Sensory innervation of human thoracolumbar fascia. An immunohistochemical study.

We have studied the human thoracolumbar fascia by using antiserum against neurofilament protein (NFP) and S-100 protein to identify sensory nerve fibers and their endings. Seven surgical specimens from 7 patients were studied with light microscopy. In addition to free nerve endings, two types of encapsulated mechanoreceptors (Ruffini's and Vater-Pacini corpuscles) were identified. These findings support the hypothesis that the thoracolumbar fascia may play a neurosensory role in the lumbar spine mechanism.     

Physicochemical model of alginate-poly-L-lysine microcapsules defined at the micrometric/nanometric scale using ATR-FTIR, XPS, and ToF-SIMS

Alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate (APA) microcapsules are currently being investigated as a means to immuno-isolate transplanted cells, but their biocompatibility is limited. In this study, we verified the hypothesis that poly-L-lysine (PLL), which is immunogenic when unbound, is exposed at the APA microcapsule surface. To do so, we analysed the microcapsule membrane at the micrometric/nanometric scale using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. The results indicate that PLL and alginate molecules interact within the membrane. PLL exists in considerable amounts near the surface, contributing to the majority of the carbon within the outermost 100 Angstroms of the membrane. PLL was also detected at the true surface (the outermost monolayer) of the microcapsules. The exposure of PLL does not appear to result from defects in the outer alginate coating. This physicochemical model of APA microcapsules could explain their immunogenicity and will play an important role in the optimization of the microcapsule design.     

Effect of gas composition on spore mortality and etching during low-pressure plasma sterilization

The aim of this work was to investigate possible mechanisms of sterilization by low-temperature gas plasma: spore destruction by plasma is compared with etching of synthetic polymers. Bacillus subtilis spores were inoculated at the bottom of glass vials and subjected to different plasma gas compositions (O(2), O(2)/Ar, O(2)/H(2), CO(2), and O(2)/CF(4)), all known to etch polymers. O(2)/CF(4) plasma exhibited much higher efficacy than all other gases or gas mixtures tested, with a more than 5 log decrease in 7.5 min, compared with a 2 log decrease with pure oxygen. Examination by scanning electron microscopy showed that spores were significantly etched after 30 min of plasma exposure, but not completely. We speculate about their etch resistance compared with that of synthetic polymers on the basis of their morphology and complex coating structure. In contrast to so-called in-house plasma, sterilization by Sterrad(R) tended to increase the observed spores' size; chemical modification (oxidation), rather than etching, is believed to be the sterilization mechanism of Sterrad(R).     

Molecular characterisation of a coxsackievirus A24 that caused an outbreak of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis, Tunisia 2003

This study reports the genetic characteristics of coxsackievirus A24 isolates from Tunisia, including a coxsackievirus A24 variant (CVA24v) that caused an outbreak of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) between September and November 2003. The virus genome was detected by PCR from conjunctival swabs obtained from patients with AHC. Four virus isolates were obtained from PCR-positive samples and were serotyped by sequence analysis of the VP1 and VP4 genomic region and by seroneutralisation. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP1, VP4 and 3C genomic regions was performed. Other Tunisian CVA24 isolates from paralytic cases and healthy individuals were also amplified, sequenced and included in the phylogenetic analysis. The epidemic strain belonged to the CVA24 serotype. Phylogenetic analysis of the 3C region of the genome revealed a strong relationship between the Tunisian epidemic strain and strains that caused outbreaks in Korea (2002) and Guadeloupe and French Guiana (2003). Phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 and VP4 regions showed a clear distinction between serotype CVA24 isolates from conjunctivitis and non-conjunctivitis cases. This is the first study to report an outbreak of AHC caused by CVA24v in the North African region.     

Guilt feelings and locus of control of concentration camp survivors

The present study compared concentration camp survivors and controls from the same ethnic and religious background on two variables: guilt feelings in everyday life and locus of control. No significant differences were found between survivors and controls. As for sex differences, it was found that women expressed significantly more guilt than men in "behaviors contrary to moral or ethical principles" and men were significantly more internal than women. The implications of these findings were discussed.     

