Online Resources for Robin Sequence; an Analysis of Readability.

The objective was to evaluate the readability of easily accessible parent-directed information concerning Robin Sequence (RS) online, compared to the American Medical Association (AMA)-recommended sixth grade (age 11-12) readability level.A Google search of the term "Pierre Robin Sequence information" was performed. The first ten websites were evaluated using six commonly used readability formulas. Sample texts from three websites were 'translated' by the authors, with the aim of achieving a sixth grade readability level.The following outcomes were used: Automated Readability Index (ARI), Coleman Liau Index (CLI), Gunning Fog Score, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), Flesch Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) score.The mean pooled grade level of the top 10 included websites was 12.1 (age 17-18). The overall FRE Index was 45.8, which is equivalent to a College-grade reading level. The mean grade level by each test used was: Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 11.6 (age 16-17), Gunning Fog Score 13.3 (age 18+), SMOG 10.0 (age 14-15), Coleman-Liau Index 13.8 (age 18+), and ARI 12.0 (age 17-18). The author-translated resources achieved pooled mean grade levels of 6.3-6.5.Parent-directed online materials concerning RS have a readability in excess of the AMA-recommended sixth grade reading level. Even though the condition is complex, more readable resources are achievable. Coproduction of parent-directed resources in association with public an patient involvement (PPI) contributors is encouraged.

Admission patterns in a psychiatric intensive care unit in Ireland: a longitudinal follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the course of admission and clinical characteristics of admissions to a psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) in the Phoenix Care Centre (PCC), Dublin, Ireland. METHODS: This retrospective chart study was conducted at the PCC, Dublin, Ireland. The cohort included all admission episodes (n = 91 complete data) over a three-year study period between January 2014 and January 2017. RESULTS: The mean age of admitted cases was 37.1 (s.d. = 11.3; range 18-63). The mean length of stay (LOS) was 59.3 days (s.d. = 61.0; median 39.5 days). All patients were admitted under Mental Health Act legislation. Antipsychotic polypharmacy was used in 61% (n = 55) of the admissions. A diagnosis of acute psychotic disorder (B = -1.027, p = 0.003, 95% CI: -1.691, -0.363) was associated with reduced LOS in PICU. CONCLUSION: Our study describes the cohort of patients admitted as being predominantly male, younger-aged, single, having a diagnosis of schizophrenia and being legally detained. The primary indication for referral is risk of assault, which highlights the need for the intensive and secure treatment model that a PICU can provide.

Kelp detritus: Unutilized productivity or an unacknowledged trophic resource?

Kelp beds are one of the most productive marine systems and, while little of this production is directly consumed, there is growing evidence that kelp detritus is an essential food source for many detrital and suspension feeders, and forms an important component of offshore sedimentary carbon pools. However, the extent of the contribution of kelp detritus to the nutrition of coastal fauna is not well resolved. In this study, we compare the contribution of phytoplankton, kelp detritus, and waste from fish cages to the diet of a sentinel suspension feeder, the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) using stable isotopes. We found a significant depletion in both 13C and 15N in kelp tissue with age (distance from stipe to the deteriorating distal end of the kelp frond) which may have biased dietary estimates in previous studies which have applied isotopic source values derived from fresh kelp. Our mixing models indicate that macroalgal detritus formed 59% of the diet of the mussels in Berehaven, Bantry Bay, Ireland. We support the isotopic mixing model results by modelling the relative production of phytoplankton, kelp, and salmon farm waste, and found the supply of C and N from kelp and phytoplankton far exceeded the requirements of the mussels with much less coming from the nearby fish cages. Monthly chlorophyll measurements indicated there was only sufficient phytoplankton density to support mussel growth during the spring and autumn, explaining our observation of patterns in the relative importance of utilization of kelp detritus. Where there is pressure to harvest kelp beds, this study highlights the supporting ecosystem service they provide as an important dietary source in coastal food webs and emphasises the need for appropriate management measures for this resource.

Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus and Adult T-cell Leukaemia/Lymphoma: Case Report and Literature Review

ABSTRACT HTLV-I is the first retrovirus directly associated with human malignancy. HTLV-I is endemic in the Caribbean, Japan, parts of Africa, the Middle East and South America. This enveloped double-stranded RNA virus is transmitted by routes similar to HIV, including untested blood/blood product transfusions, sexual contact, intravenous drug abuse, and from mother to child in a vertical transmission. HTLV infection rarely occurs outside of the above sites and very few studies are available globally. Although the retrovirus identified as being associated with chicken sarcoma was described by Rous (1908), the first human retrovirus was not isolated until 1978 from cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in black Americans. Endemicity of the disease in the Caribbean was discovered in 1982 after adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) was found in some London patients, all of Caribbean origin. To date, there is still a lack of studies on the role of viruses in diseases such as inflammatory disorders, arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, and infectious dermatitis. In Saint Vincent, there were no documented studies that reflected the prevalence and expression of the virus although we did report some cases of HIV-positive HTLV-I ATL. This article discusses the diagnosis and management of a 55-year-old female with an atypical presentation of adult T-cell lymphoma, and we conducted a literature review to determine the prevalence and common presentations of ATL.

Factors associated with typical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection among children <5 years old with moderate-to-severe diarrhoea in rural western Kenya, 2008-2012.

Typical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (tEPEC) infection is a major cause of diarrhoea and contributor to mortality in children <5 years old in developing countries. Data were analysed from the Global Enteric Multicenter Study examining children <5 years old seeking care for moderate-to-severe diarrhoea (MSD) in Kenya. Stool specimens were tested for enteric pathogens, including by multiplex polymerase chain reaction for gene targets of tEPEC. Demographic, clinical and anthropometric data were collected at enrolment and ~60-days later; multivariable logistic regressions were constructed. Of 1778 MSD cases enrolled from 2008 to 2012, 135 (7.6%) children tested positive for tEPEC. In a case-to-case comparison among MSD cases, tEPEC was independently associated with presentation at enrolment with a loss of skin turgor (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.37-3.17), and convulsions (aOR 2.83, 95% CI 1.12-7.14). At follow-up, infants with tEPEC compared to those without were associated with being underweight (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.6) and wasted (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.3-4.6). Among MSD cases, tEPEC was associated with mortality (aOR 2.85, 95% CI 1.47-5.55). This study suggests that tEPEC contributes to morbidity and mortality in children. Interventions aimed at defining and reducing the burden of tEPEC and its sequelae should be urgently investigated, prioritised and implemented.

Cholesterol and neurodegeneration: longitudinal changes in serum cholesterol biomarkers are associated with new lesions and gray matter atrophy in multiple sclerosis over 5 years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cholesterol is an important structural component of myelin and essential for brain homeostasis. Our objective was to investigate whether longitudinal changes in cholesterol biomarkers are associated with neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: This prospective, longitudinal study (n = 154) included 41 healthy controls, 76 relapsing-remitting MS subjects and 37 progressive MS subjects. Neurological examination, brain magnetic resonance imaging and blood samples were obtained at baseline and at 5-year follow-up visits. Cholesterol biomarkers measured included plasma total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the apolipoproteins ApoA-I, Apo-II, ApoB, ApoC-II and ApoE. Key cholesterol pathway single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped. RESULTS: Greater percentage increases in HDL-C and ApoA-I levels were associated with a lower rate of gray matter and cortical volume loss. Greater percentage increases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were associated with increases in new T2 lesions. The percentage increases in HDL-C (P = 0.032) and ApoA-I (P = 0.007) were smaller in patients with relapsing-remitting MS at baseline who converted to secondary progressive MS during the 5-year follow-up period. Changes in HDL-C and ApoA-I were associated with lipoprotein lipase rs328 genotype status. CONCLUSIONS: Increases in HDL-C and ApoA-I have protective associations with magnetic resonance imaging measures of neurodegeneration in MS.

Is methotrexate an effective and safe treatment for maintaining hair regrowth in people with alopecia totalis? A Critically Appraised Topic.

