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Background: Advancements in wireless technology (e.g. cell phones and tablets) have opened new communication opportunities and environments for individuals with severe communication disabilities. The advancement of these technologies poses challenges to ensuring that these individuals enjoy equal access to this increasingly essential technology. However, a paucity of research exists. Objectives: To describe the nature and frequency with which South African adults with severe communication disabilities have access to and use wireless devices, as well as the types of activities for which wireless devices are used. Method: Survey research was conducted with 30 individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology using the Survey of User Needs Questionnaire developed in the United States, and localized to the South African context. Results: All participants, despite their limited education, unemployment and low economic status, owned and/or used mainstream wireless devices. Slightly more than half of the participants (53.3%) needed adaptations to their wireless devices. Advantages of using wireless devices were highlighted, including connecting with others (through using text messaging, social networking, making plans with others, sharing photos and videos with friends), for leisure activities (e.g. listening to music, watching videos, playing games), and for safety purposes (e.g. to navigate when lost, using the device when in trouble and needing immediate assistance). Conclusion: These wireless devices offer substantial benefits and opportunities to individuals with disabilities who rely on AAC in terms of independence, social participation, education and safety/security. However, they still do not enjoy equal opportunity to access and use wireless devices relative to the non-disabled population.

A recent study reported significant association of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) with multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in SORL1, a neuronal sortilin-related receptor protein known to be involved in the trafficking and processing of amyloid precursor protein. Here we attempted to validate this finding in three large, well characterized case–control series. Approximately 2000 samples from the three series were individually genotyped for 12 SNPs, including the 10 reported significant SNPs and 2 that constitute the reported significant haplotypes. A total of 25 allelic and haplotypic association tests were performed. One SNP rs2070045 was marginally replicated in the three sample sets combined (nominal P=0.035); however, this result does not remain significant when accounting for multiple comparisons. Further validation in other sample sets will be required to assess the true effects of SORL1 variants in LOAD.

Purpose. F4 fimbriae are a potential candidate for an oral subunit vaccine for prevention of post-weaning diarrhea in swine due to infection with F4-positive enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. However, large quantities of F4 fimbriae are required to induce a specific antibody response. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of F4 fimbriae with Cytosine-phosphate-Guanosine-oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-A D19) or with complete cholera toxin (CT) as adjuvants on the F4-specific antibody response and cytokine production in weaned pigs following oral administration of F4 fimbrial antigen formulated with Carboxymethyl Starch (CMS). Methods. Oral dosage forms of F4 fimbriae alone or supplemented with CpG-A D19 or with CT were formulated with CMS as monolithic tablets, obtained by direct compression, and administered to weaned pigs. Blood and faecal samples were collected to determine the systemic and mucosal immune status of animals at various times until necropsy. During necropsy, contents of the jejunum and ileum were collected for determination of mucosal F4 specific antibodies. Segments of jejunum and ileum were also used to measure mRNA cytokine production. Results. The presence of CpG in the formulation of the fimbriae significantly increased F4-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) IgM and IgG levels in intestinal secretions, and enhanced Th1 (Interferon-gamma / IFN-γ, Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha / TNF-α, Interleukin-12p40 / IL-12p40, IL-1β) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-6) cytokine production in intestinal tissues. Supplementation with CT did not result in induction of F4-specific antibodies in secretions, although a significant Th1 response (IFN-α, IFN-γ, IL-18) was detected in tissues. Neither F4-specific systemic antibodies, nor intestinally secreted IgA were detected throughout the immunization trial for all groups. Conclusions. CpG-A D19 appeared to be a promising adjuvant for an oral F4 subunit vaccine formulated with CMS excipient as monolithic tablets. This matrix afforded gastro-protection and delivered the F4 fimbriae at their intestinal sites. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.

