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The purpose of this work was to evaluate the decontamination potential of the Potok system both in an experimental setting in a research Operating Room (OR) with standalone Air Decontamination Units (Potok 150-M-01) and in a clinical setting in a real operating theatre in Moscow. Our experiments showed an impact of the Potok units on the bacterial contamination of the room air according to the Swedish SIS-TS 39:2015 standard. For the initial measurements in our research OR in Weiden this could be shown by a decrease of the bacterial burden at all three different measurement points (OR table, instrumentation tray, periphery). Also the subsequently done measurements in the Moscow hospital verified this decontaminating effectivity of the Potok system. In this case the initial background contamination of the operating theatre was higher than in the research OR in Germany. This bacterial burden could be effectively decreased by the use of the installed Potok based ventilation system.

The risk of infection via microbiologically contaminated surfaces has already been demonstrated by other publications. In this work two different antibacterial surface technologies transition metalloacids (AMiSTec) and TiO2/AgNO3 (Health Complete) were compared regarding feasibility as well as their advantages and disadvantages. The examination of the antimicrobial activity was assessed according to the JIS Z 2801. We could demonstrate that all of our tested samples showed a strong antimicrobial activity (>log 3 germ reduction) in the JIS experiments. Furthermore this strong antibacterial effect could be shown already after

Abstract Background Species of the fungal genus Trichoderma are important industrial producers of cellulases and hemicellulases, but also widely used as biocontrol agents (BCAs) in agriculture. In the latter function Trichoderma species stimulate plant growth, induce plant defense and directly antagonize plant pathogenic fungi through their mycoparasitic capabilities. The recent release of the genome sequences of four mycoparasitic Trichoderma species now forms the basis for large-scale genetic manipulations of these important BCAs. Thus far, only a limited number of dominant selection markers, including Hygromycin B resistance (hph) and the acetamidase-encoding amdS gene, have been available for transformation of Trichoderma spp. For more extensive functional genomics studies the utilization of additional dominant markers will be essential. Results We established the Escherichia coli neomycin phosphotransferase II-encoding nptII gene as a novel selectable marker for the transformation of Trichoderma atroviride conferring geneticin resistance. The nptII marker cassette was stably integrated into the fungal genome and transformants exhibited unaltered phenotypes compared to the wild-type. Co-transformation of T. atroviride with nptII and a constitutively activated version of the Gα subunit-encoding tga3 gene (tga3Q207L) resulted in a high number of mitotically stable, geneticin-resistant transformants. Further analyses revealed a co-transformation frequency of 68% with 15 transformants having additionally integrated tga3Q207L into their genome. Constitutive activation of the Tga3-mediated signaling pathway resulted in increased vegetative growth and an enhanced ability to antagonize plant pathogenic host fungi. Conclusion The neomycin phosphotransferase II-encoding nptII gene from Escherichia coli proved to be a valuable tool for conferring geneticin resistance to the filamentous fungus T. atroviride thereby contributing to an enhanced genetic tractability of these important BCAs.

Abstract Background Combating the action of plant pathogenic microorganisms by mycoparasitic fungi has been announced as an attractive biological alternative to the use of chemical fungicides since two decades. The fungal genus Trichoderma includes a high number of taxa which are able to recognize, combat and finally besiege and kill their prey. Only fragments of the biochemical processes related to this ability have been uncovered so far, however. Results We analyzed genome-wide gene expression changes during the begin of physical contact between Trichoderma atroviride and two plant pathogens Botrytis cinerea and Rhizoctonia solani, and compared with gene expression patterns of mycelial and conidiating cultures, respectively. About 3000 ESTs, representing about 900 genes, were obtained from each of these three growth conditions. 66 genes, represented by 442 ESTs, were specifically and significantly overexpressed during onset of mycoparasitism, and the expression of a subset thereof was verified by expression analysis. The upregulated genes comprised 18 KOG groups, but were most abundant from the groups representing posttranslational processing, and amino acid metabolism, and included components of the stress response, reaction to nitrogen shortage, signal transduction and lipid catabolism. Metabolic network analysis confirmed the upregulation of the genes for amino acid biosynthesis and of those involved in the catabolism of lipids and aminosugars. Conclusion The analysis of the genes overexpressed during the onset of mycoparasitism in T. atroviride has revealed that the fungus reacts to this condition with several previously undetected physiological reactions. These data enable a new and more comprehensive interpretation of the physiology of mycoparasitism, and will aid in the selection of traits for improvement of biocontrol strains by recombinant techniques.

This study examines how people migrating to Sweden in 2014/2015 for protection are oriented in a new space, and how their orientation and meaning-making changes over time. Based on a longitudinal design, where we interviewed the participants on two occasions a few years apart (2018 and 2022), we use Sara Ahmed's concept of orientation to analyze the participants' lived experiences of agency and inclusion in Sweden. The analysis shows a strong orientation towards learning Swedish and find employment, but also difficulties and a range of obstacles. Language learning and language education makes it possible to organize one's hope for a better future but may also create institutional stops. Participants' experiences also illustrate the importance of study associations' inclusive arrangement, which creates accessible social spaces. Against the background of recent repressive migration policies in Sweden, the article discusses how public discourses on "failed integration" tends to render invisible efforts and strategies among people seeking protection in the country, in pursuit of inclusion and a better future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the almost two decades that have passed since the Swedish parliament declared that Sweden is a multicultural society, debates about immigrants, about multiculturalism and about different ways of being a citizen have raged. So far there has been no stepping away from the declaration. In the rhetorical arena multiculturalism is still a word with positive connotations, but in the arena of political praxis the situation is different. Inequalities in access to social services, not least education, have increased dramatically, and these inequalities are typically correlated to immigrant background and place of residence. This article focuses on policy documents concerned with multiculturalism in Swedish education and textbooks. First of all, the analysis shows that although multiculturalism is inscribed in steering documents, the concept is never clearly defined but instead remains vague and malleable. Second, while the experiences of pupils with an immigrant background are typically said to bring variety to the classrooms and thus are useful for pedagogical purposes, textbooks seldom acknowledge that Sweden today is, indeed, a multicultural society.