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INTRODUCTION: Modulation of cytokine secretion may offer novel approaches in the treatment of a variety of diseases. One strategy in the modulation of cytokine expression may be through the use [...]

PURPOSE: To identify correlates of sexual risk variations among African-American adolescents, and to examine the influence of prior sexual experience on response to a HIV risk-reduction intervention. METHODS: Eight hundred seventeen African-American youth aged 13 to 16 years living in and around urban public housing in Baltimore were recruited to participate in a HIV risk-reduction intervention targeting multiple risk behaviors. An instrument designed to measure three levels of sexual risk ('abstinent,' 'protected sex' [having sex with a condom], and 'unprotected sex' [having sex without a condom]) was administered at baseline, 6 months and 12 months postintervention. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of the degree of sexual risk using longitudinal data. Repeated measure analyses were conducted to assess behavioral changes over time among the three groups. RESULTS: Data confirmed the co-variation of sexual risk behavior and other problem behaviors among adolescents, cross-sectionally and longitudinally. After exposure to an 8-session risk-reduction intervention, youth engaging in the highest degree of sexual risk demonstrated the greatest reduction in both sexual risk and other risks. These improvements were seen at both 6 months and 12 months postintervention. Youth who were abstinent at baseline maintained the lowest levels in risk involvement throughout the study period when compared with sexually active youth. However, abstinent youth risk involvement significantly increased at 6 months and 12 months after baseline. Youth engaging in protected sex at baseline demonstrated a significant increase in non-condom use and a significant decrease in multiple risk involvement over time. CONCLUSIONS: Results support HIV risk-reduction intervention efforts that target multiple risk behaviors. Response of adolescents to the intervention is directly related to the sexual risk behavior at baseline. These data may suggest that the response to risk behavior intervention depends in part on the risk behavior profile of the population to which it is being applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To examine the initial psychometric properties for the PARS, a brief interview used to screen for 16 items of adolescent risk and protective factors. METHODS: Participants included 193 adolescents, attending public middle and high schools or a university-based Adolescent Clinic. Participants completed a PARS interview, as well as a battery of questionnaires. Approximately 31% of participants received a second PARS interview from an independent rater to assess inter-rater consistency. RESULTS: Descriptive statistics revealed that participants, on average, were rated as low to moderate risk for health-related difficulties across all PARS items. Descriptive statistics also showed important risk patterns in this sample of adolescents (e.g., 1/5 of sample not exercising at all). Factor analysis yielded a total of five factors (Risk Factors, Protection Factors, Relationships/Mood, Motivation Issues, Weight Issues), accounting for 58% of the variance in PARS item scores. Satisfactory levels of internal consistency and inter-rater agreement for the PARS score were found. Convergent and divergent validity of PARS scores were supported by correlations obtained with similar and dissimilar measures, respectively. A significant age group difference was obtained in the total PARS score, with adolescents aged 17-19 years obtaining higher scores than did adolescents aged 14-16 years. No significant gender differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the initial psychometric properties (i.e., reliability, validity) of the PARS as a measure of health risk and protective factors in adolescents. The PARS is a brief, efficient means of obtaining important health risk information from adolescents throughout periodic routine health care visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory disease is common in the horse population and is often associated with poor performance in equine athletes. Despite their outstanding strength and aerobic capacity, little regard is given to draft horses and the respiratory disorders they may encounter when performing athletic activity. For this reason, the objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the prevalence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), tracheal mucus (TM) and recurrent laryngeal hemiplegia (RLH) in a population of competitive draft pulling horses, and (2) to determine if there was an association between horse weight, height, age, amount pulled, or competition placing with EIPH, TM or RLH in draft pullers. Results of this study identified EIPH in 26% of the study population, RLH in 32% and TM in 82% of participating horses; however, no risk factors were identified for the development of these problems in draft pulling horses., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most clinically relevant cardiac arrhythmia identified in the Standardbred racehorse. However, there is limited literature regarding athletic ability in Standardbred racehorses following AF conversion. To investigate this issue, the objectives of this review were to: i) determine the success rate in using quinidine sulphate to treat AF in a population of hospitalized equine patients in Atlantic Canada between January 2008 and December 2019; and ii) measure return to athletic ability (using racetrack earnings and top-3 finishes) following cardioversion with quinidine sulphate in a population of Standardbred racehorses. Overall, 73% (16/22) of AF instances in this study were successfully treated with enteral quinidine sulphate. No significant difference was detected in racetrack earnings or number of top-3 finishes for each horse that raced at least 5 times pre- and post-conversion. Key clinical message: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published review to assess the athletic ability of Standardbred racehorses following cardioversion with enteral quinidine sulphate. Based on the current information, it does not appear that treatment of AF with quinidine sulphate affects future athletic performance in horses that achieved cardioversion., (Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.)

