For both glasses, the nonlinear layer is found to be sodium-depleted up to 4 mu m inside the anode, in accordance with quantitative energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy characterizations. This comparative study indicates complex space-charge-migration processes during the poling treatment. The relative enhancement of the SHG signal of the silver doped glass is correlated with the increase in its linear

susceptibility.”
“The RG-7112 in vitro integration of water quality monitoring variables is essential in environmental decision making. Nowadays, advanced techniques to manage subjectivity, imprecision, uncertainty, vagueness, and variability are required in such complex evaluation process. We here propose a probabilistic fuzzy hybrid model to assess river water quality. Fuzzy logic reasoning has been used to compute a water quality integrative index. By applying a Monte Carlo technique, Wee1 inhibitor based on non-parametric probability

distributions, the randomness of model inputs was estimated. Annual histograms of nine water quality variables were built with monitoring data systematically collected in the Colombian Cauca River, and probability density estimations using the kernel smoothing method were applied to fit data. Several years were assessed, and river sectors upstream and downstream the city of Santiago de Cali, a big city with basic wastewater treatment and high industrial activity, were analyzed. GSK461364 The probabilistic fuzzy water quality index was able to explain the reduction in water quality, as the river receives a larger number of agriculture, domestic, and industrial effluents. The results of the hybrid model were compared to traditional water quality indexes. The main advantage of the proposed method is that it considers

flexible boundaries between the linguistic qualifiers used to define the water status, being the belongingness of water quality to the diverse output fuzzy sets or classes provided with percentiles and histograms, which allows classify better the real water condition. The results of this study show that fuzzy inference systems integrated to stochastic non-parametric techniques may be used as complementary tools in water quality indexing methodologies. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Deletion polymorphisms for the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene are associated with increased risk of cancer, and are implicated in detoxifying mutagenic electrophilic compounds. GST Polymorphic variants were reported for different populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequencies of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes among Bahraini, Lebanese and Tunisian Arabs. GST genotyping was done by multiplex PCR-based methods. Study subjects comprised 167 Bahrainis, 141 Lebanese and 186 Tunisians unrelated healthy individuals. GSTM1 deletion homozygosity of 49.7%, 52.5% and 63.4% were recorded for Bahraini, Lebanese and Tunisians, respectively.

Coupling to carrier red blood cells (RBC) enhances thrombolytic effects of tPA, while reducing its side effects. ATP- and Ca-sensitive K channels (Katp and Kca) are important regulators of cerebrovascular tone and mediate cerebrovasodilation during hypotension. Mitogen-activated protein kinase, a family of at least

three kinases, ERK, p38, and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), is upregulated after photothrombosis. This study examined the effect of photothrombosis on Katp- and Kca-induced cerebrovasodilation Bcl2 inhibitor and the roles of tPA and JNK during/after injury. Photothrombosis blunted vasodilation induced by the Katp agonists cromakalim, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and the Kca agonist NS 1619, which was aggravated by injection of tPA. In contrast, both pre- or post-injury thrombosis injection of RBC-tPA and JNK antagonist SP 600125 prevented impairment of Katp- and Kca-induced vasodilation. Therefore, JNK activation in thrombosis impairs

K channel-mediated cerebrovasodilation. Standard thrombolytic therapy of central nervous system ischemic disorders using free tPA poses the danger of further Epigenetics inhibitor dysregulation of cerebrohemodynamics by impairing cation-mediated control of cerebrovascular tone, whereas RBC-coupled tPA both restores reperfusion and normalizes cerebral hemodynamics.”
“Lead (Pb) is a toxic heavy metal widely distributed in the environment. Recent studies suggest oxidative stress as one possible mechanism involved in Pb poisoning. The unicellular algae Chlorella

