IMMUNOGENICITY OF HEPATITIS A VACCINE IN CHILDREN WITH CANCER

This study evaluated the immuned response of the hepatitis A vaccine in children with cancer who were receiving chemotherapy. Twenty-eight patients with lymphomas or solid tumors and who had negative serology for hepatitis A were enrolled. The median age was 4.7 years (range 2–16). The patients received 1440 IU hepatitis A vaccine at 0 and 6 months. Seroconversion rates at the first and seventh months were 60% (n = 17/28 patients) and 89% (n = 24/27 patients). No adverse effects were observed. The hepatitis A vaccine was found to be effective and safe in children with cancer.     

What are the factors associated with the duration of remission of intra-articular corticosteroid injection in juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

Clinical Rheumatology - Intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IACI) is generally used in the management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to obtain rapid relief of active synovitis and...     

2D:4D Digit Ratios in Adults with Gender Dysphoria: A Comparison to Their Unaffected Same-Sex Heterosexual Siblings,Cisgender Heterosexual Men,and Cisgender Heterosexual Women

Archives of Sexual Behavior - We compared gender dysphoria (GD) patients and their same-sex siblings in terms of their 2D:4D ratios, which may reflect prenatal exposure to androgen, one of the...     

Self‐reported quantity of daily water intake and urine output in healthy young

Water is an essential nutrient and adequate intake and output of water is required for health maintenance. Water homeostasis is vital for life and optimal function and considerable interest surrounds the issue of recommendations for water consumption in healthy individuals. Few studies are available about self‐reported water intake and urine output. The aim of this study was to assess the quantity of water intake and urine output in 24‐h period in healthy young individuals. This prospective study was carried out on 31 students aged 18–24 years undergoing nursing education in a University during January 2011 in Sakarya, Turkey. Healthy young individuals were recruited for determination of the quantity of water taken in and urine excretion along 24 h; they recorded fluid input and urine output. The students collected the data during weekend break. In our study, the total daily fluid intake (mL) for females was 2082·6 ± 687·1 and the total daily fluid intake (mL) for males was 2720·8 ± 717·4. The total daily quantity of urine (mL) for females was 1623·4 ± 602·4 and the total daily quantity of urine (mL) for males was 1818·3 ± 420·6. This research may be the source for similar studies that could include seasonal changes, climates, cultures and different age groups.     

Immediate and Follow‐Up Results of Repeat Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Commissurotomy for Restenosis After a Succesful First Procedure

Background: The widespread use of percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) has led to an increase in restenosis cases. The data regarding follow‐up results of repeat PMC are quite limited. The aim of this retrospective analysis is to evaluate the immediate and midterm results of the second PMC, in patients with symptomatic mitral restenosis after a succesful first procedure. Methods: Twenty patients (95% female, mean age 37 ± 4 years) who have undergone a second PMC, 6.3 ± 2.5 years after a first successful intervention built the study group. All were in sinus rhythm, with a mean Wilkins score of 8.5 ± 1.2. Results: The valve area increased from 1.2 ± 0.2 to 1.9 ± 0.2 cm² and mean gradient decreased from 10.5 ± 3.4 to 6.1 ± 1.1 mmHg. There were no complications except for a transient embolic event without sequela (5%) and two cases (10%) of severe mitral regurgitation. The immediate success rate was 90%. The mean follow‐up was 70 ± 29 months (36–156 months). The 5‐year restenosis and intervention (repeat PMC or valve replacement) rates were 9.1 ± 5.2% and 3.6 ± 3.3%, respectively. The intervention free 5‐year survival in good functional capacity (New York Heart Association [NYHA] I–II) was 95.1 ± 5.5% and restenosis and intervention free 5‐year survival with good functional capacity was 89.7 ± 6.8%. Conclusions: Although from a limited number of selected patients, these findings indicate that repeat PMC is a safe and effective method, with follow‐up results similar to a first intervention and should be considered as the first therapeutic option in suitable patients. (Echocardiography 2010;27:765‐769)     

Cyclospora cayetanensis associated with diarrhea in a patient with idiopathic compensated hepatic cirrhosis

A 52 year-old male patient with idiopathic hepatic cirrhosis complaining of diarrhea and weakness was accepted to the gastroenterology clinic. In order to find out the causative etiologic agent of diarrhea, stool samples were examined by different methods and stained using modified Kinyoun's acid-fast stain. Following examination, approximately 9 microns diameter, acid-fast variable wrinkled spheres were seen and diagnosed as Cyclospora cayetanensis. Confirmation of the diagnosis was established by fluorescent microscope (380 to 420 nm excitation filter), which showed bright green to intense blue autofluorescent oocysts. It has been shown that, Cyclospora cayetanensis is a coccidian parasite mainly found in immunocompromised patients and that it may be the agent of prolonged diarrhea. Only three cyclosporiosis cases have been previously reported in our country; all three cases were AIDS patients. We report here a further case of Cyclospora cayetanensis infection in a patient with hepatic cirrhosis and we consider that this is the first case, which was reported in hepatic cirrhosis.