MedWorm: Epidemics

Guide targets public health ignorance

BMA daily feed — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:27:00 +0100

BMA resource intended to show there's more to the specialty than flu epidemics (Source: BMA daily feed)

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In HIV Prevention More Focus Needed On Men

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0100

Edward Mills of the University of Ottawa, Canada and colleagues argue in this week's PLoS Medicine that the HIV/AIDS response in Africa needs a more balanced approach to gender, so that both men and women are involved in HIV treatment and prevention. Traditionally, targeted efforts at reducing the impact of the HIV epidemic have focused on women and children while men have received considerably less attention... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Obesity Epidemic Linked To Brain Mechanisms

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0100

America's rising rates of obesity in virtually all age groups is partly due to biological factors, researchers from the Cincinnati Diabetes and Obesity Center reported in the journal Cell Metabolism. Approximately one third of all American adults are obese today, and the percentage continues to rise, says the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Co-author, Randy Seeley, PhD, said: "While we don't usually think of it this way, body weight is regulated... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:00:00 +0100

President, Founder and CEO of Black AIDS Institute, Phill Wilson, released a letter in light of the 12th annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, stating that the Institute will be releasing their 8th annual State of AIDS in Black America Report. He comments that "It will highlight a reality that would have been unthinkable not long ago. Wilson continues: "We are at a deciding moment in the trajectory of the AIDS epidemic; we now possesses the tools we need to the the AIDS epidemic... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

A systematic approach for the development of a kindergarten‐based intervention for the prevention of obesity in preschool age children: the ToyBox‐study

Obesity Reviews — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:44:10 +0100

SummaryThe increasing childhood obesity epidemic calls for appropriate measures and effective policies to be applied early in life. Large‐scale socioecological frameworks providing a holistic multifactorial and cost‐effective approach necessary to support obesity prevention initiatives in this age are however currently missing. To address this missing link, ToyBox‐study aims to build and evaluate a cost‐effective kindergarten‐based, family‐involved intervention scheme to prevent obesity in early childhood, which could potentially be expanded on a pan‐European scale. A multidisciplinary team of researchers from 10 countries have joined forces and will work to realize this according to a systematic stepwise approach that combines the use of the PRECEDE‐PROCEED model and inter...

Latino Summit Draws National/State Health Leaders and Welcomes Public

Health — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Local and national experts in Latino health will host a free public summit Friday and Saturday at the Arizona Health Sciences Center. The summit focuses on the effects of excess weight on health in the Latino community and strategies to address the causes of this epidemic. (Source: Health)

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e-HAP Direct: Dear Colleague Letter

CDC HIV/AIDS Prevention — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0100

After multiple discussions and considerations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has elected to postpone the next HPLS until 2013. HPLS is an important meeting for HIV prevention in the United States. We appreciate your leadership and support for HPLS and your ongoing commitment to ending the HIV epidemic. (Source: CDC HIV/AIDS Prevention)

An invisible epidemic: Preventing unintentional injuries among children and youth - A priority for national Public Health Associations. - No Author(s) Listed.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:54:53 +0100

[Abstract unavailable] Language: Eng... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Africa: Risk of Epidemic in Mozambique After the Recent Floods

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:52:50 +0100

[Oxfam] Tropical storm Dando and cyclone Funso affected more than 117,000 people and left 40 dead in Mozambique last week (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

Can sugar really be toxic? Sadly, yes

Telegraph Health — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:30:50 +0100

Eating excessive amounts of processed sugar is leading to an epidemic in type 2 diabetes, finds Max Pemberton. (Source: Telegraph Health)

Obesity: the Problem (Frank Domino MD)

Family Medicine Digital Resources Library (FMDRL) Recently Uploaded — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

A brief overview of the source of the US obesity epidemic as part of the UmassMed Healthy Living Curriculum (Source: Family Medicine Digital Resources Library (FMDRL) Recently Uploaded)

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Brazil Deploys "Junior Firefighters" to Snuff Out Dengue

IPS Inter Press Service - Health — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:18:13 +0100

The government of the state of Rio de Janeiro is unveiling a battery of creative tactics to engage the population in the battle against dengue fever, which is threatening to reach unprecedented epidemic proportions as a new virus strain hits Brazil. (Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health)

Nigeria: Lassa Fever - and the 'Joker' Was Death (1)

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:12:06 +0100

[Vanguard] There is no "Good" time for a disease epidemic. Certainly not a deadly hemorrhagic fever, such as Lassa. But the worst possible period is now, when we are so deeply mired in a social crisis. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

PAINWeek 2012: Ready to Address the Epidemic of Chronic Pain

PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:24:02 +0100

Challenges cited in the 2011 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report and the recent NEJM article have made PAINWeek the largest US pain conference for frontline practitioners.(PRWeb January 31, 2012)Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9145505.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)

Establishing a web-based integrated surveillance system for early detection of infectious disease epidemic in rural China: a field experimental study

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making - Latest articles — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

DiscussionAlthough syndromic surveillance system has mostly established in developed areas, there are opportunities and advantages of developing it in rural China. The project will contribute to knowledge, experience and evidence on the establishment of an integrated surveillance system, which aims to provide early warning of disease epidemics in developing countries. (Source: BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making - Latest articles)

Huge Increase of Calories in Cookbook Recipes

Psychology Today Food and Diet Center — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:41:21 +0100

By comparing cookbook recipes from 1936 and 2006, this helps us shed light (not weight) on one source of the obesity epidemic. read more (Source: Psychology Today Food and Diet Center)

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Phylogenetic Analysis of the Latvian HIV-1 Epidemic

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:34:50 +0100

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses)

Africa: No Time to 'Give Up' on HIV-Fighting Gel

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:32:57 +0100

[allAfrica.com] Durban, South Africa - Africans tracking the worldwide HIV epidemic have not found much to celebrate since Aids began ravaging the continent 30 years ago, but researchers are optimistic that they are learning as much from their failures as their successes. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

Call to 'tax sugar like alcohol'

NHS News Feed — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:00:00 +0100

This article will be of interest to food scientists, health policy makers and the public alike, but the use of strategies to restrict the consumption of added sugar is complicated and, indeed controversial. The implications of such moves would need to be considered in both medical and societal terms. They would need both medical evidence to support their effectiveness and assurance that the public would accept drastic changes, such as age limits on buying sweets. For example, in recent years, Denmark has imposed taxes on fatty foods, a move that has divided opinions greatly. It is generally accepted that added sugar or excessive sugar consumption is bad for health and dietitians advise restricting sugar intake to the occasional “treat”. However, to what extent sugar is directly to blam...

Great Changes in Store for School Lunches

Pediatric Health Associates — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:10:00 +0100

Childhood obesity is an epidemic and the bottom line is too many American children are overweight! The problem not only stems from unhealthy meal choices at home but in their daily school lunches. Parents struggle with the choice to have their child eat the unhealthy and possibly free lunch at school or pack a lunch in the morning. Packing a lunch in the morning requires more time, more rush and more groceries. If only there was an easier way! From the desk of Kim GubbinsPHA Pediatric Nurse PractitionerThankfully, some changes are underway for the school lunch menus in grades kindergarten through twelfth. A well-balanced, healthy school lunch will soon be possible! Over the next three years a new menu will be mandated that will impact 32 million children. Changes will include only...

An Internet-Based Virtual Coach to Promote Physical Activity Adherence in Overweight Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:17:33 +0100

Source: Watson A et al, J Med Internet Res, 14(1) Content: Background: Addressing the obesity epidemic requires the development of effective, scalable interventions. Pedometers and Web-based programs are beneficial in increasing activity levels but might be enhanced by the addition of nonhuman coaching. Objectives: We hypothesized that a virtual coach would increase activity levels, via step count, in [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

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Science Museum launches online games about the future of technology

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:09:10 +0100

Futurecade features games that ask questions about robotics, space, geo-engineering and synthetic biologyThe Science Museum has launched a suite of online games designed to raise questions about the future of medicine, robotics and technology. Developed as part of the Talk Science programme, which was initiated to encourage discussion of science in schools, the 'Futurecade' features four titles exploring areas such as geo-engineering and synthetic biology.In Batco-Lab, players must engineer E.coli bacteria to make useful products, while ensuring that no harmful mutant bacteria are accidentally unleashed on the world. Cloud Control, meanwhile, allows participants to guide Flettner ships which brighten clouds so they reflect sunlight and lower the Earth's temperature. The titles have been de...

Treatment of Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) infection and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)

BMC Medicine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In light of the verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) European epidemic in 2011, Goldwater and Bettelheim comment on the complex pathogenesis of these strains and recommend a multi-targeted approach to current and future treatment strategies. (Source: BMC Medicine)

The U.S. HIV Epidemic Suggests an EmergencyThe U.S. HIV Epidemic Suggests an Emergency

Medscape Today Headlines — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:00:00 +0100

The latest nationwide data illustrate the need for much greater effort across the spectrum of care for HIV/AIDS. AIDS Clinical Care (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Epidemic of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in Denmark, 2010 and 2011

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: Eurosurveillance latest news)

Occurrence of New Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Males After HIV Diagnosis

AIDS and Behavior — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:12:57 +0100

The objective of this retrospective cohort study of 6,965 HIV-positive males was to evaluate the joint risk of new reportable STDs in males after HIV diagnosis by race/ethnicity and risk behavior. This investigation linked HIV case reports with STD surveillance, clinical care and laboratory datasets to determine new STD acquisition in HIV positive individuals. Compared to White MSM with high care engagement, Black MSM had a significantly higher rate of new reportable STDs for the full time period after HIV diagnosis, ≤1 year after diagnosis, and >1 year after diagnosis. High HIV care engagement was not as protective against new STD acquisition for Black MSM as it was for White MSM and reasons for this health disparity should be explored. Content Type Journal Artic...

