Plasmodium falciparum andP. berghei: detection of sporozoites and the circumsporozoite proteins in the saliva ofAnopheles stephensi mosquitoes

Sporozoites and free circumsporozoite (CS) protein were stained immunoenzymatically in 1-min saliva samples collected fromAnopheles stephensi mosquitoes infected with eitherPlasmodium berghei orP. falciparum. The number of sporozoites in 1-min saliva-streak samples significantly increased as the salivary gland index rose from 3+ to 4+. ForP. berghei-infected mosquitoes from which saliva had been collected before 30 days postfeed, the median sporozoite counts for 3+ and 4+ gland indexes were 4.5 and 116, respectively. ForP. falciparum-infected mosquitoes, the median counts obtained in two experiments were 4.5 and 14.5 (3+) and 97 and 107 (4+), respectively. The frequency of sporozoite detection in the saliva of mosquitoes containing <100 salivary-gland sporozoites was low (0.1), whereas that in the saliva of mosquitoes with >100 sporozoites was high (0.96). In highly infected 4+P. berghei-infected mosquitoes from which saliva had been collected after 30 days postinfection, both the volume of saliva collected and the median number of sporozoites recovered decreased significantly.     

Mortality study of asbestos cement workers

The present study describes cause-specific mortality of asbestos cement workers in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. The cohort included workers in ten factories, most of which started operating between 1955 and 1965. Asbestos, mainly chrysotile, constituted 10%–20% of the dry component of the mixture. Crocidolite range between 5% and 50% of total asbestos. Asbestos concentrations up to 44 ff/cc were reported prior to 1975, while in recent years they have usually been below 0–1 ff/cc. The cohort included 3341 workers who had at some time been employed in the ten factories under study. Their mortality experience was compared with that of the population resident in Emilia Romagna. Vital status was ascertained at 1989. Seventy-three subjects were lost to followup (2.2%). Mortality from all causes and from all types of cancer was increased in the cohort. Malignant neoplasms of the respiratory tract showed a significant increase (SMR: 134; 90% confidence interval: 101–175; 40 observed) due to lung cancer (SMR: 124; 90% confidence interval: 91–166; 33 observed) and neoplasms of the pleura, mediastinum, and other parts of the respiratory tract (SMR: 602; 90% confidence interval 237–1267; 5 observed). The discrepancy between observed and expected mortality mainly concerned subjects with at least 20 years of employment in the factories. Five more cases of histologically confirmed mesothelioma occurred after the end of follow-up.     

Do weekly and fast-rotating shiftwork schedules differentially affect duration and quality of sleep?

 Characteristics of shiftwork schedules can have distinct impacts on workers’ sleep. This report presents comparisons of the effects of two different shiftwork schedules on duration and quality of the main sleep episodes in comparable worker populations at two different petrochemical plants. No significant differences were found for sleep duration in comparing the two plants. However, within each plant’s shift cycles, morning and night shifts showed shorter sleep durations than all other workdays and days off. Quality of sleep was perceived as lowest for night shifts of both plant schedules, and of lesser quality for weekly than for fast-rotating shifts. These results support recommendations for reducing the number of consecutive nights of shiftwork. However, before recommending any optimal shift schedule, interactions of sleep duration and quality with shift schedules need much further evaluation. Received: 18 December 1995/Accepted: 18 July 1996     

Myopic keratomileusis: short-term results

The first 97 eyes operated with keratomileusis by two surgeons starting to use this technique are evaluated. The 30- and 90-day postoperative results of this initial experience are reported. Average preoperative myopia was -10.53 D spherical equivalent (range -5.25 to -22.25 D); average refractive correction at 90 days was -10.20 D. Preoperative visual acuities without correction were between 0.01 and 0.15 Snellen scale (20/2000 to 20/133), and 90 days postoperatively they varied between 0.02 and 0.60 Snellen scale (20/1000 to 20/33) with an average of 0.29 (20/69). Average preoperative visual acuity with correction was 0.70 Snellen scale (20/29), and 90 days afterward it was 0.60 Snellen scale (20/33). Preoperative average refractive cylinder was 1.33 D and postoperative was 1.86 D, showing that significant amounts of astigmatism were not induced.     

