Measurement of Aromatic-hydrocarbons With the DOAS Technique

Long-path DOAS (differential optical absorption spectroscopy) in the ultraviolet spectral region has been shown to be applicable for low-concentration measurements of light aromatic hydrocarbons. However, because of spectral interferences among different aromatics as well as with oxygen, ozone, and sulfur dioxide, the application of the DOAS technique for this group of components is not without problems. This project includes a study of the differential absorption characteristics, between 250 and 280 nm, of twelve light aromatic hydrocarbons representing major constituents in technical solvents used in the automobile industry. Spectral overlapping between the different species, including oxygen, ozone, and sulfur dioxide, has been investigated and related to the chemical structure of the different aromatics. Interference effects in the DOAS application due to spectral overlapping have been investigated both in quantitative and in qualitative terms, with data from a field campaign at a major automobile manufacturing plant

Core mutations, IL28B polymorphisms and response to peginterferon/ribavirin treatment in Swedish patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 respond poorly to standard treatment with 50% or less achieving sustained virologic response. Predicting outcome is essential and could help avoid unnecessary treatment and reduce health cost. Recently, an association of amino acid substitutions in the core region and treatment outcome was observed in Japanese patients. In the present study, the impact of these mutations on response kinetics and treatment outcome was explored in Caucasian patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The core region of HCV pre-treatment samples obtained from 50 patients treated with peginterferon/ribavirin in a previous Swedish clinical trial with genotype 1 infection were sequenced. The alleles at rs12979860, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), were assessed in order to identify any co-association with this strong response predictor.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No association between treatment response and substitutions of core residue 91 was found. In contrast, substitutions of core residue 70 were observed in 6/21 (29%) non-responders, but only in one of 29 responders (p = 0.03), and were more common in subgenotype 1b (R70Q in 6 of 13 strains) than in 1a (R70P in 1 of 37 strains, p = 0.004). The rs12979860 SNP upstream of the IL28B gene was overall the strongest response predictor (p = 0.0001). Core 70 substitutions were associated with poorer response kinetics in patients carrying the CT genotype at rs12979860.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results indicate that substitutions of core residue 70 are related to treatment response in Caucasian patients with HCV-1b infection, but are of less importance than IL28B polymorphism.</p

Large effects on body mass index and insulin resistance of fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) variants in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

BACKGROUND: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine disorder in women of child-bearing age, mainly characterised by chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism, is often associated with insulin resistance (IR) and obesity. Its etiology and the role of IR and obesity in PCOS are not fully understood. We examined the influence of validated genetic variants conferring susceptibility to obesity and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on metabolic and PCOS-specific traits in patients with PCOS. METHODS: We conducted an association study in 386 patients with PCOS (defined by the Rotterdam-criteria) using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in or in proximity to the fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO), insulin-induced gene-2 (INSIG2), transcription factor 7-like 2 gene (TCF7L2) and melanocortin 4 receptor gene (MC4R). To compare the effect of FTO obesity risk alleles on BMI in patients with PCOS to unselected females of the same age range we genotyped 1,971 females from the population-based KORA-S4 study (Kooperative Gesundheitsforschung im Raum Augsburg, Survey 4). RESULTS: The FTO risk allele was associated with IR traits and measures of increased body weight. In addition, the TCF7L2 SNP was associated with body weight traits. For the SNPs in the vicinity of INSIG2 and MC4R and for the other examined phenotypes there was no evidence for an association. In PCOS the observed per risk allele effect of FTO intron 1 SNP rs9939609 on BMI was +1.56 kg/m2, whereas it was +0.46 kg/m2 in females of the same age range from the general population as shown previously. CONCLUSION: The stronger effect on body weight of the FTO SNP in PCOS might well have implications for the etiology of the disease

Nongonococcal urethritis

Nongonococcal urethritis is a venereal disease whose incidence is almost double that of gonorrhea. Despite this, the diagnosis, origin, treatment, and complications of nongonococcal urethritis remain unclear. Although some cases are undoubtedly caused by infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, the origin of many cases is uncertain. Treatment is recommended to shorten symptoms and prevent complications. This review presents the current status of this confusing disease.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24530/1/0000809.pd

Utilizing marginal abatement cost curves (MAC curves) to strategically plan CO2 reduction possibilities for the water sector: the case of watercycle organisation

Due to the current pressures of climate change and resource depletion, a great demand is rising for sustainable sources of energy, especially in densely populated areas such as cities. As many authors have already acknowledged (Frijns et al., 2008; Mol et al., 2010; van der Hoek, 2012; Blom et al., 2010; etc.) the watercycle offers much potential in terms of thermal and chemical energy in order to reduce CO2 eq. emissions, herewith creating value of metabolic urban streams to allow for direct sustainability applications in urban areas. Although the theoretical and technical potential is often highlighted, water utilities might face difficulties translating these to deployable strategies. Often, the insight lacks to compare different CO2 eq. emission abating opportunities with each other. In order to support the decision-making process and to validate the choices made, the methodology of marginal abatement cost curves (MAC curves) can be of assistance. The aim of this research is two folded. First of all, it will highlight the applicability of the MAC curves methodology as a decision support tool for water utilities in their quest for sound CO2 eq. emission reductions strategies. Additionally, the research also sheds light on the cost-effectiveness of the CO2 eq. emission abatement of several opportunities, which water utility Waternet can undertake within the watercycle (heat and cold recovery from sources such as waste water and surface water) and outside of the watercycle (renewable energy production through PV and wind). The outline of this paper is as follows: the methodology of MAC curves will be explained after which a practical case for water utility Waternet will illustrate the applicability of MAC curves. Finally, the conclusions of this research will be given