Diagnostic and prognostic value of Ischemia‐modified albumin in patients with Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever

The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic and prognostic significance of ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels in patients with Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). This retrospective study was conducted with patients with CCHF. IMA levels in patients with CCHF were determined using the rapid colorimetric method. IMA levels of CCHF patients were significantly higher compared with the control group (P = 0.0001). At an IMA cut‐off point of 0.555 ABSU (absorbance units), sensitivity was 65.1%, specificity 82.5%, positive predictive values (PPV) 82.5%, and negative predictive values (NPV) 65.1%. IMA levels of patients with hemorrhage were significantly higher compared with patients without hemorrhage (P = 0.005). IMA has been validated as both a new and sensitive ischemia and oxidative stress biomarker. In addition to its diagnostic significance, IMA investigated in CCHF patients at time of arrival may be an important marker with its prognostic role in determining in the early stage whether the disease will follow a hemorrhagic course. J. Med. Virol. 85:684–688, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Copolymers of novel methacrylic and styrenic monomer based on the thiophene: synthesis,characterization, monomer reactivity ratios,thermal properties,and biological activity

The free radical copolymerization of 2-thienylmethyl 4-vinylbenzyl ether (TMVBE) with 2-oxo-2-(2-thienylmethoxy)ethyl-2-methylacrylate (TMOEM) has been carried out in 1,4-dioxane at 65?°C?±?1 and were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. ¹H NMR analysis was used to determine the molar fractions of TMVBE and TMOEM in the copolymers. The monomer reactivity ratios were calculated according to the general copolymerization equation using Kelen–Tüdõs and Finemann–Ross linearization methods. The reactivity ratios indicated a tendency toward alternation copolymerization. The thermal behaviors of copolymers with various compositions were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Also, the apparent thermal decomposition activation energies were calculated by the Ozawa and Kissinger methods with a Shimadzu TGA 60 thermogravimetric analysis thermobalance. All the products showed moderate activity against different strains of bacteria and fungi.     

Early childhood internalizing problems,externalizing problems and their co-occurrence and (mal)adaptive functioning in emerging adulthood: a 16-year follow-up study

Purpose

A vast amount of studies suggest that internalizing or externalizing problems are related to individual functioning, and often co-occur. Yet, a focus on their additive and interactive effects is scarce. Furthermore, most research has focused on a limited number of developmental domains and mostly on maladaptive functioning. Therefore, the current prospective study examined whether early childhood (ages 4–8) internalizing and externalizing problems and their interaction were related to a broad range of (mal)adaptive functioning outcomes in emerging adulthood (ages 20–24).

Methods

Data from the Flemish Study on Parenting, Personality and Development were used. At Time 1 (1999) mothers of 374 children (45% boys) and fathers of 357 children (46% boys) rated internalizing and externalizing problems through the Child Behavior Checklist. Outcomes in emerging adulthood were measured through self-reports 16 years later across the following domains: psychological functioning, social functioning, work, physical health, and self-concept.

Results

Early externalizing problems were related to maladaptive outcomes on the psychological and social domains. With regard to adaptive functioning, externalizing problems were associated with lower satisfaction regarding general health on the physical domain. Early internalizing problems were not associated with any emerging adulthood outcomes. The interaction of (father reported) internalizing and externalizing problems was related to aggressive behavior.

Conclusion

Early childhood externalizing problems were associated with maladaptive and adaptive functioning over a time span of 16 years. The results add to studies on the implementation of prevention and intervention programs in early childhood and to the value for developing personalized interventions.

     

Excimer laser coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction

We evaluated the short-term results of percutaneous excimer laser angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction. Of the 18 patients studied, 2 were female and 16 male with a mean age of 56.6 +/- 12.1 years. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grades 0, 1, and 2 flow was observed in 10, 5, and 3 cases, respectively, prior to the procedure. The degree of stenosis was 97.9% +/- 5.1%. The lesion was crossed with a laser catheter in all cases, using a mean number of 808 +/- 384 laser pulses. Type C dissection developed in only 1 case (6%). Except for this case, distal flow was grade 3 in all the patients. Following the procedure, ST segment resolution exceeding 70% was achieved in 14 cases (78%) within the first 90 minutes. The success rate of laser ablation was 94% (17 patients). Stent implantation was performed in all the cases. In conclusion, laser angioplasty is an effective and reliable treatment for acute myocardial infarction.     

Lingual angioedema after alteplase treatment in a patient with acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND: In recent years, thrombolytic therapy has become the main treatment of ischemic stroke. But the increasing use of alteplase in ischemic stroke has made some complications more evident. Angioedema is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of alteplase treatment. Only a few studies have examined the incidence of angioedema after treatment with alteplase for stroke.METHODS: A 75-year-old man complaining of right hemiparesis was admitted to our emergency department. He was diagnosed as having acute ischemic stroke, and alteplase infusion was given two hours after the onset of stroke symptoms. Immediately after the completion of infusion he was noted to have a large swollen tongue.RESULTS: His neurological symptoms resolved gradually within 4 hours, whereas his upper extremity strength improved to 4/5 and lower extremity 5/5. Lingual edema resolved within 16 hours without any complication. He died from presumed nosocomial infection 5 days later.CONCLUSIONS: Lingual angioedema may appear as a possible complication in patients who were treated with alteplase. The management of these patients should be very careful.     

Extra-intestinal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: related to high total IgE levels and atopic sensitization?

Objective We have previously found that high levels of total IgE, but not atopic sensitization, was a significant predictor for functional gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of extra-intestinal symptoms in IBS patients, and explore their relation to total IgE levels and atopic sensitization. Materials and methods Seventy-one patients with functional GI complaints were included. Severity of GI symptoms, fatigue and musculoskeletal pain was evaluated using the following questionnaires: IBS-Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS), Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), FibroFatigue Scale (FFS), and Visual Analog Scales (VAS) for musculoskeletal pain. Levels of total IgE and specific IgE-antibodies were analyzed. Results Fatigue and musculoskeletal pain were demonstrated in 78.9 and 43.7% of the patients, respectively. IBS-SSS scores were significantly correlated with fatigue scores and musculoskeletal pain. Patients with fatigue and musculoskeletal pain had significantly higher IBS-SSS scores than patients without fatigue and musculoskeletal pain. Total IgE levels were significantly higher in IBS patients compared to a healthy control group from a previous study. However, neither total IgE nor atopic sensitization was significantly associated with extra-intestinal symptoms. Conclusions IBS, fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain were significantly associated. Total IgE levels were higher in IBS patients than healthy controls, but not related to intestinal or extra-intestinal symptom severity. Atopy was not associated with any of the co-morbidities. Thus, the clinical significance of high IgE levels in IBS remains unclear and further studies are warranted to explore a common underlying mechanism for the co-morbid triad of IBS, fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain.