Dietary variations within a family of ambush predators (Platycephalidae) occupying different habitats and environments in the same geographical region

This study has determined the extents and basis for variations in the composition of the prey ingested by the abundant species of a family highly adapted for ambush predation, i.e. Platycephalidae, in a region (south-western Australia) where that family is found in different habitats and environments. Dietary data were thus collected for Leviprora inops and Platycephalus laevigatus from seagrass in marine embayments and for Platycephalus westraliae from over sand in an estuary. These were then collated with those recorded previously for Platycephalus speculator from over sand and in seagrass in an estuary and for Platycephalus longispinis from over sand in coastal marine waters. While crustaceans and teleosts together dominated the diet of all five species, their percentage volumetric dietary contributions varied greatly, with those of crustaceans ranging from 7% for L. inops to 65% for P. speculator and those of teleosts ranging from 29% for P. longispinis to 91% for L. inops. For analyses, the data were separated into two sets. The first comprised the 17 dietary categories of invertebrates and all identified and unidentified teleosts collectively, while the second consisted of the 23 identified teleost families, both of which were subjected to permutational analysis of variance (PERMANOVA), analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) and a new (two-way) version of the RELATE procedure. The diets of three species changed seasonally, when using invertebrate dietary categories and teleosts collectively, but with only one species, when employing identified teleost families, probably reflecting a greater tendency for invertebrate than teleost prey abundance to change during the year. On the basis of dietary data for invertebrate taxa + teleosts collectively, the diets of three of the five species changed serially with body size, with a fourth species feeding, throughout life, predominantly on the carid Palaemonetes australis. Based on identified teleost families, the diets of the three species that fed predominantly on teleosts underwent serial size-related changes. Although L. inops and the co-occurring P. laevigatus both consume large volumes of teleosts, the former ingests larger, less demersal and more mobile prey, e.g. the labrids Haletta semifasciata and Neoodax balteatus, than the latter, e.g. the scorpaenid Gymnapistes marmoratus, reflecting the possession by L. inops of a far longer head and larger buccal cavity. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the large differences in the volumes of crustaceans and teleosts consumed by each platycephalid species are related to differences in the relative availability of these prey in the different habitats or environments of each species.

Is frictional lichenoid dermatitis a minor variant of atopic dermatitis or a photodermatosis

Context:

Frictional lichenoid dermatitis.

Background:

Frictional lichenoid dermatitis (FLE) is an entity that is probably under diagnosed and has been variably associated with either friction and/or atopy with a distinctive seasonal variation.

Aims and Objectives:

To study correlation of FLE with UV index and to assess its association with atopic dermatitis.

Materials and Methods:

A cross sectional analysis of children with FLE was done, over a period of 6 years in two tertiary hospitals. A detailed history and examination was done to assess the features of atopic dermatitis. The number of cases seen per month was compared with the mean monthly UV index. Two-tailed significance tests using Pearson's coefficient of correlation and T-test were used to interpret the data. (P < 0.05).

Results:

One hundred seventy-four patients were studied using the UKC criterion 17.2% of the patients had AD while xerosis (40.3%) was the predominant cutaneous finding. The number of patients seen in summer was more than in winter (P < 0.05) but there was no statistical difference between the cases in winter and spring. There was a significant correlation of the number of cases per month with UV index (P = 0.019). Almost 42% of patients gave a history of recurrence.

Conclusions:

FLE is probably not associated with atopic dermatitis and is likely to be related to the ambient UV index though a larger cohort with meticulous follow up may be needed to draw a final conclusion.

Statistical Analysis Used:

The Pearson's coefficient of correlation was used for comparing the cases per month with the UV index. The tests of hypothesis used included the paired T-tests. F-test of variance, Welch test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Trend and seasonality in hospitalizations for pulmonary embolism: a time-series analysis

BACKGROUND

The existence of seasonal variability in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) has been debated for years, with contradictory results. The aim of this study was to identify the trend and possible existence of a seasonal pattern in hospitalizations for PE in Spain.

METHODS

We analyzed the hospital discharge database of the Spanish National Health System from 2001 to 2010. Patients aged > 14 years diagnosed with PE were selected and a time series was constructed considering mean daily admissions for PE by month. The trend and seasonality factor of the series were determined using time-series analysis, and time-series modeling was used for analysis. Exponential smoothing models and the autoregressive integrated moving average test were used to generate a predictive model.

