Effects of magnesium sulphate on leptin-dependent platelet aggregation: an ex vivo study.

Magnesium sulphate has well known antiplatelet properties. Its effect on leptin-dependent platelet aggregation has not been studied previously. Thus, we performed this ex vivo study to investigate whether magnesium sulphate is able to inhibit leptin-dependent aggregation of human platelets. We obtained platelet rich plasma (PRP) from venous blood samples of 16 healthy male volunteers, and we measured ADP-induced platelet aggregation in the presence of leptin alone (5-500 ng/mL) or leptin and magnesium sulphate (0.25-8 mM). Platelet pre-incubation with leptin led to a significant and dose-dependent increase in ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Magnesium sulphate was able to inhibit the pro-aggregating effect of leptin in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect was apparent at 1 mM of magnesium sulphate concentration (% maximal aggregation=38.1 +/- 12.2) and reached its maximum at 8 mM (% maximal aggregation=20.0 +/- 7.8). Our results demonstrate that leptin-dependent platelet aggregation is inhibited by magnesium sulphate in a dose-dependent manner. It seems conceivable that the blocking of hydrolysis of phosphoinositide and of intracellular calcium mobilization by magnesium sulphate may be involved in these findings.

Leaving previously implanted central venous catheters (ports) in place does not increase morbidity in patients undergoing autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation.

We sought to assess if leaving in place a previously inserted noncolonized or infected implantable catheter (IC) is associated with an increase in morbidity in patients undergoing autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation (APSCT). Medical records from all patients between March 1997 and January 2002 undergoing APSCT with an IC in place were reviewed. Case group (IC in place) was compared with a control group (no IC) from 6 days prior to 60 days after APSCT. In all, 43 cases were matched with 43 controls by underlying disease, age and sex. In both groups, duration of neutropenia and use of antimicrobial prophylaxis were comparable. Underlying malignancies were lymphoma (22/24), multiple myeloma (14/12), leukemia (3/3), and others (7/7) in case and control groups. Cases and controls had comparable rates of risk for fever, bloodstream infection, use of vancomycin and amphotericin B, and death, as well as comparable lengths of stay and readmissions. ICs were used in 20 of 43 patients. Using the IC did not significantly increase the risk of fever, bloodstream infection, length of stay, and/or readmissions after APSCT but was associated with increased use of antibacterial and antifungal agents. Leaving in place a previously inserted, noncolonized or infected IC did not increase morbidity in patients undergoing APSCT.

Panic-agoraphobic spectrum in obese binge eaters.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the frequency of the panic-agoraphobic spectrum symptoms in a sample of obese subjects affected by Binge Eating Disorder (BED) vs controls. METHOD: Fifty obese with BED were matched by age, sex and marital status to twenty-five normal weight controls. The Structured Clinical Interview For Panic-Agoraphobic Spectrum--SCI-PAS was administered to all participants. RESULTS: Obese subjects with BED presented significantly higher frequencies of typical and atypical panic symptoms (82% vs 8%, p<0.0001), agoraphobia (58% vs 12%, p=0.002) and reassurance orientation (56% vs 8%, p=0.001) than controls. DISCUSSION: BED frequently co-occurs with other major psychiatric disorders, traditionally assessed using categorical methods of classification of mental disorders. The spectrum of the subthreshold, atypical and partial symptoms of full-blown mental disorders, often neglected by categorical approach, may also affect subjective well-being and functioning as full-blown disorders. The identification of the subthreshold symptomatology may have relevant implications for the response to treatment and the outcome of the eating disorder.

[Cost and effectiveness of fecal culture in the etiologic diagnosis of acute diarrhea]. / Costo y eficacia del coprocultivo en el diagnóstico etiológico de la diarrea aguda.

To study the cost-effectiveness of fecal culture in the detection of enteropathogenic or enteroinvasive bacteria, a review and analysis was done of fecal cultures from ambulatory or hospitalized patients treated for acute diarrhea at a Buenos Aires sanatorium during 1985. Of 1,295 fecal cultures performed, pathogens were isolated in 369 cases (28.5%), of which 79 corresponded to Shigella sp. (S. flexnerii, 49; S. sonnei, 29; S. dysenteriae, 2), 25 to Salmonella sp., and 270 to enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) of the infant. There was no statistically significant difference between the ambulatory patients and the hospitalized patients in the proportion of positive fecal cultures. The cost of each positive fecal culture was US$ 60.36, while the cost of diagnosing invasion of the mucous membrane (isolation of Shigella sp. or detection of leukocytes in feces) was US$ 109.74. These costs are excessive and could be greatly reduced if the test were applied in only selected cases. Many of the strains of Shigella sp., Salmonella sp., and EPEC that were found were resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and cotrimoxazole. These cases of resistance suggest that fosfomycin may be one of the antibiotics of choice for the treatment of diarrhea caused by invasive organisms.

Costo y eficacia del coprocultivo en el diagnóstico etiológico de la diarrea aguda / Cost and effectiveness of fecal culture in the etiologic diagnosis of acute diarrhea

To study the cost-effectiveness of fecal culture in the detection of enteropathogenic or enteroinvasive bacteria, a review and analysis was done of fecal cultures from ambulatory or hospitalized patients treated for acute diarrhea at a Buenos Aires sanatorium during 1985. Of 1,295 fecal cultures performed, pathogens were isolated in 369 cases (28.5 per cent), of which 79 corresponded to Shigella sp. (S. flexnerii, 49; S. sonnei, 29; S. dysenteriae, 2), 25 to Salmonella sp., and 270 to enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) of the infant. There was no statistically significant difference between the ambulatory patients and the hospitalized patients in the proportion of positive fecal cultures. The cost of each positive fecal culture was US$ 60.36, while the cost of diagnosing invasion of the mucous membrane (isolation of Shigella sp. or detection of leukocytes in feces) was US$ 109.74. These costs are excessive and could be greatly reduced if the test were applied in only selected cases. Many of the strains of Shigella sp., Salmonella sp., and EPEC that were found were resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and cotrimoxazole. These cases of resistance suggest that fosfomycin may be one of the antibiotics of choice for the treatment of diarrhea caused by invasive organisms (Au)

Costo y eficacia del coprocultivo en el diagnóstico etiológico de la diarrea aguda / Cost and effectiveness of fecal culture in the etiologic diagnosis of acute diarrhea

To study the cost-effectiveness of fecal culture in the detection of enteropathogenic or enteroinvasive bacteria, a review and analysis was done of fecal cultures from ambulatory or hospitalized patients treated for acute diarrhea at a Buenos Aires sanatorium during 1985. Of 1,295 fecal cultures performed, pathogens were isolated in 369 cases (28.5 per cent), of which 79 corresponded to Shigella sp. (S. flexnerii, 49; S. sonnei, 29; S. dysenteriae, 2), 25 to Salmonella sp., and 270 to enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) of the infant. There was no statistically significant difference between the ambulatory patients and the hospitalized patients in the proportion of positive fecal cultures. The cost of each positive fecal culture was US$ 60.36, while the cost of diagnosing invasion of the mucous membrane (isolation of Shigella sp. or detection of leukocytes in feces) was US$ 109.74. These costs are excessive and could be greatly reduced if the test were applied in only selected cases. Many of the strains of Shigella sp., Salmonella sp., and EPEC that were found were resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and cotrimoxazole. These cases of resistance suggest that fosfomycin may be one of the antibiotics of choice for the treatment of diarrhea caused by invasive organisms (Au)