Parasites of Civets (Mammalia, Viverridae) in Sabah, Borneo: A Coprological Survey

Parasite data were collected from unlogged and selectively logged lowland rain forests in Borneo. Scat from a female Viverra tangalunga (Malay civet) in the unlogged forest contained eggs of Capillaria spp., Trichuris sp., Mamomoganomus sp., and nematode larvae. Scat attributed to V. tangalunga contained reproductive products (eggs/oocysts/cysts/larvae) of Capillaria sp., Toxocara sp., Ancylostoma sp. (probably A. ceylanicum), Isospora spp., strongylate-type eggs (probably Ancylostoma spp.), Paragoni­ mus sp. and other Trematoda eggs, Monocystis sp. cysts, Gnathostoma sp. (probably G. spinigerum), the lungworm Viverrostrongylus brauni, pinworm-type eggs, Eimeria spp., Sarcocystis-type sporocyst, dermanysid mites and mesostigmatid mites. Parasites from gut samples from two Hemigalus derbyanus (banded palm civets) road kills included Capil­ laria sp., other trematode eggs, Demodex-type eggs, Ascarid-type eggs and pinworm-type eggs. Gut contents from a Pardoxurus hermaphrodites (common palm civet) road kill contained Eimeria oocysts, Monocystis cysts and possibly Ascaridia eggs. Because many parasite groups detected have intermediate and definitive hosts that are prey species, some parasite products observed may be transmitted through predation or may be internal or external parasites of prey items. Species richness and diversity of gut parasites were similar between sites.The higher incidence of coccidia and Viverrostrongylus brauni in the logged forest, and hookworms in the unlogged forest may be related to dietary differences between sites

TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN U.S. SWINE OPERATIONS: AN ASSESSMENT OF MANAGEMENT FACTORS

Sera from hogs were analyzed using the modified direct agglutination test (MAT). Serum samples were collected from sows which were part of the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) swine survey. The blood sera on file represented 394 randomly selected hog farms throughout the United States. Additionally, the NAHMS survey included information on type of production facilities and level of cat, dog, or bird access to the facilities. Of the sows tested 19 percent tested positive for toxoplasmosis. This study showed a positive relationship between sows or herds testing positive for Toxoplasma gondii and three factors: 1) method of rodent control, 2) type of production facility, and 3) access of certain animals (cats, dogs, birds) to production facilities. These data indicate that it will be difficult to eliminate T. gondii from swine herds which allow cat or dog access to facilities. Use of cats as a method of rodent control should be discouraged. We found a strong association between use of "bait only" for rodent control and the herd testing negative as compared to the use of "cats only" for rodent control. Greater industry awareness is needed for methods of rodent control through the use of baits. Sows in herds where female replacements were raised internally were significantly more likely to test positive for toxoplasmosis. Sows in confinement facilities had a significantly lower prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii. Herds testing positive were significantly smaller than those which were negative. In general, there were not any regional differences in prevalence rates. Sows testing positive did not have a reduced level of productivity.

Toxoplasma gondii in U.S. swine operations: An assessment of herd factors

This study showed a positive relationship between sows or herds testing positive for Toxoplasma gondii and three factors: 1) method of rodent control, 2) type of production facility, and 3) access of certain animals (cats, dogs, birds) to production facilities. These data indicate that it will be difficult eliminate T. gondii from swine herds which allow cats, dogs or birds access to facilities. While cat or dog access to most facilities can be controlled to a degree by not permitting cats or dogs around the operation, it is impossible to exclude stray cats or dogs from open facilities, lots, or pastures. Similarly, control of bird access is even more difficult, as birds freely move between accessible facilities. Use of cats as a method of rodent control should be discouraged. We found a strong association between use of bait only for rodent control and the herd testing negative as compared to the use of cats only for rodent control. Greater industry awareness is needed for methods of rodent control through the use of baits

