Decolorization of textile dyes by laccases from a newly isolated strain of Trametes modesta

Four ligninolytic fungi, Trametes modesta, Trametes hirsuta, Trametes versicolor and Sclerotium rolfsii, were compared for their ability to produce laccases. The fungal laccases were screened for their ability to decolorize eight synthetic dyes (anthraquinone, azo, indigo and triarylmethane). The decolorization rate depended both on the source of the enzyme preparation and on the structure of the dye. Based on laccase production and dye decolorizing ability, T. modesta was selected for further studies. All the tested dyes were decolorized by the T. modesta laccase most efficiently under acid conditions (pH 3-6) but the optimum pH for decolorization of the individual dye varied. The decolorization rate of this laccase increased with the rise in temperature to 50-60 degrees C. The decolorization efficiency of T. modesta laccase was improved remarkably in the presence of mediators like 1-hydroxybenzotriazole and 2-methoxyphenothiazine.

A low cost, safe, disposable, rapid and self-sustainable paper-based platform for diagnostic testing: lab-on-paper

There is a strong interest in the use of biopolymers in the electronic and biomedical industries, mainly towards low-cost applications. The possibility of developing entirely new kinds of products based on cellulose is of current interest, in order to enhance and to add new functionalities to conventional paper-based products. We present our results towards the development of paper-based microfluidics for molecular diagnostic testing. Paper properties were evaluated and compared to nitrocellulose, the most commonly used material in lateral flow and other rapid tests. Focusing on the use of paper as a substrate for microfluidic applications, through an eco-friendly wax-printing technology, we present three main and distinct colorimetric approaches: (i) enzymatic reactions (glucose detection); (ii) immunoassays (antibodies anti-Leishmania detection); (iii) nucleic acid sequence identification (Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex detection). Colorimetric glucose quantification was achieved through enzymatic reactions performed within specific zones of the paper-based device. The colouration achieved increased with growing glucose concentration and was highly homogeneous, covering all the surface of the paper reaction zones in a 3D sensor format. These devices showed a major advantage when compared to the 2D lateral flow glucose sensors, where some carryover of the coloured products usually occurs. The detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies in canine sera was conceptually achieved using a paper-based 96-well enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay format. However, optimization is still needed for this test, regarding the efficiency of the immobilization of antigens on the cellulose fibres. The detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis nucleic acids integrated with a non-cross-linking gold nanoprobe detection scheme was also achieved in a wax-printed 384-well paper-based microplate, by the hybridization with a species-specific probe. The obtained results with the above-mentioned proof-of-concept sensors are thus promising towards the future development of simple and cost-effective paper-based diagnostic devices.

Highly thermostable amylase and pullulanase of the extreme thermophilic eubacterium Rhodothermus marinus: production and partial characterization

Five strains of the extreme thermophilic Rhodothermus marinus were screened for the production of amylolytic and pullulytic activities. The culture medium for the selected strain, R. marinus ITI 990, was optimized using central composite designs for enhanced enzyme production. The optimized medium containing 1.5 gl(-1) of maltose and 8.3 gl(-1) of yeast extract yielded amylase, pullulanase and alpha-glucosidase activities of 45, 33 and 2.1 nkatml(-1), respectively. Among the various carbon sources tested, maltose was most effective for the formation of these enzymes, followed by soluble maize starch, glycogen and pullulan. The crude amylase and pullulanase showed maximum activities at pH 6.5-7.0, and 85 and 80 degrees C, respectively. At 85 degrees C amylase and pullulanase had half lives of 3 h and 30 min, respectively.

