Spread of hepatitis C virus infection within families

In 1995, the intrafamilial spread of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was evaluated among 1379 household contacts of 585 HCV antibody-positive HCV RNA-positive subjects (index cases) in Italy. All index cases were patients with histologically proven chronic liver disease. The presence of antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) was assessed by third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to test for HCV RNA. The overall anti-HCV prevalence among household contacts of index cases was 7.3% (101/1379); it was 15.6% in spouses and 3.2% in other relatives ( P <0.05; odds ratio (OR), 6.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.5–8.6). Spouses married to index cases for longer than 20 years had a significantly higher anti-HCV prevalence than those married 20 years or less (19.8% vs 8.0%; P <0.05; OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.5–5.3). Parenteral risk factors were more likely to be reported in anti-HCV positive than in anti-HCV negative household contacts. After adjustment for confounders by multiple logistic regression analysis, age greater than 45 years (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.6–5.3) and any parenteral exposure (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.7–8.1), were the only independent predictors of the likelihood of anti-HCV positivity among household contacts. Spouses versus other relatives and length of marriage were both no longer associated. These findings suggest that sexual transmission does not seem to play a role in the intrafamilial spread of HCV infection.     

Reintroducing OPV in Israel on the journey to global polio eradication – Estimation at a low rate of contraindicated population

IntroductionThe 2013 reemergence of wild poliovirus in Israel led to the reinstatement of a routine OPV vaccination. Fearing VAPP in immunocompromised, the MOH regulated contraindications for vaccination candidates and household contacts. In this study we estimate the size of the contraindicated population to OPV vaccination.MethodWe studied vaccination candidates aged 2–9 and 14–23 months and probable household contacts. Using the rate of contraindications extracted for each study group from a medical records database, a statistical model was built to estimate the probability of contraindications in candidates.Results3.9% of the 2–9-month-old study group and 4% of the 14–23-month-old group had contraindications by either self or household contacts.ConclusionA statistical model can provide an estimation of the contraindicated population and can be used in the future when devising vaccination campaigns. In contrast to concerns raised by the MOH, our findings show a smaller than anticipated contraindicated population.     

Comparison of increased overjet cases and controls: normative data for condylar positions

The aim was to compare normal overjet versus large overjet cases with clinically healthy temporomandibular joints (TMJ); to establish normative data regarding the difference between condylar positions in centric occlusion (CO) and maximum intercuspation (MI) and deflective CO contacts. Two study groups of normal overjet and large overjet cases consisted each of 33 subjects with no detectable clinical signs of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). CO-MI differences were recorded using the SAM Mandibular Position Indicator. Deflective contacts were examined on models mounted in CO. There was a significant difference between groups in the vertical (P = 0.030) and transverse (P = 0.008) range of movement from CO to MI, but not in the antero-posterior direction. There were no differences in the location of deflective contacts. Results of this study showed that patients with increased overjet show some differences compared with normal overjet patients, even in the non-patients. Further research on TMD patients is needed to find out about the role these features play in the aetiology and treatment of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). This study indicates that the clinician should be paying special attention to the TMJ status of patients with a large overjet.     

Impaired activation of Stat1 and c‐Jun as a possible defect in macrophages of patients with active tuberculosis

Studies of patients with active tuberculosis (TB) and infected healthy individuals have shown that interferon (IFN)‐γ is present in sites of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in comparable levels. This suggests that there is a deficiency in the macrophage response to IFN‐γ in TB patients. We used recombinant human IFN‐γ to stimulate adherent monocyte‐derived macrophages from three groups of people: patients with active tuberculosis (TBP), their healthy household contacts (HHC) and healthy uninfected controls from the community (CC). We then evaluated the ability of the macrophages to inhibit the growth of M. tuberculosis H37Rv as well as their cytokine profile at early in infection (48 h). After IFN‐γ treatment, macrophages of healthy individuals (HHC and CC) controlled M. tuberculosis growth and produced mainly nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin (IL)‐12p70, whereas TBP macrophages did not kill M. tuberculosis. Additionally, TBP macrophages produced low levels of NO and IL‐12p70 and high levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and IL‐10. Transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β levels were similar among all three groups. M. tuberculosis infection had little effect on the cytokine response after IFN‐γ stimulus, but infection alone induced more IL‐10 and TGF‐β in TBP macrophages. There were no differences in Stat1 nuclear translocation and DNA binding between the groups. However, the phosphorylated Stat1 and c‐Jun (AP‐1) in nuclear protein extracts was diminished in TBP macrophages compared to macrophages of healthy individuals. These results indicate an impairment of Stat1‐dependent and Stat1‐independent IFN‐γ signalling in macrophages of people with active tuberculosis, suggesting a different molecular regulation that could impact macrophage functionality and disease outcome.     

