Use of the 2,3-diacyl-trehalose and the purified protein derivative in the serodiagnosis of tuberculosis in AIDS

The effect of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on IgG production against purified protein derivative (PPD) and 2,3-diacil-trehalose (SL-IV) was investigated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. Comparison between the antigens showed that immunocompetent patients produce preferentially antibodies to SL-IV than to PPD (73.3% versus 63.3%). Combination of these results showed an increase of the sensitivity to 80%, which decreased over the spectrum of immunodepression caused by HIV. In the tuberculous HIV seropositive group the sensitivities of SL-IV and PPD were 36.4% versus 40% and 0% versus 22.2% in the tuberculosis/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (TB/AIDS) group. Combination of these results gave respectively 54.5% and 20%, showing that serological tests have limited value for diagnosis of tuberculosis in HIV infected patients. High antibody levels were observed in HIV seropositive asymptomatic group, but only two individuals were positive for both antigens. In the follow up, one of them developed tuberculous lymphadenitis, indicating that further work is needed to access the value of serological tests in predicting tuberculosis in HIV infected individuals.

Treatment of symphysitis pubis with one unique iv injection of Ibandronate: report of two cases

Objective: Osteitis pubis is a noninfectious painful inflammatorydisorder of the symphysis pubis. Etiologic factors are numerous, themost common are: osseous extension of adductor, enthesis due tosport overuse, irritation after urological and abdominal procedures,and systemic inflammatory disorders in particularspondylarthropathies. Many cases are idiopathic. The symptomsconsist of regional chronic mechanical and sometime nocturnal pain.Diagnosis is usually confirmed by either bone scintigraphy or by MRI.There are no standard treatments but conservative approachesincluding rest and NSAIDS are generally recommended. In 2001, agood clinical and radiological response of three refractory cases with3 to 6 monthly perfusions of pamidronate was reported [1].Ibandronate is a much more powerful and long-lasting bisphosphonatethan pamidronate, and has not yet been reported in literature to ourknowledge in this indication.Patients and Methods: We present two cases of idiopathic origin:one woman (63 years old) and one man (36 years old).The symptomswere present >3 months in the first patient and one year in the second.The diagnosis was confirmed by MRI which showed bone edemaon both sizes of symphysis and in the second case bony erosionsadjacent to the joint were seen. Both cases failed to respond toconservative measures. Both patients received one single direct ivInjection of 3 mg of Ibandronate.Results: The injections resulted in a rapid (within a few days)resolution of pain that lasted more than 6 months in both patients.No side effects were observed. In the first case, an isotope bone scanperformed 4 months after the injection showed no residual uptake. Thesecond patient had a repeated MRI after 6 months. It demonstrated anattenuation of bone edema compared to the first MRI.Conclusion: IV Ibandronate may constitute a safe and effectivetreatment option for patients with refractory osteitis pubis.References1 Maksymowych WP, Aaron SL, Russell AS. Treatment of refractorysymphysitis pubis with intravenous pamidronate. J Rheumatol.2001;28(12):2754, 2001.

Treatment of osteitis pubis with on single iv injection of Ibandronate: report of two cases