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Actual and undiagnosed HIV prevalence in a community sample of men who have sex with men in Auckland, New Zealand

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This is the first estimate of actual and undiagnosed HIV infection among a community sample of gay men in New Zealand. While relatively low compared to other countries with mature epidemics, HIV prevalence was elevated in subgroups of MSM based on behaviour, and diagnosis rates varied by ethnicity. Prevention should focus on raising condom use and earlier diagnosis among those most at risk, and encouraging safe behaviour after diagnosis. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

Unannounced Mock Drills for Violent Situations

Nurse Leader — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Violence in hospital emergency departments is a dangerous problem. The International Council of Nurses described this problem as a “world-wide epidemic” in 2008, and recent studies have clearly indicated that emergency nurses are particularly vulnerable to workplace violence. These abuses and assaults have a direct effect on staff morale, the amount of nonproductive work, and the length of staff employment in our emergency departments. (Source: Nurse Leader)

Role of Environmental Chemicals in Diabetes and Obesity: A National Toxicology Program Workshop Report

EHP-in-Press — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Overall, the review of the existing literature identified linkages between several of the environmental exposures and type 2 diabetes. There was also support for the “developmental obesogen” hypothesis, which suggests that chemical exposures may increase the risk of obesity by altering the differentiation of adipocytes or the development of neural circuits that regulate feeding behavior. The effects may be most apparent when the developmental exposure is combined with consumption of a high-calorie, high-carbohydrate, or high-fat diet later in life. Research on environmental chemical exposures and type 1 diabetes was very limited. This lack of research was considered a critical data gap. This workshop report outlines the major themes that emerged from the workshop and discu...

Relationship of Climate, Geography, and Geology to the Incidence of Rift Valley Fever in Kenya during the 2006-2007 Outbreak.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hightower A, Kinkade C, Nguku PM, Anyangu A, Mutonga D, Omolo J, Njenga MK, Feikin DR, Schnabel D, Ombok M, Breiman RF Abstract Abstract. We estimated Rift Valley fever (RVF) incidence as a function of geological, geographical, and climatological factors during the 2006-2007 RVF epidemic in Kenya. Location information was obtained for 214 of 340 (63%) confirmed and probable RVF cases that occurred during an outbreak from November 1, 2006 to February 28, 2007. Locations with subtypes of solonetz, calcisols, solonchaks, and planosols soil types were highly associated with RVF occurrence during the outbreak period. Increased rainfall and higher greenness measures before the outbreak were associated with increased risk. RVF was more likely to occur on plains, in densely bushed...

Obesity and physical fitness in California school children

American Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Following prevention measures within California public schools, obesity and fitness levels have stabilized. However, continued increases in early entrance (5th grade) obesity will require additional efforts directed at preschool and elementary students to completely stop and reverse this obesity epidemic. (Source: American Heart Journal)

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The dramatic increase in total knee replacement utilization rates in the United States cannot be fully explained by growth in population size and the obesity epidemic.

The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American volume — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Population growth and obesity cannot fully explain the rapid expansion of total knee replacements in the last decade, suggesting that other factors must also be involved. The disproportionate increase in total knee replacements among younger patients may be a result of a growing number of knee injuries and expanding indications for the procedure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The dramatic increase in total knee replacement utilization has implications for manpower, health-care financing, and the clinical management of patients who have advanced osteoarthritis of the knee. PMID: 22298051 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American volume)

HCV burden of infection in Egypt: results from a nationwide survey

Journal of Viral Hepatitis — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study confirmed on a nationwide representative sample the very high HCV antibody prevalence in Egypt. It stresses the urgent need for strengthening prevention efforts, and bringing down the costs of antiviral drugs for countries like Egypt, where the people in the most precarious situations are also those most likely to be infected by the virus. (Source: Journal of Viral Hepatitis)

Lack of association between air pollutant exposure and short‐term risk of ischaemic stroke in Lyon, France

International Journal of Stroke — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionsThese results suggest a lack of association between air pollutant exposure and short‐term risk of ischaemic stroke in a French urban area. (Source: International Journal of Stroke)

Behavioral Responses of Patients in AIDS Treatment Programs: Sexual Behavior in Kenya

Forum for Health Economics and Policy — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:47:15 +0100

We estimate changes in sexual behavior for HIV-positive individuals enrolled in an AIDS treatment program using longitudinal household survey data collected in western Kenya. We find that sexual activity is lowest at the time that treatment is initiated and increases significantly in the subsequent six months, consistent with the health improvements that result from ART treatment. More importantly, we find large and significant increases of 10 to 30 percentage points in the reported use of condoms during last sexual intercourse. The increases in condom use appear to be driven primarily by a program effect, applying to all HIV clinic patients regardless of treatment status. (Source: Forum for Health Economics and Policy)

Sweeteners and Risk of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: The Role of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Current Diabetes Reports — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:05:05 +0100

Abstract Temporal patterns over the past three to four decades have shown a close parallel between the rise in added sugar intake and the global obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) epidemics. Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), which include the full spectrum of soft drinks, fruit drinks, energy and vitamin water drinks, are composed of naturally derived caloric sweeteners such as sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, or fruit juice concentrates. Collectively they are the largest contributor to added sugar intake in the US diet. Over the past 10 years a number of large observational studies have found positive associations between SSB consumption and long-term weight gain and development of T2D and related metabolic conditions. Experimental studies provide insight into poten...

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Weight Loss Strategies for Adolescents: A 14-Year-Old Struggling to Lose Weight [Clinical Crossroads]

JAMA — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

With prevalence approaching 20% in the United States, adolescent obesity has become a common problem for patients, parents, and clinicians. Obese adolescents may experience physical and psychosocial complications, as illustrated by the case of Ms K, a 14-year-old girl with a body mass index of 40. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of pediatric obesity treatment is modest in younger children and declines in older children and adolescents, and few interventions involving adolescents have produced significant long-term weight loss. Nevertheless, novel strategies to alter energy balance have shown preliminary evidence of benefit in clinical trials, including a diet focused on food quality rather than fat restriction and a lifestyle approach to encourage enjoyable physical activity throughout th...

Decision Making for HIV Prevention and Treatment Scale up: Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice

Medical Decision Making — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. Resource allocation theory can make a significant contribution to decision making about HIV prevention and treatment scale up. What remains now is to develop models that can bridge the gap between theory and practice. (Source: Medical Decision Making)

Out of the Closet and Into the Trenches: Gay Male Baby Boomers, Aging, and HIV/AIDS.

The Gerontologist — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This article argues for the application of this latter approach to research into the lasting impacts of HIV/AIDS on this cohort of gay men. We examine HIV/AIDS mortality within this cohort at the epidemic's height, these deaths' concentration in urban gay communities, and the growing and increasingly diverse population of HIV-positive gay men born in the Baby Boom Years. Our conclusion suggests that a fuller examination of the role of HIV/AIDS in the lives of gay male Baby Boomers, using a life course perspective, is critical to appreciating this generation's heterogeneity and to expanding knowledge of how later life is shaped by the intersection between historical events, personal biography, and social and community ties. PMID: 22298746 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The...

Bariatric Surgery: Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Impact

Obesity Surgery — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:05:32 +0100

Abstract Bariatric surgery is to date the most effective treatment for morbid obesity and it has been proven to reduce obesity-related comorbidities and total mortality. As any medical treatment, bariatric surgery is costly and doubts about its affordability have been raised. On the other hand, bariatric surgery may reduce the direct and indirect costs of obesity and related comorbidities. The appreciation of the final balance between financial investments and savings is critical from a health economic perspective. In this paper, we try to provide a brief updated review of the most recent studies on the cost-efficacy of bariatric surgery, with particular emphasis on budget analysis. A brief overview of the economic costs of obesity will also be provided. The epidemic of ob...

The Florida Republican primary: a basket case of sick puppies | Carl Hiaasen

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:07:10 +0100

This article was first published by the Miami Herald, and is reproduced by permissionFloridaRepublican presidential nomination 2012RepublicansBarack ObamaNewt GingrichMitt RomneyUS politicsUnited StatesCubaFidel CastroNasaUS economyCarl Hiaasenguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)

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Estimates of Age-Specific Mortality Rates from Sequential Cross-Sectional Data in Malawi

International Journal of Biomedical Imaging — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:33:45 +0100

This paper uses a method for estimating age-specific event rates for adults (15–49 years) in Malawi between 1977 and 1998. This method, which is based on the development of unstable populations, is similar to the “variable-r” methods. Data from Malawi demonstrate mortality reduction nearly for all age groups between 1977 and 1987 for males whereas for females the reduction was observed for age groups 15–19 and 40–44. Contrary to this finding, the 1987–1998 intercensal period shows that mortality increased at a higher rate in the ages 20 and above for males than females. However, the increase for the females is much higher in the 1987–1998 intercensal period than in the 1977–1987 intercensal period. These findings may be related to the onset...

