Mini erythema migrans - A sign of early Lyme borreliosis

Background: An erythema migrans (EM) remaining smaller than 5 cm in diameter, called mini EM by us, has not been addressed in detail. Objective: To study the significance of the mini EM as a sign of Lyme borreliosis. Methods: Patients with suspected mini EM were retrospectively selected out of 257 consecutive patients with EM. The diagnosis of mini EM rested on the cultivation of Borrelia burgdorferi. Species and subtype analysis of culture isolates was performed using outer surface protein A (OspA) polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing of the OspA gene. Results: There was one patient with definite (0.4%) and another patient with a questionable mini EM. Borrelia garinii OspA type 6 was identified in the patient with the definite and B. burgdorferi sensu lato in the patient with the questionable mini EM. Conclusion: The mini EM represents an important and apparently uncommon sign of early Lyme borreliosis

Identification of water origin and water-rock interaction in a complex multi-aquifer system in the Dead Sea Rift by applying chemistry and isotopes

Die vorliegende Studie befasst sich mit einer hydrochemischen Untersuchung des Aquifersystems auf der Westseite des Toten Meeres. Für die Untersuchungen der Grundwasserressourcen der kreidezeitlichen Grundwasserleiter, insbesondere Grundwasserherkunft, Mischprozesse, Identifizierung von Wasser-Gesteins- Wechselwirkungen, Datierung von Grundwasseraltersbereichen, Identifizierung der Herkunft des Quellen an der Küste des Toten Meeres und Abtrennung quartärer Grundwassermuster, wurde eine Tracerkombination auf Wasser- und Gesteinsproben angewendet. Die hier vorgestellte Multitracer-Methodik ist auch in anderen datenarmen Gebieten mit komplexer Hydrogeologie (Karst oder Störungen) unter anthropogenem Einfluss anwendbar.The present study deals with a hydrochemical investigation of the aquifer system on the western side of the Dead Sea. To examine the groundwater resources of the Cretaceous aquifer, particularly groundwater origins, mixing processes, identification of water-rock interaction, dating of groundwater age ranges in the aquifers and identification of spring water origins at the Dead Sea coast and separation of Quaternary groundwater patterns, a combination of tracer is applied on water and rock samples. The multi-tracer method presented here is also applicable in other data-poor areas with complex hydrogeology (karst or fracture) under anthropogenic influence

The immunohistochemical analysis of fibronectin, collagen type III, laminin, and cytokeratin 5 in putrified skin

Fibronectin, collagen type III, laminin, and cytokeratin 5 were visualized in normal skin and in skin showing early or advanced signs of autolytic decomposition to prove whether the immunohistochemical analysis of these antigens can provide useful information for an age-estimation of skin wounds obtained from putrified corpses. In cases with early signs of decomposition (visible course of veins, greenish discoloration) and without microscopic alterations like relaxation of the epidermal cell layers or destruction of the blood vessel structures, the staining pattern was identical to that found in normal, non-putrefied skin. In skin already showing microscopic alteration of the tissue structure, fibronectin and collagen type III could not be localized unambiguously. The distribution of laminin and cytokeratin 5, however, was well preserved. In advanced putrefied skin no reliable staining results could be obtained for fibronectin, collagen type III, and laminin. Even though cytokeratin 5 was still detectable in remnants of decomposition-resistant skin appendages, no information useful for an age-estimation of skin wounds can be obtained due to the autolytic detachment of the epidermal layers

International Jurisdiction in Cyberspace: Which States May Regulate the Internet?

The Internet now reaches 60 million users in 160 countries, with the number increasing each year. Although cyberspace has been viewed as a self-regulating entity controlled by no government, this myth is being destroyed as the global Internet community expands. With this expansion comes a question: Who has the authority to regulate cyberspace? Given that decisions about the Internet reach far beyond national borders, the answer to this question is unknown, but certainly has broad implications. Traditional laws of international jurisdiction, including jurisdiction to prescribe, jurisdiction to adjudicate, and jurisdiction to enforce, offer some clear answers. However, further development of these laws will be required in order to solve inevitable conflicts. For the time being, Internet users should be aware that the consequence for a few keystrokes is uncertain and possibly severe