Measurement of radioxenon and radioargon in soil gas collected in the region of Kvarntorp, Sweden.

Over 40 soil gas samples were collected both in post-industrial areas as well as in undisturbed areas in the region of Kvarntorp, Sweden. Radioxenon (133Xe) was detected in 15 samples and radioargon was detected in 7 from 10 samples analysed. The concentration of radioxenon and radioargon in soil gas ranged up to 109 mBq/m3 and 19 mBq/m3, respectively. During sample collection other soil gases such as radon, CO2 and O2 were also measured and soil samples were taken along with dose rate measurements. The field experiment presented here shows that it is possible to detect naturally occurring radioxenon and radioargon in soil gas simultaneously.

Measurements of 106Ru in Sweden during the autumn 2017: Gamma-ray spectrometric measurements of air filters, precipitation and soil samples, and in situ gamma-ray spectrometry measurement.

During the last days of September to the first days of October in 2017, a unique detection of 106Ru was observed in air filters sampled at different locations in Sweden via the national air monitoring network. Furthermore, measurements of precipitation also showed the presence of 106Ru. This initiated soil sampling and in situ gamma-ray spectrometry at one of the locations.

Association between serum interleukin-17A and clinical response to tofacitinib and etanercept in moderate to severe psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease with a pathophysiology involving interleukin (IL)-17. Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor. Etanercept is a tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitor used in the treatment of psoriasis. Neither agent inhibits IL-17 directly. AIM: To evaluate correlations between circulating IL-17A and clinical efficacy in patients with psoriasis treated with tofacitinib or etanercept. METHODS: Serum concentrations of IL-17A homodimer and IL-17A/F heterodimer were determined by immunoassays at weeks 0, 4 and 12 in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis treated with placebo (n = 60), tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily (n = 184), tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily (n = 190), or etanercept 50 mg subcutaneously twice weekly (n = 190). Disease severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and clinical response was defined as patients achieving ≥ 75% improvement from baseline PASI (PASI75). RESULTS: Serum levels of IL-17A homodimer at week 0 showed moderate correlation with PASI, with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.43. Furthermore, serum levels of IL-17A homodimer showed a clear correlation with clinical response, with a decrease of 57.1% in patients achieving PASI75 at week 12, but only 15.9% decrease in nonresponders. PASI75 responders had lower median concentrations of IL-17A (range across treatments: 0.24-0.27 pg/mL) at week 12 vs. nonresponders (0.37-0.62 pg/mL), regardless of the treatment. Serum IL-17A/F heterodimer showed similar decreases at week 12 in responders and nonresponders. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline serum IL-17A correlates moderately with psoriasis severity. Reduction in circulating IL-17A is required for disease remission regardless of therapeutic agent.

Objective neuromuscular monitoring of neuromuscular blockade in Denmark: an online-based survey of current practice.

BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular blocking agents are commonly used during general anaesthesia but can lead to postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade and associated morbidity. With appropriate objective neuromuscular monitoring (objNMM) residual blockade can be avoided. In this survey, we investigated the use of objNMM in Denmark. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous Internet-based survey distributed through e-mails to Danish public anaesthesia departments. The survey consisted of 15-17 short questions regarding the use of objNMM. RESULTS: A total of 653 (27%) anaesthetists from 90% of the hospitals answered the questionnaire. ObjNMM was always used by 58% of the anaesthetists and 86% used objNMM at least 75% of the times. Despite the frequent use, 75% of the anaesthetists experienced difficulties with objNMM in at least 25% of the cases. The likelihood of using objNMM was higher among nurse anaesthetists vs. anaesthesiologists (odds ratio (OR) 2.24 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.62-3.08]), if the department had an employee with special interest in objNMM (OR 1.66 [95% CI: 1.12-2.47]), if the anaesthetist had < 5 years of experience (OR 1.88 [95% CI: 1.29-2.73]), or if experiencing difficulties with objNMM < 25% of the cases (OR 1.60 [95% CI: 1.00-2.57]). CONCLUSION: In this survey, Danish anaesthetists frequently, in an international perspective, use objNMM, but the use is often associated with technical difficulties.

