VIROLOGICAL AND SEROLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF RABIES IN BATS FROM AN URBAN AREA IN THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON

The outbreaks of rabies in humans transmitted by Desmodus rotundus in 2004 and 2005, in the northeast of the Brazilian State of Para, eastern Amazon basin, made this a priority area for studies on this zoonosis. Given this, the present study provides data on this phenomenon in an urban context, in order to assess the possible circulation of the classic rabies virus (RABV) among bat species in Capanema, a town in the Amazon basin. Bats were collected, in 2011, with mist nets during the wet and dry seasons. Samples of brain tissue and blood were collected for virological and serological survey, respectively. None of the 153 brain tissue samples analyzed tested positive for RABV infection, but 50.34% (95% CI: 45.67-55.01%) of the serum samples analyzed were seropositive. Artibeus planirostris was the most common species, with a high percentage of seropositive individuals (52.46%, 95% CI: 52.31 52.60%). Statistically, equal proportions of seropositive results were obtained in the rainy and dry seasons (c² = 0.057, d.f. = 1, p = 0.88). Significantly higher proportions of males (55.96%, 95% CI: 48.96-62.96%) and adults (52.37%, 95% CI: 47.35-57.39%) were seropositive. While none of the brain tissue samples tested positive for infection, the high proportion of seropositive specimens indicates that RABV may be widespread in this urban area.     

Monoclonal antibody against sialylated Lewis(a) antigen

We isolated hybridoma cells, which secreted monoclonal antibody (MAb) 121 SLE, an IgM showing the following reactivities: (1) by immunodiffusion, MAb 121 SLE and MAb NS 19-9 (a monoclonal antibody directed against a sialylated Lewis(a) antigen called CA 19-9) showed an identical precipitin line with mucin preparation containing this CA 19-9; (2) by immunoradiometric assay, MAb 121 SLE totally inhibited fixation of radiolabelled MAb NS 19-9; (3) by immunoperoxidase, MAb 121 SLE stained the normal gastrointestinal mucosa of Le-positive individuals exclusively, and this staining disappeared after neuraminidase treatment, as observed using MAb NS 19-9. However, the pattern of the staining obtained with MAb 121 SLE differed slightly from that given by MAb 19-9 on the different positive areas of the gastrointestinal mucosae. These differences principally concerned the number of positive epithelial cells and the intensity of their staining; (4) moreover, antibodies against idiotype determinant of NS 19-9 antibody did not react with the antibody 121 SLE. We concluded that MAb 121 SLE is different from the MAb NS 19-9. However, both these antibodies were associated with the same molecular sialylated Lewis(a) structure.     

Successful treatment of oral linear IgA disease using mycophenolate.

Linear IgA disease (LAD) is a rare acquired autoimmune bullous disorder, characterized by linear deposition of IgA along the dermoepidermal basement membrane zone. The clinical presentation of LAD consists of vesiculobullous lesions affecting the skin and mucosal surfaces. The present case report presents a rare presentation of this vesiculobullous disorder. Although more than 50% of LAD patients present with oral lesions, there are few reported cases of involvement of the mouth as the sole manifestation. A 79-year-old female presented with a sore mouth and erosions affecting the palate. The symptoms resolved following the provision of mycophenolate, an antiproliferative immunosuppressant which has not previously appeared to have been reported in the long-term successful management of linear IgA disease limited to the mouth. We found that mycophenolate is a useful adjunct to the successful treatment of oral linear IgA when the uses of other immunosuppressants are contraindicated.     

The limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP)

Summary To realize the new concept of biological internal fixation the limited contact dynamic compression plate was developed. It minimizes vascular damage to the plated bone segment. It should lead to a more versatile and efficient application of internal fixation using plates.     

Clinical evaluation of a potassium nitrate dentifrice for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity

Abstract The effectiveness of a 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice as a daily home treatment for dentinal hypersensitivity was evaluated in a double-blind study in 36 Japanese subjects who complained of cold and/or tactile hypersensitivity. The subjects were divided into 2 groups, with 18 being given a 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice (treated group) and the other 18 a vehicle paste (control group). Both groups were instructed to brush their teeth 2 × a day. The hypersensitivity levels of the affected teeth were assessed by 2 stimuli, one tactile and the other cold air, and by the perception of pain. The results of all 3 assessment methods indicated that the potassium nitrate dentifrice significantly decreased the level of hypersensitivity at weeks 4, 8, and 12. In the treated group, a rapid decrease of positive scores for both the cold air stimulus and the subjective symptoms appeared from week 2. Although a significant decrease of the assessment score was also observed in the control group, the reduction rate of the score was much greater in the treated group by ail 3 assessment methods at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Complete relief of subjective symptoms throughout the 12 weeks’examination was noted in 67% of the subjects in the treated group, but in only 6% in the control group. These results suggest the usefulness of a 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice in Japanese patients with dentinal hypersensitivity.     

An analysis of fluid loss during transcervical resection of submucous myomas

Objective: To determine the contribution of several variables to fluid loss during transcervical resection of submucous myomas.Design: An observational study using multiple linear regression analyses.Setting: A university-affiliated training hospital and a university department of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics.Patient(s): Patients with submucous myomas.Intervention(s): Transcervical resection of submucous myomas and monitoring of fluid loss.Main Outcome Measure(s): Patient age, uterine enlargement, treatment with GnRH analogues or 8-ornithine-vasopressin, type of anesthesia, number of myomas, intramural extension of the myoma (type of myoma), and operating time were tested as variables.Result(s): Only intramural extension of the myoma and operating time were obviously related to fluid loss. For the other variables, such a relation was weak at best. The relation between fluid loss and operating time was not modified by any of the other variables.Conclusion(s): Because fluid loss is an important limiting factor in the transcervical resection of submucous myomas, special attention should be paid to reduction of the operating time and preoperative assessment of the intramural extension of the myoma to guide appropriate patient selection.     

Guidelines and recommendations for MR imaging safety and patient management III. Questionnaire for screening patients before MR procedures

The authors present the third installment of the guidelines and recommendations from the Safety Committee of the Society for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (now the Society of Magnetic Resonance) concerning various issues related to the safety and management of patients undergoing magnetic resonance (MR) procedures. This document was developed to provide standardized and consistent information for use by health practitioners involved in screening patients or other individuals for MR procedures.