CLINICAL QUESTION/SCENARIO: Is methotrexate (MTX) an effective and safe treatment for maintaining hair regrowth in people with alopecia totalis? BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common disorder causing nonscarring hair loss with an estimated lifetime prevalence of approximately 2%. Treatment of extensive AA is challenging. The aim of this Critically Appraised Topic was to assess the current evidence regarding use of MTX for inducing and maintaining hair growth in patients with alopecia totalis. METHODS: We critically appraised the literature identified from searching PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase and Cochrane Central (October 2017), using the search terms ("alopecia areata" OR "alopecia totalis" OR "alopecia universalis") AND (methotrexate). RESULTS/IDENTIFIED EVIDENCE: Two prospective studies and 11 retrospective case series were included, comprising 226 patients with alopecia varying from 30% hair loss to alopecia universalis at baseline. MTX was usually given with systemic corticosteroids for induction of hair regrowth rather than regrowth maintenance. Regrowth, defined as anything from 50% to complete regrowth, was reported in 20-90% of patients. Relapse occurred in 20-80%, with variable regrowth on retreatment. Most series were small, with limited methodological detail and follow-up data. Adverse effects ranged from 7% to 60%. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION FOR CLINICAL CASE: We found insufficient evidence to conclude whether MTX is useful for maintaining regrowth in extensive AA. We found some evidence to suggest that hair regrowth may be induced by MTX when used in combination with systemic corticosteroids, but it was difficult to attribute responses to any one treatment or spontaneous regrowth. Included case series were at a high risk of bias. Randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate whether MTX alone, or in combination with corticosteroids, vs. placebo is useful for inducing and/or maintaining remission of hair regrowth. In the meantime, MTX may occasionally be considered in people with severe disease that significantly impacts on their quality of life.

Tannerella forsythia-produced methylglyoxal causes accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts to trigger cytokine secretion in human monocytes.

The periodontal pathogen Tannerella forsythia has the unique ability to produce methylglyoxal (MGO), an electrophilic compound which can covalently modify amino acid side chains and generate inflammatory adducts known as advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs). In periodontitis, concentrations of MGO in gingival-crevicular fluid are increased and are correlated with the T. forsythia load. However, the source of MGO and the extent to which MGO may contribute to periodontal inflammation has not been fully explored. In this study we identified a functional homolog of the enzyme methylglyoxal synthase (MgsA) involved in the production of MGO in T. forsythia. While wild-type T.forsythia produced a significant amount of MGO in the medium, a mutant lacking this homolog produced little to no MGO. Furthermore, compared with the spent medium of the T. forsythia parental strain, the spent medium of the T. forsythia mgsA-deletion strain induced significantly lower nuclear factor-kappa B activity as well as proinflammogenic and pro-osteoclastogenic cytokines from THP-1 monocytes. The ability of T. forsythia to induce protein glycation endproducts via MGO was confirmed by an electrophoresis-based collagen chain mobility shift assay. Together these data demonstrated that T. forsythia produces MGO, which may contribute to inflammation via the generation of AGEs and thus act as a potential virulence factor of the bacterium.

Bradykinin, insulin, and glycemia responses to exercise performed above and below lactate threshold in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

The aim of this study was to analyze the acute responses of bradykinin, insulin, and glycemia to exercise performed above and below lactate threshold (LT) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Eleven participants with a diagnosis of T2D randomly underwent three experimental sessions 72 h apart: 1) 20 min of exercise performed at 120% of LT (120%LT), 2) 20 min of exercise performed at 80% of LT (80%LT), and 3) 20 min of control session. Blood glucose was analyzed before, during, and at 45 min post-exercise. Bradykinin and insulin were analyzed before and at 45 min post-exercise. Both exercise sessions elicited a parallel decrease in glucose level during exercise (P≤0.002), with a greater decrease being observed for 120%LT (P=0.005). Glucose decreased 22.7 mg/dL (95%CI=10.3 to 35, P=0.001) at the 45 min post-exercise recovery period for 80%LT and decreased 31.2 mg/dL (95%CI=18.1 to 44.4, P<0.001) for 120%LT (P=0.004). Insulin decreased at post-exercise for 80%LT (P=0.001) and control (P≤0.035). Bradykinin increased at 45 min post-exercise only for 80%LT (P=0.013), but was unrelated to the decrease in glucose (r=-0.16, P=0.642). In conclusion, exercise performed above and below LT reduced glycemia independently of insulin, but exercise above LT was more effective in individuals with T2D. However, these changes were unrelated to the increase in circulating bradykinin.

Associations between follicular fluid high density lipoprotein particle components and embryo quality among in vitro fertilization patients.

PURPOSE: Follicular redox balance is likely to be important for embryo quality during in vitro fertilization (IVF), and the anti-oxidative high desity lipoprotein (HDL) particle is the sole lipoprotein measured in follicular fluid (FF). Therefore, we investigated FF HDL particle components as predictors of embryo quality during IVF. METHODS: Two research follicles collected from each participant were individually tracked, and 103 women having at least one developed embryo were included in the analysis. Concentrations of 15 non-cholesterol HDL particle components and 26 HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) particle size subfractions were determined. Embryo quality was assessed for embryo cell number, embryo fragmentation, and embryo symmetry. Multivariable Poisson regression with a sandwich variance estimator was used to evaluate associations between HDL particle components and embryo quality, adjusted for covariates. RESULTS: Higher γ-tocopherol concentration was associated with less embryo fragmentation (relative risk [RR] = 4.43; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.78, 11.06), and higher apolipoprotein A-1 concentration was associated with full embryo symmetry (RR = 3.92; 95 % CI 1.56, 9.90). Higher concentrations of HDL-C subfractions in the large and medium particle size ranges were associated with poorer embryo quality. CONCLUSIONS: FF HDL lipophilic micronutrients and protein components, as well as HDL-C particle size, may be important predictors of embryo quality during IVF.

