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PubMed1993

Simplified method for the interpretation of immunoblots for Lyme borreliosis.

Interpretation of immunoblot results for Lyme borreliosis remains an area of controversy. This study was undertaken to devise a simple method which incorporated distinctions between specific and non-specific bands. A numerical value was assigned to bands reflecting their relative importance. This scheme was evaluated with sera from 61 forestry workers, which were previously tested by immunoblotting and interpreted subjectively. These results were reported as five separate categories representing levels of reactivity. A total of 72% (44) of sera fell into the same categories as they were originally reported. The method was also assessed with 40 sera routinely submitted for Lyme borreliosis serology. These were interpreted by two members of staff without previous experience of immunoblotting. Their results gave 80% and 72.5% agreement with those of an experienced person used to reading immunoblots for Lyme borreliosis.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1977

Contact allergy due to lichens in patients with a history of photosensitivity.

Ten patients with a history of photosensitivity and of a rash showed abnormal reactions to long-wave UVR. The rash occurred particularly in areas exposed to light, though other areas were occasionally involved. The development of the rash could in all patients be related to contact with lichens and although exposure to sunlight usually led to an aggravation of symptoms, some patients, particularly forestry workers, showed exacerbations even during the winter. Positive responses were observed in both irradiated and non-irradiated patch tests with different species of lichen and in several patients irradiation precipitated a stronger response. These findings suggest that lichens can cause both contact and photocontact dermatitis. The suspected allergens contained in these lichens are atranorin, physodalic and pysodic acids.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Effects of lipophilic complex formation on the uptake and distribution of some metals in fish.

Dithiocarbamates, xanthates, dialkyldithiophosphates and pyridinethiones are groups of compounds which can form lipophilic complexes with heavy metals. These compounds are widely used in industry and in agriculture and forestry and may pollute the aquatic environment. We have exposed fish (brown trouts) to substances belonging to these groups of compounds together with heavy metals (Cd2+, Ni2+, Hg2+, CH3-Hg+ or Pb2+) and then examined the uptake of the metals in the tissues of the fishes. Some of the examined complexing substances were found to cause highly increased tissue levels of the metals in the trouts. However, the enhancing effects varied for different complexing substances and for different metals. A facilitated penetration of the lipophilic complexes over the gill membranes and cellular membranes in other tissues may underlie the increments in the tissue levels of the metals. The lipophilicity and the stability of the complexes may be of importance for the effects of the substances on the disposition of the metals. Studies by other authors, in fishes as well as in other aquatic organisms, have also shown enhanced metal accumulation by compounds forming lipophilic complexes. It is considered that this type of interaction may have important implications for the behaviour of metals in aquatic ecosystems.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Imported malaria in Jakarta, Indonesia: passive surveillance of returned travelers and military members postdeployment.

BACKGROUND: Autochthonous malaria does not currently occur in Jakarta, the most populous city in Indonesia. Military, forestry, mining, and tourist activities draw Jakarta residents to distant parts of the archipelago with high rates of malaria. Although malaria is a reportable disease in Jakarta, little has been published. METHODS: We collected demographic and travel information from patients in Jakarta with microscopically confirmed malaria from January 2004 to February 2005, using a standardized data collection form. These results were compared to regional rainfall statistics and transit patterns of Jakarta residents to and from rural areas. RESULTS: Data from 240 patients were collected. Aceh Province was the travel destination most commonly recorded for military members, while Papua and Bangka Island were the most frequently cited by civilians. Plasmodium falciparum accounted for 53% of cases, of which 15% had detectable gametocytemia. The most common admission diagnoses were malaria (39%), febrile illness not otherwise specified (23%), viral hepatitis (19%), and dengue (11%). The median time from admission to microscopic diagnosis was 2 days for civilian patients and 2.5 days for military patients. The highest number of cases occurred in May, July, and December with the nadir in October. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of malaria may be overlooked and therefore delayed, in nonendemic areas such as Jakarta. Travel destinations associated with contracting malaria vary significantly for civilian and military populations. The factors affecting the peak months of importation likely include rainfall, holiday transit, military flight availability, and referral center locations.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Two-generation reproduction toxicity study in rats with 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p'-DDT).

