Myocardial Infarction Related to Trauma.

Myocardial infarction (MI) secondary to acute coronary occlusion related to trauma is rare. A previously healthy man developed acute MI shortly after a motor vehicle accident. This case illustrates the feasibility of primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute MI due to complete coronary artery occlusion related to trauma, including the use of manual thrombectomy, stents, and dual antiplatelet therapy. This approach requires the intervention of a multidisciplinary team in a Level 1 trauma center that can rapidly evaluate the patient and rule out other life-threatening injuries that could preclude antiplatelet therapy.

Chocolate flavanols and skin photoprotection: a parallel, double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation has deleterious effects on the skin, including sunburn, photoaging and cancer. Chocolate flavanols are naturally-occurring antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules that could play a role in preventing cutaneous UV damage. We investigated the influence of 12-week high-flavanol chocolate (HFC) consumption on skin sensitivity to UV radiation, measured by minimal erythema dose (MED). We also evaluated skin elasticity and hydration. METHODS: In this 2-group, parallel, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 74 women aged 20-65 years and Fitzpatrick skin phototypes I or II were recruited from the general community in Quebec City, for randomization to either HFC (n = 33) or low-flavanol chocolate (LFC) (n = 41). A blocked randomisation (4), considering date of entry, skin type and age as factors, generated a sequentially-numbered allocation list. Study participants and research assistants were blinded. Totally, 30 g of chocolate were consumed daily for 12 weeks, followed by a 3-week washout period. MED was assessed at baseline and at 6, 9, 12 and 15 weeks. Main outcome was changes in MED at week 12. RESULTS: 33 participants in the HFC group and 41 in the LFC group were analyzed with 15 weeks of follow-up. Both groups showed similarly-increased MED at 12 weeks (HFC: 0.0252 ± 0.1099 J/cm2 [mean ± standard deviation (SD)]; LFC: 0.0151 ± 0.1118; mean difference (MD): 0.0100 J/cm2; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.0417 to 0.0618). However, after 3-week washout, the HFC group presented decreased MED (-0.0248 ± 0.1145) whereas no effect was seen in the LFC group (0.0168 ± 0.1698) (MD: -0.0417; 95% CI: -0.1106 to 0.0272). Net temple elasticity increased slightly but significantly by 0.09 ± 0.12 mm in the HFC group at 12 weeks compared to 0.02 ± 0.12 mm in the LFC group (MD: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.12 ). No significant adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Our study failed to demonstrate a statistically-significant protective effect of HFC vs. LFC consumption on skin sensitivity to UV radiation as measured by MED. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01444625.

Blood pressure and endothelial function in healthy, pregnant women after acute and daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate: a pilot, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) indicate that flavanol-rich chocolate has beneficial effects on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and blood pressure (BP). However, no RCTs have evaluated these outcomes in pregnant women. The objective of this 2-group, parallel, double-blind RCT was to examine the effects of flavanol-rich chocolate on FMD and BP in pregnant women with normal BP. METHODS: Forty-four healthy, pregnant women were randomized to the high-flavanol (n = 23) or low-flavanol (n = 21) chocolate consumption for 12 weeks. At randomization (0, 60, 120 and 180 min after a single 40-g dose of chocolate), 6 and 12 weeks after daily 20-g chocolate intake, we evaluated plasma concentrations of flavanols and theobromine, as well as the FMD and BP. RESULTS: Plasma epicatechin was significantly increased (p < 0.001) 180 min after the consumption of 40-g high-flavanol chocolate compared to low-flavanol chocolate. Theobromine concentrations were significantly higher 180 min and 12 weeks after the intake of experimental chocolate or low-flavanol chocolate (p < 0.001). FMD was not different between the 2 groups at all pre-defined time periods. No other significant within-group or between-group changes were observed. CONCLUSION: These results confirm the feasibility of a large-scale RCT comparing daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate to an equivalent placebo during pregnancy and demonstrate higher plasma epicatechin and theobromine concentration in the intervention group after acute ingestion TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01659060.

What is the role of the clinical microbiology laboratory in the care of diagnostically challenging OPAT patients? Illustrative cases and literature review.

Optimal care of patients requiring long-term outpatient parenteral or oral antimicrobial therapy by infectious diseases (ID) specialists is facilitated by an accurate microbiologic diagnosis. Close collaboration between ID specialists and the clinical microbiology laboratory for routine or specialized molecular testing can result in more accurate diagnoses, streamlined antimicrobial regimens, and improved patient outcomes.

[Spatio-temporal analysis of the biophysical and ecological conditions of Triatoma dimidiata (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) in the northeast region of Colombia].

