Detecting Spread of Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus Beyond China

During February 2013–March 2015, a total of 602 human cases of low pathogenic avian influenza A(H7N9) were reported; no autochthonous cases were reported outside mainland China. In contrast, since highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) reemerged during 2003 in China, 784 human cases in 16 countries and poultry outbreaks in 53 countries have been reported. Whether the absence of reported A(H7N9) outside mainland China represents lack of spread or lack of detection remains unclear. We compared epidemiologic and virologic features of A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) and used human and animal influenza surveillance data collected during April 2013–May 2014 from 4 Southeast Asia countries to assess the likelihood that A(H7N9) would have gone undetected during 2014. Surveillance in Vietnam and Cambodia detected human A(H5N1) cases; no A(H7N9) cases were detected in humans or poultry in Southeast Asia. Although we cannot rule out the possible spread of A(H7N9), substantial spread causing severe disease in humans is unlikely.     

Seasonal Variations of Selected Biomarkers in Sand Gobies Pomatoschistus minutus from the Guadalquivir Estuary, Southwest Spain

Sand gobies, Pomatoschistus minutus, were collected monthly from September 2002 to August 2003 at a station situated 8 km upstream from the mouth of the Guadalquivir estuary (southwest Spain). Physical parameters of the water and selected biomarkers of organic pollution were recorded in the fish to discuss its potential as a sentinel species in estuaries. The biomarkers selected were the activities of catalase (CAT), 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the liver and acethylcholinesterase (AChE) and lipid peroxidation (LP) in the head. The results showed an increase in total protein synthesis in late spring and early summer coinciding with the reproductive period as well as the release of fresh water from a dam situated 110 km upstream. During the same period, a significant depletion of hepatic GST and head AChE but higher LP levels in this tissue suggest exposure to pesticides such as those applied to crops established along the course of the river and reaching the estuary mostly when the freshwater discharges occur. Changes in CAT and EROD activities fluctuated randomly and were not noted as seasonally dependent. Biomarker fluctuations in sand goby are discussed as normal seasonal variations, but other variables—such as potential local pollution inputs—cannot be disregarded.     

Performance, proficiency, and value of the dietetics professional: an update

The major focus of the plan is the possible professional development activities provided by the Association and used by members. Ultimately, the Plan offers the Association and members concise and doable tactics for addressing the number one member concern of compensation and benefits.All organizational units of ADA will examine opportunities for developing tools, gathering data, and exploring tactics to build on current programs that will close the gap between performance, proficiency, and value for the profession. Likewise, members are encouraged to use ADA resources, such as the PPV Plan’s tactics to build their professional development plans. Members should also consider investigating outside services or employer resources that compliment the opportunities that ADA offers.The following Professional Development Sessions are planned for the 2003 Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo in San Antonio (October 25–28).Saturday, October 25, 20035:00–7:00 pm—Live Up to Your Dreams: Opening Session Ross Keynote Address, Dot Richardson, MDSunday, October 26, 20038:30–10:00 am—Customer Satisfaction: Creating Demands for our Services8:30–10:00 am—ADA Forum for Students and New Professionals10:30–12:00 pm—Managing your Professional Development Portfolio1:30–3:00 pm—Adding Value Through Differences: Anyone Can Become a Leader3:30–5:00 pm—The Enterprising Dietitian: Building a Diabetes Business with RN Partners3:30–5:00 pm—Business and Communications: Career Opportunities for DietitiansMonday, October 27, 20038:00–9:30 am—Positive Attitude: The Key to Success in Nutrition and Dietetics12:30–1;30 pm—ADA’s Reality Show: Real Stories, Real Members, Real Prizes2:00–3:30 pm—Communications Seminar: How to Manage your Mouth4:00–5:30 pm—You can Have it all: Leadership and Life BalanceTuesday, October 28, 20038:00–9:30 am—Gain-Gain: A New Look at Salary Negotiation10:00 am–11:00 am—Negotiation Skills for Young Professionals10:00–11:00 am—Member Forum: How to Get Involved, ADA Needs You     

Suitability of the Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua [L.]) for Investigations on Activity of Hepatic Enzymes Induced by Xenobiotics

