Newly Isolated Animal Pathogen Corynebacterium silvaticum Is Cytotoxic to Human Epithelial Cells

Corynebacterium silvaticum is a newly identified animal pathogen of forest animals such as roe deer and wild boars. The species is closely related to the emerging human pathogen Corynebacterium ulcerans and the widely distributed animal pathogen Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. In this study, Corynebacterium silvaticum strain W25 was characterized with respect to its interaction with human cell lines. Microscopy, measurement of transepithelial electric resistance and cytotoxicity assays revealed detrimental effects of C. silvaticum to different human epithelial cell lines and to an invertebrate animal model, Galleria mellonella larvae, comparable to diphtheria toxin-secreting C. ulcerans. Furthermore, the results obtained may indicate a considerable zoonotic potential of this newly identified species.     

Clinical study in epidural injection with lappaconitine compound for post-operative analgesia

In this study, the effect and side-effect of epidural injection with lappaconitine compound for post-operative analgesia was observed. One hundred and twenty patients were randomly divided into 4 groups. Lappaconitine compound (LB) consisted of 12 mg of lappaconitine and 22.5 mg of bupivacaine, was given to group A (the group of observation), and lappaconitine 12 mg, bupivacaine 22.5 mg and morphine 2 mg to group B, C and D respectively for control. All were given by epidural injection with single blind method during post-operative pain of incision operation. Result showed that the initiating of analgesia was quicker in group A and C than that in group B and D, and the efficacy was group D > A > C > B. There was significant difference between group A and B in the above two parameters, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05. The analgisia maintenence time of single injection was D > A > B > C, that of group D was significantly longer than that of group A (P < 0.01). It indicated that the epidural injection with LB was more rapid and potent than that with lappaconitine alone in post-operative analgesia, and the former had no side-effect, it was safer than morphine.     

A linkage map of human chromosome 21:43 PCR markers at average intervals of 2.5 cM

A genetic linkage map of human chromosome 21q (HC21q) containing 43 markers genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction in the CEPH pedigrees is presented. The markers placed on this map are highly polymorphic with an average heterozygosity of 61%. The average interval size of the markers localized at 1000:1 odds is 2.5 cM. The map has a total length of 65.5 cM, with male and female lengths of 47.7 and 83.3 cM, respectively. The genotypes used in the construction of this map were subjected to rigorous error checking, which is reflected in the shorter map length compared to previous maps; the estimated error rate in genotyping is less than 0.04%. As noted in previous linkage maps there is increased recombination in females on proximal HC 21q and in the male in a region near the telomere. This map of HC 21 represents a highly informative and dense meiotic linkage map and will be useful in linking disease phenotypes to loci on this chromosome.     

Design and implementation of clinical trials of antimicrobial drugs and devices used in periodontal disease treatment

The design and implementation of clinical trials (CTs) carried out to evaluate antimicrobial and anti-infective drugs and devices are one of the most difficult challenges in contemporary periodontal research and product development. The overwhelming amount of evidence which has established a microbial etiology for periodontitis is the basis for developing and testing antimicrobial treatments. Well-designed antimicrobial CTs start with a carefully crafted hypothesis and a protocol which explicitly integrates the requirements of the patient, the clinician, the sponsor, and regulatory authorities. Surrogate variables for effectiveness must be clinically relevant, scientifically sound, and statistically valid. Currently, clinical attachment level measurements and alveolar bone assessments are accepted as proof of effectiveness. Indication and claim support of the antimicrobial product guide the design and implementation of the CT. Adverse microbiologic consequences, such as lack of antimicrobial susceptibility, wrong spectrum, incorrect dosage, non-compliance, and drug interference, must be monitored. Successful CTs balance a large group of variables used to screen, randomize, and assign subjects to experimental and control groups to ensure that prognostic and risk factors are properly accounted for.     

ERCP and CT findings of ectopic drainage of the common bile duct into the duodenal bulb

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate ERCP and CT findings of ectopic drainage of the common bile duct into the duodenal bulb. CONCLUSION: Although rare, the diagnosis of ectopic drainage of the common bile duct into the duodenal bulb is important to prevent inadvertent damage during biliary tract or gastric surgery and to clarify the cause of chronic peptic ulcers.