INTRODUCTION: Due to the lack of information regarding biophysical and spatio-temporal conditions (hydrometheorologic and vegetal coverage density) in areas with Triatoma dimidiata in the Colombian departments of Santander and Boyacá, there is a need to elucidate the association patterns of these variables to determine the distribution and control of this species. OBJECTIVE: To make a spatio-temporal analysis of biophysical variables related to the distribution of T. dimidiate observed in the northeast region of Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (IPCC SRES) data bases registering vector presence and hydrometheorologic data. We studied the variables of environmental temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and vegetal coverage density at regional and local levels, and we conducted spatial geostatistic, descriptive statistical and Fourier temporal series analyses. RESULTS: Temperatures two meters above the ground and on covered surface ranged from 14,5°C to 18,8°C in the areas with the higher density of T. dimidiata. The environmental temperature fluctuated between 30 and 32°C. Vegetal coverage density and rainfall showed patterns of annual and biannual peaks. Relative humidity values fluctuated from 66,8 to 85,1%. CONCLUSIONS: Surface temperature and soil coverage were the variables that better explained the life cycle of T. dimidiata in the area. High relative humidity promoted the seek of shelters and an increase of the geographic distribution in the annual and biannual peaks of regional rainfall. The ecologic and anthropic conditions suggest that T. dimidiata is a highly resilient species.

Human Genetic Ancestral Composition Correlates with the Origin of Mycobacterium leprae Strains in a Leprosy Endemic Population.

Recent reports have suggested that leprosy originated in Africa, extended to Asia and Europe, and arrived in the Americas during European colonization and the African slave trade. Due to colonization, the contemporary Colombian population is an admixture of Native-American, European and African ancestries. Because microorganisms are known to accompany humans during migrations, patterns of human migration can be traced by examining genomic changes in associated microbes. The current study analyzed 118 leprosy cases and 116 unrelated controls from two Colombian regions endemic for leprosy (Atlantic and Andean) in order to determine possible associations of leprosy with patient ancestral background (determined using 36 ancestry informative markers), Mycobacterium leprae genotype and/or patient geographical origin. We found significant differences between ancestral genetic composition. European components were predominant in Andean populations. In contrast, African components were higher in the Atlantic region. M. leprae genotypes were then analyzed for cluster associations and compared with the ancestral composition of leprosy patients. Two M. leprae principal clusters were found: haplotypes C54 and T45. Haplotype C54 associated with African origin and was more frequent in patients from the Atlantic region with a high African component. In contrast, haplotype T45 associated with European origin and was more frequent in Andean patients with a higher European component. These results suggest that the human and M. leprae genomes have co-existed since the African and European origins of the disease, with leprosy ultimately arriving in Colombia during colonization. Distinct M. leprae strains followed European and African settlement in the country and can be detected in contemporary Colombian populations.

Consumption of chocolate in pregnant women and risk of preeclampsia: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have been limited in reporting the association between chocolate consumption, measured by interviewer-administered questionnaire or serum theobromine, a biomarker for cocoa, and risk of preeclampsia, and have showed somewhat conflicting results. METHODS/DESIGN: A systematic review of observational and experimental studies will be carried out. We will examine PubMed, Embase, and the entire Cochrane Library. Studies of chocolate consumption compared or not with placebo or low flavanol chocolate during pregnancy will be evaluated to investigate the effect of chocolate consumption in pregnant women on the risk of preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension. Screening for inclusion, data extraction, and quality assessment will be performed independently by two reviewers in consultation with a third reviewer. Validity of the studies will be ascertained by using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Relative risk of preeclampsia will be the primary measure of treatment effect. Heterogeneity will be explored by subgroup analysis according to confounding factors and bias. DISCUSSION: This systematic review will contribute to establish the current state of knowledge concerning the possible association between chocolate consumption and prevention of preeclampsia. Furthermore, it will justify if additional experimental trials are necessary to better evaluate the benefits of chocolate consumption on the risk of preeclampsia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This systematic review has been registered in the PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews. The registration number is: CRD42013005338.

Análisis espacio-temporal de las condiciones biofísicas y ecológicasde Triatoma dimidiata (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)en la region nororiental de los Andes de Colombia / Spatio-temporal analysis of the biophysical and ecological conditions of Triatoma dimidiata(Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) in the northeast region of Colombia

