Secondary Index Research Articles

Geotechnical properties of a municipal water treatment sludge incorporating a coagulant

The geotechnical properties of a municipal water treatment sludge from an upland catchment are presented. The gelatinous sludge comprised flocs of mainly quartz, manganoan calcite, and clay-sized organic solids, and incorporated an alum coagulant and an anionic polyelectrolyte. Standard Proctor compaction yielded low bulk density values of 0.95–1.10 t/m3and dry density values of 0.12–0.36 t/m3(water content is 160%–780%) in line with the low specific gravity of solids value of 1.86. The undrained shear strength and the water content were inversely related on a semi-log plot. The effective stress shear strength parameter values were c' = 0 and ϕ' = 39°. The consolidation properties were studied using the oedometer, consolidometer, and triaxial apparatus. The material was highly compressible with primary compression index (Cc) values of 2.5–3.7, and primary compression ratio (C*c) values of 0.20–0.28. The majority of the strain response occurred due to primary consolidation although the material had a very low permeability (coefficient of permeability values decreasing from 2 × 10−9to 5 × 10−11m/s for an effective vertical stress of σ'v= 3–800 kPa). Secondary compression was minor, with a mean secondary compression index (Cαe) value of 0.15, and Cαe/Cc= 0.04–0.06.

Arsenic Makes Its Mark: Using Biomarkers to Track Noncancer Respiratory Effects

Vol. 116, No. 2 EnvironewsOpen AccessArsenic Makes Its Mark: Using Biomarkers to Track Noncancer Respiratory Effects M. Nathaniel Mead M. Nathaniel Mead Search for more papers by this author Published:1 February 2008https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.116-a82bCited by:1AboutSectionsPDF ToolsDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InReddit Exposure to toxic levels of arsenic is a serious problem in many Asian countries, notably Bangladesh and India, where exposure to inorganic arsenic through naturally contaminated groundwater is widespread and often excessive. Scientists have long recognized the lung to be a major site of action of ingested arsenic, and most of the focus has been on risks associated with lung cancer. Nonetheless, habitual ingestion of high-arsenic drinking water also promotes many noncancer lung effects, and researchers are investigating the potential utility of biomarkers to identify such effects [EHP 116:190–195; Parvez et al.].One of the challenges of pursuing connections between arsenic and respiratory illness is that assessments of respiratory symptoms may be prejudiced by interviewer bias if study participants show visible skin lesions, a hallmark sign of chronic arsenic poisoning. To overcome this obstacle, researchers have begun exploring the use of biomarkers for chronic respiratory disease such as serum levels of Clara cell protein CC16. This serum marker runs low in individuals with compromised lung conditions induced by chronic environmental exposures such as cigarette smoking or ozone.In the current study, investigators sought to determine the relationships of serum CC16 with well-water arsenic, total urinary arsenic, and urinary arsenic methylation indices in a population of 241 nonsmoking individuals exposed to arsenic-laden drinking water in Araihazar, Bangladesh. The mean arsenic concentration in drinking water was 134 μg/L, and individuals with skin lesions consumed significantly more arsenic than those without (159 versus 105 μg/L, respectively).In individuals with skin lesions (but not those without such lesions), there was a significant inverse association of CC16 with urinary arsenic as well as a marginally significant inverse association of CC16 with the cumulative arsenic exposure index, which estimates long-term exposure. The researchers speculate that individuals with skin lesions either are exposed to higher levels of arsenic or have a unique susceptibility to the respiratory effects of arsenic exposure for reasons unknown.The analysis also revealed positive associations of CC16 levels with the secondary arsenic methylation index (an indicator of arsenic methylation capability), particularly among individuals without skin lesions. This suggests that individuals with better methylation capacity may be less susceptible to the adverse respiratory effects of arsenic. Moreover, the inverse association of CC16 with the percentage of mono-methylated arsenic (a commonly measured arsenic metabolite) in urine indicates that individuals with incomplete methylation may be more vulnerable to arsenic-induced respiratory problems.This cross-sectional investigation, the first to use biomarkers of arsenic exposure and lung injury in this way, is an important step toward further improving our understanding of arsenic-related non-malignant respiratory illness. Serum CC16 shows promise as a biomarker for assessing early respiratory damage induced by arsenic, especially among individuals with skin lesions associated with the consumption of arsenic-contaminated drinking water.As it happens . . .Lung cancer isn’t the only respiratory effect linked with drinking arsenic-contaminated water; noncancer effects also may occur.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byBridbord K and Hanson D (2009) A Personal Perspective on the Initial Federal Health-Based Regulation to Remove Lead from Gasoline, Environmental Health Perspectives, 117:8, (1195-1201), Online publication date: 1-Aug-2009. Vol. 116, No. 2 February 2008Metrics About Article Metrics Publication History Originally published1 February 2008Published in print1 February 2008 Financial disclosuresPDF download License information EHP is an open-access journal published with support from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health. All content is public domain unless otherwise noted. Note to readers with disabilities EHP strives to ensure that all journal content is accessible to all readers. However, some figures and Supplemental Material published in EHP articles may not conform to 508 standards due to the complexity of the information being presented. If you need assistance accessing journal content, please contact [email protected]. Our staff will work with you to assess and meet your accessibility needs within 3 working days.

