Quantifying the effectiveness of ultraviolet-C light at inactivating airborne Mycobacterium abscessus.

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium abscessus (MABS) group are environmental organisms that can cause infection in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and other suppurative lung diseases. There is potential for person-to-person airborne transmission of MABS among people with CF attending the same care centre. Ultraviolet light (band C, UV-C) is used for Mycobacterium tuberculosis control indoors; however, no studies have assessed UV-C for airborne MABS. AIM: To determine whether a range of UV-C doses increased the inactivation of airborne MABS, compared with no-UVC conditions. METHODS: MABS was generated by a vibrating mesh nebulizer located within a 400 L rotating drum sampler, and then exposed to an array of 265 nm UV-C light-emitting diodes (LED). A six-stage Andersen Cascade Impactor was used to collect aerosols. Standard microbiological protocols were used for enumerating MABS, and these quantified the effectiveness of UV-C doses (in triplicate). UV-C effectiveness was estimated using the difference between inactivation with and without UV-C. FINDINGS: Sixteen tests were performed, with UV-C doses ranging from 276 to 1104 µW s/cm2. Mean (±SD) UV-C effectiveness ranged from 47.1% (±13.4) to 83.6% (±3.3). UV-C led to significantly greater inactivation of MABS (all P-values ≤0.045) than natural decay at all doses assessed. Using an indoor model of the hospital environment, it was estimated that UV-C doses in the range studied here could be safely delivered in clinical settings where patients and staff are present. CONCLUSION: This study provides empirical in-vitro evidence that nebulized MABS are susceptible to UV-C inactivation.

Investigating surface binding effects: antibacterial efficacy of bound 8-hydroxyquinoline against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

AIMS: To investigate the binding of the antimicrobial compound 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) to a material interface and to determine whether immobilization affects the antibacterial efficacy. METHODS AND RESULTS: The 8HQ derivative 5-carboxy-8-hydroxyquinoline (5C8HQ) was attached to silica beads through amide bond coupling at the carboxyl moiety of 5C8HQ. Attachment of 5C8HQ was confirmed using a combination of mass spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, colorimetric testing and Soxhlet extraction. Computational modelling results indicated that this substitution did not compromise the active sites on the molecule, whereas other positions on the ring system could potentially inhibit antimicrobial activity. The antibacterial effect of 8HQ and the 5C8HQ-modified silica complex against Escherichia coli 15597 (ATCC® 25922) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) was evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: The test results show that the immobilized 8HQ continues to exhibit antibacterial activity, however, quantifying the efficacy compared to free 8HQ bears further investigation. The expected antibacterial mechanism requires that the metal chelation site of 8HQ be retained and available after attachment to a surface. The retention of antibacterial activity after surface bonding represents a novel mechanism of action not previously reported. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Recent changes in regulations due to environmental concerns prompted many companies and organizations to explore antimicrobial treatments that are chemically bound to the product. Chemically bonding biocidal compounds to a surface limits environmental release; however, molecular mechanisms that drive antibacterial activity when compounds are immobilized are limited. The results reported here demonstrate that the 8HQ reactive site retains antibacterial efficacy even after covalent attachment to a surface. This approach supersedes other antimicrobial treatments where the active component is gradually released from the material surface in order to elicit antimicrobial effects. This specific antibacterial activity of bound 8HQ represents a novel mechanism of action not previously reported, and a potential conduit to a new class of bound antimicrobial materials.

Thermionic Cooling of the Target Plasma to a Sub-eV Temperature.

Contemporary models of bounded plasmas assume that the target plasma electron temperature far exceeds the temperature of the cold electrons emitted from the target, T_{emit}. We show that when the sheath facing a collisional plasma becomes inverted, the target plasma electron temperature has to equal T_{emit} even if the upstream plasma is hotter by orders of magnitude. This extreme cooling effect can alter the plasma properties and the heat transmission to thermionically emitting surfaces in many applications. It also opens a possibility of using thermionic divertor plates to induce detachment in tokamaks.

Sources and dynamics of fluorescent particles in hospitals.

