Thermoregulatory responses to intermittent exercise are influenced by knit structure of underwear

Summary The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of knit structure in underwear on thermoregulatory responses. Underwear manufactured from 100% polypropylene fibres in five different knit structures (1-by-1 rib, fleece, fishnet, interlock, double-layer rib) was evaluated. All five underwear prototypes were tested as part of a prototype clothing system. Measured on a thermal manikin these clothing systems had total thermal resistances of 0.243, 0.268, 0.256, 0.248 and 0.250 m² · K · W^–1, respectively (including a value for the thermal resistance of the ambient environment of 0.104 m² · K · W^–1). Human testing was done on eight male subjects and took place at ambient temperature (T _a)=5°C, dew point temperature (T _dp)=–3.5° C and air velocity (V _a)=0.32 m · s^–1. The test comprised a repeated bout of 40-min cycle exercise (315 W · m^–2; 52%, SD 4.9% maximal oxygen uptake) followed by 20 min of rest (62 W · m^–2). The oxygen uptake, heart rate, oesophageal temperature, skin temperature,T _a,T _dp at the skin and in the ambient air, onset of sweating, evaporation rate, non-evaporated sweat accumulated in the clothing and total evaporative loss of mass were measured. Skin wettedness was calculated. The differences in knit structure of the underwear in the clothing systems resulted in significant differences in mean skin temperature, local and average skin wettedness, non-evaporated and evaporated sweat during the course of the intermittent exercise test. No differences were observed over this period in the core temperature measurements.The views, opinions and/or findings in this report are those of the authors and should not be construed as an official Department of the Army position, policy, or decision, unless so designated by other official documentation     

Immunology of Diseases Associated with Malassezia Species

Malassezia species are members of the human cutaneous commensal flora, in addition to causing a wide range of cutaneous and systemic diseases in suitably predisposed individuals. Studies examining cellular and humoral immune responses specific to Malassezia species in patients with Malassezia-associated diseases and healthy controls have generally been unable to define significant differences in their immune response. The use of varied antigenic preparations and strains from different Malassezia classifications may partly be responsible for this, although these problems can now be overcome by using techniques based on recent work defining some important antigens and also a new taxonomy for the genus. The finding that the genus Malassezia is immunomodulatory is important in understanding its ability to cause disease. Stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system and activation of the complement cascade contrasts with its ability to suppress cytokine release and downregulate phagocytic uptake and killing. The lipid-rich layer around the yeast appears to be pivotal in this alteration of phenotype. Defining the nonspecific immune response to Malassezia species and the way in which the organisms modulate it may well be the key to understanding how Malassezia species can exist as both commensals and pathogens.     

Polysaccharides of the Genus Bacillus Cross-Reactive with the Capsular Polysaccharides of Diplococcus pneumoniae Type III, Haemophilus influenzae Type b, and Neisseria meningitidis Group A

We studied 174 strains of the genus Bacillus for cross-reacting antigens to the capsular polysaccharides of groups A and C meningococcus, types I and III pneumococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae type b. Cross-reactions were detected by immunodiffusion in agarose gel by using type-specific antisera and confirmed by absorption and inhibition experiments. Of 20 Bacillus pumilis strains, six had an antigen cross-reacting with group A meningococcal polysaccharide. Other cross-reactions included one strain of B. pumilis with H. influenzae type b, one of B. cereus var. mycoides with pneumococcus type III, and one of B. alvei with both type b and SIII polysaccharides. These cross-reacting antigens are polysaccharides of vegetative cells and may be extracellular in location. Because these bacilli have antigens cross-reacting with the virulence factors of pyogenic bacteria, they may, as normal flora, be an antigenic stimulus for "natural" serum anti-capsular antibodies to the type b Haemophilus and group A meningococcus polysaccharides.     

