A variety of medical journals exist for each specialty. A full list of journals indexed by pub med can be found here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/citmatch_help.html#JournalLists . This long list is organized by specialty, and further into "leading" journals, and "other" journals here: http://www.JournalReview.org

Journal clubs meet to discuss the content of medical journals.

List

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• ACIMED
• Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
• Acta Paediatrics
• American Family Physician
• American Journal of Epidemiology
• American Journal of Medical Genetics
• American Journal of Public Health
• Annals of Emergency Medicine
• Annals of Human Biology
• Annals of Human Genetics
• Annals of Internal Medicine
• Annual Review of Medicine
• Archives of Dermatology
• Archives of Disease in Childhood
• Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery
• Archives of General Psychiatry
• Archives of Internal Medicine
• Archives of Neurology
• Archives of Ophthalmology
• Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
• Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine
• Archives of Surgery
• Asian Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Biology of the Neonate
• Biometrika
• Blood
• British Journal of Cancer
• British Journal of Urology
• British Medical Journal
• Bulletin of the World Health Organization
• Calicut Medical Journal
• Canadian Medical Association Journal
• Circulation
• Child Development
• Critical Care Medicine
• Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift
• Emergency Medicine Journal
• Endocrinology
• Epidemiology
• European Journal of Endocrinology
• European Journal of Paediatrics
• ''Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
• Growth, Genetics, and Hormones
• Harefuah
• Hormone Research
• Indian Journal of Medical Sciences (journal home)
• International Journal of Biometeorology
• International Journal of Medical Sciences
• Israel Medical Association Journal
• Journal of the American Medical Association
• JAMA & Archives Continuing Medical Education
• JAMA & Archives For The Media
• JAMA & Archives
• Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
• Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
• Journal of Clinical Investigation
• Journal of Experimental Medicine (journal home)
• Journal of Medical Genetics
• Journal of the National Medical Association (^*)
• Journal of Postgraduate Medicine (journal home)
• Journal of the American Medical Association
• Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
• Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons (formerly the Medical Sentinel, magazine of the conservative Association of American Physicians and Surgeons)
• The Lancet
• Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine
• Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Nature Clinical Practice Nephrology
• Nature Clinical Practice Neurology
• Nature Clinical Practice Oncology
• Nature Clinical Practice Rheumatology
• Nature Clinical Practice Urology
• The Journal of Medical Practice Management
• Nature Medicine
• Nature Neuroscience
• Nature Reviews Cancer
• Nature Reviews Immunology
• Nature Reviews Microbiology
• Neuroanatomy is an annual journal of clinical neuroanatomy.
• Neurology India (journal home)
• New England Journal of Medicine
• Paediatrics
• Pediatric Research
• Pediatrics in Review
• PLoS Medicine
• Public Health
• Solapur Medical Journal
• Sports Medicine
• Trends in Molecular Medicine
• Trillium Report

More on [ List of medical journals ]

AIDS Patient Care and STDs - Table of Contents

Factors Associated with Prevalent Hepatitis C Infection Among HIV-Infected Women with No Reported History of Injection Drug Use: The Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS)
liebertonline@liebertpub.com (Toni Frederick et al) Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:59:24 -0000
AIDS Patient Care and STDs , Vol. 0, No. 0.
A Study of HIV Provider Attitudes Toward HLA-B*5701 Testing in the United States
liebertonline@liebertpub.com (Maria E. Watson et al) Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:48:07 -0000
AIDS Patient Care and STDs , Vol. 0, No. 0.

American Journal of Epidemiology - current issue

Table of contents

Subscriptions


Chiropractic & Osteopathy - Latest Articles

Why do ineffective treatments seem helpful? A brief review
Steve Hartman Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0000
After any therapy, when symptoms improve, healthcare providers (and patients) are tempted to award credit to treatment. Over time, a particular treatment can seem so undeniably helpful that scientific verification of efficacy is judged an inconvenient waste of time and resources. Unfortunately, practitioners' accumulated, day-to-day, informal impressions of diagnostic reliability and clinical efficacy are of limited value. To help clarify why even treatments entirely lacking in direct effect can seem helpful, I will explain why real signs and symptoms often improve, independent of treatment. Then, I will detail quirks of human perception, interpretation, and memory that often make symptoms seem improved, when they are not. I conclude that healthcare will grow to full potential only when judgments of clinical efficacy routinely are based in properly scientific, placebo-controlled, outcome analysis.
Pain patterns and descriptions in patients with radicular pain: Does the pain necessarily follow a specific dermatome?
Donald MurphyEric HurwitzJonathan GerrardRonald Clary Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Background: It is commonly stated that nerve root pain should be expected to follow a specific dermatome and that this information is useful to make the diagnosis of radiculopathy. There is little evidence in the literature that confirms or denies this statement. The purpose of this study is to describe and discuss the diagnostic utility of the distribution of pain in patients with cervical and lumbar radicular pain. Methods: Pain drawings and descriptions were assessed in consecutive patients diagnosed with cervical or lumbar nerve root pain. These findings were compared with accepted dermatome maps to determine whether they tended to follow along the involved nerve root's dermatome. Results: Two hundred twenty-six nerve roots in 169 patients were assessed. Overall, pain related to cervical nerve roots was non-dermatomal in over two-thirds (69.7%) of cases. In the lumbar spine, the pain was non-dermatomal in just under two-thirds (64.1%) of cases. The majority of nerve root levels involved non-dermatomal pain patterns except C4 (60.0% dermatomal) and S1 (64.9% dermatomal). The sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) for dermatomal pattern of pain are low for all nerve root levels with the exception of the C4 level (Se 0.60, Sp 0.72) and S1 level (Se 0.65, Sp 0.80), although in the case of the C4 level, the number of subjects was small (n = 5). Conclusion: In most cases nerve root pain should not be expected to follow along a specific dermatome, and a dermatomal distribution of pain is not a useful historical factor in the diagnosis of radicular pain. The possible exception to this is the S1 nerve root, in which the pain does commonly follow the S1 dermatome.