Fluorescent particles can be markers of bioaerosols and are therefore relevant to nosocomial infections. To date, little research has focused on fluorescent particles in occupied indoor environments, particularly hospitals. In this study, we aimed to determine the spatial and temporal variation of fluorescent particles in two large hospitals in Brisbane, Australia (one for adults and one for children). We used an Ultraviolet Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (UVAPS) to identify fluorescent particle sources, as well as their contribution to total particle concentrations. We found that the average concentrations of both fluorescent and non-fluorescent particles were higher in the adults' hospital (0.06×106 and 1.20×106  particles/m3 , respectively) than in the children's hospital (0.03×106 and 0.33×106  particles/m3 , respectively) (P<.01). However, the proportion of fluorescent particles was higher in the children's hospital. Based on the concentration results and using activity diaries, we were able to identify sources of particle production within the two hospitals. We demonstrated that particles can be easily generated by a variety of everyday activities, which are potential sources of exposure to pathogens. Future studies to further investigate their role in nosocomial infection are warranted.

Pre-clinical and clinical walking kinematics in female breeding pigs with lameness: A nested case-control cohort study.

Gait profiles were investigated in a cohort of female pigs experiencing a lameness period prevalence of 29% over 17 months. Gait alterations before and during visually diagnosed lameness were evaluated to identify the best quantitative clinical lameness indicators and early predictors for lameness. Pre-breeding gilts (n= 84) were recruited to the study over a period of 6 months, underwent motion capture every 5 weeks and, depending on their age at entry to the study, were followed for up to three successive gestations. Animals were subject to motion capture in each parity at 8 weeks of gestation and on the day of weaning (28 days postpartum). During kinematic motion capture, the pigs walked on the same concrete walkway and an array of infra-red cameras was used to collect three dimensional coordinate data of reflective skin markers attached to the head, trunk and limb anatomical landmarks. Of 24 pigs diagnosed with lameness, 19 had preclinical gait records, whilst 18 had a motion capture while lame. Depending on availability, data from one or two preclinical motion capture 1-11 months prior to lameness and on the day of lameness were analysed. Lameness was best detected and evaluated using relative spatiotemporal gait parameters, especially vertical head displacement and asymmetric stride phase timing. Irregularity in the step-to-stride length ratio was elevated (deviation ≥ 0.03) in young pigs which presented lameness in later life (odds ratio 7.2-10.8).

Environmental contamination and hospital-acquired infection: factors that are easily overlooked.

There is an ongoing debate about the reasons for and factors contributing to healthcare-associated infection (HAI). Different solutions have been proposed over time to control the spread of HAI, with more focus on hand hygiene than on other aspects such as preventing the aerial dissemination of bacteria. Yet, it emerges that there is a need for a more pluralistic approach to infection control; one that reflects the complexity of the systems associated with HAI and involves multidisciplinary teams including hospital doctors, infection control nurses, microbiologists, architects, and engineers with expertise in building design and facilities management. This study reviews the knowledge base on the role that environmental contamination plays in the transmission of HAI, with the aim of raising awareness regarding infection control issues that are frequently overlooked. From the discussion presented in the study, it is clear that many unknowns persist regarding aerial dissemination of bacteria, and its control via cleaning and disinfection of the clinical environment. There is a paucity of good-quality epidemiological data, making it difficult for healthcare authorities to develop evidence-based policies. Consequently, there is a strong need for carefully designed studies to determine the impact of environmental contamination on the spread of HAI.

Longitudinal gait development and variability of growing pigs reared on three different floor types.

