Anin vitro electrophysiological study of the colon from patients with idiopathic chronic constipation

Preparations of the circular muscle layer from the sigmoid colon resected from patients with idiopathic chronic constipation were compared, at an electrophysiological level using the sucrose-gap technique, with preparations of the same region of the intestine resected from patients with rectal carcinoma. Non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic inhibitory neuromuscular transmission, represented by inhibitory junction potentials, was present in preparations from both groups. However, the inhibitory response in preparations from constipated patients had a slower or longer time-course than in those from cancer patients. Also, rebound activity following inhibitory transmission was observed in 34% of preparations from constipated patients but was observed in 67% of preparations from cancer patients. Preparations from both groups displayed the same patterns of spontaneous activity and the same proportion of each group was quiescent. The threshold for generation of action potentials and the passive resistance of the smooth muscle membrane were the same in both groups. However, quiescent preparations from constipated patients were less likely to discharge trains of action potentials when the smooth muscle membrane was depolarized than were preparations from cancer patients. These changes in transmission processes and excitability in tissue from constipated patients are discussed in relation to altered states of colonic motility found in people with idiopathic chronic constipation.     

Does prophylactic sotalol and magnesium decrease the incidence of atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass surgery: a propensity-matched analysis

Background  

Atrial fibrillation can occur in up to 40% of patients undergoing coronary surgery.     

Health benefits of seafood for men

Background

Evidence supports the idea that the regular consumption of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega 3s) has positive effects on men's health. The best source of these essential fatty acids is seafood, particularly oily fish. This article summarises evidence pertaining to the benefits associated with regular dietary intake of fish on men's health.

Methods

An extensive review of international academic libraries, databases and published literature was conducted. Quality assessment ratings were applied and thematic classifications based on major health issues relevant to men were constructed.

Results

A total of 168 articles from peer-reviewed journals were identified, with 60 studies providing moderate to high level evidence of an association between the consumption of Omega 3s and health benefits for men. The majority of the studies showed a positive link between the intake of Omega 3s and the prevention and management of chronic disease in men. Evidence also showed a reduced risk of prostate cancer and lower lung cancer mortality in men who consumed high seafood diets.

Conclusion

There is conclusive evidence of an association between the dietary intake of Omega 3s and health benefits for men. However, men are less likely to consume fish as a main protein source, often tending towards diets high in red meat. Health promotion interventions should consider: the attitudes of men toward food and the impact of these attitudes on food choices; men's perceptions of fish and seafood, particularly in comparison to other protein sources; and the role that particular foods play for males in traditional social situations.     

Five-year maintenance of bone mineral density in women master runners

PURPOSE: Prior research has suggested that chronic running may not prevent age-related bone loss in women and may inhibit the influence of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on bone. The purpose of this study was to longitudinally determine the effect of chronic running exercise alone, and in conjunction with HRT, on bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. METHODS: Forty-one women runners were tested an average of 4.8 yr apart, and separated into four groups according to their menstrual and HRT status at both test 1 and test 2. Measurements included BMD, body composition, and VO2(max), as well as training, menstrual, and nutritional histories. Factorial and one-way ANOVA were used for analysis. RESULTS: Group differences existed for body mass and body composition but did not change over time. Fitness and training variables were not different by group or time. Calcium intake did not differ between groups, but increased over time (829 +/- 310 vs 1058 +/- 468 mg.d (-1). BMD of the hip, spine, and whole body were different between groups but did not change significantly over time. Regression analysis revealed age as the only significant predictor of change in bone mass. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate no significant loss of bone mass over a 5-yr period in these chronic runners with relatively high calcium intakes regardless of menstrual or HRT status. Further, chronic running did not inhibit nor enhance the effect of HRT on bone in these women.     

A case report of transverse testicular ectopia with testicular microlithiasis

Transverse testicular ectopia is a rare congenital anomaly in which both testes migrate along the same inguinal canal toward the scrotum. This report describes the case of the rarest form of transverse testicular ectopia in a 23‐year‐old man with coexisting testicular microlithiasis in one of the two testes as diagnosed on sonography and confirmed on MRI. We are unaware of any previous published reports of this association. Although the etiology of both conditions is debatable, each is believed to be associated with an increased risk of testicular malignancy, and this poses a dilemma for the future management of this patient. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 43:520–523 2015     

Determination and application of immunodominant regions of SARS coronavirus spike and nucleocapsid proteins recognized by sera from different animal species

Knowledge of immunodominant regions in major viral antigens is important for rational design of effective vaccines and diagnostic tests. Although there have been many reports of such work done for SARS-CoV, these were mainly focused on the immune responses of humans and mice. In this study, we aim to search for and compare immunodominant regions of the spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins which are recognized by sera from different animal species, including mouse, rat, rabbit, civet, pig and horse. Twelve overlapping recombinant protein fragments were produced in Escherichia coli, six each for the S and N proteins, which covered the entire coding region of the two proteins. Using a membrane-strip based Western blot approach, the reactivity of each antigen fragment against a panel of animal sera was determined. Immunodominant regions containing linear epitopes, which reacted with sera from all the species tested, were identified for both proteins. The S3 fragment (aa 402-622) and the N4 fragment (aa 220-336) were the most immunodominant among the six S and N fragments, respectively. Antibodies raised against the S3 fragment were able to block the binding of a panel of S-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to SARS-CoV in ELISA, further demonstrating the immunodominance of this region. Based on these findings, one-step competition ELISAs were established which were able to detect SARS-CoV antibodies from human and at least seven different animal species. Considering that a large number of animal species are known to be susceptible to SARS-CoV, these assays will be a useful tool to trace the origin and transmission of SARS-CoV and to minimise the risk of animal-to-human transmission.     

Living without psychiatrists in the Andes: Plight and resilience of the Quichua (Inca) People

There is an estimated 30 million indigenous peoples in South America. Most of them live in the Andes. Regional states and governments neglect their health care needs and exclude them from the conventional Western health services in general and mental health care in particular. This review first describes this population's current situation of social exclusion, poverty and poor health. The problem of mental health care inequities in the region is illustrated through the case of the Quichua people. Indeed, for the population of over 5 million Quichua people in Ecuador, there are no psychiatric services. There are no culturally sensitive services offered in the Quichua language. The doctor–Quichua patient communication is poor and interactions are loaded with prejudice. The review provides a rationale for the Quichuas' reluctance to seek medical doctors in Ecuador. Finally, traditional healers' contribution to the mental health care of indigenous peoples is stressed, as well as their preference for a form of medical pluralism, mainly combining both traditional Quichua medicine and Western medicine. Woeful inequalities and inaccessibility to psychological and biomedical psychiatric care still widely affect the children of the sun in the Pacific Rim.