RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Schmallenberg virus (SBV) first emerged in Europe in 2011, and in Sweden in late 2012. The virus was still circulating in parts of Europe in 2015. In recent testing, the virus has not been detected in Swedish domestic animals, indicating that it is no longer circulating in Sweden. It is not known if the virus has circulated and is still circulating in Swedish wild cervid populations and whether wildlife can act as virus reservoirs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether SBV has circulated, and is still circulating among wild cervids in Sweden. RESULTS: Ninety-two sera from moose (Alces alces, n = 22), red deer (Cervus elaphus, n = 15), fallow deer (Dama dama, n = 44), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus, n = 11) were collected and analyzed for antibodies against SBV. The sampling occurred in the southern and middle part of Sweden during three time periods: 1) before the vector season in 2012, 2) after the vector season in 2012, and 3) after the vector season in 2015. Animals from periods 1 and 2 were of varying ages, whereas animals collected in period 3 were born after the vector season 2013. Animals from period 1 (n = 15) and 3 (n = 47) were seronegative, but, 53% (16 of 30) of animals from period 2 were seropositive, determined by SBV competitive ELISA. Samples from period 2 were additionally analyzed for SBV-neutralizing antibodies. Such antibodies were detected in 16/16 SBV-N-antibody-positive, 3/12 negative and 2/2 doubtful sera. The two tests were in accordance at SBV-neutralizing antibody titers of 1:32 or higher. CONCLUSION: Our results show that SBV circulated among wild cervids during the vector season of 2012. Three years later, no SBV-antibodies were detected in animals born after the vector season 2013. The likely absence of SBV circulation in Sweden, in contrast to other parts of Europe, might be explained by the annual occurrence of a vector-free season due to climate conditions. Interpretations are limited by the small sample-size, but the results suggest that the SBV competitive ELISA has high specificity but might have slightly lower sensitivity compared to a seroneutralization assay, when using samples from wild cervids.

Asunto(s)

Infecciones por Bunyaviridae/veterinaria , Ciervos/virología , Orthobunyavirus/inmunología , Animales , Animales Salvajes , Infecciones por Bunyaviridae/epidemiología , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Insectos Vectores/virología , Pruebas Serológicas/veterinaria , Suecia/epidemiología

RESUMEN

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), a zoonotic arbovirosis caused by tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), is an increasing public health concern. Infections result in neurological symptoms in humans and the virus has rapidly expanded to new geographical areas. Three subtypes are currently present in different parts of Europe and Asia. The virus is transmitted by ticks, mainly Ixodes spp., between small mammals such as rodents, which serve as virus amplifying hosts. Humans are infected sporadically, either by a tick bite or by ingestion of infected milk or milk products. Other mammals (e.g. ruminants) can also be infected, but most of the time do not show clinical signs. In contrast to rodents, other wild and domestic mammals probably play only a very small direct role in maintaining TBEV in an area, but they might play an important role as hosts in sustaining a large tick population. Therefore, the virus prevalence and the occurrence of TBE can be influenced by several environmental, genetic and behavioural factors associated with the virus, the vectors or the hosts, and understanding these factors is essential for implementation of effective control measures. This article reviews virus characteristics and the epidemiological and clinical aspects of TBEV infections and examines pathogenesis, diagnostic approaches and control measures.

Asunto(s)

Virus de la Encefalitis Transmitidos por Garrapatas/genética , Encefalitis Transmitida por Garrapatas/virología , Animales , Encefalitis Transmitida por Garrapatas/epidemiología , Variación Genética , Humanos , Filogenia

RESUMEN

Extensive and rapid spread of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in Sweden was detected by consecutive serological bulk milk surveys conducted before and after the vector season of 2012. Whereas <0.2% of cattle herds tested positive in a first survey in spring 2012, SBV-specific antibodies were detected in almost 75% of 723 bulk milk samples randomly collected all over the country 6 months later, beyond the 65th northern latitude, and with an observed spatial distribution suggesting multiple introductions of the virus. Circulation of virus was later confirmed by the detection of SBV in malformed lambs and calves starting from November 2012 and January 2013, respectively. These observations suggest SBV circulation starting from July 2012, with a peak in transmission between August and October. A local heterogeneity of within-herd seroprevalence was found, indicating that SBV-naïve animals remain also in highly infected areas enabling the re-emergence of the infection in the coming vector season.

