Medical Corps

About: Medical Corps is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 3527 authors who have published 3573 publications receiving 47321 citations.

Norovirus Illness Is a Global Problem: Emergence and Spread of Norovirus GII.4 Variants, 2001–2007

Abstract: Background Noroviruses (NoVs) are the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis Their high incidence and importance in health care facilities result in a great impact on public health Studies from around the world describing increasing prevalence have been difficult to compare because of differing nomenclatures for variants of the dominant genotype, GII4 We studied the global patterns of GII4 epidemiology in relation to its genetic diversity Methods Data from NoV outbreaks with dates of onset from January 2001 through March 2007 were collected from 15 institutions on 5 continents Partial genome sequences (n = 775) were collected, allowing phylogenetic comparison of data from different countries Results The 15 institutions reported 3098 GII4 outbreaks, 62% of all reported NoV outbreaks Eight GII4 variants were identified Four had a global distribution-the 1996, 2002, 2004, and 2006b variants The 2003Asia and 2006a variants caused epidemics, but they were geographically limited Finally, the 2001 Japan and 2001Henry variants were found across the world but at low frequencies Conclusions NoV epidemics resulted from the global spread of GII4 strains that evolved under the influence of population immunity Lineages show notable (and currently unexplained) differences in geographic prevalence Establishing a global NoV network by which data on strains with the potential to cause pandemics can be rapidly exchanged may lead to improved prevention and intervention strategies

Normal fasting plasma glucose levels and type 2 diabetes in young men.

Abstract: BACKGROUND The normal fasting plasma glucose level was recently defined as less than 100 mg per deciliter (5.55 mmol per liter). Whether higher fasting plasma glucose levels within this range independently predict type 2 diabetes in young adults is unclear. METHODS We obtained blood measurements, data from physical examinations, and medical and lifestyle information from men in the Israel Defense Forces who were 26 to 45 years of age. RESULTS A total of 208 incident cases of type 2 diabetes occurred during 74,309 person-years of follow-up (from 1992 through 2004) among 13,163 subjects who had baseline fasting plasma glucose levels of less than 100 mg per deciliter. A multivariate model, adjusted for age, family history of diabetes, body-mass index, physical-activity level, smoking status, and serum triglyceride levels, revealed a progressively increased risk of type 2 diabetes in men with fasting plasma glucose levels of 87 mg per deciliter (4.83 mmol per liter) or more, as compared with those whose levels were in the bottom quintile (less than 81 mg per deciliter [4.5 mmol per liter], P for trend <0.001). In multivariate models, men with serum triglyceride levels of 150 mg per deciliter (1.69 mmol per liter) or more, combined with fasting plasma glucose levels of 91 to 99 mg per deciliter (5.05 to 5.50 mmol per liter), had a hazard ratio of 8.23 (95 percent confidence interval, 3.6 to 19.0) for diabetes, as compared with men with a combined triglyceride level of less than 150 mg per deciliter and fasting glucose levels of less than 86 mg per deciliter (4.77 mmol per liter). The joint effect of a body-mass index (the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters) of 30 or more and a fasting plasma glucose level of 91 to 99 mg per deciliter resulted in a hazard ratio of 8.29 (95 percent confidence interval, 3.8 to 17.8), as compared with a body-mass index of less than 25 and a fasting plasma glucose level of less than 86 mg per deciliter. CONCLUSIONS Higher fasting plasma glucose levels within the normoglycemic range constitute an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes among young men, and such levels may help, along with body-mass index and triglyceride levels, to identify apparently healthy men at increased risk for diabetes.

Pyridostigmine brain penetration under stress enhances neuronal excitability and induces early immediate transcriptional response.

Abstract: Pyridostigmine, a carbamate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, is routinely employed in the treatment of the autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis1. Pyridostigmine is also recommended by most Western armies for use as pretreatment under threat of chemical warfare, because of its protective effect against organophosphate poisoning2,3. Because of this drug's quaternary ammonium group, which prevents its penetration through the blood–brain barrier, the symptoms associated with its routine use primarily reflect perturbations in peripheral nervous system functions1,4. Unexpectedly, under a similar regimen, pyridostigmine administration during the Persian Gulf War resulted in a greater than threefold increase in the frequency of reported central nervous system symptoms5. This increase was not due to enhanced absorption (or decreased elimination) of the drug, because the inhibition efficacy of serum butyrylcholinesterase was not modified5. Because previous animal studies have shown stress–induced disruption of the blood–brain barrier6, an alternative possibility was that the stress situation associated with war allowed pyridostigmine penetration into the brain. Here we report that after mice were subjected to a forced swim protocol (shown previously to simulate stress7), an increase in blood–brain barrier permeability reduced the pyridostigmine dose required to inhibit mouse brain AChE activity by 50% to less than 1/100th of the usual dose. Under these conditions, peripherally administered pyridostigmine increased the brain levels of c–fos oncogene and AChE mRNAs. Moreover, in vitro exposure to pyridostigmine increased both electrical excitability and c–fos mRNA levels in brain slices, demonstrating that the observed changes could be directly induced by pyridostigmine. These findings suggest that peripherally acting drugs administered under stress may reach the brain and affect centrally controlled functions.

Coping, locus of control, social support, and combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder: a prospective study.

Abstract: We examined the relations between coping, locus of control, and social support and combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The sample consisted of 262 Israeli soldiers who suffered a combat stress reaction episode during the 1982 Lebanon war and were followed 2 and 3 years after their participation in combat. Cross-sectional analyses revealed significant relations between locus of control, coping, and social support and PTSD at the two points of assessment. Changes in PTSD from Time 1 to Time 2 were also associated with changes in coping. We discuss theoretical and methodological implications of the findings.