Serological grouping of Treponema hyodysenteriae

Two Australian isolates of Treponema hyodysenteriae which did not fit within the current serological grouping system for these bacteria were examined by agarose gel double immunodiffusion tests (AGDP). Isolate Vic1 was serologically unique, and we propose that it becomes the type organism for a new sixth serological group of T. hyodysenteriae (Group F). Isolate Q1 was unusual in that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from it reacted strongly in AGDP with serum raised against the type organism for serogroup D (A1), and also weakly with serum raised against the type organism for serogroup B (WA1). The nature of this cross-reactivity was examined by using cross-absorbed antisera in AGDP, and by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis. The pattern of serological cross-reactivity between Q1, A1 and WA1 was complex and was not fully defined, but the isolate Q1 apparently shared low molecular weight 'serogroup' LPS antigens with A1, and shared higher molecular weight LPS antigens with WA1. On this basis Q1 was designated as belonging to serogroup D, although it was recommended that this be qualified as D (B) to indicate the presence of weak cross-reactivity with serogroup B. Such serological cross-reactivity may have significance in relation to the development of immunity to T.hyodysenteriae. Isolate Q1 may be a potentially useful organism for vaccine development because of its ability to induce a good serological response to LPS of treponemes from both serogroups D and B.     

Expanding the role of the ureteroscope

Although the rigid ureteroscope was designed exclusively for the diagnosis and treatment of pathological conditions of the ureter, its smaller diameter and extended length allow for its increased use in endoscopic procedures that cannot be performed successfully with a cystoscope. The indications can be divided into 3 categories: 1) difficult ureteral catheterizations, 2) augmented bladders and diverticula, and 3) narrow, strictured urethras and bladder necks. Several cases from each category are presented to illustrate the expanded role of the rigid ureteroscope in daily urological practice.     

Treatment of painful spondylolysis using Morscher's hook

An original technique of direct isthmic reconstruction described by E. Morscher was used in 25 patients with painful spondylolysis after failure of conservative treatment. After a follow-up of 25 months, the functional and radiological results were evaluated and compared with other techniques. Nineteen patients had an excellent or good functional result, in 2 patients the result was fair, and 4 patients had no beneficial effect on pain. The best results were seen in patients younger than 20 years, with an olisthy of less than 10 mm, without associated joint, disc or ligament pathology. In these cases, good results were achieved in 90%, and there was radiological consolidation in 100%.     

Use of sanative fibrobronchoscopy with controlled high-frequency pulmonary ventilation after operations on the thoracic organs

The authors developed a method of sanative fibrobronchoscopy with the use of directed high-frequency stream ventilation with oxygen. A total of 108 procedures were conducted in 64 patients for removal of pulmonary complications after operations on the thoracic organs. The positive results of the method were confirmed by authentic improvement of the indices of external respiration function and increase of blood pO2 by 102% on the average. No improvement of similar indices was encountered in patients of the control group, while the blood pO2 reduced by 13.4% on the average. It is concluded that the method is very effective and safe, as compared to the traditional method of sanative fibrobronchoscopy in patients after interventions on the thoracic organs.     

Monitoring and evaluation of the health-for-all strategy: experience in the Eastern Mediterranean region

This article is an account of the activities undertaken by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean in relation to reporting on monitoring and evaluation of progress in the implementation of the strategy for health for all by the year 2000, and the resulting effect on improving coverage and the quality of data. Tables 1-3 compare the completeness of items in the Eastern Mediterranean Region's reports on the three cycles (1983, 1985 and 1988) to that for other regions and for the global level. The comparison is based on the respective global reports presented to the World Health Assembly.     

Human immunodeficiency virus cultured from bone. Implications for transplantation

This study demonstrates by a virologic culture method that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) resides in bone. After freezing, some initially positive specimens no longer yielded virus, but those that continued to yield virus were not further altered by subsequent washing, which removed essentially all marrow, or by freeze-drying. The safeguards against potential transmission of HIV by a bone allograft are principally the screening and testing methods previously described, although there may be a further reduction of the remote residual risk by the freezing step in the usual technical sequence for tissue banking by sterile techniques.     

Treatment of facial spasm with botulin A toxin

The authors use injections of botulinum A toxin in treatment of facial spasms. 105 patients (70 patients with blepharospasm, 35 patients with hemispasm) were treated during 4 years. The toxin Wisconsin relieved spasms for an average of 10 weeks. Local complications such as ptosis and diplopia appeared in less than 1/5 of the cases. No general complications were observed. Repeated treatments are necessary. The authors noted a decrease of lacrimal secretion on the treated side in hemifacial spasm and concluded that botulinum A toxin injections could be used as a treatment of epiphora.     

Effect of ceruletide on microvibration in schizophrenics

Ceruletide, a potent analogue of cholecystokinin, was administered by injection to eight schizophrenics treated with neuroleptics. We examined the dose–response effect on microvibration (MV) recorded from the chin of these patients. After 15 min of bed rest, MV was recorded for 5 min as a control recording. Subsequently, saline or ceruletide, at a dose of either 0.4 m?g/kg or at 0.8 m?g/kg, was injected according to a Latin square design with an interval of 4 weeks for washing out the drug effect and MV was recorded for 30 min. MV data obtained were subjected to the fast Fourier transform and an average power spectrum was computed. A three-way analysis of variance for these data was performed upon dose-effect, time-effect after treatment, and band-effect of the average power spectrum. The present results were similar to previous findings which had revealed effects of ceruletide on tardive dyskinesia symptoms, namely, the effects of ceruletide on MV were different according to the subjects (three cases: facilitation followed by inhibition, three cases: inhibition, two cases: no effects). The dose-response curve of ceruletide appears to be linear in some cases and an inverted U-shape in other cases. Present findings showed small doses of systemically administered ceruletide would modify muscle tonus of schizophrenics under chronic treatment of neuroleptics, and provided further reason for the therapeutic drug of tardive dyskinesia.     

Preoperative Chemotherapy Alone and Combined with Preoperative Radiotherapy in Small-Size Breast Cancer

Abstract: Breast conservation surgery is an effective and safe treatment for many breast carcinomas. It may be possible to further limit the extent of resection (or expand the indication for breast conservation) by the application of preoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We explored the feasibility of this in a pilot study.
Seventy-three patients (mean age 48, 63% premenopausal) with confirmed breast cancer, less than 2.5 cm, received chemotherapy (Group A) or chemotherapy plus radiotherapy (Group B) prior to limited resection (tumorectomy). Axillary dissection was always performed. Results: In 6/31 (19%) Group A and 17/42 (40%) Group B patients the tumor was not palpable after preoperative treatment, with complete pathological remission in 1 and 3 cases respectively. Histologic grading, mitosis, cellular alteration, and cellularity evaluations indicated a consistently greater therapeutic effect with chemoradiotherapy than with chemotherapy alone.
In conclusion, radiotherapy appears useful in the preoperative treatment of breast cancer and its use in association with various drug combinations should be further explored.