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1.
Geophys Res Lett ; 49(3): e2021GL096069, 2022 Feb 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35859568

ABSTRACT

Water storage plays an important role in mitigating heat and flooding in urban areas. Assessment of the water storage capacity of cities remains challenging due to the inherent heterogeneity of the urban surface. Traditionally, effective storage has been estimated from runoff. Here, we present a novel approach to estimate effective water storage capacity from recession rates of observed evaporation during precipitation-free periods. We test this approach for cities at neighborhood scale with eddy-covariance based latent heat flux observations from 14 contrasting sites with different local climate zones, vegetation cover and characteristics, and climates. Based on analysis of 583 drydowns, we find storage capacities to vary between 1.3 and 28.4 mm, corresponding to e-folding timescales of 1.8-20.1 days. This makes the urban storage capacity at least five times smaller than all the observed values for natural ecosystems, reflecting an evaporation regime characterized by extreme water limitation.

2.
Genet Mol Res ; 15(1)2016 Jan 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26909934

ABSTRACT

Genetic studies of multiple paternity are a valuable tool to gain information on the reproductive biology of turtles. We analyzed paternity type in Podocnemis sextuberculata and related number of fathers per nest to nesting period (beginning, middle, or end of nesting season); clutch size (number of eggs); female size; and hatchling success. Females were captured and maximum linear carapace lengths measured during the 60 days that encompass the nesting season at Rio Trombetas Biological Reserve (Pará, Brazil). Nests were marked and blood samples collected from hatchlings. Six heterologous loci were used: five from Podocnemis unifilis and one from Podocnemis expansa. Hatchlings were analyzed from 23 nests, and the rate of multiple paternity was 100%. The mean number of fathers per nest was six (± 0.9), and no significant difference between number of fathers in a nest and nesting period. Similarly there was no significant relationship between number of fathers in a nest and female size or hatchling success rate. Number of fathers was, however, positively correlated with clutch size (Spearman correlation rho = 0.47; P > 0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first study to test the relationship between multiple paternity and ecological aspects of the reproductive ecology of turtles in the genus Podocnemis.


Subject(s)
Turtles/genetics , Animals , Brazil , Female , Male , Paternity , Reproduction , Rivers
3.
Chemosphere ; 137: 157-65, 2015 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26183822

ABSTRACT

In the course of the development of a new and reliable analytical method for the PCT, a group of environmental contaminants, six coplanar terphenyl congeners were synthesized and characterized by means of spectroscopic methods. These congeners are 3,3″,4,4″,5-pentachloro-p-terphenyl, 3,3″,4,5,5″-pentachloro-p-terphenyl, 3,3″,4,5″-tetrachloro-m-terphenyl, 3,3″,4,4″,5-pentachloro-m-terphenyl, 3,3″,5,5',5″-pentachloro-m-terphenyl, and 3,3″,4,4″,5,5″-hexachloro-m-terphenyl. A combination of silica gel column chromatography and preparative NP-HPLC was successfully applied for the first time for the isolation of especially the asymmetrically chlorinated target compounds from product mixtures of the syntheses. For the 29 coplanar, tetra- to heptachlorinated meta- and para-indicator congeners which are envisaged to be used within the analytical method, a simplified systematic nomenclature is suggested. Furthermore, calculation results for all torsion angles of the preferred conformations of the substances are given. The practical relevance of the calculated conformation optima is exemplarily demonstrated by the chromatographic behavior of the PCT compounds.


Subject(s)
Environmental Pollutants/analysis , Environmental Pollutants/chemical synthesis , Polychloroterphenyl Compounds/analysis , Polychloroterphenyl Compounds/chemical synthesis , Environmental Pollutants/chemistry , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Molecular Structure , Polychloroterphenyl Compounds/chemistry , Reference Standards , Structure-Activity Relationship
4.
Acta Anaesthesiol Scand ; 59(5): 586-97, 2015 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25782165