pubmed: 0002-9637

Rapid Molecular Detection of Opisthorchis viverrini in Human Fecal Samples by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.
Intapan PM, Thanchomnang T, Lulitanond V, Pongsaskulchoti P, Maleewong W Rapid Molecular Detection of Opisthorchis viverrini in Human Fecal Samples by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2009 Nov;81(5):917-20 Authors: Intapan PM, Thanchomnang T, Lulitanond V, Pongsaskulchoti P, Maleewong W Real-time fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) supplemented with melting curve analysis is a highly sensitive and fast method offering a high throughput. We report the development of a real-time FRET PCR for molecular detection of Opisthorchis viverrini in human fecal samples. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of this method were 97.5%, 100%, 98.9%, 100%, and 98.2%, respectively. The sensitivity was not significantly different from that of the quantified formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique, the gold standard (P > 0.05). The procedure has potential for diagnosis of human opisthorchiasis in disease-endemic areas, for large epidemiologic investigations involving at risk populations, and monitoring eradication programs of the liver fluke, which causes hepatobiliary diseases and induces cholangiocarcinoma. PMID: 19861632 [PubMed - in process]
Immunologic profiles of persons recruited for a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of hookworm infection.
Blount D, Hooi D, Feary J, Venn A, Telford G, Brown A, Britton J, Pritchard D Immunologic profiles of persons recruited for a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of hookworm infection. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2009 Nov;81(5):911-6 Authors: Blount D, Hooi D, Feary J, Venn A, Telford G, Brown A, Britton J, Pritchard D Data from epidemiologic studies suggest that hookworm infections, in establishing an immunologic phenotype conducive to parasite survival, may protect against the development of allergic disease. We describe immunologic findings from a clinical study designed to investigate the safety of iatrogenic hookworm infection in participants with allergic rhinitis. The low, relatively safe level of hookworm infection used in this study was immunogenic, inducing eosinophilia and a significant specific IgG response. Importantly, no potentiation of IgE responses to the environmental allergens to which the participants were sensitized was seen. However, no evidence of systemic immune regulation was seen in infected participants. This finding may indicate that the level of infection or the frequency of infection may have to be altered in future trials to induce a therapeutically conducive immunologic phenotype. PMID: 19861631 [PubMed - in process]

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials - Latest Articles

Activity of tannins from Stryphnodendron adstringens on Cryptococcus neoformans: effects on growth, capsule size and pigmentation
Kelly IshidaSonia RozentalJoao de MelloCelso Nakamura Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville, Leguminosae, also known in Brazil as barbatimao, is rich in tannins and many flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins such as prodelphinidins and prorobinetinidins. Previous studies have demonstrated several pharmacological properties of tannins from barbatimao, including anti-candidal activity. Methods: The antifungal activity of proanthocyanidin polymeric tannins from Stryphnodendron adstringens (subfraction F2.4) was evaluated against three strains of Cryptococcus neoformans with different capsule expressions, using the broth microdilution technique, light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The effect of subfraction F2.4 on C. neoformans and melanoma mammalian cells pigmentation was also evaluated. Results: Although susceptibility assays revealed MIC values quite similar (between 2.5 and 5.0 ug/ml), analyses of MFC values revealing that the acapsular mutant Cap 67 was more susceptible to be killed by the subfraction F2.4 (MFC = 20 ug/ml) than the two tested capsular strains (T1-444 and ATCC 28957) (MFC > 160 ug/ml). Optical and electron microscopy experiments revealed relevant alterations in cell shape and size in all strains treated with 1 and 2.5 ug/ml of subfraction F2.4. Capsule size of the capsular strains decreased drastically after subfraction F2.4 treatment. In addition, ultrastructural alterations such as cell wall disruption, cytoplasm extraction, mitochondria swelling, increase in the number of cytoplasmic vacuoles and formation of membranous structures in the cytoplasm were also observed in treated yeasts. Incubation with subfraction F2.4 also decreased C. neoformans pigmentation, however, did not interfere in melanization of B16F10 mammalian cells. Conclusion: Our data indicate that tannins extracted from S. adstringens interfered with growth, capsule size and pigmentation, all important virulence factors of C. neoformans, and may be considered as a putative candidate for the development of new antifungal agents.
Application of a high throughput Alamar blue biofilm susceptibility assay to Staphylococcus aureus biofilms
Robin PettitChristine WeberGeorge Pettit Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis biofilms differ in structure, growth and regulation, and thus the high-throughput method of evaluating biofilm susceptibility that has been published for S. epidermidis cannot be applied to S. aureus without first evaluating the assay's reproducibility and reliability with S. aureus biofilms. Methods: Staphylococcus aureus biofilms were treated with eleven approved antibiotics, lysostaphin, or Conflikt®, exposed to the oxidation reduction indicator Alamar blue, and reduction relative to untreated controls was determined visually and spectrophotometrically. The minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) was defined as ≤ 50% Alamar blue reduction and a purple/blue well 60 min after the addition of Alamar blue. Because all of the approved antibiotics had MBICs >128 μg/ml (most >2048 μg/ml), lysostaphin and Conflikt®, with relatively low MBICs, were used to correlate Alamar blue reduction with 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) reduction and viable counts (CFU/ml) for S. aureus ATCC 29213 and three clinical isolates. Alamar blue's stability and lack of toxicity allowed CFU/ml to be determined from the same wells as Alamar blue absorbances. Results: Overall, Alamar blue reduction had excellent correlation with XTT reduction and with CFU/ml. For ATCC 29213 and two clinical isolates treated with lysostaphin or Conflikt®, Alamar blue reduction had excellent correlation with XTT reduction (r = 0.93-0.99) and with CFU/ml (r = 0.92-0.98). For one of the clinical isolates, the results were moderately correlated for Conflikt® (r = 0.76, Alamar blue vs. XTT; r = 0.81, Alamar blue vs. CFU/ml) and had excellent correlation for lysostaphin (r = 0.95, Alamar blue vs. XTT; r = 0.97, Alamar blue vs. CFU/ml). Conclusion: A reliable, reproducible method for evaluating biofilm susceptibility was successfully applied to S. aureus biofilms. The described method provides researchers with a simple, nontoxic, relatively inexpensive, high throughput measure of viability after drug treatment. A standardized biofilm Alamar blue assay should greatly increase the rate of discovery of S. aureus biofilm specific agents.