vulgaris (CV) contains various bioactive substances with antioxidant for www.sellecn.cn/products/geneticin-g418-sulfate.html the prevention of oxidative stress by metals. We investigated the protective effects of CV on the oxidative system in five groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats fed American Institute of Nutrition (AIN)-76 diet, plus 2, 5 or 10% CV for 4 weeks. All animals were exposed to 200 mg/l lead acetate by drinking water except for the control (tap water). Body weight gains were significantly reduced in the Pb-exposed group (64%) relative to the control and CV groups. Brain weights were significantly increased in the Pb-exposed group (44%) relative to the others. In the experimental period, food intake, water intake and Pb intake were not different among the groups. The levels of Pb (87%) in brain obtained from the Pb-exposed group were significantly increased compared to the other groups. The levels of oxidative stress parameters in the brain such as superoxide dismutase (36%), glutathione peroxidase (63%), and glutathione reductase (30%) were decreased in the Pb-exposed group relative to the control but markedly increased in the CV groups. The CV also significantly increased glutathione levels by approximately 1.7-fold over the Pb-exposed group, while the malondialdehye concentration significantly decreased by approximately 47-71%. Based on these results, we found alterations in several indicators of oxidative stress of Pb intoxication, suggesting the antioxidant potential of CV.

METHODS: Women with endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterus treated between 1988 and 2006 and recorded in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database were analyzed. Women were classified based on 1988 and 2009 FIGO staging systems. Major changes Sapitinib in the 2009 system include: 1) classification of patients with stage IA and IB tumors as stage IA; 2) elimination of stage IIA; and 3) stratification of stage IIIC into pelvic nodes only (IIIC1) or paraaortic nodal (IIIC2) involvement.

Survival and use of adjuvant therapy were analyzed.

RESULTS: A total of 81,902 women were identified. Based on the 1988 staging system, survival for stage IA was 90.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90-91%) compared with 88.9% (95% CI 88-89%) for IB tumors. In the 2009 system, survival was 89.6% (95% CI 89-90%) for stage IA and 77.6% (95% CI 76-79%) for stage IB. The survival for FIGO 1988 stage IIA was superior to stage IC, whereas in the 2009 system, survival for stage II was inferior to all stage I patients. The newly defined stage IIIC substages are prognostically different. Survival for stage IIIC1 was 57.0% (95% CI 54-60%) compared LDC000067 purchase with 49.4% (95% CI 46-53%) for stage IIIC2.

CONCLUSION: The 2009 FIGO staging

system for uterine corpus cancer is highly prognostic. The reduction in stage I substages and the separation of stage III will further clarify important prognostic features. (Obstet Gynecol 2010;116:1141-9)”
“Docetaxel and oxaliplatin are active agents for advanced gastric cancer (GC). The combination of these two drugs in a triweekly schedule is an active and attractive regimen for gastric cancer but with significant hematological toxicities. A multicenter phase II study was designed to establish an active regimen with good tolerability by using a weekly docetaxel-oxaliplatin (DO) combination in GC patients.

Eligible patients had histologically confirmed ATM Kinase Inhibitor supplier stage IV gastric cancer without previous palliative chemotherapy; age a parts per thousand yen18 years; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status a parts per thousand currency sign2; at least one measurable lesion; and adequate hematological, renal, and liver functions.

All patients received premedications with dexamethasone and 5-HT3 antagonist before the chemotherapy. Docetaxel (Taxotere(A (R)); Sanofi-Aventis) 30 mg/m(2) followed by oxaliplatin (Eloxatin(A (R)); Sanofi-Aventis) 65 mg/m(2) were administered on days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle. Treatment continued until disease progression, intolerable toxicity, or consent withdrawal. Toxicities were graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC) version 3.0. Tumor responses were evaluated every 2 cycles by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Guidelines.

From May 2007 to December 2008, a total of 47 patients were enrolled. There were 8 females and 39 males with a median age of 57 years (range 26-76).

We investigated the clinical usefulness of cough challenge tests based on mechanical stimulation.

Methods: A total of 347 patients (126 men and 221 women) were enrolled in the study, including 161 patients with asthma, 116 with cough-variant asthma, 27 with acute upper respiratory tract viral infections, 25 with acute bronchitis, four with pneumonia, three with chronic bronchitis and 11 with cough of unknown aetiology. Three modes of mechanical stimulation

were assessed: the cervical trachea was compressed softly with the fingers several times (tracheal compression test); the trachea was stretched by retroflexion of the neck for 5 s (tracheal stretch test); and a vibrating tuning fork was placed on the cervical CA4P Cytoskeletal Signaling inhibitor trachea for 20 s (tuning fork test). The relationships between phonation-induced cough and the results of these tests were assessed.