DDT, an organochlorine pesticide, has been cited as a representative chemical suspected of having endocrine disrupting effects. In this study, the potential endocrine disrupting activities of p,p'-DDT, a major component of DDT, were investigated in rats in a 2-generation reproduction toxicity study in accordance with the most current test guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) with some modifications and additions. p,p'-DDT was given to parental rats at dietary levels of 0, 5, 50 or 350 ppm. Systemic toxicities in the parental animals consisted of tremors and subsequent deaths (females only) and/or pathological alterations of the liver (both sexes of animals) of the 2 higher dose groups. Reproductive and postnatal developmental toxicities were not evident up to the highest dose level except for the decreased pup viability index on postnatal day 21 in the 350 ppm group. Changes in serum estradiol and progesterone levels and/or a delay in male sexual maturation were noted in the 2 higher dose groups in a dose-dependent fashion, suggesting alterations of endogenous endocrine functions. However, these changes never resulted in substantial reproductive disorders.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed2005

Modelling the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in Australia.

Preparedness for an incursion of an exotic animal disease is of key importance to government, industry, producers and the Australian community. An important aspect of Australia's preparedness for a possible incursion of foot-and-mouth disease is investigation into the likely effectiveness and cost-efficiency of eradication strategies when applied to different regional outbreak scenarios. Disease modelling is a tool that can be used to study diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease to better understand potential disease spread and control under different conditions. The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has been involved with epidemiologic simulation modelling for more than 10 years, and has developed a sophisticated spatial model for foot-and-mouth disease (AusSpread) that operates within a geographic information system framework. The model accommodates real farm boundary or point-location data, as well as synthesised data based on agricultural census and land use information. The model also allows for interactions between herds or flocks of different animal species and production type, and considers the role that such interactions are likely to play in the epidemiology of a regional outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. The user can choose mitigations and eradication strategies from those that are currently described in Australia's veterinary emergency plan. The model also allows the user to evaluate the impact of constraints on the availability of resources for mitigations or eradication measures. Outputs include a range of maps and tabulated outbreak statistics describing the geographic extent of the outbreak and its duration, the numbers of affected, slaughtered, and, as relevant, vaccinated herds or flocks, and the cost of control and eradication. Cost-related outputs are based on budgets of the value of stock and the cost of mitigations, each of which can be varied by the user. These outputs are a valuable resource to assist with policy development and disease management.

Animals↗
PubMed2025

Time-course transcriptome and proteomic dynamics during the de novo shoot organogenesis in Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata).

De novo shoot organogenesis (DNSO) enables plants to regenerate shoots from various explants, offering valuable opportunities for research and plant biotechnology applications. While significant progress has been made in understanding regeneration in angiosperms, the regulatory mechanisms in gymnosperms, particularly Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), remain poorly understood, despite its importance as a key timber species in China. This study successfully established an efficient DNSO protocol for Chinese fir, identifying six distinct stages in the process through cellular-level analysis. Time-course transcriptome and proteomics analyses revealed dynamic changes in mRNA and protein levels during regeneration. Notably, proteins showed more significant alterations across a broad range of biological processes, often independent of corresponding mRNA changes. Key pathways associated with ethylene metabolism and abiotic stress responses were enriched, highlighting their critical roles in regeneration. Further experiments confirmed that moderate osmotic stress treatments (150 mm mannitol) and ethylene treatment (100 μm ACC and 5 μm AgNO3) substantially enhanced DNSO efficiency. In summary, this study uncovers the molecular mechanisms underlying Chinese fir DNSO, providing valuable insights into improving plant regeneration efficiency in this economically important species. These findings contribute to advancements in plant biotechnology and sustainable forestry practices.

Cunninghamia↗
PubMed2001

[Tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus) in Japan: epidemiological aspects].

Epidemiological aspects of tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus) in Japan in 1998 were analyzed using questionnaires. Four hundred and sixteen scrub typhus cases were reported in 24 prefectures in 1998. The annual number of the patients in 1998 was similar to those in the preceding three years. There was no sex difference. The patients at the age of 51 or greater accounted for 72% of the total cases. Patients engaged in farming and forestry accounted for 32% and 14% cases, respectively. Fifty-six, 21 and 19% were reported in Kyusyu, Kanto and Tohoku-Hokuriku districts, respectively, 96% of the total cases being reported in these 3 districts. Most cases were reported from April through June with some from October through December in Tohoku-Hokuriku districts, while most cases were reported from October through December in other districts, including Kyusyu and Kanto districts. Thus, there was a difference in epidemic seasons among the districts. Serotypes of scrub typhus rickettsia were analyzed by serum antibody titers in the Kyusyu district. The novel Kawasaki and Kuroki types were major strains; however, no geographical difference was seen within the Kyusyu district. Interestingly, 24 cases were diagnosed only by the new serotypes not by the classical serotypes (Kato, Karp and Gilliam) in serological tests. This result suggests that further investigations are required to determine the prevalent serotypes in each district and to improve the serological tests. This was the first comprehensive report of epidemiology of scrub typus in entire Japan. Information obtained in the present study provides deep insight into prediction, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of scrub typhus in Japan.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Ecology. Tropical forest diversity--the plot thickens.

