Collection and transfusion of blood and blood components in the United States, 1989

A poor response to L-DOPA in addition to parkinsonian, cerebellar, and autonomic signs is commonly regarded as indicative of clinical multiple system atrophy (MSA). We compared the motor response to a single oral administration of 250 mg L-DOPA/25 mg carbidopa in eight MSA patients and eight Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with the "on-off" phenomenon, evaluating L-DOPA peripheral pharmacokinetics. Motor response was consistently good in all PD patients, but only four MSA patients had a (moderate) response. Pharmacokinetic parameters did not differ between the groups. The varying extent of putaminal damage could be responsible for the differing motor response to L-DOPA in MSA patients.     

Age incidence of meningococcal infection England and Wales, 1984-1991

Gene transfer with vectors derived from murine retroviruses is restricted to cells which are proliferating and synthesizing DNA at the time of infection. This suggests that retroviral-mediated gene transfer might permit targeting of gene integration into malignant cells in organs composed mainly of quiescent nonproliferating cells, such as in the brain. Accordingly, selective introduction of genes encoding for susceptibility to otherwise nontoxic drugs ("suicide" genes) into proliferating brain tumors may be used to treat this cancer. We investigated the efficacy and dynamics of in vivo transduction of growing brain tumors with the herpes simplex-thymidine kinase gene followed by administration of the antiviral drug ganciclovir. Ganciclovir is phosphorylated by thymidine kinase to toxic triphosphates that interfere with DNA synthesis, resulting in the preferential death of the transduced tumor cells. Rats inoculated with 4 x 10(4) 9L gliosarcoma cells into the frontal lobe were treated 7 days later with an intratumoral stereotaxic injection of murine fibroblasts (NIH 3T3 cells) that were producing a retroviral vector containing the herpes simplex-thymidine kinase gene. Controls received vector producer and nonproducer NIH 3T3 cell lines containing the Escherichia coli lacZ (beta-galactosidase) gene as well as nonproducer NIH 3T3 cells containing the thymidine kinase gene. The animals were rested for 7 days to allow time for in situ transduction of the proliferating tumor cells with the herpes-thymidine kinase retroviral vector. The animals were then treated with ganciclovir, 15 mg/kg i.p. twice a day for 14 days. Gliomas receiving an injection of 3-5 x 10(6) thymidine kinase producer cells regressed completely in 23 of 30 rats given ganciclovir therapy, while 25 of 26 control rats developed large tumors. Intratumoral injection of a lower concentration of thymidine kinase vector producer cells (1.8 x 10(6)) resulted in a lower frequency of tumor regression (5 of 13 rats). To estimate the efficiency of in vivo gene transfer, 9L brain tumors were given injections of 5 x 10(6) beta-galactosidase vector producer cells. 5-Bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranaside staining revealed maximal staining of beta-galactosidase within the tumor 7-14 days after injection of the vector producer cells. In vivo transduction rates in harvested tumors ranged from 10 to 70%. There was no evidence of transduction of the surrounding normal neural tissue. Occasional blood vessel endothelial cells within or adjacent to the tumor were observed to be 5-bromo-4- chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranaside positive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

A technique for developing and photographing ridge impressions on decomposed water-soaked fingers

One of the most challenging tasks confronting a crime laboratory technician is the fingerprinting and subsequent identification of an unknown homicide or drowning victim whose fingers have been subjected to a long period of exposure to water and the effects of decomposition. If the fingers of the individual have not been exposed to the erosive effects of water and decomposition for a long period of time, they may be allowed to dry, and suitable impressions are often obtainable. In other cases the fingers may have to be removed, with the permission of the Medical Examiners Office, and processed by the Crime Laboratory in an attempt to develop suitable ridge structure for inked impressions or an exact photographic copy of the individual's fingers. In extreme cases the effects of water and decomposition make the fragile ridge structure appear to be nonexistent to the naked eye. The procedure used in this case report, combines the use of cyanoacrylate vapor, commonly called "super glue fuming," and the ninhydrin process in conjunction to develop fragile ridge structure into discernable ridges that are easily seen and photographed for the purpose of making an identification of the individual.     