Asunto(s)

Infecciones por Bunyaviridae/epidemiología , Infecciones por Bunyaviridae/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/virología , Orthobunyavirus/aislamiento & purificación , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/virología , Animales , Infecciones por Bunyaviridae/virología , Bovinos , Geografía Médica , Leche/virología , Orthobunyavirus/inmunología , Estaciones del Año , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Ovinos , Suecia

RESUMEN

In recent years, botulism type C has become a serious problem in poultry flocks in Sweden. A real-time PCR assay for Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum) type C neurotoxin (BoNTC) gene was developed as an alternative to the mouse bioassay for detection and identification of C. botulinum type C. The complete method consists of an optimized enrichment protocol followed by automated DNA extraction prior to real-time PCR. The sensitivity of the PCR assay was determined with purified DNA to approximately 50 copies per PCR reaction. The specificity of the PCR assay was evaluated on a panel of about thirty relevant bacteria and on samples of caecum from birds collected in connection with botulism outbreaks on Swedish poultry farms. The PCR assay also covers a previously reported chimeric C/D sequence of the gene. Caecum samples from the outbreaks were positive by real-time PCR. Some of these samples were also examined with a set of conventional PCR methods, to distinguish the gene for the chimeric form from the conserved type C gene. Interestingly, the caecum samples were found to be positive for the chimeric C/D sequence. This is the first study in Europe demonstrating the chimeric C/D sequence. When the toxin gene in two of the samples was sequenced, it was closely identical (99-100%) with several previously reported C/D chimeric sequences. DNA extraction and the real-time PCR assay were both performed in a 96-well format, facilitating for future large-scale detection in outbreak situations and prevalence studies.

Asunto(s)

Toxinas Botulínicas/genética , Clostridium botulinum/genética , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/diagnóstico , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa/veterinaria , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , Pollos/microbiología , ADN Bacteriano/genética , Brotes de Enfermedades/veterinaria , Genes Bacterianos/genética , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/epidemiología , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/genética , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN/veterinaria

RESUMEN

The maintenance of pregnancy requires suppression of the maternal immune system which would naturally recognize the developing fetus as an allograft and seek to destroy it by mounting a Th1 regulated cytotoxic immune response. During pregnancy a range of soluble factors are produced by the placenta which switch maternal immune regulation towards a protective Th2 phenotype. These factors also influence the developing fetal immune system and all newborns initially have an immunological milieu skewed towards Th2 immunity. Vaccination during the neonatal period must therefore overcome the dual challenge of the inhibitory effect of maternally derived antibody and this natural Th2 regulatory environment. One means of overcoming these obstacles is by the use of adjuvant systems that can redirect the neonatal immune response towards an appropriate Th1 regulated reaction that affords protection from infectious disease. In this overview, experiments are described in which viral antigens incorporated into immune stimulatory complexes (ISCOMs) are able to induce immune responses with balanced Th1 and Th2 regulation in neonatal mice, as evidenced by the nature of the IgG subclass response and cytokine profile, and the induction of cytotoxic lymphocytes. ISCOM adjuvanted vaccines are able to induce similar protective immunity in the newborn of larger animal species including cattle, horses and dogs.

Asunto(s)

Animales Recién Nacidos/inmunología , Formación de Anticuerpos/inmunología , Sistema Inmunológico/inmunología , Animales , Animales Recién Nacidos/fisiología , Formación de Anticuerpos/fisiología , Antígenos Virales/inmunología , Bovinos , Perros , Caballos , ISCOMs/inmunología , Sistema Inmunológico/fisiología , Inmunidad Materno-Adquirida/inmunología , Inmunidad Materno-Adquirida/fisiología , Ratones , Vacunas Virales/inmunología

Asunto(s)

