Spatial origin of the extracellular ATP-induced cytosolic calcium signature in Arabidopsis thaliana roots: wave formation and variation with phosphate nutrition.

Extracellular ATP (eATP) increases cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+ ]cyt ) as a specific second messenger 'signature' through the plasma membrane DORN1/P2K1 receptor. Previous studies revealed a biphasic signature in Arabidopsis thaliana roots that is altered by inorganic phosphate (Pi) deprivation. The relationship between the two phases of the signature and possible wave formation have been tested as a function of Pi nutrition. The bioluminescent aequorin and intensiometric GCaMP3 reporters were used to resolve the spatial origin of the eATP [Ca2+ ]cyt signature in Arabidopsis root tips. Application of eATP only to the root apex allowed [Ca2+ ]cyt wave resolution without the confounding effects of eATP delivery by superfusion. The first apical millimetre of the root generates the first [Ca2+ ]cyt increase by eATP, regardless of nutritional status. The second increase occurs sub-apically in the root hair zone, has some autonomy and is significantly reduced in Pi-starved roots. A significant component of the Pi-replete signature does not require DORN1/P2K1, but Pi-starved roots appear to have an absolute requirement for that receptor. Application of eATP specifically to the root apex provides evidence for cell-to-cell propagation of a [Ca2+ ]cyt wave that diminishes sub-apically. The apex maintains a robust [Ca2+ ]cyt increase (even under Pi starvation) that is the basis of a propagative wave, with implications for the ability of the root's eATP signalling systems to signal systemically. Partial autonomy of the sub-apical region may be relevant to the perception of eATP from microbes. eATP-induced [Ca2+ ]cyt increase may not have always have an obligate requirement for DORN1/P2K1.

A novel method for calculating beta band burst durations in Parkinson's disease using a physiological baseline.

BACKGROUND: Pathologically prolonged bursts of neural activity in the 8-30 Hz frequency range in Parkinson's disease have been measured using high power event detector thresholds. NEW METHOD: This study introduces a novel method for determining beta bursts using a power baseline based on spectral activity that overlapped a simulated 1/f spectrum. We used resting state local field potentials from people with Parkinson's disease and a simulated 1/f signal to measure beta burst durations, to demonstrate how tuning parameters (i.e., bandwidth and center frequency) affect burst durations, to compare burst duration distributions with high power threshold methods, and to study the effect of increasing neurostimulation intensities on burst duration. RESULTS: The baseline method captured a broad distribution of resting state beta band burst durations. Mean beta band burst durations were significantly shorter on compared to off neurostimulation (p = 0.0046), and their distribution shifted towards that of the 1/f spectrum during increasing intensities of stimulation. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: High power event detection methods, measure duration of higher power bursts and omit portions of the neural signal. The baseline method captured the broadest distribution of burst durations and was more sensitive than high power detection methods in demonstrating the effect of neurostimulation on beta burst duration. CONCLUSIONS: The baseline method captured a broad range of fluctuations in beta band neural activity and demonstrated that subthalamic neurostimulation shortened burst durations in a dose (intensity) dependent manner, suggesting that beta burst duration is a useful control variable for closed loop algorithms.

Inter- and intra-individual variability of active glucagon-like peptide 1 among healthy adults.

Objective: To determine whether sex, age, and body mass index are correlated with active glucagon-like-peptide 1 concentrations and to investigate glucagon-like-peptide 1 reproducibility during repeated oral glucose tolerance tests. Methods: Sixty-one healthy volunteers underwent four 2-hour repeated oral glucose tolerance tests approximately 1 week apart. Because this randomized same-subject crossover trial was designed to investigate effects of non-nutritive sweeteners, participants received 355 mL (12 ounces) of water or a beverage containing non-nutritive sweeteners 10 minutes prior to each oral glucose tolerance test. Blood samples were collected 10 minutes before, and 0, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes following ingestion of 75 grams of glucose. Results: Basal active glucagon-like-peptide 1, peak glucagon-like-peptide 1, and glucagon-like-peptide 1 area-under-the-curve were higher in men than women (all p ≤0.04), adjusting for body mass index and age. Fasting and stimulated active glucagon-like-peptide 1 results were highly reproducible with little within-subject variability (between-subjects to within-subject variability ratio 4.2 and 3.5 for fasting glucagon-like-peptide 1 and glucagon-like-peptide 1 area-under-the-curve). Conclusion: Men had higher active glucagon-like-peptide 1 concentrations than women. In contrast to considerable inter-individual variability of basal and stimulated active glucagon-like-peptide 1 concentrations, intra-individual variability was low, consistent with tight physiological regulation.

