Occurrence of aflatoxins, fumonisin B1, and zearalenone in foods and feeds in Botswana

Sorghum and maize form the main dietary staple foods in Botswana. Other products such as peanuts, peanut butter, phane (an edible larval stage of an emperor moth Imbrasia belina Westwood), and pulses (cowpeas and beans) are also widely used as food and for the manufacture of feeds. These important food and feed commodities were analyzed for the presence of aflatoxins, fumonisin B1, and zearalenone. Aflatoxins were detected in 40% of the samples analyzed. The concentration of total aflatoxins ranged from 0.1 to 64 microg/kg. The mean concentration ranged from 0.3 microg/kg in sorghum to 23 microg/kg in peanut butter. Peanut butter samples were the most contaminated (71%). No aflatoxins were detected in maize. Fumonisin B1 was detected in 36% of the samples. Maize samples were the most contaminated (85% of the samples) with the concentration ranging from 20 to 1,270 microg/kg. No fumonisin B1 was detected in peanuts, phane, and beans. Zearalenone was only found in 2.6% of the samples analyzed at 40 microg/kg. Aflatoxins were the most common toxins detected in foods and feeds in Botswana. However, fumonisin B1 was more prevalent in maize than aflatoxins or zearalenone.     

Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis: emerging and established challenges for the clinician

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this review is to facilitate the management of patients with tick-associated diseases. This article will discuss the epidemiology, clinical diagnosis, and antimicrobial therapy of Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis. DATA SOURCES: References are limited to the English language and extend back to the beginning of the twentieth century. The human and veterinary literature were reviewed. Sources include computerized databases and bibliographies of recent articles and books. STUDY SELECTION: Papers were selected on the basis of their timeliness, explanation of important findings by major investigators, extrapolation of clinical data from large patient populations, and clarification of controversial issues. Approximately 50% of the articles initially reviewed are included in the bibliography. RESULTS: Standardization of laboratory testing for Lyme disease should facilitate more accurate diagnosis in the future. Clinical diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis prior to laboratory confirmation is necessary in order to ensure timely institution of antimicrobial therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of endemic regions and seasonal cycles of vectors, varying clinical presentations of disease and appropriate utilization of the laboratory are critical for the appropriate diagnosis and management of patients with tick-associated diseases.     

Z/I and A-band lattice spacings in frog skeletal muscle: effects of contraction and osmolarity

A-band and Z-line/I-band lattice spacings were measured by small-angle X-ray diffraction from relaxed and isometrically-contracting whole frog sartorius muscles with lattice spacings reduced or swollen by changing the osmolarity of the bathing solution. A-band spacing increased by approximately 3% upon isometric contraction at reduced lattice spacings (245-356 mOsm) and decreased by approximately 1% at swollen spacings (172 mOsm), similarly to the behaviour of skinned muscles upon changing from the relaxed state to rigor. The Z/I lattice underwent a significant lattice expansion (3-8%) upon isometric contraction at all osmolarities, in qualitative agreement (but quantitative disagreement) with results from electron microscopy on mammalian skeletal muscle. Lattice areas calculated for the Z/I and A-band lattices indicate a barrel-shaped sarcomere in the resting state, which may provide a partial explanation for how longitudinal forces produced in the A-band can produce a radial expansive force in the Z-line during contraction. The radial component of cross-bridge stiffness was calculated from the A-band data for contracting muscle, using a lattice stability model incorporating structural, osmotic and electrostatic forces. The calculations gave a radial cross-bridge stiffness during contraction of about 9 x 10(5) N m-2, and outward radial force per thick filament in normal Ringer's solution of 6 x 10(-9) N, corresponding to a radial force per cross-bridge of 10(-11) N.     

Utility of ischemic scores in the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and ischemic vascular dementia

Despite new developments in the concept of vascular dementia, the Hachinski Ischemic Score (HIS) and its modified versions continue to be widely used in the clinical differentiation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and ischemic vascular dementia (IVD). The sensitivity of the HIS and two modified versions in the diagnosis of AD, IVD, and single infarcts in a large, geriatric population with mild cognitive impairment (N = 100) was evaluated. Sensitivity for identification of AD was greater than 90% but was less than 70% for IVD. Over one third of patients with one or more infarcts on computed tomographic brain scans and 63% of mixed cases were classified as having probable AD. It is concluded that ischemic scores may be useful at predicting prevalence rates if individual case accuracy is ignored. Despite being sensitive to identifying AD, ischemic scores are insensitive to both cerebral infarction and IVD and cannot reliably exclude IVD. Finally, patients with mixed dementia should not be expected to have intermediate scores.     

