A novel electrical method for the prevention of microbial colonization of intravascular cannulae.

An electrical device designed to prevent microbial attachment to plastic intravascular cannulae is described. The device produced an electrical current (10 microA) in both carbon-impregnated and 'Hydrocath' cannulae. In-vitro models were utilized to demonstrate that the current can block several mechanisms by which microorganisms gain initial access to intravascular devices, including extra- and intra-luminal routes. The electrical system prevented organisms from traversing along both the external and internal surfaces of the cannulae. Effective prevention of cannula colonization was demonstrated subsequent to challenge with Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The findings suggest that the electrical device may offer in-vivo cannula protection from microbial attachment and colonization, thereby reducing the potential for infection.     

Case of congenital short small intestine: survival with use of long-term parenteral feeding

Isolated congenital short small intestine is a rare anomaly. Of six (one male, five females) previously reported cases, four died in infancy from intractable diarrhea. We report the case of 7-year-old boy with this syndrome in whom a 2-year period of parenteral feeding at home allowed normal weight gain, growth, and development while intestinal adaptation occurred. Parenteral feeding was discontinued at age 2 1/3 years, and for the past 5 years his weight has remained between the tenth and 25th percentiles and his stature between the 25th and 50th percentiles. His development has been normal and he functions at or above grade level at school. Coefficient of fat absorption has increased from 54% to 81%. Vitamin B12 absorption has improved but has not normalized. He remains lactose intolerant. We believe his survival, growth, and development would have been compromised if he had not received a prolonged period of parenteral feeding.     

The clinical trial of Women On the Move through Activity and Nutrition (WOMAN) study

The Women On the Move through Activity and Nutrition (WOMAN) study is the first randomized clinical trial of nonpharmacological intervention designed to modify lipoproteins, weight loss and exercise among postmenopausal women using noninvasive measures of atherosclerosis as the primary endpoint. The trial was initially designed to test whether intervention as compared to health education would be more effective in slowing progression of subclinical atherosclerosis among women on hormone therapy (HT), estrogen or estrogen+progestin. It was designed and implemented prior to the results of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). The trial was since modified to include women who had been on HT but went off after the results of the WHI were reported. Eligible women were between the ages of 52-62, had waist circumference>or=80 cm, low density lipoprotein cholesterol between 100-160 mg% and controlled blood pressure. The intervention is low in total and saturated fat, trans fats, higher in fiber and promotes loss of 7-10% of body weight and includes at least 150 min of physical activity per week. The study has recruited 508 women. The primary endpoints are change in extent of carotid intima-media wall thickness as measured by carotid ultrasound, pulse wave velocity as a measure of vascular stiffness and coronary artery calcium using electron beam computed tomography. Body composition is measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.     

Predictors of timing of pregnancy discovery

Objective

Earlier pregnancy discovery is important in the context of prenatal and abortion care. We evaluated characteristics associated with later pregnancy discovery among women seeking abortion care.

Examining Differences in Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC) Levels and Hazardous Drinking by Smoking Status Among a Sample of College Student Bar Patrons

While the association between current smoking and alcohol consumption is well known, the relationship between social smoking and alcohol consumption is less understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between smoking status and two alcohol consumption measures in a sample of college student bar patrons. The data used in this study was collected in fall 2015. Study participants (N?=?415) were college student bar patrons who agreed to complete an interview that assessed smoking status (i.e., regular smoker, social smoker, non-smoker) and two alcohol consumption measures: (1) breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) levels (using a handheld breathalyzer device) and (2) hazardous drinking scores (using the AUDIT-C scale). We conducted one-way ANOVAs with Bonferroni correction to examine differences in BrAC levels and hazardous drinking scores by smoking status. Among sample participants, 25.3% were regular smokers, 14.7% were social smokers, and 60.0% were non-smokers. Smokers had significantly higher BrAC levels than social smokers and non-smokers. Regular smokers also had significantly higher hazardous drinking scores than social smokers and non-smokers. The BrAC levels and hazardous drinking scores of social smokers and non-smokers were not significantly different. The drinking habits of social smokers reflected those of non-smokers and being a regular smoker was associated with higher drinking levels than the rest of the sample. Because of the association found between alcohol consumption and regular smoking, combining efforts to reduce these behaviors in college students might be advantageous.