Helminth products modulate innate immune recognition of nucleic acids in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Aim: Current treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is suboptimal and causes broad immunosuppression. Therapeutic use of helminths or helminth products has been suggested for autoimmune diseases such as SLE. In the present study, we evaluated possible immunomodulating effects of adult body fluid (ABF) from on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from SLE patients in an ex vivo setup.

Trends in Sunscreen Use Among US Middle and High School Students, 2007-2019.

Objective: The purpose of this project is to analyze trends in sunscreen usage among middle and high school students from the Centers of Disease Control's National Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBS) from the years 2007 to 2019.

Methods: Data from the 2007-2019 National YRBS were analyzed. YRBS is a cross-sectional survey of health risk behaviors among middle and high school students (grades 6-12) in the United States.

Establishing a Multi-Institutional Quality and Patient Safety Consortium: Collaboration Across Affiliates in a Community-Based Medical School.

The landscape of health care delivery and medical education is evolving. Institutions must continually reassess priorities, strategies, and partnerships to align the knowledge and skills of the health care workforce with the delivery of quality, socially accountable, collaborative health care that meets the needs of diverse populations in communities. This article describes the development, implementation, and early outcomes of the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Health Care Quality and Patient Safety Consortium.

Correlation of Nutrition with Immune Status in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Outpatients.

Malnutrition has been proven to cause poor outcomes in many chronic diseases. We examined the association between malnutrition and immune status in HIV patients. We used the Nutritional Risk Index to evaluate the nutrition in 812 HIV patients, and correlated this variable with viral loads and CD4 counts.

Do probiotics prevent colonization with multi-resistant Enterobacteriaceae during travel? A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Travelers to India are often colonized with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) or Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE). The aim of this study was to investigate if the probiotic species Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG (LGG) could prevent the colonization of the gut with multi-drug resistant bacteria.

Methods: Adult Danish travelers traveling to India for 10-28 days were randomized to receive either LGG or no probiotics during travel.

Can the use of probiotics reduce the incidence of nosocomial infection in 60 years or older patients?

Background: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common side effect of antibiotic use. The pathogenesis of AAD may be mediated by disruption of the host's normal flora resulting in overgrowth of pathogens. One of these pathogens is .

Rapid resolution of cellulitis in patients managed with combination antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy.

There is some evidence to suggest that host inflammatory response has some effect on the clinical manifestations of cellulitis. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate whether the addition of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAI) therapy to antibiotic treatment hastens resolution of cellulitis-related inflammation. Patients presenting in the emergency department with signs and symptoms of class II cellulitis were assigned to receive treatment with either antibiotic therapy alone (intravenous, supplemented with oral cephalexin or an equivalent) for 10 days (n = 33) or antibiotic therapy for 10 days plus an oral anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen 400 mg every 6 hours) for 5 days (n = 31).

Comparative bioavailability of diltiazem in prolonged-release oral preparations.

This study was conducted to compare the bioavailability of two prolonged-release pharmaceutical forms containing 300 mg of diltiazem. The test formulation is a new design of tablets with a hydrophilic matrix, and the reference formulation is capsules containing prolonged liberation microgranules, in the same dose, that are commercially available in the pharmaceutical market. Diltiazem plasma concentrations were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which involves solid-phase extraction for plasma sample preparation.

Beta-blocker use in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated by hospitalists.

It is well recognized that the administration of beta blockers to patients after myocardial infarction improves survival. This retrospective cohort and prospective study sought to define the usage of a large hospitalist group and enhance this usage by education and the utilization of a uniform discharge summary. All patients with a discharge diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction were included for analysis.

Stability of capsules containing omeprazole in enteric coated pellets.

The aim of the present study was to comparatively evaluate the stability of capsules containing 20 mg of Omeprazole, in enteric coated pellets, from seven pharmaceutical laboratories on Argentine market. The stability test was performed under the conditions indicated by the ICH: 40 degrees C, 75% HR, with and without light, during a six month period. The remaining content of Omeprazole, total percentage of impurities and percentage of released active principle in vitro, were determined by HPLC.

Molecular characterization and LD(50) identify virulent isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis from adult sepsis.

