Molecular screening of bovine raw milk for the presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) on dairy farms

Milkborne transmission of Shiga toxin- producing Escherichia coli (STEC) has raised considerable concern due to recent outbreaks worldwide and poses a threat to public health. The aim of this study was to develop a sensitive and specific multiplex PCR assay to detect the presence of STEC in bovine raw milk. To identify E. coli (ATCC 25922) contamination, the gene uspA was used, and PCR sensitivity and specificity were accessed by testing diluted samples ranging from 2 to 2.0 × 10(6) CFU/mL. To detect STEC, the stx1 and stx2 genes were selected as targets. After reaction standardization, the multiplex assay was tested in raw milk collected from 101 cows on dairy farms. PCR assay for E. coli detection had a specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 79% (P<0.0001), with a lower detection limit of 2 CFU/mL. Multiplex PCR assay had 100% sensitivity for E. coli positive raw milk samples, and 31.1% were contaminated with STEC, 28.3% of stx2, and 1.9% of stx1. The multiplex PCR assay described in the present study can be employed to identify and screen E. coli harboring stx1 and stx2 genes in raw milk on dairy farms and in industries.

Reconstruction of cranial bone defects with fiber-reinforced composite–bioactive glass implants

A cranial bone defect may result after an operative treatment of trauma, infection, vascular insult, or tumor. New biomaterials for cranial bone defect reconstructions are needed for example to mimic the biomechanical properties and structure of cranial bone. A novel glass fiber-reinforced composite implant with bioactive glass particulates (FRC–BG, fiber-reinforced composite–bioactive glass) has osteointegrative potential in a preclinical setting. The aim of the first and second study was to investigate the functionality of a FRC–BG implant in the reconstruction of cranial bone defects. During the years 2007–2014, a prospective clinical trial was conducted in two tertiary level academic institutions (Turku University Hospital and Oulu University Hospital) to evaluate the treatment outcome in 35 patients that underwent a FRC–BG cranioplasty. The treatment outcome was good both in adult and pediatric patients. A number of conventional complications related to cranioplasty were observed. In the third study, a retrospective outcome evaluation of 100 cranioplasty procedures performed in Turku University Hospital between years 2002–2012 was conducted. The experimental fourth study was conducted to test the load-bearing capacity and fracture behavior of FRC–BG implants under static loading. The interconnective bars in the implant structure markedly increased the load-bearing capacity of the implant. A loading test did not demonstrate any protrusions of glass fibers or fiber cut. The fracture type was buckling and delamination. In this study, a postoperative complication requiring a reoperation or removal of the cranioplasty material was observed in one out of five cranioplasty patients. The treatment outcomes of cranioplasty performed with different synthetic materials did not show significant difference when compared with autograft. The FRC–BG implant was demonstrated to be safe and biocompatible biomaterial for large cranial bone defect reconstructions in adult and pediatric patients.

Presence of central nervous system tissues as bovine spongiform encephalopathy specified risk material in Turkish raw meat ball (cig kofte)

Abstract Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is a virulent disease which may infect by affecting the central nervous system (CNS) tissues in cattle and causes degeneration in nerves. Central nervous system tissues such as brain and spinal cord which are classified as specified risk materials (SRMs) are regarded to be main source of infection. The contamination of the meat with the specific risk materials (SRMs) can occur in phases of slaughter, fragmentation of carcass and processing. This study was conducted in order to investigate the existence of CNS tissues in raw meat ball (cig kofte) which is commonly consumed in the Southeastern Region of Turkey, particularly in Şanlıurfa. For this purpose, 145 samples of raw meat ball were tested. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (Ridascreen risk material 10/5, R-biofarm GmbH) which determine glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) as determinant were used. As a result of the analyses, positivity was detected in 21 of totally 145 samples of raw meat ball (14.48%). 6 (4.14%) of the samples gave low level of positivity (≥ 0.1 standard absorbance), 10 (6.90%) gave medium level of positivity (>0.2 standard absorbance) and 5 (3.45%) gave high level of positivity (≥0.5 standard absorbance). As a consequence, meats are contaminated in any phase of both slaughter and meat production even if accidentally. Regarding this matter, necessary measures should be taken and hygiene rules should be applied.

Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus in raw salmon with supercritical CO2 using experimental design

Abstract Considering the microbial safety of consumption of raw foods (Asian food), this study aimed to explore the inactivation S. aureus in raw salmon by supercritical CO2 treatment (SC-CO2). For this purpose, experimental design methodology was employed as a tool to evaluate the effects of pressure (120-220 bar), the depressurization rate (10 to 100 bar.min–1) and the salmon:CO2 mass relation (1:0.2 to 1:1.0). It was observed that the pressure and the depressurization rate was statistically significant, i.e. the higher the system pressure and depressurization rate, the greater the microbial inactivation. The salmon: CO2 mass relation did not influence the S. aureus inactivation in raw salmon. There was a total reduction in S. aureus with 225 bar, a depressurizing rate of 100 bar.min–1, a salmon: CO2 mass relation of 1:0.6, for 2 hours at 33 °C.

