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Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is an ocular surface infection caused by adenovirus. To date, there are no approved topical antiadenoviral therapeutics to treat EKC. Recent research reveals that treatment with topical corticosteroids for symptomatic relief of EKC enhances adenovirus replication and delays cell shedding from the ocular surface which delays adenovirus elimination. The current management of EKC largely revolves around accurate diagnosis of the condition and implementation of disinfection protocol to prevent its spread. Development of an effective antiviral treatment that addresses inflammation and does not prolong viral shedding would provide significant benefit. The literature reports on a variety of therapeutics that could potentially satisfy this deficiency. Topical ganciclovir and povidone-iodine combination drops have shown the most recent potential, but both therapeutics need to be investigated in larger scale studies. Until an antiadenoviral option is produced, the treatment of EKC should maintain a judicious case by case approach aiming to contain its dissemination and prevent visual consequences.

ABSTRACT: The giant anteater has specific anatomical adaptations resulting from its ant and termite feeding habits. The unique arrangement of its hyoid apparatus is essential for the ingestion of food. However, its description in the literature is based on fragments and fossils, making it difficult to determine existing anatomical details in live animals. Imaging techniques, which enable the topographical anatomy of animals to be examined noninvasively, provide essential information for the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. The aim of this study is to describe the bone contours in the hyoid apparatus of the giant anteater by means of radiographic and tomographic images. Giant anteaters of varying ages from the Wild Animal Screening Center (CETAS-GO) were used, seven for X-ray exams and two adults for CT exams. The hyoid elements in all the animals were evaluated using the two imaging techniques, and were visualized in the cervical region of C2 to C6, which comprises three paired bones (stylohyoid, epihyoid, ceratohyoid) and one unpaired bone (basihyoid). The presence of air in the oropharynx enabled the assessment of soft tissue structures in this region, such as the epiglottis and the soft palate. CT axial sections are of limited usefulness for evaluating the hyoid bones, but enable assessments of the basihyoid bone and its characteristic V-shape. Thus, to analyze the hyoid region in anteaters based on radiographic and tomographic images, one must keep in mind that the stylohyoid, epihyoid and ceratohyoid bones are situated ventrally to the C2 to C5 vertebrae and that the basihyoid at the level of C5-C6 demarcates the transition between the nasopharynx and the trachea. The nasopharynx and oropharynx extend from C1 to C5, and the trachea begins at the level of C6.

Modulation of inflammatory status is considered a key component of the overall health effects of exercise. This may be especially relevant in children with obesity (Ob) or type 1 diabetes (T1DM), in which an imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators could accelerate onset and progression of cardiovascular complications. To date, exercise-induced alterations in immuno-modulatory mediators in Ob and T1DM children remain largely unknown.In this study, we monitored the kinetic profiles of 8 pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, IL-6, IL-2, IL-8, IL-5, IL-13, IL-10, IL-4) during a standardized exercise challenge (ten 2-min cycling bouts at 80% VO2max, separated by 1-min intervals) in 23 Ob (12 females, 11 males), 23 T1DM (10 females and 13 males) patients and 20 healthy (CL, 10 females and 10 males) children. Blood glucose of T1DM patients was kept in the 4.4-6.1 mM range for at least 90 minute prior to and during exercise. Blood samples were drawn at rest and after every other exercise bout.In Ob, TNF-a and IL-2 were significantly greater (p

Differences in bone mineral density (BMD) of ethnically diverse populations are usually attributed to anthropometric characteristics, but may also be due to life style or diet. We studied healthy young sedentary women with Asian (ASN, n=40), Hispanic (HIS, n=39), or Caucasian (CAU, n=36) backgrounds. Body composition and regional BMD were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic) or PIXI (Lunar GE) for the heel and wrist). Leg strength was quantified with a leg press and dietary calcium was estimated with 3-d diet records. CAU were taller than HIS and ASN (p

PurposeBrief periods of aerobic exercise training lead to reductions, rather then the expected increases in circulating IGF-I. We hypothesized that intense exercise training in adolescents initially leads to simultaneous increases in proinflammatory cytokines and decreases in activity of the GH/IGF-I axis; and that as exercise training proceeds, levels of proinflammatory cytokines become reduced, and a rebound in IGF-I ensues leading to the higher IGF-I levels.MethodTo test this, we evaluated the GH/IGF-I axis and levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-1ra), body composition, and fitness in 13 healthy adolescent boys (mean age 15.9 +/- 0.3 yr) over the course of a high-school wrestling season. Subjects were tested preseason, midseason (6 wk), peak season (12-14 wk), and 4 wk postseason.ResultsNo significant weight loss was noted throughout the season. During the wrestling season (mid and peak) both total (P < 0.046) and free (P < 0.002) IGF-I levels decreased, whereas proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1ra, P < 0.005; IGFBP-1, P < 0.013; and IGFBP-2, P < 0.025) increased. GHBP (P < 0.018) levels also decreased during the season. In the postseason, there were significant increases in GHBP, and free and total IGF-I, whereas proinflammatory cytokines decreased.ConclusionsAn initial catabolic-type hormonal response occurs with intense exercise training in adolescents. This is followed by a rebound in circulating growth factors when the period of heavy training ceases.

