Recurrent high level parvovirus B19/genotype 2 viremia in a renal transplant recipient analyzed by real-time PCR for simultaneous detection of genotypes 1 to 3

Organ transplant recipients infected with parvovirus B19 frequently develop persistent viremia associated with chronic anemia and pure red cell aplasia. In this study, a male renal transplant recipient who had been infected with parvovirus B19/genotype 2 after renal transplantation at the age of 34 years is described. The patient was repeatedly treated with high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) that resulted in the resolvement of symptoms but not in virus eradication. During an observation period of 33 months after transplantation three phases associated with high parvovirus B19 viremia were observed. Both the first and the second viremic phases were combined with severe anemia. Parvovirus B19 specific IgM-antibodies were initially detected at the beginning of the second phase in continually rising concentrations. Initially eradication of the virus by immunoglobulin therapy was reported after the first viremic phase [Liefeldt et al. (2002): Nephrol Dial Transplant 17:1840-1842]. Retrospectively this statement has to be corrected. It was based on the use of a qualitative PCR assay specific for parvovirus B19 genotype 1 associated with reduced sensitivity for detection of genotype 2. After sequence analysis of the viral DNA and adjustment of a real-time PCR assay (TaqMan) for quantitative detection of all three B19 virus genotypes analysis of consecutive serum samples allowed the demonstration of long lasting phases with reduced viral loads following IVIG-treatment. These results demonstrate that IVIG treatment of parvovirus B19-triggered anemia in transplant recipients offers an opportunity to resolve symptoms, but does not guarantee eradication of the virus. Since reactivation of parvovirus B19 infection can result in high virus load associated with the recurrence of symptoms repeated screening for viral DNA is recommended using the TaqMan system established for quantitative detection of all three genotypes of parvovirus B19.     

Comparison of nasal swab culture, quantitative culture of nasal mucosal tissue and PCR in detecting Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage in rats

It is not known how well nasopharyngeal swab culture represents pneumococcal carriage status. We tested this by comparing swab culture to quantitative culture and quantitative PCR of mucosal tissue in a rat model of pneumococcal carriage. Quantitative culture and quantitative PCR identified significantly more carriers compared to swab culture (differences 15% and 33%, 95% CI 1-28% and 16-47%, p=0.04 and 0.001, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of swab culture was 75/92% and 63/100% compared to quantitative tissue culture and quantitative PCR, respectively. The quantitative estimates of culture and PCR were very similar (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.79, p<0.001). In conclusion, even a well-controlled swab sampling markedly underestimates pneumococcal carriage rate, and simultaneous use of quantitative culture and PCR increases the number of positive samples by about one third.     

Cell-free fetal DNA and intact fetal cells in maternal blood circulation: implications for first and second trimester non-invasive prenatal diagnosis

Both intact fetal cells as well as cell-free fetal DNA are present in the maternal circulation and can be recovered for non-invasive prenatal genetic diagnosis. Although methods for enrichment and isolation of rare intact fetal cells have been challenging, diagnosis of fetal chromosomal aneuploidy including trisomy 21 in first- and second-trimester pregnancies has been achieved with a 50-75% detection rate. Similarly, cell-free fetal DNA can be reliably recovered from maternal plasma and assessed by quantitative PCR to detect fetal trisomy 21 and paternally derived single gene mutations. Real-time PCR assays are robust in detecting low-level fetal DNA concentrations, with sensitivity of approximately 95-100% and specificity near 100%. Comparing intact fetal cell versus cell-free fetal DNA methods for non-invasive prenatal screening for fetal chromosomal aneuploidy reveals that the latter is at least four times more sensitive. These preliminary results do not support a relationship between frequency of intact fetal cells and concentration of cell-free fetal DNA. The above results imply that the concentration of fetal DNA in maternal plasma may not be dependent on circulating intact fetal cells but rather be a product of growth and cellular turnover during embryonic or fetal development.     

Possible causal relationships between cerebellar patterns of foliation and hindlimb coordination in laboratory mice: a quantitative trait locus analysis

The cerebellum is involved in a large set of integrative functions including memory, affect, and motricity. The cerebellar patterns of foliation and their causal relationships with motricity were investigated via a wide genome scan approach and quantitative trait locus (QTL) strategy. QTLs were mapped in an F₂ population derived from NZB/B1NJ and C57BL/6By inbred strains of mice for cerebellar fissures in the four vermal lobules (intraculminate, uvula, declival, and intracentral) and for hindpaw slips in a bar crossing test. No linkage was detected for uvula and intracentral fissures. We found five QTLs linked to declival fissure: Cpfd-1q and Cpfd-2q (chromosome 1), Cpfd-3q (chromosome 5), Cpfd-4q (chromosome 9), and Cpfd-5q (chromosome 13). Two QTLs were also mapped for intraculminate fissure Cpfi-1q (chromosome 4) and Cpfi-2q (chromosome 1). Most of the confidence intervals of these QTLs included genes that were previously identified for their implication in the physiological mechanisms underlying cerebellar patterns of foliation. Only one significant QTL was found for the measure of hindpaw coordination (Tne-1q). It was linked with Cpfd-1q and Cpfd-2q on the telomeric part of chromosome 1.     

