Novel glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog (Val8)GLP-1 results in significant improvements of glucose tolerance and pancreatic β-cell function after 3-week daily administration in obese diabetic (ob/ob) mice

This study evaluates the antidiabetic potential of an enzyme-resistant analog, (Val8)GLP-1. The effects of daily administration of a novel dipeptidyl peptidase IV-resistant glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog, (Val8)GLP-1, on glucose tolerance and pancreatic β-cell function were examined in obese-diabetic (ob/ob) mice. Acute intraperitoneal administration of (Val8)GLP-1 (6.25-25 nmol/kg) with glucose increased the insulin response and reduced the glycemic excursion in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of (Val8)GLP-1 were greater and longer lasting than native GLP-1. Once-daily subcutaneous administration of (Val8)GLP-1 (25 nmol/kg) for 21 days reduced plasma glucose concentrations, increased plasma insulin, and reduced body weight more than native GLP-1 without a significant change in daily food intake. Furthermore, (Val8)GLP-1 improved glucose tolerance, reduced the glycemic excursion after feeding, increased the plasma insulin response to glucose and feeding, and improved insulin sensitivity. These effects were consistently greater with (Val8)GLP-1 than with native GLP-1, and both peptides retained or increased their acute efficacy compared with initial administration. (Val8)GLP-1 treatment increased average islet area 1.2-fold without changing the number of islets, resulting in an increased number of larger islets. These data demonstrate that (Val8)GLP-1 is more effective and longer acting than native GLP-1 in obese-diabetic ob/ob mice.

History of MRI

A brief account of the basic principle and methodologies of MRI technique, right from its beginning, are outlined. The final pulse sequence used for MRI using Fourier Imaging (phase encoding), Echo-Planar Imaging (EPI) for detection of a whole plane in a single excitation and T-1 and T-2 contrast enhancement is explained. The various associated methods such as, MR-spectroscopy, flow measurement (MRI-angiography), Lung-imaging using hyperpolarized Xe-129 and He-3 and functional imaging (f-MRI) are described.

Expression Patterns of Cell Adhesion Molecules in Mice`s Lung After Administration of Meso-2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid-Coated Maghemite Nanoparticles

We studied the expression pattern of cell adhesion molecules associated to transendothelial migration of leukocytes in different lung`s vascular compartments after administration of a magnetic fluid sample containing maghemite nanoparticles surface-coated with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid. The analyses were conducted in mice 4 and 12 h after endovenous administration of the magnetic fluid in control mice. Firstly, the migratory activity of leukocytes after magnetic fluid surface-coated with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid administration was confirmed using broncho-alveolar lavage and light microscopy. Then, the expression of cell adhesion molecules in the lung`s vascular compartments was investigated by immunofluorescence microscopy of frozen sections, using antibodies against L-selectin, P-selectin, E-selectin, macrophage antigen-1, and leukocyte function associated antigen-1. L- and P-selectin showed similar pattern of expression in the pulmonary vasculature in animals treated with magnetic fluid and in the control group. In contrast, macrophage antigen-1 and leukocyte function associated antigen-1 were found in capillary only in animals treated with magnetic fluid surface-coated with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid administration. In addition, after magnetic fluid administration E-selectin was found in post-capillary sites. Our findings demonstrated that magnetic fluid surface-coated with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid administration exhibits modulation effects on expression patterns of E-selectin, macrophage antigen-1, and leukocyte function associated antigen-1 in the lung`s vascular compartments. These findings are very important in a strategy to reduce the potential toxicity of magnetic fluid surface-coated with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid administration for medical applications.

