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The article presents a study which determines the factors affecting the adoption of safety improvements on farms in Finland. Barriers in implementing safety improvements are highlighted which include limited resources, personal characteristics of the farmer and slow evolution of the physical farm environment. A conceptual model developed in the study for implementing safety and health interventions is described.

The capabilities of seven Finnish Fusarium species to produce mycotoxins under controlled laboratory (in vitro) conditions as well as on barley and wheat in the field (in vivo) were studied using mass spectrometric methods. In addition, the contaminating Fusarium species of the in vivo samples were identified and quantified with morphological and real-time polymerase chain reaction techniques. All investigated isolates (representing the species F. avenaceum, F. arthrosporioides, F. tricinctum, F. poae, F. culmorum, F. graminearum and F. sporotrichioides) produced mycotoxins on rice cultures and their production capabilities were generally in accordance with the available literature. The main mycotoxins produced were deoxynivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol and zearalenone by F. culmorum and F. graminearum, beauvericin, diacetoxyscirpenol and HT-2/T-2 - toxins by F. sporotrichioides, beauvericin, enniatins, fusarenon-X, diacetoxyscirpenol and nivalenol by F. poae and enniatins and moniliformin by F. avenaceum/F. arthrosporioides and F. tricinctum. Most mycotoxins that were produced in vitro were also produced in vivo when concerning F. culmorum, F. graminearum and F. avenaceum. Statistical significance was recorded between the production of mycotoxins in vitro and in vivo for HT-2 and T-2 toxins in barley and for deoxynivalenol and T-2 toxin in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR assays were developed for the accurate detection and quantification of DNA from Fusarium poae and F. graminearum species, which are able to produce trichothecenes. These and other PCR assays were used for the quantification of trichothecene-producing Fusarium fungi in cereal grains. A correlation was found between the levels of F. poae DNA and nivalenol and enniatins in barley and between the levels of F. graminearum DNA and deoxynivalenol in oats. The correlations between F. poae DNA and nivalenol and F. graminearum DNA and deoxynivalenol levels were higher than those between these mycotoxins and morphologically determined F. poae and F. graminearum/F. culmorum contamination levels. The use of F. poae specific primers and probe together with F. sporotrichioides/F. langsethiae specific primers and probe in a multiplex qPCR assay yielded results in accordance with those obtained using these primers and probes separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RAPD-PCR and UP-PCR analysis allowed us to differentiate Verticillium lecanii strains isolated from insect (Homoptera) and from rust fungi. UPGMA, NJ and NJ consensus trees revealed groups of isolates according to their geographical origin. Successful amplification of the ITS region occurred in a few V. lecanii strains. These ITS sequences were almost identical to known ITS sequences. Thirteen strains had similar IGS sequence of about 2.2 Kb, while strain V5 had a different and shorter (1.1 Kb) IGS-sequence. Among the isolates the correlation between conidia size and virulence towards whitefly was low. Verticillium lecanii strains were able to prevent the pustule development of Puccinia recondita. V61 showed 98% effectiveness. Strains active against wheat rust causal agent were highly virulent against whitefly and show some antibacterial activity. These strains are promising for the biocontrol of plant diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study that evaluates the slip, trip and fall (STF) injuries as well as floor-related safety problems in the agricultural industry in Finland. It reveals that 42 percent of the injuries occurred in dairy, beef and swine production while STF are common in milking and moving feed. It indicates that most of the injuries happened when carrying, pushing or lifting a load, however, it is difficult to determine the risk between male and female. It suggests to improve the safety performance of floor and related structures such as contamination control and storage spaces.