RESULTS

From 2001 to 2010, there were 162,032 diagnoses of PE (5.07 per 1000 hospitalizations). In 105,168 cases, PE was the reason for admission. The PE diagnosis rate ranged from 4.14 per 1000 in 2001 to 6.56 per 1000 in 2010; and hospital admissions due to PE ranged from 2.67 to 4.28 per 1000 hospital discharges. Time-series analysis showed a linear increase in the incidence and a significant seasonal pattern with 17% more admissions in February and 12% fewer in June-July with respect to the central tendency (difference from February to June, 29%).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of hospitalizations for PE showed a linear increase and a seasonal pattern, with the highest number of admissions in winter and the lowest number in summer.

Fecal contamination in irrigation water and microbial quality of vegetable primary production in urban farms of Metro Manila, Philippines

Microbial contamination of fresh produce can present a severe risk to public health. By conducting a rigorous survey of irrigation waters, the impacts of fecal contamination on the quality of produce could be assessed. In this study, surface waters were observed to be contaminated with Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and somatic coliphages. Culture methods show that out of 373 irrigation water, soil, and vegetable samples collected for a 1-year period, 232 (62.20%) were found positive for E. coli, 213 (57.26%) for somatic coliphages, and 2 (0.53%) for Salmonella spp. Out of 190 water samples, 167 (87.9%) were found to have E.coli, 174 (91.6%) have somatic coliphages, and 1 (0.5%) with Salmonella spp. In soil samples, 36 of 91 (39.6%) have E. coli, 31 (34.0%) have somatic coliphages, and none with Salmonella spp. Lastly, out of 92 vegetable samples, 29 (31.5%), 8 (8.7%), and 1 (1.1%) were found to have E. coli, somatic coliphages, and Salmonella spp., respectively. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of bacterial contaminants. Seasonal weather conditions were noted to have an effect on the presence and number of these fecal indicator organisms. The observed data suggest that contaminated irrigation water may greatly affect the quality of fresh produce from these agricultural operations.

Clinical features of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome at seven hospitals on the East Coast of Australia

To document the clinical features of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in Australia, we performed a retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to several hospitals along the East Coast of Australia from 2000 to 2012. Using hospital records, we reviewed all patients with a diagnosis of GBS admitted to seven hospitals. From these, we report information of subjects who fulfilled standard diagnostic criteria. We excluded patients where inadequate information was available or who were under the age of 18. We report the features of 335 patients, in 228 of whom neurophysiological data were available. There were 168 cases of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP), 17 of acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), 4 of acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN), and 35 of Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS). The median age at onset was 52.5 years (18-89 years) with a male : female ratio of 1.61 : 1. Upper respiratory tract infections were the most frequently identified trigger (151 subjects, 44.5%). Most patients were severely affected, with 42.7% of subjects bedbound, and an additional 24% requiring ventilatory support. GBS affects adults of all ages and usually follows a severe clinical course. In contrast to other autoimmune diseases, males are more frequently affected. A wide variety of triggering factors leads to a relatively stereotypical clinical syndrome. The most common variant of GBS in Australia is AIDP. This study shows that the clinical features of GBS in Australia are similar to that previously reported and confirms the male predominance, increased incidence with age, and frequent evidence of peripheral nerve demyelination as features of GBS.

Seasonal variation of acute toxoplasmic lymphadenopathy in the United States

We describe the seasonal variation of acute toxoplasmosis in the United States. Acute toxoplasmic lymphadenopathy (ATL) can be a surrogate of acute toxoplasmosis in patients in whom the date of onset of lymphadenopathy matches the window of acute infection predicted by serological tests performed at a reference laboratory. We used the electronic database of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Toxoplasma Serology Laboratory (PAMF-TSL) (1997-2011) to identify cases of ATL. We tested the uniformity of distribution of ATL cases per month, across the 12 calendar months, using circular statistics uniformity tests. We identified 112 consecutive cases of ATL. The distribution of cases was not uniform across the 12 calendar months. We observed the highest peak of cases in December and a second highest peak in September. Similar months were identified in patients with acute toxoplasmosis in rural areas in France. The results were similar when we performed weighted analyses, weighting for the total number of Toxoplasma gondii IgG tests performed per month in the PAMF-TSL laboratory. This is the largest study to date of the seasonal variation of ATL in the United States. Physicians should advise high-risk individuals to avoid risk factors associated with T. gondii infections especially around those months.