BACKGROUND:Malignant melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and is refractory to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Therefore alternative approaches to treat this disease, such as immunotherapy, are needed. Melanoma vaccine design has mainly focused on targeting CD8+ T cells. Activation of effector CD8+ T cells has been achieved in patients, but provided limited clinical benefit, due to immune-escape mechanisms established by advanced tumors. We have previously shown that alphavirus-based virus-like replicon particles (VRP) simultaneously activate strong cellular and humoral immunity against the weakly immunogenic melanoma differentiation antigen (MDA) tyrosinase. Here we further investigate the antitumor effect and the immune mechanisms of VRP encoding different MDAs. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:VRP encoding different MDAs were screened for their ability to prevent the growth of the B16 mouse transplantable melanoma. The immunologic mechanisms of efficacy were investigated for the most effective vaccine identified, focusing on CD8+ T cells and humoral responses. To this end, ex vivo immune assays and transgenic mice lacking specific immune effector functions were used. The studies identified a potent therapeutic VRP vaccine, encoding tyrosinase related protein 2 (TRP-2), which provided a durable anti-tumor effect. The efficacy of VRP-TRP2 relies on a novel immune mechanism of action requiring the activation of both IgG and CD8+ T cell effector responses, and depends on signaling through activating Fcγ receptors. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:This study identifies a VRP-based vaccine able to elicit humoral immunity against TRP-2, which plays a role in melanoma immunotherapy and synergizes with tumor-specific CD8+ T cell responses. These findings will aid in the rational design of future immunotherapy clinical trials.

lnflammatory pseudotumours of the liver are rare, solid mass lesions (often mistaken for malignancy) and although inflammatory in nature, are obscure in etiology and pathogenesis. An hepatic inflammatory pseudotumour is presented in which cultures obtained from the lesion intraoperatively grew Klebsiella pneumoniae. This is the first case of an hepatic inflammatory pseudotumour in which a microorganism has been identified. The isolation of K pneumoniae suggests that inflammatory pseudotumours may arise from a low grade infection with chronic inflammatory tissue response.

The Jewish Community is the oldest non-governmental agency serving newcomers in Canada. Its emphasis has been on employing professional, secular social work practice. This paper reports on conversations held with the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society (JIAS) staff, board members, clients and sponsors. Focus group meetings were held with clients and sponsors in nine Canadian cities from Ottawa to Vancouver. Highlighted are the conclusions that sponsors and clients have arrived at regarding services the Jewish community offers.

The author considers the range of settlement services funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) tracing the relative costs of settlement services in both Quebec and the rest of Canada. Government cost cutting and recovery strategies applied to settlement services are reviewed against an explanation of neo-liberalist ideology as it has been interpreted by the Federal government (1993-1997). Some of the arguments put forward against cost recovery are also reviewed.

With the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), many countries are implementing restrictive regulations to reduce antimicrobial use (AMU) in animal production. Although these measures are effective at the national level, their implementation may generate challenges for producers and veterinarians. The objective of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators of implementing a new regulation restricting the use of antimicrobials of very high importance for human health in the dairy production sector in the province of Québec, Canada. Individual interviews were conducted with fifteen veterinarians and twenty-seven dairy producers. Thematic analysis was performed based on the COM-B model of behavior change (capability-opportunity-motivation-behavior). Our results indicated that the lack of availability of alternative treatments, the long delays related to diagnostic tests and the fear of economic consequences were major barriers to the implementation of the regulation. A small number of producers also perceived that the regulation negatively impacted the health and wellbeing of their animals. Additionally, participants acknowledged the importance of early education and training to better understand the purpose of the regulation and increase its acceptability. Lastly, most participants reported that they had not only reduced their use of antimicrobials of very high importance for human health following the regulation, but they had also increased preventive practices on their farm. This study reveals that the implementation of restrictive regulations to reduce AMU in animal production can lead to multiple challenges in practice. Our results highlight the need for better communication and training of producers and veterinarians before and during the implementation of similar regulations in the future and underline the importance of measuring the direct and indirect impacts of those regulations on productivity and on animal health and wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zero-valent copper and silver metals (Ms) nanoparticles (NPs) supported on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were synthesized for treating Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli fimbriae 4 (ETEC:F4), a major cause of diarrhea in post-weaned pigs. The antibacterial properties of Cu0/CMC and Ag0/CMC were assessed on infected porcine intestinal enterocyte IPEC-J2, an in vitro model mimicking the small intestine. The lower average particle size (218 nm) and polydispersity index [PDI]: 0.25) for Ag0/CMC, when compared with those of Cu0/CMC (367 nm and PDI 0.96), were explained by stronger Ag0/CMC interactions. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Ag0/CMC were lower in both bacteria and IPEC-J2 cells than those of Cu0/CMC, confirming that silver nanoparticles are more bactericidal than copper counterparts. IPEC-J2, less sensitive in MNP/CMC treatment, was used to further investigate the infective process by ETEC:F4. The IC50 of MNP/CMC increased significantly when infected IPEC-J2 cells and ETEC were co-treated, showing an inhibition of the cytotoxicity effect of ETEC:F4 infection and protection of treated IPEC-J2. Thus, it appears that metal insertion in CMC induces an inhibiting effect on ETEC:F4 growth and that MNP/CMC dispersion governs the enhancement of this effect. These results open promising prospects for metal-loaded biopolymers for preventing and treating swine diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A carne bovina pode ser um meio de transmissão de Escherichia coli O157:H7 e de não-O157 para os humanos, que a ingerem mal cozida, sendo responsáveis por causarem doenças severas, como a síndrome hemolítico urêmica. A resistência bacteriana se tornou preocupante em relação à eficácia nos tratamentos das doenças, e tendo em vista tais aspectos este estudo teve os objetivos de verificar a ocorrência de E. coli O157:H7 e não-O157 em etapas do abate bovino, asssim como de avaliar a suscetibilidade dessas bactérias frente à ação de antimicrobianos. Foram colhidas em abatedouro bovino 21 amostras de superfície de mãos dos manipuladores, 21 de facas e 300 provenientes de 50 animais em seis pontos no fluxograma de abate. O isolamento foi realizado utilizando o ágar CT-SMAC e a caracterização dos sorotipos pela PCR. Houve uma ocorrência maior de E. coli O157:H7 (12,0%) nos animais, e menor ocorrência de E. coli O26 (8,0%) e de O113 (2,0%). E. coli O26 esteve presente em 9,52% das facas. A presença de E. colinão-O157 sorbitol negativa foi um fato inesperado devido ao método de isolamento utilizado. Todos os isolados de E. coli O157:H7 mostraram-se sensíveis à tetraciclina, cefepime, cefoxitina, ciprofloxacina e sulfazotrim, e 78,85% deles foram resistentes à cefalotina e 34,61% à ampicilina. Todas E. coli O26 foram sensíveis ao cefepime, cefoxitina e sulfazotrim, e 88,23% resistentes à tetraciclina e cefalotina e 82,35% à ampicilina. A multirresistência aos antibimicrobianos foi observada em todos os sorotipos, devendo, portanto, haver critérios no uso de antimicrobianos nos tratamentos para não se tornar um problema de saúde pública.

