Genetic and biochemical characterization of Malassezia pachydermatis with particular attention to pigment-producing subgroups.

The aim of the study was the characterization of Malassezia pachydermatis and its pigment-producing subgroup using biochemical tests and RAPD. It was of interest to determine whether particular RAPD patterns could be used to indicate pigment production, as well as a close genetic relatedness to Malassezia furfur. Therefore, 210 strains of M. pachydermatis were examined for morphology, catalase and ss-glucosidase activity, lipid and carbohydrate assimilation and the tryptophan-dependent synthesis of pigments. Of these, 114 strains were subjected to RAPD analyses. A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to classify M. pachydermatis isolates regarding their pigment production by using genetic and biological parameters. Biological and RAPD findings showed a high biological and genetic diversity within the species M. pachydermatis and within pigment producers. RAPD analysis revealed 28 genotypes within 114 strains tested. Pigment producing strains could not be assigned to a common RAPD profile, but a genetic relatedness of pigment-producing M. pachydermatis with M. furfur can be assumed. A particular RAPD pattern allowed statistically significant probability of pigment production (P<0.001) and might be used as a tool to rapidly detect pigment producing M. pachydermatis, e.g. in Malassezia-associated pityriasis versicolor. The reported method is useful for identification of pigment producing M. pachydermatis isolates and has advantages over established tests.     

Transplantation of in vitro-generated<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Schistosoma mansoni</Emphasis> mother sporocysts into<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Biomphalaria glabrata</Emphasis>

Specific studies on schistosome gene functions require both access to the parasite stages, preferably the larvae, and to complete the life cycle. In the present study, we investigated whether short-term in vitro cultivation of sporocysts and surgical transplantation into snails could be combined to produce cercariae. Miracidia were maintained in vitro in the presence of Biomphalaria glabrata embryonic (Bge) cells or, alternatively, in Bge-cell-conditioned medium. The transformation of miracidia to mother sporocysts was observed in both cases. Two day-old sporocysts were transplanted into the cephalopedal sinus of recipient snails. Transplantation efficiencies varied between 16% and 43%, depending on the culture of the sporocysts in terms of the number of cercariae producing snails. Cercariae recovered from these snails were used to successfully infect hamsters, demonstrating that short term in vitro-generated sporocysts undergo normal cercariogenesis following transplantation. This combination of in vitro cultivation and transplantation may be useful for novel experimental approaches to investigate the genes involved in larval development or host-parasite molecular interactions.     

Caspase inhibitors induce a switch from apoptotic to proinflammatory signaling in CD95-stimulated T lymphocytes

CD95 is a major apoptosis receptor that induces caspase activation and programmed cell death in susceptible cells. CD95-induced apoptosis can be blocked by peptidic caspase inhibitors such as benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone or Ile-Glu-Thr-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone. Here we show that stimulation of CD95 in the presence of these inhibitors induces necrosis and expression of various proinflammatory cytokines in primary T lymphocytes, such as TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor. In the absence of caspase inhibition CD95 stimulation did not result in cytokine expression, indicating that this proinflammatory signaling pathway is suppressed by active caspases. Further analysis with A3.01 T cells revealed that the proinflammatory signaling activity of CD95 was mediated by MEK/ERK, p38 and NF-kappaB signaling pathways. These findings point to a pivotal role of caspases not only as mediators of apoptosis but also as enzymes that prevent proinflammatory signaling during CD95-induced apoptosis. Moreover, our findings may be useful for the development of novel pharmacological strategies.     

Oogenesis in the pentastomidRaillietiella aegypti (Cephalobaenida)

In the pentastomidRaillietiella aegypti the structure of the genital apparatus and of oogonia, previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes was studied by light and electron microscopy. The ovarian wall consists of a single-layered epithelium covered by a basement membrane of varying thickness. The ovary is characterized by numerous, lateral, sac-like evaginations in which the oocytes lie.Centrioles indicate mitotic activities in oogonia. In previtellogenic oocytes the ooplasm is poor in organelles, containing only a few mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum, but many free ribosomes. In vitellogenic oocytes there is a rapid multiplication of mitochondria and a proliferation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The cytoplasm also contains cortical vacuoles, yolk spheres, dictyosomes and pinocytotic vesicles. The mitochondria lie in one big cluster and combine to the Balbiani body (=yolk nucleus). Two types of yolk spheres differing in morphological details are formed in the oocytes ofR. aegypti.     

Estimation of patient age based on plain chest radiographs

Patient age is an essential part of a clinical history, but it is not always provided by referring physicians. We assessed the ability of four radiologists with different levels of expertise (first-year resident to professor emeritus) to predict patient age based on postero-anterior and lateral chest radiographs from 171 patients. All four were able to predict age with a mean error of less than 15 years, but there were statistically significant differences among them. Surprisingly, observer experience did not correlate with accuracy of patient age estimation. While many factors probably operate, the estimation of patient age relies heavily on "gestalt."     