Rituximab improves the treatment results of DHAP-VIM-DHAP and ASCT in relapsed/progressive aggressive CD20+ NHL: a prospective randomized HOVON trial

We evaluated the role of rituximab during remission induction chemotherapy in relapsed aggressive CD20+ non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Of 239 patients, 225 were evaluable for analysis. Randomized to DHAP (cisplatin-cytarabine-dexamethasone)-VIM (etoposide-ifosfamide-methotrexate)-DHAP (cisplatin-cytarabine-dexamethasone) chemotherapy with rituximab (R; R-DHAP arm) were 119 patients (113 evaluable) and to chemotherapy without rituximab (DHAP arm) 120 patients (112 evaluable). Patients in complete remission (CR) and partial remission (PR) after 2 chemotherapy courses were eligible for autologous stem-cell transplantation. After the second chemotherapy cycle, 75% of the patients in the R-DHAP arm had responsive disease (CR or PR) versus 54% in the DHAP arm (P=.01). With a median follow-up of 24 months, there was a significant difference in failure-free survival (FFS24; 50% vs 24% vs, P<.001), and progression free survival (PFS24; 52% vs 31% P<.002) in favor of the R-DHAP arm. Cox-regression analysis demonstrated a significant effect of rituximab treatment on FFS24 (HR 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29-0.57 versus 0.51, 95% CI 0.37-0.70) and overall-survival (OS24: HR 0.60 [0.41-0.89] vs 0.76 [0.52-1.10]) when adjusted for time since upfront treatment, age, World Health Organization performance status, and secondary age-adjusted international prognostic index. These results demonstrate improved FFS and PFS for relapsed aggressive B-cell NHL if rituximab is added to the re-induction chemotherapy regimen.

Preliminary Study of Total Flavonoids fromLitsea coreanaLevl. on Experimental Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis in Rats

Litsea coreana Levl., a traditional Chinese medicine, has long been used for its diverse benefits such as detoxification and detumescence. Total flavonoids from Litsea coreana Levl. (TFLC) are the effective fraction of L. coreana. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of TFLC against Feund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced arthritis in rats. Arthritis was evaluated by secondary paw swelling, polyarthritis index, body weight and histopathologic analysis. Con A- or LPS-stimulated splenocyte proliferation and cytokine (IL-1 and IL-2) production were assessed by MTT assay and activated mouse cell proliferation assay, respectively. The results indicate that therapeutic administration of TFLC (50, 100, 200 mg/kg, ig x 12 days) could significantly suppress secondary arthritis in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA). In vivo, TFLC (50, 100, 200 mg/kg, ig x 12 days) augmented splenocyte proliferation and increased IL-2 production in splenocytes, while reduced IL-1 activity in peritoneal macrophages (PM(Phi)) of AA rats. In vitro, TFLC at concentrations from 0.005 to 50 microg/ml exerted the same immunoregulatory effects on AA rats as those in vivo. In addition, an attractive feature of TFLC lies in its apparent lack of toxicity. These results suggest that TFLC without toxicity has a significant anti-arthritic effect on AA rats which could be associated with its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.