Objectives: Osteitis pubis is a noninfectious painfulinflammatory disorder of the symphysis pubis. Etiologicfactors are numerous, the most common are: osseousextension of adductor enthesis due to sport overuse,irritation after urological and abdominal procedures, andsystemic inflammatory disorders in particular spondylarthropathies.Many cases are idiopathic. The symptomsconsist of regional chronic mechanical and sometimenocturnal pain. Diagnosis is usually confirmed by eitherbone scintigraphy or by MRI. There are no standardtreatments but conservative approaches including rest andNSAIDS are generally recommended. In 2001, a goodclinical and radiological response of three refractory caseswith 3-6 monthly perfusions of pamidronate was reported(1). Ibandronate is a much more powerful and long-lastingbisphosphonate than pamidronate, and has not yet beenreported in literature to our knowledge in this indication.Materials/Methods: We present two cases of idiopathicorigin: one woman (63 years old) and one man (36 yearsold).The symptoms were present >3 months in the firstpatient and 1 year in the second. The diagnosis wasconfirmed by MRI which showed bone edema on bothsizes of symphysis and in the second case bony erosionsadjacent to the joint were seen. Both cases failed to respondto conservative measures. Both patients received one singledirect iv Injection of 3 mg of Ibandronate.Results: The injections resulted in a rapid (within a fewdays) resolution of pain that lasted more than 6 months inboth patients. No side effects were observed. In the firstcase, an isotope bone scan performed 4 months after theinjection showed no residual uptake. The second patienthad a repeated MRI after 6 months. It demonstrated anattenuation of bone edema compared to the first MRI.Conclusions: IV Ibandronate may constitute a safe andeffective treatment option for patients with refractoryosteitis pubis.Reference: 1: Maksymowych WP, Aaron SL, Russell AS, JRheumatol 28:2754, 2001.Disclosure of Interest: None declared.

Thermoelektrische Eigenschaften dünner Schichten und Übergitterstrukturen von IV-VI- und V-VI-Verbundhalbleitern

Als ein vielversprechendes Konzept zur Erhöhung der thermoelektrischen Effizienz wird seit Anfang der 90er Jahre die Nutzung niederdimensionaler Systeme angesehen. Aus theoretischen Arbeiten von Hicks und Dresselhaus folgt, dass in ein- und zweidimensionalen Systemen eine Erhöhung der thermoelektrischen Effizienz möglich ist, die einen Durchbruch für die Anwendung thermoelektrischer Wandler zur Folge haben könnte. Die Realisierung solcher niederdimensionaler Systeme ist in geeigneten Mehrlagenstrukturen und durch Verwendung von Halbleiterverbindungen mit unterschiedlicher Energiebandlücke möglich. Ziel des Verbundprojektes Nitherma war es Mehrfachschichtsysteme mit 2-dimensionalem Transportverhalten aus thermoelektrischen Materialien (Pb1-xSrxTe, Bi2(SexTe1-x)3) herzustellen und auf die erwartete hohe thermoelektrische Effizienz zu untersuchen. Diese wurde messtechnischrndurch die Bestimmung der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit, des Seebeck-Koeffizienten und der Wärmeleitfähigkeit parallel zu den Schichtebenen (in-plane-Transporteigenschaft) ermittelt. Ziel dieser Arbeit war einerseits die Verbesserung der Präparations- und Messtechnik bei der Untersuchung der Wärmeleitfähigkeit von Schichten und Schichtsystemen sowie die Demonstration der Reproduzierbarkeit, andererseits die Interpretation der an niederdimensionalen Strukturen ermittelten Transportmessungen. Um den Einfluß der Niederdimensionalität auf die Wärmeleitfähigkeit zu ermitteln, wurden umfangreiche Messungen an unterschiedlich dimensionierten Übergitter- und Multi-Quantum-Well-Strukturen (MQW-Strukturen) durchgeführt. Die Verifizierung der von den Projektpartnern durchgeführten Transportmessungen wurde durch die Messung des Seebeck-Koeffizienten unterstützt.Neben der Charakterisierung durch Transportmessungen erfolgte die Bestimmung der thermoelektrischen Effizienz.

Grain size and description on gravity core samples from ANT-IV/2 expedition to the Bransfield Strait

From the above and the grafical results it can be concluded that cores in the research area are locally dominated by turbiditic sequences, which can be observed by a strong increase in coarser sediment (>35 µm). These coarser intercalations are lacking in the vicinity of basaltic seamounts, probably due to a shadowing effect of the seamounts. The infill of the King George Basin might be dominated by a north eastern current. Sedimentary structures as observed in the cores are often lacking or vague due to hydrothermal effects (Suess, L, 1986).

Bacterial Killing Via A Type Iv Secretion System.

