Respiratory infections are a major health problem in the Inuit population of Nunavik, province of Quebec, Canada.
A study was undertaken to assess the burden of lower (LRTI) and upper respiratory ...tract infections (URTI) and otitis media (OM) and to explore some of their determinants including the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) status.
The reference population includes children less than 5 years of age born in 1994-2010 and a sample of 825 children was selected for this study. Outpatient medical records were reviewed. Visits with a diagnosis of LRTI, URTI and OM were extracted. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to identify predictors of disease risk.
The average number of LRTI, URTI and OM episodes were, respectively, 2.6, 6.2 and 5.9 from birth up to the 5th birthday. Seasonal patterns were similar for URTI and OM, but was different for LRTI. Children who received the recommended 4 PCV doses had a lower LRTI and OM risk than unvaccinated children. There was a trend towards a lower OM risk associated with a mixed PCV10+ PCV13 schedule compared with PCV7.
Results suggest a lower LRTI and OM risk associated with PCV use in this high-risk population but respiratory disease risk remains high compared with the general population in Quebec.
Otitis media (OM) and their sequelae are a major health issue in the Inuit population of Nunavik, Quebec. Hypotheses of the study were: (i) early onset OM leads to repeated OM; (ii) repeated OM ...episodes leads to middle ear abnormalities (MEA) at age 5 years, (iii) pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) may reduce multiple OM and MEA. Immunisation cards, medical records and audiology screening tests at age 5 years in a sample of 610 children born in 1994-2010 in 3 communities were reviewed. Children were classified into three categories using a score based on audiology screening tests: no abnormality, minor, or major MEA. The average number of OM episodes before age 5 years was 5.0 and 30% had minor and 17% major MEA at age 5 years. Community residency predicted both frequent (≥ 8) OM episodes and MEA. Early onset OM (age <6 months) was a predictor of frequent OM (RR = 1.71; 95%CI: 1.50-1.95) whereas PCV (≥1 dose ≥ age 2 months) has no significant effect. Frequent OM episodes were associated with major MEA (RR = 2.16; 95%CI: 1.20-3.85). Although associations were not statistically significant, there was a trend towards a protective effect of PCV administration on frequent OM and minor MEA, but not major MEA. In conclusion, results support an association between early onset OM, frequent OM and MEA that could represent a causal pathway.
A fast RICH prototype with a CsI photocathode Aleksan, R; Amadon, A; Besson, P ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
02/1997, Letnik:
385, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
A fast RICH prototype with a CsI photocathode has been built. The quantum efficiency has been estimated by two independent techniques: a UV lamp measurement and a detection of Cherenkov light ...produced in a liquid radiator. The crucial influence of the photocathode substrate on the quantum yield is demonstrated in this paper. The results obtained with our prototype have been used to simulate the performances of a Fast RICH for a B meson factory.
A plastic material with high optical transmission in the UV range Aleksan, R.; Amadon, A.; Besson, P. ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
03/1996, Letnik:
371, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
We have measured the transmission of a 25 μm thick foil of teflon AF in the ultra violet region. The properties of this material allow one to use it for protecting UV sensitive materials against ...external contaminations.
To date, models for simulating sap flow dynamics in individual trees with a direct link to stem diameter variation include only the diameter fluctuation driven by a change in stem water storage. This ...paper reports results obtained with a comprehensive flow and storage model using whole-tree leaf transpiration as the only input variable. The model includes radial stem growth based on Lockhart's equation for irreversible cell expansion. It was demonstrated that including growth is essential to obtaining good simulation results. To model sap flow dynamics, capacitance of storage tissues was assumed either constant (i.e., electrical analogue approach) or variable and dependent on the water content of the respective storage tissue (i.e., hydraulic system approach). These approaches resulted in different shapes for the desorption curve used to calculate the capacitance of storage tissues. Comparison of these methods allowed detection of specific differences in model simulation of sap flow at the stem base (F(stem)) and stem diameter variation (D). Sensitivity analysis was performed to select a limited subset of identifiable parameters driving most of the variability in model predictions of F(stem) and D Both the electrical analogue and the hydraulic system approach for the flow and storage model were successfully calibrated and validated for the case of a young beech tree (Fagus sylvatica L.). Use of an objective model selection criterion revealed that the flow and storage model based on the electrical analogue approach yielded better predictions.
Several airborne radar-sounding surveys are used to trace internal reflections around the European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica Dome C and Vostok ice core sites. Thirteen reflections, ...spanning the last two glacial cycles, are traced within 200 km of Dome C, a promising region for million-year-old ice, using the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics High-Capacity Radar Sounder. This provides a dated stratigraphy to 2318 m depth at Dome C. Reflection age uncertainties are calculated from the radar range precision and signal-to-noise ratio of the internal reflections. The radar stratigraphy matches well with the Multichannel Coherent Radar Depth Sounder (MCoRDS) radar stratigraphy obtained independently. We show that radar sounding enables the extension of ice core ages through the ice sheet with an additional radar-related age uncertainty of ~1/3–1/2 that of the ice cores. Reflections are extended along the Byrd-Totten Glacier divide, using University of Texas/Technical University of Denmark and MCoRDS surveys. However, core-to-core connection is impeded by pervasive aeolian terranes, and Lake Vostok's influence on reflection geometry. Poor radar connection of the two ice cores is attributed to these effects and suboptimal survey design in affected areas. We demonstrate that, while ice sheet internal radar reflections are generally isochronal and can be mapped over large distances, careful survey planning is necessary to extend ice core chronologies to distant regions of the East Antarctic ice sheet.
Signalling through dopamine D2 receptors governs physiological functions
related to locomotion, hormone production and drug abuse.
D2 receptors are also known targets of antipsychotic drugs that are ...used to
treat neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. By
a mechanism of alternative splicing, the D2 receptor gene encodes two molecularly
distinct isoforms, D2S and D2L, previously thought to have
the same function. Here we show that these receptors have distinct functions
in vivo; D2L acts mainly at postsynaptic sites and D2S serves presynaptic
autoreceptor functions. The cataleptic effects of the widely used antipsychotic
haloperidol are absent in D2L-deficient mice. This suggests
that D2L is targeted by haloperidol, with implications for treatment of neuropsychiatric
disorders. The absence of D2L reveals that D2S inhibits D1 receptor-mediated
functions, uncovering a circuit of signalling interference between dopamine
receptors.
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