2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid and bromoxynil herbicide death.

CASE REPORT: We report a fatal case of a 37 year old gentleman who ingested a MCPA/bromoxynil co-formulation herbicide. Although clinically well on initial examination, our patient declined dramatically over his 18 h admission with increasing CO2 production, hyperthermia and metabolic derangement to eventually die from cardiac asystole 20 h post ingestion. Two hours after ingestion the MCPA concentration was 83.9 μg/mL and bromoxynil concentration was 137 μg/mL. DISCUSSION: The patients' mechanism of death appeared to be uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, excess CO2 production and hyperthermia. There is limited knowledge on the acute toxicity of these herbicides, in particular bromoxynil, and this case highlights the relentless progression of severe toxicity in humans.The collaboration was supported by an NHMRC Program Grant (1055176). Geoff Isbister is supported by an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship ID 1061041 and Mike Roberts is supported by an NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellowship ID 1002611

Genomic Organization, Splice Variants and Expression of CGMl, a CD66-related Member of the Carcinoembryonic Antigen Gene Family

The tumor marker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) belongs to a family of proteins which are composed of one immunogiobulin variable domain and a varying number of immunoglobulin constant-like domains. Most of the membrane-bound members, which are anchored either by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol moiety or a transmembrane domain, have been shown to convey cell adhesion in vitro. Here we describe two splice variants of CGMI. a transmembrane member of the CEA family without immunoglobulin constant.like domains. CGM1a and CGM1c contain cytopiasmic domains of 71 and 31 amino acids, respectively, The cytoplasmic region of CGM1a is encoded by four exons (Cyt1-Cyt4). Differential splicing of the Cyt1 exon (53 bp)..

Static and dynamic magnetic properties of epitaxial Fe1.7Ge thin films grown on Ge(111)

We have studied the magnetic properties of thin epitaxial hexagonal Fe1.7Ge films grown on Ge(111) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. For all samples, X-ray diffraction revealed an excellent epitaxy of the Fe1.7Ge films, with crystallographic [11 (2) over bar0] and [1 (1) over bar 00] axes lying in the sample plane. The static magnetic properties were studied by Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect (MOKE) at room temperature. The dynamic magnetic properties at room temperature were investigated by Micro-Strip Ferromagnetic Resonance (MS-FMR). The frequency dependence of the spectra versus the orientation of the applied in-plane magnetic field shows that the contribution of the in-plane anisotropy to the magnetic energy density consists in two distinct terms exhibiting a twofold and a sixfold symmetry, respectively. The amplitude of the sixfold anisotropy constant is an increasing function of the film thickness. The observed angular dependence of the MOKE reduced remanent magnetization is described using a coherent rotation model. A good agreement is observed between the in-plane anisotropy values derived from MS-FMR and those obtained with MOKE Transverse Bias Initial Inverse Susceptibility and Torque data. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3672396

Investigating the correlation between paediatric stride interval persistence and gross energy expenditure

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Stride interval persistence, a term used to describe the correlation structure of stride interval time series, is thought to provide insight into neuromotor control, though its exact clinical meaning has not yet been realized. Since human locomotion is shaped by energy efficient movements, it has been hypothesized that stride interval dynamics and energy expenditure may be inherently tied, both having demonstrated similar sensitivities to age, disease, and pace-constrained walking.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>This study tested for correlations between stride interval persistence and measures of energy expenditure including mass-specific gross oxygen consumption per minute (<inline-formula><graphic file="1756-0500-3-47-i1.gif"/></inline-formula>), mass-specific gross oxygen cost per meter (<it>VO</it>₂) and heart rate (HR). Metabolic and stride interval data were collected from 30 asymptomatic children who completed one 10-minute walking trial under each of the following conditions: (i) overground walking, (ii) hands-free treadmill walking, and (iii) handrail-supported treadmill walking. Stride interval persistence was not significantly correlated with <inline-formula><graphic file="1756-0500-3-47-i1.gif"/></inline-formula> (p > 0.32), <it>VO</it>₂(p > 0.18) or HR (p > 0.56).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>No simple linear dependence exists between stride interval persistence and measures of gross energy expenditure in asymptomatic children when walking overground and on a treadmill.</p

Management of primary chronic headache in the general population: the Akershus study of chronic headache

Primary chronic headaches cause more disability and necessitate high utilisation of health care. Our knowledge is based on selected populations, while information from the general population is largely lacking. An age and gender-stratified cross-sectional epidemiological survey included 30,000 persons aged 30–44 years. Respondents with self-reported chronic headache were interviewed by physicians. The International Classification of Headache Disorders was used. Of all primary chronic headache sufferers, 80% had consulted their general practitioner (GP), of these 19% had also consulted a neurologist and 4% had been hospitalised. Co-occurrence of migraine increased the probability of contact with a physician. A high Severity of Dependence Scale score increased the probability for contact with a physician. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) was used by 62%, most often physiotherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic. Contact with a physician increased the probability of use of CAM. Acute headache medications were taken by 87%, while only 3% used prophylactic medication. GPs manage the majority of those with primary chronic headache, 1/5 never consults a physician for their headache, while approximately 1/5 is referred to a neurologist or hospitalised. Acute headache medication was frequently overused, while prophylactic medication was rarely used. Thus, avoidance of acute headache medication overuse and increased use of prophylactic medication may improve the management of primary chronic headaches in the future

Enabling political legitimacy and conceptual integration for climate change adaptation research within an agricultural bureaucracy: a systemic inquiry

The value of using systems approaches, for situations framed as ‘super wicked’, is examined from the perspective of research managers and stakeholders in a state-based climate change adaptation (CCA) program (CliChAP). Polycentric drivers influencing the development of CCA research pre-2010 in Victoria, Australia are reflected on, using Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) to generate a boundary critique of CCA research as a human activity system. We experienced the complexity of purpose with research practices pulling in different directions, reflected on the appropriateness of agricultural bureaucracies’ historical new public management (NPM) practices, and focused on realigning management theory with emerging demands for adaptation research skills and capability. Our analysis conceptualised CliChAP as a subsystem, generating novelty in a wider system, concerned with socio-ecological co-evolution. Constraining/enabling conditions at the time dealing with political legitimacy and conceptual integration were observed as potential catalysts for innovation in research management towards better handling of uncertainty as a social process using systemic thinking in practice (StiP)