Results: The cough detection rate was 27.7% with the tracheal compression test, 39.8% with the tracheal stretch test and 36.9% with the tuning fork test. An itchy sensation with or without cough was noted by about 50% of subjects undergoing each of the tests. Provocation of cough and an itchy sensation during each test was

significantly more frequent in subjects with phonation-induced cough. Tests were usually negative after improvement of the cough with treatment.

Conclusions: Mechanical stimulation of the cervical trachea is a feasible cough challenge test that may be useful for evaluating disease activity.”
“The European Union (EU) refers to health mTOR inhibitor as a human right in many internal and external

communications, policies and agreements, defending its universality. In parallel, specific health needs of migrants originating from outside the EU have been acknowledged. Yet, their right to health and in particular sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is currently not ensured throughout the EU. This paper reflects on the results of a comprehensive literature review on migrants’ SRH in the EU applying the Critical Interpretive Synthesis review method.

We highlight the discrepancy between a proclaimed rights-based approach to health and actual obstacles to migrants’ attainment of good SRH. Uncertainties on entitlements of diverse migrant CB-5083 solubility dmso groups are fuelled by unclear legal provisions, creating significant barriers to access health systems in general and SRH services in particular. Furthermore, the rare strategies addressing migrants’ health fail to address sexual health and are generally limited to perinatal care and HIV screening. Thus, future European public health policy-making should not only strongly encourage its Member States to ensure equal access to health care for migrants as for EU citizens, but also promote migrants’ SRH effectively through a holistic and inclusive approach in SRH policies, prevention and care. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Results: Between three months and one year, the mean range of motion and the mean Constant score for the injured shoulders improved substantially. Twelve months after surgery, the mean Constant score

for the injured side was 70.6 13.7 points, corresponding to 85.1% +/- 14.0% of the score for the selleck chemicals llc contralateral side. The mean DASH score at the time of the one-year follow-up was 15.2 +/- 16.8 points. Sixty-two complications were encountered in fifty-two (34%) of 155 patients at the time of the one-year follow-up. Twenty-five complications (40%) were related to incorrect surgical technique and were present at the end of the operative procedure. The most common complication, noted in twenty-one (14%) of 155 patients, was intraoperative screw perforation of the humeral head. Twenty-nine patients (19%) this website had an unplanned second operation within twelve months after the fracture.

Conclusions: Surgical treatment of displaced proximal humeral fractures with use of the locking proximal humeral plate that was evaluated in the present study can lead to a good functional outcome provided that the correct surgical technique is used. Because many of the complications were related to incorrect surgical technique, it behooves the treating surgeon to perform the operation correctly to avoid iatrogenic errors.”
“Purpose of

review

To discuss the most recent published studies on chemical-induced animal models of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to precise the important signalling pathways that

lead to the initiation and progression of the disease in these models.

Recent findings

Environmental factors undoubtedly contribute to the initiation and the development of SSc. Among those factors, bleomycin has been identified as a possible SSc-inducing substance in mice. The bleomycin model mimics the inflammatory changes observed in the early phase of the disease. This model has SHP099 ic50 been extensively studied and has allowed identification of several key pathways activated in the human disease. More recently, a new chemical-induced model of scleroderma has been developed in mice using daily intradermal injections of a solution generating hypochlorous acid (HOCl)-model. This HOCl-model recapitulates the whole spectrum of the human disease, as fibrosis, inflammation, autoimmunity and vasculopathy can be observed in mice and brought new arguments for a major role of reactive oxygen species in the induction of local and systemic fibrosis.

Summary

Chemically induced models truly develop a SSc-like disease and argue for a crucial role of ROS in SSc.”
“Hospital-wide active surveillance for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) targeted to adult patients with a history of MRSA carriage within the past 5 years was performed in Juntendo University Hospital (JUH) over a 2-year period.

