Medical and Psychology Students' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Aging and Sexuality

The current study surveys medical and doctoral psychology students (N = 100) from an urban northeastern university regarding knowledge and attitudes toward elderly sexuality and aging using the Facts on Aging Quiz, the Aging Sexuality Knowledge and Attitudes Scale, and measures of interest in gerontology, academic/clinical exposure to aging and sexuality, and contact with elders. The current study found that psychology students demonstrated greater aging knowledge than medical students; however, both groups showed gaps in knowledge about sexuality. Married students had greater academic/clinical exposure and greater knowledge about aging but less permissive attitudes toward elderly sexuality. Generally, knowledge about aging was the strongest correlate of knowledge about sexuality. Level of knowledge about sexuality was not associated with attitudes. Attitudes toward sexuality and aging may be more strongly tied to demographic variables reflective of religious beliefs or adherence to sociocultural norms.     

Leptin and cellular and innate immunity in abstinent alcoholics and controls

BACKGROUND: Basic studies indicate that in vitro and in vivo doses of leptin modulate cellular immune responses. Given evidence that concentrations of leptin are altered in alcoholics who also show immune abnormalities, this study examined the relationships between circulating levels of leptin and markers of cellular and innate immunity. METHODS: Circulating levels of leptin, natural killer cell (NK) activity, interleukin-2 (IL-2)-stimulated NK activity, and concanavalin A-stimulated production of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12 were compared between abstinent DSM-IV alcohol-dependent men (n = 27) and age- and gender-matched controls (n = 34). RESULTS: As compared with controls, alcoholics showed lower NK activity (p < 0.01) and a trend for lower levels of leptin (p = 0.055). In the total sample, leptin predicted NK activity (beta = 0.33; p < 0.05) after controlling for the confounding influence of body mass index, alcohol intake, and smoking. Leptin was not correlated with any of the cytokine measures. To examine whether the effects of leptin were mediated by its direct action on NK, additional studies examined in vitro effects of leptin on NK activity in healthy volunteers (n = 10); leptin doses (0.1, 1, and 10 nM) yielded levels of NK activity comparable to those with media alone. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that circulating levels of leptin are associated with NK activity in humans and suggest that abnormal in vivo concentrations of leptin may contribute to the declines of NK activity in alcoholics who are at risk for infectious diseases.     

自身免疫与动脉粥样硬化的发生发展

在动脉粥样硬化的发生发展过程中,自身免疫具有重要作用,本文就近年有关动脉粥样硬化的免疫机制的研究进展作一简要综述.     

Cement and Concrete Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Concrete science is a multidisciplinary area of research where nanotechnology potentially offers the opportunity to enhance the understanding of concrete behavior, to engineer its properties and to lower production and ecological cost of construction materials. Recent work at the National Research Council Canada in the area of concrete materials research has shown the potential of improving concrete properties by modifying the structure of cement hydrates, addition of nanoparticles and nanotubes and controlling the delivery of admixtures. This article will focus on a review of these innovative achievements.     

慢性饮酒、吸烟与骨质疏松的相关性研究

目的 探讨长期大量慢性饮酒、吸烟等不良生活方式与骨质疏松的关系.方法 以乏力、腰背痛、双下肢酸困为主诉,且有长期大量慢性饮酒史、吸烟史,无其他慢性疾病史的年轻男性患者45例为观察对象,测定其血钙(Ca)、血磷(P)和血肌酐(Cr)、尿素氮(BUN)、血糖(Glu)、天门冬酸氨基转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸基转移酶(ALT)、血清碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、甲状腺功能、全段甲状旁腺激素(iPTH)、1,25-二羟维生素D3[1,25-(OH) 2D3]、双能X线骨密度仪测定腰椎L1-4及左侧股骨近段(包括颈、股骨颈上部、大粗隆)骨密度(BMD),分析饮酒、吸烟对骨量的影响.以感冒发热就诊、年龄相当、无饮酒、吸烟史及慢性疾病史的45例男性为对照组.结果 观察组1,25(OH)2D3水平均降低,血钙水平偏低,血磷正常,碱性磷酸酶呈不同程度地升高,骨密度T值提示观察组27例骨质疏松,12例骨量减少,6例正常骨量;而对照组仅有6例为骨量减少,1例骨质疏松,38例为正常骨量,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 长期慢性大量饮酒吸烟影响骨量,甚至易导致骨质疏松.     

