Candida balanitis: risk factors

BACKGROUND

The amount of available information on the prevalence and incidence of candida balanitis is still surprisingly scarce.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of candida colonization and candida balanitis in men attending a Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) clinic. To identify risk factors associated with candida balanitis.

METHODS

During a 36-month period, a cross-sectional study was carried out on consecutive men attendees of the STD clinic in Hospital S. João, Porto. Clinical and epidemiological data were recorded. Specimen collection from the glans penis and the coronal sulcus followed two procedures: a cotton tipped swab and the direct impression on the surface of CHROMagar Candida medium. Risk factors were considered singly and in combination through logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Among 478 men enrolled, the prevalence of candida colonization was 26.2% and the prevalence of candida balanitis was 18%. Candida colonization was strongly associated with an age above 60 years (OR = 3.375; 95% CI: 1.547-7.362) and with the presence of other cause of balanitis apart from Candida organisms (OR: 2.466; 95% CI: 1.491-4.078). An age above 40 years (OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.005-4.500), diabetes mellitus (OR: 19.390; 95% CI: 7.789-48.273) and more than ten candida colonies recovered by culture (OR: 9.586; 95% CI: 2.682-34.263) were risk factors for candida balanitis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the impact of factors other than sexual behaviours upon the epidemiology of this infection. For both candida colonization and infection, age was an important risk factor. Diabetes mellitus was an independent risk factor for candida balanitis. More than ten colonies recovered from culture are associated with clinical signs and symptoms.

Combining sea urchin embryo cell lineages by error-tolerant graph matching

Obtaining the complete cell lineage tree of an embryo's development is a very appealing and ambitious goal, but fortunately recent developments both in optical imaging and digital image processing are bringing it closer. However, when imaging the embryos (sea urchin embryos for this work) with high enough spatial resolution and short enough time-step to make cell segmentation and tracking possible, it is currently not possible to image the specimen throughout its all embryogenesis. For this reason it is interesting to explore how cell lineage trees extracted from two different embryos of the same species and imaged for overlapping periods of time can be concatenated, resulting in a single lineage tree covering both embryos' development time frames. To achieve this we used an error-tolerant graph matching strategy by selecting a time point at which both lineage trees overlap, and representing the information about each embryo at that time point as a graph in which nodes stand for cells and edges for neighborhood relationships among cells. The expected output of the graph matching algorithm is the minimal-cost correspondence between cells of both specimens, allowing us to perform the lineage combination.

The success of continued steroid avoidance after kidney transplantation in the US

There has been a significant increase in the use of steroid avoidance regimens as initial treatment for kidney transplant recipients. Early results of the effectiveness of this strategy has been mixed with certain prospective trials indicating increased acute rejection but population-based studies indicating similar or better graft survival as compared to steroid maintenance. We conducted a retrospective study of national registry data to evaluate risk factors for discontinuation of steroid avoidance protocols based on patient characteristics and concomitant immunosuppression. We evaluated 84 647 solitary kidney transplant recipients in the US with at least 6 months graft survival including 24 218 initially discharged without maintenance steroids. We utilized logistic models to assess risk factors for new initiation of steroids after initial steroid-avoidance and survival models to describe graft survival for patients after return to steroids. The most prominent risk factors for new initiation of steroids after deceased donor kidney transplantation included African-American race (AOR = 1.32, p < 0.01), retransplants (AOR = 1.81, p < 0.01), highly sensitized recipients (AOR = 1.29, p < 0.01), recipients with Medicaid (AOR = 1.85, p < 0.01), elevated HLA-MM (AOR = 1.26, p < 0.01) and older donor age (AOR = 1.19, p < 0.01). Concomitant medications were also significantly associated with the propensity to newly initiate steroids. Cumulatively the study suggests that both patient characteristics and concomitant medications are strongly associated with the success of steroid avoidance immunosuppressive regimens.