Biomechanical investigation into locomotor pathology in commercial pigs is lacking despite this being a major concern for the industry. Different floor types are used in modern, intensive pig production systems at different stages of the pigs' production cycle. The general perception holds that slatted and/or hard solid concrete surfaces are inferior to soft straw-covered floors regarding healthy musculoskeletal development. Previous studies have compared pigs housed on different floor types using clinical, subjective assessment of leg weakness and lameness. However, reliability studies generally report a low repeatability of clinical lameness scoring. The objective of this study was to quantitatively assess the long-term effect of pen floors, reflected in the biomechanical gait characteristics and associated welfare of the pigs. A cohort of 24 pigs housed on one of three different floor types was followed from 37 to 90 kg average liveweight, with gait analysis (motion capture) starting at 63 kg. The three floor types were fully slatted concrete, partly slatted concrete and deep straw-bedded surfaces, all located within the same building. Pigs underwent five repeated camera-based motion captures, 7 to 10 days apart, during which 3D coordinate data of reflective skin markers attached to leg anatomical landmarks were collected. Pigs walked on the same solid concrete walkway during captures. One-way ANOVA and repeated measures ANOVA were used to analyse the gait data. Results revealed changes over time in the spatiotemporal gait pattern which were similar in magnitude and direction for the pigs from different floor types. Significant increases in elbow joint flexion with age were observed in all pigs (P⩽0.050; +6°). There were few differences between floor groups, except for the step-to-stride ratio in the hind legs being more irregular in pigs housed on partly slatted floors (P=0.012; 3.6 times higher s.d.) compared with those on 5 to 10 cm straw-bedding in all pen areas. As the level of clinical problems was generally low in this cohort, it may be that floors elicit problems only when there is a primary predisposing factor increasing weakness in susceptible tissues.

Intercalation of trichloroethene by sediment-associated clay minerals.

The objective of this research was to examine the potential for intercalation of trichloroethene (TCE) by clay minerals associated with aquifer sediments. Sediment samples were collected from a field site in Tucson, AZ. Two widely used Montmorillonite specimen clays were employed as controls. X-ray diffraction, conducted with a controlled-environment chamber, was used to characterize smectite interlayer d-spacing for three treatments (bulk air-dry sample, sample mixed with synthetic groundwater, sample mixed with TCE-saturated synthetic groundwater). The results show that the d-spacing measured for the samples treated with TCE-saturated synthetic groundwater are larger (~26%) than those of the untreated samples for all field samples as well as the specimen clays. These results indicate that TCE was intercalated by the clay minerals, which may have contributed to the extensive elution tailing observed in prior miscible-displacement experiments conducted with this sediment.

Nonideal transport of contaminants in heterogeneous porous media: 10. Impact of co-solutes on sorption by porous media with low organic-carbon contents.

The impact of co-solutes on sorption of tetrachloroethene (PCE) by two porous media with low organic-carbon contents was examined by conducting batch experiments. The two media (Borden and Eustis) have similar physical properties, but significantly different organic-carbon (OC) contents. Sorption of PCE was nonlinear for both media, and well-described by the Freundlich equation. For the Borden aquifer material (OC=0.03%), the isotherms measured with a suite of co-solutes present (1,2-dichlorobenzene, bromoform, carbon tetrachloride, and hexachloroethane) were identical to the isotherms measured for PCE alone. These results indicate that there was no measurable impact of the co-solutes on PCE sorption for this system. In contrast to the Borden results, there was a measurable reduction in sorption of PCE by the Eustis soil (OC=0.38%) in the presence of the co-solutes. The organic-carbon fractions of both media contain hard-carbon components, which have been associated with the manifestation of nonideal sorption phenomena. The disparity in results observed for the two media may relate to relative differences in the magnitude and geochemical nature of these hard-carbon components.

Dynamin 2 mediates PDGFRα-SHP-2-promoted glioblastoma growth and invasion.

