Use of meat juice and blood serum with a miniaturised protein microarray assay to develop a multi-parameter IgG screening test with high sample throughput potential for slaughtering pigs

Background Serological screening of pig herds at the abattoir is considered a potential tool to improve meat inspection procedures and herd health management. Therefore, we previously reported the feasibility of a miniaturised protein microarray as a new serological IgG screening test for zoonotic agents and production diseases in pigs. The present study investigates whether the protein microarray-based assay is applicable for high sample throughput using either blood serum or meat juice. Material and methods Microarrays with 12 different antigens were produced by Abbott (formerly Alere Technologies GmbH) Jena, Germany in a previously offered ‘ArrayTube’ platform and in an ‘ArrayStrip’ platform for large-scale use. A test protocol for the use of meat juice on both microarray platforms was developed. Agreement between serum and meat juice was analysed with 88 paired samples from three German abattoirs. Serum was diluted 1:50 and meat juice 1:2. ELISA results for all tested antigens from a preceding study were used as reference test to perform Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis for both test specimens on both microarray platforms. Results High area under curve values (AUC > 0.7) were calculated for the analysis of T. gondii (0.87), Y. enterocolitica (0.97), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (0.84) and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (0.71) with serum as the test specimen and for T. gondii (0.99), Y. enterocolitica (0.94), PRRSV (0.88), A. pleuropneumoniae (0.78) and Salmonella spp. (0.72) with meat juice as the test specimen on the ArrayStrip platform. Cohens kappa values of 0.92 for T. gondii and 0.82 for Y. enterocolitica were obtained for the comparison between serum and meat juice. When applying the new method in two further laboratories, kappa values between 0.63 and 0.94 were achieved between the laboratories for these two pathogens. Conclusion Further development of a miniaturised pig-specific IgG protein microarray assay showed that meat juice can be used on microarray platforms. Two out of twelve tested antigens (T. gondii, Y. enterocolitica) showed high test accuracy on the ArrayTube and the ArrayStrip platform with both sample materials

Effectiveness of programmes as part of primary prevention demonstrated on the example of cardiovascular diseases and the metabolic syndrome

