Contribution of the 13C-urea breath test to the detection of Helicobacter pylori gastritis in children.

Serology, 13C-urea breath test, histology, Campylobacter-like organism testing, and culture were performed in 95 consecutive children to evaluate the contribution of these tests to the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection. In analyses considering any combination of three positive tests as "gold standard" for diagnosing H pylori infection, 26 children were Helicobacter positive (27%), which is only one patient more than the number of children with only a positive culture. The accuracy of culture was excellent when "any combination of three positive tests" was used as the gold standard (sensitivity 96%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100% [false positivity 0%], negative predictive value 99% [false-negative results 1%]). The results of invasive and noninvasive tests were comparable. When culture was considered as "gold standard," the sensitivity of serology and 13C-urea breath test was 96%; the specificity was 96% and 93%, respectively; the positive predictive value was 89% and 83% (false-positive results in 11% and 17%); and the negative predictive value for both was 99% (false-negative results in 1%). It is concluded that culture can be used as gold standard, but that non-invasive tests such as serology and/or 13C-urea breath test can be used to diagnose H pylori infection in children, since each has at least 95% sensitivity and 92% specificity.     

The dopamine D2 receptor gene, perceived parental support, and adolescent loneliness: longitudinal evidence for gene-environment interactions

Background: Loneliness is a common problem in adolescence. Earlier research focused on genes within the serotonin and oxytocin systems, but no studies have examined the role of dopamine‐related genes in loneliness. In the present study, we focused on the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2). Methods: Associations among the DRD2, sex, parental support, and loneliness were examined in a longitudinal study spanning five annual waves (N = 307). Results: Using Latent Growth Curve Modeling, DRD2 genotype was not directly related to loneliness. Interactions were found between parental support and DRD2 genotype, showing that adolescents with the A2A2 genotype who perceived little support from their parents had the highest baseline levels of loneliness. Adolescents with an A1 allele were not susceptible to the rewarding effect of parental support. Conclusions: The present study is the first to examine the role of the DRD2 genotype in loneliness. Our results contribute to a further understanding of the environmental and genetic basis of loneliness in adolescence.     

Über die Art der Blutgerinnungsstörung bei Hämophilie

Research in Experimental Medicine -     

Ergonomic evaluation of three new principles for mono‐incision in laparoscopic surgery

Several instruments exist for performing a simple laparoscopic procedure through one trocar‐incision. However, all of these instruments have well‐known image‐related disadvantages. In order to solve these problems three principles have been developed for which a new device was designed. The functionality of this device was evaluated with regard to four parameters: duration of task completion, number of errors, image‐stability and preference by users.

Although the differences between the three principles were small, the tests clearly showed that the problems surgeons experienced before have been significantly diminished by the new device. Time measurements showed a preference for principles 1 and 2 (1: manual zoom camera in combination with a standard grasping device; 2: laparoscope with an angle of 45° in combination with a standard grasping device), the surgeons expressing preference for principle 2. Furthermore, the new trocar system is the first device for mono‐incision in which two standard instruments (currently available on the market) are used simultaneously without enlarging the incision. Finally, each surgeon can work with the new device using the principle he/she is preferring.     

Using apprenticeship communication flow as an ergonomic design input for future OR systems

Removing the gallbladder is a relatively simple laparoscopic operation. Tissue trauma, caused by laparoscopic cholecystectomy, is usually minimal. Misidentifying the cystic duct and artery and the common hepatic duct represents the most severe complication. However, the Critical View of Safety (CVS) technique reduces the risk of trauma, by accomplishing a safe 360° identification of the cystic duct origin at the gallbladder neck [5]. This technique is employed and trained at the Erasmus Medical Centre (EMC), Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

?This study presents the potential value of a training device which residents can use during practice. This training device must cover both user friendliness and information supply. The current information supply was studied subjectively; the CVS protocol and the users' experience were studied both objectively and subjectively. The results of these studies show that the present information supply is not satisfactory, that there is a CVS protocol which can be easily used in a training device, and that most actions defining the cystic duct during operation revert on users' experience. Therefore, it is desirable to design a new training device according to the experience of the target group and the protocols, and taking into account an optimal human‐product interaction.     

Designing the selenium and bladder cancer trial (SELEBLAT), a phase lll randomized chemoprevention study with selenium on recurrence of bladder cancer in Belgium

Background

Growing evidence indicates that oxidative stress can be a primary cause of male infertility. Non-enzymatic antioxidants play an important protective role against oxidative damages and lipid peroxidation. Human seminal plasma is a natural reservoir of antioxidants. The aim of this study was to determine glutathione (GSH) concentrations, trace element levels (zinc and selenium) and the lipid peroxidation end product, malondialdehyde (MDA), in the seminal plasma of men with different fertility potentials.

