The identification of Mycoplasma mycoides mycoides LC as the aetiological agent of balanoposthitis and vulvovaginitis in sheep in South Africa

Clinical ulcerative balanoposthitis and vulvovaginitis was experimentally reproduced in 14 sheep infected with a Mycoplasma mycoides mycoides LC field strain, isolated from the Straussheim Dorper stud. The study encompassed a series of field observations, a therapeutic trial and experimental investigations. A wide range of bacteria and various mycoplasma spp., but no viruses, were isolated from a large number of infected animals.     

Reduced retrograde labeling of diencephalic-projecting neurons in the gracile nucleus of the monkey following removal of dorsal column input

As part of an anatomical investigation of neuronal responses to deafferentation of the dorsal column nuclei by transection of the dorsal spinal columns, the uptake and retrograde transport of HRP by thalamic projection cells in the dorsal column nuclei was studied. The ventrobasal thalamus of 13 macaque monkeys was injected bilaterally with HRP at periods ranging from 3 to 364 days following intended unilateral transection of fasciculus gracilis at a mid- to upper thoracic level. The density of labeled cells in the gracile nuclei ipsilateral to complete lesions of fasciculus gracilis was compared with the density of labeled cells in the contralateral gracile nuclei that were fully innervated or partially denervated by an incomplete lesion. Also, the density of labeled cells in the fully innervated cuneate nuclei was compared. In general, there was a reduction in density of labeled cells in the gracile nuclei ipsilateral to complete lesions, without a corresponding decrement in labeled cells in the cuneate nuclei on that side. This result confirms effects on spinal motoneurons and on thalamocortical projection cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus following deafferentation. However, attempts to define a time course for the reduction in transport by lemniscal projection cells revealed an effect that was dramatic in some animals, partial in others, and not demonstrable in the remainder, without a clear relationship to time after surgery. This result is related to a literature which describes a variety of morphological, biochemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral effects of deafferentation which appear to wax and wane with time after neuronal injury.     

Transcatheter radiofrequency ablation. Early experience with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias related to accessory atrioventricular and dual atrioventricular nodal pathways

OBJECTIVE: To describe our initial experience with transcatheter radiofrequency ablation, a useful new treatment for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias related to the presence of an accessory atrioventricular (AV) pathway or dual atrioventricular nodal pathways. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and ten patients, including 77 with accessory pathways, 32 with dual atrioventricular (AV) nodal pathways and one with both, underwent electrophysiological studies and were treated with transcatheter radiofrequency ablation in a large metropolitan teaching hospital. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients (86%) were without evidence of accessory pathway conduction or inducible supraventricular tachycardia and were free of symptoms after a mean follow-up of 13 months (range, 3.0-51 months). Sixty-six of 79 accessory pathways (83.5%) were ablated including 42 of 46 left-sided (91%), 14 of 21 posteroseptal (66%), six of seven anteroseptal (86%), three of four right-sided and one of one midseptal pathways. Thirty-one patients with AV nodal reentry were successfully treated by ablation of either the slow (12 patients) or fast (19 patients) conducting AV nodal pathway. There was a progressive improvement in the success rate of the first procedure from 17% to 64% with the use of large-tip catheters and from 64% to 91% when a purpose-built radiofrequency generator was employed. Complications occurred in nine patients: cardiac tamponade (two patients); mild mitral regurgitation (four); subclavian vein thrombosis (one); transient cerebral ischaemic attack (one); and non-thrombocytic purpuric rash (one). These occurred predominantly during the early experience and were without long-term sequelae. Late in our experience, one patient developed complete atrioventricular block requiring permanent pacemaker implantation. CONCLUSIONS: In this institution, radiofrequency catheter ablation has been a safe and effective treatment strategy for patients with life-threatening or highly symptomatic supraventricular arrhythmias.     

Structural abnormalities of the X chromosome in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

It has recently been reported that additional X chromosomes occur in over 30% of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL), and that monosomy of the X chromosome occurs in 38% of female patients with T-cell leukaemia or lymphoma. These observations have suggested a possible role for the X chromosome in the evolution of NHL. We have now examined 280 cases of NHL, and have identified 19 examples of structurally altered X chromosomes in the malignant cells from 17 of these cases. These abnormalities were mainly characterized by either a translocation involving Xp22, or a translocation/deletion involving Xq28. The relevance of these observations is discussed with respect to other published reports, and together they suggest that lymphoma-associated oncogenes may exist on the X chromosome at bands p22 or q28.     

Extracellular matrix analogs as carriers for growth factors: in vitro fibroblast behavior

A simple procedure is proposed for purification of lectin from the culture liquid of non-pathogenic Bacillus subtilis 316M, which includes fractionation with ammonium sulfate and rechromatography on Sepharose CL-6B. The procedure enables a 213-fold purification of lectin with a specific activity of 2560 U/mg protein and 51% recovery in activity. According to gel-filtration through Sepharose the lectin has a molecular weight of 190 kDa. It consists of two types of subunits with hemagglutinating activity. The lectin is highly specific to N-glycolylneuraminic and N-acetylneuraminic acids and fructose 1.6-biphosphate.     

Obstructive sleep apnoea. Part II: Treatment with a customised dental appliance

The use of dental appliances in the treatment of patients with snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea is an important treatment modality for those patients not severe enough for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or who cannot tolerate this form of treatment. A mandibular advancement splint has been specifically designed to eliminate snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea. The appliance's design parameters included ease of insertion, comfort, and maximum effectiveness. Customised appliances have been designed for dentate, semi-dentate, and edentulous patients. To date, over 100 appliances have been used with a symptomatic improvement in snoring and well-being in over 80 percent of patients. Dental appliances for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea are simple, cost effective, and reversible.     

The flavonoid constituents of two Polypodium species (Calaguala) and their effect on the elastase release in human neutrophils

Five flavonoid compounds were isolated from two Polypodium species (P.decumanum and P.triseriale) with the common name Calaguala. Structure elucidation was carried out using different NMR techniques and revealed the presence of one new glycoside (kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-2)-beta-D-arabinopyranoside) (1), two known flavonoid glycosides, rutin and kaempferol 3-O-alpha-D-arabinopyranoside (2,3), the trimeric proanthocyanidin, selligueain (4), and the coumarinic acid derivative, melilotoside (5). The compounds were tested for their activity in PAF induced exocytosis in human neutrophils but none of the compounds showed PAF specific activity. Instead, they showed more general effects on the neutrophil including inhibition of the spontaneous elastase release (5) and potentiation of the release induced by PAF (1). Selligueain was found to inhibit the proteolytic enzyme, elastase in vitro.     

Varices with thrombosis in the cervix and uterus of a mare

Cervical and uterine varices with thrombosis were observed at the necropsy of a virgin 16-year-old Peruvian Paso that had previous episodes of hemorrhage from the uterus. Practitioners and pathologists should be alert to the possibility of ruptured varices in mares with hemorrhage into the uterus or from the vulva.