Interfacial reactions between SnPbAg, SnAg, and SnAgCu solders and Ni/Au surface finish on printed wiring board and especially the redeposition of AuSn4 intermetallic compound have been investigated. The following major results were obtained. The first phase to form during soldering in the (SnPbAg)/Ni/Au and the (SnAg)/Ni/Au systems was Ni3Sn4. During the subsequent solid-state annealing, the redeposition of AuSn4 as (Au,Ni)Sn4 occurred in both systems. This was explained with the help of the concept of local equilibrium and the corresponding ternary phase diagrams. It was concluded that the stabilizing effect of Ni on the (Au,Ni)Sn4 provided the driving force for the redeposition. Contrarily, when the solder alloy contained some Cu, the first intermetallic to form was (Cu,Ni,Au)6Sn5 and no redeposition of AuSn4 was observed. Thus, a very small addition of Cu to the Sn-rich solder alloys changed the behavior of the interconnection system completely. This behavior was explained thermodynamically by using Cu-Ni-Sn and Au-Cu-Sn ternary phase diagrams. The growth kinetics of the interfacial reaction products in the three systems was observed to be somewhat different. The reasons for the observed differences are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the in vitro drug delivery characteristics of three salbutamol-containing multidose dry powder inhalers, Buventol Easyhaler, Inspiryl Turbuhaler and Ventoline Diskus. Materials and Methods: Dose accuracy and consistency, fine particle dose (FPD)/fine particle fraction (FPF), and mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) [measured by Multi-Stage Liquid Impinger] were determined for each inhaler at variable airflow rates (30 and 60 L/min) and at ‘equivalent’ flow rates (corresponding to a 4kPa pressure drop). Results: Dose accuracy and consistency (expressed as percentage of label claim) of Easyhaler (mean 95%, SD <4.5% at 30 to 60 L/min) compared favourably with that of Turbuhaler (mean 88%, SD 19% at 60 L/min) and Diskus (mean 93%, SD 8% at 90 L/min). The FPF at an ‘equivalent’ flow rate was 21% for Easyhaler, 24% for Turbuhaler and 20% for Diskus. The FPF of Turbuhaler was strongly influenced by flow rate (12 to 24% at 30 to 60 L/min), whereas the FPF of Easyhaler (16 to 23% at 30 to 60 L/min) and Diskus (15 to 21% at 30 to 90 L/min) was less variable. MMAD values for Easyhaler and Turbuhaler were stable at flow rates of 30 to 60 L/min, whereas the particle size distribution for Diskus was more dependent on flow rate. Easyhaler had a considerably lower MMAD than Turbuhaler at flow rates of 30 to 60 L/min. Conclusions: This study demonstrated favourable dose delivery and consistency with Buventol Easyhaler compared with Inspiryl Turbuhaler and Ventoline Diskus. Delivered dose and FPF showed less flow dependency with Easyhaler and Diskus than with Turbuhaler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences in isozyme and RAPD-PCR polymorphisms amongst 33 isolates of Fusarium avenaceum were compared using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and agarose gel electrophoresis. The isolates were collected from different regions of Finland. Amongst eight enzymes analysed clear isozyme polymorphism was detected in five enzymes which could be grouped into 20 different eletrophoretic phenotypes and three main groups at the similarity level of 70% in unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) analysis. RAPD-PCR analysis differentiated all F. avenaceum strains from each other. The phenotypes resulting from RAPD-PCR analysis were grouped into five main groups by UPGMA analysis at the similarity level of 55%. These main groups had several similarities with the main groups from isozyme analysis. RAPD-PCR patterns of 16 isolates of Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, F. equiseti, F. oxysporum and F. redolens were also studied and strains from each Fusarium species formed individual groups in UPGMA and principal components analyses. Thus. the extent of isozyme and RAPD-PCR polymorphisms found in Fusarium strains potentially provides a method for identifying the fungi both at strain and species level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to clarify the significance of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as a cause of cardiac compression, we scrutinized pericardiectomy files of 47 patients over a ten-year period at two university hospitals in Finland. Five patients with RA were found. All the patients with RA were men with seropositive disease and subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules. Two of the patients had pulmonary fibrosis, one had cutaneous vasculitis and three had had rheumatoid pleurisy. There was a mean delay of 10 months from the first cardiac symptom to the diagnosis of cardiac compression, the most common misdiagnosis being primarily a liver disease. On the basis of clinical and operative data, four out of the five patients had constrictive pericarditis and one had an effusive-constrictive form of the disease. The histopathological findings in all cases were consistent with chronic fibrosing