External decontamination of wild leeches with hypochloric acid

BACKGROUND: Medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, has been used in plastic and reconstructive surgery, to relieve venous congestion and to improve the microrevascularization of flaps. In many countries, wild leeches are still provided from local markets and utilised with antibiotic prophylaxies. In this research, results of identification of bacteria in the transport fluid is reported, oral and intestinal floras and the antibiograms of the identified microorganisms are investigated. Also, to avoid possible infections, the ability of hypochloric acid, a disinfectant, to suppress the relevant microorganisms without changing the life style and behavior of leeches in terms of sucking function, is investigated. METHODS: Bacterial identifications and antibiograms of oral and intestinal flora and transport medium were performed for 10 leeches. The optimum concentration of hypochloric acid which eliminated microorganisms without affecting the viability and sucking function of the leeches were determined by dilution of hypochloric acid to 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 ppm concentrations in different groups of 25 leeches. Finally, 20 leeches were applied atraumatically to the bleeding areas of rats, the duration of suction was determined and compared statistically between the leeches treated and not treated with hypochloric acid solution. RESULTS: Aeromonas hydrophilia was the most commonly identified microorganism and found to be resistant to first generation cephalosporins, frequently used in prophylaxis at surgical wards. In the next stages of the study, the leeches were subjected to a series of diluted hypochloric acid solutions. Although disinfection of the transport material and suppression of the oral flora of hirudo medicinalis were successful in 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 ppm concentrations; 12.5 ppm solution was the greatest concentration in which hirudo medicinalis could survive and sucking function was not affected significantly. CONCLUSIONS: External decontamination of wild leeches with 12.5 ppm hypochloric acid enables bacterial suppression without causing negative effects on leech sucking function and life

Fingertip force control during bimanual object lifting in hemiplegic cerebral palsy

In the present study we examined unimanual and bimanual fingertip force control during grasping in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Participants lifted, transported and released an object with one hand or both hands together in order to examine the effect on fingertip force control for each hand separately and to determine whether any benefit exists for the affected hand when it performed the task concurrently with the less-affected hand. Seven children with hemiplegic CP performed the task while their movement and fingertip force control were measured. In the bimanual conditions, the weight of the instrumented objects was equal or unequal. The durations of the all temporal phases for the less-affected hand were prolonged during bimanual control compared to unimanual control. We observed close synchrony of both hands when the task was performed with both hands, despite large differences in duration between both hands when they performed separately. There was a marginal benefit for two of the five force related variables for the affected hand (grip force at onset of load force, and peak grip force) when it transported the object simultaneously with the less-affected hand. Collectively, these results corroborate earlier findings of reaching studies that showed slowing down of the less-affected hand when it moved together with the affected hand. A new finding that extends these studies is that bimanual tasks may have the potential to facilitate force control of the affected hand. The implications of these findings for recent rehabilitative therapies in children with CP that make use of bimanual training are discussed

Apical Transport of Influenza A Virus Ribonucleoprotein Requires Rab11-positive Recycling Endosome

Influenza A virus RNA genome exists as eight-segmented ribonucleoprotein complexes containing viral RNA polymerase and nucleoprotein (vRNPs). Packaging of vRNPs and virus budding take place at the apical plasma membrane (APM). However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of apical transport of newly synthesized vRNP. Transfection of fluorescent-labeled antibody and subsequent live cell imaging revealed that punctate vRNP signals moved along microtubules rapidly but intermittently in both directions, suggestive of vesicle trafficking. Using a series of Rab family protein, we demonstrated that progeny vRNP localized to recycling endosome (RE) in an active/GTP-bound Rab11-dependent manner. The vRNP interacted with Rab11 through viral RNA polymerase. The localization of vRNP to RE and subsequent accumulation to the APM were impaired by overexpression of Rab binding domains (RBD) of Rab11 family interacting proteins (Rab11-FIPs). Similarly, no APM accumulation was observed by overexpression of class II Rab11-FIP mutants lacking RBD. These results suggest that the progeny vRNP makes use of Rab11-dependent RE machinery for APM trafficking

Rab11-FIP1C and Rab14 Direct Plasma Membrane Sorting and Particle Incorporation of the HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein Complex

