Does unemployment hurt less if there is more of it around? A panel analysis of life satisfaction in Germany and Switzerland

This paper examines the existence of a habituation effect to unemployment: Do theunemployed suffer less from job loss if unemployment is more widespread, if their ownunemployment lasts longer and if unemployment is a recurrent experience? Theunderlying idea is that unemployment hysteresis may operate through a sociologicalchannel: if many people in the community lose their job and remain unemployed over anextended period, the psychological cost of being unemployed diminishes and the pressureto accept a new job declines. We analyze this question with individual-level data from theGerman Socio-Economic Panel (1984-2009) and the Swiss Household Panel (2000-2009). We find no evidence for a mitigating effect of high surrounding unemployment onunemployed individuals' subjective well-being: Becoming unemployed hurts as muchwhen regional unemployment is high as when it is low. Likewise, the strongly harmfulimpact of being unemployed on well-being does not wear off over time, nor do repeatedepisodes of unemployment make it any better. It thus appears doubtful that anunemployment shock becomes persistent because the unemployed become used to, andhence reasonably content with, being without a job.

Absence of p53 gene mutations in a tumor panel representative of pilocytic astrocytoma diversity using a p53 functional assay.

Although p53-gene mutations occur with significant frequency in diffuse low-grade and high-grade astrocytomas, and are postulated to play an important role in tumorigenesis in these cases, the role of the p53 gene in pilocytic astrocytomas remains unclear. Published data using DNA-based assays for p53-gene analysis in these tumors have shown contradictory results in mutation frequency (0-14%). It is not known whether these heterogeneous results stem from the biological diversity of this tumor group or from technical problems. To re-evaluate p53-gene status in pilocytic tumors, we analyzed 18 tumors chosen to represent the clinical and biological heterogeneity of this tumor type with respect to anatomical location, patient age, gender, ethnic origin (Caucasian or Japanese) and the concomitant occurrence of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). All primary tumors were histologically diagnosed as pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I), except for one anaplastic pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade III) which developed in an NF1 patient and recurred as glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV). p53 mutations were detected using an assay in yeast which tests the transcriptional activity of p53 proteins synthesized from tumor mRNA-derived p53-cDNA templates. None of 18 tumors, including 3 NF1-related tumors, showed p53-gene mutations between and including exons 4 and 11. We conclude that p53-gene mutations are extremely rare findings in pilocytic astrocytomas, and are absent even in those exceptional cases in which malignant progression of such tumors has occurred.

Intravenous fish oil blunts the physiological response to endotoxin in healthy subjects

Résumé L'administration par voie orale d'acides gras polyinsaturés de type ω-3 contenus dans l'huile de poisson exerce des effets bénéfiques sur la réponse métabolique et inflammatoire chez des sujets sains soumis à une injection d'endotoxine. Ce modèle expérimental a été validé pour l'investigation clinique. Il simule un sepsis et induit une réponse comparable à un état grippal, accompagné de modifications métaboliques et inflammatoires. L'objectif de cette étude est de déterminer les effets de l'huile de poisson administré par voie intraveineuse sur la réponse à l'endotoxine chez le sujet sain. L'hypothèse est qu'il sera possible de réduire le temps de latence en comparaison avec la voie orale. Pour ce faire, nous avons inclut dans une étude prospective randomisée 16 volontaires sains âgés de 16 à 35 ans et les avons répartis en 2 groupes : l'un recevant une émulsion lipidique contenant les acides gras polyinsaturés EPA et DHA et l'autre, sans traitement, constituant le groupe contrôle. Huit sujets reçoivent une perfusion continue de 0.5g/kg d'huile de poisson durant 6h, 48h et 24h avant la journée test. Lors de cette journée test, tous les volontaires ont reçu une dose d'endotoxine (2mg/kg) au temps t0. Les paramètres vitaux sont monitorés et enregistrés : fréquence cardiaque, respiratoire, pression artérielle, saturation artérielle en oxygène, ainsi que température. Des prises de sang sont effectuées à intervalles réguliers pour déterminer 1) l'incorporation membranaire des thrombocytes en EPA et DHA ; 2) le taux plasmatique d'hormones (insulin, glucagon, cortisol, ACTH et catécholamines), de marqueurs inflammatoires (TNF-α, IL-6, hsCRP), ainsi que de substrats énergétiques (glucose, lactate, acides gras libres et triglycérides). La dépense énergétique est déterminée par calorimétrie indirecte. L'analyse statistique est effectuée par analyse de variance (ANOVA). Les résultats montrent une incorporation significative de EPA et DHA au niveau membranaire des thrombocytes. L'huile de poisson induit une atténuation significative de la réponse neuro-endocrinienne et inflammatoire en réponse à l'injection d'endotoxine avec diminution de la fièvre (-0.7°C), ainsi que du taux plasmatique ,d'ACTH (-68%), TNF-α (-63%) et de noradrénaline (-%) dans le groupe huile de poisson. En conclusion, cette étude montre que la supplémentation de 2 doses d'huile de poisson par voie intraveineuse modifie la composition phospholipidique des membranes des thrombocytes et diminue la réaction inflammatoire et neuroendocrinienne en réponse à l'endotoxine. Ces résultats positifs ouvrent la perspective d'une supplémentation parentérale préopératoire en acides gras polyinsaturés ω-3 pour diminuer le stress lié à la chirurgie majeure.

