Histopathologic changes related to fibrotic oviduct occlusion after genital tract infection of mice with Chlamydia muridarum

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine if intraluminal occluding fibrosis of the oviduct occurs after urogenital Chlamydia muridarum infection in mice. STUDY: Oviduct occlusion was assessed by infusing dye into the distal uterus and tracking the diffusion of the dye into the oviduct. We also conducted histologic assessment of the affected tissues using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson trichrome stains. RESULTS: All previously infected susceptible mice had occluded oviducts compared with 17.5% of previously uninfected mice. Oviduct occlusion correlated with hydrosalpinx formation and infertility. Intraluminal oviduct fibrosis was observed in several sections of tissue displaying hydrosalpinx but not in tissues without hydrosalpinx. Fibrosis was localized to the oviduct isthmus and oviduct proper, proximal to the uterus. CONCLUSION: Intralumenal occluding fibrosis of the oviduct is a sequela of infection with C. muridarum in this model. These observations support the use of the murine model to study pathogenesis of chlamydial upper genital tract infection.     

White matter hyperintensities and chronicity of depression

OBJECTIVE: White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on T(2)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain are associated with advanced age and late-life depression. Most investigations predominantly found these lesions in frontal lobe and basal ganglia supporting the hypothesis of a fronto-striatal dysfunction in depression. A prospective study was undertaken to investigate the association between extent of WMHs and clinical outcome in elderly depressed patients. METHODS: Thirty-one non-demented depressed subjects underwent a 1.5 T cranial MRI scan. The MRI scans were analysed in consensus by two experienced radiologists. Each MRI scan was assessed for presence and extent of WMHs, which are differentiated in periventricular hyperintensities (PVHs) and deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMHs). A total of 21 patients of the original cohort of 31 patients were re-assessed 5 years after baseline assessment. We ascertained the severity of depressive symptoms, the longitudinal course of depression, the cognitive decline and the global assessment of functioning at follow-up visit. RESULTS: (1) Subjects with greater extent of WMHs had a significant higher Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score, (2) had more severe longitudinal courses of depression (3) and had a lower Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. CONCLUSIONS: WMHs on MRI are associated with poorer outcome in elderly depressed subjects. Further studies are needed to evaluate WHMs as prognostic factor for an appropriate treatment decision-making.     

A Family History Study of Asperger Syndrome

Asperger syndrome (AS) is a childhood-onset disorder often described as a mild variant of autism. Although classified as a distinct disorder in the DSM-IV, its overlap with autism continues to be a matter of ongoing debate. While the family genetic origins of autism are well established, few studies have investigated this topic in AS using current operational criteria. In this report, we examined the family psychiatric history of 58 subjects with AS diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria (48 males; mean age 13.34; mean full scale IQ 104.87). All subjects had a history of mild autistic social deficits; focused special interests; normal level of intelligence; and an odd and often pedantic manner of speaking. None had a previous diagnosis of autism. Of the 58 subjects with Asperger syndrome, three had first degree relatives with AS; nine (15%) had a family history of schizophrenia; and 35 (60%) had a family history of depression. Of the 64 siblings, four had a diagnosis of AS and none of autism. Compared with a group of 39 subjects with normal intelligence autism (high functioning autism, HFA; 33 males; mean age 15.34; mean full scale IQ 85.89) subjects with AS were more likely to have relatives with depression; schizophrenia; and the broader autistic phenotype. Possible reasons for and implications of these findings are discussed.     

Clinical and microbiological efficacy of chlorine dioxide in the management of chronic atrophic candidiasis: an open study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical and microbiological efficacy of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) as a topical antiseptic for the treatment of chronic atrophic candidiasis in geriatric patients. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty patients with chronic atrophic candidiasis. METHODS: Patients were instructed to rinse the mouth with 0.8% ClO2 mouth rinse (DioxiDent) twice daily for one minute and to soak their dentures overnight in the ClO2 for 10 days. Patients were evaluated both clinically and microbiologically at baseline and after 10 days, and any significant side effects were recorded. The clinical appearance of the oral soft tissues was scored on a scale of 0-3 (0 indicating no clinical signs, 1 indicating involvement of < 25% of the palatal mucosa, 2 indicating involvement of 25-50% of the palatal mucosa, and 3 indicating marked erythema involving > 50% of the palatal mucosa). Microbiological testing was undertaken to determine the number of colony forming units (CFUs) of Candida albicans. RESULTS: ClO2 significantly improved the clinical appearance and microbial count (p < 0.001) after treatment, without significant side effects. Results showed marked improvement in the clinical appearance of the tissues after 10 days, with total resolution in the majority of cases. The total CFU/ml ranged from 15,000-53,000 at baseline and was reduced to < or = 500 after 10 days of treatment (p < 0.001). The mean clinical score was 2.50 at baseline, and was reduced to 0.17 after 10 days of treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this pilot study, the effectiveness of topical chlorine dioxide (0.8%) in the management of chronic atrophic candidiasis was demonstrated. ClO2 provided a safe and clinically effective option in the management of chronic atrophic candidiasis.     

Protein expression profiling of endometriosis: validation of 2-mm tissue microarrays

Tissue microarrays (TMAs) are useful tools for studying protein expression in endometriosis. Tissue microarray analyses of immunohistochemical profiles of estrogen receptor-alpha and P receptor corroborate previously published results from the use of conventional immunohistochemistry, thus validating TMA use in endometriosis.