Bone mineral density is related to blood pressure in men

The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between bone mineral density (BMD) and blood pressure in 214 men, age 20–76. BMD measurements were done by dual X‐ray absorptiometry using a Lunar DPXMD densitometer at the lumbar spine (L2–L4) and different femoral regions. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were measured using an MPC‐350 sphygmomanometer. Physicians gathered demographic data and participants' dietary intake of calcium were determined by using food frequency questionnaires. After adjusting for age, body mass index, dietary calcium, and exercise history, multiple linear regression models showed that DBP was negatively related to femoral neck BMD (β = ?0.145, P = 0.032) and just shy of significant association with femoral neck BMC (β = ?0.114, P = 0.079). SBP was correlated with femoral neck (r = ?0.171, P = 0.012) and Ward's (r = ?0.186, P = 0.006) BMD but not after adjusting for possible confounders. Further studies are needed to determine whether elevated blood pressure is causally related to the development of low bone mass. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:168–171, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

IFN-alpha and IFN-beta: a link between immune memory and chronic inflammation

The majority of expanded T cells generated during an immune response are cleared by apoptosis. Prevention of death in some activated T cells enables the persistence of a memory T-cell pool. Here, observations that IFN-alpha and IFN-beta inhibit activated T-cell apoptosis are described. Although this enables memory T cells to persist without antigen, excessive IFN-alpha or IFN-gamma secretion might lead to chronic inflammation.     

The impact of telomere erosion on memory CD8+ T cells in patients with X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome

Patients with X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP) experience excessive T cell proliferation after primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, due to mutations in the signalling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) associated protein (SAP) molecule. We examined the impact of dysfunctional proliferative control on the extent of CD8+ T cell differentiation in XLP patients who recovered from primary EBV infection. Although these young patients have normal numbers of lytic and latent EBV-epitope-specific CD8+ T cells, they were extremely differentiated as defined by loss of CCR7 and CD27, low telomerase activity and very short telomeres. This was not a direct effect arising from the loss of SAP, but was due to excessive T cell stimulation due to this defect. Thus, transduction of XLP CD8+ T cells with the catalytic component of telomerase (hTERT), but not SAP, prevented telomere loss and considerably extended proliferative lifespan in vitro. These results indicate that excessive proliferation in CD8+ T cells in XLP patients may lead to end-stage differentiation and loss of functional EBV-specific CD8+ T cells through replicative senescence. This may contribute to the defective immunity found in XLP patients who survive acute EBV infection who develop EBV-related B cell lymphomas before the fourth decade of life.     

Undiagnosed Depression among Hypertensive Individuals in Gaza: A Cross-sectional Survey from Palestine

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and to determine the associated factors of undiagnosed depression amongst hypertensive patients (HTNP) at primary health care centers (PHCC) in Gaza.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted including 538 HTNP as a recruitment phase of a clustered randomized controlled trial. Data were collected through face-to-face structured interview, and depression status was assessed by Beck''s Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Data were analyzed by STATA version 14 using standard complex survey analyses, accounted for unresponsiveness and clustering approach. Generalized linear regression analysis was performed to assess associations.ResultsThe prevalence of undiagnosed clinical depression was 11.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.1, 16.3). Moreover, prevalence of 15.4% (95% CI: 10.8, 21.6) was found for mild depression symptoms. We found that non-adherence to antihypertensive medications (AHTNM) (β = 0.9, 95% CI: 0.17, 1.7), having more health-care system support (β = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.6, 3.9) and number of AHTNM (β = 1.5, 95% CI: 0.6, 2.5) remain significantly positively associated with BDI-II score. On the other hand, older age (β = -0.1, 95% CI: -0.2, -0.02), having better social support (β = -6.8, 95% CI: -8.9, -4.7) and having stronger patient-doctor relationship (β = -4.1, 95% CI: -6.9, -1.2) kept significantly negative association.ConclusionThe prevalence of undiagnosed depression was about one-quarter of all cases; half of them were moderate to severe. Routine screening of depression status should be a part of the care of HTNP in PHCC.     