Diffusion of laser polarized gases in MRI

The use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as a diagnostic tool is increasingly employing functional contrast agents to study or contrast entire mechanisms. Contrast agents in MRI can be classified in two categories. One type of contrast agents alters the NMR signal of the protons in its surrounding, e.g. lowers the T1 relaxation time. The other type enhances the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) signal of specific nuclei. For hyperpolarized gases the NMR signal is improved up to several orders of magnitude. However, gases have a high diffusivity which strongly influences the NMR signal strength, hence the resolution and appearance of the images. The most interesting question in spatially resolved experiments is of course the achievable resolution and contrast by controlling the diffusivity of the gas. The influence of such diffusive processes scales with the diffusion coefficient, the strength of the magnetic field gradients and the timings used in the experiment. Diffusion may not only limit the MRI resolution, but also distort the line shape of MR images for samples, which contain boundaries or diffusion barriers within the sampled space. In addition, due to the large polarization in gaseous 3He and 129Xe, spin diffusion (different from particle diffusion) could play a role in MRI experiments. It is demonstrated that for low temperatures some corrections to the NMR measured diffusion coefficient have to be done, which depend on quantum exchange effects for indistinguishable particles. Physically, if these effects can not change the spin current, they can do it indirectly by modifying the velocity distribution of the different spin states separately, so that the subsequent collisions between atoms and therefore the diffusion coefficient can eventually be affected. A detailed study of the hyperpolarized gas diffusion coefficient is presented, demonstrating the absence of spin diffusion (different from particle diffusion) influence in MRI at clinical conditions. A novel procedure is proposed to control the diffusion coefficient of gases in MRI by admixture of inert buffer gases. The experimental measured diffusion agrees with theoretical simulations. Therefore, the molecular mass and concentration enter as additional parameters into the equations that describe structural contrast. This allows for setting a structural threshold up to which structures contribute to the image. For MRI of the lung this allows for images of very small structural elements (alveoli) only, or in the other extreme, all airways can be displayed with minimal signal loss due to diffusion.

Balance of growth factors in the human perinatal lung : Implications for physiological lung development and link to bronchopulmonary dysplasia

The aims of this Thesis was to evaluate the role of proangiogenic placental growth factor (PlGF), antiangiogenic endostatin and lymphangiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -C as well as the receptors vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) -2 and VEGFR-3 during lung development and in development of lung injury in preterm infants. The studied growth factors were selected due to a close relationship with VEGF-A; a proangiogenic growth factor important in normal lung angiogenesis and lung injury in preterm infants. The thesis study consists of three analyses. I: Lung samples from fetuses, preterm and term infants without lung injury, as well as preterm infants with acute and chronic lung injury were stained by immunohistochemistry for PlGF, endostatin, VEGF-C, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. II: Tracheal aspirate fluid (TAF) was collected in the early postnatal period from a patient population consisting of 59 preterm infants, half developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and half without BPD. PlGF, endostatin and VEGF-C concentrations were measured by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). III: Cord plasma was collected from very low birth weight (VLBW) (n=92) and term (n=48) infants in conjuncture with birth and endostatin concentrations were measured by ELISA. I: All growth factors and receptors studied were consistently stained in immunohistochemistry throughout development. For endostatin in early respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), no alveolar epithelial or macrophage staining was seen, whereas in late RDS and BPD groups, both alveolar epithelium and macrophages stained positively in approximately half of the samples. VEGFR-2 staining was fairly consistent, except for the fact that capillary endothelial staining in the BPD group was significantly decreased. II: During the first postnatal week in TAF mean PlGF concentrations were stable whereas mean endostatin and VEGF-C concentrations decreased. Higher concentrations of endostatin and VEGF-C correlated with lower birth weight (BW) and associated with administration of antenatal betamethasone. Parameters reflecting prenatal lung inflammation associated with lower PlGF, endostatin and VEGF-C concentrations. A higher mean supplemental fraction of inspired oxygen during the first 2 postnatal weeks (FiO2) correlated with higher endostatin concentrations. III: Endostatin concentrations in term infants were significantly higher than in VLBW infants. In VLBW infants higher endostatin concentrations associated with the development of BPD, this association remained significant after logistic regression analysis. We conclude that PlGF, endostatin and VEGF-C all have a physiological role in the developing lung. Also, the VEGFR-2 expression profile seems to reflect the ongoing differentiation of endothelia during development. Both endostatin and VEGFR-2 seem to be important in the development of BPD. During the latter part of the first postnatal week, preterm infants developing BPD have lower concentrations of VEGF-A in TAF. Our findings of disrupted VEGFR-2 staining in capillary and septal endothelium seen in the BPD group, as well as the increase in endostatin concentrations both in TAF and cord plasma associated with BPD, seem to strengthen the notion that there is a shift in the angiogenic balance towards a more antiangiogenic environment in BPD. These findings support the vascular hypothesis of BPD.

TRITON-(HE)-H-3 RELATIVE AND DIFFERENTIAL FLOWS AND THE HIGH DENSITY BEHAVIOR OF NUCLEAR SYMMETRY ENERGY

Using a transport model coupled with a phase-space coalescence after-burner we study the triton-He-3 relative and differential transverse flows in semi-central Sn-132 + Sn-124 reactions at a beam energy of 400 MeV/nucleon. We find that the triton-He-3 pairs carry interesting information about the density dependence of the nuclear symmetry energy. The t-He-3 relative flow can be used as a particularly powerful probe of the high-density behavior of the nuclear symmetry energy.

