Exposure to bioaerosols, respiratory health and lung-specific proteins: a prospective study in garbage and wastewater workers.

Objectives To prospectively assess respiratory health in wastewater workers and garbage collectors over 5 years. Methods Exposure, respiratory symptoms and conditions, spirometry and lung-specific proteins were assessed yearly in a cohort of 304 controls, 247 wastewater workers and 52 garbage collectors. Results were analysed with random coefficient models and linear regression taking into account several potential confounders. Results Symptoms, spirometry and lung-specific proteins were not affected by occupational exposure. Conclusions In this population no effects of occupational exposure to bioaerosols were found, probably because of good working conditions.

Qu'attendre du futur du diagnostic en allergologie [What to expect from allergy tests?].

Diagnosis in allergology is facing novel challenges because of the availability not only of purified or recombinant allergens, but also of multitests such as allergen micro-arrays. These new diagnostic opportunities contribute to a better understanding of crossreactivities between respiratory and food allergens. In comparison to current diagnosis based on whole allergen extracts, this novel generation of specific IgE tests is expected to provide better information on the risk of reaction to allergens as well as on its severity. However these new technologies are expensive, and will have to be carefully analyzed in terms of medical usefulness and public health costs.

Dissecting the genetic heterogeneity of depression through age at onset.

Genome-wide studies in major depression have identified few replicated associations, potentially due to heterogeneity within the disorder. Several studies have suggested that age at onset (AAO) can distinguish sub-types of depression with specific heritable components. This paper investigates the role of AAO in the genetic susceptibility for depression using genome-wide association data on 2,746 cases and 1,594 screened controls from the RADIANT studies, with replication performed in 1,471 cases and 1,403 controls from two Munich studies. Three methods were used to analyze AAO: First a time-to-event analysis with controls censored, secondly comparing controls to case-subsets defined using AAO cut-offs, and lastly analyzing AAO as a quantitative trait. In the time-to-event analysis three SNPs reached suggestive significance (P < 5E-06), overlapping with the original case-control analysis of this study. In a case-control analysis using AAO thresholds, SNPs in 10 genomic regions showed suggestive association though again none reached genome-wide significance. Lastly, case-only analysis of AAO as a quantitative trait resulted in 5 SNPs reaching suggestive significance. Sex specific analysis was performed as a secondary analysis, yielding one SNP reaching genome-wide significance in early-onset males. No SNPs achieved significance in the replication study after correction for multiple testing. Analysis of AAO as a quantitative trait did suggest that, across all SNPs, common genetic variants explained a large proportion of the variance (51%, P = 0.04). This study provides the first focussed analysis of the genetic contribution to AAO in depression, and establishes a statistical framework that can be applied to a quantitative trait underlying any disorder. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Airborne exposures to monoethanolamine, glycol ethers, and benzyl alcohol during professional cleaning: a pilot study

A growing body of epidemiologic evidence suggests an association between exposure to cleaning products and respiratory dysfunction. Due to the lack of quantitative assessments of respiratory exposures to airborne irritants and sensitizers among professional cleaners, the culpable substances have yet to be identified.Purpose: Focusing on previously identified irritants, our aims were to determine (i) airborne concentrations of monoethanolamine (MEA), glycol ethers, and benzyl alcohol (BA) during different cleaning tasks performed by professional cleaning workers and assess their determinants; and (ii) air concentrations of formaldehyde, a known indoor air contaminant. METHODS: Personal air samples were collected in 12 cleaning companies, and analyzed by conventional methods. RESULTS: Nearly all air concentrations [MEA (n = 68), glycol ethers (n = 79), BA (n = 15), and formaldehyde (n = 45)] were far below (<1/10) of the corresponding Swiss occupational exposure limits (OEL), except for ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether (EGBE). For butoxypropanol and BA, no OELs exist. Although only detected once, EGBE air concentrations (n = 4) were high (49.48-58.72mg m(-3)), and close to the Swiss OEL (49mg m(-3)). When substances were not noted as present in safety data sheets of cleaning products used but were measured, air concentrations showed no presence of MEA, while the glycol ethers were often present, and formaldehyde was universally detected. Exposure to MEA was affected by its amount used (P = 0.036), and spraying (P = 0.000) and exposure to butoxypropanol was affected by spraying (P = 0.007) and cross-ventilation (P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Professional cleaners were found to be exposed to multiple airborne irritants at low concentrations, thus these substances should be considered in investigations of respiratory dysfunctions in the cleaning industry; especially in specialized cleaning tasks such as intensive floor cleaning.

Myocardial tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion injury, training intensity and cessation.

