TL, OSL and C-14 dating results of the sediments and bricks from mummified nuns' grave

This paper presents the results of TL and OSL dating of soil and fragments of bricks from a grave, which was occupied by two mummified nuns, found at "Luz" Monastery, located in the state of S?o Paulo, Brazil. The TL and OSL ages were compared to C-14 dating ones obtained from bone collagens of the mummies. The majority of the ages is related to the eighteenth century. The gamma-ray spectroscopy was used to evaluate natural radioisotope concentrations in the samples, and by using these concentrations the annual dose rates, from 3.0 to 5.3 Gy/kyr, were obtained. Neutron activation analysis was performed and the radioisotope contents results are in agreement with those obtained by gamma-ray spectroscopy. The contents of U, Th and Ce elements were higher than those found in usual sediments.     

Recruitment and screening policies and procedures used to establish a paid donor oocyte registry

We have reviewed the demographic characteristics of, and report abnormalities noted in, the de-novo growth and development of a paid oocyte donation programme. The personal profiles of all prospective oocyte donors were reviewed. Acceptance or rejection of candidates was based upon screening the results of medical, genetic and psychological testing. A total of 603 candidates initially responded to our advertisement. From this pool, 313 individuals were considered suitable and contacted by telephone. Following further conversation, 176 women were scheduled an entry interview. On completion of the formal screening process, 17.6% (n = 31) of those actually interviewed were denied entry. Thus, from the initial interested parties, only 23% of women wishing to participate in oocyte donation were considered suitable candidates. Given the high attrition rate, we concluded that the need for rigorous and thorough medical, psychological and genetic testing is mandatory for the establishment of a donor registry. Furthermore, professional counselling of prospective donors with respect to the results of tests and the implications of test results with respect to their future medical and reproductive health, are important parts of providing comprehensive care.      

Aetiological agents of ventilator-associated pneumonia and its resistance pattern – a threat for treatment

Background

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common type of nosocomial pneumonia encountered in intensive care units. There are several aetiological agents which make treatment challenging. Improper antibiotic treatment of ventilated patients may lead to the emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens.

Method

A prospective study was performed over a period of 20 months. Our study had two arms: the first, ‘Incidence and risk factors of VAP in a tertiary care hospital’ was the subject of an earlier publication; we therefore present the second investigative arm in this work. The aetiological agents of patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) were identified by standard bacteriological method. The susceptibility pattern was evaluated by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) testing was performed by combination disc method, and metallo-beta lactamase (MBL) testing was performed by EDTA disk synergy test (EDS).

Results

Late-onset VAP was associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, while early-onset VAP was commonly caused by members of Enterobacteriaceae, Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. 72.2 per cent of VAP patients had monomicrobial and 27.8 per cent had polymicrobial infection. Out of the 24 isolates obtained from patients with VAP, seven (29.2 per cent) were MDR pathogens. ESBL and MBL production was detected in 40 per cent and 20 per cent of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated in our study. Around 50 per cent of isolates associated with late-onset VAP were MDR, while 22.2 per cent isolates obtained from patients with earlyonset VAP were MDR.

Conclusion

VAP is a nosocomial pneumonia that is common among ventilated patients. The aetiological agents vary from common organisms to MDR pathogens that are difficult to treat. A proper knowledge of MDR pathogens and early isolation followed by prevention of prolonged antibiotic therapy can reduce the mortality of late onset VAP.     

