Comparison of versions 1.0 AND 1.5 of the UltraSensitive AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR test for subjects with low viral load

We compared the performance of two UltraSensitive AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR kits (version 1.5 [v1.5] versus v1.0) by retesting 404 plasma samples with low viral loads (<3,000 copies/ml) with both kits. With 292 samples that initially had <50 copies/ml by the v1.0 kit, the v1.5 assay was more sensitive than the v1.0 assay for samples with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA near the 50-copy/ml cutoff (P = 0.0146). Median numbers of copies per milliliter were similar for 112 samples with 50 to 3,000 copies/ml with no difference in sensitivity with a 200-copy/ml cutoff.     

Separate and variably shaped chromosome arm domains are disclosed by chromosome arm painting in human cell nuclei

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with microdissection probes from human chromosomes 3 and 6 was applied to visualize arm and subregional band domains in human amniotic fluid cell nuclei. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and quantitative three-dimensional image analysis showed a pronounced variability of p- and q-arm domain arrangements and shapes. Apparent intermingling of neighbouring arm domains was limited to the domain surface. Three-dimensional distance measurements with pter and qter probes supported a high variability of chromosome territory folding.     

Enzyme Immunoassay Detecting Teichoic and Lipoteichoic Acids versus Cerebrospinal Fluid Culture and Latex Agglutination for Diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae Meningitis

A newly developed enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was used to detect the presence of pneumococcal teichoic and lipoteichoic acids in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis who were being treated with antibiotics. All initial CSF samples, which on culture grew S. pneumoniae, were positive in the EIA. A total of 14 subsequent culture-negative samples gave clear signals in the EIA up to day 15 after the onset of antibiotic treatment. For 11 CSF specimens, culture, microscopy, and latex agglutination were negative while the EIA detected pneumococcal antigens. The EIA did not react either with CSF of patients with meningitis caused by bacteria other than S. pneumoniae or by viral pathogens. In conclusion, this EIA can be a valuable tool for the diagnosis of S. pneumoniae meningitis from CSF samples in cases in which prior antimicrobial therapy minimizes the usefulness of culture or other antigen detection tests.     

Electron and light microscopic observations on relationships between lymphocytes and intestinal epithelium

Correlated electron and light microscopic studies of the distribution, position, appearance, migration and fate of lymphocytes with relation to the intestinal epithelium of the young adult rat, mouse, hamster and man have been made. Under the conditions of this investigation, the lymphocytes which are normally present in the intestinal epithelium are intercellular in position, irrespective of their level within the epithelium. The great majority of these cells are located in the basal region of the epithelium, below the level of the epithelial cell nuclei. There was no evidence of lymphocytic degeneration. Lymphocytes migrated from the lamina propria into the epithelium and back again into the lamina propria, with no evidence of movement toward the free surface of the intestinal epithelium and extrusion into the lumen.     

Afterpotentials following penicillin-induced paroxysmal depolarizations in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells in vitro

Epileptic discharges were induced by superfusion of rat hippocampal slices with penicillin. Under these conditions the neurons generated paroxysmal depolarization shifts (PDS) after electrical stimulation of Schaffer collaterals. The PDS were followed by large afterhyperpolarizations lasting about 2 s. The mechanisms causing these afterhyperpolarizations were studied in CA1 pyramidal cells. A late component of the after hyperpolarizations, which determined their overall duration, was blocked by intracellular application of EGTA and reduced by superfusion with 8-Br-cAMP. In the same neurons these drugs had a comparable effect on after hyperpolarizations following depolarizing current injections; it was therefore concluded that the late component of the PDS afterhyperpolarizations was caused by a slow Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ current. An initial fast component of PDS afterhyperpolarizations, which peaked about 60 ms after PDS onset, was reduced by EGTA but not affected by 8-Br-cAMP suggesting that the fast Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ current also contributed to the PDS afterhyperpolarizations. Superfusion of the slice with the -aminobutyric acid B receptor (GABA_B) antagonists phaclofen or 5-aminovalerate reduced the amplitude of the afterhyperpolarizations during the first 1000 ms but did not affect the late Ca²⁺-dependent component, indicating that a GABA_B-mediated K⁺ inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) contributed to the PDS afterhyperpolarization. Intracellular injection of Cl^– revealed that an early part of the afterhyperpolarizations lasting about 500 ms was Cl^–-dependent. This component was blocked by superfusion of the slices with bicuculline, suggesting that a GABA_A-mediated Cl^– IPSP contributed to the PDS afterhyperpolarization. The experiments show that different synaptic and intrinsic components with different time courses participate in the generation of PDS afterpotentials.     