Feline Leishmania infection in a canine leishmaniasis endemic region, Portugal

Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) caused by Leishmania infantum is a serious zoonotic public health and veterinary problem in the Mediterranean basin. Leishmania infection in domestic cats (Felis catus domesticus) has been reported in several countries where this zoonosis is endemic, such as Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Israel, Palestine and Brazil. The aim of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of the role played by cats in Leishmania epidemiology, in an endemic focus of zoonotic leishmaniasis, the Lisbon metropolitan area, Portugal. L. infantum DNA was detected in peripheral blood of 28 out of 138 cats (20.3%). The result of PCR in blood of cats was not closely associated with the level of specific circulating antibodies in their sera. Positive serology was observed only in one cat out of 76. In the same geographic region and time period the indirect immunofluorescent test revealed 20.4% (31/152) of dogs with antibodies and PCR detected Leismania DNA on 34.9% (53/152) animals. Despite the fact that specific antibodies have been validated for diagnosis of CanL, their detection does not seem to be sensitive enough to predict Leishmania infection in cats. On the other hand, the presence of parasite DNA in cat's peripheral blood during the transmission season and out of the season suggests that these animals living in endemic areas are frequently exposed or infected with the parasite. Although dogs have been universally regarded as the major domestic/peridomestic reservoir hosts, the present data allow us to hypothesize that cats can act as an alternative reservoir host of L. infantum, rather than an accidental host. However, in order to evaluate the existence of a transmission cycle with cats sustaining and spreading zoonotic leishmaniasis is necessary to prove that these animals can transmit the parasite to the vector in nature.

Respiratory illnesses and ventilatory function among workers at a cement factory in a rapidly developing country

Chronic exposure to Portland cement dust has been reported to lead to a greater prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and a reduction of ventilatory capacity. The seriousness of pulmonary function impairment and respiratory disease has not been consistently associated with the degree of exposure. Regular use of appropriate personal protective equipment, if available at the worksite, could protect cement workers from adverse respiratory health effects. For a variety of reasons, industrial workers in rapidly developing countries do not adequately protect themselves through personal protective equipment. This study explores the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function among cement workers and the practice of use of personal protective equipment at work. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, smoking profile and history of respiratory health among workers at a Portland cement plant (exposed) and workers occupationally unexposed to dust, fumes and gases (unexposed). Pulmonary function was assessed and pulmonary function impairment was calculated for the exposed and the unexposed workers. A higher percentage of the exposed workers reported recurrent and prolonged cough (30%), phlegm (25%), wheeze (8%), dyspnoea (21%), bronchitis (13%), sinusitis (27%), shortness of breath (8%) and bronchial asthma (6%). Among the unexposed, prevalences of these symptoms were 10, 5, 3, 5, 4, 11, 4 and 3%, respectively. Ventilatory function (VC, FVC, FEV(1), FEV(1)/VC, FEV(1)/FVC and PEF) was significantly lower in the exposed workers compared with unexposed workers. These differences could not be explained by age, body mass index (BMI) or pack-years smoked. Ventilatory function impairment, as measured by FEV(1)/FVC, showed that 36% of the exposed workers had some ventilatory function impairment compared with 10% of those unexposed. Certain jobs with greater exposure to cement dust had lower ventilatory function compared with others among the exposed workers. It was concluded that adverse respiratory health effects (increased frequency of respiratory symptoms and decreased ventilatory function) observed among cement workers could not be explained by age, BMI and smoking, and were probably caused by exposure to cement dust.

Clinical evaluation and applications of the Amplicor HBV Monitor test, a quantitative HBV DNA PCR assay

