Role of Helicobacter pylori in common rosacea subtypes: A genotypic comparative study of Egyptian patients

Helicobacter pylori was incriminated as an etiological factor of rosacea. However, there is still controversy about this association. We conducted a comparative study in order to assess the role of H. pylori in rosacea patients who had dyspeptic symptoms. The study included 68 patients and 54 controls. Screening for H. pylori was performed and positive cases were referred for gastric endoscopy. The inflammatory response and bacterial density were evaluated in gastric biopsy. H. pylori vacA alleles, cagA and iceA genotypes were assessed by polymerase chain reaction. We found that 49 rosacea (72%) and 25 controls (46.3%) were infected with H. pylori. Thirty‐one rosacea cases were papulopustular (PPR) while 18 were erythematotelangiectatic (ETR). Gastric ulceration was higher in PPR cases (38.7%) than ETR (11.1%) and controls (12%). A significant inflammatory reaction was observed more in PPR cases (74.2%) compared with 44.4% in ETR (P = 0.04) and 44% in controls (P = 0.02). Analysis of H. pylori genotypes revealed that vacA s1m1 was more identified in PPR cases (54.8%) compared with 22.2% in ETR (P = 0.03) and 16% in controls (P = 0.003). There was a significant elevation of cagA/vacA s1m1 positivity in PPR cases. After the eradication regimen of H. pylori, a significant improvement (P < 0.05) was observed in 15 out of 27 PPR cases (55.6%) compared with three out of 17 ETR (17.6%). We concluded that H. pylori has a significant role in rosacea patients who had dyspeptic symptoms. The PPR type is more influenced by H. pylori and this is regarded as being because of certain virulent strains that increase the inflammatory response in gastric mucosa and also in cutaneous lesions.     

A Qualitative Analysis of Vaccine Safety Perceptions and Concerns Among Caretakers in Uganda

Parents and caretakers of young children often have concerns about vaccine safety and adverse events following immunization (AEFI). Little is known about vaccine safety perceptions in Uganda and their influence on parental decision-making about infant immunization. The study objectives were: to identify community sources of information on immunization, vaccine safety and AEFI; determine caretakers?? knowledge of immunization; identify community concerns/fears about immunization and AEFI and their influence on caretakers?? decisions to vaccinate; and obtain an understanding of knowledge, perceptions, and experience of health care workers (HCWs) and policy administrators on vaccine safety and AEFI. Twelve focus group discussions with 136 caretakers who were very or somewhat concerned about vaccine safety and 25 key informant interviews were conducted in two districts (1 urban and 1 rural) with district authorities and health facility staff as well as national level decision-makers between December and April 2006. Content analysis was used to analyze the results. The main themes identified related to general lack of information among caretakers about immunization, perceived immunization benefits, immunization concerns, and misconceptions. Specific caretaker concerns related to vaccine administration, immunization services and vaccine safety. Experiences with AEFI and concerns about vaccine safety negatively affected caretakers?? decisions to vaccinate their children, notably in rural areas. HCWs demonstrated knowledge about AEFI and their management although incidences reported to facilities were rare. Inadequate communication between HCWs and caretakers was noted. Concerns and misconceptions about vaccination still exist among caretakers in Uganda and influence decisions to vaccinate. Effective inter personal communication initiated by HCWs towards caretakers is needed.     

Evaluation of the Psychoeducation Given to the Elderly at Nursing Homes for a Healthy Lifestyle and Developing Life Satisfaction

The research was carried out as a pre-test, post-test patterned intervention with one group in order to evaluate the psychoeducation given to older people at nursing homes for a healthy lifestyle and developing life satisfaction. The research was done with 21 female and 21 male older people staying at the state-owned Seyran Ba?lari Nursing Home/Elderly Caring Rehabilitation Center and the Ümitköy Nursing Home. In the psychoeducation program, each session was conducted for a duration of 60–90 min in the nursing homes’ education classrooms. After the psychoeducation program, the life satisfaction index, the health promotion lifestyle profile total, and the subscale (nutrition, health responsibility, self realization, stress management, interpersonal support, and exercise) mean scores, significantly increased statistically. It is suggested that the nursing homes’ health workers, and especially nurses who work full-time, should promote such psychoeducation.     

Bone measurements of infants with hyperbilirubinemia by quantitative ultrasound: the influence of phototherapy

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the possible effects of phototherapy on bone status of term infants evaluated by measurement of tibial bone speed of sound (SOS).

