Eight year study of viral isolates from cot deaths in Glasgow

Over an eight year period 21 different viral strains excluding polioviruses were isolated in 44 (19%) of 237 cot deaths. The percentage of viral positive cases was significantly greater in over 16 week age groups and in cultures obtained less than 24 hours after death.     

Isolated sphenoiditis: a diagnostic problem

A case of primary isolated sphenoiditis that developed cavernous sinus thrombosis is presented. It is difficult to diagnose and patients are often not seen initially by an ENT surgeon, making it more important for other branches of medicine to be aware of this condition. We discuss isolated sphenoiditis with particular reference to the diagnosis, management and complications of this condition.     

New reference allelic ladders to improve allelic designation in a multiplex STR system

This paper reports the composition of a new reference allelic ladder mixture for use with a multiplex DNA profiling system consisting of six short tandem repeat loci. The loci included in this mixture are HUMTH01, D21S11, D18S51, D8S1179, HUMVWAF31/A, HUMFIBRA/FGA and an amelogenin sex test. Sequence analysis of individual ladder alleles was carried out and allelic designations made in accordance with the recommendations of the International Society of Forensic Haemogenetics (1992; 1994). A series of rare alleles which increase the range of alleles previously reported were identified. By including some of the rare alleles into the ladder marker system, we have significantly improved the ability to identify new alleles in unknown samples. Received: 12 August 1997 / Received in revised form: 7 November 1997     

Topical antimicrobials: new horizons for management of periodontal disease in general practice?

One of the most prevalent infectious diseases that dental practitioners have to treat is periodontal disease. Antimicrobial and antibiotic agents have been developed that can be applied topically with no deleterious side-effects and reaching greater concentrations at the disease site than such agents given systemically. Used in conjunction with the mechanical debridement of deep pockets of disease, these agents appear to enhance the effectiveness of treatment. This approach is likely to feature more and more in the routine management of periodontal disease.