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Results for “Environment, Controlled”

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At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources

PubMed2007

Chitin-supplemented foliar application of chitinolytic Bacillus cereus reduces severity of Botrytis gray mold disease in chickpea under controlled conditions.

AIM: To identify and evaluate chitinolytic bacteria for control of Botrytis gray mold (BGM), a devastating disease in chickpea. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two antifungal bacterial isolates, chitinolytic Bacillus cereus CRS 7 and nonchitinolytic Pseudomonas fluorescens CRS 31, from the rhizosphere of chickpea, were applied as a prophylactic foliar spray and evaluated for control of BGM. In a controlled environment, the two isolates reduced the severity of BGM on the susceptible cv. JG 62 to 6.0 and 5.6, respectively, compared with 9.0 in the control, measured on a 1-9 rating scale. Supplementation of the foliar application of CRS 7 with 0.5% and 1.0% colloidal chitin reduced BGM severity to 4.4 and 4.1 respectively, while chitin-supplemented application of CRS 31 was similar to CRS 31 applied alone. Partially purified 47-kDa chitinase from the cell-free culture filtrate of CRS 7 at 20 and 40 mug protein ml(-1) (enzyme activity 3.1 units ml(-1)) inhibited the germination and lysed the conidia of Botrytis cinerea, and as a prophylactic foliar spray reduced BGM severity to 5.4 and 4.8, respectively. CONCLUSION: Chitin supplementation improved the biocontrol of the foliar disease BGM by chitinolytic bacterium. Disease control with partially purified chitinase of CRS 7 supported the major role of chitinolysis in improved control of BGM. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Enhanced control of BGM by chitin-supplemented application of CRS 7 is of significant in view of the frequent inconsistency in biocontrol of foliar diseases. This study supports further attempts on chitinolysis-based biocontrol methods for foliar disease biocontrol.

Antifungal Agents↗

PubMed1981

Alteration of Scapular morphology through experimental behavioral modification in the laboratory mouse (Mus musculus).

It is demonstrated that the behavior/morphology interface can be studied in controlled experiments. The normal locomotor behavior of the laboratory mouse (Mus musculus) was modified so that animals were restricted to either a plantigrade, 'non-climbing', control environment or an experimental, suspensory, 'climbing' environment. Distinct scapular correlates of the modified behavior were observed. Climbing experimental animals exhibited narrower scapulae with angular measurements consistent with reduced scapular breadth. Plantigrade control animals exhibited broader more squared scapulae. It is suggested that the methodology used here can be extended to natural populations with analogous locomotor behaviors.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Argon laser phototherapy of human malignancies using rhodamine-123 as a new laser dye: the intracellular role of oxygen.

Recent studies demonstrated that the cationic, mitochondrial-specific dye Rhodamine-123 (Rh-123), is an efficient tumor photosensitizer for Argon laser treatment of human cancer cells both in vitro and in tumors grown as xenografts in athymic mice. To demonstrate the photodynamic mechanism of action of this reaction, the intracellular role of oxygen and temperature changes in treated cells have to be defined. In the current study, a large panel of human tumor cell lines of diverse histologic origin were tested for in vitro sensitivity to Rh-123 and the Argon laser (514.5 nm) in oxygen, deuterium oxide (D2O), and nitrogen (N2) environment. Tumor cells in suspension were first sensitized to Rh-123 (1 or 20 micrograms/ml for 1 hour), cooled on ice to 4 degrees C, and then exposed to the Argon laser (delta T = 14 +/- 1 degree C). Cell proliferation measured by [3H]-thymidine uptake 24 hours after sensitization with Rh-123 and laser treatment was significantly decreased in tumor cells kept in oxygen and D2O atmospheres. No decrease in DNA synthesis was seen in Rh-123 and laser treated cells kept in an N2 environment. Control tumor cells treated with Rh-123 or the Argon laser separately did not show any decreased [3H]-thymidine uptake in oxygen, D2O or N2 environment. These results provide evidence of a photodynamic process since Rh-123 sensitization and Argon laser activation occur at nonthermal levels of energy and are oxygen dependent. The high effectiveness of this technique of photodynamic therapy with the Argon laser, and low toxicity of Rh-123 could make its clinical use very attractive for the treatment of superficial malignancies.

