Clinical assessment of the entry into neurological state in rat experimental African trypanosomiasis

Human African trypanosomiasis, caused by Trypanosoma brucei (T.b.) gambiense or rhodesiense, evolves in two stages: haemolymphatic stage and meningo-encephalitic stages, the latter featuring numerous neurological disorders. In experimental models infected with diverse T.b. sub-species, body weight (BW) loss, drop in food intake (FI), and hypo-activity after an asymptomatic period suggest the occurrence of a similar two-stage organization. In addition to daily measurement of BW and FI, body core temperature (T(co)) and spontaneous activity (SA) were recorded by telemetry in T.b. brucei-infected rats. After a 10--12-day symptom-free period, a complex clinical syndrome occurred suddenly. If the animal survived the access, the syndrome re-occurred at approximately 5-day intervals until death. The syndrome was made of a drop in FI and BW, a sharp decrease in T(co) and a loss of SA, suggesting a brisk alteration of the central nervous system functioning. Such events confirm the existence of a two-stage disease development in experimental trypanosomiasis. The entry into the second stage is marked by the occurrence of the first access, BW follow-up being essential and often sufficient its determination.     

Effects of EGIS-7625, a Selective and Competitive 5-HT2B Receptor Antagonist

Our aim was to specify the 5-HT(2) subtype selectivity of EGIS-7625 (1-benzyl-4-[(2-nitro-4-methyl-5-amino)-phenyl]-piperazine), a new 5-HT(2B) ligand, in receptor binding studies and characterize its pharmacology at 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2B) and 5-HT(2C) receptors in in vivo experiments and in isolated organs, in vitro. EGIS-7625 had high affinity for recombinant human 5-HT(2B) receptors (pK(i) = 9.0) but much weaker affinity for 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors (pK(i) = 6.2 and 7.7, respectively). In the classic 5-HT(2B) test, EGIS-7625 produced a concentration-related parallel rightward shift in the concentration-response relationship for the 5-HT-induced smooth muscle constriction in rat stomach fundus strips with a pA(2) of 9.4. On the other hand, EGIS-7625 was a weak competitive antagonist at 5-HT(2A) receptors as it shifted 5-HT-induced concentration-response curves to the right at high concentrations (pA(2) = 6.7) in rabbit pulmonary artery strips. The m-chlorophenylpiperazine-induced hypomotility and hypophagia was only partially attenuated by EGIS-7625 even at a dose of 30 mg/kg i.p. while mianserin, a non-selective 5-HT antagonist was almost fully effective in these tests at 3 mg/kg i.p., suggesting weak antagonistic effect of EGIS-7625 at neuronal 5-HT(2C) receptors, in vivo. In conclusion, EGIS-7625 is a potent, selective and competitive 5-HT(2B) antagonist that seems to be a good research tool for the separation of the functional roles of vascular 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2B) receptors.     

Imaging female infertility

The purpose of this pictorial review is to discuss causes of female infertility, in particular, those etiologies in which imaging plays a key role in detection. Included are disorders of cervical, ovarian, fallopian tube, and uterine origin. We also discuss the role of various imaging modalities including hysterosalpingography, pelvic ultrasonography, hysterosonography, and pelvic MR imaging in elucidating the cause of female infertility. Radiologists need to know the conditions to be aware of when these patients are sent for diagnostic imaging, as well as how to direct further management, if necessary, should an abnormality be detected.     

Severe congenital factor V deficiency: case report

Introduction: Congential deficiency of factor V is a rare condition, transmitted in autosomal recessive way. Heterozygote patients generally have no symptoms, homozygotes present with spontaneous and postoperative bleedings. About one-half of patients are diagnosed in adulthood. Methods: The presented case is a double heterozygote, which was confirmed using moleculare biological methods. The authors found many carriers in his family. Conclusions: This rare and sometimes severe disorder needs regular haematological controls. Carriers must have more attention during surgical procedures and labour, and the family doctor should be informed about there condition.     

Adsorption of d-Nal(2) 6LHRH,a decapeptide,onto glass and other surfaces

Adsorption patters of aqueous solutions of d-Nal(2) ⁶LHRH onto glass, plastic, tubing, syringes and filters were characterized. Effects of ionic species, inert proteins and amino acids on the extent of adsorption onto glass surfaces were also studied. Among the different additives, the phosphate ion at 0.1 M concentration and the acetate ion at 0.16 M concentration, both at pH 5, were the most effective in preventing adsorption onto glass. Siliconization of the glass surface did not inhibit adsorption suggesting that adsorption was not solely due to ionic amine-silanol binding. Adsorption to filters and syringes varied depending on the brand of filters and syringes used, whereas adsorption onto plastic bottles and tygon tubing was minimal.     

Epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at the Kenézy Hospital between 1999 and 2004

INTRODUCTION: The prevention of the spread of multiresistant microorganisms, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is the main problem of epidemiology in our era. Kenézy Hospital was among the firsts to deal with the laboratory diagnosis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in Hungary, looking for the possibilities to isolate, and detect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in patients (colonised and infected), and to provide for them proper treatment and complex management. AIMS: The authors aimed to help the work of infection control professionals by sharing their experience and through the analysis of their data. METHODS: The authors analysed the data on the incidence of infection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus positive patients from 1999 at the Kenézy Hospital and investigated the effect of infection control policies on the incidence of infection. RESULTS: On the hospital level the lowest frequency of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus positive patients was found in 2003. The authors identified the Rehabilitation, the Traumatology and the Intensive Care Department as high risk units. The higher incidence was caused by the endemic occurrence of the disease at the specific wards. The methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections became more severe every year, demonstrated by the increasing positivity rate of the blood cultures. Based on the identification of the most frequent phage types in each year, an epidemic strain, unlike in England, could not be found at the Kenézy Hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus positive patients at an institute depends on the institute's efforts to effectively apply microbiological screening. At a department where methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is endemic, elimination of the agent and that of the endemia are difficult tasks for the infection control team.     

Association of housing disrepair indicators with cockroach and rodent infestations in a cohort of pregnant Latina women and their children

Health burdens associated with poor housing and indoor pest infestations are likely to affect young children in particular, who spend most of their time indoors at home. We completed environmental assessments in 644 homes of pregnant Latina women and their children living in the Salinas Valley, California. High residential densities were common, with 39% of homes housing > 1.5 persons per room. Housing disrepair was also common: 58% of homes had peeling paint, 43% had mold, 25% had water damage, and 11% had rotting wood. Evidence of cockroaches and rodents was present in 60% and 32% of homes, respectively. Compared with representative national survey data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, homes in our sample were more likely to have rodents, peeling paint, leaks under sinks, and much higher residential densities. The odds of rodent infestations in homes increased in the presence of peeling paint [odds ratio (OR) 2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.5-3.1], water damage (OR 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-2.7), and mold (OR 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0-2.1). The odds of cockroach infestation increased in the presence of peeling paint (OR 3.8; 95% CI, 2.7-5.6), water damage (OR 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-2.9), or high residential density (OR 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.8). Homes that were less clean than average were more prone to both types of infestations. Pesticides were stored or used in 51% of households, partly to control roach and rodent infestations. These data indicate that adverse housing conditions are common in this community and increase the likelihood of pest infestations and home pesticide use. Interventions to improve housing and promote children's health and safety in this population are needed.     

Organophosphate urinary metabolite levels during pregnancy and after delivery in women living in an agricultural community

Little information has been published about pesticide exposures experienced by pregnant women. We measured six dialkyl phosphate (DAP) urinary metabolites of organophosphate (OP) pesticides in 600 pregnant, low-income women living in the Salinas Valley, California, an agricultural area. A total of 28% were employed as farm fieldworkers during pregnancy, and 81% had at least one household member who worked in agriculture. Samples were collected twice during pregnancy (mean = 13 and 26 weeks' gestation, respectively) and just after delivery (mean = 9 days). As in other studies, dimethyldithiophosphate levels were higher than those of other urinary OP metabolites. Total DAP metabolite levels in samples collected after delivery were higher than in samples collected during pregnancy. Median metabolite levels at the first and second prenatal sampling points and at the postpartum collection were 102.8, 106.8, and 227.2 nmol/L, respectively. Both prenatal and postpartum metabolite levels were higher in these Salinas Valley women than in a sample of women of childbearing age in the general U.S. population (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), although the deviation from U.S. reference levels was most pronounced after delivery. Higher DAP metabolite levels in the immediate postpartum period may have implications for estimating dose during pregnancy and for exposure during lactation.     

Mutations in senataxin responsible for Quebec cluster of ataxia with neuropathy

Senataxin recently was identified as the mutated gene in ataxia-oculomotor apraxia 2, which is characterized by ataxia, oculomotor apraxia, and increased alpha-fetoprotein levels. In this study, we evaluated 24 ataxic patients from 10 French-Canadian families. All cases have a homogeneous phenotype consisting of a progressive ataxia appearing between 2 and 20 (mean age, 14.8) years of age with associated dysarthria, saccadic ocular pursuit, distal amyotrophy, sensory and motor neuropathy, and increased alpha-fetoprotein levels but absence of oculomotor apraxia. Linkage disequilibrium was observed with markers in the ataxia-oculomotor apraxia 2 locus on chromosome 9q34. We have identified four mutations in senataxin in the French-Canadian population including two novel missense mutations: the 5927T-->G mutation changes the leucine encoded by codon 1976 to an arginine in the helicase domain (L1976R), and the 193G-->A mutation changes a glutamic acid encoded by codon 65 into a lysine in the N-terminal domain of the protein (E65K). The common L1976R mutation is shared by 17 of 20 (85%) carrier chromosomes. The study of this large French-Canadian cohort better defines the phenotype of this ataxia and presents two novel mutations in senataxin including the more common founder mutation in the French-Canadian population.