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Coastal areas world wide are highly dynamic areas, subject to continuous deformation processes. Both natural and anthropogenic processes constantly cause changes at various spatial scales. Sandy beaches in the Netherlands fall under a regulation, according to which moving sand is permitted, if the volume change remains below a certain threshold. The threshold holds for volume changes within a cross section of 1 m width of the beach. The enforcement of this rule is currently labor intensive, because monitoring generally happens only on a yearly basis, or incidental and non-quantitative. Improved observation capabilities with remote sensing are advancing the supporting technology for this kind of regulations. Permanent laser scanning is a potential tool for monitoring and quantifying volume changes of a section of the beach. We develop and implement methodology to extract time series of volume change with respect to a reference date of 01-01-2020 covering January 2020 until the end of April 2020. The method is applied on point cloud data from a permanent laser scanner on the coast of Noordwijk, The Netherlands. We analyse the time series for incidents, where the threshold in volume change is passed, and find all shortest intervals during which the threshold is passed. Then we analyse potential underlying cause in order to support not only enforcement, but also evaluation of the current regulation. This will ultimately help to work towards a better understanding of the influence of small scale human activities on coastal development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The release of pollutants is increasing along the coast of Chile, and the use of biomarkers in biomonitoring programs is essential to assess the early biological effects of marine contamination. The Micronucleus (MN) test was carried out using hemocytes of the mussel Perumytilus purpuratus from two sites in northern-central Chile (La Pampilla and Totoralillo). Nuclear abnormalities were assessed, and high frequencies of micronucleus (10.7–14.4‰) and other abnormalities were found (51.9–76.6‰). These values tended to be higher in La Pampilla, possibly due to the large presence of pollution sources in that site. However, considerably high values were observed in both sites. P. purpuratus is a suitable bioindicator and further monitoring along the Chilean coast using this species should be developed using the MN test and/or other biomarkers to comprehend the effects of human activities on the coastal environment of Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inhibitory antibodies towards enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) are associated with disease progression and poor outcome in affected male patients with lysosomal disorders such as Fabry disease (FD). However, little is known about the impact of immunosuppressive therapy on ERT inhibition in these patients with FD.Methods: In this retrospective study, we investigated the effect of long-term immunosuppression on ERT inhibition in male patients with FD (n = 26) receiving immunosuppressive therapy due to kidney (n = 24) or heart (n = 2) transplantation.Results: No ERT-naïve transplanted patient (n = 8) developed antibodies within follow-up (80 ±72 months) after ERT initiation. Seven (26.9%) patients were tested ERT inhibition positive prior to transplantation. No de novo ERT inhibition was observed after transplantation (n = 18). In patients treated with high dosages of immunosuppressive medication such as prednisolone, tacrolimus and mycophenolate-mofetil/mycophenolate acid, ERT inhibition decreased after transplantation (n = 12; P = 0.0160). Tapering of immunosuppression (especially prednisolone) seemed to re-increase ERT inhibition (n = 4, median [range]: 16.6 [6.9; 36.9] %; P = 0.0972) over time. One ERT inhibition-positive patient required interventions with steroid therapy and increased doses of tacrolimus, which also lowered ERT inhibition.Conclusion: We conclude that the immunosuppressive maintenance therapy after transplantations seems to be sufficient to prevent de novo ERT inhibition in ERT-naïve patients. Intensified high dosages of immunosuppressive drugs are associated with decreased antibody titres and decreased ERT inhibition in affected patients, but did not result in long-term protection. Future studies are needed to establish ERT inhibition-specific immunosuppressive protocols with long-term modulating properties to warrant an improved disease course in ERT inhibition-positive males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae) has a long history of utilization as a fiber and seed crop in China, and its achenes ("seeds") as well as other plant parts have been recorded in Chinese medical texts for nearly 2000 years. While the primary applications of cannabis in Chinese medicine center around the use of the achenes, ancient indications for the female inflorescence, and other plant parts include conditions such as pain and mental illness that are the subject of current research into cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, little previous research has been conducted to analyze the Chinese medical literature in light of recent advances in the pharmacology and taxonomy of cannabis, and most of the relevant Chinese historical records have not yet been translated into Western languages to facilitate textual research. Furthermore, many key questions remain unresolved in the Chinese literature, including how various traditional drug names precisely correspond to different plant parts, as well as the implications of long-term selection for fiber-rich cultivars on the medical applications of cannabis in Chinese medicine. In this article, prominent historical applications of cannabis in Chinese medicine are chronologically reviewed, and indications found in ancient Chinese literature that may relate to cannabinoids such as CBD and Δ9-THC are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fetus is indicated by the asterisk gl This bitch was diagnosed with hydrops allantois. Maternal hydrops allantois or amnion are large fluid accumulations within the allantoic or amniotic space, respectively. In large animals, hydrops allantois and amnion are considered high risk for abdominal wall herniation, prepubic tendon rupture and cardiovascular shock associated with rapid fluid loss. [Extracted from the article]