As Global Fund Turns Ten, Lack of Political Support to Health Threatens Gains Against AIDS, TB, and Malaria

MSF News — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:24:00 +0100

South Africa 2011 © Chelsea Maclachlan/Le Monde A woman receives antiretroviral medication at an MSF clinic in Cape Town. While MSF relies solely on private donors, a loss of funding from the Global Fund will leave thousands without treatment. NAIROBI, JANUARY 30, 2012 - As the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria marks its tenth anniversary—and on the heels of its leadership changes—people living with HIV/AIDS and those delivering and supporting HIV and TB treatment took to the streets as they warned that the political commitment made 10 years ago to address global health is evaporating, and that drastic funding shortfalls could cause an unraveling of a decade’s progress against the three diseases. The Global Fund Board in November took t...

Book review: Disease maps: Epidemics on the ground

American Journal of Human Biology — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: American Journal of Human Biology)

Reflexions around crisis burials related to past plague epidemics

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Drawing its etymology from the Latin pestis, curse, the plague, over the last centuries, was more dreaded by mankind than any other epidemic. The Apocalypse had recognised the plague as the archetypal divine curse, “the power to kill over a fourth of the earth”. The plague is thus a particular topic of study insofar as it is one of the rare epidemics that had recurrent major consequences on demography and human societies. Its highly transmissible feature, the brutality of its action, its high pathogenicity marked by a strong lethality and a great swiftness, the complete absence of therapeutic before the 20th century, conferred to it a sinister specificity. Generating series of severe demographic crisis, rather well‐known in the Western world, it has necessarily influenced the evoluti...

Vaccination coverage among medical residents in Paris, France

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractMedical residents are particularly exposed to the risk of occupational infection. We aimed to determine the vaccination coverage in residents with an anonymous self‐reporting electronic questionnaire. A total of 250 residents entered this survey. Vaccination rates were particularly high for mandatory vaccinations (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B virus and tuberculosis). Regarding recommended vaccinations (influenza 45.6%, pertussis 65.2%, measles 62.8%, varicella 62.8%), rates were insufficient to prevent hospital epidemics, but higher than those reported in other healthcare workers. Further immunization programmes should target residents, and not only senior healthcare workers, with a critical role for occupational medicine departments. (Source: Clinical Microbio...

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Africa: Continent At 'Make-It or Break-It Moment' Over Aids

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:25:39 +0100

AIM (Maputo)-Africa is now at "a make-it or break-it moment" in the response to the HIV-AIDS epidemic, according to Michael Sidibe, the Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

Vitamin D3 deficiency enhances allergen‐induced lymphocyte responses in a mouse model of allergic airway disease

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:09:05 +0100

In this study, using a mouse model, we determined whether vitamin D deficiency in utero and during early life modulated the severity of asthma. Using dietary restriction, vitamin D3‐replete and vitamin D3‐deficient colonies of BALB/c mice were established. Utilizing the allergic airway disease model of asthma with the experimental allergen ovalbumin (OVA), we examined asthma‐like responses 24 h after airway challenge with OVA in adult offspring born to vitamin D3‐replete and vitamin D3‐deficient mothers. The ability of airway‐draining lymph node cells to proliferate and secrete cytokines in response to OVA ex vivo was significantly enhanced by vitamin D3 deficiency. However, other aspects of allergic disease, including the numbers and proportions of inflammatory cells and cyt...

Banish depression with the tree of happiness

NaturalNews.com — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an estimated 44.3 million Americans, ages 18 and older, suffer from a mental disorder. Depression, included in this number, is reaching epidemic proportions. While the media continues to report on the potentially... (Source: NaturalNews.com)

Obesity, obstructive sleep apnoea and metabolic syndrome

Respirology — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:00:52 +0100

ABSTRACTOSA is increasingly recognized as a major health problem in developed countries. Obesity is the most common risk factor in OSA and hence, the prevalence of OSA is undoubtedly rising given the epidemic of obesity. Recent data also suggest that OSA is highly associated with the metabolic syndrome, and it is postulated that OSA contributes to cardiometabolic dysfunction, and subsequently vasculopathy.Current evidence regarding the magnitude of impact on ultimate cardiovascular morbidity or mortality attributable to OSA‐induced metabolic dysregulation is scarce. Given the known pathophysiological triggers of intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation in OSA, the potential mechanisms of OSA–obesity–metabolic syndrome interaction involve sympathetic activation, oxidative stress, ...

Zimbabwe: Silent Victims of HIV/Aids Scourge

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:09:28 +0100

The Herald (Harare)-It is common cause that there are some families that have been ravaged by the HIV epidemic. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

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[Series] Crowd and environmental management during mass gatherings

The Lancet Infectious Diseases — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:05:13 +0100

Crowds are a feature of large cities, occurring not only at mass gatherings but also at routine events such as the journey to work. To address extreme crowding, various computer models for crowd movement have been developed in the past decade, and we review these and show how they can be used to identify health and safety issues. State-of-the-art models that simulate the spread of epidemics operate on a population level, but the collection of fine-scale data might enable the development of models for epidemics that operate on a microscopic scale, similar to models for crowd movement. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)

A Vectorial Capacity Product to Monitor Changing Malaria Transmission Potential in Epidemic Regions of Africa

Advances in Pharmacological Sciences — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:56:20 +0100

In this study, the vectorial capacity model (VCAP) was expanded to include the influence of rainfall and temperature variables on malaria transmission potential. Data from two remote sensing products were used to monitor rainfall and temperature and were integrated into the VCAP model. The expanded model was tested in Eritrea and Madagascar to check the viability of the approach. The analysis of VCAP in relation to rainfall, temperature and malaria incidence data in these regions shows that the expanded VCAP correctly tracks the risk of malaria both in regions where rainfall is the limiting factor and in regions where temperature is the limiting factor. The VCAP maps are currently offered as an experimental resource for testing within Malaria Early Warning applications in epidemic prone re...

Automating classification of free-text electronic health records for epidemiological studies

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:53:23 +0100

Source: Schuemie MJ et al, Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 2012 Content: PURPOSE: Increasingly, patient information is stored in electronic medical records, which could be reused for research. Often these records comprise unstructured narrative data, which are cumbersome to analyze. The authors investigated whether text mining can make these data suitable for epidemiological studies and compared a [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

Neuraminidase inhibitors for preventing and treating influenza in children.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:18:08 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Oseltamivir and zanamivir appear to have modest benefit in reducing duration of illness in children with influenza. However, our analysis was limited by small sample sizes and an inability to pool data from different studies. Oseltamivir reduces the incidence of acute otitis media in children aged one to five years but is associated with a significantly increased risk of vomiting. One study demonstrated that laninamivir octanoate was more effective than oseltamivir in shortening duration of illness in children with oseltamivir-resistant influenza A/H1N1. The benefit of oseltamivir and zanamivir in preventing the transmission of influenza in households is modest and based on weak evidence. However, the clinical efficacy of neuraminidase inhibitors in 'at risk' children is still...

Studying The Causes Of Obesity In Aboriginal Children

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

To fully understand the causes of the obesity epidemic in Aboriginal children requires an understanding of the unique social and historical factors that shape the Aboriginal community. A review article published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism emphasizes that early childhood obesity prevention efforts should begin focusing with the parents before and during pregnancy and on breastfeeding initiatives and nutrition in the early childhood development stages... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Prolonged exclusive breastfeeding, autumn birth and increased gestational age are associated with lower risk of fever in children with hand, foot, and mouth disease

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:56:40 +0100

This study aims to investigate whether breastfeeding and other factors may affect the profile of fever and disease course in children with HFMD. Three hundred seventy-two preschool children with HFMD were included. The demographics, environmental factors, and delivery- and feeding-associated factors in the children were obtained and their effects on the profile of fever and disease course were analyzed. Of the 372 children, 139 (37.37%) had fever during the disease course. Gender, breastfeeding pattern, birth season and gestational age were significantly different between the children with and without fever (p = 0.034, p < 0.0001, p = 0.035 and p = 0.013, respectively). After multivariate-adjusted analysis, prolonged exclusive breastfeeding (p = 0.001, OR 0.401,...

Rapid confirmation of suspected methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonies on chromogenic agars by a new commercial PCR assay, the GenomEra MRSA/SA Diagnose

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:56:37 +0100

Abstract A new automated closed tube PCR assay, the GenomEra™ MRSA/SA Diagnose (Abacus Diagnostica Oy, Finland) was evaluated for rapid confirmation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from cultured screening specimens. The ability of the assay to detect genotypically different MRSA strains was studied with a collection of 304 MRSA isolates covering 68 spa types. The specificity was investigated with a collection of 146 non-MRSA staphylococcus isolates. The usefulness of the assay for clinical purposes was assessed by a sequential combination of MRSA screening culture and confirmation of the colonies with the GenomEra MRSA/SA Diagnose assay. A total of 145 suspected MRSA colonies on chromogenic plates were analyzed this way. All MRSA isolates from the cul...

