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

Patients' Perspectives on Informal Caregiver Involvement in HIV Health Care Appointments
liebertonline@liebertpub.com (Katie E. Mosack et al) Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:13:29 -0000
AIDS Patient Care and STDs , Vol. 0, No. 0.
Factors That Influence an HIV Coinfected Patient's Decision to Start Hepatitis C Treatment
liebertonline@liebertpub.com (Karen Chan Osilla et al) Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:12:54 -0000
AIDS Patient Care and STDs , Vol. 0, No. 0.

American Journal of Epidemiology - current issue

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Editorial Board


Chiropractic & Osteopathy - Latest Articles

An epidemiological examination of the subluxation construct using Hill's criteria of causation
Timothy MirtzLon MorganLawrence WyattLeon Greene Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Background: : Chiropractors claim to locate, analyze and diagnose a putative spinal lesion known as subluxation and apply the mode of spinal manipulation (adjustment) for the correction of this lesion.AIM: The purpose of this examination is to review the current evidence on the epidemiology of the subluxation construct and to evaluate the subluxation by applying epidemiologic criteria for it's significance as a causal factor.MethodS: The databases of PubMed, Cinahl, and Mantis were searched for studies using the keywords subluxation, epidemiology, manipulation, dose-response, temporality, odds ratio, relative risk, biological plausibility, coherence, and analogy. Results: : The criteria for causation in epidemiology are strength (strength of association), consistency, specificity, temporality (temporal sequence), dose response, experimental evidence, biological plausibility, coherence, and analogy. Applied to the subluxation all of these criteria remain for the most part unfulfilled.CONCLUSION: There is a significant lack of evidence to fulfill the basic criteria of causation. This lack of crucial supportive epidemiologic evidence prohibits the accurate promulgation of the chiropractic subluxation.
A descriptive report of management strategies used by chiropractors, as reviewed by a single independent chiropractic consultant in the Australian workers compensation system.
Henry PollardKatie de Luca Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Background: In New South Wales, Australia, an injured worker enters the workers compensation system with the case often managed by a pre-determined insurer. The goal of the treating practitioner is to facilitate the claimant to return to suitable duties and progress to their pre-injury status, job and quality of life. Currently, there is very little documentation on the management of injured workers by chiropractors in the Australian healthcare setting. This study aims to examine treatment protocols and recommendations given to chiropractic practitioners by one independent chiropractic reviewer in the state of New South Wales, and to discuss management strategies recommended for the injured worker. Methods: A total of 146 consecutive Independent Chiropractic Consultant reports were collated into a database. Pain information and management recommendations made by the Independent Chiropractic Consultant were tabulated and analysed for trends. The data formulated from the reports is purely descriptive in nature. Results: The Independent Chiropractic Consultant determined the current treatment plan to be "reasonable" (80.1%) or "unreasonable" (23.6%). The consultant recommended to "phase out" treatment in 74.6% of cases, with an average of six remaining treatments. In eight cases treatment was unreasonable with no further treatment; in five cases treatment was reasonable with no further treatment. In 78.6% of cases, injured workers were to be discharged from treatment and 21.4% were to be reassessed for the need of a further treatment plan. Additional recommendations for treatment included an active care program (95.2%), general fitness program (77.4%), flexibility/range of movement exercises (54.1%), referral to a chronic pain specialist (50.7%) and work hardening program (22.6%). Conclusion: It is essential chiropractic practitioners perform 'reasonably necessary treatment' to reduce dependency on passive treatment, increase compliance to active care programs and reduce the progression to chronic pain states. It is recommended that common findings be integrated in further research, to improve the management of treatment for patients with an occupational injury.

pubmed: 0002-9637

In response.
Zimic M, García HH, Gilman RH In response. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2009 Dec;81(6):1166 Authors: Zimic M, García HH, Gilman RH PMID: 19996454 [PubMed - in process]
Diagnosis of Human Cysticercosis and Taenia asiatica.
Galan-Puchades MT, Fuentes MV Diagnosis of Human Cysticercosis and Taenia asiatica. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2009 Dec;81(6):1165 Authors: Galan-Puchades MT, Fuentes MV PMID: 19996453 [PubMed - in process]