Indium In-111 pentetreotide scintigraphy: Application to carotid body tumors

AbstractPurpose: This study was conducted to investigate and illustrate the use of Indium In-111 pentetreotide scintigraphy as it applies to carotid body tumors (CBT). Localization has relied primarily on ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging with angiographic confirmation. These methods only assess the cervical bifurcation without providing an evaluation of metastasis in patients without symptoms or recurrence in patients after surgery.Methods: Indium In-111 pentetreotide scintigraphy was used in five patients with a diagnosis of CBT. Four patients were evaluated after surgical excision for evidence of tumor recurrence. One patient was evaluated before excision for diagnostic confirmation.Results: No evidence of tumor recurrence was demonstrated in the four patients who had undergone previous CBT excision. One of these patients had increased activity in the pituitary, later confirmed as an enlarged pituitary without evidence of an adenoma with computed tomography. The diagnosis of CBT was confirmed in the patient evaluated before surgery. This patient also had increased activity in the occipital region, confirmed as the site of previous ischemia on computed tomography.Conclusion: Indium In-111 pentetreotide scintigraphy is a new innovative method for viewing neuroendocrine tumors. Its potential lies not only in tumor localization but also in identification of recurrent tumor at the operative site and metastatic disease. (J Vasc Surg 1997;25:905-8.

Causal inference in multi-cohort studies using the target trial approach

Longitudinal cohort studies provide the opportunity to examine causal effects of complex exposures on long-term health outcomes. Utilizing data from multiple cohorts has the potential to add further benefit by improving precision of estimates through data pooling and allowing examination of effect heterogeneity across contexts. However, the interpretation of findings can be complicated by biases that may be compounded when pooling data or may contribute to discrepant findings when analyses are replicated across cohorts. Here we extend the target trial framework, already well established as a powerful tool for causal inference in single-cohort studies, to address the specific challenges that can arise in the multi-cohort setting. The approach considers the target trial as a central point of reference, as opposed to comparing one study to another. This enables clear definition of the target estimand and systematic consideration of sources of bias within each cohort and additional sources of bias arising from data pooling. Consequently, analyses can be designed to reduce these biases and the resulting findings appropriately interpreted. We use a case study to demonstrate the approach and its potential to strengthen causal inference in multi-cohort studies through improved analysis design and clarity in the interpretation of findings.Comment: 34 pages, 3 figure

Toxoplasma gondii Levels in Swine Operations: Differences Due to Technology Choice and Impact on Costs Production

Serum samples were collected from 3236 sows and 4712 market hogs in 1995. Sera were collected from sows on 226 farms, while market hog sera was obtained from 282 farms. Herds were randomly selected to participate in the 1995 National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) swine survey. Serawere assayed for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii using the modified direct agglutination test. Herd data and serologic information were used to study the association between T. gondii infection in sows and specific herd characteristics and farm management practices. Overall, 15.1 percent ofsows and 3.2 percent offinishers were positive for toxoplasmosis. Analysis ofthe data showed significant associations between toxoplasmosis in sows or herds and three factors: 1) method of rodent control, 2)type of production facility, and 3) access of cats to production facilities. In particular, seronegativity was associated with the use of bait and/or traps only for rodent control as compared to the use of cats for rodent control. Thus, use ofcats as a method ofrodent control should be avoided by producers. No regional differences in prevalence were detected and toxoplasmosis in sows was not associated with a reduced level of reproductive performance

Levels of Toxoplasma gondii in Swine Operations

Results from this and other studies have shown a clear association between pork production systems that are accessible to Toxoplasma gondii vectors, such as cats, and seropositivity of hogs for T. gondii. Sows and market hogs in pork production systems that had total confinement facilities in phases (farrowing, nursery, finishing) were significantly less likely to be seropositive for T. gondii. Of the market hogs tested, 4.4% from nonconfinement facilities were positive compared with 2.3% of the hogs from all confinement facilities. Pigs produced in systems that used bait and/or traps as the only method of rodent control had significantly fewer animals seropositive for T. gondii. Reducing the level of toxoplasmosis can have a direct impact on consumers. Given this, and the lack of direct economic incentives for pork producers, industry programs would be helpful in assisting consumer and producer benefits to better match. Moreover, consumer assurance of the safety of pork is vital to continued and enhanced demand for pork, both domestically and internationally. Moreover, there is an increased consumer awareness of foodborne pathogens. The demand for safe food products is increasing. A T. gondii food-safety incident related to pork would erode the consumer image, potentially leading to reduced demand, at least in the short term. The industry needs to evaluate methods of reducing cat accessibility to pig production systems

