Level of Knowledge about Sexuality of People with Mental Disabilities

The paper examines the level of knowledge about sexuality of people with mental disabilities. The research also presents differences resulting from sex and the level of mental retardation. The sample included 24 persons with mental disabilities, who the author of this paper knew very well due to the time spent with them during a summer camp at a club in Vjeverica. Data was collected through direct interviews. Two types of questionnaires on sexuality of people with mental disabilities were used during these interviews. Results indicate that the level of knowledge about sexuality is not sufficient. Specifically low knowledge was shown in the area of the protection of sexual health such as sexually transmitted diseases and methods of protection. A relatively good level of knowledge was shown by the respondents in distinguishing between appropriate and inappropriate ways of sexual behaviour and social understanding of certain situational norms. Differences regarding sex and the level of disability were found. The results indicate the need for additional education on sexuality of both people with mental disabilities and their parents, along with support. Despite the fact that the research was conducted on a small occasional sample, it indicates that further research on this subject is needed.     

The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in a population in Ljubljana, Slovenia

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions and conditions in a population in Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia. A total 1609 subjects represented the study population in the survey about the periodontal treatment needs in a population in Ljubljana, conducted from 1983 to 1987. Ten years later the same 1609 subjects were invited to the second examination. Altogether, 555 (34.5%) of the invited subjects in the age range 25-75 years came for an interview and clinical examination at the Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology of the Dental Clinic in Ljubljana. Oral mucosal lesions and conditions were evaluated according to the WHO Guide to Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Oral Mucosal Diseases and Conditions. The results showed the presence of one or more mucosal lesions in 61.6% of the population. Fordyce's condition was observed the most frequently (49.7%) followed by: fissured tongue (21.1%), varices (16.2%), history of herpes labialis (16.0%), history of recurrent aphthae (9.7%), denture stomatitis (4.3%), leukoplakia (3.1%), cheek biting (2.7%), lichen planus (2.3%), frictional keratosis (2.2%), geographic tongue (2.2%), geographic and fissured tongue together (1.1%), mucocele (0.9%), smoker's palate (0.5%) and angular chelitis (0.4%). In the population examined, no oral malignancies were observed. Mucosal lesions like whitish lesions, denture related lesions, fissured tongue, varices and mucocele were more prevalent with increasing age. Tobacco-related lesions (leukoplakia and smoker's palate together) were significantly more prevalent among men than among women (P<0.05), while lichen planus, denture stomatitis and herpes labialis occurred more frequently in the female population.     

Low-oxygen and high-carbon-dioxide atmosphere improves the conservation of hematopoietic progenitors in hypothermia

BACKGROUND: During short-term storage of hematopoietic cells (HCs) at 4°C a substantial decline in number and in functional capacity of progenitors occurs after 3 days. We hypothesized that physiologic O₂ and CO₂ concentrations of hematopoietic tissue microenvironment (approx. 3% O₂ and approx. 6% CO₂) could improve cell viability and functionality during storage at 4°C.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Mobilized peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ cells from multiple myeloma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients were stored in flasks containing air (approx. 20% O₂ and approx. 0.05% CO₂) or 3% O₂/6% CO₂ atmosphere, for 3, 5, and 7 days at 4°C. The total number of cells, the number of cells in G0 or G1 phase of cell cycle, and the apoptosis rate were determined. The functional capacity of stored cells was assessed by the capacity of progenitors to form colonies in methylcellulose (colony-forming cells [CFCs]) and of stem cells to repopulate the bone marrow (BM) of immunodeficient mice (SCID-repopulating cell [SRC] assay).
RESULTS: The total number of viable cells and cells in G1 phase as well as the number of total CFCs were significantly higher at 3% O₂/6% CO₂ than in air at all time points. Cells in G0 phase and SRC were equally preserved in both conditions.
CONCLUSION: Atmosphere with low O₂ and high CO₂ concentration (3% O₂/6% CO₂) in hypothermia (+4°C) during 7 days of storage prevents cell damage and preserves a high number of functional HSCs and progenitors mobilized in PB by granulocyte–colony-stimulating factor.     