Activity measurements of enzymes catalyzing (i) the oxidation of xenobiotics (phase I) and (ii) the conjugation of metabolites produced in phase I (phase II) were carried out in ruffe to test its suitability for biological monitoring. Ruffe typically lives in the lower regions of rivers and in estuaries where monitoring is of particular interest for estimating the amount of pollutants introduced into the sea. The flounder, already examined for this purpose, is used as reference organism. In ruffe, the enzymatic activity (7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (ECOD) and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD)) increased with the contamination of the river toward Hamburg whereas in flounder it did not. The absence of a correlation between induction of the enzymatic activity in flounder and environmental contamination is attributed to the higher readiness of the flounder to migrate. Therefore, mixed function oxygenase activity found in flounders may not represent the inducing capacity of the local concentrations of xenobiotics. Since ECOD activity in ruffe was 5 to 20 times higher compared to the flounder, histopathological findings of investigations of the liver tissue were considered. Destruction or pathological changes of the endoplasmatic reticulum (where ECOD and EROD are located) is often reported in flounder but not in the ruffe, which may influence the expression of some enzymatic activities. The enzymatic activity of the phase II enzyme glutatione-S-transferase, which is considered to have a protective function in the cell against damages, caused by reactive metabolites, was more induced in ruffe than in flounder. Thus the ruffe may be less subjected to cell injury.     

Organochlorine Pesticide Levels in Ensis siliqua (Linnaeus, 1758) from Ría de Vigo, Galicia (N.W. Spain): Influence of Season, Condition Index and Lipid Content

Levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), including ΣDDTs, γ-HCH, HCB, aldrin, isodrin, trans-nonachlor, heptachlor and dieldrin, were determined in the razor clam, Ensis siliqua, collected monthly from February 2003 to April 2004 from the Islas Cíes in Ría de Vigo (Galicia, Spain). The sum of DDTs ranged from 2.17 to 26.9 ng g⁻¹ dry weight (dw). Principal component analysis showed seasonal trends in the levels of some OCPs (γ-HCH and dieldrin). Pearson correlations (p < 0.05) were observed between OCP levels and the biometric parameters of condition index and body lipids.     

天津市社区老年人MCI患病及影响因素分析

目的了解天津市社区老年人轻度认知功能障碍(MCI)患病现状及其影响因素,为老年痴呆的早期发现、早期诊断和早期干预提供流行病学依据。方法采用随机整群抽样方法,对天津市南开区6个人口分布密集社区的2 978名≥65岁老年人进行问卷调查和MCI筛查。结果天津市社区老年人MCI患病率为11.38%;不同性别、年龄、文化程度、婚姻状况、家庭月收入、是否吸烟、喜欢呆在家里、常读书看报、常做家务、高血压、高血脂、糖尿病、抑郁症的老年人MCI患病率差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01),不同职业老年人MCI患病率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);多因素非条件logistic回归分析结果表明,年龄>70岁、女性、吸烟、喜欢呆在家里、高血压、高血脂和糖尿病是天津市社区老年人MCI患病的危险因素;文化程度小学及以上、在婚、家庭月收入≥500元、常读书看报和常做家务是天津市社区老年人MCI患病的保护因素。结论天津市社区老年人群MCI患病率较高;年龄、性别、文化程度、婚姻状况、家庭月收入、吸烟、喜欢呆在家里、常读书看报、常做家务、高血压、高血脂和糖尿病是天津市社区老年人MCI患病的主要影响因素。     

Disparities in Medication Therapy in Patients with Heart Failure across the State of Hawai‘i

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if heart failure patients in Hawai‘i are receiving recommended standard therapy of a select beta-blocker in combination with an ACE inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), and to determine if a gap in quality of care exists between the different regions within the state. A retrospective claims-based analysis of all adult patients (age > 18 years of age) with CHF who were enrolled in a large health plan in Hawai‘i was performed (n = 24,149). Data collected included the presence of pharmaceutical claims for ACEI, ARBs and select β-blockers, region of residence, gender, and age. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine whether there were regional differences in Hawai‘i related to medication usage, after adjustment for age and gender. Results showed that only 28.4 % of patients were placed on the recommended therapy of an ACEI or ARB and a select β-blocker with significant differences being found between different regions. Further research is needed to better understand factors affecting regional differences in prescribing patterns.     

