Mycobacterium ulcerans-specific immune response after immunisation with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine

BackgroundBacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine provides partial protection against Buruli ulcer caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans in epidemiological studies. This study aimed to quantify M. ulcerans-specific immune responses induced by BCG immunisation.MethodsIntracellular cytokine analysis of in-vitro experiments done 10 weeks after BCG immunisation in 130 Australian infants randomised to one of three BCG vaccine strains given either at birth (BCG-Denmark, BCG-Japan, or BCG-Russia) or at two months of age (BCG-Denmark).ResultsProportions of polyfunctional CD4⁺ T-cells were higher in M. ulcerans-stimulated compared to unstimulated control samples. These proportions were not influenced by the vaccine strain or timing of the immunisation. The M. ulcerans-specific immune responses showed similar patterns to those observed in M. tuberculosis-stimulated samples, although they were of lower magnitude.ConclusionsOur data show that BCG immunisation induces M. ulcerans-specific immune responses in infants, likely explaining the cross-protective effect observed in epidemiological studies. (ACTRN12608000227392)     

Rheumatic carditis in the adult. Anatomoclinical correlation

The histologic findings of 325 necropsies of rheumatic patients at the National Institute of Cardiology in Mexico, between 1980-1985 were studied forty five of them had Aschoff nodules plus valvular inflammation-Out of these 45 cases two groups were formed: children-adolescent group (24 cases) and an adult group (21 cases). The clinical, histologic and laboratory findings were compared. Clinical records were reviewed searching for history of rheumatic fever. Active rheumatic fever was suspected in 16 patients in the younger group (67%) and only in 3 adults (14.2%). As far as Jones' criteria is concerned, the most common finding was carditis, principally in the younger group (83%). In the adult group, it appeared in 50% of the patients. All other criteria were only occasionally seen or could not be identified during the patients lifetime. The most common laboratory finding which could suggest active rheumatic fever were: a high levels of anti-streptolysin in younger patients (95%) and elevation of erythro-sedimentation in adults (83%). We conclude that in active rheumatic fever of the adult; Jones criteria are not met, so the illness is difficult to recognize, and there is clinical-histologic discrepancy. In this context the disease has a "silent" evolution.     

The level of knowledge about different aspects of health of the population served in the Pedro Borras health area in the city of Pinar del Río

A prospective study in order to determine level knowledge of the population about health, before and after the implantation of the Integral Medical Attention Programme to the Family, was carried out at the outpatient services in the "Pedro Borrás" Teaching Community Polyclinic Health Area. Of the population attending to this outpatient area, 917 individuals older than 15 years, were selected at random. These individuals were surveyed at the beginning of the study (November 1986), in order to collect data of main necessary aspects that the population must be acquainted with on health condition and health promotion, and were surveyed again after six months of the performance of the system (May 1987), and results of both surveys were compared and shown in tables with statistical data. The main programmes for health promotion before the implantation of the new system were, known, effectively, by the population in ratios ranging 0.26-0.49. After the performance of the new programme it was observed how the level of knowledge raises to 0.31-0.70, and knowledges on obesity and sedentary habits (0.69) and on prevention of accidents (0.70) becomes significative. We consider all these changes depending on a greater educational work by the physician and nurse in charge of the plan.     

Surface-Attached Polymer Networks Made from Cationic Poly(diitaconates): Synthesis,Surface Characterization,and Bioactivity

Facially amphiphilic polymers carrying cationic and hydrophobic groups on the same repeat unit have shown promising antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility, yet they are prone to suffer from protein adhesion which may induce biofilm formation. To overcome this problem, poly(diitaconate)-based copolymers with cationic/hydrophobic and protein-repellent/charge-neutral repeat units are synthesized. The bioactivity profile of surface-attached polymer networks made from these copolymers depends on the ratio of the cationic and charge-neutral repeat units. In all cases, the protein adhesion is substantially reduced compared to purely cationic polymers. At a 50:50 ratio, the polymer coatings are partially protein-repellent and antimicrobial, yet slightly cell toxic. At an intermediate composition of 30:70, they are still antimicrobial and the cell compatibility is substantially improved. The long-term stability of these materials still has to be determined to judge their suitability for medical applications.     

OACE inhibition does not interfere with acute extrarenal or renal potassium disposal in chronic renal failure

The influence of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition on acute extrarenal and renal potassium elimination in stable chronic renal failure has been examined in 10 male patients median age 44 y; mean CL_CR 42 ml·min^–1·1.73 m^–2. In a double blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study, K⁺ 0.3 or 0.4 mmol·kg^–1 body weight was infused IV on two occasions while the patients also received an infusion either of placebo or 0.5 mg of the ACE inhibitor perindoprilat in random order. Plasma K⁺ levels and urinary K⁺ excretion were measured at regular intervals. During the study patients adhered to an isocaloric diet providing a standardised daily intake of potassium and sodium (50 mmol K⁺ and 40 mmol Na⁺).The median rise in plasma K⁺ was not significantly different after placebo ( K 0.66 mmol·1^–1) compared with to the infusion of perindoprilat ( K 0.66 mmol·1^–1). The median baseline urinary K⁺ excretion rate was 6.5 mmol·3 h^–1 before the placebo infusion and 5.9 mmol·3 h^–1 before infusion of perindoprilat. During the potassium load, the urinary excretion rate rose to 16.1 mmol·3 h^–1 (after placebo) and 15.1 mmol·3 h^–1 after perindoprilat in the first 3 h, and it returned almost to the baseline value within the next 3 h (5.6 mmol·3 h^–1 after placebo and 5.7 mmol·3 h^–1 after perindoprilat); the differences were not statistically significant.With perindoprilat a decrease in mean arterial blood pressure and ACE activity, an increase in renin plasma activity and a decrease in aldosterone concentrations were observed compared to the placebo infusion. There was no significant differences plasma in adrenaline or insulin levels after either infusion.Thus, ACE inhibition did not interfere either with the extrarenal or the renal disposal of an acute potassium load in patients with chronic renal failure.     