Seasonal differences and circadian variation in stroke occurrence and stroke subtypes

BACKGROUND

India is a subtropical country with clear seasonal variations in weather conditions. Seasonal and circadian variation in occurrence of subtypes of cerebrovascular disease has been of interest in several studies from different countries and climate zones, but discrepant results have made the conclusions unclear. The aim of the present study was to observe the seasonal and circadian variation in the occurrence of stroke and its subtypes among our population.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional observational study based on new cases and past cases of stroke on follow-up, conducted between January 2011 and December 2012 in the Department of Neurology, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. The date and time of onset of the stroke was recorded. The categorization of months into season was in accordance with the Indian Meteorological Department guidelines. The time of onset was distributed into 6 hourly intervals. Statistical calculations were performed using Stata version 12.1 and SPSS version 20.

RESULTS

A total of 583 patients were included for the study. The rate of occurrence of stroke was highest in the late morning 0600-1159 hours (P value <.001) compared with other times of the day, regardless of gender or age for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. It was lowest in late evening (1800-2359 hours) quadrant compared with other quadrants. Although there was no significant difference found by dichotomizing the groups into two 6-month periods, there was an increasing trend in number of patients with stroke during the months November-February. There was no difference in stroke occurrence between the types of stroke or within each type among different seasons with different temperatures. Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification of ischemic strokes also did not show any association with season or circadian rhythm.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant increase in occurrence of strokes between 0600 and 1159 hours and lowest between 1800-2359 hours. No significant variation in stroke occurrence or subtype for any of the seasons was observed.

Insulin and body weight but not hyperandrogenism seem involved in seasonal serum 25-OH-vitamin D3 levels in subjects affected by PCOS

PCOS patients were frequently characterized by lower plasma vitamin D levels. The mechanisms involved in this dysfunction remains still debated, therefore we evaluated the role of androgen, insulin and body weight on the serum VitD levels in women with or without PCOS. Eighty one patients 18-42 yrs old were studied into "SUMMER" and "WINTER" seasonal period: thirty seven PCOS, seventeen no-ovarian hyperandrogenic (noPCOS), twelve functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) and finally fifteen healthy (Con). Patients were further divided into: lean (L), obese (O), normo- (nINS) and hyperinsulinemic (hINS). All hormonal and metabolic parameters were measured at 1-7 days of the menstrual cycle. Our results show that VitD levels were lower in PCOS and in noPCOS than in FHA and Con, in particular in (O) and (hINS) PCOSs. Both in summer and in winter, PCOSs had basal VitD levels significantly lower than FHA and Con, whereas they were similar to noPCOS. Yet, LhINS and OPCOS had VitD levels lower than Con and noPCOS. VitD levels were comparable in LnINS PCOS and Con. In conclusion, PCOSs had levels of VitD lower than controls. Weight and hyperinsulinemia had a significant influence on these values. Finally, over 70% of our healthy patients had VitD deficiency.

Occupational exposure to N,N-dimethylformamide in the summer and winter

We evaluated total body burden of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) taken through the lung and skin by personal exposure of workers to DMF and urinalysis of N-methylformamide (NMF) and N-acetyl-S(N-methylcarbamoyl)-cysteine (AMCC). A total of 270 workers were engaged in four different jobs in a workplace distant from main production lines emanating high levels of DMF. They were not required to wear any personal protective equipment including respirators or gloves. We found that log-transformed urinary levels of NMF and AMCC increased with an increase in log-transformed concentrations of exposure to DMF. Urinary levels of NMF and AMCC were significantly higher in the summer than the winter, although there was no significant seasonal difference in the concentrations of exposure to DMF. Our findings suggested that the increased urinary levels of NMF and AMCC in the summer resulted in increased skin absorption of DMF due to an increased amount of DMF absorbed by the moisturized skin under humid and hot conditions. Seasonal changes in the relative internal exposure index confirmed the present finding of enhanced summertime skin absorption of DMF. AMCC is thought to be a useful biomarker for assessments of cumulative exposure to DMF over a workweek and for evaluations of workers' health effects.

Seasonality of Burkitt's lymphoma in Uganda

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Burkitt's lymphoma is the most common childhood oral maxillofacial tumor in Africa and some studies have reported seasonal variation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All Burkitt's cases diagnosed from 1969 to 2006, from all over Uganda, at the Makerere University's Department of Pathology, were analyzed, to determine seasonal variation. This was done by evaluation of monthly and rainy versus dry season prevalence.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The Wilcoxon test was used in both cases, to assess the statistical significance of differences in the diagnostic rates of Burkitt's lymphoma, in comparison to nonspecific chronic inflammation, using the total as the denominator. Yearly variation in prevalence was examined by a Chi-square test for linear trend. Mann-Whitney tests were done to compare the climatic regions. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to test for differences when gender, seasons and climatic regions were factored in.