Unconditionally secure cryptosystems based on quantum cryptography

Most modern cryptographic studies design cryptosystems and algorithms using mathematical concepts. In designing and analyzing cryptosystems and protocols, mathematical concepts are critical in supporting the claim that the intended cryptosystem is secure. Most early cryptographic algorithms are based either on factorization or on discrete logarithm problem. Such systems generally adopt rather simple mathematics, and, therefore, need extensive secondary index computation. This study discusses quantum cryptosystems, protection of system security, and optimization of system efficiency. Quantum cryptography detects intrusion and wiretap. In quantum mechanics, a wiretap is neither external nor passive; rather it modifies its entity based on the internal component of the system. The status of the quantum system changes once a wiretap is detected. Hence, only the designer of the system can discover the quantum status of the system; an eavesdropper can neither determine the quantum state nor duplicate the system. The quantum cryptosystem can achieve unconditional security, and thus guarantees secure communication.

Improving prevention in primary care: evaluating the effectiveness of outreach facilitation

Out reach facilitation is designed to promote uptake of evidence-based guidelines. There is evidence indicating that outreach facilitation can be effective in improving implementation of preventive care in GPs' offices. In this trial, we test a modified version of an outreach facilitation intervention. To evaluate whether a comprehensive preventive intervention program using outreach facilitators improves preventive care delivery. Match-paired, cluster-randomized controlled trial. Fee-for-service primary care practices in Eastern Ontario, Canada, at a time of physician shortage. Volunteer sample of 54 primary care practices. Mean difference between trial arms in practices' delivery of preventive manoeuvres, measured by preventive performance indices estimated from chart reviews and patient survey data. No difference was detected between the trial's arms for the primary outcome's overall prevention index [2.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI) -3.2 to 7.3; P = 0.44]. A small significant difference between the arms was detected for the secondary outcome's overall prevention index (2.8%; 95% CI 0.7-4.8; P = 0.01). In contrast to similar facilitation trials, this outreach facilitation program did not produce improvements in the delivery of preventive care. This lack of effect may be due to differences in the intervention and context, or the practice's limited capacity to change. Our intervention simultaneously facilitated a high number of manoeuvres, blinded facilitators and physicians to the targeted tests and had a relatively short intervention period and large number of practices assigned per facilitator. Changes in the primary care service model in Ontario at the time of the trial could have also washed out the intervention effect.

Nonmalignant Respiratory Effects of Chronic Arsenic Exposure from Drinking Water among Never-Smokers in Bangladesh

BackgroundArsenic from drinking water has been associated with malignant and nonmalignant respiratory illnesses. The association with nonmalignant respiratory illnesses has not been well established because the assessments of respiratory symptoms may be influenced by recall bias or interviewer bias because participants had visible skin lesions.ObjectivesWe examined the relationship of the serum level of Clara cell protein CC16—a novel biomarker for respiratory illnesses—with well As, total urinary As, and urinary As methylation indices.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in nonsmoking individuals (n = 241) selected from a large cohort with a wide range of As exposure (0.1–761 μg/L) from drinking water in Bangladesh. Total urinary As, urinary As metabolites, and serum CC16 were measured in urine and serum samples collected at baseline of the parent cohort study.ResultsWe observed an inverse association between urinary As and serum CC16 among persons with skin lesions (β = −0.13, p = 0.01). We also observed a positive association between secondary methylation index in urinary As and CC16 levels (β = 0.12, p = 0.05) in the overall study population; the association was stronger among people without skin lesions (β = 0.18, p = 0.04), indicating that increased methylation capability may be protective against As-induced respiratory damage. In a subsample of study participants undergoing spirometric measures (n = 31), we observed inverse associations between urinary As and predictive FEV1 (forced expiratory volume measured in 1 sec) (r = −0.37; FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio and primary methylation index (r = −0.42, p = 0.01).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that serum CC16 may be a useful biomarker of epithelial lung damage in individuals with arsenical skin lesions. Also, we observed the deleterious respiratory effects of As exposure at concentrations lower than reported in earlier studies.

Plasma folate level, urinary arsenic methylation profiles, and urothelial carcinoma susceptibility

To elucidate the influence of folate concentration on the association between urinary arsenic profiles and urothelial carcinoma (UC) risks in subjects without evident arsenic exposure, 177 UC cases and 488 controls were recruited between September 2002 and May 2004. Urinary arsenic species including inorganic arsenic, monomethylarsonic acid (MMA V) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA V) were determined by employing a high performance liquid chromatography-linked hydride generator and atomic absorption spectrometry procedure. After adjustment for suspected risk factors of UC, the higher indicators of urinary total arsenic levels, percentage of inorganic arsenic, percentage of MMA V, and primary methylation index were associated with increased risk of UC. On the other hand, the higher plasma folate levels, urinary percentage of DMA V and secondary methylation index were associated with decreased risk of UC. A dose–response relationship was shown between plasma folate levels or methylation indices of arsenic species and UC risk in the respective quartile strata. The plasma folate was found to interact with urinary arsenic profiles in affecting the UC risk. The results of this study may identify the susceptible subpopulations and provide insight into the carcinogenic mechanisms of arsenic even at low arsenic exposure.

