Persistence of Livestock Associated MRSA CC398 in Humans Is Dependent on Intensity of Animal Contact

INTRODUCTION: The presence of Livestock Associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) in humans is associated with intensity of animal contact. It is unknown whether the presence of LA-MRSA is a result of carriage or retention of MRSA-contaminated dust. We conducted a longitudinal study among 155 veal farmers in which repeated nasal and throat swabs were taken for MRSA detection. Periods with and without animal exposure were covered. METHODS: Randomly, 51 veal calf farms were visited from June-December 2008. Participants were asked to fill in questionnaires (n = 155) to identify potential risk factors for MRSA colonisation. Nasal and throat swabs were repeatedly taken from each participant for approximately 2 months. Swabs were analysed for MRSA and MSSA by selective bacteriological culturing. Spa-types of the isolates were identified and a ST398 specific PCR was performed. Data were analyzed using generalized estimation equations (GEE) to allow for correlated observations within individuals. RESULTS: Mean MRSA prevalence was 38% in farmers and 16% in family members. Presence of MRSA in farmers was strongly related to duration of animal contact and was strongly reduced in periods with absence of animal contact (-58%). Family members, especially children, were more often carriers when the farmer was a carrier (OR = 2,

Weekly high-dose cisplatin is a feasible treatment option: Analysis on prognostic factors for toxicity in 400 patients

In the present study we describe the toxicity of weekly high-dose (70-85 mg m-2) cisplatin in 400 patients (203 men, 197 women; median age 54 years) with advanced solid tumours treated in the period 1990-2001 who took part in phase I/II trials, investigating the feasibility and efficacy of weekly cisplatin alone, or in combination with paclitaxel or etoposide. Cisplatin was administered in 250 ml NaCl 3% over 3 h, for six intended administrations. The mean number of administrations was 53 (range, 1-6 administrations). Reasons not to complete six cycles were disease progression (7.5%), haematological toxicity (9%), nephrotoxicity (7%), ototoxicity (2.5%), neurotoxicity (1%), gastrointestinal toxicity (1%), cardiovascular complications (0.5%) or a combination of reasons including noncompliance and patient's request (5.5%). Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate baseline parameters for prognostic value regarding toxicity. Leukopenia correlated with etoposide cotreatment, and thrombocytopenia with cisplatin dose and prior (platinum-based) chemotherapy. Risk factors for nephrotoxicity were older age, female gender, smoking, hypoalbuminaemia and paclitaxel coadministration. Neurotoxicity >grade I (11% of patients) was associated with prior chemotherapy and paclitaxel coadministration. Symptomatic hearing loss occurred in 15% with anaemia as the predisposing factor. We conclude that weekly high-dose cisplatin administered in hypertonic saline is a feasible treatment regimen

Prey choice, provisioning behaviour, and effects of early nutrition on nestling phenotype of titmice

[EN] It is generally assumed that blue and great tits (Cyanistes caeruleus, Parus major) compete for the same type of food (Lepidoptera larvae) during the breeding season and that the former have some advantage because they are usually earlier and can exploit small caterpillars that are often more abundant and are not consumed by great tits. However, it is not clear whether, when confronted with similar circumstances (e.g., nestling demand), blue and great tits show similar preferences for a particular caterpillar type. In this 2-y study, we compare the diet of both tit species in detail by controlling for hatching date and brood size. We also examine how the contribution of caterpillars and spiders to the diet is related to nestling development. A positive relationship was found between the percentage of spiders in the diet and nestling tarsus length in both species, reinforcing the idea that neonatal nutrition could have a strong influence on nestling phenotype (e.g., offspring size). Such a correlation may arise because spiders contain a high level of taurine, an essential nutrient in the early development of young, and/or this prey type contains more calcium than other food items, which may affect the rate of nestling bone mineralization. Blue tits fed their young double the number of tortricid larvae in comparison with great tits, whereas the latter showed a clear preference for noctuids and exploited, with a low frequency, a type of larvae not consumed by blue tits, hairy caterpillars (Lasiocampidae). Our results point to resource partitioning by these species in this forest ecosystem and contribute to a better understanding of feeding ecology of titmice, which is particularly timely in a global warming context [FR] Il est généralement admis que les mésanges bleues (Cyanistes caeruleus) et les mésanges charbonnières (Parus major) se font compétition pour le même type de nourriture (larves de lépidoptères) durant la période de reproduction. Il est également admis que les mésanges bleues possèdent un certain avantage, car elles se reproduisent plus tôt et mangent de petites chenilles souvent plus abondantes qui ne sont pas consommées par les mésanges charbonnières. Cependant, il n'est pas clair si dans les mêmes conditions (ex. de demande en nourriture des oisillons), les mésanges bleues et charbonnières préfèrent les mêmes types de chenilles. Dans cette étude de 2 ans, nous avons comparé en détail les régimes alimentaires des 2 espèces de mésanges en contrôlant pour la date de ponte et la taille de la couvée. Nous avons aussi examiné si les contributions des chenilles et des araignées au régime alimentaire étaient reliées au développement des oisillons. Chez les 2 espèces, une relation positive a été trouvée entre le pourcentage d'araignées dans le régime alimentaire et la longueur du tarse des oisillons renforçant ainsi l'idée que la nutrition néonatale peut avoir une grande influence sur le phénotype des oisillons (ex. la taille des jeunes). Une telle corrélation peut résulter du fait que les araignées ont un taux élevé de taurine, un nutriment essentiel au développement précoce des jeunes, et/ou que ce type de proie contient plus de calcium que d'autres aliments ce qui peut influencer le taux de minéralisation des os chez les oisillons. Les mésanges bleues ont nourri leurs jeunes avec deux fois plus de larves de tortricidés que les mésanges charbonnières qui elles ont montré une nette préférence pour les noctuidés. Ces dernières ont aussi consommé, quoique peu fréquemment, des livrées (Lasiocampidae), un type de larves boudé par les mésanges bleues. Nos résultats pointent vers une division des ressources entre ces espèces dans cet écosystème forestier et contribuent à une meilleure compréhension de l'écologie alimentaire des mésanges ce qui est particulièrement utile dans un contexte de réchauffement climatiqueV. García-Navas was supported by a FPI predoctoral fellowship (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN)-European Social Fund). This study was financed by the MICINN (grant reference: GCL2007-61395)Peer Reviewe

