Toxoplasma gondii recombinant antigens H4 and H11: use in ELISAs for detection of toxoplasmosis in swine

The prevalence of elevated blood lead (PbB) levels in rural and semi-urban areas of Kwazulu/Natal (KZN) as well as the risk factors for elevation of PbB among children in informal settlements are examined. The study involved over 1200 children in two age groups: 3-5 and 8-10 years old. Average PbB level in Besters, an informal settlement in the Durban metropolitan region, was 10 micrograms/dl with 5% of the children showing PbB level of greater than 25 micrograms/dl. By comparison, average PbB value in Vulamehlo, a rural area located 90-120 km from Durban, was 3.8 micrograms/dl and 2% of the PbB was greater than 10 micrograms/dl. The results show that many children in KZN are at risk of being lead poisoned. Household factors that were significantly associated with PbB levels in children included distance from tarred roads, overcrowding, hygienic habits in the household and the burning of solid wastes for heating or cooking. Lack of significant association with child risk behaviors is attributed to the over-riding influence of high levels of contaminated dusts both indoor and outdoor. With recent introduction of unleaded gasoline in South Africa, a number of unique socio-ecological factors are expected to slow the change in PbB levels of children in some townships.     

Eye movements induced by lateral acceleration steps. Effect of visual context and acceleration levels

Different extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, when presented to hippocampal neurons in culture in a substrate-bound form, exert strikingly similar effects on the establishment of neuronal polarity, i.e., the growth of axon-like major neurites is favored, whereas extension of dendrite-like minor neurites is inhibited. To gain insight into the underlying signal transduction processes, we have investigated the effects of modulators of protein kinase activity on the morphology of neurons cultured on tenascin-R, tenascin-C, and laminin-entactin substrates. We found differential effects of broad-spectrum protein kinase inhibitors: H-7 promoted the growth of minor neurites, whereas H-8 reduced the growth of major neurites on ECM but not control substrates. In contrast, chelerythrine, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C, selectively affected growth of both minor and major neurites on control, but not on ECM substrates. Finally, reagents which elevate intracellular cAMP levels facilitated growth of minor neurites and inhibited growth of major neurites and thus interfered with the establishment of a polarized phenotype on both ECM and control substrates. Our results suggest that protein kinases mediate the effects of ECM molecules on neuronal polarity and that different kinases control extension of axons and dendrites.     

Sclerotome distribution of melorheostosis and multicentric fibromatosis

A case of melorheostosis affecting the C7 sclerotome is described, in association with synchronous multicentric fibromatosis. The foci of fibromatosis also affected the C7 sclerotome, suggesting a similar underlying pathogenesis for both diseases.     

Ultrasonographic imaging of canine mammary tumours

Two-hundred-and-fifteen embryos recovered from 76 donor ewes from flocks endemically infected with sheep pulmonary adenomatosis (SPA) and mated with uninfected rams were transferred to 131 uninfected recipients under strict sanitary conditions using International Embryo Transfer Society protocols. The recipients and their progeny were kept in a closed, isolated SPA-free flock. Thirty-eight of 51 progeny from SPA-positive donors and 55 of 74 progeny from donors in which no lesions of SPA were detected survived for at least five years after birth. In a similar study 11 embryos from four uninfected donors mated to an SPA-infected ram were transferred to seven recipients, and four of five progeny born to four recipients survived for at least five years. No evidence of SPA was found in the recipients or their progeny by embryo transfer in either study. On the basis of clinical and pathological criteria, it is concluded that embryo transfer can be used to provide an effective barrier against the transmission of SPA from donors from infected flocks, whether or not the parents show clinical signs of the disease.     

A randomized, controlled, clinical study of laparoscopic vs open tension-free inguinal hernia repair

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study was to compare laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernia repair with a standard tension-free open mesh repair (open). METHODS: A total of 108 low-risk patients with unilateral (primary or recurrent) or bilateral hernias were randomized to TAPP (group 1 = 52 cases) or open (group 2 = 56 cases). The outcome measures included operating time, complications, postoperative pain, return to normal activity, operating theater costs, and recurrences. RESULTS: The mean operative time was longer for the TAPP than for the open group only in unilateral primary hernias. At rest, the median Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score was higher for group 1 than group 2 at 48 h postoperatively. Mild to discomforting pain in the inguinal region after 7 days, night pain after 30 days, and inguinal hardening after 3 months were more frequent in group 2 than group 1. No significant differences were observed in return to normal activities between the groups. One hernia recurrence was observed after 1 month in group 1. TAPP was significantly more expensive than open. CONCLUSIONS: TAPP was associated with less postoperative pain than open. The increase in operating theater costs, however, was dramatic and was not compensated by shorter time away from work. TAPP should not be adopted routinely unless its costs can be drastically reduced.     

Insulinoma associated with liver lesions: value of MR imaging

We report on a middle-aged woman who presented with clinical and biochemical findings of insulinoma. Preoperative evaluation by ultrasound, CT, and angiography located the pancreatic lesion but also revealed two focal liver lesions. The latter were interpreted as metastases. MR imaging with injection of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles not only localized the insulinoma but proved to be the only noninvasive technique capable to exclude presence of liver metastases preoperatively. This reversed management to minimal laparoscopic surgery. Recent literature of preoperative imaging evaluation of insulinoma and focal liver lesions is discussed.     

Synaptic physiology and ultrastructure in comatose mutants define an in vivo role for NSF in neurotransmitter release

N-Ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) is a cytosolic protein thought to play a key role in vesicular transport in all eukaryotic cells. Although NSF was proposed to function in the trafficking of synaptic vesicles responsible for neurotransmitter release, only recently have in vivo experiments begun to reveal a specific function for NSF in this process. Our previous work showed that mutations in a Drosophila NSF gene, dNSF1, are responsible for the temperature-sensitive paralytic phenotype in comatose (comt) mutants. In this study, we perform electrophysiological and ultrastructural analyses in three different comt alleles to investigate the function of dNSF1 at native synapses in vivo. Electrophysiological analysis of postsynaptic potentials and currents at adult neuromuscular synapses revealed that in the absence of repetitive stimulation, comt synapses exhibit wild-type neurotransmitter release at restrictive (paralytic) temperatures. In contrast, repetitive stimulation at restrictive temperatures revealed a progressive, activity-dependent reduction in neurotransmitter release in comt but not in wild type. These results indicate that dNSF1 does not participate directly in the fusion of vesicles with the target membrane but rather functions in maintaining the pool of readily releasable vesicles competent for fast calcium-triggered fusion. To define dNSF1 function further, we used transmission electron microscopy to examine the distribution of vesicles within synaptic terminals, and observed a marked accumulation of docked vesicles at restrictive temperatures in comt. Together, the results reported here define a role for dNSF1 in the priming of docked synaptic vesicles for calcium-triggered fusion.     

Contralateral early blink reflex in multifocal motor neuropathy

Nurses must share their research and experiences with colleagues in order that areas of practice are debated and improved. Assessing the suitability of a piece of work for a journal and following simple ground rules will increase the likelihood of publication.