Completeness and timeliness of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis,measles-mumps-rubella,and polio vaccines in young children with chronic health conditions: A systematic review

Objective

To systematically review literature on uptake and timeliness of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, measles-mumps-rubella, and/or polio-containing vaccines in infants who were born preterm, with a low birth weight, and/or with chronic health conditions that were diagnosed within the first 6?months of life.

Innovative Laboratory Techniques to Facilitate Processing of Large Mohs Cases

Background Processing multiple tissue sections in large Mohs cases is time consuming and labor intensive.
Objective To present innovative laboratory techniques to facilitate processing of large Mohs cases.
Methods A method for processing a large dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans Mohs case is outlined.
Results Modifications in tissue processing and equipment employed in a large Mohs case are presented.
Conclusion Innovative modifications to the standard Mohs laboratory technique can facilitate processing of large Mohs cases, resulting in high-quality, rapid frozen sections while optimizing efficiency.     

L-Ala-substituted rat galanin analogs distinguish between hypothalamic and jejunal galanin receptor subtypes

In order to explore which amino acids or which blocks of amino acids in the 29 amino acid neuropeptide galanin are important for recognition of the endogenous ligand by galanin receptor subtypes present in the jejunum and in the hypothalamus, respectively, we have carried out L-Ala substitutions of individual amino acids or of blocks of amino acids in the rat galanin sequence and examined the binding of the obtained analogs to the rat hypothalamic and jejunal galanin receptor subtypes. This study reveals that the galanin sequence YLLGPH^9–14 is essential for recognition of galanin by both the rat hypothalamic and jejunal galanin receptor subtypes. Substitution of the N-terminal amino acids, GWTL^1–4, leads to total loss of affinity of galanin for both hypothalamic and jejunal galanin receptors. The α-helical C-terminal amino acid (25–29) part of galanin has no greater influence on the affinity of galanin to the hypothalamic galanin receptor subtype. L-Ala substitution of the C-terminal amino acids of galanin KHGLT^25–29 shows, however, that this C-terminal motif is essential for the recognition by the jejunal galanin receptor subtype, whereas amino acids in the middle portion of galanin NSAG^5–8 are of importance for binding to the hypothalamic but not to the jejunal receptor. [Ala^5–8] Galanin thus has a more than 100-fold higher affinity to jejunal receptor than to the hypothalamic receptor, while [Ala^25–29] galanin has a more than 100-fold higher affinity for the hypothalamic than for jejunal galanin receptor subtypes. pH dependence of the galanin binding to these receptor subtypes is also different. © Munksgaard 1997.     

Multiple Infundibulocystic Basal Cell Carcinomas: Case Report of Unique Unilateral Presentation

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma shows a wide spectrum of clinical and histologic appearances. A distinct tumor variant with follicular infundibulocystic differentiation is recognized, and there are only a few reports on its clinical presentation and management. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of multiple infundibulocystic basal cell carcinomas with a unique unilateral presentation. METHODS: A clinical history was obtained. Photographs were taken, and punch biopsies were performed. RESULTS: An 83-year-old Caucasian female presented with multiple unilateral, asymptomatic, skin-colored, dome-shaped papules around the right mouth for 11 years without apparent change. Punch biopsies revealed findings typical of infundibulocystic basal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: A patient with clinically indolent multiple unilateral infundibulocystic basal cell carcinomas is described. Given the location of these multiple lesions, standard treatment modalities for basal cell carcinomas would have significant cosmetic and functional implications. A management approach with clinical follow-up and surgical intervention only for changing lesions is discussed.     

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in the HAART-treated HIV-1 population

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the general population, is also an increasing cause for concern for HIV-infected patients. A number of risk factors for CVD are also associated with HIV disease and HIV therapy, particularly insulin resistance, metabolic dyslipidemia, and inflammation. For example, atherogenic dyslipidemia, a side effect of HIV therapy, is an established risk for CVD in the non-HIV-infected population. As our understanding of atherosclerotic disease evolves, new markers of CVD risk have been identified, including metabolic syndrome definitions and C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation. Use of these markers, in association with established risk factor guidelines, may serve as important tools in helping HIV physicians implement drug regimens that allow optimum management of metabolic complications associated with HIV and HAART, and thereby reduce CVD risk. The objective of this article is to review the mechanisms of atherosclerotic CVD and to discuss risk factors and markers that can be applied in the evaluation and treatment of CVD in the HIV-positive population.     

Integrated YAC Contig Map of the Prader–Willi/Angelman Region on Chromosome 15q11–q13 with Average STS Spacing of 35 kb

Prader–Willi syndrome and Angelman syndrome are associated with parent-of-origin-specific abnormalities of chromosome 15q11–q13, most frequently a deletion of an ~4-Mb region. Because of genomic imprinting, paternal deficiency of this region leads to PWS and maternal deficiency to AS. Additionally, this region is frequently involved in other chromosomal rearrangements including duplications, triplications, or supernumerary marker formation. A detailed physical map of this region is important for elucidating the genes and mechanisms involved in genomic imprinting, as well as for understanding the mechanism of recurrent chromosomal rearrangments. An initial YAC contig extended from D15S18 to D15S12 and was comprised of 23 YACs and 21 STSs providing an average resolution of about one STS per 200 kb. To close two gaps in this contig, YAC screening was performed using two STSs that flank the gap between D15S18 and 254B5R and three STSs located distal to the GABRA5–149A9L gap. Additionally, we developed 11 new STSs, including seven polymorphic markers. Although several groups have developed whole-genome genetic and radiation hybrid maps, the depth of coverage for 15q11–q13 has been somewhat limited and discrepancies in marker order exist between the maps. To resolve the inconsistencies and to provide a more detailed map order of STSs in this region, we have constructed an integrated YAC STS-based physical map of chromosome 15q11–q13 containing 118 YACs and 118 STSs, including 38 STRs and 49 genes/ESTs. Using an estimate of 4 Mb for the size of this region, the map provides an average STS spacing of 35 kb. This map provides a valuable resource for identification of disease genes localized to this region as well as a framework for complete DNA sequencing.     

Novel Stability-Indicating RP-HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Estimation of Clindamycin Phosphate and Adapalene along with Preservatives in Topical Gel Formulations

A novel stability-indicating RP-HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous estimation of clindamycin phosphate (hydrophilic), adapalene (hydro-phobic), phenoxyethanol, and methylparaben in topical gel formulations. Optimum chromatographic separation among the analytes and stress-induced degradants peaks was achieved on the XBridge C18 (50 × 4.6 mm, 3.5 µm) column using a mobile phase consisting of a variable mixture of pH 2.50 ammonium hydrogen phosphate buffer, acetonitrile, and tetrahydrofuran with gradient elution. Detection was performed at 210 nm for phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, and clindamycin phosphate and 321 nm for adapalene. The method was optimized with a unique diluent selection for the extraction of clindamycin phosphate and adapalene from the gel matrix. The developed method was validated for method precision, specificity, LOD and LOQ, linearity, accuracy, robustness, and solution stability as per ICH guidelines. The proposed method can be employed for the quantification of clindamycin phosphate, adapalene, phenoxyethanol, and methylparaben in commercial topical gel formulations.     

Safety and effi cacy of hepatitis A vaccine in children with chronic liver disease

INTRODUCTION Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is common. In general, hepatitis A is a self-limited illness with a recovery time measured in months[1]. Young children are often asymptomatic, whereas adults are more likely to be symptomatic and may present…