Prevalence of beryllium sensitization in patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis

Occupational exposure to beryllium (Be) may lead to development of Be-specific CD4+ T-cell immune response and occurrence of a granulomatous disorder called chronic beryllium disease (CBD). Due to similar clinical pictures, CBD may be misdiagnosed as sarcoidosis if Be exposure (BeE) and Be sensitization (BeS) are not looked for. To determine whether some patients diagnosed as sarcoidosis may have undetected CBD, we screened a retrospective cohort of patients with sarcoidosis for BeE and BeS. BeE was assessed through a self-administered questionnaire and a standardized occupational health interview. BeS was assessed using CFSE flow cytometry developed as an alternative to the classical Be lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT). 159 patients recorded in a Swiss interstitial lung disease registry with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis were enrolled through their pulmonary physician and received a screening questionnaire. 68 filled questionnaires were returned. 28/68 patients had positive screening. 24/28 underwent an occupational health interview. BeE was considered probable in 6/24 and possible in 18/24. Using CFSE flow cytometry, BeS was detected in 7/24 of these patients (4/6 with probable BeE and 3/18 with possible BeE). BeS testing by CFSE flow cytometry was positive in 5/6 controls with proven CBD and positive BeLPT, and negative in 10 healthy subjects. Conclusions: the minimal rate of BeE and BeS in an unselected population of patients with sarcoidosis was 7/159 (4.4%), suggesting misdiagnosed CBD. A screening questionnaire could help to detect BeE in patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis, and prompt investigations in search of CBD. CFSE flow cytometry may be an alternative to BeLPT to document BeS.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of isolated extracerebral relapses of primary central nervous system lymphoma: a case series.

There is very limited data on isolated systemic relapses of primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL). We retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics and outcome of 10 patients with isolated systemic disease among 209 patients with PCNSL mainly treated with methotrexate-based chemotherapy (CT) with or without radiation therapy (RT). Isolated systemic relapse remained rare (4.8%, 10/209 patients). Median time from initial diagnosis to relapse was 33 months (range, 3-94). Sites of relapse were mostly extranodal. Three patients presented with early extra-cerebral (EC) relapse 3, 5 and 8 months from the beginning of initial treatment, respectively, and 7 patients had later relapses (range, 17-94 months). Treatment at relapse included surgery alone, RT alone, CT with or without radiotherapy, or CT with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Median overall survival (OS) after relapse was 15.5 months (range, 5.8-24.5) compared to 4.6 months (range, 3.6-6.5) for patients with central nervous system (CNS) relapse (p = 0.35). In conclusion, isolated systemic relapses exist but are infrequent. Early EC relapse suggests the presence of systemic disease undetectable by conventional evaluation at initial diagnosis. Patient follow-up must be prolonged because systemic relapse can occur as late as 10 years after initial diagnosis. Whether EC relapses of PCNSL have a better prognosis than CNS relapses needs to be assessed in a larger cohort. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Lähes 80 urheilijaa on valmentautumassa Berlinin olympialaisia silmälläpitäen

Urho Kekkosen haastattelu. - Lähes 80 urheilijaa on valmentautumassa Berlinin olympialaisia silmälläpitäen. Yleisurheilujoukkueen vahvuudeksi 40-45 miestä. Urheilijat ottaneet tehtävänsä tunnollisesti, joten saatamme odottaa senmukaisia tuloksia.

La comunidad fitoplanctónica en el área de Tambo de Mora a Paita, agosto - setiembre 1995

El estudio se hizo durante el Crucero de Evaluación de la Biomasa Desovante de Anchoveta y Sardina BIC Humboldt 9508-09. Los volúmenes de plancton superficial para agosto-setiembre de 1995 fluctuaron entre 0,1 y 4,6 mL/m3. Las mayores concentraciones en biomasa, fueron localizadas dentro de las 30 mn, con un predominio del fitoplancton en el 50% de las estaciones. Las especies que tipificaron este ambiente, dentro de las 30 mn, correspondieron a diatomeas de alta tasa de reproducción, que constituyen la dieta de los peces fitoplanctófagos, composición que se vio alterada por la presencia de especies oceánicas, hasta muy cerca de la costa, principalmente entre Huarmey y Pucusana. A 10 m de profundidad se identificó un total de 70 especies de fitoplancton: 47 diatomeas, 15 dinoflagelados, 3 cocolitofóridos , 3 fitoflagelados y 2 silicoflagelados. Las diatomeas y el nanoplancton fueron los grupos taxonómicos más importantes, hasta con el 90% de dominancia. Los dinoflagelados y silicoflagelados fueron poco numerosos. Las mayores concentraciones celulares promedio (20.000 cel/50 mL) se encontraron cerca de la costa, con máximos de hasta 60.000 cel/50 mL en la región norte. El dinoflagelado Protoperidinium obtusun indicador de aguas costeras frías (ACF), estuvo restringido a la franja costera, ampliando su distribución hasta por fuera de las 30 mn entre Salaverry y Punta Falsa.

Molecular epidemiology and evolution of HIV-1 in Portugal and portuguese speaking african countries

The aims of this thesis were to better characterize HIV-1 diversity in Portugal, Angola, Mozambique and Cape Verde and to investigate the origin and epidemiological history of HIV-1 in these countries. The impact of these issues in diagnosis, disease progression and susceptibility to ARV therapy was also investigated. Finally, the nature, dynamics and prevalence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) was determined in untreated HIV-1 infected patients. In Angola, practically all HIV-1 genetic forms were found, including almost all subtypes, untypable (U) strains, CRFs and URFs. Recombinants (first and second generation) were present in 47.1% of the patients. HIV/AIDS epidemic in Angola probably started in 1961, the major cause being the independence war, subsequently spreading to Portugal. In Maputo, 81% of the patients were infected with subtype C viruses. Subtype G, U and recombinants such as CRF37_cpx, were also present. The results suggest that HIV-1 epidemic in Mozambique is evolving rapidly in genetic complexity. In Cape Verde, where HIV-1 and HIV-2 co-circulate, subtype G is the prevailed subtype. Subtypes B, C, F1, U, CRF02_AG and other recombinant strains were also found. HIV-2 isolates belonged to group A, some being closely related to the original ROD isolate. In all three countries numerous new polymorphisms were identified in the RT and PR of HIV-1 viruses. Mutations conferring resistance to the NRTIs or NNRTIs were found in isolates from 2 (2%) patients from Angola, 4 (6%) from Mozambique and 3 (12%) from Cape Verde. None of the isolates containing TDR mutations would be fully sensitive to the standard first-line therapeutic regimens used in these countries. Close surveillance in treated and untreated populations will be crucial to prevent further transmission of drug resistant strains and maximize the efficacy of ARV therapy. In Portugal, investigation of a seronegative case infection with rapid progression to AIDS and death revealed that the patient was infected with a CRF14_BG-like R5-tropic strain selectively transmitted by his seropositive sexual partner. The results suggest a massive infection with a highly aggressive CRF14_BG like strain and/or the presence of an unidentified immunological problem that prevented the formation of HIV-1-specific antibodies. Near full-length genomic sequences obtained from three unrelated patients enabled the first molecular and phylogenomic characterization of CRF14_BG from Portugal; all sequences were strongly related with CRF14_BG Spanish isolates. The mean date of origin of CRF14_BG was estimated to be 1992. We propose that CRF14_BG emerged in Portugal in the early 1990s, spread to Spain in late 1990s as a consequence of IDUs migration and then to the rest of Europe. Most CRF14_BG strains were predicted to use CXCR4 and were associated with rapid CD4 depletion and disease progression. Finally, we provide evidence suggesting that the X4 tropism of CRF14_BG may have resulted from convergent evolution of the V3 loop possibly driven by an effective escape from neutralizing antibody response.

Lähes 80 urheilijaa on valmentautumassa Berlinin olympialaisia silmälläpitäen

Urho Kekkosen haastattelu

Sotilaallinen maanpuolustus

Tasavallan Presidentin tervehdys Kadettikoulun 40-vuotisjuhlassa 20.3.1959 Helsinki ; Ote Tasavallan Presidentin puheesta 28.12.1961 Kouvola ; Tasavallan Presidentin paraatipuhe 4.6.1968 Hämeenlinna ; Joulutervehdys rauhanturvajoukoille 1975 Helsinki ; Ote Tasavallan Presidentin vastauksista Kansallisen kokoomuksen valitsijamiesehdokkaiden esittämiin kysymyksiin 17.12.1977 Helsinki ; Puhe Puolustusvoimien lippujuhlassa 4.6.1978 Hämeenlinna

Ancrage/institutionnalisation des actions de l'OFSP visant à la réduction des problèmes liés à la toxicomanie : l'appréciation des responsables des programmes

[Table des matières] 1. Introduction. 2. Concepts et modèles d'ancrage. 3. Méthode. 4. Analyse de l'ancrage des programmes. 4.1 Programme Prévention des dépendances dans les communes (RADIX). 4.2 Programme Voilà. 4.3 Programme Fil rouge. 4.4 Programme Funtasy Projects. 4.5 Programme-cadre Ecoles et santé / REES-CH. 4.6 La "Formation des médiateurs scolaires de Suisse romande et du Tessin" et le Projet "Médication" (Ecoles et santé). 4.7 Programme "Drogue ou Sport?", Service "Drogues et sport", Programme "Sport et drogues" / LaOla. 4.8 Les projets soutenus par le Bureau suisse pour la réduction des risques liés aux drogues (OSEO). 4.9 Matériel de prévention de la toxicomanie produit par l'ISPA. 5. Conclusions : Les éléments transversaux d'ancrage des programmes. 6. Annexes.

