Discrete glioneuronal malformative lesions in the foetal and infantile cerebral cortex

Microdysgenesis is a term describing microscopic cortical cytoarchitectural abnormalities. Histologically this change shows an irregular glioneuronal tissue combination forming an abnormal structure of the cortex. The pathological features of this malformation are subtle and less well defined than other more distinctive cortical malformations. The clinical significance of these discrete glioneuronal malformations is controversial. Microscopic dysgenetic changes have been reported in cases with intractable epilepsy but similar changes may be seen in neurologically normal adults. The purpose of our study was the investigation of microdysgenetic lesions in the developing nervous system with regard to normal neuronal migration, differentiation and maturation. The post-mortem routine investigated foetal and infantile brains which were analysed histologically for the presence of discrete cortical malformations. A wide spectrum of cytoarchitectural glioneuronal malformations was found in the investigated material. We observed leptomeningeal glioneuronal heterotopias, subpial bands of heterotopic neurones, nests of ectopic neurones in the first cortical layer, neuronal and glial clusters, small foci with irregularity of laminar structure of the cortex. Microdysgenetic changes arose from an insult occurring in the later stages of cortical development and influencing the normal fate of neuroglial cells. Various types of focal morphological and cytoarchitectonial developmental abnormalities have been associated with behavioural and neuropsychological deficits in older infants.     

Skin testing to evaluate oculo-respiratory syndrome (ORS) associated with influenza vaccination during the 2000-2001 season

A syndrome of red eyes and respiratory symptoms was noted following receipt of influenza vaccine in Canada during the 2000-2001 influenza season. We conducted intra-dermal skin testing to determine if oculo-respiratory syndrome (ORS) was related to failure of the splitting process during vaccine manufacturing, if it was associated with a particular viral strain and to identify individuals at risk for subsequent ORS reaction. Skin testing with minute quantities of vaccine antigen induced ORS symptoms at a higher rate amongst persons previously affected by this syndrome compared to previously unaffected persons. Skin test reaction size or quality could not identify persons at risk of ORS. Skin testing could not identify a specific strain or the stage in the manufacturing process during which the trigger may have been introduced.     

Effect of lamivudine treatment on plasma levels of transforming growth factor β1, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 and metalloproteinase-t in patients with chronic hepatitis B

AIM: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, metalloproteinase(MMP)-1 and its tissue inhibitor (TIMP)-1 are consideredpredictive biomarkers of chronic hepatitis activity and fibrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lamivudine treatment on the plasma levels of these peptides in patients with chronic hepatitis B.METHODS: TGF-β1, MMP-1 and TIMP-1 plasma concentrations were measured with an enzyme immunoassay in 40 patients treated with lamivudine for 48 wk. Elimination of HBV-DNAand HBV antigens was evaluated 24 wk after treatment completion.RESULTS: Baseline TGF-β1 (29.6±2.2 ng/mL) and TIMP-1(1 578±93 ng/mL) significantly exceeded normal values(18.3±1.6 ng/mL and 1 102±67 ng/mL respectively). Lamivudine treatment resulted in a significant decrease of TGF-β1 andTIMP-1 during treatment with an increase after 24 wk oftreatment. Pretreatment MMP-1 levels (6.7±0.7 ng/mL) weresignificantly lower than normal values (11.9±0.9 ng/mL) and increased during treatment and follow-up. A significant correlation was noted between TGF-β1 or TIMP-1 and aminotransferases as well as fibrosis scored in liver biopsy specimens. There were no statistically significant differences of TGF-β1, TIMP-1 and MMP-1 between four groups atbaseline, 24 and 48 wk of treatment. TGF-β1 and TIMP-1 levels increased significantly in non-responders and normalized in responders at wk 72. MMP-1 also normalized in responders and decreased to values significantly lower than normal innon-responders.CONCLUSION: These findings support the role of TGF-β1,TIMP-1 and MMP-1 in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B.Because of their association with hepatic injury and antiviral treatment efficacy, determination of these peptides may be useful in disease management.     

Volatile Anesthetics Selectively Inhibit the Calcium sup 2+ -transporting ATPase in Neuronal and Erythrocyte Plasma Membranes

Background: The activity of the plasma membrane Calcium2+ - transporting adenosine triphosphatase (PMCA) is inhibited by volatile anesthetics at clinical concentrations. The goal of the current study was to determine whether the inhibition is selective as compared to other adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) and another group of general anesthetics, barbiturates. In addition, the authors determined whether the response to anesthetics of the enzymes in neuronal membranes is similar to that in erythrocyte membranes.

