EUCAST warnings concerning antimicrobial susceptibility testing products or procedures.
The EUCAST disk diffusion development laboratories, a network of laboratories coordinated from the EUCAST development laboratory in Växjö, Sweden, from time to time discover products (disks, media batches, gradient tests or procedures) which are not performing to the expected standard. When this is the case we inform the manufacturer and publish a warning on this page.
We do not systematically test all products so the lack of a warning does not imply that there is no problem with the product in question.
Laboratories which experience problems with a susceptibility test method, and suspect that this may be related to a particular product, may contact EUCAST for advice.
1. Problems with piperacillin-tazobactam gradient tests from two manufacturers.
Warning partially lifted - see below.
2. Wide variation in disk quality in 16 disks from nine manufacturers - this warning was issued in 2015 and reiterated 2016 and 2017. There is new information on improved quality November 23, 2017 (see below).
3. Problems with colistin susceptibility testing and several commercially available products - the warning initially issued July 2016 was updated 26 June, 2017 and is extended and still valid April 2019.
4. A warning against the use of vancomycin Etest™ (bioMérieux) and MTS™ (Liofilchem) for vancomycin MIC determination in Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium with low-level vancomycin resistance. Warning issued 10 July, 2018.
5. A problem with meropenem in a Thermo Fisher Sensititre panel (DKMGN) was discovered (6 November, 2018).
6. Variable performance of the itraconazole agar in the azole resistance screening plate from VipCheck.
1. Problems with piperacillin-tazobactam gradient tests.
This warning, issued 2015, is partially lifted April 2019.
The recently released new piperacillin-tazobactam Etest from bioMerieux has now been evaluated by the EUCAST Development Laboratory (April 2019) using isolates of E. coli, K.pneumoniae and Ps. aeruginosa with varying MICs to piperacillin-tazobactam (wild-type isolates MICs in the area 1 - 8 mg/L and isolates with MICs of 16, 32 and 64 mg/L). The correlation between broth microdilution and the new Etest MIC values was satisfactory and we therefore lift the warning on Etest piperacillin-tazobactam. However, it is important to remind users of the new test that it was designed and validated for Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas (and Acinetobacter) only. There are no recommendations for use with other species.
Currently we have no information pertaining to piperacillin-tazobactam gradient tests from other manufacturers.
2. Wide variation in disk quality in 16 disks from 9 manufacturers.
The warning was issued 2015 and reiterated in 2016. It will be removed when problem is solved.
During 2014 and 2015, EUCAST has evaluated the disk potency of 16 strategically important antibiotic disks from nine manufacturers of disks for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Results from the first study were released at ECCMID 2014. Manufacturers were offered an opportunity to supply new disk lots to possibly improve their results. The second round of testing was presented at ECCMID in Amsterdam. Some manufacturers have asked that EUCAST performs further checks on new lots produced to try to right poor quality in previous lots. The EUCAST evaluation was published in CMI 2018.
The study disclosed some good and some poor quality among disks and manufacturers. Disks from a few of them were consistently of a high quality whereas the opposite was true for some manufacturers. Laboratories are warned against the use of some disks and manufacturers are urged to improve their manufacturing process.
2017 (November 23): Follow-up studies have been performed and the results from autumn 2017 will be included in the presentation. A short summary is that disks from manufacturers with problematic disks have improved quality in the 2017 trials. Disks from HiMedia Labs have also improved but are still not acceptable. Several producers have problems related to the clavulanic acid component of amoxicillinclavulanic acid. Further testing is ongoing.
3. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of colistin - problems detected with several commercially available products.
This warning was issued July 2016 and it is still valid April 2019. The current text was updated April 2019 and is a summary of the previous warnings and includes the results following further testing of more broth microdilution tests and more organisms. The warning is extended April 2019 to include the colistin gradient test from HiMedia (Colistin EZY MIC Strip), tested by EUCAST 2018/19 and shown to give as unreliable results as other gradient tests.
Warnings will be modified or removed when issues have been resolved.
Article now available in CMI.
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of colistin has been fraught with difficulties. A joint EUCAST and CLSI subcommittee recently issued recommendations confirming that broth microdilution (BMD) is so far the only valid method and that disk diffusion does not work because of the poor diffusion of the large colistin molecule. The report did not evaluate gradient tests of colistin, but reports in the literature have questioned the validity of MICs obtained with gradient tests.
We used a collection of clinical isolates (n=75) obtained from international contacts (acknowledge: SENTRY collection (P. Rhomberg, JMI Laboratories, USA), S. Gatermann, Bochum, Germany, R. Henriksen, DTU, Copenhagen, Denmark, Ö. Samuelsen, Tromsö, Norway, J. Vila, Barcelona and L. Martinez-Martinez, Santander, Spain) of Escherichia coli (n= 14), Klebsiella pneumoniae, (n=18 ) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=21) and Acinetobacter spp (n=22) without and with various resistance mechanisms and with different levels of resistance to colistin. Several Enterobacteriaceae had the mcr-1 gene. Broth microdilution MIC values of the four species were 0.25 – 128 mg/L.
The broth microdilution tests we have evaluated all seem to give correct results both for susceptible and non-susceptible isolates (see below) although some of them may benefit from further improvements.
Disk diffusion cannot be used for susceptibility testing of colistin. It does not discriminate between susceptible and resistant isolates.
Currently available gradient tests underestimate colistin MIC values and undercall resistance, and should be avoided, even when quality control results are within range.
We could not systematically evaluate semi-automated colistin methods but by sending isolates with MIC values in the non-susceptible range to colleagues around the world we have disclosed the frequent occurrence of Very Major Errors.
Users of semi-automated devices should apply rigorous QC (see below) and check with the manufacturer whether or not they are confident that their method for colistin AST gives correct results.
Quality control of colistin must be performed with both a susceptible QC strain (E. coli ATCC 25922 or P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and the colistin resistant E. coli NCTC 13846 (mcr-1 positive). For E. coli NCTC 13846, the colistin MIC target value is 4 mg/L and should only occasionally be 2 or 8 mg/L.
The study, now published in CMI, evaluates seven commercial MIC determination products against standard broth microdilution for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter spp.
The study has, since the publication, been extended to encompass Colistin EZY MIC Strip (from HiMedia). This product produces MIC results on colistin which are as unreliable as those produced by the other tested gradient tests. Broth Microdilution is still the only method for colsitin recommended by EUCAST.
4. Warning against the use of vancomycin Etest™ (bioMérieux) and MTS™ (Liofilchem) for vancomycin MIC determination in Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium with low-level vancomycin resistance.
Warning issued 10 July, 2018.
A study performed by the Norwegian reference laboratory in Tromsö, Norway, has found that currently available gradient tests from bioMerieux and Liofilchem underestimate vancomycin MIC in low level vancomycin resistant (E. faecalis and E. faecium positive for vanA/vanB and with broth microdilution MICs of 8 - 32 mg/L) and that this causes false susceptibility in these strains. The finding has been confirmed by the EUCAST Development Laboratory. Liofilchem and bioMerieux are currently investigating the problem. The M.I.C.E from Oxoid/Thermofisher was not part of the investigation but has now been evaluated using the same strain collection and the same conditions. The same problem has been identified for M.I.C.E.
Until this has been resolved, EUCAST warns against the use of vancomycin gradient tests to confirm low level vanB mediated resistance in E. faecalis and E. faecium. This is until further notice best confirmed by the use of PCR or the determination of MIC using broth microdilution.
However, there is good reason to remind users of disks and gradient tests of the importance of extending incubation to 24h, as recommended in guidelines.
5. Meropenem in a broth microdilution panel (DKMGN) from Sensititre.
Meropenem in a broth microdilution panel (DKMGN) from Sensititre (November, 2018).
The reference method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is broth microdilution (BMD). Increasing numbers of commercial AST systems, both BMD and others, are available on the market. The EUCAST Development Laboratory (EDL) does not have the capacity to systematically check the quality of these systems.
EUCAST was recently alerted to a potential problem for meropenem in E. coli and K. pneumoniae on the Sensititre panel DKMGN (batches B8012, B8201A and B8314A) manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific. This was confirmed by the EUCAST Development Laboratory and recently also by the company and has now led to a company issued Technical Bulletin addressing the problem. The importance of an adequate inoculum is emphasized.
The warning was issued 13 Dec, 2018. It will be removed when problem is solved.
During October-December, 2018, the EUCAST AFST committee has experienced variable performance of two batches of VipCheck plates (screening plate for detection of azole resistance in A. fumigatus). In brief, wild type (wt) clinical Aspergillus fumigatus isolates and the susceptible quality control strain A. fumigatus ATCC 204305 grew on an unacceptable number of itraconazole wells (batches #144914 and #145151). These isolates were confirmed wt and susceptible by EUCAST E.Def 9.3.1 reference testing and target gene sequencing, and failed to grow on itraconazole in house plates prepared according to E.Def 10.1. The concentration of itraconazole has subsequently been compared in VipCheck plates and in house plates and the results suggest a variable itraconazole concentration to be the cause of the problem. This may lead to erroneus categorization of both susceptible and resistant isolates. It is currently unknown how many batches, and also how many plates in each batch, may be affected. The manufacturer is currently reviewing the protocol for dissolving itraconazole to improve their manufacturing process.
Laboratories are warned against the use of the VipCheck plates until this issue has been resolved.
Warnings will be removed when the issues have been solved.