Risk factors for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in a Japanese geriatric hospital

A case control study on MRSA infection was carried out, with the purpose of evaluating the effect of age, gender, hypoalbuminemia, the limitation of activities of daily living (ADL), the administration of antibiotics and the use of the new cephems which include third generation cephalosporins and monobactam and carbapenems, on the occurrence of MRSA infection among the inpatients in a geriatric hospital. From April 1991 to March 1994, 285 patients underwent a bacterial culture in the various clinical aspects. 118 patients were positive for MRSA, who were then used as cases while 167 patients who were negative for MRSA were used as controls. The level of serum albumin and the ADL score were lower in the MRSA group than in the non-MRSA group (P < 0.01) while the number of antibiotics administered before bacterial culture was greater in the MRSA group than in the non-MRSA group (P < 0.01). The third generation cephems were more commonly used in the MRSA positive patients than the negative patients (P < 0.01). Even after controlling for the other factors, hypoalbuminemia (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.27–2.36), the limited ADL (partially limited vs without limitation: OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.19–2.96, completely limited vs without limitation: OR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.64–3.82), the use of antibiotics other than the third generation cephems (vs without antibiotics: OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.20–2.50) and the administration of the third generation cephems (vs without antibiotics: OR = 3.12, 95% CI = 2.16–4.50) increased the risk of MRSA infection.     

Hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity in flounder collected from contaminated and reference sites along the Polish coast

The aim of the present study was to examine the activity of hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) in flounder, Platichthys flesus, as a potential biomarker of exposure to xenobiotics present in the environment. The fish were collected along known pollution gradients and from areas regarded relatively free of anthropogenic input. GST was measured spectrophotometrically in each sampled specimen of flounder. The databases from the studies performed by two research institutes were compiled, and generalized linear models were used to analyze the dependence of the enzyme activity on the time and area of sampling and on selected biological parameters of the fish. Fish sex, sampling area, year, month, water temperature, and somatic indices (gonado-somatic index, hepato-somatic index) were significant in the model of GST activity. The three annual datasets showed that the biomarker activities exhibited in the Gulf of Gdansk were significantly different from those measured in the areas off the coast.     

Levels of environmental pollutants in flounder (Platichthys flesus L.) and cod (Gadus morhua L.) caught in the waterway of Glomma,Norway. II. Mercury and arsenic

The present study is a survey on mercury and arsenic pollution in two sedentary fish species stationed in or close to the Glomma estuary in the Hvaler archipelago, Norway. Mercury and arsenic were determined individually in 80 flounder (Platichthys flesus L.) and 100 cod (Gadus morhua L.). The fish were caught at five different localities near or in the relatively polluted Glomma estuary. There were significantly higher mercury and arsenic concentrations in fillets of flounder than in fillets of cod (wet weight), 0.15 vs. 0.08 mg/kg and 5.2 vs. 4.1 mg/kg, respectively. Seasonal variation in mercury concentration was only found in flounder, with a significantly higher level in spring than in autumn. A significant increase in mercury content with increasing age was found for both species. For cod, a significantly higher arsenic level was found on the outer stations as compared to the inner stations, while arsenic levels in flounder was less dependent on sampling site.     

Air pollution in relation to manifestations of chronic pulmonary disease: a nested case-control study in Athens,Greece

Chronic pulmonary diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The present study is a case–control study nested in a defined cohort, undertaken in Athens, Greece, in order to investigate the association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and the development of chronic bronchitis, emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Individualized personal exposure assessment has been applied based on long-term residential and occupational subject history linked with geographical air pollution distribution. The first consecutive 3904 participants from the European Prospective Study into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), all residents of Athens, were asked to complete a questionnaire. One hundred and sixty-eight participants reporting a history of COPD symptomatology and 168 healthy controls recruited from the same study base individually matched for age and gender, were visited by a physician at their homes for conducting spirometry and a medical interview. Eighty-four of the 168 self-identified as cases were diagnosed as having chronic bronchitis, emphysema or COPD. Logistic regression models were used for statistical evaluation. Cases were more exposed to air pollution compared to controls. The estimated odds ratio (OR) indicates an increase of 37% in the risk of medically confirmed cases per exposure quartile (p = 0.02). When most of the subjects exposed are considered vs. all others, there is a twofold increase in disease risk (p = 0.03). Our findings provide evidence that long-term exposure to air pollution is an important factor in the development of chronic respiratory diseases.     