This study aimed to identify contamination sources in raw milk and cheese on small farms in Brazil by isolating Escherichia coli at various stages of milk production and cheese manufacturing. The study targeted EAEC, EIEC, ETEC, EPEC, STEC, and ExPEC pathotypes, characterizing isolates for the presence of virulence genes, phylogroups, antimicrobial susceptibility, and phylogenetic relationships using PFGE and MLST. The presence of antimicrobial resistance genes and serogroups was also determined. Three categories of E. coli were identified: pathogenic, commensal, and ceftriaxone-resistant (ESBL) strains. Pathogenic EPEC, STEC, and ExPEC isolates were detected in milk and cheese samples. Most isolates belonged to phylogroups A and B1 and were resistant to antimicrobials such as nalidixic acid, ampicillin, kanamycin, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole, and tetracycline. Genetic analysis revealed that E. coli with identical virulence genes were present at different stages within the same farm. The most frequently identified serogroup was O18, and MLST identified ST131 associated with pathogenic isolates. The study concluded that E. coli was present at multiple points in milk collection and cheese production, with significant phylogroups and high antimicrobial resistance. These findings highlight the public health risk posed by contamination in raw milk and fresh cheese, emphasizing the need to adopt hygienic practices to control these microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rekrutacija za pomožne enote rimske vojske je potekala predvsem med peregrini in je v največji meri temeljila na prostovoljnem vpisu, zadosten dotok prostovoljcev pa je zagotavljala ugodnost, da so si pridobili rimsko državljanstvo in conubium. Da so ta privilegij lahko izkazali, so vojaki pomožnih enot in veterani rimske flote dobivali od Klavdija dalje diplomata militaria, na katerih so bile pridobljene pravice uradno zapisane. Tekst je bil napisan na notranji strani obeh ploščic in ponovljen na zunanji strani le ene, medtem ko je druga zunanja stran nosila podpise sedmih prič, ki so potrjevale točnost kopije, ekscerpirane iz originala v Rimu. Enaka diplomata, ki so zagotavljala le pridobitev pravice do conubium, so bila izdana veteranom mestnih enot Rima (Praetoriani, Urbani) in jih od drugod ne poznamo (izjema je CIL XVI 133). Tekst diplom je preprost: »Cesar z datumom tribunicia potestas in drugimi naslovi) podeljuje rimsko državljanstvo in pravico poroke onemu, ki služi (ali je služil) v tej in tej enoti« in se nadaljuje s podatki o prejemniku ter datumom podelitve. Diplomata, izdana vojakom pomožnih enot po 1. 193, niso znana, veteranom rim ske flote so jih izdajali najmanj do 1. 250, veteranom mestnih enot pa do 1. 306. Glede na število vojakov, ki so dopolnili službeno dobo, je bilo izdanih od flavijske do sredine antoninske dobe samo za vojake pomožnih enot letno najmanj 2000 diplom. Število diplom vseh vrst, izdanih od Klavdija do Dioklecijana, znaša računamo, od 250 do 500 tisoč. Od teh se jih je ohranilo zelo malo. 257 je objavljenih v CIL XVI (1936) in suplementu XVI (1955). Kar je bilo najdenih po objavi suplementa, objavlja avtor na seznamu 1. Imena prič so ohranjena vsega na 120 diplomah (seznam 2 ). Povprečno se je na 3—4000 prič ohranila imensko po ena, vendar je njih sestava tako dosledna, da je morala biti analogna na vseh izgubljenih. Vrstni red in označbe prič pa kažejo določene spremembe. V prvem obdobju (do 73/74) so vse priče vojaški tovariši in rojaki prejemnika, vendar seznami kažejo, da niso imele nikakršne zveze z vojaško enoto prejemnika. Res je, da so vse v vojaški službi in da so večinoma iz iste province kot prejemnik, niso pa vse iz istega rodu vojske in niti niso bližnji sosedje. Domneva, da so bile diplome izdajane v provincah, ne more biti ne ovržena in ne potrjena. Precizne reference, znane le iz tega obdobja, kažejo, da so priče same preverjale original oz. kopijo. Ob številnih vojakih v samem Rimu ni