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PubMedDate not supplied

[Ambulatory management of moderately and severely malnourished children in the rural health district of Kapolowe in Shaba (Zaire)].

In Kapalowe rural health district, hospitalisation of malnourished children is restricted to complicated cases; once the complication is under control or eliminated, the child's treatment is continued at home, based on a 13 weeks contract, between parents and health centre. The parents commit themselves to feed their child four times a day (two porridge and two family dish portions), to consult once a week at the health centre and to welcome a weekly home visit. The objective of this visit is to support the parents, to detect possible problems and to reach the roots for this particular child. During the contract period, cost of medical treatment and recommended soya flour, is borne by the parents through a lump sum contribution. In this article, data concerning the first 95 children home rehabilitated (1989-1991) in Kapalowe are analysed. Characteristics of these children are classical regarding malnutrition; for example, age distribution is similar to that of weaning and of defunction of children at the hospital during the same year. Approximately half of them are still breastfed at the beginning of the contract. Most of them are correctly immunized and have been seen at the health centre at least two times in the last six months. Seventy-four children finished the contract; there were 17 abandons and 4 deaths. Weight gain is inferior to that observed in specialized feeding centres which do benefit from external resources, which is not the case here. It was not possible to show a significant catch up for the height for age indicator after the three months contract. These anthropometrical results are less important than the global and subjective improvement in the child's general health status observed at the end of the contract. None of the children reached the target weight after 13 weeks but important changes were observed in their behaviour, in their resistance to infection and in the attitude of their parents. The parents generally followed the instructions quite well. The middle of the contract seems to be a key period when either significative changes happen or when the attention is released. Treatment instructions have been amended to avoid monotony and overload, and to stimulate staff creativity and self-satisfaction. Payment was not a problem for the parents as malnutrition is not linked to extreme poverty. Mother's attitude and confidence and child initial weight for height status are two important contract success determinants. Abandons are more frequent when the mother is pessimistic and in case of kwashiorkor. Despite this, most of these children had gained more than one kilo before the contract was interrupted. Some didn't fulfill the W/H inclusion criteria (-2 standard deviations) and should probably not have been under contract. The four deaths were linked to insufficient treatment instructions for usually banal diseases that have another meaning in case of malnutrition, such as diarrhoea, fever, etc. An evaluation performed three months after the end of the contract in 26 children show 13 further improvements, 8 statu quo, 4 relapses and 2 new deaths. Conclusions are that home nutritional rehabilitation is possible where a health district is fully operational, that anthropometric data are useful to monitor rehabilitation but not to be pursued only as sole and ultimate objectives, and that adequate follow up after the first intensive stage is essential. The paper also shows how such a research result can have direct consequences on the organization of health activities.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed1988

Calcaneal fractures: three-dimensional treatment.

A series of 22 calcaneal fractures operated over 4 yr is presented. Radiographic evaluation of these fractures using axial, lateral, anteroposterior, and oblique medial projection (Broden's view) with varying tube angulation toward the head and computerized axial tomography in two planes, coronal and transverse, were done. This repeatedly demonstrated intra-articular splitting fractures along the axis of the os calcis through the posterior facet, extending to the calcaneocuboid joint. These fractures were surgically reduced as described by McReynolds with sequential medial and lateral approaches. Intraoperative X-rays demonstrate the three-dimensional nature of this injury. Bohler's angle may be reconstituted with apparent reduction of the posterior facet when projected laterally; however, Broden's and axial views show persistent widening and split of the posterior facet. The 22 patients have been followed from 12 to 46 mo. All have heels of normal width and wear standard shoes. The first two cases, done only medially, have less than anatomic reconstruction of the subtalar joint. Functional results have been encouraging. Of six active duty members so treated, three returned to full duty, a second who was medically retired as a result of other injuries had minimal heel problems, and fifth had a contralateral open pilon fracture which hampers him, and the sixth patient is now 4 mo postbilateral calcaneal fractures with return to duty anticipated. Most of the 22 have some decrease in subtalar motion without apparent gait abnormality. No cases of medial or lateral impingement or tendinitis are present. Fractures of the calcaneus are amendable to open reduction and internal fixation. Sequential medial and anterolateral exposure allow anatomic reconstruction in three dimensions, avoiding pitfalls of two-dimensional analysis and treatment.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1990

