Base Closure Impacts and the General Effects of Military Installations on Local Private Employment

This empirical study explores the general effects of military installations on local employment, and the special case of closure under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) proceedings of 1988, 1991, 1993, and 1995. Employment impacts are modeled in a partial adjustment construct, and both random and fixed effects specifications of the disturbance term are evaluated. The analysis also includes both levels and changes forms of the model. The latter approach facilitates decomposition of defense personnel changes into its positive, negative, and BRAC related components. These components are examined for asymmetrical effects attributable to the public goods and community infrastructure vacuum that is created when military installations draw down. The specific effects of economic assistance, and facilities conversion and reutilization in BRAC communities are also considered, as are the elasticities of defense employment multipliers with respect to regional industry specialization and military vs. civilian workforce composition. Two-stage least squares instrumental variable techniques are employed to alleviated concerns over the relationship between the lagged dependent variable and the disturbances. A novel panel data set incorporating 21 years of military and private industry observations for 963 military installations and 3,092 counties allows comprehensive modeling and examination of defense related employment trends across all 50 states. The collection of sub-county defense personnel figures addresses a shortcoming of the other county-level impact studies, which reconcile community employment changes against the base closure personnel losses, without consideration of personnel dynamics at other military installations within the same county. This study finds evidence of an asymmetrical relationship between military personnel level changes, and local community employment. While this supports the proposition of favorable effects through reutilization of public and community infrastructure, facilities, and housing when bases draw down, economic assistance and the practice of outsourcing defense support functions are also identified as contributors to this condition. Results of the study also suggest the degree to which regional industry specialization and workforce composition influence the effect of local defense employment on community employment is minimal. The exception is the reutilization effects of BRAC related personnel losses, which appear to be less favorable in counties with a strong military presence

No hints for abundance of Bacillus anthracis and Burkholderia pseudomallei in 100 environmental samples from Cameroon

Background: Little is known on the abundance of the pathogens Bacillus anthracis and Burkholderia pseudomallei in environmental samples in Cameroon. Therefore, 100 respective samples were assessed in a proof-of-principle assessment. Methods: DNA residuals from nucleic acid extractions of 100 environmental samples, which were collected between 2011 and 2013 in the Mape Basin of Cameroon, were screened for B. anthracis and B. pseudomallei by real-time PCR. The samples comprised soil samples with water contact (n = 88), soil samples without water contact (n = 6), plant material with water contact (n = 3), water (n = 2), and soil from a hospital dressing room (n = 1). Results: B. anthracis and B. pseudomallei were detected in none of the samples assessed. Conclusion: The results indicate that at least a quantitatively overwhelming, ubiquitous occurrence of B. anthracis and B. pseudomallei in the environment in Cameroon is highly unlikely. However, the number and choice of the assessed samples limit the interpretability of the results

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry as a diagnostic tool in human and veterinary helminthology: a systematic review

Background Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) has become a widely used technique for the rapid and accurate identification of bacteria, mycobacteria and certain fungal pathogens in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Thus far, only few attempts have been made to apply the technique in clinical parasitology, particularly regarding helminth identification. Methods We systematically reviewed the scientific literature on studies pertaining to MALDI-TOF MS as a diagnostic technique for helminths (cestodes, nematodes and trematodes) of medical and veterinary importance. Readily available electronic databases (i.e. PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Google Scholar) were searched from inception to 10 October 2018, without restriction on year of publication or language. The titles and abstracts of studies were screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers. Relevant articles were read in full and included in the systematic review. Results A total of 84 peer-reviewed articles were considered for the final analysis. Most papers reported on the application of MALDI-TOF for the study of Caenorhabditis elegans, and the technique was primarily used for identification of specific proteins rather than entire pathogens. Since 2015, a small number of studies documented the successful use of MALDI-TOF MS for species-specific identification of nematodes of human and veterinary importance, such as Trichinella spp. and Dirofilaria spp. However, the quality of available data and the number of examined helminth samples was low. Conclusions Data on the use of MALDI-TOF MS for the diagnosis of helminths are scarce, but recent evidence suggests a potential role for a reliable identification of nematodes. Future research should explore the diagnostic accuracy of MALDI-TOF MS for identification of (i) adult helminths, larvae and eggs shed in faecal samples; and (ii) helminth-related proteins that are detectable in serum or body fluids of infected individuals

