Ultrastructural identification of the splenic follicular dendritic cells in the chicken

Background: There is a need to identify the follicular dendritic cells (FDC) of the chicken spleen at the ultrastructural level during a secondary immune response. Methods: The cells were identified after intravenous priming BSA and boosting with biotinylated BSA conjugated to colloidal gold particles. Monoclonal antibodies raised specifically either to chicken IgG or IgM were used to characterize these immune complex-trapping cells. Results: The FDC had an irregular morphology which varied through time, supporting the existence of two types of FDC in the chicken spleen, one showing filiform cell processes, the other provided with beaded dendrites. When the filiform dendrites were observed, the FDC bound the antigen on their surfaces. These dendrites showed an intrincate convoluted configuration, forming tightly wrapped networks near the cell body. The networks had the same features as those described in mammals as antigen retaining reticulum (ARR). In chickens, the ARR, which represents sites of antigen localization on FDC, reached maximum development on day 5 after the second injection of BSA and had disappeared by day 8. At this time FDC had beaded dendrites. Conclusions: Antigen is retained on FDC in the chicken spleen for long periods of time. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The Impact of Diet and Fibre Fractions on Plasma Adipocytokine Levels in Prediabetic Adults

The impact of diet and fibre fractions on adipocytokines in obese subjects with a risk of diabetes has not been investigated in detail yet. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of a 12-month lifestyle intervention with different fibre profiles (resistant starch (RS)—rich fibre, or ordinary food fibre profiles) on adipocytokine levels. Fifty participants are divided into two groups (RS group and Fibre group). The groups differ only in the percentage of the recommended level of the RS consumed as a fraction of the same total fibre amount. The applied dietary intervention includes intake of 7531 KJ/daywith a total fibre portion of 25–35 g/dayfor both groups that includes 15 g/day of RS for the RS group only. The levels of leptin, adiponectin, apelin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and C-reactive protein (CRP) are measured, and their relationship to anthropometric and biochemical parameters is estimated. Along with significant body weight loss, only leptin is significantly reduced by 13% in the RS group while in the Fibre group, apelin levels are significant (−21%). Polynomial regression shows a negative correlation between RS intake and adiponectin (R2 = 0.145) and resistin level (R2 = 0.461) in the RS group. This study indicates the possibility that fibre fractions differently influence the outcome of lifestyle interventions, as well as their adipocytokine levels, in obese prediabetic adults.     

Murine Typhus in Canary Islands,Spain, 1999–2015

To document the epidemiology, clinical features, and outcomes of murine typhus patients in the Canary Islands (Spain), we analyzed data that were retrospectively collected for 16 years for 221 patients. Murine typhus in the Canary Islands is characterized by a high rate of complications (31.6%), mainly liver, lung, kidney or central nervous system involvement.     

Incidence of hospital‐acquired pressure injury: A cohort study of adults admitted to public and private hospitals in Sao Paulo,Brazil

This study aimed to estimate the incidence of hospital‐acquired pressure injury (PI) and its risk factors in inpatient and intensive care units of five hospitals (two public and three private) in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. A 6‐month follow‐up prospective cohort study (n = 1937) was conducted from April to September 2013. Baseline and follow‐up measurements included demographic and care information, as well as risk assessments for both undernutrition (NRS‐2002) and PI (Braden scale). Poisson regression with robust variance was used for data analysis. A total of 633 patients (32.60%) showed risk for PI. The incidence rate of PI was of 5.9% (9.9% in public hospitals vs 4.1% in private hospitals) and was higher in intensive care units, compared to inpatient care units (10% vs 5.7%, respectively). Risk for PI increased with age (RR = 1.05; 95% CI 1.04‐1.07); was higher in in public hospitals, compared to private hospitals (RR = 4.39; 95% CI 2.92‐6.61); in patients admitted for non‐surgical reasons compared to those admitted for surgical reasons (RR = 1.91; 95% CI 1.12‐3.27); in patients with longer hospital stays (RR = 1.04; 95% CI 1.03‐1.06); high blood pressure (RR = 1.76; 95% CI 1.17‐2.64); or had a risk for undernutrition (RR = 3.51; 95% CI 1.71‐7.24). Higher scores in the Braden scale was associated with a decreased risk of PI (RR = 0.79; 95% CI 0.75‐0.83). The results of our study indicate that 5.9% of all patients developed PI and that the most important factors that nurses should consider are: patient age, care setting, length of hospitalization, comorbidities, reason for admission and nutrition when planning and implementing PI‐preventative actions.     

