Predicting the initial spread of novel Asian origin influenza A viruses in the continental USA by wild waterfowl

Using data on waterfowl band recoveries, we identified spatially explicit hotspots of concentrated waterfowl movement to predict occurrence and spatial spread of a novel influenza A virus (clade 2.3.4.4) introduced from Asia by waterfowl from an initial outbreak in North America in November 2014. In response to the outbreak, the hotspots of waterfowl movement were used to help guide sampling for clade 2.3.4.4 viruses in waterfowl as an early warning for the US poultry industry during the outbreak . After surveillance sampling of waterfowl, we tested whether there was greater detection of clade 2.3.4.4 viruses inside hotspots. We found that hotspots defined using kernel density estimates of waterfowl band recoveries worked well in predicting areas with higher prevalence of the viruses in waterfowl. This approach exemplifies the value of ecological knowledge in predicting risk to agricultural security.     

NOS1 polymorphism is associated with atopy but not exhaled nitric oxide levels in healthy children

Exhaled nitric oxide (FE_NO) is raised in atopy. The mechanism for this is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the number of AAT repeats in intron 20 of the NOS1 gene, recently associated with variations in FE_NO in adults with asthma and cystic fibrosis, was associated with the raised FE_NO in healthy atopic children. Eighty-seven healthy children (44 girls, 42 atopic, age range 6–18 years) underwent measurements of FE_NO, spirometry, airway responsiveness and skin prick testing. Genotyping was carried out to determine the number of AAT repeats. There was no association between the number of AAT repeats and FE_NO in either the whole sample of healthy children (n = 87) or in the subsample of healthy atopics (n = 42). However, a greater number of atopic children had two high repeat alleles compared with non-atopic children (33.3% vs. 13.6%, respectively, p = 0.03). This suggests that variations in the NOS1 gene may contribute to atopy without this relationship being reflected by FE_NO.     

Disposition of 14C-dapoxetine in rats: Complementary experiments with whole-body autoradiographic and tissue dissection techniques

Tissue distribution studies, utilizing whole-body autoradiography and organ dissection techniques, were conducted in male Fischer 344 rats following the oral administration of ¹⁴C-dapoxetine HCl, a potent serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The preliminary study using whole-body autoradiography proved invaluable in locating radioactivity in an organ not usually harvested in a tissue distribution study, namely the preputial gland. Selected organs, based on whole-body autoradiography findings, were dissected from rats and analyzed for radiocarbon content by liquid scintillation counting and for parent drug and N-dealkylated metabolites by extraction and HPLC analysis. Highest concentrations of radiocarbon were observed in the organs of absorption and elimination (ileum, cecum, stomach, duodenum, liver, colon, and kidney) but notable quantities were observed in the lung and preputial and Harderian glands. Most tissues had returned to background radioactive levels 72 h after dosing but persistent concentrations of radiocarbon were present in the preputial gland and liver one week after the single dose of ¹⁴C-dapoxetine. Analysis by HPLC demonstrated the presence of parent drug and N-desmethyl metabolite (nor-dapoxetine) in those organs examined; however, the majority of the radioactivity remained unidentified.     

Induction of hepatic oxidative and conjugative drug metabolism in the hamster by N-substituted imidazoles

Three antimycotic N-substituted imidazoles, clotrimazole, tioconazole and miconazole, were able to induce hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 and monooxygenase reactions in both male and female hamsters to an extent similar to that seen with phenobarbital treatment. Imidazole treatment did not alter the cytochrome P-450 concentration, and ketoconazole treatment decreased it. Cytosolic sulfo- and glutathione transferases were not significantly altered by any imidazole. Induction of microsomal morphine glucuronosyltransferase activity by each compound generally paralleled the effect on cytochrome P-450 in females but induction was not evident in males. Clotrimazole treatment, in contrast to phenobarbital treatment, also caused a large induction of l-naphthol glucuronosyltransferase in females. The potential for antimycotic imidazoles to alter the hepatotoxicity of compounds will require consideration of the inductive changes in both Phase I and Phase II drug metabolizing enzymes in addition to their known inhibitory effects on Phase I oxidations. The inductive effects differ for each imidazole, and in the hamster model, depend upon the sex of the animal.     

