Review of the mutagenicity of ethylene oxide

Ethylene oxide has been shown to be an effective mutagen in a variety of organisms ranging from bacteria to mammalian cells. There is also an association between ethylene oxide exposure and human somatic cell cytogenetic damage. Furthermore, ethylene oxide has been shown to alkylate protein and DNA at exposure levels that have been encountered occupationally. Ethylene oxide is not only effective at producing somatic cell mutations but also at inducing genetic damage in germ cells. While it is clear that ethylene oxide is a germ cell mutagen in whole mammals, the mechanism(s) by which it produces genetic lesions in germ cells is uncertain.     

Neuropsychological Deficit and Academic Performance in Children and Adolescents Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Evaluated the utility of neuropsychological testing in predictingacademic outcome in children 1 year following traumatic braininjury (TBI). Fifty-one schoolage children who were admittedto hospital after TBI were assessed with a battery of neuropsychologicalmeasures at 3 months postinjury. Academic achievement was assessedat 3 and 12 months postinjury. The neuropsychological batteryincluded intelligence testing and measures of memory, learning,and speed of information processing. Academic outcome was assessedin terms of post-TBI changes in reading, spelling, and arithmetic;changes in teacher ratings of school performance; and changein school placement. According to logistic regression analysis,change in placement from regular to special education at 1-yearpost-TBI was predicted by injury severity and by neuropsychologicalperformance at 3 months post-TBI. Findings suggest that neuropsychologicaltesting is useful in identifying children with special educationalneeds subsequent to TBI.     

Behavioral Upset in Medical Patients-Revised: Evaluation of a Parent Report Measure of Distress for Pediatric Populations

Examined the utility of a new parent-report measure designedspecifically for pediatric inpatients, the Behavioral Upsetin Medical Patients-Revised (BUMP-R). The BUMP-R was administeredto 151 mothers of hospitalized children ages 4–12 yearsthe day following the child's hospital admission. The BUMP-Rdemonstrated good internal consistency and a factor analysisrevealed four factors identified as negativity/agitation, amiability,dysphoria, and noncom-pliance. Children exhibiting behavioraldistress at home were more likely to experience adjustment problemsupon hospitalization. Demographic and illness-related variableswere not substantial risk factors for hospital adjustment difficulties.     

Die klinische Relevanz der Sonographie in der Akutdiagnostik perforierter Gastroduodenalulcera

Zusammenfassung Anhand einer prospektiven, auslesefreien Serie von 22 Patienten mit perforierten Ulcera im Gastroduodenalbereich verweisen wir auf die begrenzte diagnostische Aussagekraft einfacher anamnestischer, klinischer und radiologischer Daten. Lediglich bei acht Patienten (36%) ergaben sich wesentliche Indizien aus Krankengeschichte und Aufnahmebefund. Bei 16 Patienten (73%) verriet die Thoraxübersichtsaufnahme durch Nachweis einer subphrenischen Luftsichel eine Perforation im Magen-Darm-Trakt. Die Ultraschalluntersuchung wird als bedeutungsvolle Ergänzungsmethode vor allem in der diagnostischen Abklärung radiologisch negativer Ulcusperforationen vorgestellt und diskutiert. Dabei werden die sonographisch faßbare flüssigkeitsbedingte Magendistension sowie das Magenwandödem als unspezifische Kriterien gewertet. Der Objektivierung einer pathologischen Magenkokarde kommt bei gleichzeitigem Nachweis freier Luft und/oder extraluminärer Ingesta sowie freier echoloser Transsudatflüssigkeit pathognomonische Beweiskraft zu. Selbige Ultraschallkriterien erlaubten im einschlägigen Krankengut bei 16 Patienten (73%) eine definitive Diagnose und erfaßte 4 Patienten mit negativem Röntgen. Die kombinierte Analyse radiologischer und sonographischer Befunde führte somit bei 20 Patienten (91 %) unverzüglich zur korrekten Diagnose.

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Perforated peptic ulcer: Diagnosis and assessment by sonography

Summary In a prospective unselected series of 22 patients with perforated gastroduodenal ulcers the diagnostic efficacy of clinical and radiologic data was modest. In eight patients only (36%), clinical data yielded sufficient evidence; in 16 patients (73%), plain X-ray demonstrated subphrenic gas. Sonography was proven to be a major advance, especially rewarding in the diagnosis of perforations with negative plain X-ray. Gastric distention and stomach wall edema are unspecifc sonographic criteria, whereas objectivation of a pathologic stomach cockade in the presence of free gas, extraluminary ingesta or echofree fluid in the peritoneal cavity are pathognomonic data. These criteria yielded a definite diagnosis in 16 patients (73%) including four patients with negative X-ray. The combined analysis of radiologic and sonographic findings yielded an immediate correct diagnosis in 20 patients (91%).