Evidence for "twisted plane" undulations in golden hamster sperm tails

Motile spermatozoa from the golden hamster have been arrested by rapid freezing and then fixed with glutaraldehyde at low temperature after substitution with ethylene glycol. As far as can be judged, the flagellar waveforms thus stabilized are similar to those seen in living sperm; in contrast, fixation in glutaraldehyde, without prior freezing, induces agonal changes in flagellar conformation. The characteristics waveform after freeze substitution contains three bends. Approx. half of these flagella are entirely planar. The rest are three dimensional, with the third bend displaced in a regular way from the plane containing the proximal two bends. From the geometry of these flagella, it is concluded that the plane of action of a given bending cycle undergoes a clockwise twist (from a forward viewpoint) as the cycle is succeeded by new bending cycles. This "twisted plane" undulation is quite different from helical movement. The twisting seems to occur abruptly, between cycles, as if each bending cycle has a preferred plane of action. The mechanism underlying the twisting is uncertain. However, on the basis of the angular displacements between the preferred planes, and the findings from electron microscopy, the following idea is presented as a working hypothesis: that, if the most proximal plane of bending is topographically determined by peripheral doublet 1, then successive distal planes of action are influenced predominantly by doublets 2, 3, etc., in clockwise sequence. The merits and weaknesses of this hypothesis are discussed.     

Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli: Their role in infection and patterns of susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. II. Little-known Fusobacterium species and miscellaneous genera

Twenty infrequently reported species of gram-negative anaerobic bacilli other than Fusobacterium nucleatum, Fusobacterium necrophorum, and members of the genus Bacteroides were studied with regard to their role in infection and their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. In addition, the literature regarding the recovery of these organisms from both the normal flora and infections of humans was reviewed. During a six-year period at the Wadsworth Clinical Anaerobic Bacteriology Research Laboratory (Veterans Administration Wadsworth Medical Center, Los Angeles, Calif.), 39 (6%) of 679 specimens obtained from anaerobic infections yielded "other gram-negative anaerobic bacilli" (OGNAB). Fusobacterium naviforme, Fusobacterium gonidiaformans, Fusobacterium varium, Fusobacterium mortiferum, and Fusobacterium russii were the most commonly isolated OGNAB. Most of the OGNAB tested were resistant to erythromycin, and most strains, except for F. varium, were susceptible to beta-lactam antibiotics and clindamycin. Chloramphenicol and metronidazole were active against all strains of OGNAB tested. Certain Fusobacterium species are undoubtedly previously unrecognized members of the normal flora of the oropharynx, upper respiratory tract, or urogenital tract and may be present in infections derived from these floras.     

Infections due to Lancefield group F and related Streptococci (S. milleri, S. anginosus)

We can no longer accept classification of streptococci solely on the basis of hemolytic reactions or Lancefield agglutinations. While the "viridans" streptococci cannot be serologically differentiated, physiological separation of the species offers a satisfactory method of classifying human isolates. We review the microbiology of Lancefield group F and related streptococci (S. milleri, S. anginosus), emphasizing microbial ecology and current taxonomic considerations. A series of 28 patients infected with these organisms is presented. There was a striking male predominance in the series (6:1) as well as an obvious association with underlying diseases and/or antecedent trauma. The most remarkable feature of these pathogens is their predilection for abscess formation, confirming their overdue recognition as the most common "viridans" streptococcus recovered from abscesses within internal organs. We observed purulent disease of the nervous and skeletal systems, oral cavity, lung and pleural space, abdomen and subcutaneous tissues. Microbial synergy (i.e. polymicrobic infection) was not a requisite for abscess formation. Four of the five deaths in this series occurred in patients 60 years of age of older. Some degree of variability in antimicrobial susceptibility was noted, so speciation alone may not always provide sufficient information on which to base a therapeutic decision.     

