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Objectives Information on knowledge of public health professionals about health aspects of the human–animal interface, referred to as One Health, is limited. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with animal welfare attitudes, practices, and One Health awareness among US Public Health Service (USPHS) officers to assess preparedness for public health response. Methods USPHS officers participated in an online, self-administered survey from February 15 through March 2, 2018. A total of 1133 of 6474 (17.5%) USPHS officers responded. We collected information on officers’ demographic characteristics, animal welfare attitudes and practices, volunteer and work exposure to animals, and One Health knowledge. We compared (1) One Health knowledge and animal work exposure (deployment, regular assignment, or none) and (2) animal welfare importance and animal work exposure. To adjust for demographic characteristics associated with One Health knowledge, we used multivariable logistic regression. Results One-third of nonveterinary officers reported encountering animals during deployment, and 65% reported that animal welfare was very or extremely important. We found no difference in One Health knowledge between nonveterinary officers who participated in deployments involving animals and nonveterinary officers who had no work exposure to animals (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.11; 95% CI, 0.71-1.75). Nonveterinary officers who participated in animal-related public health activities during regular assignment were more likely to have One Health knowledge than nonveterinary officers who had no work exposure to animals (aOR = 7.88; 95% CI, 5.36-11.59). Conclusions One Health knowledge and awareness should be further explored in the current US public health workforce to identify training needs for emergency preparedness and other collaborative opportunities.

OBJECTIVE To understand large animal veterinarians’ knowledge of select zoonotic diseases that cause livestock abortions and identify barriers to using personal protective equipment (PPE). SAMPLE A convenience sample of 469 veterinarians currently working with livestock. PROCEDURES We sent an electronic survey invitation to large animal veterinarians through various veterinary organizations. Respondents answered questions addressing knowledge and prior experience with select abortion-associated zoonotic diseases, resources available for infection control, attitudes and barriers to PPE use, and demographics. RESULTS Median participant age was 49 years (range, 22 to 82 years), and 54% (235/438) were male. Half of veterinarians (185/348) were contacted 5 or fewer times per year to consult on livestock abortions. No veterinarians surveyed answered all questions on zoonotic disease transmission correctly. Personal protective equipment access varied, from 99% (289/290) having access to gloves to 20% (59/290) having access to respirators. Concerns for spreading disease to other animals (136/289 [47%]) and to other humans (108/287 [38%]) ranked as the most common reported motivators for PPE use. Reported barriers to PPE use among survey participants were the inconvenience of taking PPE into the field (101/286 [35%]) and the inconvenience of wearing PPE (97/286 [34%]). Access to PPE was not correlated with PPE use. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Surveyed veterinarians had limited knowledge of transmission of select abortion-associated zoonotic diseases. Incomplete understanding might lead to inappropriate PPE selection, preventable disease exposure, or missed opportunities for client education. Inconvenience was a primary reason PPE was not used.

Next-generation composite Al-Mg-Zr fuels for bio/chem-agent defeat applications rely on intermetallic formation reactions to reduce ignition temperatures below melting point of Al. Scaling-up the ball-milling synthesis of these powders will require a detailed understanding of how milling parameters and powder composition impact the evolution of powder microstructure. In the present work, we explore the effect of milling duration on the size, microstructure, and properties of (Al-8Mg):3Zr, (Al-8Mg):Zr, 3(Al-8Mg):Zr and 4(Al-8Mg):Zr composite powders. We report compositionally dependent refinement of Zr inclusions in the Al-8Mg matrix that impacts ignition temperatures (Tig). For (Al-8Mg):3Zr and (Al-8Mg):Zr composite powders, Tig initially drops as milling time increases to 60 min and then either plateaus or rises at longer milling times. In contrast, Tig generally decreases over the full 90 min milling duration for the two Al-8Mg-rich compositions. Reductions in heterogeneity and average Zr inclusion size dominate the ignition behavior and lead to steady decreases in Tig.