He, Ne and Ar isotope compositions of fluid inclusions in hydrothermal sulfides from the TAG hydrothermal field, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Helium, rieon and argon isotope compositions of fluid inclusions have been measured in hydrothermal sulfide samples from the TAG hydrothermal field at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Fluid-inclusion He-3/He-4 ratios are 2.2-13.3 times the air value (Ra), and with a mean of 7.2 Ra. Comparison with the local vent fluids (He-3/He-4=7.5-8.2 Ra) and mid-ocean ridge basalt values (He-3/He-4=6-11 Ra) shows that the variation range of He-3/He-4 ratios from sulfide-hosted fluid inclusions is significantly large. Values for Ne-20/Ne-22 are from 10.2 to 11.4, which are significantly higher than the atmospheric ratio (9.8). And fluid-inclusion Ar-40/Ar-36 ratios range from 287 to 359, which are close to the atmospheric values (295.5). These results indicate that the noble gases of fluid inclusions in hydrothermal sulfides are a mixture of mantle- and seawater-derived noble gases; the partial mantle-derived components of trapped hydrothermal fluids may be from the lower mantle; the helium of fluid inclusions is mainly from upper mantle; and the Ne and Ar components are mainly from seawater.

He, Ne and Ar isotopic composition of Fe-Mn crusts from the western and central Pacific Ocean and implications for their genesis

The noble gas nuclide abundances and isotopic ratios of the upmost layer of Fe-Mn crusts from the western and central Pacific Ocean have been determined. The results indicate that the He and Ar nuclide abundances and isotopic ratios can be classified into two types: low He-3/He-4 type and high He-3/He-4 type. The low He-3/He-4 type is characterized by high He-4 abundances of 191x10(-9) cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1) on average, with variable He-4, Ne-20 and Ar-40 abundances in the range (42.8-421)x10(-9) cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1), (5.40-141)x10(-9)cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1), and (773-10976)x10(-9) cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1), respectively. The high He-3/He-4 samples are characterized by low He-4 abundances of 11.7x10(-9) cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1) on average, with He-4, Ne-20 and Ar-40 abundances in the range of (7.57-17.4)x10(-9) cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1), (110.4-25.5)x10(-9) cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1) and (5354-9050)x10(-9) cm(3.)STP(.)g(-1), respectively. The low He-3/He-4 samples have He-3/He-4 ratios (with RIRA ratios of 2.04-2.92) which are lower than those of MORB (R/R-A=8 +/- 1) and Ar-40/Ar-36 ratios (447-543) which are higher than those of air (295.5). The high He-3/He-4 samples have He-3/He-4 ratios (with R/R-A ratios of 10.4-12.0) slightly higher than those of MORB (R/R-A=8 +/- 1) and Ar-40/Ar-36 ratios (293-299) very similar to those of air (295.5). The Ne isotopic ratios (Ne-20/Ne-22 and Ne-21/Ne-22 ratios of 10.3-10.9 and 0.02774-0.03039, respectively) and the Ar-38/Ar-36 ratios (0.1886-0.1963) have narrow ranges which are very similar to those of air (the Ne-20/Ne-22, Ne-21/Ne-22, Ar-38/Ar-36 ratios of 9.80, 0.029 and 0.187, respectively), and cannot be differentiated into different groups. The noble gas nuclide abundances and isotopic ratios, together with their regional variability, suggest that the noble gases in the Fe-Mn crusts originate primarily from the lower mantle. The low He-3/He-4 type and high He-3/He-4 type samples have noble gas characteristics similar to those of HIMU (High U/Pb Mantle)- and EM (Enriched Mantle)-type mantle material, respectively. The low He-3/He-4 type samples with HIMU-type noble gas isotopic ratios occur in the Magellan Seamounts, Marcus-Wake Seamounts, Marshall Island Chain and the Mid-Pacific Seamounts whereas the high He-3/He-4 type samples with EM-type noble gas isotopic ratios occur in the Line Island Chain. This difference in noble gas characteristics of these crust types implies that the Magellan Seamounts, Marcus-Wake Seamounts, Marshall Island Chain, and the Mid-Pacific Seamounts originated from HIMU-type lower mantle material whereas the Line Island Chain originated from EM-type lower mantle material. This finding is consistent with variations in the Pb-isotope and trace element signatures in the seamount lavas. Differences in the mantle surce may therefore be responsible for variations in the noble gas abundances and isotopic ratios in the Fe-Mn crusts. Mantle degassing appears to be the principal factor controlling noble gas isotopic abundances in Fe-Mn crusts. Decay of radioactive isotopes has a negligible influence on the nuclide abundances and isotopic ratios of noble gases in these crusts on the timescale of their formation.

