There are limited drought studies for the Caribbean. This is concerning since drought is not only one of the most devastating disasters in the region, but it is also one of the least understood disasters. Very few pap...There are limited drought studies for the Caribbean. This is concerning since drought is not only one of the most devastating disasters in the region, but it is also one of the least understood disasters. Very few papers analyze new ways to identify and monitor this disaster. Another major arguable gap in research is the Caribbean’s sole focus on the meteorological drought and disregard of the agricultural drought. This is an important omission because of the significant negative impacts drought has on the Caribbean occurs in the agricultural and forestry sectors. Not considering this in drought monitoring systems in the Caribbean means that a major part of the phenomena is overlooked. Therefore, this study has focused on bridging this gap. It has sought to establish a system to strengthen drought’s early warning. To accomplish this, three predetermined conditions of drought, precipitation, land surface temperature and vegetation conditions were used to derive the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI), the Temperature Condition Index (TCI) and the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), in order to analyze drought conditions. The drought vulnerability map found that the SPI, TCI and VCI all correlated with past drought events. The study also produced an agricultural drought map. This study, therefore, aims to build resilience by providing accurate information on the duration, intensity and spatial variability of droughts in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS).展开更多
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome （SIDS） is an unexpected death of infants under one year old. SIDS is the most common cause of death for infants after the first month of birth, commonly between two and four months. MEMS...Sudden Infant Death Syndrome （SIDS） is an unexpected death of infants under one year old. SIDS is the most common cause of death for infants after the first month of birth, commonly between two and four months. MEMS （Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems） technology can be very useful to help us to avoid this horrible tragedy. In the present work, using a MEMS technology, an intelligent pacifier is designed to alarm any unusual changes in breathing during sleeping. A PZT （Piezoelectric） sensor is utilized to detect the force generated by breathing and convert it to a measurable voltage and alarm the risky breathing during infant＇s sleeping. This voltage can subsequently drive some simple alarm and make parents aware of hazard.展开更多
A 19 day old infant was successfully resuscitated from ventricular fibrillatio n. The 12 lead ECG was normal, with a normal QT interval, and remains so over th ree years follow up. DNA analysis revealed a missense mut...A 19 day old infant was successfully resuscitated from ventricular fibrillatio n. The 12 lead ECG was normal, with a normal QT interval, and remains so over th ree years follow up. DNA analysis revealed a missense mutation (R1193Q) in the S CN5A gene, previously linked with familial sudden unexpected nocturnal death syn drome, also known as Brugada syndrome.展开更多
Background: Mortality from SIDS has declined since the recommendation that infants are not placed prone to sleep. SIDS mortality is higher in infants born preterm than those born at term. Aim: To determine if risk fac...Background: Mortality from SIDS has declined since the recommendation that infants are not placed prone to sleep. SIDS mortality is higher in infants born preterm than those born at term. Aim: To determine if risk factors for SIDS are any different for preterm and term infants. Methods: Mortality data over time were used to determine whether the reduction in SIDS mortality rates had occurred equally in term and preterm infants. Data from two New Zealand studies (a case-control study and a case-cohort study)were used to determine if any differences existed in risk factors for SIDS between term and preterm infants before and after the SIDS prevention campaign. Results: SIDS mortality appears to have decreased by similar proportions in term and preterm infants. Risk factors for SIDS were similar in preterm and term infants, except for parity where there was a significant interaction. Increasing parity was a risk factor for SIDS in term infants but not preterm infants. Conclusion: SIDS rates have decreased at comparable rates in term and preterm infants, but preterm birth still remains a risk factor for SIDS. The magnitude of the odds ratios associated with modifiable risk factors were similar for both groups. There may however be a difference in risk associated with parity between term and preterm infants. The messages for risk factors for SIDS are applicable to mothers of preterm as well as term infants.展开更多
Background: The incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been falling in Germany over the last decade. However, little is known about the prevalence and the importance of well-known risk factors in Germany...Background: The incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been falling in Germany over the last decade. However, little is known about the prevalence and the importance of well-known risk factors in Germany since a local prevention campaign in 1992. Design: A 3-y, population-based, casecontrol study was conducted in half of Germany, consisting of 333 cases. All sudden and unexpected deaths in infancy, if they fitted the inclusion criteria, were included in the study. Parental interview was carried out soon after the death, and three living control infants, matched for age, gender, region and sleep time, were recruited. Results: The prevalence of placing infants prone to sleep was only 4%in the control group, but this was associated with a markedly increased risk of SIDS (adjusted odds ration, aOR = 6.08). Other modifiable risk factors for SIDS were: maternal smoking during pregnancy, breastfeeding for less than 2 wk (aOR = 1.71) and co-sleeping (aOR = 2.71), while using a pacifier during the last sleep reduced the risk (aOR = 0.39). Conclusions: Previously recognized risk factors for SIDS also occur in Germany. Despite knowledge about the major modifiable risk factors for SIDS, these factors are still present in Germany. To reduce the incidence of SIDS in Germany, a continued effort is needed to inform all parents about preventable risk factors for SIDS.展开更多
Background Decades of mainstream SIDS research based on the Triple Risk Model and neuropathological findings have failed to provide convincing evidence for a primary CNS-based mechanism behind putative secondary dysho...Background Decades of mainstream SIDS research based on the Triple Risk Model and neuropathological findings have failed to provide convincing evidence for a primary CNS-based mechanism behind putative secondary dyshomeostasis(respiratory or cardiac)or impaired arousal.Newly revealed data indicate that severe metabolic acidosis(and severe hyperkalemia)is a common accompaniment in SIDS.This supports the direct effect of sepsis on vital-organ function and occurrence of secondary CNS changes accompanied by the dyshomeostasis leading to SIDS.Data sources Using PubMed and Google Scholar literature searches,this paper examines how metabolic acidosis and sepsis might contribute to the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms in SIDS.Results The discovery of a series of non-peer-reviewed publications provided the basis for a serious examination of the role of metabolic acidosis and sepsis in SIDS.Most SIDS risk factors relate directly or indirectly to infection.This consequently elevated the position of septic or superantigenic shock and viremia in causing secondary organ failure leading to SIDS.The latter could include diaphragmatic failure,as evidenced by peripheral respiratory(muscle)arrests in experimental septic shock,as well as infectious myositis and diaphragm myopathy in sudden unexpected deaths,including SIDS.In addition,just as acidosis lowers the threshold for ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest,it could also contribute to similarly unstable diaphragm excitation states leading to respiratory failure.Conclusions This paper uniquely reveals compelling evidence for a connection between metabolic acidosis,sepsis,viral infections,and sudden unexpected child deaths and provides a solid basis for further work to define which pathway(or pathways)lead to the tragedy of SIDS.It is recommended that all autopsies in sudden unexpected deaths should include pH,bicarbonate,lactate,and electrolyte measurements,as well as diaphragm histology.展开更多
The lysosomal enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase(GCase) belongs to the family of glycosidases and hydrolyses the glycosphingolipid glucosylceramide(GluCer) into glucose and ceramide. The enzyme is of central importance for ...The lysosomal enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase(GCase) belongs to the family of glycosidases and hydrolyses the glycosphingolipid glucosylceramide(GluCer) into glucose and ceramide. The enzyme is of central importance for two pathologies:(1) the lysosomal storage disorder Gaucher's disease(GD) and(2) the neurodegenerative disorder Parkinson's disease(PD).展开更多