Immune and serologic profiles of HIV-infected and noninfected hemophilic children and adolescents

Objectives: To assess relationships among the effects of HIV on hemophilic children and adolescents' immunologic parameters and vaccine-related serology. Methods: We analyzed data from extensive baseline immunologic evaluations of 207 HIV antibody-positive (HIV+) and 126 HIV antibody-negative (HIV?) hemophilic children and adolescents. Results: HIV+ and HIV- participants differed significantly in T-lymphocyte subpopulation numbers, immunoglobulin levels, and seroprevalence rates for diphtheria toxoid, measles, and mumps antigens. IgG levels, IgM levels, and serologic titers to vaccine antigens showed little correlation with T-cell parameters. Proportionately more HIV+ participants were nonreactive to each and all of a panel of 7 skin test antigens (71 % vs 28% anerglc, RR 2.6). The odds of anergy increased 1.6 times for every decline of 200 CD4 ± cells/μTl. Conclusions: HIV had significant, largely independent T- and B-lymphocyte effects on this pediatric cohort. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

ADH and ALDH Polymorphisms and Alcohol Dependence in Mexican and Native Americans

Background: Ethanol is primarily metabolized in the liver by two rate-limiting reactions: conversion of ethanol to acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and subsequent conversion of acetaldehyde to acetate by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). ADH and ALDH exist in multiple isozymes that differ in their kinetic properties. Notably, polymorphisms within the genes that encode for these isozymes vary in their allele frequencies between ethnic groups, and thus, they have been considered as candidate genes that may differentially influence risk for the development of alcohol dependence across ethnic groups. Objectives and methods: Associations between alcohol dependence and polymorphisms in ADH1B, ADH1C, and ALDH2 were compared in a community sample of Native Americans (n 791) living on reservations and Mexican Americans (n 391) living within the same county. Results: Two Mexican Americans and no Native Americans possessed one ALDH2*2 allele. Presence of at least one ADH1B*2 allele was found in 7% of the Native Americans and 13% of the Mexican Americans, but was only associated with protection against alcohol dependence in the Mexican Americans. Presence of at least one ADH1B*3 allele was found in 4% of the Native Americans and 2% of the Mexican Americans, but was associated with protection against alcohol dependence only in the Native Americans. No associations between alcohol dependence and polymorphisms in ADH1C were found. Conclusions and Scientific Significance: Polymorphisms in ADH1B are protective against alcoholism in these two populations; however, these findings do not explain the high prevalence of alcoholism in these populations.     

Neutropenia and agranulocytosis in England and Wales: incidence and risk factors

The objectives of this study were to estimate the incidence of idiosyncratic neutropenia and agranulocytosis in England and Wales and to evaluate their risk factors and outcomes. The study was conducted using data from the General Practice Research Database. All cases of idiosyncratic neutropenia or agranulocytosis were identified and the incidence was estimated. This was followed by a nested case-control study, estimating odds ratios with drug exposure from conditional logistic regression. From 1987 to 1999, 3,224 patients with idiosyncratic neutropenia (50 with agranulocytosis) were identified. The incidences of neutropenia and agranulocytosis were estimated to be 120 and 7 cases per million people per year, respectively. The adjusted odds ratios for neutropenia were 34.7 (95% confidence interval 12.0-99.7) for current users of thyroid inhibitors, 9.5 (4.4-20.8) for users of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and 7.6 (4.9-11.9) for users of aminosalicylates. Other drugs with statistically significantly increased risks of neutropenia included antibacterial drugs, non-opioid analgesics, NSAIDs, antidepressants, ulcer-healing drugs, and anti-epileptics. The increase in risk of neutropenia predominantly occurred during the first months of treatment. For most drugs investigated in this study, there was no relationship to daily dose. The excess 1-year mortality was low among neutropenia and agranulocytosis cases and mostly explained by the underlying disease state. In conclusion, the highest risks of neutropenia were generally found in patients starting treatment. The excess 1-year mortality was low among neutropenia and agranulocytosis cases and can be mostly explained by the underlying disease state.     