Larnite powders and larnite/silica aerogel composites as effective agents for CO2 sequestration by carbonation

This paper presents the results of the carbonation reaction of two sample types: larnite (Ca(2)SiO(4)) powders and larnite/silica aerogel composites, the larnite acting as an active phase in a process of direct mineral carbonation. First, larnite powders were synthesized by the reaction of colloidal silica and calcium nitrate in the presence of ethylene glycol. Then, to synthesize the composites, the surface of the larnite powders was chemically modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), and later this mixture was added to a silica sol previously prepared from tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS). The resulting humid gel was dried in an autoclave under supercritical conditions for the ethanol. The textures and chemical compositions of the powders and composites were characterized.The carbonation reaction of both types of samples was evaluated by means of X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. Both techniques confirm the high efficiency of the reaction at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. A complete transformation of the silicate into carbonate resulted after submitting the samples to a flow of pure CO(2) for 15 min. This indicates that for this reaction time, 1t of larnite could eliminate about 550 kg of CO(2). The grain size, porosity, and specific surface area are the factors controlling the reaction.

Establishing a minimum postmortem interval of human remains in an advanced state of skeletonization using the growth rate of bryophytes and plant roots

This paper illustrates the usefulness and efficiency of botanical evidence in establishing a minimum postmortem interval (PMI). The case under analysis refers to the remains of an adult male in an advanced state of skeletonization recovered from a wooded area in northern Portugal. The skeleton showed several taphonomical changes, which included the presence of green algae, bryophytes, and growing shrub roots in, around, and through the remains. By determining the age of both the bryophytes and shrub roots, it was concluded that the minimum amount of time elapsed since death was 3 years, to which several months or a few years have to be added to account for the complete decomposition of the remains. The disappearance of the presumptive individual had occurred 6 years before and is fully consistent with the estimate of the PMI. This report illustrates a novel use of bryophytes in a forensic setting.

Hypothyroidism decreases the biogenesis in free mitochondria and neuronal oxygen consumption in the cerebral cortex of developing rats

Thyroid hormone plays a critical role in mitochondrial biogenesis in two areas of the developing brain, the cerebral cortex and the striatum. Here we analyzed, in the cerebral cortex of neonatal rats, the effect of hypothyroidism on the biogenesis in free and synaptosomal mitochondria by analyzing, in isolated mitochondria, the activity of respiratory complex I, oxidative phosphorylation, oxygen consumption, and the expression of mitochondrial genome. In addition, we studied the effect of thyroid hormone in oxygen consumption in vivo by determining metabolic flow through (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Our results clearly show that in vivo, hypothyroidism markedly reduces oxygen consumption in the neural population of the cerebral cortex. This effect correlates with decreased free mitochondria biogenesis. In contrast, no effect was observed in the biogenesis in synaptosomal mitochondria. The parameters analyzed were markedly improved after T(3) administration. These results suggest that a reduced biogenesis and the subsequent reduction of respiratory capacity in free mitochondria could be the underlying cause of decreased oxygen consumption in the neurons of the cerebral cortex of hypothyroid neonates.

Endomyocardial biopsy as risk factor in the development of tricuspid insufficiency after heart transplantation

OBJECTIVE

Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB), which is used to monitor for rejection, may cause tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). The purpose of this investigation was to examine the occurrence of tricuspid valve tissue in myocardial specimens obtained by routine EMB performed after OHT.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2000 to July 2008, 125 of the patients who underwent OHT survived more than 1 month. Their follow-up varied from 1 month to 8.5 years (mean, 5.1 +/- 3.7 years). EMB was the gold standard examination and myocardial scintigraphy with gallium served as a screen to routinely monitor rejection.

RESULTS

Each of 428 EMB including 4 to 7 fragments, totaling 1715 fragments, were reviewed for this study. The number of EMB per patient varied from 3 to 8 (mean, 4.6 +/- 3.5). Histopathological analysis of these fragments showed tricuspid tissue in 4 patients (3.2%), among whom only 1 showed aggravation of TR.

CONCLUSIONS

EMB remains the standard method to diagnose rejection after OLT. It can be performed with low risk. Reducing the number of EMB using gallium myocardial scintigraphy or other alternative methods as well as adoption of special care during the biopsy can significantly minimize trauma to the tricuspid valve.

