Factors Associated with Alzheimer's Disease: An Overview of Reviews.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a frequent pathology, with a poor prognosis, for which no curative treatment is available in 2018. AD prevention is an important issue, and is an important research topic. In this manuscript, we have synthesized the literature reviews and meta-analyses relating to modifiable risk factors associated with AD. Smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, physical inactivity, depression, head trauma, heart failure, bleeding and ischemic strokes, sleep apnea syndrome appeared to be associated with an increased risk of AD. In addition to these well-known associations, we highlight here the existence of associated factors less described: hyperhomocysteinemia, hearing loss, essential tremor, occupational exposure to magnetic fields. On the contrary, some oral antidiabetic drugs, education and intellectual activity, a Mediterranean-type diet or using Healthy Diet Indicator, consumption of unsaturated fatty acids seemed to have a protective effect. Better knowledge of risk factors for AD allows for better identification of patients at risk. This may contribute to the emergence of prevention policies to delay or prevent the onset of AD.

Oral Bacterial Acid-Base Metabolism in Caries Screening: A Proof-Of-Concept Study.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to clinically validate an array of biochemical tests for oral acid/alkali generation as caries screening instruments. 185 adult subjects (mean 33.6±10.6 years) were examined clinically for dental caries using the ICDAS criteria. Bitewing radiographs were used to confirm interproximal surfaces of posterior teeth. For the purposes of this study, subjects were classified as "caries-active" if they had at least one untreated caries lesion with ICDAS 4 or higher. Pooled supragingival plaque and unstimulated saliva samples were collected and assayed for pH changes from sucrose and urea metabolism using colorimetric tests. The validity of each test to discriminate between "caries-inactive" and "caries-active" subjects was assessed and compared to a commercial bacteriological caries-screening test using roc regression and logistic regression models. The AUCs of the plaque-urea (PU: 0.59 (0.51, 0.67)), plaque-urea-glucose (PUG: 0.59 (0.51, 0.67)) and saliva-urea-glucose (SUG: 0.59 (0.51, 0.67)) tests did not differ significantly from the bacteriological tests (CRT-mutans: 0.62 (0.54, 0.70); CRT-lactobacillus: 0.63 (0.56, 0.71) (P>0.05), but the plaque-glucose (SG), saliva-glucose (SG), saliva-urea (SU) and saliva-plaque-glucose (SPG) tests had significantly smaller AUCs (P<0.05). The AUCs for the PU, PUG, SUG, and the CRT-mutans tests were higher in subjects who had no existing dental restorations (PU: 0.90 (0.77, 1.04); PUG: 0.90 (0.79, 1.01); SUG: 0.89 (0.69, 1.08); CRT-mutans: 0.90 (0.73, 1.08)). The incorporation of the biochemical tests into a multidimensional bacteriological/psychosocial caries screening model significantly increased its diagnostic values (Se+Sp: 160.6, AUC: 0.846). In conclusion, as a proof of concept, the results of this study indicate that measuring the ability of dental plaque and saliva to metabolize urea together with the ability to generate acid from sugars may have a promising role in caries screening either independently, or as part of a multidimensional biological test.

Lipoleiomioma uterino: un hallazgo inusual / Uterine lipoleiomyoma: an unusual finding

Los tumores lipomatosos uterinos son lesiones generalmente benignas, de patogenia incierta y muy baja incidencia. Habitualmente se presentan en mujeres posmenopáusicas y el diagnóstico preoperatorio es difícil debido a que se confunden clínicamente y ecográficamente con leiomiomas. Usualmente son asintomáticos pero pueden manifestarse con metrorragia, dolor pélvico y masa palpable. El tumor lipomatoso uterino más frecuente es el lipoma mixto cuya denominación dependerá de las proporciones de tejido adiposo y conectivo que lo constituyan. El manejo puede ser conservador o quirúrgico dependiendo del tamaño y sintomatología de la paciente. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 50 años, con un tumor uterino diagnosticado preoperatoriamente como leiomioma y con diagnóstico histopatológico de lipoleiomioma.

