Vaginal and cervical pH in bacterial vaginosis and cervicitis during pregnancy

The purpose of our study is to see whether vaginal and cervical pH are helpful to screen for bacterial vaginosis and cervicitis during pregnancy. One hundred and seven pregnant women underwent prospectively both vaginal pH and cervical pH measurement and screening for microbial infections of the lower genital tracts at 10, 20 and 30 gestational week between February 1993 and August 1993. The value of vaginal pH significantly elevated in bacterial vaginosis (P < 0.05). Vaginal pH values also significantly elevated in patients who had had sexual intercourse 2 days before the dates of examinations (P < 0.01). Cervical pH value exhibited no significant change in bacterial vaginosis and cervicitis. Vaginal pH is a valid indicator for screening of bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy. However, vaginal pH might be influenced by the presence of semen. Cervical pH is not a useful parameter for screening of cervicitis during pregnancy.     

Screening for bacterial vaginosis: a novel application of artificial nose technology

The AromaScan system was used to analyse vaginal swabs from 68 women attending a genitourinary clinic. Using clinical criteria, subjects were assessed for bacterial vaginosis. After training the AromaScan system to recognise patterns generated from four patients with and four patients without bacterial vaginosis, 16 of the 17 (94%) remaining subjects were correctly identified as having the condition. The positive predictive value of the test was 61.5%. These results indicate that the AromaScan technology may be of value as a screening test for bacterial vaginosis.     

Treatment of vaginal infections: candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis

Chemokines contribute to the inflammatory response by selective attraction of various leukocytic cell types. Human GCP-2 was originally identified by amino acid sequence analysis as a CXC chemokine co-produced with IL-8 by osteosarcoma cells. Furthermore, the complete coding domain of human GCP-2 was disclosed by means of RT-PCR. Similarly, mouse GCP-2 was isolated from fibroblastoid and epithelial cells and completely identified by sequence analysis. Human and mouse GCP-2 share 61% identical amino acids. Both chemokines occur as multiple NH2-terminally truncated forms. The shorter forms of mouse, but not those of human, GCP-2 showed a higher neutrophil chemotactic potency and gelatinase B releasing capacity. Mouse GCP-2 was a more potent neutrophil activator than human GCP-2, natural mouse KC, and MIP-2. Human GCP-2 was not chemotactic for monocytes, lymphocytes, or eosinophils. Quantitative studies of mRNA expression in diploid fibroblasts revealed GCP-2 induction by IL-1beta. Human GCP-2 induced [Ca2+]i increase in neutrophils, which was reciprocally desensitized by IL-8, GROalpha, and ENA-78. Human GCP-2 induced [Ca2+]i increases and chemotactic responses in both CXCR1- and CXCR2-transfected cells. Finally, GCP-2 provoked neutrophil accumulation and plasma extravasation in rabbit skin. In humans, GCP-2 complements the activity of IL-8 as neutrophil chemoattractant and activator but it constitutes a major neutrophil chemokine in the mouse. GCP-2 induces neutrophil chemotaxis and activation but it might also contribute to detrimental tissue damage in sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute hypersensitivity reactions, and autoimmune diseases. It might also influence the invasive capacity of GCP-2-secreting tumor cells.     

Ingestion of yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus compared with pasteurized yogurt as prophylaxis for recurrent candidal vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis

To compare and assess ingestion of yogurt that contained live Lactobacillus acidophilus with pasteurized yogurt as prophylaxis for recurrent bacterial vaginosis (BV) and candidal vaginitis, we designed a crossover trial during which patients were examined monthly for candidal infection and BV while they were receiving either a pasteurized yogurt or a yogurt that contained live L acidophilus. Forty-six patients in 2 groups of 23 were randomly assigned to each of the study groups. At least 28 (61%) participated during the first 4 months of the study. Seven patients completed the entire study protocol. We concluded that daily ingestion of 150 mL of yogurt, enriched with live L acidophilus, was associated with an increased prevalence of colonization of the rectum and vagina by the bacteria, and this ingestion of yogurt may have reduced episodes of BV.     