Negative emotion does not enhance recall skills in adults with autistic spectrum disorders

Recent empirical findings suggest a significant influence of emotion on memory processes. Surprisingly, although emotion-processing difficulties appear to be a hallmark feature in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), their impact on higher-level cognitive functions, such as memory, has not been directly studied in this population. The aim of this study was to address this issue by assessing whether the emotional valence of visual scenes affects recall skills in high-functioning individuals with ASD. To this purpose, their recall performance of neutral and emotional pictures was compared with that of typically developing adults (control group). Results revealed that while typically developing individuals showed enhanced recall skills for negative relative to positive and neutral pictures, individuals with ASD recalled the neutral pictures as well as the emotional ones. Findings of this study thus point to reduced influence of emotion on memory processes in ASD than in typically developing individuals, possibly owing to amygdala dysfunctions.

The diagnosis of IgE-mediated food allergy in childhood

IgE-mediated food allergy is a common condition in childhood and a recognized public health concern. An accurate diagnosis of food allergy facilitates the avoidance of the allergen - and cross-reactive allergens - and allows for safe dietary expansion. The diagnosis of food allergy relies on a combination of rigorous history, physical examination, allergy tests [skin prick tests (SPT) and/or serum-specific IgE] and oral food challenges. Diagnostic cut-off values for SPT and specific IgE results have improved the diagnosis of food allergy and thereby reduced the need to perform oral food challenges. This clinical case series seeks to highlight a contemporary approach to the diagnosis of food allergy in children strategies.

Cobalt and Nickel Nanopillars on Aluminium Substrates by Direct Current Electrodeposition Process

A fast and cost-effective technique is applied for fabricating cobalt and nickel nanopillars on aluminium substrates. By applying an electrochemical process, the aluminium oxide barrier layer is removed from the pore bottom tips of nanoporous anodic alumina templates. So, cobalt and nickel nanopillars are fabricated into these templates by DC electrodeposition. The resulting nanostructure remains on the aluminium substrate. In this way, this method could be used to fabricate a wide range of nanostructures which could be integrated in new nanodevices.

PMKT2, a new killer toxin from Pichia membranifaciens, and its promising biotechnological properties for control of the spoilage yeast Brettanomyces bruxellensis

Pichia membranifaciens CYC 1086 secretes a killer toxin (PMKT2) that is inhibitory to a variety of spoilage yeasts and fungi of agronomical interest. The killer toxin in the culture supernatant was concentrated by ultrafiltration and purified to homogeneity by two successive steps, including native electrophoresis and HPLC gel filtration. Biochemical characterization of the toxin showed it to be a protein with an apparent molecular mass of 30 kDa and an isoelectric point of 3.7. At pH 4.5, optimal killer activity was observed at temperatures up to 20 degrees C. Above approximately this pH, activity decreased sharply and was barely noticeable at pH 6. The toxin concentrations present in the supernatant during optimal production conditions exerted a fungicidal effect on a variety of fungal and yeast strains. The results obtained suggest that PMKT2 has different physico-chemical properties from PMKT as well as different potential uses in the biocontrol of spoilage yeasts. PMKT2 was able to inhibit Brettanomyces bruxellensis while Saccharomyces cerevisiae was fully resistant, indicating that PMKT2 could be used in wine fermentations to avoid the development of the spoilage yeast without deleterious effects on the fermentative strain. In small-scale fermentations, PMKT2, as well as P. membranifaciens CYC 1086, was able to inhibit B. bruxellensis, verifying the biocontrol activity of PMKT2 in simulated winemaking conditions.

