Prevalence of Isolated Sleep Paralysis in Black Subjects

Sleep paralysis is a state of consciousness experienced while waking from sleep or falling asleep. It is characterized by an experience of being unable to move for several seconds or minutes. This study represents the first survey to measure the incidence of this disorder in a black population of healthy subjects and psychiatric patients.     

Increased prevalence of asthma in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is among the most common chronic illnesses of childhood. A number of reports in the recent past suggest that the prevalence of asthma is increasing globally. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changing prevalence of asthma in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two populations of schoolchildren between the ages of 8 and 16 years were studied using an internationally designed protocol in 1986 and 1995. The questionnaire used in these studies was very similar to the one used in the International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Childhood. A total of 2,123 school-children in 1986 (Jeddah and Riyadh) and 1,008 schoolchildren in 1995 (Hail and Gizan) were enrolled in the surveys. These cross-sectional studies of randomly selected schoolchildren were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and a Z test. RESULTS: The comparison of data between Riyadh versus Hail (inland desert dry environment) and Jeddah versus Gizan (coastal humid environment) revealed that the prevalence of asthma in the similar populations increased significantly from 8% in 1986 to 23% in 1995 (P < .0001). Likewise, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis also increased from 20% to 25% (P < .003) since 1986. However, no significant change in the prevalence of eczema (from 12% to 13%) was noted between 1986 and 1995. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates that there was a significant increase in the prevalence of bronchial asthma and, to a lesser extent, in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during this 9-year period. The study also revealed increased exposure to environmental factors such as tobacco smoke and indoor animals in Saudi houses. It seems that the continuing changes in contemporary life may well have contributed to the increased prevalence of asthma in the country.     

Isolation, molecular detection and antibiogram of Listeria monocytogenes from human clinical cases and fish of Kashmir, India

The present study investigated the occurrence, antibiogram and molecular epidemiology of Listeria monocytogenes from fish and human clinical cases in Kashmir, India. A total of 100 fresh samples of commonly eaten indigenous fish, Cyprinus carpio and Schizothorax niger, were tested for the presence of L. monocytogenes. Clinical samples comprising of blood (40) and CSF (20) were taken from patients with signs of encephalitis, meningitis/meningoencephalitis, septicemia and pyrexia of unknown origin. Following enrichment and plating on selective agar, conformation of the organisms was done on the basis of various biochemical tests followed by Christie, Atkins, Munch-Peterson (CAMP) test. L. monocytogenes was isolated from two fish and two clinical samples (blood, 1; CSF, 1) showing an overall prevalence of 2.5%. The prevalence was 3.33% in clinical samples and 2.0% in fish samples. The isolates were subjected to PCR assay for virulence associated with hylA genes. The pathogenicity of the isolates was confirmed by demonstration of monocytosis and kerato-conjunctivitis in rabbits. L. monocytogenes isolated from human clinical cases were sensitive to gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, ceftriaxone and resistant to ampicillin, amoxycillin, cefpodoxime, streptomycin, norfloxacin and cefphotaxime. However, the isolates recovered from foods were sensitive to gentamicin, doxycycline, enrofloxacin, amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin/cloxacillin, ceftriaxone and resistant to streptomycin, cefpodoxime and cefphotaxime. Multi-drug resistant strains were found in the present study, representing a potential threat to human health.     

A time-series analysis of any short-term effects of meteorological and air pollution factors on preterm births in London, UK

Although much is known about the incidence and burden of preterm birth, its biological mechanisms are not well understood. While several studies have suggested that high levels of air pollution or exposure to particular climatic factors may be associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, other studies do not support such an association. To determine whether exposure to various environmental factors place a large London-based population at higher risk for preterm birth, we analyzed 482,568 births that occurred between 1988 and 2000 from the St. Mary's Maternity Information System database. Using an ecological study design, any short-term associations between preterm birth and various environmental factors were investigated using time-series regression techniques. Environmental exposures included air pollution (ambient ozone and PM(10)) and climatic factors (temperature, rainfall, sunshine, relative humidity, barometric pressure, and largest drop in barometric pressure). In addition to exposure on the day of birth, cumulative exposure up to 1 week before birth was investigated. The risk of preterm birth did not increase with exposure to the levels of ambient air pollution or meteorological factors experienced by this population. Cumulative exposure from 0 to 6 days before birth also did not show any significant effect on the risk of preterm birth. This large study, covering 13 years, suggests that there is no association between preterm births and recent exposure to ambient air pollution or recent changes in the weather.     