OBJECTIVE We examined the associations between maternal age at menarche and anthropometry and metabolism in adolescent offspring. METHODS Anthropometric, metabolic and blood pressure data were obtained from 304 girls and 190 boys aged 11-16 years attending school in Hangzhou (China). Age at menarche for both mothers and daughters was self-reported. Fasting blood samples were obtained and all participants underwent clinical examinations. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥95th percentile for age and sex. RESULTS Older maternal age at menarche was associated with older age of their daughters at menarche (r = 0.21; P

Specific energetic applications such as biological and chemical agent defeat, benefit from Al/metal composite materials that are easy to ignite and burn for long durations. Ignition is enabled when Al mixes with a second metal at low temperatures to form an intermetallic compound with a large, exothermic heat release. The exothermic reaction lowers the ignition threshold dramatically and raises the temperature of the powder to enable prolonged combustion even in large powders. This paper explores the effect of chemical composition and synthesis conditions on the resulting microstructure and the ignition of Al/Zr composite powders. The powders are prepared by arrested reactive ball milling (ARM) using two ball to powder mass ratios (BPR) 5 and 10, with a milling time of one hour. Here we report on the size, the microstructure and the reaction properties of the as-milled, composite powders for six different compositions: Al:3Zr, 2Al:3Zr, Al:Zr, 3Al:2Zr, 3Al:Zr and 4Al:Zr. The as-milled Zr-rich and Al-rich powders are typically larger than powders with chemistries approaching a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio, and the BPR 10 powders are consistently smaller than the BPR 5 powders. The particle interiors consist of Zr inclusions in an Al matrix, with larger Zr inclusions seen for more Al-rich chemistries and for BPR 5 samples. X-ray diffraction data suggests that the as-milled Al-rich chemistries and the BPR 5 samples have less intermixing of Al and Zr as well. The lowest ignition temperatures (639 K ± 15 K and 646 K ± 18 K) were measured for BPR 5 3Al:2Zr and Al:Zr powders, respectively, and were correlated with larger heats of Al Zr formation reactions as measured by differential thermal analysis. While intermetallic reactions were initiated in all powders, combustion was not enabled for the two most Al-rich compositions. The factors that influence the ignition of exothermic reactions in the Al/Zr based composite powders are discussed.

Congregate work and residential locations are at increased risk for infectious disease transmission including respiratory illness outbreaks. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is primarily spread person to person through respiratory droplets. Nationwide, the meat and poultry processing industry, an essential component of the U.S. food infrastructure, employs approximately 500,000 persons, many of whom work in proximity to other workers (1). Because of reports of initial cases of COVID-19, in some meat processing facilities, states were asked to provide aggregated data concerning the number of meat and poultry processing facilities affected by COVID-19 and the number of workers with COVID-19 in these facilities, including COVID-19-related deaths. Qualitative data gathered by CDC during on-site and remote assessments were analyzed and summarized. During April 9-27, aggregate data on COVID-19 cases among 115 meat or poultry processing facilities in 19 states were reported to CDC. Among these facilities, COVID-19 was diagnosed in 4,913 (approximately 3%) workers, and 20 COVID-19-related deaths were reported. Facility barriers to effective prevention and control of COVID-19 included difficulty distancing workers at least 6 feet (2 meters) from one another (2) and in implementing COVID-19-specific disinfection guidelines.* Among workers, socioeconomic challenges might contribute to working while feeling ill, particularly if there are management practices such as bonuses that incentivize attendance. Methods to decrease transmission within the facility include worker symptom screening programs, policies to discourage working while experiencing symptoms compatible with COVID-19, and social distancing by workers. Source control measures (e.g., the use of cloth face covers) as well as increased disinfection of high-touch surfaces are also important means of preventing SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Mitigation efforts to reduce transmission in the community should also be considered. Many of these measures might also reduce asymptomatic and presymptomatic transmission (3). Implementation of these public health strategies will help protect workers from COVID-19 in this industry and assist in preserving the critical meat and poultry production infrastructure (4).

