No evidence of association between mutant alleles of the CYP27B1 gene and multiple sclerosis

An association has previously been reported between susceptibility to multiple sclerosis and the rare mutant alleles of the CYP27B1 gene responsible for autosomal recessive vitamin D–dependent rickets type 1 (VDDR1). In an attempt to replicate this finding, we screened 495 multiplex families and 2,092 single affected families, together with 4,594 cases and 3,583 controls (a total of 17,073 individuals) but were unable to find any evidence supporting this putative association. Our data do not indicate that mutations responsible for VDDR1 influence the risk of developing multiple sclerosis. ANN NEUROL 2013;73:430–432     

Wolff–Parkinson–White Syndrome and Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Case Report

A 48‐year‐old woman admitted to the emerhency departments due to sudden onset of dyspnea. The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) was made and thrombolytic therapy was started. Baseline ECG showed signs of right ventricular overload and after thrombolysis, short PR, wide QRS, and delta wave indicating Wolf‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) pattern were appeared. In this case report, we discuss ECG of patient with PE mimicknig WPW.     

Childhood brain tumour risk and its association with wireless phones: a commentary

Case-control studies on adults point to an increased risk of brain tumours (glioma and acoustic neuroma) associated with the long-term use of mobile phones. Recently, the first study on mobile phone use and the risk of brain tumours in children and adolescents, CEFALO, was published. It has been claimed that this relatively small study yielded reassuring results of no increased risk. We do not agree. We consider that the data contain several indications of increased risk, despite low exposure, short latency period, and limitations in the study design, analyses and interpretation. The information certainly cannot be used as reassuring evidence against an association, for reasons that we discuss in this commentary.     

Is the test result correct? A questionnaire study of blood collection practices in primary health care

Rationale, aims and objectives Venous blood tests are important for clinical decision making. Most errors in blood testing are due to human errors before the blood samples reach the laboratory. The present study was designed to investigate venous blood sampling (VBS) practices in primary health care centres (PHCs) compared with clinical laboratory staff. Method A cross‐sectional survey of 70 PHCs and two clinical laboratories is conducted. All staff responsible for VBS (317 respondents, response rate 94%) completed a questionnaire on VBS practices. Results Instructions for VBS were not followed in the surveyed PHCs. For example, only 54% reported that they always identified the patient by using name/Swedish identification number and only 5% reported that they always used photo‐ID, the two preferred means for patient identification. Only 12% reported that they always released venous stasis as soon as possible. Fewer PHC staff than clinical laboratory staff reported correct VBS practices. For example, 54% of the PHC staff reported that they always identified the patient by name and Swedish identification number, as compared with 95% of the clinical laboratory staff (P < 0.001). Documented VBS routines and re‐education in VBS were not clearly associated with reported correct VBS practices. Conclusions In the surveyed PHCs, there are clinically important risks for misidentification of patients and erroneous test results, with consequences for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Quality interventions, aimed at improving VBS practices, are needed to ensure patient safety.     

Ultrastructural Immunolocalization of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein,Thrombospondin-4, and Collagen Fibril Size in Rodent Achilles Tendon in Relation to Exercise

Fourteen 3-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were housed in pairs in standard cages (5 controls) and in individual cages with a running wheel. Four of these rats had run 27–36 km/week (low training—LT) and 5 had run 56–92 km/week (high training—HT). After 4 weeks, the rats were euthanized and Achilles tendons were fixed for electron microscopy. The ultrastructural distribution of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and thrombospondin (TSP)-4 and collagen fibril thickness in two different extracellular compartments were studied. The immunolabeling of COMP decreased with longer running distance and was significantly lower in both the pericellular (p = 0.009) and interterritorial (p = 0.03) compartments of the HT rats compared with the controls. TSP-4 immunolabeling was higher in the pericellular compared with the interterritorial compartments in all rats (p = 0.013) but was not correlated with COMP immunolabeling. No alterations in collagen fibril size were found in relation to running; however, the gold markers representing COMP and TSP-4 were mostly found at the dark bands, representing the gap region of the fibril.     

Bodily cleanliness in modern nursing

Why are bodily washing practices the way they are in nursing? Michel Foucault argues that modern democratic societies discipline human bodies in accordance with political interests. In the extension of that argumentation we will show that bodily cleanliness in modern nursing may have been used as a disciplining tool. The first part of our discussion takes as its point of departure the second half of the 19th/the beginning of the 20th centuries, the period in which modern nursing emerged. At that time scientific theories on hygiene seem to have legitimized the political effort to produce a clean, pleasant‐smelling, decent, obedient, and productive population. Doctors, nurses and teachers played important roles in the implementation of hygienic bodily washing practices. The second part of the discussion focuses on the post‐War period. At that time humanistic needs theories seem to have legitimized political argumentation for independent patients who washed themselves if possible. Those who could not manage on their own, should, as far as possible, be washed by cheaper staff, so that nurses could concentrate on medical treatment. Finally we argue that present day bodily washing practices in nursing are in accordance with the norms of appearance and smell that arose in the second half of the 19th and the first part of the 20th centuries. We further argue that staff with little or no education perform much of the bodily nursing work. Self‐care seems to be of interest only when it reduces public expenses.