The Effect of Age and Gender on 38 Chemical Element Contents in Human Femoral Neck Investigated by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

In the present study, the association of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and nickel between scalp hair samples and mortality from myocardial infarction (MI) patients at first, second, and third heart attack was studied. The biological samples of 130 MI patients (77 male and 53 female) age ranged (45–60 years), were collected and 61 healthy persons of same age group (33 male and 28 female) was selected as control subjects. The toxic elements (TEs) in biological samples were assessed by the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry prior to microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity of methodology was checked by the certified human hair reference material (BCR 397). It was observed during the study that 78% of 32 patients of the third MI, age >50 years were expired. In these subjects, the level of As, Cd, Ni, and Pb were increased by 10.6%, 19.5%, 15.7%, and 9.8% in the scalp hair as compared to those who tolerated third MI attack (p = 0.12). The high level of toxic metals may play a role in the development of heart disease in the subjects of this study.     

Crop Yields, Internal Nutrient Efficiency, and Changes in Soil Properties in Rice–Wheat Rotations Under Non-Flooded Mulching Cultivation

A field experiment was conducted for 5 years to examine the effects of non-flooded mulching cultivation on crop yield, internal nutrient efficiency and soil properties in rice–wheat (R–W) rotations of the Chengdu Plain, southwest China. Compared with traditional flooding (TF), non-flooded plastic film mulching (PM) resulted in 12 and 11% higher average rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield and system productivity (combined rice and wheat yields), and the trends in rice and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields under PM were stable over time. However, non-flooded wheat straw mulching (SM) decreased average rice yield by 11% compared with TF, although no significant difference in system productivity was found between SM and TF. Uptakes of N and K by rice under PM were higher than those under TF and SM, but internal nutrient efficiency was significantly lower (N) or similar (K) under PM compared to SM and TF. This implies that more N and K accumulated in rice straw under PM. After 5-year rice–wheat rotation, apparent P balances (112–160 kg ha⁻¹) were positive under all three cultivation systems. However, the K balances were negative under PM (−419 kg ha⁻¹) and TF (−90 kg ha⁻¹) compared with SM (45 kg ha⁻¹). This suggests that higher K inputs from fertilizer, straw or manure may be necessary, especially under PM. After five rice seasons and four wheat seasons, non-flooded mulching cultivation led to similar (PM) or higher (SM) soil organic carbon (SOC), total N (TN) and alkali hydrolyzable N (AH-N) in the top 0–5 and 5–12 cm layers compared with TF. SOC, TN, AH-N and Olsen-P (OP) in the sub-surface layer (12–24 cm) were significantly higher under PM or SM than under TF, indicating that rice under non-flooded mulching conditions may fail to make use of nutrients from the subsoil. Thus, the risk of decline in soil fertility under non-flooded mulching cultivation could be very low if input levels match crop requirements. Our data indicate that PM and SM may be alternative options for farmers using R–W rotations for enhancement or maintenance of system productivity and soil fertility.     

Age-dependent cognitive defects caused by local brain lesions of various geneses

The results of neuropsychological analysis of 808 children and adolescents 7–18 years of age were studied. Among the test subjects, 689 children were patients with local brain lesions (tumors, arachnoid cysts, vascular pathology, and congenital hydrocephaly) and 119 children were healthy. Both patients and healthy subjects were divided into four age groups: junior school age (7–9 years), prepubertal age (10–12 years), pubertal age (13–15 years), and senior school age (16–18 years). Cognitive defects were found and demonstrated to depend on the test subject’s age and the type of brain pathology.     

Age-related changes in saccadic eye movements in healthy subjects and patients with Parkinson’s disease

The age-related changes in saccadic eye movements (the latency, the duration of single saccades and the percentage of multistep saccades) were compared in healthy subjects and patients with Parkinson’s disease. Healthy volunteers without neurological symptoms were divided into six age groups: (17–20, 21–30, 31–40, 41–50, 51–60, and 61–75 years of age); and parkinsonian patients, into three groups (41–50, 51–60, and 61–75 years of age). According to the data obtained, the saccade characteristics depend on the age in both the subjects without neurological symptoms and parkinsonian patients. In healthy volunteers, the percentage of multistep saccades and the mean saccade latency increase significantly after the age of 60 years. These parameters in patients with Parkinson’s disease significantly exceed the values in healthy subjects from the age-matched groups. The “disease” factor has a greater influence on the saccade latency and the percentage of multistep saccades than the “age” factor. The duration of single saccades depends on age to a lesser degree and does not change in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The peculiarities of the development of neurodegenerative processes in cases of normal aging and in idiopathic parkinsonism are discussed.     

