Apparent Symptoms Research Articles

Cholera outbreak linked with lack of safe water supply following a tropical cyclone in Pondicherry, India, 2012.

In the aftermath of a severe cyclonic storm on 7 January 2012, a cluster of acute diarrhoea cases was reported from two localities in Pondicherry, Southern India. We investigated the outbreak to identify causes and recommend control measures. We defined a case as occurrence of diarrhoea of more than three loose stools per day with or without vomiting in a resident of affected areas during 6-18 January 2012. We used active (door-to-door survey) and stimulated passive (healthy facility-based) surveillance to identify cases. We described the outbreak by time, place, and person. We compared the case-patients with up to three controls without any apparent signs and symptoms of diarrhoea and matched for age, gender, and neighbourhood. We calculated matched odds ratio (MOR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and population attributable fractions (PAF). We collected rectal swabs and water samples for laboratory diagnosis and tested water samples for microbiological quality. We identified 921 cases and one death among 8,367 residents (attack rate: 11%, case-fatality: 0.1%). The attack rate was the highest among persons of 50 years and above (14%) and females (12%). The outbreak started on 6 January and peaked on the 9th and lasted till 14 January. Cases were clustered around two major leakages in water supply system. Nine of the 16 stool samples yielded V. cholerae O1 Ogawa. We identified that consumption of water from the public distribution system (MOR=37, 95% CI 4.9-285, PAF: 97%), drinking unboiled water (MOR=35, 95% CI 4.5-269, PAF: 97%), and a common latrine used by two or more households (MOR=2.7, 95% CI 1.3-5.6) were independently associated with cholera. Epidemiological evidence suggested that this outbreak was due to ingestion of water contaminated by drainage following rains during cyclone. We recommended repair of the water supply lines, cleaning-up of the drains, handwashing, and drinking of boiled water.

Genes expressed in grapevine leaves reveal latent wood infection by the fungal pathogen Neofusicoccum parvum.

Some pathogenic species of the Botryosphaeriaceae have a latent phase, colonizing woody tissues while perennial hosts show no apparent symptoms until conditions for disease development become favorable. Detection of these pathogens is often limited to the later pathogenic phase. The latent phase is poorly characterized, despite the need for non-destructive detection tools and effective quarantine strategies, which would benefit from identification of host-based markers in leaves. Neofusicoccum parvum infects the wood of grapevines and other horticultural crops, killing the fruit-bearing shoots. We used light microscopy and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) to examine the spatio-temporal relationship between pathogen colonization and anatomical changes in stem sections. To identify differentially-expressed grape genes, leaves from inoculated and non-inoculated plants were examined using RNA-Seq. The latent phase occurred between 0 and 1.5 months post-inoculation (MPI), during which time the pathogen did not spread significantly beyond the inoculation site nor were there differences in lesion lengths between inoculated and non-inoculated plants. The pathogenic phase occurred between 1.5 and 2 MPI, when recovery beyond the inoculation site increased and lesion lengths of inoculated plants tripled. By 2 MPI, inoculated plants also had decreased starch content in xylem fibers and rays, and increased levels of gel-occluded xylem vessels, the latter of which HRCT revealed at a higher frequency than microscopy. RNA-Seq and screening of 21 grape expression datasets identified 20 candidate genes that were transcriptionally-activated by infection during the latent phase, and confirmed that the four best candidates (galactinol synthase, abscisic acid-induced wheat plasma membrane polypeptide-19 ortholog, embryonic cell protein 63, BURP domain-containing protein) were not affected by a range of common foliar and wood pathogens or abiotic stresses. Assuming such host responses are consistent among cultivars, and do not cross react with other trunk/foliar pathogens, these grape genes may serve as host-based markers of the latent phase of N. parvum infection.

