Use of two real-time polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) to detect herpes simplex type 1 and 2-DNA after automated extraction of nucleic acid

Herpes simplex virus infections may be diagnosed by several techniques, including conventional cell culture and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This prospective study compares the analytical performances and usefulness of an in-house real-time PCR method and the Light Cycler HSV (1/2) detection kit (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). The results of both PCRs were then compared to those obtained by conventional cell culture. A total of 313 samples were tested (70 dermal samples, 81 cerebrospinal fluids (CSF), 47 ocular, 42 anogenital, 34 throat swabs, and 33 oral samples, 3 whole blood, 2 biopsies, and 1 bronchoalveolar lavage). Samples for molecular assays were extracted twice with the MagNa Pure instrument (Roche Molecular Biochemicals, Mannheim, Germany) and tested blind in parallel by the two PCR methods. Most (226) samples were also examined by cell culture. Forty three samples were found positive by both PCRs, whereas 267 were negative. The HSV-1 and -2 typing of positive samples was identical. Three of the samples were positive in the in-house PCR and negative in the Light Cycler HSV (1/2) detection kit. There was no statistically significant difference between the two tests. Only one sample gave an invalid result due to negative PCR and negative internal control result. Seven samples were positive by both real-time PCRs and negative in conventional culture. The PCRs were significantly (P < 0.05) more sensitive. The results show good agreement between the two real-time PCR methods, with the molecular tests being more sensitive than cell culture.     

A study of the lateral pterygoid muscle: anatomic sections and CT appearances

Summary The authors have studied the relationship between anatomic and CT sections of the lateral pterygoid muscle in 39 anatomic specimens. Good superimposition of the images was found, which seems important in neoplastic invasion of the infratemporal fossa and which may lead to a pathogenic interpretation of the algo-dysfunctional syndrome of the masticatory apparatus.

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Etude anatomo-radiologique (TDM) du muscle ptérygoïdien latéral

Résumé Les auteurs ont étudié, sur 39 pièces anatomiques, la corrélation entre coupes anatomiques et tomodensitométriques (TDM) du muscle ptérygoïdien latéral. Il apparaît une bonne superposition des images ce qui semble intéressant dans les envahissements de la fosse infratemporale en carcinologie et qui pourrait déboucher sur une interprétation pathogénique du syndrome algo dysfonctionnel de l'appareil manducateur.

     

Association between asthma and an intragenic variant of CC16 on chromosome 11q13

The β subunit of high affinity immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor (FcɛRIβ) and the Clara cell derived inflammatory molecule, CC16 have been cited as candidate genes for atopic asthma on chromosome 11q13. A genetic association study was performed with an intragenic microsatellite repeat of CC16 gene on chromosome 11q12–13 in relation to atopic and non-atopic asthma. Whereas variants of FcɛRIβ at chromosome 11q13 show association with atopy and asthma, no significant association was found between asthma and CC16 genotypes irrespective of atopic status. These data support the candidacy of FcɛRIβ rather than CC16 for the atopic asthma locus on chromosome 11q.     

贴耳穴治疗慢性鼻炎35例的疗效

０　引言　慢性鼻炎是一种常见的多发病．中医认为,人体卫气不固之时感受外邪而发病．由于四时气候变化不同及人体差异,而有夹寒、夹热、夹暑、夹湿之别,以风寒、风热为多见．肺合皮毛,开窍于鼻,病邪侵袭致使卫气闭郁,肺气不宜,而恶寒发热,鼻塞、流涕．如急性期不及时治疗、鼻塞加重,鼻分泌物增多．西医可诊断为,单纯性鼻炎,肥厚性鼻炎,慢性鼻窦炎等．目前,对慢性鼻炎治疗效果不佳．我科采用贴耳针治疗本病,取得了较满意效果．１　对象和方法１．１　对象　１９９２～１９９８我科收治慢性鼻炎患者３５例．均作者简介：孙　静…     

Mechanisms of orientation of the pelvifemoral base during static loading of the lumbar spine in weight-lifters

Summary Under static loading during weight-lifting, the lumbosacral spine essentially exhibits horizontalisation of the base of the sacrum (superior plateau of S1). We have attempted to elicit the mechanism of this horizontalisation by means of radiographs. These do not demonstrate any movements of the sacroiliac joints or plasticity of the hip bones. However, a symmetrical rotation of the hip joints conditions a retroversion of the pelvic girdle which explains the horizontalisation of the upper sacral plateau. This fixation of the block of the pelvic girdle is under muscular control, so that this mechanism can be improved by appropriate training.

