Openness to church-based firearm safety interventions among Protestant Christian firearm owners.

OBJECTIVES: Protestant Christians are more likely to own firearms and not store them locked/unloaded compared to those from other religions. This study examines how Protestant Christians view the relationship between their religious and firearm beliefs and how that informs openness to church-based firearm safety interventions. STUDY DESIGN: Grounded theory analysis of 17 semi-structured interviews with Protestant Christians. METHODS: Interviews, conducted August-October 2020, focused on firearms owned, carrying/discharge/storage behaviors, Christian belief compatibility with firearm ownership, and openness to church-based firearm safety interventions. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using grounded theory techniques. RESULTS: Participant perspectives varied on firearm ownership motivations and compatibility of Christian values with firearm ownership. Variation in these themes and in openness to church-based firearm safety interventions resulted in clustering of participants into three groups. Group 1 owned firearms for collecting/sporting purposes and intricately connected their Christian identity with firearm ownership, but they were not open to intervention due to perceived high firearm proficiency. Group 2 did not connect their Christian identity to their firearm ownership; some believed these identities were incompatible, so were also not open to intervention. Group 3 owned firearms for protection and believed church, as a community hub, was an excellent location for firearm safety interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The clustering of participants into groups varying in openness to church-based firearm safety interventions suggests it is feasible to identify Protestant Christian firearm owners open to intervention. This study presents a first step in coupling firearm owner characteristics with community-based, tailored interventions with promise for efficacy.

Prevalence of Thrombocytopenia in the First Week After Burn Injury and Its Relationship With Burn Severity in Shahid Motahari Hospital Over a Period of 6 Months in 2017.

A platelet count of less than 150,000 per microliter of blood is called thrombocytopenia. Platelet count monitoring is essential in the care of burn patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate platelet count in groups of patients with different percentage of burns on the body surface and its relationship with the severity of burns and mortality. This retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on patients admitted to Shahid Motahari Hospital over a period of six months. The study was conducted on burn patients who were admitted to the hospital on the first day after injury. Patients were divided into two groups of with or without thrombocytopenia in the first week. Demographic information and treatment information about the patients were recorded. SPSS V.26 software was used for the statistical analysis of data. In this study, the prevalence of thrombocytopenia in the first week after burns was 36%. The variables of age, sex, duration of hospitalization, burn agent, percentage of burns and use of silver sulfadiazine ointment were significantly different in the two groups of patients. The group without thrombocytopenia had a mortality rate of 5.1%, while the group with thrombocytopenia had a rate of 32.2%. Based on the results of this study, thrombocytopenia is significantly associated with mortality in burn patients. Furthermore, the results of this study indicate that age, sex, burn agent, percentage of burns, and the use of silver sulfadiazine ointment have a clear impact on the thrombocytopenic status of patients.

La thrombopénie est définie par un compte plaquettaire <150 000/mm3, et la surveillance de la numération plaquettaire (NP) fait partie de la biologie de routine chez les brûlés. Cette étude a pour but l'évaluation de la cinétique de la NP chez des brûlés sur des surfaces variables et sa relation avec la sévérité de la brûlure et la mortalité. Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective auprès de patients admis dans les 24h suivant leur brûlure dans le CTB de l'hôpital Shahid Motahari durant une période de 6 mois. Nous avons comparé ceux ayant subi une thrombopénie dans la première semaine aux autres (démographie, traitement), les statistiques ayant été réalisées avec SSPS version 26. La prévalence de la thrombopénie précoce est de 36%. Âge, sexe, cause, surface brûlée, recours à la sulfadiazine argentique et durée d'hospitalisation étaient différents entre les deux groupes. La mortalité des patients thrombopénique était de 32,2% VS 5,1%. Elle est significativement associée à la mortalité. L'âge, le sexe, la cause, la surface et la sulfadiazine argentique sont associées à la survenue de thrombopénie.

Investigation Of Common Burn Mechanisms, And Training And Safety Conditions In The Workplace.

