scholarly journals Microbiological, Health and Comfort Aspects of Indoor Air Quality in a Romanian Historical Wooden Church

Author(s):  
Florin Marcu ◽  
Nicolaie Hodor ◽  
Liliana Indrie ◽  
Paula Dejeu ◽  
Marin Ilieș ◽  
...  

Monitoring the indoor microclimate in old buildings of cultural heritage and significance is a practice of great importance because of the importance of their identity for local communities and national consciousness. Most aged heritage buildings, especially those made of wood, develop an indoor microclimate conducive to the development of microorganisms. This study aims to analyze one wooden church dating back to the 1710s in Romania from the microclimatic perspective, i.e., temperature and relative humidity and the fungal load of the air and surfaces. One further aim was to determine if the internal microclimate of the monument is favorable for the health of parishioners and visitors, as well as for the integrity of the church itself. The research methodology involved monitoring of the microclimate for a period of nine weeks (November 2020–January 2021) and evaluating the fungal load in indoor air as well as on the surfaces. The results show a very high contamination of air and surfaces (>2000 CFU/m3). In terms of fungal contamination, Aspergillus spp. (two different species), Alternaria spp., Cladosporium spp., Mucor spp., Penicillium spp. (two different species) and Trichopyton spp. were the genera of fungi identified in the indoor wooden church air and Aspergillus spp., Cladosporium spp., Penicillium spp. (two different species) and Botrytis spp. on the surfaces (church walls and iconostasis). The results obtained reveal that the internal microclimate not only imposes a potential risk factor for the parishioners and visitors, but also for the preservation of the wooden church as a historical monument, which is facing a crisis of biodeterioration of its artwork.

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 168-179
Author(s):  
Karol Bulski ◽  
Krzysztof Frączek

The objective of the study was to characterize the mycological quality of air at animal veterinary practice in Krakow. Bioaerosol measurements were performed during the summer season of 2017. The samples of outdoor and indoor air at animal veterinary practice were collected using a 6-stage Andersen`s air sampler. The highest concentration of fungal aerosol was observed in the treatment room. The analysis showed various fungal contamination in different measuring points at different measuring times of the day. Based on the analysis of bioaerosol particle size distribution it was found that the largest "load" of fungi, isolated form the air, can reach (in the human respiratory tract) to the region of the throat, trachei and primary bronchi. The predominant fungi in indoor air was Penicillium spp. and Cladosporium cladosporoides. Fungi that can cause dermatophytoses have also been isolated from indoor air: Microsporum canis and Trichophyton verrucosum. The study confirmed that the animal veterinary practice can be a workplace related to exposure to microbial agents.


2020 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-518
Author(s):  
E V Khaldeeva ◽  
N I Glushko ◽  
S A Lisovskaya ◽  
V R Parshakov ◽  
G G Khaidarova

Aim. To assess the degree of fungal contamination and the species composition of the fungal microbiota of residential apartments in Kazan Methods. A mycological study of 90 air samples and 60 samples from sites of fungal biodeterioration from the residential buildings of Kazan was carried out using cultural and microscopic methods. Results. The presence of micromycetes fungi were detected in 90% of air samples and 100% of samples from sites of biodeterioration. Higher fungal species diversity was noted in the sites, compared with air samples. Fungal concentrations in indoor air varied between 8 and 360 CFU/m3. Fungal community composition analysis of the sites of biodeterioration showed that the surfaces were more frequently contaminated by undemanding and capable of growth at different moisture levels fungal species (Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., Rhizopus stolonifer). The resulting fungal plaque can create conditions favorable for aggressive fungal species that actively damage materials (Chaetomium spp., Acremonium spp., Aureubasidium spp). Allergenic fungi, as well as potentially pathogenic and toxin-forming species, were widespread in the air that can be a health risk factor. A quantitative assessment of air mycobiota indicated the moderate level of fungal contamination. Conclusion. The presence of potentially pathogenic, allergenic and biodegradable fungal species in the sites of biodeterioration has been confirmed, as well as the relationship between airborne fungal contamination and the spread of fungi in indoors, confirming the need to prevent fungal biodeterioration and control indoor air quality.