Effect of biodegradation on the consolidation properties of a dewatered municipal sewage sludge

The effect of biodegradation on the consolidation characteristics of an anaerobically digested, dewatered municipal sewage sludge was studied. Maintained-load oedometer consolidation tests that included measurement of the pore fluid pressure response were conducted on moderately degraded sludge material and saturated bulk samples that had been stored under static conditions and allowed to anaerobically biodegrade further (simulating what would happen in an actual sewage sludge monofill or lagoon condition). Strongly degraded sludge material was produced after a storage period of 13 years at ambient temperatures of 5-15 degrees C, with the total volatile solids reducing from initially 70% to 55%. The sludge materials were highly compressible, although impermeable for practical purposes. Primary consolidation generally occurred very slowly, which was attributed to the microstructure of the solid phase, the composition and viscosity of the pore fluid, ongoing biodegradation and the high organic contents. The coefficient of primary consolidation values decreased from initially about 0.35m2/yr to 0.003-0.03m2/yr with increasing effective stress (sigmav'=3-100kPa). Initially, the strongly degraded sludge material was slightly more permeable, although both the moderately and strongly degraded materials became impermeable for practical purposes (k=10(-9)-10(-12)m/s) below about 650% and 450% water contents, respectively. Secondary compression became more dominant with increasing effective stress with a mean secondary compression index (Calphae) value of 0.9 measured for both the moderately and strongly degraded materials.

Dual Porosity and Secondary Consolidation

In this paper, the results of a series of experiments using one-dimensional oedometer testing, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and scanning electron microscopy are reported on kaolinite samples with known and controlled fabric associations to reexamine the dual-porosity hypothesis for the underlying mechanisms of secondary consolidation. The oedometer testing results indicate that the pH 7.8 sample (face-to-face aggregated structure) has the smallest values of compression index, Cc , and secondary compression index, Cα . The pH 4 sample (flocculated but dispersed structure) has the largest values, while the pH 7.8 with salt sample (flocculated and aggregated structure) has medium values. The Cα ∕ Cc ratios for these three samples are similar regardless of the structure and consolidation pressure. The MIP results on pore-size evolution in the pH 7.8 with salt sample show that both primary and secondary consolidation processes preferentially occur in the larger and weaker interaggregated pores instead ...

Engineering Properties of Fibrous Peats

This state-of-the-art paper presents an interpretation of the permeability, compressibility, and shear strength of fibrous peats using data from laboratory tests on undisturbed block samples of two fibrous peats, as well as extensive laboratory and field data from the literature on fibrous peat deposits. Engineering properties of fibrous peats are significantly different from those of most inorganic soils. However, the same fundamental mechanisms and factors determine behavior of both inorganic soils and fibrous peats. Fibrous peat deposits possess very high initial permeability, typically 1,000 times the initial permeability of soft clay and silt deposits. Upon compression, the permeability of fibrous peats decreases dramatically, with a ratio of permeability change index to in situ void ratio equal to 0.25, as compared to 0.50 for soft clay and silt deposits. Fibrous peats display extreme compressibility to the increase in effective vertical stress, with compression index values right after preconsolidation pressure 5 to 20 times the corresponding compressibility of typical soft clay and silt deposits. Among geotechnical materials, fibrous peats display the highest ratios of secondary compression index to compression index, in the range of 0.05 to 0.07. The values of coefficient of earth pressure at rest for normally consolidated young fibrous peat deposits are in the range of 0.30 to 0.35, as compared to 0.45 to 0.65 for inorganic soils. The values of friction angle from triaxial compression tests for fibrous peats are in the range of 40 to 60°, as compared to less than 35° for soft clay and silt compositions. For fibrous peats, the ratios of undrained shear strength in compression to preconsolidation pressure are usually in the range of 0.50 to 0.75, as compared to 0.32 for soft clay and silt deposits. For surficial fibrous peat deposits the ratio of vane shear strength to preconsolidation pressure is near 1.0, as compared to 0.12 to 0.35 for inorganic soft clay and silt deposits. For fibrous peats, the ratio of undrained Young's modulus to undrained shear strength is in the range of 20 to 80.

