bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute Experimental Canine Ehrlichiosis. II. Sequential Reaction of the Hemic and Lymphoreticular System of Selectively Immunosuppressed Dogs
Authors: Reardon M. J. , Pierce K. R.
Published: January 2017

The lymphoreticular response of dogs to Ehrlichia canis infection was studied after immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide or antilymphocyte serum. Immunosuppression did not increase mortality, nor did it prevent or significantly modify the clinical manifestations of acute ehrlichiosis. The clinical, hematologic and serum biochemical characteristics of acute ehrlichiosis appeared seven or more days later in immunosuppressed than in immunologically intact infected dogs.

Immunosuppressive therapy generally attenuated the lesions of acute ehrlichiosis. Lymphoreticular tissues were partially depleted of lymphocytes, as would be expected following cyclophosphamide therapy, but the hemopoietic tissue of cyclophosphamide-treated principals was much more cellular than that of the controls, perhaps demonstrating a direct stimulatory effect of E. canis infection on bone marrow. Antilymphocyte serum therapy reduced cellularity of the thymic-dependent areas in both the spleen and lymph nodes, but B-cell areas were not affected. The B-cell areas did not increase in activity during infection in the antilymphocyte serum-treated dogs, suggesting the need for an intact T-cell compartment for the lymphocytic proliferation that occurs in nonsuppressed infected dogs. Renal vasculitis and lympho-plasmacytosis were absent and the pulmonary and hepatic lesions were not as pronounced in the dogs given antilymphocyte serum as in immunologically competent infected dogs.
Encephalitozoonosis in Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)
Authors: Zeman D. H. , Baskin G. B.
Published: January 2017

Twenty-two cases of naturally occurring encephalitozoonosis in squirrel monkeys are reported from breeding colonies of the Delta Regional Primate Research Center, Covington, La. Characteristic foci of granulomatous inflammation and organisms were demonstrated in brains, kidneys, lungs, adrenals, and livers. Vasculitis and perivasculitis were also common lesions in several organs. At least seven cases were congenital while ten others occurred in monkeys less than nine months old. Granulomatous placentitis, previously unreported in any species due to Encephalitozoon cuniculi, was present in one monkey.
Lesions of Articular, Sternal and Growth Plate Cartilage in Rats
Authors: Yamasaki K. , Inui S.
Published: January 2017

Degenerative osteoarthritis was observed in the femur and sternum in specific pathogen free Fisher 344 rats at 13 and 19 months of age. Histological changes consisted of degeneration of the matrix and erosion in the articular cartilage of the femur. In the sternal cartilage, degeneration and necrosis of the matrix, formation of cysts, and cleft-like fractures were observed. In addition, degeneration of the matrix, appearance of eosinophilic streaking, and necrosis and fissure between the growth plate and epiphyseal trabeculae were seen in the femur. The changes in the sternum were esssentially the same as the femur.
Respiratory and Pericardial Lesions in Turkeys Infected with Avian or Mammalian Strains of Chlamydia psittaci
Authors: Tappe J. P. , Andersen A. A. , Cheville N. F.
Published: January 2017

Three groups of turkeys were inoculated with strains of C. psittaci (B577, VS1, TT3) from different restriction endonuclease groups. Turkeys were necropsied at 15 times through post-inoculation day 70. Birds infected with the TT3 strain were lethargic and had decreased body weight. After forced exercise, dyspnea was seen in VS1-infected turkeys. Pericarditis was the most severe lesion in TT3-infected birds. Airsacculitis and bronchopneumonia were the most severe lesions in VS1-infected turkeys. Lateral nasal adenitis was in both VS1- and TT3-infected birds. Only mild peribronchial pneumonia was in B577-infected turkeys. Chlamydial antigen, identified by light microscopy using an immunoperoxidase technique, was seen from post-inoculation days 9 through 50 in the lateral nasal gland and at earlier times in other tissue from VS1- and TT3-infected turkeys. No chlamydial antigen was detected in tissue from B577-infected birds. These studies showed that chlamydial strains from different restriction endonuclease groups are associated with distinct disease syndromes in turkeys.
Thyroid Neoplasms in a Colony of Beagle Dogs
Authors: Haley P. J. , Hahn F. F. , Muggenburg B. A. , Griffith W. C.
Published: January 2017

The histologic, clinicopathologic, and epidemiologic features of spontaneous thyroid neoplasms were evaluated in a control population of Beagle dogs. The mean age of thyroid tumor-bearing dogs (16.2 years) as significantly higher than non-tumor-bearing dogs (13.6 years). Thirteen benign and 18 malignant tumors were identified, with the incidence of both tumors increasing rapidly near the mean age of 16.2 years for tumorbearing dogs. The age-specific incidence of tumors was 1.1% per year at 8 to 12 years, increasing to 4.0% per year by 12 to 15 years and 67% over 17 years of age. Numbers of malignant tumors were greater than benign tumors at an earlier age. Approximately 44% of the malignant tumors metastasized but only 22% resulted in death of the dog. There was no difference in tumor incidence when compared according to sex, if total tumor numbers were considered or if tumors were separated into benign and malignant categories. The age at death of tumor-bearing dogs was not increased significantly by the surgical resection of the thyroid tumors. Of dogs with thyroid tumors, 15% had clinical diagnoses of hypothyroidism, and no dogs with thyroid tumors had diagnoses of hyperthyroidism.
Canadian Seasonal Migrants to the Sunbelt: Boon or Burden?
Authors: Marshall Victor W. , Tucker Richard D.
Published: January 2017

