Does limited virucidal activity of biocides include duck hepatitis B virucidal action?

BACKGROUND: There is agreement that the infectivity assay with the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) is a suitable surrogate test to validate disinfectants for hepatitis B virucidal activity. However, since this test is not widely used, information is necessary whether disinfectants with limited virucidal activity also inactivate DHBV. In general, disinfectants with limited virucidal activity are used for skin and sensitive surfaces while agents with full activity are more aggressive. The present study compares the activity of five different biocides against DHBV and the classical test virus for limited virucidal activity, the vaccinia virus strain Lister Elstree (VACV) or the modified vaccinia Ankara strain (MVA). METHODS: Virucidal assay was performed as suspension test according to the German DVV/RKI guideline. Duck hepatitis B virus obtained from congenitally infected Peking ducks was propagated in primary duck embryonic hepatocytes and was detected by indirect immunofluorescent antigen staining. RESULTS: The DHBV was inactivated by the use of 40% ethanol within 1-min and 30% isopropanol within 2-min exposure. In comparison, 40% ethanol within 2-min and 40% isopropanol within 1-min exposure were effective against VACV/MVA. These alcohols only have limited virucidal activity, while the following agents have full activity. 0.01% peracetic acid inactivated DHBV within 2 min and a concentration of 0.005% had virucidal efficacy against VACV/MVA within 1 min. After 2-min exposure, 0.05% glutardialdehyde showed a comparable activity against DHBV and VACV/MVA. This is also the case for 0.7% formaldehyde after a contact time of 30 min. CONCLUSIONS: Duck hepatitis B virus is at least as sensitive to limited virucidal activity as VACV/MVA. Peracetic acid is less effective against DHBV, while the alcohols are less effective against VACV/MVA. It can be expected that in absence of more direct tests the results may be extrapolated to HBV

Multi-level Contextual Type Theory

Contextual type theory distinguishes between bound variables and meta-variables to write potentially incomplete terms in the presence of binders. It has found good use as a framework for concise explanations of higher-order unification, characterize holes in proofs, and in developing a foundation for programming with higher-order abstract syntax, as embodied by the programming and reasoning environment Beluga. However, to reason about these applications, we need to introduce meta^2-variables to characterize the dependency on meta-variables and bound variables. In other words, we must go beyond a two-level system granting only bound variables and meta-variables. In this paper we generalize contextual type theory to n levels for arbitrary n, so as to obtain a formal system offering bound variables, meta-variables and so on all the way to meta^n-variables. We obtain a uniform account by collapsing all these different kinds of variables into a single notion of variabe indexed by some level k. We give a decidable bi-directional type system which characterizes beta-eta-normal forms together with a generalized substitution operation.Comment: In Proceedings LFMTP 2011, arXiv:1110.668

A network analysis of anger, shame, proposed ICD-11 post-traumatic stress disorder, and different types of childhood trauma in foster care settings in a sample of adult survivors

Background: Anger and shame are aspects that are specifically associated with psychopathology and maladaptation after childhood abuse and neglect. They are known to influence symptom maintenance and exacerbation; however, their interaction is not fully understood. Objective: To explore with network analysis the association and interaction of prolonged, complex interpersonal childhood abuse and neglect in institutional foster care settings [institutional abuse (IA)] with anger, shame, and the proposed 11th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in adult survivors. Method: Adult survivors of IA (N = 220, mean age = 57.95 years) participated in the study and were interviewed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the International Trauma Questionnaire, the State–Trait Anger Expression Inventory, the Displaced Aggression Questionnaire, and shame-related items. To identify the most central aspects, we used a staged network analysis and centrality analysis approach: (1) on the scale level; (2) on the item/symptom level; and (3) with modularity analysis to find communities within the item-level network. Results: Trait anger, anger rumination, emotional abuse, and PTSD re-experiencing symptoms played the most important roles on a scale level and were then further analyzed on the item/symptom level. The most central symptom on the item level was anger rumination related to meaningful past events. The modularity analysis supported discriminant validity of the included scales. Conclusions: Anger is an important factor in the psychopathological processes following childhood abuse. Anger rumination is closely related to PTSD symptoms; however, anger is not a part of the proposed ICD-11 PTSD in the present study

