Short communication: localization and expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in different subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues of early-lactating dairy cows.

The present study aimed to examine the mRNA abundance of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and to localize the MCP-1 protein in different subcutaneous (s.c.) and visceral (v.c.) fat depots in high-yielding dairy cows. Early-lactating German Holstein cows (n=25) were divided into a control (CON) and a conjugated linoleic acids (CLA)-supplemented group to investigate potential effects of dietary CLA treatment on MCP-1. The MCP-1 was localized in different s.c. and v.c. adipose tissue (AT) by immunohistochemistry, whereas the mRNA abundance was investigated using quantitative PCR. Albeit the infiltration of immune cells into bovine AT has been demonstrated to be only marginal, both MCP-1 protein and mRNA could be detected in bovine AT depots. The MCP-1 protein was localized both in the cytoplasm of adipocytes and in the cytoplasm of cells from the stromal vascular fraction; however, the number of MCP-1-positive cells was low. The mRNA abundances of MCP-1 were higher in v.c. compared with s.c. AT. Moreover, neither mRNA abundance nor protein expression of MCP-1 was seriously influenced by CLA supplementation of early-lactating dairy cows.

Exposure to traffic pollution: comparison between measurements and a model.

French researchers from the Building Scientific and Technical Center have produced a traffic-exposure index. To achieve this, they used an air pollution dispersion model that enabled them to calculate automobile pollutant concentrations in front of subjects' residences and places of work. Researchers used this model, which was tested at 27 Paris canyon street sites, and compared nitrogen oxides measurements obtained with passive samplers during a 6-wk period and calculations derived from the model. There was a highly significant correlation (r = .83) between the 2 series of values; their mean concentrations were not significantly different. The results suggested that the aforementioned model could be a useful epidemiological tool for the classification of city dwellers by present-or even cumulative exposure to automobile air pollution.

[Development of an exposure index of air pollution caused by motor vehicles for use in epidemiological studies]. / Elaboration d'un indice d'exposition a la pollution atmospherique d'origine automobile a l'usage des etudes epidemiologiques.

Air pollution due to motor vehicles is a worrying issue, in particular in the urban environment, all the more as a number of pollutants such as benzene and PAH are known to have carcinogenic effects. Epidemiological studies seem to be required, so a cumulated score of exposure must be developed. A correlation with pathology should be investigated. The calculation of an index of exposure to motor vehicle-related pollution requires a good assessment of pollutant emissions and a precise knowledge of pollutant transfer mechanisms by advection and spreading in built-up areas. In this study, it is proposed to use current theoretical and experimental knowledge to develop a calculation algorithm for this index. The following issues will be addressed in the presentation: an analysis of epidemiological requirements and of constraints of data acquisition using questionnaire surveys; a model for assessing, for each residential area, the average annual concentration of gaseous pollutants from motor vehicles. It will consider the environment geometry, traffic emissions and wind distributions. The model CALINE3 is used for open areas near roads and highways and the Danish model OSPM is introduced for street canyon environments.

[Draft of the swimming pool water regulation. Presentation, status: 17 September 1991, according to the federal hearing of 11 December 1991 in Bonn]. / Entwurf der Schwimmbeckenwasserverordnung. Referentenentwurf, Stand: 17.9.91, gemäss der Länderanhörung am 11.12.91 in Bonn.

Comments are given on the present status of regulations concerning water in swimming pools and baths--1991--(in connection with the KOK regulations--1972--and the Federal German standard [DIN] No. 19643-1984-). Reference is made to microbiologic limits of Legionella pneumophila among others.

[Hygiene problems in spas]. / Hygieneprobleme bei Kurbädern.

The problems of hygiene to be tackled in spas are governed by Federal German legislation such as the Federal Communicable Diseases Act, the Federal German DIN standard regulation No. 19643, the guidelines for the construction of medical baths and the legal definition of a spa. The article describes the problems of hygiene encountered in respect of the water in swimming pools and in physical exercise basins in spas, as well as the problems of hygiene in other fields with particular reference to microorganisms that are of special importance as far as hygienic aspects are concerned. Reference is made to the trihalogen methanes and to the problems in connection with the employed materials.

[Significance of fecal streptococci in the detection of bacteriologic contamination of drinking water]. / Bedeutung von Fäkalstreptokokken beim Nachweis bakteriologischer Verunreinigungen im Trinkwasser.

Because of their increased environmental resistance faecal streptococci are a good indicator of a contamination dating back a long time. Under the new Federal German Drinking Water Regulations, examination of faecal streptococci is not mandatory. On the basis of 190 samples of water from natural springs it was shown that, if the water was examined only in respect of E. coli and coliform bacteria there were no objections in 22% of water that was faecally contaminated, so that such water escaped detection. Hence, it is advisable to perform the faecal streptococci test in water that is frequently or potentially infected with bacteria.

[Hygiene certification of the Society for Proper Quality of Linen Care, Incorporated]. / Hygienezeugnis der Gütegemeinschaft sachgemässe Wäschepflege e. V.

This is a survey of textile-technical requirements, of quality controls, of the hygiene certificate as well as of the relevant valid legal provisions, regulations and directions. The test-list for works inspection is quoted. The hygienic-bacteriological control methods as well as the checking methods are described by means of selected examples.

[Faecal streptococci as indicator organisms of drinking water]. / Fäkal-Streptokokken als Indikatorkeime des Trinkwassers.

The rules of the European Economic Community to harmonize the hygienic quality of drinking water write out the faecal streptococci as indicator organisms. This operating definition of the faecal streptococci prohibits its taxonomic limitation to enterococci or group D streptococci. Therefore, we have undertaken studies concerning the methods for routine examinations. Comparative investigations of selective enrichment broths showed no significant differences of the end concentration of glucose in the range of 0.5-1.0% and of sodium azide in the range of 0.02-0.05%. 36 degrees C was a better incubation temperature than 44 degrees C and the results were better after 24 h than after 48 h. Comparative investigations of selective plating media showed less selectivity of the bile-aesculin agar and gentamicinthallous-carbonate agar than that on the one hand of citrate-azide-tween-carbonate agar, KF streptococcal agar or Slanetz-Bartley enterococcal agar, and on the other hand of kanamycin-aesculin-azide agar. All together the kanamycin-aesculin-azide agar seems to be a little better than the other media (Table 2) 356 strains of faecal streptococci were isolated from the studied media. More than 20 characteristics were investigated and, there upon, the strains were differentiated (Table 3). S. faecalis predominates in human materials, i.e. urine, S. faecium and S. durans were isolated specially from sewage and waste water (Table 4). The single species of faecal streptococci grow specificly on the different selective media, and therefore, each agar specimen prefers the one or other species more or less selectively (Table 5).