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Background: Diabetes increases the risk of infections and coronary heart disease (CHD). Whether infections increase the risk of CHD and how this applies to individuals with diabetes is unclear.Objectives: To investigate the association between bacterial infections and the risk of CHD in type 1 diabetes.Methods: Individuals with type 1 diabetes (n = 3781) were recruited from the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study (FinnDiane), a prospective follow-up study. CHD was defined as incident events: fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention, identified through national hospital discharge register data. Infections were identified through national register data on all antibiotic purchases from outpatient care. Register data were available from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 2015. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activity was measured from serum samples at baseline. Data on traditional risk factors for CHD were collected during baseline and consecutive visits.Results: Individuals with an incident CHD event (n = 370) had a higher mean number of antibiotic purchases per follow-up year compared to those without incident CHD (1.34 [95% CI: 1.16-1.52], versus 0.79 [0.76-0.82], P < 0.001), as well as higher levels of LPS activity (0.64 [0.60-0.67], versus 0.58 EU mL-1 [0.57-0.59], P < 0.001). In multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, the mean number of antibiotic purchases per follow-up year was an independent risk factor for incident CHD (HR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.14-1.29, P < 0.0001). High LPS activity was a risk factor for incident CHD (HR 1.93 [1.34-2.78], P < 0.001) after adjusting for static confounders.Conclusion: Bacterial infections are associated with an increased risk of incident CHD in individuals with type 1 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Associations between antimicrobial use and risk of enteric infection with intestinal protozoa are scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to quantify the risk of Dientamoeba fragilis infection conferred by exposure to antimicrobials. We conducted a registry-based retrospective cohort study of 9,945 Danish patients investigated for D. fragilis infection between 2008 and 2011, using data from the Danish Register of Medicinal Product Statistics, and calculating relative risks (RR) for D. fragilis infection by stratified binary regression. Furthermore, we conducted a population based case-control study using controls sampled from the Danish Civil Registration System, calculating hazard ratios (HR) for D. fragilis infection by conditional logistic regression. Exposure to metronidazole was found to confer decreased risk of D. fragilis infection; however, similar associations were found for antimicrobials not commonly used to treat D. fragilis, such as broad-spectrum penicillin, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides. In contrast, mebendazole exposure was associated with increased risk. The intake of antimicrobials influences the risk of D. fragilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing restaurant supply chain participants’ knowledge of consumer preferences toward the use of locally produced ingredients in restaurants may provide insight into a valuable marketing opportunity. This study uses conjoint analysis to evaluate consumers’ locally produced ingredient preferences relative to two other key restaurant attributes (the price of the dining experience and restaurant type). Results suggest that, for one fifth of surveyed restaurant consumers, a restaurant’s practice of “buying locally” is the primary restaurant attribute of importance. The implications of these results for supply chain providers (e.g., producers, manufacturers, and food service distributors) are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The intestinal protozoon Dientamoeba fragilis remains a clinical entity of dubious significance. While several previous studies address questions of epidemiology, only a handful have systematically employed and reported on the results from real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), the best currently available diagnostic modality, and the comparison of results from different studies is, therefore, difficult. Since 2007, Statens Serum Institut (Denmark) has utilised qPCR for D. fragilis as routine diagnostic work-up for intestinal parasitosis, testing more than 22,000 samples from 2008 through 2011, and the aim of this study was to report on the results and experiences gained in the process. We demonstrate a staggeringly high proportion (43 %) of investigated patients positive for D. fragilis, ranging from 12 to 71 % depending on age group, showing a bimodal age distribution peaking in children and adults of parental age, as well as a clear association between exposure to children and risk of D. fragilis infection. We discuss these findings in light of the pinworm egg vector hypothesis and substantiate further our knowledge of risk factors pertaining to D. fragilis carriage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of extensive studies on the preparation and characterization of