Blunting the response to endotoxin in healthy sujects : effects of various dose of intravenous fish oil

Enjeux et contexte La recherche de cette dernière décennie sur les acides gras n-3 PUFA contenus dans l'huile de poisson a montré que ceux-ci, et particulièrement l'ΕΡΑ et le DHA, avaient des propriétés anti¬inflammatoires et anti arythmiques puissantes, potentiellement utiles chez les septiques et « cardiaques ». Les mécanismes sous-jacents sont nombreux, incluant l'incorporation des acides gras dans les membranes de phopholipides, la réduction de la production de médiateurs pro-inflammatoires (prostaglandines, leukotrienes, thromboxane), l'augmentation de la production de résolvines et protectines dérivées du DHA, et la régulation de voies de signalisation cellulaire. Cependant, les doses de n-3 PUFA utilisées dans les études cliniques et chez le sujet sain avant le travail de Yann-Karim Pittet étaient nettement supérieures aux doses nutritionnelles de l'ordre de 5-8 g/j par voie orale ou 1 g/kg par voie intraveineuse. De plus, la voie entérale avait la réputation de nécessiter plusieurs jours à semaines de traitement avant d'aboutir à une incorporation d'acides gras membranaire suffisante pour avoir un impact clinique; quant au temps minimal requis pour obtenir cet effet par voie IV, il était inconnu. Depuis, le développement d'émulsions lipidiques intraveineuses destinées à la nutrition parentérale a permis d'imaginer l'administration de prétraitements IV rapides. Pour les étudier, notre laboratoire a développé un modèle d'endotoxine (LPS d'E.Coli) qui mime les réponses physiologique, endocrinienne et biologique du sepsis chez le sujet sain, utilisant des doses de 2 ng/kg IV. Les réponses sont totalement réversibles en 8 heures. Dans le but de réduire à la fois la dose de lipides et le temps de perfusion, ce travail a étudié l'influence de 3 doses dégressives de n-3 PUFA sur les réponses à l'endotoxine, et sur l'incorporation membranaire de ces acides gras. Méthodes Etude prospective chez 3 groupes consécutifs de sujets sains soumis à un challenge d'endotoxine. Intervention : perfusions d'huile de poisson (0.5 et 0.2 g/kg de n-3 PUFA, Omegaven® 10%) ou placebo, administrées en 3 heures ou en 1 heure, soit le jour avant ou le jour-même du test d'endotoxine. Mesures : variables physiologiques (T°, fc, tension artérielle, calorimétrie indirecte) Laboratoire - prises de sang à T0, 60, 120 et 360 min après l'injection de LPS: TNF-α, hs-CRP, hormones de stress, composition en acides gras des membranes plaquettaires. Statistiques Les résultats ont été rapportés en moyennes et écarts types. Des aires sous la courbe (AUC) ont été calculées avec la méthode des parallélépipèdes pour toutes les variables déterminées de manière répétée. L'effet du temps a été exploré par des two-way ANOVA pour mesures répétées. Les comparaisons post-hoc ont été réalisées avec des tests de Dunnett's ou de Scheffe. Les modifications de composition membranaires ainsi que les AUC ont été analysées par des tests non-paramétriques (Kruskal-Wallis). Résultats Après LPS, la température, les concentrations d'ACTH et TNF-α ont augmenté dans les 3 groupes. Ces réponse ont été significativement atténuées (p<0.0001) par l'huile de poisson comparé à ce que nous avions observé dans le groupe contrôle de Pluess et al (ICM 2007). Les concentrations les plus faibles d'ACTH, de TNF-α, et les AUC les plus basses des températures, ont été observées après une dose unique de 0.2 g/kg de n-3 PUFA administrée 1 heure avant le LPS. Par contre, l'incorporation membranaire d'EPA est dose-dépendante. Conclusions Sachant que la réponse à l'endotoxine est reproductible, cette étude montre que 3 doses différentes d'huile de poisson atténuent de manière différente cette réponse. La perfusion de 0.2 g/kg administrée juste avant l'endotoxine s'est avérée la plus efficace à atténuer la réponse fébrile, les cytokines et les hormones de stress, suggérant une capture de l'endotoxine par l'émulsion lipidique qui se surajoute aux effets systémiques et membranaires.

