Comparison of systemic and mucosal vaccination: impact on intravenous and rectal SIV challenge

Mucosal tissues are the primary route of transmission for most respiratory and sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus. We aimed to generate strong mucosal immune responses to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in rhesus macaques by targeting recombinant adenovirus serotype 5 (rAd5) to the lung. The immunogenicity and efficacy of aerosol (AE) vaccination was compared with intramuscular (IM) delivery in either an intravenous (IV) or intrarectal (IR) SIV(mac251) challenge model. Aerosolized rAd5 induced strong cellular responses in the lung and systemic humoral responses equivalent to IM. Strikingly, all immunization groups controlled acute viremia in the IV challenge model by 1-2 logs. By contrast, after IR challenge, only peak viremia was reduced by immunization, with no significant effect on SIV infection acquisition rate or mucosal CD4(+) T-cell preservation. Improved disease outcome was associated with pre-challenge cellular and humoral responses, while post-challenge T-cell responses were highly correlated with viremia control. The similar outcomes achieved by systemic and airway mucosal immunization support AE delivery as a safe, effective, and less invasive alternative to parenteral vaccination.     

Scaling up community-based obesity prevention in Australia: Background and evaluation design of the Health Promoting Communities: Being Active Eating Well initiative

Background  

There is only limited evidence available on how best to prevent childhood obesity and community-based interventions hold promise, as several successful interventions have now been published. The Victorian Government has recently funded six disadvantaged communities across Victoria, Australia for three years to promote healthy eating and physical activity for children, families, and adults in a community-based participatory manner. Five of these intervention communities are situated in Primary Care Partnerships and are the subject of this paper. The interventions will comprise a mixture of capacity-building, environmental, and whole-of-community approaches with targeted and population-level interventions. The specific intervention activities will be determined locally within each community through stakeholder and community consultation. Implementation of the interventions will occur through funded positions in primary care and local government. This paper describes the design of the evaluation of the five primary care partnership-based initiatives in the 'Go for your life' Health Promoting Communities: Being Active Eating Well (HPC:BAEW) initiative.     

The lipoprotein profile of women with hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea

The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipoprotein profile in women with hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea and to establish whether effective dopamine agonist therapy might have a beneficial effect. Blood samples were collected from women with hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea and from controls matched for age, body mass index and smoking. Follow-up blood samples were collected from women on dopamine agonist therapy as treatment for their hyperprolactinaemia. Plasma cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, serum oestradiol and prolactin were measured. No statistically significant differences were found in the lipoprotein profile of the patient (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. During treatment with the dopamine agonist, bromocriptine (n = 9), significant reduction in total cholesterol [4.87 (3.98-5.87) versus 5.60 (4.55-6.61) mmol/l, P = 0.024] and LDL cholesterol [3.22 (2.01-4.23) versus 3.72 (2.59-4.93) mmol/l, P = 0.033] was noted. We conclude that beneficial alterations in the lipoprotein profile may occur in response to effective dopamine agonist therapy, presumably as a consequence of return of ovarian function and alleviation of oestrogen deficiency. Women with hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea should be encouraged to take effective therapy to improve their lipoprotein profile and potentially reduce their cardiovascular risk.     

A prospective comparison of 'in house' and commercially prepared Earle's balanced salt solution in human in-vitro fertilization.

A prospective, randomized study was undertaken to compare the use of Earle's balanced salt solution (EBSS) prepared 'in house' with that produced commercially, in 448 cycles of therapeutic in-vitro fertilization. Outcome was assessed in terms of fertilization and cleavage rates, embryo morphology, and implantation rates following embryo transfer. The only differences that were found between the two media in any of the outcome parameters were in the number of cycles with failed fertilization (1/218 in 'in house' medium compared with 10/230 in commercially prepared medium; P = 0.0186), and in the rate at which embryos cleaved. Thus, while the median number of blastomeres per embryo was no different in the two groups at 46-49 h post insemination (three in embryos cultured in 'in-house' medium, compared with four in those cultured in commercially prepared medium; P > 0.1), the number of embryos per cycle that had cleaved to the 4-cell stage by 46-49 h post insemination was significantly greater in the Medi-Cult than in the EBSS medium (P < 0.001).     