The incorporation of the envelope glycoprotein complex (Env) onto the developing particle is a crucial step in the HIV-1 lifecycle. The long cytoplasmic tail (CT) of Env is required for the incorporation of Env onto HIV particles in T cells and macrophages. Here we identify the Rab11a-FIP1C/RCP protein as an essential cofactor for HIV-1 Env incorporation onto particles in relevant human cells. Depletion of FIP1C reduced Env incorporation in a cytoplasmic tail-dependent manner, and was rescued by replenishment of FIP1C. FIP1C was redistributed out of the endosomal recycling complex to the plasma membrane by wild type Env protein but not by CT-truncated Env. Rab14 was required for HIV-1 Env incorporation, and FIP1C mutants incapable of binding Rab14 failed to rescue Env incorporation. Expression of FIP1C and Rab14 led to an enhancement of Env incorporation, indicating that these trafficking factors are normally limiting for CT-dependent Env incorporation onto particles. These findings support a model for HIV-1 Env incorporation in which specific targeting to the particle assembly microdomain on the plasma membrane is mediated by FIP1C and Rab14. © 2013 Qi et al.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

HAMK Kaupallisten tapahtumien liiketoimintamalli

Tämän opinnäytetyön toimeksiantajana toimii Hämeen ammattikorkeakoulun Työelämän lähipalvelut. Opinnäytetyön tavoitteena oli määritellä Työelämän lähipalveluiden kaupallisten tapahtumien liiketoimintamalli. Liiketoimintamallin tavoitteena on toimia kaupallisten tapahtumien tuotantoprosessin tukena. Liiketoimintamalli havainnollistetaan Business Model Canvas-työkalua hyväksi käyttäen. Työn teoriaosuus koostuu liiketoimintamallista, liiketoimintamallin rakentamisesta ja tapahtumatuotannosta. Liiketoimintamallin teoriaa avataan käyttäen Business Model Canvas-työkalun kokonaisuuksia hyväksi käyttäen. Työhön on tehty teemahaastattelu, jossa haastateltiin kolmea henkilöä jotka toimivat tapahtumatuotannon asiantuntijoina. Haastattelun avulla selvitettiin Työelämän lähipalveluiden kaupallisten tapahtumien nykytilannetta ja tulevaisuuden mahdollisuuksia. Haastattelun tulokset on huomioitu liiketoimintamallia rakentaessa. Opinnäytetyön tuloksena on syntynyt kaupallisten tapahtumien liiketoi-mintamalli. Liiketoimintamalli havainnollistaa kaupallisten tapahtumien asiakaskuntaa, myyntiä, tapahtumatuotantoa ja kustannustehokasta ajattelua. Opinnäytetyön loppuun on koottu kehitysehdotukset. Kehitysehdotuksissa käydään läpi kokonaisuuksia, jotka saattaisivat parantaa kaupallisten tapahtumien tuotantoprosessia.This thesis was commissioned by the Business Services of Häme Univer-sity of Applied Sciences. The subject of this thesis was to make a business model of the commercial events of the Business Services. The business model is made to be part of the commercial events’ production process. The business model is illustrated by using the Business Model Canvas tool. The theoretical part of the thesis deals with the parts of the business model, how to build a business model and the event production. The business model itself is opened by using the Business Model Canvas tool. The thesis uses a qualitative research method. The study was made by in-terviewing three professional event organizers. The point of the interview was to clarify the current status of the Business services’ commercial events and the possibilities of the future. The results of the interviews were used when creating the actual business model. As the result of this thesis, the business model was created for the Business Services. The business model elaborates customer markets, sales, event production and cost-efficiency approach of commercial events. The final part of the thesis compiles the development points, which could help the production process of the commercial events

Cool-season annual pastures with clovers to supplement wintering beef cows nursing calves