Knowledge mobilization tool to promote,protect, and support breastfeeding during COVID-19

SettingThis knowledge mobilization project was conceptualized to increase awareness among breastfeeding mothers and the general public on safe infant feeding practices during the COVID-19 pandemic by addressing myths and misconceptions associated with breastfeeding practices, guiding breastfeeding mothers to make informed decisions around child feeding practices, and offering meaningful guidance in simple language through a short online animated video.InterventionThis project was undertaken in four phases. During phase 1, an informal discussion was held with the breastfeeding mothers, service providers, and community partner in identifying issues surrounding lactation counselling facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. During phase 2, recommendations from 23 organizations with regard to breastfeeding during COVID-19 were reviewed and analyzed. During phase 3, using evidence from reliable sources, a 5-minute animated e-resource on breastfeeding during COVID-19 was conceptualized and developed. During phase 4, the e-resource was disseminated to the breastfeeding mothers, general public, post-secondary institutions, and organizations providing services to breastfeeding mothers in Canada.OutcomesThis evidence-based e-resource facilitated addressing misconceptions around breastfeeding during COVID-19 and raising public awareness on safe infant feeding practices during this pandemic. Overall, the video was described as an informative, user-friendly, useful, and easily accessible resource by breastfeeding mothers who were in self-isolation with little access to healthcare services during the pandemic.ImplicationsThis project highlighted the importance of patient engagement and collaboration with the community partner in protecting breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic. It further illustrated how informational e-resources can protect breastfeeding in situations where breastfeeding mothers’ access to healthcare services is compromised.     

Volume fast spin-echo imaging of the cervical spine

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors prospectively evaluated a T2-weighted, three-dimensional (3D) volume, fast spin-echo (SE) pulse sequence in assessment of the cervical spine and compared it with standard imaging protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with neck pain underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 1.5 T with two-dimensional (2D) fast SE and axial 3D gradient-echo (GRE) protocols and with an additional sagittal T2-weighted volume fast SE protocol. The spinal cord and canal, neural foramina, and intervertebral disks were assessed by two neuroradiologists, and the results were compared with reports from the standard protocol. The quality of the partition (direct sagittal) and reconstructed images were evaluated. RESULTS: No differences existed in the assessment of spinal cord disease or disk herniation with 2D fast SE and volume fast SE imaging. Some mild variation occurred in assessment of the neural foramina. Partition images demonstrated a high level of resolution and contrast, while reconstructed images had consistently lower quality. However, this did not impede detection and grading of disk or spinal abnormalities, which were adequately shown on volume fast SE sagittal images. Neural foramina were well demonstrated on axial reconstructions from volume fast SE imaging. CONCLUSION: Volume fast SE imaging provides information about the spinal cord, canal, disks, and neural foramina that is comparable to the information provided by routine imaging. Its thinner sections and multiplanar reconstruction capability are advantages over 2D imaging. Its greater tissue contrast with better visualization of the cervical cord, greater signal-to-noise ratio, and less susceptibility artifact are advantages over 3D GRE imaging.     

State-of-the-Art in Biosafety and Biosecurity in European Countries

The terms biosafety and biosecurity are widely used in different concepts and refer not only to protection of human beings and their surrounding environment against hazardous biological agent, but also to global disarmament of weapons of mass destruction. As a result, the biosafety and biosecurity issues should be considered interdisciplinary based on multilateral agreements against proliferation of biological weapons, public health and environmental protection. This publication presents information on both, international and national biosafety and biosecurity legislation. Status of national implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, penalization issues and measures to account for and secure production, use, storage of particularly dangerous pathogens or activities involving humans, plants and animals where infection may pose a risk have been analyzed. Safety and security measures in laboratories have been studied. Moreover, dual-use technology and measures of secure transport of biohazard materials have been also taken into account. In addition, genetic engineering regulations, biosecurity activities in laboratories and code of conducts have been investigated, as well.