Background The HTA-report (HTA = Health Technology Assessment) deals with the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus type 2. In 2009 approximately 356,000 people died in Germany due to cardiovascular diseases. According to estimations about 6.3 million people are suffering from diabetes mellitus type 2. The interventions that are subsidized by the public health insurance are mainly focused on sufficient physical activities, healthy nutrition, stress management and the reduction of the consumption of addictive drugs and luxury food. Objectives Which lifestyle-related measures and/or programmes for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and of the metabolic syndrome are effective? To what extent will the health status be improved by these offers? To what extent will existing health resources and skills be strengthened by these offers? Are there any differences regarding the effectiveness among the interventions with respect to different settings or subgroups?Which lifestyle-related interventions and/or programmes for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and of the metabolic syndrome are sustainable and cost-effective? Which outcome parameters are in the view of the contributors decisive for the evaluation of the effectiveness? In the view of the contributor are there different values between the outcome parameters? In the view of the payers and other actors are there different values between the outcome parameters?Which ethical and juridical factors have to be considered? Which social and/or socio-economic parameters influence the use of the services and effectiveness? Methods A systematic literature research is done in 35 databases. For the period 2005 to 2010, reviews, epidemiological and clinical studies as well as economical evaluations which deal with primary prevention programmes regarding cardiovascular diseases or the metabolic syndrome are included. Results 44 publications meet the inclusion criteria. These studies confirm the effectiveness of the primary prevention programmes. Physical activity programs seem to have a stronger effect than nutrition programmes. Psychological programmes prove as well effectiveness, if they include cognitive behaviour therapy. The identified economical studies indicate that programmes for cardiovascular prevention can be conducted cost-effectively. Interventions that focus on the general population turn out to be particularly cost-effective and sustainable. Discussion There is a wide range of primary preventive effective lifestyle-related interventions with high evidence. The outcomes and results are consistent with the recommendations of the two identified evidence-based guidelines regarding the recommendations on lifestyle and healthy nutrition. Furthermore, the cost-effectiveness of primary prevention services is proven. With regard to the economical studies it is however worth noting that this result is based on very few publications. The transferability has to be critically assessed as the studies mainly originate from the American health system. Conclusion On the whole a comprehensive setting approach with educative, somatic, psychosocial and activity therapeutic components is recommended. The sustainability of a prevention intervention must be ensured from programme to programme. Long-term studies are necessary to make valid statements regarding the sustainable effectiveness: There is an essential deficit in the current practiced evaluation of the use of primary prevention services provided by the health insurance - mainly regarding the comprehensive setting approach - regarding the evidence-based evaluation of the prescribed preventive interventions. With regard to the ethical, social and economical evaluation the research situation is deficient. The situation has to be particularly analyzed for the socially deprived and one has to respond to their specific needs for prevention.Hintergrund Der HTA-Bericht (HTA = Health Technology Assessment) befasst sich mit der Primärprävention von Krankheiten des Kreislaufsystems und des Diabetes mellitus Typ 2. In Deutschland sind 2009 rund 356.000 Menschen an Krankheiten des Kreislaufsystems verstorben. An Diabetes mellitus Typ 2 sind nach Schätzungen rund 6,3 Millionen erkrankt. Die von den gesetzlichen Krankenkassen bezuschussten Maßnahmen zur Primärprävention sind überwiegend auf eine ausreichende körperliche Bewegung, eine ge-sunde Ernährung, auf Stressbewältigung und die Verminderung des Sucht- und Genussmittelkonsums ausgerichtet. Fragestellungen Welche lebensstilbezogenen Maßnahmen und/oder Programme zur Primärprävention kardiovaskulärer Erkrankungen und des metabolischen Syndroms sind wirksam? Inwieweit wird durch diese Angebote die gesundheitliche Situation verbessert? Inwieweit werden durch diese Angebote vorhandene gesundheitliche Ressourcen und Fähigkeiten gestärkt? Gibt es Unterschiede hinsichtlich der Effektivität bei den Maßnahmen bezüglich verschiedener Settings oder Subgruppen?Welche lebensstilbezogenen Maßnahmen und/oder Programme zur Primärprävention kardiovaskulärer Erkrankungen und des metabolischen Syndroms sind nachhaltig und kosteneffektiv? Welche Outcome-Parameter sind aus Sicht des Beitragzahlers entscheidend für die Bewertung der Effektivität? Gibt es unterschiedliche Wertigkeiten zwischen den Outcome-Parametern aus Sicht des Beitragzahlers, der Kostenträger und anderer Akteure?Welche ethischen und juristischen Aspekte sind zu berücksichtigen? Welche sozialen und/oder sozioökonomischen Parameter beeinflussen die Inanspruchnahme und Effektivität? Methodik Es erfolgt eine systematische Literaturrecherche in 35 Datenbanken. Eingeschlossen werden Übersichtsarbeiten, epidemiologische und klinische Studien sowie ökonomische Evaluationen, die über Primärpräventionsprogramme im Hinblick auf kardiovaskuläre Erkrankungen oder dem metabolischen Syndrom von 2005 bis 2010 berichten. Ergebnisse Insgesamt werden 44 Publikationen berücksichtigt. Die Studien belegen die Wirksamkeit der Programme zur Primärprävention. Programme zur Bewegung scheinen einen stärkeren Effekt zu haben als diejenigen zur Ernährung. Es zeigen sich auch psychologische Programme als wirksam, sofern sie kognitive Verhaltenstherapie beinhalten. Die identifizierten ökonomischen Studien deuten darauf hin, dass sich Programme zur kardiovaskulären Prävention kosteneffektiv durchführen lassen. Besonders kosteneffektiv und nachhaltig zeigen sich Maßnahmen, die auf die breite allgemeine Bevölkerung ausgerichtet sind. Diskussion Es gibt eine große Bandbreite von primärpräventiv wirksamen lebensstilbezogenen Maßnahmen mit hoher Evidenz. Die ermittelten Zielgrößen und Ergebnisse sind konsistent mit den Empfehlungen der beiden identifi-zierten evidenzbasierten Leitlinien hinsichtlich der Empfehlungen zum Lebensstil und zur gesunden Ernährung. Zudem wird die Kosteneffektivität primärer Präventionsangebote belegt. Dennoch ist bezüglich der ökonomischen Evaluationen festzustellen, dass diese Aussage auf sehr wenigen Untersuchungen beruht und die Übertragbarkeit kritisch zu bewerten ist, da die Studien überwiegend aus dem amerikanischen Gesundheitssystem stammen. Schlussfolgerung Insgesamt ist ein ganzheitlicher Settingansatz mit edukativen, somatischen, psychosozialen und bewegungstherapeutischen Komponenten zu empfehlen. Die Nachhaltigkeit einer Präventionsmaßnahme ist von Programm zu Programm zu gewährleisten. Um valide Aussagen über die längerfristige Wirksamkeit treffen zu können, sind Langzeitstudien erforderlich. In der aktuell praktizierten Evaluation der Inanspruchnahme primärpräventiver Leistungen durch die Krankenkassen besteht ein wesentliches Defizit - vor allem zum ganzheitlichen Settingansatz - hinsichtlich der evidenzbasierten Bewertung der verordneten Präventionsmaßnahmen. In Bezug auf die ethische, soziale und ökonomische Evaluation ist die Studienlage als mangelhaft einzuschätzen. Insbesondere in sozial benachteiligten Brennpunkten ist die Lage zu analysieren und gezielt auf den Präventionsbedarf einzugehen