Sperm motility of externally fertilizing fish and amphibians.

We review the phylogeny, sperm competition, morphology, physiology, and fertilization environments of the sperm of externally fertilizing fish and amphibians. Increased sperm competition in both fish and anurans generally increases sperm numbers, sperm length, and energy reserves. The difference between the internal osmolarity and iconicity of sperm cells and those of the aquatic medium control the activation, longevity, and velocity of sperm motility. Hypo-osmolarity of the aquatic medium activates the motility of freshwater fish and amphibian sperm and hyperosmolarity activates the motility of marine fish sperm. The average longevity of the motility of marine fish sperm (~550 seconds) was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than that of freshwater fish sperm (~150 seconds), with the longevities of both marine and freshwater fish being significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that of anuran sperm (~4100 seconds). The average velocity of anuran sperm (25 µm/s) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that of marine fish (140 µm/s) or freshwater fish (135 µm/s) sperm. The longevity of the sperm of giant salamanders (Cryptobranchoidea) of approximately 600 seconds was greater than that of freshwater fish sperm but much lower than anuran sperm. Our research and information from the literature showed that higher osmolarities promote greater longevity in anuran sperm, and some freshwater fish sperm, and that anuran and cryptobranchid sperm maintained membrane integrity long after the cessation of motility, demonstrating a preferential sharing of energy reserves toward the maintenance of membrane integrity. The maintenance of the membrane integrity of anuran sperm in fresh water for up to 6 hours showed an extremely high osmotic tolerance relative to fish sperm. The very high longevity and osmotic tolerance of anuran sperm and high longevity of cryptobranchid sperm, relative to those of freshwater fish, may reflect the complex fertilization history of amphibian sperm in general and anurans reversion from internal to external fertilization. Our findings provide a greater understanding of the reproductive biology of externally fertilizing fish and amphibians, and a biological foundation for the further development of reproduction technologies for their sustainable management.

Inferior vena cava filter insertion and retrieval patterns in a tertiary referral centre in Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are widely used in clinical practice to prevent large, clinically significant pulmonary emboli. Modern filters are designed to be retrievable within a specific time window; however, many become lost to follow-up. AIM: To examine the insertion and retrieval patterns of IVC filters in a tertiary referral teaching hospital in Ireland. METHODS: A retrospective review of all IVC filter insertions and retrievals was performed in a tertiary referral university teaching hospital which incorporates the national referral centre for pelvic and acetabular trauma, over a 22-month period. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients underwent IVC filter insertion with 100% technical success. The most common indication was prophylaxis in patients at high risk of deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary emboli (64.9%), followed by patients with contra-indication to anticoagulation (24.6%) and breakthrough thromboembolic events despite anticoagulation (10.5%). IVC filter retrievals were attempted in 48.9% of patients with a success rate of 86.9%. The mean dwell time for retrieved IVC filters was 159.4 days. CONCLUSION: Inferior vena cava filter insertion and retrieval patterns in our centre were comparable to trends reported internationally with scope for improvement in terms of filter retrieval rates and minimising filter dwell time. Particular vigilance is required in younger patients where the indication for filter insertion was prophylactic.

Mountain bikers priapism: a rare phenomenon.

Soft tissue and bony injuries are well described risks of the increasingly popular sport of mountain biking. Priapism, a persisting unwanted penile erection, as a result of perineal straddle injury due to a fall astride bicycle handlebar, is rare. We present a case of a competitive mountain biker with high flow priapism after such an injury who presented late but was successfully treated by non-invasive selective arterial embolization.

Lipid concentrations and semen quality: the LIFE study.

