Epidemiological investigation of risk factors for campylobacter colonization in Norwegian broiler flocks.

An epidemiological investigation was conducted to identify risk factors related to hygiene and husbandry practices which determine the introduction of Campylobacter spp. into broiler chicken flocks. All 176 broiler farms in an area in southeastern Norway participated in the study. Each farm was represented by one flock selected at random during a one-year period. The flocks were examined for campylobacter colonization at slaughter, and the flock managers were subsequently interviewed about hygiene and husbandry practices. Campylobacter spp. were recovered from 32 (18%) of the flocks. The proportion of colonized flocks varied geographically and seasonally with a peak in the autumn. The following variables were found to be independently associated with an increased risk of campylobacter colonization using logistic regression analysis: (i) feeding the broilers undisinfected water (odds ratio (OR) = 3.42, P = 0.045), (ii) tending other poultry prior to entering the broiler house (OR = 6.43, P = 0.007), (iii) tending pigs before entering the house (OR = 4.86, P = 0.037), (iv) geographic region (Hedmark versus Ostfold county) (OR = 2.91, P = 0.023, (v) season (autumn versus other seasons) (OR = 3.43; P = 0.008). Presence of rats on the farm was associated with an increased risk, but this factor did not reach statistical significance (OR = 3.96, P = 0.083). Preventive measures should include disinfection of drinking water and strict hygienic routines when the farm workers enter the rearing room. The results indicate that disinfection of drinking water is the preventive measure most likely to have the greatest impact on the prevalence of campylobacter among broiler chicken flocks in the study area (population attributable fraction = 0.53).     

Homozygosity mapping of achromatopsia to chromosome 2 using DNA pooling

Achromatopsia is an autosomal recessive disease of the retina, characterized clinically by an inability to distinguish colors, impaired visual acuity, nystagmus and photophobia. A genome-wide search for linkage was performed using an inbred Jewish kindred from Iran. To facilitate the genome-wide search, we utilized a DNA pooling strategy which takes advantage of the likelihood that the disease in this inbred kindred is inherited by all affected individuals from a common founder. Equal molar amounts of DNA from all affected individuals were pooled and used as the PCR template for short tandem repeat polymorphic markers (STRPs). Pooled DNA from unaffected members of the kindred was used as a control. A reduction in the number of alleles in the affected versus control pool was observed at several loci. Upon genotyping of individual family members, significant linkage was established between the disease phenotype and markers localized on chromosome 2. The highest LOD score observed was 5.4 (theta = 0). When four additional small unrelated families were genotyped, the combined peak LOD score was 8.2. Analysis of recombinant chromosomes revealed that the disease gene lies within a 30 cM interval which spans the centromere. Additional fine-mapping studies identified a region of homozygosity in all affected individuals, narrowing the region to 14 cM. A candidate gene for achromatopsia was excluded from this disease interval by radiation hybrid mapping. Linkage of achromatopsia to chromosome 2 is an essential first step in the identification of the disease-causing gene.      

Projection systems and terminal localization of dorsal column afferents: an autoradiographic and horseradish peroxidase study in the rat