Pontine veins. MRI cross-sectional anatomy

Summary The pons is covered by a rich venous network offering numerous vascular landmarks in MRI and during surgery. We present an original study of the veins as they appear on MR multiplanar scans after gadolinium IV injection. This prospective study is based on 40 consecutive patients with normal posterior fossa structures. One of the major venous collectors follows the pons: the superior petrosal v. was identified on MRI in 95% of our cases. Its hooklike extremity drains into the superior petrosal sinus. The inferior petrosal v. was never identifiable. The superficial pontine venous network are identified in 72.5% of cases in the axial plane and were organised in longitudinal and transverse collectors, whose MR aspects are presented here.

---

Les veines du pont. Anatomie sectionnelle en IRM

Résumé Le pont, enveloppé des citernes subarachnoïdiennes, est parcouru à sa surface par de nombreux vaisseaux qui constituent autant de points de repère topographiques en IRM que de rapports chirurgicaux. Nous présentons une étude de l'anatomie veineuse en coupe telle que l'IRM la révèle après injection de Gadolinium. Cette étude prospective comporte 40 patients indemmes de lésion de la fosse crânienne postérieure. Le pont est longé par un des collecteurs majeurs du tronc cérébral : la v. pétreuse supérieure, identifiée dans 95 % des cas. Elle se jette par un crochet caractéristique dans le sinus pétreux supérieur. La v. pétreuse inférieure n'a jamais été reconnue. Les vv. pontiques forment un réseau maillé visible dans 72,5 % des cas en coupes axiales et comportant des axes transversaux et longitudinaux dont les critères d'identification sont présentés selon le plan de coupe.

     

Evaluation of a computerized appointment system in general practice.

Computers have gained rapid acceptance in general practice. A recent development has been the use of computers to run practice appointment systems. This study demonstrates the benefits of installing a computerized appointment system, with improved service for patients, and more efficient use of time by both doctors and receptionists.     

Influences of Subject Self-Selection on the EEG Alpha-Hypnotizability Correlation

To determine the effect of subject self-selection on the alpha-hypnotizability correlation, the correlations between volunteer and invited subject groups were compared. For 8 volunteers the correlation between baseline eyes-closed occipital alpha and the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility score was r=.72; for 12 invited subjects, that correlation was r=-.02. The significant difference in these correlations gives support to a previously published paper which hypothesized, on the basis of a literature review, that sampling modifications generated by subject self-selection were responsible for the occurrence of significant alpha-hypnotizability correlations.     

Mechanisms of the inhibition of Shaker potassium channels by protons

Potassium channels are regulated by protons in various ways and, in most cases, acidification results in potassium current reduction. To elucidate the mechanisms of proton-channel interactions we investigated N-terminally truncated Shaker potassium channels (K_v1 channels) expressed in Xenopus oocytes, varying pH at the intracellular and the extracellular face of the membrane. Intracellular acidification resulted in rapid and reversible channel block. The block was half-maximal at pH 6.48, thus even physiological excursions of intracellular pH will have an impact on K⁺ current. The block displayed only very weak voltage dependence and C-type inactivation and activation were not affected. Extracellular acidification (up to pH 4) did not block the channel, indicating that protons are effectively excluded from the selectivity filter. Channel current, however, was reduced greatly due to marked acceleration of C-type inactivation at low pH. In contrast, inactivation was not affected in the T449V mutant channel, in which C-type inactivation is impaired. The pH effect on inactivation of the wild-type channel had an apparent pK of 4.7, suggesting that protonation of extracellular acidic residues in Kv channels makes them subject to pH regulation.     

Identical abnormality of the short arm of chromosome 18 in two Philadelphia-positive chronic myelocytic leukemia patients with erythroblastic transformation,resulting in duplication of BCR-ABL1 fusion

Two patients with Ph-positive chronic myelocytic leukemia in erythroblastic transformation and rearrangement of the short arm of chromosome 18 are reported. Fluorescence in situ hybridization studies showed that the 18p rearrangement resulted from translocation of the main part of chromosome 22 long arm to 18p, including BCR-ABL1 fusion. The 18p abnormality resulted, thus, in loss of 18p and duplication of BCR-ABL1 in both patients. The possible relation to the erythroblastic type of blastic phase is briefly discussed. In addition an apparently intact germline ABL1 gene was duplicated and inserted into chromosome 6 at band p21 in one of these patients.