Epidemiology of Brucellosis and Q Fever in Linked Human and Animal Populations in Northern Togo

BACKGROUND: Although brucellosis (Brucella spp.) and Q Fever (Coxiella burnetii) are zoonoses of global importance, very little high quality data are available from West Africa. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A serosurvey was conducted in Togo's main livestock-raising zone in 2011 in 25 randomly selected villages, including 683 people, 596 cattle, 465 sheep and 221 goats. Additionally, 464 transhumant cattle from Burkina Faso were sampled in 2012. The serological analyses performed were the Rose Bengal Test and ELISA for brucellosis and ELISA and the immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for Q Fever Brucellosis did not appear to pose a major human health problem in the study zone, with only 7 seropositive participants. B. abortus was isolated from 3 bovine hygroma samples, and is likely to be the predominant circulating strain. This may explain the observed seropositivity amongst village cattle (9.2%, 95%CI:4.3-18.6%) and transhumant cattle (7.3%, 95%CI:3.5-14.7%), with an absence of seropositive small ruminants. Exposure of livestock and people to C. burnetii was common, potentially influenced by cultural factors. People of Fulani ethnicity had greater livestock contact and a significantly higher seroprevalence than other ethnic groups (Fulani: 45.5%, 95%CI:37.7-53.6%; non-Fulani: 27.1%, 95%CI:20.6-34.7%). Appropriate diagnostic test cut-off values in endemic settings requires further investigation. Both brucellosis and Q Fever appeared to impact on livestock production. Seropositive cows were more likely to have aborted a foetus during the previous year than seronegative cows, when adjusted for age. This odds was 3.8 times higher (95%CI: 1.2-12.1) for brucellosis and 6.7 times higher (95%CI: 1.3-34.8) for Q Fever. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first epidemiological study of zoonoses in Togo in linked human and animal populations, providing much needed data for West Africa. Exposure to Brucella and C. burnetii is common but further research is needed into the clinical and economic impact.

Notification of abnormal lab test results in an electronic medical record: do any safety concerns remain?

BACKGROUND: Follow-up of abnormal outpatient laboratory test results is a major patient safety concern. Electronic medical records can potentially address this concern through automated notification. We examined whether automated notifications of abnormal laboratory results (alerts) in an integrated electronic medical record resulted in timely follow-up actions. METHODS: We studied 4 alerts: hemoglobin A1c > or =15%, positive hepatitis C antibody, prostate-specific antigen > or =15 ng/mL, and thyroid-stimulating hormone > or =15 mIU/L. An alert tracking system determined whether the alert was acknowledged (ie, provider clicked on and opened the message) within 2 weeks of transmission; acknowledged alerts were considered read. Within 30 days of result transmission, record review and provider contact determined follow-up actions (eg, patient contact, treatment). Multivariable logistic regression models analyzed predictors for lack of timely follow-up. RESULTS: Between May and December 2008, 78,158 tests (hemoglobin A1c, hepatitis C antibody, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and prostate-specific antigen) were performed, of which 1163 (1.48%) were transmitted as alerts; 10.2% of these (119/1163) were unacknowledged. Timely follow-up was lacking in 79 (6.8%), and was statistically not different for acknowledged and unacknowledged alerts (6.4% vs 10.1%; P =.13). Of 1163 alerts, 202 (17.4%) arose from unnecessarily ordered (redundant) tests. Alerts for a new versus known diagnosis were more likely to lack timely follow-up (odds ratio 7.35; 95% confidence interval, 4.16-12.97), whereas alerts related to redundant tests were less likely to lack timely follow-up (odds ratio 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Safety concerns related to timely patient follow-up remain despite automated notification of non-life-threatening abnormal laboratory results in the outpatient setting.

