Transcription of reference genes used for quantitative RT-PCR in Atlantic salmon is affected by viral infection

Relative quantification using RT-qPCR is a widely used method for transcription profiling. Transcript levels of target genes in fish after experimental infection is often reported without documentation of stably transcribed reference genes. We present results demonstrating that transcription of typically used reference genes in Atlantic salmon is not stable during experimental infection with salmon pancreas disease virus (SPDV). Transcript levels 0 to 6 weeks after challenge revealed statistically significant changes between time-points that corresponded with a peak in viral load 3 weeks after challenge. The results emphasize the need for thorough method validation prior to transcriptional studies during viral infections

Immunohistochemical detection of piscine reovirus (PRV) in hearts of Atlantic salmon coincide with the course of heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI)

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector in the world. However, the increased production has been accompanied by the emergence of infectious diseases. Heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) is one example of an emerging disease in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L). Since the first recognition as a disease entity in 1999 it has become a widespread and economically important disease in Norway. The disease was recently found to be associated with infection with a novel reovirus, piscine reovirus (PRV). The load of PRV, examined by RT-qPCR, correlated with severity of HSMI in naturally and experimentally infected salmon. The disease is characterized by epi-, endo- and myocarditis, myocardial necrosis, myositis and necrosis of the red skeletal muscle. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of PRV antigens in heart tissue of Atlantic salmon and monitor the virus distribution in the heart during the disease development. This included target cell specificity, viral load and tissue location during an HSMI outbreak. Rabbit polyclonal antisera were raised against putative PRV capsid proteins μ1C and σ1 and used in immunohistochemical analysis of archived salmon heart tissue from an experimental infection. The results are consistent with the histopathological changes of HSMI and showed a sequential staining pattern with PRV antigens initially present in leukocyte-like cells and subsequently in cardiomyocytes in the heart ventricle. Our results confirm the association between PRV and HSMI, and strengthen the hypothesis of PRV being the causative agent of HSMI. Immunohistochemical detection of PRV antigens will be beneficial for the understanding of the pathogenesis of HSMI as well as for diagnostic purposes

A novel totivirus and piscine reovirus (PRV) in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) with cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS) is a severe disease affecting large farmed Atlantic salmon. Mortality often appears without prior clinical signs, typically shortly prior to slaughter. We recently reported the finding and the complete genomic sequence of a novel piscine reovirus (PRV), which is associated with another cardiac disease in Atlantic salmon; heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI). In the present work we have studied whether PRV or other infectious agents may be involved in the etiology of CMS.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using high throughput sequencing on heart samples from natural outbreaks of CMS and from fish experimentally challenged with material from fish diagnosed with CMS a high number of sequence reads identical to the PRV genome were identified. In addition, a sequence contig from a novel totivirus could also be constructed. Using RT-qPCR, levels of PRV in tissue samples were quantified and the totivirus was detected in all samples tested from CMS fish but not in controls. <it>In situ </it>hybridization supported this pattern indicating a possible association between CMS and the novel piscine totivirus.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although causality for CMS in Atlantic salmon could not be proven for either of the two viruses, our results are compatible with a hypothesis where, in the experimental challenge studied, PRV behaves as an opportunist whereas the totivirus might be more directly linked with the development of CMS.</p