RESULTS

Although monthly frequencies varied considerably over the period, none of the differences were statistically significant (Pearson's 15.199, degrees of freedom df = 11, P = 0.174). Likewise, there was no statistically significant difference in the total number of Burkitt's and nonspecific chronic inflammation biopsies handled at the Department during the rainy and dry seasons.

CONCLUSION

Although the 38-year period gave us sufficient numbers to use the Edward's method for seasonality, it also meant that a lot of seasonal changes that occurred during the period were not taken into consideration. We hence feel that a review of this data with weather experts, so as to group the biopsies into accurate rainfall and dry patterns, would yield a more authoritative publication.

Evidence for the presence of novel β-melatonin receptors along with classical α-melatonin receptors in the fish Rasbora daniconius (Ham.)

The effects of melatonin (MT) were examined on the isolated scale melanophores from dorso-lateral (D-L) and band regions of a tropical fish Rasbora daniconius. Our study primarily aimed for further depiction of the signaling receptors involved in MT mediated pigment translocations in the fish. Melanophore Size Index (MSI) was employed as a recording parameter for the responses of melanophores to MT and various antagonists. MT has induced aggregation as well as dispersion in D-L region and aggregation in band region melanophores during summer season. During winter, MT-induced responses were only of aggregatory type in D-L region, while in the band region there was an increase in the sensitivity. The responses of the melanophores to MT were reversible. The aggregation of innervated melanophores induced by MT on the D-L and band regions was partially mediated through the neurotransmitters released under the influence of MT and partially by the specific MT receptors. Luzindole and K185 have completely blocked the aggregatory responses of D-L and band region melanophores. Aggregatory receptors may be of the conventional α-MT type. Dispersion of D-L and band region melanophores induced by MT in the presence of various antagonists and on denervated band region could be the result of activation of β-MT receptors of dispersive nature. Presence of α and β MT receptors is thus indicated in this fish melanophores.

Effects of housing conditions and season on the activity rhythm of spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) kept under natural conditions within their distributional range in Central Mexico

The timing and pattern of mammalian behavioral activities are regulated by an evolutionary optimized interplay of the genetically based biological (circadian) clock located in the brain's suprachiasmatic nuclei and direct responses to environmental factors that superimpose and thus mask the clock-mediated effects, the most important of which is the photically induced phase-setting (synchronization) of the circadian rhythmicity to the 24-hour solar day. In wild and captive animals living under the natural conditions prevailing in their habitat, to date, only a few attempts have been made to analyze the role of these two regulatory mechanisms in the species' adaptation to the time structure prevailing in their habitat. We studied the impact of housing conditions and season on the daily timing and pattern of activity in Mexican spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi). To this end, we carried out long-term activity recordings with Actiwatch® AW4 accelerometer/data-logger devices in 11 adult Ateles living under identical natural lighting and climatic conditions in either a large wire netting cage or a 0.25 ha forest enclosure in the primatological field station of Veracruz State University near Catemaco, Mexico. In a gravid female in the forest enclosure, we obtained first-hand information on the effect of late pregnancy and parturition on the monkey's activity rhythm. The Ateles behaved strictly diurnal and undertook about 90% of daily total activity during this activity time. Due to a higher second activity peak in late afternoon, the bimodal activity pattern was more pronounced in monkeys living in the forest enclosure. Although the spider monkeys kept there had an earlier activity onset and morning activity peak than their conspecifics in the cage, no consistent differences were found in the parameters characterizing the phase-setting of the circadian system to the environmental 24-h periodicity, either by comparison or correlation with the external time markers of sunrise (SR) and sunset (SS). The most obvious effect of late pregnancy, parturition and lactation was a distinct reduction of the activity level during the week of parturition and the next. Seasonal variations in the form of significant differences between the long-day summer half year and the short-day winter half year were established in the phase-angle differences of the morning activity peak to SR, in the evening activity peak and activity offset to SS, as well as in the activity time and the peak-to-peak interval, but not in the phase position of activity onset to SR or in the height of the morning and evening activity peak. These findings in combination with a high variability of the phase angle differences indicate that in A. geoffroyi, a relatively weak circadian component and strong masking direct effects of environmental factors are involved in the regulation of the daily activity rhythm.