Thermo-oxidative degradation of polyamide 6 and polyamide 6,6. Structure of UV/VIS-active chromophores

In heat-treated polyamide 6 and polyamide 6,6 fibres UV/VIS-active chromophores are found, which originate from two different sources: one type of chromophore (structured UV spectrum) arises during polycondensation and the spinning of the fibres (molten phase), the other (nonstructured UV spectrum) occurs as a result of a thermo-oxidation is based on conjugated oligoenimies , as is shown by a combination of UV/VIS spectroscopy and fluorescence excitation and emission spectroscopy with chemical analysis. The concentration of the various oligoenimine species depends upon the temperature and duration of the thermooxidation. For a temperature of 160°C and a duration of 2 hours, for example, the following oligoenimine concentrations were found (UV spectroscopy with computer-aided evaluation): for i = 0: 44; i = 1: 13; i = 2: 4; i = 3: 1; i = 4: 0,3 (values expressed in mmol/kg).     

Intraperitoneal Versus Interpleural Morphine or Bupivacaine for Pain after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background: Opioids can produce peripheral analgesic effects by activation of opioid receptors on sensory nerves. This study was designed (1) to examine a novel route of opioid administration, the intraperitoneal injection; (2) to compare this to interpleural application, and (3) to compare opioid with local anesthetic effects under both conditions.

Methods: At the end of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 110 patients received the following injections in a double-blind, randomized manner: Group 1 (n = 18) was given intraperitoneal morphine (1 mg in 20 ml saline) and 20 ml intravenous saline. Group 2 (n = 17) received intraperitoneal saline and 1 mg intravenous morphine. Group 3 (n = 15) received 20 ml 0.25% intraperitoneal bupivacaine and intravenous saline. Group 4 (n = 20) received interpleural morphine (1.5 mg in 30 ml saline) and 30 ml intravenous saline. Group 5 (n = 20) received interpleural saline and 1.5 mg intravenous morphine. Group 6 (n = 20) received 30 ml 0.25% interpleural bupivacaine and intravenous saline. Postoperative pain was assessed using a visual analog scale, a numeric rating scale, and the McGill pain questionnaire. Pain localization, supplemental analgesic consumption, vital signs, and side effects were recorded for 24 h.

Results: Neither intraperitoneal nor interpleural morphine produced significant analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (P > 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis test), whereas interpleural bupivacaine was effective (P < 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis test, up to 6 h postoperatively) but not intraperitoneal bupivacaine (P > 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis test). Shoulder pain was not prevalent in the majority of patients during the first 6 h. By 24 h, about half of the patients complained of shoulder pain, which was rated "low" by about one-third of all patients. No significant side effects occurred.     

Sacral electrical neuromodulation as an alternative treatment option for lower urinary tract dysfunction

Temporary electrical stimulation using anal or vaginal electrodes and an external pulse generator has been a treatment modality for urinary urge incontinence for nearly three decades. In 1981 Tanagho and Schmidt introduced chronic electrical stimulation of the sacral spinal nerves using a permanently implanted sacral foramen electrode and a battery powered pulse generator for treatment of different kinds of lower urinary tract dysfunction, refractory to conservative treatment. At our department chronic unilateral electrical stimulation of the S3 sacral spinal nerve has been used for treatment of vesi-courethral dysfunction in 43 patients with a mean postoperative follow up of 43,6 months. Lasting symptomatic improvement by more than 50 % could be achieved in 13 of 18 patients with motor urge incontinence (72,2 %) and in 18 of the 21 patients with urinary retention (85,7 %). Implants offer a sustained therapeutic effect to treatment responders, which is not achieved by temporary neuromodulation. Chronic neuromodulation should be predominantly considered in patients with urinary retention. Furthermore in patients with motor urge incontinence, refusing temporary techniques or in those requiring too much effort to achieve a sustained clinical effect. Despite high initial costs chronic sacral neuromodulation is an economically reasonable treatment option in the long run, when comparing it to the more invasive remaining therapeutic alternatives.     

Acute hypopyon uveitis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome treated for systemic Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection with rifabutin

Background: Hypopyon-uveitis has been identified as a dosage-dependent side effect in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who are treated for Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection with systemic rifabutin. Patients and methods: We report a 38-year-old female AIDS patient with bilateral hypopyon uveitis under therapy with rifabutin in combination with clarithromycin and indinavir. Results: At the time of presentation of the bilateral hypopyon uveitis the patient was treated with rifabutin (300 mg/day), clarithromycin (1000 mg/day) and ethambutol (1000 mg/day) for an M. avium complex infection. Also, the patient received the protease inhibitor indinavir. The rifabutin dose was reduced to 150 mg/day. Hypopyon and inflammation resolved under therapy with steroids. Conclusions: The concomitant use of rifabutin, clarithromycin, and protease inhibitors may lead to hypopyon uveitis. Reduction of dosage of rifabutin (150 mg/day) and treatment with topical steroids are required.