text:
Jose Mourinho losing faith of Man Utd chiefs as dressing-room revolt grows
EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United board aware of the unrest as it's claimed Mourinho has "lost 90% of the squad's support"
Jose Mourinho is facing a growing rebellion among his Manchester United players.
Mourinho's position has come under increasing scrutiny from the club's American owners and directors after a terrible start to the season which has already left the Red Devils' hopes of finishing in the top four hanging in the balance.
But while the United boss was able to rely on the support of several senior players earlier in the campaign, the mood among the men he is looking towards to save his job has hit a new low.
According to a source close to the United dressing room, Mourinho has "lost 90% of the squad's support."
Mourinho's United entered the weekend closer to last place in the table than first (Image: AFP/Getty)
His failure to publicly back individuals such as Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford has undermined morale.
The depth of disillusionment among the players is known in the boardroom.
And there is a reluctance to hand the manager any more money to spend in next month's transfer window despite Mourinho's constant demands for new players.
Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the No.1 contender to succeed the beleaguered Portuguese, who ended a four-game Premier League winless run on Saturday at home to bottom club Fulham.
But there is no chance of landing the Tottenham boss before the end of the Premier League season — and it will take a huge compensation package to prise the Argentinean away in the summer.
Former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane and ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte are both available, but United have resisted the temptation to make a change now because they are aware the squad needs a major rebuild.
Avram and Joel Glazer are now reluctant to fund big Mourinho buys next month (Image: Getty)
Mourinho signed a one-year contract extension to 2020 in the summer.
The deal is worth £15million-a-year, although United will be able to ditch the 55-year-old for half that amount if he fails to qualify for next season's Champions League.
There is also a feeling that the manager is not getting the best out of the talent he has, because of his safety-first tactics.
United's stance is that it is more realistic to change the manager than to sell disillusioned star players.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Kolkata hospital observes Thalassaemia Day
By Calcutta Tube Team / May 10, 2011
Kolkata, May 10 (Calcutta Tube / IBNS): Kolkata-based Mercy Hospital observed World Thalassaemia Day on Saturday with an aim of creating awareness about the disease.
Leading actors of popular Bengali serial 'Gaaner Opaarey' were present at the edvent to support the cause.
"Simply explained, Thalassaemia is a genetically transmitted disorder of blood, which causes anaemia.It is common in this part of the worlds and most children in with Thalassaemia need a transfusion of red blood cells once or twice a month," said Sanjay Prasad, CEO of Mercy Hospital.
"There is so much that one can do to reach out, and we feel privileged that we can help so many children with their transfusion and treatment."
Speaking about the event, he said: "We hold this annual programme to brighten up put patients faces, and top bring some joy into their otherwise humdrum lives. Even a little effort goes a long way in making these young children smile."
Television actors Gaurav, Arjun, Mimi and Anindita, who attended the event on Saturday afternoon, said that they are ready to support the cause as awareness about the disease needs to be increased in the society.
"I have never attended this kind of event before. I really feel that we should give more and more support to these kinds of programmes," said Gaurav.
"The fight against this deadly diseases is on and our support is there. If we can bring smile to the faces of these children, then it will be great. We are blessed to be a part of this event," he said.
The World Thalassaemia Day is observed on May 8.
Tags: Health, Kolkata Events
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan on RabindraSangeet: liberty Tagore took in creating music
Kolkata schools get Braille books