Projection systems from the gracile nucleus and the cuneate nuclear complex to their terminal sites in the mesencephalon, diencephalon, and cerebellum were examined by means of anterograde autoradiography and retrograde horseradish peroxidase methods. Three projection systems emerge from the dorsal column nuclei, decussate via internal arcuate fibers, and form the contralateral medial lemniscus (ML). At the obex, some fibers split off the ML and course dorsolaterally, forming an ascending lateral system which fits the "lemniscal adjunct channel" (LAC) concept of Graybiel ('72). The ML continues rostrally as the "main lemniscal line channel" (MLLC). At the inferior colliculus, some LAC fibers terminate in the pontine nuclei, parabrachial, dorsal reticular nuclei, and the external and ventral medial part of the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus. More rostrally at the level of the superior colliculus, terminal fields are found in the medial nucleus of the medial geniculate body, the suprageniculate, pretectal, and mesencephalic reticular nuclei, marking the end of the LAC. In the diencephalon, gracile fibers leave the MLLC and form a crescentlike terminal field along the extreme lateral border of the ventral posterior lateral nucleus (VPL) of the thalamus. Cuneate MLLC fibers terminate in a bandlike formation in the VPL medial to the gracile termination. The third fiber system, the cuneocerebellar projection, emerges from the cuneate, the external cuneate nuclei, and the "cellular bridge" and immediately enters the ipsilateral inferior cerebellar peduncle. Upon entering the cerebellum, the major fiber component remains ipsilateral and terminates as vertical bands in vermal and paravermal lobules, and lobules I through IVa. The posterior cerebellar lobe contains terminal bands in lobules VII-IX, the copula pyramidis, and the paramedian lobule. It is concluded that the dorsolateral fiber system conforms to Graybiel's LAC. It is more divergent and probably less modality specific, whereas the medial lemniscal system conforms to the MLLC, which is said to be modality specific, less divergent, and locked to specific sensory-motor response characteristics. The topography of cerebellar terminal bands indicates that there is sensory-motor representation from all parts of the body to all parts of the cerebellum, at least in the rat.     

Spinal gas collection demonstrated at CT.

In 234 consecutive CT examinations of the lumbar spine, gas collection was observed in 4 cases with disk herniation, and in 6 cases of disk protrusion. In 3 cases free gas was found in the epidural space, and one patient presented an intraspinal gas-filled "bleb". Gas collection in intervertebral disk spaces and facet joints was found in a total of 60 patients. The CT findings and surgical results were compared to determine whether gas collection contributes to clinical symptoms. In most cases the presence of gas was not clinically important, but in one patient it presented as a spinal mass, causing pain and radiculopathy.     

Primary infertility associated with schitosoma mansoni: a case report from the Jos plateau,north central Nigeria

Testicular schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni is very rare and more so when associated with primary infertility. A 40 years old man from the Jos Plateau, North Central Nigeria presented with primary infertility after ten years of marriage. Sperm count revealed oligospermia and he also complained of inability to sustain erection. Testicular biopsy revealed several ova of Schistosoma mansoni in the connective tissue of the testes. Cases of infertility in endemic areas especially when there is no supply of potable water should raise suspicion of schistosomiasis among other pathologies and possible hormonal disturbances when the testes are involved.     

Association between condylar morphology and changes in bony microstructure and sub‐synovial inflammation in experimental temporomandibular joint arthritis

J Oral Pathol Med (2011) 40 : 111–120 Background: In juvenile idiopathic arthritis involvement of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) is often associated with mandibular growth deviations. The relation between the growth deviations and severity of the inflammation, condylar shape, the micro‐architecture, and the quality of the bone has not previously been investigated. This paper studies the effect on the bony structures in mandibular condylar development in rabbits with antigen‐induced arthritis. Methods: Included were 42 juvenile rabbits with ovalbumin‐induced arthritis of the TMJs treated with intraarticular saline, intraarticular etanercept or subcutaneous etanercept. A TMJ from each animal was scanned using micro‐computed tomography and structural parameters were calculated. Three‐dimensional reconstructions of the mandibular condyle were scored blindly as normal or abnormal. TMJs were stratified for condylar morphology and were evaluated against data on trabecular structural parameters, inflammation, degree of mineralization, overall mandibular growth, and mineral apposition rate. Results: Abnormal morphology were seen in 15/32 animals available for data analysis. Erosions were an uncommon finding. Abnormal morphology was strongly related to the degree of inflammation. The trabecular separation was larger in group with abnormal morphology than in the group with normal morphology. Abnormal condylar morphology was not associated with overall mandibular growth. No differences were observed in mineral apposition rate. No differences in structural parameters were seen according to treatment modality. Conclusion: We showed that severe inflammation in the TMJs during mandibular development was associated with morphological changes in the mandibular condyle. These changes were predominantly seen at the macro‐morphological level and only very few differences were structural.