Enrichment and functional characterization of Sca-1+WGA+, Lin-WGA+, Lin- Sca-1+, and Lin-Sca-1+WGA+ bone marrow cells from mice with an Ly-6a haplotype

Approximately 4% to 5% of all bone marrow (BM) cells and 8% to 9% of low density BM cells from FVB/N and BALB/c mice (Ly-6a haplotype) show high to intermediate expression of Ly-6E.1 antigen, recognized by the Sca-1 antibody. Functional properties of enriched cells expressing Ly- 6E.1-allelic form of Sca-1 antigen were analyzed and correlated with the properties of cells expressing the carbohydrate binding sites for the lectin wheat-germ agglutinin (WGA). Using equilibrium density centrifugation and fluorescence-activated cell sorting, Sca-1+WGA+, Lin- WGA+, Lin-Sca-1+, and Lin-Sca-1+WGA+ cells were isolated and their splenic colony-forming unit (CFU-S) cell content, radioprotection ability, and long-term reconstitution capacity determined. Enriched Sca- 1+WGA+, Lin-WGA+, Lin-Sca-1+ and Lin-Sca-1+WGA+ cells gave rise to 1 CFU-S12 cell out of 26, 20, 21, and 15 sorted cells, respectively. When transplanted into lethally irradiated recipients (100 to 500 cells/mouse) all populations rescued 70% to 100% of recipients in a 30- day radioprotection assay and mediated survival of 40% to 80% of recipients 6 months after transplantation. Using transgenic mice as cell donors we have shown that 12 to 16 weeks after transplantation of 100 Sca-1+WGA+, Lin-WGA+, Lin-Sca-1+, and Lin-Sca-1+WGA+ cells, 40% to 80% of recipients had donor cells in BM, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes. These results indicate that the population of cells expressing Ly-6E.1 form of Sca-1 antigen in two analyzed mouse strains with Ly-6a haplotype contains CFU-S and long-term repopulating cells. Furthermore, the data suggest that, at least in FVB/N mice, day-12 CFU-S cells and cells with long-term repopulating capacity simultaneously express Ly- 6E.1 form of Sca-1 antigen and WGA-binding molecules.     

A protocol of selective antibiotic prophylaxis for Caesarean section based on risk factors

The aim of the study was to identify risk factors associated with increased risks of post Caesarean febrile morbidity from a retrospective epidemiological analysis, and to prospectively evaluate a protocol of selective antibiotic prophylaxis based on these risk factors. Caesarean section births over a three-year period--during which no antibiotic prophylaxis protocol was practised--were reviewed. Risk factors for febrile morbidity were identified using both univariate and multivariate analysis. A protocol of selective antibiotic prophylaxis, incorporating the significant risk factors identified, was then evaluated prospectively over a nine-month period. The incidence of febrile morbidity from the retrospective study was 16.9%. A logistic regression model, with febrile morbidity as the dependent variable, identified only the duration of labour over 10 hours as a significant factor. A protocol of antibiotic prophylaxis using intravenous ampicillin was then practised in the presence of these two factors. Evaluation of this protocol after nine months showed that the incidence of febrile morbidity was reduced significantly from 20% in those not given antibiotics to around 9.6% in those eligible for and given antibiotics. However, the overall incidence of febrile morbidity remained at around 16-18%.     

A unique origin and multistep process for the generation of expanded DRPLA triplet repeats

Dentatorubral and pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder associated with the expansion of a CAG repeat at chromosome band 12p13. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an increased prevalence of DRPLA in Japan, although several DRPLA kindreds of non-Japanese ancestry have been identified. To define the molecular basis for this geographic variation in prevalence, we have analyzed haplotypes around the repeat in several different ethnic groups. Two intragenic biallelic polymorphisms distinguished three haplotypes, each of which formed a predominant haplotype found in the three major racial populations. All the expanded repeats of Japanese and Caucasian patients studied were associated with a particular haplotype, which otherwise was associated with longer repeats commonly found in Asians. Our results support a multi-step model for repeat expansion, and suggest that expanded DRPLA repeats may have evolved from an ancient chromosomal haplotype of Asian origin. We also propose that a combination of a highly polymorphic microsatellite marker with relatively stable biallelic markers in a range of PCR amplification is a powerful tool for studies on human genome diversity, which may reveal the ancient human migration and the formation of ethnic groups.      

Superior vena caval obstruction: detection using CT

A review of 210 chest computed tomographic (CT) examinations demonstrating upper chest masses revealed 16 cases of superior vena caval obstruction (SVCO); 11 of these were clinically occult. Two of the occult cases subsequently became clinically evident. Contrast-enhanced chest CT permits the diagnosis of clinically occult SVCO and should be considered in patients with upper chest masses, even in the absence of any physical signs of SVCO.     

Status epilepticus in children: Causes,clinical features and short‐term outcome

Background: We aimed to evaluate the cause, clinical profile, and short‐term outcome of status epilepticus cases that were admitted to our pediatric emergency unit between 1 January and 31 December 2008. Methods: We studied the clinical features of 59 seizures that occurred in 56 patients aged between 3 months and 15 years with the diagnosis of status epilepticus. We observed the clinical course and outcome of 53 cases for 6 to 18 months. The correlation between the cause of the seizure and the patient's age at the time of status epilepticus was evaluated as well as the correlation between the risk of seizure recurrence and family history of seizure, the neurological status of the patient prior to seizure and the presence of epilepsy. Results: The most common cause of status epilepticus is febrile illness in children younger than 2 years and idiopathic/cryptogenic and remote symptomatic causes in children older than 2 years. The rate of recurrence of seizure was significantly higher in cases with existing neurological abnormalities, prior epilepsy and seizures with remote symptomatic causes. The most common triggering factors of status epilepticus development in cases with epilepsy were noncompliance for anti‐epileptic drugs and infectious fever. Conclusions: In our study, the risk factors for seizure recurrence were the presence of prior epilepsy, existence of neurological abnormalities and remote symptomatic causes. We argue that improving the compliance of patients and their families to take medicine appropriately and training them in how to cope with febrile illnesses may decrease the recurrence of seizures.     

Toe leiomyoma: A case report with radiological correlation

Only a limited number of case reports concerning the magnetic resonance imaging appearance of lower extremity leiomyoma have been published. To the best of our knowledge, there is not any instance of toe leiomyoma reported with MRI findings. We present MRI findings of a toe leiomyoma and discuss the literature.