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Background: Although Toxocara spp. infection has a worldwide distribution, to our knowledge, no data from birth cohorts have been reported in published studies on the potential for congenital transmission and determinants of infection in early childhood. Methods: We followed 290 mother-infant pairs from birth to 5 years of age through periodic collection of data and samples at birth, 7 and 13 months and 2, 3 and 5 years of age. Data on potential risk factors and confounders were collected by maternal questionnaire. Blood for plasma was collected from the mother at time of birth and periodically from the child for detection of anti-Toxocara spp. immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using a Toxocara canis larval excretory-secretory antigen-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Stool samples were collected from the mother around the time of birth and periodically from the child for microscopic detection of soil-transmitted helminths (STH). Associations between potential risk factors and Toxocara spp. seroprevalence and seroconversion were estimated using multivariable logistic regression and generalized estimating equations. Results: Toxocara spp. seroprevalence was 80.7% in mothers and in children was 0%, 9.3%, 48.4%, 64.9%, and 80.9% at 7 months, 13 months, 2, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Risk factors significantly associated with increases in seroprevalence over the first 5 years of life in multivariable analyses were age [Odds ratio (OR) 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39–2.27, P < 0001], male sex (female vs. male: OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.48–0.89, P = 0.006), maternal ethnicity (non-Afro vs. Afro-Ecuadorian: OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.47–0.91, P = 0.011), lower maternal educational and socioeconomic level, and childhood STH (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.51–3.47, P < 0.001). Seroconversion rates for infection were greatest at 2 years of age (3.8%/month). Factors associated significantly with seroconversion at 2, 3 or 5 years were childhood STH infection, male sex, and more frequent domestic cat exposure. Conclusions: Our data, from an area of high Toxocara spp. endemicity, indicate no congenital transmission but high rates of seroconversion after 13 months of age reaching maternal levels of seroprevalence by 5 years of age. Factors associated with seroprevalence and seroconversion included STH infections, domestic cats, maternal ethnicity, male sex, STH infections, and markers of greater poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although Toxocara spp. infection has a worldwide distribution, to our knowledge, no data from birth cohorts have been reported in published studies on the potential for congenital transmission and determinants of infection in early childhood. Methods: We followed 290 mother-infant pairs from birth to 5 years of age through periodic collection of data and samples at birth, 7 and 13 months and 2, 3 and 5 years of age. Data on potential risk factors and confounders were collected by maternal questionnaire. Blood for plasma was collected from the mother at time of birth and periodically from the child for detection of anti-Toxocara spp. immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using a Toxocara canis larval excretory-secretory antigen-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Stool samples were collected from the mother around the time of birth and periodically from the child for microscopic detection of soil-transmitted helminths (STH). Associations between potential risk factors and Toxocara spp. seroprevalence and seroconversion were estimated using multivariable logistic regression and generalized estimating equations. Results: Toxocara spp. seroprevalence was 80.7% in mothers and in children was 0%, 9.3%, 48.4%, 64.9%, and 80.9% at 7 months, 13 months, 2, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Risk factors significantly associated with increases in seroprevalence over the first 5 years of life in multivariable analyses were age [Odds ratio (OR) 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39–2.27, P < 0001], male sex (female vs. male: OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.48–0.89, P = 0.006), maternal ethnicity (non-Afro vs. Afro-Ecuadorian: OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.47–0.91, P = 0.011), lower maternal educational and socioeconomic level, and childhood STH (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.51–3.47, P < 0.001). Seroconversion rates for infection were greatest at 2 years of age (3.8%/month). Factors associated significantly with seroconversion at 2, 3 or 5 years were childhood STH infection, male sex, and more frequent domestic cat exposure. Conclusions: Our data, from an area of high Toxocara spp. endemicity, indicate no congenital transmission but high rates of seroconversion after 13 months of age reaching maternal levels of seroprevalence by 5 years of age. Factors associated with seroprevalence and seroconversion included STH infections, domestic cats, maternal ethnicity, male sex, STH infections, and markers of greater poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Spain, there is growing interest in the conservation of native goat breeds in grazing production systems, and the possibility of conventional farms transitioning to organic. This requires a complete understanding of the repercussions of this transition, including its effect on end product sensory quality. An evaluation was done of the sensory attributes of suckling goat meat from two indigenous Spanish breeds (Payoya and Blanca Andaluza) raised in conventional and organic grazing production systems. Of the 21 suckling kids used, 12 were raised in an organic system (6 Payoya and 6 Blanca Andaluza) and 9 in a conventional system (3 Payoya and 6 Blanca Andaluza). Meat sensory profile was evaluated by an analytical panel. The meat from kids raised in organic systems had less intensity of smell and a softer, more tender and juicier texture than meat from the conventional systems. Meat from Blanca Andaluza kids exhibited lower odor intensity and a softer, more tender and juicier texture than the Payoya kid meat. These are promising preliminary results that highlight some of the benefits resulting from the transition from conventional to organic grazing systems for goat production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the experimental results of a medium-voltage modular 35-MW drive for oil and gas applications realized by interconnecting voltage-source three-level converters equally sharing the motor current. Drives rated for tens of megawatts are increasingly needed as torque helpers for gas turbines in the oil and gas industry, and one envisions that they will replace them completely in the future. These drives must be very reliable, often capable of reversible power flow and high power quality when connected to weak grids in remote areas. The pronounced torsional eigenmodes of large compressors and gas turbines demand for very low torque harmonic content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]