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Brain dysfunction is common in sepsis. We aimed to assess whether cerebral perfusion, oxygenation, and/or metabolism are abnormal during early endotoxemia, and how they may relate to potential neurohistological changes. METHODS: In this prospective animal study, we included 12 pigs (weight: 42 ± 4 kg; mean ± SD) that were exposed to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (E. coli LPS B0111 : B4, 0.4 µg/kg/h) or saline infusion (n = 6, each) for 10 h. Systemic hemodynamics, cerebral blood flow, intracranial pressure, and brain tissue oxygen tension were continuously measured. At the end of the experiment, formalin-fixed brains were cut in coronal sections and embedded in paraffin. Afterwards, the sections were cut at 5 microns and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. RESULTS: Stable systemic hemodynamics in both groups were associated with higher carotid arterial blood flow after 10 h of endotoxemia (9.0 ± 2.2 ml/kg/min) compared to controls (6.6 ± 1.2 ml/kg/min; time-group interaction: P = 0.014). Intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, brain oxygen consumption, and brain tissue oxygen tension were similar in both groups. In four of the six endotoxemic animals but in none of the controls, cerebral tissue lesions were found (encephalomalacia with spongy degeneration of white matter, axonal swelling, and ischemic neuronal thalamic necrosis), including significant venous vascular alterations, predominantly in the brainstem, in three of the four animals. CONCLUSIONS: Early endotoxemia seems to be associated with histological signs of brain damage unrelated to systemic or cerebral hemodynamics or oxygenation.


Subject(s)
Endotoxemia/complications , Endotoxemia/pathology , Nervous System Diseases/etiology , Nervous System Diseases/pathology , Animals , Brain/pathology , Cerebrovascular Circulation , Endotoxemia/chemically induced , Female , Hemodynamics , Intracranial Pressure , Lipopolysaccharides , Male , Oxygen Consumption , Prospective Studies , Respiratory Mechanics , Swine
5.
Ophthalmologe ; 112(12): 1002-5, 2015 Dec.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25755026

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pseudotumor cerebri is an idiopathic increase in intracranial pressure, which commonly affects obese women of fertile age. The diagnostic criteria according to the guidelines of the German Society for Neurology are increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, symptoms of increased CSF pressure, normal results of CSF examination, no relevant medication and a lack of structural and vascular lesions in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CASE REPORT: This article presents the case of a 39-year-old male patient who presented at hospital with visual obscuration and recently occurred double vision. Except for a recently diagnosed thrombosis of the left jugular vein of unknown origin, there was nothing else of note in the medical history. Biomicroscopic examination showed papilledema with hemorrhages and cotton wool spots. The CSF opening pressure was initially > 50 cmH2O. During therapy by lumbar puncture (three times), oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and loop diuretics, the abducens nerve palsy and papilledema receded. Anticoagulation therapy (initially with coumarin derivatives, then with low molecular weight heparins) was unsuccessful in eliminating the thrombosis of the jugular vein. Surgical intervention was not recommended by the vascular surgeons. CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrates the unusual combination of (idiopathic) intracranial hypertension and thrombosis of the jugular vein, which occurred spontaneously and without any detectable coagulation disorders.


Subject(s)
Jugular Veins/pathology , Optic Nerve Diseases/diagnosis , Optic Nerve Diseases/etiology , Pseudotumor Cerebri/complications , Pseudotumor Cerebri/diagnosis , Venous Thrombosis/drug therapy , Acetazolamide/administration & dosage , Adult , Anticoagulants/administration & dosage , Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Coumarins/administration & dosage , Diagnosis, Differential , Diplopia/diagnosis , Diplopia/etiology , Diplopia/prevention & control , Humans , Jugular Veins/drug effects , Male , Optic Nerve Diseases/drug therapy , Pseudotumor Cerebri/drug therapy , Treatment Outcome , Venous Thrombosis/complications , Venous Thrombosis/diagnosis
6.
Ophthalmologe ; 112(1): 61-3, 2015 Jan.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24942220

ABSTRACT

Ophthalmomyiasis refers to infestation of the eye by fly larvae. Although rare, cases have been reported from all over the world. Patients with ophthalmomyiasis suffer from itching, foreign body sensation and epiphora. Ophthalmomyiasis is mostly caused by larvae of Oestrus ovis, the common sheep botfly. Larvae of Oestrus ovis are photophobic and hide in the upper and lower fornix. First line treatment consists of mechanical removal of the larvae.


