Tracheal agenesis. A case report

A case of tracheal agenesis, a rare foregut malformation, is described. This malformation is combined with a tracheo-oesophageal fistula, furthermore with rectal and anal atresia, cardiac malformations, dysplastic kidneys, wedge-shaped vertebrae, and cerebellar hypoplasia. Since a tracheo-oesophageal fistula is a possible component of the VACTERL Association [(V) vertebral defects, (A) anal atresia, (C) cardial malformations, (T) tracheo-(E)-oesophageal fistula, (R) renal or (L) limb malformations], similar cases are reviewed from the literature and their relationship to this association is discussed.     

Blockade of the GLT-1 Transporter in the Central Nucleus of the Amygdala Induces both Anxiety and Depressive-Like Symptoms

Depression has been associated with abnormalities in glutamatergic neurotransmission and decreased astrocyte number in limbic areas. We previously demonstrated that global and prefrontal cortical blockade of the astrocytic glutamate transporter (GLT-1) induces anhedonia and c-Fos expression in areas that regulate anxiety, including the central amygdala (CEA). Given the role of the amygdala in anxiety and the high degree of comorbidity between anxiety and depression, we hypothesized that GLT-1 blockade in the CEA would induce symptoms of anhedonia and anxiety in rats. We microinjected the GLT-1 inhibitor, dihydrokainic acid (DHK), into the CEA and examined effects on intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) as an index of hedonic state, and on behavior in two anxiety paradigms, elevated plus maze (EPM) and fear conditioning. At lower doses, intra-CEA DHK produced modest increases in ICSS responding (T0). Higher doses resulted in complete cessation of responding for 15 min, suggesting an anhedonic or depressive-like effect. Intra-CEA DHK also increased anxiety-like behavior such that percent time in the open arms and total entries were decreased in the EPM and acquisition of freezing behavior to the tone was increased in a fear-conditioning paradigm. These effects did not appear to be explained by non-specific changes in activity, because effects on fear conditioning were assessed in a drug-free state, and a separate activity test showed no significant effects of intra-CEA DHK on locomotion. Taken together, these studies suggest that blockade of GLT-1 in the CEA is sufficient to induce both anhedonia and anxiety and therefore that a lack of glutamate uptake resulting from glial deficits may contribute to the comorbidity of depression and anxiety.     

Epidemiology of Hepatitis B in the Reproductive-Age Female Farmworkers of Southeastern Turkey

Background:

There are limited data on the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the agricultural population worldwide.

Objectives:

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV infection and associated risk factors in the reproductive-age female farmworker.

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2013 in southeastern region (SAR) of Turkey. A community-based representative agricultural sample (n = 705) from the agricultural areas of nine provinces of SAR was randomly determined by clustering method using Epi Info software. Questionnaires including demographic information and risk factors of HBV were administered to participants. The presence of HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and anti-HBe antibodies in blood samples were measured by ELISA.

Results:

The prevalence of the HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, anti-HBe antibodies, and seropositivity were 5.7%, 25.9%, 28.9%, 16.4%, and 36.7%, respectively. There was no association between the HBsAg and the size of the household, age, education level, parity, and place of birth while the prevalence of HBsAg was higher in seasonal migratory farmworkers and people living in urban areas and the prevalence of anti-HBs antibody was significantly higher in women ≥ 35 years of age, those with a high parity, and those who gave birth without the assistance of health professionals (P < 0.05). The risk for HBV infection in the seasonal migratory group was 4.3 times higher in comparison to local workers (P = 0.00; OR = 4.3; 95% CI, 2.2-8.4), with a prevalence rate of 11%.

Conclusions:

The monitoring of at-risk groups like seasonal migratory farmworkers is necessary to strengthen the healthcare service provided to this population.     

Vitamin status during puerperium and lactation

In a total of 22 healthy women, the concentrations of vitamin A, retinol-binding protein (RBP), beta-carotene, vitamin E, pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), folic acid, vitamin B12, biotin and vitamin C as well as the activities of the erythrocytic enzymes, erythrocyte transketolase (ETK), erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGR) and erythrocyte glutamate oxalacetate transaminase (EGOT) were measured and compared at delivery, 3-5 days post-partum (pp) and 5-10 weeks pp. The mean values indicated a post-partal increase of vitamin A, RBP and vitamins B12 and C; and a post-partal decrease of PLP, folic acid, biotin, vitamin E and beta-carotene. The basal activities ETK0 rose at the end of puerperium above the values measured at delivery, while EGOT0 were lower than at parturition. None of the women had an adequate biochemical vitamin status for all vitamins measured over all three investigations. The biochemical vitamin deficiency of biotin was found most often, followed by vitamins B12, B6, C, A, folic acid, B2, B1 and beta-carotene; vitamin E status was optimal in all women.