Diazepam-ketamine anaesthesia for open heart surgery "micro-mini" drip administration technique

Two hundred open heart cases anaesthetized with a combination of diazepam-ketamine using "Micro-Mini" drip administration technique were presented. The results were eminently desirable, and in the opinion of the authors are a notable improvement over other methods for all types of cardiovascular surgery including most advanced heart diseases. The advantages of this anaesthetic method for cardiovascular surgery are as follows: 1. Effects on cardiovascular system are minimal.--2. Respiratory depression is negligible.--3. There is no increase in salivation or muscle tone.--4. Induction and maintenance of anaesthesia are simple and smooth.--5. Anaesthesia can be maintained, using a high concentration of oxygen alone, by a slight increase in rate of ketamine administration whenever necessary.--6. Post-anaesthetic psychotomimetic effects are negligible.--7. Nearly 100% of patients have excellent amnesia.--8. It has a wide margin of safety.--9. This technique has proved highly acceptable to patients and surgeons. We feel ketamine should be used in small dosages continuously administered with either "Micro-Mini" drip infusion or infusion pump. Ketamine given in this fashion should be regarded as an analgesic.     

Diazepam-ketamine anaesthesia for open heart surgery a "micro-mini" drip administration technique

Two hundred open-heart cases were anaesthetized with a diazepam-ketamine combination. The results were excellent. A "Micro-Mini" drip technique insured low, even, but adequate dose levels of ketamine and less drug was used. Induction and maintenance are simple and smooth. Effects on the cardiovascular system and respiratory system are minimal. The margin of safety is wide and 100% oxygen can be used whenever needed.     

Cyclic stretch down-regulates calcium transporter gene expression in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes

Abnormal intracellular Ca2+ handling in hypertrophied and failing hearts is partly due to changes in Ca2+ transporter gene expression, but the mechanisms responsible for these alterations remain largely unknown. We previously showed that intrinsic mechanical load (i.e. spontaneous contractile activity) induced myocyte hypertrophy, and down-regulated SR Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2) gene expression in cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM). In the present study, we examined whether extrinsic mechanical load (i.e. cyclic stretch) also induced NRVM hypertrophy, and led to down-regulation of SERCA2 and other Ca2+ transporter genes which have been associated with cardiac hypertrophy and failure in vivo. NRVM were maintained in serum-free culture medium under control conditions, or subjected to cyclic mechanical deformation (1.0 Hz, 20% maximal strain, 48 h). Under these conditions, cyclic stretch induced NRVM hypertrophy, as evidenced by significant increases in total protein/DNA ratio, myosin heavy chain (MHC) content, and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) secretion. Cyclic stretch also induced the MHC isoenzyme "switch" which is characteristic of hemodynamic overload of the rat heart in vivo. Cyclic stretch significantly down-regulated SERCA2 and ryanodine receptor (RyR) mRNA and protein levels, while simultaneously increasing ANF mRNA. In contrast, Na+-Ca2+ exchanger and phospholamban mRNA levels were unaffected. Load-dependent SERCA2 and RyR down-regulation was independent of Ca2+ influx via voltage-gated, L-type Ca2+ channels, as cyclic stretch down-regulated SERCA2 and RyR mRNA levels in both control and verapamil-treated NRVM. These results indicate that extrinsic mechanical load (in the absence of other exogenous stimuli) induces NRVM hypertrophy and causes down-regulation of Ca2+ transporter gene expression. This in vitro model system should prove useful to dissect the intracellular signaling pathways responsible for transducing this phenotype during cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in vivo.     

Software development for the 8052AH-basic microcontroller

Application software for Intel's 8052AH-basic microcontroller can be developed in MCS basic-52, an enhanced version of basic, using the onchip basic interpreter. The paper explores the 8052AH-basic device and its language in comparison with the standard Microsoft basic and presents some software routines and other guidelines for programmers. Control-oriented applications, as opposed to conventional number-crunching applications, are emphasized. The paper also discusses how the resources of the Intellec development system can be used to facilitate the development of application software.