Efficacy of disinfection procedures to reduce Acinetobacter baumanii blaOXA-23 contamination rate of needleless connectors: an in-vitro study.

Aim: This study aimed to verify the efficacy of disinfection procedures to reduce Acinetobacter baumannii blaOXA-23 bacterial load in needleless connectors that had been experimentally contaminated. Methods: Two-way intermediate extender's hub and needle-free valve were contaminated with Acinetobacter baumannii blaOXA-23. To disinfect them, the following procedures were carried out: sterile gauze with 70% ethanol, sterile gauze with Incidin®, and 70% isopropyl alcohol single-use cap, with eight times friction for 10 s, followed by 5 s drying time. The statistical tests Kruskal-Wallis and post-hoc Conover were performed using MedCalc®. Results: A total of 82 experiments were conducted. All tested disinfection procedures were efficacious in reducing the A. baumannii blaOXA-23 load. The 70% IPA single-use cap was found to be the best method for disinfecting the two-way intermediate extender's hub (87.28%), while all the methods were efficacious for the disinfection of the needle-free valve (more than 90%). During the inoculation period, A. baumannii blaOXA-23 showed less adherence to the needle-free valve during the inoculation period, probably due to the device's design. Conclusion: The three tested disinfection procedures using sterile gauze with 70% ethanol, sterile gauze with Incidin®, and 70% IPA single-use cap were found to be efficacious in reducing the bacterial load of A. baumanni blaOXA-23 in needleless connectors. Proper disinfection of needleless connectors is a crucial nursing practice to prevent bloodstream infections, as it significantly reduces the bacterial load present in the device.

Residual entropy and magnetocaloric effect in a diluted sawtooth spin model of hole-doped CuO chains.

Ground-state and magnetocaloric properties of a site-diluted sawtooth magnetic chain in the presence of an external magnetic field are exactly investigated by using the transfer-matrix method. The model captures the main magnetic interactions along CuO chains present in some hole-doped cuprates. The ground-state diagram is exhibited and analytical expressions for the residual entropy within each ground state and along the transition lines are derived. We explicitly discuss the role of the underlying pairing correlations and the entropy maximization principle. The isothermal entropy change is determined as a function of interaction parameters, doping concentration, and magnetic-field amplitude. Normal and inverse magnetocaloric effects are reported. Adiabatic demagnetization curves are discussed in connection with configurational and spin contributions to the residual entropy.

Low-temperature pseudo-phase-transition in an extended Hubbard diamond chain.

We consider the extended Hubbard diamond chain with an arbitrary number of particles driven by chemical potential. The interaction between dimer diamond chain and nodal couplings is considered in the atomic limit (no hopping), whereas the dimer interaction includes the hopping term. We demonstrate that this model exhibits a pseudo-transition effect in the low-temperature regime. Here, we explore the pseudo-transition rigorously by analyzing several physical quantities. The internal energy and entropy depict sudden, although continuous, jumps which closely resembles discontinuous or first-order phase-transition. At the same time, the correlation length and specific heat exhibit astonishing strong sharp peaks quite similar to a second-order phase-transition. We associate the ascending and descending parts of the peak with power-law "pseudo-critical" exponents. We determine the pseudo-critical exponents in the temperature range where these peaks are developed, namely, ν=1 for the correlation length and α=3 for the specific heat. We also study the behavior of the electron density and isothermal compressibility around the pseudo-critical temperature.

Anatomical description of the aortic arch of a rare species "the giant armadillo" (Priodontes maximus; Kerr, 1792).

The giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) is found in diverse habitats from South America. A female adult giant armadillo with a body mass of 45 kg was used. The animal was a victim of trampling on highway AC-40, at 70 km, near the municipality of Capixaba-Acre and the corpse donated to the Animal Anatomy Laboratory at Federal University of Acre (UFAC). The arterial system was filled with natural latex via the thoracic aorta in a direction opposite the blood flow to facilitate the description of the aortic arch and its side branches. The study was approved by CEUA/UFAC - no. 053/2015 and SISBIO no. 47124-1. The aortic arch issued side groups, which had the following sequence: brachycephalic trunk, left carotid artery, left subclavian artery. The brachycephalic trunk forked forming the right subclavian artery and the right common carotid artery. The arrangement allowed the whole carotid blood supply to the brain and surrounding structures present in the animal's head. The subclavian arteries, of homologous way, originated the arteries: vertebral, thoracic, and cervical costocervical trunk. The aortic arch armadillo showed the same pattern as that described for the Euphractus sexcinctus and different from those reported for the Dasypus novemcinctus and Tamandua tetradactyla. In addition, the function assigned to each branch was the same regardless of the species with which it was compared.

Peculiarities in pseudo-transitions of a mixed spin-(1/2, 1) Ising-Heisenberg double-tetrahedral chain in an external magnetic field.

Recently, it has been rigorously verified that several one-dimensional (1D) spin models may exhibit a peculiar pseudo-transition accompanied with anomalous response of thermodynamic quantities in a close vicinity of pseudo-critical temperature. In the present work we will introduce and exactly solve a mixed spin-(1/2,1) Ising-Heisenberg double-tetrahedral chain in an external magnetic field as another particular example of 1D lattice-statistical model with short-range interactions that displays a pseudo-transition of this type. The investigated model exhibits at zero temperature three ferrimagnetic phases, three frustrated phases, and one saturated paramagnetic phase. The ground-state phase diagram involves five unusual interfaces (phase boundaries), at which the residual entropy per site equals to a larger entropy of one of two coexisting phases. Four such interfaces are between a non-degenerate ferrimagnetic phase and a macroscopically degenerate frustrated phase, while one interface is between two non-degenerate ferrimagnetic phases. Though thermal excitations typically destroy all fingerprints of zero-temperature phase transitions of 1D lattice-statistical models with short-range forces, the mixed spin-(1/2,1) Ising-Heisenberg double-tetrahedral chain is quite robust with respect to thermal excitations and it displays peculiar pseudo-transitions close to all five aforementioned interfaces.

Sexto reporte de eventos adversos con tratamientos biológicos en Argentina: Informe del registro BIOBADASAR / Sixth report of adverse events with biological treatments in Argentina: Report of the BIOBADASAR registry

Objetivo: Actualizar los resultados del registro BIOBADASAR sobre seguridad, duración y causas de interrupción del tratamiento luego de 8 años de seguimiento. Métodos: BIOBADASAR es un registro de seguridad de terapias biológicas establecido por la Sociedad Argentina de Reumatología. Se presenta la descripción de BIOBADASAR 3.0, una cohorte compuesta por 53 centros de Argentina seguidos prospectivamente desde agosto de 2010 hasta enero de 2018. Resultados: Se registraron 4656 pacientes, 6234 tratamientos [3765 casos (terapia con biológicos) y 2469 controles (terapia no biológicos)]. Se interrumpió el tratamiento en el 44,6% en los casos vs. 27,9% en los controles. Causa principal de discontinuación fue por ineficacia (40% casos vs. 32% controles). Se presentaron 3154 eventos adversos (2230 en casos vs. 924 en controles), de los cuales el 13,6% fueron graves (9,8% en casos y 3,7% en controles). El evento adverso (EA) más frecuente en ambos grupos fueron las infecciones (43,56% en casos vs. 34,31% en los controles, RR: 3,42; IC 95%: 3,02-3,88), y de ellas las de vías aéreas superiores (14,5%). Las neoplasias se presentaron en 78 casos vs. 45 en controles (RR: 1,98; IC 95%: 1,37-2,86). Conclusiones: En este sexto reporte no se observan tendencias diferentes sobre seguridad, duración y causas de interrupción del tratamiento respecto a informes previos. Las infecciones fueron el principal EA y la ineficacia, seguido por EA y la pérdida de pacientes las principales causas de suspensión del tratamiento. El advenimiento de nuevos agentes biológicos y la necesidad de control en seguridad a largo plazo, fortalece el uso de este tipo de registro.