The combustion performance of metal particles for explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics, and bio-agent defeat can be optimized by controlling the chemistry, size, and coatings of the particles. Many pure and composite metal fuels used in these applications have been observed to microexplode during combustion. This causes particles to fragment, revealing fresh surfaces, which may enhance burn rates and efficiencies. Despite these potential benefits, few have attempted to control the bubbling and the microexplosion of metal powders as they combust in molten states. Here, we choose Al:Zr composite powders as a representative system to study bubbling and microexplosions and to identify active mechanisms. Using synchrotron x-rays and phase contrast imaging, we observe molten metal particles of various sizes as they burn in air at temperatures ranging from 2700 to 3500 K. We characterize bubble nucleation and growth in the interior of the particles during the combustion process, and we identify heterogeneous nucleation, slow growth and coalescence of bubbles, as well as rapid bubble growth leading to microexplosions. Bubble growth rates and Laplace pressures are calculated, and we find that during slow expansion growth rates are similar to classical predictions of bubble growth in superheated liquids. For rapid expansions we find that a critical growth rate of ∼0.5 m s−1, independent of the initial particle size, is necessary to enable microexplosions. We calculate the rate of gas generation that is needed to enable this growth and we conclude that nitrogen is the gas most likely driving rapid bubble growth and fragmentation. These results provide the first in situ observations of the mechanisms that control bubbling and microexplosions during the combustion of metal particles.

Objective: In 2016, North Carolina blood lead level (BLL) surveillance activities identified elevated BLLs among 3 children exposed to take-home lead by household members employed at a lead oxide manufacturing facility. We characterized BLLs among employees and associated children and identified risk factors for occupational and take-home lead exposure. Methods: We reviewed BLL surveillance data for 2012-2016 to identify facility employees and associated children. We considered a BLL ≥5 μg/dL elevated for adults and children and compared adult BLLs with regulatory limits and recommended health-based thresholds. We also conducted an environmental investigation and interviewed current employees about exposure controls and cleanup procedures. Results: During 2012-2016, 5 children associated with facility employees had a confirmed BLL ≥5 μg/dL. Among 77 people employed during 2012-2016, median BLLs increased from 22 μg/dL (range, 4-45 μg/dL) in 2012 to 37 μg/dL (range, 16-54 μg/dL) in 2016. All employee BLLs were Conclusions: Integration of child and adult BLL surveillance activities identified an occupational source of lead exposure among workers and associated children. Our findings support recent recommendations that implementation of updated lead standards will support better control of lead in the workplace and prevent lead from being carried home.

While there is evidence that being born large-for-gestational-age (LGA) is associated with an increased risk of obesity later in life, the data are conflicting. Thus, we aimed to examine the associations between proportionality at birth and later obesity risk in adulthood. This was a retrospective study using data recorded in the Swedish Birth Register. Anthropometry in adulthood was assessed in 195,936 pregnant women at 10–12 weeks of gestation. All women were born at term (37–41 weeks of gestation). LGA was defined as birth weight and/or length ≥2.0 SDS. Women were separated into four groups: appropriate-for-gestational-age according to both weight and length (AGA – reference group; n = 183,662), LGA by weight only (n = 4,026), LGA by length only (n = 5,465), and LGA by both weight and length (n = 2,783). Women born LGA based on length, weight, or both had BMI 0.12, 1.16, and 1.08 kg/m2 greater than women born AGA, respectively. The adjusted relative risk (aRR) of obesity was 1.50 times higher for those born LGA by weight and 1.51 times for LGA by both weight and height. Length at birth was not associated with obesity risk. Similarly, women born LGA by ponderal index had BMI 1.0 kg/m2 greater and an aRR of obesity 1.39 times higher than those born AGA. Swedish women born LGA by weight or ponderal index had an increased risk of obesity in adulthood, irrespective of their birth length. Thus, increased risk of adult obesity seems to be identifiable from birth weight and ignoring proportionality.