<p>Abstract</p> <p>In December of 3 years, 87 beef cows with nursing calves (594 ± 9.8 kg; calving season, September to November) at side were stratified by body condition score, body weight, cow age, and calf gender and divided randomly into 6 groups assigned to 1 of 6 cool-season annual pastures (0.45 ha/cow) that had been interseeded into a dormant common bermudagrass (<it>Cynodon dactylon</it> [L.] Pers.)/bahiagrass (<it>Paspalum notatum</it> Flugge) sod. Pastures contained 1 of the following 3 seeding mixtures (2 pastures/mixture): 1) wheat (<it>Triticum aestivum</it> L.) and ryegrass (<it>Lolium multiflorum</it> Lam., <b>WRG</b>), 2) wheat and ryegrass plus red clover (<it>Trifolium pretense</it> L., <b>WRR</b>), or 3) wheat and ryegrass plus white (<it>Trifolium repens</it> L.) and crimson clovers (<it>Trifolium incarnatum</it> L., <b>WRW</b>). All groups had <it>ad libitum</it> access to grass hay (12% crude protein; 58% total digestible nutrients). The second week in December, cow estrous cycles were synchronized and artificially inseminated. In late December, a bull was placed with each group for 60-d. Data were analyzed with an analysis of variance using a mixed model containing treatment as the fixed effect and year as the random effect. Body weight and condition scores did not differ (<it>P</it> ≥ 0.27) among cows between February and June. Calf birth weights or average daily gain did not differ (<it>P</it> ≥ 0.17) among treatments; however, calves grazing pastures with clovers did tend (<it>P</it> = 0.06) to weigh more than calves grazing grass only. Weaning weight per cow exposed to a bull was greater (<it>P</it> = 0.02) for WRR and WRW than WRG. Cows grazing winter-annual pastures containing clovers tended to wean more calf body weight per cow exposed to a bull than cows grazing the grass only pastures.</p

Hearing loss among operating engineers in American construction industry

Objective: Occupational noise exposure and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among construction workers has long been recognized as a problem in the United States, yet little is known about the prevalence of NIHL among American construction workers. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of hearing loss among operating engineers (OEs) who operate heavy construction machinery. Method: As a part of hearing protection intervention, an audiometric test was conducted for both ears at frequencies 0.5 through 8 kHz in the soundproof booth. Prior to the audiometric test, a paper-pencil pre-hearing test questionnaire was administered and an otoscopic examination was completed. Prevalence of hearing loss was determined based on hearing threshold levels (HTLs) in the worst ear with a low fence of 25 dB. Result: A total of 623 workers were included in the analysis and they were predominantly middle-aged Caucasian males (mean age = 43 years, Caucasian = 90%, male = 92%). Over 60% of OEs showed hearing loss in the noise-sensitive higher frequencies of 4 and 6 kHz. The rate of hearing loss was particularly higher among workers who reported longer years of working in the construction industry. Workers showed significantly poorer hearing in the left ear, and a typical characteristic of NIHL, a V-notch at 4 or 6 kHz, was not shown in this population. Thirty-eight percent reported ringing/buzzing in the ear and 62% indicated having problems in understanding what people say in loud noise. Average reported use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) was 48% of the time they were required to be used. Significant inverse relationship was found between higher frequency (4–6 kHz) hearing loss and use of HPDs ( r =−0.134, p < 0.001). Workers using HPDs more had significantly better hearing than those who did not. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a significant NIHL problem and low use of HPDs in OEs. An effective hearing conservation program, including a periodic audiometric testing and hearing protection intervention, for this study population should be in place.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47416/1/420_2005_Article_623.pd

A novel molecular toolkit for rapid detection of the pathogen and primary vector of thousand cankers disease

Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) of Juglans and Pterocarya (Juglandaceae) involves a fungal pathogen, Geosmithia morbida, and a primary insect vector, Pityophthorus juglandis. TCD was described originally from dying Juglans nigra trees in the western United States (USA), but it was reported subsequently from the eastern USA and northern Italy. The disease is often difficult to diagnose due to the absence of symptoms or signs on the bark surface of the host. Furthermore, disease symptoms can be confused with those caused by other biotic and abiotic agents. Thus, there is a critical need for a method for rapid detection of the pathogen and vector of TCD. Using species-specific microsatellite DNA markers, we developed a molecular protocol for the detection of G. morbida and P. juglandis. To demonstrate the utility of the method for delineating TCD quarantine zones, we tested whether geographical occurrence of symptoms and signs of TCD was correlated with molecular evidence for the presence of the cryptic TCD organisms. A total of 1600 drill cores were taken from branch sections collected from three regions (n = 40 trees for each location): California-J. hindsii (heavy disease incidence); Tennessee-J. nigra (mild disease incidence); and outside the known TCD zone (Missouri-J. nigra, no record of the disease). California samples had the highest incidence of the TCD organisms (85%, 34/40). Tennessee had intermediate incidence (42.5%, 17/40), whereas neither organism was detected in samples from Missouri. The low cost molecular protocol developed here has a high degree of sensitivity and specificity, and it significantly reduces sample-processing time, making the protocol a powerful tool for rapid detection of TCD