scholarly journals Comparison of COVID-19 Health Risks With Other Viral Occupational Hazards

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Unger
Keyword(s):  
Trade Unions ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Occupational Hazards ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Public ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Effective Prophylaxis ◽  
European Trade ◽  
Group 3

The European Commission periodically classifies viruses on their occupational hazards to define the level of protection that workers are entitled to claim. Viruses belonging to Groups 3 and 4 can cause severe human disease and hazard to workers, as well as a spreading risk to the community. However, there is no effective prophylaxis or treatment available for Group 4 viruses. European trade unions and the Commission are negotiating the classification of the COVID-19 virus along these 2 categories. This article weighs the reasons to classify it in Group 3 or 4 while comparing its risks to those of the most significant viruses classified in these 2 categories. COVID-19 characteristics justify its classification in Group 4. Contaminated workers in contact with the public play an important role in disseminating the virus. In hospitals and nursing homes, they increase the overall case fatality rate. By strongly protecting these workers and professionals, the European Union would not only improve health in work environments, but also activate a mechanism key to reducing the COVID-19 burden in the general population. Admittedly, the availability of a new vaccine or treatment would change this conclusion, which was reached in the middle of the first pandemic.

scholarly journals Immunohistochemical and nanoString-Based Subgrouping of Clinical Medulloblastoma Samples

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen E D’Arcy ◽  
Liana Figueiredo Nobre ◽  
Anthony Arnaldo ◽  
Vijay Ramaswamy ◽  
Michael D Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sonic Hedgehog ◽  
Expression Profiling ◽  
Ffpe Tissue ◽  
Filamin A ◽  
Study Materials ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
P53 Antibodies ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Highly Correlated

Abstract The diagnosis of medulloblastoma incorporates the histologic and molecular subclassification of clinical medulloblastoma samples into wingless (WNT)-activated, sonic hedgehog (SHH)-activated, group 3 and group 4 subgroups. Accurate medulloblastoma subclassification has important prognostic and treatment implications. Immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based and nanoString-based subgrouping methodologies have been independently described as options for medulloblastoma subgrouping, however have not previously been directly compared. We describe our experience with nanoString-based subgrouping in a clinical setting and compare this with our IHC-based results. Study materials included FFPE tissue from 160 medulloblastomas. Clinical data and tumor histology were reviewed. Immunohistochemical-based subgrouping using β-catenin, filamin A and p53 antibodies and nanoString-based gene expression profiling were performed. The sensitivity and specificity of IHC-based subgrouping of WNT and SHH-activated medulloblastomas was 91.5% and 99.54%, respectively. Filamin A immunopositivity highly correlated with SHH/WNT-activated subgroups (sensitivity 100%, specificity 92.7%, p < 0.001). Nuclear β-catenin immunopositivity had a sensitivity of 76.2% and specificity of 99.23% for detection of WNT-activated tumors. Approximately 23.8% of WNT cases would have been missed using an IHC-based subgrouping method alone. nanoString could confidently predict medulloblastoma subgroup in 93% of cases and could distinguish group 3/4 subgroups in 96.3% of cases. nanoString-based subgrouping allows for a more prognostically useful classification of clinical medulloblastoma samples.

Trade unions strategies to address inclusion of vulnerable employees in “anchored” services in Europe

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 848-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vassil Kirov ◽  
Pernille Hohnen
Keyword(s):  
Trade Unions ◽  
National Level ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Social Partner ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Content Type ◽  
European Trade ◽  
Desk Research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how trade unions may address the questions of inclusion of vulnerable employees in low-wage “anchored” sectors in the European Union. Design/methodology/approach – The findings presented in the paper are mainly results of the analysis of stakeholder policies and strategies on the national level and on the European level, including both desk research and interviews with social partner representatives and other experts in the sectors as well as company case studies carried out in the examined countries in three selected sectors: cleaning, waste collection and catering. Findings – The main findings of the paper refer to the indirect way in which trade unions try to promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the examined sectors. On this basis are formulated policy recommendations. Research limitations/implications – The paper is based on case study research that does not cover all possible “anchored” services, vulnerable groups and types of countries, according to their employment and social models. Practical implications – This paper formulates practical recommendations to European trade unions in the services. Originality/value – The originality of the paper is related to comparative research focused on services sectors and the consequences of the spatial reorganisation of sectors for the trade union actions.

