Insecticide resistance in adult Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes from Olongapo City, Philippines

Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were collected from sites in Olongapo City, Zambales Province, Philippines and tested against concentrations of malathion, DDT and dieldrin. High resistance was noted to 4% DDT and 4% dieldrin, but the mosquitoes were susceptible to 5% malathion.     

Simian virus (SV) 40 like sequences in cell lines and tumour biopsies from Australian malignant mesotheliomas

Background : Simian virus (SV) 40 sequences have been found in some, but not all studies of mesotheliomas. This virus is known to cause tumours in rodents but its role in human oncogenesis remains controversial.
Aims : The aim of this study therefore was to determine whether SV40 is associated with the development of mesotheliomas in Australia. The absence of the virus or its gene products in tissue derived from mesotheliomas would detract from this possibility.
Methods : We used polymerase chain reaction from three pairs of primers to amplify different regions of the large T antigen from DNA from cell lines and cDNA from both cell lines and an independent set of tumour biopsies from patients with mesothelioma.
Results : We examined five human mesothelioma cell lines that were established in our laboratories. In addition, we examined several tumour biopsies from seven different patients. SV40 like sequences were present in all the cell lines and in at least one sample from each of the patients examined.
Conclusions : The large T antigen of SV40 or an SV40 like virus is expressed in Australian mesotheliomas and therefore could be aetiologically-associated with tumourigenesis. Alternatively, these sequences could be expressed subsequent to the development of the disease.     

Adiposity Measurements by BMI,Skinfolds and Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry in relation to Risk Markers for Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes in Adult Males

Background. Choice of adiposity measure may be important in the evaluation of relationships between adiposity and risk markers for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Aim. We explored the strengths of risk marker associations with BMI, a simple measure of adiposity, and with measures provided by skinfold thicknesses and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Subjects and Methods. We evaluated in three subgroups of white males (n = 156–349), participating in a health screening program, the strengths of relationship between measures of total and regional adiposity and risk markers relating to blood pressure, lipids and lipoproteins, insulin sensitivity, and subclinical inflammation. Results. Independent of age, smoking, alcohol intake, and exercise, the strongest correlations with adiposity measures were seen with serum triglyceride concentrations and indices of insulin sensitivity, with strengths of association showing little difference between BMI and skinfold and DXA measures of total and percent body fat (R = 0.20–0.46, P < 0.01). Significant but weaker associations with adiposity were seen for serum HDL cholesterol and only relatively inconsistent associations with adiposity for total and LDL cholesterol and indices of subclinical inflammation. Conclusions. BMI can account for variation in risk markers in white males as well as more sophisticated measures derived from skinfold thickness measurements or DXA scanning.     

Absconding from Public Mental Health Inpatient Units – Who Does it,and why?

Psychiatric Quarterly - Patients who abscond from acute inpatient psychiatric wards put themselves and others at risks of variable nature and severity. There is a limited understanding of what...     

Characterization of aspirin allergies in patients with coronary artery disease

BackgroundAspirin prevents coronary thrombosis and is used extensively in cardiovascular prophylaxis. However, patients with a prior history of an aspirin “reaction” are routinely denied this medication.ObjectiveTo characterize the clinical presentation of a cohort of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and aspirin reactions.MethodsBetween 2009 and 2012, using a retrospective computer analysis, information was collected on all patients within a county-wide health care system presenting with CAD and a prior history of aspirin reactions.ResultsOf 9,565 patients with CAD, a prior history of aspirin reactions was recorded in 142 patients. Of these 142 patients, 30 (21%) had histories compatible with cutaneous and/or respiratory reactions. The other patients described adverse effects to aspirin, mostly gastrointestinal intolerance and bleeding. Aspirin-induced anaphylaxis was recorded in patients but may have been misdiagnosed, describing instead respiratory hypersensitivity reactions. Of the 142 patients, only 34 (24%) were receiving daily cardiovascular prophylaxis with aspirin. Of 108 patients not receiving aspirin, 25 (17.6%) were prescribed clopidogrel.ConclusionHistories of aspirin reactions in patients with CAD are uncommon, occurring in only 1.5% of our study population. The 21% of patients with histories compatible with aspirin hypersensitivities can be challenged and, if the results are positive, successfully desensitized. Moreover, almost all patients with gastric intolerance to aspirin can be treated with aspirin and a proton pump inhibitor. However, both approaches, which result in restoration of cardiovascular prophylaxis, were seriously underused in our study population.     

Chemoprevention of colorectal cancer with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs

Colorectal carcinoma is one of the commonest solid organ tumors in the world and its prevalence appears to be increasing in Asia. Recently, there has been much interest in various chemotherapeutic agents for the management of this condition, in particular nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). There is a large amount of data that suggest traditional NSAIDs, as well as the new cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 selective inhibitors such as rofecoxib and celecoxib, have a role in the setting of primary and secondary prevention, and adjuvant therapy of both sporadic colorectal carcinoma and familial adenomatous polyposis. This review examines some of this data, as well as the potential problems and limitations of using these agents, particularly in light of the recent withdrawal of rofecoxib.     

Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency associated with PZ and MP phenotypes. Clinical and laboratory correlations

In a large kindred we have identified two siblings with the hitherto unreported PZ phenotype and eight other subjects with the MP phenotype. In subjects with the MP phenotype serum alpha₁-antitrypsin levels are near the lower limits of normal. In contrast, subjects with the PZ phenotype have severely depressed alpha₁-antitrypsin levels. One subject with the PZ phenotype at age 34 already shows evidence of obstructive lung disease. We found no convincing evidence of obstructive lung disease in family members with the MP phenotype. After purification of alpha₁-antitrypsin from the serum, isoelectric focusing and acrylamide gel electrophoresis can be used to distinguish normal protein from the products of the Pi^P and Pi^Z alleles. Subjects with the PZ phenotype have more Pi^P than Pi^Z product.