nanocomposite materials, the correlation of their properties at the nanoscale with those in bulk is a relatively unexplored area. This is of great importance, especially for materials with potential biomedical applications, where surface properties are as important in determining their applicability as bulk characteristics. In this study, the nanomechanical characteristics of thin poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH)-poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)-cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) membranes were studied using the nanoindentation module in an atomic force microscope (AFM) and the properties were compared with the macro-scale properties obtained by tensile tests. In general, the elastic properties measured by nanoindentation followed the same trend as macro-scale tensile tests except for the PVOH 85-PAA 0-CNC 15 sample. In comparison to the macro-scale elastic properties, the measured elastic moduli with AFM were higher. Macro-scale tensile test results indicated that, in the presence of PAA, incorporation of CNCs up to 20 wt% improved the elastic modulus of PVOH, but when no PAA was added, increasing the CNC content above 10 wt% resulted in their agglomeration and degradation in mechanical properties of PVOH. The discrepancy between macro-scale tensile tests and nanoindentation in the PVOH 85-PAA 0-CNC 15 sample was correlated to the high degree of inhomogeneity of CNC dispersion in the matrix. It was found that the composites reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals had smaller indentation imprints and the pile-up effect increased with the increase of cellulose nanocrystal content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We wanted to stabilize the availability of nitric oxide (NO) at levels compatible with normal systemic haemodynamics to provide a model for studies of complex regulations in the absence of changes in NO levels. Methods: Normal volunteers (23–28 years) were infused i.v. with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) at 0.5 mg kg−1 h−1. One hour later, the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was co-infused in doses eliminating the haemodynamic effects ofl-NAME. Haemodynamic measurements included blood pressure (MABP) and cardiac output (CO) by impedance cardiography. Results: l-NAME increased MABP and total peripheral resistance (TPR, 1.02 ± 0.05 to 1.36 ± 0.07 mmHg s mL−1, mean ± SEM, P < 0.001). With SNP, TPR fell to a stable value slightly below control (0.92 ± 0.05 mmHg s mL−1, P < 0.05). CO decreased withl-NAME (5.8 ± 0.3 to 4.7 ± 0.3 L min−1, P < 0.01) and returned to control when SNP was added (6.0 ± 0.3 L min−1). A decrease in plasma noradrenaline (42%, P < 0.01) duringl-NAME administration was completely reversed by SNP. Plasma renin activity decreased duringl-NAME administration and returned towards normal after addition of SNP. In contrast, plasma aldosterone was increased byl-NAME and remained elevated. Conclusions: Concomitant NOS inhibition and NO donor administration can be adjusted to maintain TPR at control level for hours. This approach may be useful in protocols in which stabilization of the peripheral supply of NO is required. However, the dissociation between renin and aldosterone secretion needs further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to underascertainment it is difficult if not impossible to determine the incidence of a given disease based on cases notified to routine public health surveillance. This is especially true for diseases that are often present in mild forms as for example diarrhoea caused by foodborne bacterial infections. This study presents a Bayesian approach for obtaining incidence estimates by use of measurements of serum antibodies against Salmonella from a cross-sectional study. By comparing these measurements with antibody measurements from a follow-up study of infected individuals it was possible to estimate the time since last infection for each individual in the cross-sectional study. These time estimates were then converted into incidence estimates. Information about the incidence of Salmonella infections in Denmark was obtained by using blood samples from 1780 persons. The estimated incidence was about 0.094 infections per person year. This number corresponds to 325 infections per culture-confirmed case captured in the Danish national surveillance system. We present a novel approach, termed as seroincidence, that has potentials to compare the sensitivity of public health surveillance between different populations, countries and over time. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sea louse Caligus elongatus utilizes a range of marine fish species as hosts, and it has been suggested that fish farms are infected with adult C. elongatus from wild fish hosts. We assessed experimentally whether dislodged lice return to their original host species. Adult lice from wild lumpfish and saithe were presented to lumpfish, sea trout, Atlantic cod, saithe and European plaice. All fish species became infected. Lumpfish and cod were strongly preferred, followed by saithe, trout and plaice. Lice from wild saithe showed a preference for saithe and lumpfish, followed by cod, sea trout and plaice. The mtCO1 gene was used to determine the genotypes of the lice. Lice from lumpfish were genotype 1. Lice from saithe were mainly genotype 2. The two genotypes of C. elongatus differed slightly in their host preferences: lice from saithe were less discriminating. The data support the hypothesis that adult C. elongatus may transfer between different host species. Cod is an attractive host for lice from both lumpfish and saithe, which suggests that C. elongatus may become a serious pest of farmed cod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of extractives in wood flour on the mechanical properties of wood-polypropylene (PP) composites. Three different solvents, acetone/water, dioxane/water and benzene/ethanol, were used to remove extractives in both pine and Douglas fir wood flour. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that extraction resulted in a change in the surface composition of the wood flour. Differential scanning calorimetry showed no changes in the percent crystallinity of the PP matrix in the wood-PP composites and optical microscopy showed no detectable changes in PP spherulite size or shape between filled PP containing extracted and unextracted wood flour. A large increase in the strength of pine flour-PP composites was observed upon removal of extractives from pine flour. The Douglas fir flour-PP composites showed a smaller, but statistically significant, increase in strength upon removal of extractives, with the exception of the dioxane/water extracted Douglas fir. Significant differences were also observed in stiffness between extracted wood-PP and unextracted wood-PP composites with the exception of the dioxane/water extracted Douglas fir, which was not significantly different from the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested the hypothesis that oxytocin in normal man causes natriuresis by means of nitric oxide and/or atrial natriuretic peptide. Normal male subjects were investigated after 4 days of sodium controlled diets (30 mmol sodium chloride day−1, n = 8 or 230 mmol sodium chloride day−1, n = 6). Oxytocin was infused intravenously (1 pmol kg−1 min−1 for 240 min). Mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and glomerular filtration rate by clearance of chromium-labelled ethylenediaminetetraacetate remained stable. Plasma oxytocin increased from 2 to 3 pg mL−1 to around 50 pg mL−1. Oxytocin decreased urine flow (4.2 ± 0.2–0.75 ± 0.11 and 4.6 ± 1.3–1.4 ± 0.6 mL min−1, low- and high-salt diet, respectively). During low-salt conditions, oxytocin reduced sodium and potassium excretion (11 ± 2–4 ± 2 and 93 ± 19–42 ± 3 μmol min−1, respectively). Plasma renin, angiotensin II, aldosterone and renal excretion of metabolites of nitric oxide (nitrate and nitrite) all decreased. Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and cyclic guanosine monophosphate were unchanged. A similar pattern was obtained during high-salt conditions but in this case the antinatriuresis was not different from that occurring during the corresponding time control series. The data reject the hypothesis. In contrast, we found significant antinatriuretic, antikaliuretic and antidiuretic effects, which were not mediated by the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, atrial natriuretic peptide, systemic haemodynamics, or processes increasing urinary excretion of metabolites of nitric oxide. The natriuretic effect of oxytocin found in laboratory animals is species-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the frequency and risk factors for female to male sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), a prospective study was carried out in 422 men who had acquired a sexually transmitted disease (STD) from a group of prostitutes with a prevalence of HIV-1 infection of 85%. The initial seroprevalence of HIV among the men was 12%. 24 of 293 (8.2%) initially seronegative men seroconverted to HIV-1. Newly acquired infection was independently associated with frequent prostitute contact (risk ratio 3.2, 95% confidence interval 1.2-8.1), with the acquisition of genital ulcer disease (risk ratio 4.7, 95% confidence interval 1.3-17.0), and with being uncircumcised (risk ratio 8.2, 95% confidence interval 3.0-23.0). 96% of documented seroconversions occurred in men with one or both of the latter two risk factors. In a subgroup of 73 seronegative men who reported a single prostitute sexual contact, the frequency of HIV-1 infection was 8.2% during 12 weeks of observation. No man without a genital ulcer seroconverted. A cumulative 43% of uncircumcised men who acquired an ulcer seroconverted to HIV-1 after a single sexual exposure. These data indicate an extremely high rate of female to male transmission of HIV-1 in the presence of STD and confirm a causal relation between lack of male circumcision, genital ulcer disease, and susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the influence of acute sexually transmitted infections on several immunologic parameters to HIV infected sex workers in Kenya. Factors affecting the variability in rates of disease progression of HIV virus; Role of other infections in accelerating HIV-1 disease progression; Details on the median incubation time to AIDS in seroconverting sex workers.

