Otitis media with effusion: a disability or not?

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a disease most commonly affecting the paediatric population. However, it is a condition that is also seen in adults and does lead to significant morbidity. We studied the effect of surgical treatment of OME in an adult population and found that the subjective relief of symptoms exceeded the objective audiometric gain. In children where subjective symptoms are perhaps more difficult to assess the clinician needs to beware of underestimating the effect of a hearing loss.     

Dynamics of centromeres during metaphase-anaphase transition in fission yeast: Dis1 is implicated in force balance in metaphase bipolar spindle

In higher eukaryotic cells, the spindle forms along with chromosome condensation in mitotic prophase. In metaphase, chromosomes are aligned on the spindle with sister kinetochores facing toward the opposite poles. In anaphase A, sister chromatids separate from each other without spindle extension, whereas spindle elongation takes place during anaphase B. We have critically examined whether such mitotic stages also occur in a lower eukaryote, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Using the green fluorescent protein tagging technique, early mitotic to late anaphase events were observed in living fission yeast cells. S. pombe has three phases in spindle dynamics, spindle formation (phase 1), constant spindle length (phase 2), and spindle extension (phase 3). Sister centromere separation (anaphase A) rapidly occurred at the end of phase 2. The centromere showed dynamic movements throughout phase 2 as it moved back and forth and was transiently split in two before its separation, suggesting that the centromere was positioned in a bioriented manner toward the poles at metaphase. Microtubule-associating Dis1 was required for the occurrence of constant spindle length and centromere movement in phase 2. Normal transition from phase 2 to 3 needed DNA topoisomerase II and Cut1 but not Cut14. The duration of each phase was highly dependent on temperature.     

Immunization of Aotus nancymai with recombinant C terminus of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 in liposomes and alum adjuvant does not induce protection against a challenge infection

Merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1) of Plasmodium falciparum is an antimalarial vaccine candidate. The highly conserved 19-kDa C-terminal processing fragment of MSP-1 (MSP-1(19)) is of particular interest since it contains epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies which inhibit the invasion of erythrocytes in vitro. The presence of naturally acquired anti-MSP-1(19) antibodies in individuals exposed to malaria has been correlated with reduced morbidity, and immunization with an equivalent recombinant P. yoelii antigen induces substantial protection against this parasite in mice. We have expressed P. falciparum MSP-1(19) in Escherichia coli as a correctly folded protein and immunized Aotus nancymai monkeys by using the protein incorporated into liposomes and adsorbed to alum. After vaccination, the sera from these animals contained anti-MSP-1(19) antibodies, some of which competed for binding to MSP-1(19) with monoclonal antibodies that inhibit parasite invasion of erythrocytes in vitro. However, after challenge with either a homologous or a heterologous strain of parasite, all animals became parasitemic and required treatment. The immunization did not induce protection in this animal model.     

mRNA sequences define an unusually restricted IgG response to 2-phenyloxazolone and its early diversification

Light and heavy chain mRNAs of 15 anti-oxazolone antibodies were sequenced directly using synthetic primers. Hybridomas obtained 7 days after primary immunization show that they are of restricted heterogeneity. The majority expressed a single sequence with minor differences concentrated in the D region and joining boundaries D--JH and V kappa--J kappa.     

Reliability of B-mode ultrasonic measurements of subcutaneous adipose tissue and intra-abdominal depth: comparisons with skinfold thicknesses

Adipose tissue deposits, particularly intra-abdominal adipose tissue, are associated with health risks such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Anthropometric techniques currently in use can measure subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) with skinfold calipers, but are limited to certain sites and cannot measure intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT). Radiography, computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been used, but they are expensive and some involve exposure to radiation. This study, which investigated the utility of B-mode ultrasound for measuring adipose tissue, found that ultrasonic measurements of SAT were as reliable as skinfold caliper measurements. Intra-observer and inter-observer coefficients of reliability for five of six ultrasonic measurements of SAT ranged from 91-98%, in comparison with coefficients of reliability ranging from 93-98% for three skinfold measurements. Coefficients of reliability for ultrasonic measurements of SAT at the paraspinal site were below 90%. Ultrasonic measurements of intra-abdominal depth (IAD), an index of IAAT, yielded an inter-observer coefficient of reliability of 64%. Ultrasound is recommended for measurement of subcutaneous adipose tissue but not for measurement of IAD.     

Portal vein thrombosis in adults

Idiopathic thrombotic occlusion of the extrahepatic portal vein is one of the commonest causes of portal hypertension in adult Blacks. The condition occurs more frequently in men and may be accompanied by evidence of minor functional impairment of the liver. Associated pancytopenia is quantitatively related to the degree of splenomegaly. Assessment of a spectrum of variables of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis, while failing to shed light on the possible pathogenesis, does suggest a rational basis for thrombolytic therapy.