Type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) are multiprotein complexes that transport effector proteins and protein-DNA complexes through bacterial membranes to the extracellular milieu or directly into the cytoplasm of other cells. Many bacteria of the family Xanthomonadaceae, which occupy diverse environmental niches, carry a T4SS with unknown function but with several characteristics that distinguishes it from other T4SSs. Here we show that the Xanthomonas citri T4SS provides these cells the capacity to kill other Gram-negative bacterial species in a contact-dependent manner. The secretion of one type IV bacterial effector protein is shown to require a conserved C-terminal domain and its bacteriolytic activity is neutralized by a cognate immunity protein whose 3D structure is similar to peptidoglycan hydrolase inhibitors. This is the first demonstration of the involvement of a T4SS in bacterial killing and points to this special class of T4SS as a mediator of both antagonistic and cooperative interbacterial interactions.

Different coordination modes for disulfoxides towards diorganotin(IV) dichlorides. X-ray crystal structures of 1,2-cis-bis-(phenylsulfinyl)ethene (rac-,cis-cbpse) and adducts [{Ph2SnCl2(meso-bpse)}n] and [{n-Bu2SnCl2(pdtd)}2]

The reactions of meso-1,2-bis(phenylsulfinyl)ethane (meso-bpse) with Ph2SnCl2, 2-phenyl-1,3-dithiane trans-1-trans-3-dioxide (pdtd) with n-Bu2SnCl2 and 1,2-cis-bis-(phenylsulfinyl)ethene (rac-,cis-cbpse) with Ph2SnCl2, in 1:1 molar ratio, yielded [{Ph2SnCl2(meso-bpse)}n], [{n-Bu2SnCl2(pdtd)}2] and [{Ph2SnCl2(rac,cis-cbpse)}x] (x = 2 or n), respectively. All adducts were studied by IR, Mössbauer and 119Sn NMR spectroscopic methods, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffractometry. The X-ray crystal structure of [{Ph2SnCl2(meso-bpse)}n] revealed the occurrence of infinite chains in which the tin(IV) atoms appear in a distorted octahedral geometry with Cl atoms in cis and Ph groups in trans positions. The X-ray crystal structure of [{n-Bu2SnCl2(pdtd)}2] revealed discrete centrosymmetric dimeric species in which the tin(IV) atoms possess a distorted octahedral geometry with bridging disulfoxides in cis and n-butyl moieties in trans positions. The spectroscopic data indicated that the adduct containing the rac,cis-cbpse ligand can be dimeric or polymeric. The X-ray structural analysis of the free rac-,cis-cbpse sulfoxide revealed that the crystals belong to the C2/c space group.

Oxidative DNA damage induced by S(IV) in the presence of Cu(II) and Cu(I) complexes

The DNA damage induced by S(IV) in the presence of some Cu(II) complexes in air saturated solution was investigated. The addition of S(IV) to an air saturated solution containing CuII GGA (GGA = glycylglycyl-L-alanine), CuII G3 (G3 = triglycine) or CuII G4 (G4 = tetraglycine) and Ni(II) traces, causes rapid formation of the respective Cu(III) complex, with simultaneous O2 uptake and S(IV) oxidation. SO3•- and HO• were detected by EPR-spin trapping experiments. The DNA strand breaks were attributed to the oxysulfur radicals formed. In the reduction of Cu(II)/BCA (BCA = 4,4' dicarboxy-2-2'-biquinoline) by S(IV), with CuI BCA complex formation, there is the possible formation of carbon centered radical of BCA or peroxyl radical (ROO•) capable of oxidizing DNA bases. The intensity of DNA damage in the presence of these Cu(II) complexes and S(IV) (10-300 µmol L-1) followed the order: CuII BCA ∼ CuII G4 ∼ Cu(II) (added as Cu(NO3)2) > CuII G3 ∼ CuII GGA. Specifically for CuII BCA the damage occurred even at lower S(IV) concentration (0.1 µmol L-1). For the Cu(II) complexes with glycylglycylhistidine, glycylhistidylglycine, glycylhistidyllysine and glycylglycyltyrosylarginine the Cu(III) formation and the DNA damage was not observed.

