HIV/AIDS Among African-Born Residents in the United States

The number of African-born residents living in the United States (US) increased by more than 750 % between 1980 and 2009. HIV diagnosis rates in this population are six times higher than estimated incidence in the general US population. African-immigrants with HIV are also diagnosed at later stages of infection than US-born residents, but they paradoxically have lower mortality after diagnosis. There are higher rates of HIV among women, higher rates of heterosexual transmission, and lower rates of injection-drug-use-associated transmission among African-born residents in the US relative to the general US population. Despite this distinct epidemiologic profile, surveillance reports often group African-born residents with US-born Blacks. The high rates of HIV among African-born residents in the US combined with increasing immigration and incomplete surveillance data highlight the need for more accurate epidemiologic data along with appropriate HIV service programs.     

Metamorphic development of the bronchial columella of the larval bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana).

Histological and immunohistochemical analyses of head and respiratory structures in bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles were undertaken to address the hypothesis that the bronchial columella (BC) is the primary sound conduction pathway in these larval anurans. In postembryonic tadpoles, the BC is composed of fibroblasts surrounded by a Type I collagen matrix, with Type II collagen located in basement membranes at the distal ends. It provides a highly flexible tendon-like attachment between the round window and the membranous sac of the primary bronchus of the ipsilateral lung. As the animals approach metamorphic climax stages, the fibroblasts decrease in number and the BC becomes almost exclusively collagenous. During metamorphic climax, the BC degenerates and is completely resorbed by the time the animal becomes a postmetamorphic froglet. At all larval stages examined, the BC is structurally and immunohistochemically different from both the opercularis muscle of tadpoles and the tympanic columella (stapes homolog) of postmetamorphic animals. These observations suggest that the BC may not be rigid enough to provide an effective coupling between the lungs and the round window. An alternative hypothesis for the function of the BC, based on its structure, is presented.     

The Death of Work

We have long worshiped work. But work, in the traditional sense, is now dead. The death of work, as a meaningful activity for men, poses a health problem. Men run a risk when their needs are not met. Without work, men are in need of money, meaning, and identity. Their lives are no longer structured in time. The meaning of the relationship between man and work is found in the work experience of each individual. Man must create his own meaning in a responsible and fully human way. This calls for a new work ethic based on self-awareness and responsibility, in our day, money works, not man. Money has become the meaning of work and time. Man must return to the true meaning of the work experience through purposeful living. Our new mission, our new work, is to become fully responsible men, concerned for all of life.     

Comparative study of patch test using traditional method vs. prior skin abrading

BACKGROUND: The patch test is an essential procedure for the investigation of aetiologic diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis, although it is not yet able to fully reproduce the events of the initial site of contact with the allergen. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present study are (i) to assess whether removal of the superficial corneous layer results in test positivity differences vs. the traditional technique, (ii) to assess the probable and/or possible and past and/or present sensitivity and relevance for each method, and (iii) to compare specific relevance of nickel sulphate for each method. RESULTS: Concordance of positive reactions was 75.9% (66 of 87), with 21.8% (19 of 87) positivity results on the abraded side only and 2.3% (2 of 87) on the unabraded side (P < 0.05). Concordance of the substances with probable and/or possible and past and/or present relevance was 77.3% (58 of 75) for the abraded side and 21.3% (16 of 75) and 1.3% (1 of 75) for the unabraded side (P < 0.05). Analysis of isolated relevance for nickel sulphate showed 95.6% (22 of 23) concordance. CONCLUSIONS: (i) We found a greater number of positive substances on the abraded side, and when only the 2 + and 3 + reactions were considered, greater relative discordance was also observed; (ii) relevance analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the two methods; (iii) differences in nickel sulphate test positivity and relevance for the two methods did not reach statistical significance.     

Dual origin extracranial vertebral artery: case report and embryology.

Duplication of the vertebral artery origin is a rare vascular anomaly. The authors describe this finding in a patient who underwent neurointerventional treatment for a midbasilar aneurysm. The embryology and clinical significance is also presented.