Reliability and concurrent validity of the Dutch hip and knee replacement expectations surveys

Background  

Preoperative expectations of outcome of total hip and knee arthroplasty are important determinants of patients' satisfaction and functional outcome. Aims of the study were (1) to translate the Hospital for Special Surgery Hip Replacement Expectations Survey and Knee Replacement Expectations Survey into Dutch and (2) to study test-retest reliability and concurrent validity.     

Both megakaryocytopoiesis and erythropoiesis are induced in mice infected with a retrovirus expressing an oncogenic erythropoietin receptor [see comments]

Increasing direct and indirect evidence suggests that erythropoietin (Epo) promotes both erythropoiesis and megakaryocytopoiesis. Here we report that, in mice infected with a recombinant spleen focus-forming retrovirus (SFFV) expressing an oncogenic erythropoietin receptor (EpoR), there was an increase in platelet count preceding the ensuing erythrocytosis. Concurrently, there was a substantial increase in splenic megakaryocytes. Culture of the bone marrow and spleen cells from infected mice showed enhanced numbers of multipotent megakaryocytic progenitors. DNA polymerase chain reaction analysis of individual megakaryocyte-containing colonies showed recombinant SFFV (SFFVcEpoR) proviral integration. Immunofluorescence of spleen sections showed overexpression of EpoR protein in the megakaryocytes. Mice infected with a strain of SFFV also developed splenic megakaryocytosis without activating overexpression of the EpoR in megakaryocytes. This in vivo system shows that a relationship between erythropoiesis and thrombopoiesis can exist at the level of the Epo-EpoR signaling pathway. Also, SFFV-based vectors may be excellent vehicles for the introduction of genes into multipotent, hematopoietic progenitors, in vitro.     

Sinonasal tumors and inflammatory tissues: differentiation with MR imaging

The magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomographic (CT) images of 53 patients with sinonasal tumors were analyzed and compared for accuracy in tumor mapping. the findings were confirmed by means of either surgery or biopsy. The MR images of 60 patients with inflammatory disease were also studied, and the findings were confirmed at surgery. Forty-seven additional MR images were also examined of patients with tumors showing histologic characteristics similar to those found in the sinonasal tumor group but occurring elsewhere in the head and neck, excluding the orbit. This study concludes that nearly 95% of sinonasal tumors have an intermediate T2 signal, while only 5% have bright T2 signals. This small latter group is composed almost exclusively of some minor salivary gland tumors and some neuromas. The inflammatory tissues all had bright T2 signals. The distinction between sinonasal tumors and inflammatory tissues was best accomplished with T2-weighted studies, and MR imaging was more accurate than CT.     

Demonstration of IgG antibodies to 30 Kd protein antigen in CSF for diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis by antibody-capturing ELISA

OBJECTIVE: A simple and rapid immunological assay method has been developed to demonstrate the presence of IgG antibodies to 30Kd protein antigen (30Kdpa) and culture filtrate protein (CFP) in the CSF of patients with Tuberculous meningitis (TBM). METHOD: Antibody capturing Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was standardized with CFP antigen of MTB. The IgG antibodies were assayed in CSF sample from TBM and non-TBM patients against 30 Kdpa. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of IgG antibodies for the diagnosis of suspected patients of TBM using 30 Kdpa was 80% and 91% respectively and the corresponding figures for CFP were 85% and 94% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity in two confirmed cases of TBM was 100%. CONCLUSION: The presence of this 30Kdpa in the CSF of suspected cases of TBM consistently would indicate that the selected protein band carries the candidate protein marker antigen, which is specific to M. tuberculosis and could be considered as a diagnostic marker for TBM.     

Macrofilaricides and onchocerciasis control, mathematical modelling of the prospects for elimination

Background

In most endemic parts of the world, onchocerciasis (river blindness) control relies, or will soon rely, exclusively on mass treatment with the microfilaricide ivermectin. Worldwide eradication of the parasite by means of this drug is unlikely. Macrofilaricidal drugs are currently being developed for human use.

Methods

We used ONCHOSIM, a microsimulation mathematical model of the dynamics of onchocerciasis transmission, to explore the potentials of a hypothetical macrofilaricidal drug for the elimination of onchocerciasis under different epidemiological conditions, as characterized by previous intervention strategies, vectorial capacity and levels of coverage.

Results

With a high vector biting rate and poor coverage, a very effective macrofilaricide would appear to have a substantially higher potential for achieving elimination of the parasite than does ivermectin.

Conclusions

Macrofilaricides have a substantially higher potential for achieving onchocerciasis elimination than ivermectin, but high coverage levels are still key. When these drugs become available, onchocerciasis elimination strategies should be reconsidered. In view of the impact of control efforts preceding the introduction of macrofilaricides on the success of elimination, it is important to sustain current control efforts.     

Differential modulation of the immune response by breast- or formula-feeding of infants

Spontaneous integrin expression on CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ lymphocytes at 6 months was significantly lower in breastfed than formula-fed infants ( p < 0.05). In another study of 59 formula-fed and 64 breastfed 12-month-old children blast transformation and cytokine production by lymphocytes, and T cell changes were measured before and after measles-mumps-rubella vaccination (MMR). Before vaccination, lymphocytes of breastfed children had lower levels of blast transformation without antigen ( p < 0.001), with tetanus toxoid ( p < 0.02) or Candida ( p < 0.04), and lower interferon-γ production ( p < 0.03). Fourteen days after the live viral vaccination, only the breastfed children had increased production of interferon-γ ( p < 0.02) and increased percentages of CD56+ ( p < 0.022) and CD8+ cells ( p < 0.004). These findings are consistent with a Thl type response by breastfed children, not evident in formula-fed children. Feeding mode has an important long-term immunomodulating effect on infants beyond weaning.     

Overexpression of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase Cgamma in NIH 3T3 cells promotes transformation and tumorigenicity

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase Cgamma (PLCgamma) is a key regulatory enzyme that binds to the phosphoryl-tyrosine residues in the cytoplasmic domain of certain activated receptors and catalyses the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] forming IP3 and diacylglycerol (DAG) in response to several mitogenic factors. Previously, we determined that microinjected PLCgamma induces DNA synthesis in G0-arrested NIH 3T3 cells, suggesting the possibility that PLCgamma may have an oncogenic potential. In this report, we demonstrate that overexpression of PLCgamma in NIH 3T3 cells results in altered growth properties and cellular transformation. The PLCgamma/3T3 transfectants do not require serum growth factors to proliferate, display anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and induce tumors when transplanted into nude mice. These findings suggest that overexpression of PLCgamma facilitates the transformation of NIH 3T3 cells. Furthermore, PLCgamma expression and activity have been shown to be elevated in many human tumors. Thus, PLCgamma signaling may contribute to the promotion and/or progression of human cancers.