The current NHHC logo (click for full image). It's on the way out as early as the end of 2013.
Naval History and Heritage Command is in the home stretch of a contest that'll help create the centerpiece of its rebranding effort.
Your mission: Create a logo for the command — one that promotes the command's mission of preservation and historical outreach. The winner's work will be used to inspire a new official NHHC logo, which will be rolled out as part of an overall command branding effort, likely later this year. Get the rules and details here.
Your prize: The knowledge that your artwork helped shape the next generation of fleet history. Also, a certificate.
Many entries have incorporated modern and historic images.
One potential entrant told Joseph S. Fordham, who'll chair a panel of logo judges, that the prize was a bit skimpy.
Fordham, integration manager for NHHC's communication outreach division, and his panel will recommend three logos to Capt. Jerry Hendrix, director of the command, for his selection. Contest organizers hope to announce a winner sometime in October, Fordham said.
The "fouled anchor" is a common entry theme.
Entries — some of which are pictured at right, courtesy of the NHHC's blog— have come from professional graphic artists and from sources within the fleet and even within NHHC, Fordham said. Just shy of 30 entries have been received so far, with many more artists reaching out to the command and promising a piece before the Labor Day deadline, he said.
Even if you're not a professional artist, remember — the winner's design will be used as an inspiration for the logo; NHHC isn't after a super-polished final product.
The public will get a look at all the entries shortly after the deadline, Fordham said, and a chance to weigh in with their favorites.


Highlights: Visit Barcelona, Cordoba, Granada, Madrid, Seville, Valencia.
We will meet at the Madrid airport and then transfer to hotel for a good rest.
We will have a morning Madrid panoramic city tour: find the medieval origins of the city, like the Arabic fortress, at the Barrio de la Morería; drive through the courtesan district of the Hapsburgs characterized by Phillip II and its Renaissance and Baroque style buildings, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa, the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá; admire the XIX C. works such as Prado Museum; the contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. A stop will be made at the famous "Hard Rock Café" to enjoy a free drink. Afternoon will be free.
The main national art museum of Spain, this facility is lovated in Central Madrid and features one of the world's finest collections of European art dating from the 12th century to the early 19th.
After breakfast at the hotel start driving looking for the Mediterranean coast. Via Murcia, capital of the fertile garden of the Segura river, continue north via Alicante, the second largest city within the autonomous region land of Valencia. Reach Valencia one of the main capitals of the Mediterranean coast with its modern Arts and Sciences Architectural Complex integrated by six elements: Hemispheric, Umbracle, Science Museum, Oceanographic, Palau de les Arts and Agora. Valencia is also the home of the internationally well renowned and delicious "Paella", Accommodation at the hotel.
This entertainment is made up of several buildings, all of them state of the art examples of postmodern architecture. Within the facility is an IMAX theater, an oceanography museum, an opera house, concert hall, and much more!
Today we will take a morning city tour of this bright city including a drive through the old city showing the most prominent buildings. We will then drive by the old riverbed of the Turia to the most avant-garde complex "Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias" to watch the emblematic exteriors of the six buildings. In the afternoon we will depart northward all along the Mediterranean coast to Catalunya, via Tarragona, the Roman Tarraco and reach Barcelona principal Mediterranean city homeland of the famous architect Gaudí symbol of the Catalonian modernism.
In the morning we will have a city tour of Barcelona, well known for the Olympic Games during 1992. We will drive along the main avenues with impressive modernist buildings by Gaudi such as La Pedrera, Casa Mila, the Montjuïc Park, Olympic Ring, monument to Columbus and the Olympic Port. Afternoon will be for you to keep on discovering this city.
After breakfast at the hotel, guests will be transferred to Barcelona's airport.


Good data is the driving force behind successful marketing. Data can be analyzed to determine what your customers are looking for, what will drive them to purchase, and to establish a best prospect profile.
Download the free solutions guide to learn how manufacturers can understand their best customers to find new revenue opportunities.


text:
Q: is it legitimate to have an non-free app to show ads as well? on iPhone App Store I see two categories of apps - not free w/ no ads and free with ads. Is it legitimate to have an app that not free but will show ads as well? Is there any problem with that model?

A: Don't. If they pay, they expect no ads and it to be feature complete bar in app purchases. If you need the income, bump up the price. Adding ads will just annoy your users.

