European consensus on patient contact shielding

Patient contact shielding has been in use for many years in radiology departments in order to reduce the effects and risks of ionising radiation on certain organs. New technologies in projection imaging and CT scanning such as digital receptors and automatic exposure control (AEC) systems have reduced doses and improved image consistency. These changes and a greater understanding of both the benefits and the risks from the use of shielding have led to a review of shielding use in radiology. A number of professional bodies have already issued guidance in this regard. This paper represents the current consensus view of the main bodies involved in radiation safety and imaging in Europe: European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics, European Federation of Radiographer Societies, European Society of Radiology, European Society of Paediatric Radiology, EuroSafe Imaging, European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS), and European Academy of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology (EADMFR). It is based on the expert recommendations of the Gonad and Patient Shielding (GAPS) Group formed with the purpose of developing consensus in this area. The recommendations are intended to be clear and easy to use. They are intended as guidance, and they are developed using a multidisciplinary team approach. It is recognised that regulations, custom and practice vary widely on the use of patient shielding in Europe and it is hoped that these recommendations will inform a change management program that will benefit patients and staff.     

Efficacy of recombinant Marek’s disease virus vectored vaccines with computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) hemagglutinin insert against genetically diverse H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses

The genetic and antigenic drift associated with the high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of Goose/Guangdong (Gs/GD) lineage and the emergence of vaccine-resistant field viruses underscores the need for a broadly protective H5 influenza A vaccine. Here, we tested experimental vector herpesvirus of turkey (vHVT)-H5 vaccines containing either wild-type clade 2.3.4.4A-derived H5 inserts or computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) inserts with challenge by homologous and genetically divergent H5 HPAI Gs/GD lineage viruses in chickens. Direct assessment of protection was confirmed for all the tested constructs, which provided clinical protection against the homologous and heterologous H5 HPAI Gs/GD challenge viruses and significantly decreased oropharyngeal shedding titers compared to the sham vaccine. The cross reactivity was assessed by hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) and focus reduction assay against a panel of phylogenetically and antigenically diverse H5 strains. The COBRA-derived H5 inserts elicited antibody responses against antigenically diverse strains, while the wild-type-derived H5 vaccines elicited protection mostly against close antigenically related clades 2.3.4.4A and 2.3.4.4D viruses. In conclusion, the HVT vector, a widely used replicating vaccine platform in poultry, with H5 insert provides clinical protection and significant reduction of viral shedding against homologous and heterologous challenge. In addition, the COBRA-derived inserts have the potential to be used against antigenically distinct co-circulating viruses and future drift variants.     

新疆低温奶消费情况调研报告

本文旨在探讨影响新疆低温乳消费市场的限制性因素及相应的对策。调研通过网络调查问卷和实地调研走访相结合的方式,从乳制品消费结构、消费能力,低温奶认知、低温奶购买意愿、购买便利性、购买偏好及健康饮奶习惯等方面分析影响新疆低温乳消费市场的因素。结果显示:32.93%的消费者不了解乳中生物活性物质(如乳铁蛋白)的热敏性,39.97%的消费者不能区分各类液态乳产品,47.64%的消费者有煮沸巴氏杀菌乳后饮用的习惯;43.21%的消费者"担心未消毒彻底,存在细菌",36.30%的消费者认为"加热后可增加营养价值和香味";72.64%的消费者曾感到"购买巴氏杀菌乳不方便";54.85%的消费者认为本地品牌"更新鲜、更健康"。结果启示:本地乳企应该充分利用在当地的良好品牌信誉度和牧场资源,尽早布局低温奶市场,通过研发高品质低温乳制品、普及科学饮奶理念、改善冷链物流能力、完善购物体验和精细化服务能力等手段,提高生产竞争力,抵御进口乳制品和常温乳对当地乳品市场的冲击,占领区域低温奶消费市场。