Microfilament system in the microvascular endothelium of the palmar fascia affected by mechanical stress applied from outside

The effect of externally applied mechanical stress was investigated by thin section electron microscopy of the microvessels in the unaffected palmar fascia in the carpal tunnel syndrome and in patients with Dupuytren's contracture before and after application of a continuous elongation device. In the unaffected palmar fascia the microfilaments of the endothelial cells were connected to a few adherens junctions and focal contacts; stress fibres were absent. In the cord of Dupuytren's disease the microfilaments were increased in quantity. The length ratios of the connections with the lateral and basal cell membrane were significantly higher than in the control group and increased to an even greater extent in the continuously extended fascia. Stress fibres appeared in the endothelial cells of postcapillary venules in the nonextended cord and in the endothelium of both arterioles and venules after extension elongation. The numerous intermediate filaments and the rare microtubules remained unchanged in the endothelial cells of all palmar fasciae analysed. In the endothelial cells of the microvessels the mechanical stress applied from outside mainly affected the contractile component of the cytoskeleton.     

双关节骨外固定器在老年桡骨远端复杂性骨折治疗中的应用

目的：探讨双关节骨外固定器治疗桡骨远端复杂性骨折的效果。方法：对16例老年人桡骨远端复杂性骨折采用手法闭合复位、双关节骨外固定器固定进行治疗。结果：随访8～38个月，骨折均获得良好的复位与固定，疗效较满意。结论：手法复位，双关节外固定器治疗桡骨远端复杂性骨折，可有效矫正畸形，重建桡腕关节的稳定，是一种微创、安全、疗效确切的治疗方法。     

Symmetric synaptic patterns between starburst amacrine cells and direction selective ganglion cells in the rabbit retina

Inputs from starburst amacrine cells (SACs) to ON-OFF direction selective ganglion cells (DSGCs) in the rabbit retina are themselves directional. However, the synaptic asymmetry between SACs and DSGCs required for generating direction selectivity has been controversial. We investigated dendritic contacts and distribution of inhibitory synapses between SACs and their overlapped DSGCs. Double injection of SAC/DSGC pairs and quantitative analysis revealed no obvious asymmetry of dendritic contacts between SACs and DSGCs. Furthermore, examination of the inhibitory input pattern on the dendrites of DSGCs using antibodies against GABA(A) receptors also suggested an isotropic arrangement with the overlapping SACs in both the preferred and the null directions. Therefore, the presynaptic mechanism of direction selectivity upon DSGCs may not result from a simple asymmetric arrangement with overlapping SACs. Multiple layer interactions and sophisticated synaptic connections between SACs and DSGCs are necessary.     

Attachment anxiety is related to Epstein–Barr virus latency

Attachment theory provides a framework for understanding individual differences in chronic interpersonal stress. Attachment anxiety, a type of relationship insecurity characterized by worry about rejection and abandonment, is a chronic interpersonal stressor. Stress impacts cellular immunity, including herpesvirus reactivation. We investigated whether attachment anxiety was related to the expression of a latent herpesvirus, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), when individuals were being tested for breast or colon cancer and approximately 1 year later. Participants (N = 183) completed a standard attachment questionnaire and provided blood to assess EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG antibody titers. Individuals with more attachment anxiety had higher EBV VCA IgG antibody titers than those with less attachment anxiety. The strength of the association between attachment anxiety and antibody titers was the same at both assessments. This study is the first to show an association between latent herpesvirus reactivation and attachment anxiety. Because elevated herpesvirus antibody titers reflect poorer cellular immune system control over the latent virus, these data suggest that high attachment anxiety is associated with cellular immune dysregulation.     

闭合复位经皮螺钉内固定治疗跖跗关节损伤

目的探讨应用闭合复位经皮螺钉内固定治疗跖跗关节损伤的临床疗效。方法自2003年1月～2005年6月应用闭合复位经皮螺钉内固定治疗跖跗关节损伤26例。按照Myerson分类:中间柱损伤13例,内侧、中间柱合并损伤7例,内侧、中间、外侧柱三柱损伤6例。结果本组切口均一期愈合,平均手术时间为40min(30～70min),切口长度平均为5mm;所有患者获平均11.4个月(6～17个月)随访,根据美国足踝骨科协会(AOFAS)评分平均为87分,患者术后平均5.3个月(3～11个月)恢复正常生活。结论闭合复位经皮螺钉内固定手术创伤小,软组织并发症低,能有效治疗跖跗关节复合体损伤;中间柱复位并沿Lisfranc韧带方向插入螺钉内固定是重建跖跗关节复合体稳定性的关键。