Iliac crest versus spinous process grafts in posttraumatic spinal fusions. Results of posttraumatic spine fusions in 34 patients who had autogenous iliac crest grafts were compared with those of 70 patients who had autogenous spinous process grafts. The two groups of patients were otherwise homogenous, and fusion occurred in 32 (94%) of the iliac crest graft patients and 70 (100%) spinous process graft patients. However, average operative time (225 vs. 200 minutes) and operative blood loss (1371 vs. 1136 cc) were significantly higher in iliac crest graft patients (P less than 0.05), and five iliac crest graft patients had significant donor site complications. Use of spinous process grafts eliminated donor site problems, reduced operative time and blood loss, and produced a rate of arthrodesis equal to that of iliac crest grafts.


Quantitative histologic study of the influence of anterior spinal instrumentation and biodegradable polymer on lumbar interbody fusion after corpectomy. A canine model. Histomorphometric and microradiographic studies were performed to investigate whether there are different rates of bone remodeling based on the intrinsic stability with anterior spinal instrumentation and to evaluate if biodegradable polymer could be used clinically as the material of choice for anterior spinal instrumentation. Twenty-one coon hounds underwent anterior and posterior spinal destabilizing procedures to produce a reproducible amount of spinal instability: corpectomy of L5, discectomies and partial facetectomies of L4-5 and L5-6, resections of L5 lamina, spinous process, supra- and interspinous ligament, and ligamentum flavum. Group 1 (N = 7) underwent anterior autogenous ulna strut graft alone at L4-6; group 2 (N = 7) underwent anterior biodegradable polymer strut alone at the same level; group 3 (N = 7) underwent same bone graft as in group 1, augmented by anterior Kaneda device. Six months after surgery quantitative histologic study showed that device-related osteopenia occurred in spines treated with Kaneda device. Within the L5 vertebral body the volumetric density of bone (mm3/cm3) was less for the group with Kaneda device (group 3) compared with that without instrumentation (group 1, P less than 0.05). In the spine treated with biodegradable polymer, no adverse host tissue responses were observed histologically. In addition, osteoconductive abilities of the polymer were suggested microscopically. Its mechanical property, however, was not rigid enough to stabilize the corpectomized spine.


The biomechanics of lumbar facetectomy under compression-flexion. Alterations of posterior spinal elements including the facet joints are commonly associated with a variety of lumbar operative procedures. Under continuous physiologic compression-flexion load application L2-L3 and L4-L5 functional units were tested as intact preparations and then sequentially altered with unilateral facetectomy, bilateral facetectomy, posterior ligament transection, and partial discectomy. Using a method of continuous motion analysis, the movement of the individual spinal components (disc, facet joint, interspinous process distance) were statistically compared between the various surgical alterations. Higher physiologic loads produced significant increases in overall deflection from BF to BFL alterations indicating a preference to preserve the posterior ligaments for this surgical approach. Although insignificant changes in the force-deflection response from one surgical alteration to the next sequential alteration were noted, statistically significant increases in localized facet joint motion may suggest the potential for acceleration of segmental degenerative changes.


Induced narrowing and back adaptation of lumbar intervertebral discs in biomechanically stressed rats. The purpose of this work was to develop an animal model of chronic low-back dysfunction induced by biomechanical stress. The intervertebral disc size was measured by radiography and histology in control rats, in rats intermittently forced to ambulate on a flat surface or in cylinders. Forced ambulation in cylinders caused rats to assume a relative extensive posture in the low back. Lumbar discs in biomechanically stressed rats initially narrowed, and after months of continued intermittent stress, regained near-normal size in vivo, shown by radiography. By using histologic methods, discs from rats that ambulated in any posture were shown to be larger than discs from rats not forced to ambulate. The results were consistent with the hypothesis that in vivo discs in biomechanically stressed rats initially narrow due to compressive loading and then widen back toward normal size because of an altered matrix which has increased imbibing properties. According to this hypothesis altered matrix synthesis in the nucleus pulposus was an adaptation induced by the cyclic compressive loading associated with ambulation.