Reflex effects of vertebral subluxations: the peripheral nervous system. An update

BACKGROUND: The traditional chiropractic vertebral subluxation hypothesis proposes that vertebral misalignment cause illness, disease, or both. This hypothesis remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To briefly review and update experimental evidence concerning reflex effects of vertebral subluxations, particularly concerning peripheral nervous system responses to vertebral subluxations. DATA SOURCE: Information was obtained from chiropractic or scientific peer-reviewed literature concerning human or animal studies of neural responses to vertebral subluxation, vertebral displacement or movement, or both. CONCLUSION: Animal models suggest that vertebral displacements and putative vertebral subluxations may modulate activity in group I to IV afferent nerves. However, it is not clear whether these afferent nerves are modulated during normal day-to-day activities of living and, if so, what segmental or whole-body reflex effects they may have.     

Relation between pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) in human peri-ovulatory follicle fluid and the collection and fertilization of human ova in vitro

In 42 patients, blood-free peri-ovulatory follicular fluid was aspirated from 86 follicles for estimation of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and related to several variables associated with the fertilization of human ova in vitro. Follicle growth was stimulated by clomiphene citrate alone or in combination with human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) and ovulation was triggered by human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) except in six patients who had a spontaneous surge of luteinizing hormone (LH). PAPP-A was detected in 83 of the 86 follicles aspirated, ranging from 'undetectable' to 1044 micrograms/l. The concentration of PAPP-A was statistically significantly correlated with increasing follicle size, follicular oestradiol-17 beta concentration and oocyte recovery. At PAPP-A concentrations of greater than 200 micrograms/l, there was no correlation noted with the ability of the ovum to be fertilized, to cleave, or between PAPP-A levels in follicles from pregnant and non-pregnant cycles. There was no significant difference in the mean PAPP-A concentration for the two stimulation regimens, but concentrations were greater in follicular fluid from patients who surged spontaneously (P less than 0.001). It appears PAPP-A levels may provide an index of follicle maturity but not of the pregnancy potential of the ovum.     

Placental protein 14 (PP14) in late pregnancy

Placental protein 14 (PP14) was measured in 496 women in the last four weeks of pregnancy. There was no correlation between PP14 levels and the sex of the child, parity, age, or birthweight. A slight reduction in the median value was noted in pregnancies complicated by hypertension.     

Guidelines for the microbiological quality of some ready-to-eat foods sampled at the point of sale. PHLS Advisory Committee for Food and Dairy Products

These guidelines for the microbiological quality of ready-to-eat foods represent a revision and expansion of guidelines first published by the PHLS in September 1992 and revised in March 1996. The latest guidelines incorporate many of the constructive comments received from food examiners and other microbiologists within and outside the PHLS and from environmental health officers throughout the United Kingdom. This document reviews the changes and the reasons they were made and sets out the new guidelines. It also clarifies the role of food examiners in interpreting the microbiological results of formal samples.     

The development and validation of a radioimmunoassay for human pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A)

A specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay for human pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) is described. This assay utilized tracer repurified by affinity chromatography on heparin-Sepharose. The most sensitive assay developed had a detection limit of 5 microliters PAPP-A in serum, and this protein could not be detected in sera from non-pregnant subjects. During pregnancy, mean circulating levels rose from 0.6 mg/l at 6 weeks gestation to 110 mg/l at term, and PAPP-A was detected in 44 of 101 umbilical blood samples. The use of the anticoagulants EDTA and acid citrate dextrose resulted in significantly different results in the plasma compared to the corresponding serum sample. PAPP-A was also measured in amniotic fluid.