Objective: Update the results of the BIOBADASAR registry on safety, duration and causes of treatment interruption after 8 years of follow-up. Methods: BIOBADASAR is a safety record of biological therapies established by the Argentine Society of Rheumatology. The description of BIOBADASAR 3.0 is presented, a cohort of 53 centers in Argentina followed prospectively from August 2010 to January 2018. Results: 4656 patients were registered, 6234 treatments [3765 cases (therapy with biologicals) and 2469 controls (non-biological therapy)]. Treatment was interrupted in 44.6% in cases vs. 27.9% in controls. Main cause of discontinuation was due to inefficiency (40% cases vs. 32% controls). There were 3154 adverse events (2230 in cases vs. 924 in controls), of which 13.6% were tombs (9.8% in cases and 3.7% in controls). The most frequent adverse event (AE) in both groups were infections (43.56% in cases vs. 34.31% in controls, RR: 3.42, 95% CI: 3.02-3.88), and the upper airway pathways (14.5%). Neoplasms were published in 78 cases versus 45 controls (RR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.37-2.86). Conclusions: In this article, there are no different trends regarding safety, duration and causes of interruption of treatment compared to previous reports. Infections were the main causes of treatment discontinuation. The advent of new biological agents and the need for control over long-term security, strengthens the use of this type of registration.

Histiocytic Ulcerative Colitis in an American Staffordshire Terrier.

A 9-year-old female American Staffordshire terrier was presented to a veterinary hospital with diarrhoea, severe prostration, hypothermia, dehydration and anaemia. The dog died 6 days after the first consultation. At necropsy examination the serosa of the large intestine showed a granular appearance and the mucosa was thickened, ulcerated and red, with prominent folding. Histological examination revealed marked inflammatory infiltration of macrophages into the mucosa and submucosa of the large intestine. These cells stained positively by the periodic acid-Schiff reaction. Immunohistochemistry showed marked presence of intracytoplasmic Escherichia coli in the macrophages. Bacteriological examination of intestinal sections yielded E. coli growth and the isolate displayed atypical characteristics when compared with strains associated with previously published cases of histiocytic ulcerative colitis (HUC). The molecular characterization showed that the isolate harboured none of the genes associated with enterotoxigenic E. coli strains and harboured only a limited number of genes associated with extra-intestinal pathotypes. Adherent and invasive E. coli are unlikely to have been involved in the pathogenesis of HUC in the present case. HUC is a rare disease with a predisposition for boxer dogs; however, sporadic occurrence in other breeds may occur. This is the first reported case of HUC in an American Staffordshire terrier.

Too much of a good thing: Overtreatment in epilepsy.

Disagreements between clinicians and patients when considering treatment often arise because patient and practitioner differ as to what they believe constitutes overtreatment. In this paper, I focus on tensions that can arise between practitioner and patients with a particular illness: temporal lobe epilepsy. I argue that some ill patients with temporal lobe epilepsy may believe that maintaining their current condition is preferable to suppressing it. Consequently, they view what practitioners tend to see as the right amount of treatment (that which eliminates seizures) as excessive. I argue that in some cases, these patients' beliefs are justified, but that failure to acknowledge this on the part of practitioners may lead to overtreatment in a number of ways.

Protein profile of Brazilian Pythium insidiosum isolates.