     

Dietary Aspects to Incorporate in the Creation of a Mobile Image-Based Dietary Assessment Tool to Manage and Improve Diabetes

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in United States. Dietary intake and behaviors are essential components of diabetes management. Growing evidence suggests dietary components beyond carbohydrates may critically impact glycemic control. Assessment tools on mobile platforms have the ability to capture multiple aspects of dietary behavior in real-time throughout the day to inform and improve diabetes management and insulin dosing. The objective of this narrative review was to summarize evidence related to dietary behaviors and composition to inform a mobile image-based dietary assessment tool for managing glycemic control of both diabetes types (type 1 and type 2 diabetes). This review investigated the following topics amongst those with diabetes: (1) the role of time of eating occasion on indicators of glycemic control; and (2) the role of macronutrient composition of meals on indicators of glycemic control. A search for articles published after 2000 was completed in PubMed with the following sets of keywords “diabetes/diabetes management/diabetes prevention/diabetes risk”, “dietary behavior/eating patterns/temporal/meal timing/meal frequency”, and “macronutrient composition/glycemic index”. Results showed eating behaviors and meal macronutrient composition may affect glycemic control. Specifically, breakfast skipping, late eating and frequent meal consumption might be associated with poor glycemic control while macronutrient composition and order of the meal could also affect glycemic control. These factors should be considered in designing a dietary assessment tool, which may optimize diabetes management to reduce the burden of this disease.     

等长收缩运动中血浆内啡呔的检测及评价

目的观察健康青年人在等长收缩运动(IE)时血浆内啡肽(EOPs)的变化.方法选择健康自愿受试者40例,男女各20例,平均年龄(23.7±2.9)岁,研究设置二种模型即主观运动和被动运动.观察指标包括血浆中的亮氨酸脑啡肽(LEK)、β-内啡呔(β-END)和强啡呔(DYN).结果LEK、β-END、DYN在IE中均有不同程度的变化.结论在IE中LEK、DYN的变化程度较β-END明显(P＜0.01).     

Direct comparison of reproducibility and reliability in quantitative assessments of burn scar properties

IntroductionDetermining the efficacy of anti-scar technologies can be difficult as qualitative, subjective assessments are often utilized instead of systematic, objective measures. Perceptions regarding the reliability of instruments for quantitative measurements along with their high cost and increased data collection time may discourage their use, leading to use of scar scales which are relatively quick and low-cost. To directly evaluate the reliability of instruments for quantitative measurements of scar properties, instruments and two qualitative scales were compared by assessing a variety of cutaneous scars.MethodsScar height and surface texture were evaluated using a 3D scanner and a mold/cast technique. Scar color was evaluated by using a spectroscopy-based tool, the Mexameter®, and digital photography with image analysis. Scar biomechanics were evaluated using the BTC-2000?, Dermal Torque Meter (DTM®), and ballistometer®. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) were used to qualitatively evaluate the same scar properties. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to determine inter- and intra-user reliability (poor, moderate, good, excellent) with all instruments and the kappa reliability statistic was used to asses inter-user reliability (poor, fair, moderate, good, very good) for VSS and POSAS. Time for measurement collection and after collection analysis was also recorded.ResultsThe Mexameter® was the most reliable method for evaluating erythema and pigmentation compared to digital photography and image processing, POSAS and VSS. Digital photography and analysis was more reliable than POSAS and VSS. Assessment of scar height was significantly more reliable when using a 3D scanner versus VSS and POSAS. The 3D scanner and mold-cast techniques also offered an additional benefit of providing an absolute value of scar height relative to the surrounding tissue. Intra-user reliability for all mechanical tests was moderate to good. Inter-user reliability was greater when using the BTC-2000? and ballistometer® versus the DTM®. All quantitative measurements took less than 90 s for collection, with the exception of the mold/cast technique.ConclusionNon-invasive instruments allow scar properties to be quantitatively assessed with high sensitivity and as a function of time and/or treatment without the need for biopsy collection. Overall, the reliability of scar assessments was significantly improved when quantitative instruments were utilized versus scar scales. Quantitative assessment of color and biomechanics were swift, requiring less than 90 s per measurement while assessments of texture and height required additional analysis time after collection. With proper training of clinical staff and well-defined protocols for measurement collection, reliable, quantitative assessments of scar properties can be collected with little disruption to the clinical workflow.