Childhood asthma in Batumi,Georgia: Prevalence and environmental correlates

Objective: A relative lack of data for Eastern Europe and unknown epidemiology of childhood asthma in Batumi (Georgia) justified a study aimed at determining the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma and related respiratory conditions, a comparison of the prevalence of these conditions between urban and rural children, and identification of their environmental correlates. Methods: Subjects of the cross-sectional population-based study were 3238 urban and 2081 rural children aged 5–17 years whose respiratory status was assessed using the ISAAC questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence of asthma was larger in rural children than in urban children (2.8% vs. 1.8%, respectively; p = 0.01). Spastic bronchitis occurred with similar frequency in urban (7.8%) and rural children (6.5%). Compared with urban children, rural subjects had dry cough at night (13.1 vs 8.2%, p < 0.001) and attacks of dyspnea (4.7 vs 2.4%, p < 0.001) more often. The prevalence of other symptoms did not differ significantly between urban and rural subjects. Results of multivariate analyses showed that both asthma and spastic bronchitis were associated (p < 0.05) with parental history of asthma, dampness in the house, and poor financial standing of the family. In addition, asthma was related to coal/wood-based heating whereas spastic bronchitis was associated with passive smoking and lower parental education. Conclusions: The findings show a low prevalence of ever-diagnosed asthma in the examined population. Nosological tradition and similar correlates of asthma and spastic bronchitis suggest that some cases of asthma might be included in the diagnostic category of spastic bronchitis.     

Reproductive Health in Women with Serious Mental Illnesses: A Review

This review intends to determine the extent to which a serious mental illness (SMI) interferes with reproductive health (RH). The primary focus is the question of whether or not, women with SMI are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections, female cancer, unwanted pregnancies, and sexual dysfunction. Eighty-four original studies published 1971–2008 are identified through database, journal and Internet searches (PUBMED, ACOG, OMNI), and categorized by their focus and sampling techniques. RH related outcomes and their determinants (awareness, stigma, others) are considered as measurable outcomes. Women with SMI have more lifetime sex partners, low contraceptive usage, higher rates of unwanted pregnancies, and are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections. The review reveals a scant data about the awareness (knowledge, attitudes) in RH among women with SMI. The findings highlight the importance of integration of the RH education into the psychosocial rehabilitation programs.     

Community health equipment loans: developing a clinical prioritization system

This project aimed to develop an objective method for making equipment loans to home-based patients using a prioritisation system based on clinical need. An action research approach was selected as the most appropriate method because of the collaborative nature of the project. It involved working mainly with community nurses using questionnaires, focus groups, telephone and direct interviews. An important part of the process was a workshop with all stakeholders to involve them in decision-making. The resulting unique clinical referral form was implemented successfully. The research also highlighted existing attitudes and perceptions of the equipment loans service among health professionals. The new clinical referral form has improved service provision, is more equitable and now allows decisions to be made using agreed clinical criteria. The results of the research have been disseminated locally in the process of integration of NHS and social services equipment loans. This is a unique example of collaboration between community nursing practitioners, primary care trust managers and researchers producing a measurable difference to patient care.     

Long-term follow-up of patients with chronic hepatitis C with sustained virologic response to interferon

Background and aimThe durability of the sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C after treatment and the ideal follow-up time for these patients remains undefined. The objective of the study was to evaluate the durability of the virologic response in patients with chronic hepatitis C followed up for at least 12 months after SVR at HCFMRP-USP.Methods: The study was conducted on 174 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with different antiviral regimens who had achieved SVR. Qualitative serum HCV-RNA was determined by the commercial kit (COBAS AMPLICOR HCV, v2.0).ResultsThere was predominance of male (73%) with a mean age of 45.6 ± 10 years. Liver cirrhosis was present in 16.1% of the study subjects. Mean follow-up time after SVR was 47 months (12-156 months). Twenty-two patients received monotherapy with interferon; 94 received interferon plus ribavirin, and 58 received pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. A total of 134 patients (77.0%) received one treatment course, 29 (16.7%) received two courses, and 11 (6.3%) received three courses. The distribution of HCV genotypes was: genotype 1 (40.2%), genotype 3 (40.8%) and genotype 2 (10.3%). Genotype was undetermined in 8.7% of cases. None of the 174 patients had recurrence of HCV infection. Two cirrhotic patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during follow-up.ConclusionsAmong patients with SVR there was no recurrence of HCV infection or evidence of liver disease progression in any patient followed up for a mean of 47 months after SVR, except for patients with advanced hepatic disease before treatment, who may develop HCC despite SVR. Therefore, one can assume that SVR is associated with long term good prognosis.     