Viral load has emerged recently as a reliable marker of disease progression and therapeutic efficacy in chronic infections, including AIDS and hepatitis C. The clinical management of type B hepatitis could also be improved by monitoring viremia levels in patients with chronic liver disease undergoing anti-viral treatment. To address this question we evaluated the performance of a newly developed, quantitative PCR assay (Amplicor HBV Monitor test, Roche Diagnostic Systems) in the assessment of viremia changes over time in a group of 45 patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH) who received interferon treatment. Of the 45 patients, 14 were HBsAg and anti-HBeAg positive and 31 HBsAg, HBeAg positive. Follow-up extended up to 24 months. An average of ten samples per patient were analyzed for levels of ALT, IgM anti-HBc (Abbott Laboratories), HBV DNA by in-house dot-blot hybridization and hybridization-capture assays (HBV-DNA hybrid capture kit, Murex Diagnostics) and by Amplicor HBV Monitor. A sustained biochemical response was observed at the end of treatment in 12 HBeAg-positive and in seven anti-HBeAg positive patients. This was accompanied by the disappearance of HBeAg and of HBV DNA (hybridization assays) in all cases and by the clearance of IgM anti-HBc in 70% of the cases. Viremia (quantitative PCR assay) became undetectable only in 25-30% of cases and was associated with the loss of HBsAg. A good correlation was observed between the time course of IgM anti-HBc, quantitative PCR and dot-blot hybridization although the latter missed 33% of viremic samples. Together, these results indicate that the Amplicor HBV Monitor test is a robust and standardized assay for quantifying HBV viremia levels in the range from 10(2) to 10(7) copies/ml. Compared to other current markers, viral load may provide additional clinical information by predicting long term virologic response and HBsAg clearance in patients with normal ALT at the end of interferon therapy.

Production of laccase by a newly isolated strain of Trametes modesta

The effects of the carbon and nitrogen sources, initial pH and incubation temperature on laccase production by Trametes modesta were evaluated using the one-factor-at-a-time method. The final optimisation was done using a central composite design resulting in a four-fold increase of the laccase activity to 178 nkat ml(-1). Response-surface analysis showed that 7.34 g l(-1) wheat bran, 0.87 g l(-1) glucose, 2.9 g l(-1) yeast extract, 0.25 g l(-1) ammonium chloride, an initial pH of 6.95 and an incubation temperature of 30.26 degrees C were the optimal conditions for laccase production. Laccase produced by T. modesta was fully active at pH 4 and at 50 degrees C. The laccase was very stable at pH 4.5 and at 40 degrees C but half-lives decreased to 120 and 125 min at higher temperature (60 degrees C) and lower pH (pH 3).

The interaction of oxygen with TiC(001): Photoemission and first-principles studies

High-resolution photoemission and first-principles density-functional slab calculations were used to study the interaction of oxygen with a TiC(001) surface. Atomic oxygen is present on the TiC(001) substrate after small doses of O(2) at room temperature. A big positive shift (1.5-1.8 eV) was detected for the C 1s core level. These photoemission studies suggest the existence of strong O<-->C interactions. A phenomenon corroborated by the results of first-principles calculations, which show a CTiTi hollow as the most stable site for the adsorption of O. Ti and C atoms are involved in the adsorption and dissociation of the O(2) molecule. In general, the bond between O and the TiC(001) surface contains a large degree of ionic character. The carbide-->O charge transfer is substantial even at high coverages (>0.5 ML) of oxygen. At 500 K and large doses of O(2), oxidation of the carbide surface occurs with the removal of C and formation of titanium oxides. There is an activation barrier for the exchange of Ti-C and Ti-O bonds which is overcome only by the formation of C-C or C-O bonds on the surface. The mechanism for the removal of a C atom as CO gas involves a minimum of two O adatoms, and three O adatoms are required for the formation of CO(2) gas. Due to the high stability of TiC, an O adatom alone cannot induce the generation of a C vacancy in a flat TiC(001) surface.

The influence of personal protection, environmental hygiene and exposure to pesticides on the health of immigrant farm workers in a desert country

OBJECTIVES

Farm workers in developing countries tend not to use protective measures while handling pesticides. This study investigates the use of personal protection equipment and the practice of safety and hygiene procedures in the handling of pesticides in agriculture.

METHODS

Through a multi-stage sampling technique, one-fifth of the farms in a region were selected and all the farm workers at these farms were included in the study. A comparison population matching in age, socio-economic status and stay in the region was selected. A specifically designed questionnaire was used to collect information on the use of protective measures and the practice of safety and hygiene during work and on the disposal of empty pesticide containers. Blood pressure and erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were measured in the exposed and the unexposed populations.