This work reinforced both a glassy polymer (high stiffness matrix) and a rubbery polymer (low stiffness matrix) with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) derived from natural sources. CNC addition always increased stiffness while it increased toughness for a rubbery polymer and caused no loss in toughness for a glassy polymer. These results contradict many claims that when stiffness increases, the toughness decreases. We show that these claims depend on how toughness is measured. Our results were based on toughness measured using the essential work of fracture method. In contrast, toughness determined from area under the stress-strain curve shows a significant decrease, but that method may be a poor measure of toughness. Property enhancements usually require a good fiber/matrix interface. We used modeling of stiffness properties to confirm that CNC has a good interface with the studied polymer matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Individuals exposed to high levels of stress might have an increased risk of infectious diseases. However, most of the previous studies have been conducted among adults. To examine the effect of childhood stress, we conducted a nationwide cohort study including all Danish children born from 1977 to 2004. Stressful life events (SFLE) included parental death, death of sibling or parental divorce. Outcome was defined as hospitalizations due to less severe (LSID) or severe infectious diseases (SID). Children were followed until the age of 15 years. The association between SFLE and risk of infections was evaluated through rate ratios (RR) comparing infectious disease incidence ratios in children with and without a history of SFLE. Overall, children exposed to SFLE were at 13% increased risk of LSID (RR = 1.13 (1.10-1.15)), but at no increased risk of SID hospitalization (RR = 1.05 (0.97-1.14)). Looking at the specific type of SFLE, parental divorce increased the risk of LSID (RR = 1.11 (1.09-1.14)) and SID hospitalization (1.11 (1.02-1.21)) by 11%, whereas no increased risk of LSID and SID hospitalization was observed following parental death. Finally, a 34% increased risk of LSID hospitalization (RR = 1.34 (1.23-1.45)) was observed following death of sibling, in contrast to no increased risk of SID hospitalization.Conclusion: Childhood exposure to SFLE, especially parental divorce seems to increase the risk of infectious disease hospitalization. Although we cannot determine whether our observations are the result of a biological effect of stress, adoption of unhealthy behaviours or increased likelihood of hospitalization, our findings do have public health relevance as a considerable proportion of the children today will be exposed to SFLE, the majority to parental divorce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea trout ( Salmo trutta) originating from small coastal streams can be found at sea throughout the year, in contrast to conspecifics from larger rivers, which typically spend the autumn and winter in fresh water. Such an extended marine stay has been observed in coastal Skagerrak. We studied the seasonal variation in marine growth of Skagerrak sea trout based on scale increment patterns and body lengths of 563 individuals captured at sea. Growth, measured as increased body length, was rapid during summer while there was no evidence for continued growth during autumn and winter. Growth decreased with increasing age of the fish. Our results suggest that coastal Skagerrak is an important feeding area for sea trout during summer, and that an extended marine stay during autumn and winter may have trade-off benefits other than somatic growth. Alternative benefits might be increased winter survival and decreased migratory costs of juvenile fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To study temporal trends in the incidence of hospitalisations due to infection in children in Denmark. Methods: A national register based cohort of 1 892 711 Danish children aged 0-5 years were studied from 1980 to 2001. Child and family characteristics were identified in the Danish Civil Registration System; hospitalisations were identified in the Danish National Patient Registry. Annual incidence rates were estimated using log-linear Poisson regression. Results: During the studied period, the incidence of hospitalisations from infection increased by 62% in 0–5 year old children. The increase was mainly due to a sevenfold increase in the incidence of infections leading to short term hospitalisation in children aged 0–1 years. Since the increase in incidence was contrasted with a decrease in duration of hospitalisation, no further strain was put on the health services in Denmark. Conclusion: During the last two decades, the incidence of short term hospitalisations due to infections increased markedly among the youngest children. However, the strain on the health services remained constant. The observed increase in the incidence of short term hospitalisations among the youngest children may reflect changes in