CASES: Two women were diagnosed with postoperative abscess and intra-abdominal oxidized regenerated cellulose was identified as an abscess or as part

of an abscess on computed tomography imaging. Both women recovered after treatment with antibiotics with and without drainage.

CONCLUSION: Oxidized regenerated cellulose may be mistaken for an abscess or as part of an abscess on imaging studies. It is important to reveal information about oxidized regenerated cellulose use to the imaging department.”
“BACKGROUND: The use of dyes during cystoscopy to visualize the ureters Nirogacestat research buy adequately is prevalent in gynecologic surgery. Observing ureteral patency after procedures such as a hysterectomy or pelvic reconstruction is important for identifying injury to the upper urinary tract. Indigo carmine is commonly used. Knowing the signaling pathway possible adverse effects and being aware of unusual presentations with the use of indigo carmine are important in managing and counseling patients.

CASE: We present a case in which a patient developed indigo carmine extravasation to her upper limb after pelvic reconstructive surgery. The blue discoloration disappeared after 1 day.

CONCLUSION: Indigo carmine extravasation to other parts of the body can occur without long-term complications. It takes 24-48 hours for the dye to clear subcutaneously.”
“A

recent study found a significant correlation between endometriosis and non-obstructive forms PF477736 nmr of Mullerian anomalies. Other studies described an increased miscarriage rate in patients with endometriosis. This study assessed the effect of endometriosis on pregnancy outcome in a group of patients with endometriosis and septate uterus. Spontaneously achieved pregnancies were taken into consideration. The outcome of 179 infertile women who underwent surgery for septate uterus was analysed in a retrospective study. Stage I or II endometriosis was found by laparoscopy

in 36 patients. The pregnancy outcomes, before and after metroplasty, of the group of 36 patients with septum and endometriosis were compared with the pregnancy outcomes of 143 patients with septate uterus with no endometriosis. Before metroplasty the incidence of pregnancy loss was 67% in patients without endometriosis and 75% in patients with endometriosis and the difference was not significant. After metroplasty, no significant differences have been found between the two groups, suggesting that endometriosis could be an occasional finding not influencing pregnancy outcome. (C) 2010, Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“BACKGROUND: The consequences of intra-amniotic Candida infection can be devastating. Currently, standard management includes delivery.

1 in a girl 5 years of age with moderate MR and mild dysmorphic features and a similar to 4.8 Mb duplication

at (10)(q11.1q11.21) in a 2 years old boy with severe MR, multiple congenital anomalies, severe central hypotonia, and ataxia. Finally, in a 3 year-old girl with microcephaly and severe hypotonia a deletion in (2)(q31.2q31.3) of about similar to 3.9 Mb was discovered. All CNVs were confirmed by Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). For the remaining 9 patients the detected CNVs (inherited duplications or deletions of 80 kb to 800 kb in size) were probably not associated with the clinical findings.

Conclusions: Genomic microarrays have within the recent years proven to be a highly useful tool in the investigation of unexplained MR. The cohorts reported so far agree on an around 11% diagnostic yield of clinically significant JNJ-26481585 CNVs in patients with unexplained MR. Various

publicly available databases have been created for the interpretation of identified CNVs and parents are analyzed in case a rare CNV is identified in the child. We have conducted a study of Greek patients with unexplained MR and confirmed the high diagnostic value of the previous studies. It is important that the technique becomes available also in less developed countries when the cost of consumables will be reduced.”
“Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) may identify lymph node metastases in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), PD98059 MAPK inhibitor enabling selective application of central node dissection (CND). The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of implementing SNB in patients undergoing thyroidectomy for a cytologically indeterminate/suspicious/malignant thyroid nodule and to determine the potential improvement in clinical outcomes and the costs associated with the SNB technique.

The treatment strategies and clinical and pathological outcomes of two retrospective cohorts of patients who underwent preoperative MK-8776 mw thyroid FNA over a 5-year period in two different centres were studied. The potential for implementing the SNB technique and the benefits and costs associated with implementation were estimated.