Subject(s)
Eye Infections, Parasitic/pathology , Eye Infections, Parasitic/therapy , Myiasis/pathology , Myiasis/therapy , Adult , Antiprotozoal Agents/therapeutic use , Combined Modality Therapy , Diagnosis, Differential , Eye Infections, Parasitic/parasitology , Gentamicins/therapeutic use , Humans , Male , Myiasis/parasitology , Treatment Outcome
7.
Eur Phys J C Part Fields ; 74(10): 2981, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25972760

ABSTRACT

We highlight the progress, current status, and open challenges of QCD-driven physics, in theory and in experiment. We discuss how the strong interaction is intimately connected to a broad sweep of physical problems, in settings ranging from astrophysics and cosmology to strongly coupled, complex systems in particle and condensed-matter physics, as well as to searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. We also discuss how success in describing the strong interaction impacts other fields, and, in turn, how such subjects can impact studies of the strong interaction. In the course of the work we offer a perspective on the many research streams which flow into and out of QCD, as well as a vision for future developments.

8.
J Phys Chem A ; 117(51): 14100-8, 2013 Dec 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24283295

ABSTRACT

Nitronaphthalene derivatives (NNDs) are among the most abundant volatile nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in the Earth's atmosphere. Investigations of the atmospheric degradation processes show that photolysis is the major degradation pathway under ambient conditions. In this contribution, we present photochemical measurements and quantum-chemical calculations of three major NNDs. It is shown that the magnitude of the photodegradation and triplet quantum yields in 1-nitronaphthalene (1NN), 2-methyl-1-nitronaphthalene (2M1NN), and 2-nitronaphthalene (2NN) are inversely related to each other. In accord with a recent time-resolved and computation study (J. Phys. Chem. A 2013, 117, 6580) and in order to explain this striking observation we propose that these photochemical yields are largely controlled by (1) the conformational heterogeneity of the nitro-aromatic torsion angle, (2) the energy gap (spin-orbit coupling interaction) between the excited singlet state and the receiver triplet state, and (3) the topology of the excited singlet state in the Franck-Condon region of configuration space sampled at the time of excitation. A distribution of torsion angles closer to 90° leads to a higher photoreactivity. Methylation of the ortho position in 1NN to give 2M1NN increases the photoreactivity by 97%, while 2NN is largely photoinert. Conversely, the triplet yield decreases as the distribution of torsion angles gets closer to 90°: 0.93 ± 0.15 in 2NN, 0.64 ± 0.12 in 1NN, and 0.33 ± 0.05 in 2M1NN. These results suggest an important relationship between conformational heterogeneity and the photochemical fate of these NNDs. This structure-photoreactivity relationship is of relevance to current efforts aimed at modeling and understanding the distribution patterns of NNDs in the atmosphere and their overall contribution to air quality.

9.
J Phys Chem A ; 117(30): 6580-8, 2013 Aug 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23845162

ABSTRACT

Femtosecond transient absorption experiments and density functional calculations are presented for 2-methyl-1-nitronaphthalene, 2-nitronaphthalene, and 1-nitronaphthalene in cyclohexane and acetonitrile solutions. Excitation of 2-methyl-1-nitronaphthalene at 340 nm populates the Franck-Condon singlet state, which bifurcates into two barrierless decay channels with sub-200-fs lifetimes. The primary decay channel connects the Franck-Condon singlet excited state with a receiver triplet state, whereas the second, minor channel involves conformational relaxation to populate an intramolecular charge-transfer state, as previously reported for 1-nitronaphthalene (J. Chem. Phys. 2009, 113, 224518). Conversely, the experimental and computational data for 2-nitronaphthalene shows that almost the entire Franck-Condon singlet excited-state population intersystem crosses to the triplet state in less than 200 fs due to a sizable energy barrier of ca. 5 kcal/mol that must be surmounted to access the intramolecular charge-transfer state. Our results lend support to the idea that the probability of population transfer to the triplet manifold in these nitronaphthalene derivatives is controlled not only by the small energy gap between the Franck-Condon singlet excited state and the receiver triplet state but also by the region of configuration space sampled in the singlet excited-state potential energy surface at the time of excitation. It is proposed that the ultrafast intersystem crossing dynamics in these nitronaphthalene molecules most likely occurs between nonequilibrated excited states in the strongly nonadiabatic regime.