Anti-platelet effect of aspirin is substantially reduced after administration of heparin during carotid endarterectomy

OBJECTIVES: Aspirin therapy is usually continued throughout the perioperative period to reduce the risk for thromboembolic stroke and myocardial infarction after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Aspirin irreversibly binds cyclooxygenase-1, thereby reducing platelet aggregation for the lifetime of each platelet. However, recent research from this unit has shown that aggregation in response to arachidonic acid increases significantly, but transiently, during CEA, which suggests that the anti-platelet effect of aspirin is temporarily reversed. The purpose of the current study was to determine when this phenomenon occurs and to identify the possible mechanisms involved. METHODS: Platelet aggregation was measured in platelet-rich plasma from 41 patients undergoing CEA who were stabilized with 150 mg of aspirin daily. Blood was taken at 8 time points: before anesthesia, after anesthesia, before heparinization, 3 minutes after heparinization, 3 minutes after shunt insertion, 10 minutes after flow restoration, 4 hours postoperatively, and 24 hours postoperatively. Platelet aggregation was also measured at similar times in a group of 18 patients undergoing peripheral angioplasty without general anesthesia. RESULTS: All patient platelets were effectively inhibited by aspirin at the start of the operation. There was a significant intraoperative increase in platelet response to arachidonic acid in both groups of patients, which occurred within 3 minutes of administration of unfractionated heparin. In the CEA group this resulted in a greater than 10-fold increase in mean aggregation, to 5 mmol/L of arachidonic acid (5 mmol/L), rising from 3.9% +/- 2.2% preoperatively to 45.1% +/- 29.3% after administration of heparin ( P <.0001). This increased aggregation persisted into the early postoperative period, but by 24 hours post operation aggregation had returned to near preoperative values. Aggregation in response to other platelet agonists (adenosine diphosphate, thrombin receptor agonist peptide) showed only a small increase at the same time, which could be accounted for by a parallel increase in the level of spontaneous aggregation. CONCLUSION: Administration of heparin significantly increases platelet aggregation in response to arachidonic acid, despite adequate inhibition by aspirin administered preoperatively. This apparent reversal in anti-platelet activity persisted into the immediate early postoperative period, and could explain why a small proportion of patients are at increased risk for acute cardiovascular events after major vascular surgery, despite aspirin therapy.

Messung der paritätsverletzenden Neutronenspin-Rotation in 139 La unter Einsatz von 3 He-Neutronenspin-Filtern

Die Machbarkeit der Detektion einer P,T-Verletzung in der Neutron-Kern-p-Wellenresonanz von La-139 wird untersucht. Als experimentelleVerbesserung wurde der He-3- Neutronenspin- Filter (He-3-NSF) getestet. Mit einem He-3-NSF als Polarisationsanalysator wurde die rein P-verletzende Neutronenspin-Rotation in 139La erstmals mit guter Genauigkeit unmittelbar in der Resonanz bestimmt. Das schwache Matrixelement betrug v=1.51(5)stat(7)syst meV. Es wurde ein adiabatischer He-3-Spin-Rotator entwickelt und erfolgreich getestet, welcher es erlaubt, die Richtung der He-3-Polarisation einzustellen. Dies kann die bei Polarisationsmessungen üblichen Spinpräzessionsspulen ersetzen. Das Problem der Unterdrückung apparativer Falscheffekte während einer P,T-Detektion wird diskutiert und konnte jedoch noch nicht gelöst werden.