We present several new spanwise-localized equilibrium and travelling-wave solutions of plane Couette and channel flows. The solutions exhibit concentrated regions of vorticity that are centred over low-speed streaks and flanked on either side by high-speed streaks. For several travelling-wave solutions of channel flow, the vortex structures are concentrated near the walls and form particularly isolated and elemental versions of coherent structures in the near-wall region of shear flows. One travelling wave appears to be the invariant solution corresponding to a near-wall coherent structure educed from simulation data by Jeong et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 332, 1997, pp. 185–214) and analysed in terms of transient growth modes of streaky flow by Schoppa & Hussain (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 453, 2002, pp. 57–108). The solutions are constructed by a variety of methods: application of windowing functions to previously known spatially periodic solutions, continuation from plane Couette to channel flow conditions, and from initial guesses obtained from turbulent simulation data. We show how the symmetries of localized solutions derive from the symmetries of their periodic counterparts, analyse the exponential decay of their tails, examine the scale separation and scaling of their streamwise Fourier modes, and show that they develop critical layers for large Reynolds numbers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Having a job is an all day reality, having a job in a prison or a forensic psychiatric hospital is not. Dealing on a daily basis with disturbed people who have committed a severe crime requires a highly professional attitude. For the professional working in this field, individual thoughts and feelings (of disgust of the criminal and his crime for example, so common amongst the public) are not an option, while at the same time the given means for doing the work are highly dependent on public opinion as expressed by the media and political spokesmen. Ed Brand, forensic psychologist for more than thirty years, describes the change in risk management which took place in those years on the social and political level in the treatment of psychiatric disturbed offenders. In his account he also refers to the changes in his personal life before he stopped his work in state prisons and forensic psychiatric hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Internist is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background Imiquimod 5% cream can reduce or clear superficial and small nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC). It could be used as a pretreatment of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) to decrease defect size. Objectives To study if a pretreatment with imiquimod 5% cream decreases defect size after MMS. In addition, to study the effect on the number of Mohs stages and reconstruction time. Methods Seventy patients aged >18 years with a primary nodular BCC in the face were included. The imiquimod group used imiquimod 5% cream for 4 weeks, before MMS. The control group was treated with MMS only. Tumour and defect sizes were measured. We noted the number of Mohs stages, reconstruction time and side-effects. Results The median percentage increase in area from tumour size at baseline to the post-MMS defect for the imiquimod group was significantly less compared with the control group, 50% vs. 147% ( P < 0·001). A tendency towards fewer Mohs stages in the imiquimod group was observed and the reconstruction time was significantly shorter in this group ( P = 0·01). Conclusions Imiquimod 5% cream as pretreatment of MMS significantly reduced the tumour size in primary nodular BCC and reduced the surgical defect size. Further research is necessary to investigate cost-effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rs17070145 polymorphism (C → T substitution, intron 9) of the KIBRA gene has recently been associated with episodic memory and cognitive flexibility. These findings were inconsistent across reports though, and largely lacked gene-gene or gene-environment interactions. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of the rs17070145 polymorphism on clinically relevant cognitive domains and its interaction with the modifiers 'lifestyle' and 'cardiovascular risk factors'. Five-hundred forty-five elderly volunteers (mean age 64 years, ±7 years, 56% women) accomplished a comprehensive cognitive testing. Principal component analysis was used to reveal the internal structure of the data, rendering four composite scores: verbal memory, word fluency, executive function/psychomotor speed, and working memory. Lifestyle was assessed with a detailed questionnaire, age-associated risk factors by clinical interview and examination. There was no main effect of the rs17070145 genotype on any cognitive composite scores. However, we found worse performance in executive functions for T-allele carriers in the presence of arterial hypertension (β=−0.365, p=0.0077 and 0.031 after Bonferroni correction). This association was further modified by gender, showing the strongest association in hypertensive females (β=−0.500, p=0.0072 and 0.029 after Bonferroni correction). The effect of KIBRA on cognitive