Geographic and ecologic distributions of the Anopheles gambiae complex predicted using a genetic algorithm

The distribution of the Anopheles gambiae complex of malaria vectors in Africa is uncertain due to under-sampling of vast regions. We use ecologic niche modeling to predict the potential distribution of three members of the complex (A. gambiae, A. arabiensis, and A. quadriannulatus) and demonstrate the statistical significance of the models. Predictions correspond well to previous estimates, but provide detail regarding spatial discontinuities in the distribution of A. gambiae s.s. that are consistent with population genetic studies. Our predictions also identify large areas of Africa where the presence of A. arabiensis is predicted, but few specimens have been obtained, suggesting under-sampling of the species. Finally, we project models developed from African distribution data for the late 1900s into the past and to South America to determine retrospectively whether the deadly 1929 introduction of A. gambiae sensu lato into Brazil was more likely that of A. gambiae sensu stricto or A. arabiensis.     

Primary cutaneous fungal infection after solid-organ transplantation: report of five cases and review.

Solid-organ transplant recipients who are receiving immunosuppressive therapy are at increased risk of acquiring opportunistic infections, particularly fungal infections. We present the cases of five liver transplant recipients who developed primary cutaneous opportunistic fungal infections that remained localized to the skin. These cases are compared with 27 previously reported cases of primary cutaneous fungal infections. In these previously reported cases, administration of systemic antifungal medications, including amphotericin B, ketoconazole, griseofulvin, and miconazole, resulted in a 71% survival rate. Medical and surgical therapy together resulted in an 86% survival rate, and surgical excision resulted in a 100% survival rate. Thus, regardless of the age of the patient, type of immunosuppressive therapy, clinical presentation, or organisms involved, surgical excision yielded the highest cure rate. When possible, surgical excision should be performed on solid-organ transplant recipients who acquire opportunistic fungal infections.     

Visual deficits and cognitive assessment of multiple sclerosis: confounder,correlate, or both?

Journal of Neurology - The relationship between visual impairment and cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains poorly understood. To determine associations between visual acuity and...     

Mapping the microbiological diversity of odontogenic abscess: are we using the right drugs?

Objectives

The aim of this study was categorizing the microbial flora and susceptibility to antibiotics and to clarify to which degree the empiric administered antibiotics are suitable for therapy.

Materials and methods

A 3.5-year retrospective study evaluated hospital records of 206 patients who suffered from head and neck infections of odontogenic origin. All patients underwent surgical incision and drainage and received intravenous antibiotics and inpatient treatment. The specimens were obtained by performing a swab.

Results

Two hundred six patients were included with 251 strains isolated (1.22 per patient). One hundred eight strains showed antibiotic resistance. Eighty-seven patients showed at least one bacterial strain that showed antibiotic resistance (42.2%). The most frequent isolated bacteria were Streptococcus spp. (n = 116), with a high rate of antibiotic resistance (50.8%). We investigated 205 cases of antibiotic resistance in 87 subjects. Nine bacterial strains showed no susceptibility to unacid (4.3%) and 36 strains to clindamycin (17.5%).

Conclusion

Antibiotic resistance against clindamycin was rather high. The distribution of the afflicted spaces and isolated bacteria was alike recent findings. It is mandatory to understand that immediate surgical treatment in terms of incision and drainage is the basis in abscess treatment. Antibiotic treatment is adjunct therapy.

Clinical relevance

Streptococcus species were the most frequently identified bacteria presenting antibiotic resistance in more than 50%. Increased resistant rates for clindamycin require reconsiderations regarding an empiric antibiotic treatment.

     

Current Status of Cost Utility Analyses in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review

Background

Total joint arthroplasty (TJA), although considered to be highly beneficial, is associated with substantial costs to the US healthcare system. Cost utility analysis has become an increasingly important means to objectively evaluate the value of a healthcare intervention from the perspective of both extending the quantity and improving the quality of life. Relatively little is known about the overall cost utility analysis evidence base in TJA.