Health of Flatfish from Localities in Placentia Bay,Newfoundland, Contaminated with Petroleum and PCBs

This study compared the health of flatfish inhabiting two areas in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, contaminated either with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with samples from reference sites. Initially, four species of flatfish, including American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides), yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea), gray sole (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus), and winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus), were sampled only for external lesions from commercial catches at three offshore sites. Others, captured by scuba divers at inshore sites, were autopsied to compare external lesions, condition (K) factor, hepatosomatic index (HSI), hemoglobin and lymphocyte levels, histological changes in the liver and spleen, and two parasites, metacercariae of Cryptocotyle lingua in the skin and a digenetic trematode, Steringophorus furciger, in the digestive tract. A higher prevalence of lesions occurred in the four species of flatfish caught offshore by commercial fisherman near the oil terminal and the PCB-contaminated dockyard than at a reference site. Lesions were also more prevalent in three species of flatfish captured by scuba divers inshore near the oil terminal and were associated with significantly lower K factor and lymphocyte levels but elevated HSI values and histopathological changes in the liver and spleen than in reference samples. Winter flounder sampled at two locations near the PCB-contaminated dockyard and a PAH-polluted small boat wharf also exhibited more external lesions, liver discoloration, and lower K factor, hemoglobin, and lymphocyte but higher HSI values and hepatic and splenic hemosiderosis than in reference fish. Prevalence of C. lingua in the skin was significantly greater but S. furciger in the digestive tract lower in samples taken from the aforementioned contaminated sites than from the reference locations. These results, based on several bioindicators, suggest that the health of bottom-dwelling flatfish at three sites of this embayment was impaired by chronic exposure to sediment contaminated with PAHs or PCBs. Received: 9 April 2002/Accepted: 11 November 2002     

Levels of environmental pollutants in male and female flounder (Platichthys flesus L.) and cod (Gadus morhua L.) caught during the year 1988 near or in the waterway of Glomma,the largest river of Norway. I. Polychlorinated biphenyls

Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, in liver samples of 111 and 121 flounder (Platichthys flesus L.) and cod (Gadus morhua L.), respectively, were determined gas chromatographically by quantification of 9 individual PCB congeners. The congeners were 28, 52, 101, 118, 153, 138, 180, 170, and 209 (IUPAC numbering system, Ballschmiter and Zell 1980). The fish were caught during 1988 at 5 different stations near or in the Glomma estuary, in the Hvaler archipelago, Norway. The mean level of the sum of the congeners, 1,050 ng/g, found in cod was 3 times higher than the corresponding level found in flounder (361 ng/g). The influences on the variation in PCB levels of sex, season, and distance from the Glomma outlet and waterway were investigated using 1-, 2-, and 3-way ANOVA. The main effects of these factors as well as their possible interactions were considered. An expected decreasing PCB pollution gradient from the mouth of Glomma was found for cod, while PCB levels in flounder seemed to be less dependent on sampling site. However, the sexes in both fish species exhibited a different pattern in their PCB levels. The PCB levels in female cod were significantly affected by the season of sampling, with PCB levels in September/October significantly greater than the corresponding levels in June and November/December. No such effect was found for male cod. In flounder, a significant station effect on the PCB levels was found for females only, and a decreasing PCB pollution gradient was found to be significant. The interactions between the three factors station, season, and sex were different in the two species. There was an interaction between sex and season in cod while in flounder the sex interacted with station. These interaction phenomena require further analysis, since no general procedure exists for analyzing interactions when a biological interpretation is at issue.     

