Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in childhood: Diagnosis by transbronchial biopsy

A 7-year-old girl of Arabic origin by consanguineous parents presented with a miliary pattern on chest x-ray. Transbronchial lung biopsy revealed a histological diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis, a condition rarely described in childhood. This report highlights the clinical and radiological features, documents the transbronchial lung biopsy as a useful diagnostic procedure, and suggests a possible genetic etiology with autosomal recessive inheritance. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1996; 21:62–64. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Controlled study of eating concerns and psychopathological traits in relatives of eating-disordered probands: Do familial traits exist?

To examine the extent to which first-degree relatives of eating-disordered (ED) probands endorse maladaptive eating attitudes and personality/affective traits, we compared self-reported eating concerns (Restraint, Emotional Eating, Body Dissatisfaction, and maladaptive eating attitudes) and psychopathological traits (Affective Instability, Anxiousness, Compulsivity, and Narcissism) across groups of restricter (n = 19), binger (n = 56), psychiatric control (PC, n = 38), normal dieter (ND, n = 29), and nondieter control (NC, n = 28) probands, and then across participating nuclear family members. Results among probands were as anticipated: ED probands showed expected elevations in both areas, and predicted restricter/binger differences were obtained. However, corresponding differences were not obtained on measures of mothers', fathers', or siblings' eating concerns and traits. Our findings corroborate the notion that EDs represent a convergence of eating, affective, and personality disturbances, but not that such a clustering of features exists as a familial trait. We discuss normal trait and attitudinal variations observed in ED probands' relatives in light of findings showing EDs and other psychiatric syndromes to aggregate within families. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Contraceptive use and associations with intimate partner violence among a population-based sample of New Zealand women

AIM: To outline the use of contraception among a representative sample of New Zealand women, and explore associations with intimate partner violence (IPV), and contraception and condom use. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a random sample of 2790 women who had ever had sexual intercourse, aged 18-64 years old in two regions (urban and rural) in New Zealand. Analyses were conducted using logistic regression and Wald chi(2) tests. RESULTS: Almost all women had used contraception at some point in their life, and almost one half of all women 18-49 years were currently using methods of contraception. Contraceptive use and methods varied significantly by location. Women who had ever experienced IPV were significantly more likely to report having ever used contraception, compared with women who had not experienced IPV (91% vs 85.2%). While having a partner who refused to use or tried to stop women from using a method of contraception was rare, it was significantly more common among women who had ever experienced IPV (5.4% vs 1.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Most women have used contraception at some point. Women who have ever experienced IPV were: more likely to have used contraception than women who have not experienced IPV, and to have had partners who refused to use condoms or prevented women from using contraception. Partner refusal may be a key indicator of IPV. These findings emphasise the importance of family violence screening at routine health consultations.     

The effect of dissolution on plasma sprayed hydroxylapatite coatings on titanium

Plasma sprayed hydroxylapatite (HA) coated titanium specimens were immersed into Ca-free Hank's balanced salt solution for periods of 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks. At each of the respective time intervals the HA coatings were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy to determine the effect of dissolution on the structure and composition of the coatings. At the 2- and 6-week intervals, additional samples were removed from solution and shear tested to evaluate the effect of dissolution on the coating-to-substrate interfacial bond strength. XRD results revealed that the plasma sprayed coatings retained their basic apatitic structure throughout the 6-week period in solution. There was, however, a trend towards a more definitive baseline, suggesting a loss of amorphous material by dissolution. FTIR and Raman analyses of the as-sprayed and dissolution specimens showed that the phosphate groups were not lost during the time in solution; however, there was a decrease in hydroxyl content as a result of dissolution mechanisms. FTIR also revealed an increase in carbonate content within the coating during immersion in the simulated physiological balanced salt solution. The average shear bond strengths for the as-sprayed, 2-, and 6-week dissolution specimens were 14.82+/-3.52 MPa, 12.51+/-3.41 MPa, and 12.54+/-2.02 MPa, respectively. Duncan's multiple range test confirmed that the shear bond strength was not significantly reduced after 6 weeks in solution, but there was evidence that suggested a decrease in interfacial bond strength as a result of dissolution mechanisms.     

Campylobacter-like organisms and Candida in peptic ulcers and similar lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract: a study of 247 cases.