hospitalisation practices and utilisation, rather than an increase in incidence of infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wood composites industry is a major manufacturing sector in the United States. Increasing concerns about emissive formaldehyde to human health and our heavy dependence on petroleum and natural gas promote the need for a formaldehyde-free wood adhesive from renewable resources. Marine mussel adhesive protein is an excellent example of a formaldehyde-free adhesive from renewable resources. To cope with turbulent tides and waves, mussels stick to rocks or other substances in seawater by secreting an adhesive protein, commonly called marine adhesive protein. The two key functional moieties in the marine adhesive protein are 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (a catechol moiety) and lysine (an amino moiety). Since marine adhesive protein is not readily available, condensed tannins, which contain large amounts of catechol groups, were considered for use in this adhesive system. This study revealed that a mixture of procyanidin-type condensed tannin and polyethylenimine (PEI) was an excellent surrogate for the marine adhesive protein. A tannin–PEI mixture performed successfully as a formaldehyde-free wood adhesive. Two-ply wood composites bonded with tannin–PEI adhesives had very high shear strengths and were very water resistant. The following variables of the tannin–PEI adhesives were investigated in detail for their effects on the shear strength and water-resistance of wood composites bonded with the tannin–PEI adhesives: the mixing time of tannin and PEI, the total solids content of the tannin–PEI adhesives, the weight ratio between tannin and PEI, the cure time and temperature of the tannin–PEI adhesives, the storage time of the tannin–PEI adhesives, and the molecular weight of PEI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The recycling of plant wasted materials into useful products represents a green alternative to prevent environmental problems. Tucumã palm fruit ( Astrocaryum aculeatum Meyer) is widely used in Amazon region for food and crafts. Due to the large amount of wasted Tucumã’s endocarp, this work proposes a new approach for extraction of cellulose and its structural characterization. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Rietveld Refinement, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Infrared-transform Fourier Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermal Analysis (TG/DSC) have been used for characterization of the extracted cellulose. XRD patterns of the in natura tucumã’s endocarp has showed a natural crystalline content embedded in a non-crystalline matrix. Nanocrystals of cellulose have been observed in the XRD pattern of the extracted cellulose, showing a good agreement with type II. Rietveld refinement allowed the cell parameters obtainment ( a = 8.43(1) Å, b = 9.50(1) Å, c = 9.39(3) Å and γ = 118.43(4)°). Apparent average crystallite size and microstrain were, respectively, 20.0 Å and 0.1%. Two different methods were applied for estimative of crystallinity percentage. In the first method the height ratio between the intensity of the crystalline peak and the total intensity after the subtraction of the non-crystalline content was applied, leading to 48.5%. The second approach was performed using the amorphous area and the total area of the (1 1 0) peak from the experimental diffractogram, leading to 31.5%. The difference in crystallinity percentage concerning these two used approaches may be explained due to the first method does not consider the broad peaks resulted from nanocrystals diffraction. FTIR spectroscopy has evidenced a cellulose type II structure. SEM images showed micrometric sized fibers with ranged thicknesses. However, a new morphology of spherical nanostructures was observed on the type II matrix fibers. Thermal analysis suggests that the extracted cellulose have low thermal stability, which resulted from poor ordered, packed chains. A large exothermic band was found in DSC curve and associated to the release of energy from the amorphous phase degradation. Thus, this work successfully extracted cellulose from tucumã’s endocarp and allowed its structural, morphological and thermal characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Rapid on-site evaluation ( ROSE) of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration ( EBUS- TBNA) followed by a subsequent preliminary adequacy assessment and a preliminary diagnosis, was performed at Aarhus University Hospital by biomedical scientists ( BMS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the BMS accuracy of ROSE adequacy assessment, the preliminary adequacy assessment and the preliminary diagnosis as compared with the cytopathologist-rendered final adequacy assessment and final diagnosis. Methods The BMS-rendered assessments for 717 sites from 319 consecutive patients over a 4-month period were compared with the cytopathologist-rendered assessments. Comparisons of adequacy and