The uterine lipomatous tumors are usually benign lesions, of uncertain pathogenesis and very low incidence. They are often presented in postmenopausal women and the preoperative diagnosis is difficult because they are confounded clinically and sonographically with leiomyomas. They are frequently asymptomatic but may present with metrorrhagia, pelvic pain and palpable mass. The most common uterine lipomatous tumor is the mixed lipoma whose denomination depends on the proportions of fat and connective tissue. The conservative or surgical management will depend on the size of the tumor and the patient symptoms. We present a case report of a 50 year- old woman with a uterine tumor diagnosed preoperatively as leiomyoma and whose histopathological diagnosis was lipoleiomyoma.

Gonadal steroids differentially modulate the actions of orphanin FQ/nociceptin at a physiologically relevant circuit controlling female sexual receptivity.

Orphanin FQ/nociceptin (OFQ/N) inhibits the activity of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurones located in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARH) that regulate female sexual behaviour and energy balance. We tested the hypothesis that gonadal steroids differentially modulate the ability of OFQ/N to inhibit these cells via presynaptic inhibition of transmitter release and postsynaptic activation of G protein-gated, inwardly-rectifying K(+) (GIRK)-1 channels. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were performed in hypothalamic slices prepared from ovariectomised rats. OFQ/N (1 µm) decreased the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs), and also caused a robust outward current in the presence of tetrodotoxin, in ARH neurones from vehicle-treated animals. A priming dose of oestradiol benzoate (EB; 2 µg) increased basal mEPSC frequency, markedly diminished both the OFQ/N-induced decrease in mEPSC frequency and the activation of GIRK-1 currents, and potentiated the OFQ/N-induced decrease in mIPSC frequency. Steroid treatment regimens that facilitate sexual receptivity reinstate the basal mEPSC frequency, the OFQ/N-induced decrease in mEPSC frequency and the activation of GIRK-1 currents to levels observed in vehicle-treated controls, and largely abolish the ability of OFQ/N to decrease mIPSC frequency. These effects were observed in an appreciable population of identified POMC neurones, almost one-half of which projected to the medial preoptic nucleus. Taken together, these data reveal that gonadal steroids influence the pleiotropic actions of OFQ/N on ARH neurones, including POMC neurones, in a disparate manner. These temporal changes in OFQ/N responsiveness further implicate this neuropeptide system as a critical mediator of the gonadal steroid regulation of reproductive behaviour.

Urease activity as a risk factor for caries development in children during a three-year study period: a survival analysis approach.

UNLABELLED: Recent cross-sectional studies suggest that reduced ability to generate alkali via the urease pathway in dental plaque may be an important caries risk factor, but it has not been assessed prospectively. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of plaque and saliva urease activity on the risk for developing new caries over a three-year period in children. METHODS: A panel of 80 children, three to six years of age at recruitment, was followed prospectively for three years. Plaque urease activity, saliva urease activity and dental caries were measured every six months. Survival analysis methodology was used to evaluate the effect of urease on caries development during the study period adjusted for gender, age, baseline caries levels, sugar consumption, amount of plaque, and mutans streptococci levels. RESULTS: The risk for developing new caries increased in a dose-responsive manner with increasing levels of urease activity in saliva (adjusted HR(Q4 vs. Q1): 4.98; 95% CI: 1.33, 18.69) and with decreasing urease activity in plaque (adjusted HR(Q4 vs. Q1): 0.29; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.76). Multiple measurements of urease activity were conducted to overcome the variability of urease activity in this study. Baseline caries and mutans streptococci in saliva were also important predictors of caries risk. CONCLUSIONS: Increased urease activity in saliva can be an indicator of increased caries risk in children, whilst increased urease activity in plaque may be associated with reduced caries risk. The reproducibility of urease measurements must be improved before these findings can be further tested and clinically applied.

Urease activity in dental plaque and saliva of children during a three-year study period and its relationship with other caries risk factors.