Spectrum of CLN6 mutations in variant late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a group of autosomal recessive neurodegenerative diseases of childhood. CLN6, the gene mutated in variant late infantile NCL (vLINCL), was recently cloned. We report the identification of eight further mutations in CLN6 making a total of 18 reported mutations. These mutations include missense, nonsense, small deletions or insertions, and two splice-site mutations. Ten mutations affect single amino acids, all of which are conserved across vertebrate species. Minor differences in the pattern of disease symptom evolution can be identified. One patient with a more protracted disease progression was a compound heterozygote for a missense mutation and an unidentified mutation. Fifteen CLN6 mutations occur in one or two families only, and families from the same country do not all share the same mutation. Unlike NCLs caused by mutations in CLN1, CLN3, CLN5, and CLN8, there is no major founder mutation in CLN6. However, one mutation (E72X) is significantly more common in patients from Costa Rica than two other mutations present in that same population. In addition, a 1-bp insertion (c.316insC) is associated with families from Pakistan and I154del may be common in Portugal. A group of Roma Gypsy families from the Czech Republic share two disease-associated haplotypes, one of which is also present in a Pakistani family, consistent with the proposed migration of the Roma from the Indian subcontinent 1,000 years ago. All mutations are recorded in the NCL Mutation Database together with their country of origin for use in the development of rapid screening assays to confirm diagnosis and to facilitate carrier testing appropriate to a population.     

Cross-regulatory role of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-4 and IL-10 in schistosome egg granuloma formation: in vivo regulation of Th activity and inflammation.

This study examined the relationship of IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma with regard to the local granuloma (GR) and draining lymph node (LN) response to Schistosoma mansoni eggs. Synchronized GR were induced in naive and schistosome-infected mice at the vigorous (8 weeks) and late chronic (20 weeks) stages. In LN cultures, IL-10 and IFN production peaked on day 4 and was greatest for 8 week-infected mice. All GR cultures contained IFN, but compared with naive mice IL-10 production was accelerated at 8 weeks and abrogated at 20 weeks, consistent with expansion and abatement of Th2 activity. Cytokine neutralization was performed in egg-challenged, naive mice that were adoptively sensitized with lymphoid cells from 8 week-infected donors. GR size, GR macrophage tumour necrosis factor (TNF) production and egg antigen-elicited IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IFN were examined on day 4 of GR formation. Anti-IFN augmented GR area by 40%, increased local IL-4 and IL-10, but decreased IFN and TNF production. In corresponding LN cultures, IFN decreased by about 50%, while IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-5 increased by nearly two-, four-, five- and six-fold, respectively. Anti-IL-10 did not affect GR size or GR cytokines, but abrogated GR area by 40%, along with a reduction in local IL-4 and TNF production. In LN, IL-4 depletion reduced IL-4 and IL-5 by 60-70% and increased IFN levels. These results support the notion of a cross-regulatory network in which IFN inhibits Th2 and IL-10 inhibits Th1 cells. IL-4 fosters Th2 cells differentiation in LN, but also performs a critical recruitment function in the eosinophil-rich schistosome egg-induced GR, whereas IFN contributes to enhanced GR macrophage function.     

Rearrangement of Valproate Glucuronide in a Patient with Drug-Associated Hepatobiliary and Renal Dysfunction

Formation of beta-glucuronidase-resistant "glucuronides" of valproic acid (VPA) by intramolecular rearrangement of biosynthetic valproate glucuronide in vivo was investigated in a patient diagnosed with VPA-associated hepatobiliary and renal dysfunction. Plasma elimination half-life of VPA following cessation of the drug was 13.9 h. At the time of the toxicity, the concentration of conjugated VPA in plasma was very high (36-54% of nonconjugated VPA levels) relative to that in normal patients (2.9%). The fraction of conjugated VPA resistant to beta-glucuronidase hydrolysis was 0.28-0.47 in plasma and 0.15-0.42 in urine. The corresponding fraction in urine from normal patients receiving VPA therapy was 0.044. The evidence was consistent with retarded elimination of biosynthetic VPA glucuronide caused by renal and hepatobiliary dysfunction. Consequent prolongation of circulation of VPA glucuronide at the slightly alkaline pH of blood would permit extensive intramolecular rearrangement which is known to be pH-, temperature-, and time-dependent. The biological consequences of the presence of such beta-glucuronidase-resistant conjugated VPA in vivo are largely unknown.     

Culture-specific substance abuse prevention for blacks

Conclusion The project evaluators concluded that the project efforts in the churches were more successful than those in the schools, as determined by the audience responses. Futhermore, the impact on many of the young actors/actresses and dancers was thought to be significant. To be a Soulbeater became a prestigious, ego reinforcing experience. The Soulbeater youngsters were observed to develope a group norm which discouraged drug use. As a process of developing culturally relevant substance abuse prevention endeavors, the authors suggest that the model described herein would be appropriate for other minority groups.