Presence of Alcohol and Drugs in Hispanic Versus Non-Hispanic Youth Suicide Victims in Miami-Dade County,Florida

This study examines the association between the presence of drugs and alcohol at time of suicide in Hispanic versus non-Hispanic youth suicide victims in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The Medical Examiner’s records of 435 persons aged 24 years or younger classified as suicides in Miami-Dade County, Florida, from 1990 to 2011 were reviewed. Hispanic youth in Miami-Dade County, Florida were 1.62 times more likely than non-Hispanic youth to have used drugs and alcohol at time of suicide (OR 1.62; 95 % CI 1.07–2.04; p = 0.049). Firearm use was significantly associated with drug and alcohol use at time of death. Use of drugs and alcohol at the time of death are important risk factors for suicide in Hispanic youth.     

Tissue resistivities determine the current flow in the cochlea

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In individuals with severe to profound hearing loss, cochlear implants bypass normal inner ear function by applying electrical current directly into the cochlea, thereby stimulating cochlear nerve fibers. Stimulating discrete populations of spiral ganglion cells in cochlear implant users' ears is similar to the encoding of small acoustic frequency bands in a normal-hearing person's ear. Thus, spiral ganglion cells stimulated by an electrode convey the information contained by a small acoustic frequency band. Problems that refer to the current spread and subsequent nonselective stimulation of spiral ganglion cells in the cochlea are reviewed. RECENT FINDINGS: Cochlear anatomy and tissue properties determine the current path in the cochlea. Current spreads largely via scala tympani and across turns. While most of the current leaves the cochlea via the modiolus, the facial canal and the round window constitute additional natural escape paths for the current from the cochlea. Moreover, degenerative processes change tissue resistivities and thus may affect current spread in the cochlea. SUMMARY: Electrode design and coding strategies may result in more spatial stimulation of spiral ganglion cells, resulting in a better performance of the electrode-tissue interface.     

Extracellular and intracellular activity of sparfloxacin against Mycobacterium avium complex and Mycobacterium xenopi]

Activity of the new fluoroquinolone sparfloxacin against 30 strains of M. avium complex and 25 strains of M. xenopi was tested in vitro. Sparfloxacin was used alone (determination of MICs and MBCs) and in combination with ethambutol and rifabutin. Synergy studies with determination of the FIC and FBC indices showed that the sparfloxacin-ethambutol combination was synergistic against 10 M. avium complex strains and 12 M. xenopi strains. With the three-drug combination (sparfloxacin-ethambutol-rifabutin), synergy was found against 12 M. avium and 14 M. xenopi strains. Studies of intracellular bacteria showed that the decrease in viable bacteria with the three-drug combination was 1 log for M. avium and 2 log for M. xenopi.     

Evaluation of a biotinylated probe for identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

We evaluated a DNA biotinylated probe for the rapid identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in culture (Ortho Diagnostics System, Raritan, NJ). Twenty-one strains of N. gonorrhoeae, including type strain, 57 strains of other Neisseria species, and 104 strains of other genera were studied. The probe was highly sensitive (100%) and specific (96%). All N. gonorrhoeae strains gave strong signals, and only two cross-reaction were observed with N. lactamica, which has a close genetic relationship to N. gonorrhoeae. Our results indicate that specific recombinant DNA probe should offer a reliable and rapid method for routine diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.     

The immune status of the central nervous system

The central nervous system (CNS) has no true lymphatic outflow and is protected by the blood-brain barrier. It shares special relationships with the immune system. Though heterologous grafts can sometimes survive inside the brain, explaining that it has been considered as an immunologically privileged site, the CNS is able to generate immunological immune reactions and can exert a regulatory role on the extracerebral ones. Inside the brain, the immunological reactions are probably due to populations of immunocompetent cells and potentially macrophagic cells which are there permanently but in an inactivated state. Nevertheless the first event triggering these reactions and responsible for the activation of immunocompetent cells remains highly hypothetical. The astrocyte-endothelial cells complex which is the anatomical support of the blood-brain barrier probably plays a vital role in this process. Permanent exchanges between the CNS and the immune system are assumed by soluble mediators: lymphokines, neurotransmitters and hormones. These allow the CNS to control to some extent the extracerebral immunological reactions by feed-back regulation mechanisms.     

Immunohistochemical study of thyroid peroxidase in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic human thyroid tissues.

An immunohistochemical study using two monoclonal antibodies (MoAb 30 and MoAb 47) against thyroid peroxidase (TPO) was performed on surgical specimens of human thyroid carcinoma (n = 65), adenoma (n = 70) and Graves' disease (n = 10). Normal adjacent thyroid tissue was used as positive control. Monoclonal antibody 30 reacted significantly with all adenoma and most carcinoma, whereas MoAb 47 reacted with 66 adenoma but only two carcinoma. Of the four adenomas that did not react with MoAb 47, three were of the fetal type. Both carcinoma reacting with MoAb 47 were of the well-differentiated follicular type. These findings further confirm the hypothesis that thyroid carcinoma is associated with changes in the quantity and antigenic properties of TPO. Although the alterations in antigenic behavior revealed by MoAb 47 are not 100% specific, they may allow more accurate diagnosis of malignancy in thyroid tumors.     

Cardiovascular changes associated with venlafaxine in the treatment of late-life depression.

BACKGROUND: Potential cardiovascular side effects from venlafaxine-XR must be considered when prescribing this medication, especially in geriatric patients, who often present with comorbid medical conditions. METHODS: Participants age 60 and older with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition diagnosis of a major depressive episode without psychotic features were treated openly with venlafaxine-XR for 12 weeks during which venlafaxine-XR was titrated based on tolerability and response according to predefined guidelines. Sitting and standing blood pressures and heart rates were measured. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was obtained at baseline and at week 12. RESULTS: Sixty-two participants started treatment; 59 completed at least two weeks of the 12-week study. The mean final dose of venlafaxine-XR was 195.5 mg/day (standard deviation: 72.2). Twenty-four percent (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.3%-40.7%) of initially normotensive participants and 54% (95% CI: 34.3%-74%) of those with preexisting hypertension experienced an increase in blood pressure. Twenty-nine percent (95% CI: 14.6%-43.4%) of participants developed orthostatic hypotension. Two participants experienced a clinically significant increase in QTc interval. One participant reported new-onset mild dizziness, whereas four participants reported new-onset tachycardia or palpitation. Overall, 17 unique participants (28.8%; 95% CI: 17.3%-40.4%) experienced a new-onset cardiovascular problem, potentially related to the study medication. CONCLUSION: Overall, venlafaxine-XR was well tolerated. However, similar to previous reports, venlafaxine-XR was associated with some undesirable cardiovascular effects in some of the participants. Systematic monitoring of cardiovascular parameters during treatment with venlafaxine-XR should be strongly recommended, especially in the elderly.