Effects of supplemental butyrate and weaning on rumen fermentation in Holstein calves.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of the weaning transition and supplemental rumen-protected butyrate on subacute ruminal acidosis, feed intake, and growth parameters. Holstein bull calves (n = 36; age = 10.7 ± 4.1 d; ± standard deviation) were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: 2 preweaning groups, animals fed milk replacer only (PRE-M) and those fed milk replacer, calf starter, and hay (PRE-S); and 2 postweaning groups, animals fed milk replacer, calf starter, and hay without supplemental rumen-protected butyrate (POST-S) or with supplemental rumen-protected butyrate at a rate of 1% wt/wt during the 2-wk weaning transition (POST-B). Milk replacer was provided at 1,200 g/d; starter, water, and hay were provided ad libitum. Weaning took place over 14 d by reducing milk replacer provision to 900 g/d in wk 7, 600 g/d in wk 8, and 0 g/d in wk 9. Rumen pH was measured continuously for 7 d during wk 6 for PRE-S and PRE-M and during wk 9 for POST-S and POST-B. After rumen pH was measured for 7 d, calves were euthanized, and rumen fluid was sampled and analyzed for volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile. Individual feed intake was recorded daily, whereas, weekly, body weights were recorded, and blood samples were collected. Compared with PRE-M, PRE-S calves tended to have a greater total VFA concentration (35.60 ± 11.4 vs. 11.90 ± 11.8 mM) but mean rumen pH was unaffected (6.25 ± 0.22 vs. 6.17 ± 0.21, respectively). Between PRE-S (wk 6) and POST-S (wk 9), calf starter intake increased (250 ± 219 vs. 2,239 ± 219 g/d), total VFA concentrations increased (35.6 ± 11.4 vs. 154.4 ± 11.8 mM), but mean rumen pH was unaffected (6.25 ± 0.22 vs. 6.40 ± 0.22, respectively). Compared with POST-S, POST-B calves had greater starter intake in wk 7, 8, and 9, but POST-B tended to have lower total VFA concentration (131.0 ± 11.8 vs. 154.4 ± 11.8 mM) and lower mean ruminal pH (5.83 ± 0.21 vs. 6.40 ± 0.22). In conclusion, the weaning transition does not appear to affect rumen pH and VFA profile, but supplementing rumen-protected butyrate during the weaning transition increased starter intake and average daily gain. Further, these data suggest that the ability of the rumen to manage rumen pH changes fundamentally postweaning. Why weaned calves with lower rumen pH can achieve higher calf starter intakes is unclear; these data suggest the effect of rumen pH on feed intake differs between calves and cows.

The time is now - a call to action for gender equality in global health leadership.

Gender equality is considered paramount to the success of the Sustainable Development Goals and incorporated into global health programming and delivery, but there is great gender disparity within global health leadership and an absence of women at the highest levels of decision making. This perspective piece outlines the current gaps and challenges, highlighting the lack of data and unanswered questions regarding possible solutions, as well as the activity of Women in Global Health and efforts to directly address the inequity and lack of female leaders. We conclude with an agenda and tangible next steps of action for promoting women's leadership in health as a means to promote the global goals of achieving gender equality and catalyzing change.

The role of women's leadership and gender equity in leadership and health system strengthening.

Gender equity is imperative to the attainment of healthy lives and wellbeing of all, and promoting gender equity in leadership in the health sector is an important part of this endeavour. This empirical research examines gender and leadership in the health sector, pooling learning from three complementary data sources: literature review, quantitative analysis of gender and leadership positions in global health organisations and qualitative life histories with health workers in Cambodia, Kenya and Zimbabwe. The findings highlight gender biases in leadership in global health, with women underrepresented. Gender roles, relations, norms and expectations shape progression and leadership at multiple levels. Increasing women's leadership within global health is an opportunity to further health system resilience and system responsiveness. We conclude with an agenda and tangible next steps of action for promoting women's leadership in health as a means to promote the global goals of achieving gender equity.