Cerebrospinal Fluid IgM Index Correlates with Cranial MRI Lesion Load in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

In multiple sclerosis intrathecal IgM synthesis correlates with an unfavourable disease course. Whether this reflects a pathogenic role of IgM, possibly in conjunction with complement, is a matter of debate. In a cross-sectional study we measured intrathecal synthesis of IgM and the complement component C3, and on cranial MRI lesion load and central brain atrophy in clinically active patients, 17 relapsing-remitting, 16 secondary progressive. Correlative analysis showed that in relapsing-remitting patients CSF IgM index correlated with cranial MRI T₂ and T₁ lesion load, and central brain atrophy; and the C3 index correlated with T₂ lesion load. In secondary progressive patients CSF IgM index correlated with periventricular T₂ lesion load. Our data are in favour of a pathogenic role of IgM in multiple sclerosis.

Variability and Scale-Dependency of Tire-Derived Aggregate

This paper presents a variability study of several engineering properties of tire-derived aggregate based on a comprehensive literature survey of experimental test programs. The dry compacted unit weight, cohesion intercept, friction angle, constrained modulus, and modified secondary compression index were evaluated and compared to the engineering parameter variability of natural soils. A series of regression analyses were performed to investigate the presence and significance of scale-dependency. The results of the variability analysis indicate that unit weight has the lowest value of coefficient of variation (COV) whereas the shear strength parameters, constrained modulus, and compression index have COV values that are substantially higher. Regression analyses indicated that unit weight and constrained modulus showed the greatest sensitivity to changes in maximum tire particle size. A nonstatistical investigation was used to further investigate the variability and scale-dependency of the shear strength parameters. Using Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion and assuming that cohesion is negligible, the analysis showed a scale-independent relationship which is consistent with the statistical findings for cohesion and friction angle.

Immediate and Time-Dependent Compression of Tire Derived Aggregate

This paper examines immediate and time-dependent compression of tire derived aggregate (TDA) and TDA-soil composites. To accommodate large particle sizes, modified experimental devices were developed and used to test tire chips and tire shreds. Immediate compression of TDA, which results almost entirely from the reduction of pore volume, increases with TDA content and tire particle size. The secant constrained modulus ( Msec ) of TDA defined over the stress range of 0–50 kPa varied from a low of 255 kPa (100% tire shreds) to a high of 1,320 kPa (50% tire chips). A characteristic relationship between strain and time exists for TDA and TDA composites under one-dimensional confined compression. Time-dependent deformation is well described by the modified secondary compression index ( Cαe ) , which ranged from 0.0010 (50% tire chips) to 0.0074 (100% tire chips). Time-dependent deformation was inversely proportional to sand content, with the most significant changes resulting from the addition of 15% sand. Bot...

Reproductive responses of male fathead minnows exposed to wastewater treatment plant effluent, effluent treated with XAD8 resin, and an environmentally relevant mixture of alkylphenol compounds

On-site, continuous-flow experiments were conducted during August and October 2002 at a major metropolitan wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to determine if effluent exposure induced endocrine disruption as manifested in the reproductive competence of sexually mature male fathead minnows ( Pimephales promelas). The fathead minnows were exposed in parallel experiments to WWTP effluent and WWTP effluent treated with XAD8 macroreticular resin to remove the hydrophobic-neutral fraction which contained steroidal hormones, alkylphenolethoxylates (APEs), and other potential endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). The effluent composition varied on a temporal scale and the continuous-flow experiments captured the range of chemical variability that occurred during normal WWTP operations. Exposure to WWTP effluent resulted in vitellogenin induction in male fathead minnows, with greater response in October than in August. Concentrations of ammonia, APEs, 17β-estradiol, and other EDCs also were greater in October than in August, reflecting a change in effluent composition. In the October experiment, XAD8 treatment significantly reduced vitellogenin induction in the male fathead minnows relative to the untreated effluent, whereas in August, XAD8 treatment had little effect. During both experiments, XAD8 treatment removed greater than 90% of the APEs. Exposure of fish to a mixture of APEs similar in composition and concentration to the WWTP effluent, but prepared in groundwater and conducted at a separate facility, elicited vitellogenin induction during both experiments. There was a positive relation between vitellogenin induction and hepatosomatic index (HSI), but not gonadosomatic index (GSI), secondary sexual characteristics index (SSCI), or reproductive competency. In contrast to expectations, the GSI and SSCI increased in males exposed to WWTP effluent compared to groundwater controls. The GSI, SSCI, and reproductive competency were positively affected by XAD8 treatment of the WWTP effluent.