The decline in sperm count rates over the last 50 years appears to parallel the rising prevalence of obesity. As lipid levels are strongly associated with obesity, high lipids levels or hyperlipidaemia may thus play an important role in the decline in fertility in addition to other environmental or lifestyle factors. The objective of this population based cohort study was to evaluate the association between men's serum lipid concentrations and semen quality parameters among 501 male partners of couples desiring pregnancy and discontinuing contraception. Each participant provided prospectively up to two semen samples (94% of men provided one or more semen samples, and 77% of men provided a second sample approximately 1 month later). Linear mixed effects models were used to estimate the associations between baseline lipid concentrations and semen quality parameters, adjusted for age, body mass index and race. We found that higher levels of serum total cholesterol, free cholesterol and phospholipids were associated with a significantly lower percentage of spermatozoa with intact acrosome and smaller sperm head area and perimeter. Our results suggest that lipid concentrations may affect semen parameters, specifically sperm head morphology, highlighting the importance of cholesterol and lipid homeostasis for male fecundity.

Maculatin 1.1 disrupts Staphylococcus aureus lipid membranes via a pore mechanism.

Maculatin 1.1 (Mac1) showed potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus with an MIC of 7 µM. The mode of action of Mac1 was investigated by combining assays with S. aureus cells and lipid vesicles mimicking their membrane composition. A change in Mac1 conformation was monitored by circular dichroism from random coil to ca. 70% α-helix structure in contact with vesicles. Electron micrographs of S. aureus incubated with Mac1 showed rough and rippled cell surfaces. An uptake of 65% of small (FD, 4 kDa [FD-4]) and 35% of large (RD, 40 kDa [RD-40]) fluorescent dextrans by S. aureus was observed by flow cytometry and indicate that Mac1 formed a pore of finite size. In model membranes with both dyes encapsulated together, the full release of FD-4 occurred, but only 40% of RD-40 was reached, supporting the flow cytometry results, and indicating a pore size between 1.4 and 4.5 nm. Finally, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance showed formation of an isotropic phase signifying highly mobile lipids such as encountered in a toroidal pore structure. Overall, Mac1 is a promising antimicrobial peptide with the potent capacity to form pores in S. aureus membranes.

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in amphibians of Cameroon, including first records for caecilians.

Amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has been hypothesised to be an indigenous parasite of African amphibians. In Cameroon, however, previous surveys in one region (in the northwest) failed to detect this pathogen, despite the earliest African Bd having been recorded from a frog in eastern Cameroon, plus one recent record in the far southeast. To reconcile these contrasting results, we present survey data from 12 localities across 6 regions of Cameroon from anurans (n = 1052) and caecilians (n = 85) of ca. 108 species. Bd was detected in 124 amphibian hosts at 7 localities, including Mt. Oku, Mt. Cameroon, Mt. Manengouba and lowland localities in the centre and west of the country. None of the hosts were observed dead or dying. Infected amphibian hosts were not detected in other localities in the south and eastern rainforest belt. Infection occurred in both anurans and caecilians, making this the first reported case of infection in the latter order (Gymnophiona) of amphibians. There was no significant difference between prevalence and infection intensity in frogs and caecilians. We highlight the importance of taking into account the inhibition of diagnostic qPCR in studies on Bd, based on all Bd-positive hosts being undetected when screened without bovine serum albumin in the qPCR mix. The status of Bd as an indigenous, cosmopolitan amphibian parasite in Africa, including Cameroon, is supported by this work. Isolating and sequencing strains of Bd from Cameroon should now be a priority. Longitudinal host population monitoring will be required to determine the effects, if any, of the infection on amphibians in Cameroon.

Otitis media among high-risk populations: can probiotics inhibit Streptococcus pneumoniae colonisation and the risk of disease?

Otitis media is the second most common infection in children and the leading cause for seeking medical advice. Indigenous populations such as the Inuits, indigenous Australians and American Indians have a very high prevalence of otitis media and are considered to be high-risk populations. Streptococcus pneumoniae, one of the three main bacterial causes of otitis media, colonises the nasopharynx prior to disease development. In high-risk populations, early acquisition of high bacterial loads increases the prevalence of otitis media. In these settings, current treatment strategies are insufficient. Vaccination is effective against invasive pneumococcal infection but has a limited impact on otitis media. Decreasing the bacterial loads of otitis media pathogens and/or colonising the nasopharynx with beneficial bacteria may reduce the prevalence of otitis media. Probiotics are live microorganisms that offer health benefits by modulating the microbial community and enhancing host immunity. The available data suggest that probiotics may be beneficial in otitis media. This review discusses the potential use of probiotics to reduce pathogen colonisation and decrease the prevalence of otitis media, providing justification for further investigation.