pericarditis. A follow-up of seven to seventeen years of four patients has not revealed any signs of recurrent pericardial disease. Our results demonstrate that RA is an important aetiological factor for cardiac compression. The long-term outcome of this manifestation seems to be good after pericardiectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental mastitis was induced in nine lactating dairy cows with Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus uberis (three cows in each group). One quarter of each cow was inoculated with organisms, the contralateral one remained untreated and served as a control. Inflammatory changes were monitored by measurements of somatic cell count, NAGase and antitrypsin. The whey was analyzed for its quality as a growth medium for E. coli. Clinical signs and the increase in the levels of the inflammatory parameters occurred 24 hours after inoculation; S. aureus caused more severe inflammatory changes than did streptococci. Infections by 5. aureus persisted longer than the others. The inflammation declined slowly after the infection had been cleared by the udder. The whey became an inhibitor for the growth of bacteria in vitro during the early inflammatory period in half of the infused quarters. Whey was found to stimulate bacterial growth later in the course of inflammation in all experimentally infected quarters. Zusammenfassung Durch Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae und Streptococcus uberis während der experimentellen Mastitis hervorgerufene entzündliche Veränderungen: Bei neun laktierenden Kühen wurde mittels Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae und Streptococcus uberis (drei Kühe pro Gruppe) experimentell eine Mastitis induziert. Jeweils in ein Euterviertel wurden die betreffenden Keime inoculiert, das contralaterale Viertel blieb unbehandelt und diente als Kontrolle. Die entzündlichen Veränderungen wurden mit Hilfe der Zellzahl, der NAGase und dem Antitrypsin der Milch verfolgt. Die Molke wurde auf ihre Eignung als Wachstumsmedium für E. coli geprüft. Klinische Symptome sowie ein Anstieg der Werte der Entzündungsparameter traten 24 h nach den Inoculation in Erscheinung. S. aureus verursachte deutlichere entzündliche Veränderungen als dies bei Streptococcen der Fall war. Die Infektionen mit S. aureus persistierten länger als die anderen Infektionen. Die Entzündung ging nach dem Verschwinden der Euterinfektion langsam zurück. Die Molke wirkte während des Anfangsstadiums der Entzündung bei der Hälfte der inoculierten Euterviertel hemmend auf das Bakterienwachstum. Im weiteren Verlauf der Infektion wirkte die Molke bei allen experimentell infizierten Vierteln stimulierend auf das Bakterienwachstum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of a cell wall extract of Staphylococcus aureus on the inflammatory response induced in the mammary gland by endotoxin was studied. Quarters of lactating cows were infused with 10 μg endotoxin with or without the cell wall extract. In the quarters receiving the cell wall extract, the clinical response was delayed and markedly diminished. Changes in levels of antitrypsin, which reflect changes in vascular permeability, followed a similar pattern. There were no differences in the somatic cell count and NAGase levels in the inoculated quarters. The growth stimulating effect for S. aureus in the whey was delayed in the quarters which received the cell wall extract. The specificity of the antiinflammatory effect of the cell wall extract therefore extends to endotoxin. Zusammenfassung Wirkung eines Zellwandfaktors von Staphylokokken auf die durch Endotoxin ausgelöste Mastitis bei Milchkühen Untersucht wurde die Wirkung eines Zellwandextraktes von Staphylococcus aureus auf die durch Endotoxin hervorgerufene Entzündung der Milchdrüse. In Eutervierteln laktierender Kühe wurden jeweils 10 μg Endotoxin mit und ohne Zellwandextrakt appliziert. Klinische Symptome traten in den mit Zellwandextrakt behandelten Vierteln verzögert beziehungsweise in verminderter Intensität auf. In den entsprechenden Molkeproben waren sowohl der Anstieg des Antitrypsinspiegels, der Veränderungen der Gefäßpermeabilität anzeigt, als auch das Auftreten des wachstumsstimulierenden Faktors für S. aureus verzögert. In bezug auf Zell-und NAGase-Gehalt der Milch ergaben sich keine Unterschiede zwischen den behandelten Eutervierteln. Der entzündungshemmende Effekt des Zellwandextraktes beruht somit möglicherweise auf einer dem Endotoxin entgegengerichteten Wirkung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite milk samples were collected monthly during one year from 80 Ayrshire cows in order to analyze the influence of lactation stage, parity and daily milk yield on milk antitrypsin, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) and plasmin activities. Growth of S. aureus and E. coli was analyzed parallelly in whey. The levels of milk antitrypsin, NAGase and plasmin as well as replication rates of E. coli and S. aureus, were high in early-lactation and decreased during the first months of lactation. The levels of these mastitis parameters started to increase