West Nile virus quantification in feces of experimentally infected American and fish crows.

To better understand the potential environmental health risk presented by West Nile virus (WNV)-contaminated feces, we quantified the amount of WNV present in the feces of experimentally infected American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and fish crows (Corvus ossifragus). Peak fecal titers ranged from 10(3.5) to 10(8.8) plaque-forming units (PFU)/g for 10 American crows and from 10(2.3) to 10(6.4) PFU/g for 10 fish crows. The presence of infectious WNV in bird feces indicates a potential for direct transmission of WNV. Thus, handlers of sick or dead birds should take appropriate precautions to avoid exposure to fecal material.     

Immunohistological identification of cell subsets in human gingival after local treatment for gingivitis or periodontitis

The cellular infiltrate present in human diseased gingiva was analyzed in biopsies from 12 patients with gingivitis or periodontitis. The samples studied had been obtained in the course of surgery at inflammatory sites remaining after institution of periodontal treatment. Histological and immunological techniques were used to identify macrophages, B-cells, plasma-cells, T-cells and T cell subsets, as well as cells expressing class II HLA membrane antigens. T-cells appeared as the predominant population, but plasma-cells were also visualized in nearly all samples. Both OKT4+ and OKT8+ cells were seen in all cases, the latter being more numerous in periodontitis patients. Interdigitating-like cells were observed, positively labelled for class II antigens, as well as macrophages which were more numerous in periodontitis patients. These results suggest the participation of all components of the immune response in gingival disease, in a way resembling chronic recurrent inflammatory diseases.     

Perfusion imaging

The term perfusion has varied connotations in different situations. The word perfusion comes from the Latin to pour or diffuse through or over. Myocardial perfusion depends on (a) coronary artery or vessel flow, and (b) myocardial or muscle flow. The factors which determine perfusion at rest and during stress in coronary vessels and within the myocardium are clearly related but not with a predictable linear relationship. In animals there is extensive literature concerning the regulation of coronary flow and perfusion obtained by many sophisticated methods. In contrast, the techniques that are applicable to humans are relatively crude. To date, the clinical data available suggests that the normal control of coronary flow in man and in dogs is fairly similar but that models of pathology in animals bear little relation to the compensatory changes found in the coronary circulation in man. Although the data available is limited and subject to many technical inaccuracies, this article is confined to the assessment of myocardial perfusion in clinical practice.     

Fluconazole dosing in continuous veno-venous haemofiltration (CVVHF): need for a high daily dose of 800 mg

To cover intermediate sensitive Candida glabrata in ICU patients,fluconazole plasma peak levels at least in the range of 16–32µg/ml appear necessary for treatment. Previous studiesdid not reach these fluconazole levels under continuous veno-venoushaemofiltration (CVVHF) with dosages of 200–600 mg fluconzoledaily. In the present study, nine patients simultaneously requiringCVVHF for treatment of acute oligoanuric renal failure and antimycotictherapy of Candida septicemia received fluconazole 800 mg/day.Fluconazole plasma levels were determined to evaluate whetherthis dosage is adequate to reach the advised fluconazole levels.Patients were dialysed on two consecutive days with an ultrafiltrationrate (UF) of 1000 ml/h or 2000 ml/h, respectively, in a randomizedorder. The predilution was 800 ml/h and 1800 ml/h, respectively.The treatment was tolerated without adverse effects. All patientsreached plasma fluconazole concentrations between 16 and 32µg/ml, remaining in this range for a minimum of 1 up to24 h with a mean of 9.6 h and a UF rate of 2000 ml/h, and 15.7h with a UF rate of 1000 ml/h. So far, there are no in vivodata on the fluconazole plasma concentrations required for effectivetreatment. However, our data demonstrate, that at least thefluconazole concentrations desirable on the basis of in vitrosusceptibility testing can be reached in critically ill patientson CVVHF in an ICU setting. However, in these patients, 800mg fluconazole/day are necessary to achieve fungicidal drugconcentrations.     

腔内聚乙烯十二指肠-空肠导管对体重调节的作用:猪动物模型可行性研究

目的评估十二指肠-空肠导管（Endoluminal Duodeno-Jejunal Tube，EDJT）在活体猪实验动物模型中减缓体重增加的可行性，及其在中短期生存中的安全性。方法本项研究共用8只45kg重的Yorkshire猪，其中3只置入180emEDJT，1只置入360cm EDJT，另4只猪作为对照组。切开十二指肠，将EDJT导管缝合固定在十二指肠近Vater壶腹起始处。结果评估全部猪的不适反应和体重，每日一次，共7周，未发现严重并发症发生。术后7周3组动物的平均体重变化百分率：对照组、180cm组和360cm组分别是22．5％，6％和-2．8％。EDJT组（180cm组、360cm组）体重增加明显减慢，与对照组相比，有统计学意义（P=0．05）。结论EDJT可以安全使用，无肠梗阻、肠套叠或胰腺炎等并发症发生。EDJT可明显减缓体重增加。