Factors affecting reproduction in rehabilitant female orangutans: young age at first birth and short inter-birth interval

This study investigated the reproductive parameters of free-ranging rehabilitant female orangutans. We aimed to assess the factors that influence these parameters and provide information that could assist with the management of orangutan reintroduction programs. We analyzed the birth records of free-ranging female rehabilitants at Bukit Lawang, Bukit Tigapuluh, Sepilok, Camp Leakey, Kaja Island, Sungai Wain, and Meratus and compared them with reproductive parameters reported in wild and zoo populations. Females’ ages at first birth were 10.6–14.7 years, significantly earlier than those of wild and zoo orangutans. Computed inter-birth intervals (IBIs) calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method were 65.1–90.1 months; the values for Camp Leakey and Bukit Lawang rehabilitants were significantly shorter than those reported for wild Sumatran orangutans. Infant mortality rates were 18–61%; the values for Bukit Lawang and Sepilok were significantly higher than those reported for wild Sumatran and zoo orangutans. In rehabilitants, young ages at first birth and shorter IBIs may result from the high energy intake enabled by provisioning, although the possibility exists that they reflect underestimations of age on arrival at rehabilitation centers. The observed high infant mortality rate may reflect poor mothering skills due to human rearing and/or increased disease transmission. This study demonstrates that accelerated reproductive rates (younger age at first birth and shorter IBI) are common in provisioned rehabilitant females on both Sumatra and Borneo.     

Electron microscopy in the diagnosis of viral gastroenteritis in hospitalised children in the Czech Republic

Our study has been aimed at demonstrating the main role of viruses in the aetiology of acute gastroenteritis in children less than 5 years old and at pointing out the diagnostic potential of electron microscopy in the diagnosis of viral gastroenteritis. A prospective study was conducted to analyse the aetiology of diarrhoeal diseases in children less than 5 years of age admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases between September 2006 and December 2008. All children were tested by faecal culture, latex agglutination and electron microscopy. A total of 832 children were included in the study. An aetiological agent was detected in 788 children (94.6 %). A bacterial aetiology was found in 22 (2.6 %) children and bacterial–viral co-infection was found in 146 (17.6 %) patients. The most frequent causative agents of gastroenteritis in children were viruses, which were detected in 620 (74.5 %) patients. The main causes of viral gastroenteritis were rotaviruses (detected in 410 children), followed by caliciviruses (42), coronaviruses (28), adenoviruses (19) and astroviruses (14). Dual viral infections were detected in 107 children, with rotavirus–calicivirus co-infection being the most common. Electron microscopy proved to be a more sensitive method in comparison with the latex agglutination test for the diagnosis of rotaviruses and adenoviruses. The major role of viruses in diarrhoeal diseases among children under 5 years of age in the Czech Republic has been confirmed. The diagnostic potential of electron microscopy, particularly in small outbreaks of gastroenteritis, was clearly shown.     

Maternal age and risk for trisomy 21 assessed by the origin of chromosome nondisjunction: a report from the Atlanta and National Down Syndrome Projects

We examined the association between maternal age and chromosome 21 nondisjunction by origin of the meiotic error. We analyzed data from two population-based, case–control studies: Atlanta Down Syndrome Project (1989–1999) and National Down Syndrome Project (2001–2004). Cases were live born infants with trisomy 21 and controls were infants without trisomy 21 delivered in the same geographical regions. We enrolled 1,215 of 1,881 eligible case families and 1,375 of 2,293 controls. We report four primary findings. First, the significant association between advanced maternal age and chromosome 21 nondisjunction was restricted to meiotic errors in the egg; the association was not observed in sperm or in post-zygotic mitotic errors. Second, advanced maternal age was significantly associated with both meiosis I (MI) and meiosis II (MII). For example, compared to mothers of controls, mothers of infants with trisomy 21 due to MI nondisjunction were 8.5 times more likely to be ≥40 years old than 20–24 years old at the birth of the index case (95% CI = 5.6–12.9). Where nondisjunction occurred in MII, mothers were 15.1 times more likely to be ≥40 years (95% CI = 8.4–27.3). Third, the ratio of MI to MII errors differed by maternal age. The ratio was lower among women <19 years of age and those ≥40 years (2.1, 2.3, respectively) and higher in the middle age group (3.6). Lastly, we found no effect of grand-maternal age on the risk for maternal nondisjunction. This study emphasizes the complex association between advanced maternal age and nondisjunction of chromosome 21 during oogenesis. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.     

