Acceptance of HIV Testing by Substance-Abusing Individuals

Routine HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) testing of high-risk groups (i.e., substance-abusing individuals) could help decrease the spread of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). Such a policy, however, could deter individuals from entering treatment, paradoxically increasing the likelihood of the disease being spread. The authors examined the willingness of substance-abusing individuals to consent to HIV testing by randomly assigning patients entering either a drug-free outpatient program or a methadone maintenance program to one of three informed consent conditions differing in degree of perceived coerciveness. Overall, 69% of the patients agreed to testing. As hypothesized, the proportion of agreement was highest under the most coercive informed consent condition. Although the results tend to support continuation of voluntary testing programs, only 5.5% of patients asked indicated that mandatory testing would have deterred them from entering treatment.     

Efficacy and safety of rilonacept (interleukin-1 Trap) in patients with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes: results from two sequential placebo-controlled studies

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of rilonacept (Interleukin-1 [IL-1] Trap), a long-acting and potent inhibitor of IL-1, in patients with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), including familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FCAS) and Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS). METHODS: Forty-seven adult patients with CAPS, as defined by mutations in the causative NLRP3 (CIAS1) gene and pathognomonic symptoms, were enrolled in 2 consecutive phase III studies. Study 1 involved a 6-week randomized double-blind comparison of weekly subcutaneous injections of rilonacept (160 mg) versus placebo. Study 2 consisted of 9 weeks of single-blind treatment with rilonacept (part A), followed by a 9-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled withdrawal procedure (part B). Primary efficacy was evaluated using a validated composite key symptom score. RESULTS: Forty-four patients completed both studies. In study 1, rilonacept therapy reduced the group mean composite symptom score by 84%, compared with 13% with placebo therapy (primary end point; P < 0.0001 versus placebo). Rilonacept also significantly improved all other efficacy end points in study 1 (numbers of multisymptom and single-symptom disease flare days, single-symptom scores, physician's and patient's global assessments of disease activity, limitations in daily activities, and C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A [SAA] levels). In study 2 part B, rilonacept was superior to placebo for maintaining the improvements seen with rilonacept therapy, as shown by all efficacy parameters (primary end point; P < 0.0001 versus placebo). Rilonacept was generally well tolerated; the most common adverse events were injection site reactions. CONCLUSION: Treatment with weekly rilonacept provided marked and lasting improvement in the clinical signs and symptoms of CAPS, and normalized the levels of SAA from those associated with risk of developing amyloidosis. Rilonacept exhibited a generally favorable safety and tolerability profile.     

Relationship between subjective social status and measures of health in older Taiwanese persons

OBJECTIVES: To compare the association between subjective ladder ranking and health measures with the association between objective indices and health measures in older Taiwanese men and women. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A population-representative sample of elderly and nearly elderly men and women in Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 991 participants from the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study in Taiwan. MEASUREMENTS: The information collected included demographic characteristics; subjective ladder score of SES; objective measures of SES, including education, income, and occupation; health behaviors; health-related variables such as self-rated health, basic activity of daily living difficulties, instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) difficulties, and physical activity difficulties; and depression score. RESULTS: Low ladder score was associated with poorer self-rated health and more reported IADL and physical activity difficulties, even after adjustment for objective measures of SES and other covariates. The multiply adjusted odds ratio for a one-quartile difference in ladder score and worse self-rated health was 1.19 (95% confidence interval=1.06-1.33). The associations between subjective ladder ranking and health status were generally stronger in those who had 6 years or less of education than in those who received more education. CONCLUSION: A simple subjective assessment of one's ranking on the social hierarchy was associated with self-rated health and physical functional status in an older ethnic Chinese population. The associations were independent of the effects of traditional objective measures of SES, such as education, income, and occupation.     

Electronic Public Health Registry of Extensively Drug-Resistant Organisms,Illinois, USA

In response to clusters of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in Illinois, USA, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Chicago Prevention Epicenter launched a statewide Web-based registry designed for bidirectional data exchange among health care facilities. CRE occurrences are entered and searchable in the system, enabling interfacility communication of patient information. For rapid notification of facilities, admission feeds are automated. During the first 12 months of implementation (November 1, 2013–October 31, 2014), 1,557 CRE reports (≈4.3/day) were submitted from 115 acute care hospitals, 5 long-term acute care hospitals, 46 long-term care facilities, and 7 reference laboratories. Guided by a state and local public health task force of infection prevention specialists and microbiologists and a nonprofit informatics entity, Illinois Department of Public Health deployed a statewide registry of extensively drug-resistant organisms. The legal, technical, and collaborative underpinnings of the system enable rapid incorporation of other emerging organisms.     

Effect of exercise training and diet modification on serum lipids and lipoproteins in coronary artery disease patients treated with thiazides

The effects of chronic exercise training and diet modification on serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured in 17 hypertensive males and 41 normotensive males with documented coronary artery disease (CAD). Exercise consisted of aerobic activities which were performed at approximately 75-85% of the symptom-limited maximum heart rate for 30-40 minutes, three times weekly for 3 months. Each participant's diet was also controlled, the recommended daily intake of fat and cholesterol was no more than 40 g/day and 200 mg/day, respectively. Significant increases in estimated VO2max and total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein (HDL) and a significant decrease in serum triglycerides were documented after training. Significant differences in serum cholesterol and triglycerides between the nondiuretic and diuretic patients were also noted. No significant changes were found in low density lipoprotein (LDL), HDL, or body weight. Vigorous aerobic training and diet modification can favorably modify the deleterious effects of diuretic medications on serum triglycerides and total cholesterol/HDL in patients with documented CAD.     

Short course monotherapy with clarithromycin for localized Mycobacterium marinum skin infection

In vitro studies have shown that Mycobacterium marinum is usually susceptible to clarithromycin. However, there are limited published data on the clinical use of clarithromycin for the treatment of M marinum infections. This report describes a previously healthy 58-year-old man who developed a chronic soft tissue infection of his right hand caused by M marinum. He responded to four weeks' therapy with clarithromycin. Follow-up at six months showed no relapse. Our experience and review of the literature suggest that short course monotherapy with clarithromycin may be quite effective for uncomplicated soft issue infections caused by M marinum.     

Right internal mammary artery graft angioplasty through a right brachial artery approach using a new custom guide catheter: a case report.

Angioplasty of right internal mammary artery grafts may present problems because of the variable origin of the mammary artery and its angulation from the subclavian artery. We report a case of successful angioplasty using a custom designed guide catheter, after failed attempts using conventional guide catheters.