PTSD in ICD-10 and proposed ICD-11 in elderly with childhood trauma: prevalence, factor structure, and symptom profiles

Background: The proposal for ICD-11 postulates major changes for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis, which needs investigation in different samples. Aims: To investigate differences of PTSD prevalence and diagnostic agreement between ICD-10 and ICD-11, factor structure of proposed ICD-11 PTSD, and diagnostic value of PTSD symptom severity classes. Method: Confirmatory factor analysis and latent profile analysis were used on data of elderly survivors of childhood trauma (>60 years, N=399). Results: PTSD rates differed significantly between ICD-10 (15.0%) and ICD-11 (10.3%, z=2.02, p=0.04). Unlike previous research, a one-factor solution of ICD-11 PTSD had the best fit in this sample. High symptom profiles were associated with PTSD in ICD-11. Conclusions: ICD-11 concentrates on PTSD's core symptoms and furthers clinical utility. Questions remain regarding the tendency of ICD-11 to diagnose mainly cases with severe symptoms and the influence of trauma type and participant age on the factor structure

Does limited virucidal activity of biocides include duck hepatitis B virucidal action?

Abstract Background There is agreement that the infectivity assay with the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) is a suitable surrogate test to validate disinfectants for hepatitis B virucidal activity. However, since this test is not widely used, information is necessary whether disinfectants with limited virucidal activity also inactivate DHBV. In general, disinfectants with limited virucidal activity are used for skin and sensitive surfaces while agents with full activity are more aggressive. The present study compares the activity of five different biocides against DHBV and the classical test virus for limited virucidal activity, the vaccinia virus strain Lister Elstree (VACV) or the modified vaccinia Ankara strain (MVA). Methods Virucidal assay was performed as suspension test according to the German DVV/RKI guideline. Duck hepatitis B virus obtained from congenitally infected Peking ducks was propagated in primary duck embryonic hepatocytes and was detected by indirect immunofluorescent antigen staining. Results The DHBV was inactivated by the use of 40% ethanol within 1-min and 30% isopropanol within 2-min exposure. In comparison, 40% ethanol within 2-min and 40% isopropanol within 1-min exposure were effective against VACV/MVA. These alcohols only have limited virucidal activity, while the following agents have full activity. 0.01% peracetic acid inactivated DHBV within 2 min and a concentration of 0.005% had virucidal efficacy against VACV/MVA within 1 min. After 2-min exposure, 0.05% glutardialdehyde showed a comparable activity against DHBV and VACV/MVA. This is also the case for 0.7% formaldehyde after a contact time of 30 min. Conclusions Duck hepatitis B virus is at least as sensitive to limited virucidal activity as VACV/MVA. Peracetic acid is less effective against DHBV, while the alcohols are less effective against VACV/MVA. It can be expected that in absence of more direct tests the results may be extrapolated to HBV.</p

Tungsten carbide nanoparticles show a broad spectrum virucidal activity against enveloped and nonenveloped model viruses using a guideline-standardized in vitro test

Five tungsten carbide nanoparticle preparations (denoted WC1‐WC5) were investigated for broad spectrum virucidal activity against four recommended model viruses. These are modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA), human adenovirus type 5 (HAdV‐5), poliovirus type 1 (PV‐1) and murine norovirus (MNV). All virucidal tests were performed two to five times using the quantitative suspension test, which is a highly standardized test method to evaluate the virucidal efficacy of disinfectants in accordance with the European norm EN 14476+A1 and the German DVV/RKI guidelines. Quantitative detection of viruses was conducted by endpoint titration and quantitative real‐time PCR. Results showed that three of the five tested compounds (WC1‐WC3) were able to reduce the infectivity of all model viruses by at least four log10 of tissue culture infective dose 50% per ml after 15 min, whereas the other two compounds exhibited only limited efficacy (WC4) or showed cytotoxicity (WC5). Virucidal activity of nanoparticles increased with incubation time and a dose‐effect curve showed dependence of virucidal activity with particle concentration. Whereas WC1‐WC4 showed little cytotoxicity, WC5 which was doped with copper exhibited a significant cytotoxic effect. These findings propose tungsten carbide nanoparticles to be very promising in terms of new disinfection techniques

