Risk of leukemic transformation in PV and ET patients

Despite a prolonged survival of around 15 years linked to a prolonged complete remission induced by myelosuppression, myeloproliferative syndromes such as polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombosis (ET) remain at risk of lethal adverse affects such as thrombotic events and acute transformation. The major risk at diagnosis, in the absence of treatment, is essentially thrombosis. Different therapeutic trials have shown the necessity to maintain circulating blood cells (RBC and platelets counts) near normal levels to avoid thrombosis. Phlebotomies alone in PV lead in the long run to metaplasia and increased platelet counts and should only be kept for emergency cell count reduction. Myelosuppression is thus until recently the most widely accepted effective alternative. However, the effects of long term chronic administration of myelosuppresive agents needs to be analyzed and monitored as the biological changes which appear during the course of these diseases linked or not to the intrinsic clonal haematopoietic abnormality may lead to malignant transformation. Thus, alternative therapies need to be evaluated and predisposition factors taken in account.     

Effects of ketamine/xylazine and isoflurane on rat brain glucose metabolism measured by 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography

The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in glucose metabolism in male Wistar rats induced by the anesthetics isoflurane and ketamine combined with xylazine via ¹⁸F‐fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography. We analyzed the differential effects of the anesthetics on ¹⁸F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake and pharmacokinetics in 33 rats using quantification methods: (a) the standardized uptake value, (b) voxel‐based analyses, and (c) kinetic analysis. Both anesthetics reduced glucose uptake in the entire brain. The voxel‐based analyses detected smaller uptake reductions in the bilateral primary somatosensory system cortex and part of the limbic system in the ketamine‐xylazine (KX) group and in the vestibular nucleus in the isoflurane group. Through kinetic analysis, we found that the volume of distribution and the membrane transport rate K₁ were reduced in the KX group. Through various methods of ¹⁸F‐fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography quantification, the present study found that anesthesia with the ketamine‐xylazine combination induced a global reduction of glucose metabolism compared with isoflurane; this reduction of metabolism was relatively lower in the primary somatosensory cortex and part of the limbic system. The volume of distribution of ¹⁸F‐fluorodeoxyglucose and its Glut1‐mediated transport across the brain membranes (K₁) were decreased in the KX group.     

Neonatal Ostomies

Two methods of neonatal ostomy care, nonappliance and appliance, are discussed. Skin problems associated with stoma care, such as excoriation, fungal infections, and allergic reactions, are reviewed and a number of suggestions are made for the proper care of stomas in the newborn.     

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from bisphenol A in vinyl gloves

Allergic contact dermatitis caused by polyvinyl chloride gloves is rarely reported, and in only 2 cases was bisphenol A considered to be the responsible sensitizer. We report a patient with occupational hand dermatitis after the use of a new type of high-density vinyl (HDV) gloves. Patch tests showed positive (++) reactions to both used and new HDV gloves and to bisphenol A. Chemical analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry demonstrated the presence of bisphenol A in the HDV gloves. Replacement by nitrile rubber gloves resulted in complete clearance of the hand dermatitis.     

A polymorphism in endostatin, an angiogenesis inhibitor, predisposes for the development of prostatic adenocarcinoma

We have performed association studies between a novel coding single nucleotide polymorphism (D104N) in endostatin, one of the most potent inhibitors of angiogenesis, and prostate cancer. We observed that heterozygous N104 individuals have a 2.5 times increased chance of developing prostate cancer as compared with homozygous D104 subjects (odds ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-4.16). Modeling of the endostatin mutant showed that the N104 protein is stable. These results together with the observation that residue 104 is evolutionary conserved lead us to propose that: (a) the DNA segment containing this residue might contain a novel interaction site to a yet unknown receptor; and (b) the presence of N104 impairs the function of endostatin.     

Correspondence analysis as a strategy for describing the profiles of women battered by their partners and assisted by a specialized unit

Domestic violence perpetrated against women by their live-in partners may be rated as a public health problem. Knowledge of battered women's profiles helps shape specific actions that curtail this type of aggression. This paper examines the links between violence groups, and the socio-demographic status of aggressors and their victims, using the Multiple Correspondence analysis technique in order to profile the women helped by the Integrated Women's Assistance Center (CIAM). The findings showed different profiles for women assaulted by their partners in terms of the severity of the violence. Victims with severe sexually-related injuries were associated with incomplete high school educations and more than three workers resident in the home. Victims with serious physical and psychological injuries were related to university educations and graduate studies, declared as heads of families. Victims with minor physical and psychological injuries were related to relationships lasting less than five years, with high school diplomas for the women and younger aggressors, employed, and with up to three workers resident in the home.