Production under glass : working conditions and class-consciousness of the Niagara greenhouse workers

This study applies a Marxist theoretical paradigm to examine the working conditions of greenhouse workers in the Niagara Region, and the range of factors that bear upon the formation of their class-consciousness. The Niagara greenhouse industry represents one of the most developed horticultural regions in Canada and plays a prominent role in the local economy. The industry generates substantial revenues and employs a significant number of people, yet the greenhouse workers are paid one of the lowest rates in the region. Being classified as agricultural workers, the greenhouse employees are exempted from many provisions of federal and provincial labour regulations. Under the current provincial statutes, agricultural workers in Ontario are denied the right to organize and bargain collectively. Except for a few technical and managerial positions, the greenhouse industry employs mostly low-skilled workers who are subjected to poor working conditions that stem from the employer's attempts to adapt to larger structural imperatives of the capitalist economy. While subjected to these poor working conditions, the greenhouse workers are also affected by objectively alienated social relations and by ruling class ideological domination and hegemony. These two sets of factors arise from the inherent conflict of interests between wage-labour and capital but also militate against the development of class-consciousness. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 greenhouse workers to examine the role played by their material circumstances in the formulation of their social and political views as well as the extent to which they are aware of their class location and class interests. The hegemonic notions of 'common sense' acted as impediments to formation of classconsciousness. The greenhouse workers have virtually no opportunities to access alternative perspectives that would address the issues associated with exploitation in production and offer solutions leading to 'social justice'. Fonnidable challenges confront any organized political body seeking to improve the conditions of the working people.

Low frequency Raman scattering in amorphous materials: fused quartz, "pyrex" boro-silicate glass and soda-lime silicate glass

Raman scattering in the region 20 to 100 cm -1 for fused quartz, "pyrex" boro-silicate glass, and soft soda-lime silicate glass was investigated. The Raman spectra for the fused quartz and the pyrex glass were obtained at room temperature using the 488 nm exciting line of a Coherent Radiation argon-ion laser at powers up to 550 mW. For the soft soda-lime glass the 514.5 nm exciting line at powers up to 660 mW was used because of a weak fluorescence which masked the Stokes Raman spectrum. In addition it is demonstrated that the low-frequency Raman coupling constant can be described by a model proposed by Martin and Brenig (MB). By fitting the predicted spectra based on the model with a Gaussian, Poisson, and Lorentzian forms of the correlation function, the structural correlation radius (SCR) was determined for each glass. It was found that to achieve the best possible fit· from each of the three correlation functions a value of the SCR between 0.80 and 0.90 nm was required for both quartz and pyrex glass but for the soft soda-lime silicate glass the required value of the SCR. was between 0.50 and 0.60 nm .. Our results support the claim of Malinovsky and Sokolov (1986) that the MB model based on a Poisson correlation function provides a universal fit to the experimental VH (vertical and horizontal polarizations) spectrum for any glass regardless of its chemical composition. The only deficiency of the MB model is its failure to fit the experimental depolarization spectra.

Canadian Niagara Power Glass Slide - Group of men walking through the hydro tunnel

Four men (unidentified) walking in tunnel wearing hard hats and carrying flashlights.

Canadian Niagara Power Glass Slide - Engineer Drawing of Sections of Discharge Tunnel

Consulting Engineer drawing of Sections of the Discharge Tunnel. Included in the drawing is the "cross section of tunnel with timbering" and "longitudinal section showing Timber in straight tunnel". Dated October 1902.

Canadian Niagara Power Glass Slide - Engineer Drawing Hydro Station

Appears to be an engineer's drawing of the Hydro Station. It is a cross-section view of the interior.

Canadian Niagara Power Glass Slide - Plan and Profile of Discharge Tunnel

Plan and profile of discharge tunnel along Niagara River. The horizontal scale is 1 inch = 100 feet, the vertical scale is 1 inch = 40 feet. The drawing is dated November 7, 1902.

Canadian Niagara Power Glass Slide - Sketch Showing Proposed Masonry Lining Near Portal of Tunnel

Drawing by consulting engineer dated October 19, 1901. Scale is noted as 1/4 inch = 1 foot.

Canadian Niagara Power Glass Slide - Drawing: Section thru Wheelpit

Drawing of "Section thru Wheelpit" dated September 1925. Shows unit no.1 through unit no.11, power house floor and water surface.

Canadian Niagara Power Glass Slide - Engineer Drawing (untitled)

Engineer drawing (untitled), some of the labels read "exciter chamber", "fore bay", "power house floor".

Canadian Niagara Power Glass Slide - Men in Tunnel

Four men (unknown) standing in the tunnel wearing hard hats.

Canadian Niagara Power Glass Slide - Large Group in Tunnel

A large group of men in hard hats in the tunnel. The names of the men are unknown.