Enfermedades de los Gatos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/prevención & control , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/veterinaria , Animales , Bartonella henselae/genética , Bartonella henselae/aislamiento & purificación , Enfermedades de los Gatos/etiología , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/epidemiología , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/etiología , Enfermedad por Rasguño de Gato/prevención & control , Gatos , ADN Bacteriano/análisis , Femenino , Masculino , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/veterinaria , Prevalencia , Suecia/epidemiología

RESUMEN

Using R-beta-[1-(11)C]hydroxybutyrate and positron emission tomography, we studied the effect of acute hyperketonemia (range 0.7-1.7 micromol/ml) on cerebral ketone body utilization in six nondiabetic subjects and six insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients with average metabolic control (HbA(1c) = 8.1 +/- 1.7%). An infusion of unlabeled R-beta-hydroxybutyrate was started 1 h before the bolus injection of R-beta-[1-(11)C]hydroxybutyrate. The time course of the radioactivity in the brain was measured during 10 min. For both groups, the utilization rate of ketone bodies was found to increase nearly proportionally with the plasma concentration of ketone bodies (1.0 +/- 0.3 micromol/ml for nondiabetic subjects and 1.3 +/- 0.3 micromol/ml for IDDM patients). No transport of ketone bodies from the brain could be detected. This result, together with a recent study of the tissue concentration of R-beta-hydroxybutyrate in the brain by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, indicate that, also at acute hyperketonemia, the rate-limiting step for ketone body utilization is the transport into the brain. No significant difference in transport and utilization of ketone bodies could be detected between the nondiabetic subjects and the IDDM patients.

Asunto(s)

Encéfalo/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/metabolismo , Cuerpos Cetónicos/sangre , Cuerpos Cetónicos/farmacocinética , Cetosis/sangre , Ácido 3-Hidroxibutírico/administración & dosificación , Enfermedad Aguda , Adulto , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagen , Radioisótopos de Carbono , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/sangre , Humanos , Infusiones Intravenosas , Masculino , Modelos Biológicos , Valores de Referencia , Análisis de Regresión , Factores de Tiempo , Tomografía Computarizada de Emisión

RESUMEN

We report the follow-up of 47 patients with penile hypospadias who were treated by the Scuderi procedure between 1988 and 1998 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. Forty of the patients (85%) had had no previous operations, while the remaining seven had had meatotomy with chordectomy only, or an unsuccessful Dennis-Browne procedure. Hypospadias was distal in 35 (74%), mediopenile in 8 (17%), and proximal in 4 (9%); 21 (45%) showed signs of curvature. After a Scuderi urethroplasty one patient developed a fistula (2%) and 4 developed mild stenosis. The early success rate was therefore 42/47 (89%) and this later increased to 46/47 (98%) after non-surgical treatment of the stenoses. The results support the use of the Scuderi procedure for correction of primary and secondary penile hypospadias with a low complication rate.

Asunto(s)

Hipospadias/cirugía , Colgajos Quirúrgicos , Niño , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Masculino , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/epidemiología , Factores de Tiempo , Uretra/cirugía

RESUMEN

[11C]physostigmine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, has been shown to be a promising positron emission tomography ligand to quantify the cerebral concentration of the enzyme in animals and humans in vivo. Here, a quantitative and noninvasive method to measure the regional acetylcholinesterase concentration in the brain is presented. The method is based on the observation that the ratio between regions rich in acetylcholinesterase and white matter, a region almost entirely deprived of this enzyme, was found to become approximately constant after 20 to 30 minutes, suggesting that at late time points the uptake mainly contains information about the distribution volume. Taking the white matter as the reference region, a simplified reference tissue model, with effectively one reversible tissue compartment and three parameters, was found to give a good description of the data in baboons. One of these parameters, the ratio between the total distribution volumes in the target and reference regions, showed a satisfactory correlation with the acetylcholinesterase concentration measured postmortem in two baboon brains. Eight healthy male subjects were also analyzed and the regional enzyme concentrations obtained again showed a good correlation with the known acetylcholinesterase concentrations measured in postmortem studies of human brain.

