Functional results of the surgery of esophageal opening hernia]

The article presents an original method of laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery, immediate and long-term results of the treatment of 132 patients with esophageal opening hernia. It also describes the analysis of the life quality of patients with the gastroesophageal reflux disease before and after the surgery.     

Synthesis and anti-tuberculous activity of diesters based on isosteviol and dicarboxylic acids

Diesters based on isosteviol and dicarboxylic acids were synthesized and tested for antituberculous activity. Isosteviol and some of its derivatives exhibit appreciable tuberculostatic properties in vitro, the activity being dependent on the length of the polymethylene spacer connecting two ent-beyeran fragments. The mechanism of the antituberculous action of isosteviol derivatives are discussed. __________ Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 40, No. 9, pp. 12–13, September, 2006.     

Alternaria alternata NADP-dependent mannitol dehydrogenase is an important fungal allergen.

BACKGROUND: Alternaria alternata is one of the most important allergenic fungi worldwide. Mannitol dehydrogenase (MtDH) has previously been shown to be a major allergen of Cladosporium herbarum and cross-reactivity has been demonstrated for several fungal allergens. OBJECTIVE: The present study's objective was to clone the MtDH from an A. alternata cDNA library, express and purify the recombinant non-fusion protein and test its IgE-binding properties. Methods A cDNA library prepared from A. alternata hyphae and spores was screened for mannitol dehydrogenase by DNA hybridization with the radioactively labelled C. herbarum homologue as a probe. The resulting clone was sequenced and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli as a recombinant non-fusion protein, which was purified to homogeneity and analysed for its IgE-binding capacity. RESULTS: The coding sequence of the full-length cDNA clone comprises 798 bp encoding a protein with a molecular mass of 28.6 kDa and a predicted pI of 5.88. Protein sequence analysis revealed an identity of 75% and a homology of 86% between the MtDHs of A. alternata and C. herbarum. The functional mannitol dehydrogenase was expressed in the E. coli strain BL21(DE3) transformed with the vector pMW172 and purified to homogeneity. The enzyme catalyses the NADPH-dependent conversion of d-fructose to d-mannitol. In IgE-ELISA and immunoblots, MtDH is recognized by 41% of A. alternata-allergic patients. In vivo immunoreactivity of the recombinant MtDH was verified by skin prick testing. Finally, inhibition-ELISA experiments confirmed cross-reactivity between the MtDHs of A. alternata and C. herbarum. CONCLUSION: Mannitol dehydrogenase (Alt a 8) represents an important new allergen of the ascomycete A. alternata that might be suitable for improving diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.     

Neuronal Vacuolation,Myelopathy and Laryngeal Neuropathy in a Mixed‐Breed Dog

A bilateral and symmetrical neuronal vacuolation associated with spinal cord white matter degeneration and laryngeal neuropathy was observed in a 12‐week‐old male mixed‐breed dog with a history of progressive pelvic limbs ataxia. On clinical examination, signs included inspiratory stridor, spinal ataxia, tetraparesis, and proprioceptive deficits more severe in the pelvic limbs. Examination of the larynx showed bilateral laryngeal paralysis and electromyography revealed fibrillation potentials restricted to the intrinsic laryngeal muscles. Clinical and pathological findings resembled the syndrome of neuronal vacuolation and spinocerebellar degeneration described in Rottweiler dogs. This is the first report of a similar disorder in a dog different from Rottweiler.     

Zum 150. Geburtstag von César Roux (1857–1918)

César Roux was one of the few universal surgeons at the end of the 19th century who dominated all fields of surgery and influenced current surgery with his innovative spirit. Pioneering spirit and the story of the success of modern surgery are linked with his name. On the occasion of his 150th birthday, we recall the memory of this great surgeon. The personality and the history of Professor César Roux form a part of our medical and surgical heritage.     

Tolerability of anti-tuberculosis treatment and HIV serostatus.

SETTING: Tuberculosis (TB) is frequent in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients, but its treatment is hampered by adverse events and paradoxical reactions. OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of HIV infection and other factors on the risk and spectrum of adverse events related to anti-tuberculosis treatment in a prospective cohort study conducted between January 2003 and August 2004. RESULTS: Of 105 patients treated for TB, 30 were HIV-infected. The overall incidence of adverse events was 122.5 +/- 18.5 per 100 patient-years (py) and the incidence of severe adverse events was 45.2 +/- 11.3/100 py. Age >50 years (OR 2.2, 95%CI 1.01-4.8, P = 0.046) and HIV infection (OR 3.9, 95%CI 2.1-7.5, P < 0.001) were independently associated with a higher risk of adverse events. Hepatitis (30.5/100 py) and neuropathy (28.6/100 py) were the most frequent adverse events. Hepatitis C virus infection was associated with hepatitis (OR 4.2, 95%CI 1.2-15.0, P = 0.028) and neuropathy with HIV infection (OR 3.8, 95%CI 1.1-13.7, P = 0.040). CONCLUSION: Adverse reactions to anti-tuberculosis drugs are frequent. HIV infection and age >50 years are factors associated with such reactions, while hepatitis C virus infection is a risk factor for hepatitis.     

Selective hypersensitivity to boiled razor shell.

Many types of seafood require cooking before ingestion and it has been demonstrated that this cooking process may affect the antigenicity and allergenicity of the food. We describe a case of anaphylaxis caused by selective sensitization to razor shell, a mollusc. In vivo and in vitro studies confirmed sensitization to boiled razor shell. Analysis of the nature of the allergen yielded results that were consistent with the findings of other authors and suggested that allergens involved in seafood allergy are commonly high molecular weight proteins that, in most cases, are heat stable.