Humoral responses in mice following vaccination with DNA encoding glutathione S-transferase of Fasciola hepatica: effects of mode of vaccination and the cellular compartment of antigen expression

The humoral responses in mice following vaccination with DNA constructs encoding Fasciola hepatica glutathione S-transferase (GST) have been evaluated. GST47 cDNA was subcloned into two DNA vaccine vectors, VR1012 and VR1020, which direct expression to the cytoplasmic and extracellular compartments, respectively. Expression was confirmed by transfection into COS 7 cells. Groups of mice were vaccinated with these constructs, by either intramuscular injection with the VR1012-or VR1020-based constructs, or intradermal vaccination (with a gene gun) with the VR1020-based construct. Vaccination with the construct designed for secretion resulted in an increased humoral response compared to vaccination with the nonsecretory construct. The level of the total humoral response after vaccination with the secretion construct was not dependent on the route of vaccination. However, the isotype profile of the response differed between the groups; intramuscular vaccination with the construct directing cytoplasmic expression yielded an immuoglobulin (Ig)G2a dominant (Th1-type) response, intradermal vaccination with the secretory construct a IgG1/IgE dominant (Th2-type) response, and intramuscular vaccination with the secretory construct a mixed isotype response. These results demonstrate that the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine based on Fasciola GST, as well as the isotype of the response against GST, is determined by the mode of vaccine administration.     

THE PATHOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL NATURE OF SCREEN-DETECTED BREAST CARCINOMAS: A MORPHOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY

Traditional and immunohistochemical markers of prognosis were examined in 455 mammary carcinomas derived from breast cancer screening and compared with those of 277 carcinomas presenting symptomatically over the same period. Tumours detected by population screening under the U.K. National Health Service Programme do not differ from those detected by other screening projects, but compared with symptomatic cancers, screen-detected cancers are more likely to be in situ and if invasive, to be smaller, of lower grade, and to have invaded vessels, perineural spaces, and lymph nodes less frequently. Tubular and cribriform types are more often represented in screened patients. Immunohistochemical markers which have been proposed as being related to likely tumour behaviour (epidermal growth factor receptor, c-erbB-2 protein, oestrogen and progesterone receptors, cathepsin D, p53, and retinoblastoma protein) do not distinguish screen-detected from ‘clinical’ cancers. It is concluded that cancers diagnosed at screening do not differ biologically from those presenting clinically, but are the same lesions detected at an earlier stage of their natural history. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Behavior and quality of life measures after anesthesia for tonsillectomy or ear tube insertion in children

Background: Past research examining the psychosocial impact of general anesthesia and day case surgery on children has been hampered by a lack of valid and reliable assessment tools. Aim: The purpose of the current study was to assess the feasibility of using a well‐validated scale (i.e. the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales Version 4.0, PedsQL) in the perioperative setting and to establish changes seen in a sample of children having day case surgery when using this scale. Method: Eighty‐nine children (aged 3–12 years) scheduled for general anesthesia for day case tonsillectomy or ear tube insertions were recruited into a prospective study in Melbourne, Australia. Parents completed the PedsQL and the Post Hospitalization Behavioral Questionnaire (PHBQ), and children completed the PedsQL (child self‐report) at baseline (preanesthesia), 7 days following anesthesia and 30 days following anesthesia. Results: The response rate at day 7 and day 30 was modest but when returned the PedsQL and PHBQ had minimal missing data. On the PedsQL, parents rated children’s physical functioning as worse at day 7 than at baseline but psychosocial functioning did not differ significantly from baseline. At 30 days, both physical and psychosocial functioning was rated by parents to be better than baseline levels. From children’s perspective, there was little evidence of a change in their physical or psychosocial functioning on the self‐report PedsQL at day 7, but by day 30 both physical and psychosocial functioning was above baseline levels. A similar pattern was observed on the PHBQ, with little difference in ratings of behavioral problems between baseline and day 7, but less behavioral problems reported at day 30 compared with baseline. Conclusions: The PedsQL is feasible for use in the perioperative setting. Future studies should take into account the possibility that deterioration of psychosocial functioning is uncommon at 1 ‐month postsurgery compared to the preoperative baseline.     

Regulating the types of foods and beverages marketed to Australian children: How useful are food industry commitments?

