Intra-specific variation withinEimeria tenella detected by the random amplification of polymorphic DNA

The random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD method), was used to derive fragments of DNA of the coccidial parasiteEimeria tenella for use both as genetic markers and as an aid for the discrimination of different wild-type and attenuated populations. Of 41 arbitrarily chosen 9-to 27-mer primers, 24 yielded useful arrays of fragments following low-stringency annealing conditions and the resultant profiles were generally very reproducible. One non-variant fragment of 2 kb hybridised to a single chromosome (number 12) and four variant fragments were identified. These results strongly suggest that the RAPD method may be an extremely useful tool for studies on various aspects of the genetic organisation of coccidial parasites.     

Event-related Potentials as Markers for Alcoholism Risk in High Density Families

One hundred sixty-eight adult siblings and parents from affected and control families were tested for ERP characteristics using two tasks involving an auditory oddball paradigm. Significant within family differences among affected families suggest that risk for developing alcoholism may be seen even in adult subjects who have had experience consuming alcohol. Further, analysis of quantity and recency of drinking in the past seven days were not correlated with either amplitude or latency of P300, suggesting that the within-family differences observed reflect relative risk for developing alcoholism rather than experience with alcohol.     

A pilot study of pulmonary rehabilitation in primary care.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is an effective intervention for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is usually available only through selected hospitals. A pilot study was undertaken to see if pulmonary rehabilitation performed by the primary health care team in one practice was feasible. Fourteen patients were recruited; 13 completed the programme and one year of follow-up. The programme was well received by patients and staff. There were not enough suitable patients among a practice list of 10,500 to justify the running of this programme for a single practice; one primary care group would suffice     

The prognostic impact of fluctuating levels of C-reactive protein in Brazilian haemodialysis patients: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: A single elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) value predicts mortality in haemodialysis (HD) patients, but the relative importance of repeated vs occasional positive systemic inflammatory response findings is not known. METHODS: To assess the influence on survival of occasional inflammation, CRP, serum albumin (S-Alb) and fibrinogen were analysed bimonthly in 180 HD patients (54% male, 49+/-14 years). Clinically significant inflammation was defined as CRP >5.1 mg/l, based on the receiver operating characteristics curve for CRP as predictor of death. Based on four consecutive measurements of CRP, patients were assigned into three groups: group 1 (n = 74; 41%), no inflammation (CRP < or = 5.1 mg/l in all measurements); group 2 (n = 65; 36%), occasional inflammation (1-3 measurements of CRP > 5.1 mg/l); and group 3 (n = 41; 23%), persistent inflammation (all measurements of CRP >5.1 mg/l). The nutritional status was evaluated by subjective global assessment (SGA) and body mass index (BMI), and the survival (21 months of follow-up) by Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox model. RESULTS: The median and range of CRP values (mg/l) for group 1, 2 and 3 were: 3.2 (3.2-5.1), 3.6 (3.2-54.9) and 13.8 (5.2-82), respectively (P<0.001), whereas the prevalence of malnutrition, assessed by SGA and BMI, did not differ significantly between the groups. The survival rate by Kaplan-Meier analysis was significantly different among the groups (chi2 = 12.34; P = 0.0004). Patients in group 3 showed the highest mortality (34%; P = 0.001), compared with group 1 (8%) and group 2 (14%; P = 0.01), respectively, whereas there was no significant difference in mortality between groups 1 and 2. Age, CRP, S-Alb level and SGA were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: The patients with a persistent elevation of CRP had a higher mortality rate than the patients with occasional CRP elevation. Thus, persistent, rather than occasional, inflammation is an important predictor of death in HD patients.     

Residual bone-mineral density and muscle strength after fractures of the tibia or femur in children.

This study compared the bone-mineral density in the proximal part of the femur and the flexion and extension strength of the knee in the fractured and the non-fractured limbs after an uncomplicated fracture of the tibia or femur in children. Thirty-eight children, whose ages ranged from two to fifteen years at the time of the injury, were evaluated at an average of 2.3 years after the injury. The mean difference in bone-mineral density between the fractured and non-fractured limbs was 3.3 per cent (p = 0.004). There was no significant difference between the bone-mineral density of the limbs that had been immobilized for less than four weeks and that of the contralateral, non-fractured limbs. However, the mean difference between the bone-mineral density of the limbs that had been immobilized for more than eight weeks and that of the contralateral limbs was 4.3 per cent (p = 0.006). There was little or no relationship between the time since the injury and the difference in bone-mineral density between the two limbs of the patient at the intervals of follow-up that were studied. No residual weakness in flexion and extension of the knee was detected, and no relationship was established between the limb-to-limb differences in strength and the limb-to-limb differences in bone-mineral density. The residual bone-mineral deficit was found to be minimum after an uncomplicated fracture. This difference, while statistically significant, is unlikely to be clinically important in the long term. However, the fact that there was a deficit raises a potential concern for children who have more severe or repeated injuries.