Presence of hepatitis B surface antigen mutant G145R DNA in the peripheral blood leukocytes of the family members of an asymptomatic carrier and evidence of its horizontal transmission

An asymptomatic carrier and all six of his family members were detected positive for HBV DNA in their peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL), by polymerase chain reaction. Direct sequencing of the amplified DNA revealed that the HBV DNA from the carrier and his wife was of subtype ayw. Interestingly, the amplified HBV DNA from the five other members of the family was found to be not only of subtype adw but also contained G to A mutation at nucleotide position 587. This indicates the presence of established vaccine escape mutant of the virus (G145R) and suggests two different sources of infection within the family. Southern blot hybridization of EcoR1 digested DNA from PBL indicated presence of HBV DNA, integrated into cellular DNA and also in the form of free viral DNA. The study not only establishes the persistence of surface mutant G145R HBV DNA, within the PBL of HBsAg negative individuals from the non-vaccinated random population, but also suggests possible horizontal transmission of the mutant among the family members although none of the family members has received immunoprophylaxis against HBV or had clinically apparent disease or any other known risk factors of HBV infection. As all of them were seronegative for HBsAg/antiHBc, the presence of G145R mutant in the PBL signaled possibility of spread of the vaccine escape mutant virus by blood transfusion, unsafe injection practices or through sexual root.     

Afferent influences on brain stem auditory nuclei of the chicken: effects of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss on n. magnocellularis

Nucleus magnocellularis is the avian homologue of the spherical cell region of the mammalian anteroventral cochlear nucleus. Its primary excitatory synaptic input is from large end bulbs of Held from the eighth nerve ganglion cells. We have examined the effects of three peripheral manipulations--middle ear ossicle (columella) removal (monaural and binaural), columella removal and oval window puncture (monaural), and monaural earplug--on cross-sectional cell area ("cell size") of second-order auditory neurons in n. magnocellularis of the chicken. Manipulations were performed between embryonic day 19 and posthatch day 4. Survival time was varied from 2 to 60 days. Air conduction and bone conduction thresholds were determined to assess for conductive and sensorineural hearing loss associated with each of these manipulations. Hair cell counts were made from basilar papillae of each experimental group. We found that a columella removal alone, which produced a 50-55-dB purely conductive hearing loss, was not associated with changes in cell size of n. magnocellularis neurons. Similarly, chronic monaural earplugging did not affect the cross-sectional area of these second-order auditory neurons. Conversely, a combined columella removal and oval window puncture, which produced a mixed hearing loss with a 15-40-dB sensorineural component was associated with an 18-20% reduction in n. magnocellularis cell area. Hair cell counts for experimental ears were not significantly different from control ears. These results, in conjunction with measurements of multiunit activity recorded in n. magnocellularis, suggest that manipulations which markedly attenuate extrinsic auditory stimulation, but do not result in chronic change in the average activity levels, also do not influence the size of n. magnocellularis cell bodies. On the other hand, a manipulation which influences overall activity levels, but does not result in degeneration of receptor cells, resulted in marked changes in n. magnocellularis cell size.     

Communication Patterns Among Male Couples with Open and Monogamous Agreements

Archives of Sexual Behavior - Male couples in open relationships tend to have as equally fulfilling relationships as monogamous male couples; however, less is known about communication differences...     

Differential roles in the neuronal network for audiogenic seizures are observed among the inferior colliculus subnuclei and the amygdala

The inferior colliculus (IC) is established as the initiation site within the neuronal network for audiogenic seizures (AGS), but the relative importance of the IC subnuclei in AGS is controversial. The lateral and basolateral subdivisions of the amygdala are implicated in the expansion of the AGS network that occurs during AGS kindling. However, the role of the amygdala in the AGS network in nonkindled AGS is unknown. NMDA receptors are implicated in modulation of AGS and in neurotransmission in both the IC and amygdala. Therefore, changes in AGS severity in genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPR-9s) were examined after bilateral focal microinjection into IC subnuclei or lateral/basolateral subdivisions of the amygdala of a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, 3-((+)-2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP). Blockade of AGS in IC central nucleus (ICc) and external cortex (ICx) was observed at identical doses of CPP, but these doses were ineffective in IC dorsal cortex (ICd). Microinjection of CPP into the amygdala did not produce significant changes in AGS severity except at doses 20 times those effective in IC. The latter data contrast with the anticonvulsant effects of amygdala microinjections on seizure severity in kindled AGS reported previously. The present data in concord with neuronal recording studies of these nuclei suggest that the ICc is the most critical site in AGS initiation, the ICx in propagation, and that the ICd plays a lesser role in the AGS network. The amygdala does not appear to play a requisite role in the neuronal network for AGS in animals that have not been subjected to AGS kindling.     

