In vitro encystment and experimental infections of Blastocystis hominis

Cultures of Blastocystis hominis were induced to encyst using three encystation media: (a) an encystation medium (EM) comprising yeast extract in buffered saline containing 50% horse serum, (b) an encystation medium (CEM) comprising EM conditioned with bacterial soluble products and (c) an encystation medium (TEM) containing 0.5% trypticase in EM. Two isolates of B. hominis were studied, an axenized isolate C and a non-axenized isolate MS. In EM, isolate C did not encyst, whereas 6.1% of isolate MS had encysted by day 1. However, in CEM and TEM, 17.4% and 25.7% of isolate C, respectively, had encysted by day 5. In all three media, isolate MS encysted more readily than isolate C, with as much as 91.7% of the former encysting in TEM. As viewed by phase-contrast microscopy, cyst-like stages appeared highly refractile. Direct stool examination of juvenile Wistar rats infected with 10,000 cyst-like stages of both C and MS isolates showed Blastocystis at day 2 post-infection. At autopsy on day 7, large numbers of Blastocystis were seen in the cecum, with smaller numbers being observed in the large intestine. In contrast, rats fed with various inocula of the vacuolar stages of isolates C and MS did not become infected, indicating the importance of the encysted stages in the transmission of the parasite.     

Noninvasive diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection: a review

Because glial cells have been characterized by electrophysiological studies as being silent and inactive, neuroscientists have overlooked the roles of these cells in the dynamic function of the central nervous system. Recent measurements of intracellular Ca2+ concentration, however, revealed the dynamic and active features of the glial cells. Some populations of these cells gave rise to increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration by stimulation with neurotransmitters such as glutamate, acetylcholine, serotonin, noradrenaline and histamine through the activation of specific neurotransmitter receptors distributed on the glial cells. Although the roles of the increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration in glial cells have not been elucidated, these properties suggested the functional participation of glial cells in synaptic modulation and plasticity.     

Multiple supernumerary teeth in two brothers: a case report

Supernumerary teeth (hyperdontia) are relatively common in the general population and occur more frequently in patients with a family history of such teeth. Supernumerary teeth have been reported in many genetic syndromes, but multiple supernumerary teeth occurring as an isolated non-syndromic trait are rare. This article describes a rare non-syndromic variety of multiple impacted supernumerary teeth in two brothers.     

Quantitative single-photon emission tomography for tumour blood flow measurement in bronchial carcinoma

A single-photon emission tomography (SPET) technique for the absolute measurement of tumour perfusion is described. Phantom studies have shown that source-background ratios are dependent upon source size and radial position within the phantom. A means of correcting source-background count ratios for these variables has been developed and used to correct tumour-lung ratios obtained in 28 patients with bronchial carcinomas who underwent technetium-99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) SPET. On SPET images, the normal lung appears as a relatively homogeneous background. The relationship between 99mTc background concentration (kBq/ml) and counts/pixel was determined from phantom studies and the tumour 99mTc concentration from the background 99mTc concentration and corrected tumour-lung ratio. The total activity of the lipophilic 99mTc-HMPAO species injected was measured. The activity reaching the systemic circulation (Asys) was obtained by subtracting the activity trapped in the pulmonary circulation (obtained from background 99mTc concentration and lung volume). Tumour blood flow may then be calculated from fraction of Asys contained in the tumour provided cardiac output and extraction fraction are known. Blood flow through the central region of tumours ranged from zero to 59.0 (mean 14.1) ml min-1 100 g-1 and through the whole tumour from 0.6 to 68.0 (mean 20.6) ml min-1 100 g-1.     

Nucleic acid and protein synthesis in the body of chicks infested by various species of Eimeria

The infection of chicks with optimal immunogenic doses of oocysts of E. tenella and E. acervulina results in the activation of biosynthesis of proteins and nucleic acids in the Fabricius bursa, spleen, thymus and blind processes of the intestine. The infection causes the increase in the quantity and synthesis intensity of immunoglobulins G and M that suggests a stimulation of cellular and immunity factors in the ogranism of an immunized bird. Maximum changes in biosynthesis of compounds studied are reported four days after the infection that confirms high immunogenic properties of the second generation schizonts. A study of protein synthesis in limphoid organs of chicks infected only with E. tenella has yielded the same results. The infection with E. acervulina caused but negligible changes in the protein metabolism, i.e. coccidians of E. tenella possess more immunogenic properties.     

Psychological aspects of orthognathic surgery: a review of the literature

A review of the literature clearly shows that dental and facial disfigurements have significant effects and can be an important social disadvantage. The motivational patterns of patients requesting orthognathic surgery are many and varied, but a desire for improvement in esthetics and alleviation of functional problems are the two most commonly cited reasons. The careful assessment of patients requesting orthognathic surgery is imperative, because the success of surgery may well depend on careful patient selection. Care must be taken with those patients suspected of exhibiting dysmorphophobic tendencies and, if there is any doubt, psychiatric referral should be undertaken. Patient satisfaction following orthognathic surgery has been reported as high overall, as has been the number of patients who have said they would re-elect to have surgery. Many of the studies found that patients had improved self-confidence and social skills after treatment.     

Prognostic value of electrocardiographic monitoring of patients with severe diphtheria

The clinical, the 12-lead, and the 24-hour electrocardiographic findings in 15 consecutively studied Vietnamese children (aged 7 months to 16 years) with severe diphtheria were documented. Five patients died, three from respiratory arrest and two from cardiogenic shock; one of these two patients had complete heart block that necessitated insertion of a pacemaker. Electrocardiographic abnormalities were detected by 24-hour monitoring in all 15 cases, even though most patients had no clinical signs of myocarditis. Rates of supraventricular and ventricular ectopy were elevated and remained high long after other clinical manifestations were no longer noted. The degree of ventricular ectopy at the time of presentation was significantly associated with fatal outcome. In this series, more than two ventricular ectopic beats on a recording upon admission to the hospital predicted fatal outcome with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. A variety of nonsustained bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias were also observed up until discharge from the hospital. The time course of recovery from diphtheritic myocarditis is longer than has been appreciated previously.