The ETUC policy on services of general interest

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-233
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Kowalsky
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Processes Of Change ◽  
The Public ◽  
Charter Of Fundamental Rights ◽  
European Trade ◽  
Services Of General Interest

In view of the dramatic processes of change under way in the public sector and services of general interest, the ETUC has been obliged to reconsider its policies. The article describes the efforts made by the ETUC in the context of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the drafting of a proposals for a framework directive. The next challenge to be faced is that of influencing the Convention on the Future of Europe, which requires that European trade unions make urgent efforts to redefine and develop their positions on public services.

Taxonomic Studies Using Multivariate Analysis of Eriobotrya Based on Morphological Traits

Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 302 (2) ◽  
pp. 122 ◽  
Author(s):  
ZHIKE ZHANG ◽  
GUIFEN LI ◽  
XIANGHUI YANG ◽  
SHUNQUAN LIN
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Traditional Taxonomy ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 5 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Taxonomic Studies ◽  
Total Agreement

A phenetic analysis was obtained using numerical taxonomy involving 27 accessories composed of species and varieties of Eriobotrya Lindl. and two related species, Photinia serrulata Lindl., and Rhapiolepis indica Lindl. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to separate 53 morphological traits. Leaf morphology was essential for the classification of Eriobotrya. Clustering was consistent with traditional taxonomy. Eriobotrya was distinctly separate from its related genera, and when the similarity coefficient was 0.55, the Eriobotrya accessions could be divided into five groups as follows: Group 1: species with small leaf, included E. angustissima Hook. f., E. henryi Nakai, and E. seguinii Cardot ex Guillaumin; Group 2: Species with mid-size and large leaf included E. japonica Lindl., E. malipoensis K.C. Kuan, E. serrata J.E. Vidal, and E. stipularis Craib; Group 3: Species with large leaf distributed in tropical and south subtropical areas, E. elliptica Lindl., E. ellliptica f. peniolata Hook., and E. elliptica var. petelottii Vidal; Group 4: Species with tomentose leaves included E. prinoides Rehder & E.H. Wilson,  E.× daduheensis H.Z. Zhang ex W.B. Liao, Q. Fan & M.Y. Ding, E. prinoides var. laotica Vidal, E. salwinensis Hand.-Mass., and E. tengyuehensis W.W. Smith; Group 5: All the remaining species including E. bengalensis Hook. f. bengalensis, E. bengalensis (Roxb.) Hook. f. forma angustifolia (Card.) Vidal E. cavaleriei Rehder, E deflexa Nakai, E. deflexa f. buisanensis Nakia, E. deflexa f. koshunensis, E. fragrans Champ. ex Benth., E. kwangsiensis, E. obovata, and E. potlanei Vidal. Our results were in total agreement with the traditional taxonomy of Eriobotrya classification and provide a foundation for the classification and genetic improvement of loquat germplasm.

Limitations, Defences, and Genuine Use

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Kur ◽  
Martin Senftleben
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Property Rights ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Trade Mark ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Public ◽  
Competing Interests ◽  
Domestic Legislation ◽  
Genuine Use ◽  
European Trade ◽  
The Common

As with other intellectual property rights, the exclusive rights of the trade mark proprietor are limited in several respects. At the international level, Article 17 TRIPS offers room for the adoption of ‘limited exceptions’ in domestic legislation (see paragraphs 2.68–2.72). On this basis, Article 14 of the Trade Mark Directive (TMD) and Article 12 of the European Trade Mark Regulation (EUTMR) provide a tool for reconciling the interests of the trade mark owner with competing interests of other traders and the public at large. As explained by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), these provisions, by limiting the effects of the exclusive rights of the trade mark owner, seek ‘to reconcile the fundamental interests of trade mark protection with those of free movement of goods and freedom to provide services in the common market in such a way that trade mark rights are able to fulfil their essential role in the system of undistorted competition which the Treaty seeks to establish and maintain’.