Chromosome 11q13 markers and D-type cyclins in breast cancer

Summary One in six primary human breast cancers has DNA amplification centered on the cyclin D1 gene (CCND1) on chromosome 11q13. This genetic abnormality is preferentially associated with estrogen-receptor positive tumors and may define a sub-class of patients with an adverse prognosis. AlthoughCCND1 has the credentials of a cellular oncogene, being a target for chromosomal translocation and retroviral integration, the 11q13 amplicon encompasses several other markers andCCND1 is not the only candidate for the key gene on the amplified DNA. To assess their relative importance, we have constructed a physical map of the amplified DNA and compared the extent and frequency of amplification across the region. Since it is likely that the gene providing the selective force for amplification will be expressed at elevated levels, we have also examined expression of both RNA and protein. By these criteria, cyclin D1 remains the strongest candidate for the key oncogene on the amplicon and we are currently investigating the functional consequences of its over-expression.Presented by Gordon Peters at the 16th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio TX, USA, November 4, 1993; Minisymposium on Molecular Genetics in Breast Cancer.     

Effect of moxonidine on urinary electrolyte excretion and renal haemodynamics in man

Moxonidine and related compounds have been recently introduced into antihypertensive therapy. It is thought that these drugs exert their blood pressure lowering effect through interaction with nonadrenergic receptors in the central nervous system, i.e. imidazoline receptors, although the contribution of specific interaction with ₂-receptors is still under debate. Imidazoline receptors have recently been documented in the renal proximal tubule. In experimental studies, interaction of imidazolines with these receptors decreased the activity of the Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter and induced natriuresis. To quantitate the effect of the imidazoline receptor agonist moxonidine on renal sodium handling and renal haemodynamics in man, we examined ten healthy normotensive males (aged 25 ± 4 years) in a double blind placebo-controlled study using a crossover design. Subjects were studied on a standardized salt intake (50 mmol per day). On the 7th and 10th study day they were randomly allocated to receive either i.v. placebo or i.v. 0.2 mg moxonidine. Urinary electrolyte excretion, lithium clearance (as an index of proximal tubular sodium handling), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), renal vascular resistance (RVR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma noradrenaline (NA) levels were assessed. Injection of moxonidine did not increase fractional sodium excretion or lithium clearance. Specifically, antinatriuresis was not observed after injection of moxonidine despite a significant decrease in MAP from 91 to 85 mmHg and a significant increase in PRA. MAP and PRA did not change with administration of placebo. Injection of moxonidine did not affect GFR and RVR; ERPF decreased slightly but not significantly. Acute administration of 0.2 mg i.v. moxonidine decreased blood pressure in healthy volunteers on standardized salt intake, but did not affect natriuresis, proximal tubular sodium reabsorption or glomerular filtration rate. The absence of an antinatriuretic response despite a decrease in blood pressure suggests a direct facilitation of natriuresis by moxonidine.     

The effect of ambient carbon monoxide on low birth weight among children born in southern California between 1989 and 1993.

We evaluated the effect of carbon monoxide (CO) exposures during the last trimester of pregnancy on the frequency of low birth weight among neonates born 1989-1993 to women living in the Los Angeles, California, area. Using birth certificate data for that period, we assembled a retrospective cohort of infants whose mothers resided within 2 miles of 1 of 18 CO monitoring stations. Based on the gestational age and birth date of each child, we estimated last-trimester exposure by averaging the corresponding 3 months of daily CO concentrations registered at the monitoring station closest to the mother's residence (determined from the birth certificate). Where data were available (at 6 stations), we also averaged measurements taken daily for nitrogen dioxide and ozone and those taken at 6-day intervals for particulate matter [less than/equal to]10 microm (PM10) to approximate last-trimester exposures to other pollutants. Overall, the study cohort consisted of 125,573 singleton children, excluding infants born before 37 or after 44 weeks of gestation, those weighing below 1,000 or above 5,500 g at birth, those for whom fewer than 10 days of CO measurements were available during the last trimester, and those whose mothers suffered from hypertension, diabetes, or uterine bleeding during pregnancy. Within the cohort, 2,813 (2.2%) were low in birth weight (between 1,000 and 2,499 g). Exposure to higher levels of ambient CO (>5.5 ppm 3-month average) during the last trimester was associated with a significantly increased risk for low birth weight [odds ratio (OR) = 1.22; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-1.44] after adjustment for potential confounders, including commuting habits in the monitoring area, sex of the child, level of prenatal care, and age, ethnicity, and education of the mother.