A local outbreak of dengue caused by an imported case in Dongguan China

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Several characterized points of urbanization contributed to this outbreak of dengue in Dongguan: the residents are highly concentrated; the residents' life habits helped to form the habitats of Ae. albopictus and contributed to the high Breteau Index; the self-constructed houses lacks of mosquito prevention facilities. This report has reaffirmed the importance of a surveillance system for infectious diseases control and aroused the awareness of an imported case causing the epidemic of an infectious disease in urbanized region. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

An Internet-Based Virtual Coach to Promote Physical Activity Adherence in Overweight Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Medical Internet Research — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The virtual coach was beneficial in maintaining activity level. The long-term benefits and additional applications of this technology warrant further study. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00792207; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00792207 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/63sm9mXUD) (Source: Journal of Medical Internet Research)

Medical chief highlights importance of vitamin D

NHS News Feed — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0100

Vitamin D was in the headlines today, with many papers reporting that a quarter of all toddlers are deficient in the nutrient and that childhood rickets is on the rise. The vitamin plays several important roles in the body, including regulating the balance of nutrients needed for strong, healthy bones. The vitamin has fallen under the spotlight as Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Dame Sally Davies, is reportedly contacting health professionals to highlight the need to prescribe vitamin D supplements to at-risk groups. There are already extensive guidelines on circumstances where people should take vitamin D supplements, but the move seems designed to increase use of the pills, which are available on prescription, or even free to individuals with a raised risk of deficiency. An ...

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New Orleans Area Schools Test Healthful-Snack Vending Machines

RWJF News Digest - Childhood Obesity — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:12:53 +0100

Just outside the Gretna school's cafeteria, the Fresh Healthy Vending machines dispense such fare as baked pita chips, soy milk, apple sauce, low-fat granola bars and organic iced teas. Adjacent to it is a Pepsi machine that carries only water and flavored water. Gone are the chocolate bars and soft drinks to which students once flocked. Thomas Jefferson is among 17 public and private schools that have welcomed the machines on campuses in Jefferson and Orleans parishes amid a national obesity epidemic. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Childhood Obesity)

How Young Adults Deal With Influenza

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0100

Only about one in five young adults in their late 30s received a flu shot during the 2009-2010 swine flu epidemic, according to a University of Michigan report that details the behavior and attitudes of Generation X. But about 65 percent were at least moderately concerned about the flu, and nearly 60 percent said they were following the issue very or moderately closely... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Brown Fat Burns Calories In Adult Humans

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0100

Brown adipose tissue (often known as brown fat) is a specialized tissue that burns calories to generate body heat in rodents and newborn humans, neither of which shiver. Recently, adult humans have also been found to possess brown fat. This fact piqued the interest of researchers seeking to combat the obesity epidemic, the thought being that if they could develop ways to increase the amount of brown fat a person has, that person will become slimmer. One hitch to this idea is it has never actually been shown definitively that brown fat in adult humans can burn energy... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Vaccination program credited in fight against whooping cough

Los Angeles Times - Science — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Urging Californians to remain vigilant, officials announce that the state recorded no deaths in 2011 for the first time in two decades. Cases also fell sharply from 2010. Facing an epidemic of whooping cough that led to the deaths of 10 infants in 2010, California public health officials launched a massive vaccination effort and public awareness campaign about the disease. (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)

How Did Generation X Respond to the H1N1 'Swine' Flu Epidemic?

MedicineNet Senior Health General — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: How Did Generation X Respond to the H1N1 'Swine' Flu Epidemic?Category: Health NewsCreated: 1/24/2012 4:05:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 1/25/2012 (Source: MedicineNet Senior Health General)

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Young adults responded well to swine flu

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(National Science Foundation) About one in five young adults in their late 30's received a flu shot during the 2009-2010 swine flu epidemic, a University of Michigan study released today says.But about 65 percent were at least moderately concerned about the flu, and nearly 60 percent said they were following the issue very or moderately closely. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

How Generation X Deals with Influenza

Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A quarterly research report from the Longitudinal Study of American Youth, The Generation X Report, shows one in five adults in their late 30s received a flu shot during the 2009-2010 swine flu epidemic. (Source: Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com)

Safe travels? HIV transmission among Britons travelling abroad

HIV Medicine — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionsA substantial number of UK‐born adults are acquiring HIV infection in countries with generalized HIV epidemics, and in common holiday destinations. Of particular concern is the high proportion of men infected reporting sex with a commercial sex worker. We recommend HIV prevention and testing efforts be extended to include travellers abroad, and that sexual health advice be provided routinely in travel health consultations and in occupational health travel advice packs, particularly to those travelling to high HIV prevalence areas and destinations for sex tourism. Safer sex messages should include an awareness of the potential detrimental health and social impacts of the sex industry. (Source: HIV Medicine)

Analysis of leaf and stripe rust severities reveals pathotype changes and multiple minor QTLs associated with resistance in an Avocet × Pastor wheat population.

TAG. Theoretical and Applied Genetics — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Rosewarne GM, Singh RP, Huerta-Espino J, Herrera-Foessel SA, Forrest KL, Hayden MJ, Rebetzke GJ Abstract Leaf rust and stripe rust are important diseases of wheat world-wide and deployment of cultivars with genetic resistance is an effective and environmentally sound control method. The use of minor, additive genes conferring adult plant resistance (APR) has been shown to provide resistance that is durable. The wheat cultivar 'Pastor' originated from the CIMMYT breeding program that focuses on minor gene-based APR to both diseases by selecting and advancing generations alternately under leaf rust and stripe rust pressures. As a consequence, Pastor has good resistance to both rusts and was used as the resistant parent to develop a mapping population by crossing with the sus...

Clinical Manifestations of Foot‐and‐Mouth Disease During the 2010/2011 Epidemic in the Republic of Korea

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, the clinical signs of FMD were described on the basis of the subjective observations by the farm workers. The present results highlight the clinical signs expected on specific body parts of different types of susceptible animals, and therefore, they may be useful for generating public awareness, particularly among farm workers, as well as for early detection of future FMD outbreaks. (Source: Transboundary and Emerging Diseases)

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Management of hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Presse Medicale — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Loirat C, Saland J, Bitzan M Abstract 2011 has been a special year for hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS): on the one hand, the dramatic epidemic of Shiga toxin producing E. coli -associated HUS in Germany brought the disease to the attention of the general population, on the other hand it has been the year when eculizumab, the first complement blocker available for clinical practice, was demonstrated as the potential new standard of care for atypical HUS. Here we review the therapeutic options presently available for the various forms of hemolytic uremic syndrome and show how recent knowledge has changed the therapeutic approach and prognosis of atypical HUS. PMID: 22284541 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Presse Medicale)

Genomics of epidemic pathogens

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:56:58 +0100

AbstractVirulence factors are thought to be responsible for the virulence capacity of pathogenic bacteria. However recently, epidemic bacteria were found to contain significantly fewer “virulence factors” than non epidemic species and some of the most dangerous epidemic bacteria, such as Mycobacteria spp., or Rickettsia spp. are reduced and contain hundreds of degraded genes. Epidemic bacteria are actually highly specialized species, characterized by allopatric speciation, that after adapting to their hosts, attempt to maintain a balance between gene gain and gene loss favouring gene loss, finally leading to a genome reduction. Recent comparative genomic studies have demonstrated that the specialization of bacteria to eukaryotic cells is associated with massive gene loss. Furthermore, ...

How Did Generation X Respond to the H1N1 ‘Swine’ Flu Epidemic?

The Doctors Lounge - Infections — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0100

Young adults did 'reasonably well,' report concludes, although most avoided flu shot (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Infections)

Correlation of partial env gene sequences with disease progression parameters in HIV-positive pregnant women from India

Medical Microbiology and Immunology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:09:39 +0100

Abstract Ever since the beginning of the epidemic of HIV, one of the poignant aspects of HIV infection is transmission of the virus from mother to child. It is not known whether pregnancy accelerates the progression of HIV infection from a clinically asymptomatic stage to a progressive clinical phase. Present study was carried out to understand disease progression in pregnant women from India. We studied co-receptor utilization (the major determinant of HIV disease progression), N-glycosylation sites, and sequence variability. Blood samples were collected from 25 HIV sero-positive patients, eleven from the antenatal risk group (experimental group), nine from heterosexual male, and five from heterosexual female risk group (control group). Partial env gene was amplified by PCR...

Porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus: a comprehensive review of molecular epidemiology, diagnosis, and vaccines

Virus Genes — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:16:23 +0100

Abstract The porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV), a member of the Coronaviridae family, causes acute diarrhoea and dehydration in pigs. Although it was first identified in Europe, it has become increasingly problematic in many Asian countries, including Korea, China, Japan, the Philippines, and Thailand. The economic impacts of the PEDV are substantial, given that it results in significant morbidity and mortality in neonatal piglets and is associated with increased costs related to vaccination and disinfection. Recently, progress has been made in understanding the molecular epidemiology of PEDV, thereby leading to the development of new vaccines. In the current review, we first describe the molecular and genetic characteristics of the PEDV. Then we discuss its molecula...