ANSA - Relatório Estatistico

Cereais: Da análise realizada nos dados do 4º trimestre de 2012, o abastecimento no conjunto dos cereais, aponta um ligeiro declíneo no stock final e stock médio, e aumentos na importação, e a disponibilidade média. ■ Neste mesmo periodo a disponibilidade total do conjunto dos cereais é de 32.296 tons, sendo 16.241 tons referente ao stock inicial, e 16.055 tons referente as importações do mesmo conjunto. A disponibilidade média mensal no trimestre é de 20.803 tons e cobre largamente as necessidades previstas do consumo médio mensal aparente que é de 7.056 tons por mês. Relativamente ao trimestre anterior registou-se um decréscimo das disponibilidades médias mensais do conjunto dos cereais da ordem do 18,8%. Este decréscimo teve maior destaque no arroz pela grande descida num valor de 32,7% no trimestre ■ O conjunto dos cereais, no final do 4º trimestre de 2012, totalizaram um stock de 16.241 tons, que vai coresponder um prazo de cobertura de 4,6 meses. Regista-se uma variação absoluta negativa entre o stock inicial e final no 4º trimestre de 2012 na ordem de 760 tons, no conjunto dos cereais, esta descida registou, no milho e no trigo, que apresentaram uma redução 4.412 tons e 1.352 tons respectivamente. ■ No 4º trimestre de 2012, a importação dos grandes operadores no conjunto dos cereais é de 16.055 tons, sendo no milho com 8.686 tons que representa a maior quantidade importada no ano 2012. Em relação ao trimestre anterior houve um aumento de 6.008 tons no conjunto dos cereais. ■ O consumo aparente do conjunto dos cereais neste periodo totalizou-se 21.168 tons, o arroz contribui com 7.171 tons para o total (33,9%) seguido do trigo com 5.842 tons do total (27,6%). Comparado com o trimestre anterior, registou-se uma queda de 1,0% no consumo dos cereais. O grau de utilização média mensal do trimestre das disponibilidades dos grandes operadores é de 33,9% contra o valor médio mensal de 28,2% verificado no trimestre anterior. ■ A distribuição inter-ilhas do conjunto dos cereais totalizou num valor de 7.927 tons, no qual 1.118 tons de milho, 1.798 tons do arroz e 5.012 tons da farinha de trigo ■ Neste trimestre, o preço do conjunto dos cereais teve ligeiros declíneos, com uma baixa no milho de 5,1% e no arroz de 1,7%. Na farinha de trigo registou-se um aumento de 3,2%. Açúcar: Com base nos dados do 4º trimestre de 2012, considera-se que o abastecimento do açúcar segue uma tendência favorável, com aumentos dos stoks, da importação e das disponibilidades médias . ■ Neste trimestre a disponibilidade total do açúcar é de 5.071 tons, sendo 2.618 tons do stock inicial e 2.453 tons da importação e cobre largamente às necessidades do consumo aparente que é de 2.095 tons. A disponibilidade média mensal do açúcar no trimestre é de 3.378 tons e em relação ao trimestre anterior verifica-se uma baixa de 4,5%. ■ No final do trimestre o stock do açúcar é de 2.976 tons e o prazo de cobertura é de 3,4 meses. A variação entre o stock inicial e final é de 358 tons. ■ O grau de utilização média mensal do trimestre das disponibilidades do açúcar dos grandes operadores é de 43,9%, estima-se que o consumo aparente médio é de 698 tons mensal. ■ Neste trimestre, a distribuição inter-ilhas total do açúcar é de 484 tons. Esta quantidade foi distribuida para todas as ilhas. ■ O preço de açúcar teve redução de 1,7% em relação ao trimestre anterior, e continua apontar uma diminuição para o próximo trimestre.