scholarly journals The evolution of medulloblastoma therapy to personalized medicine

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soma Sengupta ◽  
Daniel Pomeranz Krummel ◽  
Scott Pomeroy
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Cancer Genomics ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Sonic Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
New Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Group 3

Recent advances in cancer genomics have revolutionized the characterization and classification of medulloblastomas. According to the current WHO guidelines, medulloblastomas are now classified into the following molecularly defined groups: Wnt signaling pathway (WNT)-activated, sonic hedgehog signaling pathway (SHH)-activated and tumor suppressor protein p53 (TP53)-mutant, SHH-activated and TP53-wildtype, and non-WNT/non-SHH (i.e. group 3 and group 4). Importantly, genomic, epigenomic, and proteomic advances have created a potential paradigm shift in therapeutic options. The challenge now is to (i) translate these observations into new therapeutic approaches and (ii) employ these observations in clinical practice, utilizing the classification following a molecular analysis for diagnosis and application of new subgroup-specific targeted therapeutics.

scholarly journals Qualitative Assessment of Scleral Shape Patterns Using a New Wide Field Ocular Surface Elevation Topographer

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory DeNaeyer ◽  
Donald Sanders ◽  
Eef Van der Worp ◽  
Jason Jedlicka ◽  
Langis Michaud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
New Classification ◽  
Landing Zone ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Background and Objectives: Objective was to examine new findings regarding conjunctival/scleral shape mapped with a novel wide field elevation topography device and software, to propose a new classification system for scleral shape. Methods: The Scleral Shape Study Group (SSSG) collaborated on this research. Data was collected from 152 eyes of prospective scleral lens patients utilizing a new topography device and software specifically designed to measure and map the sclera out to as much as 22 mm. Circumferential scleral plots of sagittal height vs. meridian at 14, 15 and 16mm diameters from the corneal center were generated for each eye. Scleral shape patterns were reviewed in all cases and classified according to recurring characteristics. Results: Twelve eyes were excluded from the analysis due to incomplete data. Of the remaining 140 eyes, 8 (5.7%), of the plots were primarily spherical (Group 1) and 40 (28.6%) were primarily regularly toric, largely conforming to a toric (Sin2) curve with approximately 180° periodicity or interval between elevation to elevation or depression to depression (Group 2). Fifty-seven cases (40.7%) had asymmetric depressions (or steep areas) or asymmetric elevations (or flat areas) which were classified as Group 3. The remaining 35 cases (26%) had a recognizable toric pattern with elevations and depressions but they were irregularly spaced or did not have the customary 180° periodicity (Group 4). Conclusion: A new classification of conjunctival/scleral shape is presented based upon data now available through wide field elevation topography, which could be helpful in scleral lens fitting and potentially soft lens fitting as the landing zone of these lenses are beyond the corneal borders.

Morphological Changes in the Rat Granulosa Cell Surface During Differentiation Induced by Estradiol and Gonadotropins

1977 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 484-485
Author(s):  
P. Bagavandoss ◽  
JoAnne S. Richards ◽  
A. Rees Midgley
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Granulosa Cell ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 5 ◽  
Group 2

During follicular development in the mammalian ovary, several functional changes occur in the granulosa cells in response to steroid hormones and gonadotropins (1,2). In particular, marked changes in the content of membrane-associated receptors for the gonadotropins have been observed (1).We report here scanning electron microscope observations of morphological changes that occur on the granulosa cell surface in response to the administration of estradiol, human follicle stimulating hormone (hFSH), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).Immature female rats that were hypophysectcmized on day 24 of age were treated in the following manner. Group 1: control groups were injected once a day with 0.1 ml phosphate buffered saline (PBS) for 3 days; group 2: estradiol (1.5 mg/0.2 ml propylene glycol) once a day for 3 days; group 3: estradiol for 3 days followed by 2 days of hFSH (1 μg/0.1 ml) twice daily, group 4: same as in group 3; group 5: same as in group 3 with a final injection of hCG (5 IU/0.1 ml) on the fifth day.