UNDERSTANDING NANOG'S ROLE IN CANCER BIOLOGY

Understanding Nanog’s Role in Cancer Biology Mark Daniel Badeaux Supervisory Professor Dean Tang, PhD The cancer stem cell model holds that tumor heterogeneity and population-level immortality are driven by a subset of cells within the tumor, termed cancer stem cells. Like embryonic or somatic stem cells, cancer stem cells are believed to possess self-renewal capacity and the ability to give rise to a multitude of varieties of daughter cell. Because of cancer’s implied connections to authentic stem cells, we screened a variety of prostate cancer cell lines and primary tumors in order to determine if any notable ‘stemness’ genes were expressed in malignant growths. We found a promising lead in Nanog, a central figure in maintaining embryonic stem cell pluripotency, and through a variety of experiments in which we diminished Nanog expression, found that it may play a significant role in prostate cancer development. We then created a transgenic mouse model in which we targeted Nanog expression to keratin 14-expressing in order to assess its potential contribution to tumorigenesis. We found a variety of developmental abnormalities and altered differentiation patterns in our model , but much to our chagrin we observed neither spontaneous tumor formation nor premalignant changes in these mice, but instead surprisingly found that high levels of Nanog expression inhibited tumor formation in a two-stage skin carcinogenesis model. We also noted a depletion of skin stem cell populations, which underlies the wound-healing defect our mice harbor as well. Gene expression analysis shows a reduction in c-Jun and Bmp5, two genes whose loss inhibits skin tumor development and reduces stem cell counts respectively. As we further explored Nanog’s activity in prostate cancer, it became apparent that the protein oftentimes was not expressed. Emboldened by the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) hypothesis, we identified the Nanog 3’UTR as a regulator of the tumor suppressive microRNA 128a (miR-128a), which includes known oncogenes such as Bmi1 among its authentic targets. Future work will necessarily involve discerning instances in which Nanog mRNA is the biologically relevant molecule, as well as identifying additional mRNA species which may serve solely as a molecular sink for miR-128a.

Gedächtnißrede auf die im letzten Kriege gefallenen Soldaten israelitischer Religion ; am 15. November 1866 gehalten

von Ad. Jellinek

Benefits and Risks of Extended Duration Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After PCI in Patients With and Without Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND The benefits and risks of prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy may be different for patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) compared with more stable presentations. OBJECTIVES This study sought to assess the benefits and risks of 30 versus 12 months of dual antiplatelet therapy among patients undergoing coronary stent implantation with and without MI. METHODS The Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Study, a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, compared 30 versus 12 months of dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary stenting. The effect of continued thienopyridine on ischemic and bleeding events among patients initially presenting with versus without MI was assessed. The coprimary endpoints were definite or probable stent thrombosis and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). The primary safety endpoint was GUSTO (Global Utilization of Streptokinase and Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Occluded Arteries) moderate or severe bleeding. RESULTS Of 11,648 randomized patients (9,961 treated with drug-eluting stents, 1,687 with bare-metal stents), 30.7% presented with MI. Between 12 and 30 months, continued thienopyridine reduced stent thrombosis compared with placebo in patients with and without MI at presentation (MI group, 0.5% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001; no MI group, 0.4% vs. 1.1%, p < 0.001; interaction p = 0.69). The reduction in MACCE for continued thienopyridine was greater for patients with MI (3.9% vs. 6.8%; p < 0.001) compared with those with no MI (4.4% vs. 5.3%; p = 0.08; interaction p = 0.03). In both groups, continued thienopyridine reduced MI (2.2% vs. 5.2%, p < 0.001 for MI; 2.1% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.001 for no MI; interaction p = 0.15) but increased bleeding (1.9% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.005 for MI; 2.6% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.007 for no MI; interaction p = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS Compared with 12 months of therapy, 30 months of dual antiplatelet therapy reduced the risk of stent thrombosis and MI in patients with and without MI, and increased bleeding. (The Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Study [The DAPT Study]; NCT00977938).