Deuterium↗

PubMed2005

Tobacco on campus: industry marketing and tobacco control policy among post-secondary institutions in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: Post-secondary institutions provide a unique opportunity to implement and evaluate leading edge tobacco policies, while influencing a key group of young adults. To date, however, we know little about the tobacco control environment at post-secondary institutions outside the USA. DESIGN: Telephone surveys were conducted with campus informants from 35 post-secondary institutions in Canada to evaluate tobacco control policies and the presence of tobacco marketing on campus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tobacco marketing on campus, tobacco control policies, and attitudes towards tobacco control. RESULTS: The findings indicate that tobacco marketing is prevalent among post-secondary institutions in Canada. Every university and half of all colleges surveyed had participated in some form of tobacco marketing in the past year. Among universities, 80% had run a tobacco advertisement in their paper and 18% had hosted a tobacco sponsored nightclub event. Tobacco control policies varied considerably between institutions. Although several campuses had introduced leading edge policies, such as campus wide outdoor smoking restrictions and tobacco sales bans, there is a general lack of awareness of tobacco issues among campus decision makers and fundamental public health measures, such as indoor smoke-free policies, have yet to be introduced in many cases. CONCLUSIONS: Post-secondary institutions in Canada remain tobacco friendly environments. Without increased direction and support from the public health community, post-secondary institutions will continue to lag behind, rather than lead current policy standards.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Actual conditions of occupational health administration of small-scale enterprises in Japan: (II). Occupational health controls for hazardous and musculo-skeletally stressful working factors].

In order to clarify the actual condition of occupational health management for hazardous and musculo-skeletally stressful work factors in small-scale enterprises (SSEs) in Japan, a questionnaire survey was conducted in an area near Osaka city. The hazardous work factors examined were dust, organic solvents, lead, specified chemical substances, anoxia, noise, hand-arm vibration, ionizing radiation, high and low temperatures, and high air pressure. The musculo-skeletally stressful work factors examined were VDT work, prolonged standing, unnatural postures, handling of heavy weights, and stress on neck, shoulders and arms. The number of SSEs that replied to the questionnaire was 765 (recovery rate: 69.3%). Enterprises with noise, dust, hand-arm vibration and organic solvents numbered 14.0%, 10.7%, 6.9% and 6.4%, respectively, and those with other hazardous factors numbered less than 3%. Special medical examinations and working environment measurements for hazardous factors were conducted in 0.0% to 26.7% and 0.0% to 13.3%, respectively, of the enterprises. Working environment controls were conducted in 0.0% to 40.2%. Enterprises with prolonged standing and VDT work, were 42.0% and 35.8%, whereas those with other stressful factors were approximately 30%. Special medical examinations for musculo-skeletally stressful factors were conducted in 3.0% to 5.1% of the enterprises, and work controls were conducted in 20.4% to 25.3%. Non execution of the special medical examinations and working environment measurements were mainly due to "lack of knowledge of the law (19.7% and 30.2%)" and "lack of time to perform (16.0% and 23.3%)". Non execution of the controls for the hazardous work factors was due to "lack of knowledge as to how to control (9.0%)", "high costs (7.4%)", "lack of time to perform (6.4%)" and "absence of a suitable adviser (5.9%)". Non execution of the controls for stressful work factors was due to "lack of knowledge as to how to control (15.6%)" and "lack of time to perform (10.2%)". Consequently, as a result of the survey, it was suggested that it is necessary to enlighten the employers of SEEs as to the importance of occupational health controls. It is also necessary to propose low-cost, feasible control methods.

Computer Terminals↗

PubMed2006

Development and mechanisms of fetal hypoxia in severe fetal growth restriction.

Severe fetal growth restriction (FGR) is often associated with hypoxia. We studied FGR hypoxia in an experimental model which is produced by exposing pregnant ewes to a hyperthermic environment. The study utilized simultaneous measurements of several relevant factors, e.g., uterine and umbilical blood flows and O(2) uptakes. Sixteen ewes were divided equally into control (C) and hyperthermic (HT) groups. Hyperthermia (40 degrees C for 12h/35 degrees C for 12h; approximately 35% relative humidity, RH) was maintained for 80 days commencing at approximately 38 days gestational age (dGA term 147+/-3 days). All ewes were then placed in a control environment ( approximately 21 degrees C, 24h; approximately 30% RH) and studied at approximately 134 dGA. Mean HT placental and fetal weights were 39% and 45% of C, respectively (p<0.0001), umbilical O(2) uptake/kg fetus was 76% of C (p<0.01) and umbilical venous PO(2) was reduced (20.2 vs. 29.7 Torr, p<0.001). Contrary to the hypothesis that FGR hypoxia is due to maternal placental hypoperfusion, uterine flow was not reduced in relation to O(2) uptake. The uterine-umbilical venous PO(2) difference was enlarged (38 vs. 23 Torr, p<0.0001). This difference is the expression of a balance between developmental changes in placental structure and oxidative metabolism, which have opposite effects in terms of fetal oxygenation. We postulate that FGR hypoxia results from disproportionate underdevelopment of those changes which allow for a progressive increase in umbilical O(2) uptake.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Air movement and the thermal microclimates observed in poultry lairages.