Campylobacter-like organisms were detected by light microscopy in association with 57 of 102 (56%) of gastric ulcers, all the gastric erosions associated with gastritis, three of five (60%) of gastric erosions without gastritis, five of 13 (39%) of mild superficial gastritis and two of 36 (6%) of normal gastric mucosa. They were also seen in four of 20 (20%) of duodenal ulcers, but not in duodenal erosions with duodenitis or normal duodenal biopsy specimens. They were seen in association with 12 of 64 (19%) of cases of Barrett's oesophagus. Moniliasis was seen in nine of 78 (12%) of the gastric ulcers in which campylobacter-like organisms were found, and the incidence of moniliasis was three of 15 (20%) in association with duodenal ulcers when ulcer debris was present in biopsy material, and in association with six of 25 (24%) of cases of Barrett's oesophagus. These findings do not support the hypothesis that campylobacter-like organisms cause inflammatory and ulcerative lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract.     

FLUVOXAMINE IN THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS. A SERIES OF DOUBLE-BUND HOSPITAL BASED COMPARATIVE STUDIES CARRIED OUT IN THE UK

A series of double-blind hospital based studies comparing fluvoxamine with other antidepressants in depressed patients is reviewed. Overall there were no significant differences in terms of efficacy between fluvoxamine and the comparators (amitriptyline, dothiepin, lofepramine and mianserin). Fluvoxamine was shown to be associated with a low incidence of anticholinergic, cardiovascular or sedative effects. This profile of activity, together with low toxicity in overdosage, has established the place of fluvoxamine in the treatment of depressive illness.     

A trade-off in replication in mosquito versus mammalian systems conferred by a point mutation in the NS4B protein of dengue virus type 4

An acceptable live-attenuated dengue virus vaccine candidate should have low potential for transmission by mosquitoes. We have identified and characterized a mutation in dengue virus type 4 (DEN4) that decreases the ability of the virus to infect mosquitoes. A panel of 1248 mutagenized virus clones generated previously by chemical mutagenesis was screened for decreased replication in mosquito C6/36 cells but efficient replication in simian Vero cells. One virus met these criteria and contained a single coding mutation: a C-to-U mutation at nucleotide 7129 resulting in a Pro-to-Leu change in amino acid 101 of the nonstructural 4B gene (NS4B P101L). This mutation results in decreased replication in C6/36 cells relative to wild-type DEN4, decreased infectivity for mosquitoes, enhanced replication in Vero and human HuH-7 cells, and enhanced replication in SCID mice implanted with HuH-7 cells (SCID-HuH-7 mice). A recombinant DEN4 virus (rDEN4) bearing this mutation exhibited the same set of phenotypes. Addition of the NS4B P101L mutation to rDEN4 bearing a 30 nucleotide deletion (Delta30) decreased the ability of the double-mutant virus to infect mosquitoes but increased its ability to replicate in SCID-HuH-7 mice. Although the NS4B P101L mutation decreases infectivity of DEN4 for mosquitoes, its ability to enhance replication in SCID-HuH-7 mice suggests that it might not be advantageous to include this specific mutation in an rDEN4 vaccine. The opposing effects of the NS4B P101L mutation in mosquito and vertebrate systems suggest that the NS4B protein is involved in maintaining the balance between efficient replication in the mosquito vector and the human host.     

Placental expression of a novel primate-specific splice variant of sFlt-1 is upregulated in pregnancies complicated by severe early onset pre-eclampsia

sFlt-1 is increased in the placenta and serum of women with pre-eclampsia. A novel primate-specific splice variant has recently been discovered, but its expression in severe pre-eclampsia has yet to be reported. We investigated placental expression of the previously described variant, sFlt-1/sFlt-i13, and the novel variant, sFlt-e15a, in pregnancies complicated by severe early onset pre-eclampsia (n = 14) and HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and a low platelet count) syndrome (n = 8). There was significant upregulation of both variants in pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome compared with normotensive term (n = 35) and preterm controls (n = 8). We conclude that the novel primate-specific splice variant of sFlt-1 is highly expressed in both severe pre-eclampsia and HELLP.     

红细胞保存期影响早产儿疗效的随机对照试验:研究设计

尽管目前趋于逐渐降低输血阅值,并开发技术避免输注异体血液,但异体红细胞输注仍是罹患疾病和贫血的新生儿重症监护患者一个重要的支持和挽救生命的方法.