RESULTS

Protective equipment was worn by a minority of farm workers - gloves, by 35%; work coveralls, by 36%; a scarf to cover the nose and mouth, by 39%; and shoes at work, by 79%. With regard to personal hygiene measures, 83% of the workers changed clothes after work and the same proportion took a shower after work; 63% and 46% drank and ate while at work respectively; and 11% used articles of domestic use in the preparation of pesticides on the farm. Most of the farm workers (96%) were asked to prepare pesticides for spraying by the foreman and 61% were asked to spray the pesticides on the crops. AChE activity was highly significantly depleted in the exposed population as compared with the unexposed population.

CONCLUSIONS

AChE depletion was found to be negatively associated with the use of gloves, of work coveralls, and of a scarf to cover the nose and mouth and with the implementation of safety and hygiene procedures on the farm. AChE depletion was positively associated with the frequency of pesticide spraying.

Reduced childhood mortality after standard measles vaccination at 4-8 months compared with 9-11 months of age

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact on mortality of standard Schwarz measles immunisation before 9 months of age.

DESIGN

Children vaccinated in 1980-3 at 4-5, 6-8, and 9-11 months of age were followed to migration, death, or the age of 5 years.

SETTING

One urban district and nine villages in two rural areas of Guinea-Bissau.

SUBJECT

307 children vaccinated at 4-8 months and 256 at 9-11 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Mortality from 9 months to 5 years of age for children immunised at 4-5, 6-8, and 9-11 months.

RESULTS

Mortality was significantly lower in children vaccinated at 6-8 months than at 9-11 months (mortality ratio = 0.63, (95% confidence interval 0.41 to 0.97), p = 0.047). As vaccination was provided in semiannual or annual campaigns it is unlikely that age at vaccination reflected a selection bias. The trend was the same in all three study areas. Improved survival after early immunisation was not related to better protection against measles infection. With a Cox multivariate regression model to adjust for age, sex, season at risk, season at birth, measles infection, and region, children vaccinated at 4-8 months had a mortality ratio of 0.61 (0.40 to 0.92, p = 0.020) compared with children vaccinated at 9-11 months. Reimmunised children tended to have lower mortality than children who received only one vaccine (0.59 (0.28 to 1.27, p = 0.176)).

CONCLUSION

Standard measles vaccination before 9 months is not associated with higher childhood mortality than is the currently recommended strategy of immunising from 9 months, and it may reduce mortality. This has implications for measles immunisation strategy in developing countries.

Thermolabile xylanase of the Antarctic yeast Cryptococcus adeliae: production and properties

Xylanase production by the Antarctic psychrophilic yeast Cryptococcus adeliae was increased 4.3 fold by optimizing the culture medium composition using statistical designs. The optimized medium containing 24.2 g l(-1) xylan and 10.2 g l(-1) yeast extract and having an initial pH of 7.5 yielded xylanase activity at 400 nkat (nanokatal) ml(-1) after 168-h shake culture at 4 degrees C. In addition, very little endoglucanase, beta-mannanase, beta-xylosidase, beta-glucosidase, alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase, and no filter paper cellulase activities were detected. Among 12 carbon sources tested, maximum xylanase activity was induced by xylan, followed by lignocelluloses such as steamed wheat straw and alkali-treated bagasse. The level of enzyme activity produced on other carbon sources appeared to be constitutive. Among the complex organic nitrogen sources tested, the xylanase activity was most enhanced by yeast extract, followed by soymeal, Pharmamedia (cotton seed protein), and Alburex (potato protein). A batch culture at 10 degrees C in a 5-1 fermenter (3.5-1 working volume) using the optimized medium gave 385 nkat at 111 h of cultivation. The crude xylanase showed optimal activity at pH 5.0-5.5 and good stability at pH 4-9 (21 h at 4 degrees C). Although the enzyme was maximally active at 45 degrees - 50 degrees C, it appeared very thermolabile, showing a half-life of 78 min at 35 degrees C. At 40 degrees - 50 degrees C, it lost 71%-95% activity within 5 min. This is the first report on the production as well as on the properties of thermolabile xylanase produced by an Antarctic yeast.

