Importance of localized skin infection in tick-borne encephalitis virus transmission

Arboviruses are transmitted to vertebrates by the "bite" of infected arthropods. Events at the site of virus deposition are largely unknown despite increasing evidence that blood-sucking arthropods immunomodulate their skin site of feeding. This question is particularly relevant for ixodid ticks that feed for several days. To examine events under conditions mimicking tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus transmission in nature (i.e., infected and uninfected Ixodes ricinus ticks feeding on the same animal), infected adult and uninfected nymphal ticks were placed in one retaining chamber (skin site A) and uninfected nymphs were placed within a second chamber posteriorly (skin site B) on two natural host species, yellow-necked field mice (Apodemus flavicollis) and bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus). Virus transmission from infected to uninfected cofeeding ticks was correlated with infection in the skin site of tick feeding. Furthermore, virus was recruited preferentially to the site in which ticks were feeding compared with uninfested skin sites. Viremia did not correspond with a generalized infection of the skin; virus was not detected in an uninfested skin site (C) of 12/13 natural hosts that had viremia levels > or = 2.0 log10 ic mouse LD50/0.02 ml blood. To characterize infected cells, laboratory mouse strains were infested with infected ticks and then explants were removed from selected skin sites and floated on culture medium. Numerous leukocytes were found to migrate from the skin explants of tick feeding sites. Two-color immunocytochemistry revealed viral antigen in both migratory Langerhans cells and neutrophils; in addition, the migratory monocyte/macrophages were shown to produce infectious virus. The results indicate that the local skin site of tick feeding is an important focus of viral replication early after TBE virus transmission by ticks. Cellular infiltration of tick feeding sites, and the migration of cells from such sites, may provide a vehicle for transmission between infected and uninfected cofeeding ticks that is independent of a patent viremia. The data support the hypothesis that viremia is a product, rather than a prerequisite, of tick-borne virus transmission.     

Nonmitogenic anti-CD3F(ab')2 fragments inhibit lethal murine graft-versus-host disease induced across the major histocompatibility barrier

We have investigated the in vivo administration of nonmitogenic anti-CD3F(ab')2 fragments for the prevention of lethal graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) in irradiated recipients of fully allogeneic bone marrow cells plus splenocyte (BMS) inocula. Recipients of anti-CD3F(ab')2 fragments administered for 1 mo post-bone marrow transplantation (BMT) had 100% survival without clinical or histopathological evidence of GVHD. Controls given saline injections succumbed by 39 days post-BMT. Similar results were obtained in groups of recipient mice given BMS in which T cells were depleted by in vitro anti-Thy-1.2 plus C' treatment. Further studies were undertaken to define mechanistic differences in the two approaches. Using Ly-5 congenic sources of donor bone marrow and spleen, we determined that anti-CD3F(ab')2 fragments induced TCR modulation and T cell depletion. Mature splenic-derived CD4+ cells were depleted to a greater extent than CD8+ cells. Early post-BMT, recipients receiving injections with control saline had the highest number of CD4+ and CD8+ cells (which may cause GVHD) followed by recipients of anti-CD3F(ab')2 fragments, with the fewest CD8+ cells observed in the anti-Thy-1.2 + C' treated group. CD3+CD4-CD8- cells (which may suppress GVHD generation) were present in higher numbers early post-BMT in recipients given anti-CD3F(ab')2 fragments as compared to recipients given anti-Thy-1.2 + C'-treated BMS. In long term survivors, a mononuclear T cell containing infiltrate without evidence of destruction was observed in sites of GVHD (lung and liver), consistent with a "Quilty" effect, which was not observed in either of the other two groups. Although survivors were tolerant of donor skin grafts and rejected third party grafts, recipients given anti-CD3F(ab')2 fragments but not anti-Thy-1.2 + C'-treated BMS had vigorous anti-host proliferative responses. These results demonstrate that although in vitro anti-Thy-1.2 + C' treatment of BMS (which is highly depletionary) and in vivo administration of anti-CD3F(ab')2 fragments (which is modulatory and less depletionary) are both effective strategies for GVHD, the cellular events involved in achieving GVHD prevention are indeed different.     