A: You can still have ads in an app that is paid however, people generally purchase apps thinking they won't contain ads and by including ads, people will be inclined not to purchase the app and leave bad reviews and ask for money back and therefore, it's generally a bad idea to include ads in a paid app...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


I have been living in Chennai for over 5 years. I am 6 feet tall and moderately built. My job as a finance has made me a patient man. My job also keeps me on my toes as I am always trying to learn new skills to keep pace with the changing technology landscape. I especially value humor, being able to laugh at yourself, being able to communicate, culture in general, social issues, staying healthy, and the freedom to think out of the box.
My name is Shashidharan and we run our own Business. i have completed my MBA. I grew up in a Upper middle class, Joint family with Traditional.
I am K Karthikeyan working as a Engineer - Non IT in the Private sector.TAFE Ltd, Chennai. I have completed my BE(Mechanical) Sandwich course and pursuing M.E..in Anna University, Chennai. I grew up in a Upper Middle Class, Nuclear family with Liberal values.
My name is Niranchan and i am run my own Business. I have completed my BE. I grew up in a Upper Middle Class class, Nuclear family with Liberal.
My name is N Santhoshkumar and I am working as a Manager in the Private sector. I have completed Higher Secondary School / High School. I grew up in a Middle Class class, Nuclear family with Traditional values.
My name is K. Karthikeyan and I work in the Private Sector as an Engineer - Non IT. I belong to a Upper Middle Class, Nuclear Family with Liberal Values. I have completed my BE & Pursuing ME in Anna University, Chennai.
My name is P. Muthuraama Krishnan and I am work as a Consultant in the Private Sector. I have completed my M.S.(Engg.). I have been raised up in a Rich / Affluent, Nuclear family with Moderate Values.
hi every one I am krishnasai i self-employed with a Bachelor's degree, i am very caring person, Good looking, smart, soft hearted person,respects elders, believe in God, i don't have any bad habits, i haveing textile shop in salem , my office is financial service.


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Q: How to setup Active/Passive HAproxy configuration for MySQL with automatic failover but not automatic failback I want to set Master - Master replication in MySQL using HAproxy as Load Balancer.
Using backup option for Master 2 helps to route traffic to Master 2 only when Master 1 is down, but as soon as Master 1 comes up, traffic is automatically routed to Master 1; it does not wait for the replication to complete. Need help on the configuration.
Found a link as below but not sure on how to set the peers and will it be helpful for MySQL. Looking for a working solution.
https://www.haproxy.com/blog/emulating-activepassing-application-clustering-with-haproxy/

A: You should consider running keepalived service on two masters. keepalived enables virtualIP that can be bound to active master. post failover of the primary master, the virtualIP gets bound to standby master and would become primary.
when old primary comes backup, it would become standby and the failback doesnt happen.


A double barrelled confetti and streamer cannon packing a massive punch. Ideally suited to festival stages and stadium trophy presentations where a huge effect is required on the push of a button.
The unit is completely self-contained with both its own power and compressed air tank on board. If used with wireless DMX, the unit can be fired remotely with no need for any connecting cables or hoses.
Barrels can be fired simultaneously for maximum impact or separately for a double shot.


This year the School of Cinematic Arts is a first-time recipient of a $10,000 IME-BECAS grant. Funded by the government of Mexico, the grant will support SCA students from Mexico or of Mexican origin with demonstrated financial need.
The scholarships support students across the United States including many studying at California colleges and universities. SCA's first IME-BECAS scholars were awarded in the 2017-2018 academic year, Andrea Porras-Madero and Adrian Vega Albela Osorio.


text:
Q: Python typing: How to check list items are enum values Say I have some enum:
class ExampleEnum(Enum):
     FOO = "FOO"
     BAR = "BAR"
     ....
     FOOBAR = "FOOBAR"

I want to add some type checking to a list to say that the elements must be values from ExampleEnum, i.e something like:
myList: list[Literal[ExampleEnum]] = ...
How can this be done?


text:
Q: How to specify os-specific wheel files in the Pipfile I'm trying to use the pipenv and pytorch.
To install pytorch in windows, I have to write following codes into the Pipfile:
[packages]
torch = {file = "http://download.pytorch.org/whl/cpu/torch-0.4.1-cp37-cp37m-win_amd64.whl"}

However, the wheel file is different for the linux.
[packages]
torch = {file = "http://download.pytorch.org/whl/cpu/torch-0.4.1.post2-cp37-cp37m-linux_x86_64.whl "}

How to specify both of them in Pipfile?

A: This article demonstrates how to structure your Pipfile to use pytorch across multiple platforms. I tweaked their example to deal with whl files on my local file system:
[packages]
pyfoo = {path = "./../pyfoo/dist/pyfoo-1.1.0-cp37-cp37m-linux_x86_64.whl", platform_system = "== 'Linux'"}
pyfoo-win = {path = "./../pyfoo/dist/pyfoo-1.1.0-py3-none-any.whl", platform_system = "== 'Windows'"}

In this case, pyfoo is an internal libarary that has been built using python setup.py build and python setup.py bdist_wheel.
The article uses some kind of pipenv generated hash in place of pyfoo-win. I could not coerce pipenv into generating that hash, so I created my own string. It may just be the prefix of the hash in the lock file.
Note: This approach is working for me, but there is a downer: both whl files need to be present when you install packages. pipenv sync bombs out if one of them is missing, even though it really only needs one of the two. Interestingly, the contents of the irrelevant file does not seem to matter. On my linux machine, I did an echo 'hello' > to the windows whl file, and pipenv was happy with it.


text:
NGC 2723 je galaksija u zviježđu Vodenoj zmiji.

Izvori

Vanjske poveznice

2723
NGC 2723

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Abby Huntsman of "The View" seemed to push Ivanka Trump's buttons earlier this month when she asked about "rumors" that President Donald Trump had intervened to obtain top security clearances for the first daughter and her husband, senior White House adviser Jared Kushner.
Three weeks later, the interview began circulating again on social media after The New York Times reported that the president had ordered that a top-secret security clearance be granted to Kushner last May despite objections by intelligence and White House officials. Trump, who has denied doing so, dismissed intelligence officials' concerns about Kushner's foreign contacts.
Now go say that under oath Svetlana.


An instruction given to a broker to close out an existing position for a net gain. Experienced forex traders will often place a take profit order (T/P) and a stop loss order (S/L) with their broker whenever they enter a position, especially when they are not able to watch the market themselves. longs are closed with a sell take profit order, while shorts are closed with a buy take profit order.
take profit order (T/P). InvestorGuide.com. WebFinance, Inc. http://www.investorguide.com/definition/take-profit-order-tp.html (access:April 18, 2019).