Infant and mother related outcomes from exposure to metals with endocrine disrupting properties during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Endocrine-related adverse health effects from exposure to heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury are yet to be adequately described. The purpose of this review was to gain insight into maternal exposure to heavy metals, and to identify potential endocrine-related adverse health effects in the mother and the infant.

METHODS

Relevant databases were searched for original research reports and a total of 46 articles were retained for scrutiny. Required data was extracted from these studies and their methodology was assessed.

RESULTS

Impaired fetal growth was observed from exposure to all endocrine disrupting metals, while exposure to lead and arsenic were associated with spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and neonatal deaths. Maternal exposure to arsenic was associated with impaired glucose tolerance in these mothers.

CONCLUSION

Impaired fetal growth, fetal loss, and neonatal deaths were significantly associated with heavy metals exposure during pregnancy; however, hypertension and gestational diabetes require further investigation.

Optimisation of culture medium and conditions for alpha-l-Arabinofuranosidase production by the extreme thermophilic eubacterium Rhodothermus marinus

The culture medium for Rhodothermus marinus was optimised on a shake-flask scale by using statistical factorial designs for enhanced production of a highly thermostable alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase (AFase). The medium containing 3.6 g/l birch wood xylan and 8.2 g/l yeast extract yielded a maximum of 110 nkat/ml AFase activity together with 125 nkat/ml xylanase and 65 nkat/ml beta-xylosidase activity. In addition, low levels of beta-mannanase (30 nkat/ml), alpha-galactosidase (0.2 nkat/ml), beta-galactosidase (0.3 nkat/ml), endoglucanase (5 nkat/ml) and beta-glucosidase (30 nkat/ml) were detected in the culture filtrate. Among the various carbon sources tested, birchwood xylan was most effective for the formation of AFase and xylanase activities, followed by oat spelt and beechwood xylans, and xylan-rich lignocelluoses (e.g., starch-free sugar beet pulp and wheat bran). Constitutive levels of enzyme activities were detected when the bacterium was grown on other polysaccharides and low-molecular-weight carbohydrates. A fermentation in a 5-l fermenter (3-l working volume) using the optimised medium yielded 60 nkat/ml AFase associated with 65 nkat/ml xylanase and 35 nkat/ml beta-xylosidase activities. The crude AFase displayed optimal activity between pH 5.5 and 7 and at 85 degrees C. It had half-lives of 8.3 h at 85 degrees C and 17 min at 90 degrees C. It showed high stability between pH 5 and 9 (24 h at 65 degrees C). The combined use of AFase-rich xylanase and mannanase from R. marinus in the prebleaching of softwood kraft pulp gave a brightness increase of 1.8% ISO. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the production of a high AFase activity by an extreme thermophilic bacterium and this enzyme is the most thermostable AFase reported so far.

Simultaneous production of high activities of thermostable endoglucanase and beta-glucosidase by the wild thermophilic fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus

The culture-medium composition was optimised, on a shake-flask scale, for simultaneous production of high activities of endoglucanase and beta-glucosidase by Thermoascus aurantiacus using statistical factorial designs. The optimised medium containing 40.2 g l(-1) Solka Floc as the carbon source and 9 g l(-1) soymeal as the organic nitrogen source yielded 1130 nkat ml(-1) endoglucanase and 116 nkat ml(-1) beta-glucosidase activities after 264 h as shake cultures. In addition, good levels of beta-xylanase (3479 nkat ml(-1)) and low levels of filter-paper cellulase, beta-xylosidase, alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase, beta-mannanase, beta-mannosidase, alpha-galactosidase and beta-galactosidase were detected. Batch fermentation in a 5-1 laboratory fermentor using the optimised medium allowed the production of 940 nkat ml(-1) endoglucanase and 102 nkat ml(-1) beta-glucosidase in 192 h. Endoglucanase and beta-glucosidase showed optimum activity at pH 4.5 and pH 5, respectively, and they displayed optimum activity at 75 degrees C. Endoglucanase and beta-glucosidase showed good stability at pH values 4-8 and 4-7, respectively, after a prolonged incubation (48 h at 50 degrees C). Endoglucanase had half-lives of 98 h at 70 degrees C and 4.1 h at 75 degrees C, while beta-glucosidase had half-lives of 23.5 h at 70 degrees C and 1.7 h at 75 degrees C. Alkali-treated bagasse, steam-treated wheat straw, Solka floc and Sigmacell 50 were 66, 48.5, 33.5 and 14.4% hydrolysed by a crude enzyme complex of T. aurantiacus in 50 h.