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials - Latest Articles

Hepatitis G virus infection in Egyptian children with chronic renal failure (single centre study)
Ayman HammadMohammad Hosam Eldeen Zaghloul Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is an RNA virus. It is mainly transmitted through exposure to contaminated blood although other routes may also exist. Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) are at high risk of acquiring HGV because they require frequent blood transfusions. Ongoing HGV infection can be only diagnosed by demonstrating viremia in patient sample by reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR. Antibodies to the envelop protein E2 (anti E2) of HGV is an indicator of virus clearance and testify past HGV contact. This cross sectional study was done to assess the frequency of HGV exposure (ongoing and past infection) in Egyptian children with CRF and to study the possible risk factors of infection. Methods: This study included 100 children with CRF [34 on regular haemodialysis (HD) and 66 before the start of dialysis (predialysis)]. All patients sera were tested for HGV RNA by RT-PCR, anti E2 , hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody , hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) , and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAB) . Twenty five healthy children of matched age & sex were used as controls. Results: HGV RNA was positive in 9 (26.5%) of HD and 9 (13.6%) of predialysis children. Anti E2 was positive in 14 (41.2%) of HD and 19 (28.8%) of predialysis children.In comparison to controls; CRF (n = 100); HD and predialysis children had significantly higher prevalence of anti E2 [4% VS 33% for all CRF cases ; (p = 0.002)& 41.2% (p = 0.002) and 28.8% (p = 0.01); for HD and predialysis groups ;respectively]. HGV RNA was significantly more prevalent only in HD children in comparison to controls (p = 0.03). HD and predialysis children did not have significant difference in the prevalence of HGV RNA (p = 0.16) or anti E2 (p = 0.26).HGV exposure was not correlated with positivity of anti HCV (p = 0.32), HCV RNA (0.09), HBsAg / HBcAB (p = 1), age (p = 0.06), or gender (p = 0.83). It was significantly correlated with duration of the disease (p < 0.001). Ongoing HGV infection was significantly more prevalent with frequent blood transfusion (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in serum levels of ALT (p = 0.09), total bilirubin (p = 0.1) and albumin (p = 0.06) in children with ongoing infection in comparison to healthy controls. Conclusions: The frequency of HGV exposure in Egyptian children with CRF appears to be high and is mainly related to frequent blood transfusions and longer disease duration. HGV infection in these children is not associated with significant changes in hepatic biochemical parameters.
Microbiological evaluation of the efficacy of two new biodetergents on multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogens
Giorgio LiguoriMaria BagattiniFrancesca GalleValeria QuartucciValeria Di OnofrioMario NegroneMaria Triassi Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Background: In the last few years, several outbreaks of nosocomial infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogenic agents have been observed, and various biocides products were developed in order to control this phenomenon. We investigated the efficacy of two natural biodetergents composed of plants and kelps extracts, BATT1 and BATT2, against multidrug-resistant strains. Methods: In-vitro antibacterial efficacy of BATT1 and BATT2 against nosocomial multidrug-resistant isolates was assessed using a suspension-inhibition test, with and without bovine serum albumin (BSA). The test was also carried out on glass surfaces with and without BSA. Results: In vitro tests with both biocidal disinfectants at 25% concentration demonstrated an overall drop in bacterial, mould and yeast counts after 10 min of contact with or without organic substances. For Pseudomonas aeruginosa, it was necessary to use undiluted disinfectants with and without an organic substance. The same results were obtained in tests carried out on glass surfaces for all strains. Conclusions: The natural products BATT1 and BATT2 behave like good biocides even in presence of organic substances. The use of both disinfectants may be beneficial for reducing hospital-acquired pathogens that are not susceptible to disinfectants.However, it has to be stressed that all these experiments were carried out in vitro and they still require validation from use in clinical practice.

