High genetic diversity of measles virus, World Health Organization European region, 2005-2006

During 2005-2006, nine measles virus (MV) genotypes were identified throughout the World Health Organization European Region. All major epidemics were associated with genotypes D4, D6, and B3. Other genotypes (B2, D5, D8, D9, G2, and H1) were only found in limited numbers of cases after importation from other continents. The genetic diversity of endemic D6 strains was low; genotypes C2 and D7, circulating in Europe until recent years, were no longer identified. The transmission chains of several indigenous MV strains may thus have been interrupted by enhanced vaccination. However, multiple importations from Africa and Asia and virus introduction into highly mobile and unvaccinated communities caused a massive spread of D4 and B3 strains throughout much of the region. Thus, despite the reduction of endemic MV circulation, importation of MV from other continents caused prolonged circulation and large outbreaks after their introduction into unvaccinated and highly mobile communities

High genetic diversity of measles virus, World Health Organization European Region, 2005-2006

During 2005-2006, nine measles virus (MV) genotypes were identified throughout the World Health Organization European Region. All major epidemics were associated with genotypes D4, D6, and B3. Other genotypes (B2, D5, D8, D9, G2, and H1) were only found in limited numbers of cases after importation from other continents. The genetic diversity of endemic D6 strains was low; genotypes C2 and D7, circulating in Europe until recent years, were no longer identified. The transmission chains of several indigenous MV strains may thus have been interrupted by enhanced vaccination. However, multiple importations from Africa and Asia and virus introduction into highly mobile and unvaccinated communities caused a massive spread of D4 and B3 strains throughout much of the region. Thus, despite the reduction of endemic MV circulation, importation of MV from other continents caused prolonged circulation and large outbreaks after their introduction into unvaccinated and highly mobile communities

Research Into Effect of Propionic and Acrylic Acids on the Electrodeposition of Nickel

Nickel coatings are widely used in machine-building, electronics, automotive and aerospace industries. High requirements for environmental safety and operational performance of contemporary processes of electrochemical nickel plating predetermine the search for the new electrolytes. Electrolytes based on carboxylic acids are characterized by high buffer properties, ecological safety, and enhanced values of limiting current. Heuristic approach when fabricating comprehensive electrolytes, based on empirical data, does not make it possible to conduct predictable optimization of the formulations of nickel plating electrolytes. Solving this problem seems possible when using a quantum-chemical simulation. In this work, we performed quantum-chemical calculations for the propionate and acrylate complexes of nickel. It was established that coordination numbers of the propionate and acrylate complexes of nickel are equal to five and six, respectively. It is shown that electroreduction of the propionate nickel complex proceeds with the formation of an intermediate particle. The negative charge of this particle is localized on the intrasphere molecules of water. This may lead to the electroreduction of the latter and to an increase in the pH of a near-electrode layer. In the intermediate particle of the acrylate complex, localization of the charge occurs on the vinyl fragment of acrylate-ion. Electrochemical reaction of reduction of the coordinated water molecules in such a particle is not energetically favorable. It was established that the isolation of nickel from the acrylate complex proceeds with lower kinetic difficulties than from the propionate complex. An assumption was made that fewer insoluble hydroxide nickel compounds, which block the cathode surface, form in the acrylate electrolyte.Such an assumption is based on the fact that given close buffer properties of acids, electroreduction of the acrylate complexes does not imply the involvement of coordinated water molecules in the electrode process. The results obtained are very valuable for selecting the nature of carboxylic acid as a component for the complex nickel plating electrolyt

Laboratory capability and surveillance testing for middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection in the who European region, June 2013

Since September 2012, over 90 cases of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus, now named Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), have been reported in the Middle East and Europe. To ascertain the capabilities and testing experience of national reference laboratories across the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region to detect this virus, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the WHO Regional Office for Europe conducted a joint survey in November 2012 and a follow-up survey in June 2013. In 2013, 29 of 52 responding WHO European Region countries and 24 of 31 countries of the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) had laboratory capabilities to detect and confirm MERS-CoV cases, compared with 22 of 46 and 18 of 30 countries, respectively, in 2012. By June 2013, more than 2,300 patients had been tested in 23 countries in the WHO European Region with nine laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV cases. These data indicate that the Region has developed significant capability to detect this emerging virus in accordance with WHO and ECDC guidance. However, not all countries had developed capabilities, and the needs to do so should be addressed. This includes enhancing collaborations between countries to ensure diagnostic capabilities for surveillance of MERS-CoV infections across the European Region