Heavy Metal Accumulation as Phytoremediation Potential of Aquatic Macrophyte, Monochoria vaginalis (Burm.F.) K. Presl Ex Kunth

Bioaccumulation potential of six ecotypes, collected from six different industrial zones of lower Indo-Gangetic basin of West Bengal, India,of Monochoria vaginalis, commonly known as oval-leafed pondweed has been investigated based on chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd) andCopper (Cu) accumulation pattern in different plant organs. Bioaccumulation potential was assessed by bioaccumulation factors (BFs-leavesmetal concentration/soil metal concentration), bioconcentration factors (BCFs- roots metal/soil metal), transfer factors (TFs-leaves +rhizomes/roots) and enrichment factors (EFs-metals in edible parts/soil metal). Accumulation pattern significantly differed among ecotypes,and accumulation in plant organs was highly metal-specific. BFs for Cr and Cd were >>1 in most of the ecotypes while high TFs (>>1) werenoticed in six ecotypes for Cr and Cu. BCFs was >>1 in all the ecotypes for Cd accumulation only. EFs values for the three metals hoveredaround 1 but it was > 1.0 for Cu in all the six ecotypes. The results suggested that Cr and Cu predominantly accumulated in leaves and rhizomeswhile Cd was predominantly sequestered in roots of M. vaginalis ecotypes. Cu, a redox active metal, showed higher capability than Cd and Crto accumulate in edible parts. In the present study, potential plant parts in M. vaginalis have been identified as bioaccumulation organs withoutany apparent symptoms of toxicity which can be used as phytoremediation of heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems of lower Indo-Gangetic basin of India.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v3i1.12193 Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 3(1): 9-15

Phylogenetic analyses of eurotiomycetous endophytes reveal their close affinities to Chaetothyriales, Eurotiales, and a new order – Phaeomoniellales

Symbiotic fungi living in plants as endophytes, and in lichens as endolichenic fungi, cause no apparent symptoms to their hosts. They are ubiquitous, ecologically important, hyperdiverse, and represent a rich source of secondary compounds for new pharmaceutical and biocontrol products. Due in part to the lack of visible reproductive structures and other distinctive phenotypic traits for many species, the diversity and phylogenetic affiliations of these cryptic fungi are often poorly known. The goal of this study was to determine the phylogenetic placement of representative endophytes within the Eurotiomycetes (Pezizomycotina, Ascomycota), one of the most diverse and evolutionarily dynamic fungal classes, and to use that information to infer processes of macroevolution in trophic modes. Sequences of a single locus marker spanning the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (nrITS) and 600 base pairs at the 5′ end of the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nrLSU) were obtained from previous studies of >6000 endophytic and endolichenic fungi from diverse biogeographic locations and hosts. We conducted phylum-wide phylogenetic searches using this marker to determine which fungal strains belonged to Eurotiomycetes and the results were used as the basis for a class-wide, seven-locus phylogenetic study focusing on endophytic and endolichenic Eurotiomycetes. Our cumulative supermatrix-based analyses revealed that representative endophytes within Eurotiomycetes are distributed in three main clades: Eurotiales, Chaetothyriales and Phaeomoniellales ord. nov., a clade that had not yet been described formally. This new order, described herein, is sister to the clade including Verrucariales and Chaetothyriales. It appears to consist mainly of endophytes and plant pathogens. Morphological characters of endophytic Phaeomoniellales resemble those of the pathogenic genus Phaeomoniella. This study highlights the capacity of endophytic and endolichenic fungi to expand our understanding of the ecological modes associated with particular clades, and provides a first estimation of their phylogenetic relationships in the Eurotiomycetes.

Trichoderma asperellum: A Dominant Endophyte Species in Cacao Grown in Sulawesi with Potential for Controlling Vascular Streak Dieback Disease