Information transfer by vector spin chirality in finite magnetic chains

Vector spin chirality is one of the fundamental characteristics of complex magnets. For a one-dimensional spin-spiral state it can be interpreted as the handedness, or rotational sense of the spiral. Here, using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy, we demonstrate the occurrence of an atomic-scale spin-spiral in finite individual bi-atomic Fe chains on the (5x1)-Ir(001) surface. We show that the broken inversion symmetry at the surface promotes one direction of the vector spin chirality, leading to a unique rotational sense of the spiral in all chains. Correspondingly, changes in the spin direction of one chain end can be probed tens of nanometers away, suggesting a new way of transmitting information about the state of magnetic objects on the nanoscale.Comment: accepted by Physical Review Letter

Analysis of Twitter usage in an exploratory seminar setting

Despite the massive social and technological changes that have occurred due to the Web in the recent years, university courses often still emphasize time-honored teaching methods with classical learning tools and resources. During these courses students often acquire knowledge that is not up-to-date and detached from problem-based, realistic learning. The use of more recent tools and methods often remains out of student’s grasp. In this article we briefly report on an exploratory seminar setting at two German universities where the use of Social Media for communication and collaboration was firmly embedded in the educational setup. Furthermore, we illustrate the usage of Twitter during the seminar using techniques from Social Network Analysis

Underwater 3D measurements with advanced camera modelling

A novel concept of camera modelling for underwater 3D measurements based on stereo camera utilisation is introduced. The geometrical description of the ray course subject to refraction in underwater cameras is presented under assumption of conditions, which are typically satisfied or can be achieved approximately. Possibilities of simplification are shown, which allow an approximation of the ray course by classical pinhole modelling. It is shown how the expected measurement errors can be estimated, as well as its influence on the expected 3D measurement result. Final processing of the 3D measurement data according to the requirements regarding accuracy is performed using several kinds of refinement. For example, calibration parameters can be refined, or systematic errors can be decreased by subsequent compensation by suitable error correction functions. Experimental data of simulations and real measurements obtained by two different underwater 3D scanners are presented and discussed. If inverse image magnification is larger than about one hundred, remaining errors caused by refraction effects can be usually neglected and the classical pinhole model can be used for stereo camera-based underwater 3D measurement systems

Preoperative plasma growth-differentiation factor-15 for prediction of acute kidney injury in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Covariate plot of the predictions from the random forest model. Four variables are displayed. Within each box, the x-axis denotes plasma creatinine (Îźmol/l), the y-axis the probability of developing cardiac-surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI). Within each column of plots, the additive Euroscore increases from bottom to top (legend, right). Within each row of plots the growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) levels increase from left to right. Significant non-linear interaction takes place between GDF-15 and creatinine. Within each additive Euroscore category (row of plots), increases in GDF-15 (plots more to the right within each row) increase the probability of developing CSA-AKI. However, this effect is more prominent in patients with normal creatinine (x-axis label of each plot). (TIFF 3197 kb

A New Sensor System for Accurate 3D Surface Measurements and Modeling of Underwater Objects

Featured Application A potential application of the work is the underwater 3D inspection of industrial structures, such as oil and gas pipelines, offshore wind turbine foundations, or anchor chains. Abstract A new underwater 3D scanning device based on structured illumination and designed for continuous capture of object data in motion for deep sea inspection applications is introduced. The sensor permanently captures 3D data of the inspected surface and generates a 3D surface model in real time. Sensor velocities up to 0.7 m/s are directly compensated while capturing camera images for the 3D reconstruction pipeline. The accuracy results of static measurements of special specimens in a water basin with clear water show the high accuracy potential of the scanner in the sub-millimeter range. Measurement examples with a moving sensor show the significance of the proposed motion compensation and the ability to generate a 3D model by merging individual scans. Future application tests in offshore environments will show the practical potential of the sensor for the desired inspection tasks