213. Evaluation of a Modified Diffusion Sampler for Measuring 24-Hour VOC Concentrations and Personal Exposures in Community Environments

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Stock ◽  
M. Morandi ◽  
M. Afshar
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
pp. 2186-2191
Author(s):  
Lialyz Soares Pereira André ◽  
Renata Freire Alves Pereira ◽  
Felipe Ramos Pinheiro ◽  
Aislan Cristina Rheder Fagundes Pascoal ◽  
Vitor Francisco Ferreira ◽  
...  

Background: Resistance to antimicrobial agents is a major public health problem, being Staphylococcus aureus prevalent in infections in hospital and community environments and, admittedly, related to biofilm formation in biotic and abiotic surfaces. Biofilms form a complex and structured community of microorganisms surrounded by an extracellular matrix adhering to each other and to a surface that gives them even more protection from and resistance against the action of antimicrobial agents, as well as against host defenses. Methods: Aiming to control and solve these problems, our study sought to evaluate the action of 1,2,3- triazoles against a Staphylococcus aureus isolate in planktonic and in the biofilm form, evaluating the activity of this triazole through Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) tests. We have also performed cytotoxic evaluation and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of the biofilms under the treatment of the compound. The 1,2,3-triazole DAN 49 showed bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity (MIC and MBC 128 μg/mL). In addition, its presence interfered with the biofilm formation stage (1/2 MIC, p <0.000001) and demonstrated an effect on young preformed biofilm (2 MICs, p <0.05). Results: Scanning Electron Microscopy images showed a reduction in the cell population and the appearance of deformations on the surface of some bacteria in the biofilm under treatment with the compound. Conclusion: Therefore, it was possible to conclude the promising anti-biofilm potential of 1,2,3-triazole, demonstrating the importance of the synthesis of new compounds with biological activity.


Author(s):  
Yi Hua ◽  
Zhi Qiu ◽  
Wenjing Luo ◽  
Yue Wang ◽  
Zhu Wang

Building concentrated resettlement community in small towns is mostly used to deal with resettlement construction for rural migrants in economically developed regions in China, which leads to migrants’ living environment changing from rural settlements where production and living are intertwined to an urban community that only supports living functions. However, the urbanized environment is contrary to elderly migrants’ behavior, resulting in contradictions or conflicts between migrants and resettlement communities, reflecting a lack of urbanization synchronization between migrants and resettlement community environments. Further, elderly migrants are also equipped with different degrees and types of urbanization characteristics, thus reflecting different abilities to adapt to the urban community environment. Based on the corresponding relationship between people’s different production and living needs and urbanization, this research starts by investigating the production and living needs of elderly migrants, and further clarifies the environmental adaptability of elderly migrants by sorting the types and characteristics of urbanization of elderly migrants to provide a reference basis for the planning and construction of future resettlement areas. The research uses questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to investigate the population attributes and characteristics of elderly migrants, as well as their different needs for production and living. The research uses hierarchical cluster analysis, the one-way ANOVA test and Chi-square test to constructed a four-quadrant model on human urbanization features: an Urban Group with both living and production urbanized (Group H-H); a Half-urban-half-rural Group with only living needs urbanized (Group H-L); a Half-urban-Half-rural Group with only production needs urbanized (Group L-H); and a Rural group with both living and production needs not urbanized (Group L-L). Finally, based on the results, this research proposed three elderly environment construction orientations of “Promote the Supply Level of Urban Public Services”, “Create a Place That Embodies the Spirit of Immigrants’ Homeland”, and “Moderate Consideration of Agricultural Production Needs” for residential planning.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S298-S299
Author(s):  
Felicia Scaggs Huang ◽  
Joshua K Schaffzin ◽  
Jeff Simmons ◽  
Mary Jo Goebel ◽  
Terri Thrasher ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a significant impact on the work force in hospital settings. Despite rigorous screening practices implemented at many institutions, reports have documented transmission from asymptomatic and presymptomatic individuals in community environments. Evidence of nosocomial transmission between healthcare workers and patients in the early phase of the pandemic has further compounded the fears of safety in the workplace. We sought to determine the asymptomatic carriage rate of employees to inform messaging and response in the context of universal masking and eye protection. Methods We conducted a period prevalence study in asymptomatic hospital employees at a quaternary pediatric hospital during April to June 2020. Eligible employees included clinical staff, administrative staff, food services workers, and environmental services workers who had passed the temperature and symptom screening evaluation on entry to the campus. Samples were obtained from both nares of consenting individuals and ran daily on a validated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) platform. Results A total of 1394 employees consented to participate by June 15, 2020 and none of them had a positive result for COVID-19. Thus, the prevalence rate among asymptomatic employees was zero during this period (95%CI 0%-0.26%). Thirteen employees developed symptoms after initial enrollment and testing of which 1 tested positive for COVID-19. Based on these data, we estimate a monthly incidence rate of 0.8 new COVID-19 cases per 1000 asymptomatic employees (95%CI 0.2 - 4.4 per 1000). Of note, at the time of submission the R0 for our region was 1.4, and the prevalence of COVID-19 infection among symptomatic employees was 9.9% (68/686 tested in our system, 95%CI: 7.8%-12.3%). Conclusion We did not identify any COVID-19-positive asymptomatic hospital employees who passed screening measures. This suggests very low risk of nosocomial transmission to other employees, patients, and families. Along with low community prevalence and capture of COVID-19-positive symptomatic employees, we could confidently advise staff that universal surgical masking and eye protection were likely adequate to prevent significant exposure. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e039344
Author(s):  
Shinsuke Yahata ◽  
Taro Takeshima ◽  
Tsuneaki Kenzaka ◽  
Masanobu Okayama

