Whole cell protein and partial 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis suggest the existence of a second Rothia species

ObjectiveTo subject ten clinical isolates grouped together based on their biochemical and microbiological profile to further investigations aimed at correct species identification.MethodsThe 16S rRNA gene was partially sequenced using nested amplification. Whole cell protein analysis (SDS-PAGE) and cluster analysis were performed on the 10 strains and also for comparison on 31 reference strains. The API Coryne biochemical kit as well as API 20 Strep were used for analysis of the phenotypic diversity of the strains by use of computerized numerical identification procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using a standardized disk diffusion test.ResultsThe 265-556-bp-long 16S rRNA gene sequences of all 10 strains showed highest similarity to Rothia dentocariosa. Three strains showed complete identity between the sequences obtained and the sequence of the type strain of Rothia dentocariosa 16S rRNA gene (M59055), and the other seven ranged between 99.7% and 98.3% similarity. Detailed analysis of the sequences revealed a clustering of the strains into two groups. One group consisted of four isolates with the highest degrees of similarity with the reference strain (type I), while the members of another group (type II) showed differences in their nucleotide sequence at four distinct positions in the variable V7 region. T was replaced by C at position 597, C by T at position 608, T by C at position 610, and G by A at position 684 (position numbers according to reference sequence M59055, EMBL/GenBank). Whole cell protein analysis (SDS-PAGE) and cluster analysis also segregated the 10 Rothia dentocariosa strains into two different clusters, with one cluster containing all four strains belonging to 16S rRNA gene type I, and a second cluster containing all six strains belonging to 16S rRNA gene type II.ConclusionsPartial sequence data of the 16S rRNA gene as well as whole cell protein analysis showed a subdivision of the Rothia species into two groups, genomovar I (Rothia dentocariosa sensu stricto) and genomovar II, a possible new Rothia species

The transition of reported pain in different body regions – a one-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND: The course of pain at a specific region such as the lower back has previously been shown as well as for generalized pain. However we have not found any report on the course of pain from various different specific regions. The aim of this investigation was to study the one-year transition of reported pain in different body locations. METHODS: From a general population 14555 men and women, 46–68 years, responded to an extensive health questionnaire including the standardized Nordic questionnaire. The population represented 27% of the total population within the age group in Malmö, Sweden. At the one year follow-up 12607 responded to the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 87%. The one year prevalence of long-lasting pain and the pattern of pain reporting from different regions were studied for men and women. RESULTS: The one-year prevalence of long-lasting neck pain was 14% (95% CI 13–15) among men and 25% (95% CI 24–26) among women at baseline and 15% (95% CI 14–16) for the men and 23% (95% CI 22–24) for the women at follow-up. Of those reporting neck pain "all the time" at baseline, 48% of the men and 54% of the women also reported neck pain "all the time" at the one-year follow-up. At the follow-up neck pain was reported as present "often" by 43% of the men and 47% of the women who reported neck pain "often" at baseline. Similar transition pattern were found for neck, shoulders, elbow/wrist/hand and lower back symptoms, as well as consistent prevalence rates. CONCLUSION: The one-year transition pattern of reported pain was similar in different body regions and among men and women. Furthermore the prevalence rates of long-lasting pain in the population were consistent at baseline and the follow-up. The findings of similar transition patterns support the interpretation of long-lasting pain as a generalized phenomenon rather than attributed to specific exposure. This may have implications for future pain research

Balanced inductor

A balanced inductor formed on lossy substrate material having adjacent strips leading current in opposite directions and being arranged in such a way that substrate currents relating to individual strips (1) induced in the lossy substrate (3) are balancing out one another leading to high Q-values. The inductor structure according to the invention can be implemented in MMIC devices using standard semiconductor substrates and do not require any special treatment of the substrate being needed

Balanced inductor

A balanced inductor formed on lossy substrate material having adjacent strips leading current in opposite directions and being arranged in such a way that substrate currents relating to individual strips (1) induced in the lossy substrate (3) are balancing out one another leading to high Q-values. The inductor structure according to the invention can be implemented in MMIC devices using standard semiconductor substrates and do not require any special treatment of the substrate being needed

Time trends in alcohol habits. Results from the Kirseberg project in Malmo, Sweden

This paper reports on a pilot demonstration to implement an alcohol consumption reduction project in the community of Kirseberg, located in the city of Malmo, Sweden. The objective is to present data on time trends in alcohol use habits and alcohol-use-related problems in the Kirseberg population and to discuss potential effects of the alcohol prevention activities. It was possible to implement an alcohol consumption prevention community program successfully. The analysis of time trends in alcohol use habits and alcohol-use-related problems was, however, mainly inconclusive, but indicated a decrease in alcohol consumption and alcohol-use-related problems among young and middle-aged men

Socioeconomic differences in leisure-time physical activity : The role of social participation and social capital in shaping health related behaviour

Several studies have shown socioeconomic differences in leisure-time physical activity. One explanation may be socioeconomic differences in relevant psychosocial conditions. The Malmo Diet and Cancer Study is a prospective cohort study including inhabitants in Malmo, Sweden. The baseline questionnaire used in this cross-sectional study was completed by the 11,837 participants born 1926-1945 in 1992-1994. Leisure-time physical activity was measured by an item presenting a variety of activities. These activities were aggregated into a summary measure of leisure-time physical activity that takes both the intensity and duration of each specific activity into consideration. The effects of the psychosocial variables on the socioeconomic differences in leisure-time physical activity were calculated in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. The quartile with the lowest degree of leisure-time physical activity was not evenly distributed between the socioeconomic groups. Socioeconomic differences were seen as odds ratios 1.5 for skilled and 1.5 for unskilled male manual workers, compared to the high level non-manual employees. An OR 1.6 was observed for female unskilled manual workers. Self-employed men and female pensioners also had a significantly increased risk of low leisure-time physical activity. Adjustment for age, country of origin and previous/current diseases had no effect on these SES differences. Finally, adjusting for social participation almost completely erased the SES differences. Among the psychosocial variables, social participation was the strongest predictor of low physical activity, and a strong predictor for socioeconomic differences in low leisure-time physical activity. Social participation measures the individual's social activities in, for example political parties and organisations. It therefore seems possible that some of the socioeconomic differences in leisure-time physical activity are due to differing social capital between socioeconomic groups. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd