Detection of West Nile virus by the polymerase chain reaction and analysis of nucleotide sequence variation

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed to rapidly detect and identify West Nile (WN) virus. The RNA from seven isolates of WN virus from six countries and four other flaviviruses (Kunjin, Japanese encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, and yellow fever viruses) was reverse-transcribed (RT) and amplified by PCR. The nucleotide sequences of the amplified products were determined by a rapid, automated DNA sequencing method. The WN virus RT/PCR assay detected the target gene segment of sequencing method. The WN virus RT/PCR assay detected the target gene segment of isolates from both the African-Middle Eastern group and the Indian group with a sensitivity of approximately 0.05 pg of viral RNA. Kunjin virus was the only other flavivirus tested that produced a band of the appropriate size. Five of seven WN virus isolates showed 92-98% homology in the nucleotide sequence of their PCR products. The sequence of one isolate was virtually identical to the published sequence of the Nigerian isolate (99.5% homology). No correlation was established between the degree of nucleotide homology, geographic location, time of isolation, or source of the isolates.     

Survey of dirofilariasis in Arkansas

A card survey was sent to 340 veterinarians in the Urban, Delta, Highland and Coastal Plain regions of Arkansas. Veterinarians were asked to indicate numbers of dogs tested, confirmed Dirofilaria immitis positive, diagnostic techniques, frequency and period tested. A significantly greater percentage of dogs tested D. immitis positive in the Delta region as compared with the Urban region. There were no significant differences in the percentage of treated dogs on prophylaxis or the types of diagnostic tests among regions.     

CHOP vs. ProMACE-CytaBOM in the treatment of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: long-term results of a multicenter randomized trial.(PETHEMA: Spanish Cooperative Group for the Study of Hematological Malignancies Treatment, Spanish Society of Hematology)

From May 1985 to May 1989, 175 patients with previously untreated aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were randomized to receive CHOP or ProMACE-CytaBOM. Eligibility criteria included follicular large-cell diffuse small cleaved-cell, diffuse mixed, diffuse large-cell and immunoblastic lymphoma with an Ann Arbor stage II, III or IV. One hundred and forty-eight patients were evaluable. There were no significant differences between the 2 treatments in response rate (83.5% [57.5% CR] for CHOP vs. 88% [62% CR] for ProMACE-CytaBOM), time to treatment failure (29% vs. 31% at 5 yr), or overall survival (42% in both groups at 5 yr). Furthermore, there were no significant differences between the 2 regimens when response rates and outcome were analyzed for different prognostic subgroups. Toxicity was not significantly different between the 2 regimens, although only 1 patient died as result of treatment-related toxicity in the CHOP arm compared to 6 patient in the ProMACE-CytaBOM group (p = 0.126). In conclusion, in this study ProMACE-CytaBOM has not proved to be superior to CHOP in aggressive lymphomas. This trial gives support to the notion that CHOP still is the standard chemotherapy for aggressive lymphomas, and that new treatment approaches for these lymphomas should be compared to CHOP.     

The geographic variation of cancer incidence in Ontario

OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were (1) to describe an analysis of the spatial pattern of cancer incidence in Ontario and (2) to discuss the quality of data in the Ontario Cancer Registry with respect to the accuracy of local cancer rates. METHODS: Cancer incidence rates were calculated for 22 cancer sites in 49 counties of Ontario during 1976 to 1986. Capture-recapture methods were used to estimate completeness of case registration, and completeness of residence information was also assessed. Spatial autocorrelation was used in measuring the geographic pattern of incidence rates. Comparisons were also made between sexes and with earlier data from 1966 to 1975. RESULTS: The quality of the geographic data in the registry appeared good, and corrections for incomplete or inaccurate registration had little impact. About one third of the sex-site combinations showed some evidence of spatial patterning in the cancer rate. Particularly strong regional variation was noted for cancers of the stomach, lung, uterus, and prostate. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis revealed a number of cancers with significant spatial patterning of risk. Further work is needed to relate the cancer data to other information on potential life-style and environmental factors.     

Standardization efforts for wireless LANs

The Digital European Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) draft standard, which is the only wireless local area network (LAN) standard close to the 1-Mb/s data rate is briefly described. Active standards groups and their activities are reviewed. The work of the IEEE working groups for wireless LANs is examined     

Staphylococcus aureus mastitis: pathogenesis and treatment with bovine interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-2.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes play a central role in the pathogenesis of bovine mastitis. Intramammary challenge with Staphylococcus aureus was shown to induce both quantitative and qualitative changes in mammary gland polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Intramammary infusion of recombinant bovine interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-2 elicited a similar cellular response. Staphylococcus aureus, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-2 all increased the number of somatic cells after intramammary infusion and activated the inducible superoxide production in milk polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Interleukin-2 also activated phagocytosis of these cells, and their activation was maintained for 3 to 5 d after intramammary administration. Interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-2 were moderately effective in the therapy of experimental S. aureus mastitis. Approximately 54% of the glands treated with interleukin-1 beta responded to therapy by transiently clearing the milk of S. aureus, 30% of which relapsed, and a total of 38% of the treated glands remained cured. In contrast, 83% of glands treated with interleukin-1 beta responded to therapy, but 50% of these quarters relapsed. A total of 42% of the quarters treated with interleukin-1 beta remained cured. Homologous recombinant cytokines are effective immunomodulators that augment natural defensive mechanisms similar to the normal response to pathogens and may prove to be suitable alternatives to, or may be used in combination with, antibiotics as effective mastitis therapeutic agents.     

Cover Picture: Functionalization of Crystalline Colloidal Arrays through Click Chemistry (Adv. Mater. 21/2007)

Photonic crystals based on electrostatically‐stabilized colloidal arrays dispersed in a liquid medium are of interest to materials scientists partly because of the optical tuning afforded to theses systems with a variation in interparticle distance. On p. 3507, Stephen Foulger and co‐workers from Clemson University, USA report on a general strategy for the preparation of well‐defined and regioselectively functionalized ordered colloidal particles through the exploitation of “click” chemistry. Click transformations have found utility in the synthesis and/or functionalization of a range of systems. In addition, the solvochromic tuning of the ordered arrays is employed to modify the emission spectra of the surface‐attached photoluminescent dyes.     

Longitudinal analysis of the relationship between symptoms and quality of life in veterans treated for posttraumatic stress disorder.

This study examined how change in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms relates to change in quality of life. The sample consisted of 325 male Vietnam veterans with chronic PTSD who participated in a randomized trial of group psychotherapy. Latent growth modeling was used to test for synchronous effects of PTSD symptom change on psychosocial and physical health-related quality of life within the same time period and lagged effects of initial PTSD symptom change on later change in quality of life. PTSD symptoms were associated with reduced quality of life before treatment. There were synchronous effects of symptom change on change in quality of life but no significant lagged effects. Results indicate the importance of measuring quality of life in future investigations of PTSD treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Vaginal-sigmoid fistula caused by diverticular disease

A case of a 66 years old patient suffering from a sigmoido-vaginal fistula and diverticulosis, previously treated with a total laparohysterectomy, is reported. Retrograde studies demonstrated the presence of fistula, whereas colonoscopy and barium enema failed. After laparotomy and an appropriate bowel preparation, surgery was restricted to the bowel resection and anastomosis, whereas the vaginal defect was not closed.