Seasonal changes in symptoms in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a seasonal follow-up study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether seasonal changes aggravate the symptoms of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), by serial administration of the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) questionnaire for an extended period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seventy-seven men with CP/CPPS were serially evaluated with the Korean version of the NIH-CPSI questionnaire every 2-3 months from October 2008 to October 2012. The mean duration of follow-up was 27.11 ± 10.00 months and the mean number of visits per patient was 14.68 ± 5.33 times during the study.

RESULTS

The number of patients complaining of breakthrough pain during the study was 31 in spring and autumn, nine in summer and 18 in winter. However, there were no significant differences in the mean NIH-CPSI scores across the seasons. In spring, summer and autumn, only urination symptoms correlated with quality of life (QoL) (r(2) = 0.277, p < 0.001). In winter, both pain items and urination symptoms correlated with QoL (pain: r(2) = 0.522, p < 0.001; urination symptoms: r(2) = 0.250, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Although fewer severe pain attacks occurred in summer, the mean NIH-CPSI scores did not differ across seasons. The pain from CP/CPPS had a greater impact on QoL during winter than it did in the other seasons. In addition, pain was a more significant determinant of QoL than urination symptoms during winter.

Essential oil composition of Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa: chemotypic and seasonal variations

BACKGROUND

Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa is a sacred medicinal and nutraceutical tree of India. The present study planned to explore the chemotypic and seasonal variability of the leaf essential oil of A. marmelos from north India for proper industrial utilization.

RESULTS

The essential oil yield varied from 0.37% to 0.80% in leaves of A. marmelos populations. Analysis of the essential oils by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the subsequent classification by statistical analysis showed three types of chemical compositions for A. marmelos with significant variations in their terpenoid compositions. Major components of the essential oils were limonene (31.0-90.3%), α-phellandrene (<0.05-43.5%), (E)-β-ocimene (0.7-7.9%), α-pinene (<0.05-7.5%), (E)-caryophyllene (0.5-5.3%), β-elemene (<0.05-4.2%) and germacrene B (0.0-3.3%). In addition to this, essential oil of a locally growing A. marmelos population was also investigated for seasonal variations. The essential oil yield in this population varied from 0.37% to 0.82% during different seasons. Major constituents, namely α-phellandrene (35.8-49.8%), limonene (24.7-34.3%), (E)-β-ocimene (4.2-10.0%) and α-pinene (6.0-8.0%), showed considerable variations due to season of collection.

CONCLUSIONS

The growing location and harvesting season had a close relation to yield and quality of A. marmelos leaf essential oil. The results obtained are of significance for determining a suitable time for harvesting A. marmelos leaves.

Validation of an FFQ to assess antioxidant intake in overweight postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

To validate an FFQ to assess antioxidant intake in overweight postmenopausal women.

DESIGN

A seventy-four-item antioxidant 1-month FFQ was developed based on major antioxidant sources in the American diet. Forty overweight postmenopausal women participated in a 9-month observational study and completed four sets of FFQ and 7 d food record (7dFR) every 3 months. Twelve-hour fasting blood was collected for plasma antioxidant measurement at the first visit.

SETTING

Connecticut, USA.

SUBJECTS

Forty overweight postmenopausal women.

RESULTS

Spearman correlation coefficients of 1-month antioxidant intake estimated from the first set of FFQ and 7dFR ranged from 0·34 to 0·87, except for γ-tocopherol. The proportion of participants categorized into the extremely opposite tertiles averaged 7 %. Significant correlations were observed for diet-plasma vitamin C, α-tocopherol and carotenoids (P < 0·05). No time effect was observed on the dietary antioxidant intakes estimated from four 7dFR and four FFQ. Dietary antioxidants estimated from averaged four 7dFR showed moderate to high correlation with those estimated from averaged four FFQ and from each FFQ collected every 3 months. Bland-Altman plots did not show any systematic bias. Averaged misclassifications were below 10 % between these two instruments.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings attested a reasonable validity and a good acceptance of this 1-month FFQ in assessing both short-term and long-term diverse antioxidant intakes in these overweight postmenopausal women. The use of this FFQ in associating antioxidant intake with disease risk needs further investigation.

The "July effect" in primary total hip and knee arthroplasty: analysis of 21,434 cases from the ACS-NSQIP database

The "July effect" is the hypothetical increase in morbidity thought to be associated with the training of new residents during the first portion of the academic year. We evaluated for the presence of the July effect in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database among 21,434 patients who underwent primary total hip or knee arthroplasty. There was no association of an interaction term for academic quarter and resident involvement with "serious adverse events" (P = 0.656) or "any adverse events" (P = 0.578). As a result, this study could not demonstrate a July effect. Patients can be reassured that undergoing total joint arthroplasty during the first part of the academic year is without increased risk of adverse events related to the training of residents.