Noninvasive markers for staging fibrosis in chronic delta hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Serum fibrosis markers are useful in staging chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) virus but have not been evaluated in chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV). AIM: To evaluate the utility of serum fibrosis markers [fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, aspartate aminotransferase ratio (AAR), age-platelet index (API), AST-to-platelet-ratio-index (APRI) and Hui score] in HDV infection. METHODS: Clinical and histologic laboratory data from HBV, HCV and HDV patients were evaluated and serum fibrosis markers were calculated. The ability of fibrosis markers to detect advanced fibrosis (Ishak ≥4) and cirrhosis (Ishak = 6) were evaluated and compared between viral infections. RESULTS: A total of 1003 subjects (HCV = 701, HBV = 240 and HDV = 62) with mean age of 46 ± 11 and 66% male were evaluated. HDV subjects had higher ALT and AST than HCV and lower platelets than both HBV and HCV. Histologically, HDV had the greatest percentage of Ishak ≥4 and necroinflammation. FIB-4 performed best in detecting advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in all viral cohorts. In HDV, area under the receiver operator curve (AUROC) 95% confidence intervals for detecting advanced fibrosis were: FIB-4 = 0.70 (0.55-0.84), API = 0.69 (0.55-0.82), APRI = 0.68 (0.54-0.82), Hui score = 0.63 (0.49-0.78), AAR = 0.63 (0.48-0.77). The AUROC for detecting cirrhosis in HDV were: FIB-4 = 0.83 (0.69-0.97), API = 0.80 (0.66-0.95), APRI = 0.75 (0.61-0.89), Hui score = 0.70 (0.49-0.91) and AAR = 0.70 (0.48-0.93). Adjustment of published cut-offs led to marginal improvements in FIB4 for advanced fibrosis and of APRI for cirrhosis in HDV. CONCLUSIONS: Serum fibrosis markers have lower performance accuracy in chronic HDV infected patients compared to HBV and HCV patients. Other noninvasive fibrosis markers should be explored to assist in the management of these patients.

Chitinase 3-like 1 expression by human (MG63) osteoblasts in response to lysophosphatidic acid and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Chitinase 3-like 1, otherwise known as YKL-40, is a secreted glycoprotein purported to have a role in extracellular matrix metabolism. The first mammalian cell type found to express YKL-40 was the human osteosarcoma-derived osteoblast, MG63. In that first study the active vitamin D3 metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25D), stimulated YKL-40 expression, thereby indicating that a vital factor for skeletal health promoted YKL-40 synthesis by bone forming cells. However, when these MG63 cells were exposed to 1,25D they were also exposed to serum, a rich source of the pleiotropic lipid mediator, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). Given that 1,25D is now known to co-operate with selected growth factors, including LPA, to influence human osteoblast differentiation we hypothesised that 1,25D and LPA may work together to stimulate osteoblast YKL-40 expression. Herein we report that 1,25D and LPA synergistically promote YKL-40 expression by MG63 cells. Inhibitors targeting AP1, MEK, Sp1 and STAT3 blunted the expression of both alkaline phosphatase and YKL-40 by MG63 cells in response to co-stimulation with 1,25D and LPA. Other ligands of the vitamin D receptor also co-operated with LPA in driving YKL-40 mobilisation. Collectively our findings highlight another important role of 1,25D and LPA in the regulation of human osteoblast function.

Adolescent and young adult cancer: principles of care.

Adolescents and young adults (ayas) with cancer in active treatment face a number of barriers to optimal care. In the present article, we focus on the 3 critical domains of care for ayas-medical, psychosocial, and research-and how changes to the system could overcome barriers. We summarize the current literature, outline recommended principles of care, raise awareness of barriers to optimal care, and suggest specific changes to the system to overcome those barriers in the Canadian context. Many of the recommendations can nevertheless be applied universally. These recommendations are endorsed by the Canadian Task Force on Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer and build on outcomes from two international workshops held by that group.

Social Novelty Investigation in the Juvenile Rat: Modulation by the µ-Opioid System.