Synthesis and evaluation of RGD peptidomimetics aimed at surface bioderivatization of polymer substrates

Several RGD peptidomimetics have been prepared, in a convergent way, from the common ortho-aminotyrosine template (O-substituted with an anchorage-arm or a methyl group, and alpha N-substituted with a fluorine tag for XPS analysis), and various omega-aminoacid derivatives. The most flexible compounds have shown a biological activity similar to that of the peptide reference (RGDS) in the platelet aggregation test. The compound 16a could be fitted (by modelisation) with DMP 728 and c(RGDfV), two cyclic peptides that are good ligands of integrins. The compound 16b has been covalently fixed on the surface of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) membrane used as support for mammalian cell cultivation.     

Risk factors for plasma cell endometritis among women with cervical Neisseria gonorrhoeae, cervical Chlamydia trachomatis, or bacterial vaginosis

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine potential risk factors for upper genital tract inflammation in women with cervical Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, or bacterial vaginosis. STUDY DESIGN: In a case-controlled study we compared 111 women with cervical Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, or bacterial vaginosis (the study group) with 24 women who had negative tests for each of these infections (the control group). We evaluated potential risk factors for upper genital tract inflammation by use of bivariate and then logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: We found plasma cell endometritis in 53 of 111 women in the study group and 3 of 24 controls (odds ratio = 6.4, 95% confidence interval 1.7 to 35.0). On logistic regression, the study group women who were in the proliferative phase had increased likelihood of plasma cell endometritis (odds ratio = 4.5, 95% confidence interval 1.6 to 12.4). CONCLUSION: The proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle seems to be the primary risk factor for ascending infection by organisms associated with pelvic inflammatory disease. This may be due to a hormonal effect or to the loss of the cervical barrier during menstruation.     

选矿厂大端盖铸造裂纹的产生及预防

本文针对近期生产的选矿厂大端盖,在粗车加工时发现的裂纹缺陷进行分析,查找原因,制定预防措施,保证了后期制作此类铸件的质量.     

Fetal and maternal catecholamine levels at delivery

Endovascular treatment methods that are largely catheter/guidewire-based permit treatment of a variety of vascular lesions from remote access sites in a minimally invasive manner. Because these endovascular technologies have intrinsic appeal to patients and physicians, they may, if proved safe and effective, replace a substantial proportion of current vascular surgical procedures. This change will have a substantial impact on the specialties involved in their development and use, that is, vascular surgery and interventional radiology (which in this discussion includes other interventional specialists devoted to peripheral vascular disease management). The relationship between these previously distinct specialties must also be influenced greatly by the introduction of endovascular technologies, the use of which requires skills that overlap the specialties. This paper considers several possible approaches for dealing with the altered interspecialty relationships that will result if new endovascular treatment methods prove to be safe and effective. Because the development and use of these endovascular technologies require the skills and talents of vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists (or other interventionalists), a collaborative, multispecialty approach to the use of endovascular technologies is recommended as the most reasonable and optimal for patient care. Although this approach may not be applicable for every environment, it is the one most likely to minimize costs and turf battles, particularly if interspecialty conflict can be minimized by collaboration and compromises developed by a conjoint executive committee representing the leadership of the involved specialty societies.     

Screening of bacterial cells for biosorption of oxyanions: Application of micro-PIXE for measurement of biosorption

An attempt was made to isolate bacterial strains capable of biologically removing tungstate (WO₄²⁻) and perrhenate (ReO₄⁻). Thirty-eight water samples were collected from various areas of Anzali lagoon, Iran. Initial screening of a total of 100 bacterial isolates, resulted in the selection of one isolate with maximum biosorption capacity of WO₄²⁻ and ReO₄⁻. It was tentatively identified as Bacillus sp. according to morphological and biochemical properties and named strain GT-83. WO₄²⁻ and ReO₄⁻ uptake by Bacillus sp. GT-83 involved both inactive and active phenomena. The amount of WO₄²⁻ (initial concentration 184 mg/l) removed from aqueous solution after 16 h by inactive and active phenomena was 26 and 194.5 μg/mg protein, respectively. The strain also removed ReO₄⁻ inactively (23 μg/mg protein). Bacillus sp. GT-83 tolerated high MIC of the oxyanions. The order of toxicity of the oxyanions to the bacterium was WO₄²⁻ > ReO₄⁻ in solid media. The effects of increasing metal concentrations on the growth rate were determined in order to obtain precise patterns of resistance in liquid cultures. From the results of the oxyanions toxicity, inhibitory concentrations in solid media were higher than those in liquid media. Oxyanions biosorption was determined during the course of growth. Bacillus sp. GT-83 was capable of removing WO₄²⁻ and ReO₄⁻ during the active growth cycle with a sorption capacity of 194.5 μg WO₄²⁻/mg protein and 137.1 μg ReO₄⁻/mg protein. In view of the results of oxyanions accumulation experiments, it was concluded that Bacillus sp. GT-83 was not only tolerant to oxyanions, but it also bound considerable amounts of WO₄²⁻ and ReO₄⁻ from the growth medium. The binding of tungsten and rhenium on the cell wall of Bacillus sp. GT-83 was confirmed with micro-PIXE.     