Erzeugung höchster 3 He-Kernspinpolarisation durch metastabiles optisches Pumpen

In dieser Arbeit wird zum Erreichen hoher Kernspinpolarisationen die Methode des metastabilen optischen Pumpens benutzt. Das Verfahren beruht auf dem "Ubertrag des Drehimpulses absorbierter Photonen auf das hierbei angeregte Valenzelektron, welches durch Hyperfeinkopplung den Drehimpuls weiter auf den $^3$He-Kern transferiert. Da der Polarisationsprozess nur bei Dr"ucken von ca. 1~mbar effizient funktioniert, f"ur die meisten Anwendungen aber polarisiertes $^3$He bei einem Druck von $geq 1$~bar ben"otigt wird, muss das Gas nach der Aufpolarisation komprimiert werden. In unserer Arbeitsgruppe steht eine Maschine ("`Polarisator"') zur Verf"ugung, die das Gas polarisiert und anschlie"send komprimiert. Ziel dieser Dissertation ist, einerseits die Leistungsf"ahigkeit des Polarisators bez"uglich Maximalpolarisation und Gasfluss zu verbessern und andererseits den metastabilen Pumpprozess selbst genauer zu untersuchen.\ noindent Durch die Verwendung neuer Laser auf Basis der Fasertechnologie sowie einer systematischen Optimierung der optischen Komponenten konnten in abgeschlossenen Pumpzellen Rekord-Polarisationsgrade von $91pm 2$% erzielt werden.\ noindent Mit der Implementierung neuartiger Optiken und Laser am Mainzer Polarisator konnte die Leistungscharakteristik entscheidend verbessert werden. So wurde die erreichbare Polarisation bei identischer Produktionsrate um 20 Prozentpunkte gesteigert. Zurzeit sind maximale Polarisationsgrade von mehr als 75% im optischen Pumpvolumen erreichbar. Eine am Mainzer Triga-Reaktor durchgef"uhrte Polarisationsbestimmung ergab einen Wert von $72.7pm 0.7$%. Dies veranschaulicht die geringen Polarisationsverluste infolge der Gaskompression, des Transports und einer Lagerung "uber mehrere Stunden.\ noindent Zur Dynamik der geschwindigkeitsver"andernden St"o"se sowie zur Bestimmung der mittleren Photonen-Absorptionsrate wurde ein Modell entwickelt, welches auch experimentell best"atigt wurde. Damit konnte erstmalig das gemessene Absorptionsverhalten einer spektral schmalbandigen Laserdiode korrekt beschrieben werden.\ noindent Zudem stimmen die an so genannten abgeschlossenen Pumpzellen gemessenen extrem hohen Polarisationswerte mit theoretischen Vorhersagen "uberein, sofern der Druck im optischen Pumpvolumen geringer als 1~mbar ist und das $^3$He nicht durch Fremdgase verunreinigt ist. Bei derartigen Pumpzellen ist die gemessene Abh"angigkeit der Polarisation von Laserleistung, Metastabilendichte und falscher Zirkularkomponente mit der Theorie kompatibel.\

DW-MRI of the urogenital tract: applications in oncology

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) appears to hold promise as a non-invasive imaging modality in the detection of early microstructural and functional changes of different organs. DW-MRI is an imaging technique with a high sensitivity for the detection of a large variety of diseases in the urogenital tract. In kidneys, DW-MRI has shown promise for the characterization of solid lesions. Also in focal T1 hyperintense lesions DW-MRI was able to differentiate hemorrhagic cysts from tumours according to the lower apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values reported for renal cell carcinomas. Promising results were also published for the detection of prostate cancer. DW-MRI applied in addition to conventional T2-weighted imaging has been found to improve tumour detection. On a 3 T magnetic resonance unit ADC values were reported to be lower for tumours compared with the normal-appearing peripheral zone. The combined approach of T2-weighted imaging and DW-MRI also showed promising results for the detection of recurrent tumour in patients after radiation therapy. DW-MRI may improve the performance of conventional T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced MRI in the preoperative work-up of bladder cancer, as it may help in distinguishing superficial from muscle invasive bladder cancer, which is critical for patient management. Another challenging application of DW-MRI in the urogenital tract is the detection of pelvic lymph node metastases. As the ADC is generally reduced in malignant tumours and increased under inflammatory conditions, reduced ADC values were expected in patients with lymph node metastases.

Ectopic growth hormone-releasing hormone secretion by a metastatic bronchial carcinoid tumor: a case with a non hypophysial intracranial tumor that shrank during long acting octreotide treatment