Tumour-expressed tissue factor inhibits cellular cytotoxicity

Aims: The association between tissue factor (TF) expression and increased rate of tumour metastasis is well established. In this study, we have examined the hypothesis that the expression of TF by disseminated tumour cells confers protection against immune recognition and cytotoxicity. Materials and methods: A hybrid EGFP-TF protein was expressed in HT29 colon carcinoma and K562 lymphoblast cell lines. To assess the cytotoxic activity against tumour cells over-expressing TF, a novel method was used, based on the direct measurement of fluorescently labelled HT29 or K562 target cells. Results: Upon challenge with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), tumour cells expressing TF partially evaded cellular cytotoxicity (Δ=15–40% reduction in cytotoxicity). Moreover, the influence of TF was not primarily dependent on its procoagulant function, although the inclusion of 20% (v/v) plasma did lower the rate of cytotoxicity against untransfected cells. However, expression of a truncated form of TF, devoid of the cytoplasmic domain, did not mediate any degree of inhibition of cytotoxicity, suggesting that the protective function of TF is principally due to this domain. Conclusions: We conclude that TF can promote immune evasion in tumour cells expressing this protein leading to increased survival and therefore metastatic rate in such cells.     

A ten-year summary of reproductive parameters for ring-tailed lemurs at berenty, madagascar

From 1989 to 1998, 204 live births were recorded for ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) at Berenty, Madagascar. Excluding unknown birth dates, the peak month of birth was September, with 82.0% (146/178) occurring during this period. The offspring sex ratio (1∶1.19) was not significantly different from 1∶1, and there was no association with the mother's age. The first births occurred at the ages of 2 to 4 yr. The annual birth rate was very low at the age of 2 yr (11.1%), but increased thereafter: to 50.0% at the age of 3 yr, and to 75–85% at the age of 4 or more years. Multiple births were very rare, since only three sets of twins and one set of triplets were recorded. As for the interbirth interval, a one-year interval was the most common (92.2%). Infant mortality within the first year was 37.7% (77/204). Neonatal mortality within the first month accounted for 31.2% of all infant dealths.     

Bone tissue,lyophilized and stored at room temperature for 15 days or more,is not capable of transmitting HIV,HCV or HBV

Over the past 57 years, 17 recipients of frozen bone have been infected with: HIV (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Morb Mortal Wkly Rep MMWR 37(39):597–599, 1988; Li et al. in J Formos Med Assoc 100(5):350–351, 2001; Simonds et al. in NEJM 326(11):726–732, 1992; Schratt et al. in Unfallchirurg 99(9):679–684, 1996); HCV (Eggen and Nordbo in NEJM 326(6):411, 1992; Conrad et al. in J Bone Joint Surg Am 77:214–224, 1995; Trotter in J Bone Joint Surg Am 851(11):2215–2217, 2003; Tugwell et al. in Ann of Internal Med 143(9):648–654, 2005); or HBV (Shutkin in J Bone Joint Surg Am 36:160–162, 1954). However, bone, lyophilized and stored at room temperature, has never transmitted these viral diseases. A literature review was undertaken to determine whether there is any evidence that lyophilized bone is capable of transmitting HIV, HCV and HBV.     

An anthropometric comparative study of school children 1990–2000: A retrospective report

The general ecological situation of the Silesian population was described as a global catastrophe. In the first stage (1990–1993) of our study, a population of 1810 Silesian children, 7–9 years of age, was compared to a group of 780 children of the same age living in the Beskidy Mts. The second stage (1998–2000) involved similar populations from the same regions. Appearance of incorrect body posture in mountain children is most often encountered when we compare subgroups of mountain children on the basis of their schools' level above the sea: i.e. the higher they live the less frequent the lesions are. We conclude that the results of the socio-economic transformation undergone by the country and region has changed the distribution of potential ecologically catastrophic areas adding new ones to already existing ones and allowing only slow recovery.     

Intercropping of field crops in cotton for the management of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.)

A 2-year field investigation was carried out during 2003–2004 to determine the effectiveness of intercropping single and double rows of sorghum, soybean and sesame in a cotton crop on the suppression of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.). Results revealed that all three intercrops were effective in inhibiting purple nutsedge density (70–96%) and dry matter production (71–97%) during both years of experimentation. Control in the second year was more effective than in the first year. The seed cotton yield was also depressed by the intercrops but its suppression (8–23%) was far less severe than that of purple nutsedge and its loss was compensated by greater total economic returns. Intercropping of sorghum and sesame produced greater than 20% net benefits (up to 60%) in comparison with the control (cotton alone). Soybean intercropping produced comparable net benefits (95–103%). Sesame two rows intercrop treatment appeared the most profitable with net benefit of 51–59% with good purple nutsedge control (73–92% density suppression, 77–95% dry weight suppression) during both years of experimentation.     