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Hair loss, nail changes, GI symptoms – think selenium toxicity

The Poison Review — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:01:39 +0100

4 out of 5 stars Case Series of Selenium Toxicity From A Nutritional Supplement. Aldosary BM et al. Clin Toxicol 2012;50:57-64. Abstract This case series describes9 patient who developed selenium toxicity after ingesting a nutritional supplement that contained 200 times the recommend concentration of selenium. Patients presented with signs and symptoms characteristic of selenium toxicity: alopecia, dystrophic fingernail changes, gastrointestinal symptoms, and memory deficits. All symptoms resolve when exposure to selenium was terminated. Selenium is an essential trace element that can be harmful when taken in excess. the precise toxic mechanism is not known. Another toxic cause of alopecia is thallium. For more on excess in selenium in dietary supplements, see this release from the CDCP. ...

Generation X: How young adults deal with influenza

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Michigan) Only about one in five young adults in their late 30s received a flu shot during the 2009-2010 swine flu epidemic, according to a University of Michigan report that details the behavior and attitudes of Generation X. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Aedes albopictus and the reemergence of Dengue

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Dengue is a vector-borne disease that is estimated to affect millions of individuals each year in tropical and subtropical areas, and it is reemerging in areas that have been disease-free for relatively long periods of time. In this issue of the journal, Peng et al. report on a Dengue outbreak in a city in southern China that had been disease-free for more than two decades. The infection, which was due to serotype 1, was introduced by a traveler from South-east Asia and transmitted by Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito. Compared to Aedes aegypti, which is the most important vector of Dengue, Ae albopictus is a less competent vector of arboviruses, and the epidemics it causes are milder. However, Ae albopictus is becoming an increasingly important vector because of its rapidly chang...

Understanding causes of obesity in Aboriginal children

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Canadian Science Publishing (NRC Research Press)) To fully understand the causes of the obesity epidemic in Aboriginal children requires an understanding of the unique social and historical factors that shape the Aboriginal community. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Updates on the genetic variations of Norovirus in sporadic gastroenteritis in Chungnam Korea, 2009-2010

Virology Journal — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Previously, we explored the epidemic pattern and molecular characterization of noroviruses (NoVs) isolated in Chungnam, Korea in 2008, and the present study extended these observations to 2009 and 2010. In Korea, NoVs showed the seasonal prevalence from late fall to spring, and widely detected in preschool children and peoples over 60 years of age. Epidemiological pattern of NoV was similar in 2008 and in 2010, but pattern in 2009 was affected by pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus. NoV-positive samples were subjected to sequence determination of the capsid gene region, which resolved the isolated NoVs into five GI (2, 6, 7, 9 and 10) and eleven GII genotypes (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 16 and 17). The most prevalent genotype was GII.4 and occupied 130 out of 211 NoV isolates (61.6%). C...

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Trends of cutaneous melanoma in The Netherlands: increasing incidence rates among all Breslow thickness categories and rising mortality rates since 1989

Annals of Oncology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Since incidence of melanomas among all Breslow thickness categories increased as well as the mortality rates, the melanoma epidemic in The Netherlands seems to be real and not only due to overdiagnosis. (Source: Annals of Oncology)

The burden of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) in the Netherlands

The European Journal of Public Health — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This disease burden estimate confirmed that, although there was a higher mortality observed among young people, the 2009 pandemic was overall a mild influenza epidemic. The disease burden of this pandemic was comparable to the burden of seasonal influenza in the Netherlands. (Source: The European Journal of Public Health)

European Public Health News * President's column * EUPHA office column--EUPHA 1992-2012--Time to expand the family! * Message from the Who Regional Director for Europe: HIV Cases Continue to Rise in Europe--Who European Region Launches New Action Plan to Bring the Epidemic Under Control * 5th Annual European Public Health Conference 2012: All Inclusive Public Health, Portomaso, St Julian's, Malta, 8-10 November 2012

The European Journal of Public Health — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: The European Journal of Public Health)

US Senator Mark Kirk Recovering from Ischemic StrokeUS Senator Mark Kirk Recovering from Ischemic Stroke

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:25:09 +0100

The stroke was related to carotid artery dissection, which an expert says is "nearly an epidemic" among people in their 50s and 60s. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Improving global influenza surveillance: trends of A(H5N1) virus in Africa and Asia

BMC Research Notes — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Our study reveals that some countries suffering from human cases of avian influenza have limited participation (e.g. genetic surveillance or data share) with global surveillance networks. Also, we demonstrate that the implementation of genetic surveillance programs could increase and strengthen worldwide epidemic and pandemic preparedness. We hope that this work promotes new discussions between policy makers and health surveillance organizations to improve current methodologies and regulations. (Source: BMC Research Notes)

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Six-month interventions - parent-centred dietary modification alone or in combination with child-centred physical activity may reduce child BMI at 2 years

Evidence-Based Medicine — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Context The need for interventions to manage the global epidemic of childhood overweight is well recognised,1 and, increasingly, the role of parents in this process is acknowledged for early school-aged children.2 However, the evidence to guide such interventions is limited. Many studies have methodological limitations and short follow-up periods.1 Most interventions in adult and child populations show positive outcomes at the end of the intervention period, but it is the sustainability of these that is of paramount interest. The study by Collins and colleagues addresses many of the limitations of previous studies, reports sustainability of the intervention 2 years from baseline and provides further evidence of the key role of parents. Methods The Hunter Illawarra Kids Challenge Using Pare...

The combination of phentermine and topiramate is an effective adjunct to diet and lifestyle modification for weight loss and measures of comorbidity in overweight or obese adults with additional metabolic risk factors

Evidence-Based Medicine — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Context Obesity is a growing epidemic with multiple associated comorbidities including type 2 diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. Multiple studies have shown that weight loss can improve these obesity RR factors. But weight loss is difficult. There is an urgent need for new and more efficacious pharmacological treatments to help curtail this growing epidemic. There have been previous studies looking at the use of phentermine and topiramate as single agents for weight loss. In the CONQUER trial, Gadde and colleagues have asked whether a combination of these two agents could provide a more effective treatment option for obesity with fewer side effects. Methods The CONQUER trial is a randomised controlled trial to assess the effects of two different doses of the combination of control...

The allergy protective effects of fish oil: A matter of timing?

Evidence-Based Medicine — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Context Primary prevention strategies to curtail the development of allergic disorders have become paramount as allergy prevalence rises to epidemic proportions, specifically in regions undergoing western transition. While many factors have been implicated, decreased dietary intake of -3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) and increased n-6 PUFA intake may affect allergy predisposition due to differential inflammatory potential and immunomodulatory effects of n-6 and n-3 PUFA. For decades, this has attracted interest in fish oil supplementation as a means of increasing n-3 PUFA intake and restoring fatty acid balance to treat and prevent allergic diseases. While treatment of established symptoms has proven overall ineffective, fish oil has shown more promise during early development, wh...

Human‐lice transmitted infectious diseases

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractSeveral of the infectious diseases associated with human lice are life‐threatening, including epidemic typhus, relapsing fever, and trench fever, which are caused by Rickettsia prowazekii, Borrelia recurrentis, and Bartonella quintana, respectively. Although these diseases have been known for several centuries, they remain a major public health concern in populations living in poor hygienic conditions due to war, social disruption, severe poverty, or gaps in public health management. Poor hygienic conditions favor a higher prevalence of body lice, which are the main vectors for these diseases. Trench fever has been reported in both developing and developed countries in populations living in poor conditions, such as homeless individuals. In contrast, outbreaks of epidemic typhus a...

China Reports 2nd Bird Flu Death in Month

NYT Health — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:22:11 +0100

Both of the deaths in China were notable because neither victim reported any contact with birds in the month preceding his illness. (Source: NYT Health)

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A Tale Of Two Epidemics Within TWO Countries

Journal of Adolescent Health — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:56:15 +0100

Pettifor et al's recent study concludes that “the remarkable prevalence of HIV in young people in South Africa cannot be ascribed to exceptional risk taking behavior” . This and the accompanying editorial argue that behavioral change campaigns have “failed,” and that more emphasis needs to be placed on biological interventions. (Source: Journal of Adolescent Health)

The Authors reply

Journal of Adolescent Health — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:56:15 +0100

In their letter, Potterat et al raise the question of whether the high prevalence of HIV observed among young people in South Africa is the result of parenteral HIV exposure. Although we found that young people in South Africa did not report more sexual risk behaviors than their U.S. peers, current evidence suggests that the vast majority of infections in sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa, are the result of sexual transmission . Several studies have documented that unclean needles contribute only a small proportion of new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa . Although measuring all exposures is important when trying to determine the etiology of infection, in a setting such as South Africa, the dominant modifiable risk factor for HIV is sexual behavior. Measuring sexual behavior w...

"Now we are in a different time; various bad diseases have come." Understanding men's acceptability of male circumcision for HIV prevention in a moderate prevalence setting.