Asunto(s)

Acetilcolinesterasa/análisis , Encéfalo/enzimología , Radioisótopos de Carbono , Inhibidores de la Colinesterasa , Fisostigmina , Tomografía Computarizada de Emisión , Acetilcolinesterasa/metabolismo , Adulto , Anciano , Animales , Sitios de Unión , Barrera Hematoencefálica , Corteza Cerebral/enzimología , Inhibidores de la Colinesterasa/administración & dosificación , Inhibidores de la Colinesterasa/metabolismo , Humanos , Cinética , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Papio , Fisostigmina/administración & dosificación , Fisostigmina/metabolismo , Puente/enzimología , Putamen/enzimología , Lóbulo Temporal/enzimología , Tálamo/enzimología , Distribución Tisular

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: It is well known that space travel cause post-flight orthostatic hypotension and it was assumed that autonomic cardiovascular control deteriorates in space. Lower body negative pressure (LBNP) was used to assess autonomic function of the cardiovascular system. METHODS: LBNP tests were performed on six crew-members before and on the first days post-flight in a series of three space missions. Additionally, two of the subjects performed LBNP tests in-flight. LBNP mimics fluid distribution of upright posture in a gravity independent way. It causes an artificial sequestration of blood, reduces preload, and filtrates plasma into the lower part of the body. Fluid distribution was assessed by bioelectrical impedance and anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: Heart rate, blood pressure, and total peripheral resistance increased significantly during LBNP experiments in-flight. The decrease in stroke volume, the increased pooling of blood, and the increased filtration of plasma into the lower limbs during LBNP indicated that a plasma volume reduction and a deficit of the interstitial volume of lower limbs rather than a change in cardiovascular control was responsible for the in-flight response. Post-flight LBNP showed no signs of cardiovascular deterioration. The still more pronounced haemodynamic changes during LBNP reflected the expected behaviour of cardiovascular control faced with less intravascular volume. In-flight, the status of an intra-and extravascular fluid deficit increases sympathetic activity, the release of vasoactive substances and consequently blood pressure. Post-flight, blood pressure decreases significantly below pre-flight values after restoration of volume deficits. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the cardiovascular changes in-flight are a consequence of a fluid deficit rather than a consequence of changes in autonomic signal processing.

Asunto(s)

Hemodinámica , Hipotensión Ortostática/etiología , Presión Negativa de la Región Corporal Inferior/métodos , Vuelo Espacial , Ingravidez/efectos adversos , Adulto , Astronautas , Humanos , Hipotensión Ortostática/fisiopatología , Hipovolemia/etiología , Hipovolemia/fisiopatología , Masculino , Sistema Nervioso Simpático/fisiopatología , Nervio Vago/fisiopatología

RESUMEN

In the upright position, gravity fills the low-pressure systems of human circulation with blood and interstitial fluid in the sections below the diaphragm. Without gravity one pressure component in the vessels disappears and the relationship between hydrostatic pressure and oncotic pressure, which regulates fluid passage across the capillary endothelium in the terminal vascular bed, shifts constantly. The visible consequences of this are a puffy face and "bird" legs. The plasma volume shrinks in space and the range of cardiovascular control is reduced. When they stand up for the first time after landing, 30-50% of astronauts suffer from orthostatic intolerance. It remains unclear whether microgravity impairs cardiovascular reflexes, or whether it is the altered volume status that causes the cardiovascular instability following space flight. Lower body negative pressure was used in several space missions to stimulate the cardiovascular reflexes before, during and after a space flight. The results show that cardiovascular reflexes are maintained in microgravity. However, the astronauts' volume status changed in space, towards a volume-retracted state, as measurements of fluid-regulating hormones have shown. It can be hypothesized that the control of circulation and body fluid homeostasis in humans is adapted to their upright posture in the Earth's gravitational field. Autonomic control regulates fluid distribution to maintain the blood pressure in that posture, which most of us have to cope with for two-thirds of the day. A determined amount of interstitial volume is necessary to maintain the dynamic range of cardiovascular control in the upright posture; otherwise orthostatic intolerance may occur more often.

Asunto(s)

Fenómenos Fisiológicos Cardiovasculares , Síndrome de Shy-Drager/fisiopatología , Vuelo Espacial , Estrés Fisiológico/fisiopatología , Adulto , Líquidos Corporales/fisiología , Corazón/fisiología , Hormonas/fisiología , Humanos , Presión Negativa de la Región Corporal Inferior , Masculino , Volumen Plasmático/fisiología , Postura/fisiología , Sistema Nervioso Simpático/fisiología , Síncope/fisiopatología , Función Ventricular Izquierda/fisiología , Agua , Pérdida Insensible de Agua/fisiología

RESUMEN

Intramuscular pressure (IMP) was measured in 16 patients during secondary wound closure by dermatotraction with external tissue extension (ETE). Secondary wound closure was done 4-16 days after fasciotomy for acute compartment syndrome. The traction between wound edges was 2.5 N in the first six patients and 3.5 N in the following 10 patients. Mean (SD) IMP was 6.9 (3.5) mmHg before wound closure. It increased to 12.3 (1.4) mmHg in the 2.5 N group and to 24.7 (7.0) mmHg in the 3.5 N group when dermatotraction was applied. Mean (SD) leg perfusion pressure in the 2.5 N group decreased by 7% to 69.3 (10.9) mmHg and in the 3.5 N group by 23% to 62.2 (7.4) mmHg. None of the patients needed a skin graft. We conclude that dermatotraction by ETE raises IMP intraoperatively sufficiently to preserve adequate limb perfusion pressures.

Asunto(s)

Síndromes Compartimentales/cirugía , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Dermatologicos , Fasciotomía , Tracción/métodos , Enfermedad Aguda , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Femenino , Humanos , Pierna/irrigación sanguínea , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Músculo Esquelético/fisiología , Presión

RESUMEN

The effect of hyperglycaemia on regional cerebral glucose utilization was studied in five healthy males fasted over-night using positron emission tomography. Selectively labelled glucose, [1-11C]-D-glucose, was used as a tracer. After correction for the small loss of [11C]CO2 from the tissue, this tracer measures the rate of glucose oxidation rather than the total rate of glucose metabolism. Each subject was investigated twice: during normoglycaemia (plasma glucose 5.3 +/- 0.3 mumol mL-1) and at the end of a 2-h period of hyperglycaemia (plasma glucose 13.8 +/- 0.7 mumol mL-1). Assuming unchanged rate constant for loss of labelled CO2 at normo- and hyperglycaemia the oxidative metabolic rate of glucose was found to be slightly larger at combined hyperglycaemia and hypersulinemia (0.30 +/- 0.01 mmol mL-1 min-1) than at normal glucose and insulin levels (0.25 +/- 0.01 mmol mL-1 min-1). This suggests that the process of glucose phosphorylation might not be fully saturated in the human brain or, alternatively, that the glycogen deposition increases during short-term hyperglycaemia. The relative increase of oxidative metabolic rate was considerably larger (approximately 50%) in white matter than in the brain as a whole (20%). The brain glucose content was found to increase non-linearly with increasing plasma glucose. Together with data from previous studies these results suggest that the free glucose in the human brain is close to zero when the plasma glucose is below 2 mumol mL-1.

Asunto(s)

Encéfalo/metabolismo , Glucosa/metabolismo , Hiperglucemia/metabolismo , Adulto , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagen , Radioisótopos de Carbono , Humanos , Hiperglucemia/diagnóstico por imagen , Masculino , Concentración Osmolar , Oxidación-Reducción , Valores de Referencia , Tomografía Computarizada de Emisión

RESUMEN

Several approaches have been applied for quantification of D2 dopamine receptors in positron emission tomography studies using [11C]raclopride. Initial approaches were based on analyses of data obtained after rapid bolus injection of [11C]raclopride. A continuous infusion paradigm has more recently been applied. The current study compares these approaches in healthy men. Two positron emission tomography measurements were performed in each of six healthy men, the first with rapid bolus injection and the second with continuous infusion of [11C]raclopride. In rapid bolus injection, the binding potential was calculated by the following methods. One approach is the kinetic analysis using the standard three-compartment model. Another is to define a transient equilibrium at the moment when the specific binding reaches its maximum. In continuous infusion, binding potential was calculated by using time-activity data at equilibrium condition. All methods gave almost identical binding potential, representing cross-validation of these methods. The continuous infusion method can provide "true" equilibrium condition. The kinetic analysis is a sophisticated approach but requires determination of an arterial input function. The transient equilibrium method thus is suitable for routine clinical research, since it does not require determination of an arterial input function.