The FDA role in contact lens development and safety.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) exercises a multifaceted role in fulfilling its mission of enforcing the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (Act), functioning not only as industry regulator and consumer protector, but also as scientific advisor and consumer educator regarding medical devices, drugs, foods, cosmetics, and veterinary medicine. Medical devices are regulated within the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Contact lenses are regulated under the authority of the medical device amendments. The Center is responsible for promulgating regulations, publishing guidelines, and developing written guidance in enforcing the Act, and also for guiding manufacturers of medical devices in safe and effective product development. Other components deal with the compliance of manufacturers with the marketing of medical devices within the meaning of the Act, and through labeling requirements of the Act and consumer education and informational activities. As for contact lenses, the process of updating product development regulations and guidelines is an ongoing activity. The most recent version of the Contact Lens Guideline Document, issued in April 1988, contains two major revisions involving preclinical and clinical testing. The first redefines plastics into one materials category, thus reducing testing requirements with respect to animal toxicology studies and other preclinical areas. The second revision restricts clinical testing requirements to allow confirmatory trials in applications for new daily wear lenses. The intention was to maintain the ability of studies to detect major material or design flaws in lenses, thus boosting confidence in their performance while eliminating unnecessary trials.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Contact Lenses↗
PubMed2006

Effect of long-term application of biosolids for land reclamation on surface water chemistry.

Biosolids are known to have a potential to restore degraded land, but the long-term impacts of this practice on the environment, including water quality, still need to be evaluated. The surface water chemistry (NO3-, NH4+, and total P, Cd, Cu, and Hg) was monitored for 31 yr from 1972 to 2002 in a 6000-ha watershed at Fulton County, Illinois, where the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago was restoring the productivity of strip-mined land using biosolids. The mean cumulative loading rates during the past 31 yr were 875 dry Mg ha(-1) for 1120-ha fields in the biosolids-amended watershed and 4.3 dry Mg ha(-1) for the 670-ha fields in the control watershed. Biosolids were injected into mine spoil fields as liquid fertilizer from 1972 to 1985, and incorporated as dewatered cake from 1980 to 1996 and air-dried solids from 1987 to 2002. The mean annual loadings of nutrients and trace elements from biosolids in 1 ha were 735 kg N, 530 kg P, 4.5 kg Cd, 30.7 kg Cu, and 0.11 kg Hg in the fields of the biosolids-amended watershed, and negligible in the fields of the control watershed. Sampling of surface water was conducted monthly in the 1970s, and three times per year in the 1980s and 1990s. The water samples were collected from 12 reservoirs and 2 creeks receiving drainage from the fields in the control watershed, and 8 reservoirs and 4 creeks associated with the fields in the biosolids-amended watershed for the analysis of NO3- -N (including NO2- N), NH4+-N, and total P, Cd, Cu, and Hg. Compared to the control (0.18 mg L(-1)), surface water NO3- -N in the biosolids-amended watershed (2.23 mg L(-1)) was consistently higher; however, it was still below the Illinois limit of 10 mg L(-1) for public and food-processing water supplies. Biosolids applications had a significant effect on mean concentrations of ammonium N (0.11 mg L(-1) for control and 0.24 mg L(-1) for biosolids) and total P (0.10 mg L(-1) for control and 0.16 mg L(-1) for biosolids) in surface water. Application of biosolids did not increase the concentrations of Cd and Hg in surface water. The elevation of Cu in surface water with biosolids application only occurred in some years of the first decade, when land-applied sludges contained high concentrations of trace metals, including Cu. In fact, following the promulgation of 40 CFR Part 503, the concentrations of all three metals fell below the method detection level (MDL) in surface water for nearly all samplings. Nitrate in the surface water tends to be higher in spring, and ammonium, total P, and total Hg in summer and fall. Mean nitrate, ammonium, and total phosphorus concentrations were found to be greater in creeks than reservoirs. The results indicate that application of biosolids for land reclamation at high loading rates from 1972 to 2002, with adequate runoff and soil erosion control, had only a minor impact on surface water quality.

