Preoperative Cell-Mediated Immune Status of Patients with Malignant Glial Tumors

The leukocyte adherence inhibition assay (LAI) was used to measure cell-mediated immunity in 26 patients with malignant glial neoplasms and in 41 control subjects. A significant inhibition of leukocyte adherence was observed in 21 out of 26 (80%) patients with malignant astrocytic gliomas in the presence of a 3M KC1 extract of glioma tissue compared to that of normal brain extract. Among the control group, no significant difference in the percentage of nonadherent leukocytes (NAL) was noted in the presence of either antigen. To study the specificity of the reaction, 3M KC1 extracts of meningioma, pituitary tumor, carcinoma of breast, carcinomas of lung, melanoma, brain, and heart tissues were employed as nonspecific antigens. Such studies revealed significantly lower values of NAL.

These data indicate that patients with malignant glial neoplasms manifest a cellular-immune response to glioma-associated antigens that can be measured by the tube LAI assay and that LAI assay may render additional useful information in the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of malignant glial neoplasms.     

Substance Use by Women Using Domestic Violence Shelters

This study investigated the connections between stressors, substance use, and experience of violence among women (N = 125) who accessed help from domestic violence shelters in British Columbia, Canada between October 2001 and June 2003. Changes in substance use and stressors following a shelter stay were explored, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Women generally decreased their use of alcohol and stimulants, and this change was found to be integrally connected to social and structural supports made available to them. Future research that augments current stress models of addiction by considering social and structural factors that come into play in women's substance use and domestic violence is suggested. The study's limitations are noted.     

Differences in mean and variability of heart rate and ambulatory rate-pressure product when valsartan or carvedilol is added to lisinopril

Guidelines recommend combining β-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in high-risk heart disease but not in the initial treatment of hypertension. The mechanism of this benefit has not been determined. After 3 weeks of lisinopril (L, 40 mg/day) run-in, 30 subjects entered a single-blinded, forced-titration, crossover study in which carvedilol (C, 20 then 40 mg/day) or a control renin-angiotensin blocker, valsartan (V, 160 then 320 mg/day) were added to L. Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and heart rate monitoring was performed at the end of each period. Rate-pressure product (RPP, systolic BP × heart rate, an indicator of cardiac oxygen consumption) was measured over 24 hours, daytime (6 am to midnight), and nighttime (midnight to 6 am) periods. Variability (standard deviation and range) of RPP, BP, and heart rate was also investigated. After 4 weeks, mean 24-hour systolic BP was about 8 mm Hg lower when either V or C was added to L (P < .01 each). Heart rate was consistently lower with C (8 beats/min over 24 hours, P < .000) but was slightly increased with V (about 2 beats/min, P = NS). Consequently, C lowered RPP to a greater degree than V over 24 hours (about 8% vs. 2%, P < .000) and during daytime and nighttime periods (P < .000 each). In addition, RPP variability (SD but not range) was consistently lower on C than V. When added to L, C reduces the mean and variability (SD) of 24-hour heart rate and cardiac workload to a greater degree than valsartan. These effects may contribute to the outcome benefits observed with β-blocker–ACE inhibitor combinations.     

Melioidosis in a returned traveller

Melioidosis is an infection endemic to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The present report describes a case of chronic melioidosis in a returning traveller from the Philippines. Clinical suspicion of this illness is warranted in individuals with a history of travel to endemic regions. Safety in handling clinical specimens is paramount because laboratory transmission has been described.     

Bloom Syndrome in Two Siblings

Abstract: Bloom syndrome (congenital telangiectatic erythema) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by telangiectasias and photosensitivity, growth deficiency of prenatal onset, variable degrees of immunodeficiency, and increased susceptibility to neoplasms of many sites and types. We are reporting Bloom syndrome in two brothers from Kashmir (India), 8 and 6 years of age, who presented with erythematous rashes on the face, photosensitivity, and growth retardation.     

ADHD presenting as recurrent epistaxis: a case report

Epistaxis is an important otorhinolaryngological emergency, which usually has an apparent etiology, frequently local trauma in children. Here we present a case report wherein the epistaxis was recalcitrant, and proved to have a psychiatric disorder as an underlying basis. The child was diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, hyperactive type, which led to trauma to nasal mucosa due to frequent and uncontrolled nose picking. Treatment with atomoxetine controlled the patient's symptoms and led to a remission of epistaxis.     

Knowledge and self-care practice regarding diabetes among type 2diabetics: experience from a non-profit hospital chain in Bangladesh

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is generally being perceived as a problem of the developed world, but currently, people from developing countries like Bangladesh are suffering from chronic diseases of which diabetes is a major one. The aim of the study was to assess knowledge and self-care practice regarding diabetes among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 11,917 (age ≥?18 years, 4418 males and 7499 females) T2DM subjects attending the health care centers and hospitals in Dhaka (Capital) and also in the northern part of Bangladesh operated by the local diabetic association. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaire. The levels of knowledge and self-care practice were measured by predefined scores, categorized as poor (<mean – 1 SD), average (mean?±?1 SD), and good (>mean?+?1 SD). Independent samples t test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation were used to determine the association between different variables considering p value <?0.05. The mean (± SD) age (years) of the T2DM was 50?±?12. The proportion of “poor,” “average,” and “good” score for knowledge were 34%, 51%, and 15% and for that practice were 16%, 72%, and 12%, respectively. Knowledge was significantly associated with practice (r?=?0.299, p?=?0.001). The study reveals a difference between knowledge and self-care practice related to T2DM. T2DM health literacy program needs to be developed for better health promotion.