Evidence of enhanced kindling and hippocampal neuronal injury in immature rats with neuronal migration disorders

To clarify the characteristic features of nosocomial pneumonia in a community hospital, we performed a clinical analysis of 147 patients (155 episodes) with nosocomial pneumonia. The following results were obtained. 1, Regarding the risk factors for nosocomial pneumonia, factors such as the patient whose age was over 65 years, a duration of admission of over one month, performance status 4 and underlying respiratory diseases associated with the appearance of nosocomial pneumonia. 2, The causative microorganism isolated from the sputum of the patient with nosocomial pneumonia was frequently a multi-drug resistant microorganism such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). 3, regarding treatment, although several antibiotics were administered for a long time, mechanical ventilation was used on 31% of the patients, and steroid pulse therapy was carried out on 24%. The clinical efficacy was poor with a 50% mortality rate. The reason why treatment of nosocomial pneumonia was difficult is thought to be been related to the general condition of these inpatients and to the appearance of a multi-drug resistant, polymicrobial microorganisms.     

A method for assaying intestinal brush-border sucrase in an intact intestinal preparation

Small intestinal brush-border hydrolases usually are assayed in intestinal mucosal homogenates resuspended in solutions of unphysiological ionic composition. Thus, extrapolation of measured Vmax values (maximal reaction rates at high substrate concentrations) to in vivo conditions, hence comparison with physiological substrate loads, is uncertain. We therefore have developed a sucrase assay in an intact preparation of mouse small intestine, an everted intestinal sleeve incubated in a physiological Ringer's solution. As in homogenate studies, sucrase is assayed by glucose production measured colorimetrically, but uptake of liberated glucose into the intestinal sleeve is prevented by the transport inhibitor phlorizin. The coefficient of variation of Vmax is 16% for sleeves from the same mouse and 8% for mean values from different mice. Sleeve sucrase activity is abolished by the inhibitor castanospermine. Activity in sleeves and homogenates proves to be the same when measured under identical solution conditions, but variations in assay conditions cause large activity changes from values measured in physiological solutions.     

Morphological and molecular characterization of Giardia isolated from the straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) in Western Australia

Following the first report of avian Giardia infection in Australia, isolates of the parasite recovered from naturally infected straw-necked ibis (Theskiornis spinicollis) were characterized using median body morphology, scanning electron microscopy, multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU-rRNA) analyses. Results were compared with Giardia from other birds and mammals, and the extent of genetic diversity between a range of ibis isolates collected in Western Australia was determined. The ibis isolates of Giardia were genetically relatively homogeneous, which is in contrast to the extensive genetic heterogeneity often displayed by mammalian Giardia isolates. Morphologically, Giardia from ibis were similar to Giardia ardeae although they differed genetically and by the fact that the ibis isolates could not be established in in vitro culture. Sequence data of the DNA coding for the SSU-rRNA found a 96% homology between the ibis isolates from Western Australia and G. ardeae, suggesting that they represent distinct strains of the same species. In contrast, the ibis isolates were genetically and morphologically very different than Giardia duodenalis and Giardia muris from mammals.     

Molecular epidemiology of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in a district hospital in Taiwan

Thirty-one of 104 clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae collected over a period of 8 months were found to be putative extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. Isoelectric focusing and an iodine overlay agar method were used for preliminary identification of the ESBLs. They were further identified by DNA sequencing. Seventy-one percent of the isolates were found to produce SHV-5. The variation in the ESBL patterns of these isolates was slight, with only five patterns being identified. The strains were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and 16 different genotypes were identified. When the PFGE patterns were analyzed by the algorithmic clustering method called the unweighted-pair group method using arithmetic averages, five clusters were found. However, significant genetic variations were found among 11 isolates and between each cluster. A plasmid of 36 kb was found in all clinical isolates and in the transconjugants. Our results indicate that the increase in the number of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae isolates in this hospital is due mainly to the dissemination of a resistance plasmid rather than to the clonal spread of a few epidemic strains.     

DSM-IV intermittent explosive disorder: a report of 27 cases

BACKGROUND: The authors' objective was to provide data regarding the demographic, phenomenological, course of illness, associated psychiatric and medical comorbidity, family history, and psychiatric treatment response characteristics of rigorously diagnosed subjects who met DSM-IV criteria for intermittent explosive disorder. METHOD: Twenty-seven subjects meeting DSM-IV criteria for a current or past history of intermittent explosive disorder were given structured diagnostic interviews. The subjects' medical histories, family histories of psychiatric disorders, and responses to psychiatric treatments were also assessed. RESULTS: Most subjects described their intermittent explosive disorder symptoms as very distressing and/or highly problematic. All 27 subjects described aggressive impulses prior to their aggressive acts. Of 24 subjects who were systematically queried, 21 (88%) experienced tension with the impulses; 18 (75%), relief with the aggressive acts; and 11 (48%), pleasure with the acts. Most subjects stated that their aggressive impulses and acts were also associated with affective symptoms, particularly changes in mood and energy level. Twenty-five (93%) subjects had lifetime DSM-IV diagnoses of mood disorders; 13 (48%), substance use disorders; 13 (48%), anxiety disorders; 6 (22%), eating disorders; and 12 (44%), an impulse-control disorder other than intermittent explosive disorder. Subjects also displayed high rates of comorbid migraine headaches. First-degree relatives displayed high rates of mood, substance use, and impulse-control disorders. Twelve (60%) of 20 subjects receiving monotherapy with an antidepressant or a mood stabilizer reported moderate or marked reduction of their aggressive impulses and/or episodes. CONCLUSION: Intermittent explosive disorder appears to be a bona fide impulse-control disorder that may be related to mood disorder and may represent another form of affective spectrum disorder.     