RANTES-induced T cell activation correlates with CD3 expression

The chemokine RANTES induces a unique biphasic cytoplasmic Ca2+ signal in T cells. The first phase of this signal, similar to that of other chemokines, is G-protein mediated and chemotaxis associated. The second phase of this signal, unique to RANTES and evident at concentrations greater than 100 nM, is tyrosine kinase linked and results in a spectrum of responses similar to those seen with antigenic stimulation of T cells. We show here that certain jurkat T cells responded to RANTES solely through this latter pathway. A direct correlation between the RANTES-induced second phase response and CD3 expression was demonstrated in these cells. Sorting the Jurkat cells into CD3(high) and CD3(low) populations revealed that only the CD3(high) cells were responsive to RANTES. Furthermore, stimulation of these Jurkat cells with anti-CD3 mAb significantly depresses their subsequent response to RANTES. While a RANTES-specific chemokine receptor is expressed at a low level on these Jurkat cells, the RANTES-induced activation is dependent on the presence of the TCR. Thus, stimulation through TCR may partially account for RANTES' unique pattern of signaling in T cells.     

Ethical evaluation of hypnosis research: a survey of investigators and their institutional review boards

We surveyed hypnosis researchers and Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) with regard to the ethical evaluation of research protocols. Researchers and IRB administrators were independently surveyed within the same institutions. Both objective and free response items were used to address substantive issues such as deception and at-risk populations, as well as practical matters such as paperwork. Parallel questions allowed a point-counterpoint between researchers and IRBs. Overall, the results suggest that IRBs do not treat hypnosis research differently than other types of research. We end with recommendations for facilitating interactions between hypnosis researchers and their IRBs.     

Constrained length minimum inductance gradient coil design

A gradient coil design algorithm capable of controlling the position of the homogeneous region of interest (ROI) with respect to the current-carrying wires is required for many advanced imaging and spectroscopy applications. A modified minimum inductance target field method that allows the placement of a set of constraints on the final current density is presented. This constrained current minimum inductance method is derived in the context of previous target field methods. Complete details are shown and all equations required for implementation of the algorithm are given. The method has been implemented on computer and applied to the design of both a 1:1 aspect ratio (length:diameter) central ROI and a 2:1 aspect ratio edge ROI gradient coil. The 1:1 design demonstrates that a general analytic method can be used to easily obtain very short gradient coil designs for use with specialized magnet systems. The edge gradient design demonstrates that designs that allow imaging of the neck region with a head sized gradient coil can be obtained, as well as other applications requiring edge-of-cylinder regions of uniformity.     

Posture variation among office workers when using different information and communication technologies at work and away from work

Office workers perform tasks using different information and communication technologies (ICT) involving various postures. Adequate variation in postures and muscle activity is generally believed to protect against musculoskeletal complaints, but insufficient information exists regarding the effect on postural variation of using different ICT. Thus, this study among office workers aimed to determine and compare postures and postural variation associated with using distinct types of ICT. Upper arm, head and trunk postures of 24 office workers were measured with the Physiometer® over a whole day in their natural work and away-from-work environments. Postural variation was quantified using two indices: APDF_(90-10) and EVA_(sd). Various ICT had different postural means and variation. Paper-based tasks had more non-neutral, yet also more variable postures. Electronics-based tasks had more neutral postures, with less postural variability. Tasks simultaneously using paper- and electronics-based ICT had least neutral and least variable postures. Tasks without ICT usually had the most posture variability. Interspersing tasks involving different ICT could increase overall exposure variation among office workers and may thus contribute to musculoskeletal risk reduction.     

基于神经网络的FCD絮凝控制系统的研究

神经网络具有很强的自学习和自适应能力,对于大滞后、非线性的复杂系统有较好的控制效果.针对水处理过程中系统环境不断变化,特别是流量有较大、频繁变化的情况下,在FCD絮凝控制系统的基础上,提出了神经网络控制方法.解决了混凝控制中的目标等效直径动态确定问题.实际运行表明,该方法取得了很好的控制效果,具有广阔的应用前景.