Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry for the direct analysis of glyphosate: method development and application to beer beverages and environmental studies.

In this study, we developed and validated a CE-TOF-MS method for the quantification of glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine) and its major degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in different samples including beer, media from toxicological analysis with Daphnia magna, and sorption experiments. Using a background electrolyte (BGE) of very low pH, where glyphosate is still negatively charged but many matrix components become neutral or protonated, a very high separation selectivity was reached. The presence of inorganic salts in the sample was advantageous with regard to preconcentration via transient isotachophoresis.

Tick related diseases in Switzerland, 2008 to 2011.

Question Under Study: To determine the incidence and determinants of tick related diseases in Switzerland, for example tick bites and Lyme borreliosis in primary care and tick borne encephalitis.

Methods: Analysis of the Swiss data collected by mandatory and facultative surveillance systems for the reporting period of 2008 to 2011.

Results: Tick related diseases in Switzerland are common.

The Swiss National Vaccination Coverage Survey, 2005-2007.

Objectives: We described the results from the Swiss National Vaccination Coverage Survey (SNVCS) 2005-2007, a survey designed to monitor immunization coverage of children and adolescents residing in Switzerland in each canton within a three-year period.

Methods: The SNVCS is a cross-sectional survey using a two-stage sampling design targeting children aged 2, 8, and 16 years. Families of selected children were contacted by mail and telephone.

Tick-borne encephalitis in the age of general mobility.

The 11th meeting of the International Scientific Working Group on Tick-borne Encephalitis (ISW-TBE) was conducted under the title of, "From childhood to golden age: increased mobility - increased risk of contracting TBE?" Participants from 26 countries, including the United States of America and China, presented reports on the latest developments and trends in local TBE cases, vaccination coverage and risk factors. In particular, the situation of children and the elderly (the "golden agers") was discussed. As the current evidence suggests, the location and extension of endemic areas for TBE have changed over the last few years, along with global warming and the shift of infected ticks to higher altitudes.

Tick-borne encephalitis presenting as fever without localising signs--a case series.

Introduction: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) presents without neurologic symptoms in 19% in children less than 16 years in Switzerland (2000-2008). In these cases, fever can be the only leading manifestation.

Case Series: We report on four hospitalised children who had TBE and presented as fever without localising signs (FWLS) between 2000 and 2008 in an endemic area in Switzerland.

Metabolomic profiling of anionic metabolites by capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry.

We describe a sheath flow capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOFMS) method in the negative mode using a platinum electrospray ionization (ESI) spray needle, which allows the comprehensive analysis of anionic metabolites. The material of the spray needle had significant effect on the measurement of anions. A stainless steel spray needle was oxidized and corroded at the anodic electrode due to electrolysis.

Loss of Drop1 expression already at early tumor stages in a wide range of human carcinomas.

In a study on gene deregulation in ovarian carcinoma we found a mRNA coding for a 350 kDa protein, Drop1, to be downregulated 20- to 180-fold in the majority of ovarian and mammary carcinomas. The mRNA is encoded by a set of exons in the 5' region of the SYNE1 gene. Immunohistochemical staining for Drop1 protein by a specific monoclonal antibody corresponds to the pattern seen for the mRNA.

Tick-borne encephalitis in Swiss children 2000-2004: five-year nationwide surveillance of epidemiologic characteristics and clinical course.

Tick-borne encephalitis occurred in 55 children, ranging from 6 weeks to 15 years old. Average annual incidence was 1.0 per 100,000 in all children, and 0.