The drive to approach and explore novel conspecifics is inherent to social animals and may promote optimal social functioning. Juvenile animals seek out interactions with novel peers more frequently and find these interactions to be more rewarding than their adult counterparts. In the present study, we aimed to establish a behavioural paradigm to measure social novelty-seeking in juvenile rats and to determine the involvement of the opioid, dopamine, oxytocin and vasopressin systems in this behaviour. To this end, we developed the social novelty preference test to assess the preference of a juvenile rat to investigate a novel over a familiar (cage mate) conspecific. We show that across the juvenile period both male and female rats spend more time investigating a novel conspecific than a cage mate, independent of subject sex or repeated exposure to the test. We hypothesised that brain systems subserving social information processing and social motivation/reward (i.e. the opioid, dopamine, oxytocin, vasopressin systems) might support social novelty preference. To test this, receptor antagonists of each of these systems were administered i.c.v. prior to exposure to the social novelty preference test and, subsequently, to the social preference test, to examine the specificity of these effects. We find that µ-opioid receptor antagonism reduces novel social investigation in both the social novelty preference and social preference tests while leaving the investigation of a cage mate (social novelty preference test) or an object (social preference test) unaffected. In contrast, central blockade of dopamine D2 receptors (with eticlopride), oxytocin receptors (with des-Gly-NH2,d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4]OVT) or vasopressin V1a receptors [with (CH2)5Tyr(Me2)AVP] failed to alter social novelty preference or social preference. Overall, we have established a new behavioural test to study social novelty-seeking behaviour in the juvenile rat and show that the µ-opioid system facilitates this behaviour, possibly by reducing risk avoidance and enhancing the hedonic and/or motivational value of social novelty.

Development and validation of a portable platform for deploying decision-support algorithms in prehospital settings.

BACKGROUND: Advanced decision-support capabilities for prehospital trauma care may prove effective at improving patient care. Such functionality would be possible if an analysis platform were connected to a transport vital-signs monitor. In practice, there are technical challenges to implementing such a system. Not only must each individual component be reliable, but, in addition, the connectivity between components must be reliable. OBJECTIVE: We describe the development, validation, and deployment of the Automated Processing of Physiologic Registry for Assessment of Injury Severity (APPRAISE) platform, intended to serve as a test bed to help evaluate the performance of decision-support algorithms in a prehospital environment. METHODS: We describe the hardware selected and the software implemented, and the procedures used for laboratory and field testing. RESULTS: The APPRAISE platform met performance goals in both laboratory testing (using a vital-sign data simulator) and initial field testing. After its field testing, the platform has been in use on Boston MedFlight air ambulances since February of 2010. CONCLUSION: These experiences may prove informative to other technology developers and to healthcare stakeholders seeking to invest in connected electronic systems for prehospital as well as in-hospital use. Our experiences illustrate two sets of important questions: are the individual components reliable (e.g., physical integrity, power, core functionality, and end-user interaction) and is the connectivity between components reliable (e.g., communication protocols and the metadata necessary for data interpretation)? While all potential operational issues cannot be fully anticipated and eliminated during development, thoughtful design and phased testing steps can reduce, if not eliminate, technical surprises.

Impact of glucose and acetate on the characteristics of the platelet storage lesion in platelets suspended in additive solutions with minimal plasma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Glucose and acetate have been proposed to be required elements in platelet storage media. This study investigated the role of these compounds on the varied elements that comprise the platelet storage lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For each replicate, four pooled and split ABO group-specific buffy coat-derived platelet concentrates were suspended in an in-house additive solution with minimal plasma and varying final concentrations of acetate or glucose. Units were sampled on days 2, 3, 6, 8 and 10 and tested for markers of platelet morphology, activation, function, metabolism and indicators of cell death. RESULTS: The absence of glucose was associated with a decrease in ATP, falling to a mean of 1·1 ± 0·1 µmol/10(11) plts in units with no added glucose compared with 4·2 ± 0·6 µmol/10(11) plts (P < 0·001) in units with 30 mm glucose. As glucose became depleted, the decrease in ATP to levels below 3 µmol/10(11) plts was associated with an increase in both annexin V binding and intracellular free calcium. In units lacking exogenous acetate, ATP levels on day 10 were 5·2 ± 1·5 µmol/10(11) plts compared with 2·7 ± 0·9 µmol/10(11) plts in units with 56 mm acetate (P = 0·006). Higher concentrations of exogenous acetate were associated with a lower hypotonic shock response and higher surface expression of CD62P suggestive of a dose dependency. CONCLUSION: Under current physical storage conditions, glucose appears necessary for the maintenance of platelets stored as concentrates in minimal volumes of plasma. The addition of acetate was associated with increased platelet activation and reduced ATP levels.

