Phylogenetic analysis of Croatian orf viruses isolated from sheep and goats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The <it>Orf virus </it>(ORFV) is the prototype of the parapoxvirus genus and it primarily causes contagious ecthyma in goats, sheep, and other ruminants worldwide. In this paper, we described the sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the B2L gene of ORFV from two natural outbreaks: i) in autochthonous Croatian Cres-breed sheep and ii) on small family goat farm.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the ORFV B2L gene showed that the Cro-Cres-12446/09 and Cro-Goat-11727/10 were not clustered together. Cro-Cres-12446/09 shared the highest similarity with ORFV NZ2 from New Zealand, and Ena from Japan; Cro-Goat-11727/10 was closest to the HuB from China and Taiping and Hoping from Taiwan.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Distinct ORFV strains are circulating in Croatia. Although ORFV infections are found ubiquitously wherever sheep and goats are farmed in Croatia, this is the first information on genetic relatedness of any Croatian ORFV with other isolates around the world.</p

How long do nosocomial pathogens persist on inanimate surfaces? A systematic review

BACKGROUND: Inanimate surfaces have often been described as the source for outbreaks of nosocomial infections. The aim of this review is to summarize data on the persistence of different nosocomial pathogens on inanimate surfaces. METHODS: The literature was systematically reviewed in MedLine without language restrictions. In addition, cited articles in a report were assessed and standard textbooks on the topic were reviewed. All reports with experimental evidence on the duration of persistence of a nosocomial pathogen on any type of surface were included. RESULTS: Most gram-positive bacteria, such as Enterococcus spp. (including VRE), Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), or Streptococcus pyogenes, survive for months on dry surfaces. Many gram-negative species, such as Acinetobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, or Shigella spp., can also survive for months. A few others, such as Bordetella pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae, Proteus vulgaris, or Vibrio cholerae, however, persist only for days. Mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and spore-forming bacteria, including Clostridium difficile, can also survive for months on surfaces. Candida albicans as the most important nosocomial fungal pathogen can survive up to 4 months on surfaces. Persistence of other yeasts, such as Torulopsis glabrata, was described to be similar (5 months) or shorter (Candida parapsilosis, 14 days). Most viruses from the respiratory tract, such as corona, coxsackie, influenza, SARS or rhino virus, can persist on surfaces for a few days. Viruses from the gastrointestinal tract, such as astrovirus, HAV, polio- or rota virus, persist for approximately 2 months. Blood-borne viruses, such as HBV or HIV, can persist for more than one week. Herpes viruses, such as CMV or HSV type 1 and 2, have been shown to persist from only a few hours up to 7 days. CONCLUSION: The most common nosocomial pathogens may well survive or persist on surfaces for months and can thereby be a continuous source of transmission if no regular preventive surface disinfection is performed

Trust, control and knowledge transfer in small business networks

The ability to transfer knowledge effectively in the networks of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) is paramount for supporting firm competitiveness. Our research is the first one that explores the joint effect of trust and control mechanisms on knowledge transfer in the case of networks of SMEs. We use a multiple case study approach based on six Italian networks of SMEs. We analyse the joint impact of different ethical based trustworthiness factors—namely benevolence and integrity—and the levers of control (LOCs)—namely, belief, boundary, diagnostic and interactive LOCs—on knowledge transfer between SMEs in networks. We find that trust substitutes for the implementation of boundary, diagnostic, and belief tools, while it works jointly with interactive tools in order to support knowledge transfer. These insights not only provide a rich foundation for follow-up research, but also inform SME managers about how to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of knowledge transfer with their network partners

Transmission of SARS and MERS coronaviruses and influenza virus in healthcare settings: the possible role of dry surface contamination

Viruses with pandemic potential including H1N1, H5N1, and H5N7 influenza viruses, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)/Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronaviruses (CoV) have emerged in recent years. SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and influenza virus can survive on surfaces for extended periods, sometimes up to months. Factors influencing the survival of these viruses on surfaces include: strain variation, titre, surface type, suspending medium, mode of deposition, temperature and relative humidity, and the method used to determine the viability of the virus. Environmental sampling has identified contamination in field-settings with SARS-CoV and influenza virus, although the frequent use of molecular detection methods may not necessarily represent the presence of viable virus. The importance of indirect contact transmission (involving contamination of inanimate surfaces) is uncertain compared with other transmission routes, principally direct contact transmission (independent of surface contamination), droplet, and airborne routes. However, influenza virus and SARS-CoV may be shed into the environment and be transferred from environmental surfaces to hands of patients and healthcare providers. Emerging data suggest that MERS-CoV also shares these properties. Once contaminated from the environment, hands can then initiate self-inoculation of mucous membranes of the nose, eyes or mouth. Mathematical and animal models, and intervention studies suggest that contact transmission is the most important route in some scenarios. Infection prevention and control implications include the need for hand hygiene and personal protective equipment to minimize self-contamination and to protect against inoculation of mucosal surfaces and the respiratory tract, and enhanced surface cleaning and disinfection in healthcare settings

Finance and contracting under imperfect information

Kreditmarkt ; Informationsökonomie ; Mikroökonomisches Model

Investigation of near-infrared spectroscopy in patients after cardiac arrest in consideration of mild therapeutic hypothermia

