Armillifer armillatus Pentastomiasis in African Immigrant, Germany

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Base Closure Impacts and the General Effects of Military Installations on Local Private Employment

This empirical study explores the general effects of military installations on local employment, and the special case of closure under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) proceedings of 1988, 1991, 1993, and 1995. Employment impacts are modeled in a partial adjustment construct, and both random and fixed effects specifications of the disturbance term are evaluated. The analysis also includes both levels and changes forms of the model. The latter approach facilitates decomposition of defense personnel changes into its positive, negative, and BRAC related components. These components are examined for asymmetrical effects attributable to the public goods and community infrastructure vacuum that is created when military installations draw down. The specific effects of economic assistance, and facilities conversion and reutilization in BRAC communities are also considered, as are the elasticities of defense employment multipliers with respect to regional industry specialization and military vs. civilian workforce composition. Two-stage least squares instrumental variable techniques are employed to alleviated concerns over the relationship between the lagged dependent variable and the disturbances. A novel panel data set incorporating 21 years of military and private industry observations for 963 military installations and 3,092 counties allows comprehensive modeling and examination of defense related employment trends across all 50 states. The collection of sub-county defense personnel figures addresses a shortcoming of the other county-level impact studies, which reconcile community employment changes against the base closure personnel losses, without consideration of personnel dynamics at other military installations within the same county. This study finds evidence of an asymmetrical relationship between military personnel level changes, and local community employment. While this supports the proposition of favorable effects through reutilization of public and community infrastructure, facilities, and housing when bases draw down, economic assistance and the practice of outsourcing defense support functions are also identified as contributors to this condition. Results of the study also suggest the degree to which regional industry specialization and workforce composition influence the effect of local defense employment on community employment is minimal. The exception is the reutilization effects of BRAC related personnel losses, which appear to be less favorable in counties with a strong military presence

No hints for abundance of Bacillus anthracis and Burkholderia pseudomallei in 100 environmental samples from Cameroon

Background: Little is known on the abundance of the pathogens Bacillus anthracis and Burkholderia pseudomallei in environmental samples in Cameroon. Therefore, 100 respective samples were assessed in a proof-of-principle assessment. Methods: DNA residuals from nucleic acid extractions of 100 environmental samples, which were collected between 2011 and 2013 in the Mape Basin of Cameroon, were screened for B. anthracis and B. pseudomallei by real-time PCR. The samples comprised soil samples with water contact (n = 88), soil samples without water contact (n = 6), plant material with water contact (n = 3), water (n = 2), and soil from a hospital dressing room (n = 1). Results: B. anthracis and B. pseudomallei were detected in none of the samples assessed. Conclusion: The results indicate that at least a quantitatively overwhelming, ubiquitous occurrence of B. anthracis and B. pseudomallei in the environment in Cameroon is highly unlikely. However, the number and choice of the assessed samples limit the interpretability of the results

Outbreak of cryptosporidium hominis following river flooding in the city of Halle (Saale), Germany, August 2013