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: This is one of the first community-based MC acceptability studies conducted in a moderate prevalence setting outside of Africa. Research findings from this study suggest that a future MC program for HIV prevention would be widely accepted by men in PNG. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

Proteomic profiling of Pseudomonas aeruginosa AES-1R, PAO1 and PA14 reveals potential virulence determinants associated with a transmissible cystic fibrosis-associated strain

BMC Microbiology - Latest articles — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Our data suggest that AES-1R expresses higher levels of proteins, such as those involved in antibiotic resistance, iron acquisition and virulence that may provide a competitive advantage during early infection in the CF lung. Identification of novel proteins associated with transmissibility and acute infection may aid in deciphering new strategies for intervention to limit P. aeruginosa infections in CF patients. (Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles)

My 2 Cents (About My 2 or 3 Autistic Children)*

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:23:08 +0100

*GUEST BLOGGER: Alice Oakes is a wife and mother of 3. She writes a blog titled Beyond Convention about the challenges and joys of raising 3 autistic children. http://www.acorn-beyondconvention.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beyond-Convention/148595311891139 read more (Source: Psychology Today Parenting Center)

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The seroepidemiology of pertussis in NSW: fluctuating immunity profiles related to changes in vaccination schedules.

New South Wales Public Health Bulletin — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:06:58 +0100

Authors: Quinn HE, Mahajan D, Hueston L, Campbell P, Menzies RI, Gilbert GL, McIntyre PB Abstract The pertussis epidemic experienced in NSW in 2008-2009 was likely to be in part due to changes in diagnostic practice since 2007, which amplified disease notifications. We used population-based seroepidemiology as a less biased means of interpreting age-specific pertussis infection patterns in NSW from three serosurveys undertaken in 1997-98 (during an epidemic), 2002 (post-epidemic) and 2007 (inter-epidemic), using a standardised pertussis toxin IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There was a decrease in the proportion of high anti-pertussis toxin IgG titres (>62.5ELISAUnits/mL) across all age groups in the 2007 serosurvey compared to the previous two serosurveys. In the...

Epidemic fears see bird flu doctors halt research

The Independent - Science — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:22:47 +0100

Influenza experts have agreed to a two-month voluntary ban on research into a highly dangerous strain of bird-flu virus because of fears that it may escape from their laboratories to cause a global human epidemic. (Source: The Independent - Science)

CDC Grand Rounds: Prescription Drug Overdoses - a U.S. Epidemic -

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:05:52 +0100

In 2007, approximately 27,000 unintentional drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States, one death every 19 minutes. Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States. The increase in unintentional drug overdose death ... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Psychological Trauma and PTSD in HIV-Positive Women: A Meta-Analysis. - Machtinger EL, Wilson TC, Haberer JE, Weiss DS.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:05:52 +0100

Women bear an increasing burden of the HIV epidemic and face high rates of morbidity and mortality. Trauma has been increasingly associated with the high prevalence and poor outcomes of HIV in this population. This meta-analysis estimates rates of psycholo... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Active Commuting to School Among Adolescents in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Change and Predictors in a Longitudinal Study, 2004 to 2009

American Journal of Preventive Medicine — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:05:51 +0100

Conclusions: In the context of an epidemic of childhood and adolescent obesity in urban Vietnam, the decline in active commuting over the 5 years of this study highlights the need for development of urban physical environments favorable for active commuting and education campaigns to promote active commuting in adolescents. (Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine)

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Epidemiological, clinical features and susceptibility pattern of shigellosis in the Buea Health District, Cameroon

BMC Research Notes — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Shigellosis is more prevalent in children below 15 years in the Buea District. There is a high level of resistance to most of the antibiotics used for the treatment of shigellosis including extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) as well as evidence of resistance to quinolones. Azithromycin was found to be the drug of choice for shigellosis in this setting. (Source: BMC Research Notes)

[Comment] Elimination of cholera transmission in Haiti and the Dominican Republic

LANCET — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:31:01 +0100

One of the largest recent cholera epidemics to affect a single country began in Haiti in October, 2010, just 10 months after a devastating earthquake had struck the nation's capital. Within a month, cholera had spread throughout Haiti and cases were being reported by its shared island neighbour, the Dominican Republic. In Dec, 2011, 522 335 cholera cases and 7001 deaths had been reported in Haiti, with an additional 21 432 cases and 363 deaths reported in the Dominican Republic. The 2-year anniversary of the earthquake is an opportune time to refocus national and international efforts on the elimination of cholera transmission in Hispaniola. (Source: LANCET)

Bird flu scientists suspend work amid epidemic fears

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:07:42 +0100

Researchers announce 60-day suspension to allow debate about security of their attempts to prevent spread of virusScientists trying to prevent bird flu from killing millions of people have suspended their work because of fears they might accidentally cause the epidemic they hope to stop, according to a letter published on Friday in scientific journals.Researchers from around the world signed a letter in the Nature and Science journals in which they announced a 60-day suspension to allow a public debate about the security of their work.The letter comes after developments in the study of bird flu in which scientists have created a similar virus that can be passed between mammals.Bird flu can only be caught by humans from birds such as chickens but it is usually lethal. Scientists fear that b...

Adverts are to blame! Mouthwatering images of food 'fuelling Britain's obesity epidemic'

the Mail online | Health — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:40:15 +0100

Links between looking at food and appetite have long been established, but a study from the Max Planck Institute in Germany found even a picture can make you hungry. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Africa: Eastern, Southern Africa Scale Up Efforts Against High Aids Prevalence - UN Official

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:28:27 +0100

UN News (New York)-Eastern and Southern Africa, the region most affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, is making great strides to scale up access to prevention and treatment services, a United Nations official said today, adding that focus is on behavioural change and prevention of mother-to-child transmission. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

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Identification of serotype specific T cell responses to highly conserved regions of the dengue viruses

Clinical and Experimental Immunology — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:18:15 +0100

SummaryDetermining the past infecting dengue virus (DENV) serotypes has been difficult due to highly cross‐reactive immune responses from previous DENV infections. Determining the correlates of serotype specific immune responses would be crucial in understanding dengue transmission in the community and would also help to determine the correlates of a protective immune responses. Therefore, we set out to define highly conserved, serotype specific regions of the DENVs.Serotype‐specific and highly conserved regions of the four DENV serotypes were identified using BLAST searches and custom perl scripts. Using ex vivo and cultured ELISpot assays we identified serotype specific T cell epitopes within the four DENV serotypes in healthy adult donors from Sri Lanka. We identified T cell respons...

Read the summary of the ESC/EAS Guidelines on Dyslipidaemias

European Society of Cardiology — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:05:34 +0100

In 2011 a new fundamental consensus the first guidelines on the management of dyslipidaemias, jointly produced by the European Society of Cardiology and the European Atherosclerosis Society, was released for European clinicians to face the global epidemic of cardiovascular (CV) disease of the 21st century. (Source: European Society of Cardiology)

Major Public Health Campaign Called For By Stanford Dean To Fight Epidemic Of Unnecessary Suffering

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0100

The amount of needless suffering caused by both acute and chronic pain in the United States is a major, overlooked medical problem that requires improved education at multiple levels, stretching from the implementation of new public health campaigns to better training of primary care physicians in pain management. "The magnitude of pain in the United States is astounding," write the authors of a perspective piece published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The article is co-authored by Philip Pizzo, MD, dean of the Stanford University School of Medicine... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Variability among the neuraminidase, non-structural 1 and PB1-F2 proteins in the influenza A virus genome

Virus Genes — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:46:44 +0100

Abstract Influenza A viruses infect a large number of mammals and birds resulting in sporadic infections, seasonal epidemics, epizootics and pandemics. The segmented genome of the virus encodes 10 or 11 proteins depending on the strain. The neuraminidase, non-structural 1 and the PB1-F2 proteins are known to be variable in their length due to very specific deletions, truncations and elongations. This review presents an update on what is currently known about these three proteins and discusses their length variations in relation to virulence and host adaptation in addition to identifying possible areas of future research. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-11DOI 10.1007/s11262-012-0714-0Authors William G. Dundon, OIE/FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Avian Inf...

Weight perceptions of parents with children at risk for diabetes

BMC Research Notes — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This study's findings indicate that future intervention efforts should assess children's and parents' awareness of obesity and diabetes risk and these factors should be considered when developing prevention interventions for families with youth at risk for diabetes in underserved communities. (Source: BMC Research Notes)

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The asbestos disease epidemic: here today, here tomorrow

Thorax — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In what may be the best ever use of a Wellcome grant, Geoffrey Tweedale, in his fascinating history of the multinational asbestos company Turner & Newall,1 reminds us that asbestos was once known as the ‘magic mineral’. Indeed, in many ways, it is the ideal construction material: tough, durable, light in weight, fire-resistant and very cheap. Unfortunately, asbestos is also, as every respiratory physician knows, highly toxic when inhaled. Total bans on its use are in place in 52 countries including those of the European Union, Australia, Japan and South Africa2; and its use is tightly restricted in the USA, New Zealand and Canada—the last, ironically, among the world's largest exporters of the material. Readers from these countries may be surprised to learn that...

Hydrogen sulfide and particle matter levels associated with increased dispensing of anti-asthma drugs in Iceland's capital.