Serum selenium in adult Czechoslovak (central bohemia) population

The serum selenium levels in 367 healthy adult (25–64 yr) Central Bohemia residents, 176 men and 191 women, were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. An extremely wide range of values was found in the whole population sample (<20–296 μg/L) as well as in each sex or age category studied. The mean selenium concentration and 95% confidence interval calculated after logarithmic transformation of the data were 74 μg/L (71–77) for the whole population sample, 72 μg/L (67–76) for men, and 76 μg/L (72–81) for women. About 10% of the residents exhibited serum selenium level below 45 μg/L. There was no significant correlation between serum selenium and sex, age, or smoking status of participants. However, the lowest average level was found in the group of heavy smoking women: 66 μg/L. The selenium status of the Central Bohemia population seems to be below European average. Groups of residents having a very low nutritional selenium intake may be expected to occur in this population. Dedicated to the memory of Jiří Pařízek, former head of environmental physiology research group of the Institute of Nuclear Biology and Radiochemistry.     

Muscle strength and soft tissue composition as measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in women aged 18–87 years

Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) offers the possibility of assessing regional soft tissue composition, i.e. lean mass (LM) and fat mass : LM may be considered a measure of muscle mass. We examined age-related differences in LM, percentage fat (%fat) and muscle strength in 100 healthy non-athletic women aged 18–87 years. Relationships between muscle strength and leg LM in 20 elite female weight lifters and in 18 inactive women with previous hip fractures were also studied. The LM and %fat of the whole body, trunk, arms and legs were derived from a whole body DEXA scan. Isokinetic knee extensor strength (KES) and flexor strength (KFS) at 30° · s^–1 were assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. The women aged 71–87 years had 35% lower KES and KFS than the women aged 18–40 years (P < 0.0001). Differences in LM were less pronounced. The LM of the legs, for instance, was 15% lower in the old than in the young women (P < 0.0001). In a multiple regression analysis with age, body mass, height and leg LM or KES as independent variables and KES or leg LM as the dependent variable, age was the most important predictor of KES (r _partial = −0.74, P < 0.0001). The same applied to KFS. Body mass, not age, was the most important predictor of leg LM (r _partial = 0.65, P < 0.0001) and of LM at all other measurement sites. The LM measured at different regions decreased equally with increasing age. The KES:leg LM ratio was negatively correlated with age (r = −0.70, P < 0.0001). The weight lifters had significantly higher KES:leg LM ratios than age-matched controls (+12%, P < 0.0001) and vice versa for the women with previous hip fractures (–36%, P < 0.0001). In conclusion, from our study it would seem that in healthy nonathletic women, age is a more important determinant of muscle strength than is LM as measured by DEXA. Muscle strengthening exercises and inactivity seem to have a considerably stronger influence on muscle strength than on LM. Accepted: 27 August 1996     

Long-term treatment with recombinant interferon alpha-2b prolongs survival of asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals

Rationale and objective: Early long-term treatment with recombinant interferon (IFN) alpha-2b delayed disease progression in asymptomatic Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) carriers in a randomized trial that lasted from October 1987 to February 1992 (14). The aim of the work reported in this paper was to observe if there was also an effect on survival when the same patients were followed-up further. Design and interventions: IFN alpha-2b was given 3 × 10⁶ IU, 3 times weekly. The control group did not receive any treatment. The main end-point for this evaluation was death due to any cause. The deadline was August 1995. Population: Subjects were anti-HIV-1 seropositive, Western blot-confirmed, asymptomatic (CDC group II), or with generalized lymphadenopathies (CDC group III). The groups had 79 (control) and 83 (IFN) patients. Main results: Mean survival was longer in the IFN group (95% CI: 127–152 vs. 101–120 months since infection or 80–90 vs. 70–82 months since the start of treatment). Survival rates were higher in IFN-treated individuals (61–77% vs. 24–54% at 10 years of infection or 53–69% vs. 34–52% at 7 years of treatment or follow-up). It was also confirmed that disease progression is significantly slower in IFN-treated patients. There were 23.4 vs. 3.2% long-term survivors in the IFN and control groups, respectively (p=0.005). IFN-treated patients had fewer AIDS-related malignancies (5 vs. 11), mainly Kaposi’s sarcomas (1 vs. 5). This difference was not statistically significant, but clinically interesting. There was no difference in survival if measured since the onset of AIDS. Conclusion: IFN alpha treatment given from the early stages of infection, but not after the appearance of AIDS symptoms, can prolong survival.     