Pythium insidiosum is an important aquatic Oomycota that causes pythiosis in mammals, especially horses, dogs, and humans; these inhabit marshy environments in tropical and subtropical areas. The aim of this study was to determine the protein profile, as well as identify likely immunodominant proteins, of Brazilian P. insidiosum isolates from southern Brazil, an important equine pythiosis endemic area. P. insidiosum isolates (horses, n = 20 and dogs, n = 02) were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot techniques. Horse, cattle, dog, and rabbit sera of both diseased and healthy animals were used to identify P. insidiosum proteins. SDS-PAGE protein profile detected antigens of molecular weights ranging from 100 to 20 KDa. Dog isolates revealed a protein profile similar to that of horse isolates. Anti-P. insidiosum antibodies in the sera of the four species could recognize proteins of different molecular weights (∼74 KDa to ∼24 KDa), and proteins ∼50-55 KDa and ∼34 KDa were shown to be immunodominant. Furthermore, ∼74 KDa, ∼60 KDa, ∼30 KDa and ∼24 KDa proteins were poorly recognized by host species antibodies. The Brazilian P. insidiosum isolates analyzed showed a similar protein profile; however, further studies are essential for the identification and characterization of proteins expressed by P. insidiosum, and an evaluation of the immunological profile of hosts susceptible to this Oomycota is necessary.

Rosuvastatin promotes benefits on induced periodontitis in hypertensive rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The potential benefits of statins in modulating periodontal disease is supported by in vitro and clinical studies showing statins can induce a lower expression of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of rosuvastatin (ST) on ligature-induced periodontitis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-four adult male rats were divided into three groups: SHR-C, SHR-L and SHR-L-ST (C, control; L, ligature groups). In the SHR-L-ST group, animals were treated with daily 2 mg/kg ST administration. In L groups, a ligature remained around mandibular first molars for 10 d. Each group was divided for killing at 10 or 21 d postoperatively. Microtomographic and histometric analyses were performed. Osteoclastogenesis was evaluated by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase assay and gene expression of 84 proinflammatory mediators by polymerase chain reaction array. RESULTS: The SHR-L-ST group showed reduced bone loss and attachment loss in comparison with the SHR-L group at both 10 and 21 d postoperatively (p < 0.05). ST decreased the amount of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells compared with the SHR-L group at both 10 and 21 d (p < 0.05). The SHR-L-ST group presented 14 genes differentially expressed when compared with SHR-L group, featuring a downregulated gene profile at 10 d. CONCLUSION: Statin therapy may promote a protective effect against alveolar bone and connective tissue attachment losses attributable to periodontitis in hypertensive rats through inflammatory gene profile modulation.

Natural Outbreak of BVDV-1d-Induced Mucosal Disease Lacking Intestinal Lesions.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) belongs to the Pestivirus genus, which is further divided into subgenotypes (1a-1u and 2a-c). When persistent infection occurs, the calf will be immunotolerant to BVDV and possibly develop mucosal disease. This study describes an outbreak of BVDV-1d-induced mucosal disease lacking intestinal lesions. Eleven calves presented with anorexia, sialorrhea, lameness, recumbency, and death. Three calves were necropsied, showing ulceration of the interdigital skin and the oral and nasal mucosa; linear ulcers in the tongue, esophagus, and rumen; and rounded ulcers in the abomasum. Microscopically, mucosa and skin had superficial necrosis, with single-cell necrosis and vacuolation in epithelial cells, and severe parakeratosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed BVDV antigen in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells in skin and mucosa. All 11 dead calves were positive upon reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the detection of Pestivirus along with another 11 live calves from the herd, which were positive again by RT-PCR and IHC after a 4-week interval. Sequencing of the 5' untranslated region and N-terminal protease showed that viruses from these 22 calves were homologous and of subgenotype BVDV-1d. Cytopathic BVDV was isolated from 8 of 11 dead calves, but only noncytopathic BVDV was isolated from the 11 live animals. The findings indicate that this was an outbreak of mucosal disease caused by BVDV-1d, with high morbidity, and lesions restricted to the upper alimentary system and skin and absent from intestine. Thus, the epidemiological and pathological features in this form of mucosal disease may be similar to vesicular diseases, including foot and mouth disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis - an update for general dental practitioners.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder which significantly impacts patients' lives and can lead to permanent disability. Inflammation in RA not only affects joints; but can affect organs including the heart and lungs. Early diagnosis, initiation of intensive drug therapy, and a multidisciplinary care approach have vastly improved the long-term prognosis for those living with the condition. However, RA patients often present with co-morbidities which add to the complexity of clinical management. Orofacial conditions associated with RA which dental professionals need to be aware of include periodontal disease, temporomandibular dysfunction and salivary gland dysfunction. In this article, we provide information on RA, oral health in RA and guidance on how best to manage patients with RA in general dental practice.