Some literature raises reservations about the possibly adverse impact of migration of the elderly to the Sunbelt states. With data from a large sample of Canadian seasonal migrants, this article addresses the question of whether such migration is “boon or burden,” giving particular attention to demands on the health care system. International and seasonal migrants must be distinguished from seasonal migrants from within the United States and from permanent migrants. The health care and social service use of Canadian seasonal migrants while in Florida is low, and the nonpermanence of their seasonal migration pattern suggests that they will not “burden” the host society. Conversely, Canadian seasonal migrants benefit the host society through direct and secondary economic inputs. The nonmonetary impacts of seasonal migration are also examined.
Formation of DHP-derived DNA adducts in vivo from dietary supplements and Chinese herbal plant extracts containing carcinogenic pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Authors: Chou Ming W , Fu Peter P
Published: January 2017

We recently determined that the metabolism of a series of tumorigenic pyrrolizidine alkaloids resulted in the formation of a set of 6,7-dihydro-7-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-5H-pyrrolizine (DHP)- derived DNA adducts. These DHP-derived DNA adducts have been proposed as potential biomarkers of pyrrolizidine alkaloid tumorigenicity, as well as pyrrolizidine alkaloid exposure. In this paper, we report that DHP-derived DNA adducts are formed in the liver of female F344 rats, gavaged with three dietary supplements (comfrey root extract, comfrey compound oil, and coltsfoot root extract), or an extract of a Chinese herbal plant, flos farfara (Kuan Tong Hua).
Efficacy of an Osteopathic Treatment Coupled With Lactation Consultations for Infants’ Biomechanical Sucking Difficulties
Authors: Herzhaft-Le Roy Juliette , Xhignesse Marianne , Gaboury Isabelle
Published: January 2017

Background:

Despite well-known recommendations from national and international bodies including the World Health Organization, few mothers achieve the goal of breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months. Half of mothers stop breastfeeding due to biomechanical issues in the first month, despite increasing support from lactation consultants. Osteopaths worldwide work with these babies, but there is little empirical evidence for this type of treatment.

Research aim:

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of an osteopathic treatment coupled with usual lactation consultations on infants’ ability to latch. Secondary objectives included assessment of nipple pain and mothers’ perceptions of the effect of treatment.

Methods:

We conducted a single blind, randomized controlled trial at a mother-to-mother support group between January and December 2015. Data were collected at four different times over a 10-day period (T0-T10) from 97 mother–infant dyads using the LATCH assessment tool, a visual analog scale (VAS) to document mothers’ nipple pain, and a de novo questionnaire for breastfeeding management and potential treatment side effects.

Results:

There were consistent statistical and clinical differences in the mean LATCH scores between the treatment and the control groups ( p < .001). However, no significant differences in the VAS scores were reported over time ( p = .713). Mothers reported no serious or unexpected side effects during the follow-up period.

Conclusion:

This study is one of the first to bring together lactation consultants and osteopaths to address infants with biomechanical sucking difficulties. Findings support the hypothesis that the addition of osteopathy to regular lactation consultations is beneficial and safe.
Ward Managers' Attitudes towards External Consultants in Ashworth, a Special Hospital, 1992–1994
Authors: Richman Joel , Mercer Dave
Published: January 2017

This case study elaborates the aftermath of the Blom-Cooper Inquiry (1992), which forced the special hospital, Ashworth, into a radical ‘culture change’. To this end, two groups of external consultants—a management consultancy and a professional task force—were introduced into the hospital. Newly established ward managers were to spearhead the organizational change by bringing social and clinical order to the wards over which the higher management had lost control. Few studies have mapped out the interaction between segments of an organization and expert outsiders. In this study, the interaction of the ward manager to the newly appointed external management consultancy and task force was analysed. It was clear that ward managers rated poorly the efforts of the management consultancy and task force—it was considered that they were not giving value for money. The task force rated slightly more favourably than the management consultancy. The fact that the management consultancy did not have ward credibility in this closed forensic setting was attributed to low prestige. The management consultancy also failed to fulfil the organizational ambitions of ward managers, who wished to be central to the hospital's major decision-making process.
The Effect of Medical Work Groups on Hospital Resource use
Authors: Sicotte Claude , Béland François
Published: January 2017