bilo težko najti primerne osebe za podpis. Navado, da so podpisniki izhajali iz iste province kot prejemnik, je odpravil Vespazijan. Z Vespazijanovo reformo se prenese odgovornost overjanja diplome na pisarje državnega urada. Reforma se krije z letom 73/74. Diploma z dne 21. m aja 74 že nosi ime priče (Atinius Rufus), ki je nato v obdobju desetih let podpisala osem znanih diplom in je m orala imeti funkcijo pisarja. Vendar pa podpisniki diplom vse do Hadrijanove reforme ne podpisujejo v nikakršnem utrjenem zaporedju. V istem času se premeni tudi tekst diplom (cf. Géza Alföldy v Historia 17 [1968] 215 in John Mann v Epigraphische Studien 9 [1972] 233). Tretje obdobje (od 133/138 naprej) označujejo Hadrijanove reforme, prehod v to fazo je posebej prikazan na tabeli 2 A. Najbolj očitna sprememba je strogo določen vrstni red podpisovanja prič po stopnjah, ki jih imajo statuti v scrinium. Aurelius Victor {Epitome de Caesaribus 14, 10—12) navaja, da je vzpostavil Hadrijan sistem imenovanja, tako v civilni kot v vojaški sferi, ki velja še v njegovem času. Reforme v civilni sferi obravnava H. G. Pflaum, v vojaški sferi pa Eric Birley1 Najbolj informativni so glede stopenj v administraciji kodeksi in najbolj pregledno je te podatke zbral A. H. M. Jones.2 V poznem imperiju ima scrinium določeno število nameščencev, statuti in supernumerarii, s tem da ima vsak pisar {exceptor) možnost napredovanja po stopnjah, dokler ne postane proximus in načeluje scrinium. Z njegovim odhodom se vsi statuti povzpnejo za stopnjo navzgor, izpraznjeno najnižje mesto pa je ponujeno naj starejšemu med supernumerarii. Ta sistem se sklada z razvrstitvijo prič na diplomah. Tretjina znanih seznamov prič (tabela 3) pa kaže, da so včasih lahko supernumerarii preskočili nekaj mest in se pojavili kot priče pred nekaj starimi statuti. Vprašanja, kateremu uradu so pripadali podpisovalci diplom, se ne da popolnoma rešiti; najverjetneje so pripadali oddelku v uradu ab epistulis, čigar kompetence je najpopolneje navedel Statius, Silvae, 5, 1, in pojasnil Suetonius, Divi Vespasiani, 4, 1. Analiza imen in podatkov prič na diplomah izkazuje še drugačne spremembe. Pred Vespazijanom so bile vse priče vojaške osebe, katerih status je segal od navadnih vojakov do Eques Romanus. Priče iz flavijskega in Trajanovega časa so, kot kažejo imena, izvirale iz nižjih slojev. Številna so grška cognomina, tedaj še redka med premožnejšimi osebami, ter latinska in provincialna cognomina, običajno vezana, na nižje sloje (Augustalis, Cinnamus, Expectatus, Pietas, Verecundus ipd.). Že v Trajanovem času pride do pomembne spremembe. Nič več se ne pojavljajo cesarska nomina, po 1. 107 se ne pojavljajo več nova nomina in cognomina nižjih slojev, grška cognomina pa so vezana na že znana nomina. Po 1. 134 se te tendence še okrepijo. Novih cesarskih nomina takorekoč ni in grška cognomina so redka. Z redkimi izjemami bi bila imena tedanjih prič lahko na seznamih senatorjev in equites. Teoretično bi bile te osebe lahko osvobojenci, vendar odsotnost cesarskih nomina izključuje to možnost. Najverjetneje so bile priče, podpisane na diplomah, od Hadrijana dalje, osebe z uglednim družbenim položajem, verjetno scribae. Njih status pa se verjetno ni mnogo razlikoval od statusa njih naslednikov v poznem imperiju, z nazivi vicarii, consulares (4. stol.) in clarissimi, comites consistorii (5. stol.). Analize diplom kažejo razvoj malega dela rimske administracije. Same po sebi diplome ne kažejo, v kakšnem obsegu so spremembe, ki so jih zadevale, zajemale celotno rimsko administracijo, vendar pa navedbe Aurelija Viktorja, kodeksov in poznejših tekstov kažejo, da so Hadrijanove in verjetno tudi Vespazijanove reforme zajele celotno administracijo. Če je tako, potem kažejo spremembe pri diplomah vsaj okvirno na vzporedne spremembe v drugih uradih. Analize diplom lahko tako služijo analizam bolj fragmentarnih, predvsem epigrafskih spomenikov, seveda pa tudi preciznejši določitvi novo odkritih in že objavljenih diplom (primer CIL XVI 127).