Endophytic strains of Trichoderma species can be used as an alternative to chemicals to control vascular streak dieback (VSD) disease of cacao. Of 21 Trichoderma isolated from Theobroma cacao (cacao) in Indonesia, 19 were identified as Trichoderma asperellum. Four isolates of this species (ART-4, ART-5, ART-6 and ART-8) were reintroduced into young cocoa seedlings by root inoculation and after 4 weeks all were recovered from roots and stems, while ART-4 and ART-5 were recovered from leaves as well. Spraying seedlings pre-inoculated with T. asperellum ART-4, ART-5 and ART-6 with mycelium of the VSD pathogen Ceratobasidium theobromae resulted in no apparent VSD symptoms on the leaves. Those seedlings pre-inoculated with ART-8 showed 8.9 % incidence of VSD symptoms on the leaves when compared to a 20.4 % incidence of VSD on positive control leaves, 12 weeks after inoculation. The same isolates were also reintroduced into 3-month-old cocoa seedlings via the connecting site following shoot grafting, and after 12 weeks all isolates were recovered from stem and leaves. Seedlings grafted with buds infected by VSD and treated by ART-4 showed no VSD symptoms on their leaves 12 weeks after grafting and inoculation. However, those treated with ART-5, ART-6 and ART-8 showed 33.3 %, 50.0 % and 56.0 % incidence of VSD symptoms on their leaves, respectively, compared to an 88.9 % incidence of VSD on positive control leaves. Therefore, the study results demonstrates for the first time the potential of T. asperellum isolates to control VSD disease on cacao.

Transarterial Embolization Using Pingyangmycin-Lipiodol Emulsion (PLE) for Treatment of Focal Nodular Hyperplasia of the Liver and 1-Year Follow-Up: A Case Report and Literature Review

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a common benign hepatic tumor which is often treated non-operatively until it appears apparent symptoms such as pain and upper abdominal distension. We report here a case of trans-catheter arterial embolization (TAE) using pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion (PLE) for blocking a fatal bleeding originated from percutaneous biopsy as well as for FNH treatment. After embolization by means of the mixture of PLE and particles of gelfoam, the bleeding was stopped and the FNH was apparently shrinked 1 year later. TAE using PLE may be considered as a safe and effective method for the treatment of FNH.

Excessive parasympathetic responses to sympathetic challenges: a treatable, hidden, dynamic autonomic imbalance

BackgroundA common assumption with autonomic assessment is that one branch opposes the other. With independent measures of parasympathetic (P) and sympathetic (S) activity, based on concurrent time-frequency analysis of respiratory activity and heart rate variability, this assumption has been challenged. Clinical observations of unprovoked P-excess during S-stimulation have been associated with treatable, abnormal responses. MethodSerial autonomic profiling of 12,967 patients was performed using the P&S method (ANX-3.0 Autonomic Monitor by ANSAR Medical Technologies, Inc., Philadelphia, PA) over a five-year period. Treatment protocols are very low-dose and depend on patient history. For cardiovascular disease patients, Carvedilol was prescribed. For non-CVD patients, Nortriptyline was prescribed. In some cases where end-organ effects were not yet presented or relieved, patients were weaned of therapy once PE was relieved. Alternative therapies included Specific Chiropractic Adjustment, better known in the literature as Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy and intensive zero-impact, cardiovascular exercise. ResultsPE patients present with normal HR and BP and no other apparent symptoms at rest. However, they reported symptoms of: sleep difficulties, palpitations, poor peripheral circulation, general malaise, depression (often with anxiety or ADD-like symptoms), frequent headache or migraines, menopause difficulties in women, hypothyroidism, cognitive difficulties, gastrointestinal upset, persistent weight-gain, and dizziness after standing. ConclusionNormalizing PE, regardless of method, stabilizes the patient, relieves symptoms, improves quality of life, and improves patient outcomes.