Importance of community size in practice location decisions of final year residents

Final year residents in training in Louisiana were surveyed regarding plans for medical practice and their perceptions of the importance of various factors in choosing practice locations. Most specialty groups selected smaller communities at similar rates. Growing up in small towns is associated with wanting to practice in small towns while concerns about opportunities for the family and income of the region are associated with wanting to practice in a larger city.This study was supported by the Louisiana Council for Statewide Planning for Physician Manpower through Contract No. 23058, Louisiana Department of Health and Human Resources.Ms. Samaha is a data analyst for the Louisiana Council for Statewide Planning for Physician Manpower; Robert R. Franklin, M.D. is Executive Secretary of the Council and Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiolgy, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine; Janet C. Rice is Assistant Pofessor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112.     

Prolactin directly stimulates citrate production and mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase of prostate epithelial cells

Prolactin, in vitro, significantly increased citrate production, mAAT (mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase) and pmAAT (precursor form of mAAT) activity of prostate epithelial cells derived from rat lateral prostate (LP) and pig prostate cultures. In contrast, prolactin had no effect on the cytosolic isozyme, cAAT. This prolactin effect appeared to be independent of testosterone. The phorbol ester TPA (12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate) induced the same effects as prolactin thereby indicating the involvement of protein kinase C. This report demonstrates that prolactin directly regulates citrate production of prostate epithelial cells and the availability of an in vitro model to elucidate the mechanism of action of prolactin.     

Is laparoscopic surgery applicable to complicated colonic diverticular disease?

Background: Expanding upon our experience with laparoscopic surgery for colonic benign and malignant processes and for bowel obstruction, we have reviewed our experience with minimal access laparoscopic surgery for complicated diverticular disease. We propose an approach of surgical care incorporating diagnostic laparoscopy in those not responding to medical therapy alone. Methods: Our study includes data from two different surgical teams working in separate hospital-and-patient environments. Our theory that laparoscopy could be widely applicable to this complex disease process is borne out by experience in both locations. One hundred forty-eight patients were managed by laparoscopic or laparoscopically assisted methods with 18 patients requiring drainage only without resection. Results: Our management of 148 of 164 patients (90%) by laparoscopic approach was successful, with a very acceptable morbidity of 5% in the elective cases and decreased ileus (20% of open vs 7% laparoscopic) in acute complicated cases. Elective resections required hospitalization of 4–5 days, demonstrating the benefits of incorporating laparoscopy in the care of these cases, particularly when compared to standard open procedures requiring 8 days' hospitalization. Conclusions: We believe complications of diverticular disease including abscess, perforation, fistula, and bleeding can potentially be managed in this way by minimal access procedures, decreasing postoperative wound problems, decreasing length of hospitalization and overall morbidity, and improving patient care.     

Radiographic assessment of instability of the knee due to rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. A quadriceps-contraction technique

We compared the results of a radiographic technique for the measurement of instability of the knee with those obtained with a KT-1000 arthrometer. The study was conducted on both knees of sixty patients who had a ruptured anterior-cruciate ligament in one knee, as well as in ten control subjects. The radiographic technique included the examination of a true lateral radiograph, made while the knee was in full extension and the quadriceps was maximally contracted, with a 66.7-newton downward force produced by a 6.8-kilogram weight suspended from the ankle. As demonstrated by both techniques, the maximum difference between the displacements of the right and left knees in the control subjects was 2.5 millimeters and the mean difference between the displacements in the two knees in the patients was 7.5 millimeters. In fourteen of the sixty knees in which the ligament was ruptured, the injury was acute. The forward translation of the medial side in these fourteen knees was compared with that in the forty-six knees in which the injury was chronic. The mean difference in the displacement of the medial side in the right and left knees was 3.5 millimeters in the fourteen patients who had an acute injury and 5.0 millimeters in the forty-six patients who had a chronic injury. Thirteen of the sixty patients had disruption of the posteromedial corner of the injured knee, and the translation of the medial side in these knees was significantly increased compared with that in the intact knees of the same patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)