Methods

Semen samples from 60 fertile men (normozoospermics) and 190 infertile patients (74 asthenozoospermics, 56 oligozoospermics, and 60 teratozoospermics) were analyzed for physical and biochemical parameters. Zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) levels were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Total GSH (GSHt), oxidized GSH (GSSG), reduced GSH (GSHr) and MDA concentrations were measured spectrophotometrically.

Results

Zn and Se concentrations in seminal plasma of normozoospermics were more elevated than the three abnormal groups. Nevertheless, only the Zn showed significant differences. On the other hand, Zn showed positive and significant correlations with sperm motility (P = 0.03, r = 0.29) and count (P < 0.01, r = 0.49); however Se was significantly correlated only with sperm motility (P < 0.01, r = 0.36). GSHt, GSSG and GSHr were significantly higher in normozoospermics than in abnormal groups. We noted a significant association between seminal GSHt and sperm motility (P = 0.03). GSSG was highly correlated to sperm motility (P < 0.001) and negatively associated to abnormal morphology (P < 0.001). GSHr was significantly associated to total sperm motility (P < 0.001) and sperm count (P = 0.01). MDA levels were significantly higher in the three abnormal groups than in normozoospermics. Rates of seminal MDA were negatively associated to sperm motility (P < 0.01; r = -0.24) and sperm concentration (P = 0.003; r = -0.35) Meanwhile, there is a positive correlation between seminal lipid peroxidation and the percentage of abnormal morphology (P = 0.008).

Conclusions

This report revealed that decreased seminal GSH and trace element deficiencies are implicated in low sperm quality and may be an important indirect biomarker of idiopathic male infertility. Our results sustain that the evaluation of seminal antioxidant status in infertile men is necessary and can be helpful in fertility assessment from early stages.     

Mid-term Follow-up after Maze IV Procedures for Concomitant Atrial Fibrillation

Background : We performed a retrospective analysis of the maze IV procedures performed in our surgical department for concomitant atrial fibrillation.

Methods : Preoperative, in-hospital and postoperative follow-up data were collected from 46 consecutive patients who underwent the maze IV operation between April 2006 and December 2010. All electrocardiograms and Holters were reviewed.

Results : One patient died in-hospital. During a mean follow-up of 25 ± 16.3 months seven patients died: two related to a hemorrhagic stroke, one due to right ventricular failure, the remainder deaths were not cardiac related. The success rate, defined as no recurrence of AF or atrial flutter with a blanking period of 6 months postoperatively, was 73.7%. Plots of probability of freedom of atrial fibrillation over time are drawn and reach a stable level after one year. Conclusions : The mid term results of the maze IV procedures for concomitant atrial fibrillation are very good. The results are stable for the remainder of follow-up.     

An epidemic of occupational contact dermatitis from an immersion oil for microscopy in laboratory personnel

Since November 1997, 14 successive cases of occupational contact dermatitis were observed in 13 laboratory technicians and 1 physician, working in a genetics laboratory in Leuven (Belgium) in 3 laboratories of bacteriology in Strasbourg, Montbeliard and Angers, and in the laboratory of hematology in Bordeaux (France). The dermatitis, located on the hands, forearms and face, relapsed after each exposure to an immersion oil for microscopy. Patch tests performed in 10 patients were positive to epoxy resin (ER) in the European standard series (10/10 patients) and to newly formulated Leica immersion oil (7/7), 1 patient testing negatively with the former oil. A breakdown performed in 2 patients with the oil's ingredients confirmed sensitization to liquid modified ER components, contained at >80% concentration in the oil. The presence of DGEBA was demonstrated by HPLC analysis at a +/-30% rate. Although the safety data sheet indicated a revision of the formula, nobody was alerted to the risk of sensitization and the need for skin protection. ERs, as a source of occupational allergy, can provoke epidemics of contact dermatitis in industry. This report of epidemic contact dermatitis from ERs, used for their optical properties in an immersion oil for microscopy, emphasizes the need for perpetual vigilance in occupational medicine and the usefulness of multicentre contacts in dermato-allergology.     

Deodorants: an experimental provocation study with isoeugenol

Axillary dermatitis is common and overrepresented in people with contact allergy to fragrances. Many people suspect their deodorants to be the incriminating products. In order to investigate the significance of isoeugenol in deodorants for the development of axillary dermatitis when used by people with and without contact allergy to isoeugenol, patch tests with deodorants and ethanol solutions with isoeugenol, as well as repeated open application tests (ROAT) with roll-on deodorants with and without isoeugenol at various concentrations, were performed in 35 dermatitis patients, 10 without and 25 with contact allergy to isoeugenol. A positive ROAT was observed only in patients hypersensitive to isoeugenol (P<0.001) and only in the axilla to which the deodorants containing isoeugenol had been applied (P<0.001). Deodorants containing isoeugenol in the concentration range of 0.0063-0.2% used 2 times daily on healthy skin can thus elicit axillary dermatitis within a few weeks in people with contact allergy to isoeugenol.