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The World Health Organization has identified climate change as "the single biggest health threat facing humanity". Climate change will affect athletes in particular. The literature lacks thorough, scientifically based studies on what health effects climate change will have on athletes. The aim of this study was to systematically analyze the emerging climate change-related health effects on outdoor athletes. We conducted a classic, asynchronous Delphi study among a panel of experts. To maintain a multidisciplinary approach, 24 medical doctors from different specialties and 24 experts from the eight largest German outdoor sports associations were recruited. According to the expert panel, outdoor sports will be increasingly confronted with the following six risk factors: temperature-related risks, accident and injury risks, UV-related risks, respiratory risks, infection and intoxication risks, and mental and psychosocial risks. This empirical aggregation of knowledge from scientists, sports organizations, clubs, trainers, and professional athletes may lay the foundation for future approaches that could prevent or intervene in climate change driven health risks in outdoor sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute renal failure (ARF) in critically ill patients is associated with high mortality. Optimal method and dose of continuous renal replacement therapy could improve survival in these patients. We studied the hypothesis that an increase in dialysis dose obtained by continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) is associated with a better survival than continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) among critically ill patients with ARF. In a prospective randomized trial, these two methods were compared in patients undergoing renal replacement therapy in two intensive care units (ICUs). The patients had either CVVH (1–2.5 l/h replacement fluid) or continuous CVVHDF (1–2.5 l/h replacement fluid+1–1.5 l/h dialysate) according to their body weight. 28- and 90-day mortalities, renal recovery, and duration of ICU stay were the main outcome measures. Two hundred and six patients were randomized from October 2000 to December 2003. Twenty-eight-day survivals (%) were, respectively, 39 and 59 (P=0.03) in the CVVH and CVVHDF groups. Three months survivals (%) were, respectively, 34 and 59 (P=0.0005) in the CVVH and CVVHDF groups. Apache II score, age, baseline blood urea nitrogen, and hemodiafiltration (hazard ratio 0.59, 95% confidence interval 0.40–0.87; P=0.008) were independent predictors of survival at 90 days. Renal recovery rate among survivors (71 versus 78% in the CVVH and CVVHDF groups respectively, P=0.62) was not affected by the type of renal replacement therapy. These results suggest that increasing the dialysis dose especially for low molecular weight solutes confers a better survival in severely ill patients with ARF.Kidney International (2006) 70, 1312–1317. doi:10.1038/sj.ki.5001705; published online 19 July 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fine powder of iron oxide has been required in the preparation of ferromagnetic α″-Fe16N2 powder in low temperature nitridation. Magnetite and maghemite mixture was obtained by the reaction of iron acetylacetonate Fe(acac)3 in benzyl alcohol. It was reduced to α-Fe in hydrogen at 400°C. Particle size of the α-Fe was 300nm in the reduction of iron oxides obtained from 2g of Fe(acac)3. It decreased to 100nm in the preparation using 8g of Fe(acac)3. After the successive nitridation under ammonia flow at 160°C, the highest yield of α″-Fe16N2 in 66wt.% was observed on the nitrided product from the latter α-Fe, because of the smallest α-Fe particle size after the reduction in the present study. The yield and reproducibility of α″-Fe16N2 formation in low temperature nitridation was improved using the iron oxide prepared in non-aqueous benzyl alcohol compared to the use of magnetite obtained from aqueous solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A total of 2538 quarter milk samples from 638 lactating dairy cows from 47 farms in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, were investigated for streptococci. A novel, simple and inexpensive laboratory method was used for the differentiation of Streptococcus species, and a risk factor analysis was carried out. The prevalence in the quarter milk samples was 0.2 per cent for Streptococcus agalactiae, 1.3 per cent for Streptococcus uberis, 1.3 per cent for Streptococcus dysgalactiae, 0.1 per cent for Enterococcus species and 2.9 per cent for minor Streptococcus species (designated Streptococcus-Lactococcus-Enterococcus [SLE] group). Based on the somatic cell count (SCC), S uberis and S dysgalactiae were classified as 'major' pathogens and the bacteria in the SLE group as 'minor' pathogens. For S uberis, S dysgalactiae and bacteria in the SLE group, the most significant risk factor was an intramammary infection (IMI) of a neighbouring quarter by the same pathogen. Other significant risk factors for S uberis infection were a positive California Mastitis Test (CMT) result and a SCC of more than100,000 cells/ml. Significant risk factors for IMI with S dysgalactiae were a positive CMT result, teat injury and palpable abnormalities in the udder. Infection with bacteria in the SLE group was significantly associated with a SCC of more than 100,000 cells/ml, a lactation number of more than 2, the right rear quarter (as the location of infection) and a positive CMT result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In2O3 and Pt-doped In2O3 nanopowders were investigated for oxygen monitoring at low temperature (from RT to 350°C). In the first step, In2O3 nano-sized powders were synthesized by a non-aqueous sol–gel method, followed by deposition of 1 or 3wt% Pt on the surface of the semiconducting metal oxide by wetness impregnation. In comparison to undoped In2O3, the Pt-doped sensors showed better performances in terms of sensitivity, response and recovery times, presumably due to the increased number of active sites for oxygen adsorption and dissociation, which favours the exchange kinetics of gaseous oxygen with adsorbed oxygen species. Depending on the working temperature, surface and/or bulk effects contribute to the oxygen sensing mechanism, strongly influencing the response and recovery times, as well as, the shape of the transient response. The high response combined with fast response and recovery times makes the Pt-In2O3 sensors a promising candidate for applications in oxygen monitoring at low temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of different SnO2 loading (0–25 wt.