function seems to be complex and modified by gender and arterial hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earlier studies have demonstrated the interaction between ADD1 and ACE in relation to arterial properties. We investigated whether arterial characteristics might also be related to interactions of ADD1 with other renin–angiotensin system genes. Using a family-based sampling frame, we randomly recruited 1064 Flemish subjects (mean age, 43.6 years; 50.4% women). By means of a wall-tracking ultrasound system, we measured the properties of the carotid, femoral and brachial arteries. In multivariate-adjusted analyses, we assessed the multiple gene effects of ADD1 (Gly460Trp), AGT (C–532T and G–6A) and AT1R (A1166C). In ADD1 Trp allele carriers, but not in ADD1 GlyGly homozygotes (P-value for interaction 0.014), femoral cross-sectional compliance was significantly higher (0.74 vs 0.65 mm2 kPa−1; P=0.020) in carriers of the AT1R C allele than in AT1R AA homozygotes, with a similar trend for femoral distensibility (11.3 vs 10.2 × 10−3 kPa−1; P=0.055). These associations were independent of potential confounding factors, including age. Family-based analyses confirmed these results. Brachial diameter (4.35 vs 4.18 mm) and plasma renin activity (PRA) (0.23 vs 0.14 ng ml−1 h−1) were increased (P0.005) in AGT CG haplotype homozygotes compared with non-carriers, whereas the opposite was true for brachial distensibility (12.4 vs 14.4 × 10−3 kPa−1; P=0.011). There was no interaction between AGT and any other gene in relation to the measured phenotypes. ADD1 and AT1R interactively determine the elastic properties of the femoral artery. There is a single-gene effect of the AGT promoter haplotypes on brachial properties and PRA.Journal of Human Hypertension (2009) 23, 55–64; doi:10.1038/jhh.2008.113; published online 18 September 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies of cases and controls or selected patients demonstrated association of the ADRB1 Arg389Gfy and ADRA2B I/D polymorphisms with blood pressure, measures of obesity, and/or serum lipidia. In multivariate-adjusted analyses of 1881 subjects randomly recruited from a White population, ADRBl ArgArg homozygotes, compared with Gly alíele carriers, had higher diastolic blood pressure (79.4 vs 78.4mmHg; P=0.012), and higher serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (1.33 vs l^mmoU"1; P = 0.020), whereas none of the other cardiovascular or metabolic phenotypes reached significance in relation to the two polymorphisms. Our family-based design excluded population stratification as a possible explanation for the significant association of the ADRBl Arg389Gly polymorphism with blood pressure and HDL cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the European Project on Genes in Hypertension (EPOGH), we investigated in three populations to what extent in a family-based study, left ventricular mass (LVM) was associated with the C-532T and G-6A polymorphisms in the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene. We randomly recruited 221 nuclear families (384 parents and 440 offspring) in Cracow (Poland), Novosibirsk (Russia), and Mirano (Italy). Echocardiographic LVM was indexed to body surface area, adjusted for covariables, and subjected to multivariate analyses, using generalized estimating equations and quantitative transmission disequilibrium tests in a population-based and family-based approach, respectively. We found significant differences between the two Slavic centres and Mirano in left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (94.9 vs 80.4?g/m2), sodium excretion (229 vs 186?mmol/day), and the prevalence of the AGT-6A (55.7 vs 40.6%) and-532T (16.8 vs 9.4%) alleles. In population-based as well as in family-based analyses, we observed positive associations of LVMI and mean wall thickness (MWT) with the-532T allele in Slavic, but not in Italian male offspring. Furthermore, in Slavic male offspring, LVMI and MWT were significantly higher in carriers of the-532T/-6A haplotype than in those with the-532C/-6G or-532C/-6A allele combinations. In women, LVMI was neither associated with single AGT gene variants nor with the haplotypes (0.192/100?mmol; P=0.003), whereas such association was not present in-532T/-6A haplotype carriers (P-value for interaction 0.04). We found a positive association between LVMI and the AGT-532T allele due to increased MWT. This relation was observed in Slavic male offspring. It was therefore dependent on gender, age and ecogenetic context, and in addition it appeared to be modulated by the trophic effects of salt intake on LVM.Journal of Human Hypertension (2005) 19, 155-163. doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1001793 Published online 14 October 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 825T allele of the G-protein β[SUB3]-subunit is associated)with increased intracellular signalling. Its association with hypertension is inconsistent. We, therefore, studied the C825T polymorphism in relation to ambulatory blood pressure as well as left ventricular structure and function in two European populations. We genotyped 248 parents and 318 offspring, enrolled in the European Project on Genes in Hypertension in Cracow, Poland (n=286) and in Novosibirsk, Russian Federation (n=280). The 24-h ambulatory blood pressure was recorded using oscillometric SpaceLabs 90207 monitors. Within each centre, a single observer performed two-dimensionally guided M-mode echocardiography and Doppler sonography to measure left ventricular structure (American Society of Echocardiography conventions) and diastolic function: early (E) and late (A) peak diastolic inflow velocities. We used analysis of covariance and generalized estimating equations to allow for covariables and nonindependence among related subjects. Genotype frequencies