Evaluating the activity of salivary enzymes as stress biomarkers under psychological stress and their relationship with rumination and personality traits.

Background: Salivary enzymes are used as non-invasive biomarkers to assess the activity of the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary system. The aim of this study was to evaluated levels of acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and cathepsin salivary enzymes under psychological tension and their connection with rumination and personality traits.

Methods: A total of 60 medical students, who wanted to participate in the final exam, two months before the exam, the inventory emotional control questionnaire and the neo-short form were completed.

Clinical impact of rapid influenza PCR in the adult emergency department on patient management, ED length of stay, and nosocomial infection rate.

Background: Seasonal influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality and incurs large economic costs. Influenza like illness is a common presenting concern to Emergency Departments (ED), and optimizing the diagnosis of influenza in the ED has the potential to positively affect patient management and outcomes. Therapeutic guidelines have been established to identify which patients most likely will benefit from anti-viral therapy.

HIV Diagnostics: Current Recommendations and Opportunities for Improvement.

Profound changes in technology have revolutionized laboratory testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) since the first laboratory enzyme immunoassays that detected only immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. Instrumented fourth-generation random-access chemiluminescent assays are now recommended for initial screening because they become reactive in as little as 2 weeks after infection. Using HIV-1 RNA viral load assays after a reactive initial test could confirm infection and provide useful clinical information.