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Abstract: Measurements of the concentrations of total CO2 (CT), O2, H2S, NO2 −, NO3 −, and NH4 + were performed between 2003 and 2007 during intervals of 2–3months in the deep water of the Gotland Basin (Baltic Sea). The data were used to determine mineralization and denitrification rates in four sublayers below 150m during a period of stagnation. To account for the vertical mixing at the boundaries of the sublayers, mixing coefficients were determined based on the temporal changes of the salinity profiles. Mass balances were established for each measured variable and yielded the sink/source rates in the individual sublayers for each time interval. The seasonality of mineralization rates was confined to water layers that were in close contact with the sediment surface, indicating that the mineralization took place mainly at the sediment surface. Moreover, it was shown that the mineralization rates did not depend on the redox conditions in the water column. The total mineralization rate in the basin was found to be 2.0molm–2 yr–1, thereby implying that about 80% of the particulate organic carbon input occurred by lateral transport. A redox balance indicated that manganese dioxide and possibly iron oxides contributed to the oxidation of organic matter by about 13%. Intense denitrification was observed during the transition from oxic to anoxic conditions. A value of 456mmol–Nm–2 yr–1 was found, which included a possible anammox contribution of about 5%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: To assess, from a Swedish societal perspective, the cost effectiveness of interferon β-1b (IFNB-1b) after an initial clinical event suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) (ie, early treatment) compared with treatment after onset of clinically definite MS (CDMS) (ie, delayed treatment)., Methods: A Markov model was developed, using patient level data from the BENEFIT trial and published literature, to estimate health outcomes and costs associated with IFNB-1b for hypothetical cohorts of patients after an initial clinical event suggestive of MS. Health states were defined by Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores. Model outcomes included quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), total costs (including both direct and indirect costs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Sensitivity analyses were performed on key model parameters to assess the robustness of model results., Results: In the base case scenario, early IFNB-1b treatment was economically dominant (ie, less costly and more effective) versus delayed IFNB-1b treatment when QALYs were used as the effectiveness metric. Sensitivity analyses showed that the cost-effectiveness results were sensitive to model time horizon. Compared with the delayed treatment strategy, early treatment of MS was also associated with delayed EDSS progressions, prolonged time to CDMS diagnosis, and a reduction in frequency of relapse., Conclusion: Early treatment with IFNB-1b for a first clinical event suggestive of MS was found to improve patient outcomes while controlling costs., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc. All rights reserved.)