Capillary haemangioma

A 16-year-old boy presented with a hyperpigmented, velvety, not compressible, plaque on the medial side of right leg just below the knee for the last 10 years. Biopsy report revealed the lesion was nothing but capillary haemangioma. The case is presented here due to unusual presentation with a tendency to persist.     

The role of plasma membrane Ca++-Mg++ activated adenosine triphosphatase of rat mast cells on histamine release

The role of a Ca++-MG++ activated ATPase, demonstrated on the outer surface of rat peritoneal mast cells, on histamine release induced by antigen (anaphylactic reaction), compound 48/80 and ionophore A23187 has been studied. A high level of the enzyme activity is retained at the optimal pH for histamine release induced by the three releasing agents. The effect of fourteen inhibitors of ATPase has been studied, viz. quinidine, fluoride, platinum salt, suramin, ethacrynic acid, ethyl alcohol, N-ethylmaleimide, Mn++, Ni++, ADP, AMP and the flavones: kaempferol, quercetin, morin. All the inhibitors, which caused varying degrees of inhibition of ATPase, also inhibited histamine release. The inhibition of the enzyme was competitive with ADP, AMP, ethacrynic acid, suramin and morin and non-competitive with the others. The degree of inhibition of ATPase and of histamine release tended to be similar with six inhibitors. With the others the extent of the inhibition of the release and of the enzyme varied. But a marked inhibition of the enzyme was always associated with a pronounced inhibition of histamine release. ATP in lower concentrations (10-20 microM) has been shown to potentiate histamine release induced by all the three releasers, possibly through its utilization by plasma membrane ATPase. The observations agree with the hypothesis that plasma membrane ATPase participates in the histamine release process.     

Piezoelectric Electrocardiographic Artifact in a Patient after Surgery with Bradycardia and Hypotension

A 64‐year‐old man was evaluated by a rapid response team for altered mental status shortly after an uncomplicated surgery. He was found to be hypotensive and bradycardic, and an emergent electrocardiogram showed extra “P” wave complexes, ultimately found to be piezoelectric artifacts from a fluid infusion pump. Equipment‐related artifacts have been known to mimic arrhythmias prompting unnecessary therapeutic interventions including antiarrhythmics and direct current shocks. Timely recognition of the unusual properties of the complexes resulted in the avoidance of atropine, epinephrine, or transcutaneous pacing in a rapid response team scenario.     

Striatal Morphology is Associated with Tobacco Cigarette Craving

The striatum has a clear role in addictive disorders and is involved in drug-related craving. Recently, enhanced striatal volume was associated with greater lifetime nicotine exposure, suggesting a bridge between striatal function and structural phenotypes. To assess this link between striatal structure and function, we evaluated the relationship between striatal morphology and this brain region''s well-established role in craving. In tobacco smokers, we assessed striatal volume, surface area, and shape using a new segmentation methodology coupled with local shape indices. Striatal morphology was then related with two measures of craving: state-based craving, assessed by the brief questionnaire of smoking urges (QSU), and craving induced by smoking-related images. A positive association was found between left striatal volume and surface area with both measures of craving. A more specific relationship was found between both craving measures and the dorsal, but not in ventral striatum. Evaluating dorsal striatal subregions showed a single relationship between the caudate and QSU. Although cue-induced craving and the QSU were both associated with enlarged striatal volume and surface area, these measures were differentially associated with global or more local striatal volumes. We also report a connection between greater right striatal shape deformations and cue-induced craving. Shape deformations associated with cue-induced craving were specific to striatal subregions involved in habitual responding to rewarding stimuli, which is relevant given the habitual nature of cue-induced craving. The current findings confirm a relationship between striatal function and morphology and suggest that variation in striatal morphology may be a biomarker for craving severity.     

Urine proteomes of healthy aging humans reveal extracellular matrix (ECM) alterations and immune system dysfunction

Aging is a complex physiological process that poses considerable conundrums to rapidly aging societies. For example, the risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases and/or cancer steadily declines for people after their 60s, and other causes of death predominate for seniors older than 80 years of age. Thus, physiological aging presents numerous unanswered questions, particularly with regard to changing metabolic patterns. Urine proteomics analysis is becoming a non-invasive and reproducible diagnostic method. We investigated the urine proteomes in healthy elderly people to determine which metabolic processes were weakened or strengthened in aging humans. Urine samples from 37 healthy volunteers aged 19–90 years (19 men, 18 women) were analyzed for protein expression by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. This generated a list of 19 proteins that were differentially expressed in different age groups (young, intermediate, and old age). In particular, the oldest group showed protein changes reflective of altered extracellular matrix turnover and declining immune function, in which changes corresponded to reported changes in cardiovascular tissue remodeling and immune disorders in the elderly. Thus, urinary proteome changes in the elderly appear to reflect the physiological processes of aging and are particularly clearly represented in the circulatory and immune systems. Detailed identification of “protein trails” creates a more global picture of metabolic changes that occur in the elderly.