Ultrasound-Guided Interstitial Brachytherapy in the Treatment of Advanced Vaginal Recurrences from Cervical and Endometrial Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: In advanced vaginal recurrences of cervical and endometrial carcinomas therapeutic options are rare because of preceding therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 23 patients developing advanced vaginal recurrences of cervical and endometrial carcinomas were included. 15 patients started with external-beam therapy to the pelvis and eight patients after preceding radiotherapy underwent brachytherapy alone. All patients had ultrasound-guided implantation of transvaginal or transperineal interstitial needles for brachytherapy. Median prescribed total dose was 64 Gy. RESULTS: 18 patients (78%) achieved complete remission. Six patients are alive without tumor and one with tumor after a median follow-up of 64 months. 14 patients died of tumor and two of intercurrent disease. 5-year disease-specific survival and local control rate were 43% and 47%, respectively, in patients with complete remission. Univariate analysis found time to relapse > 2 years, initial diameter < or = 4 cm, initial volume < 15 cm(3), no extension to the pelvic side wall, volume before brachytherapy < 7.5 cm(3), brachytherapy coverage index > 0.8, and prescribed total dose > 64 Gy being positive predictors for local control and survival. CONCLUSION: The use of ultrasound guidance for placement of interstitial needles in template-based brachytherapy of advanced recurrent gynecologic malignancies is a feasible, safe, and cheap method with encouraging results. Today, ultrasound imaging can be also used to some extent for treatment planning which requires further development. Patient- and treatment-related prognostic factors can be defined.     

Double skin island pectoralis major myocutaneous flap with nipple-areola complex preservation: a case report.

A horizontal double skin island pectoralis major myocutaneous flap with preservation of nipple-areola complex is described, a different modification used to reconstruct a complex defect following radical resection of a locally advanced gingival carcinoma. The skin islands are horizontally separated by a distance of 2.5 cm but rely on one vascular pedicle for their blood supply. The muscle between the skin islands provides the soft tissue bulk between the internal mucosal and external skin lining. The need for a separate segmental flap or a split-thickness skin graft for mucosal lining was eliminated.     

Ghrelin and bone: is there an association in older adults?: the Rancho Bernardo study.

Laboratory studies suggest that ghrelin is involved in bone metabolism, but studies of ghrelin and bone in humans are limited. We studied sex-specific associations of ghrelin with BMD, NTX, and bone loss. Ghrelin was not associated with BMD or bone loss in either sex. There was a significant inverse association with NTX in men but not in women. INTRODUCTION: Ghrelin is a gastric hormone recently shown to be associated with bone metabolism in animal and in vitro studies. Studies in humans are limited. We investigated the association of ghrelin with BMD, the bone resorption marker N-telopeptide (NTX), and bone loss in older men and women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were 977 community-dwelling men and non-estrogen-using postmenopausal women, 50-91 years of age. Plasma ghrelin was measured by radioimmunoassay from blood obtained between 1984 and 1987. Between 1988 and 1991, BMD was measured at the midshaft radius by single photon absorptiometry and at the femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine by DXA. Axial BMD measurements were repeated an average of 4 years later in 544 participants. Bone turnover was assessed by NTX in urine obtained at the same time as the initial BMD. Multiple regression analyses were used to test sex-specific associations of ghrelin with BMD, NTX, and bone loss in both sexes. RESULTS: No significant ghrelin-BMD or ghrelin-bone loss associations were observed in either sex, after adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI). Ghrelin was inversely associated with NTX in men and positively associated with NTX in women, independent of age. After adjusting for both age and BMI, this association reached statistical significance in men and was weakened in women. CONCLUSIONS: Ghrelin may be associated with bone turnover, but there is no evidence for an association with BMD or short-term change in BMD in older adults.