Botulinum toxin A in non-dystonic tremors.

The present pilot study evaluated the effect of botulinum toxin A on primarily non-dystonic tremors using accelerometry in a single-blind, placebo-controlled design. Resting, postural, intention, or head tremor were assessed before and approximately 1 month after intramuscular saline and botulinum toxin A (25-50 U) respectively. Half of the patients showed > or = 30% placebo effect. Tremor in 10 of 17 patients (60%) studied improved further after botulinum toxin A (range 30-95%), exceeding the placebo effect by > or = 30%. Nine patients demonstrated clinically significant focal weakness in the extensor muscles after botulinum toxin A which interfered with fine movements. Patients were subdivided into PD-like and ET-like tremor(s). Both groups experienced large placebo effects for resting tremor, with little or no further improvement after botulinum toxin A. The improvement in postural tremor after botulinum toxin A, of 40% in the PD-like and 57% in the ET-like groups, however, was approximately twice that of placebo. In conclusion, botulinum toxin A exerts a modest tremorlytic effect, however the dose, and its distribution over the sites injected, need to be optimised to minimise focal weakness.

Analysis of angiotensin II- and ACTH-driven mineralocorticoid functions and omental adiposity in a non-genetic, hyperadipose female rat phenotype

The hypothalamic damage induced by neonatal treatment with monosodium l-glutamate (MSG) induces several metabolic abnormalities, resulting in a rat hyperleptinemic-hyperadipose phenotype. This study was conducted to explore the impact of the neonatal MSG treatment, in the adult (120 days old) female rat on: (a) the in vivo and in vitro mineralocorticoid responses to ACTH and angiotensin II (AII); (b) the effect of leptin on ACTH- and AII-stimulated mineralocorticoid secretions by isolated corticoadrenal cells; and (c) abdominal adiposity characteristics. Our data indicate that, compared with age-matched controls, MSG rats displayed: (1) enhanced and reduced mineralocorticoid responses to ACTH and AII treatments, respectively, effects observed in both in vivo and in vitro conditions; (2) adrenal refractoriness to the inhibitory effect of exogenous leptin on ACTH-stimulated aldosterone output by isolated adrenocortical cells; and (3) distorted omental adiposity morphology and function. This study supports that the adult hyperleptinemic MSG female rat is characterized by enhanced ACTH-driven mineralocorticoid function, impaired adrenal leptin sensitivity, and disrupted abdominal adiposity function. MSG rats could counteract undesirable effects of glucocorticoid excess, by developing a reduced AII-driven mineralocorticoid function. Thus, chronic hyperleptinemia could play a protective role against ACTH-mediated allostatic loads in the adrenal leptin resistant, MSG female rat phenotype.

Field trials of low dose Bayluscide on snail hosts of schistosome and selected non-target organisms in sahelian Cameroon

More than 85% of all cases of schistosomiasis in Cameroon occur in the northern sahelian half of the country representing 20% of the population. Several workers have advocated the integrated approach to schistosomiasis control, including snail control, but the death and decay of aquatic organisms, and fish kill that often follows Bayluscide application at the dose of 1g/m³ decrease its acceptability. The present study was designed to assess the effect of lower Bayluscide doses on snail host and non-target fish, frog, the tadpole kill. Bayluscide was applied to study ponds at concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g/m³ (ppm). Pre and post application assessment of snails hosts of schistosomes, fish, frog, and tadpole kill were carried out. All 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g/m³ Bayluscide concentrations reduced snail population significantly. Bayluscide concentration of 0.50 g/m³ applied in two rounds of 0.25 g/m³ resulted in high snail mortality and low lethality to fish, frogs, and tadpoles. Further studies are needed to assess the cost-effectiveness of Bayluscide in the control of schistosomiasis following the simplified approach.

Adult non-smokers' exposure to second-hand smoke

This quantitative study was commissioned by the DHSSPS as part of their smoke-free monitoring and evaluation strategy after the introduction of smoke-free legislation in Northern Ireland in April 2007.The research was undertaken to determine the impact of smoke-free legislation on non-smoking adults who live with a smoker.Using research carried out both before and after the introduction of smoke-free legislation, this study details for the first time the attitudes and knowledge of non-smoking adults living with smokers in Northern Ireland, in relation to second-hand smoke.The study also reports non-smokers' exposure to second-hand smoke in a range of environments.