Also see the archival list of Science's Compass: Enhanced Perspectives ECOLOGY:Enhanced: Tropical Forest Diversity--The Plot Thickens David F. R. P. Burslem, Nancy C. Garwood, Sean C. Thomas Ecologists have long pondered why tropical forests contain such a huge number of species and what factors might be responsible for maintaining this diversity. In a Perspective, Burslem and colleagues discuss unique data sets from the forest dynamics plots (FDP) network, which shed light on the factors responsible for tropical forest diversity. D. F. R. P. Burslem is in the Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, UK. E-mail: d.burslem@abdn.ac.uk. N. C. Garwood is in the Department of Botany, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK. E-mail: ncg@nhm.ac.uk. S. C. Thomas is in the Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3B3, Canada. E-mail: sc.thomas@utoronto.ca

Ecosystem↗
PubMed1974

Ecology of insect host-parasitoid communities.

Although conclusive evidence is lacking for its establishment, the thesis that complexity adds stability to communities is probably accepted by the majority of ecologists. I believe this attitude found its origins in the indisputable fact that there are latitudinal and altitudinal changes in community complexity. As one progresses northward or southward from the equator, or higher in altitude in most parts of the world, one cannot help but notice that communities tend to become simpler, that is, there are fewer species per community. At the same time, these communities appear to become less stable. But perhaps this change in stability is in appearance only; they appear to be less stable because of the relatively greater number of individuals comprising each species population in temperate areas. Each population, because of its greater numbers, is therefore conspicuous, and changes in these numbers are noticed. We are particularly aware of such changes because populations in these areas of the world have been comparatively well studied. Many of the most studied populations include species of economic importance where changes in population numbers are vital to agricultural or forestry practices. Equatorial populations, on the other hand, contain smaller numbers of individuals of each species because of the greater number of species present. Number changes are simply not as noticeable because the population itself is not as obvious among the other populations. It may be that when (if ever) we have as much data on equatorial populations as we have on those of temperate climates, we will find fluctuations of equal relative magnitude (but not of equal numbers, of course). If, on the other hand, we really do find a correlation between complexity and stability, the suggestion by May (12) that stability permits complexity may be well worth investigating. Because of its organization and physical setting, the Rhopalomyia community I have studied might be expected to have considerable stability. In fact, however, it does not. Each of the populations in the community fluctuates greatly and irregularly in both percentages and numbers, and these populations apparently become locally extinct occasionally, because they sometimes cannot be found even in extensive collections. After studying several of the more important parasitoid species, it is evident to me that there is little or nothing about their interactions that might induce greater community stability. Each species seems to have evolved into the community with no higher purpose than simply to usurp what it can from some other member, and it does this by concentrating its energies on better competitive mechanisms rather than higher reproductive capacities. There are never empty niches to be filled by organisms having the "correct specifications" because new niches are created out of parts of older, broader niches which were occupied by other, more r-selected organisms. Thus, perhaps we have read too much into community organization. Perhaps the "ifiling of niches" is essentially nothing more than the haphazard result of competitive jostling among species; and that as communities develop, they are not necessarily programmed for such things as greater stability or better energy utilizationthe species merely become more closely packed.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Comparison of work related fatal injuries in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand: method and overall findings.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the extent, distribution, and nature of fatal occupational injury in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. SETTING: Workplaces in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. METHODS: Data collections based on vital records were used to compare overall rates and distribution of fatal injuries covering the period 1989-92 in Australia and the United States, and 1985-94 in New Zealand. Household labour force data (Australia and the United States) and census data (New Zealand) provided denominator data for calculation of rates. Case definition, case inclusion criteria, and classification of occupation and industry were harmonised across the three datasets. RESULTS: New Zealand had the highest average annual rate (4.9/100,000), Australia an intermediate rate (3.8/100,000), and the United States the lowest rate (3.2/ 100,000) of fatal occupational injury. Much of the difference between countries was accounted for by differences in industry distribution. In each country, male workers, older workers, and those working in agriculture, forestry and fishing, in mining and in construction, were consistently at higher risk. Intentional fatal injury was more common in the United States, being rare in both Australia and New Zealand. This difference is likely to be reflected in the more common incidence of work related fatal injuries for sales workers in the United States compared with Australia and New Zealand. CONCLUSIONS: The present results contrasted with those obtained by a recent study that used published omnibus statistics, both in terms of absolute rates and relative ranking of the three countries. Such differences underscore the importance of using like datasets for international comparisons. The consistency of high risk areas across comparable data from comparable nations provides clear targets for further attention. At this stage, however, it is unclear whether the same specific occupations and/or hazards are contributing to the aggregated industry and occupation group rates reported here.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2002