Producción primaria de las aguas costeras del Perú en el año 1964

Los más altos valores de producción durante el año 1964 se hallaron en las regiones de divergencia, de mezcla vertical y capa de mezcla poco profunda, o donde el agua superficial era enriquecida a través de los afloramientos favorecidos por la acción de los vientos. La distribución de producción primaria en superficie fue muy similar a la producción total. La producción diaria entre las latitudes 4-6° S tuvo un promedio de 0.27 gr C/m2 (0.04-1.51 gr C/m2), y entre las latitudes 6°-18°30 'S de 0.45 gr C/m2 (0.03-2.42 gr C/m2 ), o sea una producción anual de 97 y 162 gr C/m2 , respectivamente. La máxima producción hallada en la Corriente Costera Peruana correspondió al Verano, y la mínima al Invierno, con una producción promedio anual de 190 gr C/m2. Hubo una variación geográfica de la producción total en la faja costera de 60 millas de ancho. A lo largo del litoral peruano los mayores valores de producción se presentaron entre las latitudes 8-9° S y 16-17° S con valores promedio de 1.00 y 1.30 gr C/m2, respectivamente.

Obesity-related phenotypes are associated to parental longevity in a Swiss population-based study

PURPOSE. Longevity has been attributed to decreased cardiovascular mortality. Subjects with long-lived parents may represent a valuable group to study cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) associated with longevity, possibly leading to new ways of preventing cardiovascular disease. Purpose: Longevity has been attributed to decreased cardiovascular mortality. Subjects with long-lived parents may represent a valuable group to study cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) associated with longevity, possibly leading to new ways of preventing cardiovascular disease. Methods: We analyzed data from a population-based sample of 2561 participants (1163 men and 1398 women) aged 55--75 years from the city of Lausanne, Switzerland (CoLaus study). Participants were stratified by the number of parents (0, 1, 2) who survived to 85 years or more. Trend across these strata was assessed using a non-parametric kmean test. The associations of parental age (independent covariate used as a proxy for longevity) with fasting blood glucose, blood pressures, blood lipids, body mass index (BMI), weight, height or liver enzymes (continuous dependent variables) were analyzed using multiple linear regressions. Models were adjusted for age, sex, alcohol consumption, smoking and educational level, and BMI for liver enzymes. Results: For subjects with 0 (N=1298), 1 (N=991) and 2 (N=272) long-lived parents, median BMI (interquartile range) was 25.4 (6.5), 24.9 (6.1) and 23.7 (4.8) kg/m2 in women (P<0.001), and 27.3 (4.8), 27.0 (4.5) and 25.9 (4.9) kg/m2 in men (P=0.04), respectively; median weight was 66.5 (16.1), 65.0 (16.4) and 63.4 (13.7) kg in women (P=0.003), and 81.5 (17.0), 81.4 (16.4) and 80.3 (17.1) kg in men (P=0.36). Median height was 161 (8), 162 (9) and 163 (8) cm in women (P=0.005), and 173 (9), 174 (9) and 174 (11) cm in men (P=0.09). The corresponding medians for AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) were 31 (13), 29 (11) and 28 (10) U/L (P=0.002), and 28 (17), 27 (14) and 26 (19) U/L for ALT (Alanin Aminotransferase, P=0.053) in men. In multivariable analyses, greater parental longevity was associated with lower BMI, lower weight and taller stature in women (P<0.01) and lower AST in men (P=0.011). No significant associations were observed for the other variables analyzed. Sensitivity analyses restricted to subjects whose parents were dead (N=1844) led to similar results, with even stronger associations of parental longevity with liver enzymes in men. Conclusion: In women, increased parental longevity was associated with smaller BMI, attributable to lower weight and taller stature. In men, the association of increased parental longevity with lower liver enzymes, independently of BMI, suggests that parental longevity may be associated with decreased nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Conhecimento de Estudantes da Universitários sobre a Transmissão das IST/VIH-SIDA e o uso do Preservativo

