Allergic contact dermatitis from ophthalmics.

In this article we summarize the recently described allergens responsible for allergic contact dermatitis due to ophthalmic drugs and contact lens solutions, and emphaage the need on how to perform diagnostic testing in this special clinical entity.

Home blood pressure monitoring among adults-American Heart Association Cardiovascular Health Consumer Survey, 2012.

Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) among hypertensive adults was assessed using the 2012 American Heart Association Cardiovascular Health Consumer Survey. The prevalence of hypertension was 25.5% and 53.

Symptom Presentation and Prescription of Sleep Medications for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

This study tested whether sleep medications prescribed to veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are being targeted to patients who report more severe insomnia or nightmares. Secondary analysis of survey and pharmacy data was conducted in samples of veterans from two periods: from 2006 to 2008 and from 2009 to 2013. Logistic regression tested associations between self-reported insomnia and nightmare severity, and being prescribed trazodone, prazosin, zolpidem, and benzodiazepines, controlling for PTSD severity and other covariates.

LILRB2 interaction with HLA class I correlates with control of HIV-1 infection.

Natural progression of HIV-1 infection depends on genetic variation in the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I locus, and the CD8+ T cell response is thought to be a primary mechanism of this effect. However, polymorphism within the MHC may also alter innate immune activity against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) by changing interactions of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules with leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors (LILR), a group of immunoregulatory receptors mainly expressed on myelomonocytic cells including dendritic cells (DCs). We used previously characterized HLA allotype-specific binding capacities of LILRB1 and LILRB2 as well as data from a large cohort of HIV-1-infected individuals (N = 5126) to test whether LILR-HLA class I interactions influence viral load in HIV-1 infection.

Avoidant personality disorder and its relationship to social phobia.

This review summarizes past and recent findings in the empiric literature and the evolution of the concepts of avoidant personality disorder (APD) and social phobia (SP). APD is an internally consistent dimensional personality pathology that causes dysfunction that appears to be dimensional rather than a sudden jump in impairment after a certain number of criteria have been met. It has state and trait personality components.

Prevalence of patch test results from 1970 to 2002 in a multi-centre population in North America (NACDG).

Background: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) has members who assess subjects with suspected allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and patch tests them with the same screening allergens using a standardized procedure permitting analysis of long-term trends in patch test reactions.

Objective: This study reports the trends in prevalence patch test positivity of allergens by pooling data collected by the NACDG between 1970 and 2002.

Patients/methods: Patients were tested with the screening series of allergens, using a standardized technique.

Comedogenicity in rabbit: some cosmetic ingredients/vehicles.

The rabbit external ear canal was used to define which chemicals caused comedone formation on topical application. Some of the tested ingredients are currently used in topically applied formulations. Certain raw materials have been shown to produce follicular hyperkeratosis in the rabbit ear assay.

Micronutrient supplementation increases CD4 count in HIV-infected individuals on highly active antiretroviral therapy: a prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: To examine the immunologic, metabolic, and clinical effects of broad spectrum micronutrient supplementation in HIV-infected patients taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Design: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

Methods: Forty HIV-infected patients taking a stavudine and/or didanosine-based HAART regimen were prospectively randomized to receive micronutrients or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks.

How much do rural Hispanics know about the adverse health risks of smoking?

The object of this study was to measure knowledge in a rural Hispanic community about the adverse health effects of smoking and to compare knowledge between current smokers and nonsmokers. A survey was administered to waiting room patients (n =137) over 16 years old at three predominantly Hispanic rural community health centers in the central San Joaquin Valley of California. Proportions of respondents who believed that smoking caused a specific consequence were calculated and compared between smokers and nonsmokers by chi-square tests.