This study tests the ability of medical work groups to overcome coordination problems related to group decision-making in allocating clinical resources to inpatients. The study was conducted over a 32-month period in two medium-sized acute-care hospitals located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The data were collected by hand from the medical charts of 10456 patients in the surgical and medical departments. The Linear Structural Relations (LISREL) approach was employed to address the work-group issue using a task contingent model of work-group organization. In this model, the nature of the task is fundamental because its level of complexity determines both the organization of the work group and the use of resources. Medical work-group mechanisms should be efficient to the extent that resource utilization is explained solely by task characteristics rather than by work-group structure. In this study, the following two major organizational concepts were used as factors to explain resource use: task characteristics and work-group characteristics. Our analysis confirmed the main points of the task contingency theory as applied to the field of medicine. First, the results confirm that resource utilization is explained mainly by task complexity. Second, they confirm that medical work groups modulate their structures on the basis of task characteristics and do not explain resource use. The results also reveal a more complex model in which, for instance, the concepts of medical task and medical professional work are not easy to separate. The results highlight the interest in conceptualizing and analysing medical practice in work groups. It raises important issues that have seldom been taken into account in the study of medical practice variations, which has tended to focus on attending physicians.
Planning Care for Elderly People Using the Balance of Care Model
Authors: McCallion Gillian M.
Published: January 2017

Planning health and social services for client groups has become an integral part of the planning process within the United Kingdom. The Department of Health's microcomputer model – Balance of Care – attempts to analyse different policies for the care of the elderly and to assess the consequences of such policies in terms of the resources required. This paper shows how the model operates using data from a survey of elderly people in Northern Ireland. An attempt is also made to introduce economic principles into the decision making process. Attention is drawn to the economist's definition of costs and how this can differ from the public expenditure concept of costs. A further area of interest is the process of allocationg people to specific types of care. The economic approach points to the need to make explicit valuations of the benefits of various services against a background of costs. Within this context, the Balance of Care model can be used to consider various scenarios and as such is a useful tool in the decision making process.
Physician Influence in Interorganizational Relationships between Academic Medical Centers and Community Hospitals
Authors: Sicotte Claude , Kane Nancy M.
Published: January 2017

This study analyzes cooperative interorganizational relationships (IORs) between two different types of health care organizations. It proposes a power perspective analysis to better understand why IORs which represented many rational advantages to both partners were so difficult to realize in practice and often with only modest results. Hypotheses are tested explaining how physicians, as groups, exert important controls and can largely determine the results that can be realized in any IOR aimed at modifying medical education and patient referrals.
Early Aggressive Management of Cryptosporidial Infection in AIDS
Authors: Tomlinson D R , Coker R J , Waldron S , Harris J R W
Published: January 2017

We report two cases of cryptosporidiosis in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) which responded to early intervention with intravenous zidovudine and total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
AIDS-Related Risk Perception and Sexual Behaviour among Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic Attenders
Authors: James Nicola J , Gillies Pamela A , Bignell Christopher J
Published: January 2017

Perception of risk has been suggested as an important element of sexual behaviour change among people who engage in behaviours which place them at risk of HIV infection.

A study of the relationship between perception of risk of HIV infection and risk-related sexual behaviours was conducted in a genitourinary medicine clinic. The sample comprised 767 patients attending over a 3-month period; data collection was by self-completed questionnaire. A total of 574 questionnaires were suitable for analysis, representing a response rate of 75%.

The majority of people in the sample reported behaviours which increased their risk of HIV infection, but only 19% ( n = 112) of the sample perceived themselves to be personally ‘at risk’, despite adequate knowledge of HIV transmission and methods of risk reduction. Significant differences between social class groups were found for knowledge scores, with highest scores among professionals and lowest among unemployed subjects (Kruskal Wallis test χ2=24.6, P ≤ 0.001). Increasing age was significantly associated with better knowledge; significantly more young people aged 16–20 years who did not perceive themselves ‘at risk’ (64%), had lower knowledge scores than older people who did not perceive themselves ‘at risk’ (41%).

Among heterosexuals who reported having sex with other people in addition to their regular partner, 79% did not perceive themselves as ‘at risk’ of HIV infection, and of these, 64% reported only infrequent condom use with casual sexual partners. Significantly more heterosexual men (67%) than women (44%) reported multiple sex partners.

A high proportion of heterosexuals engaging in vaginal intercourse without a condom perceived the behaviour to be risky for HIV transmission, but of these, only 18% ( n = 72) perceived themselves to be personally ‘at risk’ of HIV infection. An increasing number of sexual partners was significantly associated with more frequent reporting of active oral sex without a condom (χ2 trend=4.63, df=1, P ≤ 0.05) and vaginal intercourse without a condom (χ2 trend=6.61, df=1, P ≤ 0.05) among people perceiving these behaviours as risky for HIV transmission.

Changes in sexual behaviour such as using condoms more often, were reported significantly more frequently by people who perceived themselves ‘at risk’ of HIV infection (51%) than people who perceived themselves to be ‘not at risk’ (33%). Subjects who perceived themselves to be ‘not at risk’ were significantly more likely to report not having made any changes in their behaviour (19% compared with 7%).
Prostatitis—Clinical and Bacterial Studies
Authors: Chandiok S , Fisk P G , Riley V C
Published: January 2017

Forty men with clinical prostatitis were studied to determine the value of symptomatology and categorization and 30 (75%) were classified as having prostatitis on the basis of prostatic localization studies. Of these 3 (10%) had chronic bacterial prostatitis, 18 (60%) had chronic abacterial prostatitis, and 9 (30%) had prostatodynia. No patient had acute bacterial prostatitis.