Early FDG-PET assessment in combination with clinical risk scores determines prognosis in recurring lymphoma

AbstractThis study was set up to demonstrate whether prognostic classification based on the secondary age-adjusted International Prognostic Index (sAA-IPI) for recurring aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) or the prognostic score for recurring Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) can be improved by including the midtreatment results of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxy-glucose–positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). Clinical data on patients with recurring lymphoma who were treated with second-line chemotherapy (DHAP-VIM-DHAP) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) were collected and combined with the results of FDG-PET performed before and after 2 cycles of reinduction chemotherapy. PET responses after 2 courses were scored as complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), or no response (NR). A multivariate analysis was performed to design a predictive model. The number of patients (101 of 117) included those (78 patients with aggressive NHL and 23 patients with HL) that could be analyzed according to protocol. Of these, 80 patients were chemosensitive and 77 received transplants. Both secondary clinical risk score (P < .001) and FDG-PET response (P < .001) were independent predictive factors for the total evaluable group of patients with lymphoma and for patients with NHL alone. The combined use of the clinical risk score and FDG-PET response after 2 chemotherapy courses identified at least 4 categories of patients with a failure-free survival varying between 5% to 100% after transplantation (P < .001). These data indicate that the secondary clinical risk score in conjunction with FDG-PET response provides a more accurate prognostic instrument for the outcome of second-line treatment at least in patients with recurring NHL.

Inclusion of skin follicle traits in selection indices in breeding programs improves genetic gain in Australian fine-wool Merinos

Genetic parameters for skin follicle traits, wool traits, body weight, and number of lambs weaned per ewe joined were estimated for 5108 10-month-old Australian fine-wool Merinos born between 1990 and 1996. These animals were descended from 261 sires and 2508 dams. The skin follicle number index that is based on skin surface area, and primary, secondary, or total follicle density were introduced as possible early-age selection criteria estimated at 6 months of age. Heritability estimates for total, secondary, and primary follicle number index were 0.45 ± 0.04, 0.46 ± 0.04, and 0.38 ± 0.04, respectively. The genetic correlations of total follicle number index with clean fleece weight, mean fibre diameter, staple strength, coefficient of variation of fibre diameter, body weight, and number of lambs weaned were 0.16, –0.67, 0.00, 0.03, 0.22, and 0.22, respectively. Responses to selection on indices including and excluding follicle traits were calculated based on the genetic parameters estimated, and with annual responses calculated using an optimised age structure. On average, 10% greater response was predicted when total follicle number index was used as an additional selection criterion in different micron premium scenarios. In comparison, skin follicle density had a smaller effect on genetic improvement. The extra response was ~1%. Similar index responses were obtained when total follicle number index was used as a replacement selection criterion for clean fleece weight, mean fibre diameter, and coefficient of variation of fibre diameter for breeding objectives with low emphasis on fibre diameter. In objectives with high emphasis on fibre diameter, unfavourable correlated responses in staple strength and CV of fibre diameter limited the effectiveness of using total follicle number index as a selection criterion. Although the use of total follicle number index as an additional selection criterion can be favourable for some breeding objectives, measuring this trait is currently cost prohibitive to inclusion in Merino breeding programs.

岩手医科大学附属病院における院内発症インフルエンザ患者数に及ぼす新たな感染制御策の効果

Iwate Medical University Hospital (IMUH) is a general regional hospital with approximately 1,000 beds and emergency facilities. Due to the increased prevalence of cases of hospital-acquired influenza during the 2004/5 epidemic season, measures to systematically and comprehensively prevent the spread of seasonal influenza such as reinforcement of the active surveillance of influenza and adequacy of patient placement and the introduction of a new zoning system based on transmission-based precautions, were implemented. This report compares pre-and post intervention, and analyzes the impact on the prevalence of hospital-acquired influenza patients. Comparison of the prevalence of the 2005/6 season and 2004/5 season, irrespective of the fact that patients with influenza upon admission to the hospital doubled from 9 patients to 18, the number of influenza patients assumed to have secondary infections within the hospital markedly decreased from 48 to 20. In the 2004/5 season, a significant correlation was seen between the increase in the number of community-acquired influenza infections and the number of hospital-acquired ones. In contrast, no significant relationship was seen in the 2005/6 season. To exclude any influence due to seasonal differences in influenza epidemics, the secondary infection rate index one showed a decrease from of 36.8% to 23.7%. Based on the above results, influenza measures at IMUH in the 2005/6 season are considered to have suppresses the number of secondary infections occurring within the hospital.