Melt treatment by pulsed magnetic fields aimed at controlling the structure and properties of industrial silumins

Computer modeling of main force factors when treating aluminum alloys by pulsed magnetic fields according to the radial and axial effect schemes is performed. It is established that, when using the radial scheme, the shock wave, which appears in the melt after a single pulse, affects its entire bulk for 40 μs; when using the axial scheme, this time is 416 μs. Experimental studies for industrial silumins AK6M2 and AK10M2N have confirmed the presence of a stable modifying effect under the magnetic pulsed treatment (MPT), notably, dendrite sizes of the α-Al phase and eutectic silicon crystals decrease, density and electrical conductivity increases, and alloy strength and plasticity in a cast state increase. Based on the experimental investigations, it is concluded that the MPT is most manufacturable for the axial effect scheme.     

Comparison of the influence of spermicidal and non-spermicidal contraception on bacterial vaginosis, candidal infection and inflammation of the vagina--a preliminary study

This preliminary study compared the signs, symptoms and prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and candidal infections in women using spermicides, with those using other forms of contraception, to establish whether nonoxynol-9 had any therapeutic value against BV or gave rise to vaginal candidiasis and inflammation. Overall results showed that the prevalence of BV in non-spermicide users was 35/113 (31%) but was significantly less in spermicide users, 10/66 (15%), P < 0.05. Nonoxynol-9 was not associated with increased isolation of Candida albicans, which was found in 16/113 (14%) of non-spermicide users, and in 8/66 (12%) of those using spermicides, P > 0.1. Vaginal inflammation and discharge were significantly less in spermicide users, 19/66 (29%) than in the non-spermicide group, 50/113 (44%), P < 0.05. Nonoxynol-9 contraception was associated with a significantly reduced prevalence of BV, but not with increased candidiasis or vaginal inflammation.     

Screening and Neuropsychological Assessment of Spray Painters at Risk for Organic Solvent Neurotoxicity

Nine patients with lumbar spinal problems (patient group) and four healthy volunteers as a control group were examined by the microneurographic technique. A tungsten microelectrode (impedance 2 approximately 5 M omega) was introduced into the peroneal nerve in the affected limb in the patient group. Muscle sympathetic nerve activities were rectified and integrated every 0.1 sec. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity was expressed as the burst number of integrated muscle sympathetic nerve activities per minute (burst rate) and the burst number per 100 heart beats (burst incidence). Statistical analyses were performed by ANOVA. The mean burst rate was 22.5 +/- 5.3 burst/min in the patient group, and 11.9 +/- 1.9 burst/min in the control group. The mean burst incidence was 31.7 +/- 8.2 burst/100 HB in the patient group and 17.1 +/- 4.3 burst/100 HB in the control group. Both the mean burst rate and mean burst incidence were higher in the patient group than in the control group (mean burst rate: p < 0.005, mean burst incidence: p < 0.01). In 62.5% of the patients with increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity, dysesthesia (tingling, and pin prick sensations) was complained of. There was a positive correlation between dysesthesia and increased basic activity of the muscle sympathetic nerve. This suggests the sympathetic nervous system may be involved in inducing abnormal sensations.     

