Clonality of Campylobacter sputorum bv. paraureolyticus determined by macrorestriction profiling and biotyping, and evidence for long-term persistent infection in cattle

Eighteen strains of Campylobacter sputorum bv. paraureolyticus (isolated over a 12-month period from seven dairy cows contained in a single herd) were examined by resistotyping, and macrorestriction profiling using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The resistotypes of these strains were identical, although repeat testing indicated resistance to metronidazole was not a reliable trait for typing purposes. Five SmaI-derived genotypes were identified among the 18 strains. In 5 of 7 cows, isolates obtained from the same animal, but from different time periods, were genotypically indistinguishable, indicating persistence of infection. Macrorestriction profiles of 5 strains representing the 5 SmaI genotypes and 8 other strains of C. sputorum from various sources, were prepared using 4 endonucleases (SmaI, SalI, BamHI and KpnI). The only other strain of C. sputorum bv. paraureolyticus examined (a Canadian isolate from human faeces), was found to have a SmaI macrorestriction profile identical with one of the five clones isolated from the cattle. Moreover, SalI and BamHI profiles of all bv. paraureolyticus strains were similar, while digestion with KpnI was not observed. By contrast, the seven strains of C. sputorum bv. sputorum yielded various macrorestriction profiles with all the enzymes used, and features distinguishing the two biovars studied could be identified. This study indicates that C. sputorum can persist in cattle for at least 12 months and exhibits a clonal population genetic structure.     

Investigation of megakaryocyte apoptosis in children with acute and chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

OBJECTIVE: Although the platelet destruction shows a primary role in the thrombocytopenia of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), it has been demonstrated that impaired platelet production may also contribute to the severity of thrombocytopenia in ITP. The present study examined megakaryocyte apoptosis in bone marrow aspirates of children with acute and chronic ITP and investigated the role of megakaryocyte apoptosis in ITP pathophysiology. METHODS: Thirteen children diagnosed with acute ITP and eight children diagnosed with chronic ITP comprised the study group. Ten children, who were hospitalized for scoliosis operation but healthy otherwise, comprised the control group. In all children, megakaryocytes were isolated from the same amount of bone marrow aspirate samples using MACS CD61 MicroBeads (Miltenyl Biotec, Auburn, CA, USA). Megakaryocyte apoptosis was studied with transferase-mediated d-UTP-bitin nick end-labeling method. RESULTS: Isolated megakaryocyte counts did not differ significantly between acute ITP, chronic ITP and control groups. The percentage of apoptotic megakaryocytes did not differ significantly between acute ITP group and control group and between chronic ITP group and control group. The percentage of apoptotic megakaryocytes in patients with chronic ITP was significantly lower than the patients with acute ITP. There was no correlation between the percentage of apoptotic megakaryocytes and platelet counts of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Increased megakaryocytic apoptosis does not play a role in the pathogenesis of dysmegakaryopoiesis and impaired platelet production in children with ITP. Decreased megakaryocyte apoptosis in cases with chronic ITP may be due to suppression of megakaryocyte maturation, as the terminal phase of the megakaryocyte lifespan is characterized by the onset of apoptosis.     

Melatonin protects neurons from singlet oxygen-induced apoptosis

Abstract: Singlet oxygen (O₂[¹Δg]) is a very reactive molecule that can be produced by living cells and may contribute to cytotoxicity. The pineal hormone melatonin has been reported to possess potent antioxidant activity, and to be capable of scavenging O₂(¹Δg). We investigated whether melatonin might reduce the neurotoxic action of O₂(^lΔg). The cytotoxic effect of singlet oxygen was studied in primary cultures of cerebellar granule neurons pretreated with a photosensitive dye, rose bengal, and exposed to light—a procedure that generates O₂(¹Δg). We found that this procedure triggers neuronal death, which is preceded by mitochondrial impairment (assayed by the rate of the reduction of MTT, 3-[4,5-di-methylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, into formazan), and by DNA fragmentation—a marker of apoptosis. DNA fragmentation was determined in situ by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase assay; cell death was assayed with 0.4% trypan blue solution—viable cells with an intact membrane are not permeable to trypan blue; dead cells are, and thus, they are stained blue. Neuroprotection was obtained with the pineal hormone melatonin. In a cell-free system, melatonin also protected the enzyme creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2) from the rose bengal-induced injury. The results suggest that melatonin might counteract the cytotoxic action of singlet oxygen. Further studies are needed to clarify the exact role singlet oxygen and melatonin might play in neurodegenerative diseases.     