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 46 - Korrespondenzen u.a. mit Manfred Schild (p. I 21. A, 219-311)

3 Briefe zwischen Manfred Schild und Max Horkheimer, 11.04.1946, 1946; 1 Brief vom War Department Washington an Max Horkheimer, 31.08.1943; 1 Brief und Beilage von Max Horkheimer an Anton C. Miller, 16.08.1943; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Charles Perelman, 23.09.1940; 1 Brief von Fred M. Roberts an Edwin F. Borden, 16.04.1940; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Edwin F. Bordin, 15.04.1940; 1 Brief von Fred M. Roberts an das American Consul General, 10.04.1940; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Rudolf Schaar, 08.03.1940; 3 Briefe zwischen E. M. Bernstein und Max Horkheimer, 11.09.1939, 1939; 1 Brief von E. M. berstein an Otto Nathan, 21.06.1939; 1 Brief von Eleanor Slater an Max Horkheimer, 29.03.1939; 2 Briefe zwischen dem Internat Student Service und Franz Neumann, 09.02.1939; 2 Briefe zwsichen George F. Plimpton und Franz F. Neumann, 07.02.1939, 08.02.1939; 2 Briefe zwischen Alfred Grünebaum und Max Horkheimer, 29.11.1938, 13.12.1938; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Robert S. Lynd, 30.04.1938; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Dean Henry P. van Dusen, 30.04.1938; 1 Brief von Dean Henry P. van Dusen an Finley und Benjamin Parker, 25.04.19378; 1 Brief von Robert S. Lynd an Finley und Benjamin Parker, 25.04.1938; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Paul Tillich, 22.04.1938; 1 Brief von Alfred K. Stern an Franz Neumann, 22.04.1938; 1 Brief von Alfred K. Stern an Finley und Benjamin Parker, 22.04.1938;

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 99 - Korrespondenzen u.a. mit Siegfried Kracauer und Alexander Mitscherlich (p. III 8, 213-408)