pubmed: 1359-6535

Two types of drug-resistant hepatitis B viral strains emerging alternately and their susceptibility to combination therapy with entecavir and adefovir.
Kurashige N, Ohkawa K, Hiramatsu N, Oze T, Yakushijin T, Mochizuki K, Hosui A, Miyagi T, Ishida H, Tatsumi T, Kanto T, Takehara T, Hayashi N Related Articles Two types of drug-resistant hepatitis B viral strains emerging alternately and their susceptibility to combination therapy with entecavir and adefovir. Antivir Ther. 2009;14(6):873-7 Authors: Kurashige N, Ohkawa K, Hiramatsu N, Oze T, Yakushijin T, Mochizuki K, Hosui A, Miyagi T, Ishida H, Tatsumi T, Kanto T, Takehara T, Hayashi N The most serious problem of nucleoside/nucleotide analogue therapy for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the emergence of drug-resistant mutant virus. Here, we describe a patient with chronic hepatitis B infection with a complex drug-resistant mutant virus during sequential therapy with lamivudine (3TC), entecavir (ETV) and adefovir dipivoxil (ADV). The patient was a 52-year-old male with positive hepatitis B e antigen and high HBV DNA (>7.6 log(10) copies/ml). Initial 3TC monotherapy offered little benefit and 3TC resistance was established by the virus with rtA181T and not rtM204V/I. HBV DNA was reduced slightly by replacement with ETV monotherapy and was followed by virological breakthrough. At that time, rtA181T was undetectable and the virus with rtM204V and rtL180M became predominant. ETV resistance was established by an additional rtS202G mutation. Efficacy of subsequent combination therapy with ADV and 3TC was limited because of reappearance of the virus with rtA181T, which might confer cross-resistance to 3TC and ADV. Final combination therapy with ETV and ADV reduced HBV DNA to 3.7 log(10) copies/ml for 5 months, which was the most effective therapy for this patient. Thus, two kinds of mutant viruses (rtM204V-related and rtA181T-related) appeared alternately in this patient. Combination therapy with ETV and ADV might have been effective because these drugs share therapeutic roles, that is, ETV affects the rtA181T-related virus and ADV affects the rtM204V-related virus. This is the first report suggesting clinical significance of combination therapy with ETV and ADV for controlling replication of the complex drug-resistant mutant HBV. PMID: 19812452 [PubMed - in process]
Telbivudine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: experience in HIV type-1-infected patients naive for antiretroviral therapy.
Milazzo L, Caramma I, Lai A, Violin M, De Maddalena C, Cesari M, Galli M, Balotta C Related Articles Telbivudine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: experience in HIV type-1-infected patients naive for antiretroviral therapy. Antivir Ther. 2009;14(6):869-72 Authors: Milazzo L, Caramma I, Lai A, Violin M, De Maddalena C, Cesari M, Galli M, Balotta C BACKGROUND: Telbivudine is a potent inhibitor of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication without anti-HIV type-1 (HIV-1) activity demonstrated in vitro; however, very few clinical data on HIV-1-infected patients are available at present. Because it represents a therapeutic option in HIV-1-HBV-coinfected patients who do not require antiretroviral therapy, we strictly monitored three HIV-1-HBV-coinfected patients treated with telbivudine monotherapy for chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: We performed molecular analysis of HBV DNA and of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and protease RNA and DNA sequences in three HIV-1-HBV-coinfected patients treated with telbivudine monotherapy. RESULTS: Despite a transient and deep reduction of HIV-1 RNA, observed in two of the three patients studied, no genotypic resistance mutations were detected on both HIV-1 and HBV viruses. CONCLUSIONS: Telbivudine therapy for 24 weeks showed a potent anti-HBV activity in HIV-1-positive, hepatitis B e antigen-positive patients with high HBV viraemia. No direct anti-HIV-1 activity of telbivudine was demonstrated and no genotypic resistance mutations to anti-HIV-1 drugs was found; however, the transient but deep reduction of HIV RNA, after telbivudine introduction, deserves further investigation and a strict monitoring of HIV-1 viraemia in HIV-1-infected patients on treatment with this drug. PMID: 19812451 [PubMed - in process]