Metals↗
PubMed2004

Integration of kinetic information on yeast sphingolipid metabolism in dynamical pathway models.

For the first time, kinetic information from the literature was collected and used to construct integrative dynamical mathematical models of sphingolipid metabolism. One model was designed primarily with kinetic equations in the tradition of Michaelis and Menten whereas the other two models were designed as alternative power-law models within the framework of Biochemical Systems Theory. Each model contains about 50 variables, about a quarter of which are dependent (state) variables, while the others are independent inputs and enzyme activities that are considered constant. The models account for known regulatory signals that exert control over the pathway. Standard mathematical testing, repeated revisiting of the literature, and numerous rounds of amendments and refinements resulted in models that are stable and rather insensitive to perturbations in inputs or parameter values. The models also appear to be compatible with the modest amount of experimental experience that lends itself to direct comparisons. Even though the three models are based on different mathematical representations, they show dynamic responses to a variety of perturbations and changes in conditions that are essentially equivalent for small perturbations and similar for large perturbations. The kinetic information used for model construction and the models themselves can serve as a starting point for future analyses and refinements.

Models, Biological↗
PubMed1980

Clinical and laboratory evaluation of four methods of assessing free thyroxine status in thyroid clinic patients.

The clinical value of four laboratory methods of assessing free thyroxine status was compared in 82 consecutive patients newly referred to a thyroid clinic with suspected thyroid dysfunction. The methods of determining free thyroxine used were: (1) free thyroxine index using a thyroid hormone uptake test (FTI (THUT)); (2) a free thyroxine index using thyroxine binding globulin (FTI (TBG)); (3) a kinetic radioimmunoassay (Immophase); and (4) an equilibrium dialysis method. The definitive thyroid status was evaluated by a combination of clinical assessment (including Wayne index), routine tests of thyroid function (total T4, T3, TSH, and TRH tests where appropriate), and by therapeutic trial in one case. The diagnostic efficiency of the tests was markedly dependent upon the method of determining the reference range for euthyroid patients. Best efficiency for each test was achieved using an amended range after excluding outliners. Test efficiency was then 97.6% for FTI (THUT) and the kinetic RIA and 96.8% for FTI (TBG). Misclassification by one or more of these tests occurred in only four patients (mild hypothyroid, euthyroid on phenytoin, euthyroid on oral contraceptive and valium, T3 hyperthyroid). In contrast, free T4 by equilibrium dialysis was much less efficient (86.6%) and was technically the most complex. Overall the kinetic T4 RIA provided similar diagnostic information to the indirect indices. However, further studies of cost benefit in settings other than a thyroid clinic are required to assess whether this method might replace total T4 and/or FTI as a first-line test of thyroid function.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Detection of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) by reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction. Diagnostic validation].

Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) is a fish pathogen that attacks rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farming. The only diagnostic method recognised by the European community for VHS is based on the detection of the viral agent in cell culture followed by an immunological identification of the pathogen. Reverse transcription followed by a double amplification of the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the gene encoding the viral glycoprotein G is proposed here as an alternative method to the virus assay in cell culture. The RT-PCR was found to have three advantages over the viral assay method. First, the RT-PCR was found to be more rapid than the virus assay method (24 h compared to 72-120 h). Second, this method was found to be more sensitive than the virus assay (2.10(-2) pfu of virus were detected per millilitre of viral suspension compared to 2.10(-1) pfu.mL-1 by inoculation of the cell lines EPC and RTG2). Third, the RT-PCR was shown to be specific towards the VHS virus assay (represented by its four serotypes VHS I, VHS II, VHS 23/75 and VHS IV). Moreover no amplification was obtained with the other rhabdoviruses used: infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (American strain Amend 72, WRAC, RB, SRVC) and French reference strain 69/87, eel viruses, spring viraemia of carp virus and pike fry virus. The validation of this method was performed on organs removed from experimentally infected rainbow trout and ovarian fluid samples from farmed broodfish from D0 to D150. By using RT-PCR between D30 and D60, 13 samples from nine experimentally infected trout (ten kidney-spleen pools and three brains) tested positive, whereas only nine samples (four kidney-spleen pools and five brains) from six fish were positive at D30. The last positive response was obtained by RT-PCR at D60 for kidney-spleen pools from three fish. At D150, all the results were negative. From the 60 ovarian fluid samples tested, 28 were VHS positive by the RT-PCR versus 15 by the virus assay method. Eleven out of the 60 broodfish had neutralised anti-VHS, six were negative by RT-PCR and by the virus assay, four were positive by RT-PCR and negative by virus assay and one positive by both methods. The specificity, sensitivity and rapidity of the RT-PCR method makes it an attractive alternative to classical virological methods currently recommended by European Fish Health Surveillance Programmes.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

On cestodes of passer domesticus II. Anonchotaenia and Mathevotaenia.

This part includes the account of Anonchotaenia globata (LINSTOW, 1879) and its embryo, and of Mathevotaenia ornithis sp. nov.--Anonchotaenia globata is know to be a parasite of Passer domesticus in foreign countries. The writers record it for the first time in India in this bird. This species is also known from other birds, but not so far recorded even in other birds in India. VOGE and DAVIS (1953), METTRICK (1958) and MAHON (1958) previously studied this species. The present study contributes additional data to the morphology of this species. Variations in the number of testes, extent of cirrus sac, and position of genital pore have been recorded. A definite neck has been found. Calcareous corpuscles, occurrence of which is not on record in this species, have been found in the present material. Paruterine organ, to which previous workers paid scant attention, has been studied in detail. It is a complex three-layered structure. Eggs undergo development upto the formation of embryos while they are still in the uterus, and subsequently they all pass into the paruterine organ which is found teeming with embryonated eggs. Eggs are quite characteristic in shape. Two coverings are found around the embryos: the outer one, the shell capsule, is spindle-shaped and cornuted; the hexacanth enclosed in a membrane is housed in the dilated middle part of the shell capsule. Hexacanth is an elongated structure with a dilated middle part and not a uniform width. Hence the term "nematodiform" embryo used for it is rather inappropriate. Three pairs of hooks are present in the dilated middle part of the embryo. WOODLAND (1929) and METTRICK (1958) denied the existence of the hooks.--Mathevotaenia ornithis sp. nov. is the first species of the genus Mathevotaenia AKHUMIAN, 1946 that has been described from an avian host, other species are known from mammalian hosts. Amongst the mammalian species, the present form comes close to Mathevotaenia deserti (MILLEMANN, 1955) and M. hardoiensis JOHRI, 1961, but differs from either in several features. This species is chiefly characterized by the number and distribution of testes, bilobed ovary, genital ducts passing between the excretory canals, vitellarium V-shaped, and cirrus sac extending aporally beyond the excretory canals. Besides, the bearing of the receptaculum seminis on the taxonomy of the genera Mathevotaenia AKHMUIAN, 1946 and Atriotaenia SANDGROUND, 1926 has been discussed, and an amendment in the generic delineation has been suggested for these genera.--Systematic position of Mathevotaenia antrozoi (VOGE, 1954) YAMAGUTI, 1959 has been discussed and the species has been assigned to Atriotaenia.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Succession of indigenous Pseudomonas spp. and actinomycetes on barley roots affected by the antagonistic strain Pseudomonas fluorescens DR54 and the fungicide imazalil.