Ectopic acromegaly represents less than 1% of the reported cases of acromegaly. Although clinical improvement is common after treatment with somatostatin (SMS) analogs, the biochemical response and tumor size of the growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)-producing tumor and its metastases are less predictable. Subject A 36-year-old male was referred because of a 3-year history of acromegaly related symptoms. He had undergone lung surgery in 1987 for a "benign" carcinoid tumor. Endocrine evaluation confirmed acromegaly Plasma IGF-1: 984 ng/ml (63-380), GH: 49.8 ng/ml (<5). MRI showed a large mass in the left cerebellopontine angle and diffuse pituitary hyperplasia. Pulmonary, liver and bone metastases were shown by chest and abdominal CT scans. Ectopic GHRH secretion was suspected. Methods Measurement of circulating GHRH levels by fluorescence immunoassay levels and immunohistochemical study of the primary lung tumor and metastatic tissue with anti-GHRH and anti-somatostatin receptor type 2 (sst2A) antibodies. Results Basal plasma GHRH: 4654 pg/ml (<100). Pathological study of liver and bone biopsy material and lung tissue removed 19 years earlier was consistent with an atypical carcinoid producing GHRH and exhibiting sst2A receptor expression. Treatment with octreotide LAR 20-40 mg q. month resulted in normalization of plasma IGF-1 levels. Circulating GHRH levels decreased dramatically. The size of the left prepontine cistern mass, with SMS receptors shown by a radiolabeled pentetreotide scan, decreased by 80% after 18 months of therapy. Total regression of pituitary enlargement was also observed. No changes were observed in lung and liver metastases. After 24 months of therapy the patient is asymptomatic and living a full and active life.

Noble gases sampled from three cruises in the eastern tropical Atlantic

Oceanic upwelling velocities are too small to be measured directly. Deviations of the He-3/He-4 ratio in the mixed layer from solubility equilibrium provide an indirect means to infer vertical velocities at the base of the mixed layer. This method is applied to the Mauritanian upwelling region for data from three cruises in summer 2006 and winter 2007 and 2008. Diapycnal mixing coefficients are estimated from microstructure measurements, reaching from 10**-3 m**2/s over the shelf break to 10**-5 m**2/s in the open ocean. The resulting upwelling velocities in the onshore region (upto 50 km from the 50 m isobath) are of the order of 2 x 10**-5 m/s}, in agreement with Ekman theory. Further offshore, in some cases the vertical velocities inferred from the helium isotope disequilibrium exceed the values derived from the wind stress curl by one order of magnitude. The Mauritanian coastal area as part of the Canary Current upwelling system belongs to the most productive ocean regions in the world. Nutrient fluxes into the mixed layer (both advective and diffusive) are equivalent to a net community production of about 1 g C/d, and associated heat fluxes vary between 183 +/- 62 W/m**2 in summer and 97 +/- 25 W/m**2 in winter. Regarding the flux into the mixed layer, the contribution of diffusion and advection are of similar magnitude for both heat and nutrients. The upwelling, however, provides the supply of cold and nutrient rich water from below. The large offshore vertical velocities inferred from the helium method are associated with nutrient fluxes of the same order as for the onshore region, and may be responsible for observed patches of high productivity in that area. The offshore heat fluxes due to upwelling and diapycnal mixing are smaller than 70 W/m**2 for all cruises.

Risk factors for oesophageal, lung, oral and laryngeal cancers in black South Africans

The authors used data collected from 1995 to 1999, from an on-going cancer case–control study in greater Johannesburg, to estimate the importance of tobacco and alcohol consumption and other suspected risk factors with respect to cancer of the oesophagus (267 men and 138 women), lung (105 men and 41 women), oral cavity (87 men and 37 women), and larynx (51 men). Cancers not associated with tobacco or alcohol consumption were used as controls (804 men and 1370 women). Tobacco smoking was found to be the major risk factor for all of these cancers with odds ratios ranging from 2.6 (95% CI 1.5–4.5) for oesophageal cancer in female ex-smokers to 50.9 (95% CI 12.6–204.6) for lung cancer in women, and 23.9 (95% CI 9.5–60.3) for lung cancer and 23.6 (95% CI 4.6–121.2) for laryngeal cancer in men who smoked 15 or more grams of tobacco a day. This is the first time an association between smoking and oral and laryngeal cancers has been shown in sub-Saharan Africa. Long-term residence in the Transkei region in the southeast of the country continues to be a risk factor for oesophageal cancer, especially in women (odds ratio=14.7, 95% CI 4.7–46.0), possibly due to nutritional factors. There was a slight increase in lung cancer (odds ratio=2.9, 95% CI 1.1–7.5) in men working in ‘potentially noxious’ industries. ‘Frequent’ alcohol consumption, on its own, caused a marginally elevated risk for oesophageal cancer (odds ratio=1.7, 95% CI 1.0–2.9, for women and odds ratio=1.8, 95% CI 1.2–2.8, for men). The risks for oesophageal cancer in relation to alcohol consumption increased significantly in male and female smokers (odds ratio=4.7, 95% CI=2.8–7.9 in males and odds ratio=4.8, 95% CI 3.2–6.1 in females). The above results are broadly in line with international findings.