Increasing trend of resistance to nalidixic acid and emerging ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin resistance in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in Slovakia, 2005 to 2009

A 5-year survey from 2005 to 2009 revealed an increasing trend of resistance to nalidixic acid (from 0% in 2005 to 11% in 2009) among 858 clinical isolates of Salmonella Typhimurium. In addition, 10 ceftriaxone-resistant and 3 ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium isolates were detected over the period of study.     

Treatment of tinnitus in the elderly: a controlled trial of cognitive behavior therapy

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in elderly people with tinnitus (<65 years). Thirty-seven patients were called in for a structured interview. Following exclusion, twenty-three participated in the trial. All participants underwent medical ear, nose, and throat (ENT) examination, audiometry, and tinnitus matchings. A randomized controlled design with a waiting list control group was used. A CBT treatment package was delivered in six weekly two hour group sessions. Outcome was measured using validated self-report inventories and daily diary ratings of annoyance, loudness and sleep quality for one week pre-treatment, post-treatment. A three month follow-up was included at which time all participants had received treatment, but in a shorter format for the control group. Results showed statistically significant reductions of tinnitus-related distress. Thus, CBT was better than no treatment, but the particular aspects of CBT that contributed to the effects can not be established. In conclusion, the findings give some support for the use of group CBT for elderly people with tinnitus.

Sumario

El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar los efectos de la terapia conductual cognitiva (CBT) en ancianos con acúfeno (<65 años) Se llamaron 37 pacientes para una entrevista estructurada y de ellos 23 participaron en la prueba después de un proceso de exclusión. Todos los participantes fueron objeto de un examen médico ORL, audiometría y acufenometría. Se uso un diseño controlado al azar con un grupo de control de una lista de espera. Se dio un paquete de tratamiento en sesiones grupales de 2 horas seis veces por semana. Los resultados se midieron usando cuestionarios de autoreporte y las anotaciones diarias del índice de molestia, intensidad subjetiva y calidad del sueño durante una semana previa y una posterior al tratamiento, pero en un formato corto para el grupo control. Los resultados muestran reducciones estadísticamente significativas del malestar relacionado con el acúfeno. Así, la CBT se considera mejor que la ausencia de tratamiento. Pero los aspectos particulares de la CBT que contribuyeron a obtener esos efectos no pueden ser establecidos. En conclusión, los hallazgos apoyan en alguna forma el uso de CBT grupal para ancianos con acúfeno.     

Parental gonadal but not somatic mosaicism leading to de novo NFIX variants shared by two brothers with Malan syndrome

The importance of gonadal mosaicism in families with apparently de novo mutations is being increasingly recognized. We report on two affected brothers initially suggestive of X‐linked or autosomal recessive inheritance. Malan syndrome due to shared NFIX variants was diagnosed in the brothers using exome sequencing. The boys shared the same paternal but not maternal haplotype around NFIX, and deep amplicon sequencing showed ~7% of the variant in paternal sperm but not in paternal blood and saliva. We performed review of previous cases of gonadal mosaicism, which suggests that the phenomenon is not uncommon. Gonadal mosaicism is often not accompanied by somatic mosaicism in tissues routinely used for testing, and if both types of mosaicism are present, the frequency of the variant in sperm is often higher than in somatic cells. In families with shared apparently de novo variants without evidence of parental somatic mosaicism, the transmitting parent may be determined through haplotyping of exome variants. Gonadal mosaicism has important consequences for recurrence risks and should be considered in genetic counseling in families with de novo variants.     

Effect of the removal of the Fallopian tube during hysterectomy on ovarian survival: The orphan ovary syndrome

Objective

The objective was to assess the long-term impact on ovarian survival of removing the Fallopian tube during hysterectomy.

Study design

We modified our standard operative policy by adding the option of removing the Fallopian tube, thus leaving an “orphan” ovary behind. In a follow-up study, we identified 82 patients who had undergone hysterectomy followed by a second operation for an adnexal condition. In 45 there was presence and in 37 there was absence of the Fallopian tube. Data analysis included the time interval between hysterectomy and the occurrence of adnexa-related complaints; diagnoses prior to and the type of the second surgery; histological diagnosis after and the success rate of the second surgery. For statistical analysis, Kruskal–Wallis One-Way ANOVA on Ranks and the Mann–Whitney Rank Sum Test were used.

Results

In 35.5% of patients with an intact Fallopian tube, hydrosalpinx developed. Cystic degeneration of orphan ovaries occurred significantly earlier than that of the “regular” adnexae group (50.0 months vs. 84.2 months, p = 0.031). Laparotomy and laparoscopy for second surgery showed equal success rates.

Conclusion

Removal of the Fallopian tube at abdominal hysterectomy decreases the incidence of the development of pelvic masses later, but causes earlier cystic degeneration of the remaining ovaries.