In vitro storage characteristics of platelet concentrates suspended in 70% SSP+(TM) additive solution versus plasma over a 14-day storage period.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The non-paired two-arm study compared the in vitro storage characteristics of platelets suspended as concentrates in either 100% plasma or a mixture of additive solution (SSP+™, MacoPharma, Mouveaux, France) and autologous plasma in a 70:30 ratio over a 14-day storage period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The buffy coat-derived pooled platelet concentrates were sampled on days 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10 and 14 and tests performed to determine platelet morphology, function, metabolism, activation and apoptosis-like activity. RESULTS: Swirling remained strong (score=3) in SSP+™, whilst scores of 1 and 0 were noted for plasma units by end of storage. In contrast to units in plasma, pH levels remained above seven in SSP+™ units, increasing after day 10. Percent positive expression of CD62P was similar in both groups on day 1 (median of 54% and 56% for plasma (n=13) and SSP+™ (n=12), respectively), with SSP+™ units showing a more moderate increase in activation after day 10. A progressive decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential was evident in both groups from day 1, whilst annexin V binding was relatively stable from days 1 to 3, with median values remaining below 6%. Subsequent to this, the percentage of platelets binding annexin V increased to approximately 30% by day 14. CONCLUSION: Platelets suspended in a medium of 70:30 SSP+™ to plasma ratio performed at least as well as platelets in 100% autologous plasma for up to 10 days of storage. Further, results are suggestive of an apoptosis-like process being involved in the platelet storage lesion.

Cigarette characteristic and emission variations across high-, middle- and low-income countries.

OBJECTIVES: The public health burden of tobacco use is shifting to the developing world, and the tobacco industry may apply some of its successful marketing tactics, such as allaying health concerns with product modifications. This study used standard smoking machine tests to examine the extent to which the industry is introducing engineering features that reduce tar and nicotine to cigarettes sold in middle- and low-income countries. STUDY DESIGN: Multicountry observational study. METHODS: Cigarettes from 10 different countries were purchased in 2005 and 2007 with low-, middle- and high-income countries identified using the World Bank's per capita gross national income metric. Physical measurements of each brand were tested, and tobacco moisture and weight, paper porosity, filter ventilation and pressure drop were analysed. Tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide emission levels were determined for each brand using International Organization for Standardization and Canadian Intensive methods. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. RESULTS: Among cigarette brands with filters, more brands were ventilated in high-income countries compared with middle- and low-income countries [χ(2)(4)=25.92, P<0.001]. Low-income brands differed from high- and middle-income brands in engineering features such as filter density, ventilation and paper porosity, while tobacco weight and density measures separated the middle- and high-income groups. Smoke emissions differed across income groups, but these differences were largely negated when one accounted for design features. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that as a country's income level increases, cigarettes become more highly engineered and the emissions levels decrease. In order to reduce the burden of tobacco-related disease and further effective product regulation, health officials must understand cigarette design and function within and between countries.

Reaching every district (RED) approach to strengthen routine immunization services: evaluation in the African region, 2005.

BACKGROUND: This evaluation was undertaken in 2005, in the African region, to better understand the reaching every district (RED) implementation process that provides a framework for strengthening immunization services at the district level. METHODS: In June 2005, a convenience sample of five countries was selected to evaluate the implementation of RED. Evaluation teams consisting of key partners conducted site visits to the national, district and health facility levels using standardized qualitative questionnaires. RESULTS: RED was implemented in a similar manner in all five countries, i.e. starting with training and micro-planning. All RED components were implemented to some degree in the countries. Common implementation factors included development of plans, expanding outreach services (defined as services provided in sites outside fixed immunization sites), planning of supervisory visits and efforts to link with communities and utilize community volunteers. Monitoring tools such as wall charts and maps were observed and reportedly used. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of the RED implementation process provided evidence of improvement in delivery of routine immunization services. The RED framework should continue to be used to strengthen the immunization delivery system to meet continuing new demands, such as the introduction of new vaccines and integrated delivery of other child survival interventions.

The data for decision making project: assessment of surveillance systems in developing countries to improve access to public health information.

OBJECTIVE: By using timely, high-quality information, ministries of health can identify and address priority health problems in their populations more effectively and efficiently. The Data for Decision Making (DDM) project developed a conceptual model for a data-driven health system. This model included a systematic methodology for assessing access to information to be used as a basis for improvement in national health surveillance systems. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The DDM surveillance assessment methodology was applied to six systems in five countries by staff from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ministry of health personnel at national, regional, district and local levels were interviewed using either informal conversation or an interview guide approach, and their methods for collecting and using data were reviewed. Attributes of timeliness, accuracy, simplicity, flexibility, acceptability and usefulness were examined. Problems and their underlying causes were identified. RESULTS: The problems preventing decision makers from having access to information are many and complex. The assessments identified no fewer than eight problem areas that impeded decision makers' access to information. The most common deficiencies were concerning the design of the system, ongoing training of personnel and dissemination of data from the system. CONCLUSIONS: To improve the availability of information to public health decision makers, it is recommended that: (a) surveillance system improvement begins with a thorough evaluation of existing systems using approaches outlined by the CDC and the Health Metric Network of the World Health Organization; (b) evaluations be designed to identify specific causes of these deficiencies; (c) interventions for improving systems be directly linked to results of the evaluations; and (d) efforts to improve surveillance systems include sustained attention to underlying issues of training and staff support. The assessment tool presented in this report can be used to facilitate this process.

