Genomic Dissection of Travel-Associated Extended-Spectrum-Beta-Lactamase-Producing Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi Isolates Originating from the Philippines: a One-Off Occurrence or a Threat to Effective Treatment of Typhoid Fever?

One unreported case of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi was identified, whole-genome sequence typed, among other analyses, and compared to other available genomes of S. Typhi. The reported strain was similar to a previously published strain harboring bla_SHV-12 from the Philippines and likely part of an undetected outbreak, the first of ESBL-producing S. Typhi.     

Allergy to cow's milk with onset in adult life

We report a 29-year-old patient with a history of asthma that is sometimes accompanied by urticaria, which is related to the ingestion of milk products. Once these were excluded from his diet no symptoms were observed. Skin tests, specific IgE, histamine release, and oral food challenges were positive to cow's milk and its fractions.     

The effect of acute swim stress and training in the water maze on hippocampal synaptic activity as well as plasticity in the dentate gyrus of freely moving rats: Revisiting swim‐induced LTP reinforcement

Hippocampal long‐term potentiation (LTP) is a cellular model of learning and memory. An early form of LTP (E‐LTP) can be reinforced into its late form (L‐LTP) by various behavioral interactions within a specific time window (“behavioral LTP‐reinforcement”). Depending on the type and procedure used, various studies have shown that stress differentially affects synaptic plasticity. Under low stress, such as novelty detection or mild foot shocks, E‐LTP can be transformed into L‐LTP in the rat dentate gyrus (DG). A reinforcing effect of a 2‐min swim, however, has only been shown in (Korz and Frey (2003) J Neurosci 23:7281–7287; Korz and Frey (2005) J Neurosci 25:7393–7400; Ahmed et al. (2006) J Neurosci 26:3951–3958; Sajikumar et al., (2007) J Physiol 584.2:389–400) so far. We have reinvestigated these studies using the same as well as an improved recording technique which allowed the recording of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) and the population spike amplitude (PSA) at their places of generation in freely moving rats. We show that acute swim stress led to a long‐term depression (LTD) in baseline values of PSA and partially fEPSP. In contrast to earlier studies a LTP‐reinforcement by swimming could never be reproduced. Our results indicate that 2‐min swim stress influenced synaptic potentials as well as E‐LTP negatively. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Exploring the potential of a conditional cash transfer intervention to reduce HIV risk among young women in Iringa,Tanzania

Cash transfer programs seek to alter structural determinants of HIV risk such as poverty and gender inequality. We sought to explore the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a cash transfer intervention for young women as part of combination HIV prevention in Iringa, Tanzania. Qualitative, in-depth interviews were conducted with 116 stakeholders and residents from the region, including key informants, service delivery users, and members of key populations. Most respondents felt a cash transfer program would assist young women in Iringa to have more control over sexual decision-making and reduce poverty-driven transactional sex. Respondents were divided on who should receive funds: young women themselves, their parents/guardians, or community leaders. Cash amounts and suggested target groups varied, and several respondents suggested providing microcredit or small business capital instead of cash. Potential concerns included jealousy, dependency, and corruption. However, most respondents felt that some intervention was needed to address underlying poverty driving some sexual risk behavior. A cash transfer program could fill this role, ultimately reducing HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancies. As increased attention is given to economic and structural interventions for HIV prevention, local input and knowledge should be considered in a program design.