scholarly journals Detection of Neisseria meningitidis in Saliva and Oropharyngeal Samples from College Students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem Miellet ◽  
Rob Mariman ◽  
Gerlinde Pluister ◽  
Lieke J de Jong ◽  
Ivo Grift ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Bacterial Growth ◽  
Detection Method ◽  
Vaccine Introduction ◽  
Vaccine Type ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Carriage Prevalence

Objectives: Since conjugated polysaccharide vaccines reduce carriage of vaccine-type Neisseria meningitidis strains, meningococcal carriage is an accepted endpoint in monitoring vaccine effects. We have assessed vaccine-type genogroup carriage prevalence in students at the time of MenACWY vaccine introduction in The Netherlands. In addition, we evaluated the feasibility of saliva sampling and qPCR-based detection method for the surveillance of meningococcal carriage. Methods: Paired saliva and oropharyngeal samples, collected from 299 students, were cultured for meningococcus. The DNA extracted from all bacterial growth was subjected to qPCRs quantifying meningococcal presence and genogroup-specific genes. Samples negative by culture yet positive for qPCR were cultured again for meningococcus. Results for saliva were compared with oropharyngeal samples. Results: Altogether 74 (25% of 299) students were identified as meningococcal carrier by any method used. Sixty-one students (20%) were identified as carriers with qPCR. The difference between number of qPCR-positive oropharyngeal (n=59) and saliva (n=52) samples was not significant (McNemars test, p=0.07). Meningococci were cultured from 72 students (24%), with a significantly higher (p<0.001) number of oropharyngeal (n=70) compared with saliva (n=54) samples. The prevalence of genogroups A, B, C, W, and Y was none, 9%, 1% and 6%, respectively, and 8% of students carried MenACWY vaccine-type genogroup meningococci. Conclusions: We show that the detected prevalence of meningococcal carriage between oropharyngeal and saliva samples was nondifferent with qPCR and moreover, detection with both samples was highly concordant. Saliva is easy to collect and when combined with qPCR detection can be considered for meningococcal carriage studies.

scholarly journals Detection of Neisseria meningitidis in saliva and oropharyngeal samples from college students

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem R. Miellet ◽  
Rob Mariman ◽  
Gerlinde Pluister ◽  
Lieke J. de Jong ◽  
Ivo Grift ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Bacterial Growth ◽  
Meningococcal Vaccines ◽  
Vaccine Introduction ◽  
Vaccine Type ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Mcnemar’S Test ◽  
Carriage Prevalence

AbstractCarriage of Neisseria meningitidis is an accepted endpoint in monitoring meningococcal vaccines effects. We have assessed N. meningitidis and vaccine-type genogroup carriage prevalence in college students at the time of MenACWY vaccine introduction in the Netherlands, and evaluated the feasibility of saliva sampling for the surveillance of carriage. For this, paired saliva and oropharyngeal samples collected from 299 students were cultured for meningococcus. The DNA extracted from all bacterial growth was subjected to qPCRs quantifying meningococcal and genogroup-specific genes presence. Samples negative by culture yet positive for qPCR were cultured again for meningococcus. Altogether 74 (25%) of students were identified as meningococcal carrier by any method. Sixty-one students (20%) were identified as carriers with qPCR. The difference between number of qPCR-positive oropharyngeal (n = 59) and saliva (n = 52) samples was not significant (McNemar’s test, p = 0.07). Meningococci were cultured from 72 students (24%), with a significantly higher (p < 0.001) number of oropharyngeal (n = 70) compared with saliva (n = 54) samples. The prevalence of genogroups A, B, C, W, and Y was none, 9%, 1%, 1% and 6%, respectively, and 8% of students carried MenACWY vaccine-type genogroup meningococci. Saliva is easy to collect and when combined with qPCR detection can be considered for meningococcal carriage studies.

scholarly journals Effect of 10-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine on Streptococcus pneumoniae Nasopharyngeal Carriage Among Children Less Than 5 Years Old: 3 Years Post-10-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Introduction in Mozambique

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra J Valenciano ◽  
Benild Moiane ◽  
Fernanda C Lessa ◽  
Alberto Chaúque ◽  
Sergio Massora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conjugate Vaccine ◽  
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccine Introduction ◽  
Pneumococcal Carriage ◽  
Binomial Regression ◽  
Vaccine Type ◽  
Catch Up ◽  
Carriage Prevalence

