Repeated observations on the Salmonella culture status of midwest U.S. herds

Mesenteric lymph nodes were collected from pigs from 115 Midwest U.S. swine herds at slaughter on two occasions separated by 6-9 months. These herds were sampled up to three additional times during a three-year period, with 30 herds sampled five times. Thirty pigs were sampled at each collection. Herds were categorized positive if one or more samples revealed Salmonella spp. While culture status at collection one was associated with the second sampling collection (p \u3c 0.01), the association was only moderate in strength (OR = 2.6). Herds with three consecutive positive tests (9 of 38) were all positive on sample four. Prevalence estimates were weakly or not correlated between samplings. In conclusion, Salmonella culture status of these swine herds was weakly predictive of future culture results. Accurate description of Salmonella status based on bacterial culture appears to require repeated or ongoing testing

Molecular Analysis of Twist1 and FGF Receptors in a Rabbit Model of Craniosynostosis: Likely Exclusion as the Loci of Origin

Craniosynostosis is the premature fusion of the cranial vault sutures. We have previously described a colony of rabbits with a heritable pattern of nonsyndromic, coronal suture synostosis; however, the underlying genetic defect remains unknown. We now report a molecular analysis to determine if four genes implicated in human craniosynostosis, TWIST1 and fibroblast growth factor receptors 1–3 (FGFR1–3), could be the loci of the causative mutation in this unique rabbit model. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified within the Twist1, FGFR1, and FGFR2 genes, and the allelic patterns of these silent mutations were examined in 22 craniosynostotic rabbits. SNP analysis of the Twist1, FGFR1, and FGFR2 genes indicated that none were the locus of origin of the craniosynostotic phenotype. In addition, no structural mutations were identified by direct sequence analysis of Twist1 and FGFR3 cDNAs. These data indicate that the causative locus for heritable craniosynostosis in this rabbit model is not within the Twist1, FGFR1, and FGFR2 genes. Although a locus in intronic or flanking sequences of FGFR3 remains possible, no direct structural mutation was identified for FGFR3

How are UK churches using social media to engage with their congregations?

Churches are important non-profit organisations that are increasingly adopting social media. In order to contribute to understanding of the value of social media as a communications channel for non-profit organisations, this article examines, and develops a typology of, the uses of social media by two global churches with a strong presence in the UK, Hillsong, a megachurch, and the Church of England. Informed by previous typologies of the use of social media in both commercial and non-profit contexts, content analysis was conducted of Hillsong's and the Church of England’s social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. This analysis provided the basis for the formulation of a typology of uses, the main categories of which are: building a brand, building the church community, outreach, and developing spiritual mission. Differences between the approaches adopted by the Church of England and Hillsong are outlined. Suggestions are offered for future practice and further research

The Carnot Cycle for Small Systems: Irreversibility and the Cost of Operations

We employ the recently developed framework of the energetics of stochastic processes (called `stochastic energetics'), to re-analyze the Carnot cycle in detail, taking account of fluctuations, without taking the thermodynamic limit. We find that both processes of connection to and disconnection from heat baths and adiabatic processes that cause distortion of the energy distribution are sources of inevitable irreversibility within the cycle. Also, the so-called null-recurrence property of the cumulative efficiency of energy conversion over many cycles and the irreversible property of isolated, purely mechanical processes under external `macroscopic' operations are discussed in relation to the impossibility of a perpetual machine, or Maxwell's demon.Comment: 11 pages with 3 figures. Resubmitted to Physical Review E. Many paragraphs have been modifie

Risk factors associated with seroprevalence of salmonella in swine

The mix-ELISA has been shown to be useful for detecting pigs with high culture prevalence of Salmonella in swine in Denmark (Nielsen, Baggesen et al. 1995) and in the United States (Baum 1997). The purpose of this study was to determine what factors might be associated with increase seroprevalence of Salmonella in swine in the United States

Epidemiologic studies of slamonella in swine using culture and ELISA

Studies of Salmonella infections in pigs in the United States have relied almost entirely on bacteriologic culture methods. A serologic test has recently been described (Nielsen, Baggesen et al. 1995) for use as a herd monitoring test for Salmonella. This test (mix-ELISA) is an indirect ELISA that uses lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from S. typhimurium (0 1, 4, 5, and 12) and S. choleraesuis (0 6, 7). The purpose of these studies was to determine if the mixELISA can be considered for use as a herd monitoring tool in the United States for the detection of herds infected with Salmonella. Two studies were conducted. In the first study, culture results from pig feces were compared with serologic results from serum for the prevalence of Salmonella. In the second study, culture results from mesenteric lymph nodes and muscle juice collected at the time of slaughter were compared for the prevalence of Salmonella

Antimicrobial susceptibility of salmonella isolates from swine

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance among bacteria is of growing concern to practitioners and producers. Problems associated with the emergence of resistance include treatment failure, prolonged shedding, and the development oflong term carriage of the resistant bacteria in the host. The emergence of resistance among Salmonella species is particularly worrisome as it is a zoonotic agent and is ubiquitous in nature