Epidemiology, laboratory detection, and therapy of penicillin-resistant streptococcal infections

The excitatory effect of presynaptically released glutamate is tightly regulated and terminated by high affinity sodium-dependent glutamate transporters. The regulation of the glial glutamate transporter GLT-1 is potentially important in synaptic modulation. Using astroglial cultures prepared from the rat cerebral cortex, we found that the delta-opioid receptor agonist [D-pen2,D-pen5]-enkephalin decreases and glutamate increases the expression of the GLT-1 transporter mRNA. Corresponding changes in the uptake kinetics were found after incubation for 48 h with the respective agonists when glial glutamate uptake was measured in primary astroglial cultures. The data suggest that long-term receptor activation induces alterations in glial glutamate uptake properties.     

Range of motion and complications after postburn heterotopic bone excision about the elbow

OBJECTIVE: To review the results of surgical management of heterotopic ossification about the elbow in burned patients. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis with long-term patient follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with 16 elbows requiring surgery were admitted between January 1, 1982 and December 31, 1993. A posterior approach to the elbow with release of the encased ulnar nerve +/- anterior transposition and transolecranon osteotomy to access extensive bone formation in the olecranon fossa was employed. Eight patients (11 elbows) were available for long-term follow-up conducted at mean 50 +/- 13 months after surgery. Long-term follow-up consisted of measurement of range of elbow motion, as well as clinical assessment of ulnar nerve function. MAIN RESULTS: For the 11 elbows examined postoperatively, the mean range of motion preoperatively in flexion-extension was 11 degrees +/- 5 degrees compared to 89 degrees +/- 12 degrees postoperatively (p < 0.001). Three patients with poor long-term results had ankylosis of the joint preoperatively. Of four patients with ulnar nerve paresis preoperatively, none had ulnar nerve dysfunction at follow-up. Of 16 elbows operated on, four (25%) had postoperative complications. Two suffered soft-tissue breakdown with hardware exposure requiring abdominal flap closure, one early failure of olecranon fixation, and one late infected hardware. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for both limited range of motion as well as ulnar nerve compression is effective in cases of heterotopic ossification about the elbows of burned patients. Early operative intervention is indicated in progressive disease, particularly ulnar nerve palsy, if soft-tissue quality is adequate. Complications with 25% of elbows suggest that use of olecranon osteotomy for joint access may warrant review.     

Inhibition of expression of the lysine-rich 30 kDa surface antigen of Entamoeba dispar by the transcription of its antisense RNA

The gene coding for the 30 kDa lysine rich surface antigen (Ed-Ag) that is present on membrane surfaces of Entamoeba dispar trophozoites has been characterized. A specific monoclonal antibody MAb 318-28 prepared against this antigen reacts with all E. dispar strains tested, but not with any of the antigens of E. histolytica. In order to understand the function of this antigen, we constructed two plasmids, pEdA-9 and pEdA-Rev, in which the antigen-coding sequence was introduced into the pEhAct-Neo shuttle vector in the direct and opposite orientation, respectively. When E. dispar trophozoites were transfected with pEdA-9, only a slight increase was observed in the expression of the antigen. However, when E. dispar trophozoites were transfected with pEdA-Rev, the expression of the native 30 kDa antigen was significantly inhibited. This inhibition was proportional to the level of resistance of the E. dispar culture to the neomycin derivative G418. Cytopathic assays detected only a slight difference between untransfected, pEdA-9 transfected and pEdA-Rev transfected trophozoites.     

The Imbrication Model for the integration of social services in a community

An innovative model for organising social services in a community, the Imbrication Model, is contrasted with two traditional models, the Entrepreneurial and the Umbrella Agency. The structural characteristics and dynamics of the three models are illustrated with actual case histories. Imbrication Model calls for the interlocking of personnel from several agencies, with the purpose of redirecting the dysfunctional interagency rivalry prevalent in the traditional models. Imbrications at all organisational levels--Board of Directors, Administrators and Staff--facilitate adoption of the superordinate goal of providing clients with the best services available, regardless of which particular agency delivers the service. Few observers of the current social service scene would challenge the statement that needs for service are unlimited and resources limited. In the USA the imbalance between needs and resources persists despite a decade of massive governmental programmes intended to alleviate social ills. Recent substantial cutbacks in federal funds, moreover are not likely to improve the situation. The resource shortage involves more than a limitation of funds. Deliverers of service and competent programme administrators are also on critically short supply. These shortages are more often than not exacerbated by a chronic spirit of competition among agencies and programmes at the local level. Three organizational models for the delivery and administration of social services, two conventional and one of more recent date, are examined in this article. The innovative model, which has been named the Imbrication Model, explicitly calls for redirecting interagency rivalry and competition. Its ambitious goal is to integrate the efforts of those attempting to meet a community's social service needs.     

Anticonvulsant drug concentrations in epileptic patients

Using Wistar stain male rats, it has been shown that 2 atmospheric pressures associated with oxygen saturation, together or singly for 90 minutes daily for successive 46 days, resulted in no significant change on the ratio of testes to body weight. No significant change was observed in the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into testes and pituitary glands between the pressure-treated groups and the control group.     

Short-term effects of thyroid hormones on the Na/H antiport in L-6 myoblasts: high molecular specificity for 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine

The thyroid hormones L-T3 and L-T4 were shown to activate the Na/H antiport in L-6 cells from rat skeletal muscle by a rapid, nongenomic mechanism. Under pH equilibrium conditions, a significant rise in the intracellular pH, measured by the fluorescent pH indicator 2',7'-bis-(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein was observed after the addition of physiological concentrations (10(-10) M) of either L-T3 or L-T4, but with different time courses. L-T3 at all concentrations increased the pH after a delay of 2 min, whereas L-T4 showed a concentration-dependent lag time, going from 11 min at 10(-11) M down to 5 min for a hormone concentration of 10(-6) M. The effect of L-T4 was blocked in the presence of the 5'-deiodinase inhibitor 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil, suggesting that the difference in lag time between L-T3 and L-T4 was due to the 5'-deiodination process that transforms L-T4 into the bioactive L-T3. In short term studies (<5 min), a high molecular specificity for L-T3 was found, as L-T4, rT3, the D-isomer of T3, and the deaminated analogues were ineffective at physiological concentrations. In analogy with the results found at equilibrium, intracellular pH recovery from an acid load and set-point were increased after 2 min for L-T3 (10(-9) M) and after 10 min for L-T4 (10(-9) M). The effect of the hormones on the intracellular pH was completely blocked by the specific antiport inhibitor 5-(ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride. These findings suggest that thyroid hormones may play an active role in the recovery from muscular acidosis through direct stimulation of the Na/H antiport.     

Artificial neural networks in cancer research

Current therapy does not cure the majority of patients with B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and further intensification does not benefit the patient. Therefore, new approaches are necessary. Immunotherapy has become again a major interest as a new treatment modality for B cell lymphoma since the discovery that the lymphoma specific Id can be presented to antigen-specific T cells. Vaccination of the tumour-bearing host is one of the major strategies to induce a T cell mediated anti-tumour immunity in vivo. For B cell lymphomas the lymphoma specific Id can be used as a tumour-specific antigen to stimulate T cells. Alternatively, the malignant B cells can be modified to become efficient antigen presenting cells (APCs) and present peptides from their own tumour-specific antigens to the autologous T cells. Currently explored and future vaccination strategies for B cell lymphoma will be discussed here.