Abstract Background Mozambique introduced 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) in 2013 with doses at ages 2, 3, and 4 months and no catch-up or booster dose. We evaluated PCV10 impact on the carriage of vaccine-type (VT), non-VT, and antimicrobial non-susceptible pneumococci 3 years after introduction. Methods We conducted cross-sectional carriage surveys among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected children aged 6 weeks to 59 months: 1 pre-PCV10 (2012–2013 [Baseline]) and 2 post-PCV10 introductions (2014–2015 [Post1] and 2015–2016 [Post2]). Pneumococci isolated from nasopharyngeal swabs underwent Quellung serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Non-susceptible isolates (intermediate or resistant) were defined using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute 2018 breakpoints. We used log-binomial regression to estimate changes in the pneumococcal carriage between survey periods. We compared proportions of non-susceptible pneumococci between Baseline and Post2. Results We enrolled 720 children at Baseline, 911 at Post1, and 1208 at Post2. Baseline VT carriage was similar for HIV-uninfected (36.0%, 110/306) and HIV-infected children (34.8%, 144/414). VT carriage was 36% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19%–49%) and 27% (95% CI: 11%–41%) lower in Post1 vs baseline among HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected children, respectively. VT carriage prevalence declined in Post2 vs Post1 for HIV-uninfected but remained stable for HIV-infected children. VT carriage prevalence 3 years after PCV10 introduction was 14.5% in HIV-uninfected and 21.0% in HIV-infected children. Pneumococcal isolates non-susceptible to penicillin declined from 66.0% to 56.2% (P= .0281) among HIV-infected children. Conclusions VT and antimicrobial non-susceptible pneumococci carriage dropped after PCV10 introduction, especially in HIV-uninfected children. However, VT carriage remained common, indicating ongoing VT pneumococci transmission.

scholarly journals Distribution and Severity of Placental Lesions Caused by the Chlamydia abortus 1B Vaccine Strain in Vaccinated Ewes

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 543
Author(s):  
Sergio Gastón Caspe ◽  
Javier Palarea-Albaladejo ◽  
Clare Underwood ◽  
Morag Livingstone ◽  
Sean Ranjan Wattegedera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Placental Pathology ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cell Infiltrate ◽  
Chlamydia Abortus ◽  
Vaccine Type ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Enzootic Abortion Of Ewes

Chlamydia abortus infects livestock species worldwide and is the cause of enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE). In Europe, control of the disease is achieved using a live vaccine based on C. abortus 1B strain. Although the vaccine has been useful for controlling disease outbreaks, abortion events due to the vaccine have been reported. Recently, placental pathology resulting from a vaccine type strain (vt) infection has been reported and shown to be similar to that resulting from a natural wild-type (wt) infection. The aim of this study was to extend these observations by comparing the distribution and severity of the lesions, the composition of the predominating cell infiltrate, the amount of bacteria present and the role of the blood supply in infection. A novel system for grading the histological and pathological features present was developed and the resulting multi-parameter data were statistically transformed for exploration and visualisation through a tailored principal component analysis (PCA) to evaluate the difference between them. The analysis provided no evidence of meaningful differences between vt and wt strains in terms of the measured pathological parameters. The study also contributes a novel methodology for analysing the progression of infection in the placenta for other abortifacient pathogens.

scholarly journals Mode Shape-Based Damage Detection Method (MSDI): Experimental Validation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 4589
Author(s):  
Ivan Duvnjak ◽  
Domagoj Damjanović ◽  
Marko Bartolac ◽  
Ana Skender
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Damage Detection ◽  
Mode Shape ◽  
Experimental Validation ◽  
Detection Method ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Damage Index ◽  
Main Principle ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Different Levels

The main principle of vibration-based damage detection in structures is to interpret the changes in dynamic properties of the structure as indicators of damage. In this study, the mode shape damage index (MSDI) method was used to identify discrete damages in plate-like structures. This damage index is based on the difference between modified modal displacements in the undamaged and damaged state of the structure. In order to assess the advantages and limitations of the proposed algorithm, we performed experimental modal analysis on a reinforced concrete (RC) plate under 10 different damage cases. The MSDI values were calculated through considering single and/or multiple damage locations, different levels of damage, and boundary conditions. The experimental results confirmed that the MSDI method can be used to detect the existence of damage, identify single and/or multiple damage locations, and estimate damage severity in the case of single discrete damage.