Replication and Inhibitors of Enteroviruses and Parechoviruses

The Enterovirus (EV) and Parechovirus genera of the picornavirus family include many important human pathogens, including poliovirus, rhinovirus, EV-A71, EV-D68, and human parechoviruses (HPeV). They cause a wide variety of diseases, ranging from a simple common cold to life-threatening diseases such as encephalitis and myocarditis. At the moment, no antiviral therapy is available against these viruses and it is not feasible to develop vaccines against all EVs and HPeVs due to the great number of serotypes. Therefore, a lot of effort is being invested in the development of antiviral drugs. Both viral proteins and host proteins essential for virus replication can be used as targets for virus inhibitors. As such, a good understanding of the complex process of virus replication is pivotal in the design of antiviral strategies goes hand in hand with a good understanding of the complex process of virus replication. In this review, we will give an overview of the current state of knowledge of EV and HPeV replication and how this can be inhibited by small-molecule inhibitors.     

T淋巴细胞亚群及炎性细胞因子与慢性浅表性胃炎和十二指肠球部溃疡的关系

目的:检测慢性浅表性胃炎和十二指肠球部溃疡患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群水平的变化及炎性细胞因子白细胞介素-6(IL-6)和白细胞介索-8(IL-8)的血清含量,分析其与幽门螺杆菌(Hp)的关系,探讨可能的发病机制.方法:收集91例经内镜检查证实慢性浅表性胃炎和十二指肠球部溃疡患者的血清标本,用流式细胞仪测T淋巴细胞亚群值,用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测IL-6和IL-8含量,并分析其与Hp的关系.结果:慢性浅表性胃炎和十二指肠球部溃疡患者外周血CD8及CD4/CD8与正常对照组比较差异有显著性(P＜0.01).血清IL-6含量与正常对照组比较差异有显著性(P＜0.01).血清IL-8含量与正常对照组比较差异有显著性(P＜0.01).Hp阳性者IL-6含量低于Hp阴性者(P＜0.01).Hp阳性者IL-8含量高于Hp阴性者.结论:慢性浅表性胃炎和十二指肠球部溃疡患者CD8细胞数较正常人显著升高,CD4/CD8比值较正常人显著降低.血清IL-6、IL-8含量明显增高.Hp阳性者IL-8含量增高而IL-6含量下降.     

Stress and Depression Among HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Gay and Bisexual AIDS Caregivers

From a survey of 416 gay and bisexual male AIDS caregivers, we examined differences in the stress process and predictors of depressive symptomatology by caregivers' HIV serostatus (n = 164 HIV-positive and n = 252 HIV-negative). Results indicate that HIV-positive caregivers reported higher levels of depressive symptomatology than those who were HIV-negative. Parallel regression analyses revealed that a younger age, role-related stress, and low self-esteem were common predictors of depressive symptomatology for both groups. Group-specific predictors of depression for the HIV-positive caregivers were poorer health and financial concerns. In contrast, the group-specific predictor for the HIV-negative caregivers was higher stress associated with direct acts of caregiving. These results suggest that in order to stem depressive symptomatology, gay and bisexual male caregivers need support directed at reducing stress stemming from their role as caregivers as well as services designed to address low self-esteem. In addition, serostatus should be taken into account when designing service plans because seropositive and seronegative caregivers may require different supportive services.     