Plaque angiogenesis identification with Contrast Enhanced Carotid Ultrasonography: Statement of the Consensus after the 16th ESNCH Meeting – Munich, 20-23 May 2011

Summary Contrast Enhanced Carotid Ultrasonography (CCU) is capable of detecting angiogenesis within the carotid plaque as a potential index of plaque vulnerability. However, due to a lack of standard of examination technique and documentation, results are not sufficiently, reliably comparable. To improve this situation and in order to support wide acceptance of this promising technique, experts in this field met in the Consensus conference in May 22, 2011, held during the 16th ESNCH Meeting (20–23 May 2011) in Munich, Germany, to discuss the limitations and problems and to determine guidelines for its proper use in scientific investigations and clinical practice. The main results of this conference are presented here. The discussion is still in progress and individual conclusions may not reflect the opinion of all participants. It aims to provide a basis for a later comprehensive consensus statement

Identification of pathogens in mastitis milk samples with fluorescent in situ hybridization

Traditionally, the bacteriological examination of mastitis milk samples is performed by culture followed by biochemical tests on the cultured bacteria to allow identification of the causative pathogen. Depending on the species involved, this classic identification is time-consuming compared to other techniques such as fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), a culture-independent method that utilizes oligonucleotides (labeled with a fluorophore) that are specific to a string of target DNA/RNA. In the current study, the applicability of FISH was evaluated for the detection of mastitis pathogens directly in milk samples. To remove interfering lipids and proteins from mastitis milk samples prior to FISH, a previously published enzymatic treatment with savinase was evaluated. FISH was performed using oligonucleotides specific for Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, and Trueperella (Arcanobacterium) pyogenes. The enzymatic pretreatment and the sensitivity of FISH were evaluated using spiked whole milk samples and mastitis milk samples with bacterial loads of less than 10(3) up to 10(8) colony-forming units (CFU)/ml. Bacteria were reliably detected in milk samples with bacterial numbers of 10(6) CFU/ml or higher. However, bacteria present in numbers below 10(6) CFU/ml were not detectable in all cases. The ability of FISH to identify mastitis-causing pathogens directly in milk samples, and therefore earlier than classical culture methods, can supplement the classic diagnostic procedures for mastitis milk samples

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Children's Report of Sleep Patterns

Sleep is essential for learning, memory, neurobehavioral functioning, and emotion regulation. The importance of sleep in children has led to the creation of numerous sleep assessment instruments. However, there is a dearth of validated self-report measures. In an attempt to fill the gap, the Children’s Report of Sleep Patterns (CRSP) was developed for children ages 8-12. Despite its apparent strengths, the initial validation of the complete CRSP in this age group reported a number of scales and indices that were not empirically evaluated and only Cronbach alphas were reported. To further explore the psychometric properties of the CRSP in school-aged children, factor analysis is necessary to understand the latent structure, as well as the relationships among the constructs. The purpose of this study was to examine the first-order factor structure of the Sleepiness Scale and the Sleep Disturbances Scales of the CRSP in a sample of preadolescent children. As an exploratory aim, the degree to which the five scales contributed to a higher-order Sleep Problems Total Score was examined. Participants were 3rd-5th grade children recruited from two elementary schools (N = 109). Results of the current study revealed that the hypothesized first-order factor structure is not supported and several modifications are necessary to achieve acceptable model fit. Based on modifications from the first-order model, the Sleep Problems Total Score was derived, achieving high internal consistency. Therefore, it is recommended that the Sleep Problems Total Score be calculated and used in conjunction with other scales obtained from the CRSP. Despite promising findings, researchers and clinicians interested in using the CRSP should continue to assess its validity by exploring the relationship between the measure and objective measures of sleep patterns and behavior