Antibody responses after immunization with killed oral cholera vaccines during the 1985 vaccine field trial in Bangladesh

Sera collected during the 1985 oral cholera vaccine trial in Matlab, Bangladesh, which demonstrated efficacy of a whole cell combined with cholera B subunit vaccine (WC/BS) and a whole cell only vaccine (WC), were analyzed for antitoxin and vibriocidal antibodies. Before vaccines were given, antitoxin titers were highest in children, especially those with O blood group, whereas vibriocidal titers rose throughout life. Two weeks after three doses of vaccine, geometric mean antitoxin titers were 2.5-4.5 times higher in vaccinees who received the WC/BS vaccine; the vibriocidal titers were 1.3-2.1 times higher in vaccinees who received either vaccine. The titer elevations were relatively brief and were barely detectable 7 months after the third dose even though significant levels of protection persisted greater than or equal to 3 years. Thus, the oral vaccines induced a serum response in this large field trial that was similar to that seen in earlier pilot studies, but the duration of the serum responses was much shorter than the duration of the protection.

Morbidity among farm workers in a desert country in relation to long-term exposure to pesticides

OBJECTIVES

Farm workers chronically exposed to low levels of pesticides seldom show signs and symptoms of clinical significance. This study investigates subclinical morbidity patterns among male farm workers in a desert country.

METHODS

Migrant-established farm workers (N=226) were compared with referents (N=226) and with new farm workers (N=92) who had just entered the country to work on farms. Acetylcholinesterase activity was measured, the aiming test and digit symbol test were applied, and a morbidity profile was collected with a questionnaire.

RESULTS

The erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity and hemoglobin-adjusted erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity were significantly depleted in the established farm workers. The results of the aiming and digit symbol tests were also significantly lower for the established farm workers. For the morbidity profile, irritated conjunctiva (47.3%), watery eyes (52.2%), blurred vision (63.3%), dizziness (55.2%), headache (63.7%), muscular pain (61.1%), and weakness (76.6%) were reported by established farm workers in statistically significantly higher numbers than by the referents and new farm workers.

CONCLUSIONS

Morbidity patterns, such as the health complaints and objective parameters suggested in this study, would be suitable as criteria for identifying farm workers most at risk from pesticide toxicity and as criteria for initiating measures to control and reduce exposure.

Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells injected systemically into GRMD dogs without immunosuppression are able to reach the host muscle and express human dystrophin

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a lethal X-linked disorder, is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophies, affecting 1 in 3,500 male births. Mutations in the DMD gene lead to the absence of muscle dystrophin and a progressive degeneration of skeletal muscle. The possibility to treat DMD through cell therapy has been widely investigated. We have previously shown that human adipose-derived stromal cells (hASCs) injected systemically in SJL mice are able to reach and engraft in the host muscle, express human muscle proteins, and ameliorate the functional performance of injected animals without any immunosuppression. However, before starting clinical trials in humans many questions still need to be addressed in preclinical studies, in particular in larger animal models, when available. The best animal model to address these questions is the golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dog that reproduces the full spectrum of human DMD. Affected animals carry a mutation that predicts a premature termination codon in exon 8 and a peptide that is 5% the size of normal dystrophin. These dogs present clinical signs within the first weeks and most of them do not survive beyond age two. Here we show the results of local and intravenous injections of hASCs into GRMD dogs, without immunosuppression. We observed that hASCs injected systemically into the dog cephalic vein are able to reach, engraft, and express human dystrophin in the host GRMD dystrophic muscle up to 6 months after transplantation. Most importantly, we demonstrated that injecting a huge quantity of human mesenchymal cells in a large-animal model, without immunosuppression, is a safe procedure, which may have important applications for future therapy in patients with different forms of muscular dystrophies.