Introduction: Spinal cord stimulation is emerging as a minimally invasive technique for treatment of persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS)., Methods: We describe a case series of 25 individuals with PSPS who underwent implantation of a spinal cord stimulator device between 2017 and 2021., Results: There was a significant reduction in mean visual analog scale pain scores in the immediate postoperative phase, (8.61 vs. 2.3, p < 0.001). There were twelve patients who consumed pre-operative opioid, and 75% showed reduction of use with a significantly lower average daily dose (66.8 vs. 26.9 meq/D, p < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the Oswestry Disability Index during postoperative follow-up visits ( p < 0.001). There were no major perioperative or long-term complications from the procedure in follow-up., Conclusion: The analysis of this cohort suggests successful long-term treatment of a diverse set of patients with PSPS who underwent spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and had meaningful improvement in quality of life and reduction in opioid consumption., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Mullins, Burns, Schneider and El Helou.)

There has been significant sea ice loss associated with climate change in the Pacific Arctic, with unquantified impacts to the habitat of ice-obligate marine mammals such as ringed seals (Pusa hispida). Ringed seals maintain breathing holes and excavate subnivean lairs on sea ice to provide protection from weather and predators during birthing, nursing, and resting. However, there is limited baseline information on the snow and ice habitat, distribution, density, and configuration of ringed seal structures (breathing holes, simple haul-out lairs, and pup lairs) in Alaska. Here, we describe historic field records from two regions of the eastern Chukchi Sea (Kotzebue Sound and Ledyard Bay) collected during spring 1983 and 1984 to quantify baseline ringed seal breeding habitat and map the distribution of ringed seal structures using modern geospatial tools. Of 490 structures located on pre-established study grids by trained dogs, 29% were pup lairs (25% in Kotzebue Sound and 33% in Ledyard Bay). Grids in Ledyard Bay had greater overall density of seal structures than those in Kotzebue Sound (8.6 structures/km2 and 7.1 structures/km2), but structures were larger in Kotzebue Sound. Pup lairs were located in closer proximity to other structures and characterized by deeper snow and greater ice deformation than haul-out lairs or simple breathing holes. At pup lairs, snow depths averaged 74.9 cm (range 37-132 cm), with ice relief nearby averaging 76 cm (range 31-183 cm), and ice deformation 29.9% (range 5-80%). We compare our results to similar studies conducted in other geographic regions and discuss our findings in the context of recent declines in extent and duration of seasonal cover of landfast sea ice and snow deposition on sea ice. Ultimately, additional research is needed to understand the effects of recent environmental changes on ringed seals, but our study establishes a baseline upon which future research can measure pup habitat in northwest Alaska., Competing Interests: The authors have declared no competing interests exist.

The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of horse farms on Prince Edward Island, Canada that comply with the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines (Code). An investigator performed on-farm assessments while administering a questionnaire to owners of 50 horse farms. The percentage of farms in compliance with specific requirements in the Code ranged from 20% to 100% per requirement. The largest areas of non-compliance regarding facilities and housing were the lack of the ability to segregate sick or injured animals and the lack of an emergency action plan. It was determined that 72% of farms were in compliance with body condition scores and 54% reported to have taken corrective action when required. Farm owners who were aware of the Code were more likely to have good quality air in their barns as well as an emergency action plan in place., (Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.)

