Detection of mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome determining resistance to fluoroquinolones by hybridization on biological microchips

We developed a method of identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with simultaneous evaluation of the sensitivity to fluoroquinolones on a biological microchip array. The method of multiplex two-staged PCR followed by hybridization of a biochip makes it possible to detect 8 mutant variants of gyrA gene occurring in fluoroquinolone-resistant strains (∼85% all resistant forms) within 1 day. Using this method we analyzed 107 cultures isolated from patients with tuberculosis and 78 sputum samples. Mutations in gyrA gene were detected in 48 (92%) resistant strains. Natural S95T polymorphism in gyrA gene was detected in all resistant and in 76% sensitive strains. The sensitivity and specificity of the proposed method calculated on the basis of the analysis of sputum samples (n=78) were 94 and 100%, respectively. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 145, No. 1, pp. 115–120, January, 2008     

Effect of cultivation temperature on blast transformation of lymphocytes from people of different ages

The effect of the cultivation temperature on blast transformation of lymphocytes from persons aged 20–35 and 90–102 years induced by phytohemagglutinin was studied. Cultivation at 39°C was found to increase, but at 41°C to reduce sharply the index of blast transformation compared with the control (37°C). The effect of cultivation temperature on the blast-transformation process has certain features which depend on the donors' age.Institute of Gerontology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Kiev. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR D. F. Chebotarev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 4, pp. 470–472, April, 1977.     

Ⅰ型胶原膜、胞外基质提取物膜体外构建人工真皮能力比较

比较Ⅰ型胶原与胞外基质(extracellularmatrix,EM)提取物冻干后形成的膜(EM膜)在体外构建人工真皮的能力,以选择一种更有利于人工真皮形成的支架材料。方法分别使用小牛真皮部分提取的Ⅰ型胶原蛋白和胞外基质提取物冻干后制备基质网架,植入皮肤成纤维细胞,形成人工真皮。用扫描电镜观察I型胶原膜和EM膜的表面形态结构;选取不同的时间点,对种植于两种支架材料上的细胞进行计数,并利用间接ELISA方法检测人工真皮复合物中的细胞Ⅰ型胶原分泌情况,通过统计学的分析手段,对细胞的生长情况做出判断;用组织学方法观察人工真皮的形成情况。结果扫描电镜观察结果,两种膜在外观形态上无明显差异;细胞在EM膜上的增殖速度较Ⅰ型胶原膜快;ELISA分析显示,EM-细胞复合物中的成纤维细胞能够分泌更多的Ⅰ型胶原;与Ⅰ型胶原膜相比,EM在培养液中的降解更为缓慢,种植后的成纤维细胞在EM膜上生长旺盛,细胞层次明显多于前者,形成了较为明显的真皮样组织。结论EM膜适于成纤维细胞的生长,体外降解速率慢,是一种较Ⅰ型胶原膜更为理想的真皮支架材料。     

Characterization of a novel HLA-DQB1 allele, DQB1*020102

A novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQB1 allele, DQB1*020102, was detected in a 28-year-old woman of Han ethnic in Guangzhou, China. Compared with HLA-DQB1*020101 and HLA-DQB1*0202, they differed in only one nucleotide at the position 167 (C to T) of exon 2, which was a highly conserved position. This is a synonymous mutation, which does not cause any change in the amino acid sequence of mature protein.     