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Advanced Pediatric Tumors

Eighty-one children with clinically suspected malignant tumors were subjected to percutaneous fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) at the Pathology Department of the National Institute of Child Health, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from August 1986 through July 1987. There were 47 malignant diagnoses including lymphoma, neuroblastoma, nephroblastoma, Ewing's sarcoma, and leukemia. Histological findings confirmed the FNAC diagnoses in 36 cases in which a subsequent incisional biopsy or surgically removed specimen was available. FNAC results were confirmed in all benign cases. In 10 advanced cases of NonHodgkin's lymphoma, surgery was not possible because of marked malnourishment. One false negative and no false positive result was encountered. Forty-eight were females and thirty-three males. FNAC can be a quick, effective, and inexpensive alternative to open biopsy, particularly in advanced cases of malignancy in undernourished children where anesthesia and immediate surgery are contraindicated.     

Generalized vibratory deficits in osteoarthritis of the hip

OBJECTIVE: Lower extremity sensory deficits, including reduced proprioception, joint kinesthesia, and, recently, vibratory sense, have been described in subjects with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. However, comparable deficits in OA of the hip have not previously been evaluated. Vibratory perception threshold (VPT) is a reliable measure used to assess sensory deficits and is amenable to testing multiple body sites. This study examined VPT at the upper and lower extremities of subjects with hip OA compared with subjects without hip OA. METHODS: Fourteen subjects with symptomatic and radiographic hip OA were compared with 13 age-matched controls without hip OA. VPT was assessed using a biothesiometer. Five sites in the lower extremity and 1 site in the upper extremity (radial head) were evaluated and compared between OA and control subjects. RESULTS: VPT was significantly reduced at all 6 testing sites of the OA subjects compared with controls (P < 0.05 for all sites). VPT scores (mean +/- SEM volts) for OA subjects and controls were as follows: first metatarsophalangeal joint (13.5 +/- 1.4 versus 7.4 +/- 0.7), medial malleolus (18.1 +/- 2.6 versus 11.2 +/- 1.7), lateral malleolus (20.9 +/- 2.4 versus 10.6 +/- 1.5), medial femoral condyle (22.8 +/- 2.9 versus 12.6 +/- 1.3), lateral femoral condyle (26.7 +/- 2.6 versus 16.2 +/- 1.9), and radial head (10.2 +/- 0.8 versus 7.5 +/- 0.6). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate sensory deficits in hip OA and to demonstrate that there is vibratory sense loss at both the upper and lower extremities in these subjects compared with controls. The noted generalized deficits may have significant implications in the neuromechanical pathophysiology of OA.     

The influence of age on the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and ischemic heart disease: a metaanalysis

CONTEXT: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a common condition that has been associated with ischemic heart disease (IHD) in some, but not all, studies. This may be due to differences in study design and the characteristics of participants. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate whether age and gender influence IHD prevalence, incidence, and mortality in people with SCH. DATA SOURCES: Computerized (PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library) and manual searches of the literature to May 2007, published in English, were performed. STUDY SELECTION: Epidemiological studies that quantified thyroid status and IHD events in adults were performed. DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors independently reviewed articles and abstracted data. Results were compared across two groups based on the minimum age of participants studied (younger than 65 yr and 65 yr or older). DATA SYNTHESIS: There were 15 studies included for analysis with 2,531 SCH participants and 26,491 euthyroid individuals. IHD incidence and prevalence were higher in SCH subjects compared with euthyroid participants from studies including those younger than 65 yr, but not studies of subjects aged older than 65 yr [odds ratio (95% confidence interval)]: 1.57 (1.19-2.06) vs. 1.01 (0.87-1.18) and 1.68 (1.27-2.23) vs. 1.02 (0.85-1.22), respectively. Cardiovascular/all-cause mortality was also elevated in participants from the younger than 65-yr studies, but not from the studies of older people: odds ratio 1.37 (1.04-1.79) vs. 0.85 (0.56-1.29). Prevalent IHD was higher in SCH participants of both genders, although this was statistically significant only in women. CONCLUSIONS: SCH is associated with increased IHD (both prevalence and incidence) and cardiovascular mortality only in subjects from younger populations. These data suggest that increased vascular risk may only be present in younger individuals with SCH.     