4 Briefe mit Antwort von Kohlhammer Verlag an Max Horkheimer, 1953, 1957; 12 Briefe mit Antwort und Beialge von Professor Hans Kohn an Max Horkheimer, 1953-1958; 3 Briefe mit Antwort von Professor Hans Kohn an Theodor W. Adorno, 1957-1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Hans Kohn an Helmut Viebrock, 1958; 1 Brief von Theodor W. Adorno an Helmut Vriebrock, 1957; 2 Briefe mit 1 Antwort zwischen Rudolph Kolisch und Max Horkheimer, 1957; 1 Telegram von Professor Rudolph Kolisch an R. K., 1956; 1 Brief von Max Horkheiemr an den Kölner Universitäts-Verlag, 1957; 1 Drucksache von der Kölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie, 1953; 1 Drucksache von dem Kongress für Internationale Wissenschaftsgeschichte, 1951; 1 Brief mit Beilage von dem Königsteiner Kreis an Max Horkheimer, 1951; 1 Drucksache mit Beilage von der Zeitschrift "Konkret", 1958; 2 Briefe mit 1 Antwort zwischen Sekretärin Mathilde Koppen und Max Horkheimer, 1951, 1956; 2 Telegramme von Fritz Kortner an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 4 Briefe mit Antwort von Siegfried Kracauer an Max Horkheimer, 1951-1956; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Professor Alexander Mitscherlich, 1956; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Hildegard Krämer an Max Horkheimer, 1956; 2 Briefe mit 1 Antwort von Dr. Rudolf Krämer-Badoni an Max Horkheimer, 1950, 1951; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von Professor Julius Kraft an Max Horkheimer, 1956, 1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Max Horkheimer an den Präsident d. LVA Heinrich Kraft, 1955; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von Werner Kraft an Max Horkheimer, 1953; 1 Brief von Angelo Kramer an Max Horkheimer, 1955; 2 Briefe von dem Architekt Ferdinand C. A. F. Kramer an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von dem evangelischen Studentenpfarrer Dr. Rudolf Krapp an Max Horkheimer, 1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort und Beilage von dem Rechtsreferendar Heinz Kraus, 1956; 1 Drucksache von dem Frankfurter Studentenlied, 1956; 1 Aktennotiz von Professor Otto F. Kraushaar, 1953; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an den Regierungspräsident Wiesbaden,1952; 1 Aktennotiz von Klaus Kremer, 1958; 1 Brief von Dr. Stephanie Krenn an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Aktennotiz von Dean Krasomil, 1952; 1 Brief mit Beilage von Anneliese Kreutz an Max Horkheimer, 1955; 1 Brief von Anneliese Kreutz an Professor Wilhelm Sturmfels, 1955; 1 Brief mit Antwort und Beilage von Robert H. Kreutzer an Max Horkheimer, 1954; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Hans Hermann Kritzinger an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 2 Briefe mit Antwort von dem Betriebspsychologe Ludwig Kroeber-Keneth an Max Horkheimer, 1954; 1 Brief mit Antwort und Beilage von Professor Oswald Kroh an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Todesanzeige von Professor Oswald Kroh, 1955; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Wilhelm Kromphardt an Max Horkheimer, 1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Max Horkheimer an den Zirkus Krone, 1956; 1 Gutachten über Hans Joachim Krüger, 1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Melitta Krüger an Max Horkheimer, 1958; 2 Briefe mit Antwort und Beilage von dem Privatdozent Otto Kühne an Max Horkheimer, 1954, 1957; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an den Ministerialrat Dr. Dr. Kühn, 1953; 1 Vermählungsanzeige von Walter Kühn, 1957; 1 Aktennotiz von dem Rundfunk Dr. Kuhnert, ohne Jahr; 1 Brief von P. W. Krüger an Max Horkheimer, 1951; 1 Vermählungsanzeige mit Antwort von Hans K. Kullmer, 1953; 3 Briefe mit Antwort und Beilage von Dr. rer. pol. Ulrich Küntzel an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 1 Brief mit Antwort von dem Professor Fritz Baade an Max Horkheimer, 1952; 3 Breife mit Antwort von dem Verlag Walter de Gruyter an Max Horkheimer, 1954, 1955; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Max Horkheimer an den Kürschners Deutscher Gelehrten-Kalender, 1954; 2 Drucksachen von der Sektkellerei Kupferberg & Co, 1956; 3 Briefe mit Antwort von dem Reisebüro Kuoni an Max Horkheimer, 1957; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Max Horkheimer an das Kurhaus "Zur Rose" Bad Meinberg, 1956; 2 Briefe mit Antwort und Beilage von der Kurhessische Gesellschaft für Kunst und Wissenschaft an Max Horkheimer, 1954; 1 Gutachten von Thomas Gabor Kürthy, 1958; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Max Horkheimer an den Generaldirektor Dr. Kuss, 1953; 1 Brief mit Antwort von Professor Joseph J. Kwiat an Max Horkheimer, 1955;

Religiöse Vorträge gehalten am Bettage, den 27. Juni und an dem Sieges-Dankfeste, den 14. Juli 1866

von M. Joel

Friedens-Feier : eine Predigt zur Feier des Friedensfestes am 11. November 1866 in der Synagoge zu Cassel

gehalten von L. Adler

Geochemistry at DSDP Leg 75 Holes

Samples of sediments and rocks collected at DSDP Sites 530 and 532 were analyzed for 44 major, minor, and trace elements for the following purposes: (1) to document the downhole variability in geochemistry within and between lithologic units; (2) to document trace-element enrichment, if any, in Cretaceous organic-carbon-rich black shales at Site 530; (3) to document trace-element enrichment, if any, in Neogene organic-carbon-rich sediments at Site 532; (4) to document trace-element enrichment, if any, in red claystone above basalt basement at Site 530 that might be attributed to hydrothermal activity or weathering of basalt. Results of the geochemical analyses showed that there are no significant enrichments of elements in the organic-carbon-rich sediments at Site 532, but a number of elements, notably Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn, are enriched in the Cretaceous black shales. These elements have different concentration gradients within the black-shale section, however, which suggests that there was differential mobility of trace elements during diagenesis of interbedded more-oxidized and less-oxidized sediments. There is little or no enrichment of elements from hydrothermal activity in the red claystone immediately overlying basalt basement at Site 530, but slight enrichments of several elements in the lowest meter of sediment may be related to subsea weathering of basalt