10.
Photochem Photobiol Sci ; 12(8): 1341-50, 2013 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23529277

ABSTRACT

2-Aminopurine is a fluorescent probe widely used to study local dynamics as well as charge and energy transfer reactions in DNA/RNA. Despite its broad utilization, the nonradiative relaxation pathways responsible for the variation in its fluorescence quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime in different solvents are still under scrutiny. In this work we use steady-state absorption and emission spectroscopy and broad-band transient absorption covering the time scale from femtoseconds to microseconds to investigate the excited-state dynamics of 2-aminopurine 2'-deoxyriboside (2APdr) in acetonitrile, ethanol, and aqueous buffer solution at pH 7. It is shown that up to ~40% of the initial excited-state population decays by intersystem crossing to the triplet state depending on the solvent used, thus competing effectively with fluorescence emission. Furthermore, the rate of formation and yield of the triplet state depend sensitively on the hydrogen-donor ability and polarity of the solvent.


Subject(s)
2-Aminopurine/chemistry , Deoxyribonucleosides/chemistry , Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry , Acetonitriles/chemistry , Ethanol/chemistry , Fluorescence , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Models, Molecular , Quantum Theory , Solutions , Solvents/chemistry , Spectrometry, Fluorescence
11.
Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir ; 44(5): 293-9, 2012 Oct.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23027334

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: In the following article we evaluate the clinical and radiological results after PIP joint replacement to answer the question if the outcome improved over the last years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective clinical study 53 patients with 66 PIP joint implants (SBI-Avanta, Small Bone Innovations, Inc.) were assessed on the basis of clinical and radiological parameters. We examined the patients' range of motion, their grip strength, the rate of radiological loosening, the development of pain and the patients' satisfaction. 2 groups were included in the study. Patients operated from 2001 to 2007 (group A) were compared with patients operated from 2008 to 2011 (group B). To facilitate a standardized examination, we developed a score providing a comprehensive representation of the outcome after PIP joint replacement. RESULTS: Group B showed significant improvement in the rate of loosening of the prosthesis (44-4%) in the last follow-up examination. Further improvement was demonstrated in pain reduction, range of motion (77°/67°), the patients' satisfaction and development of swan neck deformity (11%/18%). There was no significant improvement in the patients' grip strength and the rate of revision surgery. CONCLUSION: Overall, the results after PIP joint replacement are very good. All patients reported a marked improvement in pain reduction. In group B a significant reduction in the rate of loosening of the prosthesis was shown. Moreover, the rate of swan neck deformity, the range of motion, the reduction of pain and the patient's satisfaction improved over the last years. The application of a new PIP-joint-score for a standardized evaluation of the outcome indicated a good correlation with patient satisfaction over time. The experience of the past years enabled improvements in PIP joint replacement. We consider cementing the prosthesis, a large contact area between the prosthesis and the bone and an emphasis on easy intraoperative flexion/extension as factors which can improve the results after PIP joint replacement. However, some problems could not been solved to date. In this respect, prospective clinical and biomechanical studies are necessary.


Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/surgery , Finger Joint/surgery , Joint Prosthesis , Osteoarthritis/surgery , Postoperative Complications/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnostic imaging , Female , Finger Joint/diagnostic imaging , Follow-Up Studies , Hand Strength/physiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Osteoarthritis/diagnostic imaging , Patient Satisfaction , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Prosthesis Design , Prosthesis Failure , Radiography , Range of Motion, Articular/physiology , Retrospective Studies
12.
J Food Prot ; 75(10): 1759-65, 2012 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23043823

ABSTRACT

In 2010, 41 patients ill with Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolates determined to be indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis were identified among residents of five Southwestern U.S. states. A majority of patients reported consuming complimentary samples of aged raw-milk Gouda cheese at national warehouse chain store locations; sampling Gouda cheese was significantly associated with illness (odds ratio, 9.0; 95 % confidence interval, 1.7 to 47). Several Gouda samples yielded the O157:H7 outbreak strain, confirming the food vehicle and source of infections. Implicated retail food-sampling operations were inconsistently regulated among affected states, and sanitation deficiencies were common among sampling venues. Inspection of the cheese manufacturer indicated deficient sanitation practices and insufficient cheese curing times. Policymakers should continue to reexamine the adequacy and enforcement of existing rules intended to ensure the safety of raw-milk cheeses and retail food sampling. Additional research is necessary to clarify the food safety hazards posed to patrons who consume free food samples while shopping.