Eating Disorders: Body Wasting Away

E ating D isorders : T he B ody W asting A way Shirley Shao Such perceptions are dangerous in a world where an anorexic is more likely to die than a patient afflicted with any other psychiatric disorder, both because of the risk of suicide and as a result of medical complications (Fairburn, 2003). A 2011 study by Jon Arcelus revealed that the SMR (standard B S J When the girl goes to lunch with her friends, she orders a sandwich. She eats all of it, and then later, in the bathroom, she vomits up and flushes it down the toilet. In another case, she eats none of it, and when her friends are not looking, she throws it away in the trash. Or perhaps she does not buy the sandwich at all, saying that she already ate - or maybe she takes tiny bites as she and her friends talk, secretly spitting out what her teeth chewed into mush into a napkin. In fact, she may not be a girl at all, but it is probable that she is, and that she comes from the middle class. This could be the first time she has done this, or this could be just one of many recurring episodes – but if she has just began to walk down this road, she is most likely somewhere from age 15 – 19 (Fairburn, 2003). There are many flavors to an eating disorder, and what the girl displays is only a sampling of the possible variations. It is easy to see the waste in eating, regurgitating, and then flushing a box of Cheez-its down the toilet, or in tossing untouched food aside. But even if the stomach never gets to break down the proteins in that skipped dinner, something else is disintegrating and slowly wasting away. That something is the body and mind. The medical diagnosis for these disorders can be roughly sketched to divide eating disorders into three categories: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and atypical. Anorexia nervosa, colloquially referred to as anorexia, is one of the most well known and has the most apparent physical symptoms. It is also one of the better understood, having been the subject of more studies than most of the other disorders. Anorexic patients are notably underweight and engage in long-term, severe restriction of their food intake; in addition, they often have difficulty sleeping and experience lethargy. In a sense, anorexia involves the consequences of self-induced starvation. Food and an anorexic’s restriction of it becomes an obsession as they seek to control their body, an obsession that grows into a feeling of pride when they are faced with their thinness or low weight. This pride, in turn, nurtures the perception that their eating habits (or lack thereof) are accomplishments rather than a sign that they need help (Fairburn, 2003). There is even a “pro-ana” movement where its members search for self-improvement for their imperfect selves, in this case embracing the restraints and dramatic weight loss embodied in anorexia (Bates, 2015). Figure #1. Oftentimes, patients with eating disorders have a distorted view of what their body looks like, and will resort to purges or fasts in order to achieve the weight they desire. mortality) rate of anorexics is 5.86. As a means of comparison, schizophrenia has a SMR of 2.5 for females and 2.8 for males. For bipolar disorders, males have an SNR of 1.9 and females 2.1 (Arcelus, 2011). Here, SMR refers to the incidence rate of death over a decade. “There is even a “pro-ana” movement where its members search for self- improvement for their imperfect selves, in this case embracing the restraints and dramatic weight loss embodied in anorexia” The other major well-known eating disorder is bulimia nervosa, colloquially referred to as bulimia. This is more common than anorexia and typically has a later age of onset, and is punctuated by periodic binges and purges. Here, purges can refer to the regurgitation of food or obsessive exercise that is intended to “purge” the body of the calories ingested, B erkeley S cientific J ournal • W aste • S pring 2015 • V olume 19 • I ssue 2 • 9

The level of beta-endorphin, chronic stress, and depression associated with vestibular pathology

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the presence and the severity of manifestations of anxiety and depression in the patients presenting with vestibular dysfunction making use of the psychometric scales and taking into consideration variations in the plasma beta-endorphin level as a biochemical marker before and after medicamental and physical rehabilitative treatment. A total of 8 patients presenting with stage I-III Meniere's disease and 8 patients suffering from dyscirculatory encephalopathy concomitant with vestibular ataxic syndrome were available for the observation. We separately analysed the results of examination of two patients with vestibular neuronitis and two others presenting with vestibular migraine. It was shown that the degree of anxiety and depression correlated with the plasma beta-endorphin level whereas its correlation with the severity of vestibular oculomotor and vestibular motor disorders during the inter-bout periods was not documented. It was demonstrated that the plasma beta-endorphin level was many times higher than the normal value of 20 ng/l in the patients with the well apparent vegetative symptoms accompanied by dizziness and the patients suffering from vegetative migraine.

Winter garlic rust (Puccinia spp.) rate under organic and conventional production conditions

Due to low requirements for fertilizers and pesticides, garlic is a valuable crop in organic systems, although production may be hampered by diverse pathogens. In recent years, garlic rust (Puccinia spp.) has been increasingly present in our agro-ecological climate, developing into a significant problem for garlic production. The aim of the study was twofold: i) to monitor winter garlic rust rate in organic and in conventional production, and ii) to monitor genotype sensitivity to the pathogen in both production systems. Trials were conducted in 2012/2013 in Backi Petrovac, Serbia at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad, and included 30 genotypes planted in organic and conventional field, simultaneously. Disease severity was evaluated visually, using a scoring system between zero and five. Overall average infection intensity score in conventional plots was 1.18, and in organic plots 0.79. There was no statistically significant difference between infection intensity in conventional versus organic plots. Nevertheless, reactions of certain genotypes to the causal agents of rust differed across organic and conventional plots ranging from no apparent infection symptoms in organic to severe symptoms in conventional plots.