Prevalence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Dromedary Camels,Tunisia

Free-roaming camels, especially those crossing national borders, pose a high risk for spreading Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). To prevent outbreaks, active surveillance is necessary. We found that a high percentage of dromedaries in Tunisia are MERS-CoV seropositive (80.4%) or actively infected (19.8%), indicating extensive MERS-CoV circulation in Northern Africa.     

人腰背筋膜的动态响应

本研究对人胸腰段脊柱的粘弹特性作了观察，对两组４０～８５岁的人体胸腰椎标本作了单轴拉伸断裂试验。根据解剖学纤维方向（即尾内侧和尾外侧方向）来选择两组标本。以五种不同的应变速率来判断标本的生物力学特性。获得每组标本的最大断裂应力、应变和杨氏模量。结果表明，两种解剖方向之间各种生物力学参数均无显著差异。然而，实验发现最大断裂应力、应变和杨氏模量随应变速率增加而增加。应变速率大于３／秒，则断裂应变和杨氏模量保持不变，提示已达到上限。     

Ostreopsis sp., a possible origin of palytoxin (PTX) in parrotfish Scarus ovifrons.

A clone of toxic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis sp. and six specimens of a parrotfish Scarus ovifrons were collected in October 1997 at Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. Ostreopsis sp. was cultured in ESM medium for 16 days, and after rearing the cell pellet (about 4.0x10(5) cells) was extracted with 50% methanol, partitioned between an aqueous layer and 1-butanol layer, and biochemically tested. Similarly, the crude toxin from S. ovifrons was extracted, and tested. The mice injected with each 1-butanol layer from Ostreopsis sp. and S. ovifrons showed the common symptoms of convulsion, drowsiness and collapse, and died within 48 h. The lethal potency of Ostreopsis sp. was calculated to be 1.0x10(-4) MU/cell. All specimens of S. ovifrons were found to be toxic, where the highest potency was determined as 2 MU/g in muscle of one specimen. After being injected with toxins, the serum creatine phosphokinase levels of mice were found to be elevated. Toxins from Ostreopsis sp. and S. ovifrons showed delayed haemolytic activity with mouse and human erythrocytes, which was inhibited by an anti-palytoxin (PTX) antibody antibody and ouabain. Toxins from Ostreopsis sp. and S. ovifrons thus resembled each other, and strongly suggested to be PTX or its akin substance. Additionally, a considerable number of adherent Ostreopsis sp. was found in the gut contents of S. ovifrons during the heavy occurrence of Ostreopsis sp. in October 1997 at Tokushima Prefecture. From the above results, it can be strongly postulated that the dinoflagellate Ostreopsis sp. is the origin of PTX which is sequestered by the parrotfish S. ovifrons through food chain.     

Factors Affecting Utilization of Family Planning Services in a Post-Conflict Setting,South Sudan: A Qualitative Study

This study aims to explore and examine the conjectures surrounding the utilization of family planning services among currently married couples of childbearing age in Renk County.This study has adopted a qualitative method to collect data on factors affecting the utilization of family planning services through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, in rural and urban areas of Renk County. It targeted married women, men as well as unmarried men and women. The researchers conducted nine focus group discussions and nine interviews at both Jelhak (rural setting) and Renk (urban setting). The results suggested that the people of Renk County prefer to have large families and therefore choose not to use family planning methods. The data collected was analyzed by means of thematic analysis. This included the construction of a thematic framework, coding, editing and categorization of available data as well as the creation of sub-themes.The result also suggested that perception is a main factor that affects utilization of family planning services with a majority of the people in Renk and Jelhak preferring to have many children in order to increase the family size for some reasons. These are linked to religion, social stigma and taboo that are attached to childless people or users of family planning methods for birth control purposes.The responses revealed some variation in perception between rural (Jelhak) and urban (Renk) areas. Respondents from Renk area reported that some people use family planning services for economic reasons that involve alleviation of financial difficulties and provision of better education when the family size is small. On the other hand, rural people from Jelhak perceive family planning to be socially un-acceptable. Furthermore, men and women of Jelhak reported that after each birth of a child, married couples avoid sexual relationship for a period of two years as means of family planning. Women of both Urban and Rural settings reported intentions to use conventional methods of family planning without the knowledge of their spouses.