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What is Lent?
Lent (Latin: Quadragesima, "fortieth") is an observance in the liturgical year of many Christian denominations, lasting for a period of approximately six weeks leading up to Easter. In most Western denominations Lent is taken to run from Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) or to Easter Eve.
No, Jehovah's Witnesses do not observe Lent or Easter. Jehovah's Witnesses only formally celebrate the one event that Jesus commanded his followers. The memorial of his death (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
Notice the following excerpt from the article, Fasting—Does It Draw You Closer to God? (w09 4/1 pp. 27-29; Watchtower Online Library):
"The 40-day fast of Lent is said to commemorate the 40-day fast of Christ. Yet, Jesus never commanded his disciples to commemorate his fast, nor is there any evidence that they did so. The first reliable mention of the 40-day fast before Easter is thought to be in letters of Athanasius, dated 330 C.E.
"Since Jesus fasted following his baptism and not before his death, the fact that some religions observe Lent in the weeks preceding Easter may seem strange. However, a 40-day fast in the early part of the year was common among ancient Babylonians, Egyptians, and Greeks. The "Christian" custom was evidently borrowed from them."
Lent (INDEX; Watchtower Online Library)
Fasting - Links to Information (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)
Do Jehovah Witness give up stuff for Lent like Catholics do? (Y/A)
Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Easter? (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)
MEMORIAL (Lord's Evening Meal) (INDEX; Watchtower Online Library)
Lord's Evening Meal (Insight-2 pp. 268-271; Watchtower Online Library)
An Occasion You Should Not Miss - 2014 Invitation to the Memorial of Jesus' Death (JW.ORG)
The Lord's Evening Meal—An Observance That Honors God (bh; JW.ORG)
'Do This in Remembrance of Me' (THE WATCHTOWER (STUDY EDITION) DECEMBER 2013; JW.ORG)
'This Is to Be a Memorial for You' (THE WATCHTOWER (SIMPLIFIED EDITION) DECEMBER 2013; JW.ORG)
Why Observe the Lord's Evening Meal? (w03 2/15 pp. 12-16; Watchtower Online Library)
The Lord's Evening Meal—How Observed? (w04 3/15 pp. 4-7; Watchtower Online Library)
What Does the Lord's Evening Meal Mean to You? (w03 2/15 pp. 17-22; Watchtower Online Library)
The Ransom—God's Greatest Gift (bh chap. 5 pp. 47-56; Watchtower Online Library)
How can you demonstrate that you appreciate God's gift of the ransom? Attend the annual observance of the Lord's Evening Meal.
The Eucharist—The Facts Behind the Ritual (w08 4/1 pp. 26-29; Watchtower Online Library)
What was the original observance that Jesus instituted like?
The Memorial of Christ's Death - Why Do Jehovah's Witnesses Observe it Annually? (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)
Why did Jesus have to sacrifice his life? What is the Ransom? (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)
VIDEO: Invitation to the Memorial of Jesus Christ's Death - April 14th 2014 - Jehovah's Witnesses
This video is also available in: Spanish (español) Italian (italiano) Portuguese (Português) Russian (русский) Ukrainian (українська) German (Deutsch) Polish (polski) Greek (Ελληνική) French (Français) Arabic (العربية) Dutch (Nederlands) Filipino (Tagalog).
On the night before he surrendered his life, Jesus instructed his faithful followers to remember, or commemorate, his sacrifice. Using the unleavened bread and the red wine before them, he instituted what has been called the Last Supper or the Lord's Evening Meal and commanded: "Keep doing this in remembrance of me."—Luke 22:19.
Each year, Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide gather to commemorate Jesus' death on its anniversary. In 2014, the Memorial falls on Monday, April 14, after sundown.
You are cordially invited to attend this meeting, during which further information on the significance of Jesus' sacrificial death will be presented. Attendance at this event is completely free. No collections will be taken. Contact your local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses for the time and location of the Memorial that will be held in your area, or you may consult our Web site, www.jw.org. More information regarding the Lord's Evening Meal can be found by clicking this link.
Is the Number 144,000 Mentioned in Revelation Meant to be Taken Literally?
[It is conflicting] when someone criticizes the view that the number 144,000 is not literal but at the same time THEY
want to view the *12* tribes as a literal number and as literal Jews and virgins!
Those who claim that the number 144,000 is symbolic and yet still view the number 12 and the names of the tribes as literal cannot honestly maintain their claim that literal and symbolic numbers cannot appear together.
Claiming that the number 144,000 cannot be a literal number because it appears in context with other numbers and terms which are symbolic is an unreasonable argument. If that were the case then everything in Revelation would have to be symbolic or everything literal. Yet, every one knows that Revelation contains both symbolic and literal terms. Sometimes they appear right next to each other. For example, John speaks of "the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb" (Rev.21:14). Clearly, the number 12 mentioned in this verse is literal, not symbolic, yet it is surrounded by obviously symbolic numbers and terms. Revelation mentions "the thousand years" of Christ's reign. Most recognize that number as a literal, but it is mentioned in context with many symbolic terms (Rev.20:3-7). Many Protestants understand the seven mountains to be literal (Rome) even though it appears in context with symbols. Hence, whether a number in Revelation is to be taken literally or symbolically depends on the scriptural context, the setting and sometimes grammar. Do such literalists also believe a literal city comes down from Heaven and marries a literal lamb?!!
Obviously, John was not referring to literal virginity, otherwise even Peter and other Apostles would not qualify to rule in heaven and Jesus would have lied when he said they would rule with him (1Co 9:5; Mk 1:29-31; Mt 19:28; Lk 22:29-30; Jn.14:1-3).
While many feel that the number 144,000 is symbolic, the contextual evidence is that it is a literal number.
First, it is contrasted with an unnumberable "great crowd." If it were not literal the number 144,000 would be senseless, it would mean nothing. It might as well have no number at all, for there would be no contrast between it and the "great crowd," which is numberless.
Robert L. Thomas Jr., professor of New Testament at The Master's Seminary wrote: "The case for symbolism is exegetically weak...It is a definite number in contrast with the indefinite number of 7:9. If it is taken symbolically, no number in the book can be taken literally."--Revelation: An Exegetical Commentary, Vol.1 pg 474.
The 144,000 are also described as "firstfruits" (Rev.14:1, 4) The expression "firstfruits" refers to a small representative selection so it cannot be referring to ALL those who gain salvation.
A literal and limited number also fits Christ's other statements such as Luke 12:32 where Jesus calls his disciples a "little flock" that will obtain the Kingdom. In John 10:1-5 Jesus discussed the same ones but then mentions "other sheep" not in the first "fold" (Jn.10:16) and they would both would be united as "one flock" following him (Christians). The picture here is a "little flock" compared to "other sheep."
So there are logical reasons to conclude that the number 144,000 cannot be a symbol of a large indeterminate number but must be literal.
Next, the 12 tribes of Rev. 7:4-8 cannot be natural Jews. The list in Revelation diverges from the usual tribal listing found at Num. 1:4-17, 47. There never was a tribe of Joseph, the tribes of Ephraim and Dan are not included in Revelation and the Levites were not reckoned as one of the 12 tribes.
John had explicitly stated that those who were to rule as kings and priests over the earth would be from "every tribe and tongue and people and nation" (Re 5:9-10). Interpreting Rev.7:4 to mean literal Israel would cause John to contradict himself.
The "12 tribes" here must refer to the spiritual "Israel of God" (Gal. 6:16; 1Pt. 2:9; Mt.3:9). Gal. 3:26-29 says: "There is neither Jew nor Greek...if you belong to Christ, you are really Abraham's seed."
Jesus said: "The kingdom of God will be taken from YOU and be given to a nation producing its fruits (Mt.21:42-43). Replacing natural Israel as God's nation, it becomes a new "Israel" that is "really 'Israel'" (Rm.2:28-29; 9:6-9).
John's vision of those standing on the heavenly Mount Zion with the Lamb revealed the number of this spiritual Israel of God to be 144,000 "bought from among mankind" not "from among the Jews (Rev. 7:4; 14:1, 4; 5:9,10; James 1:1).
Source: This is the Best Answer given by Bar_Anerges to a question from Yahoo! Answers.
144,000 - Links to Information (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)
Why do Jehovah's Witnesses take the number 144,000 mentioned in the book of Revelation literally and not symbolically? (w04 9/1 pp. 30-31; Questions From Readers; Watchtower Online Library)
Are the 144,000 only natural Jews? Is the number 144,000 merely symbolic? (rs p. 161-p. 168; Watchtower Online Library)
Why do Jehovah's Witnesses take the number 144,000 literally? (w04 12/15 p. 30; Watchtower Online Library)
144,000 - Links to Information (Watchtower Online Library)
Quotes - Holy Spirit is a Force from God, Trinitarians Admit
In the Old Testament (OT) it is clear that the inspired Bible writers intended holy spirit (ruah or ruach in Hebrew) to be understood as an invisible, powerful force from God. Even many trinitarian scholars will admit that.
For example, The Catholic Encyclopedia, p. 269, 1976, admits: "In the OT the Holy Spirit means a divine power..."
And the New Bible Dictionary, Tyndale House Publishers, 1984, pp. 1136,1137, says:
"Spirit, Holy Spirit. OT, Heb. ruah 378 times ...; NT, Gk. pneuma 379 times." And "Divine power, where ruah is used to describe ... a supernatural force...." And "At its [the Old Testament's concept of ruah, God's spirit] heart is the experience of a mysterious, awesome power - the mighty invisible force of the wind, the mystery of its vitality, the otherly power that transforms - all ruah, all manifestations of divine energy." And "at this early stage [pre-Christian] of understanding, God's ruah was thought of simply as a supernatural power (under God's authority) exerting force in some direction."