In recent years, the interest in the use of bacteria for biological control of plant-pathogenic fungi has increased. We studied the possible side effects of coating barley seeds with the antagonistic strain Pseudomonas fluorescens DR54 or a commercial fungicide, imazalil. This was done by monitoring the number of indigenous Pseudomonas organisms and actinomycetes on barley roots during growth in soil, harvest after 50 days, and subsequent decomposition. Bacteria were enumerated by traditional plate spreading on Gould's S1 agar (Pseudomonas) and as filamentous colonies on Winogradsky agar (actinomycetes) and by two quantitative competitive PCR assays. For this we developed an assay targeting Streptomyces and closely related genera. DR54 constituted more than 75% of the Pseudomonas population at the root base during the first 21 days but decreased to less than 10% at day 50. DR54 was not successful in colonizing root tips. Initially, DR54 affected the number of indigenous Pseudomonas organisms negatively, whereas imazalil affected Pseudomonas numbers positively, but the effects were transient. Although plate counts were considerably lower than the number of DNA copies, the two methods correlated well for Pseudomonas during plant growth, but after plant harvest Pseudomonas-specific DNA copy numbers decreased while plate counts were in the same magnitude as before. Hence, Pseudomonas was 10-fold more culturable in a decomposition environment than in the rhizosphere. The abundance of actinomycetes was unaffected by DR54 or imazalil amendments, and CFU and quantitative PCR results correlated throughout the experiment. The abundance of actinomycetes increased gradually, mostly in numbers of DNA copies, confirming their role in colonizing old roots.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed2006

New multiplexes for Europe-amendments and clarification of strategic development.

Recently, the ENFSI/EDNAP groups issued advice on the design of the next generation of STR multiplexes in order to encourage standardisation within Europe. As the result of collaborative experimentation within the EDNAP group, we demonstrated that the low molecular weight STRs had substantial benefits to detect degraded samples. We subsequently recommended adoption of three new mini-STR loci to improve the success rate of degraded DNA markers, concurrent with the reduction in size of the existing STR markers in current use. This also improves the discriminating power of the system which is important to improve the power of national DNA databases. Subsequent discussions have occurred with manufacturers and members of the ENFSI/EDNAP groups. Because significant time and investment is required to develop new multiplexes of 13+ STR loci, manufacturers indicated that it would be preferable to adopt a staged approach. Two differing, but parallel strategies have now emerged. The first strategy employs a 13 STR loci multiplex incorporating three mini-STRs into the current multiplex test. The second strategy employs a multiplex of six high molecular weight STRs (in current use), modified to provide smaller amplicons combined with an additional two loci of high discriminating power. Eventually, the two strategies will converge to provide a single multiplex of 15 STR loci. The process will be guided by the ENFSI/EDNAP groups.

DNA Fingerprinting↗
PubMed2005

Contaminated nutritional supplements--legal protection for elite athletes who tested positive: a case report from Germany.

A significant proportion of nutritional supplements manufactured worldwide contain non-listed contaminations with anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), whose ingestion may lead to positive doping test results. This will lead to the suspension of, and sanctions against, the athlete, since this group of active substances is prohibited by the anti-doping code of the World Anti-Doping Agency as well as by sports associations not connected with this agency. Considerable financial losses are often the consequence for a banned athlete. Based on an amendment to the law governing the manufacture and prescription of drugs (AMG) in Germany in 1997 and an increasingly extensive interpretation of the term "drug" by the Federal Supreme Court, preparations containing anabolic steroids or their precursors are to be classified as drugs and, therefore, are subject to compulsory declaration as stated by the AMG. If this obligation is not adhered to, the result may be a claim for damages by the athlete against the manufacturer of a preparation, if the athlete took the preparation thinking it was harmless as judged by the Anti-Doping regulations, but was then found to be positive in doping tests. The judges in the first case before the county court in Stuttgart decided in favour of the claim for damages with respect to lost bonuses, loss of earnings and accrued legal costs by a soccer player who tested positive and was therefore suspended. Based on the evidence presented, the court came to the decision that the soccer player's positive test result was due to the ingestion of nutritional supplements containing non-listed AAS. This procedure could set a precedent for other states to demonstrate that athletes who had tested positive due to contaminated nutritional supplements are not without legal protection.