preliminary diagnoses were based on inter-observer Cohen's Kappa coefficient with a 95% confidence interval ( CI). Results Strong correlations between ROSE and final adequacy assessments [Kappa coefficient of 0.90 ( CI: 0.85-0.96)] and between the preliminary and final adequacy assessments [Kappa coefficient of 0.93 ( CI: 0.87-0.99)] were found. As for the correlation between the preliminary and final diagnoses, the Kappa coefficient was 0.99 ( CI: 0.98-1). Conclusion Both ROSE and preliminary adequacy assessments as well as preliminary diagnoses, all performed by BMS, were highly accurate when compared with the final assessment by the cytopathologist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This transition from OPV to IPV requires more and affordable IPV in quantities sufficient to secure at least two doses of IPV for every child. Results support the applicability of the dose-sparing adjuvanted IPV-Al vaccine to help secure a more affordable and stable supply of IPV for prevention of poliomyelitis as part of the global polio eradication initiative. B Conclusion: b IPV-Al was demonstrated to be non-inferior to standard IPV for seroconversion following primary vaccination in the EPI schedule in Philippines and Dominican Republic, and at 2, 4, 6 months in Panama. [Extracted from the article]

The purpose of this study was to compare clinical features of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) to toxin gene profiles of the strains isolated from Danish hospitalized patients. C. difficile isolates were characterized by PCR based molecular typing methods including toxin gene profiling and analysis of deletions and truncating mutations in the toxin regulating gene tcdC. Clinical features were obtained by questionnaire. Thirty percent of the CDI cases were classified as community-acquired. Infection by C. difficile with genes encoding both toxin A, toxin B and the binary toxin was significantly associated with hospital-acquired/healthcare-associated CDI compared to community-acquired CDI. Significantly higher leukocyte counts and more severe clinical manifestations were observed in patients infected by C. difficile containing genes also encoding the binary toxin together with toxin A and B compared to patients infected by C. difficile harbouring only toxin A and B. In conclusion, infection by C. difficile harbouring genes encoding both toxin A, toxin B and the binary toxin were associated with hospital acquisition, higher leukocyte counts and severe clinical disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infection by the pandemic influenza A (H1N1/09) virus resulted in significant pathology among specific ethnic groups worldwide. Natural Killer (NK) cells are important in early innate immune responses to viral infections. Activation of NK cells, in part, depend on killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and HLA class I ligand interactions. To study factors involved in NK cell dysfunction in overactive immune responses to H1N1 infection, KIR3DL1/S1 and KIR2DL2/L3 allotypes and cognate HLA ligands of H1N1/09 intensive-care unit (ICU) patients were determined. Methodology and Findings: KIR3DL1/S1, KIR2DL2/L3, and HLA -B and -C of 51 H1N1/09 ICU patients and 105 H1N1- negative subjects (St. Theresa Point, Manitoba) were characterized. We detected an increase of 3DL1 ligand-negative pairs (3DL1/S1+ Bw6+ Bw4-), and a lack of 2DL1 HLA-C2 ligands, among ICU patients. They were also significantly enriched for 2DL2/L3 ligand-positive pairs (P<0.001, Pc<0.001; Odds Ratio:6.3158, CI95%:2.481-16.078). Relative to St. Theresa aboriginals (STh) and Venezuelan Amerindians (VA), allotypes enriched among aboriginal ICU patients (Ab) were: 2DL3 (Ab>VA, P = 0.024, Pc = 0.047; Odds Ratio:2.563, CI95%:1.109-5.923), 3DL1*00101 (Ab>VA, P<0.001, Pc<0.001), 3DL1*01502 (Ab>STh, P = 0.034, Pc = 0.268), and 3DL1*029 (Ab>STh, P = 0.039, Pc = 0.301). Aboriginal patients ligandpositive for 3DL1/S1 and 2DL1 had the lowest probabilities of death (Rd) (Rd = 28%), compared to patients that were 3DL1/ S1 ligand-negative (Rd = 52%) or carried 3DL1*029 (Rd = 52%). Relative to Caucasoids (CA), two allotypes were enriched among non-aboriginal ICU patients (NAb): 3DL1*00401 (NAb>CA, P<0.001, Pc<0.001) and 3DL1*01502 (CA

This paper provides an overview of recent progress made in the area of cellulose nanofibre-based nanocomposites. An introduction into the methods used to isolate cellulose nanofibres (nanowhiskers, nanofibrils) is given, with details of their structure. Following this, the article is split into sections dealing with processing and characterisation of cellulose nanocomposites and new developments in the area, with particular emphasis on applications. The types of cellulose nanofibres covered are those extracted from plants by acid hydrolysis (nanowhiskers), mechanical treatment and those that occur naturally (tunicate nanowhiskers) or under culturing conditions (bacterial cellulose nanofibrils). Research highlighted in the article are the use of cellulose