Risk factors and comorbidities associated with severe aortic stenosis: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Aortic stricture (AS) is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases in individuals 65 years of age or older. A number of epidemiological studies have suggested that certain cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) and comorbidities could be associated with AS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between CRFs and comorbidities and severe symptomatic AS in individuals 65 years of age or older in a Spanish healthcare region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted an epidemiological case-control study from a single primary care centre. We collected information on exposure to CRFs and comorbidities and determined their association with AS, employing adjusted odds ratios (OR) and multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: The study included 102 cases (mean age, 77.6 years) and 221 controls (mean age, 75.5 years). The CRFs significantly associated with severe symptomatic AS were hypercholesterolaemia (OR, 2.67; p < .001), tobacco use (OR, 2.60; p < .001), hypertension (OR, 2.41; p = .010) and low HDL cholesterol readings (OR, 2.20; p = .007). The comorbidities significantly associated with severe symptomatic AS were carotid stenosis (OR, 14.5; p = .017), stroke (OR, 4.14; p = .024), chronic renal failure (OR, 3.78; p < .001) and low haemoglobin levels (OR, 0.76; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Hypercholesterolaemia, tobacco use, arterial hypertension and low HDL cholesterol levels are the CRFs with a greater risk of severe AS. Furthermore, this disease is associated with a number of comorbidities (chronic renal failure, stroke, carotid stenosis and low haemoglobin levels), which could be markers of AS.

Factores de riesgo y comorbilidades asociadas a la estenosis aórtica grave: estudio de casos y controles / Risk factors and comorbidities associated with severe aortic stenosis: a case-control study

Antecedentes y objetivo La estenosis aórtica (EA) es una de las enfermedades cardiovasculares más prevalentes en sujetos≥65años. Algunos estudios epidemiológicos sugieren que ciertos factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV) y comorbilidades pueden estar asociados con la EA. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar la asociación de FRCV y comorbilidades con la EA grave sintomática en pacientes≥65años en una región sanitaria española. Pacientes y métodos Se realizó un estudio epidemiológico de casos y controles procedentes del mismo centro de atención primaria. Se recogió información sobre la exposición a FRCV y comorbilidades, y se determinó la asociación de ambos con la EA con odds ratio ajustadas (ORa), mediante modelos de regresión logística múltiple. Resultados Se incluyeron un total de 102 casos (edad media=77,6 años) y 221 controles (edad media=75,5 años). Los FRCV significativamente asociados con la EA grave sintomática fueron hipercolesterolemia (ORa=2,67; p<0,001), tabaquismo (ORa=2,60; p<0,001), hipertensión (ORa=2,41; p=0,010) y cifras bajas de colesterol-HDL (ORa=2,20; p=0,007). Las comorbilidades significativamente asociadas con la EA grave sintomática fueron estenosis carotídea (ORa=14,5; p=0,017), accidente vascular cerebral (ORa=4,14; p=0,024), insuficiencia renal crónica (ORa=3,78; p<0,001) y bajos niveles de hemoglobina (ORa=0,76; p<0,001). Conclusiones La hipercolesterolemia, el tabaquismo, la hipertensión arterial y los niveles bajos de colesterol-HDL son los FRCV que comportan mayor riesgo de EA grave. Asimismo, esta enfermedad se asocia con algunas comorbilidades (insuficiencia renal crónica, accidente vascular cerebral, estenosis carotídea y niveles de hemoglobina más bajos) que podrían ser marcadores de E (AU)

