Histopathological aspects of Dengue-2 virus infected mice tissues and complementary virus isolation

The difficulty in studying dengue virus (DENV) infection in humans and in developing a virus vaccine is the absence of a suitable animal model which develops the full spectra of the Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and Dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Despite the fact that viruses have been found in various animal tissues, we isolated DENV from tissues of adult BALB/c mice, inoculated with DENV serotype 2 (DENV-2) obtained from human serum. Viruses were ultrastructurally identified and immunolocalized by immunofluorescence techniques in C6/36 mosquito cell cultures, inoculated with tissues (liver, lung, kidney and cerebellum) macerate supernatant from mice, 48 h post-infection (p.i.). These organs, collected at the same stage of infection, were examined histologically. The histopathological analysis revealed focal alterations in all tissues examined. Liver contained focal ballooned hepatocytes, but without modifying the average diameter of the majority of hepatocytes. Sinusoidal lumen was significantly diminished at this stage but portal and centrolobular veins became congested. Lungs exhibited hemorrhagic foci in the alveolar space, vascular congestion and focal alveolitis. Cerebellar tissue showed rare foci of neuronal compactation (Purkinje cells) and perivascular oedema. In kidneys it was observed an increase in glomerular volume with augmented endocapillary and mesangial cellularity, with reactivity to anti-IgM in all glomeruli of infected mice. In conclusion, DENV-2 was found in all tissues examined early in the evolution of infection. Presence of viruses in tissues has mainly led to hemodynamic alterations with generalized vascular congestion and increased permeability, and mast cell recruitment in lungs. The latter could participate in the vascular modifications in tissues.     

Genome diversity in temperate bacteriophages of Oenococcus oeni

Summary.  The genome structure of six bacteriophages of Oenococcus oeni was compared. Two distinct groups with no apparent restriction site conservation were defined. In members of the α group (fOgML34, fOg4029, fOg30 and fOg218) a 7.5 kb region containing the origin of DNA packaging (cos) was highly conserved. Stretches of DNA heterogeneity could also be assigned to particular regions and were mostly evident in the right area of the genomes. fOg44 and fOgPSU1 (β group) were indistinguishable in the left half of their genomes, including cos, but were markedly dissimilar in other regions. Strong labelling signals detected in cross-hybridizations involving members of different groups were confined to fragments centrally located in their physical maps. The attachment site (attP) of fOg44 was assigned to this conserved region. It is suggested that recombination events at this location may have been important in generating the observed diversity of oenophage genomes. Accepted October 15, 1997 Received August 11, 1997     

Effect of chlorimipramine and maprotiline on experimental anxiety in humans

In order to assess the role played by serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline in anxiety, four groups of healthy volunteers were given 25 mg of the selective inhibitor of 5-HT uptake chlorimipramine, 50 mg of the selective inhibitor of noradrenaline uptake maprotiline, 1 mg of the benzodiazepine anxiolytic lorazepam or placebo, and submitted to a simulated public speaking (SPS) test, consisting of speaking in front of a videocamera. Subjective anxiety was evaluated by the visual analog mood scale (VAMS) of Norris as well as by the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) of Spielberger. Chlorimipramine enhanced SPS-induced anxiety, whereas maprotiline and lorazepam reduced anxiety during as well as outside the test period. Mental and physical sedation (VAMS) were increased by either maprotiline or lorazepam. In a scale of bodily symptoms, chlorimipramine tended to increase muscle tension, agitation and palpitation, whereas maprotiline caused lethargy. The rise in blood pressure induced by the SPS procedure outlasted the period of stress in the group treated with chlorimipramine. In contrast, the SPS-induced increase in heart rate was enhanced by lorazepam. Chlor imipramine and maprotiline reduced salivation to the same extent. Pupillary diameter, however, was significantly increased by chlorimipramine alone. It may be tentatively sug gested that the proanxiogenic effect of chlorimipramine is related to changes in central 5-HT neurotransmission while the anxiolytic effect of maprotiline is associated with alteration of noradrenergic mechanisms. Increased peripheral sympathetic tone may also contribute to the proanxiety action of chlorimipramine.     

A new case of arginase deficiency in a Spanish male

A new case of arginase deficiency is reported in a male newborn from Spain. In contrast with the majority of the earlier cases, this infant showed severe protein intolerance of early onset. The diagnosis was based on the assay of the urea cycle enzymes in a postmortem liver sample. Levels of erythrocyte arginase were also determined in the parents and in a sister of the patient, and were consistent with heterozygosity. From a study of the pedigree it appears that arginase deficiency in this family presents a dramatic course.     

远视性屈光不正儿童屈光状态远期变化

目的探讨远视性屈光不正儿童屈光状态远期变化规律.方法对162例(324只眼)3～12岁远视性屈光不正儿童进行5～12.5年的观察,分别按性别、眼别、子午线、远视程度及不同年龄阶段进行分级,计算各组的年均下降远视屈光度,用u检验和方差分析.结果男女两组年均下降屈光度分别为0.34±0.17D和0.35±0.17D,左右眼为0.35±0.L7D、0.33±0.16D,平均90°和180°子午线轴为0.35±0.L6D、0.36±0.17D,无显著性差异;轻、中、高度远视为0.45±0.19D、0.27±0.16D、0.36±0.17D,中度远视下降最慢,轻、高度远视差异无显著性;＜6岁,6～9岁和≥9岁三组分别为0.46±0.15、0.37±020D、0.15±0.06D,有显著性差异.结论远视性屈光不正儿童的屈光随年龄的增长逐年下降,9岁以后趋于稳定,但散光无明显改变;远视下降速度以中度远视最慢,高度和轻度远视下降较快,后者易发展为近视眼.下降速度与性别、眼别无关.     

Laparoscopic pyeloplasty as an alternative to nephrectomy in adults with poorly functioning kidneys due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction

International Urology and Nephrology - To evaluate outcomes of laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) in adults with poorly functioning kidney due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). A...     

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide fraction associated with photobiomodulation protects from epithelium thickness and collagen fragmentation in a model of cutaneous photodamage

Lasers in Medical Science - Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the major etiologic agent of cutaneous photoaging, and different strategies are used to prevent and treat this condition. The...     

Effect of photobiomodulation therapy on the proliferation phase and wound healing in rats fed with an experimental hypoproteic diet

Lasers in Medical Science - Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has been indicated for enforcement on healing skin wounds. This study evaluated the effects of PBMT on the healing of skin wounds...     

Association of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and exercises programs in pain and functional capacity of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA): a systematic review of randomized trials

Lasers in Medical Science - Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative disease in which several treatments and treatment associations have been investigated. This review analyzed the...