Dynamin 2 (Dyn2), a large GTPase, is involved in receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-promoted cell migration. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Dyn2 regulates RTK-induced cell migration have not been established. Recently, we reported that tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 11 (SHP-2) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) mediate platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFRα)-promoted glioma tumor growth and invasion. Here, we show that Dyn2 is an effector downstream of the PDGFRα-PI3K/SHP-2 signaling in glioma cells. Depletion of endogenous Dyn2 by short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) inhibited PDGFRα-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt, Erk1/2, Rac1 and Cdc42 activities, glioma cell migration and survival in vitro and tumor growth and invasion in the brains of mice. Dyn2 binds to SHP-2 and PI3K and colocalizes with PDGFRα at the invasive fronts in PDGF-A-stimulated glioma cells. Inhibition of SHP-2 by siRNA knockdown abrogated Dyn2 association with activated PDGFRα and PDGFRα activation of Rac1 and Cdc42, and glioma cell migration, thereby establishing a link between SHP-2 interaction with Dyn2 and the PDGFRα signaling. Furthermore, a dominant-negative SHP-2 C459S mutant inhibited PDGF-A-stimulated glioma cell migration, phosphorylation of Dyn2 and concomitantly blocked PDGFRα-induced Src activation. Inhibition of Src by Src inhibitors attenuated PDGF-A-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and Dyn2 and glioma cell migration. Additionally, mutations of binding sites to PI3K, SHP-2 or Src of PDGFRα impaired PDGFRα-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and Dyn2, and Dyn2 association with activated PDGFRα. Taken together, this study identifies Dyn2 as an effector that mediates PDGFRα-SHP-2-induced glioma tumor growth and invasion, suggesting that targeting the PDGFRα-SHP-2-Dyn2 pathway may be beneficial to patients with malignant glioblastomas.

Alteration of scapula lateral rotation for subjects with the reversed anatomy shoulder replacement and its influence on glenohumeral joint contact force.

It has previously been reported that motion of the scapula varies for subjects with shoulder joint pathologies and is different from that of normal subjects. In this study, an electromagnetic tracking device was used to measure the three-dimensional scapula motion of nine patients with Bayley-Walker (B-W) reverse anatomy joint replacements. The data were then compared to scapula kinematics of 12 normal subjects with no known shoulder pathology. The scapula kinematics for each subject was determined and a regression analysis to find the mean scapula lateral rotation (SLR) for B-W and normal subjects was performed. The regression model which showed the highest change compared to normal was identified and was used in the biomechanical shoulder model to predict the glenohumeral joint contact force. A high variability of the scapula kinematics was observed, with some subjects having a maximum SLR smaller than that of the normal subjects and some similar to the normal subjects. It was found that scapula may move in such a way to keep the deltoid length at its optimum. The change in the scapula kinematics affected the predicted joint force and its point of application. Hence, knowledge of scapular kinematics is essential for realistic modelling of implanted shoulders.

Reverse anatomy shoulder replacement: comparison of two designs.

The aim of this study was to use a biomechanical model of the shoulder to examine the characteristics of two concepts of reverse anatomy implant; those that preserve the natural glenohumeral centre such as the Bayley-Walker (B-W) replacement and those medializing it such as Delta. A biomechanical model of the shoulder was used to evaluate the biomechanical characteristics of these prostheses. The moment arms of the shoulder muscles were predicted for the implanted models over a wide workspace and were compared to those of natural anatomy. The deltoid muscle moment arms through almost all of the range of motion in the Delta model were greatest. As a result the shoulder joint contact force was decreased for this implant. Furthermore, although the B-W model predicted similar moment arms to natural anatomy, the contact force decreased owing to change in the joint constraints. Finally, it was concluded that the reverse anatomy can compensate for loss of rotator cuff muscles in terms of joint stability, yet the shoulder function depends on the individual's musculature.

Nonideal transport of contaminants in heterogeneous porous media: 8. Characterizing and modeling asymptotic contaminant-elution tailing for several soils and aquifer sediments.

Miscible-displacement experiments were conducted to characterize long-term, low-concentration elution tailing associated with sorption/desorption processes. A variety of soils and aquifer sediments, representing a range of particle-size distributions and organic-carbon contents, were employed, and trichloroethene (TCE) was used as the model organic compound. Trichloroethene transport exhibited extensive elution tailing for all media, with several hundred to several thousand pore volumes of water flushing required to reach the detection limit. The elution tailing was more extensive for the media with higher organic-carbon contents and associated retardation factors. However, when normalized by retardation, the extent of tailing did not correlate directly to organic-carbon content. These latter results suggest that differences in the geochemical nature of organic carbon (e.g., composition, structure) among the various media influenced observed behavior. A mathematical model incorporating nonlinear, rate-limited sorption/desorption described by a continuous-distribution function was used to successfully simulate trichloroethene transport, including the extensive elution tailing.

NONIDEAL BEHAVIOR DURING COMPLETE DISSOLUTION OF ORGANIC IMMISCIBLE LIQUID: 1. IDEAL POROUS MEDIA.

