Evaluation of 10 methods to distinguish epidemic-associated Campylobacter strains.

We compared four phenotypic and six genotypic methods for distinguishing Campylobacter jejuni strains from animals and humans involved in four epidemics. Based on a comparison with epidemiologic data, the methods that correctly identified all strains in three milkborne outbreaks and one waterborne outbreak were heat-stable and heat-labile serotyping; multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MEE); DNA restriction endonuclease analysis with BglII, XhoI, PvuII, or PstI; and Southern blot and hybridization of PvuII- and PstI-digested DNA with Escherichia coli 16S and 23S rRNA (ribotyping). Biotyping, phage typing, plasmid analysis, and probing of BglII and XhoI DNA digests with C. jejuni 16S rRNA genes failed to correctly separate one or more strains. MEE, restriction endonuclease analysis, and ribotyping were the most sensitive methods and identified nine types among the 22 strains. These methods were also capable of further distinguishing strains within the same serotype. Data from MEE were also analyzed to calculate genetic relatedness among strains. Serotyping was the most discriminating phenotypic method, with eight and seven types distinguished by the heat-stable and heat-labile methods, respectively. MEE and ribotyping had several advantages over the other methods because they measure relatively stable and significant chromosomal differences and are applicable to other species and genera. These methods, however, are complex and not easily quantified; they are currently limited to specialized laboratories. When antisera are available, serotyping appears to be an effective and more practical approach to the identification of epidemic-related strains.     

Cutaneous lymphangioma and amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia in Noonan syndrome

A case of congenital cutaneous lymphangioma and amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia in an infant with Noonan syndrome is described. These features broaden the phenotype of lymphatic and haematological abnormalities associated with this syndrome.     

Outcome of chromosomally normal livebirths with increased fetal nuchal translucency at 10-14 weeks'' gestation.

The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of chromosomally normal livebirths with increased fetal nuchal translucency at 10-14 weeks' gestation. Clinical follow up of 89 chromosomally normal livebirths that in fetal life had a minimum nuchal translucency thickness of 3.5 mm and a comparison group of 302 infants whose fetal nuchal translucency thickness at 10-14 weeks of gestation was less than 3.5 mm was performed. Major abnormalities, mainly structural defects of the cardiovascular or skeletal systems, were found in 10.1% (nine of 89) of the group with increased translucency, compared to 2% (five of 302) in those with translucency of less than 3.5 mm (chi2=11.9, p<0.001). Delay in achievement of developmental milestones was observed in one of the infants with increased translucency and in one of the comparison group. The findings of this study show that in chromosomally normal fetuses increased nuchal translucency thickness at 10-14 weeks of gestation is a marker for fetal abnormalities including structural defects and genetic syndromes.     

Are Community Violence-Exposed Youth at Risk of Engaging in Delinquent Behavior? A Review and Implications for Residential Treatment Research and Practice

Numerous studies have documented a direct association between children’s exposure to community violence and subsequent delinquent behavior. Regrettably, an understanding of the community violence exposure-delinquent behavior link is incomplete because violence-exposed children rarely engage in delinquency immediately. Rather, there are complex, developmental pathways in which these children experience behavioral problems before subsequently exhibiting delinquent behavior. Despite the importance of understanding the mechanisms that illuminate how children exposed to violence in the community might engage in delinquency, relatively few studies have investigated potential mechanisms. This review proposes four potential mechanisms: depression, anxiety/PTSD, conduct disorder, and aggression. More specifically, we examine how certain internalizing and externalizing behaviors can potentially mediate the relationship between community violence exposure and delinquent behavior. We also discuss implications for residential treatment research and practice.     

Effects of feeding selenium deficient diets to rhesus monkeys (Macaca Mulatta).

Pregnant rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were fed either selenium (Se) deficient or Se supplemented diets with adequate vitamin E. Except for some cardiac irregularities in the first babies born to these females, no physiological disorders due to Se deficiency were seen in a subsequent offspring. Plasma and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activities and blood Se levels increased in the Se supplemented monkeys but decreased in the deficient ones. The data indicated that hair Se levels reflect long term exposure to this element. In a very preliminary experiment, evidence was obtained to indicate that dietary protein deficiency along with Se deficiency will generate cardiomyopathic lesions characteristic of Se deficiency. It is hypothesized that, in addition to Se deficiency, another dietary deficiency (or abnormality) is necessary to produce Se deficiency lesions in higher primates. Higher glutathione transferase (or non-Se glutathione peroxidase) activity in tissues of rhesus monkeys may account for this resistance.     

Anatomical and functional outcomes of pneumatic vitreolysis for treatment of vitreomacular traction with and without macular holes

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - To evaluate the outcome of pneumatic vitreolysis (PVL) for vitreomacular traction (VMT) with or without full thickness macular...