Contribuição para o estudo dos Rhinotragini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae): IV. Rhopalessa bates, 1873

O gênero Rhopalessa é revisto e divido em dois grupos: grupo de clavicornis, com R. clavicornis (Bates, 1873), R. demissa (Melzer, 1934), R. hirticollis (Zajciw, 1958), R. moraguesi (Tavakilian & Peñaherrera-Leiva, 2003), R. pilosicollis (Zajciw, 1966) e R. subandina sp. nov.; e grupo de rubroscutellaris com R. durantoni (Peñaherrera-Leiva & Tavakilian, 2004) e R. rubroscutellaris (Tippmann, 1960). Duas espécies são sinonimizadas com R. clavicornis: Ommata (Rhopalessa) nigrotarsis Fisher, 1937 e Ommata (Rhopalessa) nigricollis Zajciw, 1969.

Novos Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) da coleção Odette Morvan, Kaw, Guiana Francesa. IV

São descritas e figuradas novas espécies da Guiana Francesa: Eburodacrys amabilis sp. nov. (Eburiini), Stizocera kawensis sp. nov. (Elaphidionini), Estola cerdai sp. nov. (Desmiphorini).

Cross-national epidemiology of DSM-IV major depressive episode

Background: Major depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, yet epidemiologic data are not available for many countries, particularly low- to middle-income countries. In this paper, we present data on the prevalence, impairment and demographic correlates of depression from 18 high and low-to middle-income countries in the World Mental Health Survey Initiative. Methods: Major depressive episodes (MDE) as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DMS-IV) were evaluated in face-to-face interviews using the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Data from 18 countries were analyzed in this report (n = 89,037). All countries surveyed representative, population-based samples of adults. Results: The average lifetime and 12-month prevalence estimates of DSM-IV MDE were 14.6% and 5.5% in the ten high-income and 11.1% and 5.9% in the eight low- to middle-income countries. The average age of onset ascertained retrospectively was 25.7 in the high-income and 24.0 in low- to middle-income countries. Functional impairment was associated with recency of MDE. The female: male ratio was about 2: 1. In high-income countries, younger age was associated with higher 12-month prevalence; by contrast, in several low-to middle-income countries, older age was associated with greater likelihood of MDE. The strongest demographic correlate in high-income countries was being separated from a partner, and in low- to middle-income countries, was being divorced or widowed. Conclusions: MDE is a significant public-health concern across all regions of the world and is strongly linked to social conditions. Future research is needed to investigate the combination of demographic risk factors that are most strongly associated with MDE in the specific countries included in the WMH.

Hypotheses, rationale, design, and methods for prognostic evaluation in type 2 diabetic patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries. The MASS IV-DM Trial

Background: The MASS IV-DM Trial is a large project from a single institution, the Heart Institute (InCor), University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Brazil to study ventricular function and coronary arteries in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods/Design: The study will enroll 600 patients with type 2 diabetes who have angiographically normal ventricular function and coronary arteries. The goal of the MASS IV-DM Trial is to achieve a long-term evaluation of the development of coronary atherosclerosis by using angiograms and coronary-artery calcium scan by electron-beam computed tomography at baseline and after 5 years of follow-up. In addition, the incidence of major cardiovascular events, the dysfunction of various organs involved in this disease, particularly microalbuminuria and renal function, will be analyzed through clinical evaluation. In addition, an effort will be made to investigate in depth the presence of major cardiovascular risk factors, especially the biochemical profile, metabolic syndrome inflammatory activity, oxidative stress, endothelial function, prothrombotic factors, and profibrinolytic and platelet activity. An evaluation will be made of the polymorphism as a determinant of disease and its possible role in the genesis of micro- and macrovascular damage. Discussion: The MASS IV-DM trial is designed to include diabetic patients with clinically suspected myocardial ischemia in whom conventional angiography shows angiographically normal coronary arteries. The result of extensive investigation including angiographic follow-up by several methods, vascular reactivity, pro-thrombotic mechanisms, genetic and biochemical studies may facilitate the understanding of so-called micro- and macrovascular disease of DM.

