New frontiers in applied veterinary point‐of‐capture diagnostics: Toward early detection and control of zoonotic influenza

Among the chief limitations in achieving early detection and control of animal‐origin influenza of pandemic potential in high‐risk livestock populations is the existing lag time between sample collection and diagnostic result. Advances in molecular diagnostics are permitting deployment of affordable, rapid, highly sensitive, and specific point‐of‐capture assays, providing opportunities for targeted surveillance driving containment strategies with potentially compelling returns on investment. Interrupting disease transmission at source holds promise of disrupting cycles of animal‐origin influenza incursion to endemicity and limiting impact on animal production, food security, and public health. Adoption of new point‐of‐capture diagnostics should be undertaken in the context of promoting robust veterinary services systems and parallel support for operationalizing pre‐authorized plans and communication strategies that will ensure that the full potential of these new platforms is realized.     

Usher syndrome: clinical findings and gene localization studies

The issue of genetic heterogeneity is a critical problem in the localization of the gene(s) for Usher syndrome. Based on the data obtained on families studied to date, the differences between type I and type II Usher syndrome appear quite distinct with regard to auditory and vestibular function. Although the majority of families can be confidently diagnosed as typical type I or type II, clinical investigations revealed four families with findings that did not fit into either of the two more common subtypes. These findings emphasize the critical importance of an in-depth clinical analysis concomitant with the linkage investigation to assure accurate subtyping of Usher syndrome. Based on an analysis of only those families with definite type I or type II Usher syndrome, approximately 17% of the genome can be excluded as a potential site of the gene for type I, and 14% can be excluded as the site for the type II gene. This study will continue until the Usher gene(s) is successfully localized.     

Patent foramen ovale and migraine.

Migraine is a common neurological disorder with a great impact on the quality of life and social activities. The patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an intra-atrial right-to-left shunt with a prevalence of 25% in the general population. An increased prevalence is found in patients with migraine, especially in migraine with aura. Percutaneous PFO closure might decrease the prevalence of migraine. However, most of these observational studies were retrospective without a randomized design and the results need to be interpreted with caution. In this review we describe the association between PFO and migraine and the different pathophysiological hypotheses, which have been proposed to explain this relationship.     

Modulation of histamine release by rat peritoneal mast cells in a superfusion set-up.

A new method is presented for studying mediator release in isolated peritoneal cells of the rat. Using a superfusion technique, cells can be maintained in a continuously cleared medium. Cells were stimulated with antigen, compound 48/80 or A23187 to characterize this preparation. In addition, inhibitory effects of theophylline, isoprenaline and cromoglycate on compound 48/80-induced histamine release were studied. We conclude that superfusion is a valid alternative to study mediator release from isolated peritoneal cells.     

Familial Sneddon's syndrome

We report the familial occurrence and apparent autosomal dominant inheritance of Sneddon's syndrome with variable clinical expression. The proband, a 40-year-old woman, presented with livedo reticularis and progressive neurological deterioration following a stroke. The diagnosis was confirmed by cerebral angiogram and skin biopsy, both showing the characteristic findings. Two of the patient's sisters were reported to have been similarly affected in the past. Her mother, two additional siblings and five of her seven children exhibited various vasospastic skin phenomena. Familial aggregation of this disorder may be common and a genetic basis may be involved in its pathogenesis.     

Andrology: Transrectal electroejaculation in combination with in-vitro fertilization: an effective treatment of anejaculatory infertility after testicular cancer

Treatment of non-seminomatous testicular cancer often leadsto infertility due to anejaculation/retrograde ejaculation andpoor sperm quality. In these men spermatozoa may be obtainedby transrectal electroejaculation (TE), but the optimal strategyfor assisted procreation in these couples is not known. Ouraim was to examine whether TE and conventional in-vitro fertilization(IVF) would be successful. A total of 10 couples, with long-standinginfertility due to anejaculation or retrograde ejaculation aftertreatment for testicular cancer 5–14 years earlier, werereferred to our unit. All men underwent diagnostic TE undergeneral anaesthesia. Spermatozoa were recovered in nine cases.The antegrade fraction was prepared and used for IVF. Spermquality was variable and conventional IVF was considered impossiblein three cases. Altogether six IVF treatment cycles in six couplesresulted in five pregnancies, of which four resulted in a deliveryand one resulted in a spontaneous abortion. One additional pregnancyis ongoing after transfer of cryopreserved embryos. The fertilizationrate was 54% (33/61) and the cleavage rate was 97% (32/33).No complications relating to the procedure have been encountered.     

Nitratbehandlung

Organic nitrates are used for the treatment of angina pectoris symptoms, acute coronary syndrome and for acute and chronic heart insufficiency. In spite of the proven effectiveness of organic nitrates for acute cases, long-term therapy is limited by to the development of tolerance. Recent animal experiments, as well as clinical data, show that an endothelial dysfunction is also induced, a disquieting point, especially considering the negative prognostic impact of endothelial dysfunction. Due to these side effects, the published guidelines of the American Heart Association and the American College of Physicians do not recommend the use of long-term nitrates, such as mono- and dinitrate, for the treatment of stable angina pectoris. Rather, if good left ventricular function is present the calcium antagonist amlodipine should be used. In cases of appreciably reduced left ventricular function, there is a current discussion, based on the recently published A-HeFT study, as to whether a combination therapy with organic nitrates and the effective arteriole dilator hydralazine is beneficial for patients with severe heart insufficiency.