Evaluation of an early warning system for airborne radionuclides.

An early warning system for detection of increased levels of radioactivity in outdoor air was operative between 2004 and 2011 at the Swedish air sampling stations. The system consisted of a low resolution detector (NaI), positioned directly behind the filter and measurement of the accumulated radioactivity were performed continuously. An evaluation of the data collected during the period is presented with emphasis on natural occurring radionuclides and their influence on the detectability of anthropogenic radionuclides.

The effect of a low and high resource intervention on older drivers' knowledge, behaviors and risky driving.

This study aimed to compare an in-class Seniors on the MOVE (Mature Operators Vehicular Education) interactive multi-session driving curriculum with a self-guided MOVE curriculum for older adults. Using a two group randomized design, we sought to determine if there are between-group differences in older drivers' knowledge and safety behaviors among participants. Forty-four participants with an average age of 79 years (SD=7.1) were randomly assigned to the original MOVE program (SOM-A) or a lower resource (SOM-B) self-guided intervention. SOM-A is a four session program designed to improve older drivers safety knowledge and better understand skills for safer driving. SOM-B is a self-guided program with one required in-class session and one optional session. Subsequent to completion of both curricula, participants were offered CarFit, a comprehensive check of how well a senior driver and their vehicle work together. Baseline, post-intervention and 6-month follow up questionnaires were completed by participants. We found significant differences (p=.01) in the mean driving safety knowledge scores when comparing participants in SOM-A (3.7, SD 2.0) to those in SOM-B (0.87, SD 2.6). With regard to behavioral outcomes, we focused on always wearing a seatbelt, talking with a health care provider about driving ability, and sitting 10-12 inches from the steering wheel. The vast majority of participants reported always wearing their seat belts (SOM-A 100%, SOM-B 92%, p=1.0), and very few reported talking with their doctors (SOM-A Baseline--0%, Follow up 1--0%, p=n/a). Mean behavior change scores for participants sitting 10-12 inches from the steering wheel were significantly more likely among SOM-A (mean=.65, SD=.5) participants than those in SOM-B (mean=.29, SD=.5, p=.01) at first follow-up. Taken together, these findings suggest that the more intensive program is more effective and that driving safety programs focused on behaviors to self evaluate driving abilities continue to be needed to help older drivers remain safer on the road as they age. The involvement of health care providers in such efforts may be an untapped potential.

Differentiation of four Aspergillus species and one Zygosaccharomyces with two electronic tongues based on different measurement techniques.

Two electronic tongues based on different measurement techniques were applied to the discrimination of four molds and one yeast. Chosen microorganisms were different species of Aspergillus and yeast specie Zygosaccharomyces bailii, which are known as food contaminants. The electronic tongue developed in Linköping University was based on voltammetry. Four working electrodes made of noble metals were used in a standard three-electrode configuration in this case. The St. Petersburg electronic tongue consisted of 27 potentiometric chemical sensors with enhanced cross-sensitivity. Sensors with chalcogenide glass and plasticized PVC membranes were used. Two sets of samples were measured using both electronic tongues. Firstly, broths were measured in which either one of the molds or the yeast grew until late logarithmic phase or border of the stationary phase. Broths inoculated by either one of molds or the yeast was measured at five different times during microorganism growth. Data were evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA), partial least square regression (PLS) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). It was found that both measurement techniques could differentiate between fungi species. Merged data from both electronic tongues improved differentiation of the samples in selected cases.

Use of an electronic tongue and HPLC with electrochemical detection to differentiate molds in culture media.

