Citations

ABSTRACT We tested the activity of anidulafungin against 30 Candida albicans isolates. The planktonic MICs for 50 and 90% of the isolates tested (MIC 50 and MIC 90 ) were ≤0.03 and 0.125 μg/ml, respectively (MIC range, ≤0.03 to 2 μg/ml). The sessile MIC 50 and MIC 90 were ≤0.03 and ≤0.03 μg/ml, respectively (MIC range, ≤0.03 to >16 μg/ml).

ABSTRACT Introduction Severe obstructive sleep apnea has been associated with sexual dysfunction; however, it is unclear whether milder forms of sleep disturbances might also be associated with sexual problems. Aim To evaluate the association between snoring and five measures of sexual dysfunction in a population-based sample of men. Methods A stratified random sample of men residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota completed a questionnaire containing questions from the Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory (BMSFI) and a sleep questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures Levels of sexual drive (libido), erectile function, ejaculatory function, sexual problem assessment, and sexual satisfaction as assessed by the BMSFI. Results Of 827 men with a regular sexual partner, subjects were divided into categories of heavy (N=95), moderate (N=573), and none/mild (N=159) snoring. Their median age was 64 years (range 51–90). The sexual satisfaction domain score was significantly lower in the heavy snoring group (P value=0.01). The odds of low sexual satisfaction was 2.3 (95% CI 1.2, 4.1) among the heavy snorers compared with the none/mild snoring group. This association remained statistically significant after adjustment for smoking, medical comorbidities, and mental health status. However, there was no significant difference in ejaculatory function, erectile function, sexual drive, and sexual problem assessment across snoring categories. Conclusions These data provide evidence of an association between snoring severity and reduced sexual satisfaction in a population of elderly community males. Snoring was not associated with biologic measures of sexual dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE—The aim of this study was to examine associations between diabetes and clinical markers of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in community-dwelling white and black men aged 40–79 years. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Data from the Olmsted County Study of Urinary Symptoms and Health Status and the Flint Men's Health Study were combined for a total study sample of 2,484 men. Severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), peak urinary flow rates, prostate volume, and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were examined by self-reported physician-diagnosed diabetes. RESULTS—Overall, 170 men (6.8%) reported a history of diabetes. Increased irritative LUTS and specifically nocturia were positively associated with diabetes. These patterns were consistent across race and persisted after adjustment for age, BMI, and various indicators of socioeconomic status. Furthermore, the relationship between irritative LUTS and diabetes was greater in black men. No significant associations were observed between diabetes and prostate volume, PSA level, and peak urinary flow rate. CONCLUSIONS—Our multiethnic community-based study demonstrates positive associations between diabetes and irritative LUTS and nocturia. Moreover, the association between irritative LUTS and diabetes is increased in black men. There was no strong evidence for an association between diabetes and BPH across measures more specific to BPH (i.e., prostate volume, PSA, and peak urinary flow rate). Taken together, our findings suggest that the presence of diabetes may be less related to prostate growth and more related to the dynamic components of lower urinary tract function. Further evaluations of the association between diabetes and BPH and related racial variations are warranted.

The diagnostic process consists of a series of steps in which the estimated probability of particular disease is increased or decreased until either treatment can be instituted or the diagnosis excluded. The history and physical exam play an important role. If a therapeutic decision cannot confidently be made on clinical grounds alone, a diagnostic test may confirm or exclude a diagnosis or clearly indicate the need for further testing. An inappropriately chosen test or misinterpreted test result, however, may mislead the clinician and possibly harm the patient or simply be wasteful. Estimating the predictive values of a diagnostic test will help to avoid these pitfalls. This article shows the clinician a simplified way to do this.

ABSTRACTWe studied the association between HLA alleles and rubella-specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ) (Th1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) (Th2) cytokine responses among 106 healthy children (ages, 14 to 17 years) previously immunized with two doses of rubella vaccine. Antibody titers and cytokine responses to rubella vaccination were not sex or age dependent. Several class I HLA-A (*0201, *2402, *6801) alleles were significantly associated with rubella vaccine-induced IFN-γ secretion. Several class II HLA-DRB1 (*0101) and HLA-DQB1 (*0501) alleles were also suggestive of an association with IFN-γ secretion. Alleles with potential associations with rubella-specific IL-10 production included HLA-A (*0201, *6801), HLA-B (*4901), and HLA-DRB1 (*1302). The class I A*0201 and A*6801 alleles were associated with both IFN-γ and IL-10 secretion. These tentative associations need to be validated in larger studies with subjects of differing ethnicities. These results provide additional evidence that HLA genes may influence Th1- and Th2-specific cytokine response(s) following rubella immunization, which in turn can influence both cellular and humoral immune responses to rubella vaccination.