Contribution of fibronectin-binding protein to pathogenesis of Streptococcus suis serotype 2

In the present study we investigated the role of the fibronectin (FN)- and fibrinogen (FGN)-binding protein (FBPS) in the pathogenesis of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 in piglets. The complete gene encoding FBPS from S. suis serotype 2 was cloned in Escherichia coli and sequenced. The occurrence of the gene in various serotypes was analyzed by hybridization studies. The FBPS protein was expressed in E. coli and purified, and binding to human FN and FGN was demonstrated. The induction of antibodies in piglets was studied upon infection. An isogenic mutant unable to produce FBPS was constructed, and the levels of virulence of the wild-type and mutant strains were compared in a competitive infection model in young piglets. Organ cultures showed that FBPS was not required for colonization of the tonsils but that FBPS played a role in the colonization of the specific organs involved in an S. suis infection. Therefore, the FBPS mutant was considered as an attenuated mutant.     

Transglial pathway of diffusion in the Schwann sheath of the squid giant axon

Summary In order to investigate the transglial pathways in the Schwann sheath of squid giant axons, an electron microscopic study of thin sections and freeze-fracture replicas was carried out. Hitherto the mesaxonal clefts between Schwann cells were regarded as the only pathway between the extracellular space and the periaxonal space which, like the clefts, is about 10 nm in width. The clefts were now found to be obstructed by a putative single-stranded tight junction between neighbouring Schwann cells along the entire border near the axon. The Schwann cells were found to be penetrated like a sponge by a three-dimensional tubular transglial lattice that is confluent with the periaxonal space, the mesaxonal clefts and the extracellular space. The transglial channel system (TGCS) would, therefore, serve as an alternative diffusional pathway, provided that the tubular lumen was permeable. The diameter of the tubules is about 40 nm. In freeze-fracture replicas the density of tubular openings towards the axon was estimated to be 3.3 ± 0.72 per µm². In relation to the periaxonal cell surface, this constitutes a relative opening area of 0.42% as compared to the 0.15% of the mesaxonal clefts (neglecting their tight junctions). Therefore, the TGCS would provide a ubiquitous access for ionic flow between axolemma and extracellular space. The fact that the TGCS has only recently been observed in squid, but has been described for some time in the giant nerve fibres of crayfish and lobster, can be explained by the use of different fixation methods. The TGCS system is preserved in aldehyde fixation as used in the present study, whereas osmium tetroxide was applied in earlier work on squid. The comparison with the results obtained in other species suggests strongly that the TGCS is permeable and constitutes a transglial pathway for rapid ionic flow.     

Association between human papillomavirus vaccine uptake and cervical cancer screening in the Netherlands: Implications for future impact on prevention

Several countries recently added human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to cervical cancer screening in the effort to prevent cervical cancer. They include the Netherlands, where both programs are free. To estimate their combined future impact on cancer prevention, information is needed on the association between participation in vaccination now and in screening in the future and on what groups are at risk for nonparticipation. We studied the association between participation in screening by mothers and in vaccination by their daughters. Girls' vaccination status was matched by house‐address with their mothers' screening participation. We estimated the effect on cancer incidence by means of computer simulation. We investigated risk groups for nonparticipation using multivariable multilevel logistic regression and calculated population‐attributable fractions. Our results, based on 89% of girls invited for vaccination in 2009 (n = 337,368), show that vaccination status was significantly associated with mothers' screening participation (odds ratio: 1.54 [95% confidence interval: 1.51–1.57]). If a mother's screening is taken as proxy of a girl's future screening, only 13% of the girls will not participate in either program compared to 23% if screening alone is available. The positive association between vaccination and screening resulted in slightly lower model estimates of the impact of vaccination on cancer incidence, compared to estimates assuming no association. Girls with nonwestern ethnicities, with young mothers, who live in urban areas with low socioeconomic status, are at risk for nonparticipation. A significant part of potential nonscreeners may be reached through HPV vaccination. Estimates made before vaccination was introduced only slightly overestimated its impact on cervical cancer incidence.     

