Nocturnal sweating--a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea: the Icelandic sleep apnoea cohort.

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked Files. This article is open access.To estimate the prevalence and characteristics of frequent nocturnal sweating in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients compared with the general population and evaluate the possible changes with positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment. Nocturnal sweating can be very bothersome to the patient and bed partner

Enzymatic depolymerization of alginate by two novel thermostable alginate lyases from Rhodothermus marinus

Alginate (alginic acid) is a linear polysaccharide, wherein (1→4)-linked β-D-mannuronic acid and its C5 epimer, α-L-guluronic acid, are arranged in varying sequences. Alginate lyases catalyze the depolymerization of alginate, thereby cleaving the (1→4) glycosidic linkages between the monomers by a β-elimination mechanism, to yield unsaturated 4-deoxy-L-erythro-hex-4-enopyranosyluronic acid (Δ) at the non-reducing end of resulting oligosaccharides (α-L-erythro configuration) or, depending on the enzyme, the unsaturated monosaccharide itself. In solution, the released free unsaturated monomer product is further hydrated in a spontaneous (keto-enol tautomerization) process to form two cyclic stereoisomers. In this study, two alginate lyase genes, designated alyRm3 and alyRm4, from the marine thermophilic bacterium Rhodothermus marinus (strain MAT378), were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzymes were characterized, and their substrate specificity and product structures determined. AlyRm3 (PL39) and AlyRm4 (PL17) are among the most thermophilic and thermostable alginate lyases described to date with temperature optimum of activity at ∼75 and 81°C, respectively. The pH optimum of activity of AlyRm3 is ∼5.5 and AlyRm4 at pH 6.5. Detailed NMR analysis of the incubation products demonstrated that AlyRm3 is an endolytic lyase, while AlyRm4 is an exolytic lyase, cleaving monomers from the non-reducing end of oligo/poly-alginates

Febrile Children with Pneumonia Have Higher Nasopharyngeal Bacterial Load Than Other Children with Fever

Febrile episodes are common in children and the most frequent reason for attending emergency services. Although most infections have a benign and self-limiting course, severe and sometimes life-threatening infections occur. This prospective study describes a cohort of children presenting to a single-centre pediatric emergency department (ED) with suspected invasive bacterial infection, and explores the relationships between nasopharyngeal microbes and outcomes. All children attending the ED who had a blood culture taken were offered to participate over a two-year period. In addition to conventional medical care, a nasopharyngeal swab was obtained., which was analysed for respiratory viruses and three bacterial species using a quantitative PCR. Fisher’s exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum, and multivariable models were used for statistical analyses of the 196 children (75% younger than four years) who were enrolled and had sufficient data for analysis; 92 had severe infections according to the study protocol, while five had bloodstream infections. Radiologically confirmed pneumonia was the most common severe infection found in 44/92 patients. The presence of respiratory viruses and the carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were associated with a higher risk of pneumonia. Higher density colonisation with these bacteria were independent risk factors for pneumonia, whereas Moraxella catarrhalis carriage was associated with lower risk. Our data support the hypothesis that higher nasopharyngeal density of pneumococci and H. influenzae could play a role in the development of bacterial pneumonia in children. A preceding viral infection of the respiratory tract may be a trigger and play a role in the progression to severe lower respiratory tract infection

Sue Martin, Waikerie, South Australia, ca. 1975 [picture] /

Part of: Sheilas, a tribute to Australian women collection, ca. 1975.; Sue Martin, Australian Gliding Champion, 1971, lived in Waikerie, a noted gliding centre.; Title devised by cataloguer based on information supplied by photographer.; Also available in an electronic version via the internet at: http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn4227640

Blue Bioeconomy in the Arctic region

publishedVersio

Blue Bioeconomy in the Arctic region

Source at https://sdwg.org/what-we-do/projects/blue-bioeconomy-in-the-arctic-region/?it=blue-bioeconomy-in-the-arctic-region/The blue bioeconomy is important to many Arctic communities, providing food and other valuable bioresources, generating value and employment, and supporting rural regions. This report looks at the Arctic blue bioeconomy by analyzing regional challenges, opportunities, best practices and success stories from Iceland, Norway and Northern Canada. In addition, information on the status of the blue bioeconomy in Alaska, USA, the perspective of Inuit people on the blue bioeconomy and markets for marine ingredients are described. This work was endorsed by the Arctic Council´s Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG)

Definition of excessive daytime sleepiness in the general population: Feeling sleepy relates better to sleep-related symptoms and quality of life than the Epworth Sleepiness Scale score. Results from an epidemiological study.

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink belowMany different subjective tools are being used to measure excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) but the most widely used is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). However, it is unclear if using the ESS is adequate on its own when assessing EDS. The aim of this study was to estimate the characteristics and prevalence of EDS using the ESS and the Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire (BNSQ) in general population samples. Participants aged 40 years and older answered questions about sleepiness, health, sleep-related symptoms and quality of life. Two groups were defined as suffering from EDS: those who scored >10 on the ESS (with increased risk of dozing off) and those reporting feeling sleepy during the day ≥3 times per week on the BNSQ. In total, 1,338 subjects (53% male, 74.1% response rate) participated, 13.1% reported an increased risk of dozing off, 23.2% reported feeling sleepy and 6.4% reported both. The prevalence of restless leg syndrome, nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux, difficulties initiating and maintaining sleep and nocturnal sweating was higher among subjects reporting feeling sleepy compared to non-sleepy subjects. Also, subjects reporting feeling sleepy had poorer quality of life and reported more often feeling unrested during the day than non-sleepy subjects. However, subjects reporting increased risk of dozing off (ESS > 10) without feeling sleepy had a similar symptom profile as the non-sleepy subjects. Therefore, reporting only risk of dozing off without feeling sleepy may not reflect problematic sleepiness and more instruments in addition to ESS are needed when evaluating daytime sleepiness.Landspitali University Hospital Research Fund Icelandic Research Fund AstraZeneca GlaxoSmithKline Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation Sweden GlaxoSmithKlin