Vaccines for papillomavirus infection

Vaccines to prevent PV infection, utilising PV L1 virus like particles (VLPs) to induce neutralising antibody, are in clinical trial and show all the characteristics likely to be associated with success. Results warrant global planning for the deployment of VLP vaccines within a decade, as part of a program to prevent cervical cancer. Vaccines designed to treat existing PV infection by inducing therapeutic cellular immunity targeted to PV proteins are at a much earlier stage of development. The wide choice of potential and proposed antigens, routes and mechanisms of delivery, and possible treatment regimens suggest that, to move the field forward, surrogate markers allowing comparison of the relative efficacy of different vaccine approaches are required. These should be based on reduction in load of virus infection, and need to be validated in animal models or in man. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

Experimental study of phase equilibria in the "FeO"-ZnO-(CaO+SiO2) system with CaO/SiO2 weight ratios of 0.33, 0.93, and 1.2 in equilibrium with metallic iron

The pseudoternary sections FeO-ZnO-(CaO + SiO2) with CaO/SiO2 weight ratios of 0.33, 0.93, and 1.2 in equilibrium with metallic iron have been experimentally investigated in the temperature range from 1000 degreesC to 1300 degreesC (1273 to 1573 K). The liquidus surfaces in these pseudoternary sections have been experimentally determined in the composition range from 0 to 33 wt pct ZnO and 30 to 70 wt pct (CaO + SiO2). The sections contain primary-phase fields of wustite (FexZn1-xO1+y), zincite (ZnzFe1-zO), fayalite (Fu(w)Zn(2-w)SiO(4)), melilite (Ca2ZnuFe1-uSi2O7), willemite (ZnvFe2-vSiO4), dicalcium silicate (Ca2SiO4), pseudowollastonite and wollastonite (CaSiO3), and tridymite (SiO2). The phase equilibria involving the liquid phase and the solid solutions-have also been measured.

Association between HIV-1 infection, the etiology of genital ulcer disease, and response to syndromic management

Background: Reports on the effect of HIV-1 infection on healing rates of ulcers are conflicting. Goal: The goal was to determine the etiology and response to treatment of genital ulcer disease (GUD) in relation to HIV-1 infection. Study Design: This was a cohort study of patients with GUD treated with local syndromic management protocols. Results: Among the 587 recruited, the prevalences of infections due to HSV, Treponema pallidum, Chlamydia trachomatis (lymphogranuloma venereum [LGV]), Haemophilus ducreyi, Calymmatobacterium granulomatis, and HIV-1 were 48%, 14%, 11%, 10%, 1%, and 75%, respectively. The prevalence of T pallidum was higher among men (P = 0.03), and an association was seen among HIV-1-seronegatives on univariate and multivariate analyses (P < 0.001; P = 0.01). The prevalence of C trachomatis (LGV) was higher among females (P = 0.004), and an association was seen among HIV-1-seropositives on univariate analysis (P = 0.04). At follow-up, 40/407 (10%) showed a decreased healing tendency, not associated with ulcer etiology or HIV-1 seropositivity. Conclusion: Response to syndromic management of GUD was acceptable and not associated with HIV-1 coinfection.

Solid-State Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of the Ammonium Salt of Croconate Violet, a Pseudo-Oxocarbon Ion

The present work describes the crystal structure, vibrational spectra, and theoretical calculations of ammonium salts of 3,5-bis-(dicyanomethylene)cyclopentane-1,2,4-trionate, (NH(4))(2)(C(11)N(4)O(3)) [(NH(4))(2)CV], also known as ammonium croconate violet. This compound crystallizes in triclinic P (1) over bar and contains two water molecules per unit formula. The crystal packing is stabilized by hydrogen bonds involving water molecules and ammonium cations, giving rise to a 3D polymeric arrangement. In this structure, a pi-stacking interaction is not observed, as the smaller centroid-centroid distance is 4.35 angstrom. Ab initio electronic structure calculations under periodic boundary conditions were performed to predict vibrational and electronic properties. The vibrational analysis was used to assist the assignments of the Raman and infrared bands. The solid structure was optimized and characterized as a minimum in the potential-energy surface. The stabilizing intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the crystal Structure were characterized by difference charge-density analysis. The analysis of the density of states of (NH(4))(2)CV gives an energy gap of 1.4 eV with a significant contribution of carbon and nitrogen 2p states for valence and conduction bands.

The prevalence, intensities and risk factors associated with geohelminth infection in tea-growing communities of Assam, India

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence, intensity and associated risk factors for infection with Ascaris, hookworms and Trichuris in three tea-growing communities in Assam, India. METHODS Single faecal samples were collected from 328 individuals and subjected to centrifugal floatation and the Kato Katz quantitation technique and prevalence and intensities of infection with each parasite calculated. Associations between parasite prevalence, intensity and host and environmental factors were then made using both univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS The overall prevalence of Ascaris was 38% [95% confidence interval (CI): 33, 43], and the individual prevalence of hookworm and Trichuris was 43% (95% CI: 38, 49). The strongest predictors for the intensity of one or more geohelminths using multiple regression (P less than or equal to 0.10) were socioeconomic status, age, household crowding, level of education, religion, use of footwear when outdoors, defecation practices, pig ownership and water source. CONCLUSION A universal blanket treatment with broad-spectrum anthelmintics together with promotion of scholastic and health education and improvements in sanitation is recommended for helminth control in the communities under study.

