HIV epidemic among young Thai Men, 1991-2000

Characterization of the HIV epidemic in Thailand has benefited from the systematic testing of young men upon entry into the military. These data, which have shown that public health measures can reverse an HIV epidemic, have been reanalyzed with current geographic information systems methods. The resulting maps are, thus far, the best means of visualizing the geography of the dynamic HIV epidemic in Thailand.     

Antifungal azaphilones from the fungus Chaetomium cupreum CC3003

Three new azaphilones named rotiorinols A-C (1-3), two new stereoisomers, (-)-rotiorin (4) and epi-isochromophilone II (5), and a known compound, rubrorotiorin (6), were isolated from the fungus Chaetomium cupreum CC3003. Structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by the modified Mosher's method along with an X-ray analysis of its acetate derivative, as well as by chemical transformation. Compounds 1, 3, 4, and 6 exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans with IC50 values of 10.5, 16.7, 24.3, and 0.6 microg/mL, respectively.     

Sperm preparation before freezing improves sperm motility and reduces apoptosis in post-freezing-thawing sperm compared with post-thawing sperm preparation

Purpose

To evaluate whether sperm preparation (swim-up technique) before freezing improves the percentages of sperm motility, sperm viability, and non-apoptotic spermatozoa after freezing-thawing process compared with preparation after cryopreservation.

Methods

Semen samples from 65 infertile males were equally divided into two aliquots one of which was processed for swim-up prior to cryopreservation and one of which was processed following cryopreservation. Sperm count, motility, and apoptosis index were measured in each group.

Result (s)

The total sperm count and the total motile sperm count decreased after thawing in both the pre-preparation and non-preparation groups compared with neat semen group (P < 0.001). Moreover, the percentage of apoptotic sperm in the pre-preparation group after cryopreservation was lower than that in the non-preparation group (P < 0.05), whereas the percentage of vital sperm with progressive motility was higher than that in the pre-preparation group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion (s)

Semen preparation by swim-up before freezing resulted in better sperm quality and fewer apoptotic sperm than sperm preparation after thawing. Therefore, sperm preparation before cryopreservation should be considered in routine sperm cryopreservation.     

Hemoculture and Direct Sputum Detection of mecA‐Mediated Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus by Loop‐Mediated Isothermal Amplification in Combination With a Lateral‐Flow Dipstick

This study reports loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for rapid detection of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus from direct clinical specimens. Four primers including outer and inner primers were specifically designed on the two target sequences—femB to identify S. aureus and mecA to identify antibiotic‐resistant gene. Reference strains including various species of gram‐positive/gram‐negative isolates were used to evaluate and optimize LAMP assays. The optimum LAMP condition was found at 63°C within 70 min assay time (include hybridization with FITC probe for 5 min and further 5 min for reading the results on the lateral flow dipstick). The detection limits of LAMP for mecA was 10 pg of total DNA or 100 CFU/ml. The LAMP assays were applied to a total of 155 samples of direct DNA extraction from sputum and hemoculture bottles. The sensitivity of LAMP for mecA detection in sputum and hemoculture bottles was 93.3% (28/30) and 100% (52/52), respectively. In conclusion, LAMP assay is an alternative technique for rapid detection of MRSA infection with a technical simplicity and cost‐effective method in a routine diagnostic laboratory.     

Accuracy of commercial systems for identification of Burkholderia pseudomallei versus Burkholderia cepacia

Infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei or Burkholderia cepacia may result in fatal outcome unless the causative agent is accurately identified in a short period, which is critical for treatment. We evaluated the reliability of the commonly used commercial systems, API 20NE, VITEK 2, and WalkAway 96, for comparative identification of B. pseudomallei versus B. cepacia clinical isolates. Based on biochemical and molecular tests as reference methods, API 20NE was probably the most reliable, with an accuracy of 87% and 93%, for the identification of B. pseudomallei and B. cepacia, respectively. The VITEK 2 and WalkAway 96 systems resulted in a number of misidentification and, thus, were less reliable. The performance of each system and identification guidelines for B. pseudomallei and B. cepacia are discussed. Our study emphasized that laboratories should carefully interpret the identification of B. pseudomallei and B. cepacia when using commercial systems.     

Endoscopically assisted retro-caroncular approach for medial wall fracture of the orbit: preliminary study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to present our experience of endoscopically assisted retro-caruncular approach of medial wall fracture of orbital bone, notably concerning the accessibility and visibility. METHODS: Five consecutive patients (4 men and 1 woman) with recent fracture (1 to 3 days), underwent medial wall reconstruction with a polydioxanone plate, endoscopically assisted via a retro-caruncular approach. The surgical technique and its results are described. Helpful hints are discussed. RESULTS: The plate did not have to be bent for introduction. Operative time was less than an hour for all patients. All patients were discharged the day after surgery. All experienced a mild degree of postoperative edema-related diplopia. None had persistent or secondary diplopia or enophthalmos at the one and six-month follow-up visits, respectively. Other postoperative complications, such as hematoma, nerve injury, or infection were not observed. All patients were satisfied with the outcome and especially the cosmetic result. DISCUSSION: The retro-caruncular approach with adjunctive endoscopic surgery should be the gold standard for posttraumatic isolated medial wall reconstruction of the orbit.