Although Enterobacteriaciae were isolated from the 3 men with chronic bacterial prostatitis, these bacteria along with Staphlococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, and Chlamydia trachomatis were isolated from a further 6 patients. The mean pH of the expressed prostatic secretion was measured for each group and was found to be 7.6 for those with chronic bacterial prostatitis, 7.1 for chronic abacterial prostatitis, 6.5 for prostatodynia, and 6.9 for those with urethritis suggesting that this test may be of value in the diagnosis of chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Antibiotic Susceptibility, Serovars and Auxotypes of Gonococcal Isolates in Stockholm. Relation to Geographical Origin of the Infection
Authors: Bygdeman S M , Rudén A-K , Jonsson A , Lidbrink P , Olofsson M-B , Bäckman M , Gästrin B , Kallings I , Ramberg M , Rylander M , Wretlind B
Published: January 2017

The antibiotic susceptibility, serovars and auxotypes were investigated in gonococcal strains isolated from all patients with gonorrhoea during one year in Stockholm, Sweden. The results were correlated to geographical origin of the infection. A total of 394 gonococcal strains were isolated from 392 patients, 135 (34%) women and 257 (66%) men. Beta-lactamase-producing gonococcal strains (PPNG) were isolated from 5% of the women and 16% of the men. Men had acquired their infection abroad more often than women (54% vs 33%) ( P<0.001). The majority (81%) of the PPNG infections were imported. Some serovars and auxotypes were more common among imported strains than among indigenous ones. All strains were sensitive to spectinomycin and 2 strains had decreased susceptibility to norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Decreased susceptibility to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, doxycycline and cefuroxime was related to the geographical origin of the strains with strains imported from regions other than Europe being the most resistant.
Role of Drug Injection in the Spread of HIV in Argentina and Brazil
Authors: Libonatti O , Lima E , Peruga A , González R , Zacarías F , Weissenbacher M
Published: January 2017

Drug injectors have become the second largest HIV transmission category in Argentina and Brazil, as is the case in many pattern I countries, making up more than one-quarter of all AIDS cases reported by 1991. HIV seroprevalence data suggest that the expanding proportion of AIDS cases attributable to drug injection stems from an absolute increase in the number of AIDS cases among drug injectors, and is not merely reflective of a decline in the proportion of cases reported in other transmission categories. Results of a review of studies in Argentina and Brazil indicate that HIV seroprevalence is increasing rapidly, contrary to the situation in some pattern I countries in which HIV seroprevalence among drug injectors is either stably high or increasing only slightly. Also contrary to most pattern I countries, cocaine rather than heroin is the injected drug of choice in Argentina and Brazil. Given that injectors of cocaine are more likely to be HIV infected than are heroin injectors, differences in the type of drug injected between countries may have distinct epidemiological consequences on the spread of HIV.
Maternal Factors in HIV Transmission
Authors: Hague R A , Mok J Y Q , Johnstone F D , MacCallum L , Yap P L , Burns S M , Whitelaw J , France A J , Brettle R P
Published: January 2017

In order to identify features associated with an increased risk of transmission of HIV from seropositive women to their offspring, 70 children of 58 HIV seropositive mothers were studied. Fifty-six children were followed prospectively from pregnancy; in 14 identified after the puerperium, obstetric notes were reviewed and stored serum was tested. Twelve infants of 10 mothers were HIV infected. Risk of transmission was increased in the first year after seroconversion; 5/9 infants born at this time were infected compared with 7/61 born subsequently ( P < 0.001). Progression to stage IV in transmitters was more likely, occurring in the mothers of 9 infected children at a median of 3 years (range 0.5–6.5) and in mothers of 19 non-infected children at a median of 5 years (range 1–7) ( P = 0.032). Maternal CD4+ counts <400×106/l were found in 7/12 transmitting and 7/49 non-transmitting pregnancies ( P < 0.01). Differences in HIV antigenaemia did not reach significance. These factors may influence the counselling of mothers regarding their child's and their own prognosis.
Anogenital Warts in Prepubertal Children; Sexual Abuse or Not?
Authors: Handley J , Dinsmore W , Maw R , Corbett R , Burrows D , Bharucha H , Swann A , Bingham A
Published: January 2017

Forty-two prepubertal children presenting with anogenital (AG) warts (15 boys and 27 girls) were prospectively followed up (mean 15.9 months, SD 12.24). Most (73.8%) of these children had perianal condylomatous-type warts and 11 (26.2%) had concurrent non-genital (NG) warts. None had any other AG infections or sexually transmitted disease (STD). Twelve (28.6%) children acquired their AG warts by vertical transmission from an infected maternal birth canal, 3 (7.1%) by autoinoculation from common hand warts and 2 children (4.8%) through sexual abuse. In the remaining 25 children (59.5%) mode of acquisition of AG warts was uncertain but not thought to be sexual. Human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA (types 6/11, 16/18 or 31,33,35–31 +) was detected in 10/32 (31.3%) of AG warts biopsied from these children, types 6/11 in the majority of positive biopsies (9/10). Detection of HPV DNA (types 6/11, 16/18 or 31 +) in a child's AG warts was significantly associated with either vertical or sexual transmission ( P<0.02). Thirty-one children had their warts treated with a combination of scissor excision and electrocautery under general anaesthesia. Warts recurred in 10 (31.4%) of these children all within 4 months following treatment. Spontaneous resolution of AG warts was seen in 9 (21.4%) children. Of 42 children with AG warts 10 (23.8%) had at least one adult family member with AG warts, 13 (36.9%) an adult family member with another AG infection or STD, and 23 (62.2%) had a mother with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Twenty (47.6%) of these children had a family member with NG warts.