1. The thermal environment experienced by broilers during transport and a 4 h lairage period were recorded for 8 loads of birds to 2 processing plants under summer and winter conditions. 2. During the transport period the thermal environment was considered not to have been a significant challenge to bird welfare. 3. During the lairage period, over all 8 d, external ambient temperatures were in the range 4 degrees to 15 degrees C during the winter trials and 12 degrees to 29 degrees C during the summer. Temperatures amongst the crated birds for this period were in the range 16 degrees to 29 degrees C and 20 degrees to 31 degrees C during the winter and summer trials respectively. 4. Air velocity measurements at bird level indicated air movement was of small magnitude (typically < 0.1 m/s) and of variable direction, despite the large air movements around the modules with speeds of over 1 m/s. 5. The potentially stressful thermal environments observed during lairage were achieved rapidly (< 1 h) after unloading. It is considered, therefore, that the minimisation of holding time alone is not a suitable control strategy. 6. The use of water-misting sprays as a control strategy in one lairage was observed to lower the temperature throughout the lairage but raised the humidity, which might offset the temperature advantage to the birds' thermoregulatory ability. 7. More closely controlled environments for broiler lairage facilities are suggested, with further work to increase air movement at bird level.

Air Movements↗

PubMed1997

Young people, alcohol, and designer drinks: quantitative and qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the appeal of "designer drinks" to young people. DESIGN: Qualitative and quantitative research comprising group discussions and questionnaire led interviews with young people accompanied by a self completion questionnaire. SETTINGS: Argyll and Clyde Health Board area, west Scotland. SUBJECTS: Eight groups aged 12-17 years; 824 aged 12-17 recruited by multistage cluster probability sample from the community health index. RESULTS: Young people were familiar with designer drinks, especially MD 20/20 and leading brands of strong white cider. Attitudes towards these drinks varied quite distinctly with age, clearly reflecting their attitudes towards and motivations for drinking in general. The brand imagery of designer drinks-in contrast with that of more mainstream drinks-matched many 14 and 15 year olds' perceptions and expectations of drinking. Popularity of designer drinks peaked between the ages of 13 and 16 while more conventional drinks showed a consistent increase in popularity with age. Consumption of designer drinks tended to be in less controlled circumstances and was associated with heavier alcohol intake and greater drunkenness. CONCLUSIONS: Designer drinks are a cause for concern. They appeal to young people, often more so than conventional drinks, and are particularly attractive to 14-16 year olds. Consumption of designer drinks is also associated with drinking in less controlled environments, heavier drinking, and greater drunkenness. There is a need for policy debate to assess the desirability of these drinks and the extent to which further controls on their marketing are required.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Transcriptional response to alcohol exposure in Drosophila melanogaster.

BACKGROUND: Alcoholism presents widespread social and human health problems. Alcohol sensitivity, the development of tolerance to alcohol and susceptibility to addiction vary in the population. Genetic factors that predispose to alcoholism remain largely unknown due to extensive genetic and environmental variation in human populations. Drosophila, however, allows studies on genetically identical individuals in controlled environments. Although addiction to alcohol has not been demonstrated in Drosophila, flies show responses to alcohol exposure that resemble human intoxication, including hyperactivity, loss of postural control, sedation, and exposure-dependent development of tolerance. RESULTS: We assessed whole-genome transcriptional responses following alcohol exposure and demonstrate immediate down-regulation of genes affecting olfaction, rapid upregulation of biotransformation enzymes and, concomitant with development of tolerance, altered transcription of transcriptional regulators, proteases and metabolic enzymes, including biotransformation enzymes and enzymes associated with fatty acid biosynthesis. Functional tests of P-element disrupted alleles corresponding to genes with altered transcription implicated 75% of these in the response to alcohol, two-thirds of which have human orthologues. CONCLUSION: Expression microarray analysis is an efficient method for identifying candidate genes affecting complex behavioral and physiological traits, including alcohol abuse. Drosophila provides a valuable genetic model for comparative genomic analysis, which can inform subsequent studies in human populations. Transcriptional analyses following alcohol exposure in Drosophila implicate biotransformation pathways, transcriptional regulators, proteolysis and enzymes that act as metabolic switches in the regulation of fatty acid metabolism as important targets for future studies of the physiological consequences of human alcohol abuse.