The effect of bipolar I disorder and major depressive disorder on workforce function.

This investigation was undertaken to explore and compare the effect of bipolar I disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) on workforce function. The data for this analysis were procured from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS 1.2). The sample consisted of 20,747 individuals (>or=18 years or older and currently working); the proportions screening positive for lifetime BD and MDD were 2.4% and 11.2%, respectively. Individuals with BD or MDD had a significantly lower mean annual income, compared to people without these disorders. Individuals with BD had a significantly lower annual income when compared to MDD (p < 0.05). Results from a multiple logistic regression also indicate that employed individuals with BD had greater odds of reporting one or more mental health disability days in the past two weeks, compared with those with MDD (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.0 to 2.6). Currently employed individuals with BD had lower odds of "good job security" relative to those with MDD (OR = 0.6 95% CI = 0.5 to 0.9). The data herein underscore the pernicious effect of BD on workforce function, and suggest that opportunistic screening for BD in all individuals utilizing employment assistance programs for depression might be warranted.

The impact of information on perceived air quality--'organic' vs. 'synthetic' building materials.

UNLABELLED: As indoor air quality complaints cannot be explained satisfactorily and building materials can be a major source of indoor air pollution, we hypothesized that emissions from building materials perceived as unfamiliar or annoying odors may contribute to such complaints. To test this hypothesis, emissions from indoor building materials containing linseed oil (organic) and comparable synthetic (synthetic) materials were evaluated by a naïve sensory panel for evaluation of odor intensity (OI) and odor acceptability (OA). The building materials were concealed in ventilated climate chambers of the CLIMPAQ type. When information was provided about the identity and type of building material during the evaluation, i.e. by labeling the materials in test chambers either as 'organic' or 'synthetic', the OI was significantly lower for all the 'organic' materials compared with evaluations without information. Similarly, OA was increased significantly for most 'organic' samples, but not the 'synthetic' ones. The major effect is probably that OA is increased when the panel is given information about the odor source. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: As providing information about the source of odors can increase their acceptability, complaints about indoor air quality may be decreased if occupants of buildings are well informed about odorous emissions from the new building materials or new activities in their indoor environment.

Cutaneous malignancy and human immunodeficiency virus disease / Cutaneous malignancy and human immunodeficiency virus disease

Certain skin cancers occur with increased frequency or altered course in patients infected with HIV. Malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma are examples of cutaneous malignancies that have a more aggressive course in patients with HIV. Others, such as basal cell carcinoma, appear more frequently in this population but do not appear to be more aggressive. The incidence of HIV-associated Kapsosi's sarcoma has markedly decreased since the advent of HIV antiretroviral therapy. Our understanding of the pathogenesis of this malignancy and its unique management issues are fully reviewed. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is rare in this population. Other types of cutaneous lymphoma and HIV-associated pseudo-CTCL are discussed. This article addresses prevention, treatment, and follow-up strategies for this at-risk population. LEARNING OBJECTIVE: At the completion of this learning activity, participants should be familiar with the unique epidemiology, clinical course, and management of cutaneous malignancy in patients infected with HIV...

In-vitro evaluation of the PALL Leukotrap Affinity Prion Reduction Filter as a secondary device following primary leucoreduction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A filter (PRF1) designed to remove abnormal prion proteins from red-cell units has been developed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of red cells produced using this device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Leucocyte-depleted red-cell units (CPD, CPD-A1 and CPD/SAGM) processed according to standard UK practices were filtered using PRF1. Filtered and control units were stored and sampled on day 1, day 7 and on the date of expiry and were tested using standard measures of red-cell quality. RESULTS: Filtered units were found to have significantly higher percentage haemolysis levels, lower haemoglobin levels and a smaller volume compared with controls. All results, however, were well within the permitted 0.8% haemolysis level at the end of storage and all units met the UK guidelines for haemoglobin and volume. The other test parameters measured showed no significant differences between the test and control units. CONCLUSIONS: The PRF1 filter was found to be easy to use and resulted in red-cell units that met all relevant UK and European Guidelines.