These findings suggest (a) the majority of children with AG warts do not acquire these sexually, (b) vertical transmission is an important means by which young children acquire AG warts, (c) household members of children with AG warts should be routinely screened for NG and AG warts, CIN lesions (mothers only) and other AG infections or STDs (adults only), (d) HPV typing of AG warts in children may help to clarify their mode of transmission, (e) spontaneous resolution of AG warts in children does occur, (f) scissor excision combined with electrocautery is a safe and efficacious treatment for AG warts in children.
A Comparison of Zidovudine, Didanosine, Zalcitabine and No Antiretroviral Therapy in Patients with Advanced HIV Disease
Authors: Torres Ramón A , Barr Michael R , McIntyre Kerry I , Thornton John R , Shay William M , Feldman Richard D , George Noel J , Britton Darren J
Published: January 2017

Three nucleoside analogues, zidovudine (AZT), didanosine (ddI), and zalcitabine (ddC), are approved for use in the treatment of patients with HIV infection. This retrospective study compares the 3 drugs and examines the overall utility of antiretroviral therapy by way of comparisons to a no treatment (No Rx) group in patients with advanced HIV disease. Patients with advanced HIV disease were enrolled in didanosine (August 1989–December 1990) or zalcitabine (October 1990–February 1992) expanded access programmes; continued on zidovudine treatment despite fulfilling criteria for zidovudine failure or intolerance; or maintained on no antiretroviral treatment.

Statistical analysis revealed that patients on nucleoside analogue therapy had fewer opportunistic infections ( P = 0.001) than those who received no antiretroviral treatment. The Kaplan-Meier 12-month estimate of survival was significantly longer among patients who switched from zidovudine to zalcitabine but not among patients who switched to didanosine, when compared to the other 2 groups ( P = 0.05).
Multicentre Clinical Trial with Herpes Simplex Virus Vaccine in Recurrent Herpes Infection
Authors: Mastrolorenzo Antonio , Tiradritti L , Salimbeni L , Zuccati G
Published: January 2017

The aim of this work was to confirm our preliminary clinical and immunological evaluation of the protective effects of a herpes simplex virus (HSV) vaccine derived from killed virus in the treatment of relapsing facial or genital herpes simplex infection. A total of 142 patients were treated with the HSV vaccine and a control group of 50 were treated with intermittent oral acyclovir (ACV). The vaccine reduced annual active disease days in vaccinees to 11.59 (±15.3) after treatment (65.11±31.64 before treatment) compared to 30.4±17.49 days after treatment of the control group patients (71.86±32.5 before treatment).
Application of Multicriteria Decision Making to Old Vehicle Elimination in Taiwan
Authors: Tzeng Gwo-Hshiung , Tsaur Sheng-Hshiung
Published: January 2017

As economic development has accelerated and per capita income has increased greatly in recent years in Taiwan, the number of motor vehicles has also increased remarkably. By the end of 1990, the number of passenger cars registered exceeded 2,330,000, and 19% of them have been in use for more than ten years. Judging from these statistics, the average of passenger cars in urban areas has risen. Some of the major negative influences which these old cars have created are outlined below: (a) Environment: air quality is affected by the increased amount of pollutants emitted in car exhaust as the cars age; (b) Energy: As cars age, the efficiency of energy use decreases in fuel consumption and operation costs; (c) Safety: As cars age, the rate of breakdown rises. This leads to more acidents or, at the very least, traffic jams when a car breaks down and obstructs traffic flow, thus increasing social costs. It is, indeed, necessary to get rid of these old cars. In this paper strategies to eliminate old vehicles have been laid out. Three objectives to be achieved are (a) improving the quality of the environment, (b) decreasing energy consumption, and (c) improving vehicle safety. Coordination with the community during government implementation of the strategy will also be taken into consideration.
Novel aspect on metal fume fever: zinc stimulates oxygen radical formation in human neutrophils
Authors: Lindahl Mats , Leanderson Per , Tagesson Christer
Published: January 2017

Exposure to zinc fume may cause metal fume fever, an acute reaction characterized by an invasion of neutrophils into the airways. This investigation was conducted to examine the possibility that Zn2+ and ZnO might stimulate the formation of oxygen radicals by human neutrophils. Luminol-amplified chemiluminescence (CL) was monitored during 2 h from human neutrophils exposed to Zn2+or ZnO. The response was compared to that of other metal ions and to that of endotoxin and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Zn2+ (6-50 mM) gradually caused a 2-6-fold increase of CL that reached an optimum after 70-80 min. By contrast, Cd2+, Cr2+, Cr3+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Ni2+ or Co2+ in corresponding concentrations did not increase the CL. Similar to Zn2+, endotoxin (40-640 mg/ml) caused a 2-5-fold increase of CL with an optimum after 70 min, and endotoxin (40 mg/ml) together with Zn2+ (50 mM) synergistically increased the CL. ZnO (12-100 mg/ml) also augmented CL, with a 1.5-5-fold increase at 25-100 mg/ ml ZnO but with a time response similar to that found after PMA stimulation, in which CL peaked after 20-40 min incubation. Both Zn2+- and ZnO-induced CL was inhibited by manoalide, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, with IC50 of 0.25 mM and 0.66 mM respectively. These results indicate that Zn2+ and ZnO both stimulates oxygen radical formation in human neutrophils and that this might contribute to the pathogenesis of zinc fume fever.
Inhibition of protein synthesis by zinc: comparison between protein synthesis and RNA synthesis
Authors: Walther Udo Ingbert , Schulze Johannes , Forth Wolfgang
Published: January 2017

Inhalation of zinc fumes may lead to the acute respiratory distress syndrome. The mechanisms of pulmonary zinc toxicity are not yet understood. Therefore we investigated zinc-dependent depression of protein and RNA synthesis in rat and human lung cell lines.

1 After exposure to 120 or 150 mmol/l zinc, RNA synthesis as assessed by uridine incorporation decreased by 60-70% between 0 and 2 h exposition in rat alveolar type II cells (L2 cells) and human fibroblast-like cells (11Lu and 16Lu cells), and by 90% between 0 and 4 h in carcinoma-derived cells (A549 cells).

2 After 2 h exposure, L2, 11Lu, and 16Lu cells were half-maximally inhibited by 50 mmol/l zinc, whereas A549 cells were more resistant with half-maximal inhibition at 100 mmol/zinc.

3 Protein and RNA synthesis was inhibited in parallel in L2, 11Lu, and A549 cells as indicated by simultaneous determination of uridine and amino acid incorporation. In 16Lu cells, the decline in protein synthesis preceded RNA synthesis inhibition. Pretreatment with RNA synthesis inhibitors (amanitin or actinomycin D) had no effect on time curve and intensity of RNA synthesis inhibition.

Taken together, our results indicate that the suppression of RNA and protein synthesis likely are independent phenomena, due to direct zinc effects on these biosynthetic pathways.
Effect of lead on the calcium transport in human erythrocyte
Authors: Calderón-Salinas J V , Quintanar-Escorza M A , Hernández-Luna C E , González-Martínez M T
Published: January 2017

In this paper we study the calcium uptake in the erythrocyte, a non-excitable cell. This uptake is performed through a passive transport system with two kinetic components (Michaelis-Menten and Hill). The uptake of calcium seems to be driven by voltage through its electrophoretical effect. Lead is capable of inhibiting calcium uptake in a non-competitive manner. As it has been described in other systems, lead is also capable of inhibiting calcium efflux by inhibiting Ca(Mg)-ATPase. Under physiological conditions, the function of ATPase reduces the effect of lead on calcium influx. However, in chronic intoxication a small increment of intracellular calcium is observed, indicating that lead is affecting calcium efflux mainly. We discuss the effects of lead on calcium equilibrium in erythrocytes.
The toxicity of cyanobacterial toxins in the mouse: I Microcystin-LR
Authors: Fawell J K , Mitchell R E , Everett D J , Hill R E
Published: January 2017

Blooms of cyanobacteria or blue-green algae are known to have caused poisoning in fish, waterfowl, animals and man. One of the toxins responsible for this is the hepatotoxin microcystin-LR which has been found to occur in blooms present intermittently in sources used for domestic water supplies. Three sets of experiments were undertaken to investigate the acute toxicity of microcystin-LR in mice and rats by the oral and intraperitoneal routes, the potential for effects on foetal development in the mouse, and the effects of repeated oral dosing over 13 weeks in the mouse. The results of this work were as follows: (1) Microcystin-LR is 30-100 times less toxic via oral ingestion than via intraperitoneal injection; (2) Microcystin-LR is not a selective developmental toxicant in the mouse. There was a No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of 600 μg kg-1 bodyweight per day given on days 6-15 of pregnancy for any form of developmental toxicity; (3) There was a clear NOAEL for tissue damage in the liver of 40 μg kg-1 bodyweight per day of microcystin-LR. Using this data, a value of 1 μg l-1 microcystin-LR would be an appropriate guideline value for drinking water.
Regression towards the mean, historically considered
Authors: Stigler Stephen M
Published: January 2017

The simple yet subtle concept of regression towards the mean is reviewed historically. Verbal, geometric, and mathematical expressions of the concept date to the discoverer of the concept, Francis Galton. That discovery and subsequent understanding (and misunderstanding) of the concept are surveyed.
Lung cancer and passive smoking
Authors: Hackshaw A K
Published: January 2017

