Flash labelling of S-phase cells in short-term organ culture of normal and pathological human endometrium using bromodeoxyuridine and tritiated thymidine

Normal hyperplastic and malignant endometrial specimens were labelled in vitro with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). S-phase cells were stained after DNA denaturation, using a monoclonal antibody to BrdU and an indirect immunoperoxidase method. Various conditions for BrdU uptake, DNA denaturation, and staining were tested. BrdU labelling was compared with autoradiography using tritiated thymidine, with good correlation. Glandular labelling indices of proliferative endometrium were significantly higher than both secretory and hyperplastic endometrium but were similar to carcinoma. Stromal labelling showed the same trend but the differences were not statistically significant.     

The control of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation and in vivo infection rates by covalently bound furanones

In order to overcome the continuing infection rate associated with biomaterials, the use of covalently bound furanones as an antibiofilm coating for biomaterials has been investigated. Furanones have previously been shown to inhibit growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The aim of these studies were to covalently bind furanones to polymers and to test their efficacy for inhibiting biofilm formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis and in vivo infection rate. Two methods of covalent attachment of furanones were used. The first, a co-polymerisation with a styrene polymer, and second, a plasma-1-ethyl-3-(dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) reaction to produce furanone-coated catheters. Biofilm formation by S. epidermidis in vitro was inhibited by 89% for polystryene-furanone disks and by 78% by furanone-coated catheters (p<0.01). In an in vivo sheep model we found furanones were effective at controlling infection for up to 65 days. Furanones have potential to be used as a coating for biomaterials to control infection caused by S. epidermidis.     

Induction of apoptotic cell death in peripheral blood mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells by an oral bacterium, Fusobacterium nucleatum

It is largely unknown why a variety of bacteria present in the oral cavity are capable of establishing themselves in the periodontal pockets of nonimmunocompromised individuals in the presence of competent immune effector cells. In this paper we present evidence for the immunosuppressive role of Fusobacterium nucleatum, a gram-negative oral bacterium which plays an important role in the generation of periodontal disease. Our studies indicate that the immunosuppressive role of F. nucleatum is largely due to the ability of this organism to induce apoptotic cell death in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). F. nucleatum treatment induced apoptosis of PBMCs and PMNs as assessed by an increase in subdiploid DNA content determined by DNA fragmentation and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling assays. The ability of F. nucleatum to induce apoptosis was abolished by either heat treatment or proteinase digestion but was retained after formaldehyde treatment, suggesting that a heat-labile surface protein component is responsible for bacterium-mediated cell apoptosis. The data also indicated that F. nucleatum-induced cell apoptosis requires activation of caspases and is protected by NF-kappaB. Possible mechanisms of F. nucleatum's role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease are discussed.     

Neuropathological and clinical correlations in hurler disease

We report studies on two patients (1 and 2) with Hurler disease. They both had all of the non-neurological features of Hurler disease to a similar and extreme degree and similar signs of brain damage on computed tomography. However, intellectual function was unusually well-preserved in patient 1, but seriously and typically impaired in patient 2. The reason for this discrepancy has been investigated by reference to the neuropathological findings, the results of -l-iduronidase assays using different substrates and comparisons to other cases (patients 3 and 4). We suggest that patient 1 is an unusual variant of the disease who may have had a very low residual -l-iduronidase activity in neuronal cells only, and that this could not be demonstrated by either enzyme assays on whole brain using the 4-methylumbelliferyliduronide substrate (Crowet al., 1983) or in studies on fibroblast lysates using a radioactive disaccharide substrate.     

Trading places. Two hospitals adjust to a sponsorship swap

On December 31, 1993, the Carondelet Health System transferred sponsorship of St. Joseph Hospital, Kirkwood, MO, to SSM Health Care System in exchange for SSMHCS's St. Mary's Hospital in Blue Springs, MO. Even though both systems and hospitals involved in the deal were Catholic, the hospitals' staffs had to adjust to cultural changes. After the letter of intent was signed at St. Joseph, the lines of communication were kept open throughout the transition. Assurances and explanations of the benefit program alleviated major tension and removed fears. Information on benefits became the essence of an employee newsletter that the hospital put out every few weeks. St. Mary's Hospital chief executive officer also placed a high value on communications. At St. Mary's, in answering employees' questions, administrators found uncertainty gave way to relief when they learned the hospital would remain Catholic and not-for-profit. Still, employees experienced a period of anxiety. Employees at both hospitals were more concerned about losing their jobs than they were about the transfer of sponsorship. Despite this uncertainty, employees at both hospitals feel the recent trade to another system has strengthened their position.