Correlation of γ-radioactivity and Scanning Electron Microscopy in measurement of retention of 111Indium-labeled canine endothelial cells on synthetic vascular grafts

1989 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 886-887
Author(s):  
E.J. Prendiville ◽  
S. Laliberté Verdon ◽  
K. E. Gould ◽  
K. Ramberg ◽  
R. J. Connolly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Vascular Grafts ◽  
Retention Data ◽  
Vascular Prostheses ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Human Fibronectin ◽  
Insufficient Time ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2

Endothelial cell (EC) seeding is postulated as a mechanism of improving patency in small caliber vascular grafts. However the majority of seeded EC are lost within 24 hours of restoration of blood flow in previous canine studies . We postulate that the cells have insufficient time to fully develop their attachment to the graft surface prior to exposure to hemodynamic stress. We allowed EC to incubate on fibronectin-coated ePTFE grafts for four different time periods after seeding and measured EC retention after perfusion in a canine ex vivo shunt circuit.Autologous canine EC, were enzymatically harvested, grown to confluence, and labeled with 30 μCi 111 Indium-oxine/80 cm 2 flask. Four groups of 5 cm x 4 mm ID ePTFE vascular prostheses were coated with 1.5 μg/cm.2 human fibronectin, and seeded with 1.5 x 105 EC/ cm.2. After seeding grafts in Group 1 were incubated in complete growth medium for 90 minutes, Group 2 were incubated for 24 hours, Group 3 for 72 hours and Group 4 for 6 days. Grafts were then placed in the canine ex vivo circuit, constructed between femoral artery and vein, and subjected to blood flow of 75 ml per minute for 6 hours. Continuous counting of γ-activity was made possible by placing the seeded graft inside the γ-counter detection crystal for the duration of perfusion. EC retention data after 30 minutes, 2 hours and 6 hours of flow are shown in the table.

In-vivo evaluation of the effect of cyanoacrylate on prosthetic vascular graft infection – does cyanoacrylate increase the severity of infection?

VASA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 281-284
Author(s):  
Atıf Yolgosteren ◽  
Gencehan Kumtepe ◽  
Melda Payaslioglu ◽  
Cuneyt Ozakin
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Graft ◽  
Graft Infection ◽  
Vascular Graft Infection ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Prosthetic Vascular Graft Infection ◽  
Group 1

Summary. Background: Prosthetic vascular graft infection (PVGI) is a complication with high mortality. Cyanoacrylate (CA) is an adhesive which has been used in a number of surgical procedures. In this in-vivo study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between PVGI and CA. Materials and methods: Thirty-two rats were equally divided into four groups. Pouch was formed on back of rats until deep fascia. In group 1, vascular graft with polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) was placed into pouch. In group 2, MRSA strain with a density of 1 ml 0.5 MacFarland was injected into pouch. In group 3, 1 cm 2 vascular graft with PET piece was placed into pouch and MRSA strain with a density of 1 ml 0.5 MacFarland was injected. In group 4, 1 cm 2 vascular graft with PET piece impregnated with N-butyl cyanoacrylate-based adhesive was placed and MRSA strain with a density of 1 ml 0.5 MacFarland was injected. All rats were scarified in 96th hour, culture samples were taken where intervention was performed and were evaluated microbiologically. Bacteria reproducing in each group were numerically evaluated based on colony-forming unit (CFU/ml) and compared by taking their average. Results: MRSA reproduction of 0 CFU/ml in group 1, of 1410 CFU/ml in group 2, of 180 200 CFU/ml in group 3 and of 625 300 CFU/ml in group 4 was present. A statistically significant difference was present between group 1 and group 4 (p < 0.01), between group 2 and group 4 (p < 0.01), between group 3 and group 4 (p < 0.05). In terms of reproduction, no statistically significant difference was found in group 1, group 2, group 3 in themselves. Conclusions: We observed that the rate of infection increased in the cyanoacyrylate group where cyanoacrylate was used. We think that surgeon should be more careful in using CA in vascular surgery.

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