Mailed versus frozen transport of nasal swabs for surveillance of respiratory bacteria in remote Indigenous communities in Australia

Background Surveillance programs and research for acute respiratory infections in remote Australian communities are complicated by difficulties in the storage and transport of frozen samples to urban laboratories for testing. This study assessed the sensitivity of a simple method for transporting nasal swabs from a remote setting for bacterial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Methods We sampled every individual who presented to a remote community clinic over a three week period in August at a time of low influenza and no respiratory syncytial virus activity. Two anterior nasal swabs were collected from each participant. The left nare specimen was mailed to the laboratory via routine postal services. The right nare specimen was transported frozen. Testing for six bacterial species was undertaken using real-time PCR. Results One hundred and forty participants were enrolled who contributed 150 study visits and paired specimens for testing. Respiratory illnesses accounted for 10% of the reasons for presentation. Bacteria were identified in 117 (78%) presentations for 110 (79.4%) individuals; Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were the most common (each identified in 58% of episodes). The overall sensitivity for any bacterium detected in mailed specimens was 82.2% (95% CI 73.6, 88.1) compared to 94.8% (95% CI 89.4, 98.1) for frozen specimens. The sensitivity of the two methods varied by species identified. Conclusion The mailing of unfrozen nasal specimens from remote communities appears to influence the utility of the specimen for bacterial studies, with a loss in sensitivity for the detection of any species overall. Further studies are needed to confirm our finding and to investigate the possible mechanisms of effect. Clinical trial registration Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number: ACTRN12609001006235. Keywords: Respiratory bacteria; RT-PCR; Specimen transport; Laboratory methods

Vykopirovka iz plana otvoda zemli 78/79 Evreĭskomu pereselencheskomu uchastku Dzhankoĭskoĭ polevodcheskoĭ dachi razverstanii︠a︡

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Sapientia, 1965, Vol. XX, nº 78 (número completo)

Contenido: La crisis de la filosofía actual / Octavio N. Derisi -- ¿Puede haber intelección estricta de la cosa en sí según Kant? / Carlos A. Iturralde Colombres – Metafísica y Creación en Teilhard de Chardin / Cesáreo López Salgado – Notas y comentarios -- Bibliografía

Bowhead and white whale migration, distribution, and abundance in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas, 1975-78

From September 1975 to September 1977 we conducted field research on bowhead, Balaena mysticetus, and white, Delphinapterus leucas, whales in the U.S. Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas. The objectives were to determine the general distribution and migration of these whales in spring and autumn and to estimate abundance. We also surveyed the literature beginning in June 1975 through March 1978 to augment our empirical results. (PDF contains 48 pages)

Diário da Constituinte [gravação de vídeo] : [programa n. 543]

O sindicato do artista do Rio de Janeiro veio à Constituinte conversar com Ulysses Guimarães. O sindicato quer seja aprovado o texto da Sistematização e não o do Centrão, que retirou do texto original alguns benefícios à categoria. Os artistas querem ser enquadrados nas categorias que v~e receber o benefício da Aposentadoria Especial. A principal reivindicação é seja obrigatória a regionalização das produções nos meios de comunicação. A tentativa para se chegar a um acordo na negociação pela Reforma Agrária continua hoje. Todos já concordaram que não podem ser desapropriados para fins de Reforma Agrária, os pequenos e médios imóveis rurais. Dois pontos ainda são difíceis de ser negociados em relação aos grandes imóveis: o conceito de função social da terra e a questão da produtividade. Os grupos de esquerda se reúnem para fechar posições. O Centrão quer preservar todas as propriedades produtivas, sem considerar a função social. Usar racionalmente a terra, aliando produção à preservação do meio ambiente e ao cuidado com a condição de vida dos seus trabalhadores é o que defendem alguns constituintes.

Interrelated contributions to freshwater science over 78 years: A guide to published work from the Freshwater Biological Association, Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, 1929-2006

This article introduces a new listing of published scientific contributions from the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) and its later Research Council associates – the Institute of Freshwater Ecology (1989–2000) and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (2000+). The period 1929–2006 is covered. The authors offer also information on specific features of the listing; also an outline of influences that underlay the research, and its scientific scope.