Advances in ecology and conservation of Hippocamelus species in South America

A symposium was held for the two South American deer of the genus Hippocamelus: the taruka, H. antisensis and the Patagonian huemul, H. bisulcus. The taruka is recognized as vulnerable and the huemul as endangered on the IUCN red list. To reverse the current trend and prevent further imminent declines, 13 recommendations were proposed. For taruka, national recovery plans should be developed and implemented in each country it inhabits, and hunting must be managed. For huemul’s lack of recovery, much still remains unknown about the causal factors and their overall significance: culpeo fox (Pseudalopex culpaeus) appear not to be an important mortality agent of heumul fawns, whereas habitat suitability may be the fundamental cause for the declines. Research should be conducted to better evaluate the interplay of threats and their relative importance.

Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis and fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 mediate cerebral ischemia-induced poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 activation and neuronal death

Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and its receptor Fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) are expressed in neurons. Here we demonstrate that TWEAK induces a dose-dependent increase in neuronal death and that this effect is independent of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and mediated by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway activation. Incubation with TWEAK induces apoptotic cell death in wild-type (Wt) but not in Fn14 deficient (Fn14(-/-)) neurons. Intracerebral injection of TWEAK induces accumulation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymers (PAR) in Wt but not in Fn14(-/-) mice. Exposure to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions increases TWEAK and Fn14 mRNA expression in Wt neurons, and decreases cell survival in Wt but not in Fn14(-/-) or TWEAK deficient (TWEAK(-/-)) neurons. Experimental middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) increases the expression of TWEAK and Fn14 mRNA and active caspase-3, and the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) with accumulation of PAR in the ischemic area in Wt but not Fn14(-/-) mice. Together, these results suggest a model where in response to hypoxia/ischemia the interaction between TWEAK and Fn14 in neurons induces PARP-1 activation with accumulation of PAR polymers and cell death via NF-κB pathway activation. This is a novel pathway for hypoxia/ischemia-induced TWEAK-mediated cell death and a potential therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.

Embedded binary eutectic alloy nanostructures: a new class of phase change materials

Phase change materials are essential to a number of technologies ranging from optical data storage to energy storage and transport applications. This widespread interest has given rise to a substantial effort to develop bulk phase change materials well suited for desired applications. Here, we suggest a novel and complementary approach, the use of binary eutectic alloy nanoparticles embedded within a matrix. Using GeSn nanoparticles embedded in silica as an example, we establish that the presence of a nanoparticle/matrix interface enables one to stabilize both nanobicrystal and homogeneous alloy morphologies. Further, the kinetics of switching between the two morphologies can be tuned simply by altering the composition.

N-acetylcysteine inhibits TNF-alpha, sTNFR, and TGF-beta1 release by alveolar macrophages in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in vitro

BACKGROUND

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can act as an antioxidant. NAC slows the rate of decline of lung function in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients concurrently treated with prednisone and azathioprine.

OBJECTIVE

In this study we investigated the effect of NAC on the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-18, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, and the soluble TNF receptors (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2) by alveolar macrophages (AM) in IPF patients.

DESIGN

AMs were harvested by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from 16 IPF patients and were cultured for 24 h with RPMI medium alone, or with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (100 ng/ml), in the presence or absence of NAC at various concentrations.

RESULTS

NAC suppressed the production of TNF-alpha, its soluble receptors, and TGF-beta1 by AMs in a dose-dependent manner. At the highest concentration of NAC (10 mM), the spontaneous or LPS-stimulated production ofTNF-alpha, sTNFR1, sTNFR2, and TGF-beta1 were significantly reduced. The LPS-stimulated IL-1beta production was also suppressed by 10 mM NAC.

CONCLUSIONS

NAC has the potential to down-regulate the production of TNF-alpha and their soluble receptors, as well as TGF-beta1 and LPS-stimulated IL-1beta, by AM in IPF in vitro. NAC may have anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects.

Serum KL-6 as a novel disease marker in adolescent and adult cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic progressive disease leading to obstructive pulmonary impairment, fibrosis and shortened life expectancy. Serum levels of KL-6, high molecular weight human MUC1 mucin, are increased in the majority of patients with various interstitial lung disorders. Whether they are also elevated in CF has not been investigated before.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether serum KL-6 levels are elevated and correlate with pulmonary function variables in CF.

