Aggregatibacter aphrophilus endocarditis: a case report.

We present a case of endocarditis with embolic stroke and digital infarction due to the recently renamed Aggregatibacter aphrophilus. The isolation and identification of this organism can be problematic but was achieved in this case using both older phenotypic and newer genotypic methods. A benign tongue lesion is suggested as the likely portal of entry for this oropharyngeal organism. The patient made a good recovery with six weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone but will need cardiac valvular surgery at some point in the future.

Measurement of annetocin gene expression: a new reproductive biomarker in earthworm ecotoxicology.

The emergence of new technologies from the genomics revolution will transform the potential application of biomarkers to assess how pollutants impact people, animals, and ecosystems. Genetic databases provide a huge resource from which candidate molecular biomarkers can be identified and, subsequently, exploited to address these issues. However, a major challenge is to link these novel molecular indices to ecologically relevant whole-organism life-cycle traits (such as reproduction and growth). Such a functional link is provided by annetocin, previously characterized as a member of the vasopressin/oxytocin superfamily of neuropeptides. It is expressed in annelid worms within the neurons of the central nervous system and has been shown to be involved in the induction of egg-laying behavior. This paper outlines the validation of annetocin as a novel biomarker of reproductive fitness in the earthworm Eisenia fetida. The design of primer pairs targeted toward oligochaete annetocin has facilitated the isolation of a full-length annetocin cDNA from this species. Optimization of a real-time quantitative PCR procedure exploiting the fluorescent DNA-binding molecule, Sybr Green, has allowed the measurement of annetocin transcript levels over a range covering six orders of magnitude. Using this approach, gene expression was measured in earthworms exposed to soils polluted with high concentrations of zinc and lead. Traditional growth and reproductive indices, including cocoon production, were also recorded and related to the molecular parameter. The future use of annetocin as a molecular genetic biomarker in terrestrial ecotoxicology is discussed.

The determinants of fat intake in a multi-ethnic New Zealand population. Fletcher Challenge--University of Auckland Heart and Health Study Management Committee.

BACKGROUND: The New Zealand diet is high in total and saturated fat and this is likely to be contributing to the increasing prevalence of obesity and relatively high rates of coronary heart disease in New Zealand. The identification of subgroups with a high-fat intake will enable nutrition-related public health strategies to be better targeted. METHODS: Subjects from two surveys were included in the study: 7574 employees from a large multinational workforce survey and 2447 people aged 35-84 years selected from a stratified random sample of the electoral roll in central Auckland. Fat and saturated fat intake were assessed by short questionnaire which gave a dietary fat habits (DFH) score and supplemented by a six-item food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: The DFH scores were higher in males than in females at all ages, and there was an inverse relationship with age which was stronger for males. Age-adjusted scores showed significantly higher DFH scores for Maori than for Europeans. Lower socioeconomic status was associated with higher DFH scores in males. Current smoking and heavy drinking (in males) were associated with significantly higher DFH scores after controlling for socioeconomic status. The results of the limited food frequency questionnaire supported the trends in DFH scores. CONCLUSIONS: The subgroups with high total and saturated fat intakes which should be a priority for public health action are young and middle-aged males, Maori and lower socioeconomic status males. The clustering of high-fat intake with smoking and heavy drinking should be considered when developing preventative strategies.

Working women's sexual risk taking in Jamaica.

Although the rates of HIV are increasing among female populations in developing countries, there is little information available about factors influencing sexual risk taking among working class women. This paper describes some of the issues discussed by two groups of 58 women working in Jamaica: Informal Commercial Importers and women working in the Freezone. These women discuss their economic vulnerability, expectations about the role of men as providers, multiple partners, perceptions of children as resources and concern about physical abuse as factors that could influence decisions about condom use. The implications of these findings are discussed for their impact on intervention programs targeting working class women in Jamaica.

Characteristics of Jamaicans who smoke marijuana before sex and their risk status for sexually transmitted diseases.

Because of the high prevalence of marijuana smoking in Jamaica, it is important to know if this practice is associated with increased risk for STD infections. A national sample of 2 580 randomly selected Jamaicans, aged 15 to 49 years were administered a questionnaire to measure a number of health and behavioural variables. The results indicated that more persons who smoked marijuana before sex had a history of STD infections than non-marijuana smokers, the difference was significant among men (46% vs 26%, p < 0.001) but not among women (19% vs 8%, p = 0.09). There was no difference in age, however, more of the smokers were unmarried, poorly educated and unemployed than persons who did not smoke marijuana before sex. They were also more likely to engage in high risk sex behaviours and other risk taking behaviors than non-smokers. The results of multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that marijuana smoking before sex was an independent risk factor for STDs among men (Odds Ratio = 2.0, p = 0.04). Although it was not possible to determine if the association was causal, the increased risk for STDs among men who smoke marijuana before sex should be incorporated into the Jamaican STD/AIDS control programme by making special efforts to encourage condom use among marijuana smokers.

Characteristics of Jamaicans who smoke marijuana before sex and their risk status for sexually transmitted diseases

Because of the high prevalence of marijuana smoking in Jamaica, it is important to know if this practice is associated with increased risk for STD infections. A national sample of 2,580 randomly selected Jamaicans, aged 15 to 49 years were administered a questionnaire to measure a number of health and behavioural variables. The results indicated that more persons who smoked marijuana before sex had a history of STD infections than non-marijuana smokers, the difference was significant among men (46 percent vs 26 percent, p < 0.001) but not among women (19 percent vs 8 percent, p = 0.09). There was no difference in age, however, more of the smokers were unmarried, poorly educated and unemployed than persons who did not smoke marijuana before sex. They were also more likely to engage in high risk sex behaviours and other risk taking behaviors than non-smokers. The results of multiple logistic analyses indicated that marijuana smoking before sex was an independent risk factor for STDs among men (Odd Ratio = 2.0, p = 0.04). Although it was not possible to determine if the association was causal, the increased risk for STDs among men who smoke marijuana before sex should be incorporated into the Jamaican STD/AIDS control programme by making special efforts to encourage condom use among marijuana smokers

Noninvasive mapping of lower limb arterial lesions.

Thirty patients with peripheral arterial disease were evaluated using an ultrasonic duplex scanner. A total of 338 arterial segments from the level of the iliac to the popliteal artery were studied and compared with the results of arteriography read independently by two radiologists who were unaware of the results with the scanner. The results demonstrate that this method is not only suitable for clinical use but is as good as arteriography in defining both the location and extent of the arterial involvement.

Comparison of arteriography, venography, and pyelography in experimental renal trauma.

Experimentally produced renal injuries are shown by arteriography, venography, and retrograde pyelography using geometric magnification techniques. Arteriography is the most satisfactory modality examined. Venography is technically more difficult and generally less sensitive than arteriography, although extravasation of contrast material was shown with equal frequency. Retrograde pyelography is inferior to arteriography and correlates closely with the venographic findings.

Ventricular tachycardia in acute myocardial infarction. Clinical features of 113 patients.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical significance of ventricular tachycardia as a complication of acute myocardial infarction in a large public hospital. An analysis of the clinical, electrocardiographic, therapeutic, and prognostic implications of this large patient group is presented and several unique features emphasized.