Author(s):  
Arefeh Biglari ◽  
Vahideh Barzeghar ◽  
Nasim Zolfaghari Firouzsalari ◽  
Akbar Gholampour

Introduction: Bioaerosols consist of aerosols which are biologically originated and can be present ubiquitously in different environments, including the indoor air of hospitals. The objective of this study was to survey the bioaerosol type and density in various environments of four governmental educational hospitals in Urmia, Iran, namely the intensive care unit (ICU), operating room, the internal medicine room, the infectious diseases room, the infectious diseases corridor, and ambient air. Materials and methods: Sampling was performed during summer and winter of 2019 at four different day-times using passive (sedimentation plate) and active methods (an Andersen one-stage viable impactor and Quick Take30 sampling instrument) and by counting plates containing a bacterial and fungus-selective medium. Results: The results revealed that the highest microbial bioaerosol load was related to the infectious diseases corridor (100 and 150 CFU/m3 for total bacterial and fungal load, respectively). The highest bacterial and fungal density was observed in the afternoon at 17-18; and the concentration of bioaerosols was higher in summer than winter. A comparison of indoor and outdoor bacterial loads showed that the indoor bacterial concentration mean (49.1±23.8 CFU/m3 ) was higher than the outdoor value (47.1±21.5 CFU/m3 ), and the indoor levels of fungal contamination (83.3±31.9 CFU/m3 ) were significantly lower than outdoor values (182.5±48.0 CFU/m3 ). The predominantly isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus (95%) spp, and the main isolated fungi belong to the genera Aspergillus (50%) and Penicillium (32%). Conclusion: The results of this study can be useful in developing indoor air microbial quality guidelines in hospitals, which has not been done so far.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Chamat-Hedemand ◽  
Niels Eske Bruun ◽  
Lauge Østergaard ◽  
Magnus Arpi ◽  
Emil Fosbøl ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is diagnosed in 7–8% of streptococcal bloodstream infections (BSIs), yet it is unclear when to perform transthoracic (TTE) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) according to different streptococcal species. The aim of this sub-study was to propose a flowchart for the use of echocardiography in streptococcal BSIs. Methods In a population-based setup, we investigated all patients admitted with streptococcal BSIs and crosslinked data with nationwide registries to identify comorbidities and concomitant hospitalization with IE. Streptococcal species were divided in four groups based on the crude risk of being diagnosed with IE (low-risk < 3%, moderate-risk 3–10%, high-risk 10–30% and very high-risk > 30%). Based on number of positive blood culture (BC) bottles and IE risk factors (prosthetic valve, previous IE, native valve disease, and cardiac device), we further stratified cases according to probability of concomitant IE diagnosis to create a flowchart suggesting TTE plus TOE (IE > 10%), TTE (IE 3–10%), or “wait & see” (IE < 3%). Results We included 6393 cases with streptococcal BSIs (mean age 68.1 years [SD 16.2], 52.8% men). BSIs with low-risk streptococci (S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, S. intermedius) are not initially recommended echocardiography, unless they have ≥3 positive BC bottles and an IE risk factor. Moderate-risk streptococci (S. agalactiae, S. anginosus, S. constellatus, S. dysgalactiae, S. salivarius, S. thermophilus) are guided to “wait & see” strategy if they neither have a risk factor nor ≥3 positive BC bottles, while a TTE is recommended if they have either ≥3 positive BC bottles or a risk factor. Further, a TTE and TOE are recommended if they present with both. High-risk streptococci (S. mitis/oralis, S. parasanguinis, G. adiacens) are directed to a TTE if they neither have a risk factor nor ≥3 positive BC bottles, but to TTE and TOE if they have either ≥3 positive BC bottles or a risk factor. Very high-risk streptococci (S. gordonii, S. gallolyticus, S. mutans, S. sanguinis) are guided directly to TTE and TOE due to a high baseline IE prevalence. Conclusion In addition to the clinical picture, this flowchart based on streptococcal species, number of positive blood culture bottles, and risk factors, can help guide the use of echocardiography in streptococcal bloodstream infections. Since echocardiography results are not available the findings should be confirmed prospectively with the use of systematic echocardiography.


2021 ◽  
pp. 000332862110206
Author(s):  
Peter Sedgwick

Anglican moral theology is a genealogy, in MacIntyre’s use of this concept. It is a tradition that is handed on from one generation to another, practically and theoretically. Moral theology is part of the tradition of moral virtue, practiced by Christians, in local communities, families, and of course the church. What is distinctive in Anglicanism was that after 1580 there emerged an Anglican tradition of moral enquiry, which recognized the Protestant emphasis on scripture and a quite different role for the clergy, alongside a deep appreciation of the old, pre-Reformation tradition of moral theology. Today, the Anglican exemplary tradition also incorporates debates on sexuality, gender, and questions of identity. In social ethics, postcolonial voices show both the idolatry of political life and how our common life can be a locus of divine grace. Anglican moral theology is both very vibrant and deeply pluralist today.