Introdução: A infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana é um flagelo das sociedades modernas, que acarreta enormes custos sociais, económicos e pessoais. Têm sido utilizados fundos públicos e comunitários em acções de prevenção e educação populacional. Objectivos: proceder a uma descrição do conhecimento e comportamento sexual dos universitários e a frequência do uso do preservativo Método: Estudo transversal com uso de questionário estruturado autoaplicavél, onde participaram 893 estudantes universitários provenientes da Universidade privada Jean Piaget da Ilha de Santiago, Cabo Verde. Resultados: O perfil predominante dos adolescentes investigados foi ser do sexo feminino, solteiro, católico maioritariamente sem renda individual mensal, e coabitando com os familiares. Quanto aos comportamentos sexuais, verificou-se que a idade média da primeira relação foi de 16,5 anos e destes mais de 50% dos universitários referiram não ter usado preservativo na sua primeira relação. Dos sexualmente activos, mais de metade 56,3% não usou preservativo no seu último contacto sexual. Apenas 4,6% afirmam já ter tido alguma IST, apesar da elevada frequência de múltiplos parceiros (41,4% referem 3 ou mais parceiros na vida e 67,1%, 1 a 2 no último ano). No que concerne ao nível de conhecimento verificouse que os sujeitos da pesquisa apresentaram um grau de conhecimento sobre IST/VIH/SIDA, inferior ao que se esperaria do seu grau de escolaridade pois a média de acerto foi de 64% e mediana de 61,9%. Assim, percebe-se que a implementação da saúde sexual e reprodutiva na adolescência e nas universidades deve ser considerada uma acção prioritária para eliminar os riscos a que os jovens estão propensos

Método preliminar de determinación del tamaño de la malla para cerco y su aplicación al Jurel Peruano

Usando formulas de Kawamura (1972) y Hamley (1975) se ha determinado el tamaño apropiado de la malla para redes de cerco para evitar el enmalle del jurel peruano Trachurus murphyu en cada estación del año. Como tamaño de malla apropiado se determinó 4.6 (promedio) y como tamaño peligroso 6.2 cm. en promedio.

Use of 2D Sensitivity Encoding for Slow-Infusion Contrast-Enhanced Isotropic 3-T Whole-Heart Coronary MR Angiography.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to improve the blood-pool signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and blood-myocardium contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of slow-infusion 3-T whole-heart coronary MR angiography (MRA).SUBJECTS AND METHODS. In 2D sensitivity encoding (SENSE), the number of acquired k-space lines is reduced, allowing less radiofrequency excitation per cardiac cycle and a longer TR. The former can be exploited for signal enhancement with a higher radiofrequency excitation angle, and the latter leads to noise reduction due to lower data-sampling bandwidth. Both effects contribute to SNR gain in coronary MRA when spatial and temporal resolution and acquisition time remain identical. Numeric simulation was performed to select the optimal 2D SENSE pulse sequence parameters and predict the SNR gain. Eleven patients underwent conventional unenhanced and the proposed 2D SENSE contrast-enhanced coronary MRA acquisition. Blood-pool SNR, blood-myocardium CNR, visible vessel length, vessel sharpness, and number of side branches were evaluated.RESULTS. Consistent with the numeric simulation, using 2D SENSE in contrast-enhanced coronary MRA resulted in significant improvement in aortic blood-pool SNR (unenhanced vs contrast-enhanced, 37.5 +/- 14.7 vs 121.3 +/- 44.0; p < 0.05) and CNR (14.4 +/- 6.9 vs 101.5 +/- 40.8; p < 0.05) in the patient sample. A longer length of left anterior descending coronary artery was visualized, but vessel sharpness, coronary artery coverage, and image quality score were not improved with the proposed approach.CONCLUSION. In combination with contrast administration, 2D SENSE was found effective in improving SNR and CNR in 3-T whole-heart coronary MRA. Further investigation of cardiac motion compensation is necessary to exploit the SNR and CNR advantages and to achieve submillimeter spatial resolution.

Mirror therapy in children with hemiplegia: a pilot study.

Mirror therapy, which provides the visual illusion of a functional paretic limb by using the mirror reflection of the non-paretic arm, is used in the rehabilitation of hemiparesis after stroke in adults. We tested the effectiveness and feasibility of mirror therapy in children with hemiplegia by performing a pilot crossover study in ten participants (aged 6-14 y; five males, five females; Manual Ability Classification System levels: one at level I, two at level II, four at level III, three at level IV) randomly assigned to 15 minutes of daily bimanual training with and without a mirror for 3 weeks. Assessments of maximal grasp and pinch strengths, and upper limb function measured by the Shriner's Hospital Upper Extremity Evaluation were performed at weeks 0 (baseline), 3, 6 (intervention), and 9 (wash-out). Testing of grasp strength behind the mirror improved performance by 15% (p=0.004). Training with the mirror significantly improved grasp strength (with mirror +20.4%, p=0.033; without +5.9%, p>0.1) and upper limb dynamic position (with mirror +4.6%, p=0.044; without +1.2%, p>0.1), while training without a mirror significantly improved pinch strength (with mirror +6.9%, p>0.1; without +21.9%, p=0.026). This preliminary study demonstrates the feasibility of mirror therapy in children with hemiplegia and that it may improve strength and dynamic function of the paretic arm.