Environmental Research — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that intermittent increases in levels of particle matter from traffic and natural sources and ambient H(2)S levels were weakly associated with increased dispensing of drugs for obstructive pulmonary disease in Iceland's capital area. These weak associations could be confounded by unevaluated variables hence further studies are needed. PMID: 22264878 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Environmental Research)

Concurrent use of tobacco and khat: added burden on chronic disease epidemic

Addiction — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:43:29 +0100

(Source: Addiction)

Development and evaluation of a single‐step multiplex PCR to differentiate the aquatic stages of morphologically similar Aedes (subgenus: Stegomyia) speciesDéveloppement et évaluation d’une PCR multiplex àétape unique pour différencier les stades aquatiques morphologiquement semblables des espèces du moustique Aedes (sous‐genre: Stegomyia)Desarrollo y evaluación de una PCR multiplex realizada en un solo paso, para diferenciar estadíos acuáticos de la especie Aedes (Subgenus: Stegomyia) morfológicamente similares

Tropical Medicine and International Health — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:54:26 +0100

Conclusions The Multiplex PCR clearly differentiated the aquatic stages of the three Aedes species and detected that Ae. albopictus was most profuse in different breeding spots surveyed, hence indicating to be the main vector in this region. So control measures can be designed against Ae. albopictus at an early stage to prevent any arboviral outbreak. This method is a convenient tool for precise identification of Aedes vectors during entomological surveys in arbovirus endemic/epidemic areas where several species coexist.Objectif: Développer une PCR multiplex àétape unique pour différencier les stades aquatiques des espèces Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus et Aedes vittatus, collectés dans différents endroits de reproduction dans des zones endémiques/épidémiques pour arbovi...

The role of sexually transmitted infections in the evolution of the South African HIV epidemicRôle des infections sexuellement transmissibles dans l’évolution de l’épidémie du VIH en Afrique du sudEl papel de las infecciones de transmisión sexual en la evolución de la epidemia de VIH en Sudáfrica

Tropical Medicine and International Health — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:54:07 +0100

Conclusions Sexually transmitted infections have contributed significantly to the spread of HIV in South Africa, but STI control efforts have had limited impact on HIV incidence because of their late introduction and suboptimal coverage.Objectifs: Evaluer la mesure dans laquelle les infections sexuellement transmissibles (IST) ont contribuéà la propagation du VIH en Afrique du sud et estimer dans quelle mesure des améliorations dans le traitement des IST ont réduit l’incidence du VIH.Méthodes: Un modèle mathématique a été utilisé pour simuler les interactions entre le VIH et six autres IST (herpès génital, syphilis, chancre mou, blennorragie, infection à Chlamydia et à Trichomonas) ainsi que la vaginose bactérienne et la candidose vaginale. Les effets des IST sur ...

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Catalina Island fox makes astounding comeback

Los Angeles Times - Science — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Since falling to a low of 100 in 1999, the Catalina Island fox has rebounded to a number — 1,542 — above its previous level, thanks to conservationists' efforts.The Catalina Island fox has made one of the most remarkable recoveries known for an endangered species, rebounding in just 13 years from near extinction brought on by a distemper epidemic, wildlife biologists announced Wednesday. (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy with Staple Line Buttress Reinforcement in 116 Consecutive Morbidly Obese Patients

Obesity Surgery — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:58:51 +0100

Conclusions In LSG, staple line buttress reinforcement limits postoperative gastric leakage and bleeding in morbidly obese patients. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical ResearchPages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s11695-012-0598-zAuthors Richdeep S. Gill, Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaNoah Switzer, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaMike Driedger, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaXinzhe Shi, Center for the Advancement of Minimally Invasive Surgery (CAMIS), Royal Alexandria Hospital, Room 405, Community Services Center, 10240 Kingsway, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5H 3V9Andrey Vizhul, Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, A...

Eastern, Southern Africa scale up efforts against high AIDS prevalence - UN official

UN News Centre - Health, Poverty, Food Security — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Eastern and Southern Africa, the region most affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, is making great strides to scale up access to prevention and treatment services, a United Nations official said today, adding that focus is on behavioural change and prevention of mother-to-child transmission. (Source: UN News Centre - Health, Poverty, Food Security)

Immuno-microbiota cross and talk: The new paradigm of metabolic diseases.

Seminars in Immunology — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Burcelin R, Garidou L, Pomié C Abstract Over the last decades the rising occurrence of metabolic diseases throughout the world points to the failure of preventive and therapeutic strategies and of the corresponding molecular and physiological concepts. Therefore, a new paradigm needs to be elucidated. Very recently the intimate cross talk of the intestinal microbiota with the host immune system has opened new avenues. The large diversity of the intestinal microbes' genome, i.e. the metagenome, and the extreme plasticity of the immune system provide a unique balance which, when finely tuned, maintains a steady homeostasis. The discovery that a new microbiota repertoire is one of the causes responsible for the onset of metabolic disease suggests that the relationship with t...

Shifting priorities in the aftermath of a Q fever epidemic in 2007 to 2009 in the Netherlands: from acute to chronic infection

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: Eurosurveillance latest news)

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Tackling Prescription Drug AbuseTackling Prescription Drug Abuse

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:18:43 +0100

Prescription drug abuse is now epidemic. How can clinicians help address the problem? Medscape Psychiatry (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Tackling Prescription Drug Abuse With Formulary RestrictionTackling Prescription Drug Abuse With Formulary Restriction

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:18:43 +0100

Prescription drug abuse is now epidemic. How can clinicians help address the problem? Medscape Psychiatry (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Tackling Prescription Drug Abuse With Formulary Restriction?Tackling Prescription Drug Abuse With Formulary Restriction?

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:18:43 +0100

Prescription drug abuse is now epidemic. How can clinicians help address the problem? Medscape Psychiatry (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Comparing Alcohol Use And Other Disorders Between The United States And South Korea

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Hazardous alcohol use and depression are among the 10 leading causes of disability and premature death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Many low- to middle-income countries have begun to see a steady increase in alcohol use and have entered the early stages of a tobacco epidemic... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Current Treatment Options for Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer

Current Treatment Options in Oncology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:59:01 +0100

Opinion statement Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is now the 8th most common cancer affecting men in the United States largely due to a rising epidemic of oropharynx cancer (tonsil and tongue base) associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV). The median overall survival for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer (R/M HNSCC) remains less than 1 year despite modern chemotherapy and targeted agents. Palliative chemotherapy and the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, cetuximab, constitute the backbone of treatment for patients with R/M HNSCC. Platinum doublets studied in phase III trials include cisplatin/5-FU, cisplatin/paclitaxel, and cisplatin/pemetrexed. Platinum chemotherapy in combination with 5-fluorouracil and cetuximab has resulted in the longest...

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Foreword

Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:37:14 +0100

These days, much of the dialogue surrounding disordered eating behaviors has focused on the childhood obesity epidemic. This month's issue of Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care focuses on those disorders of eating that are associated with undernutrition and weight loss and reminds us that these disorders continue to present tremendous challenges to pediatricians, patients, families, and our society. In this highly evidence-based review, Dr. Ellen Rome discusses the challenges in defining these often puzzling disorders and reviews their changing epidemiology. She shares her extensive clinical experience in diagnosing and treating anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and their variants and provides the reader with practical and nuanced recommendations for thorough history-taking ...

Detection of human Enterovirus 71 reverse transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (RT‐LAMP)

Letters in Applied Microbiology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Reverse transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification is a novel, alternative microbiological approach for rapid, sensitive and specific detection of EV71 in HFMD.Significance and Impact of the Study: Reverse transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification assay is suitable for the diagnosis of EV71 infection as a routine diagnostic tool for HFMD because of fewer requirements of experimental conditions such as private clinics, field applications as well as an epidemiological survey in epidemic areas. RT‐LAMP can also be used as an alternative method for EV71 detection. (Source: Letters in Applied Microbiology)

Beverage consumption, appetite, and energy intake: what did you expect?

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: These data document sensory and cognitive effects of food form on ingestive behavior and identify physical and endocrine variables that may account for the low satiety value of beverages. They are consistent with findings that clear, energy-yielding beverages pose a particular risk for positive energy balance. This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01070199. PMID: 22258267 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)

Obesity epidemic holds steady

Health Facts and Fears — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Although media coverage might lead us to believe that the U.S. obesity epidemic is only getting worse, two new studies in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggest that national obesity levels may actually be leveling off. (Source: Health Facts and Fears)

Childhood and Adult Obesity not Budging Much in the U.S.