Training has been shown to induce cardioprotection. The mechanisms involved remain still poorly understood. Aims of the study were to examine the relevance of training intensity on myocardial protection against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, and to which extent the beneficial effects persist after training cessation in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats trained at either low (60% [Formula: see text]) or high (80% [Formula: see text]) intensity for 10 weeks. An additional group of highly trained rats was detrained for 4 weeks. Untrained rats served as controls. At the end of treatment, rats of all groups were split into two subgroups. In the former, rats underwent left anterior descending artery (LAD) ligature for 30 min, followed by 90-min reperfusion, with subsequent measurement of the infarct size. In the latter, biopsies were taken to measure heat-shock proteins (HSP) 70/72, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Training reduced infarct size proportionally to training intensity. With detraining, infarct size increased compared to highly trained rats, maintaining some cardioprotection with respect to controls. Cardioprotection was proportional to training intensity and related to HSP70/72 upregulation and Mn-SOD activity. The relationship with Mn-SOD was lost with detraining. VEGF protein expression was not affected by either training or detraining. Stress proteins and antioxidant defenses might be involved in the beneficial effects of long-term training as a function of training intensity, while HSP70 may be one of the factors accounting for the partial persistence of myocardial protection against I/R injury in detrained rats.

Recommandations suisses pour la prise en charge des cancers cutanés chez les patients transplantés d'organe [Swiss clinical practice guidelines for skin cancer in organ transplant recipients]

Swiss clinical practice guidelines for skin cancer in organ transplant recipients Transplant patients have increased over the last decades. As a consequence of long-term immunosuppression, skin cancer, in particular squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), has become an important problem. Screening and education of potential organ transplant recipients (OTRs) regarding prevention of sun damage and early recognition of skin cancer are important before transplantation. Once transplanted, OTRs should be seen yearly by a dermatologist to ensure compliance with sun avoidance as well as for treatment of precancerosis and SCC. Early removal is the best treatment for SCC. Reduction of immunosuppression, switch to mTOR inhibitors and chemoprevention with acitretin may reduce the incidence of SCC. The dermatological follow-up of OTRs should be integrated into a comprehensive post-transplant management strategy.

Value added logistical support service: logistics cost structure and performance in the new concept. Part 3

The aim of this study is to present an Activity-Based Costing spreadsheet tool for analyzing the logistics costs. The tool can be used both by customer-companies and logistics service providers. The study discusses the influence of different activity models on costs. Additionally this paper discusses about the logistical performance across the total supply chain This study is carried out using ananalytical research approach and literature material has been used for supplementing the concerned research approach. Cost structure analysis was based on the theory of activity-based management. This study was outlined to spare part logistics in machine-shop industry. The outlines of logistics services and logisticalperformance discussed in this report are based on the new logistics business concept (LMS-concept), which has been presented earlier in the Valssi-project. Oneof the aims of this study is to increase awareness of different activity modelson logistics costs. The report paints an overall picture about the business environment and requirements for the new logistics concept.

Avaliação genética de seleções e híbridos de limões cravo, volkameriano e rugoso como porta-enxertos para laranjeiras Valência na presença da morte súbita dos citros

Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar a avaliação genética da produção de frutos, eficiência produtiva e altura de laranjeiras Valência (Citrus sinensis) enxertadas em seleções e híbridos dos limões Cravo (C. limonia), Volkameriano (C. volkameriana) e Rugoso (C. jambhiri), em área endêmica para morte súbita dos citros (MSC). Foram avaliados 36 genótipos desses porta-enxertos, representados por cinco plantas cada, avaliados em cinco safras, do terceiro ao sétimo ano após o plantio. Sete dos genótipos avaliados apresentaram plantas com sintomas de MSC até o sétimo ano: Rangpur Otaheite orange 12901 (859), Rangpur Red Lime D.33.30 (866), Limão-Cravo EEL (871), Rangpur Borneo red (874), Citrus kokhai (1649), Limão-Rugoso 58329 (1655) e Limão- Cravo x Swingle B (1695). Para os genótipos que não manifestaram sintomas da doença, foram estimados parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos e realizada a predição de valores genéticos dos indivíduos, visando à seleção e ao melhoramento genético para as características citadas, empregando-se o método REML/BLUP (máxima verossimilhança restrita/melhor predição linear não viciada). A análise de produção de frutos de cinco safras mostrou acurácia seletiva de 84,59%, tornando-se desnecessária a avaliação de maior número de safras. A seleção dos sete melhores genótipos proporcionou ganhos genéticos de 11,5% na produção de frutos, enquanto a do melhor genótipo conferiu ganho genético de 16,3%. As maiores médias genéticas preditas (>70,0 kg.pl-1) para produção de frutos foram obtidas pelos genótipos Limão-Cravo- Ipanema (1522), Santa- Bárbara-Red- Lime (884), Limão- Cravo- Limeira (863), Limão- Cravo- Taquaritinga (869), Limão- Rugoso- do -Cabo (1643), Rangpur- Rose Lime (868) e Limão- Cravo- da- Califórnia (1467). Já a acurácia seletiva da eficiência produtiva, para quatro colheitas, foi 77,4%. Para este caráter, as maiores médias genéticas (>8,0 kg.m-3) foram dos genótipos Rangpur- Lime x Trifoliata 3810 (1648), Rangpur- Lime x Trifoliata 5320 (1644), Limão- Cravo x Citrange- Carrizo (1524), Citrus pennivesiculata (880), Limão- Cravo x Trifoliata- Swingle A (1707), Rangpur- Rose- Lemon 124684 (864), Rangpur- Red -Lime D33.47 (867) e Limão- Cravo -Ipanema (1522). Dentre os 10 melhores genótipos para produção de frutos e para eficiência produtiva, apenas três são coincidentes: Rangpur- Rose -Lime (868), Citrus pennivesiculata (880) e Limão- Cravo-Ipanema (1522).

