The detection of antibodies against foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in filter paper eluates from pig sera or whole blood by ELISA.

The use of pig blood samples dried on paper discs for the detection of antibodies against FMDV by the liquid phase blocking ELISA has been evaluated. The average volume of whole heparinised blood required to fully saturate 6.0 mm discs was 7.65 microliters (range 7.2 to 8.1; variation = 0.24, P = 0.05). When 200 clinically healthy animals were assessed by virus neutralisation (VN) titres up to 1/22 were recorded against types O, A and C, 97% being 1/11 or less. Using ELISA, results were more skewed. Overall, 91% showed titres of 1/32 or less, and there were occasional high non-specific reactors with types O and A. Using small groups of sera from experimental animals, a VN titre of 1/16 was found to be equivalent to an ELISA titre of approximately 1/100 (log10 2.0 +/- 0.2) with type O and 1/56 (log10 1.75 +/- 0.1) for type A. Although some loss in sensitivity from disc dried sera was found in selected negatives on testing at a single dilution of 1/32, sera from vaccinated animals with VN titres of 1/16 to 1/708 all gave strong positive results. A monoclonal antibody (Mab) assay was successfully developed to detect different swine anti-FMDV antibody isotypes.     

Disease-specific electrophysiological findings in adult ceroid-lipofuscinosis (Kufs disease)

Two adults with mild dementia and a history of memory loss and disequilibrium were seen in the eye clinic following complaints of acuity loss in the 20/30–20/70 (Snellen) range. Results from the fundus examination of one patient were entirely normal; the other showed minimal vascular attenuation and optic atrophy. Electrophysiology was remarkable: (1) Photopic ERG b-waves were reduced, delayed, and showed pronounced oscillations. (2) EOG light-rise potentials were absent or very small. (3) Binocular pattern-VER signals showed addition of the monocular signal. Scotopic ERG signals were normal. Brain biopsy and microscopy showed intercellular, autofluorescent ceroid deposits which provided a clear diagnosis of Kufs disease. Histology of model animal retinal cells show ceroid deposits in cell classes implicated by the human retinal signals. The cluster of electrophysiological results point toward early changes in the pigment epithelium and inner plexiform layer cells as a means of non-invasive diagnosis.     

The effects of diazepam on "fear" reactions in rats are modulated by environmental constraints on the rat's defensive repertoire

The simultaneous effects of diazepam on three shock-induced reactions in rats were studied in order to determine the reliability of these behaviors as indices of anxiolytic drug action. Rats were injected with 1 mg/kg of diazepam or vehicle, placed in a 2-compartment chamber containing bedding material, and shocked with 1, 2, or 6 mA when they first touched a wire-wrapped prod attached to one end of the chamber. Diazepam-treated animals displayed significantly less burying behavior, but paradoxically, they also displayed more passive avoidance behavior and fewer exploratory side-transitions than vehicle-injected controls. Defensive burying behavior tended to be negatively correlated with passive avoidance behavior and positively correlated with exploratory side transitions. When the "competitive" relationship between defensive burying and passive avoidance was eliminated by testing rats in a 2-compartment chamber not containing bedding material, diazepam produced a significant suppression of passive avoidance and a significant increase in exploratory side-transitions, compared to control. Taken together, these results suggested that the validity of any single behavioral model of anxiolytic drug action might vary as a function of environmental constraints on the subjects' defensive repertoire.     

Failure of the rabbit tibial growth plate to respond to the long-term application of a capacitively-coupled electrical field

A continuous 5-V peak-to-peak, 60 kHz capacitively-coupled sine wave signal was applied to the proximal tibial growth plate in fifteen 9-week-old male New Zealand white rabbits for 6 weeks. A pair of flexible stainless steel "injectrodes" was held in place medially and laterally on the surface of the proximal hindlimb in each rabbit by means of tape wrappings. The electrodes were connected to a 9-V battery-operated power unit carried in a dorsal pouch in a body vest worn by each rabbit. Control animals wore the identical apparatus, only the power unit was inactive. Small Tantalum markers were inserted into the anteromedial aspect of the proximal tibial metaphysis 1 cm distal to the proximal tibial growth plate in all of the animals, control and experimental, 2 weeks prior to the onset of electrical stimulation. The distance between the proximal lateral tibial spine and the Tantalum marker, between the Tantalum marker and the apex of the distal tibial intercondylar notch, and between the proximal tibial spine and the distal notch was measured from roentgenograms made at the time of bone marker insertion, at the time of electrode application to the limb, and at the end of the stimulation period. Results indicate that there was no significant difference in tibial lengths between the stimulated and control groups. There was significantly less total body weight gain in both the experimental and control animals than that which occurred in paired normal animals during the same period of time. This failure to thrive may be responsible for the resultant lack of longitudinal growth stimulation of the capacitive coupling.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Success of Maternal and Child Health Pipeline Training Programs: Alumni Survey Results

Maternal and Child Health Journal - The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Pipeline Training Program, promotes development of a diverse health workforce by training undergraduate students from...     

