Ethnic differences in stress among residents in a deprived neighbourhood in Denmark

The present research aimed to explore how stress varies by socio-demographic characteristics among immigrants compared to the host population in a deprived neighbourhood. Data used in the analyses were collected through questionnaires from 1160 inhabitants in Esbjerg, Denmark. Logistic regression analyses were conducted separately for ethnic Danes and immigrants to examine the stress' association with gender, age, education, marital status, economic situation, social deprivation, unemployment, sick leave and loneliness. Although stress frequency was higher among immigrants than ethnic Danes, stress was significantly associated only with gender among immigrants and with all variables but gender and marital status among ethnic Danes. The association of stress with socio-demographic characteristics shows a different pattern between immigrants and the host population residents in a deprived neighbourhood. Socio-demographic characteristics by themselves cannot explain significant differences in stress levels between people. Specific circumstances in people's life may change the experience's meaning and eventually health outcomes.     

The risk of tuberculosis in transplant candidates and recipients: a TBNET consensus statement

Tuberculosis (TB) is a possible complication of solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The identification of candidates for preventive chemotherapy is an effective intervention to protect transplant recipients with latent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis from progressing to active disease. The best available proxy for diagnosing latent infection with M. tuberculosis is the identification of an adaptive immune response by the tuberculin skin test or an interferon-γ based ex vivo assay. Risk assessment in transplant recipients for the development of TB depends on, among other factors, the locally expected underlying prevalence of infection with M. tuberculosis in the target population. In areas of high prevalence, preventive chemotherapy for all transplant recipients may be justified without immunodiagnostic testing while in areas of medium and low prevalence, preventive chemotherapy should only be offered to candidates with positive M. tuberculosis-specific immune responses. The diagnosis of TB in transplant recipients can be challenging. Treatment of TB is often difficult due to substantial interactions between anti-TB drugs and immunosuppressive medications. This management guideline summarises current knowledge on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of TB related to solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and provides an expert consensus on questions where scientific evidence is still lacking.     

Accuracy of ICD-9 codes to identify nonunion and malunion and developing algorithms to improve case-finding of nonunion and malunion

ObjectiveTo evaluate the accuracy of using ICD-9 codes to identify nonunions (NU) and malunions (MU) among adults with a prior fracture code and to explore case-finding algorithms.Study designMedical chart review of potential NU (N = 300) and MU (N = 288) cases. True NU cases had evidence of NU and no evidence of MU in the chart (and vice versa for MUs) or were confirmed by the study clinician. Positive predictive values (PPV) were calculated for ICD-9 codes. Case-finding algorithms were developed by a classification and regression tree analysis using additional automated data, and these algorithms were compared to true case status.SettingGroup Health Cooperative.ResultsCompared to true cases as determined from chart review, the PPV of ICD-9 codes for NU and MU were 89% (95% CI, 85–92%) and 47% (95% CI, 41–53%), respectively. A higher proportion of true cases (NU: 95%; 95% CI, 90–98%; MU: 56%; 95% CI, 47–66%) were found among subjects with 1 + additional codes occurring in the 12 months following the initial code. There was no case-finding algorithm for NU developed given the high PPV of ICD-9 codes. For MU, the best case-finding algorithm classified people as an MU case if they had a fracture in the forearm, hand, or skull and had no visit with an NU diagnosis code in the 12-month post MU diagnosis. PPV for this MU case-finding algorithm increased to 84%.ConclusionsIdentifying NUs with its ICD-9 code is reasonable. Identifying MUs with automated data can be improved by using a case-finding algorithm that uses additional information. Further validation of the MU algorithms in different populations is needed, as well as exploration of its performance in a larger sample.     

Effect of articaine on calcium transport in sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes isolated from medial pterygoid muscle

Local anesthetics used in dentistry have myotoxic effects. Articaine, also known as carticaine, is one of the local anesthetics most widely used in clinical dentistry. The aim of this work was to describe its effect on the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase isolated from medial pterygoid muscle. Ca-ATPase enzymatic activity was determined by a colorimetric method and ATP-dependent calcium uptake with a radioisotopic technique. Articaine inhibited both Ca-ATPase activity and calcium uptake in a concentration-dependent manner. Both inhibitory effects became evident at articaine concentrations lower than those employed in clinical dentistry. Half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (K) were 15.1 +/- 1.8 mM (n = 6) and 25.2 +/- 1.6 mM (n = 6) for enzymatic activity and calcium uptake, respectively. Preincubation of sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes with articaine enhanced Ca-ATPase activity in the absence of calcium ionophore, suggesting an ionophoric-like effect of the local anesthetic. We conclude that the inhibitory effect of articaine on the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase isolated from medial pterygoid muscle is due to a direct interaction of the anesthetic with the enzyme and to the increased membrane permeability to calcium induced by this drug.     

A study of antioxidant activity in patients with schizophrenia taking atypical antipsychotics

Introduction

Atypical antipsychotics have significantly improved the quality of life for schizophrenic patients. Despite their beneficial effects, these antipsychotics induce weight gain, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. The aims of this study were to investigate the antioxidative activity of paraoxonase and assess lipid profile as a cardiovascular risk factor in patients with schizophrenia under long-term clozapine or risperidone treatment.

Methods

The study included 66 patients with schizophrenia under clozapine or risperidone treatment and 19 healthy control subjects. Serum paraoxonase activities against paraoxon (PON(PO)), phenylacetate (PON(PA)), dihydrocoumarin (PON(DHC)), serum Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC), antioxidant gap (GAP), and lipid profile were determined.

Results

PON(DHC) activity was reduced in both antipsychotic drug-treated groups (clozapine 43.46?±?1.06 U/ml, p?p?Conclusions In patients with schizophrenia, clozapine or risperidone treatment had different effects on various paraoxonase activities. The results of the present study suggest that patients with schizophrenia might be at increased risk for metabolic and cardiovascular disease related to reduced PON(DHC), TEAC, and GAP.