Mast cell myositis: a new feature of allergic asthma?

There is some evidence that, in asthma, mast cells infiltrate the airway smooth muscle layer and, as a consequence, alter the functional and structural properties of myocytes. This inflammation so-called mast-cell myositis, probably contributes to both bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway remodelling. Previous observations have pointed out the presence of mast cells within airway smooth muscle of atopic patients and recent data obtained in asthmatic patients demonstrate that this infiltration is more important in asthmatic patients with atopy. Although the mechanism of such a mast cell attraction remains to be fully understood, experimental data demonstrate that, upon stimulation by tryptase or cytokines, smooth muscle cells can attract mast cells through the production of TGF-beta1 or SCF. Once at the site of inflammation, activated mast cells are responsible for an important extracellular deposition of inflammatory products that may facilitate the increase in smooth muscle mass. In addition, comparison of asthmatic patients with and without atopy suggests that mast cell myositis is closely related with atopy.     

Theta coupling in the human electroencephalogram during a working memory task

The role of coupling between prefrontal and temporo-parietal brain areas within the theta frequency range of the human electroencephalogram was explored in a working memory task. During encoding of visual information higher theta amplitudes were observed in the right compared to the left hemisphere. Retrieval of visuospatial and verbal information elicited a more bilateral activation pattern. These effects were accompanied by theta coupling between dorsolateral prefrontal and right posterior temporal electrode sites during encoding. During retrieval prefrontal and bilateral temporo-parietal brain areas were coupled. These results support the idea of working memory functions being dependent on distributed prefrontal-temporal networks.     

Evaluation of the COBAS TaqMan 48 real-time PCR system for quantitation of hepatitis B virus DNA

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the new real-time PCR COBAS TaqMan 48 analyzer, comparing it to the existing COBAS AMPLICOR HBV MONITOR based on conventional PCR technology. The study used 104 samples from different patients. No differences were found in the sensitivity of the tests. There was an excellent correlation between the sample with a viral load within the dynamic range of the two tests (r = 0.938). The COBAS TaqMan test has a wider linear range, and this fact enables quantifying of the viral load without diluting the sample.     

ECT and Anticoagulation

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective and safe treatment for depression. Anticoagulation therapy is used to reduce morbidity or mortality from stroke or recurrent pulmonary embolus in various cardiac and vascular conditions. We report in detail the successful ECT treatment of a patient suffering from major depression with psychotic features who continued warfarin (Coumadin) anticoagulant therapy.     

Efficacy of a Family-Based Intervention for HIV Prevention with Hispanic Adolescents with Same Gender Sexual Behaviors

Prevention Science - Despite the availability of efficacious and effective family-based interventions, such interventions are scarce for sexual minority adolescents, particularly among...     

Zinc Nutritional Status in a Series of Children with Chronic Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Zinc is an essential trace element for the normal growth and development of human beings. The main objective was to evaluate the nutritional status of zinc and its association with nutritional indicators in a series of children with chronic diseases. Methods: The prevalence of patients with dietary zinc deficiency or deficit zinc intake (<80% DRI: dietary reference intake) was analyzed through prospective 72 h dietary surveys, and serum zinc deficiency or hypozincemia (≤70 µg/dL in children under 10 years of age in both sexes and in females older than 10 years and <74 μg/dL in males older than 10 years) was measured through atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The participants were classified according to their nutritional status by body mass index (BMI). Results: Mean serum zinc level in obese (87 µg/dL), undernourished (85 µg/dL), and eutrophic children (88 µg/dL) were normal, but in the undernutrition (60% DRI) and eutrophic (67% DRI) groups the mean dietary zinc intake was low compared to that in the obesity group (81% DRI). There were different associations between nutritional parameters, dietary zinc intake, and serum zinc. All patients with hypozincemia had dietary zinc deficiency. Conclusions: In the whole series, 69% of participants showed a zinc intake lower than recommended and might be at high risk of zinc deficiency.     

Disrespect and Abuse in Obstetric Care in Mexico: An Observational Study of Deliveries in Four Hospitals

Maternal and Child Health Journal - To identify and describe the frequency and characteristics of disrespect and abuse practices towards women during facility-based delivery in four hospitals in...     

Do environmental and occupational exposure to pyrethroids and organophosphates affect human semen parameters? Results of a systematic review and meta-analysis

Our purpose was to review and analyse the impact of pyrethroids and organophosphates exposure on human semen parameters. A comprehensive literature search was performed through MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus and Webscience. Only cohort studies examining semen parameters in workers or general populations exposed to pyrethroids or organophosphates were included. Ejaculate volume, sperm count, concentration, motility, viability, normal morphology and seminal pH alterations were pooled using the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel Method with the random effect model and expressed as weighted mean difference, risk ratios, 95% confidence intervals and p-values. Seven cross-sectional studies regarding pyrethroids were included. Four of them were eligible for meta-analysis. The only parameter affected by pyrethroid exposure was normal sperm morphology (WMD-7,61%, 95%CI –11,92 to −3,30;p = 0,0,005). Nine studies were selected to evaluate the impact of organophosphates on semen parameters with six of them eligible for meta-analysis. A significant reduction was detected for the following: ejaculate volume (WMD −0,47ml, 95%CI −0,69 to −0,25; p < 0,0001), sperm count (WMD-40,03, 95%CI −66,81 to −13,25;p = 0,003), concentration (WMD-13,69 x10⁶/mL, 95%CI −23, 27 to-4,12;p = 0,005) and motility (WMD −5,70%, 95%CI −12,89 to 1,50;p = 0,12). Despite the increase in sperm abnormality, it has been shown that pyrethroids are unrelated to reduced sperm quality. However, the negative association of organophosphates with spermatogenesis is noteworthy.     

Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty: An Assessment of Content,Quality, and Readability of Available Internet Resources

BackgroundThe use of robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has significantly increased over the past decade. Internet content is largely unregulated and may contain inaccurate and/or misleading information about robotic TKA. Our goal was to assess the content, quality, and readability of online material regarding robotic-assisted TKA.MethodsWe conducted an internet search for the top 50 web sites from each of the 3 most popular search engines (Google, Yahoo, and Bing) using the search term robotic total knee replacement. Each web site was assessed for content, quality, and readability. Web site quality was assessed utilizing the QUality Evaluation Scoring Tool (QUEST). Readability was assessed utilizing the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, and Flesch Reading Ease Formula scores.ResultsGeneral risks of TKA were discussed in 47.2%, while benefits were discussed in 98.6% of all web sites. Inaccurate claims occurred at a significantly higher rate in physician/community hospital sources compared to university/academic web sites (59% vs 28%, P = .045). Web sites from university/academic web sites had the highest QUEST scores, while physician/community hospital sources scored the lowest (16.1 vs 10.6, P = .01). Most web sites were written at a college reading level or higher.ConclusionPatients should be counseled on the largely unregulated nature of online information regarding robotic-assisted TKA. Physicians and hospitals should consider revising the readability of their online information to a more appropriate level in order to provide accurate, evidence-based information to allow the patient to make an informed consent decision.