Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored protein deficiency serves as a reliable reporter of Pig‐a gene Mutation: Support from an in vitro assay based on L5178Y/Tk+/− cells and the CD90.2 antigen

Lack of cell surface glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored protein(s) has been used as a reporter of Pig‐a gene mutation in several model systems. As an extension of this work, our laboratory initiated development of an in vitro mutation assay based on the flow cytometric assessment of CD90.2 expression on the cell surface of the mouse lymphoma cell line L5178Y/Tk^+/?. Cells were exposed to mutagenic and nonmutagenic compounds for 24 hr followed by washout and incubation for an additional 7 days. Following this mutant manifestation time, cells were labeled with fluorescent antibodies against CD90.2 and CD45 antigens. These reagents indicated the presence of GPI‐anchored proteins and general cell surface membrane receptor integrity, respectively. Instrument set‐up was aided by parallel processing of a GPI anchor‐deficient subclone. Results show that the mutagens reproducibly caused increased frequencies of mutant phenotype cells, while the nonmutagens did not. Further modifications to the method, including application of a viability dye and an isotype control for instrument set‐up, were investigated. As a means to verify that the GPI‐anchored protein‐negative phenotype reflects bona fide Pig‐a gene mutation, sequencing was performed on 38 CD90.2‐negative L5178Y/Tk^+/? clones derived from cultures treated with ethyl methanesulfonate. All clones were found to have mutation(s) within the Pig‐a gene. The continued investigation of L5178Y/Tk^+/? cells, CD90.2 labeling, and flow cytometric analysis as the basis of an in vitro mutation assay is clearly supported by this work. These data also provide evidence of the reliability of using GPI anchor‐deficiency as a valid reporter of Pig‐a gene mutation. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:18–29, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Ischaemic peripheral polyneuropathy in the upper limb as a result of steal phenomenon in an arteriovenous malformation

We present the case of a 38-year-old right-hand-dominant female with a longstanding extensive high flow arteriovenous malformation (AVM) affecting the left hand and forearm. The patient’s main complaints were altered sensation in the left hand and difficulty with co-ordination. Clinical examination revealed reduced global sensibility in the hand and evidence of a vascular steal phenomenon resulting in a cold thumb and small finger without trophic changes. Subsequent nerve conduction studies identified peripheral neuropathy affecting the median, ulnar and radial nerves. There was no evidence of entrapment neuropathy and the findings were attributed to nerve ischemia as a result of the steal phenomenon. This case represents an unusual complication of an AVM of the upper limb which has not been reported previously to our knowledge. Patients with complex AVMs presenting with atypical peripheral neuropathies should be assessed for the possibility of steal phenomenon.Level of Evidence: Level V, risk/prognostic study.     

Formulating goals in occupational therapy: State of the art in Switzerland

Background: The contemporary occupational therapy literature suggests that different quality criteria exist for setting goals in occupational therapy: a focus on occupation; a link to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF); and adherence to the SMART recommendations, which advises goals to be specific, measurable, agreed, realistic, and timed. Aim: To identify the extent to which Swiss occupational therapists (OTs) adhere to the criteria cited above. Material: A total of 1 129 goals formulated with the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) collected in 2008. Results: In slightly more than half the investigated cases at least one goal addressed an aspect of occupation. Nearly two-thirds of the goals related to the ICF component “activity and participation”. Nearly 90% of the goals were specific, measurable, and/or realistic. Conclusions: Goals mirror, to some extent, what is done in everyday practice. Several influences on goal formulations of OTs were identified, including the practice models traditionally used in different specialist fields; the cultural contexts in which OTs were trained; and the legal framework that obliges OTs to formulate their goals in a certain way in order to obtain funding for their services. Significance: Based on these results evidence-based products have been developed (a further education course; written recommendations for practice).     

Swine-to-Human Transmission of Influenza A(H3N2) Virus at Agricultural Fairs,Ohio, USA, 2012

Agricultural fairs provide an opportunity for bidirectional transmission of influenza A viruses. We sought to determine influenza A virus activity among swine at fairs in the United States. As part of an ongoing active influenza A virus surveillance project, nasal swab samples were collected from exhibition swine at 40 selected Ohio agricultural fairs during 2012. Influenza A(H3N2) virus was isolated from swine at 10 of the fairs. According to a concurrent public health investigation, 7 of the 10 fairs were epidemiologically linked to confirmed human infections with influenza A(H3N2) variant virus. Comparison of genome sequences of the subtype H3N2 isolates recovered from humans and swine from each fair revealed nucleotide identities of >99.7%, confirming zoonotic transmission between swine and humans. All influenza A(H3N2) viruses isolated in this study, regardless of host species or fair, were >99.5% identical, indicating that 1 virus strain was widely circulating among exhibition swine in Ohio during 2012.     

Behavioral interventions for Cambodian female entertainment and sex workers who use amphetamine-type stimulants

Conditional cash transfer (CCT) and cognitive-behavioral treatments are evidence-based approaches to reduce stimulant use and sexual risk taking. We describe the adaptation and implementation of sequential behavioral interventions for Cambodian female entertainment and sex workers (FESW) who use amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS): (1) a 12-week CCT intervention; and (2) a 4-week cognitive-behavioral aftercare (AC) group. An ongoing cluster randomized stepped wedge trial in 10 Cambodian provinces is enrolling FESW with confirmed recent ATS use to examine the effectiveness of CCT + AC. In the first six provinces, 138 of the 183 eligible FESW (75 %) enrolled in CCT and completed a median of 25 (interquartile range 9–32) of the 36 urine screening visits. Of the 84 participants who were eligible for AC, 79 completed at least one session (94 %) and 57 completed three or more sessions (68 %). Culturally tailored behavioral interventions to reduce ATS use and optimize HIV prevention are feasible in resource-limited settings.