Using a near-infrared spectrometer to estimate the age of anopheles mosquitoes exposed to pyrethroids.

We report on the accuracy of using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict the age of Anopheles mosquitoes reared from wild larvae and a mixed age-wild adult population collected from pit traps after exposure to pyrethroids. The mosquitoes reared from wild larvae were estimated as <7 or ≥7 d old with an overall accuracy of 79%. The age categories of Anopheles mosquitoes that were not exposed to the insecticide papers were predicted with 78% accuracy whereas the age categories of resistant, susceptible and mosquitoes exposed to control papers were predicted with 82%, 78% and 79% accuracy, respectively. The ages of 85% of the wild-collected mixed-age Anopheles were predicted by NIRS as ≤8 d for both susceptible and resistant groups. The age structure of wild-collected mosquitoes was not significantly different for the pyrethroid-susceptible and pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes (P = 0.210). Based on these findings, NIRS chronological age estimation technique for Anopheles mosquitoes may be independent of insecticide exposure and the environmental conditions to which the mosquitoes are exposed.

A Papilloma-like Atypical Gingival Enlargement Treated Using Nd:YAG Laser Surgery: Report of a Case.

Gingival overgrowths can occur due to various factors, such as inflammation, or rarely without a reason and are significant in periodontology. Here, we describe the diagnosis and treatment of a 33-year old female with a papilloma-like atypical enlargement of the gingiva attached to the molar vestibular region of her lower jaw. After the patient's medical history was taken and the clinical examination done, the enlargement was surgically removed with a Nd:YAG laser and evaluated histopathologically. There was an inflamed, oedematous and vascularized stroma with a thick spongy squamous epithelium layer. After six months, there were no problems at the surgical area and recurrence was not observed.

Isotretinoin has no negative effect on attention, executive function and mood.

BACKGROUND: According to some animal data, impairments in learning and memory are seen with isotretinoin. Isotretinoin has been shown to affect human brain metabolism, but the data on human neural functions is lacking. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether isotretinoin treatment affects cognitive functions, causes depression and anxiety or alters anger level and anger expression. METHODS: Neuropsychological tests of attention and executive functions, behavioural tests measuring anger and depression and measures assessing acne severity were applied to 63 severe and/or resistant acne patients from four medical centres including one primary care institute and three university hospitals at the beginning, at the end of first month, third month and at end of treatment with isotretinoin. RESULTS: From a total of 63 patients, 15 missed the final visit and 48 were evaluated. Overall, 11 (six women, five men) and five (all women) patients reported anger and depression, respectively, during treatment. Eleven of these 16 patients improved spontaneously. No detrimental effects of isotretinoin treatment on either executive functions or mood were found. Several executive functions and control of anger trait were found to be improved. Clearing of acne was obtained in 94.6% of patients. LIMITATIONS: Improvement of several measures may be related to learning effect of repeated testing. Investigating brain functions is a complex process and various methods can be used. CONCLUSION: The test battery used in this study, which is commonly used to evaluate mental status both in adults and children, did not show any negative effect of isotretinoin on executive functional parameters in acne patients.

Ocular signs, symptoms and tear function tests of papulopustular rosacea patients receiving azithromycin.

BACKGROUND: Tetracycline derivatives provide moderate benefit in the treatment of ocular rosacea. Recently, azithromycin has been found to be an effective alternative in the treatment of cutaneous papulopustular rosacea. OBJECTIVE: We planned a study to evaluate the effects of azithromycin on ocular symptoms, signs and tear function tests of papulopustular rosacea patients. METHODS: An open-labelled study was performed in a population of 20 papulopustular rosacea patients. RESULTS: Eighteen subjects completed the trial. Significant improvement was seen in ocular symptoms, eyelid findings and conjunctival hyperaemia scores (P = 0.002, P < 0.0001, and P = 0.005, respectively). Therapeutic benefit was not observed in ocular surface staining scores. Baseline values of Schirmer test results were within normal limits. No significant side-effects were observed. Limitations The study population is limited to dermatology patients who had been referred to the ophthalmology clinic. CONCLUSION: Azithromycin may be a new promising therapeutic alternative in ocular rosacea.

The effect of azithromycin on reactive oxygen species in rosacea.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that inflammation in rosacea is associated with generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are released by inflammatory cells. The efficacy of current therapeutic agents for rosacea such as tetracyclines and metronidazole has also been attributed to their antioxidant properties. Recently, a macrolide antibiotic, azithromycin, has been found to be an effective alternative in the treatment of rosacea. AIM: We planned a study to evaluate the antioxidant effects of azithromycin on ROS in rosacea. We compared basal ROS concentrations measured in the facial skin of patients with rosacea with the post-treatment levels and with those of healthy controls. METHODS: Facial skin biopsies of 17 papulopustular patients with rosacea and 25 healthy controls were taken. Rosacea patients were assigned to receive oral azithromycin 500 mg on three consecutive days each week for 4 weeks. The total number of inflammatory lesions (the sum of papules and pustules) on the face of each patient with rosacea was counted at each visit. The luminol- and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) levels of patients with rosacea were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment and compared with those of healthy controls. RESULTS: Rosacea patients had higher ROS levels than healthy controls (P < 0.001). A statistically significant decrease of both luminol- and lucigenin-enhanced CL levels were observed in patients with rosacea after treatment with azithromycin (t = 4.602, P < 0.001; vs. t = 4.634, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Rosacea patients have higher ROS levels than healthy controls. The results of our study support the antioxidant properties of azithromycin in rosacea.

Joining the DOTS in Bali: private practitioners' perceptions of tuberculosis control.

SETTING: The Indonesian island of Bali has both a national public tuberculosis (TB) programme and a significant private sector that provides treatment for patients with TB. OBJECTIVE: To explore private practitioners' perceptions of barriers to the treatment of patients with TB in Bali to inform strategies for future programme development. DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with private practitioners who treated TB patients in their private practice. RESULTS: The main barriers to improved TB control in Bali identified by private practitioners reflect difficulties encountered within the following four areas: patient nonadherence to treatment, limitations of public services, public-private integration and limitations of private services. Private practitioners identified the need for improvements in the level of community education regarding TB, the degree of public-private interaction, the quality of diagnostic services and practitioner access to training. CONCLUSION: This study identified both strengths and weaknesses for TB control in the private sector, as well as considerable variations in perceptions and practice among private practitioners. The development of strategies to address these difficulties and utilise the inherent strengths of both public and private practitioners will be essential for improved service provision and TB control in Bali.

Trends in absenteeism rates following psychological intervention-preliminary results.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between absenteeism rates and psychological intervention over a 6-month period in an agency with 334 employees in Klang Valley, Malaysia, which had the highest absenteeism rates. METHODS: The absenteeism rates were measured every 6 months between January 1991 and December 1992. All employees were interviewed and those who scored one positive item on the diagnosis interviewed schedule (DIS) screening, were given counselling, referrals to appropriate agencies and treatment by 2 psychiatrists. RESULTS: Between July and December 1992, the frequency of absenteeism decreased, but the severity rate of absenteeism and the mean length (of a spell and lost time percentage) were higher compared to those in the preceding 6 months. We found that the percentage of absenteeism rate of less than 7 days was significantly reduced between July and December 1992, as compared to July and December 1991. CONCLUSION: Psychological interventions were likely to have contributed to the decreased absenteeism rates of less than 7 days but not for longer periods of absenteeism, which can be attributed to more serious illness or injuries.