Does Fasciola hepatica infection modify the response of acute hepatitis C virus infection to IFN-α treatment？

Immunologic response to acute hepatitis C is mainly a Th1 response, whereas fasciolopsiasis is associated with a diverse T-cell response. Interferon-alpha has immunomodulatory effects and enhances Th1 immune response. Fasciola infection could theoretically interfere with the Th1 immune response, even when acquired after an initial response to interferon-alpha treatment for acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We report here the case of a male patient who acquired Fasciola hepatica infection after an initial response to IFN-alpha therapy with a favorable outcome.     

Identification of a novel 45-kDa cell surface molecule involved in activation of the human Jurkat T cell line

This report describes a surface molecule, Tp45, which appears to be involved in interleukin 2 production and Ca2+ mobilization by Jurkat cells. The Tp45 molecule was identified by a monoclonal antibody, MX13, on the surface of either T3/TCR+ or T3/TCR- human T cell lines. Biochemical data showed that mAb MX13 precipitated a single polypeptide chain of 45 kDa both under reduced and nonreduced conditions from lysates of 125I-surface-labeled cells. Sequential immunodepletion experiments using lysates of 125I-labeled T3/TCR+ cells showed that Tp45 was distinct from the alpha chain of the TCR complex. However, incubation of such cells with either anti-T3 or anti-TCR monoclonal antibody induced complete modulation of both the T3/TCR complex and Tp45. Conversely, complete modulation of both Tp45 and the T3/TCR complex was observed after incubation with anti-Tp45 antibody. Functional studies showed that anti-Tp45 antibody induced high levels of interleukin 2 production in Jurkat cells. In addition, incubation of these cells with the antibody resulted in Ca2+ mobilization from internal stores. Anti-Tp45 antibody reacted with 3-19% peripheral blood (E-rosette-positive) T cells in individual donors. The magnitude of the proliferative response elicited by anti-Tp45 antibody for peripheral blood T cells was lower than that induced by an anti-T3 antibody. This observation is compatible with the idea that only a subpopulation of T cells is reactive with anti-Tp45. Multicolor flow cytometry analysis showed that the Tp45+ cells belong preferentially to the T8 subset.     

Influence of Prenatal Aerobic Exercise on Fetal Morphometry

Maternal and Child Health Journal - The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of supervised prenatal aerobic exercise on fetal morphometrics at 36 weeks of gestation. This...     

Awareness of Turkish Nursing Students About Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer and Prophylactic Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

The aim of this study was to evaluate nursing students’ knowledge about risk factors for cervical cancer and prophylactic HPV vaccine. The nursing students in a nursing school in Turkey were asked to complete a self administered questionnaire evaluating the knowledge of students regarding STDs, cervical cancer and HPV vaccine. From a total of 650 female nursing students, 400 agreed to fill in the questionnaire. While 98% of the students defined HIV infection as STD, only 37% of them indicated that HPV is one of the STDs. About one-third of the students reported that HPV is a risk factor for the cervical cancer. Only 16% of the students had heard of HPV vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer. Most of the students had no sexual intercourse before. In conclusion, nursing students’ knowledge especially on the association of HPV and cervical cancer is not satisfactory.     

The effect of irrigation temperature on bone healing

Objective: Osteotomies, performed by rotational instruments, can cause temperature rise on the bone and elevated temperature can disrupt the bone healing. When the osteotomies are performed for the insertion of miniscrews, the bone healing disruption may cause stability loosening or failures. Saline irrigation is mostly used for the prevention of the heat generation during osteotomy.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the saline irrigation temperature on bone healing.Material and Method: Standardized drilling and miniscrew placement was performed in the tibias of 18 Sprague Dawley rats with rotating bur uncooled, cooled with 25°C and 4°C saline irrigations. After the 21 days, the difference in healing was observed between the uncooled and cooled groups.Results: Although there was no statistically significant difference between the group irrigated with 25°C and 4°C saline for newly bone formation, osteoblasts were seen more active and bone marrow was more dynamic in group 4°C than group 25°C. There is no disadvantage to use 25°C, but it may be better to use 4°C for rapid healing.     

Vigabatrin, lamotrigine, topiramate and serum carnitine levels

Clinical studies indicate a decrease in free and total carnitine in children treated with old-generation antiepileptic drugs (especially valproate). Here, we studied the effect of new-generation antiepileptic drugs on serum carnitine levels. Serum carnitine levels were measured in 91 children: 24 treated with vigabatrin, 28 treated with lamotrigine, and 21 treated with topiramate. These drugs were given as monotherapy (54 children) or polytherapy (19 children). Eighteen additional children treated with valproate served as control subjects. Reduced mean serum carnitine level was evident only in children treated with valproate, with mean free and total carnitine level of 26.9 +/- 8.6 micromol/L and 29.1 +/- 10.4 micromol/L, respectively. In contrast, the mean serum carnitine levels of children treated with vigabatrin, lamotrigine, or topiramate were similar and normal. In these children, the free carnitine levels were 38.5 +/- 7.8 micromol/L, 37.2 +/- 7.7 microg/mL, and 40.4 +/- 8.7 micromol/L, respectively, and total carnitine levels were 43.5 +/- 8.8 micromol/L, 44.4 +/- 9.2 micromol/L, and 45.5 +/- 9.8 micromol/L (+/-S.D.), respectively. Only 4 children (treated with valproate) exhibited considerably lower serum carnitine levels. None of these children had significant clinical adverse effects attributable to carnitine deficiency. In conclusion, these new-generation antiepileptic drugs probably do not cause carnitine deficiency. In contrast, valproate may induce carnitine deficiency, but most cases are asymptomatic.     

Semiologic seizure classification: the effectiveness of a modular education program for health professionals in pediatrics

We tested the effectiveness of a modular education program on Semiologic Seizure Classification (SSC) in helping health professionals in pediatrics correctly recognize seizures in childhood. The study samples included 20 residents, 20 nurses, and 10 EEG technicians working in pediatrics. The study was conducted in two steps. First, a modular education program comprising CD-ROMs including 58 video clips of epileptic seizures designed for the original SSC was developed. Second, each participant took a pretest by viewing the pretest CD-ROM, participated in the modular education program with a CD-ROM, and finally took a posttest with the posttest CD-ROM. The pretest scores were found to be low in each subgroup of the study population: the average scores were 8 for the residents (minimum 4–maximum 10), 2 for the nurses (min 0–max 4), and 2.5 for the EEG technicians (min 0–max 8). After participating in the modular education program, correct recognition of seizures increased in the posttest: the average scores were 15.5 for the residents (min 9–max 20), 15 for the nurses (min 13–max 20), and 13.5 for the EEG technicians (min 3–max 19). The increase in the scores in the subgroups and in all study groups in general was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). The modular education program developed for SSC was found to be highly effective in teaching health professionals working in general pediatric clinics to correctly recognize seizure types.