中青年超重和肥胖与高血压及高同型半胱氨酸血症的相关性研究

目的探讨中青年超重和肥胖与高血压及高同型半胱氨酸血症的相关性。方法选取2012年1月—2013年10月在我院进行常规健康体检者750例,测量受试者血压、身高、体质量及血清同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)水平。结果男性超重、肥胖检出率分别为36.87%(198/537)和13.97%(75/537),均高于女性的16.43%(35/213)和7.50%(16/213)(P0.05)。超重者和肥胖者高血压和高同型半胱氨酸血症检出率分别为21.03%(49/233)和11.16%(26/233)、46.12%(42/91)和41.76%(38/91),均高于正常者的9.16%(37/404)和2.23%(9/404),肥胖者高于超重者(P0.01)。收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)及血清Hcy与BMI呈正相关(r值分别为0.639、0.515、0.497,P0.01)。结论中青年尤其是男性超半数存在超重或肥胖,高血压及高同型半胱氨酸血症与BMI呈正相关,超重和肥胖者高血压及高同型半胱氨酸血症的发生率高,应积极防治。     

脂联素与炎症、动脉粥样硬化关系的研究进展

脂联素是脂肪分泌的特异性蛋白质,具有许多内分泌功能,在抑制动脉粥样硬化的发生发展中起着重要作用。血浆脂联素的降低是发生胰岛素抵抗和糖尿病的独立危险因素,对脂联素的深入研究将为2型糖尿病、动脉粥样硬化症及肥胖症等与胰岛素抵抗相关疾病的治疗提供新的思路,为新药的研发提供新的方向。     

Cannabis Use and Obesity and Young Adults

Background: There is shortage of evidence about the relationship between use of cannabis and obesity. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association between cannabis use and overweight/obesity in young adults. Methods: Data were from a 21-year follow-up of mothers and their children recruited into the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy (MUSP), a longitudinal pre-birth cohort. The study is based on 2566 young adults (1264 males and 1302 females) who had data available on cannabis use and age of initiation to use of cannabis and BMI at the 21-year follow-up (MUSP children). Those who did not provide data on cannabis use and BMI were excluded from the analysis. Results: Frequency of cannabis use and body mass index (BMI) was assessed at the 21-year follow-up. Potential confounders were prospectively measured between the child's birth and the 21-year follow-up. Some 50.9% of young adults reported use of cannabis in the last month or year and 34.1% had BMI ≤ 25. Multivariate analysis showed that those who had used cannabis were less likely to be categorised in the BMI ≥ 25 group with the least prevalence of overweight/obesity being observed in every day cannabis users (odds ratio = .2; 95% confidence interval [CI]:.1–.4). Conclusions and Scientific Significance: The existing data suggest lower prevalence of overweight and obesity among young adult cannabis users. Further research is needed to examine the mechanism of this association.     

Medication and falls: risk and optimization

The association between drugs and falls has been widely studied in the past 3 decades, with increasingly robust evidence of a causal link. Both specific classes of drugs and the total number of drugs taken are associated with falls. This review examines some of the reasons why older people are at greater risk of drug-related adverse events such as falls. We discuss the role of drugs in general and polypharmacy (the concurrent use of multiple drugs) on the risk of falling, with a focus on community-dwelling older people. We critically appraise the evidence that specific classes of drugs, such as benzodiazepines and antidepressants, increase the risk of falling and that falls can be prevented through interventions that target medications.     

ERCP and MRCP--when and why

Since the introduction of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the 1970s, gastroenterologists have a wide spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic options in the biliopancreatic ductal system at their disposal. With its arrival in the 1990s, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) developed as a potent diagnostic tool in biliopancreatic pathology. Currently, MRCP is widely replacing diagnostic ERCP and thereby avoiding complications related to endoscopic technique.We summarize evidence-based data and demonstrate indications and differential indications for MRCP and ERCP in pancreatic disease. Complications related to the procedures and possible medical prevention are discussed. The feasibility of interventional endoscopy in pancreatic disease is reported in detail. The role of gastroenterologists in performing MRCP is outlined on the basis of practical examples.