The two-pion production in pp-collisions has been investigated at CELSIUS in exclusive measurements from threshold up to Tp=1.36 GeV. Total and differential cross sections have been obtained for the ...channels pnπ+π0, ppπ+π−, ppπ0π0 and also nnπ+π+. For intermediate incident energies Tp>1 GeV, i.e. in the region which is beyond the Roper excitation but at the onset of ΔΔ excitation, the total ppπ0π0 cross section falls behind theoretical predictions by as much as an order of magnitude near 1.2 GeV, whereas the nnπ+π+ cross section is a factor of five larger than predicted. An isospin decomposition of the total cross sections exhibits a s-channel-like energy dependence in the region of the Roper excitation as well as a significant contribution of an isospin 3/2 resonance other than the Δ(1232). As possible candidates the Δ(1600) and the Δ(1700) are discussed.
Background: Arsenic is a potent human carcinogen and toxicant. Elevated concentration of arsenic in drinking water is a major public-health problem worldwide. We evaluated risks of adult mortality ...(due to cancer and cardiovascular and infectious diseases) in relation to arsenic exposure through drinking water. Methods: A cohort analysis was applied to survival data prospectively collected during 1991–2000 in a health and demographic surveillance system in Matlab, Bangladesh, where tubewells were installed beginning in the early 1970s. A total of 115,903 persons aged 15 or more years on 1 January 1991 were available for analysis. In this period, 9015 people died and 22,488 were lost to follow-up. Arsenic exposure data were derived from a survey in 2002–2003 of past and current water use and arsenic concentrations in all tube-wells. We estimated risk of excess mortality in relation to arsenic exposure, using proportional hazards models. Results: Even at low levels (10–49 μg/L) of arsenic in drinking water, we observed increased risk of death due to all nonaccidental causes (hazard ratio = 1.16 95% confidence interval = 1.06–1.26). Increased risks at exposure of 50–149 μg/L were observed for death due to cancers (1.44 1.06–1.95), cardiovascular disease (1.16 0.96–1.40), and infectious diseases (1.30 1.13–1.49). We observed clear dose-response relationships for each of these causes. Conclusions: Arsenic exposure through drinking water has generated excess adult mortality after 20–30 years of exposure.
Background: The interindividual variation in metabolism of inorganic arsenic (iAs), involving methylation via one-carbon metabolism, has been well documented, but the reasons remain unclear. ...Objectives: In this population-based study we aimed to elucidate the effect of nutrition on As methylation among women in Matlab, Bangladesh, where people are chronically exposed to iAs via drinking water. Methods: We studied effects of macronutrient status using body mass index (BMI) among 442 women in early pregnancy (gestational week 8), and effects of micronutrient status (plasma folate, vitamin B₁₂, zinc, ferritin, and selenium) among 753 women at gestational week 14. Arsenic metabolites in urine were measured by HPLC combined with hydride generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results: The median concentration of As in urine was 97 micrograms/L (range, 5-1,216 microgram/L, adjusted by specific gravity). The average proportions of iAs, monomethylarsonic acid, and dimethylarsinic acid in urine in gestational week 8 were 15%, 11%, and 74%, respectively. Thus, the women had efficient As methylation in spite of being poorly nourished (one-third had BMIs < 18.5 kg/m²) and having elevated As exposure, both of which are known to decrease As methylation. The metabolism of iAs was only marginally influenced by micronutrient status, probably because women, especially in pregnancy and with low folate intake, have an efficient betaine-mediated remethylation of homocysteine, which is essential for an efficient As methylation. Conclusions: In spite of the high As exposure and prevalent malnutrition, overall As methylation in women in early pregnancy was remarkably efficient. The As exposure level had the greatest impact on As methylation among the studied factors.