ObjectivesThis study investigated what kinds of experiences influence regional quota (chiikiwaku) medical students’ motivation to practice community healthcare (CH), and the mechanism of this influence, by focusing on their experiences in a community-based medical education (CBME) programme.DesignA qualitative thematic analysis based on interviews.SettingParticipants were recruited from the chiikiwaku students of Kobe University, Japan, using purposive sampling.ParticipantsFourteen students participated. The median (IQR) age of participants was 23 (23–24); half were sixth-year and half fifth-year students.AnalysisFrom September to December 2018, the interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed according to the ‘Steps for Coding and Theorisation’ method. Our theoretical framework comprised three internal motives (ie, needs, cognitions and emotions) and their subordinate motivation theories self-determination theory, expectancy-value theories, and positive and negative emotions, respectively.ResultsThree mechanisms and corresponding experiences emerged. The first mechanism, envisioning and preparing for practising CH, included corresponding experiences—empathy for the community, grasping the demands for CH, understanding the practices of CH, finding a role model and diminishing the conflicts between personal life and career. The second mechanism, belonging to a supportive community, included the robust construction of students’ CH community and harmonisation with community residents. The third mechanism, psychological effects included the affect heuristic and framing effect. Student experiences brought about the changes and influences described in the presented mechanisms, and had both positive and negative impacts on their motivation towards CH. These results can be interpreted through the multifaceted lenses of motivation theories.ConclusionsThe authors revealed that motivation mechanisms of medical students towards CH derived from positive interaction with community residents, healthcare professionals and other students, and from exposure to attractive community environments and cultures. These experiences should be incorporated into CBME programmes to further encourage positive attitudes towards CH.


Youth Justice ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 147322542199075
Author(s):  
James Alexander

Youth violence is on the increase across many UK cities and although national trends, such as more networked entrepreneurial drug dealing, are contributing to the spread of such incidents, localised community environments play a significant role in the development of violent youth cultures. Based on a 4-year ethnographic study, this article explores how the shift from a resident led, relationship-based interaction, to a more professionalised evidenced-based intervention model, increased the risk of young people getting involved in youth violence. Efforts to address youth violence should consider including more relational informal support networks, alongside more specialist interventions.


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