Clinical, biochemical, and genetic features of non-classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency in Japanese children.

Non-classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency (NC21-OHD) is a mild form of 21-hydroxylase deficiency lacking apparent symptoms of androgen excess at birth. Most NC21-OHD cases are diagnosed after the onset of puberty, while a substantial number of patients are not diagnosed during childhood. Previous studies have reported ethnic differences in the prevalence of NC21-OHD. To date, the clinical features of NC21-OHD in Japanese children have not been systemically reported. Thus, we performed 3 independent analyses: retrospective analyses of newborn screening in 2 major Japanese cities (Sapporo and Niigata) and a national surveillance collecting clinical information from pediatric endocrinologists throughout the country. During the last 10 years, one case of NC21-OHD was diagnosed by newborn screening in each city, resulting in incidences of 2.0 (95% confidence interval = 0.0-5.9) and 2.1 (0.0-6.2) per 1,000,000 in Sapporo and Niigata, respectively. We collected information from 85% of the 135 Councilors of Japanese Society of Pediatric Endocrinology. Fifteen NC21-OHD patients were diagnosed during childhood, resulting in the estimated prevalence of 0.58 (0.28-1.1) per 1,000,000. Eleven patients were discovered by newborn screening, 7 patients developed hyperandrogenism symptoms (2-8 years of age, median 7), and 9 patients were treated with hydrocortisone at the time of the survey. Ten out of 13 patients showed compound heterozygosity for the P30L mutation of CYP21A2. Our study suggests that the prevalence/incidence of NC21-OHD is lower than that in Western countries, and that the age for initial onset of androgen excess symptoms varies during the prepubertal period.

Interactive impacts of a herbivore and a pathogen on two resistance types of Barbarea vulgaris (Brassicaceae).

It is well known that pathogens and arthropod herbivores attacking the same host plant may affect each other. Little is known, however, about their combined impact on plant fitness, which may differ from simple additive expectations. In a 2-year common garden field experiment, we tested whether the pathogen Albugo sp. (white blister rust) and the herbivorous flea beetle Phyllotreta nemorum affected each other's performance on two resistance types (G-type and P-type) of the crucifer Barbarea vulgaris ssp. arcuata, and whether biomass, reproduction and survival of the plants were affected by interactive impacts of the antagonists. Most of the insect-resistant G-plants were severely affected by white rust, which reduced biomass and reproductive potential compared to the controls. However, when also exposed to flea beetles, biomass loss was mitigated in G-plants, even though apparent disease symptoms were not reduced. Most of the insect-susceptible P-plants were resistant to white rust; however, the number of flea beetle mines tended to increase in plants also exposed to Albugo, and biomass at the last harvest was slightly lower in the combined treatment. Thus, interactive impacts of the herbivore and pathogen differed between the two resistance types, with an antagonistic combined impact in G-plants, which lasted surprisingly long, and a slight synergistic impact in P-plants.

Intermittent low-dose digoxin may be effective and safe in patients with chronic heart failure undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.

A low dose of digoxin is known to reduce mortality and hospitalization in patients with heart failure; however, the safety of digoxin in treating patients with heart failure on maintenance hemodialysis remains controversial. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of digoxin at lower doses in patients with heart failure on maintenance hemodialysis using a retrospective cohort study. This study included 67 heart-failure patients on maintenance hemodialysis: Twenty-four patients received intermittent low doses of digoxin (ILDD), 23 patients received continuous low doses of digoxin (CLDD) and the remaining patients were used as a control group without digoxin treatment. The brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level and serum digoxin concentrations (SDCs) were measured by ELISA and the changes in left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), cardiac output (CO) and heart rate (HR) were evaluated by two-dimensional echocardiography. The symptoms of digoxin toxicity were monitored in the treated patients. Compared with the control group, LVEDD, BNP and HR decreased significantly between days 0 and 60 in the ILDD and CLDD groups, but LVEF and CO increased between days 0 and 60 in the same groups (all P<0.05). The levels of BNP and the LVEDD, CO, LVEF and HR were not significantly different between the ILDD and CLDD groups (P>0.05). Furthermore, and the mean SDC of the ILDD group was lower than that of the CLDD group. In the ILDD group, no patients had apparent symptoms of toxicity, but four patients developed digoxin toxicity in the CLDD group. In conclusion an intermittent lower dose of digoxin has beneficial effects and clinical safety in hemodialysis patients with congestive heart failure.

