On the efficiency and correction of vertically oriented blunt bioaerosol samplers in moving air

The aspiration efficiency of vertical and wind-oriented Air-O-Cell samplers was investigated in a field study using the pollen of hazel, sweet chestnut and birch. Collected pollen numbers were compared to measurements of a Hirst-type Burkard spore trap. The discrepancy between pollen counts is substantial in the case of vertical orientation. The results indicate a strong influence of wind velocity and inlet orientation relative to the freestream on the aspiration efficiency. Various studies reported on inertial effects on aerosol motion as function of wind velocity. The measurements were compared to a physically based model for the limited case of vertical blunt samplers. Additionally, a simple linear model based on pollen counts and wind velocity was developed. Both correction models notably reduce the error of vertically oriented samplers, whereas only the physically based model can be used on independent datasets. The study also addressed the precision error of the instruments used, which was substantial for both sampler types.

[Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) finger prosthesis - what have we learnt? Experiences over 10 years]

PURPOSE

In the following article we evaluate the clinical and radiological results after PIP joint replacement to answer the question if the outcome improved over the last years.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a retrospective clinical study 53 patients with 66 PIP joint implants (SBI-Avanta, Small Bone Innovations, Inc.) were assessed on the basis of clinical and radiological parameters. We examined the patients' range of motion, their grip strength, the rate of radiological loosening, the development of pain and the patients' satisfaction. 2 groups were included in the study. Patients operated from 2001 to 2007 (group A) were compared with patients operated from 2008 to 2011 (group B). To facilitate a standardized examination, we developed a score providing a comprehensive representation of the outcome after PIP joint replacement.

RESULTS

Group B showed significant improvement in the rate of loosening of the prosthesis (44-4%) in the last follow-up examination. Further improvement was demonstrated in pain reduction, range of motion (77°/67°), the patients' satisfaction and development of swan neck deformity (11%/18%). There was no significant improvement in the patients' grip strength and the rate of revision surgery.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the results after PIP joint replacement are very good. All patients reported a marked improvement in pain reduction. In group B a significant reduction in the rate of loosening of the prosthesis was shown. Moreover, the rate of swan neck deformity, the range of motion, the reduction of pain and the patient's satisfaction improved over the last years. The application of a new PIP-joint-score for a standardized evaluation of the outcome indicated a good correlation with patient satisfaction over time. The experience of the past years enabled improvements in PIP joint replacement. We consider cementing the prosthesis, a large contact area between the prosthesis and the bone and an emphasis on easy intraoperative flexion/extension as factors which can improve the results after PIP joint replacement. However, some problems could not been solved to date. In this respect, prospective clinical and biomechanical studies are necessary.

Emission and burnt smell characteristics from combustion experiments with defined materials

Typical burnt smell often results from fire accidents or in general from incomplete combustion. Recently, eleven compounds were identified, which are basically responsible for this odour. When analyzing residual materials from different fire accidents, the pattern that means the relative ratios of these compounds among each other varies strongly, although always causing a burnt smelling. Consequently, lab-scale combustion experiments were performed in order to investigate the influence of defined materials from domestic environment on the burnt-smell fingerprints. Furthermore, the occurrence of other polar and higher molecular combustion products was studied. It was found that under good combustion conditions, the burnt smell patterns resulting from the single materials were astonishingly consistent, mostly dominated by methylphenols or naphthalene. No correlation could be found between these 'fingerprints' and combustion product groups identified by GC/MS-screenings. LC/MS/MS-measurements especially pointed at the existence of higher molecular weight phenolic and acidic functionalized compounds in the combustion residues.

Congener specific analysis of polychlorinated terphenyls

In order to identify and to quantify polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) in environmental matrices, the chromatographic behavior of coplanar and non-coplanar congeners was evaluated. A mixture of 16 single PCT congeners was used for method development. Four of these compounds were synthesized for the first time by SUZUKI-coupling reaction. These were p-PCT (2,2'',6,6''-tetrachloro-, 2',3,3'',4,4'',5',-hexachloro-, 2',3,3'',5,5',5''-hexachloro-) and m-PCT (2,2'',3,3'',5,5''-hexachloro-). They were characterized by NMR ((1)H,(13)C) spectroscopy. By means of the new column chromatographic clean-up reported here, a good matrix removal and the separation of the coplanar PCT congeners from the non-coplanar ones was obtained. The recovery rates for all congeners were good for the PCT in different test matrices like fat, charcoal, and soil. The quality of the clean-up, the separation and the recovery rates were determined by GC/MS analysis. The method was applied for the first time to a real sample from a fire accident, where different PCT, obviously formed during the combustion process, were found. The conclusion is drawn that this method is suitable for the analysis of PCT in different environmental samples.