Aim: Any regulation of food marketing to children requires clear definitions of the types of foods considered inappropriate and subject to restrictions. The aim of this research was to examine the commitments made by signatory companies of the Australian Food and Grocery Council's Responsible Marketing to Children Initiative regarding the types of foods considered appropriate for marketing to children. Methods: Nutrient criteria developed by signatory food companies were examined by comparing (i) thresholds set for negative nutrients (saturated fats, added sugars and sodium) and total energy to two existing nutrient criteria: Healthy Kids Association and the National Heart Foundation Tick, and (ii) the types of foods considered appropriate for marketing to children, if applying companies' commitments or the product's nutrient profile using the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand nutrient profiling tool. Results: All five company-developed nutrient criteria examined specified higher thresholds for negative nutrients compared with existing criteria, and were more likely to report negative nutrients per serve rather than per 100 g. When applying company commitments, 57% more energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods and beverages were considered appropriate for marketing to children, compared with nutrient profiling. Conclusion: Food industry commitments regarding the types of foods considered appropriate for marketing to children do not adequately restrict the marketing for energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods. It is recommended food manufacturers who commit to restricting their marketing of unhealthy foods to children use a standardised, independent nutrient profiling tool based on per 100 g/100 mL to determine the appropriateness of foods and beverages for marketing to children.     

COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF PANCURONIUM AND TUBOCURARINE ON DIFFERENT MUSCLES OF YOUNG AND OLD MICE

In order to evaluate the sensitivity of different muscle typesto neuromuscular blocking drugs, a system using mouse musclesin vitro was developed and applied to detect changes in drugsensitivity in relation to age. The effect of pancuronium andtubocurarine on initial twitch and on the ratio of fourth twitchto first twitch (T4/T1) of a train-of-four at 2 Hz were comparedin fast-twitch, slow-twitch and respiratory muscles in the mouse.The muscles used were: extensor digitorum longus (EDL), soleus(SOL) and diaphragm (DIA). For both drugs the order of decreasingsensitivity was EDL > SOL > DIA. This result was the samewhether first twitch or T4/T1 was used, although the latterwas a more sensitive indicator. The sensitivity of neuromuscularblock was less in muscles from old (30–33 month) animalsthan in the equivalent muscles from young (8–12 month)animals.     

Food Poisoning - A Major Threat to Airline Operations

In the spring of 1984, British Airways was involved in a majorfood poisoning outbreak which affected nearly 1000 passengers,aircrew and ground personnel. The operational impact was worldwideand could have resulted in the cessation of the airline's day-to-dayoperations. The investigation paralleled a major aircraft disaster in thenumber of national and international agencies involved and inthe variety of disciplines engaged. Although the causative organismwas rapidly identified (salmonella), and its introduction intothe food chain proved to be a key factor, the scale of the outbreakwas the result of an interaction of other factors. As with amajor aircraft accident, none of the factors alone would havecaused the near disaster that occurred. Requests for reprints should be addressed to: Dr Frank S. Preston OBE, 2 Ravensmead, Chalfont St Peter, Bucks SL9 0NB, UK     

A British sample of sexually abusive adolescents: abuser and abuse characteristics

This paper describes some of the background characteristics and sexually abusive behaviour of 100 British sexually abusive male adolescents aged between 11 and 18 years. A retrospective file review and clinical assessment provided relevant information on all subjects who had a documented history of sexual assault or abuse against others. Subjects came from a variety of sources including residential child care centres, secure facilities and an adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic. Demographic characteristics and abuser characteristics are described, including the family environment, history of involvement with health and social services, school adjustment and performance, history of non-sexual antisocial behaviour, and also the adolescents’ own prior experiences of physical and sexual abuse. Abuse and victim characteristics are also described, including duration of abusive behaviour, types of sexually abusive behaviour exhibited, sex offence convictions, method of overcoming victim resistance, location where abuse took place, sex and age of victims, and abuser—victim relationship. These abuser and abuse characteristics were found to be consistent with those described in the North American literature. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the aetiology, management and treatment of sexually abusive behaviour in British adolescents.     

Annular vasculitis associated with pregnancy

A 29-year-old woman presented in the 31st week of pregnancy with an unusual bilateral, erythematous eruption on the posterior calves, which clinically resembled erythema annulare centrifugum. A biopsy showed features of a mild leucocytoclastic vasculitis. Within 2 days of delivery the rash had almost resolved, suggesting that its activity was related to the pregnancy. The diagnosis is consistent with ‘annular vasculitis’. which we suggest represents a distinct variant of leucocytoclastic vasculitis, and a distinct clinicopathological entity. We are not aware of any previous reports of an association between annular vasculitis and pregnancy.