BMC Infectious Diseases - Latest Articles

Uptake of meningococcal conjugate vaccine among adolescents in large managed care organizations, United States, 2005: Demand, supply and seasonality.
Suchita LorickDaniel FishbeinEric WeintraubPascale WortleyGrace LeeFangjun ZhouRobert Davis Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Background: In February 2005, the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended the new meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) for routine use among 11- to 12-year-olds (at the preadolescent health-care visit), 14- to 15-year-olds (before high-school entry), and groups at increased risk. Vaccine distribution started in March; however, in July, the manufacturer reported inability to meet demand and widespread MCV4 shortages were reported. Our objectives were to determine early uptake patterns among target (11-12 and 14-15 year olds) and non-target (13- plus 16-year-olds) age groups. A post hoc analysis was conducted to compare seasonal uptake patterns of MCV4 with polysaccharide meningococcal (MPSV4) and tetanus diphtheria (Td) vaccines. Methods: We analyzed data for adolescents 11-16 years from five managed care organizations participating in the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD). For MCV4, we estimated monthly and cumulative coverage during 2005 and calculated risk ratios. For MPSV4 and Td, we combined 2003 and 2004 data and compared their seasonal uptake patterns with MCV4. Results: Coverage for MCV4 during 2005 among the 623,889 11-16 years olds was 10%. Coverage for 11-12 and 14-15 year olds was 12% and 11%, respectively, compared with 8% for 13- plus 16-year-olds (p<0.001). Of the 64,272 MCV4 doses administered from March-December 2005, 73% were administered June-August. Fifty-nine percent of all MPSV4 doses and 38% of all Td doses were administered during June-August. Conclusions: A surge in vaccine uptake between June and August was observed among adolescents for MCV4, MPSV4 and Td vaccines. The increase in summer-time vaccinations and vaccination of non-targeted adolescents coupled with supply limitations likely contributed to the reported shortages of MCV4 in 2005.
Downregulation of MIP-1alpha/CCL3 with praziquantel treatment in Schistosoma haematobiumand HIV-1 co-infected individuals in a rural community in Zimbabwe
R Zinyama-GutsireE GomoP KallestrupC ErickstrupH UllumA ButterworthS MunyatiT Mduluza Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Chemokines have been reported to play an important role in granulomatous inflammation during Schistosoma mansoni infection. However there is less information on their role in Schistosoma haematobium infection, or on the effect of concurrent HIV-1 infection, as a potential modifying influence. Methods: To determine levels of MIP-1α/CCL3 chemokine in plasma of S. haematobium and HIV-1 co-infected and uninfected individuals in a rural black Zimbabwean community.A cohort was established of HIV-1 and schistosomiasis infection and co-infection comprising 379 participants. Outcome measures consisted of HIV-1 and schistosomiasis status and levels of MIP-1α/CCL3 in plasma at baseline and three months post treatment. An association was established between MIP-1α/CCL3 plasma levels with HIV-1 and S. haematobium infections. Results: A total of 379 adults formed the established cohort comprising 76 (20%) men and 303 (80%) women. Mean age was 33.25, range 17 - 62 years. The median MIP-1α/CCL3 plasma concentration was significantly higher in S. haematobium infected compared with uninfected individuals (p = 0.029). In contrast, there was no difference in the median MIP-1α/CCL3 levels between HIV-1 positive and negative individuals (p = 0.631). MIP-1α/CCL3 concentration in plasma was significantly reduced at three months after treatment with praziquantel (p = 000). Conclusion: The results of our study show that the MIP-1α/CCL3 levels were positively associated with S. haematobium egg counts at baseline but not with HIV-1 infection status. MIP-1α/CCL3 levels were significantly reduced at three months post treatment with praziquantel. We therefore conclude that MIP-1α/CCL3 is produced during infection with S haematobium. S. haematobium infection is associated with increased MIP-1α/CCL3 levels in an egg intensity-dependent manner and treatment of S. haematobium is associated with a reduction in MIP-1α/CCL3.

Epidemiologic Reviews - current issue

The Burden of Mental Disorders
Eaton, W. W., Martins, S. S., Nestadt, G., Bienvenu, O. J., Clarke, D., Alexandre, P. In the last decade, there has been an increase in interest in the burden of chronic and disabling health conditions that are not necessarily fatal, such as the mental disorders. This review systematically summarizes data on the burden associated with 11 major mental disorders of adults. The measures of burden include estimates of prevalence, mortality associated with the disorders, disabilities and impairments related to the disorders, and costs. This review expands the range of mental disorders considered in a report on the global burden of disease, updates the literature, presents information on the range and depth of sources of information on burden, and adds estimates of costs. The purpose is to provide an accessible guide to the burden of mental disorders, especially for researchers and policy makers who may not be familiar with this subfield of epidemiology.
Dementia of the Alzheimer Type
Jalbert, J. J., Daiello, L. A., Lapane, K. L. Dementia of the Alzheimer type is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative condition characterized by deterioration in cognition and memory, progressive impairment in the ability to carry out activities of daily living, and a number of neuropsychiatric symptoms. This narrative review summarizes the literature regarding descriptive epidemiology, clinical course, and characteristic neuropathological changes of dementia of the Alzheimer type. Although there are no definitive imaging or laboratory tests, except for brain biopsy, for diagnosis, brief screening instruments and neuropsychiatric test batteries used to assess the disease are discussed. Insufficient evidence exists for the use of biomarkers in clinical practice for diagnosis or disease management, but promising discoveries are summarized. Optimal treatment requires both nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions, yet none have been shown to modify the disease's clinical course. This review describes the current available options and summarizes promising new avenues for treatment. Issues related to the care of persons with dementia of the Alzheimer type, including caregiver burden, long-term care, and the proliferation of dementia special care units, are discussed. Although advances have been made, more research is needed to address the gaps in our understanding of the disease.

