Autonomous detection of aerosolized biological agents by multiplexed immunoassay with polymerase chain reaction confirmation.

The autonomous pathogen detection system (APDS) is an automated, podium-sized instrument that continuously monitors the air for biological threat agents (bacteria, viruses, and toxins). The system has been developed to warn of a biological attack in critical or high-traffic facilities and at special events. The APDS performs continuous aerosol collection, sample preparation, and detection using multiplexed immunoassay followed by confirmatory PCR using real-time TaqMan assays.

A genetic polymorphism of the alpha2-adrenergic receptor increases autonomic responses to stress.

We hypothesized that individual differences in autonomic responses to psychological, physiological, or environmental stresses are inherited, and exaggerated autonomic responsiveness may represent an intermediate phenotype that can contribute to the development of essential hypertension in humans over time. alpha(2)-Adrenergic receptors (alpha(2)-ARs), encoded by a gene on chromosome 10, are found in the central nervous system and also mediate release of norepinephrine from the presynaptic nerve terminals of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system and the exocytosis of epinephrine from the adrenal medulla. We postulated that, because this receptor mediates central and peripheral autonomic responsiveness to stress, genetic mutations in the gene encoding this receptor may explain contrasting activity of the autonomic nervous system among individuals.

GPs' compliance with health and safety legislation and their occupational health needs in one London health authority.

This survey assessed general practitioners' (GPs') knowledge of and compliance with, health and safety legislation and occupational health guidance in one London health authority. The response rate was 85%. Although the majority of practices were aware of the most important piece of legislation--The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, 1992--less than one in ten practices had carried out the required systematic risk assessments.

Ethnic differences in titratable acid excretion and bone mineralization.

Purpose: To test our hypothesis that differences in urinary calcium excretion among blacks and whites may be secondary to ethnic variations in acid (H(+)) metabolism and to prove that increases in titratable acid excretion would be found among individuals predisposed to the development of stress fractures.

Methods: We administered 8 g NH(4)Cl acutely to 11 black and 18 white healthy volunteers and measured urinary sodium, calcium, and acid excretions. We measured the Na(+)/H(+) antiporter activity using acid-loaded platelets as surrogate markers for this exchanger expressed in renal epithelial cells.

Treatment of Elderly Hypertensive Patients With Diabetes, Renal Disease, and Coronary Heart Disease.

Aging in Westernized industrialized societies is associated with an increasing prevalence of hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, renal disease, and atherosclerotic vascular disease. This increase in the chronic disease processes in industrialized societies is related, in part, to increasing obesity, reduced physical activity, medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and other environmental influences. Hypertension in the elderly is characterized by high peripheral vascular resistance, reduced baroreflex sensitivity, a low renin state with reduced cardiac output/increased hypertrophy, reduced intravascular volume, and an increased propensity to salt-sensitivity.