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 - indexed for MEDLINE]
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 - indexed for MEDLINE]

BMC Infectious Diseases - Latest Articles

Development of a reverse transcription- loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) system for a highly sensitive detection of enterovirus in the stool samples of acute flaccid paralysis cases
Minetaro AritaHua LingDongmei YanYorihiro NishimuraHiromu YoshidaTakaji WakitaHiroyuki Shimizu Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Background: In the global eradication program for poliomyelitis, the laboratory diagnosis plays a critical role by isolating poliovirus (PV) from the stool samples of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases. In this study, we developed a reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) system for a rapid and highly sensitive detection of enterovirus including PV to identify stool samples positive for enterovirus including PV. Methods: A primer set was designed for RT-LAMP to detect enterovirus preferably those with PV-like 5'NTRs of the viral genome. The sensitivity of RT-LAMP system was evaluated with prototype strains of enterovirus. Detection of enterovirus from stool extracts was examined by using RT-LAMP system. Results: We detected at least 400 copies of the viral genomes of PV(Sabin) strains within 90 min by RT-LAMP with the primer set. This RT-LAMP system showed a preference for Human enterovirus species C (HEV-C) strains including PV, but exhibited less sensitivity to the prototype strains of HEV-A and HEV-B(detection limits of 7,400 to 28,000 copies). Stool extracts, from which PV, HEV-C, or HEV-A was isolated in the cell culture system, were mostly positive by RT-LAMP method (positive rates of 15/16 (= 94%), 13/14 (= 93%), and 4/4 (=100%), respectively). The positive rate of this RT-LAMP system for stool extracts from which HEV-B was isolated was lower than that of HEV-C (positive rate of 11/21 (= 52%)). In the stool samples, which were negative for enterovirus isolation by the cell culture system, we found that two samples were positive for RT-LAMP (positive rates of 2/38 (= 5.3%)). In these samples, enterovirus 96 was identified by sequence analysis utilizing a seminested PCR system. Conclusions: RT-LAMP system developed in this study showed a high sensitivity comparable to that of the cell culture system for the detection of PV, HEV-A, and HEV-C, but less sensitivity to HEV-B. This RT-LAMP system would be useful for the direct detection of enterovirus from the stool extracts.
Performance of the tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assay for detection of tuberculosis infection in immunocompromised patients in a BCG-vaccinated population
Eun Young KimJu Eun LimJi Ye JungJi Young SonKyung Jong LeeYoe Wun YoonByung Hoon ParkJin Wook MoonMoo Suk ParkYoung Sam KimSe Kyu KimJoon ChangYoung Ae Kang Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) may improve diagnostic accuracy for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). This study compared the performance of the tuberculin skin test (TST) with that of IGRA for the diagnosis of LTBI in immunocompromised patients in an intermediate TB burden country where BCG vaccination is mandatory. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients given the TST and an IGRA, the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-IT), at Severance Hospital, a tertiary hospital in South Korea, from December 2006 to May 2009. Results: Of 211 patients who underwent TST and QFT-IT testing, 117 (55%) were classified as immunocompromised. Significantly fewer immunocompromised than immunocompetent patients had positive TST results (10.3% vs. 27.7%, p 0.001), whereas the percentage of positive QFT-IT results was comparable for both groups (21.4% vs. 25.5%). However, indeterminate QFT-IT results were more frequent in immunocompromised than immunocompetent patients (21.4% vs. 9.6%, p 0.021). Agreement between the TST and QFT-IT was fair for the immunocompromised group (kappa = 0.38), but moderate agreement was observed for the immunocompetent group (kappa = 0.57). Indeterminate QFT-IT results were associated with anaemia, lymphocytopenia, hypoproteinemia, and hypoalbuminemia. Conclusion: In immunocompromised patients, the QFT-IT may be more sensitive than the TST for detection of LTBI, but it resulted in a considerable proportion of indeterminate results. Therefore, both tests may maximise the efficacy of screening for LTBI in immunocompromised patients.

