Acute paretic syndrome in juvenile White Leghorn chickens resembles late stages of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies in humans

Background

Sudden limb paresis is a common problem in White Leghorn flocks, affecting about 1% of the chicken population before achievement of sexual maturity. Previously, a similar clinical syndrome has been reported as being caused by inflammatory demyelination of peripheral nerve fibres. Here, we investigated in detail the immunopathology of this paretic syndrome and its possible resemblance to human neuropathies.

Methods

Neurologically affected chickens and control animals from one single flock underwent clinical and neuropathological examination. Peripheral nervous system (PNS) alterations were characterised using standard morphological techniques, including nerve fibre teasing and transmission electron microscopy. Infiltrating cells were phenotyped immunohistologically and quantified by flow cytometry. The cytokine expression pattern was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). These investigations were accomplished by MHC genotyping and a PCR screen for Marek's disease virus (MDV).

Results

Spontaneous paresis of White Leghorns is caused by cell-mediated, inflammatory demyelination affecting multiple cranial and spinal nerves and nerve roots with a proximodistal tapering. Clinical manifestation coincides with the employment of humoral immune mechanisms, enrolling plasma cell recruitment, deposition of myelin-bound IgG and antibody-dependent macrophageal myelin-stripping. Disease development was significantly linked to a 539 bp microsatellite in MHC locus LEI0258. An aetiological role for MDV was excluded.

Conclusions

The paretic phase of avian inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuritis immunobiologically resembles the late-acute disease stages of human acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and is characterised by a Th1-to-Th2 shift.     

The problem of obesity among adolescents in Hong Kong: a comparison using various diagnostic criteria

Background  

Obesity is now a global epidemic. In this study, we aimed to assess the rates of obesity using several major diagnostic criteria in Chinese school adolescents in Hong Kong.     

The use of Bi-level positive pressure ventilation in the treatment of acute respiratory failure within the emergency department

Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is one of the eight leading causes of death for over 65-year-olds in Australia. Bi-level positive pressure (BiPAP) ventilation is the preferred form of non-invasive ventilation in the treatment of acute respiratory failure in the emergency department (ED) because, when used appropriately, it reduces the need for intubation. The patient on whom BiPAP is applied is able to protect their own airway, remaining cooperative with a normal mental state. In this paper, I explain acute respiratory failure, the appropriateness of BiPAP in the treatment of ARF, patient selection and exclusion from BiPAP treatment, current practice and recommendations for future practice. While BiPAP is commonly used in Australian EDs as part of the treatment of acute respiratory failure, evidence supporting its use is limited and more high level research is recommended.     

Preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV

HIV transmission from mother-to-child remains a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality in resource-poor settings. There is consensus that women who need antiretroviral treatment should receive this during pregnancy and beyond, and that an appropriate antiretroviral prophylactic regimen should be given to those who do not yet need ongoing therapy. Infant feeding remains a major source of infection and new antiretroviral strategies, for mothers or children, are emerging with the potential to control this. Access to HIV testing and antiretroviral treatment or prophylaxis remain very limited in low resource settings and needs to be expanded.     

4-(2-酰胺基-2-乙氧羰基)乙硫基-4-脱氧-4′-去甲表鬼臼毒素衍生物的合成与抗肿瘤活性

为考察4′-去甲基表鬼臼毒素4位上取代基结构变化与抗肿瘤活性的关系,设计并合成了23个标题化合物。体外L₁₂₁₀白血病细胞与KB细胞生长抑制试验的结果表明,化合物11,16和18的抗肿瘤活性超过依托泊甙,化合物8的活性与依托泊甙相当。     

Lymphoblastic lymphoma in adults: results of a pilot protocol

Thirteen adult patients with histologically confirmed lymphoblastic lymphoma were treated with an intensive chemotherapy program consisting of induction with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisone (modified CHOP); consolidation and central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis with methotrexate intrathecally and by high-dose intravenous injection, citrovorum factor and L-asparaginase; reinforcement with CHOP; and maintenance with 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate. Treatment duration was 1 yr. A 14th patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia was also treated at presentation by the same regimen. Thirteen patients had at least a mediastinal mass or abnormal cells in the bone marrow; one presented with CNS disease. The median age was 22 yr (range 16--50), and male--female ratio was 2.5:1. All patients had a rapid complete clinical response. Of the 13 patients without initial CNS disease, 4 have relapsed, 3 with primary CNS relapse and 1 with a recurrent abdominal mass. Five patients have died, 2 from drug toxicity, 2 from CNS relapse, and 1 from chronic myelogenous leukemia, which was diagnosed simultaneously with the lymphoblastic lymphoma. The median follow-up is 19 mo, and all patients have completed their planned therapy. At 3 yr, the actuarial survival is 61% and relapse-free survival is 56%.     

Prevalence of human T cell leukaemia virus amongst blood donors

Background: Human T cell leukaemia virus (HTLV) I/II are retroviruses implicated in transfusion transmitted infection. Present study was undertaken to assess seroprevalence of HTLV in voluntary blood donors along with pattern of blood utilisation.