Workplace burn injuries are associated with significant physical, psychological, and social challenges. This study was designed and conducted to investigate the common burn mechanisms, and training and safety conditions in the workplace. The study is a cross-sectional study that was performed on patients admitted to Shahid Motahari University Hospital in Tehran from August 2016 to October 2017. Samples consisted of patients who suffered burns at work and were able to answer research questions. Data were recorded in tablets by electronic patient registration forms.Of the total burn patients under study, 14.28% were injured in the workplace. The burns were mainly thermal, followed by electrical, chemical, and inhalation burns. 38.2% of patients were not trained for safety measures at work and 27.8% of patients were not given personal protective equipment. 39.0% of workspaces were not safe against the risk of burns. Failure of devices and equipment was the cause of 28.8% of the accidents. Electrical damage, the ignition of flammable materials, gas explosions and contact with molten materials were the most common mechanisms in the occurrence of workplace burns. The lack of awareness by workers, lack of attention to the use of safety equipment at work, and the presence of damaged equipment are the main causes of burn accidents in the workplace. Therefore, the implementation of codified safety training and monitoring the observance of safety measures by workers and employers are recommended.

Les brûlures sur le lieu de travail ont des conséquences physiques, psychiques et sociales. Nous avons étudiés les circonstances de survenue de ces accidents, les conditions de sécurité et l'entraînement (au mesures de sécurité, NDRLF). Elle a été réalisée auprès de tous les patients admis au CHU Shahid Motahari de Téhéran entre août 2016 et octobre 2017. Sur l'ensemble des patients, 14,28% avaient subi un accident de travail (AT). Les brûlures étaient, par ordre décroissant, thermiques (matériel inflammable, explosion de gaz, contact avec liquide en fusion), électriques, chimique et pour finir lésions isolées d'inhalation. Un entraînement n'avait pas été dispensé à 38,2% des blessés ; 27,8% d'entre eux ne disposaient pas d'Équipement Personnel de Protection (EPP), 39% des sites n'étaient pas sécurisés contre l'incendie. L'absence de formation spécifique, l'absence d'utilisation des EPP et du matériel défectueux sont les facteurs de risque le plus souvent retrouvés en cas d'AT. Nous recommandons donc le développement de protocoles de préventions adossés à des audits de leur respect, tant par l'encadrement que par les ouvriers.

Detection of human cytomegalovirus in synovial neutrophils obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To examine whether signs of an active human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection are present in affected joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Method: Polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNLs) were obtained from synovial fluid (SF) of 17 RA patients and were analysed for HCMV-pp65 and HCMV-immediate early (IE) proteins using the antigenemia assay. Peripheral blood (PB) and SF obtained from these 17 patients and from 17 additional RA patients (n = 34) were tested for HCMV-IE and pp150 DNA with Taqman polymerase chain reaction. Plasma samples from the patients were analysed for HCMV-immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared to 71 healthy gender-matched blood donors.Results: HCMV-pp65 protein was detected in 65% of synovial PMNL samples, but in only 18% of PMNLs from PB. In contrast, HCMV IE protein was not found in any of the analysed PMNL samples. On the DNA level, HCMV-IE and pp150 DNA was detected in SF of 13/32 (41%) and 14/23 (61%) of RA patients, respectively. HCMV-IE and pp150 DNA was also found in 24/33 (73%) and in 16/24 (67%) of PB samples obtained from RA patients, respectively. HCMV IgG seroprevalence was 76% in RA patients as well as in healthy controls, while only one RA patient was positive for specific IgM.Conclusions: HCMV pp65 antigen was found in PMNLs from SF of RA patients, indicating an active infection in the affected joint. Future studies are needed to determine whether HCMV infection can aggravate the inflammatory process in these patients.

A retrospective time trend study of firearm and non-firearm homicide in Cape Town from 1994 to 2013.

BACKGROUND: Gunshot injuries from interpersonal violence are a major cause of mortality. In South Africa (SA), the Firearms Control Act of 2000 sought to address firearm violence by removing illegally owned firearms from circulation, stricter regulation of legally owned firearms, and stricter licensing requirements. Over the last few years, varied implementation of the Act and police corruption have increased firearm availability. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether changes in firearm availability in SA were associated with changes in firearm homicide rates. METHODS: This was a retrospective time trend study (1994 - 2013) using postmortem data. Time trends of firearm and non-firearm homicide rates were analysed with generalised linear models. Distinct time periods for temporal trends were assigned based on a priori assumptions regarding changes in the availability of firearms. RESULTS: Firearm and non-firearm homicide rates adjusted for age, sex and race exhibited different temporal trends. Non-firearm homicide rates either decreased or remained stable over the entire period. Firearm homicide increased at 13% annually from 1994 through 2000, and decreased by 15% from 2003 through 2006, corresponding with changes in firearm availability in 2001, 2003, 2007 and 2011. A 21% annual increase in firearm homicide after 2010 coincided with police fast-tracking new firearm licence applications. Cape Town's coloured population experienced a significantly greater increase than other population groups following additional exposure to illegal firearms from 2007. CONCLUSIONS: The strong association between firearm availability and homicide, and the reversal of a decreasing firearm homicide trend during a period of lax enforcement, provide further support for the association between reduced firearm homicide and stricter regulation.