Experimental study of the deposition of combustion aerosols in the human respiratory tract

The total deposition of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), diesel and petrol smoke in the respiratory tract of 14 non-smokers between the ages of 20 and 30 was determined experimentally. A scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) measuring a size range of 0.016-0.626 mu m was used to characterise the inhaled and exhaled aerosol during relaxed nasal breathing over a period of 10 min. The ETS, diesel, and petrol particles had average count median diameter (and geometric standard deviation) of 0.183 mu m (1.7), 0.125 mu m (1.7), and 0.069 mu m (1.7), respectively. The average total number deposition of ETS was 36% (standard deviation 10%), of diesel smoke 30% (standard deviation 9%), and of petrol smoke 41% (standard deviation 8%). The analysis of the deposition patterns as a function of particle size for the three aerosols in each individual showed that there is a significant difference between each aerosol for a majority of individuals (12 out of 14). This is an important result as it indicates that differences persist regardless of inter-subject variability. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Endoscopic removal of eroded adjustable gastric band: lessons learned after 5 years and 78 cases

Background: One of the complications of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is intragastric erosion, leading to a revisional procedure to remove the band. Our aim was to present the procedure and results of endoscopic band removal in a 5-year multicenter experience from the Gastro Obeso Center and Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, and Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recite, Brazil. Methods: From 2003 to 2008, 82 patients were diagnosed with band erosion. The clinical data concerning the endoscopic procedure were prospectively recorded and retrospectively reviewed. Results: The average preoperative body mass index was 43.2 kg/m(2) (range 34-50). At the diagnosis of intragastric erosion, the body mass index was 24-41 kg/m(2) (average 31.8). The erosion occurred an average of 16.3 months (range 6-36) postoperatively. The symptoms included pain in 25 (31%), port infection in 21 patients (27%), and weight regain in 20 (25%), and 12 patients (15%) were asymptomatic. Endoscopic removal was possible for 78 patients (95%). In 85% of patients, the band was removed in the first session, with an average duration of 55 minutes (range 25-150). Five cases of pneumoperitoneum occurred after the procedure. Of these, 3 were treated conservatively, 1 was treated by laparoscopy, and I was treated by abdominal puncture using the Veress needle. Conclusion: Endoscopic removal of eroded laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is safe and effective. It can be used as a first choice procedure in clinical practice. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2010; 6:423-428.) (C) 2010 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.

Prolonged recruitment manoeuvre improves lung function with less ultrastructural damage in experimental mild acute lung injury

The effects of prolonged recruitment manoeuvre (PRM) were compared with sustained inflation (SI) in paraquat-induced mild acute lung injury (ALI) in rats. Twenty-four hours after ALI induction, rats were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated with VT = 6 ml/kg and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) = 5 cmH(2)O for 1 h. SI was performed with an instantaneous pressure increase of 40 cmH(2)O that was sustained for 40 s, while PRM was done by a step-wise increase in positive inspiratory pressure (PIP) of 15-20-25 cmH(2)O above a PEEP of 15 cm H(2)O (maximal PIP = 40 cmH(2)O), with interposed periods of PIP = 10 cmH(2)O above a PEEP = 15 cmH(2)O. Lung static elastance and the amount of alveolar collapse were more reduced with PRM than SI, yielding improved oxygenation. Additionally, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, interferon-gamma, and type III procollagen mRNA expressions in lung tissue and lung epithelial cell apoptosis decreased more in PRM. In conclusion, PRM improved lung function, with less damage to alveolar epithelium, resulting in reduced pulmonary injury. (C) 2009 Elsevier BLV. All rights reserved.

Bladder irrigation with amphotericin B and fungal urinary tract infection-systematic review with meta-analysis

Background: Candiduria is a hospital-associated infection and a daily problem in the intensive care unit. The treatment of asymptomatic candiduria is not well established and the use of amphotericin B bladder irrigation (ABBI) is controversial. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the best place for this therapy in practice. Methods: The databases searched in this study included MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and LILACS (January 1960-June 2007). We included manuscripts with data on the treatment of candiduria using ABBI. The studies were classified as comparative, dose-finding, or non-comparative. Results: From 213 studies, nine articles (377 patients) met our inclusion criteria. ABBI showed a higher clearance of the candiduria 24 hours after the end of therapy than fluconazole (odds ratio (OR) 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.32-1.00). Fungal culture 5 days after the end of both therapies showed a similar response (OR 1.51, 95% CI 0.81-2.80). The evaluation of ABBI using an intermittent or continuous system of delivery showed an early candiduria clearance (24 hours after therapy) of 80% and 82%, respectively (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.52-1.36). Candiduria clearance at >5 days after the therapy showed a superior response using continuous bladder irrigation with amphotericin B (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.29-0.94). The use of continuous ABBI for more than 5 days showed a better result (88% vs. 78%) than ABBI for less than 5 days, but without significance (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.34-1.04). Conclusion: Although the strength of the results in the underlying literature is not sufficient to allow the drawing of definitive conclusions, ABBI appears to be as effective as fluconazole, but it does not offer systemic antifungal therapy and should only be used for asymptomatic candiduria. (C) 2008 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.