The Encyclopedia Americana tells us:
"The doctrine of the Holy Spirit [as a person who is God] is a distinctly Christian [?] one.... the Spirit of Jehovah [in the OT] is the active divine principle in nature. .... But it is in the New Testament [NT] that we find the bases of the doctrine of the Spirit's personality." And "Yet the early Church did not forthwith attain to a complete doctrine; nor was it, in fact, until after the essential divinity of Jesus had received full ecclesiastical sanction [in 325 A.D. at the Council of Nicaea] that the personality of the Spirit was explicitly recognized, and the doctrine of the Trinity formulated." Also, "It is better to regard the Spirit as the agency which, proceeding from the Father and the Son, dwells in the church as the witness and power of the life therein." - Vol. 14, p. 326, 1957 ed.
And the Encyclopedia Britannica Micropaedia, 1985 ed., Vol. 6, p. 22 says:
"The Hebrew word ruah (usually translated `spirit') is often found in texts referring to the free and unhindered activity of God, .... There was, however, no explicit belief in a separate divine person in Biblical Judaism; in fact, the New Testament itself is not entirely clear in this regard....
"The definition that the Holy Spirit was a distinct divine Person equal in substance to the Father and the Son and not subordinate to them came at the Council of Constantinople in AD 381...."
Many historians and Bible scholars (most of them trinitarians) freely admit the above truth. For example: "On the whole, the New Testament, like the Old, speaks of the Spirit as a divine energy or power." - A Catholic Dictionary.
An Encyclopedia of Religion agrees:
"In the New Testament there is no direct suggestion of the Trinity. The Spirit is conceived as an impersonal power by which God effects his will through Christ." - p. 344, Virgilius Ferm, 1945 ed.
Even the trinitarian New Bible Dictionary tells us:
"It is important to realize that for the first Christians the Spirit was thought of in terms of divine power." - p. 1139, Tyndale House Publishers, 1984.
And the respected (and trinitarian) New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology confirms:
"As in earlier Jewish thought, pneuma [`spirit'] denotes that power which man experiences as relating him to the spiritual realm of reality which lies beyond ordinary observation and human control. Within this broad definition pneuma has a fairly wide range of meaning. But by far the most frequent use of pneuma in the NT (more than 250 times) is as a reference to the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, that power which is most immediately of God as to source and nature." - p. 693.
"The Spirit in the earliest Christian Communities and in Acts. `Holy Spirit' denotes supernatural power, altering, working through, directing the believer .... This is nowhere more clearly evident than in Acts where the Spirit is presented as an almost tangible force, visible if not in itself, certainly in its effects. This power of the Spirit manifests itself in three main areas in Luke's account of the early church [Acts]. (a) The Spirit as a transforming power in conversion. [p. 698] .... (b) The Spirit of prophecy. For the first Christians, the Spirit was most characteristically a divine power manifesting itself in inspired utterance. The same power that had inspired David and the prophets in the old age (Acts 1:16; 3:18; 4:25; 28:25) [p. 699] .... (c) The Spirit was evidently experienced as a numinous power pervading the early community ....
"The Spirit in the Pauline Letters. [p. 700] .... It is important to realize that for Paul too the Spirit is a divine power whose impact upon or entrance into a life is discernible by its
effects." - pp. 693-701, Vol. 3, Zondervan, 1986.
"The emergence of Trinitarian speculations in early church theology led to great difficulties in the article about the Holy Spirit. For the being-as-person of the Holy Spirit, which is evident in the New Testament as divine power ..., could not be clearly grasped.... The Holy Spirit was viewed NOT AS A PERSONAL FIGURE BUT RATHER AS A POWER
" - The New Encyclopedia Britannica.
(To those who are not Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs), please remember that if you are looking for the authoritative information on beliefs, practices and news releases you should look to the source at www.jw.org.)
How do Jehovah's Witnesses view paying taxes? Jehovah's Witnesses base all of their beliefs, their standards for conduct, and organizational procedures on the Bible. So when it comes to the issue of paying taxes, Jehovah's Witnesses look to the Bible for the answer. The Bible shows that Christians are to pay taxes. But with taxes increasingly becoming burdensome, some may wonder, 'Must Christians really pay all taxes—including those some may consider unreasonable or unjust?'
Well, consider what Jesus told his disciples. He knew that his Jewish countrymen bitterly resented the taxes imposed by Rome. Regardless of this, Jesus urged: "Pay back Caesar's things to Caesar, but God's things to God." (Mark 12:17) Interestingly, Jesus advocated paying tax to the very regime that would shortly execute him.
Also, a few years later, Paul plainly stated this at Romans 13:7:
"Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." (New International Version)
Despite the fact that large sums of tax money were used to fund Rome's military and to support the immoral and excessive life-style of the Roman emperors, he still urged the paying of taxes. Why? The answer lies in the context of Paul's words. At Romans 13:1, he wrote: "Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God." When the nation of Israel had God-fearing rulers, it was easy to view supporting the nation financially as a civic and religious duty. But Christians also have a similar responsibility when the rulers were unbelieving idol worshipers because God had granted rulers the "authority" to rule.
Three Reasons For Paying Taxes
Because governments can do a great deal to maintain order, this allows Christians to carry on their various spiritual activities. (Matthew 24:14; Hebrews 10:24, 25) Paul said this when mentioning the superior governmental authority: "It is God's minister to you for your good." (Romans 13:4) Paul himself took advantage of the protection the Roman government offered. For example, when he found himself the victim of a mob, he was saved by Roman soldiers. Later he appealed to the Roman judicial system so that he could continue serving as a missionary. (Acts 22:22-29; 25:11, 12)
At Romans 13:1-6, Paul mentioned three reasons for paying taxes. First, he spoke about the "wrath" of the governments in punishing lawbreakers. Second, he explained that a godly individual's conscience would be adversely affected if he cheated on his taxes. Finally, he indicated that taxes are simply compensation for the services governments perform as "public servants."
True Christians Obey Tax Laws
It is clear that Paul's fellow Christians took his words seriously because Justin Martyr, the second-century Christian writer (about 110 to 165 C.E.), said that Christians paid their taxes "more readily than all men." True Christians who heed these words continue to do so clear down to today. (Matthew 5:41)
Christians are free to take advantage of any legal tax deductions if applicable. However, in keeping with Jesus' and Paul's urgings, true Christians do not engage in tax evasion or fraud. They pay their taxes and let the authorities take full responsibility for how they use the money.
The Bible promises that soon God's Kingdom will be the only government over mankind. (Daniel 2:44) Justice will prevail for all under God's government—a government that will never burden people with unjust taxes. (Psalm 72:12, 13; Isaiah 9:7)
Should You Pay Your Taxes?
Must Christians really pay all taxes--including those some may consider unreasonable or unjust? (Jehovah's Witnesses Publication g03 12/8 pp. 10-11; Watchtower Online Library)
Growing Resentment Against Taxes?
Why are taxes so complicated--and so high? Are you obliged to pay them? (g03 12/8 pp. 3-4; Watchtower Online Library)
Taxes—Price of a "Civilized Society"?
Why are tax systems often so complex?
Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe That the Earth Was Created in Six 24-hour Days Some 10,000 Years Ago?
A careful study of the Creation account in Genesis reveals no conflict with established scientific facts. For that reason, Jehovah's Witnesses disagree with "Christian" Fundamentalists and many Young Earth Creationists. (Also see: The Bible's Viewpoint - Does Science Contradict the Genesis Account? g 9/06 pp. 18-20; Watchtower Online Library)
The following is an excerpt from the g 9/06 p. 3 "Whom Should You Believe?":
ARE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES CREATIONISTS?
Jehovah's Witnesses believe the creation account as recorded in the Bible book of Genesis. However, Jehovah's Witnesses are not what you might think of as creationists. Why not? First, many creationists believe that the universe and the earth and all life on it were created in six 24-hour days some 10,000 years ago. This, however, is not what the Bible teaches. Also, creationists have embraced many doctrines that lack support in the Bible. Jehovah's Witnesses base their religious teachings solely on God's Word.
Furthermore, in some lands the term "creationist" is synonymous with Fundamentalist groups that actively engage in politics. These groups attempt to pressure politicians, judges, and educators into adopting laws and teachings that conform to the creationists' religious code.
Jehovah's Witnesses are politically neutral. They respect the right of governments to make and enforce laws. (Romans 13:1-7) However, they take seriously Jesus' statement that they are "no part of the world." (John 17:14-16) In their public ministry, they offer people the chance to learn the benefits of living by God's standards. But they do not violate their Christian neutrality by supporting the efforts of Fundamentalist groups that try to establish civil laws that would force others to adopt Bible standards.—John 18:36.
Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe in Creationism? (JW.ORG)
Did God create the earth in just six 24-hour days, as some creationists claim? (AWAKE! JANUARY 2014; JW.ORG)
Genesis - Links to Information (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)
Day - Links to Information (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)