The effect of pressure injury prevention care bundles on pressure injuries in hospital patients : A complex intervention systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Numerous interventions for pressure injury prevention have been developed, including care bundles. Objective: To systematically review the effectiveness of pressure injury prevention care bundles on pressure injury prevalence, incidence, and hospital-acquired pressure injury rate in hospitalised patients. Data sources: The Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (via PubMed), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EMBASE, Scopus, the Cochrane Library and two registries were searched (from 2009 to September 2023). Study eligibility criteria: Randomised controlled trials and non-randomised studies with a comparison group published in English after 2008 were included. Studies reporting on the frequency of pressure injuries where the number of patients was not the numerator or denominator, or where the denominator was not reported, and single subgroups of hospitalised patients were excluded. Educational programmes targeting healthcare professionals and bundles targeting specific types of pressure injuries were excluded. Participants and interventions: Bundles with ≥ 3 components directed towards patients and implemented in ≥ 2 hospital services were included. Study appraisal and synthesis methods: Screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessments were undertaken independently by two researchers. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted. The certainty of the body of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Results: Nine studies (seven non-randomised with historical controls; two randomised) conducted in eight countries were included. There were four to eight bundle components; most were core, and only a few were discretionary. Various strategies were used prior to (six studies), during (five studies) and after (two studies) implementation to embed the bundles. The pooled risk ratio for pressure injury prevalence (five non-randomised studies) was 0.55 (95 % confidence intervals 0.29–1.03), and for hospital-acquired pressure injury rate (five non-randomised studies) it was 0.31 (95 % confidence intervals 0.12–0.83). All non-randomised studies were at high risk of bias, with very low certainty of evidence. In the two randomised studies, the care bundles had non-significant effects on hospital-acquired pressure injury incidence density, but data could not be pooled. Conclusions and implications of key findings: Whilst some studies showed decreases in pressure injuries, this evidence was very low certainty. The potential benefits of adding emerging evidence-based components to bundles should be considered. Future effectiveness studies should include contemporaneous controls and the development of a comprehensive, theory and evidence-informed implementation plan. Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO CRD42023423058

Tenofovir vaginal film as a potential MPT product against HIV-1 and HSV-2 acquisition: formulation development and preclinical assessment in non-human primates

Tenofovir (TFV) is an adenosine nucleotide analog with activity against HIV and HSV-2. Secondary analyses of clinical trials evaluating TFV gel as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV have shown that gel formulations of TFV provide significant protection against both HIV and HSV-2 acquisition in women who had evidence of use. An alternate quick-dissolving polymeric thin film, to deliver TFV (20 and 40 mg) has been developed as a potential multipurpose technology (MPT) platform. Film formulation was developed based on excipient compatibility, stability, and ability to incorporate TFV doses. Placebo, low dose (20 mg), and high dose (40 mg) films were utilized in these studies. The developed film platform efficiently incorporated the high dose of TFV (40 mg/film), released more than 50% of drug in 15 min with no in vitro toxicity. Pharmacological activity was confirmed in an ex vivo HIV-1 challenge study, which showed a reduction in HIV-1 infection with TFV films. Films were stable at both doses for at least 2 years. These films were found to be safe in macaques with repeated exposure for 2 weeks as evidenced by minimal perturbation to tissues, microbiome, neutrophil influx, and pH. Macaque sized TFV film (11.2 mg) evaluated in a pigtail macaque model showed higher vaginal tissue concentrations of TFV and active TFV diphosphate compared to a 15 mg TFV loaded gel. These studies confirm that TFV films are stable, safe and efficiently deliver the drug in cervicovaginal compartments supporting their further clinical development

A narrative analysis of career transition themes and outcomes using chaos theory as a guiding metaphor

In a rapidly changing world of work little research exists on mid-career transitions. We investigated these using the open-systems approach of chaos theory as a guiding metaphor and conducted interviews with seven mid-career individuals chosen for their experience of a significant mid-career transition. Four common themes were identified through narrative analysis, where ‘false starts’ to a career were a common experience prior to finding a career ‘fit’. Career transitions, precipitated by a trigger state and/or event such as a period of disillusionment, were an important part of this ‘finding a fit’ process. Overall, career success outcomes were shaped by a combination of chaos elements: chance, unplanned events, and non-linearity of resultant outcomes. We discuss implications for future research and for practice