In centre 1, in 819 adult patients who had thyroid fine-needle aspiration

cytology, the final cytology was indeterminate, suspicious and diagnostic of malignancy in 113, 29 and 28 patients, respectively. One hundred eight patients were ‘suitable’ for SNB. Twenty-three of these patients had PTC, six of whom underwent CND. Of these six patients, node metastasis was absent in five-the cohort in whom prophylactic CND may have been avoided consequent to a negative ‘sentinel node’ biopsy. Morbidity attributable to CND may have been avoided in up to four patients over a 5-year period. Costs associated with implementation of SNB outweighed any potential savings.

Analysis of 491 patients in centre 2 confirmed that the benefit of SNB in PTC was similarly limited; morbidity attributable to CND may have been avoided in up to seven patients over a 5-year period.

Approximately 26% of all earthquake victims were shown to be carriers of MDR microorganisms. Therefore, appropriate microbiological assessment upon admission, and identification of patients to be put in quarantine,

is of paramount importance.”
“Eilenberger approach to the cutoff parameter, xi(h), of the field distribution in the mixed state of high kappa-superconductors is developed. It is found that normalized value of xi(h)/xi(c2) decreases both with temperature (due to Kramer-Pesch effect) and with impurity scattering rate Gamma. Our theory explains mu SR experiments in some low-field superconductors and different xi(h) values from the Ginzburg-Landau theory predictions in isotropic s-wave superconductors. A comparison with another characteristic length xi(1), describing the gradient of the order parameter in the vortex center, is done. They have very different Gamma-dependences: monotonous suppression Selleckchem Ilomastat of xi(h)(B) values and crossing behavior of the xi(1)(B) curves at various Gamma. This is explained by the nonlocal effects in the Eilenberger theory. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3610502]“
“The double-stranded RNA-dependent protein

kinase (PKR) is switched on by a wide range of stimuli, including the amyloid peptide. Then, PKR transmits signals to the translational machinery, C188-9 mw apoptosis and inflammatory signaling pathways by interacting with some adapters. In virus-infected cells, PKR engages the nucleus factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) pathway. In many models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and patients with AD, PKR was activated. Furthermore, there is strong evidence implicating the inflammatory process in the AD brain. However, the PKR involvement in inflammatory responses in AD is not elucidated. Based on our previous in vitro results, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a pharmacological inhibition of PKR in inflammation in APPswePS1dE9 transgenic mice. Our results showed that PKR inhibition prevented the NF-kappa B activation and production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and

Entinostat interleukin (IL)-1 beta at 12 months of age without decrease of A beta 42 levels and memory deficits. Surprisingly, PKR inhibition failed to prevent IL-1 beta-mediated inflammation and induced a great increase in beta-amyloid peptide (A beta 42) levels at 18 months of age. In this model, our findings highlight the lack of relationship between inflammation and A beta 42 levels. Moreover, the age-dependent inflammatory response must be carefully taken into account in the establishment of an anti-inflammatory therapy in AD.”
“In this work a simple and up-scalable technique for creating arrays of high purity carbon nanotubes via plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition is demonstrated. Inductively coupled plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition was used with methane and argon mixtures to grow arrays in a repeatable and controllable way.

(C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 222-230, 2009″
“Aim: To evaluate the influence of topical iodine-containing antiseptics on neonatal TSH in fullterm infants

born by Caesarean section in an iodine sufficient area.

Population and Methods: Urinary iodide excretion (UIE) was estimated in 86 mothers on the second day after delivery by Caesarean section and their 86 full-term neonates. The mothers were divided ML323 inhibitor into two groups according to the use of antiseptic to prepare Cesarean sections: 42 mothers who were prepared with povidone-iodine (Isosept (R), Bosnalijek) comprised the study group, and 47 mothers who were prepared with alcoholic solution (Skinsept (R) color, Ecolab) formed the control group. Neonatal TSH was measured in whole blood drawn between day 3 and 5 of life, spotted on filter paper using a sensitive fluorometric assay (Delfia).