Epidemiologic Reviews - current issue

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Epidemiology and Infection - Current Issue

Volume 138 Issue 02
Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0000
Epidemiology and Infection, Volume 138 Issue 02 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
Transmission routes and risk factors for autochthonous hepatitis E virus infection in Europe: a systematic review
Review ArticlesH. C. LEWIS, O. WICHMANN, E. DUIZER, Epidemiology and Infection, Volume 138 Issue 02 , pp 145-166Abstract

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

Genetic Similarity of Campylobacter Isolates in Humans, Food, and Water Sources in Central Poland
liebertonline@liebertpub.com (Elżbieta Rożynek et al) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:21:16 -0000
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0.
A Pilot Study of the Microbiological Quality of Culturally Diverse, Ready-to-Eat Foods from Selected Retail Establishments in Melbourne, Australia
liebertonline@liebertpub.com (Sarah K. McLean et al) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:21:15 -0000
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0.

pubmed: 0019-9567


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


ScienceDirect Publication: Women's Health Issues

A Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Rapid Yeast Detection Kits
Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:56:49 -0000
Publication year: 2009Source: Women's Health Issues, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 26 November 2009Surabhi K., Gaur , Kevin, Frick , Vani, Dandolu Objective: To determine the cost effectiveness of the utilization of over-the-counter yeast infection detection kits in the diagnosis of vaginal candidiasis. Methods: A cost–benefit analysis based on a group of 70 adult women from a previous prospective study who presented with vaginitis symptoms. By constructing two decision trees, one in which the kits are an option to the women and one in which they are not, we predict the cost for diagnosing vaginal candidiasis in this group of women. Results: For a group of 70 women presenting with vaginitis symptoms, the total cost of diagnosing their infections without the use of kits is predicted to...
Impact of Patient Adherence and Test Performance on The Cost-Effectiveness of Cervical Cancer Screening in Developing CountriesThe Case of Honduras
Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:56:49 -0000
Publication year: 2009Source: Women's Health Issues, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 26 November 2009Rebecca B., Perkins , Sarah M., Langrish , Linda J., Stern , James F., Burgess , Carol J., Simon Objective: We examined the impact of patient adherence and screening test performance on the cost-effectiveness of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and Pap smears when used with colposcopy for diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using computer modeling. The primary outcome was cancer prevalence in the 10 years after screening. Three hypothetical populations of 35-year-old women were compared: never-screened women, women screened with VIA, and women screened with Pap smears. We used community-based data from our screening program in Honduras to estimate screening test sensitivity and specificity, adherence to follow-up, and costs of screening and colposcopy services. Published data were...

Future Medicine: Women's Health: Table of Contents

What is the right age for cervical cancer screening?
info@futuremedicine.com (Peter Sasieni et al) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:40:16 -0000
Women's Health , January 2010, Vol. 6, No. 1, Pages 1-4.
Breast cancer as an infectious disease
info@futuremedicine.com (James S Lawson et al) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:40:20 -0000
Women's Health , January 2010, Vol. 6, No. 1, Pages 5-8.

Archives of Women's Mental Health

R. Nonacs: A deeper shade of blue
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:31:11 -0000
R. Nonacs: A deeper shade of blue Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Book ReviewDOI 10.1007/s00737-009-0129-7Authors Grace Parr, McMaster University Hamilton ON Canada Journal Archives of Women's Mental HealthOnline ISSN 1435-1102Print ISSN 1434-1816
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

