Pre-COVID-19 Social Determinants of Health Among Mexican Migrants in Los Angeles and New York City and Their Increased Vulnerability to Unfavorable Health Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health - COVID-19 has disproportionally affected underrepresented minorities (URM) and low-income immigrants in the United States. The aim of the study is to...     

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate,reduces corneal damage secondary from experimental grade II alkali burns in mice

Background

Since recent reports have shown that (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) could be used for treating proliferative and inflammatory disorders, we explored its use for the management of corneal chemical burns.

A clinical trial on the prevention of catheter-related sepsis using a new hub model.

BACKGROUND: Catheter hub contamination is being increasingly recognized as a source of catheter-related sepsis. The authors have investigated the efficacy of a new hub design in preventing endoluminal catheter contamination and catheter-related sepsis arising at the hub. METHODS: Adult surgical and intensive care patients requiring a subclavian catheter for at least 1 week were randomly assigned to receive catheters with standard connectors (control group, n=73) or equipped with a new hub model (new hub group, n=78). Skin, catheter tip, and hub cultures were performed at the time the catheter was withdrawn because therapy was terminated or because of suspicion of sepsis, in which case peripheral blood cultures were taken. RESULTS: Of the 151 patients included, 15 (10%) developed catheter-related sepsis. Catheters were more often withdrawn because suspicion of infection in the control group (42 vs. 19%, p<0.005). Catheter sepsis rate was higher in the control group (16 vs. 4%, p<0.01) because of the low rate of catheter sepsis arising at the hub observed in the new hub group (1 vs. 11%, p<0.01). The prevalence of culture-positive catheter hubs without associated bacteremia (colonization) was higher in the control group (18 vs. 5%, P<0.03). CONCLUSIONS: A new catheter hub has proved to be useful in preventing endoluminal bacterial colonization and catheter-related sepsis in subclavian lines inserted for a mean of 2 weeks.     

133Granulation Tissue Induction by Lassar Ointment vs. Collagen‐Polyvynilpyrrolidone in Venous Ulcers

Venous leg ulcers derived from tissue destruction is the consequence of a chronic inflammatory process that produces pain and physical disability, diminishing quality of life in patients. In this work, Lassar ointment and lyophilized collagen‐polyvinylpyrrolidone were administered separated each on one half in the same ulcer to 9 patients at the beginning and every 4 days. On day 16, all patients were auto‐grafted with partial thickness skin. Granulation tissue and graft integration were assessed clinically during 3 months. Inflammatory infiltrate, type I and III collagens, elastic fibers, alkaline phosphatase as well as blood vessels were evaluated histologically or histochemically in biopsies taken at the beginning and 16 days after the local treatment. Clinically and morphologically, both treatments demonstrated appropriate granulation tissue promotion and optimal graft integration since the beginning. Nevertheless, in Lassar ointment treated group regionalization of alkaline phosphatase activity was observed, as well as the presence of granuloma in 2 of the 9 patients. In conclusion, Lassar ointment or lyophilized collagen‐polyvinylpyrrolidone are two different promoters of granulation tissue in venous leg ulcers, however Lassar ointment has the capability to produce granuloma and an exacerbated immune response; in consequence, ulcer recidivism could be present, may be due to mineral deposits in the wound.     

Epidermal growth factor directly stimulates steroidogenesis in primary cultures of porcine Leydig cells: actions and sites of action