Antioxidant activity and protective effect of Turnera ulmifolia Linn. var. elegans against carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative damage in rats

The present study aimed to determine whether the leaves of Turnera ulmifolia Linn. var. elegans extract exert significant antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of its hydroethanolic extract (HEETU) was evaluated by assessing (a) its radical scavenging ability in vitro, and (b) its in vivo effect on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities. The in vitro antioxidant assay (DPPH) clearly supported HEETU free radical scavenging potential. Moreover, glutathione content and antioxidant enzyme activities (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) were significantly enhanced in CCl₄-treated rats due to oral HEETU-treatment (500 mg/kg b.w.) over 7 and 21 days. In addition, an improvement was observed in lipid peroxidation and serum biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase), indicating a protective effect against CCl₄-induced liver injuries, confirmed by histopathological studies. The HEETU effect was comparable to the standard drug Legalon® (50 mg/kg b.w.) under the same experimental condition. Quantitative analysis of the HPLC extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, wich mediate the effects of antioxidant and oxidative stress. In conclusion, extract components exhibit antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities in vitro and in vivo.     

Concomitant natural infection with L. donovani and L. major: A case report from Iraq

Summary This is a case report of kala-azar with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Upon admission, the patient had fever, hepatosplenomegaly and an ulcer on her cheek. The patient responded to Pentostam. Isoenzyme studies of parasite isolates from the the bone marrow and from the cutaneous lesion revealed that these were L. donovani and L. major, respectively. This is the first report in Iraq of a proven concomitant infection with two species of leishmania parasites.

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Simultane Infektion mit L. donovani und L. major: Eine Fallstudie im Irak

Zusammenfassung Wir präsentieren eine Fallstudie von Kala-Azar mit gleichzeitiger kutaner Leishmaniose, Die Patientin hatte Fieber, Hepatosplenomegalie und einen Ulcus an der einen Wange. Sie sprach auf Pentostam an. Die Analyse der Isoenzym-Profile der Parasiten aus einer Knochenmarks-Punktion sowie aus dem Ulcus wiesen nach, dass es sich dabei um L. donovani und um L. major handelte. Diese Studie ist die erste Beschreibung einer simultanen Infektion mit L. donovani und mit L. major im Irak.

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Infection simultanée par L. donovani et L. major: Une étude rapporte en Iraq

Résumé Notre étude rapporte un cas de Kala-Azar accompagné d'une leishmaniose cutanée. La patiente avait la fièvre, une hépatosplénomégalie et un ulcère à une de ses joux. L'infection répondait bien à la Pentostame. L'analyse des isoenzymes montrait que les parasites isolés de la moile osseuse représentaient L. donovani, pendant que ceux de la lésion cutanée représentaient L. major. Notre rapport constitue la première documentation d'un cas d'une infection simultanée par L. donovani et L. major en Iraq.

     

Geochemistry of Potentially Toxic Trace Elements in Soils of Mining Area: A Case Study from Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine,Armenia

Research was carried out to determine and asses the influence of mining industries on soil contamination with application of various pollution indices. For soil sampling 13 points were selected. Soil samples were analyzed for heavy metals by AAS. Eleven elements were determined and the greater quantities were generally observed in case of Mo and Cu. During the testing of soil pollution level pollution load index, degree of contamination (Cd) and geoaccumulation index were used. The correlation analysis revealed the strongest positive correlation between molybdenum and copper and that the high content of mentioned elements in soil was caused by mining industry. Assessment based on Cd showed that the 33.3% of A horizon soil samples referred to a very high degree of pollution. Obtained results will be useful for implementation of control measures of pollution and the remediation techniques.     

Clarithromycin as an Adjunct to One‐Stage Full‐Mouth Ultrasonic Periodontal Debridement in Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the periodontal clinical and microbiologic responses and possible adverse effects of clarithromycin (CLM) combined with periodontal mechanical therapy in the treatment of patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis. Methods: Forty patients were selected and randomly assigned into one of two groups: 1) CLM (n = 20): one‐stage full‐mouth ultrasonic debridement (FMUD) associated with CLM (500 mg, every 12 hours for 3 days); and 2) placebo (n = 20): FMUD associated with placebo pills. Clinical and microbiologic parameters were evaluated at baseline and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Results: Both treatments presented statistically significant clinical and microbiologic improvements. However, the CLM group presented lower means of probing depth for pockets ≥7 mm at 6 months (4.0 ± 1.7 mm) compared with the placebo group (4.7 ± 1.3 mm) (P = 0.04). In addition, the CLM group also presented greater reduction of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) DNA counts at 6 months (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: Results from this study suggest both treatments are effective; however, adjunct use of CLM to FMUD leads to better reduction of deep pockets and Pg at 6 months compared with FMUD alone.