Maternal Concentrations of Polyfluoroalkyl Compounds during Pregnancy and Fetal and Postnatal Growth in British Girls

Background: Prenatal exposures to polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) may be associated with adverse changes in fetal and postnatal growth.Objective: We explored associations of prenatal serum concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) with fetal and postnatal growth in girls.Methods: We studied a sample of 447 singleton girls and their mothers participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Data on weight and length were obtained at birth and at 2, 9, and 20 months. Serum samples were obtained in 1991–1992, from mothers during pregnancy. We explored associations between prenatal PFC concentrations and weight at birth as well as longitudinal changes in weight-for-age SD scores between birth and 20 months.Results: PFOS (median, 19.6 ng/mL), PFOA (median, 3.7 ng/mL), and PFHxS (median, 1.6 ng/mL) were detected in 100% of samples. On average, girls born to mothers with prenatal concentrations of PFOS in the upper tertile weighed 140 g less [95% confidence interval (CI): –238, –42] at birth than girls born to mothers with concentrations in the lower tertile in adjusted models. Similar patterns were seen for PFOA (–133 g; 95% CI: –237, –30) and PFHxS (–108 g; 95% CI: –206, –10). At 20 months, however, girls born to mothers with prenatal concentrations of PFOS in the upper tertile weighed 580 g more (95% CI: 301, 858) when compared with those in the lower tertile. No differences in weight were found for PFOA and PFHxS.Conclusions: Girls with higher prenatal exposure to each of the PFCs examined were smaller at birth than those with lower exposure. In addition, those with higher exposure to PFOS were larger at 20 months.     

Risk factors associated with anthrax in cattle on smallholdings

SUMMARY Unprecedented high rates of anthrax outbreaks have been observed recently in cattle and humans in Bangladesh, with 607 human cases in 2010. By enrolling 15 case and 15 control cattle smallholdings in the spatial zone in July-September 2010, we conducted a case-control study, data of which were analysed by matched-pair analysis and multivariable conditional logistic regression. Feeding animals with uprooted and unwashed grass [odds ratio (OR) 41·2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3·7-458·8, P=0·003], and feeding water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) (OR 22·2, 95% CI 1·2-418·7, P=0·039) were independent risk factors for anthrax in cattle.     

Latent cutaneous porphyria, type PCT, in a Caucasian woman

A case of latent cutaneous porphyria associated with a severe hemolytic anemia is reported. A complete family investigation showed no signs of heredity. The porphyrias may occur in association with malignant diseases, autoimmune conditions and other rare diseases. The relationship between skin photosensitivity and porphyrins does not seem to be a simple one.     

The effect of acetyl salicylic acid and dipyridamole on thromboembolic complications in splenectomized patients with myelofibrosis

The effect of combined treatment with acetyl salicylic acid and dipyridamole on thrombic phenomena was studied in splenectomized patients with an aggressive form of myelofibrosis. 3 of these patients had thrombotic episodes, shortened platelet survival and an abnormal platelet aggregation pattern. The treatment with antiplatelet drugs resulted in a decreased platelet utilization as evidenced by clinical improvement and an increasing platelet concentration.     

Congenital transmission of Schistosoma japonicum in pigs

Congenital transmission of Schistosoma japonicum in pigs was investigated by experimentally infecting sows at four weeks gestation (n = 3), 10 weeks gestation (n = 3), or a few weeks prior to insemination (n = 2). None of the piglets born to sows infected prior to insemination or in early pregnancy were found to be infected. However, all of the piglets (n = 26) born to sows infected at 10 weeks gestation were found to harbor schistosomes with S. japonicum eggs recovered from both their feces and livers. The findings show that congenital S. japonicum infection of pigs can occur if sows are infected during mid-to-late pregnancy and may have important implications not only for pigs but also for other mammalian hosts of schistosomes, including humans.     

Sleep in acromegaly before and after treatment with adenomectomy

Daytime somnolence and fatigue are frequently ignored symptoms in acromegaly. To examine whether sleep apnea or other abnormalities in the sleep structure is the underlying cause, 9 young patients with active untreated acromegaly for 2-7 years were studied with all night polysomnography. It revealed a decrease in REM sleep time in all the acromegalics compared to age- and sex-matched normal subjects (p less than 0.001) and also a reduction in delta sleep (p less than 0.05). None had obstructive sleep apnea. At reexamination 12-15 months posttreatment the daytime sleepiness had disappeared in all patients. REM sleep time increased in all patients (p less than 0.001) to normal level; delta sleep time increased moderately (p less than 0.05). Thus sleepiness in patients with high fasting level of growth hormone (GH) is not related to sleep apnea but more likely to a reduced amount of REM sleep time. By normalizing the GH concentration, REM sleep time became normal and the daytime sleepiness disappeared in all patients.     

The incidence of severe duodenal anomalies in patients submitted to barium meal examination, in normals, and in different clinical subgroups

The incidence of severe duodenal anomalies (MD) has been investigated in 458 patients submitted to barium meal examination and in 176 subjects comprising various clinical subgroups. The incidence of MD in patients submitted to barium meal examination was 11.6%. The incidence of MD in 25 normals was 4%, which was not significantly different from the incidence (10%) of MD in patients with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. Compared with in normals, MD occurred with a significantly higher incidence in 45 patients with X-ray-negative dyspepsia (24%), in 36 patients with the irritable bowel syndrome (44%), and in 37 patients with asthma (38%). It is concluded that demonstration of MD in a patient is only indicative of a possible disorder.     

Comparison of Plasmodium falciparum infections in Panamanian and Colombian owl monkeys

Parameters of blood-induced infections of the Vietnam Oak Knoll, Vietnam Smith, and Uganda Palo Alto strains of Plasmodium falciparum studied in 395 Panamanian owl monkeys in this laboratory between 1976-1984 were compared with those reported from another laboratory for 665 Colombian owl monkeys, studied between 1968-1975, and, at the time, designated Aotus trivirgatus griseimembra. The virulence of these strains was less in Panamanian than in Colombian owl monkeys, as indicated by lower mortality rates of the Panamanian monkeys during the first 30 days of patency. Maximum parasitemias of the Vietnam Smith and Uganda Palo Alto strain, in Panamanian owl monkeys dying during the first 15 days of patent infection, were significantly higher than in Colombian owl monkeys. Panamanian owl monkeys that survived the primary attack had significantly higher maximum parasitemias than the surviving Colombian owl monkeys. Peak parasitemias were attained significantly earlier after patency in Panamanian than in Colombian owl monkeys, irrespective of the strain of P. falciparum. More Panamanian than Colombian owl monkeys evidenced self-limited infection after the primary attack of either the Vietnam Smith or Uganda Palo Alto strain. The duration of the primary attacks and recrudescences were significantly shorter in Panamanian than in Colombian owl monkeys. Mean peak parasitemias during recrudescence were usually higher in Panamanian owl monkeys than in Colombian monkeys. Differences of infection parameters were probably attributable, in part, to geographical origin of the two monkey hosts and parasite strains.