Anabolic Agents↗
PubMed2001

Complying with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Privacy standards.

The Privacy Rule: Limits the use and disclosure of PHI to purposes of treatment, payment, or routine health care operations. Requires covered entities to provide advance notice to the public of its policy governing disclosure of PHI. Requires entities covered by the Standard to secure general client consent to use and to disclose PHI for treatment, payment, or routine health care operations and to obtain specific client authorization to use or to disclose PHI for all other purposes unless the disclosure is specifically permitted without consent or authorization (e.g., a covered entity may disclose PHI to a health care oversight agency such as the Office of the Inspector General without first obtaining client authorization). In certain situations, a covered entity need only obtain client agreement to disclose PHI which may be oral or inferred from the circumstances surrounding the disclosure. For example, a covered entity could disclose PHI to a relative caring for the individual who is the subject of the health information. Expects covered entities to take measures to protect PHI from both inadvertent and deliberate misuse and disclosure. Requires, except in certain circumstances, the amount of PHI disclosed on any occasion to be limited to the minimum necessary to achieve the purpose of the disclosure. Gives individuals more control of their health information by permitting them to review and amend health information pertaining to themselves and to demand an accounting of persons to whom their health information has been disclosed. Establishes terms under which a covered entity may disclose PHI to a business associate. Permits states to maintain state laws that are more stringent than the Privacy Rule. The statute provides for significant civil and criminal penalties for failure to comply with the Standards. Violations are punishable by fines as much as $250,000 and 10 years imprisonment. The HHS, Office of Civil Rights is charged with enforcing the Standards. The HHS is expected to issue a single Enforcement Rule applicable to all three of the HIPAA Administrative Simplification Standards. Many worksite records will not be protected under the HIPAA Privacy Rule because employers are not covered entities and few occupational health professionals meet the criteria of being considered a covered entity. Nevertheless, occupational health professionals need to be knowledgeable about the application of HIPAA in the occupational health care setting. Furthermore, given that the Rule does not preempt state privacy laws that are more stringent than the Standards, occupational health professionals should monitor legislative activity related to privacy in the states in which they practice. To date, Oregon, Texas, and New Jersey have broadened HIPAA's definitions to create more covered entities and services.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2001

[Influenza vaccination of healthy adults].

UNLABELLED: A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 21 June 1999. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To identify, retrieve and assess all studies evaluating the effects of vaccines on influenza in healthy adults. To assess the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing cases of influenza in healthy adults. To estimate the frequency of adverse effects associated with influenza vaccination in healthy adults. SEARCH STRATEGY: MEDLINE was searched using the strategy of the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group. The bibliography of retrieved articles, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR), and EMBASE (1990 to 1997) were also searched. Hand-search of the journal Vaccine from its first issue to the end of 1997 (Jefferson and Jefferson, 1996; Jefferson, 1998). We wrote to vaccine manufacturers and corresponding authors of studies in the review. SELECTION CRITERIA: Any randomised or quasi-randomised studies comparing influenza vaccines in humans with placebo, control vaccines or no intervention, or comparing types, doses or schedules of influenza vaccine. Live, attenuated or killed vaccines or fractions thereof administered by any route, irrespective of antigenic configuration were considered. Only studies assessing protection from exposure to naturally occurring influenza in healthy individuals aged 14 to 60 (irrespective of influenza immune status) were considered. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Both clinically defined cases and serologically confirmed cases of influenza were considered as outcomes according to the authors' definitions. Time off work, complication and hospitalisation rates were considered, together with adverse effects. Vaccine schedules were analysed including one component matching the recommended vaccine (WHO or government recommendations) for the year of the study, and whether they matched the circulating viral subtypes. MAIN RESULTS: The recommended live aerosol vaccines reduced the number of cases of serologically confirmed influenza A by 48% (95% confidence interval 24% to 64%), whilst recommended inactivated parenteral vaccines had a vaccine efficacy of 68% (95% confidence interval 49% to 79%). The vaccines were less effective in reducing clinical influenza cases, with efficacies of 13% and 24% respectively. Use of the vaccine significantly reduced time off work, but only 0.4 days for each influenza episode (95% confidence interval 0.1 to 0.8 days). Analysis of vaccines matching the circulating strain gave higher estimates of efficacy, whilst inclusion of all other vaccines reduced the efficacy. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccines are effective in reducing serologically confirmed cases of influenza A. However, they are not as effective in reducing cases of clinical influenza. The use of WHO recommended vaccines appears to enhance their effectiveness in practice.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Design of quinonoid-enriched humic materials with enhanced redox properties.