Specifying social structures in preschool classrooms: descriptive and functional distinctions between affiliative subgroups

Preschool children attending Head Start programs (N = 586, 296 boys and 290 girls, between 3 and 5 years of age, over 95% African–American) were observed to determine physical proximity to peers as well as rates of visual attention given and received. Sociometric data were used to derive peer acceptance scores, peer friendships, and sociometric status classifications. Three subgroup types (high mutual proximity (HMP), lower mutual proximity (LMP), and ungrouped children) were identified through complete linkage hierarchical clustering and chi-square procedures from the proximity data. HMP subgroups tended to be larger, to have higher sociometric acceptance scores, and children in these subgroups had more reciprocated friendships than was true for the other subgroup types. Significant within-group preferences and out-group biases were observed for both HMP and LMP subgroups using measures of visual attention and sociometric choice data, but these were more marked for HMP subgroups. Results are consistent with previous ethological studies of affiliative structures in preschool classrooms and also show that methods of data collection and analysis from social ethology and child psychology research traditions are mutually informing.     

Proteolytic activity of viper venoms

Proteolytic activities of venoms of vipers kept in a serpentarium for three years or captured in various environmental regions were estimated. Gurza venom contained considerable amounts of protein (830-930 μg/mg venom) and displayed a high proteolytic activity by tyrosine (80-140 μg/m in mg protein). The proteolytic activity did not depend on season or the age or physiological state of snakes in the reproductive period. The proteolytic activity of venom in gurza offspring was similar to that in parent specimens. Proteolytic activities (by tyrosine) of venoms produced by Radde’s vipers and common vipers were 77–90 and 18–36 μg/m in mg protein, respectively. The proteolytic activity of venom in common vipers native to the north European part of Russia was 20–30% higher than that in common vipers inhabiting southern European Russia. An inhibition assay found various ratios of metalloendopeptidase and serine endopeptidase activities in venoms of gurza, Radde’s viper, and common viper.     

Estimating wild boar (Sus scrofa) abundance and density using capture–resights in Canton of Geneva, Switzerland

We estimated wild boar abundance and density using capture–resight methods in the western part of the Canton of Geneva (Switzerland) in the early summer from 2004 to 2006. Ear-tag numbers and transmitter frequencies enabled us to identify individuals during each of the counting sessions. We used resights generated by self-triggered camera traps as recaptures. Program Noremark provided Minta–Mangel and Bowden’s estimators to assess the size of the marked population. The minimum numbers of wild boars belonging to the unmarked population (juveniles and/or piglets) were added to the respective estimates to assess total population size. Over the 3 years, both estimators showed a stable population with a slight diminishing tendency. We used mean home range size determined by telemetry to assess the sampled areas and densities. Mean wild boar population densities calculated were 10.6 individuals/km² ± 0.8 standard deviation (SD) and 10.0 ind/km² ± 0.6 SD with both estimators, respectively, and are among the highest reported from Western Europe. Because of the low proportion of marked animals and, to a lesser extent, of technical failures, our estimates showed poor precision, although they displayed similar population trends compared to the culling bag statistics. Reported densities were consistent with the ecological conditions of the study area.     

Age, growth, and reproductive biology of the Waigieu seaperch Psammoperca waigiensis (Perciformes: Latidae) around Okinawa Island, Japan

Age, growth, and reproductive biology of the Waigieu seaperch Psammoperca waigiensis were studied using 291 specimens obtained around Okinawa Island, Japan. Otolith opaque zones that formed every year correlated with spawning activity and were thought to be annual rings. Growth of this species was rapid during the first 2 years, reaching 186.2–270.3 mm in standard length (SL). Females (196.6–334.0 mm SL) were larger than males (186.2–288.6 mm SL), caused by differential growth between sexes, which started before 2 years of age. Most of the specimens were 1–11 years old and accounted for 96% in total. Spawning season was estimated to be from April to October by gonadosomatic index (GSI) and histological observation. The smallest mature female and male were 217.0 mm SL (2 years) and 206.0 mm SL (2 years), respectively. After recruitment in rocky areas up to about 200.0 mm SL and 2 years of age, Psammoperca waigiensis were then found to soon mature.