A comparison of methods of analysing exercise tests for diagnosis of coronary artery disease

The diagnostic accuracy of the following methods of analysing exercise tests were evaluated: (a) the cumulative area of ST segment depression during exercise normalised for workload and heart rate (exercise score); (b) discriminant analysis of electrocardiographic exercise variables, workload, and symptoms; and (c) ST segment amplitude changes during exercise adjusted for heart rate. Three hundred and forty five men without a history of myocardial infarction were studied. One hundred and twenty three were apparently healthy. Less than half (170) had coronary artery disease. All had a normal electrocardiogram at rest. A Frank lead electrocardiogram was computer processed during symptom limited bicycle ergometry. The accuracy of the exercise score (a) was low (sensitivity 67%, specificity 90%). Discriminant analysis (b) and ST segment amplitude changes adjusted for heart rate (c) had excellent diagnostic characteristics (sensitivity 80%, specificity 90%), which were little affected by concomitant use of beta blockers. Both methods seem well suited for diagnostic application in clinical practice.     

Activities of a nitrofurazone-containing urinary catheter and a silver hydrogel catheter against multidrug-resistant bacteria characteristic of catheter-associated urinary tract infection

The in vitro inhibitory activity of a nitrofurazone-coated urinary catheter (NFC) against 86 recently obtained susceptible and multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and Enterococcus faecium, which are species implicated in catheter-associated urinary tract infection and which traditionally have been susceptible to nitrofuran derivatives, was determined using an agar diffusion assay. In a subset of these strains, the activity of the NFC was compared with that of a silver hydrogel urinary catheter (SHC), and the durability of each catheter's inhibitory activity was assessed during serial daily transfers of catheter segments to fresh culture plates. Except for vancomycin-resistant E. faecium, the NFC was active against all isolates tested and showed comparable inhibition zones with susceptible and MDR strains of each species. In contrast, the SHC inhibited only certain staphylococci (P < 0.01 versus the NFC), and among these strains, the SHC produced smaller inhibition zones than did the NFC (P < 0.01). Inhibition was evident for up to 5 days with the NFC, but for only 1 day (if at all) with the SHC (P < 0.01). These data document that, for most genera which traditionally have been susceptible to nitrofuran derivatives, the NFC remains active against contemporary MDR isolates. They also demonstrate that the in vitro antibacterial activity of the NFC is markedly superior to that of the SHC in several respects. Thus, the NFC shows promise for clinical use in the current era of MDR bacteria.     

Trends and challenges in diabetes for middle-income countries: Evidence from Mexico

The epidemiological and economic burden of diabetes poses one of the main challenges for health systems worldwide. This is particularly relevant in middle-income countries because of the constant growing trends that have been observed in recent years. In order to identify trends and challenges on epidemiological and economic burden from diabetes in a middle-income country we developed a longitudinal analysis on costs and trends in the number of cases of diabetes in Mexico. The study population included total annual cases of diabetes at national level. Regarding the annual cumulative incidence for 2016 versus 2018, depending on the institution there is an increase of 9–13% (p?p?相似文献   

Effects of a cage enrichment program on heart rate, blood pressure, and activity of male sprague-dawley and spontaneously hypertensive rats monitored by radiotelemetry.

To determine whether a nonsocial enrichment program affects cardiovascular responses of individually housed male Sprague-Dawley (SD) and spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats under basal conditions and after potentially stressful procedures, we used radiotelemetry to record heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and activity in the cage. Enrichment comprised a simulated burrow (Rodent Retreat), then a food foraging item ("rat cannoli") 2 days later, and a paper bag of bedding for shredding (Nestpak) after another 2 days. Data were collected under undisturbed conditions and before and after several acute and chronic manipulations mimicking common husbandry, experimental, and stressful procedures. Enrichment often, but not always, reduced HR and SBP in male rats, suggesting decreased arousal and stress, and the effects depended on the parameter measured, strain of rat, and nature of the procedure to which animals were exposed. In general, HR varied more than SBP; enrichment affected SH rats more than SD rats; effects of enrichment were more consistently observed under undisturbed conditions than after manipulations of the rats; moderate responses to acute husbandry and experimental procedures were affected more than the larger changes produced by very stressful procedures; and responses to social interactions were unaffected by the enrichment program. What accounts for these variable effects of enrichment is unclear, and more studies are required to resolve the mechanisms. Whether this enrichment program should be used in an animal facility depends on several factors, particularly the professional judgment of the research, veterinary, and animal care staffs involved.     

Trends in hepatitis B prevalence and associated risk factors among Indigenous and non‐Indigenous prison entrants in Australia, 2004 to 2013

Objective : This study describes and compares prevalence trends of markers for hepatitis B (HBV) from 2004 to 2013 and HBV risk factors between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous prison entrants. Methods : A cross‐sectional survey carried out over two weeks in 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013 in reception prisons in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. Results : The study included 2,223 prison entrants; 544 were Indigenous. Indigenous prison entrants had significantly higher hepatitis B core antibody (anti‐HBc) prevalence than non‐Indigenous prisoners in 2004 (29% vs. 18%, P=0.026), 2007 (40% vs. 15%, P<0.001) and 2010 (21% vs. 16% 2010, P=0.002), and similar anti‐HBc prevalence to non‐Indigenous entrants in 2013 (14% vs. 14%, P=0.888), with a significant decline from 2007 for Indigenous entrants (P=0.717)^?. Being more than 30 years old and coming from an area classified as ‘non‐highly accessible’ were associated with anti‐HBc positivity in both populations. For Indigenous prison entrants, first time in prison and survey year was associated with anti‐HBc positivity. For non‐Indigenous participants, a history of injecting drug use and body piercings was associated with anti‐HBc positivity. Conclusion : There are unique risk factors associated with HBV prevalence for both Indigenous and non‐Indigenous prison entrants. Implications for public health : In developing public health programs and policies for HBV, consideration of similarities and differences of associated HBV risk factors between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous offenders is required.     

Evidence for Heterogeneity of LW Antigen Revealed in a Family Study

An inbred family (Wald.) with three apparently LW negative members in two generations is described in this report. Studies of the red blood cells of these LW negative family members with a variety of anti-LW reagents establishes that the VW-Wald. category is a weak LW variant. Wald. red blood cells react weakly with the anti-LW of Bige., but are negative with that of VW. An analogy may be made between the LW, ABO, and P systems. LW negative (lwlw) of the Bige. type corresponds to group O or pp. Weak LW positive or VW-Wald. type corresponds to A₂ and P₂. Normal LW positive corresponds to A₁ and P₁. The antibody made by lwlw individuals may be comparable to the anti A + A₁ of group O and anti P + P₁ of pp. The antibody made by weak LW positive or VW type may be comparable to the anti A₁ of A₂ and anti P₁ of P₂ individuals. It is suggested that donors and patients now classified as LW negative be characterized as Bige. or VW types until more precise nomenclature is defined.     

Amylose systémique découverte par une atteinte trachéobronchique

Amyloidosis is a spectrum of disease characterized by the abnormal deposition of fibril amyloid-related proteins in the extracellular space. The most common types of amyloidosis are AL and AA amyloidosis. Amyloidosis is also classified according to the extent of the deposition as systemic or localized. Respiratory amyloidosis is classified as laryngeal, tracheobronchial or parenchymal amyloidosis. Tracheobronchial amyloidosis is classically known as a rare manifestation of the localized disease. A few cases only of systemic amyloidosis presenting as a tracheobronchial disease have been reported. We here report a 26-year-old man who presented with hemoptysis related to a systemic tracheal primary amyloidosis.