BMC Women's Health - Latest Articles

The overdiagnosis nightmare: a time for caution
Stefano Ciatto Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Overdiagnosis (and overtreatment) of cancers not bound to become symptomatic during lifetime is an unavoidable drawback of mammography screening. The magnitude of overdiagnosis has been estimated to be in the range of 5-10%, and thus acceptable in view of screening benefits as to reduced mortality. In a recent research article in BMC Women's Health, Jorgensen, Zahl and Gotzsche suggest that overdiagnosis may be as high as 33%, based on their analysis of breast cancer incidence in screened and non-screened areas in Denmark. Here we consider how reliable such analyses can be, why it might have been useful to adjust comparisons between screened and non-screened areas for early detection lead time, and what further evidence might be needed to build on or confirm these results.
Breast cancer in kurdish women of northern Iraq: incidence, clinical stage, and case control analysis of parity and family risk
Runnak MajidHazha MohammedHeshu SaeedBanaz SafarRekawt RashidMichael Hughson Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Breast cancer in the Middle-East occurs in relatively young women and frequently presents as advanced disease. A protective effect of multiparity is not apparent, and high familial risk is reported in some countries. This study investigates breast cancer rates and clinical stage related to age in the Kurdish region of Iraq and evaluates risk associated with parity and family history. Findings are compared with nearby countries and the West. Methods: Sulaimaniyah Directorate of Health records identified 539 women diagnosed with breast cancer during 2006-2008. Clinical survey forms were completed on 296 patients and on 254 age-matched controls. Age specific incidence rates were calculated from Directorate of Health population estimates. Results: Average patient age was 47.4 +/- 11 years and 59.5% were premenopausal. Diagnosis was at clinical stage 1 for 4.1%, stage 2 for 43.5%, stage 3 for 26.0%, and stage 4 for 8.1% of patients. For 18.2%, stage was unknown. Annual breast cancer incidence rates per 100,000 women peaked at 168.9 at age 55 to 59 and declined to 57.3 at 60 and above. Patients had an average of 5.0 +/- 3.3 children compared to 5.4 +/- 3.5 for controls, P = 0.16. A first degree family member had breast cancer among 11.1% of patients and 2.1% of controls (P 50% of these patients and controls being [greater than or equal to] 50 years old. No statistically significant relationship was found between tumor stage and age, P = 0.59. Conclusions: In Kurdish Iraq, breast cancer is predominantly a disease of premenopausal women having multiple pregnancies. For younger patients, breast cancer incidence was similar to the West and possibly higher than many Middle-Eastern countries, but unlike the West, the estimated rates declined markedly in the elderly. The familial breast cancer risk for both older and younger women was within the general population risk of Western countries. Clinical stages were advanced and indicated delays in diagnosis that were unrelated to patient age.

pubmed: 0003-4819


Archives of Internal Medicine current issue

Is It Time to Eliminate Consultation Codes?: An Analysis of Impact and Rationale [Special Article]
Shalowitz, J. I.Background  As issues of health care cost escalation and parity of payment between primary care and other physicians have become more important, one proposal has been to eliminate consultation codes. Little is known about the current payment accuracy or financial impact of such a change.Methods  To assess the impact of consultation code elimination, 2 assessments were conducted. First, from June 1, 2008, to July 1, 2009, 500 consecutive referrals from primary care physicians to other specialists were reviewed and matched with claims for accuracy of coding and billing. Second, to evaluate the financial impact of this change, year 2007 data on outpatient consultations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services were reviewed.Results  Of the 500 claims reviewed, 466 were appropriate for analysis. Overall, the coding error rate was 32.4%. When the requesting physician ordered a consultation, the error rate was 5.5%; however, with lower paid referral requests, the error rate was 78.0%. Changing ambulatory consultation codes to those for new patient visits would save Medicare $534.5 million per year.Conclusions  Consultation codes are being billed erroneously at a high rate. Furthermore, the differential cost to Medicare of these codes over those for new patient evaluation and management codes is over half a billion dollars per year. With the growing needs for cost savings as well as encouraging payment parity for cognitive services for primary care physicians, it is time these codes are reevaluated.Published online November 9, 2009 (doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2009.446).
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