were similar (P=0.25) in Cracow and Novosibirsk and amounted to 44.7% for CC, 47.2% for CT, and 8.1% for TT. Among parents (mean age: 51.3 years) -- but not among offspring (mean age 25.1 years) -- 24-h, daytime and night time systolic blood pressures were 5-6 mmHg higher in TT homozygotes than in C allele carriers. In TT homozygous parents (-8.2 cm/sec, P=0.004) as well as in TT homozygous offspring (-7.5 cm/sec, P=0.02), the E-wave was significantly reduced, which in offspring also resulted in a lower E/A ratio (-0.25, P=0.002). Neither in parents nor in offspring, left ventricular mass index was associated with the C825T polymorphism. In conclusion, in TT homozygotes of both generations, early left ventricular relaxation was reduced. In TT homozygous parents, the latter observation might be because of the higher systolic pressure associated with the TT genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is expressed primarily in adipocytes, and elevated levels of this cytokine have been linked to obesity and insulin resistance. Recently, the A allele of a polymorphism in the 5'-flanking region of the TNF-α gene (G-308A) has been reported to be more frequent in obese than in lean subjects and has also been associated with increased expression of this cytokine in fat tissue and influences fat mass and insulin resistance. We, therefore, examined the relationship between this variant and obesity in a German Caucasian population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We genotyped 176 index subjects recruited within the framework of the BErG (Berlin Ernährung Geschwister)- Study for the TNF-α-G-308A polymorphism. Subjects were characterized for weight, height, waist and hip circumference, body mass index (BMI), body composition, glucose tolerance, leptin and angiotensinogen levels. RESULTS: The frequency of the -308A allele (0.18) was similar to that reported previously and genotype distribution was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (GG, n = 118; GA, n = 53; AA, n = 5). There was a significant difference in allele frequencies of the polymorphism by BMI quartiles (I, < 27.3 kg/m²; II, 27.3-31.9 kg/m²; III, 31.9-36.5 kg/m²; IV, > 36.5 kg/m², in each quartile n = 44) with -308A allele carriers having a higher BMI than G allele carriers (P = 0.013). Despite previous smaller studies that have related insulin resistance to the G-308A polymorphism, we found no relationship between glucose and insulin response during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the polymorphism. Furthermore, none of the plasma parameters were related to the polymorphism. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the hypothesis that the G-308A polymophism of the TNF-α gene is associated with BMI. The G-308A polymorphism may, therefore, represent a genetic marker for increased susceptibility for obesity in Caucasians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1995 the coordinators of the Netherlands Advisory Council for Research on Nature and Environment (RMNO) and the Greening of Industry Network initiated a process of developing an international research agenda on sustainable development and the role of industry. The purposeof this initiative was two-fold: -- To develop a research agenda on the process of greening of industry in the context of sustainable development which defines main research priorities for the coming decade; -- To provide a clearer perspective on how research priorities are currently developed and how to improve this process. After a two yearprocess of discussions via workshops and interviews including various stakeholders, four main research themes were selected: -- Transformation towards sustainable development -- Changing consumption patterns -- Finance, capital and performance indicators -- Technological breakthroughs. We hope to solicit a discussion on the future of the greening of industry research agenda. This article is based on a report 'The Greening of Industry for a Sustainable Future: Building an International Research Agenda (1997)'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Pulmonary fibrosis in hard metal grinders has been observed to an increasing degree in recent years. Most authors attribute the cause of this disease to the influence of the cobalt contained in hard metals. The present case dealt with a 36-year-old man who had been exposed to the grinding dust from sintered hard metal parts for more than 10 years. Biopsy of the lung revealed an advanced, active pulmonary fibrosis. In the biopsy specimens cobalt was determined by flameless atomic absorption. The cobalt content in the biological specimens of the patient (urine: 7.5 μg/l; lung: 1010 μg/kg wet weight) was significantly increased compared with the values measured in normal controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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From the observations made in this study, it does not appear that oxygen and carbon dioxide treatment of catatonic dementia præcox patients is to be advocated as a general therapeutic procedure. We are unable to draw definite conclusions regarding the role played by this treatment in the recovery of two patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using flexible endoscopes 0.6-2.3 mm in diameter, direct tubal endoscopy was performed on human uteri and fallopian tubes ex vivo. Fourteen studies were performed both transcervically using the operating channel of a hysteroscope and transtubally via the fimbriae of the Fallopian tube. Different anatomic segments of the fallopian tube were readily identified, as was a possible tubal "sphincter" not previously described. This technique holds great promise for the evaluation and potential treatment of intratubal pathology in the gynecologist's office. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]