Diastolic blood pressure is the first to rise in association with early subclinical obstructive sleep apnea: lessons from periodic examination screening

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with long-term cardiovascular morbidity. Little is known about these relations at early stages. We conducted a case-control study in which we analyzed the clinical characteristics of young adults who underwent a periodic health examination and were screened for, and eventually found to experience, OSAS. METHODS: We identified 121 subjects newly diagnosed in a sleep study as having OSAS, and 229 matched control subjects in which screening for OSAS was negative. All had a medical interview, physical examination, and routine laboratory tests. RESULTS: Subjects who had OSAS had a higher, body mass index (3-kg/m(2) difference) and a higher diastolic blood pressure (4-mm Hg difference) value, without elevation in systolic blood pressure. There was no metabolic difference (lipids profile and fasting glucose levels) between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Diastolic blood pressure is higher early in the course of OSAS. Long term follow-up may determine effects of prevention and early intervention in OSAS and associated hypertension.     

Inflammation response and liver stiffness: predictive model of regression of hepatic stiffness after sustained virological response in cirrhotics patients with chronic hepatitis C

Clinical and Experimental Medicine - Cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C should be monitored for the evaluation of liver function and screening of hepatocellular carcinoma even after...     

Renal cell carcinoma metastases to gallbladder

A 74-year old man underwent a radical cholecystectomy for presumed gallbladder cancer. The histology of the resected specimen in fact revealed the lesion to be metastatic renal cell carcinoma from his resected right nephrectomy performed 14 years previously.     

Demographic and dietary predictors of urinary bisphenol A concentrations in adults in Israel

Background

To date, there is scarce data on levels of exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in the general population in Israel and the region. The goal of the current study was to measure urinary levels of BPA in the general adult population in Israel and to determine the demographic and dietary predictors of exposure.

Methods

We recruited 249 individuals (ages 20–74) from five different regions in Israel. We collected urine samples and questionnaire data including detailed dietary data and analyzed urine samples for BPA concentrations.

Results

Eighty nine percent of the study population had urinary BPA concentrations equal to or above the level of quantification (0.3 μg/L). Median creatinine adjusted BPA urinary concentrations in the study population (2.3 μg/g) were slightly higher than those reported for the general population in the US (1.76 μg/g) and Canada (1.47 μg/g), and were comparable to those reported for the general population in Belgium (2.25 μg/g) and Korea (2.09 μg/g). BPA concentrations were higher in Jews compared to Arab and Druze (prevalence ratio (PR) = 2.34; 95%CI 1.56–3.49), in individuals with higher education (PR = 1.70, 1.11–2.62), in individuals consuming mushrooms (PR = 2.08, 1.07–4.05), and in smokers (PR = 1.43, 1.00–2.05).

Conclusions

We found that the general adult population in Israel is widely exposed to BPA. Our findings on higher BPA levels in Jews compared to Arabs and Druze and in individuals with higher education highlights the fact that predictors of BPA exposure vary across populations.     

Measles epidemic in Israel-successful containment in the military

BACKGROUND: Measles vaccination at ages 12-15 months is a routine part of standard health care in developed countries. Nonetheless, the prevention and control of measles outbreaks remain a challenge, owing to incomplete or variable compliance with immunization programs and primary vaccine failure (approximately 5%). In Israel, vaccination coverage against measles is high, yet sero-epidemiological studies conducted in the early 1990s showed that 15% of 18-year-olds were unprotected. METHODS: 1994 there was a countrywide epidemic of measles, which spread to the military. The Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps immediately launched a wide-scale vaccination campaign, targeting primarily field units and training bases, where crowded living conditions are the rule. RESULTS: The immunization campaign led to an abrupt cessation of morbidity in the military. In the civilian sector, where no intervention was undertaken, the epidemic continued for another 4 months. CONCLUSIONS: Institutional measles outbreaks, especially in the presence of crowded conditions or high contact rates, may be effectively controlled by mass vaccination.     

Seasonality trends of scabies in a young adult population: a 20-year follow-up

BACKGROUND: Scabies is not a notifiable disease in most countries. Therefore, its seasonality trends are usually estimated and may be inaccurate. OBJECTIVES: To determine the seasonality of scabies over the long term in a large military population, including all of the Israel Defence Forces personnel. METHODS: For the last two decades, the Israel Defence Forces have mandated the routine reportage of every case of scabies infestation in soldiers to the Epidemiology Department of the Army Health Branch. This database was used in the present study to analyse the incidence of scabies by season. Scabies was defined according to the report by a military physician based on the typical clinical presentation, relevant epidemiological data and, in most cases, microscopic visualization of the mite. RESULTS: The person-time incidence of scabies was higher in winter than summer (P < 0.001). The overall risk ratio was 1.31 (95% confidence interval 1.28-1.33). Sensitivity analysis indicated that no single year was an important source of disease heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: Scabies in a young adult population is more frequent in the cooler months of the year.     

麦冬多糖对正常和实验性糖尿病小鼠血糖的影响

目的：研究麦冬多糖对正常和实验性糖尿病小鼠血糖的影响。方法：昆明种小鼠４０只，分成４组，分别用麦冬多糖（１００和３００ｍｇ／ｋｇ）、优降糖（２．５ｍｇ／ｋｇ）和等体积生理盐水（２ｍｌ／只）灌胃，测定各组正常小鼠的血糖水平及以葡萄糖（２ｇ／ｋｇ）、四氧嘧啶（７０ｍｇ／ｋｇ）、肾上腺素（０．０２ｍｇ／ｋｇ）所致小鼠高血糖模型的血糖水平。结果：剂量为１００和３００ｍｇ／ｋｇ的麦冬多糖灌胃对葡萄糖、四嘧啶