Deaths from Tick-Borne Encephalitis,Sweden

We assessed standardized mortality ratio in tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Sweden, 2004–2017. Standardized mortality ratio for TBE was 3.96 (95% CI 2.55–5.90); no cases in patients <40 years of age were fatal. These results underscore the need for further vaccination efforts in populations at risk for TBE.     

Quality and Quantity Assessment of the Water Repellent Properties of Functional Clothing Materials after Washing

The aim of the research was to evaluate the changes in the surface properties of five functional clothing materials with water-repellent finishes (including PFC-free finish) after 1, 5, and 10 washes with three detergents. A new approach to the interpretation of the water-repellent properties of textile materials is presented, based on two techniques, i.e., the spray test method and contact angle measurements. The results showed that washing materials with hydrophobic finishes can cause significant changes in their properties, which are mainly dependent on the composition and structure of the material, as well as the type of hydrophobic finish. The PFC-free finish is the least resistant to washing. For all materials with PFC finishes, the water repellency depends on the fluorine content on the surface and fabric topography. It was also found that increasing washing frequency resulted in a gradual decrease in water repellency. The loss of water repellency below an acceptable level (Grade 3) occurred after the fifth washing for all materials. Significant differences in the interpretation of the results of the spray test and contact angle measurements were observed. Using these methods separately provides information on the changes in the surface properties of the tested materials; however, their parallel application allows for obtaining complementary data, which is important for the proper interpretation of results.     

The Ultra-Processed Food Content of School Meals and Packed Lunches in the United Kingdom

British children have the highest levels of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption in Europe. Schools are posited as a positive setting for impacting dietary intake, but the level of UPFs consumed in schools is currently unknown. This study determined the UPF content of school food in the UK. We conducted a pooled cross-sectional analysis of primary (4–11 years, n = 1895) and secondary schoolchildren (11–18 years, n = 1408) from the UK’s National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008–2017). Multivariable quantile regression models determined the association between meal-type (school meal or packed lunch) and lunchtime UPF intake (NOVA food classification system). We showed that on average, UPF intake was high in both primary (72.6% total lunch Kcal) and secondary schoolchildren (77.8% total lunch Kcal). Higher UPF intakes were observed in packed lunch consumers, secondary schoolchildren, and those in lower income households. This study highlights the need for a renewed focus on school food. Better guidance and policies that consider levels of industrial processing in food served in schools are needed to ensure the dual benefit of encouraging school meal uptake and equitably improving children’s diets.     

N-acetylcysteine attenuates renal alterations induced by senescence in the rat

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on renal function, as well as on sodium and water transporters, in the kidneys of aged rats. Normal, 8-month-old male Wistar rats were treated (n = 6) or not (n = 6) with NAC (600 mg/L in drinking water) and followed for 16 months. At the end of the follow-up period, we determined inulin clearance, serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), serum cholesterol, and urinary phosphate excretion. In addition, we performed immunohistochemical staining for p53 and for ED-1-positive cells (macrophages/monocytes), together with Western blotting of kidney tissue for NKCC2, aquaporin 2 (AQP2), urea transporter A1 (UT-A1) and Klotho protein. At baseline, the two groups were similar in terms of creatinine clearance, proteinuria, cholesterol, and TBARS. At the end of the follow-up period, NAC-treated rats presented greater inulin clearance and reduced proteinuria, as well as lower serum cholesterol, serum TBARS, and urinary phosphate excretion, in comparison with untreated rats. In addition, NAC-treated rats showed upregulated expression of NKCC2, AQP2, and UT-A1; elevated Klotho protein expression, low p53 expression, and few ED-1 positive cells. In conclusion, we attribute these beneficial effects of NAC (the significant improvements in inulin clearance and in the expression of NKCC2, AQP2, and UT-A1) to its ability to decrease oxidative stress, inhibit p53 expression, minimize kidney inflammation, and stimulate Klotho expression.     

Lymphoangionodulary anastomosis in cancer with metastases in lymph nodes

The paper presents the research results of lymphoangionodulary anastomosis perfusion properties in breast cancer. We have carried out the detailed study of 100 axillary lymph nodes affected with metastatic breast cancer and removed them using the method of sonolipodestruction ex vivo. The results obtained in the course of the study provide a basis for a new look at the problems of lymphodynamics in metastatic damage of a lymph system.     