Objective: We report the characterization of MCLA-117, a novel T cell-redirecting antibody for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) treatment targeting CD3 on T cells and CLEC12A on leukaemic cells. In AML, CLEC12A is expressed on blasts and leukaemic stem cells. Methods: The functional capacity of MCLA-117 to redirect resting T cells to eradicate CLEC12APOS tumor cells was studied using human samples, including primary AML samples. Results: Within the normal hematopoietic compartment, MCLA-117 binds to cells expressing CD3 and CLEC12A but not to early myeloid progenitors or hematopoietic stem cells. MCLA-117 induces T cell activation (EC50 = 44 ng/mL), T cell proliferation, mild pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and redirects T cells to lyse CLEC12APOS target cells (EC50 = 68 ng/mL). MCLA-117-induced targeting of normal CD34POS cells co-cultured with T cells spares erythrocyte and megakaryocyte differentiation as well as preserves mono-myelocytic lineage development. In primary AML patient samples with autologous T cells, MCLA-117 robustly induced AML blast killing (23–98%) at low effector-to-target ratios (1:3–1:97). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that MCLA-117 efficiently redirects T cells to kill tumour cells while sparing the potential of the bone marrow to develop the full hematological compartment and support further clinical evaluation as a potentially potent treatment option for AML.

When thermite mixtures combust considerable amounts of gas can be released which impedes their application in the field of joining. Diluting the thermite mixture with excess metal can lower the reaction temperature and thereby minimize mass ejection. However, increasing the degree of dilution reduces reaction efficiency. This paper demonstrates that the reduction of reaction efficiency is significantly less for the Al/NiO thermite system if the excess metal (Ni) is added using a fuel/core-shell mixture in which Al fuel particles are mixed with Ni/NiO core-shell particles. The use of Ni/NiO core-shell particles reduces the average distance for aluminum and oxygen intermixing by placing the fuel (Al) in direct contact with the oxide (NiO), separate from the diluent (Ni). Mixtures comprised of Al and Ni/NiO core-shell powders were fabricated, characterized, and compared to compacts fabricated using conventional Al, NiO, and Ni powders for dilutions up to 40 wt% Ni. The fuel/core-shell particle geometry increased combustion front velocities for all Ni dilutions. Mass ejection decreased uniformly for both particle geometries as the degree of dilution increased.

Paediatric obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, resulting in significant adverse effects on health and wellbeing. Early life events, including those that happen before, during, and after pregnancy can predispose children to later obesity. The purpose of this review is to examine the magnitude of obesity among New Zealand children and adolescents, and to determine their underlying risk factors and associated comorbidities. PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar searches were performed using the key terms “obesity”, “overweight”, “children”, “adolescents”, and “New Zealand”. Obesity is a major public health concern in New Zealand, with more than 33% of children and adolescents aged 2–14 years being overweight or obese. Obesity disproportionately affects Māori (New Zealand’s indigenous population) and Pacific children and adolescents, as well as those of lower socioeconomic status. New Zealand’s obesity epidemic is associated with numerous health issues, including cardiometabolic, gastrointestinal, and psychological problems, which also disproportionately affect Māori and Pacific children and adolescents. Notably, a number of factors may be useful to identify those at increased risk (such as demographic and anthropometric characteristics) and inform possible interventions. The prevalence of overweight and obese children and adolescents in New Zealand is markedly high, with a greater impact on particular ethnicities and those of lower socioeconomic status. Alleviating the current burden of pediatric obesity should be a key priority for New Zealand, for the benefit of both current and subsequent generations. Future strategies should focus on obesity prevention, particularly starting at a young age and targeting those at greatest risk.

We explore rotary swaging of powders into solid compacts as an inexpensive means of producing reactive materials with refined microstructures and improved properties. Rotary swaging is a cold forging process that reduces the diameter of tubes, and in this study the tubes are packed with reactive combinations of elemental and alloy powders. The diameter reductions create a nearly fully dense compact from the powders and also reduce the average reactant spacing through plastic deformation. The extent of diameter reduction controls the microstructural refinement, observed through cross-sectional imaging. We correlate the observed changes in microstructure with reaction properties that are characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hot-plate ignition studies, and velocity measurements. Exothermic peaks in DSC scans all shift to lower onset temperatures; hot plate ignition temperatures decrease; and reaction velocities rise as the degree of swaging is increased. We vary the shape of the initial reactants by substituting Ni flakes for Ni powders and find no improvement in microstructure or reaction properties, due to clumping of the Ni flakes during the initial compaction steps. We also vary chemistry by substituting Al-Mg alloy powders for Al powders and find that the alloy powders yield lower DSC exothermic peak temperatures, lower ignition temperatures, and higher reaction velocities compared to similar compacts with pure Al powders. This combination of results suggests that rotary swaging is an effective technique for producing reactive materials at low cost.