Cytomegalovirus infection induces a stem cell phenotype in human primary glioblastoma cells: prognostic significance and biological impact.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is associated with poor prognosis despite aggressive surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Unfortunately, this standard therapy does not target glioma cancer stem cells (GCSCs), a subpopulation of GBM cells that can give rise to recurrent tumors. GBMs express human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) proteins, and previously we found that the level of expression of HCMV immediate-early (IE) protein in GBMs is a prognostic factor for poor patient survival. In this study, we investigated the relation between HCMV infection of GBM cells and the presence of GCSCs. Primary GBMs were characterized by their expression of HCMV-IE and GCSCs marker CD133 and by patient survival. The extent to which HCMV infection of primary GBM cells induced a GCSC phenotype was evaluated in vitro. In primary GBMs, a large fraction of CD133-positive cells expressed HCMV-IE, and higher co-expression of these two proteins predicted poor patient survival. Infection of GBM cells with HCMV led to upregulation of CD133 and other GSCS markers (Notch1, Sox2, Oct4, Nestin). HCMV infection also promoted the growth of GBM cells as neurospheres, a behavior typically displayed by GCSCs, and this phenotype was prevented by either chemical inhibition of the Notch1 pathway or by treatment with the anti-viral drug ganciclovir. GBM cells that maintained expression of HCMV-IE failed to differentiate into neuronal or astrocytic phenotypes. Our findings imply that HCMV infection induces phenotypic plasticity of GBM cells to promote GCSC features and may thereby increase the aggressiveness of this tumor.

Human cytomegalovirus infection induces leukotriene B4 and 5-lipoxygenase expression in human placentae and umbilical vein endothelial cells.

INTRODUCTION: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can cause congenital infection with risk of neurological disability. Maternal-fetal transmission is associated with placental inflammation. 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) is the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of Leukotrienes (LTs), which are proinflammatory mediators. This study investigated the effect of HCMV infection on 5-LO expression and Leukotriene-B4 (LTB4) induction in human placentae and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). METHODS: Seven placentae from fetuses with congenital HCMV infection and brain damage and six controls were stained with HCMV-immediate-early-antigen (HCMV-IEA) and 5-LO by immunohistochemistry. 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) and LTB4 were measured in culture supernatant from ex vivo HCMV-infected placental histocultures by liquid chromatography. In vitro, HCMV infected HUVEC cells were analyzed for 5-LO mRNA and protein expression by real time PCR and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: HCMV-IEA was abundant in all HCMV infected placentae but absent in control placentae. 5-LO expression was higher in endothelial and smooth muscle cells of HCMV-infected placentae, compared to control placentae. HCMV infection induced an up-regulation of LTB4 in ex vivo placental explants with higher levels of LTB4 at 72 h compared to controls (p = 0.002). In vitro, 5-LO transcript and protein expression were significantly induced in HCMV-infected HUVEC, compared to the control cultures (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: The presence of HCMV coincided with high 5-LO expression in cells of in vivo HCMV infected placentae. HCMV induced up-regulation of 5-LO in both ex vivo HCMV-infected placental explants and HUVEC. HCMV induced LT-biosynthesis in congenitally infected placentae may have a role in pathogenesis of congenital HCMV disease.

Introducing Alphitobius diaperinus, (Insecta: Tenebrionidae) as a New Intermediate Host of Hadjelia truncata (Nematoda).

BACKGROUND: Hadjelia truncata is a nematode that causes lesions in the gizzard lining of pigeons, which may even lead to death. The aim of this study was to introduce Alphitobius diaperinus as a new intermediate host for Hadjelia truncata. METHODS: H. truncata infection was identified in a pigeon flock in Ahvaz City, Khuzestan Province, Iran by performing fecal examination and autopsy. Adult and larval stages of beetles were collected from the litter of pigeon houses, and identified morphologically. The beetle larvae were cultured in a medium, containing feces of the infected pigeons. Nematode larval stages from naturally and experimentally (culturally) infected adult beetles were fed to two groups of pigeons RESULTS: The collected beetles were identified as Alphitobius diaperinus. Average length and width of the adult beetles were 6.31 mm and 2.88 mm respectively. Infection rates of naturally and experimentally infected beetles with larval stages of the nematode were 66.2% and 45.1% respectively. The adult nematodes collected from gizzards of experimentally infected pigeons were identified as H. truncata. Nematode infection rates in pigeons after feeding the infective larvae collected from naturally and experimentally infected beetles were 44.7% and 32.5% respectively. CONCLUSION: A. diaperinus can serve as a natural intermediate host for H. truncata.