Methods: The effects of halothane, isoflurane, and sodium pentobarbital on four different ATPase activities were studied at 37 degrees C in two distinct plasma membrane preparations, human red blood cells and synaptosomal membranes from rat cerebellum.

Results: Inhibition patterns of the PMCA by halothane and isoflurane at anesthetic concentrations were very similar in red blood cells and synaptosomal membranes. The half-maximal inhibition (I50) occurred at 0.25-0.30 mM halothane and 0.30-0.32 mM isoflurane. The PMCA in both membranes was significantly more sensitive to the inhibitory action of volatile anesthetics (I50 = 0.75-1.15 minimum alveolar concentration) than were other ATPases, such as the Sodium sup +, Potassium sup + -ATPase (I50 [nearly equal] 3 minimum alveolar concentration) or Magnesium sup 2+ -ATPase (I50 greater or equal to 5 minimum alveolar concentration). In contrast, sodium pentobarbital inhibited the PMCA in both membranes only at [nearly equal] 100-200-fold above its anesthetic concentrations. The other ATPases were inhibited at similar pentobarbital concentrations (I50 = 11-22 mM).     

Sanitary evaluation of water taken from the water supply used by the inhabitants of Łódź

The aim of the work was the microbiological evaluation of water taken from the popular water intakes used by the inhabitants in ?ód?. The examination of water was performance directly after sampling, after 48 hours of the storage at temperature 0-4 degrees C and also after the storage at the room temperature. The microbiological examinations of water in the aspect of detection of majority of microbes were conducted using membrane filtration method. Among 13 evaluated samples 11 were qualified to direct consumption. After 48 hour storage at 0-4 degrees C temperatures and at the room temperature an increase of bacterial contamination was observed--especially bacteria growing at temperature 22 degrees C and the higher. The presence of fungi was detected in the evaluated water. In 3 samples the mould count was exceeded 1.5 x 10(2) cfu/ml. During the storage of water the increase of fungi population was not observed.     

Stricture dilation after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

BACKGROUND: In surgical treatment of morbid obesity, maintaining a restrictive anastomosis is key to long-range success. However, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) may result in gastrojejunal (GJ) stricture, requiring treatment in up to 27% of patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of the outcome of 223 consecutive LRYGB patients. Patients developing stricture received standard endoscopic balloon dilation by the same surgeon. Stricture and nonstricture groups were compared for excess body weight loss (EBWL) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: GJ stricture requiring dilation occurred in 38 patients (17%). After dilation all patients were relieved of stricture symptoms and none required revision. By 12 months, patients with stricture had an EBWL of 86% compared with nonstrictured patients at 75%. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic balloon dilation is a safe and effective treatment option for GJ stricture. Improved weight loss occurred for patients with stricture requiring dilation.     

Divergent HIV and simian immunodeficiency virus surveillance, Zaire

Recent HIV infection or divergent HIV or simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) strains may be responsible for Western blot-indeterminate results on 70 serum samples from Zairian hospital employees that were reactive in an enzyme immunoassay. Using universal polymerase chain reaction HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV primers, we detected 1 (1.4%) HIV-1 sequence. Except for 1 sample, no molecular evidence for unusual HIV- or SIV-like strains in this sampling was found.     

Comparison of the FIGO and TNM staging systems for uterine cervix cancer based on classification of 6193 cases

A total of 6193 patients treated for uterine cervix cancer was studied by a collaborative study, aiming to compare the applicability of the TNM versus FIGO clinical staging systems. Retrospective assays of gynecological status were performed. It was found that the FIGO classification system is superior to the TNM system concerning uterine cervix cancer in the aspects of simplicity, recording procedures, and prognostic value.     

Candida albicans als eine der Ursachen der prothetischen Stomatopathien

Von 35 Kranken, bei denen der Verdacht auf prothetische Stomatopathien bestand, wurden durch die mykologische Untersuchung zahlreiche Candida albicans-Kolonien gefunden, besonders im Bereich der Prothesen, bei Anwesenheit von klinischen Veränderungen auf der Mundschleimhaut.
In der antimykotischen Therapie erwies sich Pimafucin in Form von Suspension 1 % als ein sehr wirksames Medikament.     

Results of stapedotomy in the cases of "floating footplate"

One of the problems in the stapes surgery is the floating footplate. The frequency of incidence of this complication is 2% to 5.8% of all operations. The authors present the results of stapes operations in a group of 28 cases (2.5%) from all the 1120 operations, in which the surgeon experienced a floating footplate. The hearing results were evaluated on the base of the average gain of air-conduction thresholds and air-bone gap levels at 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz. The improvement of hearing we observed in 24 patients, 4 patients heard worse.