Resumen Introducción. Ante el desconocimiento del contexto espacio-temporal de las condiciones biofísicas (hidrometereológicas y de densidad de la cobertura vegetal) de las zonas con presencia deTriatoma dimidiata en Santander y Boyacá, es necesario dilucidar los patrones asociados con estas variables para determinar su distribución y control. Objetivo. Hacer el análisis espacio-temporal de las variables biofísicas relacionadas con la distribución de Triatoma dimidiata de los departamentos de Santander y Boyacá en la región nororiental de Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron las bases de datos de los registros de presencia de T. dimidiata y de factores hidrometereológicos del Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SrES) del Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC. Se estudiaron las variables de temperatura, humedad relativa, pluviosidad y densidad de la cobertura vegetal a nivel regional y local, se hizo el análisis espacial y el geoestadfstico, asf como el análisis estadfstico descriptivo y temporal de las series de Fourier. Resultados. En las áreas con mayor presencia de T. dimidiata, las temperaturas a dos metros del suelo y en suelo cubierto oscilaron entre 14,5 y 18,8 °C, y la temperatura ambiente fue de 30 a 32 °C. La densidad de la cobertura vegetal y la pluviosidad en las áreas de mayor presencia de T. dimidiata exhibieron patrones de picos anuales y bienales. Los valores de la humedad relativa fluctuaron entre 66,8 y 85,1 %. Conclusiones. Las temperaturas a nivel de superficie y a dos metros del suelo fueron las variables determinantes de la distribución espacio-temporal de T. dimidiata. La elevada humedad relativa incentivó la búsqueda de refugios e incrementó la distribución geográfica en los picos anual y bienal de pluviosidad a nivel regional. Las condiciones ecológicas y antrópicas sugieren que T. dimidiata es una especie de gran resiliencia.

Abstract Introduction: Due to the lack of information regarding biophysical and spatio-temporal conditions (hydrometheorologic and vegetal coverage density) in areas with Triatoma dimidiata in the Colombian departments of Santander and Boyacá, there is a need to elucidate the association patterns of these variables to determine the distribution and control of this species. Objective: To make a spatio-temporal analysis of biophysical variables related to the distribution of T. dimidiate observed in the northeast region of Colombia. Materials and methods: We used the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (IPCC SRES) data bases registering vector presence and hydrometheorologic data. We studied the variables of environmental temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and vegetal coverage density at regional and local levels, and we conducted spatial geostatistic, descriptive statistical and Fourier temporal series analyses. Results: Temperatures two meters above the ground and on covered surface ranged from 14,5°C to 18,8°C in the areas with the higher density of T. dimidiata. The environmental temperature fluctuated between 30 and 32°C. Vegetal coverage density and rainfall showed patterns of annual and biannual peaks. Relative humidity values fluctuated from 66,8 to 85,1%. Conclusions: Surface temperature and soil coverage were the variables that better explained the life cycle of T. dimidiata in the area. High relative humidity promoted the seek of shelters and an increase of the geographic distribution in the annual and biannual peaks of regional rainfall. The ecologic and anthropic conditions suggest that T. dimidiata is a highly resilient species.

Variabilidade espacial de propriedades físicas e químicas da camada orgânica superficial do solo em um ecótono cerrado-pastagem na microbacia do Rio Pântano (Selviria-MS)

Foi feita uma análise da variabilidade das propriedades químicas (pH-CaCl2, M.O., P em resina, K, Ca, SB, H+Al, T e V%) e físicas (Declividade, Densidade do solo) da camada orgânica superficial do solo, num fragmento de bosque tipo cerrado, localizado dentro de uma matriz de áreas de pastagem, na bacia média do rio Paraná. Os valores registrados indicaram uma deficiência geral dos nutrientes, tanto na área de pastagem, quanto do cerrado. Neste último, existe uma relação entre as propriedades físicas e químicas do solo e o relevo no terreno (p<0.05). Os valores das propriedades químicas apresentaram-se com menor dispersão nas áreas mais planas, com respeito às áreas côncavas ou convexas. Na área de pastagem não foi possível detectar padrão algum para a variabilidade nos valores encontrados. O maior risco de deterioro das propriedades estudadas, está, en teoria, na sua perda ao longo prazo por lixiviação, sobre tudo da fase trocável do K. A acidez do solo e troca de cátions são as variáveis mais afetadas pela atividade humana, e, por extenso, determinantes da vulnerabilidade ecológica no cerrado

A variability analysis of the superficial soil organic layer chemical and physical properties in a fragment ?cerrado? type, localized inside a matrix of pastures areas, in the Paraná River middle basin was done. Recorded values showed a general deficiency of nutrients in both pastures and ?cerrado? areas. In the last one exists a relationship between the chemical and physical soil properties and the relief (p<0.05). Chemical properties showed values close to the expected for bed areas and smaller values from the expected in concave and convex areas. In the pasture areas there was no pattern of variability between the values. Ecologically, the ?cerrado? area is under high vulnerable condition due to the antropic pressure that the pasture matrix exerts. In theory, the greater risk of the investigated properties is their lost in the long-term by lixiviation, especially in K (change fase). The soil acidity and the interchanging of cations are the more affected variables by the human activity and, therefore, they determinate the ecological vulnerability of the "Cerrado"