The hypolipidemic effect of Citrullus colocynthis on patients with hyperlipidemia.

Citrullus colocynthis is one of the medical herbs that traditionally have been used as an antidiabetic medication in tropical and subtropical countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypolipidemic effect of Citrullus colocynthis beyond the hypoglycemic impact on human. One hundred dislipidemic patients were randomly divided into two groups namely treated (n = 50) group and placebo (n = 50) group. The subjects were treated daily by powdered seeds of Citrullus colocynthis (300 mg) and placebo for 6 weeks. The serums, TG, Chol, LDL-C, HDL-C, SGOT and SGPT were measured with enzymatic methods at the beginning and the end of the project. The significance of differences within these groups was calculated by Paired T-test and by analysis of covariance between them. There were significant differences within and between treated and placebo groups during our treatment in TG and in Cholesterol after intervention (p < 0.05). A daily intake of 300 mg day(-1) of powdered seeds of Citrullus colocynthis can lower the triglyceride and cholesterol concentration significantly in nondiabetic hyperlipidemic patients.

Sexual and demographic determinants for herpes simplex virus type 2 among fishermen along Lake Victoria, Kenya.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and correlates of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) seropositivity among fishermen along the shores of Lake Victoria in Kisumu district, Kenya. METHODS: Sera from a random sample of 250 fishermen from 18 beaches were collected after a detailed sociodemographic interview. HSV-2 infection was tested by Kalon HSV-2 ELISA. RESULTS: The HSV-2 seroprevalence was 63.9%. In multivariate analysis, fishermen were more likely to be infected with HSV-2 if they were HIV positive (prevalence ratio (PR) 1.27; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.52) compared with those testing HIV negative, were aged 18-20 (PR 0.49; 95% CI 0.24 to 0.99) and older than 40 (PR 1.66; 95% CI 1.30 to 2.14) years compared with those aged 21-25 years, perceived their last two sexual partners to have a sexually transmitted infection (STI; PR 1.27; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.52) compared with those who did not and were more likely to be circumcised (PR 1.49; 95% CI 1.19 to 1.86). CONCLUSIONS: HSV-2 seroprevalence is high among this population and is associated with HIV serostatus, age, perception about partner's STI status and circumcision.

Epidemiology of human papillomavirus infection among fishermen along Lake Victoria Shore in the Kisumu District, Kenya.

OBJECTIVES: The epidemiology of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in men in Kenya is largely uncharacterized. We set out to determine the prevalence and determinants of HPV infection among sexually active fishermen along Lake Victoria in the Kisumu district of Kenya. METHODS: Genital swabs were obtained from 250 consenting fishermen from 18 beaches and a detailed sociodemographic questionnaire was administered. HPV positivity was determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification and detected by dot blot hybridisation with generic HPV and beta-globin probes. HPV positive samples were genotyped using the Roche Linear array assay. RESULTS: Overall, 144 (57.6%) fishermen had detectable HPV DNA, 106 (42.4%) were infected with oncogenic HPV types, with HPV-16 being the most frequent type (12.4%). Among HPV positive men, 105 (72.9%) were infected with more than one HPV type and 20 (13.9%) were infected with more than six different types. HIV seropositive men (PR 1.49, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.86) and those divorced or separated (PR 1.62, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.33) were more likely to be infected with HPV. HIV infection (PR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.47) was the only factor independently associated with infection with multiple types of HPV. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of oncogenic HPV infection is high among this population and is associated with HIV serostatus and marital status. This community could benefit from enhanced sexually transmitted infection and HIV prevention interventions.

