Induction and measurement of antisperm antibody responses in vitro

We did a statistical study of 294 strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolated from skin infections during the period from January of 1989 to December of 1991 in the Department of Dermatology, Kansai Medical University Hospital. We especially examined methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) from the point of view of incidence, variety of skin infections with MRSA, coagulase type, phase type, and resistance against antimicrobial agents. The frequency of isolation of MRSA has been increasing. In 1991, the proportion of MRSA isolates among all S. aureus strains isolated from skin infections was 41.5%. MRSA was isolated most often from infectious decubitus. Coagulase type II and phage group NT (not typable) MRSA were most frequently isolated. The resistance of MRSA to OFLX and IMP/CS had remarkably increased. Notably, the resistance to MINO was low before 1991.     

Efficacy evaluation of a 4% chlorhexidine gluconate as a full-body shower wash

A 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (Xttrium Laboratories, Chicago, Ill.) was used in a shower bath application to evaluate its merits in reducing resident skin microorganisms. Five volunteers completed a 14-day microbial stabilization period, a 7-day baseline period, and a 5-day test period. Subjects followed a standard protocol, performed five shower washes and were sampled at both the abdominal and inguinal regions immediately after the shower wash as well as at 3 and 6 hours later on days 1, 2, and 5. Chlorhexidine gluconate provided significant microbial reductions from baseline, with greater reductions noted as the study progressed. Use of chlorhexidine gluconate in a shower wash application in conjunction with a preoperative skin-preparation procedure may reduce the probability of surgically associated infections.     

Structural Studies of Anomalous Behavior in the Silica-Alumina Gel System

This paper compares the structure ofAl₂O₃-SiO₂ xerogels prepared with Al₂O₃ contents ranging from 21 to 75 wt% (13 to 64 mol%). The 47 wt% Al₂O₃ xerogel (Al/Si ≅ 1) exhibits anomalously low surface area (≅1 m²/g) and skeletal density compared with other Al₂O₃-Si₂ compositions. Based on the results of nitrogen adsorption/condensation, helium displacement, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), we attribute the low surface area and skeletal density (density of the solid phase which is inaccessable to helium) to the formation of closed micropores, whereas the higher surface area materials exhibit a slightly coarser texture comprising open pores with radii of ≅1 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ²⁹SI and ²⁷Al magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MASNMR) indicate no anomalous behavior in the 47% sample on molecular length scales. HRTEM indicates the presence of a small fraction of crystallites which is supported by the SAXS results, but it is unknown if this crystallinity is related to low surface area. Low-field ¹H NMR spin-lattice relaxation measurements show that the physical structure of all of the 'wet' gels is similar implying that pore closure occurs during drying. Consistent with this idea, gel surface area and density increased significantly when the pore fluid (water) was replaced with a lower surface tension fluid (formamide, dioxane, ethanol. water/surfactant).     

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia: the pulmonary pathologic sequel of necrotizing bronchiolitis and pulmonary fibrosis

A light and electron microscopic study was carried out in 21 infants in whom the pathologic diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia had been made. All the infants except two had the respiratory distress syndrome at birth, and all 21 had been treated with respirator and oxygen therapy for various periods of time. The pathologic alterations observed in all the infants studied were primarily damage of the bronchial and bronchiolar ciliary apparatus and mucous membranes, severe necrotizing bronchiolitis, and marked bronchiolar and alveolar fibrosis. These changes were more pronounced in infants who survived the longest period of time. Such inflammatory and fibrotic changes are known to predispose to destruction of lung tissue, emphysema, and pulmonary hypertension. Six of these 21 infants developed symptoms and signs of cardiac atrial or ventricular stress, including cor pulmonale, prior to their demise. These infants were among those that survived the longest periods of time, had the longest exposure to supplemental oxygen, and showed histopathologically severe pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema.     

A comparative study of passive haemagglutination methods for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen in routine hospital practice

Two passive haemagglutination methods for detecting HBsAg were compared. In general, the method using turkey erythrocytes was found preferable to the method employing sheep cells since it is more rapid and more sensitive, and less frequently gave rise to false positive reactions with sera from staff, blood donors, and patients not receiving haemodialysis. The turkey cell test gives rise to more false positive screen tests than the sheep cell test when monitoring renal dialysis patients since approximately 10% of the sera of these patients were found to contain turkey cell agglutinins, but this presents no particular difficulty if the recommended absorption procedures are used.