Laboratory based surveillance of travel-related <Emphasis Type=Italic>Shigella sonnei</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type=Italic>Shigella flexneri</Emphasis> in Alberta from 2002 to 2007

Between 2002 and 2007, travel related cases of Shigella sonnei and S. flexneri in Alberta, Canada were acquired from Central America, the Indian subcontinent and North America. Of this group, resistance to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid was identified in isolates from patients who had travelled to the Indian subcontinent. This study provides a Canadian perspective to a growing body of literature linking ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid resistance to travel to the Indian subcontinent.     

A modified version of Moran's <Emphasis Type=Italic>I</Emphasis>

Background  

Investigation of global clustering patterns across regions is very important in spatial data analysis. Moran's I is a widely used spatial statistic for detecting global spatial patterns such as an east-west trend or an unusually large cluster. Here, we intend to improve Moran's I for evaluating global clustering patterns by including the weight function in the variance, introducing a population density (PD) weight function in the statistics, and conducting Monte Carlo simulation for testing. We compare our modified Moran's I with Oden's I * _pop for simulated data with homogeneous populations. The proposed method is applied to a census tract data set.     

Overview of the Lives Saved Tool (<Emphasis Type=Italic>LiST</Emphasis>)

This paper provides an overview of the historical development and current status of the Lives Saved Tool (LiST). The paper provides a general explanation of the modeling approach used in the model with links to web sites and other articles with more details. It also details the development process in developing both the model structure as well as the assumptions used in the model. The paper provides information about how LiST has been and is currently being used by various organizations and within national health programs. We also provide a review of the work that has been done to try to validate the outputs of the model.     

Toxicity of Four Herbicide Formulations with Glyphosate on <Emphasis Type=Italic>Rhinella arenarum</Emphasis> (Anura: Bufonidae) Tadpoles: B-esterases and Glutathione <Emphasis Type=Italic>S</Emphasis>-transferase Inhibitors

In this study, amphibian tadpoles Rhinella arenarum were exposed to different concentrations of Roundup Ultra-Max (ULT), Infosato (INF), Glifoglex, and C-K YUYOS FAV. Tadpoles were exposed to these commercial formulations with glyphosate (CF-GLY) at the following concentrations (acid equivalent [ae]): 0 (control), 1.85, 3.75, 7.5, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 mg ae/L for 6–48 h (short-term). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), carboxylesterase (CbE), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were measured among tadpoles sampled from those treatments that displayed survival rates >85%. Forty-eight-hour LC₅₀ for R. arenarum tadpoles exposed to CF-GLY in the static tests ranged from ULT = 2.42 to FAV = 77.52 mg ae/L. For all CF-GLY, the LC₅₀ values stabilized at 24 h of exposure. Tadpoles exposed to all CF-GLY concentrations at 48 h showed decreases in the activities of AChE (control = 17.50 ± 2.23 nmol/min/mg/protein; maximum inhibition INF 30 mg ae/L, 71.52%), BChE (control = 6.31 ± 0.86 nmol/min/mg/protein; maximum inhibition INF 15 mg ae/L, 78.84%), CbE (control = 4.39 ± 0.46 nmol/min/mg/protein; maximum inhibition INF 15 mg ae/L, 81.18%), and GST (control = 4.86 ± 0.49 nmol/min/mg/protein; maximum inhibition INF 1.87 mg ae/L, 86.12%). These results indicate that CF-GLY produce a wide range of toxicities and that all enzymatic parameters tested may be good early indicators of herbicide contamination in R. arenarum tadpoles.     

Studies on antidyslipidemic effects of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Morinda citrifolia</Emphasis> (Noni) fruit,leaves and root extracts

Background  

The objective of present study was to provide the pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of Morinda citrifolia Linn in dyslipidemia using the aqueous-ethanolic extracts of its fruits (Mc.Cr.F), leaves (Mc.Cr.L) and roots (Mc.Cr.R).     

Documentation of torture and the <Emphasis Type=Italic>Istanbul Protocol</Emphasis>: applied medical ethics

The so-called Istanbul Protocol, a Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment was adopted by the United Nations soon after its completion in 1999 and since then has become an acknowledged standard for documenting cases of alleged torture and other forms of severe maltreatment. In 2009 the “Forum for medicine and human rights” at the Medical Faculty at the University Erlangen-Nuremburg has provided the first German edition of this manual. The article traces back the development of the protocol taking into account the general background as well as the factual occasion of its initiation. The main ethical and legal principles of the manual are introduced as well as the projects for implementing the rules provided in the protocol that have been carried out so far. From this the urgent need for implementation of the Istanbul Protocol guidelines also in Europe and in German-speaking countries and here not exclusively but especially within asylum procedures becomes clear.     