Institutional abuse of children in the Austrian Catholic Church: Types of abuse and impact on adult survivors’ current mental health

Celem badania była ocena charakteru i zakresu instytucjonalnego krzywdzenia dzieci przez austriacki Kościół katolicki oraz rozpoznanie obecnego stanu zdrowia psychicznego dorosłych, którzy w dzieciństwie padli ofiarą takiego krzywdzenia. Dane zbierano dwuetapowo. W pierwszej kolejności przeanalizowano dokumentację 448 dorosłych ofiar (M = 55,1 lat, 75,7% mężczyźni), które ujawniły doznane w dzieciństwie krzywdzenie, zeznając przed komisją ds. ochrony ofiar. Uwzględniono różne typy krzywdzenia, różne rodzaje sprawców i rodzinne czynniki ryzyka. W kolejnym etapie grupa 185 dorosłych ofiar została poproszona o wypełnienie kwestionariusza PCL-C (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist) oraz skróconego inwentarza objawów BSI (Brief Symptom Inventory). Uczestnicy opisywali ogromną różnorodność aktów przemocy fizycznej, seksualnej i emocjonalnej, do których doszło w okresie ich dzieciństwa. Większość ofiar (83,3%) doświadczyła w dzieciństwie krzywdzenia emocjonalnego. Odsetki dotyczące krzywdzenia seksualnego (68,8%) oraz fizycznego (68,3%) były prawie równie wysokie. Częstość występowania zespołu stresu pourazowego (PTSD) wyniosła 48,6%, a u 84,9% ofiar stwierdzono istotne klinicznie objawy w przynajmniej jednej z 10 kategorii objawów (dziewięć podskal BSI oraz PTSD). Nie udało się wyodrębnić konkretnego czynnika obecnego przed wystąpieniem krzywdzenia, który determinowałby rozwój PTSD w późniejszym życiu (np. ubóstwo, przemoc domowa). Zauważono jednak, że ofiary z rozpoznanym PTSD zgłaszały istotnie większą całkowitą liczbę rodzinnych czynników ryzyka (d = 0,33). Autorzy konkludują, że krzywdzenie instytucjonalne w dzieciństwie obejmuje szeroki zakres aktów przemocy, i bardzo silnie ujemnie wpływa na stan zdrowia psychicznego dorosłych, którzy jako dzieci takiego krzywdzenia doświadczyli. Artykuł odnosi się do długoterminowych skutków traumatycznych zdarzeń, nawiązuje też do odnowienia traumy w wieku dorosłym, ponieważ obydwa te zjawiska mogą być trudnym wyzwaniem dla profesjonalistów pracujących z ofiarami.The aim of this study was to explore the nature and dimensions of institutional child abuse (IA) by the Austrian Catholic Church and to investigate the current mental health of adult survivors. Data were collected in two steps. First, documents of 448 adult survivors of IA (M = 55.1 years, 75.7% men) who had disclosed their abuse history to a victim protection commission were collected. Different types of abuse, perpetrator characteristics, and family related risk factors were investigated. Second, a sample of 185 adult survivors completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-C) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI).Participants reported an enormous diversity of acts of violent physical, sexual, and emotional abuse that had occurred in their childhood. The majority of adult survivors (83.3%)experienced emotional abuse. Rates of sexual (68.8%) and physical abuse (68.3%) were almost equally high. The prevalence of PTSD was 48.6% and 84.9% showed clinically relevant symptoms in at least one 1 of 10 symptom dimensions (9 BSI subscales and PTSD).No specific pre-IA influence was found to influence the development of PTSD in later life (e.g. poverty, domestic violence). However, survivors with PTSD reported a significantly higher total number of family related risk factors (d = 0.33). We conclude that childhood IA includes a wide spectrum of violent acts, and has a massive negative impact on the current mental health of adult survivors. We address the long-term effects of these traumatic experiences in addition to trauma re-activation in adulthood as both bear great challenges for professionals working with survivors

