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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection in humans and an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised hosts. Congenital CMV infection occurs in approximately 0.5 to 1 percent of all newborns in the United States and can result in significant neurological sequelae. The gold standard for diagnosing congenital CMV infection is isolation of the virus from infants within the first 2 weeks of life through conventional or rapid cell culture techniques. Newer molecular diagnostic methods to diagnose congenital CMV infection, including the nucleic acid amplification of viral DNA from the peripheral blood of infants, are being investigated, and the preliminary results show promise. However, more work must be done to standardize and validate these methods before they can be used routinely in establishing the diagnosis of congenital CMV infection. Copyright © 2005 by Elsevier Science (USA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of 35,312 cannabis preparations confiscated in the USA over a period of 18 years for delta-9-tetrahy-drocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and other major cannabinoids is reported. Samples were identified as cannabis, hashish, or hash oil. Cannabis samples were further subdivided into marijuana (loose material, kilobricks and buds), sinsemilla, Thai sticks and ditchweed. The data showed that more than 82% of all confiscated samples were in the marijuana category for every year except 1980 (61%) and 1981 (75%). The potency (concentration of Δ9-THC) of marijuana samples rose from less than 1.5% in 1980 to approximately 3.3% in 1983 and 1984, then fluctuated around 3% till 1992. Since 1992, the potency of confiscated marijuana samples has continuously risen, going from 3.1% in 1992 to 4.2% in 1997. The average concentration of Δ9-THC in all cannabis samples showed a gradual rise from 3% in 1991 to 4.47% in 1997. Hashish and hash oil, on the other hand, showed no specific potency trends. Other major cannabinoids [cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabichromene (CBC)] showed no significant change in their concentration over the years.

We studied whether the use of 8 mm insulin pen needles, shorter than the standard 12.7 mm needles, affects glucose control in obese and non‐obese people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. A prospective, open‐label, nine‐week, crossover study involved 106 insulin pen‐using patients. During the initial period, all subjects used B‐D brand standard length needles. In the second period, subjects were randomised to either B‐D or NovoFine brand 8 mm pen needles. In the third period, subjects were crossed over to the alternative brand. Fructosamine levels were measured, leakage of insulin from injection sites was quantified, and pain was assessed. Glucose control was not altered in either obese or nonobese subgroups after switching to either brand of 8 mm needle. However, a few individuals, most of whom were obese, experienced a clinically significant increase in fructosamine levels after switching to an 8 mm needle. B‐D 8 mm needles were significantly less painful than either of the other needles tested. Obese subjects were significantly more likely to experience insulin leakage from their injection sites compared to non‐obese people, but the leakage was not significantly correlated with changes in fructosamine levels. Non‐obese people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can switch to 8 mm insulin pen needles without compromising their glucose control and with less pain. Some obese patients who switch to 8 mm needles may have a higher risk of poorer glucose control, and should therefore consult with their healthcare professional. All patients should carefully monitor their blood glucose when changing to a shorter needle.