Plasma somatomedin activity in normal and scoliotic children

In a study of plasma somatomedin activity in childhood scoliosis a group of five patients with congenital scoliosis was found to have significantly lower plasma somatomedin levels compared with a group of 20 normal children. A group of 52 patients with "idiopathic" scoliosis had normal plasma somatomedin levels. There is no apparent difference in the plasma somatomedin activity between the sexes, and no change in plasma somatomedin activity with chronologic age in these children, suggesting that normal adult somatomedin levels have been reached.     

Encephalopathy during oral treatment with bismuth salts

Side effects of orally administered bismuthic salts have been known for many years. Many systems are involved, including the digestive and urinary. The authors discuss a recently discovered effect on the central nervous system, termed "bismuth encephalopathy". In the light of the medical literature reviewed, two original aspects are stressed: the clinical symptoms are stereotyped and completely reversible, and the distribution of the disease is almost epidemic, being limited in time and space. The prodromes include confusion, asthenia, slowing of mental functions and disturbance of gait. The clinical picture is dominated by four major symptoms: confusion (again), ataxia, dysarthria and, above all, myoclonic jerks. In conclusion, various pathogenetic hypotheses are considered. The purpose of this study is to enable the general practitioner to detect the development of this condition early in treatment with oral bismuthic salts. Withdrawal of the medication always results in normalization of the patient's condition.     

Recognition of depressed affect in hospitalized psychiatric patients: staff and patient perceptions

A comparison of self-report vs. observer rating of depressed mood in a heterogenous inpatient population revealed wide variations in concordance among diagnostic groups. Patients diagnosed as having Affective Psychosis and "Other' illnesses showed the highest correlation between four self-report scales and an observer rating scale. Patients with a diagnosis of depressive Neurosis showed only modest correlation, while Schizophrenics revealed no significant correlation, on these instruments, suggesting inconsistent communication of affect from Schizophrenic patients to observers. In contrast, when self-report scales were intercorrelated, patients in all four diagnostic categories showed highly significant correlations, indicating that they were consistently reporting their affective state on these instruments. The implications of these findings for future research as well as for practical clinical management are discussed.     

A new ellipsometric approach for determining dielectric function of graphene in the infrared spectral region

Simple ellipsometric method for determining dielectric constants of absorbing two-dimensional materials on dielectric substrates is developed. The method is based on the analytical formulas obtained in the framework of a long-wave limit. An important feature of this approach lies in the fact that for data handling the problematic numerical calculation methods are not in use. The inversion problem is resolved analytically. The developed method has no need for the initial guesses of the desired parameters that is very useful from the practical point of view, for example, in the light of in-line control.     

The development of a deep knowledge diagnostic expert system using fault tree analysis information

In this paper a diagnostic Knowledge Based Expert System (KBES) prototype for a nuclear Auxiliary Boiler Feed System (ABFS) was developed. A commercial Expert System shell accesses heuristic production rules to quickly resolve the majority of common faults. Supplementing this are a series of C functions which access the Fault Tree data base previously developed during the licensing process. These functions perform diagnostics, give detailed explanations of failure mechanisms, and identify system failure risks through examination of cut sets. The capture of both heuristic and Fault Tree information has resulted in a more exhaustive diagnostic tool with a domain of application unrestricted by the limitations of previous operator experience.     

电厂蒸汽回路系统中腐蚀损伤的决定论预测

局部腐蚀,包括点腐蚀、应力腐蚀开裂和腐蚀疲劳是导致电厂发电装置损伤的重要原因,它们诱发50%以上的意外停机事故。迄今,腐蚀破坏的预测一直沿用经验和统计的方法,但是,由于已证实该方法的适用性和其结果的准确性欠佳,故不宜作为例行检修规程的基础。本文提出了预测局部腐蚀损伤的决定论方法,并使用这个方法说明点腐蚀如何引发低压蒸汽轮机涡轮盘Wilson线下游部位的应力腐蚀开裂(SCC),我们的计算表明SCC的萌发与扩展对蒸汽小氧含量、冷凝液膜的环境和涡轮盘所承受的应力这三个因素敏感。