Institutional abuse of children in the Austrian Catholic Church: Types of abuse and impact on adult survivors’ current mental health

Celem badania była ocena charakteru i zakresu instytucjonalnego krzywdzenia dzieci przez austriacki Kościół katolicki oraz rozpoznanie obecnego stanu zdrowia psychicznego dorosłych, którzy w dzieciństwie padli ofiarą takiego krzywdzenia. Dane zbierano dwuetapowo. W pierwszej kolejności przeanalizowano dokumentację 448 dorosłych ofiar (M = 55,1 lat, 75,7% mężczyźni), które ujawniły doznane w dzieciństwie krzywdzenie, zeznając przed komisją ds. ochrony ofiar. Uwzględniono różne typy krzywdzenia, różne rodzaje sprawców i rodzinne czynniki ryzyka. W kolejnym etapie grupa 185 dorosłych ofiar została poproszona o wypełnienie kwestionariusza PCL-C (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist) oraz skróconego inwentarza objawów BSI (Brief Symptom Inventory). Uczestnicy opisywali ogromną różnorodność aktów przemocy fizycznej, seksualnej i emocjonalnej, do których doszło w okresie ich dzieciństwa. Większość ofiar (83,3%) doświadczyła w dzieciństwie krzywdzenia emocjonalnego. Odsetki dotyczące krzywdzenia seksualnego (68,8%) oraz fizycznego (68,3%) były prawie równie wysokie. Częstość występowania zespołu stresu pourazowego (PTSD) wyniosła 48,6%, a u 84,9% ofiar stwierdzono istotne klinicznie objawy w przynajmniej jednej z 10 kategorii objawów (dziewięć podskal BSI oraz PTSD). Nie udało się wyodrębnić konkretnego czynnika obecnego przed wystąpieniem krzywdzenia, który determinowałby rozwój PTSD w późniejszym życiu (np. ubóstwo, przemoc domowa). Zauważono jednak, że ofiary z rozpoznanym PTSD zgłaszały istotnie większą całkowitą liczbę rodzinnych czynników ryzyka (d = 0,33). Autorzy konkludują, że krzywdzenie instytucjonalne w dzieciństwie obejmuje szeroki zakres aktów przemocy, i bardzo silnie ujemnie wpływa na stan zdrowia psychicznego dorosłych, którzy jako dzieci takiego krzywdzenia doświadczyli. Artykuł odnosi się do długoterminowych skutków traumatycznych zdarzeń, nawiązuje też do odnowienia traumy w wieku dorosłym, ponieważ obydwa te zjawiska mogą być trudnym wyzwaniem dla profesjonalistów pracujących z ofiarami.The aim of this study was to explore the nature and dimensions of institutional child abuse (IA) by the Austrian Catholic Church and to investigate the current mental health of adult survivors. Data were collected in two steps. First, documents of 448 adult survivors of IA (M = 55.1 years, 75.7% men) who had disclosed their abuse history to a victim protection commission were collected. Different types of abuse, perpetrator characteristics, and family related risk factors were investigated. Second, a sample of 185 adult survivors completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-C) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI).Participants reported an enormous diversity of acts of violent physical, sexual, and emotional abuse that had occurred in their childhood. The majority of adult survivors (83.3%)experienced emotional abuse. Rates of sexual (68.8%) and physical abuse (68.3%) were almost equally high. The prevalence of PTSD was 48.6% and 84.9% showed clinically relevant symptoms in at least one 1 of 10 symptom dimensions (9 BSI subscales and PTSD).No specific pre-IA influence was found to influence the development of PTSD in later life (e.g. poverty, domestic violence). However, survivors with PTSD reported a significantly higher total number of family related risk factors (d = 0.33). We conclude that childhood IA includes a wide spectrum of violent acts, and has a massive negative impact on the current mental health of adult survivors. We address the long-term effects of these traumatic experiences in addition to trauma re-activation in adulthood as both bear great challenges for professionals working with survivors