2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 1125 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Horton ◽  
R. Corkrey ◽  
G. N. Hinch

In eight closely recorded Australian Merino and crossbred sheep flocks, all lamb deaths were examined and the cause of deaths identified if possible. Dystocia was identified as one of the major causes of lamb death and this study examined factors that could be used to identify ewes at high risk of dystocia, either to avoid dystocia or to assist with early intervention where possible. Dystocia was least common in lambs of ~4.8 kg, but there was a higher risk at both lower and higher birthweights. Dystocia with both low and high birthweight was more common in older ewes, ranging from negligible low birthweight dystocia in ewes less than 3 years old at lambing, to 5% in older ewes. Low birthweight dystocia increased with increasing litter size, with 40% dystocia in ewes at least 4 years of age with triplets. In contrast, high birthweight dystocia was not affected by litter size. A previous record of low birthweight dystocia was a risk factor for future low birthweight dystocia, but the same relationship was not observed for high birthweight dystocia. A high lambing ease score (difficult birth) with high birthweight was a risk factor for future high birthweight dystocia, but this was not the case for low birthweight dystocia. These differences between the risk factors for low and high birthweight dystocia suggest that they have different causes. High ewe liveweight and condition score during pregnancy may be additional indicators of the risk of dystocia, particularly for ewes with high liveweight in the first 60 days of pregnancy. For most ewes dystocia was difficult to predict, but there was a small proportion of ewes with a very high risk of dystocia and if these could be identified in advance they could be monitored much more closely than the rest of the flock.


Aerobiologia ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hesham Abdulla ◽  
Hekmate Morshedy ◽  
Ahmed Dewedar
Keyword(s):  

Author(s):  
Fariba Abbasi ◽  
Mahrokh Jalili ◽  
Mohammad Reza Samaei ◽  
Ali Mohammad Mokhtari ◽  
Elahe Azizi

Introduction: Hospitals, as one of the important elements in the health system, play an important role in patient’s health. Fungi are one of the effective parameters on indoor air quality. This study aimed to compare of fungal contamination of two hospitals in Shiraz City. Materials and Methods: Sampling was conducted based on NIOSH 0800 standard (1.5 meters above the ground level with one stage Anderson and Sabaroud dextrose agar enriched chloramphenicol as the growth media) in January-September 2017. The investigated wards included pathological laboratory, emergency rooms, neonatal specialist care, radiology, operating room, and maternity ward. The results showed that the variation and concentration of fungi were higher in hospital X than hospital Y, which was located in an agricultural area far from the city center. Results: The predominant fungi were Monillia, Aspergillus, and Penicillium in hospital Y, while they were Aspergillus and Penicillium in hospital X. The highest concentrations were found in emergency and laboratory wards. With regard to higher fungal contamination of hospital X and its different location, it can be concluded that the geographical properties and outdoor air are effective factors on indoor air contamination at hospitals.   Conclusion: Appropriate management of patients' admission and visiting time can be effective on indoor air contamination at hospitals. Furthermore, efficient ventilation using high-efficiency particulate air and appropriate devices for elimination of fungi level are recommended to this end. Moreover, these parameters can provide physical and psychometric health problems for patients’ careers and other health workers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (29) ◽  
pp. 408-433
Author(s):  
Alphonsus Tjatur Raharso Tjatur Raharso

The concern to the situation and condition to all other members of the Church and the collaboration for the welfare of the entire Church is the expression of communio (communion) which is the character of Christ Church. The arise of Church in the mission land and its development which like the mustard seed is the fruit of the concern and collaboration of the missionaries showed by the community and Church which have been founded along the history. Considering Church resources are always limited, every form of across continents concern and collaboration should be done effectively. In the process of the evangelization in the mission land, these concern and collaboration encounter various forms of initiatives; starting from the simple, spontaneous, sporadic and individual to the consistent, coordinated organizations. These concern and collaboration often find frictions, conflicts of interest, impartialities, and injustice; especially concerning the implementation of the power of jurisdiction in the mission land and the submission to the superiority of the mission leaders. The negative excesses are seen and observed objectively and corrected to attain the more effective concerns and collaboration for the sake of the development of the mission work. The apostolic see is the central organ has explored and successfully founded an effective and sustainable missionary collaboration system, from the commissio to the mandate system. Nowadays, the missionary concern and collaboration across particular churches have not been centralized, but assigned to each local communities and particular Churches, to develop mutual collaboration according to the mutual need and projects through the written agreement to mutual minister


