Radiologic findings in heart-lung transplantation: a preliminary experience

The chest radiographic findings and pulmonary radionuclide studies of four patients who underwent heart-lung transplantation between May 1983 and June 1986 were reviewed retrospectively. The two long-term survivors both developed bronchiolitis obliterans (presenting at 32 months postoperatively in the first patient and 14.5 months postoperatively in the second). The etiology of this is likely to be multifactorial and includes pulmonary rejection which may develop without concomitant cardiac rejection. The radiologist must be alert to this complication in heart-lung transplantation. The chest radiographs in our two patients showed diminution of peripheral bronchovascular markings and overinflation. The importance of careful screening of the radiographs of potential donors to detect pneumonia is emphasized. In one patient, a unilateral pneumothorax spread contralaterally due to the absence of normal anatomic barriers. The "reimplantation response" was not a prominent feature and was seen in one patient only. This response has been observed in heart-lung transplant recipients during the second postoperative week. The radiologic appearance is that of interstitial edema not explained by any clinical or hemodynamic findings.     

A differential efficiency of adenovirus-mediated in vivo gene transfer into skeletal muscle cells of different maturity

High titre (10¹¹–10¹² pfu/ml) suspensions of autonomouslyreplication-defective type 5 human adenovirus (AV) recombinantswith different reporter gene inserts (CMV-Luciferase (Lux),CMV-ß-galactosidase (Lac Z), RSV-Lux and RSV-Lac Z)were injected Into intact quadrlceps muscles of 1–5 dayold (Group 1) or 35–45 day old (Group 2) normal mice,as well as regenerating adult mouse muscles (Group 3) and 35day old mdx muscles (Group 4). The expression of the reportergenes was quantitated 10 days and 2 months later. At 10 dayspostinjection all reporter gene expression was very high inthe neonatally injected (Group 1) muscles. In Group 2 musclesthe transduction was markedly less. In Group 3 muscles the geneexpression was significantly better than in the Group 2 muscles.In adult mdx muscles (Group 4) where spontaneous regenerationis usually present, the results were similar to those in Group3 animals. At 2 months post-injection in Group 1 animals, theRSV-Lux expression was even higher than at 10 days postinjection.The cell surface density of     

Fluorescent antibody test kit for rapid detection and identification of members of the Bacteroides fragilis and Bacteroides melaninogenicus groups in clinical specimens.

The Fluoretec fluorescent antibody test kit (Pfizer Inc., New York, N.Y.), developed for the rapid detection of members of the Bacteroides fragilis and B. melaninogenicus groups, was evaluated by testing 58 stock cultures and 76 clinical specimens. The test reagents detected 100% of 40 B. fragilis and B. thetaiotaomicron stock culture strains, although only 22% of 18 B. vulgatus, B. distasonis, and B. ovatus strains showed positive fluorescence. The 76 clinical specimens were evaluated by examining fluorescent antibody-stained smears of 49 specimens of purulent material and smears of 27 blood cultures which were positive for gram-negative bacilli by Gram stain or subculture. The fluoretec reagent detected members of the B. fragilis group in 28 (97%) of the 29 specimens of purulent material and all (100%) of the 16 blood cultures in which these anaerobes were demonstrated by culture. Overall, the Fluoretec reagent detected members of B. fragilis group in 44 (98%) of the 45 clinical specimens which were shown by culture to contain these anaerobes. Two of the 76 clinical specimens gave positive fluorescence for members of the B. fragilis group but failed to yield these organisms by culture. Members of the B. melaninogenicus group were detected by culture in 15 specimens and in each case their presence was demonstrated by the Fluoretec reagent. No members of the B. melaninogenicus group were isolated from five clinical specimens that gave positive fluorescence with the B. melaninogenicus reagent.     

Defective interfering particles from poliovirus vaccine and vaccine reference strains

Defective interfering (DI) viral particles have been found to be associated with attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine and also with poliovirus vaccine reference strains. The DI particles replicate in low-passage human fibroblastic cells, the BSC-1 line of monkey kidney cells as well as in HeLa cells. DI particles of the attenuated polioviruses are generated after relatively few serial, high multiplicity passages of cloned, DI-free vaccine virus, whereas virulent strains of poliovirus generate a significant number of DI only after a large number of passages.     

Chromosome anomalies as predictors of recurrence risk for spontaneous abortion

Reproductive histories and chromosomes of spontaneous abortions were studied by segregation analysis in 1890 sibships ascertained through a cytogenetically studied abortion. Normal karyotypes are associated with recurrent abortion. Among abnormal karyotypes, trisomy has an elevated recurrence risk even after adjustment through a liability indicator for maternal age. Possible mechanisms and conflicting evidence in the literature on trisomy are discussed. None of these differences in recurrence risk is large enough to play a significant numerical role in genetic counseling.     

A computer driven photoscanner for medical imaging

A novel and versatile instrument for producing high quality monochrome and colour hard-copy of medical images from an array of digital information is described. Images are produced on standard photographic print paper mounted on the bed of a conventional X-Y plotter by scanning a time-modulated light source over the paper using a computer driven raster. A matrix board gives control of both greyscale and colour attribution. Examples of NMR images produced by the system are presented. A refinement of the technique which allows two variables to be displayed on one image is also described.     

Effects of tampon materials on the in-vitro physiology of a toxic shock syndrome strain of Staphylococcus aureus

Seven materials used in the manufacture of tampons-four rayon, one modified rayon, one cotton and one carboxy-methyl cellulose (a modified cotton)-were compared for their effects in vitro on the physiology of a strain of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from a patient with Toxic Shock Syndrome. Experiments were performed in broth culture and, with the exception of two rayon samples, all of the materials tested reduced growth rate and cell yield compared with control values. Exocellular acid phosphatase, lipase, proteinase, hyaluronate lyase and haemolysin in culture filtrates were measured and the lethality of filtrates was determined in mice. The tampon materials had different effects on the levels of exocellular products. Cotton and carboxy-methyl cellulose cotton materials reduced the levels of all of the activities tested. The activities of the other enzymes were reduced or increased, depending on which material was present. All materials reduced both haemolytic activity and lethality of the culture filtrates. The in-vitro data suggest an extremely complex interaction between tampon materials and S. aureus.     

Extensive and coincident side branching of dentinal tubules

Slices of decalcified cat's canine teeth were impregnated with silver nitrate. The stain was taken up by the dentinal tubules. In sections 100 microns thick cut parallel to the long axis of the tooth, dark staining lines were seen running at right angles to the dentinal tubules. Examination at higher power and in thinner sections showed this appearance to be due to the coincident side branching of dentinal tubules. The side branches anastomosed and formed a series of lateral channels in the dentine. These channels may allow for the lateral spread of dentinal caries and of stimuli applied to the peripheral dentine.