A study was conducted to further evaluate an electronic tongue, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical (EC) and UV detection as a reference method. The electronic tongue consisted of four working electrodes made of different metals and arranged in a standard three-electrode configuration. Pulses of voltage were applied to the metals, and the current responses were sampled and collected in a data matrix. The objectives of the present investigation were to examine the ability of the electronic tongue to distinguish between two mold species growing in three different media, and to obtain support for the hypothesis that the device actually discriminates between different redox-active metabolites produced by the molds. Peak areas in EC and UV HPLC chromatograms were collected in a data matrix. The electronic tongue data and the EC and UV data were then subjected to principal component analysis (PCA). A number of peaks in the HPLC-EC chromatograms indicated that the growth media contained redox-active metabolites. Moreover, PCA of peak areas in EC chromatograms revealed differences between the distribution of redox-active metabolites produced by the two species and between the three culture media. The same pattern was apparent in a PCA score plot of electronic tongue data. The peaks in the UV and EC chromatograms differed, and these were also shown by the PCA score plots.

Use of an electronic tongue to analyze mold growth in liquid media.

The feasibility of employing an electronic tongue to measure the growth of mold in a liquid medium was studied. We used the electronic tongue developed at Linköping University, which is based on pulsed voltammetry and consists of an array of different metal electrodes. Instead of focusing on a single parameter, this device provides information about the condition or quality of a sample or process. Accordingly, the data obtained are complex, and multivariate methods such as principal component analysis (PCA) or projection to latent structures (PLS) are required to extract relevant information. A gas chromatographic technique was developed to measure ergosterol content in mold biomass and was subsequently used as a reference method to investigate the ability of the electronic tongue to measure the growth of mold in liquid media. The result shows that the electronic tongue can monitor mold growth in liquids. In PLS analysis, the electronic tongue signals correlate well with the amount of ergosterol in the mold biomass as well as the microbially induced changes in the pH of the medium.

Hepatocyte growth factor may accelerate healing in chronic leg ulcers: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a heparin-binding protein with mitogenic, motogenic and morphogenic activities for various cell types. The regenerative properties of HGF have been the object of several animal and in vitro studies in recent years. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the physiological and therapeutic effects of HGF on chronic leg ulcers. METHODS: HGF in gel form was locally applied, once daily for 7 days, to 15 of 19 chronic leg ulcers in 11 elderly patients. All patients had previously been treated by conventional methods and their leg ulcers had been in stable conditions for between 1 and 14 years. Any signs of allergy, discomfort or pain were reported daily. Microcirculation perfusion in the ulcers, compared to the intact contiguous skin, was determined by laser Doppler at the beginning of the study, after 1 week and again after 3 months (in seven patients). Ulcer size and characteristics were also documented. RESULTS: It was observed that microcirculatory perfusion, which might reflect the angiogenic effect of HGF, was statistically significantly correlated (r = 0.94, p < 0.002) to ulcer area reduction in the treated ulcers. Excellent (84-100% area reduction) or partial healing (58-59%) was seen in eight out of 11 patients. No control group was included in this pilot study, which must be completed by proper control studies. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that HGF may heal chronic leg ulcers, possibly by improving the microcirculation. Proper control studies need to be performed.

High serum hepatocyte growth factor levels in the acute stage of community-acquired infectious diseases.

Acute serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were studied in 6 clinical groups with (i) gastroenteritis, (ii) skin and soft tissue infection, (iii) urinary tract infection, (iv) septicemia, (v) influenza, and (vi) chronic hepatitis C in comparison with a normal control group using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. We found that serum HGF levels were significantly higher in patients with acute infectious diseases (p < 0.0001) compared to patients with chronic viral hepatitis and healthy controls. Serum HGF and CRP levels were correlated significantly (r=0.65, p < 10(-7)). We conclude that serum HGF levels are elevated in patients with acute infectious diseases.

A longitudinal study of former trauma center patients: the association between toxicology status and subsequent injury mortality.