A new mechanical method for creating reactive laminate powders has been developed using a two-step process; in the first step bulk reactive materials are created by cold-rolling stacks of alternating sheets of nickel and aluminum into foils with bilayer thicknesses ranging from 2.9 to 1.8 μm. This step establishes the average reactant spacing and, hence, the reactivity of the material. In the second step the rolled foils are then ground into laminate powders and sieved based on their diameters, which range from 850 to 53 μm. Our processing methodology allows the particle size and the reactant spacing to be varied independently. Powders made by this method have heat releases within a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) that vary with the average reactant spacing, similar to rolled and sputter deposited foils. However, the measured heats also vary with the average diameter of the powders, as smaller particles show a systematic decrease in heat. Furthermore, this effect is magnified for the powders with the coarsest microstructure, as they show the largest drop in DSC heat release. The physical densities also vary as a function of particle size. The powders with the largest average bilayer thickness become Ni-rich at the smallest particle sizes, powders with the next finest average bilayer thickness become Al-rich, and powders with the smallest average bilayer thickness show little variation. We attribute the particle size dependence of the DSC heats to small powders being broken from regions of the original rolled foils that contain a high volume fraction of Ni-rich and Al-rich bilayers. These microstructural and chemical variations alter the exothermic reactions that are seen during slow heating in a DSC, as well as the heats of reaction that are measured in the DSC as a function of powder size. We support this hypothesis of non-random breakup during grinding by simulating bimodal distributions of bilayer chemistry within powders and modeling their densities and heats of reaction. The simulations are compared with measured values. Finally, we normalize the effects of particle size and bilayer thickness by plotting the measured DSC heats of reaction versus the number of bilayers per particle; the values merge toward one curve, with the largest decrease in heat occurring when there are fewer than 150 bilayers in each particle. This ratio proves useful when selecting particles for particular applications.

Ni:Al laminate composites were fabricated by repeatedly cold-rolling Al and Ni foils that were stacked together with initial thicknesses of 25 and 18 μm, respectively. The rolling process consisted of multiple 50 % thickness reductions wherein the first reduction was followed by cutting, restacking, and rerolling to achieve a total of three, six or nine 50 % thickness reductions. However, some of the laminates also received a more mild series of six 20 % thickness reductions without restacking. An analysis program was written and used to quantify the distribution of layer thicknesses, bilayer thicknesses and local chemistries for the complex laminate microstructures, while also preserving positional information for the constituent layers. The resulting distributions show that while we see no clustering of very large bilayers in any of the composites, the heavily rolled laminates with only 50 % thickness reductions have a higher percentage of very large bilayers, relative to the volume mean bilayer, compared to laminates with the additional 20 % thickness reductions. This phenomenon is attributed to less uniform layer deformation and more layer pinch-off with 50 % thickness reductions compared to the more gradual 20 % thickness reductions. Differential scanning calorimetry was performed on the laminates to determine the exothermic peak temperatures and the total energy released during controlled heating. Peak temperatures correlate with the volume average bilayer thickness, while the energy release correlates with the bilayer thickness distribution. The velocity and maximum temperature of self-propagating reactions were measured for the laminates and were found to vary according to processing conditions but not according to the volume average bilayer thickness. Foils with 20 % thickness reductions have both hotter and faster reactions compared to samples with only 50 % thickness reductions. The distributions of layer thicknesses, bilayer thicknesses, and local chemistries within the laminates are used to predict the maximum temperature during reaction. The velocities of the unsteady reaction propagations, though, could not be predicted effectively, at least with current analytical models.