Mercury Organotropism in Feral European Sea Bass (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Dicentrarchus labrax</Emphasis>)

The knowledge of mercury (Hg) burdens in a wide set of tissues and organs of exposed fish is crucial to understand the internal distribution dynamics and thus predict Hg bioavailability and implications for ecosystem and human health. Total Hg was measured in six tissues of Dicentrarchus labrax captured along an estuarine contamination gradient, revealing the following pattern: liver > kidney > muscle > brain ≈ gills > blood. All of the tissues displayed intersite differences, although brain and muscle seemed to better reflect the extent of contamination. Hg speciation showed that liver presented higher concentrations than muscle for both organic and inorganic forms. Furthermore, liver seemed to exert a protective action in relation to Hg accumulation in the other tissues and organs. This protection seems to be particularly marked in relation to the brain, whereas liver is assisted in that action by kidney and muscle.     

Concentrations of Selected Heavy Metals in Bones and Femoral Bone Structure of Bank (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Myodes glareolus</Emphasis>) and Common (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Microtus arvalis</Emphasis>) Voles from Different Polluted Biotopes in Slovakia

Concentrations of selected heavy metals in the femora and femoral bone structure of bank (Myodes glareolus) and common (Microtus arvalis) voles from different polluted biotopes in Slovakia (Kolíňany and Nováky sites) were investigated. Length, weight, and histological structure of vole bones were also analyzed. We observed higher concentrations of lead (Pb), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in the bones of both species from the Kolíňany site. Significant differences were observed in the concentration of Fe in bank and common voles (p < 0.05) and in the concentration of Zn (p < 0.05) in common voles. The animals from Nováky had higher concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) in their bones; however, the differences were not significant. The measured values for bone length and weight were higher in both species from Nováky (p < 0.05). We did not identify differences in qualitative histological characteristics of the femora between the voles (M. glareolus and M. arvalis separately) between the two biotopes. In addition, no statistically significant differences for any the measured variables of primary osteons’ vascular canals were observed. Correlation analysis in M. glareolus showed a strong positive relation between Cd and Ni (r = 0.52), Pb and bone weight (r = 0.53), Fe and bone weight (r = 0.52), and Fe and perimeter size of primary osteons’ vascular canals (r = 0.55). In common voles, a strong positive relation was found between Fe and Cu (r = 0.60) and between Fe and perimeter size of vascular canals of primary osteons (r = 0.55). Our results indicate that accumulation of some heavy metals is slightly increased in the femora of both species at Kolíňany.     

In vitro study of the PLA2 inhibition and antioxidant activities of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Aloe vera</Emphasis> leaf skin extracts

Background  

In the present work we determined the total phenolic content of Aloe vera leaf skin (AVLS) extracts by using various solvents (hexane, chloroform-ethanol (1/1), ethyl acetate, butanol and water). We have also evaluated the antioxidant and the anti-PLA2 properties of these extracts by measuring their inhibition potency on the human pro-inflammatory phospholipase A2 (group IIA).     

Effects of Cadmium on Locomotor Activity Rhythms of the Amphipod <Emphasis Type=Italic>Gammarus aequicauda</Emphasis>

Behavioural responses are linked to complex biochemical and physiologic changes and may act as sensitive indicators of the sublethal effects of pollutants. This article investigates changes in the locomotor activity rhythms of the amphipod Gammarus aequicauda exposed to cadmium (Cd) as a model to study the effect of pollutants on an ecologically important species. Under a 12:12 h light-to-dark cycle, G. aequicauda showed a strict nocturnal rhythm, with 90.2 ± 0.4% of their total daily activity occurring during the night. Under constant darkness, circadian rhythms persisted for 10 days, with a mean periodicity of 24.32 h, thus confirming endogenous control. Exposure to sublethal concentrations of Cd (0.16, 0.20, 0.24, and 0.28 mg l⁻¹) did not change the nocturnal activity patterns of G. aequicauda, although their swimming activity during the night was significantly decreased by exposure to concentrations of 0.24 and 0.28 mg Cd l⁻¹. In conclusion, locomotor activity bioassays using the amphipod G. aequicauda appeared to be a sensitive indicator of Cd contamination, and sensitivity and tolerance to Cd in short-term bioassays may depend on the time of the day tests are carried out. These results provide further support for the idea that behavioural end points in amphipods are useful indicators of pollutant exposure and that future studies should take circadian rhythms into consideration.     

Alteration of Heart Tissue Protein Profiles in Acute Cadmium-Treated Scallops <Emphasis Type=Italic>Patinopecten yessoensis</Emphasis>

Cadmium (Cd) is an extremely toxic metal that induces a wide spectrum of toxic responses in organisms in the environment. In the present study, scallops (Patinopecten yessoensis), after acclimation for 1 week in the laboratory, were subjected to acute Cd chloride (CdCl₂) toxicity, and ultramorphological and proteomic changes in their heart tissues were analyzed and compared with those of the nonexposed control group. Electron microscopy showed that ultrastructures of the cytoplasm and mitochondria in scallop hearts were badly damaged, and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed 32 protein spots that were differentially expressed after exposure to 10 mg/l CdCl₂ for 24 h. Of these spots, 8 were upregulated, 16 were downregulated, and 8 showed low expression. Proteins from these spots were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and database searching. The results indicated that these proteins are involved in the regulation of cell structure, transport, signal transduction, and metabolism. Among other things, four proteins―identified as amino acid adenosine triphosphate (ATP)–binding cassette transporter, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase, and ATPase―were demonstrated to be especially associated with Cd toxicity. Some of the other proteins observed in this work are of particular interest in terms of their responses to Cd, which have not been reported previously. These data may provide novel biomarkers for monitoring the Cd contamination level of flowing seawater as well as provide useful insights into the mechanisms of Cd toxicity.     