Questions/purposes

The goals of this review were to (1) determine the cost utility of TJA interventions; (2) critically assess the quality of published US-based cost utility analyses using the Quality of Health Economic Studies instrument; and (3) determine what characteristics were common among studies receiving a high quality score.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature using the MEDLINE database was performed to compile findings and critically appraise US-based cost utility analysis studies for total hip and knee arthroplasty. Based on review of 676 identified articles, 23 studies were included. We used the Quality of Health Economic Studies instrument to assess study quality and one-sided Fisher’s exact tests were applied to analyze the predictors of high-quality cost utility analysis.

Results

Very few studies compare the cost utility of TJA versus nonoperative intervention; however, the available evidence suggests that TJA can be cost-saving and is highly cost-effective compared with conservative management of end-stage arthritis. The majority of identified studies are focused on the cost utility of new implant technologies or comparisons among surgical alternatives. These studies suggest that the upfront costs associated with new technologies are cost-effective when there is a major reduction in a future cost. The quality of identified studies is quite high (Quality of Health Economic Studies Instrument score: mean 86.5; range, 63–100). National funding source (p = 0.095) and lifetime horizon for analysis (p = 0.07) correlate with high-quality evidence but do not reach significance.

Conclusions

Over the past 15 years, there has been a major increase in the volume of cost utility analyses published in total hip and knee arthroplasty. The quality of cost utility analyses published during that period is good. As increasing attention is paid to value in US health care, more attention should be paid to understanding the cost utility of TJA compared with nonoperative treatment modalities. Future studies may also look to incorporate patient willingness to pay.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11999-014-3964-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Ontogenesis of insulin processing in fetal rat hepatocytes

Summary We studied insulin processing and hepatic glycogenesis in cultured hepatocytes isolated from rat fetuses of 17, 19, and 21 days of gestation. Steady-state insulin binding increased by 250% between days 17 and 19, from 145±8 to 361±52 fmol/mg protein, and by an additional 40% (405±69 fmol/mg protein) by 21 days of gestation. At 37°C, ¹²⁵I-insulin was rapidly (t_1/2<5 min) internalized by hepatocytes at all three ages, reaching maximal levels (63–76% of the total cell-associated radioactivity) by 15 min. ¹²⁵I-labelled degradation products appeared rapidly (t_1/2<15 min) within the cells. Yet, the majority (68–77%) of the intracellular radioactivity consisted of intact ¹²⁵I-insulin, even after 4 h at 37°C. Hepatocytes pre-loaded with ¹²⁵I-insulin and then acid-stripped of surface-bound radioactivity, rapidly released both intact ¹²⁵I-insulin (retroendocytosis) and its radiolabelled degradation products. While intact insulin was initially released more rapidly (t_1/2<6 min), and reached a plateau after 15–30 min, the degradation products continued to accumulate in the medium for at least 4 h. Methylamine inhibited intracellular ¹²⁵I-insulin degradation at all three gestational ages and also blocked insulin-stimulated glycogenesis in 19- and 21-day hepatocytes, without altering basal glycogen synthesis. Insulin-stimulated glycogenesis was not induced in 17-day fetal rat hepatocytes in control or methylamine-treated cultures. We conclude that both degradative and retroendocytotic pathways for processing insulin are present in fetal rat hepatocytes by 17 days of gestation. Further, insulin-receptor processing was functionally related to the glycogenic action of insulin in responsive 19- and 21-day fetal rat hepatocytes     

Clinical utility of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration of mediastinal masses in the absence of known pulmonary malignancy

BACKGROUND: Mediastinal masses represent a diagnostic challenge because of their proximity to numerous critical structures, difficulty of access for tissue sampling, and myriad potential pathologic etiologies. A large, single-center experience with EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in the diagnosis of non-lung cancer-related mediastinal masses is presented. METHODS: An EUS database was reviewed and all cases of mediastinal mass or lymphadenopathy encountered between 1994 and 1999 were included. Final diagnoses were determined by EUS-FNA cytology and clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were identified (27 women, 22 men; mean age 58.1 years, range 30-89 years). A malignant process was diagnosed in 22 cases (45%) and a benign process in 24 (49%). The EUS-FNA specimen was nondiagnostic in 3 cases (6%). An accurate diagnosis was made in 46 of the 49 patients (94%). No complication was noted. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-FNA is a minimally invasive technique that facilitates detection and tissue sampling of mediastinal masses. It is a safe procedure that can be performed with the patient under conscious sedation in an outpatient setting.