Emerging zoonotic diseases are of increasing regional and global importance. Preventing occupational exposure to zoonotic diseases protects workers as well as their families, communities, and the public health. Workers can be protected from zoonotic diseases most effectively by preventing and controlling diseases in animals, reducing workplace exposures, and educating workers. Certain avian influenza viruses are potential zoonotic disease agents that may be transmitted from infected birds to humans. Poultry workers are at risk of becoming infected with these viruses if they are exposed to infected birds or virus-contaminated materials or environments. Critical components of worker protection include educating employers and training poultry workers about occupational exposure to avian influenza viruses. Other recommendations for protecting poultry workers include the use of good hygiene and work practices, personal protective clothing and equipment, vaccination for seasonal influenza viruses, antiviral medication, and medical surveillance. Current recommendations for protecting poultry workers from exposure to avian influenza viruses are summarized in this article.

Circulating antigens released from tumor cells can drain into the spleen and be acquired by resident antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Here, we examined the ability of splenic dendritic cells to cross-present tumor antigens to CD8+ T cells and investigated the effects that this has on T-cell therapy in a murine model of lymphoma. In the presence of established lymphoma, langerin (CD207)-expressing CD8α+ dendritic cells acquired, processed, and cross-presented tumor antigens to naive CD8+ T cells. Although this resulted in initial T-cell proliferation, the T-cell population failed to expand measurably over the following days, and tumor-free survival was actually improved when langerin-expressing cells were depleted. In contrast, following adoptive T-cell therapy with in vitro-activated CD8+ T cells, marked antitumor activity was observed and associated with accumulation of activated antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in the spleen and blood, whereas tumor protection and T-cell accumulation were significantly reduced in animals depleted of langerin-expressing cells. Therefore, although resident APCs that acquire tumor antigens may induce tolerance in naive cells in the absence of further stimuli, they can play an important role in promoting antitumor immunity during the course of T-cell therapy. It is possible that further therapeutic benefit will result from improving the activation status of these APCs.

Veterinary clinic employers have a legal and ethical responsibility to provide a safe and healthy workplace. Clinic members are responsible for consistently using safe practices and procedures set up by their employer. Development and implementation of a customized comprehensive workplace safety and health program is emphasized, including an infection control plan. Occupational safety and health regulations are reviewed. The hazards of sharps, animal bites and scratches, and drugs are discussed. Strategies to prevent or minimize adverse health effects and resources for training and education are provided.

Many acute leukemia patients treated with chemotherapy are at high risk of relapse without allogeneic stem cell transplantation, an immunotherapy that is limited by significant toxicity and donor availability. We propose that post-remission vaccination with a simple autologous whole cell vaccine adjuvanted with α-galactosylceramide may be effective to prevent relapse of acute leukemia.

Acute leukemias with adverse prognostic features carry a high relapse rate without allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Allo-SCT has a high morbidity and is precluded for many patients because of advanced age or comorbidities. Postremission therapies with reduced toxicities are urgently needed. The murine acute leukemia model C1498 was used to study the efficacy of an intravenously administered vaccine consisting of irradiated leukemia cells loaded with the natural killer T (NKT)-cell agonist α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer). Prophylactically, the vaccine was highly effective at preventing leukemia development through the downstream activities of activated NKT cells, which were dependent on splenic langerin(+)CD8α(+) dendritic cells and which led to stimulation of antileukemia CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. However, hosts with established leukemia received no protective benefit from the vaccine, despite inducing NKT-cell activation. Established leukemia was associated with increases in regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and the leukemic cells themselves were highly suppressive in vitro. Although this suppressive environment impaired both effector arms of the immune response, CD4(+) T-cell responses were more severely affected. When cytarabine chemotherapy was administered prior to vaccination, all animals in remission posttherapy were protected against rechallenge with viable leukemia cells.

Animal hoarding is an under-recognized problem that exists in most communities and adversely impacts the health, welfare, and safety of humans, animals, and the environment. These guidelines address public health and worker safety concerns in handling situations where animal hoarding or other dense concentrations of animals have caused unhealthy and unsafe conditions. Because animal hoarding situations are often complex, a full response is likely to be prolonged and require a cross-jurisdictional multiagency effort. Each animal hoarding case has unique circumstances related to the types and numbers of animals involved, the physical structure(s) where they are being kept, and the health status of the animals, among other factors that must be taken into account in planning a response. Some general public health considerations and associated recommendations for personal protective equipment use are presented that apply to all cases, however.

