Persistent organic pollutants in muscle and feather of ten avian species from Māzandarān Province of Iran, on the coast of the Caspian Sea

Feather and muscle of 10 avian species (n = 46), were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Muscle contained significantly higher PCB and OCP than liver and feather. Mean muscle and feather PCB was 408.5 ± 134.5 and 32 ± 4.5 ng/g wet weight. Highly chlorinated PCBs were found in muscle and liver while feather had PCBs with less chlorination. Gulls had highest levels of both pollutants. Gull feather PCB and OCP were strongly correlated with their levels in the liver and muscle tissues (0.6 < r < 0.9, p < 0.01). Analysis of gull feather can be used as a non-invasive method for monitoring organic pollutants.     

Immune responses to hepatitis B immunization 10–18 years after primary vaccination: a population‐based cohort study

We evaluated the immune response to neonatal HBV immunization in children of infected parents 10–18 years after primary vaccination. Healthy individuals immunized with an infantile course of three doses of HBV vaccine were tested for persistence of anti‐HB surface antibody (HBsAb). Those with an HBsAb level of <10 IU/mL received a booster dose of the vaccine with subsequent doses to those without protective titres. HBsAb concentrations were determined 4 weeks after each dose of the booster vaccine. The data were analysed separately for three age groups: 10–11, 12–14 and 15–18 years old. A total of 541 healthy individuals were studied. The highest seroprotection rate of 48% was observed in the youngest vaccinees (10–11 years old). This declined to 26.5% in the oldest (15–18 years old) group (P = 0.008). The youngest vaccinees showed the highest rate of anamnestic immune responses (96%). However, 25% of oldest individuals failed to mount an anamnestic immune response in challenge with a booster dose of the vaccine (P = 0.005), suggesting waning immunity with increasing age. Age (OR: 0.80; P = 0.01) and prebooster HBsAb levels (OR: 0.37; P = 0.01) identified responders to first booster doses of the vaccine by logistic regression analysis. The majority of high‐risk vaccinees showed anamnestic immune response 10–11 years after primary immunization. However, we found a significant proportion (25%) of older individuals with no anamnetic response, which suggests a waning of immune memory. Detailed long‐term follow‐up studies are necessary to determine the risk of natural infection among these individuals before a booster schedule can be recommended.     

Is Carhart notch an accurate predictor of otitis media with effusion?

Background

In the era of pediatric otolaryngology, a number of different methods have been used for the diagnosis of otitis media with effusion (OME). Although there are divers articles within the filed of assessment of the accuracy of diagnostic methods of OME, surprisingly there are very few data published and a small number of researches explaining the accuracy of Carhart notch (CN) for diagnosis of OME cases and comparing the CN with abnormal tympanic membrane findings in binocular microtympanoscopy.

Methods

Audiometric parameters studied in 89 children (178 ears) suffering from chronic otitis media with effusion. Significant CN was defined as a minimum depression of 10 dB in comparison of the rest of thresholds, at any frequency from 500 to 4000 Hz. Intra-operative microscopic otoscopic findings and the type of middle ear fluid were documented in a specially formatted questionnaire.

Results

The incidence of CN was 44.94% (80 ears) and that of significant CN was 25.28% (45 ears). The correlation between abnormal tympanic membrane findings and significant CN was significant and the association between CN and middle ear effusion (MEE) was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Significant CN is a sensitive diagnostic tool for detection of MEE but not specific. The diagnosis of OME in children requires a combinational diagnostic methods including tympanometry and audiometric variables especially CN.