Differences in early onset alcohol use and heavy drinking among persons with childhood and adulthood trauma

We examined predictors for age at onset of first alcohol use and onset of heaviest alcohol use among men (n = 43) and women (n = 46) with alcohol dependence and PTSD, PTSD only, alcohol dependence only, and controls, with a particular focus on individuals with child versus adult trauma. Using analysis of variance procedures, results showed differences in onset of first alcohol use and heaviest drinking between childhood and adulthood trauma victims. These preliminary results indicate that behavioral mechanisms associated with alcohol use patterns between individuals with childhood and adulthood trauma are dissimilar, suggesting greater psychopathological consequences for individuals with childhood trauma.     

Global and regional distribution of HIV-1 genetic subtypes and recombinants in 2004

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the global and regional distribution of HIV-1 subtypes and recombinants in 2004. DESIGN: A study was conducted in which molecular epidemiological data on HIV-1 subtype distribution in individual countries were combined with country-specific estimates of the number of people living with HIV. METHODS: HIV-1 subtype data were collected for 23 874 HIV-1 samples from 70 countries, which together accounted for 89% of all people living with HIV worldwide in 2004. The proportions of HIV-1 infections due to various subtypes detected in each country were combined with the number of HIV infected people in the respective countries to generate regional and global HIV-1 subtype distribution estimates. RESULTS: Subtype C accounted for 50% of all infections worldwide in 2004. Subtypes A, B, D and G accounted for 12%, 10%, 3% and 6%, respectively. The subtypes F, H, J and K together accounted for 0.94% of infections. The circulating recombinant forms CRF01_AE and CRF02_AG each were responsible for 5% of cases, and CRF03_AB for 0.1%. Other recombinants accounted for the remaining 8% of infections. All recombinant forms taken together were responsible for 18% of infections worldwide. CONCLUSION: Combining data on HIV-1 subtype distribution in individual countries with country-specific estimates of the number of people living with HIV provided a good method to generate estimates of the global and regional HIV-1 genetic diversity in 2004. The results could serve as an important resource for HIV scientists, public health officials and HIV vaccine developers.     

Methods of treatment of acute thrombophlebitis of greater saphenous vein

One-stage combination of thrombectomy on the thigh with compressive sclerotherapy is proposed. This method was used in 66 patients with acute thrombophlebitis of greater saphenous vein (GSV) trunk. It permitted to improve treatment quality, to reduce the scope of subsequent radical operation and to improve its cosmetic result. There were no intraoperative complications. All the patients were discharged in satisfactory state, repeated radical operation for varicose veins of the leg was recommended.     

Genetic control of responsiveness of rat liver supernatant aldehyde dehydrogenase to phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene

The responsiveness of the hepatic supernatant NAD⁺-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase with a high Km value (high Km-AldDH) to phenobarbital (PB) and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) treatment was studied in male rats of three strains; Wistar, Long-Evans, and Sprague-Dawley.A remarkable strain difference in the response of the enzyme to PB or 3-MC was observed. In rats of the Wistar strain the enzyme activity remained unchanged (non-responsive) in all rats after treatment with PB while it increased (responsive) 5- to 19-fold in all rats after treatment with 3-MC. The enzyme activity increased 8- to 20-fold and 2- to 8-fold respectively after treatment with PB and 3-MC in all rats of the Long-Evans strain. In rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain the enzyme activity remained unchanged in half of all the rats treated with PB or 3-MC and increased 2- to 7-fold over the basal level in half of the treated rats. The non-responsive rats to PB were all responsive to 3-MC treatment while the responsive rats to PB were responsive in 65% and non-responsive in 35% to 3-MC treatment.     

Differential diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma rich in T cells and peripheral T-cell lymphomas

Clinicomorphological analysis of T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoma in a 50-year-old female and literature data revealed objective difficulties in morphological diagnosis using cytological and histological methods. Large number of epithelioid histiocytes and tumor cells polymorphism resembled Lennert's lymphoma (peripheral T-cell lymphoma). Immunohistochemical study confirmed B-cell origin of tumor cells and large number of reactive T-cells. It is suggested that it would be more correctly to use the term "Lennert-like areas" in such cases with subsequent immunohistochemical study.     

Argyrophilic proteins of nucleolar organizers regions as markers of malignancy grade of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma

Expression of argyrophilic proteins of nucleolar organizers regions (Ag-NOR-proteins) was studied in tumor cells from 17 patients with a classic variant of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) and 22 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). Eight cases of p80+ and nine cases of p80-ALCL were studied. HL was represented by 13 cases with lymphoid depletion by a reticular type and 9 cases with nodular sclerosis with a syncytial growth. Ag-NOR-proteins were identified using histochemical method with silver nitrate. The expression of Ag-NOR-proteins in tumor cells of ALCL and HL appeared intensive, being highest in ALCL cells, in p80+ cells of ALCL there was superexpression. The differences in expression of Ag-NOR-proteins point to different proliferative activity and growth of the above variants of ALCL and HL. The test for Ag-NOR-proteins expression can be recommended as an additional tool in differential diagnosis, determination of malignancy grade, assesssment of prognosis and sensitivity to chemotherapy.     

Frequency of haematuria and proteinuria among Schistosoma haematobium infected children of two communities from Liberia and Tanzania

The frequencies of haematuria and proteinuria among children of two rural communities with different Schistosoma haematobium endemicity from Liberia and Tanzania were compared. Although the prevalence and intensity of S. haematobium infections were lower in the Tanzanian community, the frequencies of haematuria and proteinuria were significantly higher when compared to the Liberian community. The semi-quantitative dip stick tests for haematuria and proteinuria showed a comparable, good specificity (haematuria 85%, proteinuria 80%), but a community-specific sensitivity. The dip stick test for haematuria detected 85% (proteinuria 82%) of all S. haematobium infected subjects in Tanzania compared to 68% (proteinuria 57%) in Liberia. The significance of these observations in relation to S. haematobium related morbidity is discussed.     

The impact of schistosomiasis among rural populations in Liberia

Human infection with Schistosoma haematobium and/or Schistosoma mansoni is known to be widespread in central Liberia, but no information is available about its clinical manifestations or its significance for public health. Details of a cross-sectional morbidity study are reported. A sample from hospital out-patients and samples from 3 villages situated in areas with different transmission patterns (lack of transmission, transmission of only S. haematobium and transmission of both S. haematobium and S. mansoni) were examined. All 184 individuals were examined by standardized case history, clinical and parasitological investigations, including a skin snip for onchocerciasis and a count of schistosomal and other intestinal worm eggs from stool and urine. A complete blood count, urine analysis, urine cultures, hepatitis-B surface antigen determination and abdominal X-rays were also carried out. Schistosomal egg counts ranged from 1 to 6200/10 ml urine for S. haematobium and from 1 to 228/g stool for S. mansoni. Difficulties for the definition of accurate morbidity indices are discussed. Except for haematuria and dysuria, the overall morbidity in the study area was not striking, neither for S. haematobium nor for S. mansoni infection. No cumulative pathology was observed in patients with mixed infection. The frequency of hypertension, hepato- and splenomegaly, ascites and bacteriuria was low and no relationship to schistosomiasis could be established. Bladder calcifications were found in 10% of people living in an area of transmission of S. haematobium. Although the intensity of infection is low for both S. haematobium and S. mansoni, long-term follow-up studies are essential for a more accurate assessment of the public health importance of these parasites.