Antigenic and virulence properties of Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin mutants.

Antigenic properties of two mutants of Pasteurella haemolytica, strains 59B0071 and 59B0072, that do not produce detectable leukotoxin were investigated. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis with a number of polyclonal sera from animals recovering from pasteurellosis revealed that both mutants secreted a variety of antigens that were also present in cultures of several wild-type strains. These antigens ranged from about 100 to 15 kDa. Mutant strain 59B0071 was found to be totally deficient in leukotoxin, as judged not only by Western blotting but also by cytotoxicity assays with bovine lymphoma (BL-3) cells or bovine polymorphonuclear cells as targets. The mutant strain 59B0071 had normal levels of a secreted sialylglycoprotease, however. When strains were tested for virulence in goat and cattle challenge experiments, a reduction in mortality and lung lesions was observed with the mutant 59B0071 in comparison with results obtained with wild-type strains. These results are consistent with an important role for leukotoxin in P. haemolytica virulence and suggest that leukotoxin-negative mutants may be useful tools in the investigation of other virulence properties involved in P. haemolytica infections.     

Long-term results of DeVega tricuspid annuloplasty

DeVega tricuspid annuloplasty was performed in 74 patients undergoing mitral or mitral and aortic valve replacement between January, 1972, and December, 1985. Sixty-two hospital survivors have been followed up for a mean of 85.3 +/- 6.6 months. Actuarial survival at 14 years was 71.5 +/- 8.2%. None of the late deaths was related to the tricuspid annuloplasty. Three patients required tricuspid valve replacement for recurrence of tricuspid regurgitation (0.68% per annum). Eleven asymptomatic patients studied hemodynamically at a mean period of 53 months after the operation showed maintenance of the hemodynamic improvement. We recommend DeVega annuloplasty as the method of choice for moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation in the absence of an organically diseased or deformed valve.     

Effects of restricted feeding cycle on the locomotor activity rhythm in the mouse Mus booduga

The effect of restricted feeding (RF) cycles on the circadian locomotor activity rhythm was studied in the nocturnal field mouse Mus booduga. Mice were presented with a 2-h meal schedule every 24 h in continuous darkness (DD), in continuous light (LL), and in a light-dark (LD) cycle. Additionally, in DD, two groups of mice were subjected to RF cycles of periodicities 22 (T22) and 26 h (T26), respectively, in order to assess the limits of entrainment. The T22 and T26 RF cycles failed to produce any entrainment of the locomotor activity rhythm, whereas some of the animals that had a free-running period (tau) close to 24 h showed stable entrainment or "relative coordination" to daily (T24) RF cycle. In LD, the locomotor activity rhythm phase advanced under the influence of the daily RF cycle when the food presentation preceded the light to dark (L to D) transition by 5-6 h. However, when the timing of food presented in the RF cycle coincided with the L to D transition, locomotor activity rhythm dissociated into two components. Some of the mice whose locomotor activity rhythm disappeared in LL showed prominent meal-AA. These results suggest that RF modifies the expression of the light-entrainable pacemaker (LEP) directly and also that in the absence of the expression of the LEP, RF can induce meal-AA.     

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in association with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis: Views over hidden possibilities

Background  

CD4+ T lymphocyte (CD4) cell count testing is the standard method for determining eligibility for antiretroviral therapy (ART), but is not widely available in sub-Saharan Africa. Total lymphocyte counts (TLCs) have not proven sufficiently accurate in identifying subjects with low CD4 counts. We developed clinical algorithms using TLCs, hemoglobin (Hb), and body mass index (BMI) to identify patients who require ART.     

The association of salvage intravesical therapy following BCG with pathologic outcomes and survival after radical cystectomy for patients with high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: A multi-institution analysis

IntroductionWhile numerous current clinical trials are testing novel salvage therapies (ST) for patients with recurrent nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) after bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the natural history of this disease state has been poorly defined to date. Herein, we evaluated oncologic outcomes in patients previously treated with BCG and ST who subsequently underwent radical cystectomy (RC).MethodsWe identified 378 patients with high-grade NMIBC who received at least one complete induction course of BCG (n = 378) with (n = 62) or without (n = 316) additional ST and who then underwent RC between 2000 and 2018. Oncologic outcomes were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models. Sensitivity analyses were conducted stratifying by presenting tumor stage, matched 1:3 for receipt vs. no receipt of ST.ResultsPatients receiving ST were more likely to initially present with CIS (26% vs. 17%) and less likely with T1 disease (34% vs. 50%, P = 0.06) compared to patients not treated with ST. Receipt of ST was not associated with increased risk of adverse pathology (≥pT2 or pN+) at RC (31% vs. 41%, P = 0.14). Likewise, 5-year cancer-specific survival did not significantly differ between groups on univariable Kaplan-Meier analysis (73% for ST and 74% for no ST, P = 0.7). Moreover, on multivariable analysis, receipt of ST was not significantly associated the risk of death from bladder cancer (HR 1.12; 95% CI 0.60–2.09, P = 0.7). Results were unchanged on sensitivity analysis.ConclusionsThese data suggest that, in carefully selected patients, ST following BCG for high grade NMIBC does not compromise oncologic outcomes for patients who ultimately undergo RC.     

Juvenile dermatomyositis associated with autoantibodies to small ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme: a report of 4 cases from North India and a review of literature

Immunologic Research - Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is the commonest inflammatory myositis in children. The clinical phenotype is often characterized by the presence of myositis-specific...     

The relevance of donor T cell-directed immunoglobulin G in historic sera in the age of flow cytometry

BACKGROUND: Renal transplant recipients with a positive historic cross-match due to donor T cell-directed IgG antibodies are considered to have decreased graft survival, even if their current serum is negative prior to transplantation. With the use of flow cytometric cross-match for testing current sera, false-negative results could be eliminated and the outcome of transplantation in this group of patients could be improved, assuming that immunological memory is effectively controlled with immunosuppression. METHODS: We reviewed our records to identify those patients who underwent cadaveric renal transplant, with a historic IgG positive cytotoxic T cell cross-match and a current negative flow cytometric T cell cross-match. RESULTS: Eighteen patients underwent cadaveric renal transplant in the face of a historic IgG positive T cell cross-match and a current negative flow cytometric T cell cross-match. In 14 patients treated with cyclosporine-based immunosuppression the 1-, 2-, and 3-year cumulative graft survival rates were 57, 50, and 43%, respectively. Ten of the 14 patients (71%) ultimately lost their grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Even with negative flow cytometric cross-match in current serum, a positive historic conventional cross-match suggests a high risk of graft failure.     

Role of pomegranate and citrus fruit juices in colon cancer prevention

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.Recent studies prove that though chemotherapeutic agents are being used for the treatment of colon cancer,they become non-effective when the cancer progresses to an invasive stage.Since consumption of certain dietary agents has been linked with various cancers,fruit juices have been investigated for their consistently protective effect against colon cancer.The unique biochemical composition of fruit juices is responsible for their anticancer properties.In this review,the chemo-preventive effect of fruit juices such as pomegranate and citrus juices against colon cancer are discussed.For this purpose,the bioavailability,in vitro and in vivo effects of these fruit juices on colorectal cancer are highlighted.Moreover,there is a scarcity of studies involving human trials to estimate the preventive nature of these juices against colon cancer.This review will support the need for more preclinical tests with these crude juices and their constituents in different colorectal cancer cell lines and also some epidemiological studies in order to have a better understanding and promote pomegranate and citrus juices as crusaders against colon cancer.     

Patterns of Use of Induction Therapy for T2N0 Esophageal Cancer

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