Column experiments were conducted using ideal natural sands and stainless-steel beads to examine the complete dissolution behavior of an organic immiscible liquid. Trichloroethene (TCE) was used as the representative organic liquid. The elution curves exhibited multi-step behavior, with multiple extended periods of relatively constant contaminant flux. These secondary steady-state stages occurred at concentrations several orders-of-magnitude below aqueous solubility for the well-sorted sands. In contrast, the secondary steady-state stages occurred within one log of aqueous solubility for the poorly-sorted sand. The nonideal behavior is hypothesized to result from constraints to hydraulic accessibility of the organic liquid to flowing water, which may be expected to be mediated by the pore-scale configuration of the flow field and the fluid phases.

Application of bag sampling technique for particle size distribution measurements.

Bag sampling techniques can be used to temporarily store the aerosol and therefore provide sufficient time to utilize sensitive but slow instrumental techniques for recording detailed particle size distributions. Laboratory based assessment of the method was conducted to examine size dependant deposition loss coefficients for aerosols held in Velostat bags conforming to a horizontal cylindrical geometry. Deposition losses of NaCl particles in the range of 10 nm to 160 nm were analysed in relation to the bag size, storage time, and sampling flow rate. Results of this study suggest that the bag sampling method is most useful for moderately short sampling periods of about 5 minutes.

Absence of truncating BRIP1 mutations in chromosome 17q-linked hereditary prostate cancer families.

BACKGROUND: In a genome-wide scan (GWS) of 175 multiplex prostate cancer (PCa) families from the University of Michigan Prostate Cancer Genetics Project (PCGP), linkage was observed to markers on chromosome 17q21-24, a region that includes two breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRIP1. BRIP1 is a Fanconi anaemia gene (FANCJ) that interacts with the BRCT domain of BRCA1 and has a role in DNA damage repair. Protein truncating mutations in BRIP1 have been identified in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer families, and a recent report suggested that a recurrent truncating mutation (R798X) may have a role in PCa susceptibility. METHODS: We examined the role of BRIP1 mutations in hereditary PCa through sequence analysis of 94 individuals from PCGP families showing linkage to 17q. RESULTS: A total of 24 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, including 7 missense variants but no protein truncating mutations, were observed. CONCLUSION: The data presented here suggest that BRIP1 truncating mutations are uncommon in PCa cases and do not account for the linkage to chromosome 17q observed in our GWS. Additional investigation is needed to determine the significance, if any, of the observed BRIP1 missense variants in hereditary PCa.

The biomechanics of reverse anatomy shoulder replacement--a modelling study.

BACKGROUND: Reverse anatomy shoulder prostheses, in which a partial sphere is attached to the scapula and a socket to the humerus, have become popular for the treatment of arthritic shoulders with severe rotator cuff arthropathy. While they have been in relatively common use, their biomechanical aspects have not been fully investigated. METHODS: This study uses an adaptation of a 3D biomechanical shoulder model to describe the DELTA reverse prosthetic shoulder geometry and to investigate its properties. The muscle configuration was modified to represent the pathology and joint contact forces were computed for standardised activities.The model also uses a contact detect algorithm to record the impingement of the prosthesis with the scapula. FINDINGS: Results showed that the reverse design increases the deltoid function compensating for the dysfunctional rotator cuff muscles by providing sufficient moment arm (increased by 42%) to elevate the arm. It also restores joint stability by reversing the envelope of the joint contact forces and reacting to the increased shear forces. Despite these advantages, the model also confirms impingement and predicts bone notches from the contact of the prosthesis with the scapula border. Results indicate that optimised fixation and design alterations can reduce the problem but is difficult to eliminate it without compromising the joint stability. INTERPRETATION: The study provides a deep understanding of the function of the reverse designs highlighting their advantages in irreparable rotator cuff arthropathy but also the associated problems that compromise their use. Despite the limitations results indicate that reverse designs can be optimised to provide maximum functionality.

A framework for the definition of standardized protocols for measuring upper-extremity kinematics.