Forebygging av trykksår

Hensikt: Målet med oppgaven er å belyse hvordan sykepleier kan forebygge trykksår hos pasienter på sykehjem. Metode: Et systematisk litteratursøk ble gjennomført i databasene CINAHL Complete og MEDLINE. Inklusjonskriteriene artiklene måtte oppfylle var at de måtte være fagfellevurdert, fra 2015 eller nyere og skrevet på norsk, engelsk, svensk eller dansk. Artikler som ikke hadde IMRaD-struktur og som ikke omhandlet problemstillingen vår ble ekskludert. Åtte forskningsartikler ble inkludert. Resultat: Gjennomføring av en risikovurdering, ved hjelp av risikoverktøy og klinisk skjønn, er nødvendig for å identifisere pasientene med risiko for trykksår. Hudvurdering er en del av risikovurderingen og gjennomføres ved hjelp av inspeksjon, palpasjon og teknologiske hjelpemidler. Trykkfordeling og trykkavlastning er effektive forebyggende tiltak. Det ser ut til at tiltak knyttet til hudpleie og ernæring er effektive. Undervisning kan heve sykepleiers kompetanse om trykksår. Mangel på tid, høy arbeidsbelastning, lav bemanning og arbeidsmiljøet er organisatoriske utfordringer i sykepleiernes forebyggende arbeid. Konklusjon: På bakgrunn av våre funn ser det ut til at sykepleier kan forebygge trykksår ved å gjennomføre en risikovurdering og iverksette tiltak knyttet til trykkfordeling og trykkavlastning. I tillegg bør sykepleier heve sin kompetanse for å forebygge trykksår. Mangel på tid, høy arbeidsbelastning, lav bemanning og arbeidsmiljøet kan hindre sykepleier fra å effektivt forebygge trykksår

Genetic parameters of resistance to amoebic gill disease in two Norwegian Atlantic salmon populations

publishedVersio

Towards explaining implementation and internalization of GDPR compliance practice

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the compliance of GDPR practices in Norwegian organizations. Two dimensions are used to assess compliance: Implementation and internalization. We utilize a cross-sectional research design and collect data by the use of an online survey. After distributing the survey to all DPOs registered at Datatilsynet we ended up with an operating sample of 252 responses for our analysis. The data was analyzed with multiple linear regression models. The results show that value-based communication, the strategic value of data, DPO involvement and being a private organization are positively related to the implementation of compliance with the GDPR. For internalization we found the most important factors to be value-based communication and the strategic value of data. Limitations of this paper include the inability to establish causality due to research design and only having one respondent per organization with questions relying on personal judgement. This makes objective measurements challenging and limits the potential of testing the involvement construct. Future researchers should apply a longitudinal study and collect responses from more than one individual within each organization in order to get a more accurate picture of each organization’s actual comprehension of the GDPR compliance. Keywords: GDPR; adoption of practices; Norwegian organizations; implementation; internalization

Estimates of genetic correlations between susceptibility of Atlantic salmon to amoebic gill disease in a bath challenge test and a field test

publishedVersio

Immunohistochemical detection of piscine reovirus (PRV) in hearts of Atlantic salmon coincide with the course of heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI)

Abstract Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector in the world. However, the increased production has been accompanied by the emergence of infectious diseases. Heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) is one example of an emerging disease in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L). Since the first recognition as a disease entity in 1999 it has become a widespread and economically important disease in Norway. The disease was recently found to be associated with infection with a novel reovirus, piscine reovirus (PRV). The load of PRV, examined by RT-qPCR, correlated with severity of HSMI in naturally and experimentally infected salmon. The disease is characterized by epi-, endo- and myocarditis, myocardial necrosis, myositis and necrosis of the red skeletal muscle. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of PRV antigens in heart tissue of Atlantic salmon and monitor the virus distribution in the heart during the disease development. This included target cell specificity, viral load and tissue location during an HSMI outbreak. Rabbit polyclonal antisera were raised against putative PRV capsid proteins μ1C and σ1 and used in immunohistochemical analysis of archived salmon heart tissue from an experimental infection. The results are consistent with the histopathological changes of HSMI and showed a sequential staining pattern with PRV antigens initially present in leukocyte-like cells and subsequently in cardiomyocytes in the heart ventricle. Our results confirm the association between PRV and HSMI, and strengthen the hypothesis of PRV being the causative agent of HSMI. Immunohistochemical detection of PRV antigens will be beneficial for the understanding of the pathogenesis of HSMI as well as for diagnostic purposes.</p

