Comparison of selective media for isolation of Campylobacter jejuni/coli

A comparison of Skirrow's, Butzler's, Blaser's, Campy-BAP and Preston media for Campylobacter spp was made using human, animal and environmental specimens. Butzler's medium gave the lowest isolation rate and Preston medium, which was the most selective, the highest isolation rate. Enrichment culture using Preston enrichment broth gave a higher isolation rate than direct plating onto Preston medium.     

Polyethylene glycol versus low-ionic-strength solution in pretransfusion testing: a blinded comparison study

BACKGROUND: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been shown to potentiate antigen-antibody reactions. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: To investigate the utility of PEG in pretransfusion testing, a blinded comparison study of PEG and a low-ionic-strength additive solution (LISS) was conducted. A total of 500 patient samples were tested in parallel with reagent antibody-detection cells using blind-coded PEG and LISS potentiators. RESULTS: In 34 (34%) of 100 samples with known antibodies in the Rh, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, and MNS systems, PEG antiglobulin reactions were stronger (total score, 382) than LISS antiglobulin reactions (total score, 216), and in 66 cases (66%), they were equal to those of LISS. Of 400 samples without detectable antibodies, 384 were negative with PEG and LISS, and 16 were positive in PEG tests and negative in LISS. Seven of the 16 were clinically important antibodies (D, 1; E, 3; Fya, 1; Jka; 1; Jkb, 1), and four were clinically benign antibodies (Le(a), 2; McCc, 1; Sda, 1). Five of the 16 demonstrated inconclusive PEG reactions, for a false-positive rate of 5 in 400 (1.3%). Of the 500 samples, none was negative in PEG tests and positive in LISS (0% false-negative rate). CONCLUSION: Although PEG demonstrates a relatively high false-positive rate, PEG is more sensitive than LISS in detecting clinically significant antibodies.     

The radionuclide assessment of left ventricular diastolic filling: methodology and clinical significance

The radionuclide measurement of diastolic performance may provide a rapid noninvasive index available in the clinical setting. These measurements may be used to detect coronary artery disease, manifestations of hypertensive heart disease, isolated diastolic heart failure, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The various radionuclide methods to measure diastolic filling are influenced by technological considerations, as well as applying the results in the appropriate clinical context. The importance of these derived measurements and how they correspond to various pathophysiological presentations will be discussed.     

The effects of recombinant-DNA-derived interferons on the growth of myeloid progenitor cells

Interferons (IFNs) have been shown to have significant effects on hematopoietic cell growth. Previous studies defining these effects have utilized mouse and human alpha-, beta-, and gamma-IFN isolated from supernatants of stimulated cells. Despite purification, the possible presence of other lymphokines and soluble factors remains a concern. In this study, the effects of gene-cloned alpha- and gamma-IFN on colony- forming units of granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) progenitors cultured from the peripheral blood of normal volunteers were examined. In addition, blast cell colonies from one patient with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) were studied. The growth of normal CFU-GM and AML blast cell colonies was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by gamma- and alpha-IFN. gamma-IFN was ten to 100 times more potent than alpha-IFN in that this species of IFN reduced colony formation by greater than 50% at concentrations of less than 15 antiviral U/mL. The effects of gamma- IFN were neutralized by a monoclonal antibody specific for gamma-IFN. These in vitro studies indicate that human gamma-IFN may be an important modulator of myelopoiesis. Although these data indicate a possible efficacy of gamma-IFN in the treatment of AML, the in vitro results should be considered for their in vivo significance.     

The salivary microbiota as a diagnostic indicator of oral cancer: A descriptive,non-randomized study of cancer-free and oral squamous cell carcinoma subjects

Background  

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine if the salivary counts of 40 common oral bacteria in subjects with an oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) lesion would differ from those found in cancer-free (OSCC-free) controls.     

Correlation of Maternal Autoantibodies with Fetal Congenital Heart Block

Background

Autoimmune fetal congenital heart block (CHB) is the most severe manifestation of neonatal lupus, and it is seen when maternal autoimmune antibodies cross the placenta and damage the AV node of the fetus. CHB is mainly associated with maternal SLE with anti-Ro/SSA- and anti-La/SSB-positive status, and incidence of CHB increases when both the antibodies are present. This study was conducted to know the incidence of fetal CHB in patients of SLE who had ANA, anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB positivity.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted in a tertiary-care teaching hospital of Indian Armed Forces between Jan 2012 to Sep 2014 where 13 cases of SLE were studied. All these patients were tested for ANA, anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies and fetal heart abnormalities. Fetuses with CHB were treated with steroids.

Results

Incidence of SLE was 0.14 %, 92 % of SLE patients were positive for ANA, and 46 % had anti-Ro/SSA- and anti-La/SSB-positive status. Two fetuses had congenital heart block, and one fetus required pacemaker placement 5 months after delivery.

Conclusion

All the fetal congenital heart blocks are associated with maternal anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB and ANA antibodies. Treatment by steroids may improve the outcome in early stages of fetal CHB, and delivery with follow-up should be planned in a tertiary-care center where pacemaker placement facility is available.

     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of metastatic transitional cell carcinoma

In this article we described the fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of five cases of metastatic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). There were four cases of metastatic lymph nodes and one case of metastatic skin lesion. All of the TCC cases were primarily in the urinary bladder and were high grade on histopathology (grade 3). Three cases showed bladder muscle involvement and two cases showed superficial TCC at the time of primary diagnosis. FNAC smears showed abundant cellularity. The cells were present in discrete and small syncytial clusters. Nuclear position of the cell was central to eccentric. Many cells showed prominent nucleoli. Cercariform cells (CCs) were noted in four cases. These cells are malignant cells with a nucleated globular body and a unipolar nontapering cytoplasmic process. Two cases showed intranuclear inclusions. Prominent cytoplasmic vacuoles were noted in three cases. In addition, cell cannibalism and attempted pearl formations were noted in two cases.In conclusion, clinical history along with the certain cytological features such as the presence of CCs, cells with eccentric nuclei, and intranuclear inclusions are helpful to diagnose metastatic TCC on FNAC material.     

Nerve growth factor and substance P regulation in nasal sensory neurons after toluene diisocyanate exposure

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) exposure produces rhinitis and nasal irritation, and increases the synthesis and release of substance P (SP) from airway sensory nerves. The mechanism leading to enhanced SP production following irritant inhalation remains unclear, but may involve actions of nerve growth factor (NGF). NGF binds trkA receptors located on sensory nerve terminals. Activation of trkA receptors initiates kinase-signaling cascades, which ultimately may increase SP. However, the effects of inhaled irritants on NGF release are not known. In this study, NGF levels in nasal lavages were examined following instillation of 10% TDI into both nasal cavities. NGF was significantly increased 2, 6, 12, and 24 h after TDI exposure compared with controls. The increase in NGF preceded the neuronal and mucosal increases in SP. Pretreatment with K252a, a nonselective tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, prevented the increase in SP-immunoreactivity in TG neurons and epithelial nerve fibers and the inflammatory response to TDI exposure. Because NGF binds to trkA tyrosine-kinase receptors, the NGF released during TDI exposure may mediate SP upregulation in airway sensory neurons, innervating the nasal cavity.