Anwendbarkeit der Selbsttonometrie unter ambulanten Bedingungen zur Gewinnung von Tagesprofilen des intraokularen Druckes

BACKGROUND

Diurnal profiles of intraocular pressure at opening times in the doctor's office do not deliver enough information, especially nightly and early morning measurements are lacking. Self-tonometry using the automatic self-tonometer "Ocuton S" might be suitable to achieve valid 24-hour IOP profiles without the need to stay in a hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

96 people were taught to use the automatic self-tonometer once. Those who had learnt self-tonometry after this training underwent a diurnal IOP profile for 24 hours in the hospital using Goldmann tonometry and self-tonometry every 4 hours at the same times of day. One to three days later, they created a third IOP profile at home using self-tonometry at the same intervals as at the hospital. The IOP profiles were then tested for equality.

RESULTS

50 people out of 96 were able to perform self-tonometry after one training session. The IOP measurements of all three IOP profiles did not differ by more than 2 mmHg and thus may be considered comparable. There was no significant difference between daily curves, either.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-tonometry using the automatic self-tonometer "Ocuton S" appears to be suitable to record diurnal profiles of intraocular pressure at home.

Nucleation particles in diesel exhaust: composition inferred from in situ mass spectrometric analysis

Mass spectrometric measurements of size and composition of diesel exhaust particles have been performed under various conditions: chassis dynamometer tests, field measurements near a German motorway, and individual car chasing. Nucleation particles consisting of volatile sulfate and organic material could be detected both at the chassis dynamometer test facility and during individual car chasing. We found evidence that if nucleation occurs, sulfuric acid/water is the nucleating agent. Low-volatile organics species condense only on the preexisting sulfuric acid/water clusters. Nucleation was found to depend strongly on various parameters such as exhaust dilution conditions, fuel sulfur content, and engine load. The latter determines the fraction of the fuel sulfur that is converted to sulfuric acid. The organic compounds (volatile and low-volatile) condense only on preexisting particles, such as both sulfuric acid nucleation particles and larger accumulation mode soot particles. On the latter, sulfuric acid also condenses, if the conditions for nucleation are not given. The overall ratio of sulfate to organic (volatile and low-volatile) is also strongly dependent on the engine load. It was found that the production of nucleation particles even at high engine load can be suppressed by using low-sulfur fuel.

Inhomogeneous shadowing effects on J/psi production in dA collisions

We study the effect of spatially homogeneous and inhomogeneous shadowing on J/psi production in deuterium-nucleus collisions. We discuss how the shadowing and its spatial dependence can be measured by comparing central and peripheral dA collisions. These event classes may be selected by using gray protons from heavy ion breakup and events where the proton or neutron in the deuterium does not interact. We find that inhomogeneous shadowing has a significant effect on central dA collisions, larger than expected in central AA collisions. Results are presented for dAu collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV and dPb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=6.2 TeV.

Investigation into a cluster of infant deaths following immunization: evidence for methanol intoxication

A cluster of infant deaths due to severe metabolic acidosis following immunization was reported in a prosperous farming village in Egypt. Fears that more deaths might occur, and of a deleterious effect on national immunization programs prompted an urgent investigation by national and international partners. The deaths, and other previously unrecognized illness following immunization, were associated with excessive topical application of methanol. Methanol was employed as an anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory agent following injections. Fear of adverse reactions to vaccine had encouraged increasing use of methanol for these purposes. Local physicians and nurses were unaware of the toxicity of methanol and did not consider it in the differential diagnosis, and thus did not offer appropriate life-saving therapy. The interaction of traditional practices and modern medical interventions can have clinically important consequences, and should be considered when programs are introduced and as they are monitored.

