BACKGROUND A number of studies have suggested that diurnal variation in airways responsiveness underlies the circadian rhythm of ventilatory function in asthma. Measurements of airways responsiveness are therefore often performed at standardised times in order to avoid this possible effect, but this is not practical for epidemiological studies. Refractoriness to methacholine has also been repor...

We report here the draft genomes of three Bacillus anthracis strains isolated in France: 08-8_20 (A.Br.001/002), 99-100 (A.Br.011/009), and 00-82 (B.Br CNEVA). The total lengths of assemblies are 5,440,708 bp, 5,446,472 bp, and 5,436,014 bp for 08-8_20, 99-100, and 00-82, respectively.

Here, we report the high-quality draft genome sequences of two methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 08-02119 and 08-02300. Belonging to sequence type 582 (ST582) and ST7, both isolates are representatives of clonal lineages often associated with asymptomatic colonization of humans.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study is to examine self-reported drug use among staff at licensed premises, types of drugs used, attitudes towards drugs, and observed drug use among guests. Results are presented from two measurement points (in 2001 and 2007/08). This study was carried out within the framework of the "Clubs against Drugs" program, which is a community-based multi-component int...

Drought stress is a common environmental factor that constrains plants from expressing their ecophysiological potential, disrupting various physiological and biochemical processes. Hence, the objective of this work was to evaluate growth, development photosynthetic performance under drought in vegetative phenological stage soybean two lineages with potential difference tolerance abiotic stress,...

BACKGROUND Diverse socioeconomic and cultural developments between geographic regions and cities/counties have resulted in different physical availability and socio-cultural acceptability of certain methods of suicide. This study examined the changes in distribution of the leading methods of suicide across cities/counties in Taiwan between 2002-04 and 2006-08. METHODS Mortality data for all d...

BACKGROUND Propolis has been used worldwide as a dietary supplement to maintain and improve human health. We examined whether ethanol extracts of Brazilian propolis exhibit antiviral activity against influenza virus in vitro and in vivo. METHODS Among 13 ethanol extracts screened in a plaque reduction assay, four showed anti-influenza virus activity. The anti-influenza efficacy of the four ex...

Aim—In suspected adrenal insuYciency, the ideal test for assessing the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis is controversial. Therefore, three tests were compared in patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of adrenal insuYciency. Method—Responses to the standard short Synacthen test (SSST), the low dose Synacthen test (LDST), and the 08:00 hour serum cortisol concentration were measured in 3...