Associations of Vitamin B6 Intake and Plasma Pyridoxal 5′-Phosphate with Plasma Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in US Older Adults: Findings from NHANES 2003–2004

Previous evidence suggests a potential dual impact of aging and vitamin B6 (B6) deficiency on polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolism; gender may influence PUFA biosynthesis. Perturbation of PUFA compositions during B6 deficiency could be linked to age-related health outcomes. However, little is known about the interrelationships between vitamin B6, PUFA, and gender in the older population. Therefore, we investigated whether gender-specific associations of B6 intake and plasma pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP) concentration, respectively, with plasma PUFA concentrations and ratios (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA), EPA + DHA, EPA/AA, and (EPA + DHA)/AA) existed in older adults. We further examined the relationships of adequate B6 status (PLP ≥ 20 nmol/L) with high (above median) plasma PUFA relative to deficient B6 status. This cross-sectional study analyzed 461 participants aged ≥60 years from NHANES 2003–2004. Nutrient intakes were assessed using two 24-h recalls and supplement questionnaires. PLP and PUFA concentrations were measured. Multivariate linear regression assessed the association of B6 intake and PLP with PUFA; multivariate logistic regression evaluated the relationship of adequate B6 status with high plasma PUFA, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and dietary factors; physical activity; smoking; alcohol; medication; and BMI. There were interactions between gender and B6 intake on EPA (P-_interaction = 0.008) and AA (P-_interaction = 0.004) only, whereas no interaction existed between gender and PLP on PUFA. PLP was directly associated with EPA (β = 0.181, P = 0.002), DHA (β = 0.109, P = 0.005), EPA + DHA (β = 0.14, P = 0.002), EPA/AA (β = 0.186, P = 0.004), and (EPA + DHA)/AA (β = 0.13, P = 0.026). The odds of having high plasma EPA (adjusted (a) OR: 2.03, P = 0.049) and EPA/AA (aOR: 3.83, P < 0.0001) were greater in those with adequate B6 status compared to those with deficient B6 status. In conclusion, in US older adults, a higher PLP level was associated with a greater level of EPA, DHA, EPA + DHA, EPA/AA, and (EPA + DHA)/AA. Adequate B6 status was associated with high EPA and EPA/AA status. These findings suggest that sufficient vitamin B6 status may positively influence PUFA metabolism in older adults.     

The accumulation of low molecular weight aromatic hydrocarbons of crude oil by coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus)

Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) were exposed to 0.9±0.1 ppm of a water-soluble fraction (WSF) of Prudhoe Bay crude oil in flowing sea water. Both species accumulated a complex spectrum of low molecular weight aromatic hydrocarbons. Bioconcentration factors (ppm hydrocarbon based on dry weight of tissue/ ppm hydrocarbon in flow-through water) for most hydrocarbons in starry flounder muscle were substantially higher than for coho salmon muscle. After two weeks of exposure, for example, there were 17 ppm (dry weight of tissue) of C₄- and C₅-substituted benzenes in muscle of starry flounder (bioconcentration factor of 1,700) but only 1.5 ppm of these compounds occurred in muscle of coho salmon (bioconcentration factor of 150). Generally, alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons accumulated in tissues to a greater degree than unsubstituted derivatives. In both species, accumulations of substituted benzenes and naphthalenes in muscle increased in relation to the degree of alkylation. Complex mixtures of aromatic hydrocarbons were found in gills and liver of starry flounder. Accumulated hydrocarbons in coho salmon exposed for six weeks fell below limits of detection within a week when fish were transferred to clean water. Starry flounder exposed for two weeks retained substantial concentrations (7 to 26 ppm) of C₂-C₃-substituted naphthalene and C₄-C₅-substituted benzenes in muscle two weeks after the termination of exposure. Substantial variations were found in bioconcentration factors for individual hydrocarbons in both species. Thus the data reflect difficulties in relating specific sources of petroleum pollution to hydrocarbon profiles in tissues.     

Interactions between the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism,body mass index,and lifestyle-related factors on metabolic syndrome risk

Whether the FTO polymorphisms interact with environmental factors has not yet been evaluated in associations with metabolic syndrome (MS) risk. The present study investigated the association of the FTO rs9939609 genotypes, body mass index (BMI), and lifestyle-related factors including smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, and diet with MS incidence. A population-based prospective cohort study comprised 3,504 male and female Koreans aged 40 to 69 years. At the beginning of the study, all individuals were free of MS and known cardiovascular disease. Incident cases of MS were identified by biennial health examinations during a follow-up period from April 17, 2003 to April 15, 2009. Pooled logistic regression analysis was applied to obtain relative odds (RO) of MS with its 95% confidence interval (CI). After controlling for potential MS risk factors, we observed no association between the rs9939609 genotypes and MS incidence. In analysis stratified by BMI, however, carriers with the FTO risk allele whose BMI is 29 kg/m² or greater showed an approximately 6-fold higher RO (95% CI: 3.82 to 9.30) compared with non-carriers with BMI less than 25 kg/m². In particular, the association between the rs9939609 variants and MS risk was significantly modified by high BMI (P-value for interaction < 0.05). Such significant interaction appeared in associations with central obesity and high blood pressure among the MS components. Because carriers of the FTO risk alleles who had BMI of 29 kg/m² or greater are considered a high risk population, we suggest that they may need intensive weight loss regimens to prevent MS development.     

