Clinical atopy score and TEWL are not correlated in a cohort of metalworkers

The case of a 12-year-old Caucasian boy, living in a non-endemic area, with two intrapulmonary masses is presented. Conventional X-rays and computed tomography images were highly suggestive of pulmonary Echinococcus disease because of the presence of pericystic emphysema in one of both masses, a finding known as the "crescent" or "meniscus" sign. This radiological feature and other highly suggestive imaging findings of pulmonary hydatid disease are presented and discussed.     

Midazolam-fentanyl-isoflurane anaesthesia is suitable for haemodynamic and fluid balance studies in pigs

The effects of various directed forces applied by combined headgear were evaluated in this study. The study material consisted of 30 patients with Class II dental relationships and steep mandibular plane angles. Three groups of 10 patients each were formed. In the first treatment group, forces of 150 gm per side were used for the high-pull component and the cervical component. In the second treatment group, forces of 200 gm per side for the high-pull component and 100 gm per side for the cervical component were applied. In the third treatment group, forces of 100 gm per side were applied for the high-pull component and 200 gm per side for the cervical component. Distal tipping of upper molar was greatest in the third treatment group. Intrusion of the upper molar in the second treatment group and extrusion of the upper molar in the third treatment group were statistically significant. Changes in occlusal and mandibular plane angles showed significant differences between the groups.     

Pretreatment of clinical specimens with sodium dodecyl (lauryl) sulfate is not suitable for the mycobacteria growth indicator tube cultivation method

When using the Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT), pretreatment of clinical specimens with N-acetyl-L-cysteine-NaOH is recommended by the manufacturer. Processing of clinical specimens (n = 1,000) with sodium dodecyl (lauryl) sulfate-NaOH resulted in both poor recovery and delayed mean time to detection of acid-fast bacilli. Values were comparable to those obtained on solid media.     

MacMARCKS is not essential for phagocytosis in macrophages

MacMARCKS (also known as myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate (MARCKS)-related protein) is a member of the MARCKS family of protein kinase C substrates. MacMARCKS contains within it a basic effector domain that contains the serine residues that are phosphorylated by protein kinase C, as well as a calcium/calmodulin and actin-binding site. Two previous reports demonstrated that a macrophage cell line expressing a mutant form of MacMARCKS that lacks the effector domain is defective in phagocytosis and cell adhesion (Zhu, Z., Bao, Z., and Li, J. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 17652-17655; Li, J., Zhu, Z., and Bao, Z. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 12985-12990). We report here that macrophages from MacMARCKS null mice phagocytose and spread normally. Thus, although MacMARCKS is recruited to phagosomes, it is not absolutely required for phagocytosis.     

The presence of atopy does not determine the type of cellular infiltrate in nasal polyps

Prostate cancer screening with DRE, TRUS, and PSA testing was offered to 2,400 randomly selected men 55-70 years old. Among 1,782 examined, 65 (3.6%) men with prostate cancer were diagnosed. The PSA results were correlated to the diagnosis, the men's age, and the prostate volume. Least square regression analysis was used to calculate the 95% upper confidence intervals for PSA in each year of age in men without prostate cancer. The PPV was calculated for: (i) PSA > 4 ng/ml, (ii) PSAD > 0.15, (iii) PSAD > 0.20 and (iv) age-adjusted PSA reference values. A significant correlation was found between PSA and prostate volume, between PSA and age, and between the prostate volume and age. The calculated annual growth of the prostate was 1.6% and the annual increase in PSA was 2.4%. The age-adjusted upper PSA reference values for the three age categories studied (55-59, 60-64 and 65-70 years) were 5.2, 5.8, and 6.7 ng/ml, respectively. The PPVs for PSA > 4 ng/ml, PSAD > 0.15, PSAD > 0.20, and the age-adjusted PSA reference values were 17%, 14%, 22%, and 27%, respectively. Age-adjusted PSA or PSAD may increase the PPV compared to PSA > 4 ng/ml. The detection rate is, however, inadequate. A PSA cut-off at 4 ng/ml could therefore be maintained in men 55-70 years old. The median PSA values and median prostate volumes calculated for men with benign findings may serve as a reference in future studies.     

What is good for the goose is apparently not good for the gander.