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with significant mortality and morbidity and remains a significant preventable problem. Risk factors include socioeconomic, demographics, and characteristics of the environment. Spatial analysis can uncover unusual frequencies of health problems in neighborhoods, eventually leading to insights for targeted interventions., Objectives: This study's goals were to 1. Evaluate the geographic distribution of spatial clusters of LBW births and maternal risk factors. 2. Determine the spatial relationship between risk factors and LBW., Methods: This study obtained data on LBW newborns and risk factors from 19,013 births over 5 years (2012-2016) for Escambia County Census Tracts, extracted from FloridaCharts.com. Software was used to detect significant spatial clusters; these clusters were then plotted on a map. Poisson regression determined the statistical relationship between Census Tract risk factors and LBW. A separate analysis of the LBW cluster controlling for risk factors was also performed., Results: All risk factor clusters resided in similar locations as the LBW cluster. The multiple Poisson regression model containing all risk factors fully explained the LBW cluster. On bivariate Poisson regression all risk factors in the Census Tract were significantly related to LBW whereas in multivariable Poisson regression, the proportion of births to African American women in the Census Tract remained significant after adjusting for other risk factors (p < 0.001)., Conclusions for Practice: Clusters of LBW and risk factors were located in the same region of the county, with the proportion of births to African American women in the Census Tract remaining significant on multiple Poisson Regression. Targeted interventions should be directed at the geographic level.

This study aimed to evaluate the digital Brix and optical serum total protein (STP) refractometers for measuring concentrations of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) in alpacas and compare them to IgG concentrations measured by the reference method of radial immunodiffusion (RID) assay. The appropriate cutoff point for Brix and STP refractometers and the transmission infrared (TIR) spectroscopy method was determined for low IgG concentrations (< 10 g/L). Serum samples were collected from alpacas (N = 169) and tested by both refractometers. The correlation between Brix % and STP was high [correlation coefficient (r) = 0.99]. However, the correlation coefficients between Brix % and STP with serum RID-IgG concentrations were only 0.56 and 0.55, respectively. Twenty-one (12.4%) of 169 alpaca serum samples had IgG concentrations of < 10 g/L. Using receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the optimal cutoff points for the TIR assay, digital Brix, and optical STP refractometers for assessing low IgG (RID < 10 g/L) were 13 g/L, 8.8%, and 50 g/L, respectively. The TIR assay showed higher sensitivity (Se = 95.2%) and specificity (Sp = 96.8%) than either the digital Brix (Se = 90.5% and Sp = 65.5%) or optical STP (Se = 81% and Sp = 73.7%) refractometers for assessing alpacas with low IgG. In conclusion, the Brix and STP refractometers lack accuracy in measuring alpaca IgG concentrations, but may be useful for screening animals for low serum IgG. However, the TIR assay with a cutoff point of 13 g/L was more appropriate for identifying low IgG than either refractometer. Another study that focuses on neonatal crias is recommended in order to evaluate the usefulness of these assays for field diagnosing of failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI).

Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have a particular affinity for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Recent studies suggest a possible relationship between acquiring NTM and the level of environmental water in a given area. We sought to determine if there is an association between household proximity to water and NTM in children with CF., Materials and Methods: An IRB-approved retrospective chart review was completed on 150 children with CF in Florida. Inclusion criteria required regular follow-up, at least two acid-fast bacilli cultures, and a consistent home address over a 3-year period. The distance from each patient's home to the nearest body of water was measured using ArcMap®, a Geographic Information System, and the mean distance to water for NTM-positive and NTM-negative groups were compared. A stepwise backwards logistic regression was used to evaluate for predictors of NTM-positivity., Results: Of the 150 CF patients, 65 met inclusion criteria and 21 (32.3%) tested positive for NTM. Comparison of the mean distance to water for NTM-positive versus NTM-negative groups revealed a cutoff of 500 meters. On the logistic regression, CF patients who lived within 500 meters of water were 9.4 times more likely to acquire NTM (P = 0.013). Other significant predictors included a history of Aspergillus fumigatus (OR 7.9, P = 0.011) and recent history of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (OR 2.5, P = 0.007)., Conclusions: In the regions studied, children with CF who live closer to water are more likely to acquire nontuberculous mycobacteria. Future studies in other geographic areas are needed to determine if these results are generalizable. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:324-330. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Thyroid cancer is a common cancer in adolescents and young adults ranking 4th in frequency. Thyroid cancer has captured the interest of epidemiologists because of its strong association to environmental factors. The goal of this study is to identify thyroid cancer clusters in Florida for the period 2000-2008. This will guide further discovery of potential risk factors within areas of the cluster compared to areas not in cluster., Methods: Thyroid cancer cases for ages 15-39 were obtained from the Florida Cancer Data System. Next, using the purely spatial Poisson analysis function in SaTScan, the geographic distribution of thyroid cancer cases by county was assessed for clusters. The reference population was obtained from the Census Bureau 2010, which enabled controlling for population age, sex, and race., Results: Two statistically significant clusters of thyroid cancer clusters were found in Florida: one in southern Florida (SF) (relative risk of 1.26; P value of <0.001) and the other in northwestern Florida (NWF) (relative risk of 1.71; P value of 0.012). These clusters persisted after controlling for demographics including sex, age, race., Conclusion: In summary, we found evidence of thyroid cancer clustering in South Florida and North West Florida for adolescents and young adult.

A stallion presenting for surgical correction of an acquired inguinal hernia was also diagnosed with a nephrosplenic entrapment (NSE) intraoperatively. Surgical intervention resulted in a successful outcome. To date, these conditions have not been reported to occur simultaneously.

Many of the botanical "immunomodulators", a class of herbal medicines widely recognized in traditional medical systems such as Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurvedic Medicine, alter immune function and may offer clinically relevant therapeutics or leads to therapeutics. Many of these traditional remedies are prepared from combinations of medicinal plants which may influence numerous molecular pathways. These effects may differ from the sum of effects from the individual plants and therefore, research demonstrating the effects of the formula is crucial for insights into the effects of traditional remedies. In this review we surveyed the primary literature for research that focused on combinations of medicinal plants and effects on cytokine activity. The results demonstrate that many extracts of herb mixtures have effects on at least one cytokine. The most commonly studies cytokines were IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF and IFN-γ. The majority of the formulas researched derived from TCM. The following formulas had activity on at least three cytokines; Chizukit N, CKBM, Daeganghwal-tang, Food Allergy Formula, Gamcho-Sasim-Tang, Hachimi-jio-gan, Herbkines, Hochuekki, Immune System Formula, Jeo-Dang-Tang, Juzen-taiho-to, Kakkon-to, Kan jang, Mao-Bushi-Saishin-to, MSSM-002, Ninjin-youei-to, PG201, Protec, Qing-huo-bai-du-yin, Qingfu Guanjieshu, Sambucol Active Defense, Seng-fu-tang, Shin-Xiao-Xiang, Tien Hsien, Thuja formula, Unkei-to, Vigconic, Wheeze-relief-formula, Xia-Bai-San, Yangyuk-Sanhwa-Tang, Yi-fey Ruenn-hou, and Yuldahansotang. Of the western based combinations, formulas with Echinacea spp. were common and showed multiple activities. Numerous formulas demonstrated activity on both gene and protein expression. The research demonstrates that the reviewed botanical formulas modulate cytokine activity, although the bulk of the research is in vitro. Therapeutic success using these formulas may be partially due to their effects on cytokines. Further study of phytotherapy on cytokine related diseases/syndromes is necessary., (Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Decision rules are the agreed-upon points at which specific management interventions are initiated. For marine mammal management under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), decision rules are usually based on either a numeric population or biological-removal approach. However, for walrus and other ice-associated pinnipeds, the inability to reliably assess population numbers or biological removals highlights a significant gap in the MMPA, particularly when the Arctic environment is rapidly changing. We describe the MMPA's ecosystem-based management goals, and why managers have bypassed these goals in favor of an approach that depends upon numerical population assessment. We then revisit the statute's primary goals in light of current knowledge about the Pacific walrus ecosystem and new developments in environmental governance. We argue that to monitor and respond to changes in the walrus ecosystem, decision rules should be based on scientific criteria that depend less on the currently-impractical goal of accurately enumerating population size and trends, or removals from that population. Rather, managers should base decisions on ecological needs and observed ecological changes. To implement this approach would require an amendment to the MMPA that supports filling the gap in management with achievable decision rules. Alternatively, walrus and other ice-associated pinnipeds will remain largely unmanaged during a period of profound environmental change.