The actions and the mechanisms of action of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in testicular steroidogenesis were investigated using a model of primary culture of purified porcine Leydig cells from immature intact animals. EGF decreased (1.7-fold) human CG (hCG)-induced dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) accumulation in the medium whereas it enhanced (2.5-fold) that of testosterone. The maximal and half-maximal effects on both DHEA and testosterone secretions were observed at similar concentrations which were, respectively, 3 (5 x 10(-10) M) and 0.7 (11 x 10(-11) M) ng/ml EGF, after 72-h treatment. EGF effect on DHEA and testosterone secretion was similarly observed whether the cells were acutely (3 h) stimulated with hCG (1 ng/ml) or with 8-bromo-cAMP (10(-3) M). To further localize the steroidogenic biochemical steps affected by EGF, the growth factor action on steroidogenic enzyme activities was investigated. EGF increased delta 5 steroid intermediate (i.e. pregnenolone and DHEA) formation [evaluated in the presence of 10(-5) M of WIN 24540, an inhibitor of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/iosomerase (3 beta-HSDI) activity]. However, this stimulation was observed in cells when acutely (3 h) stimulated with hCG (0.01-1 ng/ml) but not when incubated with 22R-hydroxycholesterol (0.01-10 micrograms/ml). Such findings indicate that EGF did not affect cholesterol side chain cleavage cytochrome P450 activity but probably increased cholesterol substrate availability for this enzyme in the inner mitochondria. Moreover, EGF significantly (P less than 0.001) increased delta 5 steroid intermediate (i.e. pregnenolone and DHEA) but not delta 4 steroid intermediate (i.e. progesterone and androstenedione) conversion into testosterone, indicating that EGF enhances 3 beta-HSDI activity. Such effects of EGF are directly exerted on Leydig cells since EGF receptors (Kd = 16 x 10(-11) M) are present in primary cultures of purified porcine Leydig cells. Together, the present findings show that in Leydig cells from intact animals, EGF enhances the gonadotropin action on testosterone formation through an increase in the availability of cholesterol substrate in the mitochondria as well as an increase in the activity of 3 beta-HSDI.     

High-dose infliximab prophylaxis in endotoxin-induced uveitis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study to analyze the preventive effect of high-dose infliximab in endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rabbits. METHODS: An experimental study was conducted on 64 rabbits. Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide endotoxin was intravitreally injected. Infliximab was intravenously (i.v.) injected 24 h before the intravitreal injection (20 mg/kg). The animals were randomly assigned to five groups: group A, saline intravitreal injection; group B, Infliximab i.v. group C, infliximab + saline; group D, intravitreal endotoxin and group E, infliximab i.v. + intravitreal endotoxin. With two masked observers, a microscopic examination of aqueous humor (cells, tumor necrosis factor [TNF] alpha) and aqueous protein level were performed 24 h after an endotoxin injection and 48 h after an infliximab infusion. RESULTS: Infliximab treatment, at a dose of 20 mg/kg, significantly improved all the parameters. Inflammatory cell infiltration was significantly reduced in the iris, ciliary body, and anterior chamber (U Mann-Whitney test, P = 0.01). Associated with a lower level of TNF-alpha and protein exudate in aqueous humor (U Mann-Whitney test, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab, at a dose of 20 mg/kg, is effective in the prophylaxis of the EIU.     

Blood Flow Increase by Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulation in Middle Cerebral and Common Carotid Arteries

The effect of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on cerebral blood flow (CBF) has, in the past, been evaluated by semiquantitative techniques, but has not been used to treat CBF diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of cervical SCS on regional blood flow by both semiquantitative and quantitative methods. Thirty‐five patients with cervical SCS‐implanted devices were enrolled. The following parameters were measured before and after cervical SCS: systolic and diastolic velocity (cm/s) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) by transcranial Doppler (TCD) and volume blood flow quantification (ml/min) in the common carotid artery (CCA) by color Doppler. During cervical SCS there was a significant and bilateral increase in systolic (21%) and diastolic (26%) velocity in the MCA and in CCA blood flow (50%). We conclude that cervical SCS increases blood flow in the middle cerebral artery and common carotid artery. The consistent increase supports the potential usefulness of cervical SCS as an adjuvant treatment for cerebral blood flow diseases.     

Prospective epidemiological study of invasiveHaemophilus influenzae disease in adults

The incidence and characteristics of invasiveHaemophilus influenzae disease were studied in 43 adult patients admitted to the acute care hospitals in El Vallés County (Barcelona, Spain) between January 1987 and June 1992. The annual incidence ofHaemophilus influenzae disease was 1.2 per 100,000 inhabitants. Pneumonia occurred in 24 patients, meningitis in five, intraabdominal infections in three, obstetric infections in two, epiglottitis in two and cellulitis in one. In six patients the source of infection was unknown. Ten (23 %) of the infections were hospital acquired. Underlying conditions were diagnosed in 30 (70 %) patients. NontypeableHaemophilus influenzae strains predominated in all adult age groups. Sixty-one percent of type b and 34 % of nontypeable strains were ampicillin resistant (p=0.08). Multiple antibiotic resistance was also high among type b (53 %) and nontypeable (18 %) strains. The mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with pneumonia, bactaeremia from an unidentified focus or shock at presentation.