Epidemiology of reported <Emphasis Type=Italic>Yersinia enterocolitica</Emphasis> infections in Germany, 2001-2008

Background  

Yersiniosis is the third most common zoonotic bacterial disease in Germany and the European Union. Sequelae of Yersinia enterocolitica infections, such as reactive arthritis, have been reported. Consumption of pork and its products, especially eaten raw or undercooked, is an important risk factor of yersiniosis. Infection with Y. enterocolitica is notifiable through the national surveillance system for infectious diseases in Germany and several thousands of cases are being reported each year. We present recent data on the epidemiology of reported yersiniosis in Germany.     

Metal Accumulation and Binding Protein Induction in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus galloprovincialis</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scapharca inaequivalvis</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tapes philippinarum</Emphasis> from the Lagoon of Venice

Heavy metal pollution is known to be widespread in the sediments of the Lagoon of Venice. Therefore, physiological parameters influenced by this form of contamination were examined. The bivalve molluscs blue mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), ark clam (Scapharca inaequivalvis), and Japanese littleneck (Tapes philippinarum) were sampled in two sites (Marghera, Chioggia) every 3 months for 1 year. The digestive gland and gills of each bivalve were analyzed. The concentrations of essential and nonessential metals (including chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, and cadmium) were determined. Because glutathione and metallothioneins (MTs) are involved in metal homeostasis and detoxification, their concentrations were evaluated in relation to metal concentrations. Results show that (1) all three studied species accumulate metals to a considerable extent, with some species-specific differences between the digestive gland and gills; (2) gills are a good tissue to evaluate pollution by examining the MT content. In particular, the correlation between Zn and MT levels in the gills indicates that M. galloprovincialis and S. inaequivalvis are sentinel organisms and can be used specifically for Zn pollution; (3) T. philippinarum accumulates Cu in the digestive gland more readily than the other two bivalves and therefore has the highest MT. Received: 20 December 2001/Accepted: 11 November 2002     

Aqueous extract of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Piper sarmentosum</Emphasis> decreases atherosclerotic lesions in high cholesterolemic experimental rabbits

Background  

Piper sarmentosum (P.s) has flavonoid component in its leaves which has antioxidative effect. To date, its effect on atherosclerosis has not been studied histologically.     

The <Emphasis Type=Italic>Cool Little Kids</Emphasis> randomised controlled trial: Population-level early prevention for anxiety disorders

Background  

The World Health Organization predicts that by 2030 internalising problems (e.g. depression and anxiety) will be second only to HIV/AIDS in international burden of disease. Internalising problems affect 1 in 7 school aged children, impacting on peer relations, school engagement, and later mental health, relationships and employment. The development of early childhood prevention for internalising problems is in its infancy. The current study follows two successful 'efficacy' trials of a parenting group intervention to reduce internalising disorders in temperamentally inhibited preschool children. Cool Little Kids is a population-level randomised trial to determine the impacts of systematically screening preschoolers for inhibition then offering a parenting group intervention, on child internalising problems and economic costs at school entry.     

The process evaluation of <Emphasis Type=Italic>It's Your Move!</Emphasis>, an Australian adolescent community-based obesity prevention project

Background  

Evidence on interventions for preventing unhealthy weight gain in adolescents is urgently needed. The aim of this paper is to describe the process evaluation for a three-year (2005-2008) project conducted in five secondary schools in the East Geelong/Bellarine region of Victoria, Australia. The project, 'It's Your Move!' aimed to reduce unhealthy weight gain by promoting healthy eating patterns, regular physical activity, healthy body weight, and body size perception amongst youth; and improve the capacity of families, schools, and community organisations to sustain the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity in the region.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">GSTM1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">APE1</Emphasis> genotypes affect arsenic-induced oxidative stress: a repeated measures study

Background  

Chronic arsenic exposure is associated with an increased risk of skin, bladder and lung cancers. Generation of oxidative stress may contribute to arsenic carcinogenesis.     

The effectiveness of community-based cycling promotion: findings from the <Emphasis Type=Italic>Cycling Connecting Communities</Emphasis>project in Sydney,Australia

Background  

Encouraging cycling is an important way to increase physical activity in the community. The Cycling Connecting Communities (CCC) Project is a community-based cycling promotion program that included a range of community engagement and social marketing activities, such as organised bike rides and events, cycling skills courses, the distribution of cycling maps of the area and coverage in the local press. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of this program designed to encourage the use of newly completed off-road cycle paths through south west Sydney, Australia.