Serum adipokine levels in patients with sarcoidosis

Clinical Rheumatology - Sarcoidosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by non-caseating granuloma which etiology is unknown yet. Adipokines are different proteins synthesized by...     

Turnover epineural sheath tube in primary repair of peripheral nerves

The epineural repair technique, which is the gold standard of peripheral nerve injuries, is still far from being ideal. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the turnover epineural sheath tube (TEST) when used over the primary nerve repair site to improve nerve regeneration. Twenty-five Wistar rats were divided into three groups and were operated. In the sham control group, the sciatic nerve was dissected from the sciatic notch to its bifurcation and was left intact. In the primary epineural repair group an incision was made on the nerve and it was repaired using six epineural sutures. In the TEST group, after the incision was made the nerve ends were approximated with two epineural sutures. A proximal circular epineural incision was then made to enable the epineurium to be turned and slid over the repair site. Functional recovery was evaluated by walking tract analysis, and the sciatic functional index was calculated. Histomorphometric studies of the sciatic nerves and gastrocnemius muscles were also performed 3 months postoperatively. Three months postoperatively, functional analysis and nerve and muscle histomorphometric studies revealed similar results in the primary repair and TEST groups. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the results of the TEST and the primary nerve repair groups. However, during the microscopic examination, a decrease in both foreign material reaction and an inflammatory response with less fibrosis were observed in the TEST group. The TEST has a nerve-healing property similar to primary epineural repair, with the advantage of a reduced number of sutures, which decreases the fibrosis around the repair site. The TEST is an alternative treatment modality among other techniques, especially for polyfascicular peripheral nerves.     

Plasma transforming growth factor beta1 levels in thrombocytopenic and nonthrombocytopenic neonates

In this study, we determined the plasma TGF-beta1 levels in healthy and thrombocytopenic and nonthrombocytopenic neonates who had perinatal risk factors and examined the association between plasma TGF-beta1 levels and platelet counts in these newborns to investigate the role of TGF-beta1 in the pathogenesis of neonatal thrombocytopenia. Three groups were defined in this prospective study: group 1, thrombocytopenic neonates (n=22) who had perinatal risk factors; group 2, nonthrombocytopenic neonates who had similar perinatal risk factors for thrombocytopenia (n=20); group 3, healthy and nonthrombocytopenic neonates without any risk factors (n=20). Plasma TGF-beta1 levels were measured with ELISA. Plasma TGF-beta1 levels of the thrombocytopenic neonates were significantly lower than those of healthy nonthrombocytopenic neonates but did not differ significantly from nonthrombocytopenic neonates who had similar perinatal risk factors for thrombocytopenia. There was a significant positive correlation between plasma TGF-beta1 levels and platelet counts. Further studies are needed to determine the cause of low plasma TGF-beta1 levels in thrombocytopenic neonates and to investigate the role of plasma TGF-beta1 levels in the pathogenesis of neonatal thrombocytopenia.     

Polycythemia vera in a 12-year-old girl: a case report

A case of a 12-year-old girl presenting with headache and splenomegaly and fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of polycythemia vera is reported. Her peripheral blood values were as follows: hemoglobin 18 g/dL, red blood cells 7,000,000/mm 3 , white blood cells 22,000/mm 3 , and platelets 1,248,000/mm 3 . Phlebotomy was performed initially but was ineffective. Afterward 100 mg/kg per day aspirin and 30/mg/kg per day hydroxyurea were given. The patient has been asypmtomatic for 1 year and her recent hemoglobin level is 15.5 g/dL, platelet count 922,000/mm 3 , and white blood cell 12,800/mm 3 . Polycythemia vera is an extremely uncommon disease in childhood and for this reason its treatment is not well established.     