Elimination of outlier measurements for damage detection of structures under changing environmental conditions

2021 ◽  
pp. 147592172199847
Author(s):  
William Soo Lon Wah ◽  
Yining Xia
Keyword(s):  
Damage Detection ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Natural Frequencies ◽  
Detection Method ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Structure Model ◽  
Bridge Structure ◽  
Beam Structure ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
The Difference

Damage detection methods developed in the literature are affected by the presence of outlier measurements. These measurements can prevent small levels of damage to be detected. Therefore, a method to eliminate the effects of outlier measurements is proposed in this article. The method uses the difference in fits to examine how deleting an observation affects the predicted value of a model. This allows the observations that have a large influence on the model created, to be identified. These observations are the outlier measurements and they are eliminated from the database before the application of damage detection methods. Eliminating the outliers before the application of damage detection methods allows the normal procedures to detect damage, to be implemented. A multiple-regression-based damage detection method, which uses the natural frequencies as both the independent and dependent variables, is also developed in this article. A beam structure model and an experimental wooden bridge structure are analysed using the multiple-regression-based damage detection method with and without the application of the method proposed to eliminate the effects of outliers. The results obtained demonstrate that smaller levels of damage can be detected when the effects of outlier measurements are eliminated using the method proposed in this article.

Ready to Meet God? Faithfulness and the Death of a Loved One

2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282110147
Author(s):  
Douglas S. Krull
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Loved One ◽  
The Difference

Religiosity often predicts better adjustment after the death of a loved one, but findings vary. One source of variability could be the perceived faithfulness of the deceased. In study 1, more religious college students found the death of a hypothetical faithful person to be less sad than the death of a hypothetical unfaithful person, whereas less religious college students did not. In study 2, MTurk participants and highly religious Christians reported that the death of a faithful loved one was less difficult than the death of an unfaithful loved one, but the difference was greater for the highly religious Christians.

scholarly journals Characteristics of anteroposterior curvatures of the spine in soccer and futsal players

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystyna Chromik ◽  
Anna Burdukiewicz ◽  
Jadwiga Pietraszewska ◽  
Aleksandra Stachoń ◽  
Paweł Wolański ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Injury Prevention ◽  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Body Posture ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Prevention Training ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Post Hoc

AbstractPurpose. The aim of the study was to determine differences in anteroposterior spine curvatures between futsal players, soccer players, and non-training students. The results may contribute to the development of present-day knowledge of posturometry, and its implementation in training can help reduce the risk of body posture disorders in athletes. Methods. The examined group consisted of 48 athletes and 38 non-training college students. Body posture parameters were measured with the use of Posturometr-S. The normality of distribution was checked with the Shapiro-Wilk test, and the differences between the groups were measured with ANOVA and the Bonferroni post-hoc test. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results. The analysis of angle values revealed the widest and most similar measurements in the group of futsal players and soccer players. The analysis of variance proved statistically significant differences between the soccer players and futsal players (p = 0.003). The difference between the soccer players and non-training students was statistically significant. The highest γ angular value was measured in non-training students, followed by futsal players and soccer players. The statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the non-training students and futsal players, as well as non-training students and soccer players (p < 0.001). Conclusions. A complex assessment of athletes’ body posture is crucial in injury prevention. Training overloads may often lead to disorders of the organ of locomotion and affect the correct body posture in athletes. This, in turn, may result in pains and injuries.

Influence of Tobacco on Physical Fitness Recovery of College Students After Sports

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 3445-3451
Author(s):  
Chen Yake
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Exercise Time ◽  
Activity Intensity ◽  
Group I ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Experimental Group

Objectives: In this paper, the effects of tobacco on aerobic exercise ability and physical fitness recovery of college students were studied. Methods: University group sports intervention form: traditional characteristic project (basketball) + Taiji soft ball (R&D intervention project). Exercise time: 3 times/week; Activity duration: 30min; Activity intensity: the heart rate is controlled at 120-140 beats/min. All the college students in the experimental group are students who have never smoked, and the college students in the control group are students who have smoked for more than two years. The other conditions are the same. Results: The exercise time and endurance of experimental groups I and II were significantly lower than those of the control group, and the cardiopulmonary function was significantly lower than that of the control group. The indexes of experimental group II changed significantly compared with experimental group I, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Cigarette smoke can significantly reduce the aerobic exercise ability and anti fatigue ability. The longer the smoking time, the more serious the adverse effects. Therefore, tobacco smoke and nicotine will damage college students’ aerobic exercise ability and have a negative impact on the recovery of physical fitness after exercise.

Turkey and Europe: The Role of Migration

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-399
Author(s):  
Pieter Emmer
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Political Parties ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Full Member ◽  
Turkish Immigrants ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Eu

In spite of the fact that negotiations have been going on for years, the chances that Turkey will eventually become a full member of the European Union are slim. At present, a political majority among the EU-member states headed by Germany seems to oppose Turkey entering the EU. In the Netherlands, however, most political parties are still in favour of Turkey's membership. That difference coincides with the difference in the position of Turkish immigrants in German and Dutch societies.

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