People used herbs for medical problems long before there was such as thing as medical drugs. Even today, herbs are a common element used in Native American Indian, naturopathic, homeopathic, and oriental medicine. Approximately a quarter of the prescription drugs today are of herbal origin, containing one or more active plant material ingredients. Some of them use plant extracts or ingredients synthesized to imitate natural plants. Many people suffering from right side neck pain have found that herbs help reduce their neck pain and inflammation.
Studies conducted by scientists show that many culinary herbs and medicinal herbs contain significant amounts of antioxidants. Some of the many herbs that contain these antioxidants include garden sage, periwinkle, valerian, oregano, and gingko biloba. One teaspoon of fresh oregano has the same free-radical fighting qualities as a regular, medium sized apple. Fresh herbs have greater antioxidant concentrations, so are a better choice when possible, than dried or processed herbs.
Herbs often help alleviate right side neck pain and other pain by helping support the immune system, stimulating hormones, and reducing mild to severe inflammation. Herbal teas, extracts, creams, and juices have the ability to soothe nerves and muscles while moist, hot herbal packs relieve right side neck pain, increase blood circulation, and alleviate other body pains. Chronic pain including right side neck pain often causes other conditions or symptoms such as depression, insomnia, muscle spasms, and tension. While conventional pain and right side neck pain medications sometimes help remedy a side effect or two, many herb formulas often have the ability to remedy several or all the side effects. Some of these herbs include willow bark, valerian, burdock, and St. Johns Wort.
Willow bark, used to reduce inflammation and ease pain, including right side neck pain, is an effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Some studies show that several of the willow bark components have immune-boosting, antiseptic, fever reducing, antioxidant properties but scientists are still doing more research. Children under sixteen or people that are sensitive or allergic to aspirin or other salicylic acid should not use willow bark. Some researchers suggest that people suffering from medical problems such as stomach ulcers, hemophilia, gastritis, gout, diabetes, and asthma should also avoid willow bark.
Although many herbs have wonderful healing powers that often help conditions such as right side neck pain, skin rashes, stomach ailments, allergies, emotional stress, and fatigue, it is best to talk to your physician before taking any herbs. Some condiment herbs such as, ginger, garlic, and parsley, are generally recognized by the FDA as safe. Many herbs, when used correctly, have few if any side effects but always talk to your doctor first, before taking any herb supplements.