again at 3-4 months and continued until the end of lactation. The latter increasing tendency became largely eliminated when daily output values were calculated and used rather than concentration values. Milk NAGase and plasmin increased constantly with increasing parity. One can therefore, improve the function of the mastitis parameters by eliminating sources of 'non-mastitic' variation. NAGase and plasmin showed strong association with decreased milk yield and so these parameters seem to be useful when predicting production loss due to subclinical mastitis. Whey was supportive for the growth of E. coli and S. aureus during early and endlactation when the daily milk yield was lowest. Zusammenfassung Milch-Antitrypsin, NAGase, Plasmin und bakterielle Replikationsrate in Molke Einfluß des Laktationsstadiums, der Anzahl der Geburten (Parität) und des täglichen Milchertrags Von 80 Kühen der Rasse Ayrshire wurden während eines Jahres monatlich Sammelmilchproben gewonnen, um den Einfluß des Laktationsstadiums, der Anzahl der Geburten und des täglichen Milchertrags auf die Aktivitäten des Milch-Antitrypsins, der N-acetyl-β-D-Glucosaminase (NAGase) und des Plasmins zu analysieren. Parallel dazu wurde in der Molke das Wachstum von S. aureus und E. coli untersucht. Die Spiegel von Milch-Antitrypsin, NAGase und Plasmin waren ebenso, wie die Replikationsrate von E. coli und S. aureus in der Frühlaktation hoch und fielen während der ersten Monate der Laktation ab. Nach 3-4 Monaten bis zum Ende der Laktation begannen die Spiegel dieser Mastitisparameter erneut zu steigen. Letztere Tendenz wurde weitgehend beseitigt, sofern tägliche Ausstoßwerte berechnet und Konzentrationswerten vorgezogen wurden. Milch-NAGase und Plasmin stiegen konstant mit zunehmender Parität an. Deshalb kann man die Funktion der Mastitisparameter durch die Beseitigung der Quellen nicht mastitisbedingter Veränderungen verbessern. NAGase und Plasmin zeigten eine starke Beziehung zu sinkendem Milchertrag und so scheinen diese Parameter zur Voraussage von Produktionseinbußen infolge subklinischer Mastitis nützlich zu sein. Molke war während der Frühlaktation und dem Laktationsende, als der tägliche Milchertrag am niedrigsten war, zum Wachstum von E. coli und S. aureus förderlich. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth of Str. agalactiae, S. aureus and E. coli was analyzed in 20 milk and whey samples, half of which were from mastitic quarters and the other half from healthy quarters of the same cows. The increase in bacterial biomass in whole milk was followed by monitoring ATP by a luciferin-luciferase luminometric procedure. Bacterial growth in whey cultures was monitored by a tubidometric microtechnique. Bacteria showed significantly enhanced replication rates in mastitic milk and whey samples as compared with samples from control quarters. This was true for all three strains of bacteria used as inoculums. The increase in bacterial ATP showed a good correlation with the inflammatory markers for mastitis: SCC, NAGase, antitrypsin, BSA and plasmin. Monitoring bacterial growth by ATP is suggested as a marker for mastitis, keeping in mind the pathogenetic aspect of mastitis where the inflammation induces a change in milk which stimulates bacterial growth. Zusammenfassung Das Wachstum von Bakterien in Milch- und Molkenproben aus an Mastitis erkrankten Eutervierteln Das Wachstum von Str. agalactiae, S. aureus und E. coli wurde in 20 Milch- und Molkenproben untersucht. Die Hälfte der Proben stammte aus an Mastitis erkrankten Eutervierteln und die andere Hälfte von gesunden Vierteln derselben Kühe. Die Zunahme der bakteriellen Biomasse in der Vollmilch wurde mittels ATP-Bestimmung durch eine Luciferin-Luciferase-Lumineszenzmethode untersucht. Das Bakterienwachstum in den Molkenkulturen wurde mit einer turbidimetrischen Mikrotechnik dargestellt. Im Vergleich zu den Proben aus den gesunden Eutervierteln ließ sich in den Milch- und Molkeproben aus den kranken Vierteln eine deutlich gesteigerte Vermehrungsrate der Bakterien nachweisen. Dies galt für alle drei Bakterienstämme, die als Impfmaterial benutzt wurden. Die ATP-Zunahme der Bakterien zeigte eine gute Korrelation mit den Entzündungssymptomen der Mastitis: SCC, NAGase, Antitrypsin, BSA und Plasmin. Da durch eine Entzündung eine Veränderung in der Milch hervorgerufen wird, die das Bakterienwachstum anregt, wird zur Erkennung der Mastitis eine Überwachung des Bakterienwachstums durch den ATP-Nachweis vorgeschlagen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The screening of 30 substituted 1-hydroxyimidazoles as herbicides, anthelmintics, insecticides, bacteriostats, fungicides, coccidiostats and nematocides disclosed a broad spectrum of biological activity in all but two compounds. The most pesticidally active imidazoles carried an interdiazal benzenoid or heterocyclic aromatic ring substituent with a phenolic or potentially phenolic group attached thereto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This erratum is published due to incorrect name placement in original article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]