Lack of seasonal variation in the incidence of eosinophilic oesophagitis in adolescent and adult non-PPI-responsive oesophageal eosinophilia midwestern US populations

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoO) has been associated with allergic disorders as well as aeroallergens. The current literature has shown a possible association between seasonal variation, mainly in the spring, and the incidence of EoO. However, this data was based on small population studies that did not exclude proton-pump inhibitor (PPI)-responsive oesophageal eosinophilia (PPI-ROE) in their cohort.

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine if there is a seasonal variation associated with the diagnosis of EoO in patients that had been treated with high-dose PPI prior to diagnosis.

METHODS

Oesophageal biopsies were obtained from a cohort of patients who presented with symptoms of dysphagia, odynophagia, and heartburn during a 10-year period. Symptomatic patients who had biopsies from the mid and distal oesophagus with ≥20 eosinophils per high-power field (hpf) while on high-dose PPI treatment for at least 5 weeks were diagnosed as having EoO. The monthly and seasonal incidences were determined (winter, January-March; spring, April-June; summer, July-September; Autumn, October-December).

RESULTS

A total of 20,718 patients were identified and their records evaluated. From this cohort, 193 (0.93%) symptomatic patients had biopsy-proven oesophageal eosinophilia (≥20 eosinophils/hpf) and no seasonal variation was seen in this group. However, only 57 (0.28%) had been adequately treated with PPI prior to diagnosis (i.e. non-PPI-ROE biopsy-proven EoO; ≥20 eosinophils/hpf: 39 males, 18 females; age 29.5 years). The most common medical history components included asthma (12.3%) and food allergies (3.5%), and the most common presenting symptoms included dysphagia (50.9%) and heartburn (26.3%). The monthly and seasonal incidences in our cohort were with no apparent trend (p = 0.713 and 0.703, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of EoO was consistent across all 12 months as well as during the four seasons. Our data does not support a seasonal variation in relation to the incidence of EoO in the US midwestern non-PPI-ROE population.

Distribution and seasonal variation of estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds, N-nitrosodimethylamine, and N-nitrosodimethylamine formation potential in the Huangpu River, China

Detection of estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in drinking water has led to rising concerns. There are, however, a paucity of studies on the distribution and seasonal variation of NDMA and NDMA formation potential (NDMA-FP) in natural waters, especially in China. For EDCs, limited studies have investigated the distribution and seasonal variation of estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), technical-nonylphenols (t-NP), and bisphenol A (BPA) in Shanghai. In this study, water samples were collected from 11 sampling sites along the Huangpu River in 2012. The distribution and seasonal variation of EDCs, NDMA, and NDMA-FP were investigated. The results showed that all of the 11 sampling sites were contaminated by the target compounds. Compared with E2 and EE2, higher E1 and E3 concentrations were usually detected in the Huangpu River. The values of 17β-estradiol equivalents (EEQ) suggest a high possibility of endocrine effects on exposed organisms in the Huangpu River. NDMA-FP and t-NP were the dominant contaminants among the eight target compounds. The detection rates of the target compounds and their concentrations were both higher in dry seasons than in wet seasons. Higher concentrations of target compounds were observed in urban sampling sites near drainage outlets, and also in suburban sampling sites where intensive livestock farming and farmlands were located.

Pollutant removal from municipal wastewater employing baffled subsurface flow and integrated surface flow-floating treatment wetlands

This article reports pollutant removal performances of baffled subsurface flow, and integrated surface flow-floating treatment wetland units, when arranged in series for the treatment of municipal wastewater in Bangladesh. The wetland units (of the hybrid system) included organic, inorganic media, and were planted with nineteen types of macrophytes. The wetland train was operated under hydraulic loading fluctuation and seasonal variation. The performance analyses (across the wetland units) illustrated simultaneous denitrification and organics removal rates in the first stage vertical flow wetland, due to organic carbon leaching from the employed organic media. Higher mean organics removal rates (656.0 g COD/(m(2)·day)) did not completely inhibit nitrification in the first stage vertical flow system; such pattern could be linked to effective utilization of the trapped oxygen, as the flow was directed throughout the media by the baffle walls. Second stage horizontal flow wetland showed enhanced biodegradable organics removal, which depleted organic carbon availability for denitrification. The final stage integrated wetland system allowed further nitrogen removal from wastewater, via nutrient uptake by plant roots (along with nitrification), and generation of organic carbon (by the dead macrophytes) to support denitrification. The system achieved higher E. coli mortality through protozoa predation, E. coli oxidation, and destruction by UV radiation. In general, enhanced pollutant removal efficiencies as demonstrated by the structurally modified hybrid wetland system signify the necessity of such modification, when operated under adverse conditions such as: substantial input organics loading, hydraulic loading fluctuation, and seasonal variation.