Suberoyl Bishydroxamic Acid Inhibits Cellular Proliferation by Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest in Carcinoid Cancer Cells

Carcinoid cancers arise from the neuroendocrine cell system of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and other organs. Hepatic metastases are common, and patients often suffer from endocrinopathies secondary to tumor secretion of various hormones and peptides. As complete surgical resection is often not possible because of widespread disease, new therapeutic and palliative treatments are needed. In this study, we characterized the effects of suberoyl bishydroxamic acid (SBHA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on the growth and neuroendocrine phenotype of carcinoid cancer cells. SBHA treatment of human gastrointestinal and pulmonary carcinoid cancer cells resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. Western blot analysis showed a decrease in cyclin D1 and an increase in p21 and p27, indicating that the mechanism of this growth inhibition is cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, SBHA treatment suppressed two neuroendocrine tumor markers, chromogranin A and achaete-scute complex-like 1. These changes in the growth and neuroendocrine phenotype of carcinoid cells were associated with activation of the Notch1 signaling cascade. We conclude that SBHA shows promise as a potential anticancer agent for the treatment of patients with advanced carcinoid tumor disease. This paper was presented at the 48th Annual Meeting of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, May 19–23, 2007, Washington, DC, USA.     

Radiographic evaluation of idiopathic clubfeet undergoing Ponseti treatment

BACKGROUND: The Ponseti method for treatment of idiopathic clubfeet involves the use of serial casts, percutaneous Achilles tenotomy in most cases, and bracing with an abduction orthosis to prevent relapse. Although Ponseti recommended evaluation of the infant clubfoot strictly by palpation, many orthopaedic surgeons still rely on radiographs for decision-making during treatment. The aim of this study was to document with radiographs the effect of percutaneous Achilles tenotomy as described by Ponseti. METHODS: We conducted a study of idiopathic clubfeet treated, at two centers, with the Ponseti method, including percutaneous Achilles tenotomy. Cast treatment was started within three weeks after birth, and radiographs were made before and after the tenotomy. Lateral radiographs with the foot in maximal dorsiflexion at the ankle were made for all patients, and anteroposterior radiographs of the foot were made at one center. The lateral tibiocalcaneal angle, the anteroposterior talocalcaneal angle, and the lateral talocalcaneal angle were measured on the radiographs. Foot dorsiflexion at the ankle was evaluated clinically. The results from both centers were evaluated separately and in combination. RESULTS: Lateral dorsiflexion radiographs that showed the foot and ankle were evaluated for eighty-seven clubfeet, and anteroposterior radiographs that showed the foot were evaluated for sixty-five clubfeet. The mean improvement in the lateral tibiocalcaneal angle after the tenotomy was 16.9 degrees . The mean change in the anteroposterior talocalcaneal angle was 2.1 degrees , and the mean change in the lateral talocalcaneal angle change was 1.4 degrees . The mean increase in clinically measured dorsiflexion after the tenotomy (in sixty-five feet) was 15.1 degrees . Only the lateral tibiocalcaneal angle and dorsiflexion as measured clinically changed significantly after the Achilles tenotomy (p < 0.05). When the results at each center were analyzed separately, they were found to be nearly identical. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the lateral tibiocalcaneal angle after Achilles tenotomy is essentially the same as the increase in ankle dorsiflexion seen on clinical examination. The anteroposterior and lateral talocalcaneal angles are not influenced significantly by the tenotomy. Radiographs confirmed that the additional dorsiflexion obtained from the percutaneous Achilles tenotomy is true dorsiflexion occurring in the ankle and hindfoot and not in the midfoot. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV.     

Linking the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health.

The objective of this study was to explore whether the items from a specific outcome measure, that is, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), for quantifying limb symptoms and functions in musculoskeletal disorders fit into the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). All DASH items were compared to the ICF according to eight linking rules. Two groups of researchers performed the linking independently, and the results were compared by correlation. The 30 DASH items and four items from the optional modules were linked to 63 ICF categories and 11 chapters: 15 categories belong to the ICF body functions component and 48 to the activities and participation component. There were no items coded under the components body structure or environmental factors. Kappa index showed an agreement of 0.73 (p<0.001). The results showed that the content of the DASH does link well with the ICF framework. Clinicians and researchers must attend to the fact that certain domains and categories from the ICF are not covered by the DASH. Limitations of the instrument may be overcome by simultaneously using other instruments that address the intended content.