Meniscal abnormalities: prospective correlation of double-contrast arthrography and arthroscopy

In a prospective study conducted over a 12-month period, 30 patients underwent double-contrast arthrography of the knee followed by arthroscopic study. An 80% correlation rate was found between results. Arthrography had a higher rate of accuracy (93%) than arthroscopy (84%) and had a 7% false-positive and 0% false-negative rate. A commonly overlooked arthrographic sign--the triple-S or stuck sail sign--was 91% accurate in the prediction of meniscal tears. The complementary nature of the two examinations is discussed.     

Patellofemoral joint: kinematic MR imaging to assess tracking abnormalities

The patellofemoral joint was imaged with magnetic resonance (MR) in the axial plane while the knee was positioned from 0 degrees to 32 degrees of flexion (nine positions). These multiple sequential images obtained within the early phases of flexion of the knee were viewed in a "cine-loop" format, producing a kinematic study that clearly demonstrated the relationship of the patella to the trochlear groove. Four healthy subjects and one patient with known bilateral subluxing patellae were studied. The preliminary results suggest that kinematic MR imaging of the patellofemoral joint is potentially useful for the evaluation of patellar tracking abnormalities.     

Invasive and non-invasive studies of the protective action of a silicon-containing cream and its excipient in skin irritation induced by sodium laurylsulfate

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the protective effect of a new silicone-containing barrier-cream (Anthydro) and its vehicle (Anthydro without silicone) in the prevention of cutaneous irritation by detergents. We therefore planned a study in several stages, using an anionic surfactant well known for its irritant properties: sodium laurylsulphate (SLS) in aqueous solution. In a first series of experiments, the protective effect of the Anthydro cream against SLS was studied by invasive methods on guinea-pigs in order to determine histologically the protective effect of the cream when a 10 p. 100 SLS solution was applied on the skin under occlusion during 24 hours (Square chambers, Van der Bend). Typical and reproducible lesions were apparent, and the protected sites were compared with the unprotected sites. In parallel, we used non-invasive methods (conductivity, transepidermal water loss and cutaneous blood flow) to determine in humans the protective effect of Anthydro cream in comparison with unprotected sites after application during 24 hours of patches soaked with a 5 p. 100 SLS solution on the forearms of 13 adult and healthy volunteers (Silver patch tests, Van der Bend). In both experiments the Anthydro cream was effective in reducing the SLS-induced cutaneous irritation. In a second series of experiments, the Anthydro barrier-cream was compared with its "base" (Anthydro without silicone) in terms of effectiveness, following the same experimental procedure (invasive on guinea-pigs, and non-invasive on humans). The base was shown to be effective in protecting against irritation. However, the histological lesions were less intense when the skin was protected by Anthydro than by its vehicle. Concerning the non-invasive methods in humans, no significant statistical differences appeared in the measurement of various parameters between the sites protected by Anthydro and the sites protected by the vehicle. These results lead us to suggest the existence of an essentially mechanical protective effect in which the silicone plays a very small part in terms of effectiveness. These experimental results necessitates further investigations to be extrapolated to occupational conditions without tests performed in industries and well-conducted epidemiological investigations.     

Aspects of three dimensional reconstruction for a multi ring positron tomography

An important feature of multi ring positron tomographs is the inter plane septa, the purpose of which is to reduce random and scattered coincidences. In general, such septa also eliminate the coincidence lines of response between pairs of detectors more than one ring apart. The operation of a camera without septa must result in an increase not only in the true coincidence rate, but also in the singles, and therefore in the dead time and randoms rate, and in the scattered coincidences. A configuration option in the coincidence hardware of the 8 ring, 15 slice ECAT 931/08-12 enables a full set of 64 sinograms to be acquired when the septa are removed. The detector normalisation and transmission data for studies with the septa out can be obtained using a rotating pin source. To take maximum advantage of the additional signal, the emission data must be reconstructed using a fully three dimensional reconstruction algorithm. This paper presents an analysis of some phantom studies acquired without septa and reconstructed in three dimensions. The results are compared with data acquired with septa for the same phantoms imaged under similar conditions. It is found that, with the septa removed, the signal to noise for a uniform, 20 cm diameter cylinder improves by a factor of 2.8 in the centre of the field of view, whereas in regions distant from the centre in the axial direction, the signal to noise decreases due to the increase in scatter and randoms. An improvement in signal to noise is observed in 6 cm of the 10 cm axial length of the tomograph.This article was presented at the 1st EEC workshop on accuracy determination in PET, January 19–20th. 1989 Pisa, Italy (COMAC-BME Concerted Project Characterization and Standardization of PET Instrumentation)     

High susceptibility of human dendritic cells to invasion by the intracellular pathogens Brucella suis, B. abortus, and B. melitensis

Bacteria from the Brucella genus are able to survive and proliferate within macrophages. Because they are phylogenetically closely related to macrophages, myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) constitute potential targets for Brucella bacteria. Here we report that DCs display a great susceptibility to Brucella infection. Therefore, DCs might serve as a reservoir and be important for the development of Brucella bacteria within their host.     

HIV epidemic in Central African Republic: high prevalence rates in both rural and urban areas

A sentinel serosurveillance study was conducted in Central African Republic to estimate the prevalence of HIV seropositivity in the general adult population in each province so that the public health authorities can target HIV prevention programmes to the priority areas. Blood samples were collected from women attending 48 antenatal clinics in urban and rural areas of the Central African Republic. These samples were tested for HIV antibodies in an anonymous and unlinked manner using strategy II recommended by WHO. The data were extrapolated to all women of reproductive age in Central African Republic by use of a parity-based adjustment involving the application of correction factors to the observed prevalence rates. A total of 9,305 pregnant women were recruited from November 2001 to October 2002. HIV seroprevalence was high in all age groups (12% in the less than 20 year age group to 17% in the 25-29 year age group). The median prevalence of HIV in antenatal clinics was similar for rural areas, for Bangui and for other urban areas (16.5, 15.0, and 12.5% respectively). Adjustment for parity and fertility pattern increased the prevalence of HIV in all antenatal clinics except in Bangui. This first national study of HIV prevalence in Central African Republic revealed that the HIV epidemic is continuing to spread in both urban and rural areas. Thus, efforts to reduce transmission should be made in every part of the country.     

Critical ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a coasted in-vitro fertilization patient

We report an instance of critical ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a highly responsive in-vitro fertilization patient despite the preventive measure of a 4 day 'coast' interval during which no gonadotrophins were administered while gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist therapy continued until serum oestradiol concentrations fell below 3000 pg/ml.