Application of biochemical and polymerase chain reaction assays for identification of Campylobacter isolates from non-human primates

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was performed on 167 thermophilic campylobacters isolated from non-human primates. Samples were first identified by phenotypic methods resulting in 64 Campylobacter jejuni and 103 C. coli strains. Four strains identified biochemically as C. coli, were then determined to be C. jejuni by PCR. Comparison of methodologies showed that the main discrepancies were attributed to the hippurate hydrolysis test and sensitivity to cephalothin and nalidixic acid. Analysis of data showed that the application of phenotypic methods should be supplemented by a molecular method to offer a more reliable Campylobacter identification.

Healthy child, health future - Speech and language therapy: Factsheet for parents 2. Helping your young non-fluent child

This factsheet outlines how parents can help their child speak more fluently, without stammering.

Early Carboniferous age of the Versoyen ophiolites and consequences: non-existence of a "Valais ocean'' (Lower Penninic, western Alps)

Ophiolites occur at several places in the Lower Penninic of the W and Central Alps. They are generally ascribed to oceanic crust of a so-called ``Valais ocean'' of Cretaceous age which plays a fundamental role in many models of Alpine paleogeography and geodynamics. The type locality and only observational base for the definition of a ``Valais ocean'' in the W Alps is the Versoyen ophiolitic complex, on the French-Italian boundary W of the Petit St-Bernard col. The idea of a "Valais ocean'' is based on two propositions that are since 40 years the basis for most reconstructions of the Lower Penninic: (1) The Versoyen forms the (overturned) stratigraphic base of the Cretaceous-Tertiary Valais-Tarentaise series; and (2) it has a Cretaceous age. We present new field and isotopic data that severely challenge both propositions. (1) The base of the Versoyen ophiolite is a thrust. It overlies a wildflysch with blocks of Versoyen rocks, named the Mechandeur Formation. This ``supra-Tarentaise'' wildflysch has been confused with an (overturned) stratigraphic transition from the Versoyen to the Valais-Tarentaise series. Thus the contact Versoyen/Tarentaise is not stratigraphic but tectonic, and the Versoyen ophiolite has no link with the Valais basin. This thrust corresponds to an inverse metamorphic discontinuity and to an abrupt change in tectonic style. (2) The contact of the Versoyen complex with the overlying Triassic-Jurassic Petit St-Bernard (PSB) series is stratigraphic (and not tectonic as admitted by all authors since 50 years). Several types of sedimentary structures polarize it and show that the PSB series is younger than the Versoyen. Consequently the Versoyen ophiolitic complex is Paleozoic and forms the basement of the PSB Mesozoic sediments. They both belong to a single tectonic unit, named the Versoyen-Petit St-Bernard nappe. (3) Ion microprobe U-Pb isotopic data on zircons from the main gabbroic intrusion in the Versoyen complex give a crystallization age of 337.0 +/- 4.1 Ma (Visean, Early Carboniferous). These zircons show typical oscillatory zoning and no overgrowth or corrosion. and are interpreted to date the Versoyen magmatism. These U-Pb data are in excellent agreement with our field observations and confirm the Paleozoic age of the Versoyen ophiolite. The existence of a ``Valais ocean'' of Cretaceous age in the W Alps becomes very improbable. The eclogite facies metamorphism of the Versoyen-Petit St-Bernard nappe results from an Alpine intra-continental subduction, guided by a Paleozoic oceanic suture. This is an example of the lone term influence of inherited deep-seated structures on a Much younger orogeny. This might well be a major cause of of the inherent complexity of the Alps.

Non-formal education for schistosomiasis prevention: the experience of the Museu Arqueológico de Central, Bahia, Brazil

The activities described here form part of an extensive programme in place in the Região Arqueológica de Central, state of Bahia, Brazil. After malacological and socio-environmental surveys in the area, a strategy comprising formal and non-formal education with an emphasis on schistosomiasis prevention was developed, introduced, and evaluated. Interviews were conducted of 142 students and 11 teachers, totalling 11 classes at six primary schools. On the basis of those interviews, four display cases and seven panels were prepared. In addition a table was set up where students could participate directly on the subject, drawing and recognising the factors involved in the schistosomiasis cycle. The exhibition was held at the Museu Arqueológico de Central. The endeavours of this paper underline the importance of health education as well as exhibitions to disease prevention activities.