Operational impact of DDT reintroduction for malaria control on Anopheles arabiensis in Mozambique

ABSTRACT With the increase in indoor residual spraying in many internationally and nationally funded malaria control programs, and affirmation by World Health Organization (WHO) that DDT is appropriate for use in the absence of longer lasting insecticide formulations in some malaria endemic settings, DDT has been reintroduced as a major malaria control intervention in Africa. Indoor residual spraying with DDT was reintroduced into Mozambique for malaria control in 2005, and it is increasingly becoming the main insecticide used for malaria vector control in Mozambique. The selection of DDT in Mozambique is evidence-based, taking account of the susceptibility of Anopheles arabiensis (Patton) and Anopheles gambiae (Giles) s.s. to all the available insecticide choices, as well as relative costs of the insecticide and the logistical costs of spraying. Before this time in Mozambique, DDT was replaced by h-cyhalothrin in 1993. Resistance occurred quickly to this insecticide, and in 2000 the pyrethroid was phased out and the carbamate bendiocarb was introduced. Low-level resistance was detected by biochemical assay to bendiocarb in 1999 in both Anopheles funestus (Giles) and An. arabiensis, although this was not evident in WHO bioassays of the same population. In the 2000-2006 surveys the levels of bendiocarb resistance had been selected to a higher level in An. arabiensis, with resistance detectable by both biochemical and WHO bioassay. The insecticide resistance monitoring program includes assessment of field populations by standard WHO insecticide susceptibility assays and biochemical assays. Monitoring was established in 1999, and it was maintained as part of an operational monitoring and evaluation program thereafter.     

Analysis of a bone metastasis gene expression signature in patients with bone metastasis from solid tumors

Bone is a major target for metastases in the most frequent solid tumors, which result in severe complications and are a major cause of pain. A bone metastasis gene expression signature was identified using human breast cancer cells in a mouse model. The bone metastasis-related genes encode secretory and cell surface proteins implicated in bone-homing (CXCR4), angiogenesis (CTGF and FGF5), invasion (MMP-1 and ADAMTS1), and osteoclast recruitment (IL11). This signature superimposes on the 70-gene poor prognosis gene expression signature for breast cancer, and only ADAMTS1, CTGF and IL11 were found to be overexpressed in human primary breast cancers with bone relapse. We analyzed the expression of the six bone metastasis-related genes in bone metastases from patients with different types of solid tumors, to assess its relevance in human clinical samples. MMP-1, CXCR4, FGF5 and CTGF were found to be overexpressed in tumor cells of human bone metastases when compared to a human normal epithelial cell line. All the analyzed genes were overexpressed in the tumor cells of breast cancer bone metastases when compared to normal breast tissue. We did not detect any differences between the expression of these genes in bone metastases from breast cancer or from other types of solid tumors. Importantly, there was a significant correlation between the expressions of IL11/CTGF, IL11/ADAMTS1, CTGF/CXCR4, CTGF/ADAMTS1, and MMP-1/ADAMTS1, supporting the cooperative function of these proteins in the bone microenvironment, and the potential functional role of these genes in the establishment of bone metastases in vivo.     

Short-term association between exposure to ozone and mortality in Oporto, Portugal

Exposures to air pollution in developed countries have generally decreased over the last two decades. However, many recent epidemiological studies have consistently shown positive associations between low-level exposure to air pollutants and health outcomes. In Portugal, very few studies have analysed the acute effect of air pollutants on health.The present study evaluates the association between exposure to air pollution and daily mortality in the Oporto Metropolitan Area, Portugal. Generalised additive models were used for this analysis. Pollutants assessed were ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter (PM₁₀). Models were adjusted for time trend, seasonality, and weather.We report that an increase of 10 μg/m³ in the daily ozone 8-h maximum moving-average corresponds to an increase of 0.95% (95%CI: 0.30, 1.60) and 1.58% (95%CI: 0.45, 2.73) in non-accidental mortality and cardiovascular mortality, respectively, in the summer season. A significant effect of 0.67% (95% CI: 0.03:1.32) was also found for the association between PM₁₀ and non-accidental mortality in the summer season. Associations with ozone and PM₁₀ exposures were higher in the elderly people. No significant effects on mortality were observed during the summer season with nitrogen dioxide exposures.Our analyses provide the first significant evidence in Oporto that exposures to O₃ and PM₁₀ have adverse effects on the health of the general population in the summer months.