RNA interference(RNAi)is a fascinating biological process in worms,plants,fungi,and metazoans that has been used as a valuable tool in studying gene functions and as therapeutics.In Caenorhabditis elegans,the multipas...RNA interference(RNAi)is a fascinating biological process in worms,plants,fungi,and metazoans that has been used as a valuable tool in studying gene functions and as therapeutics.In Caenorhabditis elegans,the multipass transmembrane protein,systemic RNA interference defective protein 1(SID-1),has an indispensable role in the uptake and spreading of double-stranded RNA(dsRNA)between cells and tissues,resulting in systemic RNAi.展开更多
婴儿猝死综合征(dudden infant death s yndrome,SIDS)一直是法医学和儿科学领域的研究热点。相对于北美、欧洲、澳洲以及日本等地对SIDS广泛深入的研究,来自中国的报道相对较少。本文通过总结文献,介绍SIDS的发展历史、研究现状和新的...婴儿猝死综合征(dudden infant death s yndrome,SIDS)一直是法医学和儿科学领域的研究热点。相对于北美、欧洲、澳洲以及日本等地对SIDS广泛深入的研究,来自中国的报道相对较少。本文通过总结文献,介绍SIDS的发展历史、研究现状和新的发展趋势,并结合2004年各国学者在美国圣地亚哥公布的SIDS分型,讨论实际检案中需注意的问题以及推进其调查研究的可行性。展开更多
文摘There are limited drought studies for the Caribbean. This is concerning since drought is not only one of the most devastating disasters in the region, but it is also one of the least understood disasters. Very few papers analyze new ways to identify and monitor this disaster. Another major arguable gap in research is the Caribbean’s sole focus on the meteorological drought and disregard of the agricultural drought. This is an important omission because of the significant negative impacts drought has on the Caribbean occurs in the agricultural and forestry sectors. Not considering this in drought monitoring systems in the Caribbean means that a major part of the phenomena is overlooked. Therefore, this study has focused on bridging this gap. It has sought to establish a system to strengthen drought’s early warning. To accomplish this, three predetermined conditions of drought, precipitation, land surface temperature and vegetation conditions were used to derive the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI), the Temperature Condition Index (TCI) and the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), in order to analyze drought conditions. The drought vulnerability map found that the SPI, TCI and VCI all correlated with past drought events. The study also produced an agricultural drought map. This study, therefore, aims to build resilience by providing accurate information on the duration, intensity and spatial variability of droughts in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
文摘Sudden Infant Death Syndrome （SIDS） is an unexpected death of infants under one year old. SIDS is the most common cause of death for infants after the first month of birth, commonly between two and four months. MEMS （Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems） technology can be very useful to help us to avoid this horrible tragedy. In the present work, using a MEMS technology, an intelligent pacifier is designed to alarm any unusual changes in breathing during sleeping. A PZT （Piezoelectric） sensor is utilized to detect the force generated by breathing and convert it to a measurable voltage and alarm the risky breathing during infant＇s sleeping. This voltage can subsequently drive some simple alarm and make parents aware of hazard.
文摘A 19 day old infant was successfully resuscitated from ventricular fibrillatio n. The 12 lead ECG was normal, with a normal QT interval, and remains so over th ree years follow up. DNA analysis revealed a missense mutation (R1193Q) in the S CN5A gene, previously linked with familial sudden unexpected nocturnal death syn drome, also known as Brugada syndrome.
文摘Background: Mortality from SIDS has declined since the recommendation that infants are not placed prone to sleep. SIDS mortality is higher in infants born preterm than those born at term. Aim: To determine if risk factors for SIDS are any different for preterm and term infants. Methods: Mortality data over time were used to determine whether the reduction in SIDS mortality rates had occurred equally in term and preterm infants. Data from two New Zealand studies (a case-control study and a case-cohort study)were used to determine if any differences existed in risk factors for SIDS between term and preterm infants before and after the SIDS prevention campaign. Results: SIDS mortality appears to have decreased by similar proportions in term and preterm infants. Risk factors for SIDS were similar in preterm and term infants, except for parity where there was a significant interaction. Increasing parity was a risk factor for SIDS in term infants but not preterm infants. Conclusion: SIDS rates have decreased at comparable rates in term and preterm infants, but preterm birth still remains a risk factor for SIDS. The magnitude of the odds ratios associated with modifiable risk factors were similar for both groups. There may however be a difference in risk associated with parity between term and preterm infants. The messages for risk factors for SIDS are applicable to mothers of preterm as well as term infants.
