Postpartum Weight Retention is Associated with Elevated Ratio of Oxidized LDL Lipids to HDL-Cholesterol

Oxidized LDL lipids (ox‐LDL) are associated with lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. The present study investigated how postpartum weight retention effects on ox‐LDL and serum lipids. The study is a nested comparative research of a cluster‐randomized controlled trial, NELLI (lifestyle and counselling during pregnancy). During early pregnancy (8–12 weeks) and 1 year postpartum, 141 women participated in measurements for determining of plasma lipids: total cholesterol (T‐C), LDL‐cholesterol (LDL‐C), HDL‐cholesterol (HDL‐C), triacylglycerols (TAG) and ox‐LDL. Subjects were stratified into tertiles (weight loss, unaltered weight and weight gain groups) based on their weight change from baseline to follow‐up. Ox‐LDL was determined by baseline level of conjugated dienes in LDL lipids. Among the group of weight gainers, concentration of TAG reduced less (?0.14 vs. ?0.33, p = 0.002), HDL‐C reduced more (?0.31 vs. ?0.16, p = 0.003) and ox‐LDL/HDL‐C ratio increased (3.0 vs. ?0.2, p = 0.003) when compared to group of weight loss. Both T‐C and LDL‐C elevated more (0.14 vs. ?0.21, p = 0.008; 0.31 vs. 0.07, p = 0.015) and TAG and ox‐LDL reduced less (?0.33 vs. 0.20, p = 0.033; ?3.33 vs. ?0.68, p = 0.026) in unaltered weight group compared to weight loss group. The women who gained weight developed higher TAG and ox‐LDL/HDL‐C ratio as compared to those who lost weight. Postpartum weight retention of 3.4 kg or more is associated with atherogenic lipid profile.     

Simultaneous Spectroscopy of NH3 and CO Using a > 50 nm Continuously Tunable MEMS-VCSEL

A fiber-based remote measurement setup for tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy, introducing an electrically pumped, micromechanical vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser with single-mode emission spectrum, narrow linewidth of 40 MHz, and broadband, continuous wavelength coverage of 51 nm around 1.55 mum is presented. The tunable laser spectrometer is employed for analysis of heterogeneous gas compositions and simultaneous detection of two species, ammonia and carbon monoxide, in a single continuous wavelength sweep. Broadband absorbance spectra are captured at elevated temperatures up to 300 degC revealing opposed temperature dependencies for selected transitions.     

High singlemode output power from long-wavelength VCSELs using curved micro-mirrors for mode control

Concave curved micro-mirrors enable record high 2.8 mW singlemode emission from long-wavelength vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with large current apertures up to 12 /spl mu/m. Higher-order transverse modes are suppressed by more than 48 dB, while polarisation control by a dominating mirror asymmetry is demonstrated after coupling 1.9 mW into a singlemode fibre.     

Impact of increased ventilation on indoor temperature and malaria mosquito density: an experimental study in The Gambia

In sub-Saharan Africa, cooler houses would increase the coverage of insecticide-treated bednets, the primary malaria control tool. We examined whether improved ventilation, using windows screened with netting, cools houses at night and reduces malaria mosquito house entry in The Gambia. Identical houses were constructed, with badly fitting doors the only mosquito entry points. Two men slept in each house and mosquitoes captured using light traps. First, temperature and mosquito density were compared in four houses with 0, 1, 2 and 3 screened windows. Second, carbon dioxide (CO₂), a major mosquito attractant, was measured in houses with (i) no windows, (ii) screened windows and (iii) screened windows and screened doors. Computational fluid dynamic modelling captured the spatial movement of CO₂. Increasing ventilation made houses cooler, more comfortable and reduced malaria mosquito house entry; with three windows reducing mosquito densities by 95% (95%CI = 90–98%). Screened windows and doors reduced the indoor temperature by 0.6°C (95%CI = 0.5–0.7°C), indoor CO₂ concentrations by 31% between 21.00 and 00.00 h and malaria mosquito entry by 76% (95%CI = 69–82%). Modelling shows screening reduces CO₂ plumes from houses. Under our experimental conditions, cross-ventilation not only reduced indoor temperature, but reduced the density of house-entering malaria mosquitoes, by weakening CO₂ plumes emanating from houses.