Epidemiology and Infection - Current Issue

Volume 137 Issue 12
Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Epidemiology and Infection, Volume 137 Issue 12 Increased frequency in 2007 - now 8 issues per year! Epidemiology and Infection publishes original reports and reviews on all aspects of infection in humans and animals. Particular emphasis is given to the epidemiology, prevention and control of infectious diseases. The field covered is broad and includes the zoonoses, tropical infections, food hygiene, vaccine studies, statistics and the clinical, social and public-health aspects of infectious disease. Papers covering microbiology and immunology which have an epidemiological relevance are part of this broad field. Papers come from medical and veterinary scientists worldwide. It has become the key periodical in which to find the latest reports on recently discovered infections and new technology. For those concerned with policy and planning for the control of infections, the papers on mathematical modelling of epidemics caused by historical, current and emergent infections, will be of particular value. To celebrate 100 years of the journal, a series of important papers has been selected and each, together with a modern commentary on the paper by an expert, will be published on-line. This journal has now moved over to electronic submission, using the Scholar One system. Click here to go to the submission website. Guidance on how to upload your manuscript is available on the site by clicking "User Tutorials". Online manuscript submission (now) available, please go to http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/cup/hyg
HYG volume 137 issue 12 Cover and Front matter
Miscellaneous Epidemiology and Infection, Volume 137 Issue 12 , pp f1-f2Abstract

Filaria Journal - Latest Articles

Contribution of migrant coffee labourers infected with Onchocerca volvulus to the maintenance of the microfilarial reservoir in an ivermectin-treated area of Mexico.
Mario Rodriguez-PerezAldo Segura-CabreraCristian Lizarazo-OrtegaMaria-Gloria BasanezJohn Davies Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Since 1991, in Mexico, ivermectin has been administered twice a year to all residents in the onchocerciasis endemic foci which are mainly located in the coffee growing areas. However, the presence of a potentially infected itinerant seasonal labour force which is not treated regularly could jeopardise the attainment of the 85% coverage which is the present target for elimination of the disease. Methods: The prevalence and intensity of Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae (mf), as well as their transmission from humans to vectors, were assessed during the coffee planting-clearing and harvesting seasons of 1997–1998, and 1998–1999 in two localities (I and II) of Southern Chiapas, Mexico, which regularly receive an influx of untreated migrant coffee labourers. Results: Localities I and II had, respectively, an average of 391 (± 32) and 358 (± 14) resident inhabitants, and 70 (± 52) and 498 (± 289) temporary labourers. The ratio of migrants to residents ranged from 0.1:1 in locality I to 2.4:1 in locality II. The proportion of infected Simulium ochraceum s.l. parous flies was significantly lower in locality I than in locality II, and significantly higher during the stay of the migrants than before their arrival or after their departure. Parity and infection were higher in May-July than in November-February (in contrast with the latter being typically considered as the peak onchocerciasis transmission season by S. ochraceum s.l.). Conclusion: The presence of significant numbers of untreated and potentially infected migrants may contribute to ongoing transmission, and their incorporation into ivermectin programmes should be beneficial for the attainment of the elimination goals of the regional initiative. However, the possibility that the results also reflect transmission patterns for the area cannot be excluded and these should be analyzed further.
Epidemiology and psycho-social aspects Of onchocercal skin diseases in northeastern Nigeria
Ikem OkoyeCelestine Onwuliri Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Observations were made on the prevalence of onchocerciasis and Onchocercal Skin Diseases (OSD); frequency of occurrence and anatomical distribution of OSD in the Hawal River Valley, an established onchocerciasis endemic focus in north-eastern Nigeria. Methods: Symptoms of OSD were diagnosed in 5 844 subjects using Rapid Assessment Method (RAM) while 1 479 of the subjects chosen from alternate households had their skin biopsies examined for active microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus. Also, Focal Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted at the Health District levels. Results: O. volvulus was recorded in (19.0%) and OSD in (43.8%) of the subjects. The Mantel-Haenszel test for linear association showed a close agreement between onchocerciasis prevalence and the rate of OSD (χ2 = 3.93; p < 0.05). The various forms of OSD occurred in the order: CPOD (17.7%), APOD (9.9%), DPM (9.0%), LOD (7.0%) and ATR (3.1%). The overall frequency of occurrence of various symptoms of OSD on different anatomical locations showed the locations in descending order of occurrence as lower limbs (24.6%), upper limbs (21.3%), buttocks (19.9%), shoulder & neck (19.1%), abdomen and trunk (11.3%), backside (10.6), and 'other' sites (7.5%). The Focal Group Discussion (FGD) revealed the most worrisome consequences of OSD as social isolation of victims (31.3%), shame and low self esteem (22.7%) and high cost of medication (15.6%). Conclusion: It is recommended that Onchocerciasis control programmes in the Hawal River Valley and any other focus with high incidence of OSD should incorporate an aspect that would address the anxiety and depression caused by various OSD lesions since they carry lots of psycho-social implications. This would increase acceptance and compliance of the target population. The classification criteria of onchocerciasis endemicity should be based on either or both of the O. volvulus and onchocercal skin disease burden of any community and no longer on O. volvulus parasitic infection rate alone.