Results: Maternal and neonatal UIE were significantly higher (p <0.05) in the study group compared to the control group. No significant difference was found for neonatal TSH.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that perinatal iodine exposure

of full-term neonates who were born by Caesarean section in an iodine sufficient area did not influence neonatal TSH, although median UIE was higher, suggesting optimal iodine intake during pregnancy. Further research is needed to define a critical value of urinary iodine concentrations in full-term neonates in an iodine sufficient area that may lead to the impairment of thyroid function.”
“Objective. The aim of this study was to determine this website the prevalence and bother of postmicturition dribble in relation to age in the male population. Material and methods. Information for a population-based study was collected by means of a mailed RXDX-101 chemical structure self-administered questionnaire, which was returned by 4384 men out of 7470 (58.7%). The participants were men aged 30-80 years from the Pirkanmaa Region in Finland. The Danish Prostatic Symptom Score (DAN-PSS-1) questionnaire was used to evaluate their urinary symptoms. SPSS was used

in the data analysis. Two-sided chi-squared test and Kendall tau-b test were used for analysis. Results. The overall prevalence of postmicturition dribble was 58.1% (95% confidence interval 56.6-59.6). Prevalence of postmicturition dribble increased with age (p < 0.001). In men aged 60-80 years, two-thirds reported postmicturition dribble and approximately one out of four had dribbling into their trousers after voiding. In the 30-year-old group, over 40% reported postmicturition dribble and almost one out of five had also dribbling into their trousers. One out of five men in the 30-year-old group reported minor bother; the proportion of men reporting bother increased with age to one-third of the men in the oldest cohort (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The prevalence of the postmicturition dribble was found to be high in this survey.

The patient-specific output factor and thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) measurements were carried out for all patients. The total planned dose to the PTV was 50 Gy/25 fractions/5 weeks.

Results: The mean PTV (+/- standard deviation) was 568.9 (+/- 116) cm(3). The mean PTV coverage was 89 (+/- 5.8)% of the prescribed dose. For the right lung, the mean values of D(1) and D(10) were 46 (+/- 7.6) and 30 (+/- 9) Gy, respectively. For the left www.selleckchem.com/products/chir-99021-ct99021-hcl.html lung, the mean values of D(1) and D(10) were 45 (+/- 7) and 27 (+/- 8) Gy, respectively. For the heart, the mean values of D(1), D(5)

and D10 were 21 (+/- 15), 13.5 (+/- 12) and 9 (+/- 9) Gy, respectively. The mean values of TLD at various pre-specified locations on the chest wall surface were 1.84, 1.82, 1.82, 1.89 and 1.78 Gy,

respectively

Conclusion: The electron arc technique for treating the bilateral chest wall is a feasible and pragmatic technique. This technique has the twin advantages of adequate coverage of the target volume and sparing of adjacent normal structures. However, compared with other techniques, it needs a firm quality assurance protocol for dosimetry and treatment delivery. (C) 2010 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) are now standard for the prevention of malaria. However, only products with recommendation for public use from the World Health Organization should be used and this evaluation includes the assessment of net effectiveness after three years of field use. Results for one of the polyester-based products, Interceptor (R) is presented.

Methods: In five villages, 190 LLIN and 90 nets BMS-754807 price conventionally treated with the insecticide alpha-cypermethrin at 25 mg/m(2) were distributed randomly and used by the families. Following a baseline household survey a net survey was carried out every six months to capture use, washing habits and physical condition of the nets. Randomly selected nets were collected after 6, 12,

24, 36 and 42 months and tested for remaining insecticide content and ability to knock-down and kill malaria transmitting mosquitoes.

Results: During the three and a half years of observation only 16 nets were lost to follow-up GDC-0068 resulting in an estimated attrition rate of 12% after three and 20/% after 3.5 years. Nets were used regularly and washed on average 1.5 times per year. After three and a half years 29% of the nets were still in good condition while 13% were seriously torn with no difference between the LLIN and control nets. The conventionally treated nets quickly lost insecticide and after 24 months only 7% of the original dose remained (1.6 mg/m(2)). Baseline median concentration of alpha-cypermethrin for LLIN was 194.5 mg/m(2) or 97% of the target dose with between and within net variation of 11% and 4% respectively (relative standard deviation). On the LLIN 73.8 mg/m(2) alphacypermethrin remained after three years of use and 56.