Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory profile of patients with allergic rhinitis

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between allergic rhinitis and personality traits in a nonpsychiatric population of proven allergic status. Subjects were assigned to the allergic group (n = 29) and the nonallergic group (n = 29) on the basis of the medical examination, allergic prick tests, and self-reported allergic status. Analysis of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Profile (MMPI) profiles showed that male subjects with allergic rhinitis had significantly higher scores on depression, paranoia, and social introversion. Depression, hypochondriasis, and hysteria scores were significantly higher in female subjects. It may be concluded that patients with allergic rhinitis have poorer psychological function compared with the nonallergic subjects.     

Effects of tactile-kinesthetic stimulation in preterms: a controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To determine the effects of tactile-kinesthetic stimulation to preterms on physiologic parameters, physical growth and behavioral development. DESIGN: Controlled trial. SETTING: The premature unit (growing nursery) of a large, teaching hospital. SUBJECTS: 48 well preterms with birth weights between 1000-2000 grams. INTERVENTION: The neonates were systematically allocated into test and control groups. Test babies received tactile-kinesthetic stimulation in the form of a structured baby massage from day 3 to term corrected age. They were observed for changes in vital parameters (heart rate, respiration, temperature and oxygen saturation) during the first few days of stimulation in hospital. Thereafter, massage was continued at home. Changes in weight, length and head circumference and neuro-behavior (Brazelton Neuro-Behavioral Assessment Scale) were assessed in both groups before, during and after the study period. RESULTS: An increase in heart rate (within physiologic range) was seen in the test group during stimulation. This group also showed a weight gain of 4.24 g/day more than controls, which was statistically significant. On the Brazelton Scale the test group showed statistically significant improved scores on the "orientation", "range of state", "regulation of state" and "autonomic stability" clusters at follow-up. No significant complications were noted. A positive correlation was found between the duration of stimulation in days and the weight gain in grams but this did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Tactile-kinesthetic stimulation when administered to well, preterm infants has a beneficial effect on growth and behavioral development with no adverse effects on physiologic parameters.     

Transient tachypnea of the newborn: predictive factor for prolonged tachypnea.

BACKGROUND: Because there is a lack of well-established criteria, the aim of the present paper was to determine risk factors to predict the duration of tachypnea in transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). METHODS: Data from 95 newborns with TTN were evaluated retrospectively. Clinical and laboratory findings were compared between patients in whom tachypnea lasted <72 h (group 1) or >72 h (group 2). RESULTS: Male gender, prematurity and delivery by cesarean section were the major risk factors for TTN. Parenteral furosemide had no effect on the clinical course. Peak respiratory rate (RRpeak) at the first 36 h was significantly higher in group 2 (P > 0.000). The cut-off for RRpeak during the first 36 h (RRpeak36) was 90/min and RRpeak36 > 90/min caused a 7.04-fold risk of prolonged tachypnea. White blood cell count and hematocrit levels were lower whereas duration of hospitalization and antibiotic treatment were longer in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of RRpeak36 may be useful in predicting clinical course of TTN.     

Albendazole is Not Effective for Primary Treatment of Hepatic Hydatid Cysts

Introduction In current practice, minimal invazive interventions such as percutaneous drainage and laparoscopic surgery in adjunct treatment with benzimidazoles have been gaining acceptance in treatment of hydatid cystic disease with minimal morbidity and mortality. In this prospective study, the efficacy and validity of primary medical therapy in the treatment of hydatid cystic disease has been investigated. Patients and methods Sixty-five patients with hepatic cystic disease were treated with albendazole alone between January 2004 and June 2007. All of the patients were administrated albendazole as 10 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ divided into two equal doses for 6 months with ultrasonography (USG), serological tests, full-blood cell count and hepatic function tests performed in 2 months intervals in the course of treatment. Results Fifty of the patients were female and 15 were male with a mean age of 47.0 ± 16.9 (17–80). A total number of 106 cysts were present in 65 patients. Mean cystic diameter was 5.5 ± 3.6 (1–16). In 41 of the patients, cysts were solitary and in remaining 24 patients cysts were multiple. Mean follow-up period was 28.3 ± 8.6 (12–42) months. The overall success rate of albendazole therapy was 18 % (12/65) in the study. Conclusion Albendazole therapy for hepatic hydatidosis is not effective in the vast majority of patients and, therefore, should not be used as the primary therapy for patients who are surgical candidates.     

Evaluation of nutritional status and factors related to malnutrition in children on CAPD.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional status of children on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and to relate it to the dose of dialysis and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). PATIENTS: 17 CAPD patients (8 girls, 9 boys; mean age 13.1 +/- 3.5 years, median 15 years) were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements and serum albumin levels were used in the evaluation of nutritional status. Serum interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IGF-1 levels were determined in all CAPD patients and in a healthy control group. Weekly Kt/V and creatinine clearance (CCr) were measured to determine adequacy of dialysis. RESULTS: The mean dialysis period was 23.7 +/- 15.2 months (median 23 months). Anthropometric measurements and serum albumin level were as follows: height 130.2 +/- 15.6 cm, height standard deviation score (HtSDS) -4.2 +/- 2.4, body mass index (BMI) 16.3 +/- 1.6 kg/m2, body mass index standard deviation score (BMISDS) -0.8 +/- 0.9, triceps skinfold thickness (TST) 4.2 +/- 1.4 mm, midarm circumference (MAC) 16.21 +/- 2.3 cm, upper arm muscle area (AMA) 1799.1 +/- 535.7 mm2, upper arm fat area (AFA) 334.5 +/- 143 mm2, and serum albumin 3.1 +/- 0.7 g/dL. The BMI was above the fifth percentile in all patients; TST and MAC were below the fifth percentile in 14 patients (82.4%) and 10 patients (58.8%) respectively. The AMA was below the fifth percentile in 8 patients; however, the AFA was below the fifth percentile in all patients. Mean serum albumin level was under 3.5 g/dL in 70.5% of the children. We found significant positive correlations between BMI and Kt/V (r = 0.69, p < 0.01), CCr (r = 0.64, p < 0.05), and IL-6 (r = 0.61, p < 0.01). There was an inverse correlation between BMISDS and dialysis period (r = -0.58, p < 0.05); and between IL-6 and serum albumin (r = -0.49, p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation between BMISDS and serum IGF-1 level (r = 0.62, p < 0.01) was noted. We also found a significant positive correlation between serum IGF-1 level and both HtSDS (r = 0.57, p < 0.05) and TST (r = 0.52, p < 0.05). Significant positive correlations between AFA and CCr and IGF-1 were also noted (both r = 0.56, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although many factors may be responsible for malnutrition and growth retardation, we found that prolonged period of dialysis, inadequate dialysis, and low IGF-1 levels are the most important risk factors in CAPD patients.