BACKGROUND: Increasing interest in upper extremity biomechanics has led to closer investigations of both segment movements and detailed joint motion. Unfortunately, conceptual and practical differences in the motion analysis protocols used up to date reduce compatibility for post data and cross validation analysis and so weaken the body of knowledge. This difficulty highlights a need for standardised protocols, each addressing a set of questions of comparable content. The aim of this work is therefore to open a discussion and propose a flexible framework to support: (1) the definition of standardised protocols, (2) a standardised description of these protocols, and (3) the formulation of general recommendations. METHODS: Proposal of a framework for the definition of standardized protocols. FINDINGS: The framework is composed by two nested flowcharts. The first defines what a motion analysis protocol is by pointing out its role in a motion analysis study. The second flowchart describes the steps to build a protocol, which requires decisions on the joints or segments to be investigated and the description of their mechanical equivalent model, the definition of the anatomical or functional coordinate frames, the choice of marker or sensor configuration and the validity of their use, the definition of the activities to be measured and the refinements that can be applied to the final measurements. Finally, general recommendations are proposed for each of the steps based on the current literature, and open issues are highlighted for future investigation and standardisation. INTERPRETATION: Standardisation of motion analysis protocols is urgent. The proposed framework can guide this process through the rationalisation of the approach.

Particle and gaseous emissions from commercial aircraft at each stage of the landing and takeoff cycle.

A novel technique was used to measure emission factors for commonly used commercial aircraft including a range of Boeing and Airbus airframes under real world conditions. Engine exhaust emission factors for particles in terms of particle number and mass (PM2.5), along with those for CO2 and NOx, were measured for over 280 individual aircraft during the various modes of landing/takeoff (LTO) cycle. Results from this study show that particle number, and NOx emission factors are dependent on aircraft engine thrust level. Minimum and maximum emissions factors for particle number, PM2.5, and NOx emissions were found to be in the range of 4.16 x 10(15)-5.42 x 10(16) kg(-1), 0.03-0.72 g.kg(-1), and 3.25-37.94 g.kg(-1), respectively, for all measured airframes and LTO cycle modes. Number size distributions of emitted particles for the naturally diluted aircraft plumes in each mode of LTO cycle showed that particles were predominantly in the range of 4-100 nm in diameter in all cases. In general, size distributions exhibit similar modality during all phases of the LTO cycle. A very distinct nucleation mode was observed in all particle size distributions, except for taxiing and landing of A320 aircraft. Accumulation modes were also observed in all particle size distributions. Analysis of aircraft engine emissions during LTO cycle showed that aircraft thrust level is considerably higher during taxiing than idling suggesting that International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards need to be modified as the thrust levels for taxi and idle are considered to be the same (7% of total thrust) (Environmental Protection, Annex 16, Vol. II, Aircraft Engine Emissions, 2nd ed.; ICAO--International Civil Aviation Organization: Montreal, 1993).

Mass removal and low-concentration tailing of trichloroethene in freshly-amended, synthetically-aged, and field-contaminated aquifer material.

This study investigates the effect of contaminant aging on the sorption/desorption and transport of trichloroethene in a low organic-carbon content aquifer material, comparing mass removal and long-term, low-concentration elution tailing for field-contaminated, synthetically-aged (contact times of approximately four years), and freshly-amended aquifer material. Elution of trichloroethene exhibited extensive low-concentration tailing, despite minimal retention of trichloroethene by the aquifer material. The observed nonideal transport behavior of trichloroethene is attributed primarily to rate-limited sorption/desorption, with a smaller contribution from nonlinear sorption. It is hypothesized that interaction with physically condensed carbonaceous material, comprising 61% of the aquifer material's organic-carbon content, mediates the retention behavior of trichloroethene. The elution behavior of trichloroethene for the field-contaminated and aged treatments was essentially identical to that observed for the fresh treatments. In addition, the results of three independent mass-balance analyses, total mass eluted, solvent-extraction analysis of residual sorbed mass, and aqueous-phase concentration rebounds following stop-flow experiments, showed equivalent recoveries for the aged and fresh treatments. These results indicate that long-term contaminant aging did not significantly influence the retention and transport of trichloroethene in this low organic-carbon aquifer material.