A survey of patients with bed bugs in the emergency department

Bed bugs are one of the most important human ectoparasites in the United States, and a growing problem in the emergency department. We evaluated 40 emergency department (ED) patients found with a bed bug. The data show that ED patients with bed bugs are statistically more likely to be male, older, more likely to be admitted to the hospital, have higher triage emergency severity index (ESI) scores, and arrive by ambulance than the general ED patient population (p < 0.05). On average bed bugs were found 108 min after a patient arrived to the ED, after 35% of subjects had already received a blood draw, and after 23% had already received a radiology study; putting other ED patients and staff at risk for acquiring the infestation. We found that 13% and 18% of subjects had wheezing and a papular rash, respectively on physical exam. Of those patients found with a bed bug in the ED, 42% reported having bed bugs at home and 21% reporting having a possible home infestation.     

Effect of Aloe vera. on Rat Pulp Tissue

Abstract

Aloe vera. L. (Aloeaceae) has been extensively studied for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cellular regeneration properties. This work evaluated in vivo. the effects of powder of freeze-dried Aloe vera. on rat pulp tissue. Pulp tissue was mechanically exposed to Aloe vera., and it was evaluated at 1 to 30 days after the procedure by histopathologic examination. A predominant acute-moderate inflammatory infiltrate was observed in the Aloe vera.–treated group 1 to 7 days after treatment. At 14 to 30 days, pulp tissue took a normal pattern when comparing Aloe vera. treatment with the Ca(OH)₂ treatment; it was found that both treatment groups stimulated reparative dentin and the formation of complete bridge. Strong superficial necrosis was detected exclusively for Ca(OH)₂. It seems evident that application of Aloe vera. in direct contact with the exposed pulp has acceptable biocompatibility and can lead to tertiary bridge formation.     

Low Plasmatic 25-hydroxyvitamin D at Diagnosis is Associated with Axillary Invasion,Chemoresistance and Metastasis in Women with Breast Cancer

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Early prenatal vitamin D concentrations and social-emotional development in infants

Background: Many pregnant women in the United States have suboptimal vitamin D, but the impact on infant development is unclear. Moreover, no pregnancy-specific vitamin D recommendations have been widely accepted.

Aims: Given the ubiquitous expression of vitamin D receptors in the brain, we investigated the association between early prenatal plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and children’s social and emotional development in the Newborn Epigenetic Study, a prospective study of pregnancies from 2009 to 2011 in Durham, North Carolina.

Methods: We measured 25(OH)D concentrations in first or second trimester plasma samples and categorized 25(OH)D concentrations into quartiles. Covariates were derived from maternal questionnaires. Mothers completed the Infant Toddler Social-Emotional Development Assessment when children were 12–24 months of age. We used multivariable linear regression to evaluate associations between 25(OH)D and specific behavior scores, adjusted for season of blood draw, maternal age, education, parity, smoking, marital status, prepregnancy BMI, and infant gender. We investigated effect-measure modification by race/ethnicity.

Results: Of the 218 mother–infant pairs with complete data, Black mothers had much lower 25(OH)D concentrations as compared to White and Hispanic mothers. After adjustment, lower prenatal 25(OH)D was associated with slightly higher (less favorable) Internalizing scores among White children, but lower (more favorable) Internalizing scores among Black and Hispanic children. Lower prenatal 25(OH)D also appears to be associated with higher (less favorable) dysregulation scores, though only among White and Hispanic children.

Conclusions: Though imprecise, preliminary results warrant further investigation regarding a role for prenatal vitamin D on children’s early social and emotional development.     

原发性胆汁性胆管炎25-(OH)维生素D、AMA-M2、ALP、IgM相关性研究

目的分析原发性胆汁性胆管炎与25-(OH)维生素D、抗线粒体抗体M2(AMA-M2)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、免疫球蛋白M(IgM)间的相关性。方法收集2018年1月至2019年12月28例本院原发性胆汁性胆管炎患者(A组)、20例肝硬化患者(B组)、20例健康体检(C组)进行研究,均检测抗线粒体抗体、25-(OH)维生素D、IgM、ALP等指标,对比研究分析检验结果。结果 (1)A组AMA、AMA-M2阳性率高于B组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)三组受检者间25-(OH)维生素D、IgM、ALP水平比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);A组与B组间AST水平比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论原发性胆汁性胆管炎与25-(OH)维生素D、AMA-M2、ALP、IgM间有着密切关系,联合检测比单一的指标检测,能更好地为临床争取早期诊断、治疗,提供新的思路和科学依据,建议临床推广应用。