UNLABELLED: Bacterial urease activity in dental plaque and in saliva generates ammonia, which can increase the plaque pH and can protect acid-sensitive oral bacteria. Recent cross-sectional studies suggest that reduced ability to generate ammonia from urea in dental plaque can be an important caries risk factor. In spite of this proposed important clinical role, there is currently no information available regarding important clinical aspects of oral ureolysis in children. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution and pattern of urease activity in the dental plaque and in the saliva of children during a three-year period, and to examine the relationship of urease with some important caries risk factors. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted with repeated measures over a three-year period on a panel of 80 children, aged 3-6 years at recruitment. The dynamics of change in urease activity were described and associated with clinical, biological, and behavioural caries risk factors. RESULTS: Urease activity in plaque showed a trend to remain stable during the study period and was negatively associated with sugar consumption (P<0.05). Urease activity in unstimulated saliva increased with age, and it was positively associated with the levels of mutans streptococci in saliva and with the educational level of the parents (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study reveal interesting and complex interactions between oral urease activity and some important caries risk factors. Urease activity in saliva could be an indicator of mutans infection in children.

Reacciones adversas de la vacunación contra la influenza humana en adultos jóvenes de la Araucanía en abril-mayo 2010 / Adverse reactions of the anti influenza vaccination in young adults from Araucanía between april–may 2010

Introducción: El año 2009 el mundo fue sorprendido por una pandemia provocada por el virus de la influenza A(H1N1). Ha existido gran controversia por el uso de la vacuna dada su supuesta alta prevalencia de reacciones adversas. Objetivo: Describir la prevalencia de las reacciones adversas relacionadas con la vacunación H1N1 2010, en estudiantes de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de La Frontera de Temuco en abril-mayo 2010. Pacientes y Método: Estudio de corte transversal. Se aplicó, presencialmente, un cuestionario con campo obligatorio de síntomas frecuentes según Laboratorio Sanofi Pasteur: dolor, enrojecimiento, mialgias, fiebre y malestar general y un campo abierto para describir otros tipos de reacciones, a estudiantes seleccionados mediante muestreo simple por concurrencia, de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de La Frontera de Temuco, tras la campaña de vacunación de abril–mayo de 2010. El análisis de datos se realizó con Stata 10.0. Resultados: Se encuestó 98 alumnos (15,43 por ciento), del total de vacunados. Un 50 por ciento no tuvo síntomas. De los que presentaron síntomas, 40,8 por ciento refirió inflamación en la zona de inyección, 49 por ciento malestar general, 20,1 por ciento fiebre y 26,5 por ciento mialgias. Además, 88 por ciento tuvo uno o dos síntomas, el 12 por ciento refirió 3 síntomas o más. Discusión: Un alto porcentaje presentó alguna reacción adversa, sin embargo las más frecuentes fueron menores: inflamación local y malestar general. Sólo hubo un 6 por ciento que presentó más de 3síntomas y no se presentaron reacciones adversas que requirieran hospitalización.

Introduction: In 2009 the World was shocked by the influenza A (H1N1) pandemia. A huge debate has taken place for the convenience of the anti A(H1N1) vaccination in relation to the few clinical trials and the adverse reactions generated by other vaccines produced under the same process. Methods: Cross-sectional study in students selected by simple sampling and concurrence criteria in the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad de La Frontera in Temuco, Chile, after the vaccination campaign from april to may 2010. We developed a simple cuestionnaire with obligatory fields of frequent symptoms reported by Sanofi Pasteur: local pain, redness, myalgias, fever, malaise, and an open field to describe any other reaction. Data analysis was performed with Stata 10.0. Results: We surveyed 98 students (15.43 percent) of the total vaccinated students population. 50 percent had no symptoms, 40,8 percent reported swelling in the area, malaise 49 percent, 20,1 percent fever and 26,5 percent myalgias. Of those with symptoms 88 percent had one or two symptoms, 12 percent reported three or more symptoms. Discussion: A high percentage had some adverse reaction, however the most frequent were mild: local swelling and general discomfort. There were only 6 percent who presented more than 3 symptoms and there were no adverse events requiring hospitalisation.

Bronchopulmonary nematode infection of Capra pyrenaica in the Sierra Nevada massif, Spain.