BACKGROUND: Despite the current emphasis on injury prevention, little has been done to incorporate alcohol intervention programs into the care of the injured patient. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients admitted to a trauma center with positive toxicology findings (TOX+) have a higher subsequent injury mortality than those without such findings (TOX-). METHODS: We followed a cohort of 27,399 trauma patients discharged alive between 1983 and 1995 to determine subsequent mortality. Death certificates were obtained to identify the cause of death. RESULTS: TOX+ patients had an injury mortality rate approximately twice that of the TOX- group (1.9% vs. 1.0%, p < 0.001). Overall, 22.7% of the deaths were due to injury; the TOX+ rate was 34.7% versus 15.4% for the TOX-. CONCLUSION: These data add strength to the premise that untreated substance abuse-related injury remains an untapped injury prevention opportunity.

Alcohol/drug abuse, driving convictions, and risk-taking dispositions among trauma center patients.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between alcohol/drug abuse diagnoses, driving convictions (speeding, reckless driving, impaired driving, license violations), and risk-taking dispositions among a series of injured drivers admitted to a trauma center. The driving records of 778 patients were linked to diagnoses of psychoactive substance use disorders (PSUDs), admission blood alcohol concentration (BAC), mode of injury, and results of a risk-taking disposition survey. Twenty-nine percent of patients had one or more convictions in the 3 years before injury. Types of violation were not related to mode of injury. Although there was a positive association between prior impaired-driving convictions, current alcohol dependence, and a BAC + status, a consistent pattern relative to other violations, PSUDs, and BAC status was not apparent. Risk-taking disposition scale scores indicated that patients without PSUDs and without convictions tended toward less risk-taking behavior than patients with PSUDs and with convictions. The complex inter-relationships between PSUDs, risk-taking dispositions, and being convicted of driving dangerously require additional study so that intervention programs and injury prevention initiatives can be targeted effectively.

Epidemic increases in cocaine and opiate use by trauma center patients: documentation with a large clinical toxicology database.

BACKGROUND: Although reports have documented alcohol and other drug use by trauma patients, no studies of long-term trends have been published. We assessed substance use trends in a large cohort of patients admitted to a regional Level I adult trauma center between July 1984 and June 2000. METHODS: Positive toxicology results, collected via retrospective database review, were analyzed for patients admitted directly to the center. Data were abstracted from a clinical toxicology database for 53,338 patients. Results were analyzed for alcohol, cocaine, and opiates relative to sex, age (< 40/> or = 40 years), and injury type (nonviolence/violence). Positive toxicology test result trends were assessed for the 3 years at the beginning and end of the period (chi2). Testing biases were assessed for sex, race, and injury type. RESULTS: The patient profile was as follows: men, 72%; age < 40 years, 69%; nonviolence victims, 77%. Alcohol-positive results decreased 37%, but cocaine-positive and opiate-positive results increased 212% and 543%, respectively (all p < 0.001). Cocaine-positive/opiate-positive results increased 152%/640% for nonviolence and 226%/258% for violence victims, respectively (all p < 0.001). In fiscal year 2000, cocaine-positive and opiate-positive results were highest among violence victims (27.4% for both drugs). Cocaine-positive and opiate-positive results among nonviolence victims were 9.4% and 17.6%, respectively. Patients who were minorities or victims of violence were not tested more frequently than other patients. CONCLUSION: Epidemic increases in cocaine and opiate use were documented in all groups of trauma patients, with the greatest increases being in violence victims. Alcohol use decreased for all groups.

Use of alcohol as a risk factor for bicycling injury.