Microsatellite characterization of Plasmodium falciparum from symptomatic and non-symptomatic infections from the Western Amazon reveals the existence of non-symptomatic infection-associated genotypes

In Western Amazon areas with perennial malaria transmission, long term residents frequently develop partial immunity to malarial infection caused either by Plasmodium falciparum or P. vivax, resulting in a considerable number of non-symptomatically infected individuals. For yet unknown reasons, these individuals sporadically develop symptomatic malaria. In order to identify if determined parasite genotypes, defined by a combination of eleven microsatellite markers, were associated to different outcomes - symptomatic or asymptomatic malaria - we analyzed infecting P. falciparum parasites in a suburban riverine population. Despite of detecting a high degree of diversity in the analyzed samples, several microsatellite marker alleles appeared accumulated in parasites from non-symptomatic infections. This result may be interpreted that a number of microsatellites, which are not directly related to antigenic features, could be associated to the outcome of malarial infection. The result may also point to a low frequency of recombinatorial events which otherwise would dissociate genes under strong immune pressure from the relatively neutral microsatellite loci.

RNA polymerase I promoter and splice acceptor site recognition affect gene expression in non-pathogenic Leishmania species

Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae has biotechnological potential for use as live vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis and as a system for the over expression of eukaryotic proteins that possess accurate post-translational modifications. For both purposes, new systems for protein expression in this non-pathogenic protozoan are necessary. The ribosomal RNA promoter proved to be a stronger transcription driver since its use yielded increased levels of recombinant protein in organisms of both genera Trypanosoma or Leishmania. We have evaluated heterologous expression systems using vectors with two different polypyrimidine tracts in the splice acceptor site by measuring a reporter gene transcribed from L. tarentolae RNA polymerase I promoter. Our data indicate that the efficiency of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase expression changed drastically with homologous or heterologous sequences, depending on the polypyrimidine tract used in the construct and differences in size and/or distance from the AG dinucleotide. In relation to the promoter sequence the reporter expression was higher in heterologous lizard-infecting species than in the homologous L. tarentolae or in the mammalian-infecting L. (Leishmania) amazonensis.

Epidemiology of Chagas disease in non endemic countries: the role of international migration

Human infection with the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi extends through North, Central, and South America, affecting 21 countries. Most human infections in the Western Hemisphere occur through contact with infected bloodsucking insects of the triatomine species. As T. cruzi can be detected in the blood of untreated infected individuals, decades after infection took place; the infection can be also transmitted through blood transfusion and organ transplant, which is considered the second most common mode of transmission for T. cruzi. The third mode of transmission is congenital infection. Economic hardship, political problems, or both, have spurred migration from Chagas endemic countries to developed countries. The main destination of this immigration is Australia, Canada, Spain, and the United States. In fact, human infection through blood or organ transplantation, as well as confirmed or potential cases of congenital infections has been described in Spain and in the United States. Estimates reported here indicates that in Australia in 2005-2006, 1067 of the 65,255 Latin American immigrants (16 per 1000) may be infected with T. cruzi, and in Canada, in 2001, 1218 of the 131,135 immigrants (9 per 1000) whose country of origin was identified may have been also infected. In Spain, a magnet for Latin American immigrants since the 2000, 5125 of 241,866 legal immigrants in 2003 (25 per 1000), could be infected. In the United States, 56,028 to 357,205 of the 7,20 million, legal immigrants (8 to 50 per 1000), depending on the scenario, from the period 1981-2005 may be infected with T. cruzi. On the other hand, 33,193 to 336,097 of the estimated 5,6 million undocumented immigrants in 2000 (6 to 59 per 1000) could be infected. Non endemic countries receiving immigrants from the endemic ones should develop policies to protect organ recipients from T. cruzi infection, prevent tainting the blood supply with T. cruzi, and implement secondary prevention of congenital Chagas disease.