Differential expression of 12 histone deacetylase (HDAC) genes in astrocytomas and normal brain tissue: class II and IV are hypoexpressed in glioblastomas

Background: Glioblastoma is the most lethal primary malignant brain tumor. Although considerable progress has been made in the treatment of this aggressive tumor, the clinical outcome for patients remains poor. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are recognized as promising targets for cancer treatment. In the past several years, HDAC inhibitors (HDACis) have been used as radiosensitizers in glioblastoma treatment. However, no study has demonstrated the status of global HDAC expression in gliomas and its possible correlation to the use of HDACis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare mRNA and protein levels of class I, II and IV of HDACs in low grade and high grade astrocytomas and normal brain tissue and to correlate the findings with the malignancy in astrocytomas. Methods: Forty-three microdissected patient tumor samples were evaluated. The histopathologic diagnoses were 20 low-grade gliomas (13 grade I and 7 grade II) and 23 high-grade gliomas (5 grade III and 18 glioblastomas). Eleven normal cerebral tissue samples were also analyzed (54 total samples analyzed). mRNA expression of class I, II, and IV HDACs was studied by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and normalized to the housekeeping gene beta-glucuronidase. Protein levels were evaluated by western blotting. Results: We found that mRNA levels of class II and IV HDACs were downregulated in glioblastomas compared to low-grade astrocytomas and normal brain tissue (7 in 8 genes, p < 0.05). The protein levels of class II HDAC9 were also lower in high-grade astrocytomas than in low-grade astrocytomas and normal brain tissue. Additionally, we found that histone H3 (but not histone H4) was more acetylated in glioblastomas than normal brain tissue. Conclusion: Our study establishes a negative correlation between HDAC gene expression and the glioma grade suggesting that class II and IV HDACs might play an important role in glioma malignancy. Evaluation of histone acetylation levels showed that histone H3 is more acetylated in glioblastomas than normal brain tissue confirming the downregulation of HDAC mRNA in glioblastomas.

Influence of Laser Photobiomodulation on Collagen IV During Skeletal Muscle Tissue Remodeling After Injury in Rats

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of GaAlAs low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on collagen IV remodeling of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle in rats after cryolesion. Background: Considerable interest exists in skeletal muscle regeneration in situations such as repair after exercise-induced muscle injury, after muscle transplantation, in muscular dystrophy, exercise-induced muscle injury, and the recovery of strength after atrophy due to disuse. A number of studies have demonstrated the potential of LLLT in facilitating the muscle-healing process; however, no consensus is found in the literature regarding the best laser-irradiation parameters. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (n = 45) were used and randomly divided into three groups: control (n = 5); nontreated cryolesioned group (n = 20), and LLLT-cryolesioned group (n = 20). The cryolesioned groups were analyzed at 1, 7, 14, and 21 days after the injury procedure. Laser irradiation was performed 3 times per week on the injured region by using the GaAlAs laser (660 nm; beam spot of 0.04 cm(2), output power of 20 mW, power density of 500 mW/cm(2), and energy density of 5 J/cm(2), for 10 sec). The muscles were removed, frozen, cryosectioned, and then stained with hematoxylin-eosin for the visualization of general morphology or used for immunohistochemical analysis of collagen IV. Results: It was demonstrated that LLLT promotes an increase in collagen IV immunolabeling in skeletal muscle in the first 7 days after acute trauma caused by cryoinjury, but does not modify the duration of the tissue-repair process. Even with LLLT, the injured muscle tissue needs similar to 21 days to achieve the same state of organization as that in the noninjured muscle. Conclusion: The collagen IV content is modulated in regenerating skeletal muscle under LLLT, which might be associated with better tissue outcome, although the histologic analysis did not detect tissue improvement in the LLLT group.