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease - Table of Contents

Molecular Basis and Evolution of Multiple Drug Resistance in the Foodborne Pathogen Salmonella enterica Serovar Ohio
liebertonline@liebertpub.com (Noelia Martínez et al) Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:17:35 -0000
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0.
Molecular Characterization of Mucor circinelloides and Rhizopus stolonifer Strains Isolated from Some Saudi Fruits
liebertonline@liebertpub.com (Youssuf A. Gherbawy et al) Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:17:32 -0000
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0.

pubmed: 0019-9567

Identification of a Claudin-4 residue important for mediating the host cell binding and action of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin.
Robertson SL, Smedley JG, McClane BA Related Articles Identification of a Claudin-4 residue important for mediating the host cell binding and action of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin. Infect Immun. 2009 Nov 2; Authors: Robertson SL, Smedley JG, McClane BA The 24-member claudin protein family plays a key role in maintaining the normal structure and function of epithelial tight junctions. Previous studies with fibroblast transfectants and naturally-sensitive Caco-2 cells have also implicated certain claudins (e.g., Claudin-4) as receptors for Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE). The current study first provided evidence that the second extracellular loop (ECL-2) of claudins is specifically important for mediating the host cell binding and cytotoxicity of native CPE. Rat fibroblast transfectants expressing a Claudin-4 chimera, where the natural ECL-2 was replaced by ECL-2 from Claudin-2, exhibited no CPE-induced cytotoxicity. Conversely, CPE bound to, and killed, CPE-treated transfectants expressing a Claudin-2 chimera with a substituted ECL-2 from Claudin-4. Site-directed mutagenesis was then employed to alter an ECL-2 residue that invariably aligns as N in claudins known to bind native CPE, but as D or S in claudins that cannot bind CPE. Transfectants expressing a Claudin-4N149D mutant lost the ability to bind or respond to CPE, while transfectants expressing a Claudin-1 mutant with the corresponding ECL-2 residue changed from D to N acquired CPE binding and sensitivity. Identifying carriage of this N residue in ECL-2 as being important for native CPE binding helps to explain why only certain claudins can serve as CPE receptors. Finally, preincubating CPE with soluble recombinant Claudin-4, or Claudin-4 fragments containing ECL-2, specifically blocked the cytotoxicity on Caco-2 cells. This result opens the possibility of using receptor claudins as therapeutic decoys to ameliorate CPE-mediated intestinal disease. PMID: 19884339 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Neither Mosquito Saliva nor Immunity to Saliva has a Detectable Effect on Infectivity of Plasmodium Sporozoites Injected into Mice.
Kebaier C, Voza T, Vanderberg J Related Articles Neither Mosquito Saliva nor Immunity to Saliva has a Detectable Effect on Infectivity of Plasmodium Sporozoites Injected into Mice. Infect Immun. 2009 Nov 2; Authors: Kebaier C, Voza T, Vanderberg J Malaria infection is initiated when a female Anopheles mosquito probing for blood injects saliva together with sporozoites into the skin of its mammalian host. Prior studies had suggested that saliva may enhance sporozoite infectivity. Using rodent malaria models (Plasmodium berghei and P. yoelii), we were unable to show that saliva had any detectable effect on sporozoite infectivity. This is encouraging for plans to immunize humans with washed, attenuated P. falciparum sporozoites because many individuals develop cutaneous, hypersensitivity reactions to mosquito saliva after repeated exposure. If washed sporozoites have no appreciable loss of infectivity, they likely do not have decreased immunogenicity; thus vaccinees are unlikely to develop cutaneous reactions against mosquito saliva during attempted immunization with such sporozoites. Earlier studies also suggested that repeated prior exposure to mosquito saliva reduces infectivity of sporozoites injected by mosquitoes into sensitized hosts. However, our own studies show that prior exposure of mice to saliva had no detectable effect on numbers of sporozoites delivered by infected mosquitoes, the rate of disappearance of these sporozoites from the skin or infectivity of the sporozoites. Under natural conditions, sporozoites are delivered both to individuals who may exhibit cutaneous hypersensitivity to mosquito bite and to others who may have not yet developed such reactivity. It was tempting to hypothesize that differences in responsiveness to mosquito bite by different individuals might modulate the infectivity of sporozoites delivered into a milieu of changes induced by cutaneous hypersensitivity. Our results with rodent malaria models, however, were unable to support such a hypothesis. PMID: 19884338 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Latest Issue of International Journal of Medical Microbiology

Editorial - ETOX turned twenty
Sebo P.
Pathogenomics of mobile genetic elements of toxigenic bacteria
Hacker J.Hochhut B.Middendorf B.Schneider G.Buchrieser C.Gottschalk G.Dobrindt U.