Health-related quality of life,uncertainty and coping strategies in solid organ transplant recipients during shielding for the COVID-19 pandemic

Strict isolation of vulnerable individuals has been a strategy implemented by authorities to protect people from COVID-19. Our objective was to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL), uncertainty and coping behaviours in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey of adult SOT recipients undergoing follow-up at our institution was performed. Perceived health status, uncertainty and coping strategies were assessed using the EQ-5D-5L, Short-form Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale (SF-MUIS) and Brief Cope, respectively. Interactions with COVID-19 risk perception, access to health care, demographic and clinical variables were assessed. The survey was completed by 826 of 3839 (21.5%) invited participants. Overall, low levels of uncertainty in illness were reported, and acceptance was the major coping strategy (92%). Coping by acceptance, feeling protected, self-perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 were associated with lower levels of uncertainty. Health status index scores were significantly lower for those with mental health illness, compromised access to health care, a perceived high risk of severe COVID-19 infection and higher levels of uncertainty. A history of mental health illness, risk perceptions, restricted healthcare access, uncertainty and coping strategies was associated with poorer HRQoL in SOT recipients during strict isolation. These findings may allow identification of strategies to improve HRQoL in SOT recipients during the pandemic.     

The changing face of reoperative parathyroidectomy: a single-centre comparison of 147 parathyroid reoperations

IntroductionReoperative parathyroidectomy for persistent and recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism is dependent on radiology. This study aimed to compare outcomes in reoperative parathyroidectomy at a single centre using a combination of traditional and newer imaging studies.Materials and methodsRetrospective case note review of all reoperative parathyroidectomies for persistent and recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism over five years (June 2014 to June 2019; group A). Imaging modalities used and their positive predictive value, complications and cure rates were compared with a published dataset spanning the preceding nine years (group B).ResultsFrom over 2000 parathyroidectomies, 147 were reoperations (101 in group A and 46 in group B). Age and sex ratios were similar (56 vs 62 years; 77% vs 72% female). Ultrasound use remains high and shows better positive predictive value (76% vs 57 %). 99mTc-sestamibi use has declined (79% vs 91%) but the positive predictive value has improved (74% vs 53%). 4DCT use has almost doubled (61% vs 37%) with better positive predictive value (88% vs 75%). 18F-fluorocholine positron emission tomography-computed tomography and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for parathyroid hormone are novel modalities only available for group A. Both carried a positive predictive value of 100%. Venous sampling with or without angiography use has decreased (35% vs 39%) but maintains a high positive predictive value (86% vs 91%). Cure rates were similar (96% vs 100%). Group A had 5% permanent hypoparathyroidism, 1% permanent vocal cord palsy and 1% haematoma requiring reoperation. No complications for group B.ConclusionOptimal imaging is key to good cure rates in reoperative parathyroidectomy. High-quality, non-interventional imaging techniques have produced a shift in the preoperative algorithm without compromising outcomes.     

Remote intervention engagement and outcomes in the Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation in Children consortium multisite trial

Remote interventions are increasingly used in transplant medicine but have rarely been rigorously evaluated. We investigated a remote intervention targeting immunosuppressant management in pediatric lung transplant recipients. Patients were recruited from a larger multisite trial if they had a Medication Level Variability Index (MLVI) ≥2.0, indicating worrisome tacrolimus level fluctuation. The manualized intervention included three weekly phone calls and regular follow-up calls. A comparison group included patients who met enrollment criteria after the subprotocol ended. Outcomes were defined before the intent-to-treat analysis. Feasibility was defined as ≥50% of participants completing the weekly calls. MLVI was compared pre- and 180 days postenrollment and between intervention and comparison groups. Of 18 eligible patients, 15 enrolled. Seven additional patients served as the comparison. Seventy-five percent of participants completed ≥3 weekly calls; average time on protocol was 257.7 days. Average intervention group MLVI was significantly lower (indicating improved blood level stability) at 180 days postenrollment (2.9 ± 1.29) compared with pre-enrollment (4.6 ± 2.10), p = .02. At 180 days, MLVI decreased by 1.6 points in the intervention group but increased by 0.6 in the comparison group (p = .054). Participants successfully engaged in a long-term remote intervention, and their medication blood levels stabilized. NCT02266888.