Subject(s)
Cheese/microbiology , Escherichia coli Infections/epidemiology , Escherichia coli O157/isolation & purification , Food Contamination/analysis , Food Handling/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Animals , Child , Child, Preschool , Disease Outbreaks , Female , Food Microbiology , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Milk/microbiology , Southwestern United States/epidemiology , Young Adult
13.
J Am Chem Soc ; 134(36): 14808-17, 2012 Sep 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22909171

ABSTRACT

Femtosecond-to-microsecond broadband transient absorption experiments are reported for Cy(3)PAu(2-naphthyl) (1), (Cy(3)PAu)(2)(2,6-naphthalenediyl) (2), and (Cy(3)PAu)(2)(2,7-naphthalenediyl) (3), where Cy = cyclohexyl. Global and target analyses of the data, based on a sequential kinetic model, reveal four spectral components. These components are assigned to (1) excited state absorption (ESA) of the ligand-centered S(1) state; (2) ESA of a receiver ligand-to-metal or metal-to-ligand charge transfer triplet state (τ(1) ≤ 300 fs); (3) ESA of the vibrationally excited, ligand-centered T(1) state (τ(3) = 7-10 ps); and (4) ESA of the relaxed T(1) state. Intersystem crossing (ISC) occurs in hundreds of femtoseconds, while internal conversion (IC) in the triplet manifold is slow (τ(2) ≈ 2 ps). The relaxed T(1) state shows biphasic decay kinetics in 2 and 3 with lifetimes of hundreds of picoseconds and hundreds of nanoseconds in air-saturated conditions, while only monophasic decay is observed in 1 under identical conditions. The primary decay pathway of the T(1) state is assigned to quenching by O(2), while the secondary channel is tentatively assigned to self-quenching or triplet-triplet annihilation. The ISC rate in 1 is not modulated significantly by the incorporation of a second heavy-atom group effecter. Instead, the position at which the second Au(I)-phosphine group is attached plays a noticeable role in the ISC rate, showing a 3-fold decrease in that of 2 compared to that of 3. The results challenge the conventional view that the rate of IC is larger than that of ISC, lending further support to the emerging kinetic model proposed for other transition-metal complexes. Gold(I) now joins the exclusive group of transition metals known to form organometallic complexes exhibiting excited-state nonequilibrium dynamics.


Subject(s)
Gold/chemistry , Naphthalenes/chemistry , Organogold Compounds/chemistry , Phosphines/chemistry , Quantum Theory , Solutions , Time Factors
14.
Genet Mol Res ; 10(3): 1393-402, 2011.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21823088

ABSTRACT

The chelonians are, in general, important for the economy of the traditional populations of the Amazon region, especially as a source of animal protein. Furthermore, sub-products, such as eggs and fat, are utilized in the manufacture of cosmetics, and the plastron and carapace are used in the manufacture of adornments. The freshwater turtle species Podocnemis sextuberculata, locally known as "iaçá" or "pitiú", is widely distributed in the Amazon Basin in Brazil and also in Colombia and Peru. This species is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List in the category of vulnerable species. We examined the genetic variability and population structure of three populations represented by 64 individuals sampled from Reserva Federal de Abufari, Tapauá, Amazonas State; Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, Amazonas State, and Terra Santa, Pará State. All of these are over 1000 km from each other. A partial 415-bp sequence of the mitochondrial gene ND1 was utilized as a molecular marker. Seven haplotypes were observed; the most common haplotype was shared by all the areas sampled, while the rarest haplotypes were represented by a single individual and were thus restricted to a single locality. The sharing of the most common haplotype, the high number of migrants (Nm) and the AMOVA results indicate a lack of genetic structure among the sampling localities. The levels of genetic variability observed were homogeneous among the sampling localities. These results (Ó¨(ST) and Nm) are compatible with what is known about the ecology of this species, which has a great migratory capacity.