Background and objective Aortic stricture (AS) is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases in individuals 65 years of age or older. A number of epidemiological studies have suggested that certain cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) and comorbidities could be associated with AS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between CRFs and comorbidities and severe symptomatic AS in individuals 65 years of age or older in a Spanish healthcare region. Patients and methods We conducted an epidemiological case-control study from a single primary care centre. We collected information on exposure to CRFs and comorbidities and determined their association with AS, employing adjusted odds ratios (OR) and multiple logistic regression models. Results The study included 102 cases (mean age, 77.6 years) and 221 controls (mean age, 75.5 years). The CRFs significantly associated with severe symptomatic AS were hypercholesterolaemia (OR, 2.67; p<.001), tobacco use (OR, 2.60; p<.001), hypertension (OR, 2.41; p=.010) and low HDL cholesterol readings (OR, 2.20; p=.007). The comorbidities significantly associated with severe symptomatic AS were carotid stenosis (OR, 14.5; p=.017), stroke (OR, 4.14; p=.024), chronic renal failure (OR, 3.78; p<.001) and low haemoglobin levels (OR, 0.76; p<.001). Conclusions Hypercholesterolaemia, tobacco use, arterial hypertension and low HDL cholesterol levels are the CRFs with a greater risk of severe AS. Furthermore, this disease is associated with a number of comorbidities (chronic renal failure, stroke, carotid stenosis and low haemoglobin levels), which could be markers of AS (AU)

Risk factors and comorbidities associated with severe aortic stenosis: a case-control study. / Factores de riesgo y comorbilidades asociadas a la estenosis aórtica grave: estudio de casos y controles.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Aortic stricture (AS) is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases in individuals 65 years of age or older. A number of epidemiological studies have suggested that certain cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) and comorbidities could be associated with AS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between CRFs and comorbidities and severe symptomatic AS in individuals 65 years of age or older in a Spanish healthcare region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted an epidemiological case-control study from a single primary care centre. We collected information on exposure to CRFs and comorbidities and determined their association with AS, employing adjusted odds ratios (OR) and multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: The study included 102 cases (mean age, 77.6 years) and 221 controls (mean age, 75.5 years). The CRFs significantly associated with severe symptomatic AS were hypercholesterolaemia (OR, 2.67; p<.001), tobacco use (OR, 2.60; p<.001), hypertension (OR, 2.41; p=.010) and low HDL cholesterol readings (OR, 2.20; p=.007). The comorbidities significantly associated with severe symptomatic AS were carotid stenosis (OR, 14.5; p=.017), stroke (OR, 4.14; p=.024), chronic renal failure (OR, 3.78; p<.001) and low haemoglobin levels (OR, 0.76; p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hypercholesterolaemia, tobacco use, arterial hypertension and low HDL cholesterol levels are the CRFs with a greater risk of severe AS. Furthermore, this disease is associated with a number of comorbidities (chronic renal failure, stroke, carotid stenosis and low haemoglobin levels), which could be markers of AS.

Expression of odorant-binding proteins in mouthpart palps of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria.

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are essential molecular elements of the insect chemosensory system, which is composed of the antennae and the mouthpart palps (maxillary and labial). In this study, we have analysed the expression and the sensilla specificity of 14 OBP subtypes in the palps of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria. The locust palps comprise only a low number of sensilla basiconica but a high number of sensilla chaetica. Employing a variety of approaches, we found that only a subset of the antennal OBP repertoire was expressed in both palp types. These OBPs were previously shown to be expressed either in sensilla basiconica or sensilla chaetica of the antennae. Comparing the expression pattern in the two chemosensory organs revealed similarities and differences; most remarkably, two OBP subtypes, OBP6 and OBP8, were found in both sensilla types on palps, whereas on the antennae they were solely expressed in one sensillum type. Together, the data indicate a differential, but partly overlapping, expression of OBPs in the two sensilla types of the palps. The differences in the expression pattern of OBP subtypes between antennae and palps might be indicative for distinct functions of the OBPs in the two chemosensory organs.

Larval sensilla of the moth Heliothis virescens respond to sex pheromone components.

Female-released sex pheromones orchestrate the mating behaviour of moths. Recent studies have shown that sex pheromones not only attract adult males but also caterpillars. Single sensillum recordings revealed that larval antennal sensilla of the moth Heliothis virescens respond to specific sex pheromone components. In search for the molecular basis of pheromone detection in larvae, we found that olfactory sensilla on the larval antennae are equipped with the same molecular elements that mediate sex pheromone detection in adult male moths, including the Heliothis virescens receptors 6 (HR6) and HR13, as well as sensory neurone membrane protein 1 (SNMP1). Thirty-eight olfactory sensory neurones were identified in three large sensilla basiconica; six of these are considered as candidate pheromone responsive cells based on the expression of SNMP1. The pheromone receptor HR6 was found to be expressed in two cells and the receptor HR13 in three cells. These putative pheromone responsive neurones were accompanied by cells expressing pheromone-binding protein 1 (PBP1) and PBP2. The results indicate that the responsiveness of larval sensilla to female-emitted sex pheromones is based on the same molecular machinery as in the antennae of adult males.