文摘Background: The incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been falling in Germany over the last decade. However, little is known about the prevalence and the importance of well-known risk factors in Germany since a local prevention campaign in 1992. Design: A 3-y, population-based, casecontrol study was conducted in half of Germany, consisting of 333 cases. All sudden and unexpected deaths in infancy, if they fitted the inclusion criteria, were included in the study. Parental interview was carried out soon after the death, and three living control infants, matched for age, gender, region and sleep time, were recruited. Results: The prevalence of placing infants prone to sleep was only 4%in the control group, but this was associated with a markedly increased risk of SIDS (adjusted odds ration, aOR = 6.08). Other modifiable risk factors for SIDS were: maternal smoking during pregnancy, breastfeeding for less than 2 wk (aOR = 1.71) and co-sleeping (aOR = 2.71), while using a pacifier during the last sleep reduced the risk (aOR = 0.39). Conclusions: Previously recognized risk factors for SIDS also occur in Germany. Despite knowledge about the major modifiable risk factors for SIDS, these factors are still present in Germany. To reduce the incidence of SIDS in Germany, a continued effort is needed to inform all parents about preventable risk factors for SIDS.
文摘Background Decades of mainstream SIDS research based on the Triple Risk Model and neuropathological findings have failed to provide convincing evidence for a primary CNS-based mechanism behind putative secondary dyshomeostasis(respiratory or cardiac)or impaired arousal.Newly revealed data indicate that severe metabolic acidosis(and severe hyperkalemia)is a common accompaniment in SIDS.This supports the direct effect of sepsis on vital-organ function and occurrence of secondary CNS changes accompanied by the dyshomeostasis leading to SIDS.Data sources Using PubMed and Google Scholar literature searches,this paper examines how metabolic acidosis and sepsis might contribute to the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms in SIDS.Results The discovery of a series of non-peer-reviewed publications provided the basis for a serious examination of the role of metabolic acidosis and sepsis in SIDS.Most SIDS risk factors relate directly or indirectly to infection.This consequently elevated the position of septic or superantigenic shock and viremia in causing secondary organ failure leading to SIDS.The latter could include diaphragmatic failure,as evidenced by peripheral respiratory(muscle)arrests in experimental septic shock,as well as infectious myositis and diaphragm myopathy in sudden unexpected deaths,including SIDS.In addition,just as acidosis lowers the threshold for ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest,it could also contribute to similarly unstable diaphragm excitation states leading to respiratory failure.Conclusions This paper uniquely reveals compelling evidence for a connection between metabolic acidosis,sepsis,viral infections,and sudden unexpected child deaths and provides a solid basis for further work to define which pathway(or pathways)lead to the tragedy of SIDS.It is recommended that all autopsies in sudden unexpected deaths should include pH,bicarbonate,lactate,and electrolyte measurements,as well as diaphragm histology.
基金supported by the Michael J Fox Foundation (to PA and FZ)。
文摘The lysosomal enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase(GCase) belongs to the family of glycosidases and hydrolyses the glycosphingolipid glucosylceramide(GluCer) into glucose and ceramide. The enzyme is of central importance for two pathologies:(1) the lysosomal storage disorder Gaucher's disease(GD) and(2) the neurodegenerative disorder Parkinson's disease(PD).
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaIOPCAS
文摘RNA interference(RNAi)is a fascinating biological process in worms,plants,fungi,and metazoans that has been used as a valuable tool in studying gene functions and as therapeutics.In Caenorhabditis elegans,the multipass transmembrane protein,systemic RNA interference defective protein 1(SID-1),has an indispensable role in the uptake and spreading of double-stranded RNA(dsRNA)between cells and tissues,resulting in systemic RNAi.
文摘婴儿猝死综合征(dudden infant death s yndrome,SIDS)一直是法医学和儿科学领域的研究热点。相对于北美、欧洲、澳洲以及日本等地对SIDS广泛深入的研究,来自中国的报道相对较少。本文通过总结文献,介绍SIDS的发展历史、研究现状和新的发展趋势,并结合2004年各国学者在美国圣地亚哥公布的SIDS分型,讨论实际检案中需注意的问题以及推进其调查研究的可行性。