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Mécanismes d'orientation du socle pelvi-fémoral au cours de la mise en charge statique du rachis lombaire chez l'haltérophile

Resumé Sous charge statique, chez l'haltérophile, le rachis lombosacré présente essentiellement une horizontalisation du plateau supérieur de S1. Par radiographies, nous avons tenté de déterminer le mécanisme de cette horizontalisation. Les mouvements au niveau de la sacro-iliaque et la plasticité des os coxaux ne peuvent pas être mis en évidence sur les radiographies. Par contre, une rotation symétrique des coxo-fémorales détermine une rétroversion de la ceinture pelvienne permettant d'expliquer l'horizontalisation du plateau sacré. Ce verrouillage du bloc de la ceinture pelvienne est sous la dépendance des muscles et en conséquence, ce mécanisme peut être amélioré par un entraînement approprié.

     

Identification and characterization of a de novo partial trisomy 10p by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH)

We report the characterization of a de novo unbalanced chromosome rearrangement by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) in a 15-day-old child with hypotonia and dysmorphia. We describe the combined use of CGH and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to identify the origin of the additional chromosomal material on the short arm of chromosome 6. Investigation with FISH revealed that the excess material was not derived from chromosome 6. Identification of unknown unbalanced aberrations that could not be identified by traditional cytogenetics procedures is possible by CGH analysis. Visual analysis of digital images from CGH-metaphase spreads revealed a predominantly green signal on the telomeric region of chromosome 10p. After quantitative digital ratio imaging of 10 CGH-metaphase spreads, a region of gain was found in the chromosome band 10p14-pter. The CGH finding was confirmed by FISH analysis, using a whole chromosome 10 paint probe. These results show the usefulness of CGH for a rapid characterization of de novo unbalanced translocation, unidentifiable by karyotype alone.     

Hepatitis E Virus-Related Cirrhosis in Kidney-and Kidney–Pancreas-Transplant Recipients

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection was thought to be responsible for acute hepatitis that did not become chronic. However, we have recently reported that HEV infection can evolve to chronic hepatitis, at least in solid-organ transplant patients. We report on two cases of rapidly progressive of HEV-related cirrhosis that occurred in two organ-transplant patients. Case 1: A kidney–pancreas-transplant patient developed acute HEV hepatitis 60 months after transplantation, which evolved to chronicity as defined by persisting elevated liver-enzyme levels and positive serum HEV RNA. At 22 months after the acute phase, she presented with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, that is ascites and esophagus varices. Case 2: A kidney-transplant patient developed acute hepatitis 36 months after transplantation, which persisted and remained unexplained for 38 months. Then, HEV RNA was searched for in their serum and stools, and was found to be positive in both. Retrospective analysis of available stored serum, mainly the serum obtained at the acute phase, confirmed the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis E. In both cases, a liver biopsy showed cirrhosis. We conclude that HEV infection cannot only evolve to chronic hepatitis, but can also be responsible for rapidly progressing cirrhosis in organ-transplant patients.     

Hypothesis: primary antiangiogenic method proposed to treat early stage breast cancer

Background  

Women with Down syndrome very rarely develop breast cancer even though they now live to an age when it normally occurs. This may be related to the fact that Down syndrome persons have an additional copy of chromosome 21 where the gene that codes for the antiangiogenic protein Endostatin is located. Can this information lead to a primary antiangiogenic therapy for early stage breast cancer that indefinitely prolongs remission? A key question that arises is when is the initial angiogenic switch thrown in micrometastases? We have conjectured that avascular micrometastases are dormant and relatively stable if undisturbed but that for some patients angiogenesis is precipitated by surgery. We also proposed that angiogenesis of micrometastases very rarely occurs before surgical removal of the primary tumor. If that is so, it seems possible that we could suggest a primary antiangiogenic therapy but the problem then arises that starting a therapy before surgery would interfere with wound healing.