Characterisation and effects of a xylanase enzyme preparation extracted from Thermomyces lanuginosus cultures

This paper describes the production of an enzyme preparation from the fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus. Thermal resistance, pH stability and lignocellulolytic activity of the enzyme preparation high in xylanase were studied on a variety of grains and forages. The enzyme preparation preserved more than 70% of its original xylanase activity for 4 and 1 h at 60 and 70 °C, respectively. The xylanase activity remained over 80% when the preparation was incubated for 30 min at pH 4.5. In vitro digestibility studies indicated that the enzyme digested 7.5, 8.5 and 8.0% of the dry matter (DM) of barley meal, wheat bran and oat meal samples, respectively. When applying 60-min incubation, 7.5, 7.3 and 8.4% of DM of the oat straw, alfalfa hay and triticale straw was digested, respectively. When the time of digestion was increased to 360 min, the sunflower hull showed 15.8% DM digestibility

Real-time qPCR improves meningitis pathogen detection in invasive bacterial-vaccine preventable disease surveillance in Fiji.

As part of the World Health Organization Invasive Bacterial-Vaccine Preventable Diseases (IB-VPD) surveillance in Suva, Fiji, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from suspected meningitis patients of all ages were examined by traditional methods (culture, Gram stain, and latex agglutination for bacterial antigen) and qPCR for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Of 266 samples tested, pathogens were identified in 47 (17.7%). S. pneumoniae was the most common pathogen detected (n = 17) followed by N. meningitidis (n = 13). The use of qPCR significantly increased detection of IB-VPD pathogens (P = 0.0001): of 35 samples that were qPCR positive for S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, and H. influenzae, only 10 were culture positive. This was particularly relevant for N. meningitidis, as only 1/13 cases was culture positive. Molecular serotyping by microarray was used to determine pneumococcal serotypes from 9 of 16 (56%) of samples using DNA directly extracted from CSF specimens. Results indicate that qPCR significantly increases detection of S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, and H. influenzae in CSF, and that application of molecular diagnostics is a feasible way to enhance local and global surveillance for IB-VPD

Periodic and Quasiperiodic Motion of an Elongated Microswimmer in Poiseuille Flow

We study the dynamics of a prolate spheroidal microswimmer in Poiseuille flow for different flow geometries. When moving between two parallel plates or in a cylindrical microchannel, the swimmer performs either periodic swinging or periodic tumbling motion. Although the trajectories of spherical and elongated swimmers are qualitatively similar, the swinging and tumbling frequency strongly depends on the aspect ratio of the swimmer. In channels with reduced symmetry the swimmers perform quasiperiodic motion which we demonstrate explicitely for swimming in a channel with elliptical cross section

Simple elbow dislocations: a systematic review of the literature

Objective: To identify if functional treatment is the best available treatment for simple elbow dislocations. Search strategy: Electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Selection criteria: Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were trials comparing different techniques for the treatment of simple elbow dislocations. Data analysis: Results were expressed as relative risk for dichotomous outcomes and weighted mean difference for continuous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals. Main results: This review has included data from two trials and three observational comparative studies. Important data were missing from three observational comparative studies and the results from these studies were extracted for this review. No difference was found between surgical treatment of the collateral ligaments and plaster immobilisation of the elbow joint. Better range of movement, less pain, better functional scores, shorter disability and shorter treatment time were seen after functional treatment versus plaster immobilisation

Factors associated with pneumococcal carriage and density in children and adults in Fiji, using four cross-sectional surveys.

This study describes predictors of pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriage and density in Fiji. We used data from four annual (2012-2015) cross-sectional surveys, pre- and post-introduction of ten-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) in October 2012. Infants (5-8 weeks), toddlers (12-23 months), children (2-6 years), and their caregivers participated. Pneumococci were detected and quantified using lytA qPCR, with molecular serotyping by microarray. Logistic and quantile regression were used to determine predictors of pneumococcal carriage and density, respectively. There were 8,109 participants. Pneumococcal carriage was negatively associated with years post-PCV10 introduction (global P<0.001), and positively associated with indigenous iTaukei ethnicity (aOR 2.74 [95% CI 2.17-3.45] P<0.001); young age (infant, toddler, and child compared with caregiver participant groups) (global P<0.001); urban residence (aOR 1.45 [95% CI 1.30-2.57] P<0.001); living with ≥2 children <5 years of age (aOR 1.42 [95% CI 1.27-1.59] P<0.001); low family income (aOR 1.44 [95% CI 1.28-1.62] P<0.001); and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms (aOR 1.77 [95% CI 1.57-2.01] P<0.001). Predictors were similar for PCV10 and non-PCV10 carriage, except PCV10 carriage was negatively associated with PCV10 vaccination (0.58 [95% CI 0.41-0.82] P = 0.002) and positively associated with exposure to household cigarette smoke (aOR 1.21 [95% CI 1.02-1.43] P = 0.031), while there was no association between years post-PCV10 introduction and non-PCV10 carriage. Pneumococcal density was positively associated with URTI symptoms (adjusted median difference 0.28 [95% CI 0.16, 0.40] P<0.001) and toddler and child, compared with caregiver, participant groups (global P = 0.008). Predictors were similar for PCV10 and non-PCV10 density, except infant, toddler, and child participant groups were not associated with PCV10 density. PCV10 introduction was associated with reduced the odds of overall and PCV10 pneumococcal carriage in Fiji. However, after adjustment iTaukei ethnicity was positively associated with pneumococcal carriage compared with Fijians of Indian Descent, despite similar PCV10 coverage rates