Association of CYP1A1 (cytochrome P450) MspI polymorphism in women with endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a disease that affects 10 to 15% of the women of reproductive age. It is characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissues outside of the uterus. Some definitions claim that the functional ectopic tissue is sensitive to the action of hormones. Severity of endometriosis is defined according to a system proposed by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, which is based on laparoscopic findings. A large number of genetic polymorphisms has been reported for CYP1A1, the gene that is responsible for enzymes involved in stage I detoxification of xenobiotics; this gene is located at 15q22-24, and encodes an isoenzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present in phenolic compounds and epoxides. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of the MspI polymorphism and its relation to endometriosis. We obtained peripheral blood samples from 52 women with endometriosis (confirmed by laparoscopy) as well as 42 women without endometriosis (control group). In the case group, the women were between 25 and 35 years of age; the age range was between 25 and 57 years old in the control group. Molecular analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction. We found a significant association (P = 0.039) between the polymorphic allele m1 and endometriosis (32.70%). In conclusion, this study showed that the m1 polymorphism is associated with endometriosis, and that W1/m1 and m1/m1 polymorphisms are more frequently observed in patients with infertility and severe endometriosis.

An observational study of inhaled-treprostinil respiratory-related safety in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Inhaled treprostinil (Tyvaso) has been shown to be a safe and effective addition to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) oral therapies; however, the respiratory-related safety profile of inhaled treprostinil required further elucidation in the setting of routine clinical care. The objectives of this study were to characterize respiratory-related adverse events (AEs) associated with current or recent treatment with inhaled treprostinil and to compare the incidence of respiratory-related AEs in PAH patients treated with inhaled treprostinil with that in patients treated with other Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved PAH therapies. This was a long-term, prospective, observational study. All respiratory-related AEs were recorded during the study. The number of PAH patients enrolled was 1,333, 666 treated with inhaled treprostinil and 667 controls (treated with an FDA-approved PAH therapy other than inhaled treprostinil), for a total of 958 and 1,094 patient-years of exposure, respectively. In the inhaled-treprostinil group, 1,281 respiratory-related AEs were reported in 403 patients (61%), and in the control group, 1,295 respiratory-related AEs were reported in 388 patients (58%). Cough, throat irritation, nasal discomfort, and hemoptysis were the most common respiratory-related AEs (occurring in ≥2% of patients in either treatment group) that demonstrated a higher number of events per patient-year of exposure in the inhaled-treprostinil group than in the control group (risk ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.487 [1.172-1.887], 3.777 [2.050-6.956], 2.039 [1.072-3.879], and 1.957 [1.024-3.741], respectively). Overall, inhaled treprostinil was well tolerated by PAH patients in routine clinical care, with respiratory-related AEs consistent with the known safety profile (trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01266265).

Kinetic study of biodegradation of BTX compounds in mono- and multicomponent systems in reactor with immobilized biomass.