Dust exposure and impairment of lung function at a small iron foundry in a rapidly developing country

OBJECTIVES

A cross sectional prospective study was carried out among iron foundry workers (exposed) and soft drink bottling and supply company workers (unexposed) to assess their occupational exposure to ambient respiratory dust in their work environment and its effect on their lung function profile.

PARTICIPANTS

Lung function was measured in 81 exposed and 113 unexposed workers. Personal respirable dust concentrations were measured for all the exposed and the unexposed workers. Information on respiratory signs and symptoms was also collected from the participants.

RESULTS

Among the exposed workers, midexpiratory flow (FEF25-75), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), FEV1/FVC, and FEV1/VC ratios were significantly lower whereas the vital capacity (VC) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were non-significantly higher. Job at the iron foundry was a significant predictor of lung function. Exposure to high concentration of respirable dust at the iron foundry was also a significant predictor. Workers working in high exposure areas (general works, furnace, continuous casting areas, and fabrication workshop) had lower lung function values than workers in medium and low exposure areas. Smoking did not enhance the effects of exposure to dust on lung function.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to respirable dust was higher among the iron foundry workers; and among these, general, furnace, rolling mill, and fabrication workers had higher exposures to dust than did workers in continuous casting, the mechanical workshop, and the bottling plant. Job type and exposure to dust were significant predictors of lung function. Implementation of industrial hygiene and proper and efficient use of personal protection equipment while at work could help to protect the respiratory health of industrial workers.

Nutritional status and mortality of refugee and resident children in a non-camp setting during conflict: follow up study in Guinea-Bissau

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects on children of humanitarian aid agencies restricting help to refugee families (internally displaced people).

DESIGN

Follow up study of 3 months.

SETTING

Prabis peninsular outside Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, which has functioned as a refugee area for internally displaced people in the ongoing war, and the study area of the Bandim health project in Bissau.

PARTICIPANTS

422 children aged 9-23 months in 30 clusters.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Mid-upper arm circumference and survival in relation to residence status.

RESULTS

During the refugee situation all children deteriorated nutritionally, and mortality was high (3.0% in a 6 week period). Rice consumption was higher in families resident in Prabis than in refugees from Bissau but there was no difference in food expenditure. Nutritional status, measured by mid- upper arm circumference, was not associated with rice consumption levels in the family, and the decline in circumference was significantly worse for resident than for refugee children; the mid-upper arm circumference of refugee children increased faster than that of resident children. For resident children, mortality was 4.5 times higher (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 30.0) than for refugee children. Mortality for both resident and refugee children was 7.2 times higher (1.3 to 133.9) during the refugee's stay in Prabis compared with the period after the departure of the refugees.

CONCLUSION

In a non-camp setting, residents may be more malnourished and have higher mortality than refugees. Major improvements in nutritional status and a reduction in mortality occurred in resident and refugee children as soon as refugees returned home despite the fact that there was no improvement in food availability.

The role of sensory input of the chorda tympani nerve and the number of fungiform papillae in burning mouth syndrome

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate patients suffering from burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and control subjects by means of sensory testing and fungiform papillae count.

STUDY DESIGN

The left and right anterior two-thirds of the tongue of of 25 BMS subjects and 20 healthy control subjects were evaluated for electric taste and electric detection threshold. The number of fungiform papillae/cm(2) was evaluated by using close-up digital photography.

RESULTS

The electric taste/tingling detection threshold ratio was significantly higher in BMS compared with control subjects (P = .041). No difference was found between the number of fungiform papillae/cm(2) in the BMS compared with the control subjects (P = .277). Patients suffering from BMS for a prolonged period of time presented with a significantly elevated electric taste/tingling detection threshold ratio (P = .031).

CONCLUSIONS

BMS may be a neurodegenerative process with chorda tympani nerve hypofunction potentially playing a role in the pathophysiology of this disorder.