pubmed: 0804-4643

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 Ala17 polymorphism is a genetic marker of autoimmune adrenal insufficiency: Italian association study and meta-analysis of European studies.
Brozzetti A, Marzotti S, Tortoioli C, Bini V, Giordano R, Dotta F, Betterle C, De Bellis A, Arnaldi G, Toscano V, Arvat E, Bellastella A, Mantero F, Falorni A Related Articles Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 Ala17 polymorphism is a genetic marker of autoimmune adrenal insufficiency: Italian association study and meta-analysis of European studies. Eur J Endocrinol. 2009 Nov 2; Authors: Brozzetti A, Marzotti S, Tortoioli C, Bini V, Giordano R, Dotta F, Betterle C, De Bellis A, Arnaldi G, Toscano V, Arvat E, Bellastella A, Mantero F, Falorni A Objective: CTLA4 gene polymorphism has been associated with human autoimmune diseases, but discordant data are available on its association with autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD). We tested the HLA-independent association of CTLA4 +49 (A/G) (Ala 17) and/or CTLA4 CT60 (A/G) polymorphism with AAD. Design: DNA samples from 180 AAD patients and 394 healthy control subjects, from continental Italy were analyzed and association statistical analyses and meta-analysis of published studies performed. Methods: TaqMan Minor Groove Binder chemistry assays and PCR fragment length polymorphysm assays were used. Results: Frequency of allele G of CTLA4 +49 was significantly increased among AAD patients (40% alleles) than among healthy controls (27% alleles) (p<0.0001). CTLA4 CT60 polymorphism was associated with AAD only in the heterozygous A/G individuals. The frequency of +49 AG+GG genotypes was significantly higher among AAD patients than among healthy control subjects, in both a co-dominant (p<0.0001) and a G dominant model (p<0.0001). CTLA4 +49 allele G was significantly associated with disease risk in both patients with isolated AAD and in patients with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CTLA4 +49 allele G was positively associated with AAD (p<0.0001, OR=2.43, 95%CI=1.54-3.86) also after correction for DRB1*03-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0201, DRB1*04-DQA1*0301-DQB1*0302 and sex. Meta-analysis of five studies revealed a significant association of CTLA4 +49 allele G with AAD (p<0.0001) with an overall OR of 1.48 (1.28-1.71). Conclusions: The CTLA4 +49 polymorphism is strongly associated with genetic risk for AAD, independentenly from the well known association with HLA class II genes. PMID: 19884265 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Raloxifene and body composition and muscle strength in postmenopausal women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Jacobsen D, Samson M, Emmelot M, Verhaar H Related Articles Raloxifene and body composition and muscle strength in postmenopausal women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Endocrinol. 2009 Nov 2; Authors: Jacobsen D, Samson M, Emmelot M, Verhaar H Objective To compare the effects of raloxifene and placebo on body composition and muscle strength. Design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 198 healthy women aged 70 years or older conducted between July 2003 and January 2008 at the University Medical Centre, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Methods Participants were randomly assigned to receive raloxifene 60 mg or placebo daily for 12 months. Measurements were taken at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months, and change from baseline was calculated. Main outcome measures are body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis), muscle strength, and muscle power (maximum voluntary isometric knee extension strength, explosive leg extensor power, and handgrip strength). Results At 12 months, the body composition of women taking raloxifene was significantly different from that of women taking placebo: fat-free mass had increased by a mean of 0.83 (2.4) kg in the raloxifene group versus 0.03 (1.5) kg in the placebo group (p=0.05), and total body water had increased by a mean of 0.6 (1.8) L in the raloxifene group versus a decrease of 0.06 (1.1) L in the placebo group (p=0.02). Muscle strength and power were not significantly different. Conclusion Raloxifene significantly changed (increased fat-free mass; increased water content) body composition compared with placebo in postmenopausal women. Keywords: Raloxifene; body composition, postmenopausal Trial registration number: NTR: 1232. PMID: 19884264 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

ScienceDirect Publication: Women's Health Issues

Table of Contents
Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:51:37 -0000
Publication year: 2009Source: Women's Health Issues, Volume 19, Issue 6, November-December 2009, Page i[No author name available]
Table of Contents
Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:51:37 -0000
Publication year: 2009Source: Women's Health Issues, Volume 19, Issue 6, November-December 2009, Page ii[No author name available]

Future Medicine: Women's Health: Table of Contents

Obesity and endometrial cancer: challenges for public health action
info@futuremedicine.com (Lisa C Richardson et al) Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:45:48 -0000
Women's Health , November 2009, Vol. 5, No. 6, Pages 595-597.
Bulletin Board
Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:45:50 -0000
Women's Health , November 2009, Vol. 5, No. 6, Pages 599-601.

Archives of Women's Mental Health

An open trial with cognitive behavioral therapy for blood- and injection phobia in pregnant women—a group intervention program
Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:08:21 -0000
Abstract  Around 7% of pregnant women suffer from blood- and injection phobia. The aim was to investigate if cognitive behavior group therapy (CBT) is effective in treating pregnant women’s blood- and injection phobia. Thirty pregnant women with blood- and injection phobia according to DSM-IV took part in an open treatment intervention. A two-session cognitive behavior group therapy was conducted. As controls, 46 pregnant women with untreated blood- and injection phobia and 70 healthy pregnant women were used. Repeated measures ANOVA were performed. The scores for the CBT treatment group on the “Injection Phobia Scale-Anxiety” were reduced both after each treatment session and postpartum (p < 0.001). Anxiety and depressive symptoms were also reduced (p < 0.001). Cognitive-behavior group therapy for pregnant women with blood- and injection phobia is effective and stable up to at least 3 months postpartum. It seems also to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ContributionDOI 10.1007/s00737-009-0126-xAuthors Caroline Lilliecreutz, Linköping University Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences Linköping SwedenAnn Josefsson, Linköping University Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences Linköping SwedenGunilla Sydsjö, Linköping University Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences Linköping Sweden Journal Archives of Women's Mental HealthOnline ISSN 1435-1102Print ISSN 1434-1816
Reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the maternal antenatal attachment scale
Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:08:20 -0000
Abstract  In this study, we investigated the psychometric qualities of the Dutch version of the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS). In a monocentric prospective observational cohort study, 403 expectant mothers completed a booklet with questionnaires in the first (T1), second (T2), and third (T3) pregnancy trimesters. In addition to the MAAS (T1-T3), the following measures were used: the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (T1), the Parental Bonding Inventory (T1), the Relationship Questionnaire (T1) the Facilitator scale and the Regulator scale (T3), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (T1-T3) and the Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire (T1-T3). In this study, the mean of the MAAS scales increased as the pregnancy progressed. Good internal reliabilities were found for the Total MAAS scale, the Quality subscale and the Preoccupation subscale. Small-to-moderate correlations were found with social desirability, maternal orientation, parental care and adult attachment. Maternal mood was weakly associated with the quality but not with the intensity of the maternal attachment feelings. Overall, our findings suggest that the Dutch version of the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale is a reliable and valid measure of the early emotional tie between a pregnant woman and her unborn child. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ContributionDOI 10.1007/s00737-009-0127-9Authors Johan C. H. van Bussel, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Institute of Family and Sexuality Sciences, Department of Public Health Kapucijnenvoer 33 3000 Leuven BelgiumBernard Spitz, University Hospital Gasthuisberg Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics Leuven BelgiumKoen Demyttenaere, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Institute of Family and Sexuality Sciences, Department of Public Health Kapucijnenvoer 33 3000 Leuven Belgium Journal Archives of Women's Mental HealthOnline ISSN 1435-1102Print ISSN 1434-1816

