Reduced serologic sensitivity to influenza A virus illness among inactivated influenza vaccinees

We compared ≥4-fold increases in antibody titers by hemagglutination inhibition assay to RT-PCR results among 42 adults with PCR-confirmed influenza A virus illnesses. Serologic sensitivity was higher among unvaccinated (69%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 48–90%) than vaccinated healthcare personnel (38%, 95% CI = 29–46%) in a 2010–11 prospective cohort.     

The use of cluster analysis to identify different burnout profiles among nurses and care assistants for older adults

The twofold purpose of this study was to identify specific burnout patterns among nurses and care assistants for older people, and to determine whether these profiles differ according to socioprofessional variables.A sample of 279 healthcare professionals completed an online survey comprising the Maslach Burnout Inventory and socioprofessional items. Cluster analysis identified five profiles on a burnout-engagement continuum. Participants with the Engaged profile had low scores on all three burnout dimensions (p < .001), while those with the Burnout profile had high scores on all three dimensions (p < .001). Three intermediate profiles were described. The Disconnected profile was characterized by higher depersonalization (p < .001), the Overextended profile by high emotion exhaustion (p < .001), and the Ineffective profile by low personal accomplishment (p < .001). Less experienced professional caregivers were more prone to burnout in terms of depersonalization (p < .01), while more experienced professional caregivers tended to have an ineffective burnout profile (p < .01). Identifying profiles of burnout symptoms can help to develop personalized interventions.     

Comparative effectiveness of different acupuncture courses in functional constipation: A Bayesian network meta-analysis of clinical trials

AimThe purpose of this study was to examine the comparative effectiveness of different acupuncture courses for functional constipation (FC).BackgroundThere is a need to optimize the treatment course of acupuncture for FC to improve efficacy and save health resources.MethodsWe performed a systematic electronic search of eight databases from inception to April 2021. Randomized controlled trials comparing acupuncture treatment with sham acupuncture were included. The main outcome indicators were complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM), spontaneous bowel movement, Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), responder rate and safety evaluation (SE).ResultsIn this network meta-analysis, 19 studies with 1753 participants and 8 different acupuncture treatments were included. Using the consistency model via Monte Carlo simulation iterations, we found that the effect of acupuncture treatment at 3/4 weeks may be better in terms of CSBM and BSFS. The results of rank probability analysis showed that 6 weeks of treatment may be better for the responder rate, and 2 weeks of treatment may be better for SE. And, subgroup analysis found that, for patients with chronic severe functional constipation (CSFC), 8 weeks of acupuncture treatment may be the best for CSBM.ConclusionsBy indirect comparison, 3/4 weeks of acupuncture treatment may be the optimal course of treatment for FC in terms of improving bowel frequency and stool shape. And for CSFC, 8 weeks of acupuncture treatment may be the best. However, there is still a lack of direct comparison and publication bias that affects the accuracy of research results.     

Primary murine microglia are resistant to nitric oxide inhibition of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an intracellular heme-containing enzyme that is activated by proinflammatory cytokines, including interferon-γ (IFNγ), and metabolizes tryptophan along the kynurenine pathway. Activation of murine macrophages induces not only IDO but also nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and the ensuing production of nitric oxide (NO) inhibits IDO. To determine the sensitivity of primary cultures of murine microglia to NO, microglia were stimulated with recombinant murine IFNγ (1 ng/ml) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (10 ng/ml). This combination of IFNγ + LPS synergized to produce maximal amounts of nitrite as early as 16 h. Steady-state mRNAs for both iNOS and IDO were significantly increased by IFNγ + LPS at 4 h post-treatment, followed by an increase in IDO enzymatic activity at 24 h. Murine microglia (>95% CD11b⁺) were pretreated with the iNOS inhibitor, L-NIL hydrochloride, at a dose (30 μM) that completely abrogated production of nitrite. L-NIL had no effect on IDO mRNA at 4 h or IDO enzymatic activity at 24 h following stimulation with IFNγ + LPS. These data establish that IDO regulation in murine microglia is not restrained by NO, thereby permitting the accumulation of kynurenine and its downstream metabolites in the central nervous system.     

Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease: Australian referral guidelines

The advent of deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been an important advance in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). DBS may be employed in the management of medication-refractory tremor or treatment-related motor complications, and may benefit between 4.5% and 20% of patients at some stage of their disease course. In Australia, patients with PD are reviewed by specialised DBS teams who assess the likely benefits and risks associated with DBS for each individual. The aim of these guidelines is to assist neurologists and general physicians identify patients who may benefit from referral to a DBS team. Common indications for referral are motor fluctuations and/or dyskinesias that are not adequately controlled with optimised medical therapy, medication-refractory tremor, and intolerance to medical therapy. Early referral for consideration of DBS is recommended as soon as optimised medical therapy fails to offer satisfactory motor control.     

Effects of interleukin-10 on water intake,locomotory activity,and rectal temperature in rat treated with endotoxin

Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) interleukin-10 (25, 50, and 100 ng/rat) effects on water intake, exploratory behaviour, and rectal temperature were evaluated in rats treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with lipopolysaccharide (0.32, 0.64, and 0.96 mg/kg).Endotoxin administration induced fever and inhibition of thirst in water-deprived rats, and a decrease in lococomotory activity in normohydrated and water-deprived animals. Our data show that interleukin-10 during lipopolysaccharide administration controlled fever, increases exploratory behaviour, but did not reverse lipopolysaccharide inhibition of thirst. These effects suggest that fever, depression in locomotory activity but not inhibition of thirst, induced by endotoxin are influenced by interleukin-10 levels.     

Placental Urocortins and CRF in Late Gestation

Placental corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) are thought to induce labor via activation of CRF receptor type 1 (CRF-R1) leading to several feed forward mechanisms in the placental, fetal and maternal compartments. Recently, receptor type 2 (CRF-R2) selective ligands called urocortin 2 and 3 (Ucn 2, Ucn 3) were characterized as neuropeptides in the brain. We studied the expression of Ucn 1, 2 and 3 in feto-placental tissues qualitatively (by immunohistochemistry) and quantitatively (by radioimmunoassay) and compared these with expression of placental CRF. The presented placental Ucn 2 and 3 peptide quantification, characterization and ex-vivo release results are novel. Reversed-phase HPLC fractionation of placental extracts revealed several peaks containing immune-reactive (ir)-like Ucn 2 or 3, of which the main peaks had the same retention time as the synthetic Ucn 2 and 3 peptides. Placental tissues contained between 6 and 10 times more ir-CRF than ir-Ucn 1, 2 or 3. The placental Ucn 1, 2 and 3 peptide contents correlated with each other. Our immunohistochemical results showed that all urocortins were mainly localized in the syncytiotrophoblasts of the placental villi. Placental urocortins were actively released during ex-vivo perfusion of cotyledons. From these results it can be concluded that Ucn 2 and 3 peptides are present in placental and fetal membrane tissues, and released by ex-vivo perfused cotyledons. Therefore, placental urocortins may function as paracrine or endocrine messengers during pregnancy and parturition.     

The effect of footbath on the quality of sleep in older adults: A pilot study

This pilot study was a randomized controlled trial that aimed to investigate the effect of the warm footbath on the sleep quality of Iranian older adults. Males and females aged over 60 were randomly divided into three groups (footbath group with water at 40°C, footbath group with water at 37°C, and one control group) using the permutation block method. Repeated measures design was used to compare the groups after week two and week four to study the effects of footbath on sleep quality. Footbath with water at 40°C and 37°C caused significant improvement in the participants' sleep quality. No significant difference was found between the participants' sleep quality treated with water at 40°C and 37°C. Future studies with larger samples are recommended for assessing the effectiveness of warm footbath in enhancing sleep quality in older adults.