Background: During weeks 32–33, 2013, 24 cases of cryptosporidiosis were notified in the city of Halle (annual mean 2008–2012: 9 cases). We investigated the outbreak to identify the source and recommend control measures, considering that between weeks 23–25 the river Saale which flows through the city centre overflowed the floodplain, parts of the city centre and damaged sewage systems. Methods: We defined a case as a resident of Halle with gastroenteritis, Cryptosporidium-positive stool and disease onset weeks 27 through 47. In a case–control study among kindergarten children, we compared cases and controls regarding environmental exposure, use of swimming pools, zoo visits and tap water consumption 14 days pre-onset or a corresponding 14-days-period (controls) and adjusted for residence. Stool specimens were tested by microscopy and PCR, and Cryptosporidium DNA was sequenced. Samples from public water system, swimming pools and river Saale were examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts (microscopy and PCR). Results: Overall, 167 cases were detected, 40/167 (24%) were classified as secondary cases. First disease onsets occurred during week 29, numbers peaked in week 34 and started to decrease in week 36. Median age was 8 years (range: 0–77). Compared to controls (n = 61), cases (n = 20) were more likely to report visits to previously flooded areas (OR: 4.9; 95%-CI: 1.4-18) and the zoo (OR: 2.6; 95%-CI: 0.9-7.6). In multivariable analysis visits to the floodplain remained the sole risk factor (OR: 5.5; 95%-CI: 1.4-22). Only C.hominis of a single genotype (IbA9G2) was detected in stools. Oocysts were detected in samples from the river, two local lakes and three public swimming pools by microscopy, but not in the public water supply. Conclusions: Evidence suggests that activities in the dried out floodplain led to infection among children. Secondary transmissions may be involved. Consequently, authorities recommended to avoid playing, swimming and having picnics in the flood-affected area. Health authorities should consider the potential health risks of long-term surviving parasites persisting on flooded grounds and in open waters even several weeks after the flooding and of bathing places close to sewage spill-overs. Preventive measures comprise water sampling (involving parasites), information of the public and prolonged closures of potentially contaminated sites

Life-Cycle Costs of Alternative ICBM Second Stage Designs

The purpose of this study was twofold. The primary objective of our research was to develop and report life-cycle cost estimates for new second stage ICBM booster designs to Phillips Laboratory. Our second objective (perhaps of equal or greater importance as the first), was to provide the users of these estimates with a taste of what exactly is involved in life-cycle costs, the cost estimating process, and factors that influence these items. Life-cycle cost estimates were requested to supplement separate engineering and research efforts of both Phillips Laboratory and graduate students at the School of Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology. These parallel, yet independent efforts were aimed at the same objective: enhancing our ballistic missile technology base by addressing the anticipated need for modernization of an aging Minuteman III ICMB fleet. Our involvement in these efforts included extensive review of life-cycle cost and cost modeling literature; interviews with government cost analysis experts; identification and evaluation of existing cost models for suitability; and, processing of selected Phillips Laboratory and AFIT engineering booster design parameters to arrive at our estimates

Optimization of culture techniques for Chlamydia pneumoniae and investigation of the interaction of the bacterium with monocytic cells

Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) ist ein streng intrazellulärer Verursacher insbesondere ambulant erworbener Pneumonien, aber auch mannigfaltiger anderer Krankheitsbilder. Besondere Popularität erlangte der Erreger, seit er verdächtigt wird an der Enstehung der Arteriosklerose beteiligt zu sein. Im ersten Teil der Arbeit wurden Kulturverfahren für Cpn entwickelt. Zum einen wurde ein hoch sensitives Verfahren zur Isolierung von Chlamydien aus Patientenproben etabliert, zum anderen wurde eine Methode gefunden, die bei geringem Aufwand ermöglicht, große Mengen an Chlamydien zu produzieren. Der zweite Teil der Arbeit betrachtet unterschiedliche Aspekte der Reaktion monozytärer Zellen auf Infektion mit Cpn. Hierfür wurden verschiedenste grundlegende Methoden entwickelt. Beispiele sind Verfahren für die Aufreinigung von Chlamydien, den Nachweis von Kontaminationen durch Mykoplasmen, die Färbung der intrazellulären Chlamydien und die Infektion von Monozyten. In verschiedenen monzytären Tumor-Zellinien und ex vivo Zellen wurde der Verlauf der Infektion mit Cpn bezüglich der Infektionsrate, Dauer und Produktivität der Infektion charakterisiert. Die immunologische Reaktion von Monozyten wurde anhand der Analyse verschiedener Oberflächenproteine im FACS beschrieben. Des weiteren konnte mit unterschiedlichen Methoden an verschiedenen Zellinien gezeigt werden, dass Cpn einerseits Apoptose auslöst, andererseits gleichzeitig Apoptose inhibiert. Diese Prozesse sind bedeutsam für das intrazelluläre Überleben und die Pathogenese der Organismen. Infektion von Monozyten mit Cpn führte zu einer verstärkten Adhärenz dieser Zellen in Gefäßwand-Modellen, was die Entzündungsrekation an der Gefäßwand im Rahmen der Arteriosklerose verstärken könnte. Der Transkriptionsfaktor Nf-k-B wurde durch Cpn aktiviert. Es ist davon aus zu gehen, dass dieser Faktor eine Rolle bei der Vermittlung der Reaktionen auf Infektion mit Cpn spielt.Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) is an obligatory intracellular pathogen, responsible for a high proportion of community acquired pneumoniae, but also various other diseases. The bacterium has obtained special attention, since it is suspected to contribute to the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis. In the first part of this work a cell culture technique for the cultivation of the bacterium was developed. On the one hand highly sensitive method for the isolation of Cpn from clinical samples was established, on the other hand a procedure was found which allows the production of high amounts of chlamydiae for the conduction of further experiments. The second part of the work covers different aspects of the reaction of monocytic cells to the pathogen. A range of methods was established and newly developed for this purpose. Examples are procedures -for the purification of chlamydiae, -for the detection of contaminating Mycoplasma and -for the staining the intracellular chlamydiae for subsequent analysis in a cytosorter. In different tumor cell lines and ex vivo cells the course of infection was analyzed and characterized. The immunological reaction concerning the expression of surface proteins was thoroughly investigated in a cytosorter. Implementing various techniques it was further demonstrated that Cpn is able to induce but also to inhibit apoptosis in different cells. Infection of monocytes lead to increased adherence of these cells in vessel wall models. One likely factor triggering the different effects of Cpn in the eukaryote cell is the nuclear factor of transcription Nf-k-B which was activated in infected cells. It can be assumed that the described interactions determine the processes in vivo, including the intracellular survival of the pathogen, the restriction of the infection by the immune system but also the deleterious immune effects leading to tissue damage and may be also promoting arteriosclerosis

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry as a diagnostic tool in human and veterinary helminthology: a systematic review

Background Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) has become a widely used technique for the rapid and accurate identification of bacteria, mycobacteria and certain fungal pathogens in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Thus far, only few attempts have been made to apply the technique in clinical parasitology, particularly regarding helminth identification. Methods We systematically reviewed the scientific literature on studies pertaining to MALDI-TOF MS as a diagnostic technique for helminths (cestodes, nematodes and trematodes) of medical and veterinary importance. Readily available electronic databases (i.e. PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Google Scholar) were searched from inception to 10 October 2018, without restriction on year of publication or language. The titles and abstracts of studies were screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers. Relevant articles were read in full and included in the systematic review. Results A total of 84 peer-reviewed articles were considered for the final analysis. Most papers reported on the application of MALDI-TOF for the study of Caenorhabditis elegans, and the technique was primarily used for identification of specific proteins rather than entire pathogens. Since 2015, a small number of studies documented the successful use of MALDI-TOF MS for species-specific identification of nematodes of human and veterinary importance, such as Trichinella spp. and Dirofilaria spp. However, the quality of available data and the number of examined helminth samples was low. Conclusions Data on the use of MALDI-TOF MS for the diagnosis of helminths are scarce, but recent evidence suggests a potential role for a reliable identification of nematodes. Future research should explore the diagnostic accuracy of MALDI-TOF MS for identification of (i) adult helminths, larvae and eggs shed in faecal samples; and (ii) helminth-related proteins that are detectable in serum or body fluids of infected individuals

Identification of pathogens in mastitis milk samples with fluorescent in situ hybridization