Inactivation of Piscine orthoreovirus

Piscine orthoreovirus infects various salmonid fish species, and the infection is associated with diseases such as heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). There are no vaccines available or genetically selected resistant hosts that can efficiently control piscine orthoreovirus (PRV) infection. Currently, the only prophylactic measure against PRV is general biosecurity measures aiming to break the transmission cycle. Methods to eradicate infectious virus from contaminated facilities are desirable, but the knowledge on how to inactivate PRV is lacking. A major bottleneck for inactivation studies is the lack of ability to propagate PRV in cell culture. Therefore, in this study we developed an in vivo model for detection of infectious PRV particles after treatment of the virus with inactivation tools such as heat, pH, iodine, UV and commercially available disinfectants. The results show that standard iodine treatment is efficient in inactivation of the virus, and similarly are high and low pH extremes and treatment with Virocid, a commercially available disinfectant. A UV dose of at least 50 mJ/cm2 is required for inactivation, and the virus has high resistance against heat treatment.publishedVersio

Moods of Norway: NY market entry

Purpose The purpose of this document is to identify the key strategic and supplementary measures the Moods of Norway(MoN) management must take under consideration, to successfully penetrate the New York marketplace, more importantly stay there. Methodology In order to identify those areas of importance stated in the purpose, we looked at the several areas of importance such as the company´s history of expansion, identified business objectives for the New York launch, analyzed the internal and external environment including potential competition, conducted a research to gather information consumer behavior and reactions to brand stimuli, used this research in addition to information given to us by the management to plan for the New York launch, and at last we made recommendations for the preceding of the plan when entering this new marketplace. Company MoN is a Norwegian fashion and apparel brand that focus on making contemporary apparel and other merchandize inspired by the cultural and geographical characteristics of the brands country of origin, Norway. While looking at the company background, it is clear that the Norwegian culture permeates the entire organization. The company´s core competencies derive from the founder´s creative interpretation of the rural Norwegian heritage and their effort in translating that to fit the international urban society of 2012. Further, the company has had a rapid growth since it was established in 2002 and the internal analysis suggest that the company should be able to grow even more in the years to come.New York Competition Based on communication with the company management and we identified MoN´s main competitors in New York to be Paul Smith and Ted Baker. Both stores are located in SoHo and have similarities in European tailoring. In addition to these two, several other brands are somewhat similar. However, Were the design is similar, the price points are different and vice versa. This suggests that MoN has good market potential in NY. Research To identify consumer reactions to MoN apparel, we chose a qualitative approach and developed a depth interview based research instrument. We conducted these interviews at selected locations in NY, where we presumed to meet consumers that would fit MoN´s target market profile. 150 interview subjects were asked during the process that started 21st of march. In addition to revealing attitudes and reactions towards the apparel, the store interior and knowledge about Norwegian culture, the instrument was designed to collect some quantitative data as well. These data´s was collected to look for significant correlation between the responses in for instance age, residency and household income levels. Our research findings suggest that the slightly more conservative apparel is better received than the more extreme. In terms of store interior, the overall response was positive with few exceptions. Recommendations It is in our belief that MoN should standardize activities such as their merchandizing program, how they convey the brand essence to the consumers, and brand symbolic when entering new markets such as NY. The brand concept is unique, viable, and hard to copy. However, based on the relatively small size of the company, the low brand familiarity and little knowledge about the Norwegian culture and heritage, it is important that Moods continue to convey the Norwegian exotic story in all details surrounding their business. This will enable them to shift their focus from raising brand awareness to focus on increasing profits. MoN is a creative business that should focus on converting their creativity from the designing process to a business level. This will generate PR from their innovative use of social media and special events. We also believe that if the company wants to have a longterm presence on the east-coast, they should look for new distribution partners to handle merchandize for this area. Store location will be a key factor in increasing brand familiarity, and being located close to assumed competitors will allow the MoN to steal market share from them. Further, a premium location is suggested, as it is important that they are visible to consumers unknown to the brand. The store launch should in our opinion be close to May 17th 2013, which is the Norwegian independence day. This will attract Norwegian New Yorkers and create buzz around the grand opening