nanowhiskers for shape memory nanocomposites, analysis of the interfacial properties of cellulose nanowhisker and nanofibril-based composites using Raman spectroscopy, switchable interfaces that mimic sea cucumbers, polymerisation from the surface of cellulose nanowhiskers by atom transfer radical polymerisation and ring opening polymerisation, and methods to analyse the dispersion of nanowhiskers. The applications and new advances covered in this review are the use of cellulose nanofibres to reinforce adhesives, to make optically transparent paper for electronic displays, to create DNA-hybrid materials, to generate hierarchical composites and for use in foams, aerogels and starch nanocomposites and the use of all-cellulose nanocomposites for enhanced coupling between matrix and fibre. A comprehensive coverage of the literature is given and some suggestions on where the field is likely to advance in the future are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. It has been predicted that CD4 C868T, a novel CD4 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that has been found to be highly prevalent among Africans, changes the tertiary structure of CD4, which may alter susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Methods. Participants were from a Kenyan cohort and included 87 uninfected and 277 HIV-1-infected individuals. DNA sequencing was used to determine CD4 genotype. A2.01 cells expressing similar levels of either wild-type CD4 or CD4-Trp240 as well as peripheral blood mononuclear cells from uninfected donors were infected with HIV-1IIIB or a Kenyan primary HIV-1 isolate. HIV-1 p24 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the outcome of infection. Results. CD4 C868T was found to be significantly more prevalent among HIV-1-infected participants than among HIV-1-uninfected participants (P = .002), and C868T was associated with an increased incidence of HIV-1 infection as well (P = .005, log-rank test; P = .009, Wilcoxon test), with an odds ratio of 2.49 (P = .009). Both in vitro and ex vivo models demonstrated a significant association between CD4 C868T and susceptibility to HIV-1 infection (P < .001 and P = .003, respectively). Conclusion. Overall, the present study found a strong correlation between CD4 C868T and increased susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. Given the high prevalence of both HIV infection and CD4 C868T in African populations, the effect of this SNP on the epidemic in Africa could be dramatic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Diabetic foot ulcers are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the clinical outcomes in Canadian non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal diabetic patients with foot ulcers managed at a multidisciplinary, tertiary care diabetic foot clinic. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was done for 325 patients receiving care during a 2-year period. All patients were followed at least 1 year after the initial visit. Results: There were 224 (69%) non-Aboriginal and 101 (31%) Aboriginal patients with 697 foot ulcers. At the initial office visit, 204 (63%) patients had lesions in Wagner grades 2–4. At the most recent evaluation (average, 79±73 weeks after initial clinic visit), 190 (58%) patients were rated as having a good outcome (either healed or healing), but a poor outcome (static, progression, amputation, or death) was noted in 135 (42%) patients. At the most recent evaluation, the majority of the 697 ulcers that were noted at the initial or subsequent clinic visits were healed. Aboriginal patients had a shorter average time from initial clinic visit to major lower extremity amputation (Aboriginal, 50±64 weeks; non-Aboriginal, 62±56 weeks; P <0.01). Residence in a rural or reserve community also correlated with shorter average time from initial clinic visit to major lower extremity amputation (rural or reserve, 45±56 weeks; urban, 66±61 weeks; P <0.002). When controlled for non-urban residence, Aboriginal ethnicity was not associated with poorer clinical outcome. Earlier major lower extremity amputation was significantly associated with non-urban residence, Aboriginal ethnicity, and arterial insufficiency. Poor clinical outcome was significantly associated with being referred with a lesion present, age greater than 60 years, prior lower extremity amputation or revascularization, arterial insufficiency, more than one lesion on initial presentation, longer duration of type 2 diabetes, and a higher initial Wagner grade for the most advanced lesion. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary diabetic foot clinic may be successful in treating diabetic foot ulcers in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. However, the frequency of poor outcome is high, consistent with the high prevalence of associated significant risk factors in this population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A letter to the editor is presented about childhood acute lymphoblastic that is published within the issue.