Clinical assessment of the DINAMAP ProCare monitor in an adult population according to the British Hypertension Society Protocol

OBJECTIVE: Clinical recommendation of an automated blood pressure device is dependent on assessment according to a recognized protocol. The DINAMAP ProCare monitor is an oscillometric device intended for hospital, physician office or clinic use. The device algorithm was developed and tested against an auscultatory standard to increase comparability, in contrast to previous DINAMAP products that were designed to be accurate compared with an invasive central aortic reference, as specified in the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation-SP10 Standard (AAMI SP10 Standard: 1992, 2002). This device was validated in an adult population according to the protocol of the British Hypertension Society. METHODS: Local ethics committee approval was obtained and all patients were required to give written informed consent. Nine sequential same-arm measurements, alternating between observer and device, were taken from each patient. Data analysis was performed according to the guidelines of the British Hypertension Society protocol on 85 patients who fulfilled the blood pressure categories specified by the protocol. RESULTS: The DINAMAP ProCare monitor achieved an A grade for both systolic and diastolic pressures. It also achieved the passing criteria of the ANSI/AAMI SP10 with a mean difference (standard deviation) for systolic and diastolic pressures, respectively, of -0.3 (6.9) and -4.0 (5.9) mmHg. CONCLUSION: The DINAMAP ProCare monitor can be recommended for clinical use in an adult population according to the criteria of the British Hypertension Society.     

The Rossmax (ME 701 series) upper arm device: accuracy assessment in an adult population according to the International and the British Hypertension Society protocols

OBJECTIVE: Any device intended for blood pressure measurement should be subjected to an independent accuracy assessment. This is particularly relevant to automated oscillometric devices that do not use Korotkoff sounds to identify blood pressure. Various validation protocols have been published with the view of standardizing the acceptable level of accuracy for such devices. We evaluated the accuracy of the Rossmax (ME 701 series, Taipei, Taiwan) device according to the International protocol of the European Society of Hypertension and the British Hypertension Society (BHS) protocol. METHODS: Local ethics committee approval was obtained and 91 participants were recruited from the staff and patients at a large teaching hospital. Two trained observers took nine sequential same arm measurements from each participant. Initially, the data from 33 participants were analysed according to the International protocol guidelines. A further 52 participants were then included to fulfil the BHS protocol requirement of 85 participants. RESULTS: The Rossmax (ME 701 series) device passed the criteria for both the International and the BHS protocols and achieved an A/A grade. The mean difference and standard deviation for systolic and diastolic pressures according to the International protocol [-0.1 (6.2) mmHg and -2.8 (5.3) mmHg] and the BHS protocol [1.5 (7.6) mmHg and -1.2 (6.1) mmHg] also meet the requirements of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation that is 相似文献   

Validation of the Omron M7 (HEM-780-E) oscillometric blood pressure monitoring device according to the British Hypertension Society protocol

BACKGROUND: The Omron M7 (HEM-780-E) is an automated oscillometric upper arm blood pressure monitor for the professional and home use markets. The aim of this study was to validate the accuracy of this device according to the British Hypertension Society (BHS) and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) SP10 validation criteria. METHODS: Participants were recruited until a total of 85 were obtained that filled the blood pressure ranges specified by the BHS protocol. Recruitment to the study was from the general medical and specialist clinics and from the staff at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London, UK. Nine sequential same-arm blood pressure readings were taken from each participant by two trained observers, alternating between a mercury reference sphygmomanometer and the Omron M7 (HEM-780-E). The differences between the reference and test device readings, for both systolic and diastolic pressures, were compared with BHS and AAMI criteria to determine the outcome of the study. RESULTS: The Omron M7 (HEM-780-E) is graded 'A' for systolic and 'A' for diastolic blood pressures according to the BHS criteria. The mean (standard deviation) of the difference between the observer and the device measurements was 0.75+/-6.5) mmHg for systolic and 1.33+/-5 mmHg for diastolic pressures. The device, therefore, also satisfies the AAMI SP10 standard for the study population, which requires differences of <+/-5 (8) mmHg. CONCLUSION: The Omron M7 (HEM-780-E) achieved an 'A/A' performance classification under the BHS criteria and passed the AAMI requirements for the study population. It can be recommended for professional and home-use in this population.