Einleitung: Die Abschätzung des neurologischen Outcomes ist bei Patienten nach kardiopulmonaler Reanimation (CPR) während der milden therapeutischen Hypothermie (MTH) durch Sedierung und Kühlung erschwert. Die Nah-Infrarot- Spektroskopie (NIRS) bietet die Möglichkeit, die regionale gemischtvenöse Sauerstoffsättigung (rSO2) im Frontallappen des Patienten abzuschätzen. Vorangegangene Publikationen aus der Kardio- und Viszeralchirurgie beschreiben eine intraoperative Assoziation zwischen der rSO2 und dem neurologischen Outcome, bei der ein höherer Betrag mit einem besseren postoperativen neurologischen Ergebnis vergesellschaftet ist. Fragestellung: Es sollte untersucht werden, ob ein Zusammenhang zwischen der rSO2 und dem neurologischen Outcome nach CPR besteht und inwieweit dieser zur Prognosebildung genutzt werden kann. Methoden: Die Patienten wurden bei Beginn der CPR oder bei Eintreffen auf der hauseigenen Intensivstation mit den Optoden der NIRS versorgt. Anschließend wurde die rSO2 über die gesamte Zeit der MTH bis zum Erreichen der Normothermie bzw. bis zum Tod des Probanden erfasst. Auf dieser Grundlage konnte die „area under the curve“ (AUC) der rSO2 gebildet und auf eine Stunde normiert werden. Diese als mittlere rSO2 innerhalb einer Stunde benannte Fläche wurde zur weiteren Analyse herangezogen. Zur Quantifizierung des neurologischen Outcomes wurden die Patienten bei Entlassung von der Intensivstation anhand der Cerebral Performance Category Scale (CPC) eingeteilt. Anschließend wurde die AUC der „receiver operating characteristic“ (ROC) der mittleren rSO2 innerhalb einer Stunde berechnet und ein Cutoff-Wert für ein schlechtes Outcome ermittelt. Ergebnisse: Es wurden insgesamt 57 Patienten eingeschlossen. In die Kategorie CPC 1-2 mit einem neurologisch guten Ergebnis fielen 25 Probanden (43,9%), 32 Patienten (56,1%) erzielten ein schlechtes Outcome mit CPC 3-5. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass Probanden mit besserem neurologischen Ergebnis eine signifikant höhere AUC der rSO2 innerhalb einer Stunde aufwiesen. Diese betrug für CPC 1-2 im Median 4043,8 (3684,3 - 4415,0) % min h-1 im Gegensatz zu 3420 (2999,9 - 4037,9) % min h-1 bei CPC 3-5 (p = 0,001). Für die mittlere rSO2 innerhalb einer Stunde in % min h-1 konnte eine AUC der ROC von 0,768 (0,647 – 0,888) ermittelt werden (p = 0,001). Mit einer Sensivität von 71,9% und Spezifität von 68 % konnte ein Cut-off-Wert für ein schlechtes Outcome bei 3840 % min h-1 errechnet werden. Schlussfolgerung: Während der MTH weisen Patienten nach CPR, die ein gutes neurologisches Outcome erzielen, eine höhere rSO2 auf als solche, die ein schlechtes Ergebnis erreichten. Unter Berücksichtigung der vorhandenen Limitationen kann die NIRS über die Messung der zerebralen rSO2 eine fehlende neurologische Erholung vorhersagen.Introduction: Estimation of neurological outcome in patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation undergoing mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) is hindered by sedation and cooling. Non-invasive near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) offers the possibility to determine regional mixed venous oxygen saturation (rSO2) in patient’s frontal lobe. Earlier studies in patients undergoing abdominal or cardiac surgery identify an intraoperative relationship between rSO2 and neurological outcome showing higher values in persons with better postoperative neurological recovery. Aims of this dissertation: In this study, the relationship between rSO2 and neurological outcome after CPR and its potential for predicting cognitive recovery after MTH should be investigated. Methods: Patients received optodes of NIRS either at the beginning of CPR or at admission to ICU. Afterwards measurement was continued during the complete phase of MTH until reaching normothermia or until patient’s death. Based on that data the „area under the curve“(AUC) of rSO2 was calculated and standardised to one hour. That area called mean rSO2 standardised to an hour was used for following analysis. Neurological Outcome was determined at ICU discharge by Cerebral Performance Category Scale (CPC). Subsequently the AUC of the „receiver operating characteristic“(ROC) of mean rSO2 standardised to an hour was calculated and a cutoff value for poor neurological outcome was determined. Results: 57 patients were enrolled of which 25 persons (43.9%) showed a complete or almost complete cognitive recovery (CPC 1-2). A poor outcome, defined as CPC 3- 5, was achieved in 32 patients (56.1%). Patients with better outcome had higher mean rSO2 values standardised to an hour. In patients with CPC 1-2 median rSO2 was 4043.8 (3684.3 – 4415.0) % min h-1 in contrast to 3420 (2999.9 - 4037.9) % min h-1 in those with CPC 3-5 (p = 0,001). The AUC of ROC of mean rSO2 standardised to an hour was 0.768 (0.647 – 0.888) (p = 0,001). Outcome prediction by a cut-off value of 3840 % min h-1 yielded 71.9% sensitivity and 68% specificity for poor recovery. Conclusion: During MTH patients after CPR with a good neurological outcome show higher rSO2 values than those with a poor recovery. In consideration of existing limitations, measurements of cerebral rSO2 via NIRS may predict deficient neurological outcome

A Firms Optimal Number of Bank Relationships and the Extend of Information Disclosure

In this paper we analyze a firm's optimal choice of the number of creditors and the extent of information disclosed to them. By dealing with many banks and disclosing essential confidential information, a firm can keep its cost of credit low. This, however, is associated with a relatively high probability that valuable information leaks to competitors, leading to lower expected net returns from product market operations. Taking these costs into account, a highly rated firm tends to deal with many banks and discloses little private information. A firm discloses private information if its credit rating and the costs of information leakage are low