DESIGN

Serum KL-6, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured in 72 consecutive CF and 80 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. The relationship between serum KL-6 levels and pulmonary function variables was analyzed.

RESULTS

Serum KL-6 levels in CF patients were significantly increased compared to healthy subjects. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the diagnostic accuracy of KL-6 was better than that of LDH and CRP. Serum KL-6 levels showed an inverse relationship with vital capacity (VC) % predicted and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) % predicted.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum KL-6 levels are elevated and appear to be correlated with pulmonary function variables in CF. These results suggest that KL-6 may be a useful noninvasive marker to monitor disease severity.

Theory of nanocluster size distributions from ion beam synthesis

Ion beam synthesis of nanoclusters is studied via both kinetic Monte Carlo simulations and the self-consistent mean-field solution to a set of coupled rate equations. Both approaches predict the existence of a steady-state shape for the cluster-size distribution that depends only on a characteristic length determined by the effective diffusion coefficient, the ion solubility, and the volumetric ion flux. The average cluster size in the steady-state regime is determined by the implanted species or matrix interface energy.

Compensation patterns for healthcare workers in British Columbia, Canada

OBJECTIVES

This report examines relationships between the acceptance of compensation claims, and employee and workplace characteristics for healthcare workers in British Columbia, Canada to determine suitability of using only accepted claims for occupational epidemiology research.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of full-time healthcare workers was constructed from an active incident surveillance database. Incidents filed for compensation over a 1-year period were examined for initial claim decision within a 6-month window relative to sub-sector of employment, age, sex, seniority, occupation of workers, and injury category. Compensation costs and duration of time lost for initially accepted claims were also investigated. Multiple logistic regression models with generalised estimating equations (GEEs) were used to calculate adjusted relative odds (ARO) of claims decision accounting for confounding factors and clustering effects.

RESULTS

Employees of three health regions in British Columbia filed 2274 work-related claims in a year, of which 1863 (82%) were initially accepted for compensation. Proportion of claims accepted was lowest in community care (79%) and corporate office settings (79%) and highest in long-term care settings (86%). Overall, 46% of claims resulting from allergy/irritation were accepted, in contrast to 98% acceptance of claims from cuts and puncture wounds. Licensed practical nurses had the lowest odds of claims not accepted compared with registered nurses (ARO (95% CI) = 0.55 (0.33 to 0.91)), whereas management/administrative staff had the highest odds (ARO = 2.91 (1.25 to 6.79)) of claims not accepted. A trend was observed with higher seniority of workers associated with lower odds of non-acceptance of claims.

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis from British Columbia's healthcare sector suggests variation in workers' compensation acceptance exists across sub-sectors, occupations, seniority of workers, and injury categories. The patterns observed, however, were independent of age and sex of workers. Results suggest that when using workers' compensation datasets, local adjudication regulations and factors associated with acceptance of claims should be taken into consideration.

Esophageal sarcoidosis presenting as pseudodiverticulum

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder that may involve many organs. However, the involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is very rare. This report describes an unusual case of esophageal sarcoidosis presenting as a pseudodiverticulum and reviews the world literature. Our case is also characterized by unusual progression of the esophageal involvement despite stable disease in other organs involved. Myotomy improved the pharyngoesophageal stenosis with no recurrence to date. Physicians should be aware of this rare manifestation, which should be suspected in any sarcoidosis patient complaining about dysphagia.

Spontaneously modulated spin textures in a dipolar spinor bose-einstein condensate

Helical spin textures in a 87Rb F=1 spinor Bose-Einstein condensate are found to decay spontaneously toward a spatially modulated structure of spin domains. The formation of this modulated phase is ascribed to magnetic dipolar interactions that energetically favor the short-wavelength domains over the long-wavelength spin helix. The reduction of dipolar interactions by a sequence of rf pulses results in a suppression of the modulated phase, thereby confirming the role of dipolar interactions in this process. This study demonstrates the significance of magnetic dipole interactions in degenerate 87Rb F=1 spinor gases.

Direct costs of osteoporosis and hip fracture: an analysis for the Mexican healthcare system

This study reports the direct costs related to osteoporosis and hip fractures paid for governmental and private institutions in the Mexican health system and estimates the impact of these entities on Mexico. We conclude that the economic burden due to the direct costs of hip fracture justifies wide-scale prevention programs for osteoporosis (OP).