Traditionally, the bacteriological examination of mastitis milk samples is performed by culture followed by biochemical tests on the cultured bacteria to allow identification of the causative pathogen. Depending on the species involved, this classic identification is time-consuming compared to other techniques such as fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), a culture-independent method that utilizes oligonucleotides (labeled with a fluorophore) that are specific to a string of target DNA/RNA. In the current study, the applicability of FISH was evaluated for the detection of mastitis pathogens directly in milk samples. To remove interfering lipids and proteins from mastitis milk samples prior to FISH, a previously published enzymatic treatment with savinase was evaluated. FISH was performed using oligonucleotides specific for Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, and Trueperella (Arcanobacterium) pyogenes. The enzymatic pretreatment and the sensitivity of FISH were evaluated using spiked whole milk samples and mastitis milk samples with bacterial loads of less than 10(3) up to 10(8) colony-forming units (CFU)/ml. Bacteria were reliably detected in milk samples with bacterial numbers of 10(6) CFU/ml or higher. However, bacteria present in numbers below 10(6) CFU/ml were not detectable in all cases. The ability of FISH to identify mastitis-causing pathogens directly in milk samples, and therefore earlier than classical culture methods, can supplement the classic diagnostic procedures for mastitis milk samples

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Children's Report of Sleep Patterns

Sleep is essential for learning, memory, neurobehavioral functioning, and emotion regulation. The importance of sleep in children has led to the creation of numerous sleep assessment instruments. However, there is a dearth of validated self-report measures. In an attempt to fill the gap, the Children’s Report of Sleep Patterns (CRSP) was developed for children ages 8-12. Despite its apparent strengths, the initial validation of the complete CRSP in this age group reported a number of scales and indices that were not empirically evaluated and only Cronbach alphas were reported. To further explore the psychometric properties of the CRSP in school-aged children, factor analysis is necessary to understand the latent structure, as well as the relationships among the constructs. The purpose of this study was to examine the first-order factor structure of the Sleepiness Scale and the Sleep Disturbances Scales of the CRSP in a sample of preadolescent children. As an exploratory aim, the degree to which the five scales contributed to a higher-order Sleep Problems Total Score was examined. Participants were 3rd-5th grade children recruited from two elementary schools (N = 109). Results of the current study revealed that the hypothesized first-order factor structure is not supported and several modifications are necessary to achieve acceptable model fit. Based on modifications from the first-order model, the Sleep Problems Total Score was derived, achieving high internal consistency. Therefore, it is recommended that the Sleep Problems Total Score be calculated and used in conjunction with other scales obtained from the CRSP. Despite promising findings, researchers and clinicians interested in using the CRSP should continue to assess its validity by exploring the relationship between the measure and objective measures of sleep patterns and behavior

TRAJECTORIES OF PEDIATRIC SLEEPINESS AND ASSOCIATIONS WITH HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY USING A PERSON-CENTERED APPROACH

Adequate sleep is paramount for children’s healthy development of emotion regulation, academic achievement, and cognitive performance. The critical need for sleep in children has sparked extensive research in which four independent domains have emerged, some providing inconclusive support for detrimental outcomes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) when impaired. Yet, daytime sleepiness, which uniquely captures a child’s subjective sleep experience, has seldom been explored. To determine the chronicity of sleepiness, the current study employed latent class growth analysis to identify longitudinal trajectories, or classes, of children’s daytime sleepiness. Trajectories were subsequently utilized to assess their association with HRQOL. The present sample included 158 elementary-age children. Children’s self-report of daytime sleepiness and HRQOL was collected at three time points across an academic year. Results provided support for three trajectories (i.e., classes) of sleepiness and a significant association between class membership and later HRQOL, F(2, 124) = 17.38, p < .001. Post hoc tests revealed significant differences in HRQOL between the Low and Moderate trajectories (p < .01), Low and High trajectories (p < .001), and between the Moderate and High trajectories (p < .01). Analyses indicated that children with high and stable sleepiness experienced impairments in HRQOL comparable to children with chronic health conditions. Results suggest that sleepiness is more pervasive and widespread than other facets of sleep behavior. Implications include the establishment of daytime sleepiness as a pervasive state with both statistical and clinical significance. Future research should focus on generating empirically derived normative data to provide researchers and clinicians reference values to assess sleepiness reports relative to clinical impairment