Treatment of hepatitis C infection in injection drug users.

Chronic hepatitis C is the most common infectious disease among injection drug users (IDUs). Because of the allegedly poor compliance of IDUs with treatment requirements and conditions, hepatologists recommend treatment only if former IDUs have spent 6 to 12 months drug free. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate whether opiate-dependent IDUs with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can be treated successfully with interferon. Eligibility for the study meant IDUs had to be HCV-RNA positive by polymerase chain reaction. Subsequently 50 inpatients were enrolled during detoxification treatment. HCV treatment was started with interferon alfa-2a (through 1998) or a combined regimen consisting of interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin (begun in 1998). All patients were treated and supervised by specialized physicians in both hepatology and addiction medicine. The end point for this study was defined as a loss of detectable serum HCV RNA at week 24 after treatment. The rate of sustained virologic response was 36%. Sustained response rates were not significantly different for patients who relapsed and returned to treatment (53%), relapsed and did not return to treatment (24%), or did not relapse (40%; P >.05). During the 24 weeks after treatment, we were unable to detect any reinfection, even among patients who injected heroin during this period. This surprising result should be examined in further studies. In conclusion, HCV-infected drug addicts with chronic HCV infection can be treated successfully with interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin if they are closely supervised by physicians specialized in both hepatology and addiction medicine.

Enhanced quantum correlations in bound higher-order solitons

Quantum effects in N-bound solitons can be drastically enhanced compared to the fundamental soliton. In particular, the spectral photon-number correlations are much stronger. The formation of spectral domains of almost perfect positive and negative correlations is predicted. Criteria that are based on the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality are used for studying nonclassical correlations. Interferences between different soliton components of the N-bound solution being responsible for the strong changes in the coherent amplitude may also be a mechanism for the strong correlations. The results offer novel possibilities of producing light with highly nonclassical properties.

Ofloxacin causes false-positive immunoassay results for urine opiates.

Abstract Immunoassay drug screening tests are usually used as a control during methadone maintenance programmes, to check cleanliness of drugs during detoxification treatment and abstinence programmes. False-positive results can have catastrophic consequences for the patient, as shown in the case report. False-positive results were reported for opioids following ofloxacin or rifampicin and for LSD following mucolytic. Since inpatient and outpatient units usually employ an urine quick test (immunoassay), positive results should be checked with gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) or high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) before conclusions from the positive urine screening results can be drawn.

[Malaria--state of the art. 2: Therapy and prevention of malaria]. / Malaria--State of the Art. Teil 2: Therapie und Prophylaxe der Malaria.

Suspected tropical malaria is an acute emergency. Immediate effective pharmacological treatment is of the essence. As in the case of prevention, various antimalarials are now available for treatment. Complicated tropical malaria requires treatment in hospital and intensive monitoring. The risk of infection and serious illness leading to a fatal outcome can be considerably reduced by suitable chemoprophylaxis or the use of stand-by medication for self-treatment, which, however, must be matched to resistance zones and the incidence of the four species of Plasmodium, in particular Plasmodium falciparum.

[Malaria--state of the art. I: Epidemiology, forms of malaria, diagnosis]. / Malaria--State of the Art. Teil 1: Epidemiologie, Malariaformen, Diagnostik.

Year for year, some 2.1 million people die of malaria worldwide. In Germany, about 1,000 people go down with the disease after visiting malarious areas, and up to 3% will die--mostly of tropical malaria. Decisive factors for mortality are age over 60 and delays in effective pharmacological therapy. It is essential that, in the presence of an appropriate history, malaria be suspected early on. The diagnosis can still be established using the "thick drop", or a blood smear stained with Pappenheim's stain, or Diff-Quick. In the event of a strong suspicion, the two methods should be applied every 8 hours for three days.