TRAJECTORIES OF PEDIATRIC SLEEPINESS AND ASSOCIATIONS WITH HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY USING A PERSON-CENTERED APPROACH

Adequate sleep is paramount for children’s healthy development of emotion regulation, academic achievement, and cognitive performance. The critical need for sleep in children has sparked extensive research in which four independent domains have emerged, some providing inconclusive support for detrimental outcomes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) when impaired. Yet, daytime sleepiness, which uniquely captures a child’s subjective sleep experience, has seldom been explored. To determine the chronicity of sleepiness, the current study employed latent class growth analysis to identify longitudinal trajectories, or classes, of children’s daytime sleepiness. Trajectories were subsequently utilized to assess their association with HRQOL. The present sample included 158 elementary-age children. Children’s self-report of daytime sleepiness and HRQOL was collected at three time points across an academic year. Results provided support for three trajectories (i.e., classes) of sleepiness and a significant association between class membership and later HRQOL, F(2, 124) = 17.38, p < .001. Post hoc tests revealed significant differences in HRQOL between the Low and Moderate trajectories (p < .01), Low and High trajectories (p < .001), and between the Moderate and High trajectories (p < .01). Analyses indicated that children with high and stable sleepiness experienced impairments in HRQOL comparable to children with chronic health conditions. Results suggest that sleepiness is more pervasive and widespread than other facets of sleep behavior. Implications include the establishment of daytime sleepiness as a pervasive state with both statistical and clinical significance. Future research should focus on generating empirically derived normative data to provide researchers and clinicians reference values to assess sleepiness reports relative to clinical impairment

Human Dirofilaria repens Infection in Romania: A Case Report

Human dirofilariasis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the filarial nematodes of dogs Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis. Depending on the species involved, human infections usually manifest as one cutaneous or visceral larva migrans that forms a painless nodule in the later course of disease. Dirofilariae are endemic in the Mediterranean, particularly in Italy. They are considered as emerging pathogens currently increasing their geographical range. We present one of the few known cases of human dirofilariasis caused by D. repens in Romania. The patient developed unusual and severe clinical manifestations that mimicked pathological conditions like cellulitis or deep venous thrombosis

Armillifer armillatus Pentastomiasis in African Immigrant, Germany

No abstract available

Molecular detection of Setaria tundra (Nematoda: Filarioidea) and an unidentified filarial species in mosquitoes in Germany

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Knowledge of the potential vector role of Culicidae mosquitoes in Germany is very scanty, and until recently it was generally assumed that they are not involved in the transmission of anthroponotic or zoonotic pathogens in this country. However, anticipated changes in the course of global warming and globalization may alter their status.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a molecular mass screening of mosquitoes for filarial parasites using mitochondrial 12S rRNA-based real-time PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No parasites causing disease in humans such as <it>Dirofilaria </it>spp. were detected in about 83,000 mosquitoes tested, which had been collected in 2009 and 2010 in 16 locations throughout Germany. However, minimum infection rates of up to 24 per 1000 mosquitoes were revealed, which could be attributed to mosquito infection with <it>Setaria tundra </it>and a yet unidentified second parasite. <it>Setaria tundra </it>was found to be widespread in southern Germany in various mosquito species, except <it>Culex </it>spp. In contrast, the unidentified filarial species was exclusively found in <it>Culex </it>spp. in northern Baden-Württemberg, and is likely to be a bird parasite.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although dirofilariasis appears to be emerging and spreading in Europe, the absence of <it>Dirofilaria </it>spp. or other zoonotic filariae in our sample allows the conclusion that the risk of autochthonous infection in Germany is still very low. Potential vectors of <it>S. tundra </it>in Germany are <it>Ochlerotatus sticticus</it>, <it>Oc. cantans</it>, <it>Aedes vexans </it>and <it>Anopheles claviger</it>. Technically, the synergism between entomologists, virologists and parasitologists, combined with state-of-the-art methods allows a very efficient near-real-time monitoring of a wide spectrum of both human and veterinary pathogens, including new distribution records of parasite species and the incrimination of their potential vectors.</p