孕妇妊娠晚期和妊高征患者血小板参数的分析

目的观察正常孕妇妊娠晚期和妊高征患者血小板参数的变化及临床意义。方法采用日本Sysmex KX-21型血液细胞分析仪分别对正常孕妇（118例）、妊高征患者（59例）及对照组（正常婚检妇女59例）的血液标本进行血小板（PLT）计数、平均血小板体积（MPV）、血小板分布宽度（PDW）的测定。结果妊高征组和正常孕妇组的MPV、PDW显著高于对照组（P〈0.01）;妊高征组MPV、PDW明显高于正常孕妇组（P〈0.05）;妊高征组的PLT显著低于对照组（P〈0.01）。结论妊高征患者由于血小板消耗和破坏增加,导致血小板减少,MPV、PDW明显增高,因此,检测血小板参数对预测妊高征的发生有一定的参考意义。     

细胞核形态和DNA指数分析在星形细胞瘤分级诊断中的应用

目的 探索自动图像分析系统在胶质瘤分级诊断中的应用。方法 采用自行设计组装的MIPS-I型自动图像分析系统对3个级别星形细胞瘤的细胞核形态和DNA指数(倍体)同时进行原位定量测定。结果 在星形细胞瘤分级诊断中，5项反映核形态的参数诊断正确率为56．3％；代表核DNA改变的7项参数诊断正确率为70．8％；综合应用12项参数诊断正确率为75％。结论 细胞核形态和DNA指数分析可作为星形细胞瘤分级诊断的参考指标之一。     

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for circadian rhythms of locomotor activity in mice

The loomotor activity of male mice (Mus musculus) was monitored by infrared photoelectric beams under three lighting regimens: LD (12 h of light and 12 h of dark), DD (constant dark), and LL (constant broad-spectrum light, 10 lux). Circadian period of locomotor activioty (τ) was compared among 3 inbred strains of mice, C57BL/6J (B6), BALB/c (C), and DBA/2J (D2), and 26 recombinant inbred strains B×D (B6×D2). the τ under both continuous low-intensity light and continuous darkenss varied significantly among strains. Under DD the mean τ was 23.8 h for B6, 23.7 h for D2, and 23.6 h for C. Under LL the mean τ was 25.1 for B6, 23.9 h for D2, and 25.5 h for C. Frequency histograms of the mean τ of 26B×D RI mouse strains (three to seven animals per strain) in either DD or LL and the difference between them, Δτ, had distributions which appeared unimodal, suggesting polygenic inheritances. The narrow-sense heritability determined using 26 strains of B×D RI mice was about 55% for τ and about 38% for both τ in LL and Δτ. An estimated four loci contribute to the variance of τ in constant darkness and five to the variance of τ in constant low-intensity light among the strains studied. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis identified several potential genetic loci associated with τ in constant darkness, τ in constant low-intensity light, and Δτ. The associations of highest probability for each of these traits were theD1Nds4 locus (p<0.001) on mouse chromosome 1, theD5Ncvs52 locus (p<.05) on mouse chromosome 5, and thePmv12 locus (p<.01) at 70 cM on mouse chromosome 5, respectively. A QTL identified for τ was associated (p<.05) with theD2NDS1 marker at 45 cM on chromsome 2 near the Ea 6 marker at 46 cM associated (p<.05) with that reported for the period of wheel running activity in seven C×B RI strains (Schwartz, W. J., and Zimmerman, P.,J. Neurosci. 10:3685 1990).     

Physical parameters in Japanese newborns

Summary A total of 19 physical parameters of the head, face, chest, and the fingers were examined in Japanese 50 male and 50 female newborns, measured 8 to 64 hr after birth. Exceptional values were excluded referring to the estimated mean and standard deviations. Normal values are presented as mean ±2 S.D. for each sex. As compared with Caucasian newborns, the Japanese newborns showed longer inner canthal and shorter outer canthal distances, shorter ear lengths, and longer palm and middle finger lengths.     

High variability in viral load in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with herpes simplex and varicella-zoster infections of the central nervous system

Infections of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by herpes viruses can result in severe diseases, often with a fatal outcome. In this study, the viral load in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with herpes simplex or varicella-zoster infections of the CNS was measured using a quantitative real-time PCR. The results suggest a high variability in viral load, with relatively mild disease associated with a high viral load in CSF and vice versa. Determination of the viral load in CSF does not therefore seem to be useful in assessing the prognosis of disease caused by these viruses.     

性别、孕周、身长体重指数和日龄对早期新生儿血化学指标的影响

为探讨性别、孕周、身长体重指数和日龄对早期新生儿血化学指标的影响，我们对241例早期新生儿六大类常用血化学指标进行了检测和分析，现报道如下。