Staphylococcus epidermidis plays an important role in infections of patients with implanted prosthetic devices. The exact clinical significance of recovered S. epidermidis from clinical specimens is difficult to assess, as they are inhabitants of the normal skin.

Platelet depletion and severity of streptococcal endocarditis.

Objective: To evaluate the importance of thrombocytopenia in streptococcal endocarditis using an animal model.

Design: A model of human septic endocarditis was established in rats (polyethylene catheters across the aortic valve and administration of Streptococcus sanguis, 5×10(7) colony forming units [cfu] intravenous). Thrombocytopenia at four levels was produced by antiplatelet serum.

Relative bioavailability of atovaquone suspension when administered with an enteral nutrition supplement.

Objective: To compare the relative bioavailability of a single atovaquone 750 mg suspension oral dose when administered in the fasting state, after a normal breakfast, and after an enteral nutrition supplement.

Design: Ten healthy volunteers received a single dose of atovaquone suspension 750 mg/5 mL while fasting. At 2-week intervals, the subjects were then randomized in a crossover design to receive the atovaquone dose within 1 hour of consuming a normal breakfast (fat content 21 g) and 16 oz.

A comparative trial of zidovudine administered every four versus every twelve hours for the treatment of advanced HIV disease.

Zidovudine is approved for administration in doses given every 4 hours. Less frequent dosing has been used in many clinical trials, but the toxicity and efficacy of such regimens have not been formally compared with the approved regimen. In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, the safety, tolerance and efficacy of 600 mg of zidovudine given daily in two or six divided doses were compared.

Prospective study of histoplasmosis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus: incidence, risk factors, and pathophysiology.

Histoplasmosis is a common opportunistic infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who reside in areas where Histoplasma capsulatum is endemic. We undertook a prospective study of a cohort of 304 HIV-Infected patients in Kansas City from October 1990 through March 1993 to define the incidence-specific risk factors, and pathophysiology of histoplasmosis. The annual incidence of histoplasmosis was 4.

Contribution of the host to test results in assays of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

From two human populations (one pediatric and one adult), clinically diagnosed with Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) sepsis of similar severity, bacteria were isolated from pre-antibiotic blood samples and evaluated for virulence. The LD50 of the bacteria in a mouse model was performed, with evaluation of animals dying acutely following intravenous S.

Bacterial characterization in Staphylococcus epidermidis septicemia.

An analysis of the in vitro characteristics of Staphylococcus epidermidis strains isolated from patients with true S. epidermidis septicemia was undertaken. From a potential population of 921 cultures from adult patients with coagulase-negative bacteremia, highly defined selective criteria limited the population to 20 patients with S.

Diagnosis of cellulitis in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

A prospective microbiological evaluation of cellulitis in 22 patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus was performed. Patients with helper lymphocyte counts of less than 200 cells/mm(3) had a greater frequency of positive cultures. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, and initial antibiotic therapy should cover these Gram-positive cocci.

Reactivity of the glycocalyx of endocarditis-producing viridans group streptococci.

We correlated quantity of streptococcal polysaccharides and endocarditis production by those bacterial strains. To investigate this finding further, we studied the composition of the glycocalyx using a spectrophotometric assay and lectin analysis of exopolysaccharides from endocarditis- and non-endocarditis-producing strains of viridans streptococci. Identical weights of glycocalyx from the clinical endocarditis isolates produced significantly different absorbances as compared with the nonendocarditis isolates (P < 0.

In vitro assays of Staphylococcus epidermidis characteristics and outcome in an endocarditis model.

Objective: Staphylococcus epidermidis adherence to indwelling polymers is important in prosthetic valve endocarditis. Earlier studies have related streptococcal endocarditis to isolates with high levels of cell-associated hexoses. The objective of the present study was to determine if a relationship exists between an S epidermidis isolate assay score and production/severity of experimental endocarditis.

[The pharmacokinetic study of a daily dose of theophylline].

Theophylline pharmacokinetics, administered in tablets containing 600 mg in a sustained-release hydrophilic matrix for a once daily intake, was evaluated after being administered to 6 healthy volunteers during 7 days at 8 pm. Plasmatic levels at -2, 0, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18 and 24 hours in relation with 8 pm intake, were obtained at the 7th day of administration. A plasmatic curve was obtained with a maximum concentration at 12 hours of 10.