Detection of flagellar antigen of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in canine faeces with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)--new prospects for diagnosis

A new diagnostic procedure was developed to detect the flagellar antigen of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in canine faecal specimens and was tested on faecal samples from random-source dogs obtained from the local dog pound. Extraction of acid-soluble proteins was performed on faecal specimens and the extracted material was evaluated using species-specific monoclonal antibodies in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The assay detected all C. jejuni or C. coli infected specimens compared with direct selective faecal culture. One of 18 faecal specimens culture-negative for C. jejuni was identified as positive by the assay, i.e. a false positive rate of 1 of 18 (5.6%) and a corresponding specificity of 94.4%. These results suggest that the screening procedure developed to detect flagellar antigens of C. jejuni and C. coli in canine faecal samples should be further investigated as a diagnostic alternative to culture.     

Brain abscess caused by Cladosporium trichoides

In 17 previously reported cases of cladosporiosis, no reliable therapy was described, and death occurred usually within one year of diagnosis. Pretreatment isolates from our two patients were inhibited by 6.2 mug/ml and 3.1mug/ml of flucytosine, respectively. Although both patients died, postmortem examination results showed that in one patient, the fungus had been eradicated. In the other patient, C trichoides that was isolated at postmortem examination was resistant to flucytosine treatment.     

The usefulness of serum protein and erythrocyte enzyme polymorphisms in paternity testing

Pehnotypings of serum proteins and erythrocyte enzyme polymorphisms were used in addition to classic erythrocyte antigens in a study of 281 paternity cases. This group was compared with 877 cases in which only the erythrocyte antigens were tested. In the study group 80 exclusions were found for 52 alleged fathers. The expanded test battery increased the exclusion rate by 62%. In addition to 30 direct exclusions, serum proteins and erythrocyte enzymes corroborated indirect exclusions obtained with erythrocyte antigen tests in eight instances.     

Genetic activity profiles of anticancer drugs

The results from short-term tests for genetic and related effects, abstracted from the open literature for 36 anticancer drugs, are examined in this review. Data for 27 of these agents are available in the EPA/IARC Genetic Activity Profile (GAP) database. Data summaries, including data listings and activity profiles, are presented for nine anticancer drugs added to the GAP database for this analysis. Genetic toxicity data from the recent literature are included for the additional agents to provide a broader representation of the categories of drugs being evaluated. These categories, based on the chemical mode of action, are covalent and noncovalent DNA-binding drugs, topoisomerase II inhibitors, antimetabolites, mitotic spindle inhibitors, and drugs which affect endocrine function. The qualitative data for all 36 drugs are summarized in this report and findings are presented from pair-wise matching of genetic activity profiles, based on test results in common, for some chemical analogs. The significance of germ cell test results for some of these drugs and their implication in assessing risk of heritable genetic disease are discussed.     

The isolated supported canine heart: a model for the evaluation of drug effects on regional myocardial blood flow

The present investigation was designed to determine the effect of propranolol on regional myocardial blood flow and oxygen consumption (MVO2) in the isolated supported dog heart preparation perfused at a constant coronary blood flow. The transmural distribution of blood flow, determined by the radioactive microsphere technique, was expressed as the epicardial/endocardial blood flow ratio (epi/endo). Propranolol (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) produced a significant decrease in heart rate and myocardial contractile force and an increase in coronary artery perfusion pressure due to an increase in coronary vascular resistance. These hemodynamic changes were accompanied by significant decreases in epi/endo (increased endocardial perfusion) and MVO2. Reduction of perfusion pressure to control by a decrease in total coronary blood flow produced no further change in epi/endo or MVO2. However, increasing heart rate to control increased epi/endo to predrug levels. Contractile force and MVO2 remained reduced below control. Norepinephrine infusion (1 mug/min intracoronary) produced a significant increase in heart rate and contractile force and decrease in perfusion pressure. These changes were accompanied by an increase in epi/endo and MVO2. Propranolol (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) abolished the response to norepinephrine. Propranolol may produce beneficial effects in angina pectoris by a decrease in epi/endo (via a reduction in heart rate) and MVO2 and by beta adrenergic blockade of the deleterious effects of catecholamines.     

Audiological treatment of preschool children with hearing impairments

A system by which children with impaired hearing are given early audiological treatment is reported. The treatment has been carried out during short admissions to institution alternating with stays at home. Special training and instruction of the parents are important. The authors are of the opinion that this type of preschool training is suitable for regions with scattered population. Even a small institution with a limited staff can give treatment to a considerable number of children.