Alcoholism↗

PubMed2006

Dissecting the genetic basis of rheumatoid arthritis in mouse models.

Rheumatoid Arthritis, RA, is a common polygenic multi-factorial chronic inflammatory disorder that involves complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Despite major advances, the aetiology of the disease is still not completely understood. In this post-genome era, the sequencing of the human and some murine genomes as well as advances in global screening technologies offer an opportunity to accelerate the search for new pathological pathways and to identify new therapeutic targets. Animal models of RA offer an opportunity to dissect the genetic basis of disease in a simplified genome and controlled environment with the aim of identifying new pathological pathways and thus new therapeutic targets. Linkage analysis in the mouse model has identified more than 60 Loci, controlling disease phenotypes, immune response and cytokines. This indicates that gene variations among inbred mice strains affect the disease and that those polymorphic genes could be potential therapeutic targets. However, progress in identification of susceptibility genes in mouse models is slow. The progress is hampered by the complexity of disease as well as the traditional genetic dissection strategies. In this post-genome era, the sequencing of the human and some murine genomes as well as advances in global screening technologies offer an opportunity to accelerate the progress.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[Study on occupational respiratory diseases in fur-processing workers].

OBJECTIVE: To study the respiratory system injury in fur processing environment. METHODS: Environmental fungal survey was conducted in the fur processing procedures. Investigation of respiratory symptoms and chest X-ray examination were also carried out in 138 fur processing workers and 40 control workers. At the same time, the serum antibodies to fungi were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: Fungal number(629-3,681 cfu/m3) in fur processing procedures was much higher than those in the control environment. Cladosporium and Alternaria were the leading strains of fungi in fur processing procedures. The rates of respiratory symptoms(cough, sputum, chest tightness, dyspnea, and fever) in fur processing workers were higher than those in the control workers. The rates of the symptoms in female workers were 37.9%, 28.4%, 10.5%, 22.1%, 4.2%, respectively. Abnormalities of chest X ray were found in 7 workers. The serum antibodies to Cladosporium and Alternaria(A450 nm 0.631, 0.724, respectively) in fur workers were significantly higher than those in the control workers(P < 0.05). The positive rates of the antibodies to Cladosporium and Alternaria(44.2%, 42.8%) were significantly higher than those in the control workers(P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Cladosporium and Alternaria may be the pathogens of occupational respiratory diseases in fur processing workers.

Alternaria↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of exposure to 4 ppm nitrogen dioxide in healthy and asthmatic volunteers.

Healthy and asthmatic volunteer subjects (N = 25 and N = 23, respectively) were exposed twice each to purified air (control) and to 4 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in a controlled-environment chamber. Exposures lasted 75 min, and included 15 min each of light exercise (ventilation rate near 25 L/min) and heavy exercise (near 50 L/min). Compared to control, NO2 exposure produced no statistically significant untoward effects on airway resistance, symptoms, heart rate, skin conductance, or self-reported emotional state in normal or asthmatic subjects. Exercise was associated with significantly (P less than .001) increased airway resistance in both subject groups, although the increase in normals was small. In both groups, systolic blood pressure showed small but significant (P less than .01) decreases with NO2 exposure, compared to control. This effect, if real, may relate to formation of a vasodilating nitrite or nitrate from inhaled NO2. The lack of respiratory response contrasts with previous findings elsewhere; at present, this inconsistency is unexplained.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Automated immunohistochemical analysis.

As the demand for immunohistochemical tests (IHC) extends beyond artistry to more widespread medical diagnostic need, the field requires improvements in quality, reproducibility, speed, and standardization. Automated IHC offers the opportunity to impart new levels of quality, reproducibility, and standardization while reducing labor and reagent costs. In addition, the controlled environment of automated IHC may increase the speed and timeliness of results. Described is a computerized bar code-driven automatic immunostaining device that automatically dispenses reagents, controls washing, mixing, and heating to optimize IHC reaction kinetics, allowing assay within 60 minutes. This electronically controlled device generates high-quality, reproducible IHC assays in a medically timely manner.