Sequential extraction of metals from mixed and digested sludge from aerobic WWTPs sited in the south of Spain

The content of heavy metals is the major limitation to the application of sewage sludge in soil. However, assessment of the pollution by total metal determination does not reveal the true environmental impact. It is necessary to apply sequential extraction techniques to obtain suitable information about their bioavailability or toxicity. In this paper, sequential extraction of metals from sludge before and after aerobic digestion was applied to sludge from five WWTPs in southern Spain to obtain information about the influence of the digestion treatment in the concentration of the metals. The percentage of each metal as residual, oxidizable, reducible and exchangeable form was calculated. For this purpose, sludge samples were collected from two different points of the plants, namely, sludge from the mixture (primary and secondary sludge) tank (mixed sludge, MS) and the digested-dewatered sludge (final sludge, FS). Heavy metals, Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ti and Zn, were extracted following the sequential extraction scheme proposed by the Standards, Measurements and Testing Programme of the European Commission and determined by inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The total concentration of heavy metals in the measured sludge samples did not exceed the limits set out by European legislation and were mainly associated with the two less-available fractions (27-28% as oxidizable metal and 44-50% as residual metal). However, metals as Co (64% in MS and 52% in FS samples), Mn (82% in MS and 79% in FS), Ni (32% in MS and 26% in FS) and Zn (79% in MS and 62% in FS) were present at important percentages as available forms. In addition, results showed a clear increase of the concentration of metals after sludge treatment in the proportion of two less-available fractions (oxidizable and residual metal).

Itraconazole, an effective adjunctive treatment for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

We report the case of a 21-year old man with a long-standing history of severe asthma and allergic rhinosinusitis who developed progressive worsening of dyspnea, wheezing, productive cough, and nasal obstruction, with little response to antibiotics and repeated short courses of oral corticosteroids. A diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis was made on the basis of a combination of clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings.Treatment with oral methylprednisolone and itraconazole resulted in an improvement in symptoms, lung function and computed tomography results, as well as in a decrease in total serum immunoglobulin E. This case report highlights the importance of a high degree of clinical suspicion in order to diagnose and treat allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in patients with a long-standing history of severe asthma as early as possible as this has a major impact on prognosis. It also highlights the effectiveness of itraconazole as adjunctive therapy to systemic corticosteroids in this condition.

Autoantibodies in Bipolar and Cluster B Personality Disorders

Prevalence of depression and other common psychiatric disorders in autoimmune diseases has been extensively documented. The association between subclinical autoimmunity and behavioural or psychiatric syndromes remains less studied. The best known example is raised titres of autoantibodies with high affinity for the basal ganglia in some obsessive compulsive spectrum syndromes (e.g. Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections). The possible role of autoimmunity in impulse control disorders remains understudied.

We proposed to study the relation between autoimmunity, affective bipolarity and impulsive psicopathology.

Methods:

14 bipolar, 10 cluster B personality disorder inpatients. Titres for rheumatoid factor (RA), antithyroglobulin (ATG), antiperoxidase (APO) antinuclear (ANA), anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic (ANCA) and antistreptolysin (ASO) antibodies were measured in all subjects. Psychiatric assessment: non-structured psychiatric interview, MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II.

Results:

21,4% of bipolar patients had positive ATG titre vs 11,1% in the cluster B personality group. 28,6% of bipolar patients had positive APO titre vs 22,2% in the cluster B personality group. 16,7% of bipolar patients had positive ASO titre vs 30,0% in the cluster B personality group. None of this differences reached significance.

ASO titre correlated significantly with antisocial (rho=0,435, p=0,043) and autodestructive (rho=0,461, p=0,031) ratings and almost significantly with borderline (rho=0,420, p=0,052) ratings.

Conclusions:

The results obtained partly agree with the existing studies. As far as we know a possible correlation between ASOs and impulsive behaviour has not been previously described. The results obtained call for further investigation in the subject.

Cell tracking in fluorescence images of embryogenesis processes with morphological reconstruction by 4D-tubular structuring elements

We present a simple and parameter-free nuclei tracking method for reconstructing cell dynamics in fluorescence 3D+t images of embryogenesis. The strategy is based on the use of the mathematical morphology operators directly in the 4D image. The morphological reconstruction of a marker -manually or automatically selected- in an initial spatio-temporal position generates a connected path over the time representing the cell migration. Thus, the processing provides a coherent spatiotemporal estimation of cell movement. The algorithm has been validated on in vivo images of early zebrafish and sea urchin embryogenesis acquired with two-photon laser scanning microscopy providing mean tracking rates above 98% per time step.