Asunto(s)

Antagonistas de Dopamina/metabolismo , Receptores de Dopamina D2/metabolismo , Salicilamidas/metabolismo , Tomografía Computarizada de Emisión/métodos , Adulto , Radioisótopos de Carbono , Fenómenos Químicos , Química , Humanos , Infusiones Intravenosas , Inyecciones Intravenosas , Masculino , Racloprida , Ensayo de Unión Radioligante , Valores de Referencia

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Animal experiments suggest that epileptic seizures alter the expression of mRNA for neuro-receptors. PET measurements with [11C]flumazenil show that patients with partial seizures have a reduced density of benzodiazepine (BZ) receptors in the epileptogenic regions (ER) and some of the target areas for seizure activity, the so called projection areas. Recent data suggest that the degree of BZ receptor reduction in ER is correlated to seizure frequency. We therefore hypothesized that seizure activity can alter the BZ receptor binding, and that some of these changes could normalize when the seizures disappeared. METHODS: In 4 patients whose seizures were generated by mesial temporal lobe structures, BZ receptor density was measured with [11C]flumazenil PET before, and 1 year after the epilepsy surgery and cessation of seizures. By use of a computerized anatomical brain atlas the same regions were analyzed in both PET scans, and the results related to data from 7 healthy controls. RESULTS: Presurgical PET scans showed reductions in BZ receptor density in the epileptogenic region and some of its primary projection areas. Other cortical regions had normal values. Postsurgically, the calculated BZ receptor density normalized (29+/-17% increase) in several of the affected projection areas, whereas the values in other cortical regions remained unaltered. CONCLUSION: Regional reductions in BZ receptor density may be dynamic and related to seizures. The present preliminary observations encourage further studies on seizure-related changes in regional receptor binding in humans.

Asunto(s)

Corteza Cerebral/química , Epilepsia del Lóbulo Temporal/metabolismo , Epilepsia del Lóbulo Temporal/cirugía , Receptores de GABA-A/metabolismo , Convulsiones/metabolismo , Adulto , Radioisótopos de Carbono , Corteza Cerebral/diagnóstico por imagen , Corteza Cerebral/metabolismo , Intervalos de Confianza , Epilepsia del Lóbulo Temporal/diagnóstico por imagen , Femenino , Flumazenil , Estudios de Seguimiento , Moduladores del GABA , Humanos , Masculino , Neocórtex/química , Neocórtex/diagnóstico por imagen , Proyectos Piloto , Corteza Prefrontal/química , Corteza Prefrontal/diagnóstico por imagen , Probabilidad , Ensayo de Unión Radioligante , Receptores de GABA-A/análisis , Convulsiones/diagnóstico por imagen , Técnicas Estereotáxicas , Lóbulo Temporal/química , Lóbulo Temporal/diagnóstico por imagen , Tomografía Computarizada de Emisión , Resultado del Tratamiento

RESUMEN

An insufficient quality and amount of bone often necessitate the clinical use of implants together with bone transplants. The present study describes an experimental animal model for the study of implants in bone grafts. Circular defects were made bilaterally in the tibia of 36 rabbits. The defects received either autologous cortical bone (control), demineralized bone matrix (DBM), plasma-augmented DBM or were left empty (without bone graft). In all defects a titanium implant was centrally placed and anchored in the opposite cortex. Evaluation with light microscopic morphometry showed that the insertion of a threaded titanium implant centrally in a cortical defect was followed by a spontaneous healing of the defect after 6 mon. After 6 wk, all implants in cortical grafts were well integrated with a significantly higher bone-to-implant contact than in the DBM and plasma-augmented groups. After 6 mon, all experimental groups had a mean bone area within the threads ranging between 69% and 80% and a mean bone-to-implant contact between 31% and 42%. The results from the present study indicate that the model allows comparative studies on the early formation, resorption and remodelling of bone around implants after modification of implant, graft and host properties.