Induced synthesis of albumin-like protein in damaged rat reticulocytes

In this study, we present evidence that red blood cell (RBC) membrane p68 in the Belgrade (b/b) rat is similar if not identical to rat serum albumin (RSA). Structural homology between RSA and the RBC p68 has been determined by a variety of biochemical and immunological criteria. This albumin-like protein is a normal constituent of rat RBC and it is partially exported by exosomes during erythroid differentiation. The endogenous origin of rat RBC albumin-like protein was demonstrated by monitoring protein synthesis in reticulocytes and by identification of reticulocyte mRNA for albumin. Haemolytic anaemia, either hereditary (b/b rat) or drug-induced (phenylhydrazine-treated normal rat), results in increased accumulation of the albumin-like protein in rat RBCs as a result of its induced synthesis.     

Molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance and associated diseases

Insulin resistance is a state in which higher than normal concentrations of insulin are required for normal response. The most common underlying cause is central obesity, although primary insulin resistance in normal-weight individuals is also possible. Excess abdominal adipose tissue has been shown to release increased amounts of free fatty acids which directly affect insulin signalling, diminish glucose uptake in muscle, drive exaggerated triglyceride synthesis and induce gluconeogenesis in the liver. Other factors presumed to play the role in insulin resistance are tumour necrosis factor alpha, adiponectin, leptin, IL-6 and some other adipokines. Hyperinsulinaemia which accompanies insulin resistance may be implicated in the development of many pathological states, such as hypertension and hyperandrogenaemia. Insulin resistance underlies metabolic syndrome and is further associated with polycystic ovary syndrome and lipodystrophies. When beta-cells fail to secrete the excess insulin needed, diabetes mellitus type 2 emerges, which is, besides coronary heart disease, the main complication of insulin resistance and associated diseases.     

Using Bayesian methods to test mediators of intervention outcomes in single-case experimental designs

Abstract

Single-Case Experimental Designs (SCEDs) have lately been recognized as a valuable alternative to large-group studies. SCEDs form a great tool for the evaluation of treatment effectiveness in heterogeneous and low-incidence conditions, which are common in the field of communication disorders. Mediation analysis is indispensable in treatment research because it informs researchers about the mechanism through which the intervention leads to changes (e.g., communication skills) in the outcome of interest (e.g., developmental outcomes). Despite the increasing popularity of both SCEDs and mediation analysis, there are currently no methods for estimating mediated effects for a single individual. This paper describes how Bayesian piecewise regression analysis can be used for mediation analysis in SCEDs. A Playskin Lift^TM dataset from one infant born preterm who is at risk for cognitive developmental delays is used to illustrate two approaches to mediation analysis in SCEDs: Bayesian computation of the mediated effect and Bayesian informative hypothesis testing. Annotated R code is provided so researchers can easily fit the proposed models to their own SCED data set. Advantages and limitations of the method are discussed.     

How safe is same-day discharge after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy?

Background

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is associated with low morbidity and mortality and a short length of stay. Studies on the safety of same-day discharge after LSG are limited.

A 7-deaza-adenosine analog is a potent and selective inhibitor of hepatitis C virus replication with excellent pharmacokinetic properties