Circulating IGF-I is correlated with fitness, but results of prospective exercise training studies have been inconsistent, showing both increases and decreases in IGF-I. We hypothesized that energy balance, often not accounted for, is a regulating variable such that training plus an energy intake deficit would cause a reduction in IGF-I, whereas training plus energy intake excess would lead to an increased IGF-I. To test this, 19 young, healthy men completed a 7-day strenuous exercise program in which they were randomly assigned to either a positive energy balance [overfed (OF), n = 10] or negative energy balance [underfed (UF), n = 9] group. IGF-I (free and total), insulin, and IGF-binding protein-1 were measured before, during, and 1 wk after the training. Weight decreased in the UF subjects and increased in the OF subjects. Free and total IGF-I decreased substantially in the UF group (P < 0.0005 for both), but, in the OF group, IGF-I remained unchanged. The UF group also demonstrated an increase in IGF-binding protein-1 (P < 0.027), whereas glucose levels decreased (P < 0.0005). In contrast, insulin was reduced in both the OF and UF exercise-training groups (P < 0.044). Finally, within 7 days of the cessation of the diet and training regimen, IGF-I and IGF-binding protein-1 in the UF group returned to preintervention levels. We conclude that energy balance during periods of exercise training influences circulating IGF-I and related growth mediators. Exercise-associated mechanisms may inhibit increases in IGF-I early in the course of a training protocol, even in overfed subjects.

As shown by IncuCyte Zoom imaging proliferation assays, invasive triple‐negative human breast MDA‐MB‐231 cancer cells treated with sub‐toxic doses (5.0–20 μM, 72 h) of [GaQ3] (Q=8‐hydroxyquinolinato) caused profound morphological changes and inhibition of cell migration, which were likely due to terminal cell differentiation or similar phenotypical change. This is the first demonstration of potential use of a metal complex in differentiation anti‐cancer therapy. Additionally, a trace amount of Cu(II) (0.20 μM) added to the medium dramatically increased [GaQ3] cytotoxicity (IC50~2 μM, 72 h) due to its partial dissociation and the action of the HQ ligand as a Cu(II) ionophore, as shown with electrospray mass spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy assays in the medium. Hence, cytotoxicity of [GaQ3] is strongly linked to ligand binding of essential metal ions in the medium, for example, Cu(II). Appropriate delivery mechanisms of such complexes and their ligands could enable a powerful new triple therapeutic approach for cancer chemotherapy, including cytotoxicity against primary tumour, arrest of metastases, and activation of innate and adaptive immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate evaluation and documentation of the efficacy of recovery schools can be vital to the continuation and expansion of these beneficial resources. A very limited data set currently exists that examines the value of specific schools established to support adolescents and young adults in recovery; additional research is necessary. The following article outlines the methodology utilized in a current quasi-experimental study evaluating both academic and therapeutic outcomes of adolescents attending recovery high schools as compared to traditional (non-recovery-based) high schools. The developmental considerations in assessing adolescents in recovery and their parents is delineated in this article, which underscores the need for extensive knowledge of adolescent substance abuse and other mental health issues. In addition, sensitivity around privacy among adolescents, parents, schools, and health providers is highlighted, as well as the validity of assessment. Key assessment strategies, including protocol of recruitment and interviewing techniques, are also presented along with a list of parent and adolescent assessment instruments and their corresponding interpretive variables. Protocol recommendations for future research are also outlined.

We examined a mediational model of the interrelationship of drug use, sexual risk, and impulsivity in a sample of young adults (N = 89), of which almost half displayed highly disruptive behaviors as children. We chose a mediational model given the emerging evidence that impulsivity is an underlying risk factor for many youth health risk problems, including sexual risk behaviors. The findings supported a partial mediational model in that the three target variables were significantly related to one another, yet the association of drug use and sexual risk was significantly reduced (although not to zero) when controlled by impulsivity. The findings support the view that the association of drug use and sexual risk behaviors is partially mediated by impulsivity, as well as the broader theory that youths with deficits in self-regulatory behavioral systems confer a greater likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors. Study implications and limitations are discussed. (Contains 4 tables.)

This study reports on norms developed for the Minnesota Institute of Public Health's (1999) Community Readiness Survey. Prevention experts from ten states and the Red Lake Nation sorted data from 50 communities into high and low readiness groups using a Q-sort process. High inter-rater agreement was achieved on communities sorted. Tests of significance between the high and low readiness groups resulted in significant differences on the five scales of readiness: community members' perception of an alcohol, tobacco, and other drug problem; permissiveness of attitudes toward substance use; support for prevention; perceived access of alcohol and tobacco products for adolescents; and overall community commitment. Communities that implement a readiness assessment can use these results to target resources to areas in which high readiness is indicated and seek to increase readiness in areas in which lower scale scores are evidenced.

Although gender issues have been addressed in clinical drug abuse literature, very little research has focused on gender differences in terms of the psychometric properties of assessment instruments. If boys and girls interpret instruments differently, the accuracy of clinical evaluation, referral, and treatment decisions based on these measures may be compromised. The current study examines this issue within the context of one instrument, the Personal Experience Inventory (PEI). The PEI is a multi-scale, self-administered questionnaire that has been used in various descriptive and treatment studies of adolescent drug abusers. We examine gender-specific psychometric properties of the PEI based on a drug-abusing sample of adolescents (n of boys = 1,322; n of girls = 822). The results indicate that reliability and validity evidence, as well as factor structure data, are generally comparable for both genders. However, differences did arise in rates of elevation on the distortion scales. Limitations of the present study and future research needs are discussed.

Analyzed 14 videotaped parent-adolescent career conversations to study the socially constructed nature of career. Identified joint actions (the action people take together or that occurs between them) in career conversations, and determined their patterns and meaning for the participants. Joint actions had particular meaning for both career and participants' relationship. (RJM)