The primary care clinician can play an important role in enhancing the quality of life for the adolescent with chronic illness through developmentally appropriate, individualized and compassionate coordination of care (Sidebar 2). Special attention to the process of adolescence, family, and psychological issues are required for successful management. Transition of care to adult services should be planned carefully with a multidisciplinary team.

Objective: To determine the stability of depression and its relationship with health risk factors among rural adolescents., Methods: A clinic-based longitudinal study was conducted to test for depression and risk factors in 64 participants who attended a rural, primary care, adolescent medicine clinic. The primary measure of risk and depression was the Perkins Adolescent Risk Screen (PARS). Adolescent patients who were aged 12 to 18 years and had PARS assessments during a previous visit to the adolescent clinic were invited to complete a follow-up PARS assessment., Results: The mean age of adolescents at baseline was 12.79 years; 14.59 years at follow-up. With age and gender being controlled, adolescent depression and various adolescent risk indices were significantly related at baseline. Longitudinally, baseline depression score on PARS were related to follow-up: depression, school problems, substance abuse, tobacco use, sexual activity, and violent behavior scores and a history of physical/sexual abuse. On multivariate analysis controlling for other significantly associated variables, the relationship persisted for baseline depression and follow-up: tobacco, substance abuse, depression, and history of physical/sexual abuse., Conclusion: This study confirms a strong longitudinal relationship between baseline depressive symptoms and several important risk behaviors/factors measured at follow-up in a clinic population of rural adolescents. Also, longitudinal stability of depression over time is supported.

Eating disorders including anorexia nervosa and bulimia are commonly seen in adolescent patients. There are many medical complications including disturbances in cardiac, endocrine, bone, gastrointestinal, hematological, neurological, metabolic, and renal function. There are characteristic dermatological and dental findings. Attention to key elements of the history and characteristic findings on physical exam can help the primary care provider in timely diagnosis. Although there is a wide differential diagnosis for these patients, the presence of alteration in body image and fear of being overweight are key features that help distinguish eating disorders from other disease states. Management requires a multi-disciplinary team that can provide psychological, nutritional and medical services. Adequate nutritional rehabilitation is critical and should occur concurrently with the mental health interventions. With early detection and adequate treatment, prognosis for recovery can be quite good, although mortality rates in long-term studies are surprisingly high.