Urinary arsenic profile affects the risk of urothelial carcinoma even at low arsenic exposure

Arsenic exposure is associated with an increased risk of urothelial carcinoma (UC). To explore the association between individual risk and urinary arsenic profile in subjects without evident exposure, 177 UC cases and 313 age-matched controls were recruited between September 2002 and May 2004 for a case-control study. Urinary arsenic species including the following three categories, inorganic arsenic (As(III)+As(V)), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA(V)) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA(V)), were determined with high-performance liquid chromatography-linked hydride generator and atomic absorption spectrometry. Arsenic methylation profile was assessed by percentages of various arsenic species in the sum of the three categories measured. The primary methylation index (PMI) was defined as the ratio between MMA(V) and inorganic arsenic. Secondary methylation index (SMI) was determined as the ratio between DMA(V) and MMA(V). Smoking is associated with a significant risk of UC in a dose-dependent manner. After multivariate adjustment, UC cases had a significantly higher sum of all the urinary species measured, higher percent MMA(V), lower percent DMA(V), higher PMI and lower SMI values compared with controls. Smoking interacts with the urinary arsenic profile in modifying the UC risk. Differential carcinogenic effects of the urinary arsenic profile, however, were seen more prominently in non-smokers than in smokers, suggesting that smoking is not the only major environmental source of arsenic contamination since the UC risk differs in non-smokers. Subjects who have an unfavorable urinary arsenic profile have an increased UC risk even at low exposure levels.

The Relationship Between Urinary Arsenic Metabolites, Drinking Water, and Genetic Polymorphisms in Glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1

MM1-O-04 Introduction: Inorganic arsenic (As3 and As5) is methylated to monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) acts as the electron donor. In humans, this process is incomplete and all species are excreted in urine. Genetic polymorphisms are thought to contribute to the large interindividual differences in excreted metabolites. This study investigates the associations between GST M1 and T1, 2 deletion polymorphisms and urinary arsenic metabolites. Methods: This analysis uses drinking water and first void urine samples collected from 197 individuals every 3 months for 1 year (January 2002 to March 2003) from an ongoing longitudinal study in Pabna, Bangladesh. Total inorganic arsenic in drinking water was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Urinary arsenic metabolites were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography and hydride generated atomic absorption spectrometry. Separate log-log linear mixed-effects models evaluated the relationship between drinking water arsenic, GSTM1, GSTT1, on the following outcomes: total urinary arsenic, primary methylation index [MMA/(As3 + As5)] and secondary methylation index (DMA/MMA). A random intercept was included in the models to account for autocorrelation among repeated measures on a single participant. Results: Median drinking water and total urinary arsenic concentrations were 5.5 μg/L (IQR, 132 μg/L) and 31.0 μg/L (IQR, 32.7 μg/L). Drinking water arsenic concentrations were positively associated with total urinary arsenic concentrations but not primary or secondary methylation indexes. In models adjusted for age, gender, season, body mass index, and creatinine, every 10-fold increase in drinking water arsenic resulted in a 1.3-fold increase in total urinary arsenic. Also, a significant gene-environment interaction was observed, which found that for every 10-fold increase in drinking water arsenic individuals possessing the GSTT1 null genotype had a 1.51-fold increase in total urinary arsenic, whereas individuals possessing the GSTT1 wild-type had a 1.23-fold increase in total urinary arsenic. Additionally, individuals with GSTT1 null genotypes had 34% higher primary methylation index and an 18% lower secondary methylation index compared with GSTT1 wild-type. No association was observed for GSTM1 in any model. Conclusions: Drinking water arsenic exposure is associated with the total concentration of arsenic in the urine but not the relative percentages of each metabolite. GSTT1 is involved in arsenic metabolism and individuals who are unable to produce this enzyme excrete more total urinary arsenic at any given exposure. Additionally, this enzyme appears to influences the relative concentrations of methylated arsenic metabolites. Folding: Supported by ES 04957 and ES 00002.