Comparative Assessment of the Effects of Climate Change on Heat- and Cold-Related Mortality in the United Kingdom and Australia

Background: High and low ambient temperatures are associated with increased mortality in temperate and subtropical climates. Temperature-related mortality patterns are expected to change throughout this century because of climate change.Objectives: We compared mortality associated with heat and cold in UK regions and Australian cities for current and projected climates and populations.Methods: Time-series regression analyses were carried out on daily mortality in relation to ambient temperatures for UK regions and Australian cities to estimate relative risk functions for heat and cold and variations in risk parameters by age. Excess deaths due to heat and cold were estimated for future climates.Results: In UK regions, cold-related mortality currently accounts for more than one order of magnitude more deaths than heat-related mortality (around 61 and 3 deaths per 100,000 population per year, respectively). In Australian cities, approximately 33 and 2 deaths per 100,000 population are associated every year with cold and heat, respectively. Although cold-related mortality is projected to decrease due to climate change to approximately 42 and 19 deaths per 100,000 population per year in UK regions and Australian cities, heat-related mortality is projected to increase to around 9 and 8 deaths per 100,000 population per year, respectively, by the 2080s, assuming no changes in susceptibility and structure of the population.Conclusions: Projected changes in climate are likely to lead to an increase in heat-related mortality in the United Kingdom and Australia over this century, but also to a decrease in cold-related deaths. Future temperature-related mortality will be amplified by aging populations. Health protection from hot weather will become increasingly necessary in both countries, while protection from cold weather will be still needed.Citation: Vardoulakis S, Dear K, Hajat S, Heaviside C, Eggen B, McMichael AJ. 2014. Comparative assessment of the effects of climate change on heat- and cold-related mortality in the United Kingdom and Australia. Environ Health Perspect 122:1285–1292; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307524     

A new method for measuring clustering in suspension between accessory cells and T lymphocytes.

Specifying the molecular basis and clinical significance of cluster formation between antigen-presenting cells and T lymphocytes will be important in many areas of immunology. In this paper we describe a novel and reproducible technique for measuring cluster formation in suspension between purified human blood monocytes and purified autologous T lymphocytes, and its application to determining the effects of recall antigens and mitogen. Blood monocytes and T lymphocytes from eight normal subjects were separately prelabelled with two different carbocyanine dyes prior to co-culture in suspension with or without antigen (PPD, SKSD) or mitogen (PHA). At 24 h the co-cultures were examined for cluster formation by ultraviolet microscopy and flow cytometry. Control experiments showed that the carbocyanine dyes were non-toxic in vitro, that cell labelling was stable for culture periods up to 120 h, and that the two dyes did not leak from cell to cell. By this technique we measured the proportion of monocytes clustering one or more T lymphocytes in the presence and absence of recall antigen or PHA. There was a close correlation between visual and flow cytometric measurement of monocyte: T lymphocyte clustering (p < 0.001) as well as a close relationship between the ability of the two recall antigens to increase the extent of clustering above baseline (p < 0.001). Antigen-increased cluster formation did not correlate with baseline clustering, unlike PHA-increased clustering, which was related to baseline levels (p = 0.02), suggesting the operation of distinct mechanisms. The method is applicable to measuring cell-cell associations in suspension during extended periods of culture, as well as for the study of agents which might modify intercellular adhesion processes.