High prevalence of an active human cytomegalovirus infection in patients with colonic diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND: Diverticulitis affects 10% of the western population and is characterized by microscopic inflammation of the colon. Increasing evidence suggests that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an important pathogen in various inflammatory diseases. We hypothesized that HCMV contributes to the progression of diverticulitis, especially in immunocompromised patients in whom HCMV is a significant pathogen. OBJECTIVES: To determine if HCMV is associated with diverticulitis and with an increased frequency of diverticulitis complications. STUDY DESIGN: We examined the prevalence of an active HCMV infection in 23 patients with diverticulitis. Serum samples were analyzed for the presence of HCMV-IgG and HCMV-IgM antibodies in 11 of these patients. Immunohistochemistry was used for detection of HCMV early antigens in intestinal paraffin tissue sections obtained from the diverticulitis patients. RESULTS: HCMV-early proteins could be detected in intestinal cells in 16/23 (69.6%) patients with diverticulitis. All of the 11 patients with serum samples were HCMV-IgG positive and 2 of these were also HCMV-IgM positive. CONCLUSION: Active HCMV infection is frequently associated with diverticulitis and could contribute to the inflammatory process characteristic of diverticulitis.

Comparative epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among men attending sexually transmitted disease clinics with and without indication for testing.

Understanding the epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in men without indication for testing (without symptoms, signs, or a report of sexual contact with an infected partner) is of crucial importance to reduce the heavy burden of this infection, particularly because this group of men is not usually offered testing in different clinical settings. Using electronic medical records of two STD clinics in Connecticut, 2000-02, this study identified the risk factors of C. trachomatis infection in men with and without indication for testing. In both groups, men who were younger than 30, African-American, or had a prior history of C. trachomatis infection were significantly more likely to be infected. Since a system for routine reproductive health care of young men does not currently exist, health-care providers need to promote an increased awareness of C. trachomatis infection among their male patients who are at increased risk of infection.

Detection of cytotoxic CD13-specific autoantibodies in sera from patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Recent evidence suggests an association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, but the exact pathogenic role of HCMV in this disease remains unclear. HCMV infection has for a long time been known to be associated with various autoimmune manifestations and the formation of autoantibodies. Previous studies from our group have shown that HCMV is associated with a human protein, CD13 (aminopeptidase N) and that autoantibodies against this protein are frequently found in HCMV infected bone marrow transplant patients with chronic graft versus host disease. We have recently observed that 90% of IBD patients have an active HCMV infection. In this study, we examined the presence and cytotoxicity of CD13-specific autoantibodies in sera obtained from 28 patients with ulcerative colitis and 26 patients with Crohn's disease, and in sera obtained from healthy blood donors by using flow cytometric assays against mouse cells transfected with human CD13 or a microcytotoxicity assay against different CD13 positive human cells. Cytotoxic CD13-specific autoantibodies were identified in 66% of the sera obtained from HCMV-IgG positive patients with ulcerative colitis and in 58% of the sera obtained from HCMV-IgG positive patients with Crohn's disease, but not in control individuals. These cytotoxic autoantibodies may interfere with biological cell functions and could thereby contribute to the chronic inflammation in patients with IBD.

Barriers to completion of tuberculosis treatment among prisoners and former prisoners in St. Petersburg, Russia.

SETTING: St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. OBJECTIVES: To identify barriers to the completion of tuberculosis (TB) treatment among prisoners and former prisoners in St Petersburg, Russia. DESIGN: Questionnaires were administered to 60 prisoners and 40 former prisoners. Interviews were performed with prison and TB dispensary staff. Treatment follow-up rates were estimated by matching prison release records against attendance records from all 17 St. Petersburg-based TB dispensaries over an 18-month period. RESULTS: Of 80 released prisoners with active TB in 2002, 21 (26.3%) appeared in dispensary attendance records. Barriers to the completion of TB treatment overall were homelessness, unemployment, alcoholism, drug addiction and difficulty tolerating TB medications with co-morbid illnesses such as human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis. Prisoners and former prisoners ranked help with obtaining an internal passport and money first, followed closely by food and a job, as the most desirable incentives to completing TB treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A future program for soon-to-be released and released prisoners in St. Petersburg that offers an array of desirable flexible social welfare services and incentives has the potential to attract and retain patients within TB treatment, but continued efforts must also be made to include drug treatment, job training and keeping former prisoners out of prison.

