Increased detection of prolylaminopeptidase in Neisseria meningitidis by Identicult-Neisseria.

Identicult-Neisseria (Scott Laboratories, Inc., Fiskeville, R.I.), a rapid enzymatic method with chromogenic substrates, was tested in our laboratories for the identification of Neisseria gonorrhoea, Neisseria meningitidis, and Neisseria lactamica. The test correlated very highly in its identification of pathogenic Neisseria spp. with modified New York City fermentation medium. Identicult-Neisseria appeared to be more sensitive in its detection of prolylaminopeptidase activity in N. meningitidis than most of the currently available systems.     

Impact of Family History of Substance Abuse on Admission Opioid Dose,Depressive Symptoms,and Pain Catastrophizing in Patients with Chronic Pain

The objectives of this study were to examine association between a family history of substance abuse and admission morphine equivalent dose, depression and pain catastrophizing screening scores, as well as reported personal history of substance use. The retrospective research was completed in an interdisciplinary three-week pain rehabilitation center. The subject cohort included admissions from January through December 2014 with 351 datasets for family history of substance abuse and oral morphine equivalency and 341 for depression, pain catastrophizing and use of substances. Outcome measures included admission self-reported data on family history of substance abuse and past and current substance use, admission morphine equivalency dose, and scores on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale. One hundred forty-seven patients were using opioid medications on admission and those with a positive family history of substance abuse had an oral morphine equivalency (M = 92.12, SD = 95.32) compared to a negative history (M = 80.34, SD = 64.86); the difference was not statistically significant, t (120.01) =.87, p = .39. Patients with a positive family history reported higher levels of both depression, t (327.40) = 3.15, p = .002 and pain catastrophizing, t (338) = 2.76, p = .01. Those with a positive family history endorsed greater frequency of past alcohol use χ² (1, N = 326) = 6.67, p = 0.1 and marijuana use χ² (1, N = 341) = 4.23, p = .04 and past χ² (1, N = 329) = 9.90, p = .002 and current tobacco use χ² (1, N = 327) = 8.81, p = .003. Use of family history of substance abuse information may help provide data for multimodal treatments of chronic non-cancer-pain. The findings from this study can be used to guide future research.     

Comprehensive approach to cardiac amyloidosis care: considerations in starting an amyloidosis program

Heart Failure Reviews - Amyloidosis is a multisystem disease which continues to present in later stages due to delayed diagnosis. Once the disease is identified, the coordination of ongoing care...     

Regulation of androgen receptors in Atlantic croaker brains by testosterone and estradiol

A nuclear androgen receptor (AR1), distinctly different from the mammalian AR, has previously been identified in the brain of the Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulatus. Interestingly, brain AR1 levels were higher in gonadally recrudesced than in regressed fish. Therefore, the possible involvement of gonadal steroids in the regulation of brain AR1 levels was investigated in the present study. Saturation analysis of [3H]testosterone binding showed that brain AR1 levels were significantly reduced (2-3-fold) in either the nuclear or cytosolic fractions of both males and females three weeks after gonadectomy. Implantation of gonadectomized females with testosterone or estradiol-17beta one week prior to sampling resulted in physiological plasma steroid concentrations and restored brain AR1 levels to 60-105% of those in intact or sham-operated fish. These results suggest that gonadal factors, including both androgens and estrogens, are involved in the physiological regulation of brain androgen receptors in a teleost species during the reproductive cycle.