Subject(s)
Genetics, Population/methods , Animals , Brazil , Colombia , DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics , Haplotypes/genetics , Peru , Turtles/classification , Turtles/genetics
15.
Chemosphere ; 83(11): 1513-23, 2011 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21316733

ABSTRACT

Salbutamol is a potent ß(2)-adrenergic receptor agonist widely used in the treatment of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. An increasing number of studies have detected salbutamol in natural water systems worldwide. Studies have shown that sunlight degrades salbutamol resulting in the formation of products; some showing higher toxicity to bacteria Vibrio fischeri than the parent compound. In this contribution, steady-state absorption and emission techniques, high-performance liquid chromatography, and transient absorption spectroscopy are used to investigate the photochemistry of salbutamol in aqueous buffer solutions at controlled pH values. Ground- and excited-state calculations that include solvent effects are performed to guide the interpretation of the experimental results. Salbutamol is sensitive to UVB light absorption in the pH range from 3 to 12, forming products that absorb light at longer wavelengths than the parent compound. Quantum yields of degradation reveal that the deprotonated species is 10-fold more photo-active than the protonated species. In line with this result, the fluorescence quantum yield of the protonated species is more than an order of magnitude higher than that of the deprotonated species. Transient absorption spectroscopy shows that population of the triplet state occurs with a rate constant of 7.1×10(8)s(-1) in the protonated species, while a rate constant of 1.7×10(10)s(-1) is measured for the deprotonated species. While degradation of the deprotonated species is not affected by the presence of molecular oxygen, a twofold increase in the photodegradation yield of the protonated species in air-saturated conditions is observed.


Subject(s)
Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists/chemistry , Albuterol/chemistry , Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry , Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists/analysis , Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists/radiation effects , Albuterol/analysis , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Models, Chemical , Photochemical Processes , Ultraviolet Rays , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Water Pollutants, Chemical/radiation effects
16.
Cytometry B Clin Cytom ; 78 Suppl 1: S47-60, 2010.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20839338

ABSTRACT

A relatively high number of different subsets of B-cells are generated through the differentiation of early B-cell precursors into mature B-lymphocytes in the bone marrow (BM) and antigen-triggered maturation of germinal center B-cells into memory B-lymphocytes and plasmablasts in lymphoid tissues. These B-cell subpopulations, which are produced in the BM and lymphoid tissues, recirculate through peripheral blood (PB), into different tissues including mucosa and the BM, where long-living plasma cells produce antibodies. These circulating PB B-cells can be classified according to their maturation stage into i) immature/transitional, ii) naïve, and iii) memory B-lymphocytes, and iv) plasmablasts/plasma cells. Additionally, unique subsets of memory B-lymphocytes and plasmablasts/plasma cells can be identified based on their differential expression of unique Ig-heavy chain isotypes (e.g.: IgM, IgD, IgG, IgA). In the present paper, we review recent data reported in the literature about the distribution, immunophenotypic and functional characteristics of these cell subpopulations, as well as their distribution in PB according to age and seasonal changes. Additional information is also provided in this regard based on the study of a population-based cohort of 600 healthy adults aged from 20 to 80 years, recruited in the Salamanca area in western Spain. Detailed knowledge of the distribution and traffic of B-cell subsets through PB mirrors the immune status of an individual subject and it may also contribute to a better understanding of B-cell disorders related to B-cell biology and homeostasis, such as monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL).


Subject(s)
B-Lymphocyte Subsets/pathology , Bone Marrow Cells/pathology , Germinal Center/pathology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , B-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology , Bone Marrow Cells/immunology , Cell Differentiation , Cell Movement , Germinal Center/immunology , Humans , Immunophenotyping , Middle Aged , Young Adult
17.
Environ Sci Technol ; 44(8): 2975-80, 2010 Apr 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20329770

ABSTRACT

Long-term monitoring of surface water quality has shown increasing concentrations of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) across large parts of the northern latitudes. This has increased purification costs for domestic water works. Appropriate abatement actions require better knowledge of the governing factors for the increase, and this has motivated a growing scientific interest in understanding the factors and mechanisms promoting the CDOM increase. A proposed water color model for an important raw water source for Oslo, Norway, is based on the precipitation's amount and mobile ion concentration. The model explained more than 93% of the temporal variation in CDOM between 1983 and 2008. The model structure was also tested on three adjacent raw water sources and was found to explain 75-82% of the CDOM development throughout the same period. The long-term trend of increasing CDOM was closely related to the decline in sulfate and chloride concentrations in precipitation. Furthermore, interannual fluctuations in CDOM were explained by variation in predominant water flow paths, depending on amounts and intensity of precipitation, both of which are predicted to increase in several parts of the northern latitudes according to climate change scenarios.