Condom effectiveness for prevention of Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A growing body of evidence is increasingly demonstrating the effectiveness of condoms for sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention. The purpose of the present analysis was to provide a disease specific estimate for the effectiveness of condoms in preventing Chlamydia trachomatis infection while controlling for known exposure to infection. METHODS: Condom effectiveness for C trachomatis was estimated using a medical record database from a public sexually transmitted disease clinic (n = 1455). Clients were classified as having known exposure to C trachomatis if they presented to the clinic as a contact to an infected partner. RESULTS: Among clients with known exposure, 13.3% of consistent condom users were diagnosed with C trachomatis infection compared to 34.4% of inconsistent condom users (adjusted odds ratio = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.83). Among clients with unknown exposure, there was no observed protective effect of condoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further evidence that condoms are effective in preventing C trachomatis infection by reporting a disease specific estimate and restricting analyses to individuals with known exposure.

Effect of L-carnitine on plasma glycemic and lipidemic profile in patients with type II diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: We designed this study to investigate the effects of oral L-carnitine administration on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus type II. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The effect of L-carnitine on FPG and lipid parameters was investigated in 22 male and 13 female type II diabetic patients; the mean age +/- s.d. was 51.3 +/- 3.7 y. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups (L-carnitine and placebo group) and 1 g of L-carnitine or of placebo was given orally three times a day for a period of 12 weeks. RESULTS: FPG in the L-carnitine group decreased significantly from 143 +/- 35 to 130 +/- 33 mg/dl (P = 0.03), and we observed a significant increase of triglycerides (TG) from 196+/-61 to 233+/-12 mg/dl (P = 0.05), of Apo A1 from 94 +/- 20 to 103 +/- 23 mg/dl (P = 0.02), and of Apo B100 from 98 +/- 18 to 108 +/- 22 mg/dl (P = 0.02) after 12 weeks of treatment. There was no significant change in LDL-C, HDL-C, HbA1C, LP(a) or total cholesterol. CONCLUSION: L-Carnitine significantly lowers FPG but increases fasting triglyceride in type II diabetic patients.

Recognition of cytomegalovirus clinical isolate antigens by sera from cytomegalovirus-negative blood donors.

BACKGROUND: The most common way to prevent transmission of CMV by blood transfusion is to use blood products from seronegative donors. Screening of blood donors for CMV infection is usually based on detection of antigens obtained from the CMV laboratory strain AD 169. Recent evidence suggests that approximately up to 20 percent of CMV-negative blood donors may in fact be CMV-DNA positive by PCR analyses. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In this study, sera from CMV-seronegative, CMV-seropositive, and CMV-DNA-positive/seronegative individuals, and from patients with acute and convalescent CMV infection for detection of CMV antibodies were analyzed. CMV antigens prepared from cells infected with CMV clinical isolates or the CMV laboratory strain AD 169 in ELISA and Western blot assays were used. RESULTS: All CMV-positive sera from blood donors were seropositive for the CMV antigens prepared from AD 169 (A2) or from a CMV clinical isolate (C6). Interestingly, whereas all CMV-negative blood donors were negative in tests for the CMV antigen A2, 36 percent were CMV seropositive using the CMV antigen C6 in ELISA. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that a substantial number of CMV-seronegative/CMV-DNA-positive serum samples contain antibodies that recognize CMV clinical isolate antigens.

Glutathione S-transferase polymorphism in Parkinson's disease.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are involved in the detoxification of endogenous or exogenous toxins, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. We genotyped the Glutathione-S-Transferase isoenzymes GSTM1 and GSTT1 by polymerase chain reaction in order to evaluate different gene polymorphisms of these isoenzymes in 149 parkinsonian and 99 control subjects. No differences appeared between both groups regarding the frequencies of the homozygous deletion of GSTM1 (odds ratio 1.021; 95% CI [0.613; 1.699], p < 0.521 Fisher's exact test) and GSTT1 (odds ratio 1.514; 95% CI [0.811; 2.824], p < 0.127). Age of onset of PD did not correlate to GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms. These results do not support the hypothesis of a possible impact of GSTM1 and GSTT1 detoxification activities in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

Detection of tolcapone in the cerebrospinal fluid of parkinsonian subjects.

The cerebral availability of the peripherally and centrally acting catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor tolcapone is not known in humans. Therefore, we determined the concentration of tolcapone in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 12 parkinsonian subjects 1-4 h after oral application of 200 mg of the drug. The mean concentration was 56.4+/-35.5 nmol/l (mean +/- SD). This concentration was calculated to cause 75.2+/-15% (mean +/- SD) inhibition of COMT in CSF. Thus, tolcapone efficiently inhibits COMT after crossing the blood-brain barrier in humans.