Fatal occupational electrocutions in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: The highest proportions of fatal occupational electrocutions have occurred among those employed in the electrical trades and in the construction and manufacturing industries. METHODS: Data from 1992 through 1999 were obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. RESULTS: Occupational electrocution deaths occurred almost entirely among males, with the highest rates among those aged 20-34 and among whites and American Indians. They were highest during the summer months, in the South, and in establishments employing 10 or fewer workers. The highest rates occurred in the construction, mining, and agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries and among trades associated with these industries. CONCLUSIONS: Electrocution continues to be a significant cause of occupational death. Workers need to be provided with safety training and employers, particularly smaller employers, persuaded of the need for safety training.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1994

Zoonotic illness--determining risks and measuring effects: association between current animal exposure and a history of illness in a well characterised rural population in the UK.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To recruit a representative sample of farmworkers, accurately quantify the range and extent of their animal exposures, and measure the associated risks of illness. DESIGN: Inception cohort. SETTING: The study was undertaken among farmworkers living in five local authority areas in the catchment of Hereford and Preston Public Health Laboratories, England. PARTICIPANTS: A quota sample of 404 people on 255 agricultural holdings took part. The holdings were selected at random from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food register. Altogether 58% of eligible subjects approached agreed to participate. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The sample had the same sex distribution as the 1991 census for those giving their occupation as agriculture. The mean age was significantly (p < 0.01) higher (44.6 years v 42.2 years) than that of those giving their occupation as agriculture, forestry or fishing in the census, although the modal range (45-59 years) was the same. At enrollment interviews, subjects individually reported contact with up to nine animal species (mode 4) out of 26 reported in all. Based on the numbers contacted and the frequency and intimacy of contact, scores on a ranked ordinal scale from 0-5 were constructed for each species and frequencies for each score were plotted. Subjects also reported past operations and serious illness. A history of pneumonia was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with a pigeon loft on the farm (relative risk (RR) 7.3) and attending farrowing pigs (RR 6.6), and one of leptospirosis with a rat problem on the farm (RR 28.1). Cattle contact was associated with a significantly lower likelihood (protective) of glandular fever (RR 0.19) and rheumatic or scarlet fever (RR 0.12). These effects were significantly related to rankings of the extent of exposure. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to recruit a representative sample of farmworkers and measure their animal exposures in great detail. Among these exposures, associations with plausible risk factors for pneumonia and leptospirosis and apparently protective factors for glandular fever, scarlet fever, and rheumatic fever have been demonstrated, which further show a relationship between the extent of exposure and response. These findings can be tested further by examining the relationship of exposures to serological evidence of illness or by further prospective follow up of this and similarly well characterised cohorts, or both.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Incidence by occupation and industry of acute work related respiratory diseases in the UK, 1992-2001.

AIMS: To summarise incidence rates and epidemiological characteristics of new cases of work related respiratory disease reported by specialist physicians in thoracic and occupational medicine, with particular reference to occupation, industry, and causal agents for asthma, inhalation accidents, and allergic alveolitis. METHODS: Cases reported 1992-2001 to the SWORD and OPRA national surveillance schemes, in which almost all UK chest and occupational physicians participate, were analysed by age, sex, cause, occupation, and industry, with incidence rates calculated against appropriate denominators. RESULTS: Excluding diseases of long latency, infrequently seen by occupational physicians, the distribution of diagnoses in the two specialties was similar, but with rates generally much higher in occupational than chest physicians. Occupational asthma was responsible for about 25% of cases overall, affecting mainly craft related occupations and machinists, and most often attributed to isocyanates, metals, grains, wood dusts, solders, and welding fume. These same occupations were those at highest risk from inhalation injuries, most frequently caused by irritant gases, vapours, and fume. Among medical technicians and nurses, however, glutaraldehyde and latex were the main causes of occupational asthma. Allergic alveolitis was seldom reported, with almost all cases in agriculture, forestry, and fishing. CONCLUSION: During the 10 year period studied, there were few changes in level of reported incidence, apart from some decline in occupational asthma and inhalation injuries. These results and their implications should be distinguished from much higher estimates of asthma made worse by work derived from population surveys, based on prevalence rather than incidence, and self-reported symptoms rather than diagnoses made by specialist physicians. Even so, the reported incidence of new cases of acute respiratory illness caused by work remains substantial.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1983

Epidemiological study of vibration syndrome in response to total hand-tool operating time.