METHODS

To estimate the total direct costs of OP and hip fractures in the Mexican Health care system, a sample of governmental and private institutions were studied. Information was gathered through direct questionnaires in 275 OP patients and 218 hip fracture cases. Additionally, a chart review was conducted and experts' opinions obtained to get accurate protocol scenarios for diagnoses and treatment of OP with no fracture. Microcosting and activity-based costing techniques were used to yield unit costs.

RESULTS

The total direct costs for OP and hip fracture were estimated for 2006 based on the projected annual incidence of hip fractures in Mexico. A total of 22,233 hip fracture cases were estimated for 2006 with a total cost to the healthcare system of US$ 97,058,159 for the acute treatment alone ($4,365.50 per case). We found considerable differences in costs and the way the patients were treated across the different health sectors within the country.

CONCLUSION

Costs of the acute treatment of hip fractures in Mexico are high and are expected to increase with the predicted increment of life expectancy and the number of elderly in our population.

Decreased expression of haem oxygenase-1 by alveolar macrophages in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Haem oxygenase (HO)-1 is an oxidative stress responsive protein that may be involved in the pathogenesis of interstitial lung disease. HO-1 expression in alveolar macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavage was investigated in 24 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), 16 with sarcoidosis, 14 with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and 13 controls. Using immunocytochemistry, HO-1 expression in macrophages was scored semiquantitatively from 0-3 according to increasing intensity. The mean score of 100 macrophages was calculated. Macrophages were cultured and levels of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18 in the culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. The mean score of HO-1 was significantly lower in IPF (67) than in sarcoidosis (105), HP (106) or controls (106). There was no significant difference between sarcoidosis, HP and controls. The score of HO-1 correlated positively with the lymphocyte percentage in sarcoidosis and HP. Positive correlations were found between the score of HO-1 and the release of IL-12 and IL-18 by macrophages in IPF. The expression of haem oxygenase-1, a critical defender against oxidative stress, is decreased in macrophages of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients compared with those with granulomatous lung disorders. This supports the hypothesis of an oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

[Bronchoalveolar lavage]

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has become an established method for the diagnosis of infectious and interstitial lung diseases. Using a bronchoscope material from the peripheral airways and alveolar spaces can be obtained. When standard protocols are followed the procedure is generally well tolerated and in combination with clinical tests allows a reliable diagnosis in many cases. Certain clinical entities, e.g. alveolar proteinosis and Langerhans cell histiocytosis can be diagnosed by BAL alone without resorting to invasive diagnostic tests. In other diseases, BAL allows to narrow the range of the differential diagnosis. However, biopsies can often still not be avoided completely. A combination of both methods together with the clinical findings represents a powerful tool for diagnosis and research into the pathologic alterations in inflammatory and fibroising lung diseases.

High-resolution magnetometry with a spinor Bose-Einstein condensate

We demonstrate a precise magnetic microscope based on direct imaging of the Larmor precession of a 87Rb spinor Bose-Einstein condensate. This magnetometer attains a field sensitivity of 8.3 pT/Hz1/2 over a measurement area of 120 microm2, an improvement over the low-frequency field sensitivity of modern SQUID magnetometers. The achieved phase sensitivity is close to the atom shot-noise limit, estimated as 0.15 pT/Hz1/2 for a unity duty cycle measurement, suggesting the possibilities of spatially resolved spin-squeezed magnetometry. This magnetometer marks a significant application of degenerate atomic gases to metrology.

Vanadium recovery from oil fly ash by leaching, precipitation and solvent extraction processes

In order to reduce the environmental impact due to land disposal of oil fly ash from power plants and to valorize this waste material, the removal of vanadium was investigated using leaching processes (acidic and alkaline treatments), followed by a second step of metal recovery from leachates involving either solvent extraction or selective precipitation. Despite a lower leaching efficiency (compared to sulfuric acid), sodium hydroxide was selected for vanadium leaching since it is more selective for vanadium (versus other transition metals). Precipitation was preferred to solvent extraction for the second step in the treatment since: (a) it is more selective; enabling complete recovery of vanadate from the leachate in the form of pure ammonium vanadate; and (b) stripping of the loaded organic phase (in the solvent extraction process) was not efficient. Precipitation was performed in a two-step procedure: (a) aluminum was first precipitated at pH 8; (b) then ammonium chloride was added at pH 5 to bring about vanadium precipitation.