Background In October 2007, a cluster of patients experiencing a novel polyradiculoneuropathy was identified at a pork abattoir (Plant A). Patients worked in the primary carcass processing area (warm room); the majority processed severed heads (head-table). An investigation was initiated to determine risk factors for illness. Methods and Results Symptoms of the reported patients were unlike previously described occupational associated illnesses. A case-control study was conducted at Plant A. A case was defined as evidence of symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and compatible electrodiagnostic testing in a pork abattoir worker. Two control groups were used - randomly selected non-ill warm-room workers (n = 49), and all non-ill head-table workers (n = 56). Consenting cases and controls were interviewed and blood and throat swabs were collected. The 26 largest U.S. pork abattoirs were surveyed to identify additional cases. Fifteen cases were identified at Plant A; illness onsets occurred during May 2004–November 2007. Median age was 32 years (range, 21–55 years). Cases were more likely than warm-room controls to have ever worked at the head-table (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 6.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6–26.7), removed brains or removed muscle from the backs of heads (AOR, 10.3; 95% CI, 1.5–68.5), and worked within 0–10 feet of the brain removal operation (AOR, 9.9; 95% CI, 1.2–80.0). Associations remained when comparing head-table cases and head-table controls. Workers removed brains by using compressed air that liquefied brain and generated aerosolized droplets, exposing themselves and nearby workers. Eight additional cases were identified in the only two other abattoirs using this technique. The three abattoirs that used this technique have stopped brain removal, and no new cases have been reported after 24 months of follow up. Cases compared to controls had higher median interferon-gamma (IFNγ) levels (21.7 pg/ml; vs 14.8 pg/ml, P

Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) is a promising new area of anti-cancer therapy. The process involves the isolation of T cells from a patient's blood, in vitro stimulation of the T cells against cancer antigens, then re-infusion of the activated cells back into the patient. This process provides a population of effector CD8 T cells capable of recognizing and killing cancer cells. ACT is currently limited by the ability of the transferred cells to survive in high numbers for an extended period of time and therefore overcoming this problem is a focus to improve the efficacy of the treatment. The activation of cancer-specific CD8 T cells is dependent on the ability of dendritic cells (DCs) to acquire and present exogenous antigens on major histocompatibility complex class I (a process known as cross-presentation) for the stimulation of CD8 T cells. We have previously found a subset of splenic DCs expressing the CD8αα homodimer and the c-type lectin receptor langerin (CD207), that have a strong ability to activate CD8 T cells by cross-presentation. This DC subset is found in the marginal zone of the spleen, is highly efficient at phagocytosing apoptotic cells from the blood, and is believed to play an important role in scanning the blood for antigens. We therefore hypothesized that CD8αα+ langerin+ DCs influence the survival and expansion of adoptively transferred effector CD8 T cells in the blood. Within this project we have used langerin-diphtheria toxin receptor mice, in which all langerin-expressing cells are ablated in vivo upon injection of diphtheria toxin, to address the role of the CD8αα+ langerin+ DC subset in maintaining the CD8 T cell population after ACT. For this purpose, we challenged mice intravenously with the T cell thymoma EG7.OVA and adoptively transferred in vitro activated OVA-specific CD8 T cells (OT-I T cells) 12 days later with or without prior langerin-DC depletion. We found a larger population of OT-I T cells when these were transferred into an EG7.OVA bearing host when compared to mice without tumors. Interestingly, mice that were depleted of their CD8αα+ langerin+ DCs did not develop this increase in OT-I T cell number and their absence resulted in reduced survival. Our data therefore suggest that antigen presentation by CD8αα+ langerin+ DCs play a role in sustaining high numbers of transferred CD8 T cells after ACT, resulting in increased protection against EG7.OVA. Manipulations that increase the stimulatory capacity of this DC subset could be a way to increase the efficacy of ACT therapy. Citation Format: John David Gibbins, Ian Hermans, Troels Petersen. CD8αα+ langerin+ dendritic cells maintain the effector CD8 T cell population after adoptive transfer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology: Multidisciplinary Science Driving Basic and Clinical Advances; Dec 2-5, 2012; Miami, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B72.