The association between campylobacteriosis, agriculture and drinking water: a case-case study in a region of British Columbia, Canada, 2005-2009.

We studied the association between drinking water, agriculture and sporadic human campylobacteriosis in one region of British Columbia (BC), Canada. We compared 2992 cases of campylobacteriosis to 4816 cases of other reportable enteric diseases in 2005-2009 using multivariate regression. Cases were geocoded and assigned drinking water source, rural/urban environment and socioeconomic status (SES) according to the location of their residence using geographical information systems analysis methods. The odds of campylobacteriosis compared to enteric disease controls were higher for individuals serviced by private wells than municipal surface water systems (odds ratio 1·4, 95% confidence interval 1·1-1·8). In rural settings, the odds of campylobacteriosis were higher in November (P = 0·014). The odds of campylobacteriosis were higher in individuals aged ⩾15 years, especially in those with higher SES. In this region of BC, campylobacteriosis risk, compared to other enteric diseases, seems to be mediated by vulnerable drinking water sources and rural factors. Consideration should be given to further support well-water users and to further study the microbiological impact of agriculture on water.

Evolution of length scales and statistics of Richtmyer-Meshkov instability from direct numerical simulations.

In this study we present direct numerical simulation results of the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability (RMI) initiated by Ma=1.05,Ma=1.2, and Ma=1.5 shock waves interacting with a perturbed planar interface between air and SF(6). At the lowest shock Mach number the fluids slowly mix due to viscous diffusion, whereas at the highest shock Mach number the mixing zone becomes turbulent. When a minimum critical Taylor microscale Reynolds number is exceeded, an inertial range spectrum emerges, providing further evidence of transition to turbulence. The scales of turbulent motion, i.e., the Kolmogorov length scale, the Taylor microscale, and the integral length, scale are presented. The separation of these scales is found to increase as the Reynolds number is increased. Turbulence statistics, i.e., the probability density functions of the velocity and its longitudinal and transverse derivatives, show a self-similar decay and thus that turbulence evolving from RMI is not fundamentally different from isotropic turbulence, though nominally being only isotropic and homogeneous in the transverse directions.

The influence of balneotherapy on T-cell populations and direct lymphocytotoxicity in patients with vascular disorders of lower limbs.

A significant favourable effect of the balneological treatment on the RFC markers of peripheral blood lymphocytes was shown, with the exception of cases of thromboangiitis obliterans. The obtained results are a trial of using simple immunological tests for evaluation of the effectiveness of balneological treatment.

Initial observations on the administration of thymus extract (TFX) in patients with alimentary tract neoplasms.

The administration of thymus extract (TFX) has been performed in 35 patients suffering from malignancies of the alimentary tract. TFX, being a calf thymuses extract prepared by Jelenia Góra Drug Producers "Polfa" was given in the dose of 0.5 mg in 3 or 7-day intervals during several months. The immunological condition of patients was checked by many tests: E-rosettes, DLT (direct lymphocytotoxicity test) determination of absolute number of peripheral blood lymphocytes and skin tests (RT-23, PHA and TFX). Our observations revealed that TFX is biologically active also in humans, increases cell-mediated immunity and may restore the immune capability of patients operated due to malignancies of the alimentary tract.

Immunological and patho-clinical observations of a patient with rectal carcinoma after long term administration of thymic extract (TFX).

TFX (Thymus Factor X) extract from calf thymuses, was given for the first time in Poland to the patient suffering from advanced rectal cancer with perforation to the peritoneal cavity, diffuse fecal peritonitis and multiple metastases to the liver. The immunological, clinical and histopathological observations of the patient for the period of 12 months of treatment are presented. The patient was given the biologically active thymus extract in the total amount of 14.2 mg in 34 subcutaneous injections initially in single dose of 0.1 mg and later on in amount of 0.5 mg. The remarkable restoration of the immunological reactivity of the patient from a total energy to the state of hyperreactivity has to be emphasized. It has been confirmed by the delayed hypersensitivity skin tests (Rt-23, PHA), the increase of the number of RFC (TEa and TEt rosette test with the SRBC), the diminishing of the autolymphocytotoxicity of the peripheral lymphocytes (evaluated by DTL) and also by the high level of the absolute number of circulating lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. The improvement of the clinical condition of the patient consisted in total regression of the inflammatory and functional changes in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems and also in the renal function. The regular rectal endoscopic examinations of the patient revealed the diminished size of the tumor and its unusual appearance described as an induration and sharp delimitation from the surrounding tissues. The histological examinations performed 5 times during the observation period of 11 months revaled the essential changes in the structure of the growth: the marked increase of the stroma with the signs of active proliferation, foci calcification and ossification. These changes were interpreted as extremely rare in the rectal cancer stroma and are considered to represent dystrophic calcification at the neoplastic foci followed by ossification. It should be also pointed out that twelve months survival of the patient with advanced rectal cancer and multiple metastases to the liver represents an unusually long rate in comparison to that generally accepted in the literature for this grade of rectal cancer advancement.

Studies on the behavior of lymphocytes in the direct lymphocytotoxicity test (DLT) in surgical patients: I. Diagnostic value of the test.

The results of the investigations of immunological reactivity in 120 surgical patients are presented. The direct lymphocytotoxicity test (DLT) was used. Negative results were found in only 20 patients; in the remaining 100, the number of damaged lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, examined in vitro was dependent on: 1) the type of surgical procedure (e.g. open reduction and internal fixation of long-bone fractures), 2) severity of surgical disease, 3) interaction of drugs used, and 4) infection, most probably viral. A high percentage of damaged lymphocytes was found firstly, in patients suffering from severe wound infections; secondly, in those with disorders of the peripheral arteries during the postoperative course and thirdly, in patients with advanced malignancy of the alimentary tract. The results of these investigations--regarded by the authors as a preliminary report--indicate that the DLT could be introduced routinely as part of pre- and postoperative examinations of surgical patients in order to evaluate their immunological reactivity.

Studies on the behavior of lymphocytes in the direct lymphocytotoxicity test (DLT) in surgical patients: II. Dynamics of immunological reactivity in selected cases.

The results of investigations on the dynamics of immune reactivity are presented in 6 cases selected from 38 surgical patients. The investigations were carried out during surgical treatment of peripheral arterial diseases, malignant neoplasms of the alimentary tract, and extensive chronic inflammatory processes of the soft tissues. The evaluation of immune reactivity of these patients was based on the results of the direct lymphocytotoxicity test (DLT), the intensity of the autolymphocytotoxic reactions in the cold (15 degrees C) test, morphology and other changes of lymphocytes (various forms, lysis, leukergy) and on their ability to undergo blastic transformation in vitro after stimulation with PHA. The joint evaluation of investigations carried out repeatedly in these diseases may be useful for tracing the dynamics of immune reactivity in surgical patients.