Severity of illness scores and the outcome of acute tubular necrosis

The outcome of patients with acute renal failure (ARF)due to acute tubular necrosis (ATN) was evaluated inthis study. Two hundred and twenty-two patients witha mean age of 55.l ± 17.7 years (range 19–97years; male 153, female 69) who developed ATN in theperiod from July 1991 through January 1997 werestudied. Patients were divided into four groupsaccording to their APACHE II scores at the time of thediagnosis of ATN. Group I included patients with anAPACHE II score of 14 or less (n = 70), Group II with ascore of 15–18 (n = 52), Group III with a score of 19–23(n = 58), and group IV with a score of 24 or above(n = 42). The mean APACHE II score for each of the fourstudy groups was 11 ± 0.4, 16 ± 0.2, 20 ±0.2, and 29 ± 0.7, respectively. Patient survivalwas evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier analysis withcensorship at 12 months. Survival rates at 180 dayswere 67%, 47%, 39%, and zero%, for group I through IV respectively, χ² = 27.99, p < 0.0001,with a median survival of >365, 120, 31, and 11days, for groups I through IV, respectively. For patients with oliguria (n = 88) survival at 180days was 23% vs. 58% for patients without oliguria(n = 134), p < 0.0001, median survival 13 vs. 364 d.Six months survival of those who required dialysis(n = 79) was 25% vs. 58% for those whom dialysis wasnot needed (n = 143), p = 0.001, median survival 15 vs.364 d, respectively. In patients with sepsis (n = 58),6 months survival was 35% vs. 50% for those withoutsepsis (n = 164), p = 0.013, median survival 14 vs. 169 d. In patients who required mechanical ventilation(n = 72), 6 months survival was 17% vs. 62% for those whodid not need respiratory support (n = 150), p = 0.0001,median survival 13 vs. > 365 d, respectively. Finally, 6 months survival in patients with one(kidney only), two, three, and four organ failure was76, 30, 11, and zero percent, respectively, p = 0.0001,median survival > 365, 16, 11, and 12 days,respectively. We conclude that the use of the APACHE II score forthe stratification of the severity of illness could beof clinical utility in predicting mortality inpatients with ATN. Other predictors of poor prognosisinclude the need for dialysis, the presence ofoliguria, the need for mechanical ventilation, thepresence of sepsis, and the number of failed organs. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Subacute and acute fasciolosis in sheep in southern Brazil

Eight outbreaks of acute and subacute fasciolosis are reported in sheep in the municipality of Santa Vitória do Palmar, southern Brazil, in areas used for irrigated rice cultivation, which are subject to frequent flooding. Two outbreaks occurred mid-winter during July and August, and six occurred during spring and early summer. Morbidity ranged from 3 to 66.7 %, and mortality ranged from 3 to 50 %. Clinical signs included weight loss, mucosal pallor, apathy, depression, muscle tremors, and drooling; these were followed by death within approximately 24 h. Some sheep were found dead. Gross lesions were characterized by an irregular liver capsule with fibrin deposition and hemorrhages. The liver parenchyma contained hemorrhagic tracts or irregular clear areas alternated with dark hemorrhagic areas. Histologically, hemorrhagic dark red tracts of necrotic liver parenchyma and an inflammatory infiltrate were noted; these lesions coincided with the presence of immature flukes. Langhans-type giant cells, fibrous tissue, and bile duct cell proliferation were observed in subacute cases. Chronic fasciolosis is a well-known disease to farmers in southern Brazil; nevertheless, acute and subacute fasciolosis, which are more difficult to diagnose and treat, may cause important economic losses. Efficient control of fasciolosis requires integration of measures to treat infections in the definitive host, to reduce the population of snails of the genus Lymnaea, and to avoid contact between the parasite and host by appropriate pasture management.     