Гибридная интегральная схема для обработки звукового сигнала

Разработана гибридная интегральная схема с номинальным напряжением питания 1,4 В, током потребления 0,7 мА и габаритными размерами 8x4x3 мм для обработки звукового сигнала в автономной аппаратуре.Розроблена гібридна інтегральна схема з номінальною напругою живлення 1,4 В, струмом споживання 0,7 мА і габаритними розмірами 8x4x3 мм забезпечує багатофункціональну обробку звуковою сигналу в аналоговій мікроелектронній апаратурі. Наведено її конструкторсько-технологічні та електричні параметри.Developed hybrid integrated circuit with rated supply voltage of 1,4 V, current consumption 0,7 mA and overall dimensions 8x4x3 mm provides soft processing of the audio signal in analog microelectronic equipment. Given its design, technological and electrical parameters

A novel sensor measuring local voidage profile inside a fluidised bed reactor

Liquid-solid fluidisation is frequently encountered in drinking water treatment processes, often to obtain a large liquid-solid interfacial surface area. A large surface area is crucial for optimal seeded crystallisation in full-scale softening reactors. Due to crystallisation, particles grow and migrate to a lower zone in the reactor which leads to a stratified bed. Larger particles adversely affect the surface area. To maintain optimal process conditions in the fluidised beds, information is needed about the distribution of particle size, local voidage and available surface area, over the reactor height. In this work, a sensor is developed to obtain the hydraulic state gradient, based on Archimedes’ principle. A cylindrical heavy object is submerged in the fluidised bed and lowered gradually while its weight is measured at various heights using a sensitive force measuring device. Based on accurate fluidisation experiments with calcite grains, the voidage is determined and a straightforward empirical model is developed to estimate the particle size as a function of superficial fluid velocity, kinematic viscosity, suspension density, voidage and particle density. The surface area and specific space velocity can be estimated accordingly, which represent key performance indicators regarding the hydraulic state of the fluidised bed reactor. The prediction error for voidage is 5 ± 2 % and for particle size 9 ± 4 %. The newly developed soft sensor is a more time-effective method for obtaining the hydraulic state in full-scale liquid-solid fluidised bed reactors

Design of whey protein nanostructures for incorporation and release of nutraceutical compounds in food

Whey proteins are widely used as nutritional and functional ingredients in formulated foods because they are relative inexpensive, generally recognized as safe (GRAS) ingredient and possess important biological, physical and chemical functionalities. Denaturation and aggregation behavior of these proteins is of particular relevance toward manufacture of novel nanostructures with a number of potential uses. When these processes are properly engineered and controlled, whey proteins may be formed into nanohydrogels, nanofibrils or nanotubes and be used as carrier of bioactive compounds. This review intends to discuss the latest understandings of nanoscale phenomena of whey protein denaturation and aggregation that may contribute for the design of protein nanostructures. Whey protein aggregation and gelation pathways under different processing and environmental conditions such as microwave heating, high voltage and moderate electrical fields, high pressure, temperature, pH and ionic strength were critically assessed. Moreover, several potential applications of nanohydrogels, nanofibrils and nanotubes for controlled release of nutraceutical compounds (e.g. probiotics, vitamins, antioxidants and peptides) were also included. Controlling the size of protein networks at nanoscale through application of different processing and environmental conditions can open perspectives for development of nanostructures with new or improved functionalities for incorporation and release of nutraceuticals in food matrices.Oscar L. Ramos, Ricardo N. Pereira and Clara Fuci~nos gratefully acknowledge their Post-Doctoral grants (SFRH/BPD/80766/2011, SFRH/BPD/ 81887/2011, and SFRH/BPD/87910/2012, respectively) to the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal). All authors thank the FCT Strategic Project PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013 and the Project “BioEnv— Biotechnology and Bioengineering for a sustainable world”, REF. NORTE07-0124-FEDER-000048, co-funded by Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2–O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER

Adapting to climate change in The Netherlands: an inventory of climate adaptation options and ranking of alternatives

In many countries around the world impacts of climate change are assessed and adaptation options identified. We describe an approach for a qualitative and quantitative assessment of adaptation options to respond to climate change in the Netherlands. The study introduces an inventory and ranking of adaptation options based on stakeholder analysis and expert judgement, and presents some estimates of incremental costs and benefits. The qualitative assessment focuses on ranking and prioritisation of adaptation options. Options are selected and identified and discussed by stakeholders on the basis of a sectoral approach, and assessed with respect to their importance, urgency and other characteristics by experts. The preliminary quantitative assessment identifies incremental costs and benefits of adaptation options. Priority ranking based on a weighted sum of criteria reveals that in the Netherlands integrated nature and water management and risk based policies rank high, followed by policies aiming at 'climate proof' housing and infrastructure