A Black psychologist comments on issues raised by W. Mischel (see record 1977-30801-001) that have been treated with benign neglect by White colleagues. Discussion focuses on psychometric assessment of personality in minority groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bacterial invasion is not required for activation of NF-kappaB in enterocytes

Pathogenic enteric microorganisms induce the NF-kappaB-dependent expression of proinflammatory genes in intestinal epithelial cells. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the contribution of microbial invasion to the degradation of the regulatory protein Ikappa Balpha and the subsequent activation of NF-kappaB in cultured intestinal epithelial cells. Caco-2BBe cells were incubated with Salmonella dublin, Salmonella typhimurium, or a weakly invasive strain of E. coli. S. dublin and S. typhimurium (10(7) organisms/ml) induced equivalent concentration-dependent gel mobility shifts of an NF-kappaB consensus sequence that was preceded by Ikappa Balpha degradation. E. coli (10(7) organisms/ml) did not induce Ikappa Balpha degradation or NF-kappaB translocation. Pretreatment with cytochalasin D blocked invasion of all three strains but had no effect on Ikappa Balpha degradation or NF-kappaB activation. S. dublin and S. typhimurium adhered to Caco-2BBe cells 3- to 10-fold more than E. coli. NF-kappaB activation was prevented by physical separation of S. dublin from Caco-2BBe cells by a 0. 4-micrometers-pore-size filter. Our results imply that bacterial adhesion, rather than invasion or release of a secreted factor, is sufficient to induce IkappaBalpha degradation and NF-kappaB activation in intestinal epithelial cells. Our data suggest that strategies to reduce enteric inflammation should be directed to the reduction of bacterial enterocyte adhesion.     

N-linked oligosaccharide processing is not necessary for glycoprotein secretion in plants

Mitochondria contain a potassium specific channel (mitoKATP channel) sensitive to ATP and antidiabetic sulfonylureas. The mitochondrial KATP channel plays an important role in the mitochondrial volume control and in regulation of the components of protonmotive force. This minireview describes the properties and current hypotheses concerning the function of mitoKATP channel.     

PrP expression in B lymphocytes is not required for prion neuroinvasion

To assess the effect of increased renewal of intestinal epithelial cells on leucine and glutamine (Gln) turnover, 4-hour intravenous infusions of L-[1-(13)C]leucine and L-[2-(15)N]Gln were administered to five adult patients with active celiac disease in the postabsorptive state. There was a 35% increase in leucine flux (micromoles per kilogram per hour) in patients (117 +/- 17) compared with healthy controls (96 +/- 11, P < .03). Gln flux was increased by 13% in patients (377 +/- 35) versus controls (335 +/- 16, P < .04). These results suggest that active celiac disease, characterized by villous atrophy and crypt cell hyperplasia, is associated with a dramatic increase in whole-body protein breakdown as assessed by 13C-leucine, which may contribute per se to the protein malnutrition status of the patients. The increase in Gln utilization as assessed by L-[2-(15)N]Gln was moderate, but may have been offset due to the villose atrophy and ensuing reduced intestinal epithelial cell mass. The results are consistent with the concept that increased renewal of intestinal epithelial cells represents a sizable fraction of whole-body protein turnover and that Gln is an important fuel for epithelial intestinal cells in vivo.     

Legionnaires' disease is not uncommon in Croatia

Legionella pneumophila has been relatively frequent pathogen of pneumonias worldwide. It causes 2-15% of pneumonias requiring hospitalization. It appears sporadically and in outbreaks, and frequently as hospital-acquired infection. The main aim of this study is to show the permanent presence of Legionnaires' disease in our country. In the 9-year period (1986-94), 42 patients were treated in the University Hospital of Infectious Diseases "Dr. Fran Mihaljevic" in Zagreb. The disease was diagnosed every year, and only one patient came from an outbreak, while all other cases of pneumonia were sporadic ones of pneumonia from the community. There were 40 males and only two women. Most of the patients (14) were in aged 30-39 yrs. There were six times more patients during summer and fall than in winter and spring time (36:6), and the highest number was in July (10). In 17 (40.5%) patients exposure to some potential sources of infection was recorded. Provocative factors i.e. underlying chronic diseases have been reported in 13 patients. There were 33 (78.6%) smokers, and 15 patients consumed greater quantities of alcoholic drinks. Legionnaires' disease affects also previously healthy persons as well as those without recognized provocative factors.     