Midterm functional outcome after dorsal capsular imbrication for posttraumatic instability of the distal radioulnar joint.

The dorsal capsular imbrication of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) which was performed because of posttraumatic dorsal instability showed promising functional results after the first postoperative years. Therefore, we hypothesized that patients after capsular imbrication are characterized by good subjective and functional outcome measurements after a midterm period. Eleven patients (range 21-50years of age; median 35years of age) were examined after capsular imbrication of the DRUJ because of posttraumatic instability with a mean follow-up time of 72months (range 46-114months; median 66months). Examination parameters included the determination of range of motion (ROM), grip strength, pain and functional outcome scores (modified Mayo wrist score (MMWS); Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH score)). A mean DASH score of 6.7 (range 0-22.5) and mean MMWS of 91.8 (range 75-100) were measured. Grip strength reached 96.7% of the contralateral hand. Range of motion reached at least 93.1% of the contralateral hand. Eight of 11 patients regarded functional outcome and pain reduction as excellent. Six of 11 patients did not recognize a diagnosed instability of DRUJ as such. Ulnar-sided wrist pain was the apparent symptom in these cases. Capsular imbrication of the DRUJ is a reliable and sufficient treatment option in case of posttraumatic dorsal instability. Since DRUJ instability is seldom recognized by the patients as such, a standardised diagnostic algorithm is mandatory to guarantee reliability and efficacy for identifying DRUJ instability.

Acute and subchronic co-administrations to cadmium, diazinon and selenium induce apparent osteoporotic symptoms in adult male rats

Cadmium (Cd) and diazinon (DZN) are known to be environmental risk factors for various bone diseases including osteoporosis. Selenium (Se), an essential constituent of many antioxidant enzymes, has in higher concentrations negative effects on the bone. The present study was aimed to investigate possible changes in femoral bone of adult male rats after their acute and subchronic exposures to Cd, DZN and Se. A total of 30 male Wistar rats were randomized into three experimental groups. The rats in the group A (4-months-old) were injected intraperitoneally with a mixture of 2 mg CdCl2 kg−1, 20 mg DZN kg−1 and 2 mg Na2SeO3 kg−1 body weight and killed 36 h after xenobiotics had been injected. In the group B, young males (1-month-old) were administered with a combination of 30 mg CdCl2 L−1, 40 mg DZN L−1 and 5 mg Na2SeO3 L−1 in their drinking water, for 90 days. Ten 4-months-old males without toxicant supplementation served as a control group (C). After treatment period, detailed histological analysis of femoral bone was performed in each group. Our results revealed apparent osteoporotic symptoms (resorption lacunae, osteoporotic fractures) in rats from groups A and B. Moreover, histomorphometrical evaluation showed reduced bone vascularization (constricted primary osteons’ vascular canals and Haversian canals) and weakness mechanical properties of bones (smaller size of the secondary osteons) in these rats in comparison with those of the control group. Our study demonstrates for the first time that acute and subchronic co-administrations to Cd, DZN and Se induce evident manifestation characteristics of osteoporosis in male rats.

Gender comparisons in non-acute cardiac symptom recognition and subsequent help-seeking decisions: a mixed methods study protocol

IntroductionCoronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women worldwide. Despite the common misconception that CHD is a ‘man's disease’, it is...

