Sensitivity and specificity of a new commercial enzyme-linked immunoassay kit for detecting Entamoeba histolyticaIgG antibodies in serum samples

The study presented here was conducted to evaluate the performance of the newly available RIDASCREEN Set (R-Biopharm AG, Darmstadt, Germany) for the detection of immunoglobulin G antibodies against Entamoeba histolytica. The sensitivity and specificity of this new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were evaluated using a panel of sera from 239 individuals. The assay was positive for 43 of 44 patients with invasive amebiasis, including all 18 patients with amebic liver abscess, while it was negative for 190 of 195 adult controls who were either healthy individuals or patients with other parasitic diseases. The kit was found to be highly specific (97.4%) and sensitive (97.7%) for detecting antibodies against E. histolytica in humans. Although antibody titers in patients with amebic liver abscess tend to be higher on average than in patients with invasive amebiasis, it is not possible to distinguish the two forms solely based on the results of this commercial test.     

Changes in fetal presentation in twin pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to describe the occurrence of spontaneous version in twins in the third trimester, as well as the correlation between antepartum and birth presentation. METHODS: Twin pregnancies were divided into four gestational age intervals: 20-23; 24-27; 28-31; and 32-36 weeks. Fetal presentation was categorized as cephalic (C) or non-cephalic (NC). Hospital records were reviewed to determine demographic factors, including mode of conception. Chi-square was used to compare distributions of presentations, and Cramer's V measure of association was used to correlate presentations in individual pregnancies between antepartum intervals and birth. RESULTS: A total of 207 pregnancies were included. The distribution of fetal presentations changed significantly through gestational age intervals (p < 0.001), although they were similar between 32-36 weeks and birth (p = 0.75). Correlation between antepartum and birth presentation in individual pregnancies strengthened throughout the four intervals. No correlation was seen between parity, gender, birthweight, or in vitro fertilization and fetal presentation or rate of spontaneous version.CONCLUSION: Many twins undergo spontaneous version in the third trimester, though there is excellent correlation between presentation at 32-36 weeks and birth. A cephalic presenting twin at > or = 28 weeks is highly likely to be in cephalic presentation at delivery.     

Growth hormone response patterns in sexually or physically abused boys

The ratio of growth hormone response to clonidine and L-dopa challenge was compared in 74 boys: 15 with purported physical abuse, 7 with purported sexual abuse, 13 normal controls, and 39 psychiatric controls. Sexually abused boys demonstrate a statistically significant elevated ratio of growth hormone response to clonidine versus response to L-dopa. Physically abused boys demonstrate lower clonidine/L-dopa growth hormone response ratios compared with controls. These effects widen with increasing physical development.     

Crisis debriefing of a jury after a murder trial

The importance of crisis debriefing for those involved in major accidents, violent crimes, and natural disasters has been demonstrated. Similar debriefing may be warranted for jurors exposed to disturbing material in criminal cases. The authors describe a debriefing session for jurors after the murder trial of a man whose truck had collided with a school bus, killing 27 people. The graphic evidence of the accident, the high levels of emotion of the survivors and the victims' relatives, and the intense community and national attention to the trial placed the jurors under considerable stress. The debriefing enabled the jurors to express their feelings of anger, guilt, and frustration and to begin to accept their role in the event.     

Altered acceptability of and preference for sugar solutions by diabetic rats is normalized by high-fat diet

Two experiments examined the ingestive responses of streptozotocin-diabetic rats fed low-fat or high-fat diets to glucose, fructose, sucrose and maltose solutions in brief (30 min) intake tests. In Experiment 1, one-bottle acceptability tests were used whereas two-bottle preference tests were used in Experiment 2. Three main findings resulted from these studies. Firstly, diabetic rats fed the low-fat diet displayed a reduced acceptance of and preference for all concentrated sugar solutions. Secondly, glucose consumption patterns of diabetic rats fed the low-fat diet were distinctly different from their responses to the other sugars. Thirdly feeding high-fat diets, either high or low in carbohydrate, normalized the responses of diabetic rats to the sugar solutions. The results suggest that feeding high-fat diets to diabetic rats normalizes their responses to sugar solutions because of reductions in hunger and thirst associated with the provision of a utilizable source of calories and an improvement in body fluid balance.     

Glafenine-associated anaphylaxis as a cause of hospital admission in the Netherlands

Summary In 1981 generalized anaphylaxis was registered on 166 occasions in Dutch general and academic hospitals. Clinical details of 120 of those patients revealed that in 107 anaphylaxis was either probable (n=90) or possible (n=17), whereas in 13 cases some other reaction than anaphylaxis had occurred. The series of confirmed cases contained 46 men and 61 women, with mean ages of 47 y and 48 y, respectively.There was a complete recovery in 102 patients and two patients died. Hypotension was present in 79 cases (74%), dyspnoea in 34 cases (32%) and a skin reaction, mainly urticaria, erythema or angioedema, was mentioned in 62 cases (58%). Most cases of anaphylaxis were drug-induced (76%), the main causes being the analgesic glafenine and contrast media. Glafenine was mentioned as the cause in 36% of all admissions for drug-induced anaphylaxis. Only 3.7% of cases had been reported to the voluntary reporting scheme of the Netherlands Centre for Monitoring of Adverse Reactions to Drugs.On the basis of reimbursement data, the risk of developing severe anaphylaxis to glafenine was estimated at 11.7–19.3-fold relative to indomethacin, and 13.4–20.2-fold relative to oral penicillins.     

Parkinson''s disease in China. Coordinational Group of Neuroepidemiology, PLA.

An epidemiological study on the incidence and prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) was carried out in 29 provinces, cities and autonomous regions in this country in 1986. The survey was conducted in 117 areas, and 566 patients with PD were found among 3,869,162 persons examined, giving a point prevalence for men and women of 16.9/10(5) and 12.4/10(5), with the highest prevalence after the fifth decade of age. The disease was most prevalent in the southern part of China, especially in Hunan and Guangxi provinces. The incidence was 1.5/10(5)/yr in 1986. Both the prevalence and incidence of PD in China are lower than those in the white race and Japanese.

     

Transformation into a Healing Healthcare Environment: Recovering the Possibilities of Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing

The author describes the transformation of an inpatient psychiatric unit into a healing healthcare environment through the application of principles built upon the ARTWorks Paradigm (Acceptance, Responsibility, and Trust). Parallels are drawn among the transformation seen in clients, the growth evidenced in nurses working on the unit, and the changes reflected within the nursing profession as a whole. Paradigm themes and specific program components are shared to demonstrate applicability in a variety of settings.