The present investigation examined the prevalence and abundance of bronchopulmonary nematodes in 213 randomly hunted Iberian ibexes (Capra pyrenaica) (87 females and 126 males) in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Spain between 2003 and 2006. Post mortem examination revealed an overall prevalence of 72% for adult nematodes (Cystocaulus ocreatus 44%, Muellerius capillaris 44%, Protostrongylus sp. 40%, and Dictyocaulus filaria 4%). The abundances were 13.45+/-3.97, 5.18+/-2.49, 6.36+/-2.16, and 2.27+/-0.46, respectively. Protostrongylid adults showed similar infection rates, which were statistically different from that of D. filaria. 20% of the examined Iberian ibexes were infected by three protostrongylid nematodes species, 24% of C. pyrenaica were affected by two protostrongylid species, while infestations with only one protostrongylid species were detected in 20% of the examined animals. The overall prevalence of larvae nematodes in the examined animals was 100%, and the overall abundance (number of the first stage larvae per gram) was 86.45+/-20.63. There was a high correlation between the two sets of data (adults and larvae). Results of the present investigation provided foundation for the effective control of bronchopulmonary nematode infection in Iberian ibex.

[Protocol based sedation versus conventional treatment in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation]. / Sedación guiada por protocolo versus manejo convencional en pacientes críticos en ventilación mecánica.

BACKGROUND: Sedatives and analgesic drugs give comfort and allow adequate respiratory support to critically ill patients in mechanical ventilation (MV). Its improper use may increase the duration of MV. Clinical guidelines suggest implementation of protocols, however this is seldom done in clinical practice. AIM: To compare in MV patients, nurse-applied guided by protocol administration of sedatives and analgesic drugs (protocol: group P) with the habitual practice using physicians criteria (control: group C). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Inclusion criteria was the need of MV more than 48 h. The exclusion criteria were acute neurological diseases, hepatic cirrhosis, chronic renal failure and limitation of therapeutic efforts. Midazolam and fentanyl were used in both groups. The level of sedation was monitored with the Sedation Agitation Scale (SAS). In the P group, trained nurses applied algorithms to adjust the sedative doses according to a predefined SAS goal. RESULTS: Forty patients were included, 22 aged 65+/-19 years in group P and 18 aged 54+/-21 years in group C. Apache II scores were 16+/-8 and 19+/-8 in each group. SAS score was more frequently evaluated within goal boundaries in group P than in group C (44% and 32%, respectively p =0.001). No differences in the proportion of patients with inadequate sedation were observed between treatment groups. Midazolam doses were lower in P than in C group (0.04 (0.02-0.07) and 0.06 (0.03-0.08) mg/kg/h respectively, p =0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of sedation protocol applied by nurses improved the quality of sedation and reduced the doses of Midazolam in mechanically ventilated patients.

Sedación guiada por protocolo versus manejo convencional en pacientes críticos en ventilación mecánica / Protocol based sedation versus conventional treatment in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation

Background: Sedatives and analgesic drugs give comfort and allow adequate respiratory support to critically ill patients in mechanical ventilation (MV). Its improper use may increase the duration of MV. Clinical guidelines suggest implementation of protocols, however this is seldom done in clinical practice. Aun: To compare in MV patients, nurse-applied guided by protocol administration of sedatives and analgesic drugs (protocol: group P) with the habitual practice using physicians criteria (control: group C). Material and methods: Inclusión criteria was the need of MV more than 48 h. The exclusión criteria were acute neurological diseases, hepatic cirrhosis, chronic renal failure and limitation of therapeutic efforts. Midazolam and fentanyl were used in both groups. The level of sedation was monitored with the Sedation Agitation Scale (SAS). In the P group, trained nurses applied algorithms to adjust the sedative doses according to a predefined SAS goal. Results: Forty patients were included, 22 aged 65±19 years in group P and 18 aged 54±21 years in group C. Apache II scores were 16±8 and 19±8 in each group. SAS score was more frequently evaluated within goal boundaries in group P than in group C (44 percent and 32 percent, respectively p =0.001). No differences in the proportion of patients with inadequate sedation were observed between treatment groups. Midazolam doses were lower in P than in C group (0.04 (0.02-0.07) and 0.06 (0.03-0.08) mg/kg/h respectively, p =0.005). Conclusions: The implementation of sedation protocol applied by nurses improved the quality of sedation and reduced the doses of Midazolam in mechanically ventilated patients.