CONTEXT: Bicycling is one of the leading causes of recreational injuries. Elevated blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) are found in about one third of fatally injured bicyclists aged 15 years or older. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative risk of fatal and serious bicycling injury according to BAC. DESIGN: Matched case-control study. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Bicyclists aged 15 years or older who were fatally or seriously injured while riding a bicycle during the day in Maryland in 1985-1997 (cases, n = 124) and bicyclists aged 15 years or older who were interviewed and given a breath test for estimated BAC during roadside surveys that took place in June 1996 through May 1998 at the same site, time of day, day of week, and month of year in which a case bicyclist was injured (controls, n = 342). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Odds ratio of bicycling injury according to estimated BAC. RESULTS: An estimated positive BAC (>/=0.02 g/dL) was detected in 12.9% of the case bicyclists (23.5% of the 34 fatally injured and 8.9% of the 90 seriously injured) compared with 2.9% of the control bicyclists (P<.001). Relative to an estimated BAC of less than 0.02 g/dL, the adjusted odds ratio of bicycling injury was 5.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2-14.0) for a BAC of 0.02 g/dL or higher and was 20.2 (95% CI, 4.2-96.3) for a BAC of 0.08 g/dL or higher. Rates of helmet use at the time of injury or interview were 5% and 35%, respectively, for those with and without a positive BAC (P =.007). CONCLUSION: Alcohol use while bicycle riding is associated with a substantially increased risk of fatal or serious injury.

Hepatocyte growth factor levels in cerebrospinal fluid: a comparison between acute bacterial and nonbacterial meningitis.

The organotrophic functions of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) have been the subject of several studies. In the more recent studies, this function has been reported in the brain. In the present study, we have measured the levels of HGF in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and sera from 78 patients divided into 6 different groups according to central nervous system (CNS) infection and control. Quantitative measurements of HGF in the CSF and serum were performed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Elevated values of CSF HGF were found in the patients with acute bacterial/probable bacterial meningitis (P<.001), compared with nonbacterial CNS infections and facial palsy, as well as with a control group without signs of CNS involvement. The values of CSF HGF were not correlated to blood-brain-barrier disruption in the groups. These observations might indicate an intrathecal production of HGF in acute bacterial/probable bacterial meningitis.

Alcohol use in relation to driving records among injured bicyclists.

To prevent alcohol-related occupational mishaps, employers often conduct background checks on prospective employees for history of driving while intoxicated (DWI) and driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) to screen out candidates with drinking problems. Few studies, however, have examined the pervasive nature of drinking behavior across activity domains. Based on trauma registry data, we constructed a historical cohort of 120 Maryland residents ages 18 years or older who were injured while riding a bicycle between 1990 and 1997. Driving records for the 120 bicyclists for the 3 years between May 6, 1995 and May 5, 1998 were obtained from the state motor vehicle administration and were analyzed in relation to BAC-positive status at the time of injury. Bicyclists with positive BACs at the time of admission to the trauma center were significantly more likely than those with negative BACs to have a record of license suspension/revocation (52% vs 14%, P < 0.01) and to have DWI/DUI convictions (30% vs 3%, P < 0.01). Despite the modest sample size, this study provides compelling evidence of the pervasive nature of risky drinking between bicycling and driving activities.

Vaccination responses to capsular polysaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae type b in two C2-deficient sisters: alternative pathway-mediated bacterial killing and evidence for a novel type of blocking IgG.

Meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W-135 was diagnosed in a 14-year-old girl with a history of neonatal septicemia and meningitis caused by group B streptococci type III. C2 deficiency type I was found in the patient and her healthy sister. Both sisters were vaccinated with tetravalent meningococcal vaccine and a conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine. Three main points emerged from the analysis. First, vaccination resulted in serum bactericidal responses demonstrating anticapsular antibody-mediated recruitment of the alternative pathway. Second, addition of C2 to prevaccination sera produced bactericidal activity in the absence of anticapsular antibodies, which suggested that the bactericidal action of antibodies to subcapsular antigens detected in the sera might strictly depend on the classical pathway. A third point concerned a previously unrecognized type of blocking activity. Thus, postvaccination sera of the healthy sister contained IgG that inhibited killing of serogroup W-135 in C2-deficient serum, and the deposition of C3 on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay plates coated with purified W-135 polysaccharide. Our findings suggested blocking to be serogroup-specific and dependent on early classical pathway components. Retained opsonic activity probably supported post-vaccination immunity despite blocking of the bactericidal activity. The demonstration of functional vaccination responses with recruitment of alternative pathway-mediated defense should encourage further trial of capsular vaccines in classical pathway deficiency states.