BMC Women's Health - Latest Articles

The effect of past use of oral contraceptive on bone mineral density, bone biochemical markers and muscle strength in healthy pre and post menopausal women
Fadoua AllaliLaila El MansouriFatima zohra AbourazzakLinda IchchouHamza KhazzaniLoubna BennaniRadouan AbouqalNajia Hajjaj-Hassouni Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Background, during adulthood, most studies have reported that oral contraceptive (OC) pills had neutral, or possibly beneficial effect on bone health. We proposed this study of pre and post menopausal women assessing BMD, bone biochemical markers and physical performance among OC past users and comparable women who have never use Ocs. Methods, A cross-sectional study comparing the bone density, bone biochemical markers (osteocalcin, CTX) and three measures to assess physical performance: timed get-up-and-go test "TGUG", five-times-sit-to-stand test "5 TSTS" and 8-feet speed walk "8 FSW" of users and never users OC. We were recruited 210 women who used OC for at least 2 years with that of 200 nonusers was carried out in pre and postmenopausal women (24-86 years). Results, when analysing the whole population, BMD and biochemical markers values were similar for Ocs past users and control subjects. However when analysing the subgroup of premenopausal women, there was a statistically significant difference between users and never-users in osteocalcin (15,5 +/- 7ng/ml vs 21,6 +/- 9 ng/ml; p =0,003) and CTX (0,30 +/- 0,1 ng/ml vs 0,41 +/- 0,2 ng/ml; p = 0,025). This difference persisted after adjustment for age, BMI, age at menarche and number of pregnancies. In contrast, in post menopausal women, there was no difference in bone biochemical markers between OC users and the control. On the other hand OC past users had a significant greater performance than did the never users group. And when analysing the physical performance tests by quartile OC duration we found a significant negative association between the three tests and the use of OC more than 10 years. Conclusions, the funding show no evidence of a significant difference in BMD between Ocs users and never user control groups, a decrease in bone turn over in OC pre menopausal users and a greater physical performances in patients who used OC up than 10 years.
Suboptimal management of severe menopausal symptoms by Nigerian Gynaecologists: a call for mandatory continuing medical education for physicians.
Peter Nkwo Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Effective management of menopause is an important way to improve the quality of life of the increasing number of older women. The study sought to find out if Nigerian Gynaecologists offer effective treatment for severe menopausal symptoms. Methods: 126 Nigerian Gynaecologists representing the six health zones of Nigeria were interviewed to determine the menopausal symptoms they had ever encountered in their practices, frequency of the symptoms, treatments ever offered for severe symptoms including their attitude to, and practice of hormone replacement therapy. Results: A Nigerian Gynaecologist encountered an average of one patient with menopausal symptoms every three months (range: 0-3 patients per month). The commoner symptoms they encountered were hot flushes (88%), insomnia (75.4%), depression (58.0%), irritability (56.3%), night sweats (55.6%) and muscle pains (54.8%) while urinary symptoms (16.7%) and fracture (1.6%) were less common. Treatments ever offered for severe symptoms were reassurance (90.5%), anxiolytics (68.3%), analgesics (14.3), HRT (7.9%), Vitamins (4%), Beta-blockers (3.2%) and Danazol (2.4%). These treatments were offered as a matter of institutional traditions rather than being based on any evidence of their efficacy. Conclusion: The result revealed that most Nigerian Gynaecologists prefer reassurance and anxiolytics for managing severe menopausal symptoms instead of evidence-based effective therapies. A policy of mandatory continuing medical education for Nigerian physicians is recommended to ensure evidence-based management of gynaecological problems, including menopause.

pubmed: 0003-4819

Fulminant hepatic failure after use of the herbal weight-loss supplement exilis.
McDonnell WM, Bhattacharya R, Halldorson JB Related Articles Fulminant hepatic failure after use of the herbal weight-loss supplement exilis. Ann Intern Med. 2009 Nov 3;151(9):673-4 Authors: McDonnell WM, Bhattacharya R, Halldorson JB PMID: 19884634 [PubMed - in process]
Comments and critiques on the EMBRACE health care reform plan.
Gibson GR Related Articles Comments and critiques on the EMBRACE health care reform plan. Ann Intern Med. 2009 Nov 3;151(9):672; author reply 672-3 Authors: Gibson GR PMID: 19884633 [PubMed - in process]

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