Efficacy of permethrin-treated uniforms in combination with DEET topical repellent for protection of French military troops in Côte d'Ivoire

In 2000, 22,000 French military personnel were deployed overseas. The French military health service implemented a vector control strategy including personal protection by the use of permethrin preimpregnated battlefield uniforms (BFUs) and the application on the skin of a topical repellent (50% DEET). In 2000, French forces used an industrial process to impregnate cloth with permethrin by soaking it before cut-out of the BFU. A study was implemented in four experimental huts in C?te d'Ivoire to assess the field efficacy of the impregnated BFUs and their resistance to washing. Taking into account the systematic variations in each variable in the field and using a modeling based on logistic regression and discriminant analysis, this study showed that after 6 h without reapplication, the protective effects of the use of DEET as skin repellent was not significant, perhaps due to the high density of Anopheles mosquitoes during the night catching sessions and an average time of effective repellency of < 2 or 3 h in the field. The analysis also showed that the French process of industrial impregnation of permethrin of the BFU offered in 2000 some protection from mosquito bites but not enough to reduce significantly the incidence of malaria among nonimmune troops. No positive or negative interaction was noted when DEET and the impregnated BFUs were used together.     

Metabolism of lymphocytes in mice with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

The pattern of metabolic processes in lymphocytes of mice with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma depended on the stage of tumor growth.Translated from Byulleten Eksperimentalnoi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 138, No. 11, pp. 563–566, November, 2004     

Focused attention modulates visual responses in the primate prefrontal cortex

Several current models propose an important role of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in attention. To test the effects of attention in PFC, we recorded from PFC neurons in monkeys performing a task in which they had to attend to one hemifield and wait for a single stimulus that matched a previously presented cue. Neurons exhibited a slight decrease in their initial response and an enhanced activity late in the response to a stimulus at the cued location. The data demonstrate attentional effects on the activity of PFC neurons but they also show that single visual stimuli are initially represented in the activity of PFC neurons even when they are behaviorally irrelevant.     

E. coli: resistance to quinolones and beta-lactams of clinical strains isolated in the Franche-Comté region of France

AIM OF THE STUDY: Numerous European studies have reported an increase of resistance to quinolones among E. coli. We conducted a regional study to update our knowledge on this evolution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the resistance phenotype and genotype of 115 clinical strains of E. coli. We collected data on individual treatment with fluoroquinolones, and the evolution of the use of these antimicrobial agents. RESULTS: Resistance to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin was 13.0 and 6.9, respectively. The frequency of resistance increased from 1999 to 2001, from 7.5% to 13.0% for nalidixic acid and from 5.4% to 6.9% for fluoroquinolones. Resistance to quinolones was significantly associated to beta-lactams resistance and was slightly higher for nosocomial isolates compared to community-acquired isolates. Previous treatment with fluoroquinolones was the major risk factor associated to E. coli resistance. From 1997 to 2001, fluoroquinolones use has increased in our hospital and particularly in the community. Analysis of molecular epidemiology shows a large clonal diversity among E. coli isolates. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the evolution through resistance to quinolones of E. coli isolates. This observation is not due to dissemination of resistant clonal strains and the selective pressure exerted by fluoroquinolones influences this evolution. Therapeutic alternatives, surveillance, and restriction of fluoroquinolones use are needed to control this spread of resistance.     

支气管哮喘病人焦虑与生命质量的相关性研究

目的　评估支气管哮喘病人焦虑与生命质量的水平 ;探讨支气管哮喘病人焦虑与生命质量的关系 .方法应用状态 -特质焦虑问卷 (STAIFORMY)和世界卫生组织生命质量量表简表 (WHOQOL -BREF) ,分别对支气管哮喘门诊病人和健康对照人群的焦虑和生命质量水平进行问卷调查 .结果　哮喘组状态焦虑为 45 1± 9 7,特质焦虑为46 5± 9 7,生命质量为 87 3± 13 2 ;健康组的状态焦虑为 3 7 7± 7 4,特质焦虑为 3 8 4± 8 1,生命质量为 95 4± 11 7.哮喘组状态焦虑、特质焦虑与生命质量均负相关 ,相关系数分别为 - 0 69和 - 0 79.结论　①支气管哮喘病人的状态焦虑及特质焦虑水平均高于健康人群 ,生命质量水平低于健康人群 ;②支气管喘病人的焦虑与生命质量负相关 .因此 ,在护理实践中应对哮喘病人进行焦虑的心理护理 ,提高其生命质量