Materials and methods: The phototherapy group (n?=?30) consisted of children who had undergone phototherapy for at least 24?h and the control group (n?=?30) comprised children who had not received phototherapy. Blood samples were obtained from all infants for serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone and vitamin D concentrations. The left tibial quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements were performed using a commercial device.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference between phototherapy-exposed and nonexposed infants in terms of Ca, P, ALP, PTH and vitamin D levels. Comparison of bone SOS between the phototherapy-exposed and control group revealed no statistically difference. Also, no significant difference in Z-score for SOS was observed between those with or without exposure.

Conclusion: The data of our study indicate that phototherapy treatment has no impact on bone status in the hyperbilirubinemic infants. Although there is no statistically significant evidence of an excess risk of bone damage following phototherapy, studies with larger sample sizes and longer duration of follow-up are needed to gain a better understanding of its effects.     

Femoral Vein Wall Thickness Measurement May Be a Distinctive Diagnostic Tool to Differentiate Behçet’s Disease with Intestinal Involvement and Crohn’s Disease

Digestive Diseases and Sciences - Behçet’s disease (BD) and Crohn’s disease (CD) cannot be easily differentiated in young adults presenting with nonspecific gastrointestinal (GI)...     

Is there any relationship between adverse pregnancy outcome and first trimester nuchal translucency measurements in normal karyotype fetuses?

Aim: This study aims to research whether there is a relationship between first trimester nuchal translucency (NT) measurements and pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational hypertension (GHT), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and oligohydramnios.

Method: This study included 225 singleton pregnancies attending Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic for all monitoring and examinations, and gave birth at our clinic between January 2011 and December 2012. Data sources were clinical records and the hospital's automation system, and the study was planned as retrospective cohort. NT measurement was made between 10 weeks 3 days and 13 weeks 6 days gestation. For data analysis, the chi-square, Mann–Whitney U test and Spearman correlation were used.

Results: Of pregnancies, in the study, 5 (2.2%) developed GDM, 6 (2.6%) developed GHT, 2 (0.89%) developed IUGR and 10 (4.4%) developed oligohydramnios. There was no correlation identified between NT measurements and development of GDM, GHT, IUGR and oligohydramnios.

Conclusion: There was no relationship found between first trimester NT measurements and complications that could develop in pregnancy. For the first time in the literature, NT and oligohydramnios were studied and no relationship was observed.     

The utility of cervical elastosonography in prediction of cervical insufficiency: cervical elastosonography and cervical insufficiency

Objective: To evaluate the utility of cervical elastosonography (ES) in prediction of cervical insufficiency (CI).

Methods: A total of 40 women, of which 20 who had previously received the diagnosis of CI and 20 healty women were included in the study. None of the women were pregnant. All subjects underwent sonographic evaluation including cervical length measurement and ES of uterine cervix. Adjacent muscular tissue was the reference point for elastosonography evaluation. Tissue strain ratio values were obtained from all the patients.

Results: The area around the internal cervical os of the group with CI was found to be significantly softer as compared to the control group (higher SR rate, p?<?0.05). Furthermore, the outer parts of the cervix (sites A and D) were also found harder in the group that had CI (lower SR rate, p?<?0.05).

Conclusions: According to our knowledge, this is preliminary study to evaluate the predictive value of cervical ES in CI and we concluded that ES can be used as reliable method to determine CI but it is necessary to be studied in different cohort groups.     

Effect of dopamine infusion on thyroid hormone tests and prolactin levels in very low birth weight infants

Objective: To evaluate the effect of dopamine on thyroid hormone tests and prolactin (PRL) and to assess requirement for L-thyroxin (LT4).

Methods: The infants (n?=?102) were divided into three groups (Group 1; received no dopamine, Group 2 received ≤25?mg/kg cumulative dose and Group 3; received >25?mg/kg cumulative dose). Blood samples were taken at 6–8 days (timepoint 1), 13–15 days (timepoint 2), and 4–6 weeks of life (timepoint 3).

Results: Respiratory distress syndrome was higher in group 2 and 3. Patnet ductus arteriosus was higher in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2. Duration and cumulative dose in group 3 were higher than group 2. There was no difference between thyroid hormones that were taken after stopping infusion at timepoint 3 among all groups. No therapy with LT4 was needed. PRL levels were higher at timepoint 1 in group 1 than compared to group 2 and 3 (p?p?>?0.05). This difference was disappeared at following timepoints.

Conclusions: The release of TSH, FT3, FT4 and PRL were not inhibited and prophylactic thyroid hormone treatment was not required in VLBW infants receiving dopamine infusions.