The Employment of Bone Wax as a Template in the Reconstruction of Nasal Dorsum Defects

Choosing materials of the most appropriate form and quantity is an important factor in the success of the surgical repair of nasal dorsum defects. In our study, bone wax, a hemostatic agent, was employed as a template in the correction of nasal dorsum defects. This inexpensive, pliable material is an effective template that helps to model the three-dimensional form of a defect and thus to plan and carry out the most suitable reconstruction.     

Does enalapril prevent peritoneal fibrosis induced by hypertonic (3.86%) peritoneal dialysis solution?

OBJECTIVE: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is one of the most serious causes of failure in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PD). Although the underlying mechanism responsible for the genesis of PF is still unknown, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta1) has been shown to be associated with PF. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors have been shown to prevent the stimulating effect of growth factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of enalapril on peritoneal function and morphology in a rat model of experimental PF. METHODS: Twenty-one albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups: (1) the control group (C) received 10 mL isotonic saline intraperitoneally (i.p.), (2) the dextrose (Dx) group 10 mL 3.86% dextrose PD solution i.p., and (3) the enalapril-treated group (ENA) 10 cc 3.86% dextrose PD solution i.p. plus 100 mg/L enalapril in drinking water. After 4 weeks, a 1-hour peritoneal equilibration test was performed with 20 mL 2.27% dextrose PD solution. Dialysate-to-plasma urea ratio (D/P urea), glucose reabsorption (D1/D0 glucose), ultrafiltration (UF) volume, and levels of dialysate protein, TGFbeta1, and cancer antigen 125 (CA125) were determined. The parietal peritoneum was evaluated histologically by light microscopy. RESULTS: Administration of enalapril resulted in preserved UF (-0.2 +/- 0.7 mL vs 1.7 +/- 0.3 mL, p < 0.05), protein loss (2.3 +/- 0.5 g/L vs 1.6 +/- 0.2 g/L, p > 0.05), and peritoneal thickness (77 +/- 7 microns vs 38 +/- 5 microns, p < 0.001). D/P urea increased significantly in the Dx group (p< 0.05). Both higher levels of TGFbeta1 (undetectable vs 298 +/- 43 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and lower levels of CA125 in dialysate effluent (0.94 +/- 0.5 U/L vs 0.11 +/- 0.1 U/L, p > 0.05) were determined in the Dx group. CONCLUSION: These findings show that peritoneal morphology and function tests were dramatically deranged in the Dx group. The same properties were partially preserved in the ENA group. The production of TGFbeta1 was significantly reduced but peritoneal thickness was not completely inhibited. In conclusion, by inhibiting the production of TGFbeta1, enalapril can preserve peritoneal histology, peritoneal function, and remodeling of mesothelial cells.     

Theory of mind and unawareness of illness in schizophrenia

This study investigates the impact of theory of mind (ToM) deficits on poor insight in schizophrenia. The scale for unawareness of mental disorder (SUMD) was administered to 58 stable outpatients with schizophrenia. First and second order false belief tasks, the Eyes test and a battery of nonToM cognitive measures were administered. The Second order false belief task was the best predictor of each global insight and symptom attribution scores of the SUMD. ToM tasks explained the substantial amount of the variance (ranging from 22.5% to 29.9%) for the insight scores and classified the significant amount of the patients who were aware of the illness correctly. WCST perseveration scores did not contribute to insight scores beyond that contributed by second order false belief tasks. The Second order ToM tasks seems to have critical importance for the awareness of the disorder. Beyond more direct self-evaluation, the awareness of the disorder and its consequences may also require the ability to evaluate the self from the perspective of others. "Understanding the others' belief about another person" may be conceptually very similar to "understanding the others' belief about self" (instead of another person).