Impact of 2003 State Regulation on Raw Oyster–associated Vibrio vulnificus Illnesses and Deaths,California, USA

US vibriosis rates have increased since 1996, and many Vibrio vulnificus infections are fatal. In April 2003, California implemented a regulation restricting the sale of raw oysters harvested from the Gulf of Mexico during April 1–October 31, unless they were processed to reduce V. vulnificus to nondetectable levels. We analyzed California cases of V. vulnificus infection before and after the regulation’s implementation and compared case data with data from other states. The annual number of reported V. vulnificus infections and deaths in California with patient’s sole exposure to raw oysters dropped from 0 to 6 cases and 0 to 5 deaths per year during 1991–2002, before implementation, to 0 during 2003–2010, after implementation (p = 0.0005 for both). In other states, median annual numbers of similar cases and deaths increased slightly after 2002. The data strongly suggest that the 2003 regulation led to a significant reduction in reported raw oyster–associated V. vulnificus illnesses and deaths.     

河南省2004年度城市大气污染现状分析

目的了解河南省城市大气污染现状和污染特征,为制定河南省大气污染防治策略提供科学依据。方法根据2004年河南省城市环境空气质量监测资料,采用环境空气质量指数法和污染负荷分析法,评价河南省大气污染现状和主要污染物;通过各污染物的月均值分析河南省城市大气污染全年变化趋势。结果河南省18个省辖城市中,5个城市为轻污染,4个城市为中污染;主要污染物为可吸入颗粒物和二氧化硫;河南省城市大气污染呈季节性变化,冬季最严重。结论河南省城市大气污染较为严重,以煤烟型为主。     

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for Stage I lung cancer with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: special reference to survival and radiation-induced pneumonitis

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate radiation-induced pneumonitis (RIP) and a related condition that we define in this report—prolonged minimal RIP (pmRIP)—after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for Stage I primary lung cancer in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We assessed 136 Stage I lung cancer patients with COPD who underwent SBRT. Airflow limitation on spirometry was classified into four Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grades, with minor modifications: GOLD 1 (mild), GOLD 2 (moderate), GOLD 3 (severe) and GOLD 4 (very severe). On this basis, we defined two subgroups: COPD-free (COPD −) and COPD-positive (COPD +). There was no significant difference in overall survival or cause-specific–survival between these groups. Of the 136 patients, 44 (32%) had pmRIP. Multivariate analysis showed that COPD and the Brinkman index were statistically significant risk factors for the development of pmRIP. COPD and the Brinkman index were predictive factors for pmRIP, although our findings also indicate that SBRT can be tolerated in early lung cancer patients with COPD.     

Trace Organic Contaminants,Including Toxaphene and Trifluralin,in Cotton Field Soils from Georgia and South Carolina,USA

Residues of organic contaminants—including toxaphene, DDT, trifluralin, hexachlorocyclohexanes, polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nonylphenol—were measured in 32 cotton field soils collected from South Carolina and Georgia in 1999. Toxaphene, trifluralin, DDT and PAHs were the major contaminants found in these soils. The maximum concentration of toxaphene measured was 2,500 ng/g dry weight. Trifluralin was detected in all the soils at concentrations ranging from 1 to 548 ng/g dry weight. Pesticide residues were not proportional to soil organic carbon content, indicating that their concentrations were a reflection of application history and dissipation rates rather than air–soil equilibrium. Soil extracts were also subjected to in vitro bioassays to assess dioxinlike, estrogenic, and androgenic/glucocorticoid potencies. Relatively more polar fractions of the soils elicited estrogenic and androgenic/glucocorticoid activities, but the magnitude of response was much less than those found in coastal marine sediments from industrialized locations.Received: 23 November 2002/Accepted: 13 January 2003