%) on the microstructural, electrical and gas sensing properties of ITO (indium tin oxide) nanocrystals synthesized by a non-aqueous sol–gel technique was evaluated. TEM, HRTEM and XRD characterization has shown that all samples have a uniform grain morphology and narrow particle size distribution, while a remarkable size reduction was observed with the increase of tin loading in the mixed oxide formulation. Redox properties of the samples were also characterized by H2–TPR. The gas sensing properties of ITO films towards CO (100–1000 ppm) and ethanol (50–400 ppm) have been investigated. On the basis of the characterization data, explanations of the observed sensing behaviour of ITO films are given. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A non-aqueous sol–gel process was implemented for the preparation of SnO2- and In2O3-nanostructured powders. A detailed transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM (HRTEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization carried out on the prepared nanomaterials showed that they were composed of single crystallites only slightly aggregated with an average size of 2.2nm for SnO2 and 20nm for In2O3. A mixed oxide of composition Sn0.95In0.05O x was also prepared showing a crystallite size of 2.2nm. The nanoparticles were directly used for thick film sensor deposition by drop coating and tested as gas sensors in the monitoring of trace level of both oxidizing and reducing gases. In particular, the In2O3-based sensor showed enhanced gas sensing properties toward the oxidizing gas NO2, while for the mixed metal oxide Sn0.95In0.05O x very interesting gas sensing properties were found towards the reducing gases CO and CH4. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We studied unsupported V x O y nanoparticles prepared by a novel nonaqueous route in the selective oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride. The evolution of the electronic and geometric structure of the material was characterized by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, electron energy-loss spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electron diffraction before and after the reaction at different temperatures. A change from a water-mediated Cacking functionality of the catalyst forming acetic acid to an oxidizing functionality resulting in maleic anhydride was observed. It was found that the particles underwent a radical modification of the geometric and electronic structure that finally resulted in V2O5 crystals. Experimentally derived conclusions are related to some conceptual claims from the literature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Structure–activity relationships of a nanostructured Cu/ZrO2 catalyst for the steam reforming of methanol (MSR) were investigated under reaction conditions by in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) combined with on-line mass spectrometry (MS). Temperature-programmed activation by reduction in hydrogen or by reduction in a mixture of methanol and water (feed) was studied by time-resolved Cu K edge XANES and TG/DSC/MS measurements. Small and disordered CuO particles were identified as the main copper phase present in the precursors. After extended time on stream and treatment at 673 K in hydrogen, no significant sintering of the copper particles or deactivation of the reduced Cu/ZrO2 catalysts was detected, indicating a superior stability of the material. The initially low steam-reforming activity of the Cu/ZrO2 catalyst after reduction in hydrogen could be significantly increased by a temporary addition of oxygen to the feed. This increased activity after oxidative treatment is correlated with an increasing amount of oxygen in the copper particles. 63Cu NMR studies detected only a minor degree of microstrain in the active copper phase of the Cu/ZrO2 catalyst. The decreased reducibility of CuO/ZrO2, the low degree of microstrain, and the correlation between the amount of oxygen remaining in the copper particles and the catalytic activity indicate a different metal support interaction compared with Cu/ZnO catalysts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Steam reforming of methanol (SRM) was investigated over Cu/ZrO2/CeO2 (CZC) catalysts prepared via a novel synthetic method based on coprecipitation and polymer templating. Structural characterization of the samples was performed by N2 adsorption–desorption, N2O decomposition, and X-ray diffraction. The variation of the Cu loading resulted in an increased Cu crystallite size and a decreased specific surface area of the active particles. Catalytic investigations were carried out in a fixed-bed reactor at 105 Pa, with a CH3OH:H2O ratio of 1:1. The samples with Cu contents higher than 5% exhibited good long-term stabilities and low CO levels during continuous operation. The kinetic model suggested for the transformation involved the reverse water–gas shift (RWGS) and methanol decomposition (MD), in addition to the SRM reaction. Kinetic measurements were made in the temperature range of 503–573 K, and the experimental results could be well simulated. The highest methanol conversions and the lowest CO levels were observed in the temperature range of 523–543 K. The apparent activation energies for the individual reactions were found to depend on the Cu content of the catalyst. Since the influence of mass transport limitations on the kinetic data could be excluded, it was established that the variation of the Cu concentration in the precursor material altered the microstructure of the Cu particles and, accordingly, the active Cu surface, which resulted in the formation of significantly different catalysts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An abstract of the article "Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition for one week improves renal sodium and water excretion in cirrhotic rats with ascites," by P. V. Martin, M. Ohara, P. Gines, D. L. Xu, J. St. John, M. Niederberger and R. W. Schrier is presented.