Comparison of Immunoglobulin G Subclass Concentrations in Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia and Severe Pandemic 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) Infection

We compared immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses in patients with severe noninfluenza community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) to those in patients with severe pandemic 2009 influenza (H1N1) virus infection. Low IgG1 and IgG2 levels occurred often in the CAP group; however, H1N1 patients had lower IgG1 and IgG2 levels (5.4 versus 3.3 g/liter [P = 0.008] and 2.5 versus 1.2 g/liter [P < 0.001], respectively). Low IgG2 levels may be specifically linked to severe H1N1; however, it is not clear whether this association is related to H1N1 or to other features of severity.     

Prediction of spontaneous preterm birth using fetal fibronectin in women with a low-lying placenta

Objective: To determine the effect of a low-lying placenta on the concentration of quantitative fetal fibronectin (qfFN) in the cervicovaginal fluid (CVF), and predictive accuracy for spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic high-risk women (18?⁺?⁰–24?⁺?⁰ weeks gestation). Methods: Median concentrations of qfFN were compared in women who had a low-lying placenta, covering the cervical os (n?=?61) to matched controls (n=?61) without a low-lying placenta. Proportions of women with raised qfFN concentrations (>10?ng/ml), and false positive and negative rates (FPR and FNR) for spontaneous preterm delivery were also compared. Results: The median concentration of qfFN in women with low-lying placenta was 5.0?ng/mL, compared with 6.0?ng/mL in controls. Proportion of women with raised levels (>10?ng/mL), positive levels (>50?ng/mL) and very high levels (>200?ng/mL) were similar in both groups (62.3% versus 59.0%, 16.3% versus 22.0% and 6.5% versus 4.9%, p?>?0.05 for all thresholds). The FPR and FNR rate for delivery before 34 and 37 weeks were also comparable (FPR 90.0% versus 85.7% and 80.0% versus 78.6%; FNR 5.8% versus 4.3% and 9.8% versus 8.5%).

Conclusions: CVF qfFN concentrations in asymptomatic high-risk women are not affected by the presence of a low-lying placenta.     

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.     

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.     

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.