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:35:00 +0100

Image courtesy of iStockphoto/Malven The rates of obesity in the U.S. are holding steady, despite ongoing efforts to curb the epidemic, according to two new reports, published online Tuesday in JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association . About 35 percent of adults and about 17 percent of kids were obese in the period from 2009 to 2010 (the most recent years for which data were available). [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)

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U.S. obesity epidemic shows no signs of shrinking

CTV Health — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:23:19 +0100

America's obesity epidemic is proving to be as stubborn as those maddening love handles, and it shows no sign of reversing course (Source: CTV Health)

Social Media May Be Useful in Predicting EpidemicsSocial Media May Be Useful in Predicting Epidemics

Medscape Emergency Medicine Headlines — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:32:14 +0100

Twitter and other informal media provided reliable estimates of initial trends in the 2010 Haitian cholera epidemic up to 2 weeks earlier than official reports. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Emergency Medicine Headlines)

Determinants of Food Allergy

Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:16:52 +0100

Food allergy is an emerging epidemic in the United States and the Western world. The determination of factors that make certain foods allergenic is still not clearly understood. Only a tiny fraction of thousands of proteins and other molecules is responsible for inducing food allergy. In this review, the authors present 3 examples of food allergies with disparate clinical presentations: peanut, soy, and mammalian meat. The potential relationships between allergen structure and function, emphasizing the importance of cross-reactive determinants, immunoglobulin E antibodies to the oligosaccharides, and the immune responses induced in humans are discussed. (Source: Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America)

Psychological Trauma and PTSD in HIV-Positive Women: A Meta-Analysis

AIDS and Behavior — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:17:34 +0100

Abstract Women bear an increasing burden of the HIV epidemic and face high rates of morbidity and mortality. Trauma has been increasingly associated with the high prevalence and poor outcomes of HIV in this population. This meta-analysis estimates rates of psychological trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in HIV-positive women from the United States. We reviewed 9,552 articles, of which 29 met our inclusion criteria, resulting in a sample of 5,930 individuals. The findings demonstrate highly disproportionate rates of trauma exposure and recent PTSD in HIV-positive women compared to the general population of women. For example, the estimated rate of recent PTSD among HIV-positive women is 30.0% (95% CI 18.8–42.7%), which is over five-times the rate of recent P...

Ensemble Modeling of the Likely Public Health Impact of a Pre-Erythrocytic Malaria Vaccine

PLoS Medicine — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions In higher transmission settings, EPI strategies will be most efficient, but vaccination additional to the EPI in targeted low transmission settings, even at modest coverage, might be more efficient than national-level vaccination of infants. The feasibility and economics of mass vaccination, and the circumstances under which vaccination will avert epidemics, remain unclear. The approach of using an ensemble of models provides more secure conclusions than a single-model approach, and suggests greater confidence in predictions of health effects for lower transmission settings than for higher ones. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary (Source: PLoS Medicine)

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Plague in the genomic area

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractWith plague being not only a subject of interest for historians, but still a disease of public health concern in several countries mainly in Africa, hopes were put that the analyses of the Yersinia pestis genomes would put this deadly epidemic pathogen down. Genomics revealed that Y. pestis isolates evolved from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in Central Asia some millennia ago after the acquisition of two Y. pestis‐specific plasmids balanced genomic reduction parallel to the expansion of insertion sequences illustrating the modern concept that, except for the acquisition of plasmid‐borne toxin‐encoding genes, increased virulence of Y. pestis resulted from gene loss rather that gene acquisition. Telluric persistence of Y. pestis reminds of this close relationship and matters in t...

Epidemiologic Parameters and Evaluation of Control Measure for 2009 Novel Influenza A (H1N1) in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China

Virology Journal — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Our analysis indicated that the characteristics of this novel influenza virus were similar to those of seasonal influenza. The principle of "interception of imported cases" applied at Xiamen ports, and vaccination of students effectively limited the spread of the influenza pandemic and reduced the epidemic peak. (Source: Virology Journal)

US Obesity Epidemic Shows No Hint of Retreating

RWJF News Digest - Childhood Obesity — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

More than one-third of adults and almost 17 percent of children were obese in 2009-2010, echoing results since 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday. "It's good that we didn't see increases. On the other hand, we didn't see any decreases in any group," said CDC researcher Cynthia Ogden. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Childhood Obesity)

The basic reproduction number and the probability of extinction for a dynamic epidemic model.

Mathematical Biosciences — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Neal P Abstract We consider the spread of an epidemic through a population divided into n sub-populations, in which individuals move between populations according to a Markov transition matrix Σ and infectives can only make infectious contacts with members of their current population. Expressions for the basic reproduction number, R(0), and the probability of extinction of the epidemic are derived. It is shown that in contrast to contact distribution models, the distribution of the infectious period effects both the basic reproduction number and the probability of extinction of the epidemic in the limit as the total population size N→∞. The interactions between the infectious period distribution and the transition matrix Σ mean that it is not possible to draw general...

Ukraine urged to step up AIDS fight

CTV Health — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:05:03 +0100

The head of a global health fund on Monday urged Ukraine to step up its efforts to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Europe's largest. (Source: CTV Health)

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Terrence Higgins Trust seeks views of those living with or at risk of HIV in Shropshire

Terrence Higgins Trust — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:34:44 +0100

HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is inviting people living with HIV in Shropshire, as well as those at increased risk of infection (gay and bisexual men, and African communities), to have their say on HIV services in the county. Jointly funded by NHS Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire County NHS, the consultation will run until Wednesday 1st Febuary.THT is inviting people from the above groups to contribute their views in a number of ways; either completing an online survey, or taking part in a focus group interview. Topics covered will include safer sex, HIV testing, and knowledge around local services. THT, NHS Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire County NHS will then use the information generated to shape future HIV prevention and care services in the county.HI...

Increase of GII.2 norovirus infections during the 2009–2010 season in Osaka City, Japan

Journal of Medical Virology — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:19:47 +0100

This study revealed that the NoV epidemic in the 2009–2010 season differed considerably from the prior season, when GII.4 was predominant. Furthermore, GII.2 strains persisted in human populations by drastic recombination and gradual accumulation of mutations, indicating a prevalent pattern of non‐GII.4 genotypes with genetic evolution. J. Med. Virol. 84:517–525, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: Journal of Medical Virology)

Human metapneumovirus‐associated hospital admissions over five consecutive epidemic seasons: Evidence for alternating circulation of different genotypes

Journal of Medical Virology — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:19:46 +0100

AbstractHuman metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a pathogen of the respiratory tract with a worldwide distribution. The purpose of this study was to identify hMPV as the cause of acute respiratory diseases in children admitted at Spedali Civili, a public hospital in Brescia, Italy. Eight hundred forty‐six nasopharyngeal aspirate samples negative for the presence of other common respiratory viruses were tested for the presence of hMPV RNA by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Of the 846 samples, 79 (9.3%) were positive for hMPV. Polymerase chain reaction products, obtained by amplification of the partial nucleotide sequence of gene F, were sequenced and compared with sequences deposited in GenBank. All four hMPV subtypes were identified, including the proposed subtype A2 sublineage...

Genetic diversity of chikungunya virus, India 2006–2010: Evolutionary dynamics and serotype analyses

Journal of Medical Virology — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:19:36 +0100

AbstractThe genetic diversity of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causing recurring outbreaks in India since 2006 was studied. The 2006 epidemic was caused by a virus strain of the East, Central and South African (ECSA) genotype with 226A in the E1 glycoprotein. The variant strain with E1‐A226V mutation caused outbreaks since 2007 in the state of Kerala where Aedes albopictus is the abundant mosquito vector. Molecular epidemiology data since 2007 is scarce from other regions of the country. RT‐PCR, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of CHIKV isolates from the 2009 to 2010 epidemics in the States of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh placed them in a separate clade within the ECSA lineage. The isolates of the study had 226A in the E1 glycoprotein. The isolates had a novel E1‐K211E mutation that...

Prevalence of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in a rural district of Beijing, China: a population-based survey of 58,308 residents

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: High prevalence of CVD and probably changed epidemic pattern in rural communities of Beijing, together with the prevalent cardiovascular risk factors and population aging, might cause public health challenges in rural Chinese population. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

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'Fat, Fate and Disease'

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Oxford University Press) 'Why are we losing the war against obesity and chronic disease?' This is the simple question Peter Gluckman and Mark Hanson ask, exploring the dominant myth that the exploding epidemic of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes can be tackled by focusing on adult life styles. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Vascular health in the ageing athlete

Experimental Physiology — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Abstract The demographics of ageing are changing dramatically such that there will be many more older adults in the near future. This setting likely will produce a new “boomer‐driven” epidemic of physiological dysfunction, disability and risk of chronic degenerative disorders, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Standing out against this dreary biomedical forecast are Masters athletes, a group of middle‐aged and older adults who engage in regular vigorous physical training and competitive sport. Compared with their sedentary/less active (untrained) peers, Masters athletes who perform endurance training‐based activities demonstrate a more favorable arterial function‐structure phenotype, including lower large elastic artery stiffness, enhanced vascular endothelial functio...

The HIV-1 epidemic in Bolivia is dominated by subtype B and CRF12_BF "family" strains

Virology Journal — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: HIV-1 genetic diversity in Bolivia is mostly driven by subtype B followed by BF1 recombinant strains from the CRF12_BF "family". No significant temporal changes were detected between the mid-1990s and the mid-2000s for subtype B (76.2% vs 70.0%) or BF1 recombinant (23.8% vs 30.0%) samples from Bolivia. (Source: Virology Journal)

Using Shiffman's political priority model for future diabetes advocacy

Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Securing political priority for diabetes has long been an issue for the global diabetes community. We have seen a ‘diabetes paradox’ on the international agenda; while the disease is epidemic in scale, constitutes a vast economic burden and leads to more deaths than AIDs and malaria combined, it has not commanded political attention or sufficient resources on the global stage. However, the recent focus on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) has meant global health priorities are finally realigning with the reality of the burden of disease. IDF has led the campaign to address the chronic neglect of diabetes; after gaining political recognition that diabetes is a “chronic, debilitating and costly disease” with the 2006 UN Resolution on diabetes , IDF secured international political acti...