In vitro metabolism and toxicity assessment of toxin T-514 (Peroxisomicine A1) of Karwinskia humboldtiana in microsomes and primary cultured hepatocytes.

T-514 (Peroxisomicine A(1)) from Karwinskia humboldtiana is a dimeric hydroxyanthracenone with a highly selective cytotoxic effect on tumor cells. We evaluated the metabolism of this compound in two in vitro systems (liver microsomes and hepatocytes) and assessed the cytotoxicity of its metabolites on normal and tumor cells. Microsomes (12.5, 125 and 250 microg of protein/ml) and hepatocytes (1 x 10(6) cells/ml) were incubated with the toxin (25 microM) for 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h and the samples were examined using chromatographic analysis and UV spectra. Two metabolites (M1 and M2) were detected in the rat microsomes and one (M1) in the monkey microsomes. The retention times and UV spectra of the peaks were very similar to those of the toxin T-514. M1 was isolated and identified as a mixture of two isomers. The cytotoxicity of the metabolites was evaluated in Chang liver and Hep G2 cells but they did not show the selective cytotoxic effect on tumor cells seen in the original compound.

Sexual and physical abuse: do they compromise drug treatment outcomes?

Histories of sexual and physical abuse are frequently reported by individuals participating in substance abuse treatment, these experiences may be associated with psychopathology and poor drug treatment outcomes. This paper presents the findings from a longitudinal study of 330 subjects participating in 26 outpatient treatment programs. Sexual abuse among women was associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and PTSD, while physical abuse was associated with fewer psychological disturbances. For men, sexual abuse was associated only with anxiety. Physical abuse was associated with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and PTSD. However, no significant association was found between sexual and physical abuse, and lower levels of treatment participation or drug use at follow-up. These findings indicate that there is a complex connection between abuse, psychopathology, treatment participation, and relapse. Clinical and research implications of these findings are discussed.

Drug treatment: explaining the gender paradox.

There is something of a gender paradox in drug user treatment. Research consistently indicates that women possess "risk factors" associated with drug use relapse, yet women are no more likely, and possibly less likely, to relapse to drug use. Efforts to explain this paradox involve a longitudinal study of 330 women and men participating in outpatient drug-user treatment associated with the evaluation of the Los Angeles Target Cities Project funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. The findings offer no support for the drug severity and social support hypotheses, but some support for the treatment engagement hypothesis. Specifically, women participate more frequently in group counseling which, in turn, lowers their rate of relapse in spite of having more "risk factors." Further analyses indicate that the greater participation of women in group counseling does not stem from child-custody or other gender differences in the reasons for entering treatment, nor does it result from the enhanced services associated with the Target Cities Project. Rather, the differences in treatment engagement for women and men may result from gender norms concerning help-seeking, personal independence, strength, and control. The treatment and policy implications of these findings and recommendations for further research are discussed.

Sexual abuse, physical abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder among women participating in outpatient drug abuse treatment.

Findings from a prospective, longitudinal study of 182 women and 148 men in outpatient drug abuse treatment programs indicate that women are significantly more likely than men to experience sexual and physical abuse. Sexual and physical abuse are associated with higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology. Moreover, women are more likely than men to possess an array of psychological factors that predict relapse to drug use after treatment, including low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and suicidal behavior, among others. But contrary to expectation, PTSD is not associated with relapse to drug use, nor are women more likely than men to relapse within a six-month posttreatment interval. Further analysis indicates that while women have more psychological risk factors associated with relapse, they are more likely than men to engage in the treatment process. Engagement in treatment, notably frequent participation in group counseling, appears to mitigate the higher risk of relapse for women.