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 2119-2119
Author(s):  
Cornelia Englisch ◽  
Florian Moik ◽  
Stephan Nopp ◽  
Markus Raderer ◽  
Ingrid Pabinger ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in patients with cancer. Non-O blood type is associated with higher levels of factor FVIII activity and von Willebrand factor compared to blood type O, and has been identified as a risk factor for VTE in the general population. However, the impact of ABO blood type on risk of cancer-associated VTE has not been clarified. Methods: To determine the influence of non-O blood type on risk of cancer-associated VTE, we utilized the dataset of the Vienna Cancer and Thrombosis Study (CATS), which is a single center, prospective observational cohort study including patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent cancer. Patients were followed for objectively diagnosed, independently adjudicated VTE for a maximum of 2 years. VTE was quantified in competing risk analysis, accounting for all-cause mortality as competing outcome event. A proportional sub-hazard regression model according to Fine & Gray was used for between-group comparisons. Based on the violation of the proportional sub-hazard assumption, we explored potential time-dependent effects of non-O blood type on VTE risk in a restricted cubic spline analysis, modeling differences in risk estimates over follow-up time. Further, time-restricted subdistribution hazard ratios (SHR) were obtained specifically for the &lt;3 months and ≥3 months follow-up intervals. In a subgroup analysis, differences in VTE risk according to ABO-blood type were analyzed for patients with very high thrombotic risk tumor types (pancreatic, gastric, glioblastoma), compared to the remainder of patients. Results: In total, 1,708 patients were included in our analysis (46% female, median age: 61 years [interquartile range, IQR: 52-68]). The most common tumor types were lung (19%), breast (16%), and brain (14%) cancer, with 32% of solid tumor patients having metastatic disease at study inclusion. Over a median follow-up of 24 months (IQR: 10-24), 151 patients were diagnosed with VTE (cumulative 2-year incidence: 9.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.9-10.7) and 649 patients died (2-year mortality: 38%). Overall, blood type O was present in 38% of patients, A in 40%, B in 15%, and AB in 7%. The cumulative incidence of VTE at 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-months for patients with blood type O was 3.8% (95% CI: 2.5-5.5), 5.7% (95% CI: 4.1-7.7), 7.0% (95% CI: 5.1-9.1), and 7.6% (95% CI: 5.7-9.9), compared to 3.4% (95% CI: 2.4-4.7), 6.5% (95% CI: 5.1-8.1), 8.4% (95% CI:6.8-10.2), and 10.2% (95% CI: 8.4-12.2) in patients with non-O blood type (Gray´s test: p=0.103, Figure 1). Upon visual inspection of cumulative incidence functions, a violation of the proportional sub-hazard assumption was suspected. In restricted cubic spline analysis, estimating hazard ratio (HR) for VTE of patients with non-O compared to O blood type, a time-varying effect of non-O blood type towards an increased VTE risk was observed (Figure 2). Based on that, time-restricted competing risk regression models were performed. During the first 3 months of follow-up, no differences in VTE risk were found (SHR for non-O vs. O blood type: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.60-1.67, p=0.992). Beyond the first 3-month follow-up, patients with non-O blood type had an increased VTE risk compared to patients with blood type O (SHR 1.79, 95%CI: 1.12-2.85, p=0.015). In a subgroup analysis, no association with VTE risk was found in patients with very high thrombotic risk tumor types (SHR 0.94, 95% CI: 0.55-1.61, p=0.824). In contrast, in patients with low/intermediate risk cancer, non-O blood type was associated with increased risk of VTE (SHR 1.73, 95% CI: 1.09-2.73, p=0.019). Conclusion: Non-O blood type was identified as a time dependent risk factor for cancer-associated VTE. In the first 3 months after study inclusion, characterized as the highest VTE risk period in our cancer cohort, no differences in VTE risk between blood types were found. Afterwards, beyond the first 3 months of follow-up, an increased VTE-risk in non-O blood types was observed, comparably in magnitude to the risk difference in the general non-cancer population. Further, an association of non-O blood type with VTE risk in patients with low/intermediate thrombotic risk cancers was observed, whereas no effect was present in those with very high-risk tumors. These findings indicate non-O blood type as a putative risk factor for VTE in patients with cancer in comparably low thrombotic risk scenarios. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Pabinger: Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Alexion: Consultancy, Honoraria; Daiichi Sanchyo: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria; NovoNordisk: Consultancy, Research Funding; CSL Behring: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.


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