Isomer specific synthesis using the Suzuki-coupling. Polychlorinated terphenyls as standards for environmental analysis

Defined polychlorinated terphenyl (PCT) single congeners as reference standards are the prerequisite for the development of analytical methods for their determination and quantification in the environment. The selective synthesis of PCTs for environmental analytical purposes by application of the Suzuki-coupling reaction is described. Under easily modified standard reaction conditions of this coupling process the PCTs can be obtained by reaction of benzeneboronic acids with dibromobenzenes mostly in good yields, as described by the synthesis of following PCT congeners: p-PCT (3,3("),5,5(")-tetrachloro-, 2,2("),4,4(")-tetrachloro-, 2('),3,3("),5,5(")-pentachloro-); m-PCT (3,3("),5,5(")-tetrachloro-) and o-PCT (3,3("),5,5(")-tetrachloro-). The terphenyl congeners were characterized by NMR (1H, 13C)- and FT-IR-spectroscopy. Their purity was checked by GC/MS analysis. The experimental and quantum-chemically calculated FT-IR-spectra were compared and it was shown, that the determination of the chlorine substitution pattern in the terphenyl congeners by their typical absorption spectra is possible.

[Shiitake dermatitis: flagellate dermatitis after eating mushrooms]

The name of flagellate dermatitis originates from self-flagellating medieval people. This dermatitis is not rare as a drug eruption following bleomycin therapy. An identical skin eruption caused by the mushroom shiitake Lentinus edodes is more common but reported mostly from Japan. We saw a 67-year-old patient who presented with the typical linear scratch marks after a dinner in a Chinese restaurant. The basic mechanism is a toxic epidermal damage. Since it is not clear why the dermatitis does not occur frequently since Shiitake is the second most popular mushroom in the world, we discuss possible cofactors that may trigger the toxic reaction.

[Basic tenets for quality circles in North Rhine Medical Service of Public Health Insurance]

The Medical Advisory Service of the Health Insurance in the area of the Northern Rhine (MDK Nordrhein) has set up an internal concept for quality management since 1998. This concept includes the installation and performance of quality circles. Staff members were internally qualified as "presenters". They worked out principles for quality circles of the MDK North Rhine which were implemented as binding basic rules by the managing conference of the MDK. The principles will be presented in detail.

Purification and characterization of the lysozyme from the gut of the soft tick Ornithodoros moubata

The gut of the adult soft ticks Ornithodoros moubata displays high lytic activity against the bacteria Micrococcus luteus. The activity differed in the range of two orders of magnitude among individual animals and increased on average 4 fold during the first week following ingestion. In homogenates of first instar nymphs the activity was much lower increasing exponentially as nymphs neared the first molt. The protein responsible for this activity was purified out of gut contents of adult ticks by means of affinity adsorption on magnetic-chitin followed by two chromatography steps on cation exchange FPLC column MonoS. The homogeneous active protein has a mass of 14006 +/- 20 Daltons as determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The N-terminal amino-acid sequence of this protein is K-V-Y-D-R-C-S-L-A-S-E-L-R with the highest similarity to the lysozyme from liver of rainbow trout and to lysozymes from digestive tracts of several mammals. The motif DRCSLA is specific for the digestive lysozymes of several dipteran insects. Based on this evidence, we have identified the protein as the tick gut lysozyme. The tick gut lysozyme has a pI near 9.7 and retains its full activity after treatment at 60 degrees C for 30 minutes. The pH optimum of the tick lysozyme was in the range from pH 5-7. Only marginal activity could be detected at pH > 8 which raises the question about the function of lysozyme in anti-bacterial defense in the environment of the tick gut.

The effect of buthionine sulfoximine on the growth of Leishmania donovani in culture

Changes in composition of the principal low molecular mass thiols of Leishmania donovani were monitored during the transformation of promastigotes, first to stationary phase metacyclic forms and then to amastigotes. No consistent variation in the thiol composition of the parasite which could account for the known increase in resistance of metacyclic and amastigote lifecycle forms to oxidant stress could be established. Amastigotes cultivated at 37 degrees C also produced ovothiol A, as judged by incorporation of radiolabel from [3-methyl]methionine and [14C]histidine, and the incorporation of radiolabel from [35S]cysteine into ovothiol A represented about 10-15% of the total label recovered in ovothiol A, glutathione and trypanothione. Amastigotes were less susceptible than promastigotes to the effects of the redox cyclers paraquat and menadione and grew in culture in the presence of up to 20 mM buthionine sulfoximine, which completely blocked the synthesis of glutathione and its spermidine conjugates. Glutathione and trypanothione biosynthesis is, therefore, not necessary for the replication of L. donovani amastigotes in culture. Inhibition of the formation of glutathione and trypanothione did not result in an upregulation of ovothiol A production.