Automation↗

PubMed1988

Infants of diabetic mothers: late normalization of fetal cyclic motility persists after birth.

The prenatal development of cyclic motility (CM) in the human is disrupted by maternal diabetes, but appears normal by the end of gestation. To determine whether birth and adaptation to postnatal life reveal new or persisting abnormalities in CM, 24 newborn infants of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers (IDMs) and 24 normal newborns were studied for 2-4 hr in a controlled environment. Spectral analysis of spontaneous movement revealed that CM was common in both groups. Measures of its cyclic organization in each state did not differ between IDMs and controls. State differences were the same in the two groups, and replicated the pattern found in a previous study of normal newborns. For IDMs, there were no differences associated with neonatal evidence of increased glucose supply in utero (macrosomia, postnatal hypoglycemia), or with determinations of prenatal maternal hyperglycemia. IDMs had also been studied as fetuses, and the pattern of continuity and change in CM across birth replicated the pattern previously reported for normal fetuses. The results suggest that the development and control of CM is buffered from the prenatal metabolic insults suffered by IDMs, and support speculations that cyclic activation is a general and robust property of the developing motor system in the human.

Arousal↗

PubMed1995

Challenging wounds in the home care environment.

Although principles of wound care management are the same as any other means of healthcare delivery, how you deliver care in the home is different. Patients in the home care setting have very different needs than patients in more controlled environments. When dealing with patients in the home setting there are more obstacles to overcome than in environments such as the hospital or extended care facility. Getting the patient to comply to the orders you give can be difficult. Also, the goals of patients do not always match the goals of their healthcare providers. Therefore, the caregiver must alter the goals of treatment accordingly for each patient. This manuscript illustrates two case studies in which the needs and priorities of the home care patient guided changes in the goals of caregiving.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Investigating linear and interactive effects of shared mental models on safety and efficiency in a field setting.

Linkages between 2 types of shared mental models (SMMs)--that is, positional-goal interdependencies and cue-strategy associations--and effectiveness in an air traffic control environment were investigated. Two types of SMMs were expected to contribute uniquely, as well as interact, to predict tower safety and efficiency. Using SMM data from 306 air traffic controllers, and corresponding archival efficiency and safety measures for 47 airports, the authors found no significant linear relationships between SMMs and either outcome measure. However, the 2 SMMs interacted with one another to predict both outcomes. Results are discussed in terms of the importance of measuring multiple types of SMMs, the examination of complex relationships, and the importance of indexing decisions.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Looking for physical therapy outcomes.

Assessing the outcomes of physical therapy will be difficult in many instances, because it is difficult to separate the specific contribution of physical therapy from the effects of overall rehabilitative efforts. Nonetheless, more studies are needed to establish what works, both specifically and overall. Appropriate care should be defined on the basis of what has been shown to be effective. In most instances, this knowledge will come from quasi-experimental designs that utilize epidemiological methods. In designing effectiveness studies, careful attention needs to be paid to defining the treatment in terms of type and amount of care. Other factors that will affect the outcome, including baseline performance, risk factors, and environment, must be adequately dealt with in the analysis. Rehabilitation's success depends on the patient's performance in his or her actual living situation, not just in a controlled environment. Blaming the community for failing to provide a supportive environment will not exonerate rehabilitation's responsibility.

Delivery of Health Care↗

PubMed2001

Rhizobial survival and nodulation of chickpea as influenced by fungicide seed treatment.

The survival of Rhizobium ciceri on chickpea (Cicer arietinum cv. Myles) seed, treated separately with 1 of 4 commercial fungicides, i.e., Apron, Arrest 75W, Crown, or Captan, was examined under laboratory conditions using standard serial dilution and plate count techniques. The resulting effects of fungicide-Rhizobium interactions on nodulation, N2 fixation, and plant growth were assessed in a controlled environment. Fungicide treatment decreased the number of viable rhizobia on the seed. In general, the toxicity of the fungicides in terms of rhizobial viability increased in the following order: Control = Crown < Arrest = Apron < Captan. Although Crown had no effect on rhizobial viability assessed under laboratory conditions, it significantly reduced nodulation, percent N derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa), and shoot dry matter. Seed treated with Arrest and Captan decreased nodule dry weight and %Ndfa, but only Arrest reduced dry matter yield. Apron had no effect on any of the parameters measured at the early pod-filling stage and was compatible with the chickpea inoculum used in this study.

Cicer↗