The primary goal of this work was to develop quinonoid-enriched humic materials with enhanced redox properties that could be used as potentially effective redox mediators and reducing agents for in situ remediation of soil and aquatic environments. Two different strategies were formulated and tested to derive these materials. The first strategy called for the oxidation of phenolic fragments associated with the humic aromatic core. In a second strategy, polycondensation of these phenolic fragments was carried out with hydroquinone and catechol. The oxidized derivatives and copolymers obtained were characterized using elemental and functional group analyses, and capillary zone electrophoresis. The redox properties were evaluated using ESR spectrometry and reducing capacity determinations. The reducing capacities of copolymers ranged between 1 and 4 mmol/g, which were much higher than the parent material and the oxidized derivatives. Hence, preference should be given to the copolycondensation approach. The quinonoid-enriched humics are nontoxic, water soluble, and resistant to biodegradation; thus, they could be applied as soil amendments to reduce highly mobile oxoanions of heavy metals and radionuclides, or as redox mediators to enhance in situ bioremediation. Otherwise, cross-linked copolymers could be created to serve as inexpensive reductants in permeable reactive barriers designed to remove highly oxidized contaminants from polluted groundwaters.

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy↗
PubMed1999

Reducing phosphorus runoff and improving poultry production with alum.

This is a review paper on the effects of aluminum sulfate (alum) on ammonia volatilization and P runoff from poultry litter. Initially, laboratory studies were conducted that showed P solubility could be reduced in poultry litter with Al, Ca, and Fe amendments, indicating that these amendments may reduce P runoff. These results were confirmed in small plot studies in which alum applications to litter were shown to decrease P concentrations in runoff by as much as 87%, while improving tall fescue yields. Leaf tissue analyses indicated that the yield improvements were due to increased N availability, which we hypothesized was due to reduced NH3 volatilization. This result was confirmed in laboratory studies that showed that alum was one of the most effective (and cost-effective) compounds for reducing NH3 volatilization. Field trials conducted at commercial broiler farms in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency showed that alum additions to poultry litter lowered litter pH, particularly during the first 3 to 4 wk of each growout, which resulted in less NH3 volatilization and lower atmospheric NH3. Ammonia volatilization rates were reduced by 97% for the first 4 wk of the growout. Broilers grown on alum-treated litter were heavier than the controls (1.73 vs 1.66 kg) and had lower mortality (3.9 vs 4.2%) and better feed efficiency (1.98 vs 2.04). Electricity and propane use were lower for alum-treated houses. As a result of these economic benefits to the integrator and grower, the benefit:cost ratio of alum addition was 1.96. Phosphorus concentrations in runoff from small watersheds were 75% lower from alum-treated litter than normal litter over a 3-yr period. Long-term small plot studies on alum use have shown that alum-treated litter results in lower soil test P levels than normal litter and does not increase Al availability in soils or uptake by plants.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1998

[Criminal law problems in forensic medicine].