In this study, kinetic parameters were determined for the biodegradation of BTX compounds in a fixed-bed reactor with immobilized biomass, fed with mono- and multicomponent systems. The parameter estimation was achieved through an algorithm using the finite volume method. Different kinetic models were evaluated. The Monod model proved to be suitable to predict the experimental data for the biodegradation individual BTX compound. In multicomponent systems, it was found that the presence of more than one compound tends to cause competitive inhibition. To identify the models that best fit the experimental data, a statistical analysis using the F test was applied. For the two- and three-component systems the presence of more than one compound tends to cause competitive inhibition. In this study, it was possible to predict kinetic parameters in mono- and multicomponent systems as well as different operation conditions for a fixed-bed reactor with immobilized biomass.

Echinostomes in Felid Coprolites from Brazil.

The first record of Echinostoma (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) in coprolites was from a mummified human body in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The finding raised questions on this parasite's incidence in prehistoric populations and the natural hosts of each species in remote times. Echinostomes occur worldwide and, despite the wide range of hosts, there is no record of Echinostomatidae in felines in Brazil. This study reports the finding of Echinostomatidae eggs in felid coprolites in the Furna do Estrago Archaeological Site, located in Pernambuco State in the Brazilian semiarid. Despite the possibility of false parasitism, the finding expands the distribution of this Digenea in remote times and raises the hypothesis of other cases of echinostomiasis in pre-Colombian populations.

Walker 256 tumor-bearing rats demonstrate altered interstitial cells of Cajal. Effects on ICC in the Walker 256 tumor model.

BACKGROUND: Cachexia is a significant problem in patients with cancer. The effect of cancer on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and neurons of the gastrointestinal tract have not been studied previously. Although supplementation with L-glutamine 2% may have beneficial effects in cancer-related cachexia, and be protective of ICC in models of oxidative stress such as diabetes, its effects on ICC in cancer have also not been studied. METHODS: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (C), control supplemented with L-glutamine (CG), Walker 256 tumor (WT), and Walker 256 tumor supplemented with L-glutamine (WTG). Rats were implanted with tumor cells or injected with saline in the right flank. After 14 days, the jejunal tissues were collected and processed for immunohistochemical techniques including whole mounts and cryosections and Western blot analysis. KEY RESULTS: Tumor-bearing rats demonstrate reduced numbers of Myenteric ICC and deep muscular plexus ICC and yet increased Ano1 protein expression and enhanced ICC networks. In addition, there is more nNOS protein expressed in tumor-bearing rats compared to controls. L-glutamine treatment had a variety of effects on ICC that may be related to the disease state and the interaction of ICC and nNOS neurons. Regardless, L-glutamine reduced the size of tumors and also tumor-induced cachexia that was not due to altered food intake. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: There are significant effects on ICC in the Walker 256 tumor model. Although supplementation with L-glutamine has differential and complex effects of ICC, it reduces tumor size and tumor-associated cachexia, which supports its beneficial therapeutic role in cancer.

Características de los tratamientos biológicos en enfermedades reumáticas en Argentina: quinto informe del registro BIOBADASAR / Features of rheumatic diseases biological treatments in Argentina: BIOBADASAR fifth report

Introducción: El proyecto BIOBADASAR (Registro argentino deeventos adversos con tratamientos biológicos en reumatología)comenzó en agosto de 2010, para recabar información a largo plazosobre los eventos adversos en tratamientos biológicos en pacientescon enfermedades reumáticas en la práctica clínica cotidiana enArgentina.Pacientes y método: Se registraron datos de cada paciente,tratamientos y acontecimientos adversos relevantes o importantes.Los pacientes debían tener enfermedad diagnosticada y tratadacon un agente biológico. Cada caso se comparó con un control:un paciente con tratamiento no biológico con característicasdemográficas similares. Se analizaron los datos con análisis de lavarianza, con test de t de Student, Mann Whitney, test chi2, o testexacto de Fisher. El análisis de supervivencia de los tratamientoshasta su discontinuación o interrupción se realizó con el método deKaplan-Meier y test log-rank...