In vitro susceptibility of 1008 strains of recent clinical isolates was determined against the new aryl fluoroquinolone temafloxacin (T-167, A-63004) ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ampicillin, piperacillin, cephalothin, cefoxitin, ceftazidime, gentamicin, amikacin, oxacillin and vancomycin. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of temafloxacin in micrograms/ml required for > or = 90% isolates were 0.13-0.5 for enterobacter, 0.03-0.25 for Escherichia coli, 0.12-0.5 for Klebsiella, 0.5-1.0 for Proteus mirabilis, 0.12-0.5 for Morganella morganii, 0.03-0.12 for Salmonella, 0.25-1.0 for Serratia marcescens, 0.03-0.12 for Shigella, 0.06-4.0 for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 0.06-0.12 for Aeromonas hydrophila, 0.12-0.5 for Staphylococcus aureus, 0.12-1.0 for coagulase negative staphylococci and 4.0-8.0 for enterococci. The antibacterial activity of temafloxacin was comparable or superior to other drugs tested against most organisms. However, Xanthomonas malthophilia was relatively more susceptible to ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin, and temafloxacin had significantly high antibacterial activity against enterococci as compared to other fluoroquinolones.

The in vitro activity of sparfloxacin (CI-978, AT-4140), a new fluoroquinolone, was compared with ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and other commonly used antimicrobial agents against 650 strains of Enterobacteriaceae, 237 isolates of other gram-negative bacilli and 318 strains of gram-positive cocci. The MICs of sparfloxacin against 90% of the members of Enterobacteriaceae were between 0.12 and 0.5 microgram/ml. All the 48 isolates of notoriously drug-resistant Serratia marcescens were inhibited by less than 0.03-4.0 micrograms/ml of sparfloxacin. All the 90 isolates of Acinetobacter, 80 of the 88 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and all the 28 isolates of Xanthomonas maltophilia were susceptible to sparfloxacin. The MIC90 for all the cocci tested ranged between 0.5 and 4.0 micrograms/ml of sparfloxacin. It inhibited 92% of enterococci as compared with 27% for ciprofloxacin and 22% for norfloxacin. It was better or comparable in activity to other fluoroquinolones and superior to penicillins, cephalosporins and aminoglycosides tested. There was cross-resistance between ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and sparfloxacin.

Among 1,000 consecutive patients referred for coronary arteriography because of chest pain, 89 patients were found to have a non-dominant right coronary artery (NDRCA). These patients were compared to 89 consecutive patients with dominant right coronary artery (DRCA) matched for age, sex, smoking and serum cholesterol. There was a lower incidence of obstructive disease in NDRCA (23 of 89 patients, 26%) than in DRCA (55 of 89 patients, 62%), X2 = 23.368, p less than 0.001. The incidence of coronary disease was also lower in the NDRCA group, 50 of 89 patients (56%), than in the DRCA group, 68 of 89 patients (76%), X2 = 8.146, p less than 0.01. When only patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were included in the analysis: 23 of 50 (46%) patients with CAD and NDRCA had obstructive disease in the right coronary artery (RCA) while 55 of 68 (80%) patients with DRCA and CAD had obstructive disease in the RCA, X2 = 15.646, p less than 0.001. The lower incidence of disease in NDRCA persisted even when only the proximal one-third of the DRCA was considered: 41 of 89 (46%) patients with DRCA had proximal lesions compared to the total length of NDRCA, 23 of 89 patients (26%), X2 = 7.940, p less than 0.01.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Left coronary occlusion in the rat was performed by cornary artery cauterization. A small amount of myocardial damage at the site of occlusion was noted, and myocardial infarction occurred in the distal distribution of the obstructed coronary. The effects of cage size and level of physical activity on estimated infarct size (as measured by creatine kinase depletion) 48 h after occlusion were determined. Isolation in small cages and moderate treadmill exercise resulted in an approximate doubling of the amount of infarction when compared to grouping of rats in large cages. Mild exercise did not increase infarct size. Total urinary catecholamines in normal rats placed in small cages for 48 h were elevated when compared to unconfined rats in larger cages. Cornary artery occlusion by cauterization is an easily performed technique. Cage size and level of activity (and their effects on sympathoadrenal function) are important independent determinations of infarct extent after coronary occlusion in the rat.

A patient with a large fistula from the left circumflex coronary artery to the coronary sinus that recurred in spite of proximal and distal ligation is presented. It suggests that ligation is not an adequate procedure for large coronary fistulae. Division and oversewing should be done whenever feasible.