Fish passage assessment at the most downstream barrier of the Ebro River (NE Iberian Peninsula)

Fish passage at artificial barriers is necessary for the conservation of healthy fish stocks. The first barrier that migratory fish encounter when ascending the Ebro River is the Xerta Weir, where a pool-type fishway was constructed in 2008. From 2007 to 2010, boat electrofishing surveys were conducted in the Ebro River downstream of the Xerta Weir to assess the potential pool of species that could use the fishway. Nine native and 12 exotic species were captured, the latter comprising 62 % of the relative abundance and 70 % of the biomass. A combination of video recording, electrofishing and trapping was used to assess the effectiveness of the fishway in facilitating the passage of fish. Eight species were detected using the fishway, of which five were native (Liza ramada, Anguilla anguilla, Barbus graellsii, Gobio lozanoi and Salaria fluviatilis) and three exotic (Alburnus alburnus, Cyprinus carpio and Rutilus rutilus). Only L. ramada used the fishway in substantial numbers. The rate of fish passage was the highest from June to August and decreased afterwards. The effectiveness of the fishway might be lowered by areas of turbulence within the fishway and by distraction flows from a nearby hydropower station

Appropriate maintenance treatment for Crohn's disease: results of a multidisciplinary international expert panel - EPACT II

Introduction: Biological. therapy has dramatically changed management of Crohn's disease (CD). New data have confirmed the benefit and relative long-term safety of anti-TNF alpha inhibition as part of a regular scheduled administration programme. The EPACT appropriateness criteria for maintenance treatment after medically-induced remission (MIR) or surgically-induced remission (SIR) of CD thus required updating. Methods: A multidisciplinary international expert panel (EPACT II, Geneva, Switzerland) discussed and anonymously rated detailed, explicit clinical indications based on evidence in the literature and personal expertise. Median ratings (on a 9-point scale) were stratified into three assessment categories: appropriate (7-9), uncertain (4-6 and/or disagreement) and inappropriate (1-3). Experts ranked appropriate medication according to their own clinical practice, without any consideration of cost. Results: Three hundred and ninety-two specific indications for maintenance treatment of CD were rated (200 for MIR and 192 for SIR). Azathioprine, methotrexate and/or anti-TNF alpha antibodies were considered appropriate in 42 indications, corresponding to 68% of all appropriate interventions (97% of MIR and 39% of SIR). The remaining appropriate interventions consisted of mesalazine and a "wait-and-see" strategy. Factors that influenced the panel's voting were patient characteristics and outcome of previous treatment. Results favour use of anti-TNF alpha agents after failure of any immunosuppressive therapy, while earlier primary use remains controversial. Conclusion: Detailed explicit appropriateness criteria (EPACT) have been updated for maintenance treatment of CD. New expert recommendations for use of the classic immunosuppressors as well as anti-TNF alpha agents are now freely available online (www.epact.ch). The validity of these criteria should now be tested by prospective evaluation. (C) 2009 European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Precast Concrete Panel Thickness for Epoxy-Coated Prestressing Strands, Volume 2, HR-353, 1994

This final report for Phase 1 of the research on epoxy-coated, prestressing strands in precast prestressed concrete (PC) panels has been published in two volumes. Volume 1--Technical Report contains the problem description, literature review, and survey results; descriptions of the test specimens, experimental tests, and analytical models; discussions of the analytical and experimental results; summary, conclusions, and recommendations; list of references; and acknowledgments. Volume 2--Supplemental Report contains additional information in the form of appendix material for Volume 1 on the questionnaires, strand forces, geometry of the specimens, concrete crack patterns that formed in the strand transfer length and strand development length specimens, concrete strains in the strand transfer length specimens, and load-point deflections and strand-slip measurements for the strand development length specimens. Appendix A contains the questionnaires that were sent to the design agencies and precast concrete producers. A summary of the results to the questions on the surveys are given as the number of respondents who provided the same answers and as paraphrased comments from the respondents. Appendix B contains graphs of strand force versus time, strand force versus temperature, and strand force versus strand cutting sequence for the concrete castings. Appendix C contains figures that show the location of each specimen in the prestress bed, the geometrical configurations for the strand transfer length (T-type) specimens and strand development length (D-type) specimens, and the concrete cracks that developed in some of the T-type specimens when they were prestressed. Appendix D contains figures that show the concrete cracks that developed in the D-type specimens during the strand development length tests. For each of these tests, the sequence of the failure for the specimen is specified. Appendix E contains graphs of concrete strain versus distance from the end of the T-type specimens that were instrumented with internal embedment strain gages. Appendix F contains graphs of load versus load-point deflection and load versus strand-slip for the strand development length tests of the D-type specimens.