This paper first goes into cases of medical malpractice proceeding from the definition of the subject (forensic medicine). Among the material examined by the author lapses were to be assumed in 6.9% of the cases. A forensic autopsy can, however, also be of significance in countering false accusations. Forensic autopsies are regulated by Sect. 87 of the German Code of Criminal Procedure. Clinical autopsies are performed in Berlin in conformity with the Autopsy Act of 1996. Therapeutic removal of tissue is, moreover, also regulated by the Autopsy Act. Last year's Grafting Act, on the other hand, is Federal Law. Another act promulgated in 1997 has likewise provoked considerable controversial debate: viz. the Criminal Proceedings Amendment Act--keyword: DNA analysis/genetic fingerprint. And, finally, the paper also goes somewhat deeper into the introduction of breath-alcohol tests as evidence admitted in court. Further points discussed: reports prepared in connection with trials involving shootings along the Berlin wall, reports drawn up in connection with matters involving the abuse of anabolic substances by competitive athletes in the German Democratic Republic, reports on former GDR functionaries pertaining to their fitness to plead in court or to undergo detention. To conclude with, the question, whether evidence obtained by coerced vomiting can be used in court, is also discussed (drug couriers).

Autopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Second-generation antihistamines: the OTC debate.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that the safety profiles of second-generation antihistamines (SGAs) meet the criteria set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for switching these products to over-the-counter (OTC) status. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE search of articles published from 1970 through 2000. SUMMARY: Most patients with allergic rhinitis treat their symptoms with first-generation antihistamines (FGAs), which are available over-the-counter (OTC). Yet FGAs are generally considered less safe than the newer drugs. FGAs cause central nervous system (CNS) adverse effects and may increase users' risk for work-related injuries and motor vehicle accidents and, in children, for learning impairment. SGAs cause fewer CNS effects, do not appear to affect learning in children, and do not have significant drug interactions. Several other countries have made SGAs available OTC. Blue Cross of California petitioned FDA in July 1998 to make this class of drugs available OTC in the United States. This petition will finally be heard in May 2001. The 1951 Durham-Humphrey amendment to the original Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938 requires that "a drug be made available without a prescription if, by following the labeling, consumers can use it safely and effectively without professional guidance." If judged according to this and other criteria promulgated by FDA, SGAs should be strongly considered for being switched to OTC status. CONCLUSION: The safety and efficacy of SGAs have been adequately established. Consumers should have the option of self-treating mild allergic rhinitis symptoms with these products.

Histamine Antagonists↗
PubMed1998

NMR detection of 13CH313COOH from 3-13C-glucose: a signature for Bifidobacterium fermentation in the intestinal tract.

The gastrointestinal tracts of breast-fed infants are colonized more easily with bifidobacteria than are those of formula-fed infants. Colonization is thought to reduce infant diarrhea. Amendments to formulas that improve colonization by bifidobacteria are being actively investigated. Colonization studies almost invariably require measurements of the concentration of the bifidobacteria in feces to assess their importance in the colon. We investigated the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of products of fermentations of 1- and 3-13C-glucose to evaluate the importance of bifidobacteria in the colonic ecosystem. Bifidobacteria use a unique pathway of hexose catabolism to produce primarily acetate and lactate. The fermentation yields 3 mol of acetate from 2 mol of glucose. Two of the acetates are formed from C1 and C2 of glucose and the third is formed entirely from C3 of glucose. We first employed high resolution NMR to verify the pathway used by a pure culture of Bifidobacterium bifidum. The major products of fermentation of 1- and 3-13C-glucose were acetate and lactate. Most of the 13C from 3-13C-glucose was in 13CH313COOH with equal enrichment in the methyl and carboxyl groups. The 13C-acetate from 1-13C-glucose was almost entirely enriched in the methyl of acetate and no 13CH313COOH was produced. NMR analysis of glucose fermentation by the colonic flora of a 158-d-old strictly breast-fed infant showed production of 13CH313COOH from 3-13C-glucose. The amount of 13CH313COOH formed established that the Bifidobacterium pathway was the major pathway used for glucose fermentation by this infant's colonic microbes.

Acetic Acid↗