Complement is a key arm of the innate immune defenses against the pathogenic neisseriae. We previously identified lipooligosaccharide on Neisseria meningitidis as an acceptor for complement C4b. Little is known about other neisserial targets for complement proteins C3 and C4, which covalently attach to bacterial surfaces and initiate opsonization and killing. In this study we demonstrate that N...

Ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) was tested against a range of organisms including glutaraldehyde-resistant mycobacteria, Bacillus subtilis spores and coat-defective spores. Glutaraldehyde (GTA) and peracetic acid (PAA) were tested for comparative purposes. Both suspension and carrier tests were performed using a range of concentrations and exposure times. All three biocides were very effective (> or...

Recently, the use of ortho-phthalaldehyde(OPA)has been increasing as an alternative to glutaraldehyde(GA)for endoscope disinfection. We detected development of bronchial asthma and contact dermatitis in health care workers(HCW)employed in an endoscopy unit. After performing health examinations and work environment measurements, we took preventative measures against development of these diseases...

Commercially available Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) Optical Phase Arrays (OPA) are capable of non-mechanically beamsteering up to ±3 degrees at 1550 nm. While the existing technology is useful for many applications such as laser communications and pulse-shaping, it is desirable to increase the steer angle and decrease the response time of the OPA. This was accomplished through a research ef...

Physical activity (PA) infrastructures can provide youth chances to engage in PA. As determinants of organized and unorganized PA (OPA and UPA) may differ, we investigated if proximity to PA infrastructures (proximity) was associated with maintenance of OPA and UPA over 3 years. Youth from New Brunswick, Canada (n = 187; 10-12 years at baseline) reported participation in OPA and UPA every 4 mon...

PURPOSE To report the ocular and corneal higher order aberrations of a pilot trial of optimized prolate ablations for the treatment of myopia. METHODS In this prospective study, patients were treated using optimized prolate ablation or conventional ablation. Five patients underwent bilateral optimized prolate ablation treatment, and nine patients were randomized to receive optimized prolate a...

Infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) can trigger an intense local inflammatory response at the site of infection, yet there is little specific immune response or development of immune memory. Gonococcal surface epitopes are known to undergo antigenic variation; however, this is unlikely to explain the weak immune response to infection since individuals can be re-infected by the...

OBJECTIVES To prospectively investigate the association between occupational physical activity (OPA) and disability pension due to musculoskeletal cause, mental cause or any cause. We also examined the combined association of OPA and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) with disability pension. METHODS A population-based cohort study in Norway on 32 362 persons aged 20-65 years with question...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the merit of a new alginate efficacy film test to determine the bactericidal activity of the high-level disinfectant ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA). METHODS The efficacy of OPA was investigated using a new sodium alginate surface film test against Mycobacterium chelonae NCIMB 1474 and Epping, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIMB 10421 under different test conditions. RESULTS ...