Tracey and I just had the most amazing weekend in Jackson Tennessee with a group of women that are reaching out to grab a hold of Jesus Christ with both hands. These women have been given a second chance at life and from what I can tell they're taking it.
The Women of Hope center located in Jackson Tennessee has had eighty women to graduate from their faith-based rehabilitation center since they began. It is a discipleship based spiritual retreat for women. Their vision is to help women that are caught in the vicious cycle of addiction. They stay for a minimum of six months and while there they attend Celebrate Recovery meetings, go through a 52 lesson plan Bible study, along with a workforce program and many other Biblically based studies.
AlthoughTracey had been to the Women of Hope center two times before this was my first visit. I was truly blessed and impressed by the peaceful and Spirit led attitude of all involved. Since I come from a background of addiction I fully grasped what was going on and believe what they are doing there is what Jesus is truly all about. He said, "I have come to seek and save that which is lost…and the well don't need a doctor." The Women of Hope are doing just that in reaching out to women who are in need of a good dose of the grace of God.
While we were there we sat in on a Celebrate recovery meeting with the ladies and several others in attendance. For those who don't know what Celebrate recovery is let me just say it is structured like most twelve step programs but with more emphasis on the Bible. They recited the Serenity prayer, gave out chips to recognize differing periods of sobriety and Tracey and I were asked to share our testimony.
Tracey started by sharing a little bit about how she was raised and how she met me. We took turns telling them about our being married, divorced and remarried after my long battle with drugs and alcohol had finally ended. We took the opportunity to share some scriptures with them and encourage them that God will make them whole again and even restore broken relationships in their lives. Most of all we just wanted to tell them to never give up on their sobriety and on Jesus Christ.
There are so many things that took place in our very short time there I simply can't go into them at this time. Let me just say this though. If you or anyone you know is in a struggle with addiction I encourage you to contact the Women of Hope Center. Marcie Hendrick, the Executive director, and her staff are very gracious, loving but firm to all of these young ladies. Through them the Spirit of God is freeing these young ladies from addictions, making them whole and filling them with hope for a better life.
I am so thankful I had the opportunity to be a small part of what God is doing in Jackson Tennessee at the Women of Hope recovery center. I hope you will pray and support them in any way you can, because they truly are conducting God's business there and lives are being transformed forever.
Click here and see what's happening at the Women of Hope ministries.