To wet or not to wet: that is the question

Wetting transitions have been predicted and observed to occur for various combinations of fluids and surfaces. This paper describes the origin of such transitions, for liquid films on solid surfaces, in terms of the gas-surface interaction potentials V(r), which depend on the specific adsorption system. The transitions of light inert gases and H2 molecules on alkali metal surfaces have been explored extensively and are relatively well understood in terms of the least attractive adsorption interactions in nature. Much less thoroughly investigated are wetting transitions of Hg, water, heavy inert gases and other molecular films. The basic idea is that nonwetting occurs, for energetic reasons, if the adsorption potential's well-depth D is smaller than, or comparable to, the well-depth of the adsorbate-adsorbate mutual interaction. At the wetting temperature, Tw, the transition to wetting occurs, for entropic reasons, when the liquid's surface tension is sufficiently small that the free energy cost in forming a thick film is sufficiently compensated by the fluid- surface interaction energy. Guidelines useful for exploring wetting transitions of other systems are analyzed, in terms of generic criteria involving the "simple model", which yields results in terms of gas-surface interaction parameters and thermodynamic properties of the bulk adsorbate.Comment: Article accepted for publication in J. Low Temp. Phy

Short communication: Epidemiological assessment of Strongyloides stercoralis in Fijian children

As a part of the lymphatic filariasis (LF) transmission assessment survey (TAS)/soil-transmitted helminths (STH) prevalence survey in Western Division of Fiji, a pilot screen for Strongyloides stercoralis (SS) in school children was undertaken using a combination of the Baermann concentration (BC) method and real-time PCR assays. Using BC, faecal samples collected from 111 children of 7 schools were examined. A single child was positive for larvae of SS and underwent a clinical examination finding an asymptomatic infection. Other members of this child's household were screened with BC, finding none infected. Aliquots of 173 faecal samples preserved in ethanol originating from all schools were examined by real-time PCR, and the prevalence of SS infection was 3.5%. Our study confirms the existence of SS infection on Fiji and showed that assessing SS prevalence alongside TAS/STH survey is a convenient access platform, allowing introduction of other surveillance techniques such as BC and real-time PCR.OAIID:RECH_ACHV_DSTSH_NO:T201623896RECH_ACHV_FG:RR00200001ADJUST_YN:EMP_ID:A076000CITE_RATE:0FILENAME:1-s2.0-S2405673116300253-main.pdfDEPT_NM:의학과EMAIL:[email protected]_YN:YFILEURL:https://srnd.snu.ac.kr/eXrepEIR/fws/file/39688340-4aed-4290-942e-06f46e4c9de3/linkCONFIRM:

Using pneumococcal carriage studies to monitor vaccine impact in low- and middle-income countries.

Pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of childhood mortality, globally. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) has been introduced to many countries worldwide. However there are few studies evaluating PCV impacts in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) because measuring the impact of PCV on pneumococcal disease in LMICs is challenging. We review the role of pneumococcal carriage studies for the evaluation of PCVs in LMICs and discuss optimal methods for conducting these studies. Fifteen carriage studies from 13 LMICs quantified the effects of PCV on carriage, and identified replacement carriage serotypes in the post-PCV era. Ten studies reported on the indirect effects of PCV on carriage. Results can be used to inform cost-effectiveness evaluations, guide policy decisions on dosing and product, and monitor equity in program implementation. Critically, we highlight gaps in our understanding of serotype replacement disease in LMICs and identify priorities for research to address this gap

The development and implementation of an oxygen treatment solution for health facilities in low and middle-income countries

Background Oxygen reduces mortality from severe pneumonia and is a vital part of case management, but achieving reliable access to oxygen is challenging in low and middle-income country (LMIC) settings. We developed and field tested two oxygen supply solutions suitable for the realities of LMIC health facilities. Methods A Health Needs Assessment identified a technology gap preventing reliable oxygen supplies in Gambian hospitals. We used simultaneous engineering to develop two solutions: a Mains-Power Storage (Mains-PS) system consisting of an oxygen concentrator and batteries connected to mains power, and a Solar-Power Storage (Solar-PS) system (with batteries charged by photovoltaic panels) and evaluated them in health facilities in The Gambia and Fiji to assess reliability, usability and costs. Results The Mains-PS system delivered the specified ≥85% (±3%) oxygen concentration in 100% of 1-2 weekly measurements over 12 months, which was available to 100% of hypoxaemic patients, and 100% of users rated ease-of-use as at least ‘good’ (90% very good or excellent). The Solar-PS system delivered ≥85% ± 3%) oxygen concentration in 100% of 1-2 weekly measurements, was available to 100% of patients needing oxygen, and 100% of users rated ease-of-use at least very good. Costs for the systems (in US dollars) were: PS$9519, Solar-PS standard version$20 718. The of oxygen for a standardised 30-bed health facility using 1.7 million litres of oxygen per year was: for cylinders 3.2 cents (c)/L in The Gambia and 6.8 c/L in Fiji, for the PS system 1.2 c/L in both countries, and for the Solar-PS system 1.5 c/L in both countries. Conclusions The oxygen systems developed and tested delivered high-quality, reliable, cost-efficient oxygen in LMIC contexts, and were easy to operate. Reliable oxygen supplies are achievable in LMIC health facilities like those in The Gambia and Fiji