Utensil Swab Test

The effectiveness of the utensil swab test as part of the periodic inspection of food establishments was studied both as an indicator of cleanliness during the period between inspections and as an educational tool.

Two to seven samplings were taken at intervals of two to three months at 95 food establishments in rural areas in the northern part of Israel. A statistical analysis showed a high variation and almost no correlation between repeated samplings of the same establishment. Also, no trend to suggest an educational effect was found. We concluded that, though the swab test had proved to be useful in special projects, it had no value as part of the periodic sanitary inspections.     

Preoperative factors influencing success in pterygium surgery

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: To identify preoperative, perioperative and postoperative risk factors that influence the success of pterygium surgery. METHODS: This is a prospective study of thirty-six patients with primary or recurrent pterygia. A detailed anamnesis and an ophthalmological examination were performed looking for the following factors: age, race, latitude and altitude of the main place of residence, hours of exposure to the sun, use of protective measures against UV-radiation, classification of pterygium, width of the pterygium at limbus, surgical technique (conjunctival autograft plus suturing versus tissue glue), graft alterations (misapposition, granuloma, haemorrhage, oedema, retraction or necrosis), and postoperative symptoms (foreign-body sensation, pain). The examinations were performed 2 and 7 days and 2, 6 and 12 months after surgery. In addition, recurrence was defined as any growth of conjunctiva into the cornea. RESULTS: A Logistic regression and a survival analysis have been used to perform data analysis. A total number of 36 patients completed a one year follow-up. A total of 13 patients were born and lived in Spain, and 26 came from other countries, mostly Latin America. A total number of 8 males (no women) presented a recurrence, mainly between 2 and 6 months. The hours of sun exposure throught their life was independently related to surgical success. Pterygia of less than 5 mm of base width showed a weak positive correlation with recurrence. None of the other factors considered were significantly related to recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Male gender and high sun exposure are strongly and independently related to surgical success after the removal of pterygia. KEYWORDS: risk factors, sunlight exposure, pterygium surgery, conjunctival autograft .     

Intramedullary Sarcoidosis Presenting as Incomplete Paraplegia: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a chronic, multisystem noncaseating granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Sarcoidosis typically presents clinically in individuals between the ages of 20 and 40 years. Although sarcoidosis most commonly affects the respiratory system, nearly any organ system can be involved. Spinal cord involvement by sarcoidosis is a rare event, occurring in less than 1% of patients with systemic disease. The case presented is that of a 29-year-old black male with benign past medical history who presented with a 6-week history of progressive incomplete paraplegia arid bowel dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intramedullary mass at the T-4-T-5 levels. The patient underwent thoracic laminectomy and debulking of the mass. The pathology was consistent with granulomatous disease. Postoperatively, the patient was placed on prednisone. He subsequently received comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and at present is bowel and bladder continent and ambulating at community levels with a rolling walker. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis; potential treatment options, including debulking and long-term steroid use; and prognosis will be discussed.     

Mitochondrial-derived peptide humanin as therapeutic target in cancer and degenerative diseases

Introduction: Mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) are encoded within the mitochondrial genome. They signal within the cell or are released to act as autocrine/paracrine/endocrine cytoprotective factors playing a key role in the cellular stress response. The first reported and better characterized MDP is humanin (HN), which exerts robust protective effects against a myriad of cytotoxic stimuli in many cell types. These effects have led to the evaluation of HN and its analogs as therapeutic targets for several chronic diseases.

Areas covered: We describe the latest findings on the mechanism of action of HN and discuss the role of HN as therapeutic target for neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, male infertility, and cancer. Since HN can be detected in circulation, we also depict its value as a biomarker for these diseases.

Expert opinion: HN analogs and peptide mimetics have been developed over the last decade and show promising results in preclinical models of degenerative diseases. Local administration of gene therapy vectors that overexpress or silence endogenous HN could also hold therapeutic potential. Controversy on the role of HN in cancer progression and chemoresistance should be addressed before the translation of these therapeutic approaches.     

Involvement of the Amygdala in Memory and Psychosocial Functioning in Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis

Youth with multiple sclerosis (MS) often experience cognitive impairment and psychosocial disturbances. We describe the relationship between memory function, psychosocial skills, and brain volume in 32 patients with pediatric-onset MS and 30 controls. Amygdala volume was significantly lower in patients compared with controls. In general, poorer memory was associated with reduced functional communication skills and reduced amygdala volume. Greater amygdala volume in patients correlated with parent-reported functional communication and social skills. Adjusting for whole-brain volume, right amygdala volume was positively associated with visual memory; left amygdala volume was a stronger predictor of parent-reported social skills.