The correlation between the severity of vibration syndrome and hand-tool operating time in chain saw workers has been studied. The total chain saw operating time was calculated by using the equation: chain saw operating hours/day X days/year X years, and 266 chain saw operators were classified into four groups (0-2000 h, 2000-5000 h, 5000-8000 h, over 8000 h). Forty-six forestry workers not using chain saws were used as controls. The prevalence rates of symptoms were checked and statistically compared in each group. In the group with under 2000 hours' experience, symptoms were generally confined to tingling, numbness, or pain; with 2000-5000 hours peripheral nerve and circulatory disturbances, including Raynaud's phenomenon, and muscle and general body conditions were influenced to some degree; with 5000-8000 hours' functional changes were noted; while with over 8000 hours about half the operators suffered severely from functional or organic changes due to vibration.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Environmental, occupational, and personal factors related to the prevalence of sick building syndrome in the general population.

Possible relations between prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) and environmental, occupational, and personal factors were studied in a random sample (0.1%) of the general population aged 20-65 in a three county region in middle Sweden. Childhood exposure to environmental tobacco smoke from smoking mothers and a childhood in urban areas was related to SBS symptoms. Current urban residency, fresh paint, and preschool children in the dwelling were also related to symptoms. Other residential factors such as age of building, type of building, degree of crowding, mechanical ventilation, or signs of moisture or mould growth were not related to symptoms. Other factors related to symptoms were history of atopy, allergy to nickel, proneness to infection, hyperreactivity, static electricity, work with video display units (VDU), work satisfaction, and climate of cooperation at work. Age, sex, marital state, education level, work stress, obesity, current or earlier smoking, regular physical exercise, or occupational exposure to chemicals did not correlate with symptoms. Women had a higher proportion of symptoms than men but these differences were not significant when adjusting for differences in allergy to nickel, hyperreactivity, and proneness to infection. Maternal smoking was related to a twofold increase of both atopy and allergy to nickel in the adult offspring. Eye symptoms were most common in administrative, managerial, and service work. Airway symptoms were most common in transport and communication work. Dermal symptoms were most common in professional and technical and related work. General symptoms were most common in service, health, hospital, and social work. The lowest prevalence of symptoms was found in agricultural, forestry, and sales work. Women and subjects allergic to nickel worked more often in occupations without exposure to chemicals, but no evidence was found for selection mechanisms causing sensitive persons to move from exposed to unexposed occupations. It was concluded that symptoms included in SBS are common in the general population, and of multifactorial origin related to both personal, occupational, and residential factors, and certain environmental exposures such as maternal smoking, the urban environment, VDU work, and volatile organic hydrocarbons from newly painted dwellings.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Glioma and occupational exposure in Sweden, a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to analyse whether any job titles, industrial codes, and certain occupational exposures were associated with an increased risk of glioma. METHODS: A population based case-control study of incident primary brain tumours in adults was carried out in Uppsala, Sweden in the period 1987-90. The study included 192 cases of glioma and 192 matched controls. It also included cases with other tumours of the central nervous system with matched controls. Information from all 343 controls was used in this study. Information was collected by means of a questionnaire that was sent to all subjects. An occupational hygienist reviewed the questionnaires for self reported exposures to substances and assessed whether these reported exposures were plausible or not in the corresponding occupation. RESULTS: The kappa coefficient for those classified by the two methods ranged between 0.46 and 0.88, and they were almost the same for cases and controls. For men exposed to solvents a relative risk (RR) of 2.6 (95% CI 1.3 to 5.2) was found. For men exposed to pesticides the RR was 1.8 (95% CI 0.6 to 5.1), and for plastic materials the RR was 3.6 (95% CI 1.0 to 12.4). For men employed in forestry and logging the RR was 2.2 (95% CI 0.9 to 5.3) and in basic metal industries 2.0 (95% CI 1.0 to 4.0). CONCLUSION: An increased risk of glioma was associated with use of solvents, pesticides, and plastic materials but this should be interpreted with some caution.

Adult↗