Impairment of the mucosal immune system: IgA and IgM cleavage detected in vaginal washings of a subgroup of patients with bacterial vaginosis

The integrity of the immunoglobulins in vaginal washings of patients with bacterial vaginosis was examined to answer the question of the lack of immune response against Gardnerella vaginalis cytolysin. Clinically diagnosed patients (n=100) were recruited and their vaginal washings examined by Western blotting. Many showed IgA and IgM partially or extensively degraded. According to the degradation pattern, the patients were subdivided into 4 subsets, from intact (score 0) to completely degraded IgA (score +3). Statistical analysis of the data showed a correlation between IgA degradation and absence of immune response to G. vaginalis cytolysin. The extent of IgA degradation correlated also with the sialidase (but not with the prolidase) activity level. All women showed intact IgG and human serum albumin and no trypsin-like activity. Patients with bacterial vaginosis having high sialidase activity and extensive IgA degradation in their secretions could incur more dangerous infections and adverse pregnancy outcomes.     

Gram stain method shows better sensitivity than clinical criteria for detection of bacterial vaginosis in surveillance of pregnant, low-income women in a clinical setting

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to determine whether the Gram stain method is superior to the clinical criteria for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis in low-income pregnant women seen in a resident clinic setting. The clinical criteria is the current diagnostic method employed to diagnose bacterial vaginosis. STUDY DESIGN: In this study, 51 pregnant women with vaginal discharge were prospectively evaluated. All were screened using the clinical criteria, Gram stain method, and culture of the discharge. The modified scoring system instituted by Nugent et al. (J Clin Microbiol 29:297-301, 1991) was employed in reading the Gram stain smears. The clinical criteria were then compared with the Gram stain method. Isolation of moderate to many Gardnerella vaginalis growth by culture was used as the confirmatory finding. RESULTS: Sensitivity of the Gram stain method (91%) was significantly higher than that of the clinical criteria (46%), (sign test P = 0.0023, < 0.01). The Gram stain method also has both a low false-negative (4%) and high negative predictive value (96%), making it an ideal diagnostic test. CONCLUSION: The Gram stain method is a rapid and cost-effective test that is also highly reproducible and readily available in many laboratories. These features make the Gram stain method a more desirable screening procedure for bacterial vaginosis in a clinic population.     

The Holt .45 misfires: Yet another round of lament and ridicule aimed at psychoanalytic theorizing.

Comments on R. R. Holt's (see record 1992-27289-001) criticism of S. Reisner's (see record 1992-16438-001) interpretation of an object-relational thread running through Freud's writings. According to Holt, such rereadings of Freud are a waste of time; the real problem to which analytic scholars need to address themselves is the sorry epistemic state of psychoanalytic theory. This commentary counterargues that Holt is simply one of a small, but highly visible, group of lamenters for the alleged terminal epistemic illness of psychoanalysis, a group whose modus operandi has been to ridicule anyone who sees in the traditional forms of psychoanalytic theorizing the potential to say anything useful about human psychology. Reisner has, in fact, made an interesting, exciting, and useful contribution to psychoanalytic thinking and to the wider effort of human beings to capture and accurately represent their unconscious processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Teacher preferences for service delivery: A look at attribution research.

Reviews the literature on teacher attributions and discusses the relevance of causal attributions to teacher preferences for service delivery (i.e., referral for psychoeducational assessment, consultation). Literature is reviewed in the context of B. Weiner's (see record 1979-28688-001) proposed dimensions of causality. In addition, practical implications for this literature are discussed, and future research endeavors exploring the relationship between causal attributions and preferences for service delivery are outlined. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Screening of child behavior problems for prevention programs at school entry.

Targeted programs designed to prevent conduct problems in childhood and adolescence rely on screening systems to identify high-risk individuals. This study examines the proximal usefulness of a multiple-gating approach to screening, using teacher and parent ratings in a 2-step procedure with a sample of 382 kindergarten children. The study explored differences in the accuracy of the 2 steps of screening information and whether parents' reports of parenting practices augments the prediction of negative outcomes. The 2-step screening system was found to effectively predict negative behavior outcomes over 1 year later, although some false-positive and false-negative predictions were evident. The Parenting Practices Screen did not substantially add to prediction accuracy. The discussion emphasizes the potential contributions and problems of using screening measures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)