Subject(s)
Color , Organic Chemicals , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Norway , Photochemistry
18.
Chemosphere ; 78(6): 680-7, 2010 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20045172

ABSTRACT

In order to identify and to quantify polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) in environmental matrices, the chromatographic behavior of coplanar and non-coplanar congeners was evaluated. A mixture of 16 single PCT congeners was used for method development. Four of these compounds were synthesized for the first time by SUZUKI-coupling reaction. These were p-PCT (2,2'',6,6''-tetrachloro-, 2',3,3'',4,4'',5',-hexachloro-, 2',3,3'',5,5',5''-hexachloro-) and m-PCT (2,2'',3,3'',5,5''-hexachloro-). They were characterized by NMR ((1)H,(13)C) spectroscopy. By means of the new column chromatographic clean-up reported here, a good matrix removal and the separation of the coplanar PCT congeners from the non-coplanar ones was obtained. The recovery rates for all congeners were good for the PCT in different test matrices like fat, charcoal, and soil. The quality of the clean-up, the separation and the recovery rates were determined by GC/MS analysis. The method was applied for the first time to a real sample from a fire accident, where different PCT, obviously formed during the combustion process, were found. The conclusion is drawn that this method is suitable for the analysis of PCT in different environmental samples.


Subject(s)
Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated/analysis , Terphenyl Compounds/analysis , Charcoal/analysis , Fats/analysis , Fires , Reference Standards , Soil/analysis
19.
J Chem Phys ; 131(22): 224518, 2009 Dec 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20001068

ABSTRACT

The electronic energy relaxation of 1-nitronaphthalene was studied in nonpolar, aprotic, and protic solvents in the time window from femtoseconds to microseconds. Excitation at 340 or 360 nm populates the Franck-Condon S(1)(pipi( *)) state, which is proposed to bifurcate into two essentially barrierless nonradiative decay channels with sub-200 fs lifetimes. The first main decay channel connects the S(1) state with a receiver T(n) state that has considerable npi( *) character. The receiver T(n) state undergoes internal conversion to populate the vibrationally excited T(1)(pipi( *)) state in 2-4 ps. It is shown that vibrational cooling dynamics in the T(1) state depends on the solvent used, with average lifetimes in the range from 6 to 12 ps. Furthermore, solvation dynamics competes effectively with vibrational cooling in the triplet manifold in primary alcohols. The relaxed T(1) state undergoes intersystem crossing back to the ground state within a few microseconds in N(2)-saturated solutions in all the solvents studied. The second minor channel involves conformational relaxation of the bright S(1) state (primarily rotation of the NO(2)-group) to populate a dissociative singlet state with significant charge-transfer character and negligible oscillator strength. This dissociative channel is proposed to be responsible for the observed photochemistry in 1-nitronaphthalene. Ground- and excited-state calculations at the density functional level of theory that include bulk and explicit solvent effects lend support to the proposed mechanism where the fluorescent S(1) state decays rapidly and irreversibly to dark excited states. A four-state kinetic model is proposed that satisfactorily explains the origin of the nonradiative electronic relaxation pathways in 1-nitronaphthalene.

20.
Epidemiol Infect ; 137(11): 1651-4, 2009 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19426570

ABSTRACT

Tri-County Health Department investigated an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis linked to a community swimming pool. A cohort study was conducted in 37 persons who were invited to the pool party; 12 (57%) of 21 attendees had primary cryptosporidiosis infection. Risk factors for illness included swimming, getting water in mouth, and swallowing water. The pool met chlorination guidelines and used UV light irradiation, a supplemental disinfection technology that inactivates Cryptosporidium. A follow-up survey of the cohort was completed 7-8 weeks after the pool party; four (25%) of 16 non-attendees had secondary cryptosporidiosis infection. The median duration of illness, including patients with recurring symptoms, was 26 days. Clinical response rate to nitazoxanide, a therapeutic agent, was 67%. This study is unique because it describes a cryptosporidiosis outbreak from a well-maintained community swimming pool using supplemental disinfection. It also reports information on disease burden and treatment response.


Subject(s)
Cryptosporidiosis/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks , Swimming Pools , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Colorado/epidemiology , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Incidence , Young Adult
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