Relationship between Air Pollutants and Visibility in Shanghai during 2006-2010

Air pollution has been deteriorated seriously in Shanghai as a result of urbanization and modernization. Visibility reduction is the most apparent symptom of air pollution. This paper aims to describe the characteristics of visibility and air pollutants in Shanghai, and to investigate the relationship between them. Visibility in Shanghai was higher in summer and lower in winter. The mean value of visibility during 2006-2010 was 17.8km. Air pollution in Shanghai was also serious. In 2010, Shanghai got the relative better air quality compared with the former four years. Air pollutants and visibility were negatively correlated. SO2 and NO2 had higher correlation coefficients with visibility than PM10. This suggested that the visibility in Shanghai was mainly due to secondary pollutants.

Responses of gas-exchange rates and water relations to annual fluctuations of weather in three species of urban street trees.

The frequency of extreme weather has been rising in recent years. A 3-year study of street trees was undertaken in Tokyo to determine whether: (i) street trees suffer from severe water stress in unusually hot summer; (ii) species respond differently to such climatic fluctuations; and (iii) street trees are also affected by nitrogen (N) deficiency, photoinhibition and aerosol pollution. During the study period (2010-12), midsummers of 2010 and 2012 were unusually hot (2.4-2.8 °C higher maximum temperature than the long-term mean) and dry (6-56% precipitation of the mean). In all species, street trees exhibited substantially decreased photosynthetic rate in the extremely hot summer in 2012 compared with the average summer in 2011. However, because of a more conservative stomatal regulation (stomatal closure at higher leaf water potential) in the hot summer, apparent symptoms of hydraulic failure were not observed in street trees even in 2012. Compared with Prunus × yedoensis and Zelkova serrata, Ginkgo biloba, a gymnosperm, was high in stomatal conductance and midday leaf water potential even under street conditions in the unusually hot summer, suggesting that the species had higher drought resistance than the other species and was less susceptible to urban street conditions. This lower susceptibility might be ascribed to the combination of higher soil-to-leaf hydraulic conductance and more conservative water use. Aside from meteorological conditions, N deficiency affected street trees significantly, whereas photoinhibition and aerosol pollution had little effect. The internal CO2 and δ(13)C suggested that both water and N limited the net photosynthetic rate of street trees simultaneously, but water was more limiting. From these results, we concluded that the potential risk of hydraulic failure caused by climatic extremes could be low in urban street trees in temperate regions. However, the size of the safety margin might be different between species.

Kidney diseases in Roma and non-Roma children from eastern Slovakia: are Roma children more at risk?

To compare the occurence of primary renal diseases (PRD) in Roma and non-Roma children. Data on all outpatients (n = 921) from a tertiary pediatric nephrology centre (<19 years) in eastern Slovakia were collected. We assessed early signs and symptoms and PRD for Roma and non-Roma children. The proportion of Roma among patients was relatively small regarding early signs like proteinuria but large regarding PRD with gross clinically apparent symptoms (e.g. Alport syndrome, p < 0.01 and systemic lupus erythematosus, p < 0.05). The overall proportion of Roma children in outpatients with kidney problems is smaller than the estimated proportion of Roma in all children in Slovakia, in particular for early signs, but not for major renal diseases.

Over-expression and Purification of RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase from Black queen cell virus in Honeybee

Honeybee populations infected by numerous viruses could not easily distinguish from the healthy populations because there are no apparent clinical symptoms and signs of infection. Black queen cell virus (BQCV) is one of the most prevalent viruses, resulting in the death of queen larvae and pupae. Like to other picornaviruses, BQCV has the RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) that catalyzes the replication of viral RNA. The optimal conditions for expression of MBP-BQCV-RdRp protein were confirmed by an induction with 0.1mM IPTG at 25°C for 6 hours and the MBP-BQCV-RdRp protein was purified using by amylose resin. Total yield of protein reached approximately 5mg per 50ml of induced cells. Due to its property that is an essential enzyme of virus replication, purified recombinant BQCV-RdRp proteins can be provided to the further lead as an important source to study how to control the BQCV viral disease in honeybee, development of a rapid kit for the diagnosis of BQCV infection in field,or finding out the anti-viral chemical compound for the inhibitor assay to prevent BQCV replication in honeybee.