Systems Genetics of Metabolism: The Use of the BXD Murine Reference Panel for Multiscalar Integration of Traits.

Metabolic homeostasis is achieved by complex molecular and cellular networks that differ significantly among individuals and are difficult to model with genetically engineered lines of mice optimized to study single gene function. Here, we systematically acquired metabolic phenotypes by using the EUMODIC EMPReSS protocols across a large panel of isogenic but diverse strains of mice (BXD type) to study the genetic control of metabolism. We generated and analyzed 140 classical phenotypes and deposited these in an open-access web service for systems genetics (www.genenetwork.org). Heritability, influence of sex, and genetic modifiers of traits were examined singly and jointly by using quantitative-trait locus (QTL) and expression QTL-mapping methods. Traits and networks were linked to loci encompassing both known variants and novel candidate genes, including alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), here linked to hypophosphatasia. The assembled and curated phenotypes provide key resources and exemplars that can be used to dissect complex metabolic traits and disorders.

Désaccoutumance au tabac: recommandations d'un panel d'experts = Tabakentwohnung: Empfehlungen einer Expertengruppe

[Table des matières] 1.1. Membres du panel d'experts. 1.2. Représentants des instances mandantes. 2. Recommandations. 2.1. Premier objectif : faire progresser les fumeurs dans leur désaccoutumance (population des fumeurs, population de soignants). 2.2. Deuxième objectif : modifier la norme. 2.3. Troisième objectif : remboursement des prestations médicales. 2.4. Quatrième objectif : recherche sur le tabagisme. 3. Bibliographie. 1.1. Mitglieder der Expertengruppe. 1.2. Vertreterinnen und Vertreter der Auftraggeber. 2. Empfehlungen. 2.1. Ziel 1: die Rauchenden in die Entwicklung zu Nichtrauchenden weiterbringen (Die Rauchenden, das medizinische Personal). 2.2. Ziel 2 : Wandel der Verhaltensnormen. 2.3. Ziel 3 : Rückzahlung der medizinischen Leistungen. 2.4. Ziel 4 : Erforschung über dem Tabakkonsum. 3. Bibliographie.

Fusion of protoplasts with irradiated microprotoplasts as a tool for radiation hybrid panel in citrus

The objective of this work was to combine asymmetric somatic hybridization (donor-recipient fusion or gamma fusion) to microprotoplast-mediated chromosome transfer, as a tool to be used for chromosome mapping in Citrus. Swinglea glutinosa microprotoplasts were irradiated either with 50, 70, 100 or 200 gamma rays and fused to cv. Ruby Red grapefruit or Murcott tangor protoplasts. Cell colonies were successfully formed and AFLP analyses confirmed presence of S. glutinosa in both 'Murcott' tangor and 'Ruby Red' grapefruit genomes.

Fish Habitat Indicators for the Assessment of Wadeable, Warmwater Streams

Physical habitat characteristics such as stream width, depth, instream cover, and substrate composition are important environmental factors that shape Iowa’s stream fish species assemblages. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) stream biological assessment program collects physical habitat data to help interpret fish assemblage sampling results in order to assess stream health condition and the attainment status of designated aquatic life uses. The quantitative habitat indicators and interpretative guidelines developed in this study are designed for specific applications within the stream bioassessment program. These tools might also be useful to natural resource managers for purposes such as stream habitat improvement prioritization, goal-setting, and performance assessment.

Water-oriented outdoor recreation, fish and wildlife : executive summary, 1978.

The information presented in this summary document has been based on the comprehensive,"Task Force Report on Water-Oriented Outdoor Recreation, Fish and Wildlife." The overriding principle the main task force report conveyed is that Iowa should not forsake the remaining water-oriented fish and wildlife resource base in the name of economic development.The reader should refer to the task force document for more detailed information.