochemical differentiation

Identification of Neisseria meningitidis from primary isolation cultures

Summary Throat cultures were taken from 251 patients attending a Department of Venereology. Isolates of Neisseria meningitidis and other pathogenic neisseriae were identified by performing a rapid carbohydrate utilization test with the growth from primary isolation cultures on modified New York City (MNYC) medium. A simple colorimetric test for β -lactamase production was done at the same time. The carrier-rate of meningococci was 47·4 per cent (119/251) while 2·8 per cent (7/251) and 2·4 per cent (6/251) of the patients harboured N. lactamica and N. gonorrhoeae respectively. Of the meningococcal isolates 70·6 per cent (84/119) were identified directly from the primary isolation culture after incubation for 24 hours. It is suggested that identification from primary isolation cultures, with the possible refinement of sero-typing by incorporation of anti-serum in the culture plates, could improve the cost-effectiveness and rapidity of meningococcal carrier surveys.

Identification and penicillinase testing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from primary isolation cultures on modified New York City medium

The fluorescent-antibody test, rapid carbohydrate utilization test (RCUT), and a test for penicillinase production were performed on the bacterial growth from primary cultures on modified New York City medium. Of 134 gonococcal infections in men, 88.8% were diagnosed by the fluorescent-antibody test and 70.9% by the RCUT after incubation for 24 h; the corresponding figures for 75 infections in women were 86.7 and 54.7%, respectively. After incubation for 48 h, 100% of infections were diagnosed by the fluorescent-antibody test, wherease 88.8% of infected males and 86.7% of females were also diagnosed by the RCUT. Primary isolation cultures on modified New York City medium proved suitable for determining the ability of strains to produce penicillinase by a modified RCUT procedure. The method of isolation and identification by using primary cultures from modified New York City medium is both rapid and economical. The rapidity of diagnosis provided by the RCUT makes this a very useful diagnostic method, particularly in laboratories lacking immunofluorescence equipment. Since the penicillinase production test forms part of a routine identification procedure, no extra culture media or subcultures are required. The rapidity of this test should make it of value in tracing contacts of patients infected with penicillinase-producing strains.

Cultural diagnosis of gonorrhoea with modified New York City (MNYC) medium.

A simply prepared modified New York City medium, designated MNYC was compared with Thayer Martin (TM) medium for the cultural diagnosis of gonorrhoea. MNYC medium contained lincomycin, commercial gonococcal base and lysed whole blood, whereas the original New York City medium contained fresh horse plasma and haemoglobin solution, a basal medium prepared from basic ingredients and vanocmycin. Using MNYC medium gonococci were cultured from 96.1% of men and 100% of women with gonorrhoea (positive film and/or culture) compared with only 77.6% and 69% respectively using TM medium. There were no patients positive by culture on TM medium but negative by culture on MNYC medium. The proportion of men with positive films but negative culture was reduced from 17.1% on TM medium to 3.9% on MNYC medium. There were no women with positive films but negative cultures on MNYC medium compared with 19% on TM medium. MNYC medium is recommended as a simply prepared and highly efficient medium for the cultural diagnosis of gonorrhoea.

Field evaluation of New York City medium in the biological environment-CO2 chamber in recovery of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and urogenital mycoplasmas

The biological environment-CO2 chamber containing New York City (NYC) medium was evaluated in a clinical field trial in comparison with Transgrow and NYC medium in plates for the recovery of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and with NYC medium for urogenital mycoplasmas. The results of the study indicated that the biological environment chamber-CO2 culturing system with NYC medium is an effective method for the handling, transport, and culture of N. gonorrhoeae, large-colony mycoplasmas, and T-mycoplasmas if the delay in transport and incubation does not exceed 24 h.