Leucemia aguda promielocítica: revisión de 36 casos de autopsias en el Hospital General de México en un periodo de 12 años / Acute promylocytic leukaemia: review of 36 autopsy cases in the Hospital General de Mexico in a 12 years period

Se registraron y revisaron 36 casos de leucemia aguda promielocítica en material de autopsia del Hospital general de México. Esta cifra representó el 0.4 por ciento del total de sujetos (8,140) autopsiados en un periodo de 12 años (1980-1991); el 11 por ciento de los casos diagnosticados como leucemias de todas las variedades (325 casos) y el 12.8 por ciento de leucemias agudas (281 casos). Treinta y cuatro casos fueron clasificados como leucemia aguda promielocítica de la variedad hipergranular y dos de la variedad microgranular. La medida de la edad fue de 20 años, la relación hombre:mujer fue de 1.2:1. Se observó infiltración neoplásica en varios órganos; los más frecuentemente afectados fueron: médula ósea, hígado y ganglios linfáticos. Las hemorragias fueron un dato constante y los sitios más frecuentes fueron pulmones y sistema nervioso central. Se encontraron datos histológicos de coagulación intravascular diseminada en ocho casos. La supervivencia media de los 36 casos fue de 8.2 semanas; esta media no varió para el grupo tratado, pues solamente recibieron la primera dosis de quimioterapia, por lo que no hubo casos de remisión

Comportamiento de las infecciones micoticas en pacinetes oncohematológicos / Mycotic infections in oncohematological patients

Con el propósito de conocer la frecuencia de infecciones por hongos y sus caracter ticas en pacientes con neoplasias hematológicas, se revisaron los protocolos de autopsia de 153 pacientes, de enero de 1982 a septiembre de 1987 y los expedientes clínicos de otros 147 pacientes en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 1985 y septiembre de 1987. Se encontró una frecuencia de 5.8%en los casos de autopsia y de 7.4%en la revisión de expedientes clínicos. Cándida sp. fue el principal gérmen encontrado y predominó a nivel de tracto gastrointestinal. El factor predisponente principal para que la infección por hongos se desarrollase fue la neutropenia menor de 1000/mm3 en sangre periférica. Se observó que el tratamiento antimicótico específico tuvo éxito en practicamente todos los casos en los que fué instituído, correlacionandose además con la recuperación de la neutropenia .

Studies on the cellular nature of Candida albicans-induced suppression.

Animals treated with formalinized Candida albicans manifest depressed cellular immune activity. Splenocytes from mice treated with as little as 14 micrograms of this material exhibited significantly reduced responses to the T cell-dependent mitogens phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A. On the other hand, the B lymphocyte-dependent response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide was normal in these cultures. Splenocytes from treated mice were capable of actively suppressing the T cell- (but not B cell-) dependent proliferative response of normal cells. Analysis of splenocytes from Candida-treated mice showed that the suppressor cell is adherent to glass wool, is not adherent to Sephadex G-10, does not phagocytize carbonyl iron, is not susceptible to treatment with anti-Thy-1 plus C, but does bind specifically to anti-immunoglobulin- (anti-Ig) coated dishes. The adherence to the anti-Ig-coated dishes was not due to the simple attachment of Fc receptor-bearing lymphocytes, because dishes coated with the F(ab')2 fragment of rabbit antimouse IgG bound the suppressor cell. These results suggest that the active Candida-induced suppressor cell is composed, at least in part, of surface Ig-bearing B lymphocytes.

Dietary ascorbic acid and resistance to experimental renal candidiasis.

Guinea pigs were maintained for various periods of time on low (0.5 mg/day), intermediate (20 mg/day), or high (100 and 500 mg/day) levels of dietary ascorbic acid. Animals in each experimental group were challenged with Candida albicans via cardiac injection, and the course of infection in the kidneys was assessed. The results show that the animals receiving only 0.5 mg of ascorbic acid per day were significantly more susceptible to the infection than animals maintained on any higher level of dietary ascorbic acid. The greater susceptibility of the guinea pigs in the 0.5-mg level group was evident, however, only during "early" stages of the infection (until about day 3). Guinea pigs receiving high levels of dietary ascorbic acid were no more resistant at any time after infection, or with any challenge dose, than those receiving an intermediate dietary level. Although these data suggest that vitamin C may be involved in resistance to candidiasis, tissue levels of ascorbic acid do not change significantly with time after infection. These results indicate that low levels of dietary ascorbic acid increase susceptibility to candidiasis, yet high (or "megadose") levels of dietary vitamin C do not show any effect on resistance to this microorganism.