Antimicrobials serve as crucial treatments in both veterinary and human medicine, aiding in the control and prevention of infectious diseases. However, their misuse or overuse has led to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, posing a significant threat to public health. This review focuses on extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli in animals and their associated food products, which contribute to the proliferation of antimicrobial-resistant strains. Recent research has highlighted the presence of ESBL-producing E. coli in animals and animal-derived foods, with some studies indicating genetic similarities between these isolates and those found in human infections. This underscores the urgent need to address antimicrobial resistance as a pressing public health issue. More comprehensive studies are required to understand the evolving landscape of ESBLs and to develop strategic public health policies grounded in the One Health approach, aiming to control and mitigate their prevalence effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seal populations in Canadian waters provide sustenance to coastal communities. There is potential for pathogenic and/or antimicrobial‐resistant bacteria to transfer to humans through inadvertent faecal contamination of seal products. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence and potential antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes in faecal samples collected from grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and from ringed seals (Pusa hispida) in Frobisher Bay and Eclipse Sound, Nunavut, Canada. Grey seals were harvested during commercial hunts or during scientific sampling; ringed seals were collected by Inuit hunters during subsistence harvests. Virulence genes defining pathogenic E. coli were identified by PCR, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on recovered isolates. In grey seals, E. coli was detected in 34/44 (77%) samples, and pathogenic E. coli (extraintestinal E. coli [ExPEC], enteropathogenic E. coli [EPEC] or ExPEC/EPEC) was detected in 13/44 (29%) samples. Non‐susceptibility to beta‐lactams and quinolones was observed in isolates from 18 grey seals. In ringed seals from Frobisher Bay, E. coli was detected in 4/45 (9%) samples; neither virulence genes nor antimicrobial resistance was detected in these isolates. In ringed seals from Eclipse Sound, E. coli was detected in 8/50 (16%) samples and pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC and ExPEC/EPEC) in 5/50 (10%) samples. One seal from Eclipse Sound had an E. coli isolate resistant to beta‐lactams. A monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium was recovered from 8/50 (16%) seals from Eclipse Sound. All Salmonella isolates were resistant to ampicillin, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole and tetracycline. L. monocytogenes was not detected in any sample. These findings suggest that seals may act as important sentinel species and as reservoirs or vectors for antimicrobial‐resistant and virulent E. coli and Salmonella species. Further characterization of these isolates would provide additional insights into the source and spread of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in these populations of free‐living seals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]