The evidence from epidemiological studies, studies of biochemical markers of exposure and toxicological studies, confirm that there is a causal association between the risk of lung cancer and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Nonsmokers can inhale and metabolize carcinogens in tobacco smoke and other markers of environmental tobacco smoke inhalation (nicotine and cotinine) are raised in nonsmokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. In epidemiological studies of women who are lifelong nonsmokers, there is a statistically significant excess risk of lung cancer (24%, 95% confidence interval 13-36%) from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke from the spouse and this increases with the number of cigarettes smoked and duration of marriage. Misclassification bias (women who smoke but claim to be lifelong nonsmokers) and dietary confounding are unlikely to explain the association; after adjustment for both, the risk of lung cancer from environmental tobacco smoke exposure was still statistically significant. In any event, their effects on the risk of lung cancer in the epidemiological studies are balanced out by allowing for background exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (that is, other than from the spouse) in the reference group; the excess risk after allowing for all three is an estimated 26% (95% confidence interval 7-47%), similar to the unadjusted figure of 24%. In Britain, about one in every six nonsmokers are exposed to tobacco smoke from smokers in the home. Passive smoking is an avoidable cause of mortality and morbidity. Prevention strategies to reduce the amount of cigarette smoking in public places should be part of public health policy.
Difficulties in assessing the relationship between passive smoking and lung cancer
Authors: Lee Peter N
Published: January 2017

Since 1981, numerous epidemiological studies have investigated the relationship between passive smoking and lung cancer in nonsmokers. The overall evidence, predominantly relating to women, indicates a weak association with the husband's smoking and many reviewers have concluded that this demonstrates a causal effect of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Interpreting weak associations is notoriously difficult, however, and this paper reviews problems specific to the ETS-lung cancer relationship. After describing how to select relevant studies and appropriate data, the methods for combining evidence together (`meta-analysis') are discussed, and the need to investigate sources of heterogeneity is emphasized. Separate consideration is given to various forms of bias that may affect overall relative risk estimates, including misclassification of active smoking status, confounding, systematic case-control differences, recall bias, diagnostic bias and publication bias. Sections on dose-response, multiple ETS exposure sources and other issues follow. The problems are illustrated from the available literature. It is shown there is no significant association of lung cancer with workplace, childhood or social ETS exposure or with smoking by the wife. Though statistically significant, the association with husband's smoking is weak and heterogeneous and varies widely according to various study characteristics. The association is markedly weakened by the adjustment for smoking misclassification bias and is likely to be affected by confounding and other sources of bias. While the precise extent of all the biases remains unclear, it seems impossible to conclude with any certainty that ETS causes lung cancer.
New Zealand Medical Biography in Mass
Authors: Clair Rex E Wright-St
Published: January 2017

A list has been prepared over many years of all medical practitioners, more than 3000, known to have been in New Zealand from 1840, when the country became a British colony, until 1930. The list includes not only those who were registered between those years, but also those qualified persons who were unregistered and those who were trained in medicine but unqualified, if they practised as doctors and were generally accepted by the public as such. Whatever information has been found on the various practitioners' life and work is given.
Assessing South Korea's Globalization Strategy and the International Competitiveness of the Seoul Metropolitan Area
Authors: Rondinelli Dennis A. , Vastag Gyula
Published: January 2017

Korea's pursuit of globalization is being driven by its membership in international trade organizations, its international trade agreements, and the need to accelerate exports, its primary source of economic growth. Reforming its international trade regime, however, is only part of what Korea must do to make its corporations more competitive in international markets. National policies must be supported by favorable business conditions in cities and metropolitan areas where industries are located. The “international competitiveness” of the Seoul metropolitan area, together with national economic policies, liberalization of its international trade regime, and the development of agile firms and industries will determine how effectively and how quickly the Korean government achieves its objectives of globalizing Korea's economy and society.
Taiwan's Electronics Sector: Restructuring of Form and Space
Authors: Chou T.L. , Kirkby R.J.R.
Published: January 2017

The dynamics of leading-edge industries are of primary importance in understanding national trajectories of industrialisation and corresponding spatial development. With reference to the state's role and the increasing importance of transnational flows, the paper analyses the emergence of Taiwan's electronics sector in the context of technical and organisational issues. It also traces the impacts on location and space. The paper demonstrates the implications for Taiwan's electronics sector of recurrent restructuring of the industry globally. The indispensable role of the state is examined, as an agent of both industrial restructuring and of production location. The paper shows that the trajectory of development of electronics in postwar Taiwan is a function of global forces as refracted through the prism of a strategic state.
Eliminating Disparities in Asthma Care: Identifying Broad Challenges in Quality Improvement
Authors: Anarella Joseph P. , Wagner Victoria L. , McCauley Susan G. , Mane Jennifer B. , Waniewski Patricia A.
Published: January 2017

Racial disparities in asthma care persist in New York State’s Medicaid Program. African Americans with asthma experience higher rates of emergency department visits and inpatient hospitalizations, coupled with lower rates of long-term control medication use compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Within this context, and with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New York State Department of Health designed and implemented the Eliminating Disparities in Asthma Care (EDAC) Collaborative to improve the quality of asthma care delivered in 7 provider sites located in Central Brooklyn, New York. EDAC was a partnership of the New York State Medicaid and Asthma Control Programs, 6 New York City–based managed care plans, and community-based health care providers. Over the 5-year funding period, improvements in documented asthma severity diagnosis and control classification were observed. This article describes the EDAC approach, successes, and challenges.
Sound Absorption Characteristic of Pseudostochastic Diffusers
Authors: Sheng Shengwo
Published: January 2017