Exposure to Tobacco Smoke and Markers of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Children and Adolescents. The STRIP Study.

Background: Measurement of serum cotinine, a major metabolite of nicotine, provides a valid marker for quantifying exposure to tobacco smoke. Exposure to tobacco smoke causes vascular damage by multiple mechanisms, and it has been acknowledged as a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Multifactorial atherosclerosis begins in childhood, but the relationship between exposure to tobacco smoke and arterial changes related to early atherosclerosis have not been studied in children. Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate exposure to tobacco smoke with a biomarker, serum cotinine concentration, and its associations with markers of subclinical atherosclerosis and lipid profile in school-aged children and adolescents. Subjects and Methods: Serum cotinine concentration was measured using a gas chromatographic method annually between the ages 8 and 13 years in 538-625 children participating since infancy in a randomized, prospective atherosclerosis prevention trial STRIP (Special Turku coronary Risk factor Intervention Project). Conventional atherosclerosis risk factors were measured repeatedly. Vascular ultrasound studies were performed among 402 healthy 11-year-old children and among 494 adolescents aged 13 years. Results: According to serum cotinine measurements, a notable number of the school aged children and adolescents were exposed to tobacco smoke, but the exposure levels were only moderate. Exposure to tobacco smoke was associated with decreased endothelial function as measured with flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, decreased elasticity of the aorta, and increased carotid and aortic intima-media thickness. Longitudinal exposure to tobacco smoke was also related with increased apolipoprotein B and triglyceride levels in 13-year-old adolescents, whose body mass index and nutrient intakes did not differ. Conclusions: These findings suggest that exposure to tobacco smoke in childhood may play a significant role in the development of early atherosclerosis. Key Words: arterial elasticity, atherosclerosis, children, cotinine, endothelial function, environmental tobacco smoke, intima-media thickness, risk factors, ultrasound

Customer reference marketing in a business to business context

This study focuses on the phenomenon of customer reference marketing in a business tobusiness (B to B) context. Although customer references are generally considered an important marketing and sales tool, the academic literature has paid surprisingly little attention to the phenomenon. The study suggests that customer references could be viewed as important marketing assets for industrial suppliers, and the ability to build, manage and leverage customer reference portfolios systematically constitutes a relevant marketing capability. The role of customer references is examined in the context of the industrial suppliers' shift towards a solution and project orientation and in the light of the on going changes in the project business. Suppliers in several industry sectors are undergoing a change from traditional equipment manufacturing towards project and solution oriented business. It is argued in this thesis that the high complexity, the project oriented nature and the intangible service elements that characterise many contemporary B to B offerings further increase the role of customer references. The study proposes three mechanisms of customer reference marketing: status transfer, validation through testimonials and the demonstration of experience and prior performance. The study was conducted in the context of Finnish B to B process technology and information technology companies. The empirical data comprises 38 interviews with managers of four case companies, 165 customer reference descriptions gathered from six case companies' Web sites, as well as company internal material. The findings from the case studies show that customer references have various external and internal functions that contribute to the growth and performance of B to B firms. Externally, customer references bring status transfer effects from reputable customers, concretise and demonstrate complex solutions, and provide indirect evidence of experience, previous performance, technological functionality and delivered customer value. They can also be leveraged internally to facilitate organisational learning and training, advance offering development, and motivate personnel. Major reference projects create new business opportunities and can be used as a vehicle for strategic change. The findings of the study shed light on the on going changing orientations in the project business environment, increase understanding of the variety of ways in which customer references can be deployed as marketing assets, and provide a framework of the relevant tasks and activities related to building, managing and leveraging a firm's customer reference portfolio. The findings contribute to the industrial marketing research, to the literature on marketing assets and capabilities and to the literature on projects and solutions. The proposed functions and mechanisms of customer reference marketing bring a more thorough and structured understanding about the essence and characteristics of the phenomenon and give a wide ranging view of the role of customer references as marketing assets for B to B firms. The study suggests several managerial implications for industrial suppliers in order to systematise customer reference marketing efforts.

De panacea boreali

Invocatio: D.D.

Erinnerung

Soitinnus: piano.

L'Univers

1869/09/07 (Numéro 859).