Background Little is known about the relationship of physical activity (PA) and fitness with cardiometabolic risk among rural adolescents in low- and middle-income countries. Thus, we examined the ...associations of PA and fitness with selected cardiometabolic indicators along with potential gender-based differences in a birth cohort of rural adolescents from southeast Bangladesh.Methods We utilized data from the 15-year follow-up of Maternal and Infant Nutrition Interventions in Matlab (MINIMat) cohort (n = 2253). Wrist-worn ActiGraph wGT3x-BT accelerometers were used to estimate sedentary time (ST) and PA. Fitness was assessed using: handgrip strength, standing long jump, and Chester Step Test. Anthropometric parameters, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and fasting lipid, insulin and glucose levels were measured. We calculated insulin resistance using the Homeostasis Model Assessment equation (HOMA-IR). Linear regression and isotemporal substitution models were fitted.Results The adolescents spent 64 min/day (inter-quartile range: 50-81) in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A 10-minute-per-day higher vigorous PA (VPA) was associated with: 4.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.9-6.8%) lower waist circumference (WC), 3.2 mmHg (95% CI: 1.5-4.8) lower SBP, 10.4% (95% CI: 2.9-17.3%) lower TG, and 24.4% (95% CI: 11.3-34.9%) lower HOMA-IR. MVPA showed similar associations of notably smaller magnitude. Except for WC, the associations were more pronounced among the boys. Substituting ST with VPA of equal duration was associated with lower WC, SBP, triglyceride and HOMA-IR. Grip strength was favorably associated with all indicators, displaying considerably large effect sizes.Conclusion Our findings indicated beneficial roles of PA- particularly VPA- and muscular fitness in shaping cardiometabolic profile in mid-adolescence. VPA and grip strength may represent potential targets for preventive strategies tailored to adolescents in resource-limited settings.
Exclusive measurements of the pp-->pppi super(0)pi super(0) reaction have been performed at CELSIUS/WASA at energies from threshold up to T sub()p1.3 GeV. Total and differential cross sections have ...been obtained. Here we concentrate on energies T sub()pinline image1 GeV, where the Delta Delta excitation becomes the leading process. No evidence is found for a significant ABC effect beyond that given by the conventional t-channel Delta Delta excitation. This holds also for the double-pionic fusion to the quasibound super(2)He. The data are compared to model predictions, which are based on both pi- and rho-exchange. Total and differential cross sections are at variance with these predictions and call for a profound modification of the rho-exchange. A phenomenological modification allowing only a small rho-exchange contribution leads to a quantitative description of the data.
The prevalence of antibiotic resistance and their genetic determinants in colonizing group B streptococci (GBS) sampled in a Swedish nationwide survey was examined. In five GBS isolates (1.3%), ...kanamycin/amikacin resistance and the presence of the aphA-3 gene was identified. Three of these isolates carried the aad-6 gene and were streptomycin-resistant. Screening with kanamycin and streptomycin 1,000-μg disks enabled a rapid and easy detection of these isolates. In all, 312/396 (79%) GBS were tetracycline-resistant and 95% of the examined isolates harbored the tetM gene. Among the 22 (5.5%) GBS resistant to erythromycin and/or clindamycin, the ermB gene was detected in nine isolates (41%) and erm(A/TR) in ten isolates (45%). A high level of erythromycin and clindamycin resistance with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) >256 mg/L was found in four serotype V isolates that harbored ermB. The erythromycin/clindamycin resistance was distributed among all of the common serotypes Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, and V, but was not present in any of the 44 serotype III isolates associated to clonal complex 17. Screening for penicillin resistance with 1-μg oxacillin disks showed a homogenous population with a mean inhibition zone of 20 mm. A change in the present oxacillin breakpoints for GBS is suggested.
This study assessed the exposure of pregnant women to arsenic in Matlab, Bangladesh, an area with highly-elevated concentrations of arsenic in tubewells, by measuring concentrations of arsenic in ...urine. In a defined administrative area, all new pregnancies were identified by urine test in gestational week 6-8, and women were asked to participate in the assessment of arsenic exposure. Urine for analysis of arsenic was collected immediately and in gestational week 30. In total, 3,426 pregnant women provided urine samples during January 2002—March 2003. There was a considerable variation in urinary concentrations of arsenic (total range 1-1,470 μg/L, adjusted to specific gravity 1.012 g/mL), with an overall median concentration of 80 μg/L (25th and 75th percentiles were 37 and 208 μg/L respectively). Similar concentrations were found in gestational week 30, indicating no trend of decreasing exposure, despite the initiation of mitigation activities in the area. Arsenic exposure was negatively associated with socioeconomic classes and achieved educational level. There were marked geographical variations in exposure. The results emphasize the urgent need for efficient mitigation activities and investigations of arsenic-related reproductive effects.
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