Sound absorption phenomenon of pseudostochastic diffusers was investigated in this paper. The mechanism of high absorption at low frequency was explained from the point view of energy dissipation due to nonlinear effects.
Relationships between Subjective and Objective Acoustical Measures in Churches
Authors: Carvalho António P.O. , Morgado António E.J. , Henrique Luís
Published: January 2017

This study reports on subjective and objective acoustical field measurements made in a survey of 36 Catholic churches in Portugal built in the last 14 centuries. Monaural acoustical measurements (RT, EDT. C80, D50, TS and L) were taken at several source/receiver locations in each church and a group of college students was asked to judge the subjective quality of music. The listeners in each church evaluated live music performances at similar locations in each room. Evaluation sheets were used to record the listeners' overall impressions of room acoustic quality and also Loudness, Reverberance. Intimacy. Envelopment. Directionality, Balance, Clarity, Echoes and Background Noise. This paper concentrates on the relationships of the subjective parameters with the objective room acoustics measures and with the architectural features of the churches. Correlation analyses and statistical modeling identified significant relationships among the measures. For instance, linear correlation coefficients (| R|) of 0.8–0.9 were found for the relationships: Reverberance/RT and Clarity/C80; the maximum | R| found was 0.93 for Echoes/RT. Regarding architectural features the maximum | R | found was 0.87 between Intimacy and Total Volume.
Recent Progress in Room Acoustical Computer Simulations
Authors: Vorländer Michael
Published: January 2017

In the last decade computer simulations of sound fields in rooms have been developed for application in research and consulting. Some programs are commercially available. Most computer models are based on geometrical room acoustics and/or on statistical (radiosity) methods, thus not including wave phenomena such as diffraction. The uncertainty of typical simulation software was investigated in an international verification test in 1994 and 1995. The results were partly promising although some programs were not as reliable as the operators expected. These round robin tests have been continued until today with simulations and measurements in a concert hall in Jönköping in Sweden. In this paper the basic algorithms of room acoustical computer simulations, the verification in round robin tests and the observed accuracy and limitations are summarised. Finally, possible improvements are discussed.
Insulin-like growth factor I treatment reduces clinical deficits and lesion severity in acute demyelinating experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Liu X , Yao D-L , Webster Hde F.
Published: January 2017

Our goal was to test the effects of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) treatment on clinical deficits, lesion number and lesion size in acute demyelinating experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced in Lewis rats with an emulsion containing guinea pig spinal cord. In this EAE model, there is severe immune-mediated demyelination, which resembles that seen in actively demyelinating MS lesions. On day 12–13 after EAE induction, a total of 23 pairs of rats with the same mild degree of tail and hind limb weakness were given either intravenous IGF-I or placebo twice daily for 8 days. The daily IGF-I dose used in the first trial was 200 μg (about 0.6 mgkg-1) and in the second and third trials was 1 mg (about 3.0 mgkg-1). IGF-I treatment reduced permeability of the blood-spinal cord barrier to Evans blue-albumin. Maximum clinical deficit scores of IGF-I-treated rats were significantly lower and treated rats recovered faster than controls. IGF-I treatment produced significant reductions in weight loss and hind limb weakness. Treatment also improved treadmill walking, stride length and climbing performance. Morphometric analysis showed that spinal cord inflammatory lesions were significantly smaller and fewer in IGF-I-treated rots. The higher IGF-I dose produced a greater reduction in clinical and pathological deficits. We conclude that IGF-I treatment promotes clinical recovery by reducing EAE-induced blood-spinal cord barrier changes and the associated immune-mediated inflammatory lesions. Our results suggest that IGF-I may be useful in treating patients with multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases.
Transient immunomodulation by intravenous methylprednisolone treatment of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Crockard AD , Treacy MT , Droogan AG , McNeill TA , Hawkins SA
Published: January 2017

The extent and duration of immunomodulation induced by high-dose corticosteroid treatment of clinical relapse of multiple sclerosis was investigated. Ten patients treated with a 5 day course of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) (500 mg daily) were studied. Circulating lymphocyte subpopulations and mitogen-induced interleukin 2 (IL-2) and γ-interferon (γ-IFN) production were determined immediately before initiation of therapy (day 1), during therapy (24 h after first dose, day 2) and at 24 h and 1 week post therapy (days 6 and 12 respectively). T-cell subpopulation (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4CD45RA, CD4CD4SRO) levels fell within 24 h of initiation of therapy, rebounded above pretreatment levels at day 6 and normalised I week post therapy. Despite a reduction in total T-cell numbers during treatment, the γδT-cell subpopulation was not significantly altered. HLA-DR expression on B cells and monocytes declined transiently on day 2 to approximately 50% of pretherapy levels. IL-2 and γ-IFN production were reduced during therapy but returned to baseline levels by 24 h post therapy. The effects of IVMP on lymphocyte distribution and function appear to be short-lived and, therefore, may not be responsible for the rapid improvement associated with this form of treatment.