Improved treatments for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are needed due to the suboptimal response rates and deleterious side effects associated with current treatment options. The triphosphates of 2'-C-methyl-adenosine and 2'-C-methyl-guanosine were previously shown to be potent inhibitors of the HCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) that is responsible for the replication of viral RNA in cells. Here we demonstrate that the inclusion of a 7-deaza modification in a series of purine nucleoside triphosphates results in an increase in inhibitory potency against the HCV RdRp and improved pharmacokinetic properties. Notably, incorporation of the 7-deaza modification into 2'-C-methyl-adenosine results in an inhibitor with a 20-fold-increased potency as the 5'-triphosphate in HCV RdRp assays while maintaining the inhibitory potency of the nucleoside in the bicistronic HCV replicon and with reduced cellular toxicity. In contrast, while 7-deaza-2'-C-methyl-GTP also displays enhanced inhibitory potency in enzyme assays, due to poor cellular penetration and/or metabolism, the nucleoside does not inhibit replication of a bicistronic HCV replicon in cell culture. 7-Deaza-2'-C-methyl-adenosine displays promising in vivo pharmacokinetics in three animal species, as well as an acute oral lethal dose in excess of 2,000 mg/kg of body weight in mice. Taken together, these data demonstrate that 7-deaza-2'-C-methyl-adenosine is an attractive candidate for further investigation as a potential treatment for HCV infection.     

Evaluation of magnesium in serum and urine in patients with pulmonary diseases

We evaluated magnesium (Mg) in serum and 24-hour urine in patients with acute and chronic pulmonary diseases. Mg was determined in 114 patients, 56 with acute pulmonary diseases (group I) and 58 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (group II), at the start (To) and at the end of hospital treatment (T1). In group I, in period To, there were disturbances of Mg in serum in 14 patients (25%) which decreased in period T1 and persisted in 4 patients (7.1%) (p < 0.05). In group II the distribution of normal, decreased and increased Mg in serum was similar in periods To and T1 (p > 0.05). Hypomagnesemia was found in 9 patients (16.1%) in group I at the start of treatment (To), with accompanying increased Mg in 24-hour urine in only 4 patients (7.2%). Extrarenal elimination of Mg or transcellular distribution was a possibility. In group II in period To there was a proportional ratio between hypomagnesemia (12-20.7% patients) and increased concentration of Mg in 24-hour urine (20 - 34.5% patients) probably due to renal loss. Simultaneous determination and follow-up of Mg in serum and in 24-hour urine can give information about electrolyte disturbances in acute and chronic pulmonary diseases.     

Recurrence Rates of Premalignant Lesions after CO2 Laser Vaporization

Background: Use of the CO₂-Laser (λ = 10.6 μm, continuous wave, defocussed) is an established procedure for treatment of premalignant lesions. Through employment of the sp-mode as well as scanners, thermal laser effects can be reduced but, on the other hand, a lesser degree of destruction of dysplastic cells could lead to an increased recurrence rate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the recurrence rates resulting from different methods of CO₂ laser vaporization.Methods: From May 1995 to May, 2002, 56 patients with a total of 68 premalignant lesions of the oral mucosa were treated in a prospective clinical study. Twenty-eight lesions were vaporized with the defocussed CO₂ laser (cw, 15 W, 5–15 s, mean output 2.12 Wcm⁻²). In a further 21 lesions, a scanner (Swiftlase) was additionally employed with all other parameters held constant (mean output 212.4 Wcm⁻²). In the remaining 19 lesions, vaporization was carried out in the sp-mode (pulse duration 80 μs, pulse energy 20 mJ, mean output 228 Wcm⁻²) in which, as above, a scanner was also used. Follow-up examinations were carried out according to a standard protocol. In May, 2002, the recurrence rate in the 3 groups was determined.Results: Clinically, use of the scanner in sp-mode resulted in the most irregular tissue resection. This can be accounted for by the irregular paths of the laser beam and the pulsed delivery of the laser energy. The lowest recurrence rates were yielded by the defocussed cw-technique followed by the cw-scanner and the sp-mode.Conclusions: These results indicate that for treatment of premalignant lesions of the oral mucosa, the best results can be achieved with the defocussed CO₂ laser. The incurrence of a deep thermal effect enhances destruction of deeper-lying dysplastic cells. Apparently, other methods with lesser penetration of thermal effects (e. g. sp, scanner) do not reach the deeper-lying cells and, consequently, render higher rates of recurrence.