Protective efficacy against malaria of a combination sporozoite and erythrocytic stage vaccine

Most malariologists believe that optimal malaria vaccines will induce protective immune responses against different stages of the parasite's life cycle. A multiple antigen peptide (MAP) vaccine based on the Plasmodium yoelii circumsporozoite protein (PyCSP) protects mice against sporozoite challenge by inducing antibodies that prevent sporozoites from invading hepatocytes. A purified recombinant protein vaccine based on the P. yoelii merozoite surface protein-1 (PyMSP-1) protects mice against challenge with infected erythrocytes, presumably by inducing antibodies against the erythrocytic stage of the parasite. We now report studies designed to determine if the PyMSP-1 vaccine protects against challenge with sporozoites, the stage encountered in the field, and if immunization with a combination of the PyCSP and PyMSP-1 vaccines provides additive or synergistic protection against sporozoite challenge. In two experiments, using TiterMax or Ribi R-700 as adjuvant, 3 of 19 mice immunized with the PyMSP-1 vaccine were completely protected against sporozoite challenge. The remaining mice had significantly delayed onset and lower levels of peak parasitemia than did control mice (11.1 +/- 2.8% vs. 36.7 +/- 1.6% in experiment #2, P < 0.01). Immunization with the combination vaccine reduced by approximately 50% the level of antibodies induced to PyCSP and PyMSP-1, as compared to that induced by the individual components. However, in two experiments, there was evidence of additive protection. Six of 19 (31.6%) immunized with the PyCSP vaccine, 3 of 19 (15.8%) immunized with the PyMSP-1 vaccine, and 10 of 19 (52.6%) immunized with the combination were completely protected against sporozoit challenge. This modest increase in protection in the combination group may be a reflection of additive anti-PyCSP and anti-PyMSP-1 immunity, since mice in the combination group had diminished levels of antibodies to each components. These studies indicate that considerable work may be required to optimize the construction, delivery, and assessment of multi-stage malaria vaccines.     

A Ca2+-activated whole-cell Cl- conductance in human placental cytotrophoblast cells activated via a G protein

Evidence now suggests that some people can exert some degree of control over seizure initiation and inhibition. In order to explore this further, 79 young people with epilepsy, attending specialist residential schools, were interviewed regarding awareness of seizure precipitants; recognition of seizure warnings; attempts at seizure inhibition, and ways of self-inducing seizures. Questionnaires with the same content were completed by residential care staff. Results show that many subjects claimed to identify seizure precipitants (63.3%), experienced warnings (70.9%), and had developed means of trying to inhibit seizure occurrence (50.6%). However, in each instance, staff reports were much lower (56.9%, 47.2%, and 22.2%, respectively), and one-to-one concordance was poor. A larger than expected percentage of self-induction was reported for both subjects (8.9%) and staff (9.7%). The implication of these results for both the investigation and treatment of epilepsy are discussed further.     

Protection against malaria by immunization with plasmid DNA encoding circumsporozoite protein

Immunization with irradiated sporozoites protects animals and humans against malaria, and the circumsporozoite protein is a target of this protective immunity. We now report that adjuvant-free intramuscular injection of mice with plasmid DNA encoding the Plasmodium yoelii circumsporozoite protein induced higher levels of antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes against the P. yoelii circumsporozoite protein than did immunization with irradiated sporozoites. Mice immunized with this vaccine had an 86% reduction in liver-stage parasite burden after challenge with 5 x 10(5) sporozoites (> 10(5) median infectious doses). Eighteen (68%) of 28 mice that received two or three doses of vaccine were protected against challenge with 10(2) sporozoites, and the protection was dependent on CD8+ T cells. These studies demonstrate the utility of plasmid DNA immunization against a nonviral infection. By obviating the requirement for peptide synthesis, expression and purification of recombinant proteins, and adjuvants, this method of immunization provides an important alternative for rapid identification of protective B- and T-cell epitopes and for construction of vaccines to prevent malaria and other infectious diseases.     

Effects of vocal loudness on nasalance measures

The effect of storage and high temperatures on the stability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae allergens was studied by immunoblotting. Saccharomyces cerevisiae allergic serum pool and 125I- and galactosidase-labelled anti-IgE were used in the assays. Freeze-dried extracts were reconstituted with saline and with 50% glycerol and then stored at room (+20 degrees C) and refrigerator temperature (+6 degrees C) for different time periods. The stability was better in 50% glycerol at +6 degrees C than at room temperature without glycerol. However, after 1 month, two of the most important allergens of S. cerevisiae, the 48 and 32 kDa protein allergens, lost their IgE-binding capacity even in the extracts stored with 50% glycerol at +6 degrees C. The 45 kDa allergen was, on the other hand, quite stable after storage for 9 months at +6 degrees C. Although the beneficial effect of 50% glycerol was clear, storage at +6 degrees C, even with 50% glycerol should not exceed 1 month for S. cerevisiae extracts. Two commercially available S. cerevisiae extracts in solution with valid expiry dates were also analysed. They had only little allergenic potency, while a freeze-dried extract stored for 8 years showed good allergenic potency. Heating S. cerevisiae extracts resulted in precipitation, the precipitated fraction contained almost all the specific proteins as judged by electrophoresis and IgE detection. The supernatant fraction contained only a few allergens.