Morbidity profile and seasonal variation of diseases in a primary health center in kanpur district: a tool for the health planners

Objective:

The objective of this study was to determine the morbidity profile of patients being treated at the Primary Health Center, their distribution according to gender, and the seasonal trend of diseases.

Materials and Methods:

The study was done retrospectively using secondary data, over a period of 1 year from June 2007 to July 2008, at the OPD of the Primary Health Center at Patara in Kanpur District, India. The study was aimed to study the pattern of diseases according to the classification provided by the Government of India. The data were collected from the OPD registers of the consultant medical officer, and the diagnosis was classified into communicable diseases, nutritional and metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, obstetric complications, and other diseases including injuries.

Results:

A total of 6838 patients had been treated at the OPD, which included 2707 males and 4131 females. It was observed that, while communicable diseases constituted about half of the total burden of the diseases with skin infections being the commonest; the non-communicable diseases constituted about one-fifth of the total disease burden. Significant gender differences were evident in the prevalence of certain diseases such as worm infestation, acute respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, reproductive tract infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gastritis, arthritis/gout, falls/injuries/fractures, anemia, pyrexia of unknown origin, and snake bite. Most of the diseases were observed to have a seasonal variation, with the communicable and infectious diseases peaking in the monsoon months. Surprisingly, the non-communicable diseases such as gastritis and falls and injuries also showed a seasonal variation.

Conclusion:

Many diseases have a seasonal variation and the burden of these diseases could be reduced if we devise measures to detect the changes in their trend through the implementation of surveillance programs in this part of the world, as has been carried out in other countries. The knowledge of the burden of the diseases would also assist the health administrators in judicious allocation of the resources.

Impact of seasonality on recruitment, retention, adherence, and outcomes in a web-based smoking cessation intervention: randomized controlled trial

Background

Seasonal variations in smoking and quitting behaviors have been documented, with many smokers seeking cessation assistance around the start of the New Year. What remains unknown is whether smokers who are recruited to cessation treatment trials during the New Year are as motivated to quit, or as likely to enroll in a research trial, adhere to a research protocol, and benefit from a cessation intervention compared to those who are recruited during other times of the year.

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine whether smokers recruited during the New Year period differ on measures of motivation and desire to quit, recruitment and retention rates, website utilization rates, and short-term cessation outcomes compared to smokers recruited at other times.

Methods

Participants were current smokers who had registered on a free Web-based cessation program (BecomeAnEX.org) and were invited to participate in a clinical trial. The New Year period was defined according to a clear peak and drop in the proportion of visitors who registered on the site, spanning a 15-day period from December 26, 2012 to January 9, 2013. Two other 15-day recruitment periods during summer (July 18, 2012 to August 1, 2012) and fall (November 7, 2012 to November 21, 2012) were selected for comparison. Data were examined from 3 sources: (1) a Web-based clinical trials management system that automated the recruitment and enrollment process, (2) self-report assessments at baseline and 3 months postrandomization, and (3) online tracking software that recorded website utilization during the first 3 months of the trial.

Results

Visitors to BecomeAnEX during the New Year period were more likely to register on the site than smokers who visited during summer or fall (conversion rates: 7.4%, 4.6%, 4.9%, respectively; P<.001), but there were no differences in rates of study acceptance, consent, randomization, 3-month follow-up survey completion, or cessation between the 3 periods. New Year participants were older, more educated, more likely to be employed full time, and more likely to have a relationship partner compared with participants recruited at other times during the year, but did not differ on measures of motivation and desire to quit.

Conclusions

Smokers visiting a Web-based cessation program during the New Year period were more likely to register for treatment and differ on several demographic variables, but showed similar patterns of treatment engagement, retention, follow-up, and short-term cessation outcomes compared with participants who visited the site during other periods of the year. These results allay scientific concerns about recruiting participants during this time frame and are reassuring for researchers conducting Web-based cessation trials.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01544153; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01544153 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6KjhmAS9u).