RESUMEN

An accurate determination of non-specific binding is required for the analysis of in vitro and in vivo receptor binding data. For some radioligands the non-specific binding is of the same magnitude as the specific binding. Furthermore, in vitro measurements have shown that the non-specific binding can be different in different brain regions. If this is the case in a PET study for determining Bmax and Kd, a correction for the non-specific binding has to be applied. The aim of the present communication is to present a means for determining corrected Bmax and Kd with Scatchard analysis using in vitro binding studies. The influence of non-specific binding on the free and specifically bound radioligand is expressed with the aid of a correction factor, which can be calculated from measurable quantities. Introduction of the corrected free and specifically bound radioligand should give binding parameters closer to reality than previously obtained results.

Asunto(s)

Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagen , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Ensayo de Unión Radioligante/métodos , Receptores de Superficie Celular/análisis , Tomografía Computarizada de Emisión de Fotón Único/métodos , Tomografía Computarizada de Emisión/métodos , Animales , Sitios de Unión , Humanos , Cinética , Ligandos , Ratas , Receptores de Superficie Celular/metabolismo , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Especificidad por Sustrato , Tritio

RESUMEN

An alpha-2 proteobacterium, previously unknown as determined by its phylogenetic characteristics and the DNA sequence of its 16S rRNA gene, was isolated from a patient who presented an unusual clinical picture, including high remitting fever and multiorgan involvement. The bacterium was detected in multiple plasma samples, obtained during the acute phase of the disease, after cocultivation in cell culture media. Electron microscopy of the organism showed a three-layer laminar cell wall and electron-dense granules within the cytoplasm, as well as a polar flagellum. By means of PCR followed by sequencing of amplified 16S ribosomal DNA fragments, the bacterium was found to differ from all species for which ribosomal sequence information is available. It is here provisionally named the Rasbo bacterium. At a subsequent relapse, the bacterium was identified in pericardial fluid both by PCR/sequencing and by direct electron microscopy. At a second relapse, it was again cultured from plasma. After in vitro adaptation to solid media, the MICs of various antibiotics could be determined. A transient immunoglobulin M (IgM) but no IgG response to the bacterium was found by an indirect immunofluorescence test, as well as by an immobilization test during the acute phase of the disease.

Asunto(s)

Bacterias/clasificación , ARN Bacteriano/genética , ARN Ribosómico 16S/genética , Adulto , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Bacterias/efectos de los fármacos , Bacterias/genética , Bacterias/crecimiento & desarrollo , Bacterias/ultraestructura , Evaluación Preclínica de Medicamentos , Técnica del Anticuerpo Fluorescente Indirecta , Humanos , Masculino , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Microscopía Electrónica , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Filogenia , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Homología de Secuencia de Ácido Nucleico

RESUMEN

Forty one patients were operated on for different skin defects using the external tissue extender (ETE). The indications were similar to those in which ordinary tissue expanders were used with a prevalence of scars (n = 20, 46%) and previous skin grafts (n = 12, 28%). The ETE was used all over the body but mainly on the upper (n = 18, 42%) and lower (n = 12, 28%) extremities. The mean treatment time was eight days, and the complication rate was 8% compared with the reported 25% using ordinary tissue expanders. The advantages of the ETE compared to ordinary tissue expanders are that it saves time and money for doctors and patients, it is easy to handle, and it is almost always possible to operate under local anaesthesia.

Asunto(s)

Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Dermatologicos , Dispositivos de Expansión Tisular , Expansión de Tejido/métodos , Adolescente , Adulto , Brazo/cirugía , Diseño de Equipo , Femenino , Humanos , Pierna/cirugía , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad

RESUMEN

The authors describes a new device for external tissue extension (ETE) which will be able to replace or complement tissue expanders. The device consists of many ETE units, each unit consisting of a needle and two friction stoppers counted on a silicone string. Application, optimal tension and final surgical procedure are described. The indications are the same as for tissue expanders, e.g. scars, naevi and previous skin grafts, and also concern the closure of acute fasciotomies. The advantages are numerous: very simple technique, application under local anaesthetics, faster cutaneous profits (5-6 days), inexpensive total treatment, low complication rate.

Asunto(s)

Piel , Dispositivos de Expansión Tisular , Expansión de Tejido/métodos , Humanos