A cysteinyl leukotriene 2 receptor variant is associated with atopy in the population of Tristan da Cunha

The clinical heterogeneity of asthma suggests that the contribution of genetic variability in candidate gene loci to well-defined phenotypes, such as atopy, may be examined to identify appropriate genetic risk factors for asthma. The gene encoding the cysteinyl leukotriene 2 (CysLT2) receptor has been implicated in atopy since it is localized to a region of chromosome 13q14 that has been linked to atopy in several populations and the cysteinyl leukotrienes are known to activate eosinophils and mast cells in atopy. Accordingly, we analysed the contribution of CysLT2 receptor gene variation to atopy in the inhabitants of Tristan da Cunha, a population characterized by both a founder effect and a 47% prevalence of atopy. Single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis revealed four variants. Among these, the M201V [corrected] variant was activated with four-fold less potency by leukotriene D4 (LTD4) in a calcium flux assay. The CysLT2 receptor partial agonist, BAY u9773, also showed four-fold lower potency on the M201V [corrected] variant. The M201V [corrected] mutation is located within the extracellular region of the fifth transmembrane spanning domain of CysLT2 receptor, a position that may alter ligand binding and effector signalling. The novel M201V [corrected] CysLT2 receptor variant was associated with atopy (21%) on Tristan da Cunha compared with those who were non-atopic (7%) (Fisher's exact test, P=0.0016) in a manner that was independent of asthma (two-way ANOVA, P=0.0015). This represents the first association of a coding mutation in the CysLT2 receptor gene, located on chromosome 13q14, with the atopic phenotype found in the Tristan da Cunha population.     

An ultrathin frozen section is suitable for demonstrating cytochrome c oxidase activity at electron microscopic level

Multiple factors influence the outcome of in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). In our prospective study different factors have been subject of examination concerning their effect on the outcome of in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer. 1237 couples undergoing 1675 consecutive treatment cycles between 1.1.1990-31.12.1991 were included in this study. Prior to treatment, couples were divided into "good" and "poor" prognosis groups. Cycles were prospectively labelled as carrying a potentially "poor prognosis", if one or more of the following factors were noted: 1) female age > 35; 2) an existence of male factor; 3) couples with more than 3 previous unsuccessful treatment cycles. Couples with none of these factors were assigned to the "good" prognosis group. The pregnancy rate per cycle in the "poor" prognosis group was 5.96%, compared with 17.92% per cycle in the "good" prognosis group (p < 0.001). The most important factors determining pregnancy rates were female age and male factor, and we observed that the rate of pregnancy declined after the third treatment cycle. An explanation may be seen in lower fertilisation rates after the age of 35 and cases of poor semen quality. Both will result in poor embryo quality.     

Splenic hypofunction in cirrhosis is not associated with increased risk for infections

Femoral artery pseudoaneurysm is a major problem in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. This study describes our experience with 5 French (5 F) and 7 French (7 F) introduction sheaths and 7 investigators at our institution regarding the incidence of pseudoaneurysms. During 54 months (1/1990-6/1994) 8715 consecutive patients after diagnostic cardiac catheterization were first clinically checked for pseudoaneurysm and in case of suspicion a duplex sonography was performed. In 86 (1%) patients, 44 (52%) women and 42 (48%) men, mean age 63 +/- 9.7 years we observed this complication by duplex ultrasound. 54 (62%) patients had arterial hypertension, 18 (20%) diabetes and only 3 (3.6%) had peripheral arteriosclerosis. An antithrombotic medication was used in 60% (52 patients). As compared to a control group of 450 consecutive patients a pseudoaneurysm was significantly more likely to occur in patients with a history of hypertension (63% vs 25%, p < 0.0001). Women are also at higher risk representing 51% of all pseudoaneurysms as compared to 29% in the control group (p < 0.0001). Using 7-F catheters more pseudoaneurysms occurred (82/7183; 1%) than using 5 F (4/1532; 0.2%) introduction sheaths (p = 0.0005). There were also significantly more pseudoaneurysms caused by investigator 1 (21/787; 2.7%) as compared to the other investigators (65/7829; 0.8%), (p = 0.0002). Investigator 1 had a more distal puncture technique than the others. Pseudoaneurysms complicating cardiac catheterization occur 5-times more frequent using 7 F (1%) as compared to 5 F catheters (0.2%). Moreover distal puncture site is associated with a higher frequency of pseudoaneurysms.