Energy density,diet quality,and central body fat in a nationwide survey of young Spaniards

ObjectivesTo determine the impact of energy density on diet quality and anthropometric proxy measures for central body fat in young Spaniards.MethodsData were obtained from a representative national sample of 2513 young Spaniards aged 10 to 24 y. Dietary assessment was performed with a 24-h recall. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was measured by the KIDMED index. Reduced rank regression analysis was used to identify energy-density dietary patterns. Waist circumferences and height were measured.ResultsPastries and sausages showed the strongest loading for the dietary energy density factor score (DED-FS), with fruits and vegetables at the opposite end of the scale. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a positive association (P < 0.01) of dietary energy density (DED) and the DED-FS with waist circumferences regressed on height and age (WC_height+age) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). The adjusted odds ratio for elevated WC_height+age and WHtR increased across quartile distribution of DED (P < 0.001) and DED-FS (P < 0.05). Diet quality characterized by the KIDMED index was negatively associated (P < 0.001) with DED and the DED-FS.ConclusionsHigher DED is a risk for increased central fat distribution and is associated with low adherence to the Mediterranean diet.     

miR-320c Regulates SERPINA1 Expression and Is Induced in Patients With Pulmonary Disease

IntroductionAlpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a genetic condition resulting in lung and liver disease with a great clinical variability. MicroRNAs have been identified as disease modifiers; therefore miRNA deregulation could play an important role in disease heterogeneity. Members of miR-320 family are involved in regulating of multiple processes including inflammation, and have potential specific binding sites in the 3′UTR region of SERPINA1 gene. In this study we explore the involvement of miR-320c, a member of this family, in this disease.MethodsFirstly in vitro studies were carried out to demonstrate regulation of SERPINA1 gene by miR-320. Furthermore, the expression of miR-320c was analyzed in the blood of 98 individuals with different AAT serum levels by using quantitative PCR and expression was correlated to clinical parameters of the patients. Finally, HL60 cells were used to analyze induction of miR-320c in inflammatory conditions.ResultsOverexpression of miR-320 members in human HepG2 cells led to inhibition of SERPINA1 expression. Analysis of miR-320c expression in patient's samples revealed significantly increased expression of miR-320c in individuals with pulmonary disease. Additionally, HL60 cells treated with the pro-inflammatory factor lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed increase in miR-320c expression, suggesting that miR-320c responds to inflammation.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that miR-320c inhibits SERPINA1 expression in a hepatic cell line and its levels in blood are associated with lung disease in a cohort of patients with different AAT serum levels. These results suggest that miR-320c can play a role in AAT regulation and could be a biomarker of inflammatory processes in pulmonary diseases.     

Estudio de los mecanismos implicados en la génesis y evolución del asma (proyecto MEGA): creación y seguimiento a largo plazo de una cohorte de pacientes asmáticos

The general aim of this study is to create a cohort of asthma patients with varying grades of severity in order to gain greater insight into the mechanisms underlying the genesis and course of this disease.The specific objectives focus on various studies, including imaging, lung function, inflammation, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness, to determine the relevant events that characterize the asthma population, the long-term parameters that can determine changes in the severity of patients, and the treatments that influence disease progression. The study will also seek to identify the causes of exacerbations and how this affects the course of the disease.Patients will be contacted via the outpatient clinics of the 8 participating institutions under the auspices of the Spanish Respiratory Diseases Networking System (CIBER). In the inclusion visit, a standardized clinical history will be obtained, a clinical examination, including blood pressure, body mass index, complete respiratory function tests, and FENO will be performed, and the Asthma Control Test (ACT), Morisky-Green test, Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini AQLQ), the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) will be administered. A specific electronic database has been designed for data collection. Exhaled breath condensate, urine and blood samples will also be collected. Non-specific bronchial hyperresponsiveness testing with methacholine will be performed and an induced sputum sample will be collected at the beginning of the study and every 24 months. A skin prick test for airborne allergens and a chest CT will be performed at the beginning of the study and repeated every 5 years.     

What Promotes Cervical Cancer Screening Among Chamorro Women in California?

Pacific Islander women represent a significant at-risk population for cervical cancer, yet little is known about the modifiable factors associated with routine Pap testing. Therefore, the aims of this paper are to report and discuss the known and unknown factors associated with cervical cancer screening among Chamorro women in California. This cross-sectional study explored the factors associated with receipt of regular Pap testing among Chamorro women age 18 years and older in California. A self-administered survey was designed and distributed to women in order to understand their knowledge, beliefs and behaviors regarding routine receipt of Pap tests. Only about two-thirds of women had received a Pap test within the past 2 years, which is below the U.S. average of 72 %. Significant predictors included younger age, health insurance coverage, knowledge of screening frequency, and medically correct beliefs regarding risk groups. These factors, however, accounted for less than 16 % of the variance in Pap testing behavior. We discuss the poor predictive value of existing demographic and theoretical variables, and discuss potentially new areas of research that can aid in the development of future intervention studies. Study limitations and implications are also discussed.