The impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11 in women with genital warts

Objective

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are etiologically associated with the development of virtually all genital warts. HPV-6 and HPV-11 are the most commonly detected HPV genotypes, but at least 20 other HPV genotypes have occasionally been found in genital wart tissue specimens.

Study design

The aim of this study was to determine from 100 genital wart tissue specimens collected from female patients using multiplex gap-PCR technique the prevalence of various genital HPV among women with HPV genital warts in south of Iran. 100 genital wart tissue specimens were tested for the presence of HPV PG5/PG6 and also for HPV type using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

Based on the collected data, 73 (73?%) samples were detected positive for HPV DNA and 23 (23?%) samples out of 100 samples were detected negative for HPV DNA. 49 (49?%) and 67 (67?%) of patients were detected positive for HPV type 6 and 11, respectively. There was a significant association between marital status and HPV genotype 6 (OR?=?0.51, 95?% CI?=?0.37–0.70, P?=?0.01). Nevertheless, no significant association was found between marriage and HPV genotype 11 (OR?=?0.85, 95?% CI?=?0.58–1, 24, P?=?0.7). Similarly, this result was demonstrated, in combined marriage and HPV-general (OR?=?0.80, 95?% CI?=?0.62–0.05, P?=?0.4).

Conclusion

Concerning the prevalence of HPV in our study, determination of genital HPV prevalence and multiple infections among the normal population of women of Hormozgan Province is recommended.     

Molecular analysis of Malassezia species isolated from hospitalized neonates

Abstract:  Malassezia species are a part of the skin microflora of neonates. Under certain circumstances, they can cause diseases ranging from simple pustulosis to lifethreatening fungemia in newborn infants. Little information is available about the epidemiology of Malassezia species in neonates. In the present study, we successfully isolated Malassezia yeasts from 68.7% of hospitalized neonates. Using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR-RFPL), M. furfur (88.06%) was identified as the most isolated species, followed in frequency by M. globosa (10.48%), M. obtusa (0.73%), and M. slooffiae (0.73%). Among the variables studied, only a longer stay in the ward resulted in a higher colonization rate. Using multiple logistic regression, only the type of hospital and ward had some effects on the colonization rate. Our results supported the hypothesis that neonates acquire Malassezia flora through direct contact with their mothers or hospital personnel.     

Deaths attributed to X-ray contrast media on U.S. death certificates

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of our study were to determine the number, rate, and types of deaths attributed to specific X-ray contrast media on the basis of U.S. death certificates and to attempt to assess the comparative safety of commonly used diagnostic X-ray contrast agents using death certificate information. CONCLUSION: From 1999 through 2001, deaths attributed to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code for contrast media occurred at the rate of 1.1-1.2 per million contrast media packages distributed. An analysis of 1999 death certificates indicated that most deaths attributed to contrast media predictably were associated with renal failure or nephropathy and anaphylaxis or allergic reactions. Risk assessment of the comparative safety of classes or agents was limited by lack of specific contrast media names. Names of administered contrast agents should be recorded in patients' medical records and communicated to primary care physicians and certifiers of death in the event of serious sequelae after an identified recent radiologic procedure.     

Predicting Arterial Blood Gas Values from Venous Samples in Patients with Acute Exacerbation Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Using Artificial Neural Network

Arterial blood gas (ABG) has an important role in the clinical assessment of patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Because of ABG complications, an alternative method is beneficial. We have trained and tested five artificial neural networks (ANNs) with venous blood gas (VBG) values (pH, PCO₂, HCO₃, PO₂, and O₂ saturation) as inputs, to predict ABG values in patients with AECOPD. Venous and arterial blood samples were collected from 132 patients. Using the data of 106 patients, the ANNs were trained and validated by back-propagation algorithm. Subsequently, data from the remainder 26 patients was used for testing the networks. The ability of ANNs to predict ABG values and to detect significant hypercarbia was assessed and the results were compared with a linear regression model. Our results indicate that the ANNs provide an accurate method for predicting ABG values from VBG values and detecting hypercarbia in AECOPD.     

Risk factors for prolonged QTc among US adults: Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: QT interval prolongation can lead to torsades de pointes, a potentially fatal arrhythmia. Although research exists on the relationship between QT prolongation and clinical outcome, few studies have described risk factors for prolonged QT interval in the general population. METHODS: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) collected electrocardiogram interval data on 8561 subjects over 40 years of age and projected results to the US population. QT was corrected for heart rate using Fridericia's formula. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors independently associated with prolonged QTc interval, defined as being in the upper 5% of the population QTc interval distribution. Analyses were conducted separately for women and men as a result of differences in the QT distribution between the sexes and also because of potential effect modification. Analytical variables included age, race/ethnicity, electrolyte measurements, body mass index, the recent use of QT-prolonging drugs and past medical histories of stroke, thyroid disease, hypertension, diabetes and myocardial infarction. RESULTS: Age, female sex, hypocalcemia (men), hypokalemia (women), and a history of thyroid disease and myocardial infarction (men) were associated with a prolonged QTc interval. In addition, taking QT-prolonging medications in the past month was associated with more than a twofold increase in the odds of prolonged QTc interval in both men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare practitioners should be aware that a prolonged QTc interval is a potential indicator of cardiovascular risk, and should exercise caution in prescribing potentially QT-prolonging medications to certain patients.     

Auditive identification of signal-processed environmental sounds: Monitoring the environment

The goal of the present study was to compare six transposing signal-processing algorithms based on different principles (Fourier-based and modulation based), and to choose the algorithm that best enables identification of environmental sounds, i.e. improves the ability to monitor events in the surroundings. Ten children (12–15 years) and 10 adults (21–33 years) with normal hearing listened to 45 representative environmental (events) sounds processed using the six algorithms, and identified them in three different listening experiments involving an increasing degree of experience. The sounds were selected based on their importance for normal hearing and deaf-blind subjects. Results showed that the algorithm based on transposition of 1/3 octaves (fixed frequencies) with large bandwidth was better (p<0.015) than algorithms based on modulation. There was also a significant effect of experience (p<0.001). Adults were significantly (p<0.05) better than children for two algorithms. No clear gender difference was observed. It is concluded that the algorithm based on transposition with large bandwidth and fixed frequencies is the most promising for development of hearing aids to monitor environmental sounds.