Comparison of total energy expenditure between school and summer months

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

Childhood obesity has increased 3 to 4 fold. Some children gain excess weight in summer.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

Total energy expenditure increases almost linearly with fat-free mass. A lower total energy expenditure was not detected in summer.

OBJECTIVE

Recent data report that the youth experience greater weight gain during summer than during school months. We tested the hypothesis that a difference in total energy expenditure (TEE) between school and summer months exists and may contribute to summer weight gain.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A secondary analysis was performed on cross-sectional TEE data from school-age, sedentary African-American and Caucasian youth based in or near the District of Columbia who were at-risk for adult obesity because they had body mass index (BMI) ≥ 85th percentile or had overweight parents. TEE was estimated from 18-O and deuterium measurements during 1-week intervals using urine samples collected after ingestion of doubly labelled water. Differences in summer- and school-time TEE were assessed using analysis of covariance. The data were adjusted for fat-free mass (FFM) as determined by deuterium dilution to adjust for the effect of body size on TEE.

RESULTS

Data were collected from 162 youth (average age 10 ± 2 years, BMI 28 ± 8 kg m(-2) and BMI z-score 1.96 + 0.96). Of these, 96 youth had TEE measured during the school year (September-June); 66 different youths had TEE measured during summer months (June-August). After adjustment for FFM, average summertime TEE was 2450 ± 270 kcal d(-1) and average school-time TEE was 2510 ± 350 kcal d(-1) (P = 0.26).

CONCLUSION

No difference in TEE was detected between the school year and the summer months. These data suggest that seasonal differences in youth weight gain are not necessarily due to differences in energy expenditures.

Effects of Water Temperature during Foot Bath in Young Females

We examined the effects of environmental and water temperatures of foot baths on pulse rate, blood pressure, mean skin temperature, salivary amylase (SA) activity, relaxation level and thermal sensation during winter. Five females participated in the study. The subjects rested in a chair for 20 min and the above-noted physiological reactions during the last 5 min of the resting period were recorded as baseline (BASE) values. Next, the subjects received a 15-min foot bath in water at 40 °C (WT40) or 45 °C (WT45), with a 15-min recovery period. Although SA is thought to be an indicator of stress via the sympathetic nervous system, we did not find a correlation between SA activity and relaxation state. We considered the possible effect of seasonal variation on the physiological reaction to foot bathing.

The distribution and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrate fauna in Pondicherry mangroves, India

BACKGROUND

Species distribution, abundance and diversity of mangrove benthic macroinvertebrate fauna and the relationships to environmental conditions are important parts of understanding the structure and function of mangrove ecosystems. In this study seasonal variation in the distribution of macrobenthos and related environmental parameters were explored at four mangrove stations along the Pondicherry coast of India, from September 2008 to July 2010. Multivariate statistical analyses, including cluster analysis, principal component analysis and non-multidimensional scales plot were employed to help define trophic status, water quality and benthic characteristic at the four monitoring stations.

RESULTS

Among the 528 samples collected over 168 ha of mangrove forest 76 species of benthic macroinvertebrate fauna were identified. Macrofauna were mainly composed of deposit feeders, dominated numerically by molluscs and crustaceans. Statistical analyses yielded the following descriptors of benthic macroinvertebrate fauna species distribution: densities between 140-1113 ind. m-2, dominance 0.17-0.50, diversity 1.80-2.83 bits ind-1, richness 0.47-0.74 and evenness 0.45-0.72, equitability 0.38-0.77, berger parker 0.31-0.77 and fisher alpha 2.46-5.70. Increases of species diversity and abundance were recorded during the post monsoon season at station 1 and the lowest diversity was recorded at station 2 during the monsoon season. The pollution indicator organisms Cassidula nucleus, Melampus ceylonicus, Sphaerassiminea minuta were found only at the two most polluted regions, i.e. stations 3 and 4. Benthic macroinvertebrate fauna abundances were inversely related to salinity at the four stations, Based on Bray-Curtis similarity through hierarchical clustering implemented in PAST, it was possible to define three distinct benthic assemblages at the stations.

CONCLUSIONS

From a different multivariate statistical analysis of the different environmental parameters regarding species diversity and abundance of benthic macroinvertebrate fauna, it was found that benthic communities are highly affected by all the environmental parameters governing the distribution and diversity variation of the macrofaunal community in Pondicherry mangroves. Salinity, dissolved oxygen levels, organic matter content, sulphide concentration were the most significant parameters.