Total Corporal Contouring with Megaliposuction (120 Consecutive Cases)

The purpose of this study is to present the authors' long-term experience with total corporal contouring with megaliposuction. The evolution of body reshaping in one operative setting including simultaneous head and neck contouring, upper and lower extremity recontouring, and creation of an aesthetic trunk and abdominal form is discussed. Patient evaluation, operative techniques, postoperative management, and long-term results are emphasized. From February 1994 to February 1997, 120 consecutive patients underwent total corporal contouring with tumescent (Hunstad formula)-technique, classic liposuction. There were 10 males and 110 females. The average age of all patients was 28 years. Preoperative evaluation emphasized corporal shape and proportions. No other open procedures were performed simultaneously in these patients. The authors' postoperative regimen is discussed. The average amount of aspirated material in these series was 14,000 ml (range, 8000–20,000 ml). No blood transfusions were required. Complications included only hypopigmentation (N= 2) and postoperative seromas requiring aspiration (N= 12). Follow-up examination took place at 3 months to 3 years, with an average of 14 months. All patients underwent a metamorphosis from an amorphic shape to one that follows the normal body contours and profiles. The goals of megaliposuction are no longer just to reduce body fat and body mass. Individually planned surgery for these patients should be based upon obtaining normal symmetrical body proportions. Total corporal contouring and reshaping can now be safely performed, offering hope and predictable outcomes to this patient population. Patient evaluation, operative technique, postoperative care, and long-term results are presented.     

Eye Coordination and Vestibular Testing in Electroconvulsive Therapy

Nine depressive patients were examined before bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), immediately after ECT, and 2 days later with saccadic, pursuit tracking, and Hallpike caloric vestibular tests. Before ECT, all tests showed normal results. Immediately after ECT, the saccadic test displayed dysmetria of the fast eye movements in six of nine patients. The pursuit tracking test showed decreased gain of the slow eye movements with compensatory saccades in seven of nine patients. These findings were for both directions in the horizontal plane. In the caloric vestibular test, the changes were not significant. Two days after ECT, the eye coordination and vestibular testing showed normal function. We conclude that the eye coordination and vestibular function disturbances induced by ECT are transient.     

Income differences in persons seeking outpatient treatment for mental disorders: a comparison of the United States with Ontario and The Netherlands

BACKGROUND: Variations in the relationships among income, use of mental health services, and sector of care are examined by comparing data from 3 countries that differ in the organization and financing of mental health services. METHODS: Data come from the 1990-1992 National Comorbidity Survey (n = 5,384), the 1990-1991 Mental Health Supplement to the Ontario Health Survey (n = 6,321), and the 1996 Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (n = 6031). Analysis of the association between income and use of mental health services was carried out for the population that was between ages 18 and 54 years. Differential use of mental health treatment was examined in 3 sectors: the general medical sector, the specialty sector, and the human services sector. RESULTS: No significant association between income and probability of any mental health treatment was observed for persons with psychiatric disorders in any of the 3 countries. However, there were significant differences among countries in the association between income and sector of mental health care treatment. In the United States, income is positively related to treatment being received in the specialty sector and negatively related to treatment being received in the human services sector. In the Netherlands, patients in the middle-income bracket are less likely to receive specialty care, while those in the high-income bracket are less likely to be seen in the human service sector. Income is unrelated to the sector of care for patients in Ontario. CONCLUSIONS: Future research should examine whether differential access to the specialty sector for low-income people in the United States is associated with worse mental health outcomes.