Background: BIOBADASAR (Argentine Registry of Adverse Eventsin Biological Treatments in Rheumatology) was started in August2010 to obtain long-term information of patients with rheumatic diseases,treatments and adverse events in everyday clinical practice.Patients and methods: Data on patients’ demographics,treatments and adverse events were collected. Patients had a diagnosisof a rheumatic disease and were treated with biological agent.To compare information, a control group was included, consisting ofpatients treated with similar demographic characteristics but treatedwith a non-biological agent. Data were analysed with Anova,Student´s t, Mann Whitney, chi2, Fisher´s exact tests, as appropriate.Survival analysis of treatments was performed with Kaplan-Meiercurves and log-rank test...

A cross-sectional, multicentre, epidemiological study on human papillomavirus (HPV) type distribution in adult women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer in Belgium.

OBJECTIVE: Despite an advanced national cervical cancer screening and vaccination programme cervical cancer is still the third most frequent diagnosed gynaecological tumour in Belgium. The goal of this study is to present the Belgian data of a cross-sectional, multicentre, epidemiological study on human papillomavirus (HPV) type distribution in adult women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer (ICC) conducted in 12 European countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Centres in four major Belgian cities (Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent and Liège) participated in this study. Tissue samples from women with ICC were collected from the period 2001 - 2008. All slides were centrally reviewed and analysed for HPV. The total enrolled cohort included 278 subjects. RESULTS: The histologically eligible cohort comprised of 255 patients (mean age 51.3 ± 15.1 years) and 237 were confirmed HPV positive (mean age 50.6 ± 14.9 years). A single HPV infection was present in 95.8%. The five most frequent HPV types were HPV 16 (68.7%), HPV18 (12.3%), HPV 31 (6.2%), HPV 33 (5.3%) and HPV 45 (1.8%). Multiple HPV types were present in 3.4%, with two HPV types in 2.5% and three HPV types in 0.8%. In the various HPV type combinations observed in multiple infected women, HPV 31 (62.5%) and HPV 33 (50.0%) were the most frequent. The ratio of adenocarcinoma (ADC) versus squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cases in the histologically eligible cohort was 1:8. Compared to the pooled European data the Belgium HPV 16 is 1.1, HPV 33 is 1.2 and HPV 31 is 1.7 higher and the HPV 18 is 0.8 and HPV 45 is 0.34 lower. CONCLUSION: The 5 most frequent HPV types in Belgium are the same as in the rest of Europe, but the distribution is different. Cervical cancer screening should therefore be HPV type specific and HPV prophylactic vaccination should also focus on other types then HPV 16 and HPV 18. A national registry is needed in order to follow the trends of HPV types in the society and to measure the impact of prevention, for which the data presented in this study can be an important basis.

The influence of inflammatory cytokines in physiopathology of suicidal behavior.

BACKGROUND: Based on the urgent need for reliable biomarkers in relation to suicide risk both for more accurate prediction as well as for new therapeutic opportunities, several researchers have been studied evidences of the potential participation of inflammatory processes in the brain, in particular cytokines, in suicide. The purpose of this review was to analyze the associations between inflammation markers and suicide. METHODS: To achieve this goal, a systematic review of literature was conducted via electronic database Scopus using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms: "cytokines", "suicide" and "inflammation". Through this search it was found 54 articles. After analyzing them 15 met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final sample. RESULTS: One of the most mentioned inflammatory markers was Interferon-α (IFN-α), a pro-inflammatory cytokine which has been shown to increase serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF- α) and IFN-ϒ, which are factors increased suicide victims and attempters. In this line, IL-6 is not only found to be elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid of suicide attempters, even its levels in the peripheral blood have been proposed as a biological suicide marker. Another study stated that increased levels of IL-4 and IL-13 transcription in the orbitofrontal cortex of suicides suggest that these cytokines may affect neurobehavioral processes relevant to suicide. LIMITATIONS: A lack of studies and great amount of cross-sectional studies. CONCLUSION: Inflammation may play an important role in the pathophysiology of suicide, especially, levels of some specific inflammatory cytokines.