BACKGROUND: Particulate matter, especially ultrafine particles (UFPs), may cause health effects through generation of oxidative stress, with resulting damage to DNA and other macromolecules. OBJECTIVE: We investigated oxidative damage to DNA and related repair capacity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) during controlled exposure to urban air particles with assignment of number concentration (NC) to four size modes with average diameters of 12, 23, 57, and 212 nm. DESIGN: Twenty-nine healthy adults participated in a randomized, two-factor cross-over study with or without biking exercise for 180 min and with exposure to particles (NC 6169-15362/cm(3)) or filtered air (NC 91-542/cm(3)) for 24 hr. METHODS: The levels of DNA strand breaks (SBs), oxidized purines as formamidopyrimidine DNA glycolase (FPG) sites, and activity of 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase (OGG1) in PBMCs were measured by the Comet assay. mRNA levels of OGG1, nucleoside diphosphate linked moiety X-type motif 1 (NUDT1), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO1) were determined by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Exposure to UFPs for 6 and 24 hr significantly increased the levels of SBs and FPG sites, with a further insignificant increase after physical exercise. The OGG1 activity and expression of OGG1, NUDT1, and HO1 were unaltered. There was a significant dose-response relationship between NC and DNA damage, with the 57-nm mode as the major contributor to effects. Concomitant exposure to ozone, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide had no influence. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that UFPs, especially the 57-nm soot fraction from vehicle emissions, causes systemic oxidative stress with damage to DNA and no apparent compensatory up-regulation of DNA repair within 24 hr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neisseria gonorrhoeae cervicitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 frequently coinfect core transmitter populations, such as female sex workers. Gonococcal cervicitis is associated with increased viral shedding and plasma viremia in HIV-1-infected women and increased HIV-1 susceptibility in uninfected women. We studied the influence of gonococcal cervicitis on CD8(+) interferon (IFN)-gamma responses to HIV-1 and cytomegalovirus (CMV) epitopes in HIV-1-infected and in highly-exposed, persistently seronegative (HEPS) female sex workers. In HIV-1-infected women, gonococcal cervicitis was associated with reduced IFN-gamma responses in bulk CD8(+) lymphocyte populations, and intracellular cytokine staining, combined with class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-peptide tetramer studies, demonstrated reduced IFN-gamma production by HIV-1 epitope-specific CD8(+) lymphocytes. In HEPS sex workers, cervicitis was associated with the transient loss of systemic HIV-1-specific CD8(+) responses and with reduced function of CMV-specific CD8(+) lymphocytes. Impaired function of virus-specific CD8(+) lymphocytes may partly explain the deleterious effects of gonococcal cervicitis on HIV-1 immune control and susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The goal of the present study was to determine whether there were HIV-1 specific cellular immune responses among a subgroup of women within a cohort of Nairobi prostitutes (n = 1800) who, despite their intense sexual exposure to HIV-1, are epidemiologically resistant to HIV-1 infection. Of the 80 women defined to be resistant, 24 were recruited for immunological evaluation. The HIV-1-specific T-helper responses were determined by IL-2 production following stimulation with HIV-1 envelope peptides and soluble gp120. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses were determined by lysis of autologous EBV-transformed B cell lines infected with control vaccinia virus or recombinant vaccinia viruses containing the HIV-1 structural genes env, gag and pol. Resistant women had significantly increased HIV-1 specific T-helper responses, as determined by in vitro IL-2 production to HIV-1 envelope peptides and soluble glycoprotein 120, compared with low-risk seronegative and HIV-1-infected controls (P ≤ 0.01, Student’s t-test). Seven of the 17 (41%) resistant women showed IL-2 stimulation indices ≥ 2.0. HIV-1-specific CTL responses were detected among 15/22 (68.2%) resistant women compared with 0/12 low-risk controls (Chi-squared test, P < 0.001). In the two resistant individuals tested, the CTL activity was mediated by CD8+ effectors. Many HIV-1-resistant women show evidence of HIV-1-specific T-helper and cytotoxic responses. These data support the suggestion that HIV-1-specific T-cell responses contribute to protection against HIV-1 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-three patients were randomized to a minimally invasive strategy or to standard percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty followed by intracoronary ultrasound. There was no difference in intracoronary ultrasound-determined dissection after the procedure in the 2 groups, and the mechanism of lumen enlargement by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in both groups predominantly was due to vessel stretch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two studies examining the incidence of and mortality associated with colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC) in IBD patients have recently been published in Gastroenterology. This is an important and often controversial topic in IBD, and these two studies are of particular interest as they appear to contradict each other. Herrinton et al. examined a large cohort of patients from a Californian health insurance database and report the incidence of CRC to be 60% higher in IBD patients than in the general population: incidence rates were 75, 76, and 47.1 per 100 000 person-years for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis (UC), and the general population, respectively. In contrast, Jess et al. used the Danish nationwide IBD registry to report no overall increased risk of CRC in UC (incidence rate ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval 0.95- 1.21) and evidence of a reduction in risk over time (from 1979 to 2008). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]