Computer tomographically guided discography as a determinant of normal disc level before fusion. Computer tomographically guided discography was used as a reproducible and reliable method of determining the internal architecture and integrity of intervertebral discs before spinal fusion operation. One hundred disc levels were studied in 60 prospective patients with 54 (54%) of levels proving abnormal. Twenty-nine levels (29% of total levels) demonstrated complete anular tears, and 25 (25% of total) showed incomplete radial tears of the anulus, often multiple, indicative of degenerative change. In each of these cases, one level higher had to be studied and was subsequently found to be normal and would, therefore, support a fusion.


Anterior lumbar interbody fusion for internal disc disruption. Anterior lumbar interbody fusion was performed as the primary surgical procedure for 36 patients with internal disc derangement. Patients were selected on the basis of clinical complaints, discography, and magnetic resonance imaging results. Twenty-eight patients underwent a one-level fusion and eight patients had a two-level fusion for a total of 44 levels. Autogenous graft was used in all cases. Clinical results were categorized as success or failure based on return to work or activities of daily living, drug usage patterns, and complaints of pain. Thirty-one patients (86.1%) had a successful clinical result and five patients (13.9%) had an unsuccessful clinical result. Based on flexion-extension radiographs fusion was achieved in 32 patients (88.9%). Forty of the forty-four levels (90.9%) fused. Complications include one each of: pulmonary embolus, retrograde ejaculation, wound hematoma at the donor site, and perioperative graft extrusion.


Clinical efficacy of spinal instrumentation in lumbar degenerative disc disease. In review of 871 lumbar fusion procedures performed during the last 8 years, the theoretical advantages of lumbar spinal instrumentation are not borne out in simple discogenic disease. Four groups of 30-35 patients without previous surgery who underwent fusion by different techniques were matched for age, sex, length of follow-up, surgeons, number of levels fused, duration of preoperative symptoms, diagnosis, and type of third party payer. At least for the diagnoses of herniated disc with segmental instability and the instrumentation systems used in this study, results were superior with no internal fixation. This is in keeping with the higher complication rates and frequent need for implant removal reported by many authors.


Chemonucleolysis. Predictive factors.

Chemonucleolysis. Predictive factors. The aim of this study was to identify factors in the patient's history and parameters of the neurologic, roentgenographic, and electromyographic examinations as well as cerebrospinal fluid analysis before chemonucleolysis that might be used to predict the results of this treatment after 1 year. On the basis of a combination of three factors, that is, the presence or absence of a narrowed intervertebral space on the lumbosacral survey film, the localization of the disc herniation (medial, mediolateral or lateral) on the computerized tomographic scan and the number of cells in the cerebrospinal fluid, a satisfactory result could be predicted for 92% of the patients.


[Direct costs of the treatment of AIDS in Mexico]. This report presents the results of a study of direct treatment costs of AIDS in Mexico, carried out in five public hospitals, four social security hospitals and one private hospital. The study included: a retrospective phase, a prospective phase and a longitudinal followup. The study found that the average AIDS patient has a total of two hospital admissions per year, with an average stay of 20 days per admission, and an annual cost of almost $4,043 US. The hospital admission costs per patient ranged between $1,430 US and $7,350 US with an average cost of $2,565 US. The outpatient's treatment costs per year were of $300 US. The patient's expenses at their homes were $1,100 US. We conclude that treatment costs for AIDS patients, excluding use of AZT, are higher than the treatment costs of comparable diseases. The greatest cost is that for inpatient care; thus, we recommend improving outpatient care services in order to provide more comprehensive care to patients and their families.


[Liver cirrhosis mortality in Mexico. I. Relevant epidemiological characteristics]. Previous studies have emphasized the impact of alcoholism on public health, especially on the incidence of liver cirrhosis, which ranks among one of the main causes of death in Mexico. Accordingly, the epidemiologic features of liver cirrhosis mortality (LCM) are examined, highlighting its historical trends, its geographical distribution and other risk factors like age and sex. The data show a consistently high LCM rate over time, male rates moving slightly up and female rates down. Proportional mortality has been increasing. The significant risk increment with age has determined LCM to be the leading cause of death for both sexes in the 30-64 years age group. A particularly interesting finding relates to the continuous excess of LCM seen in Mexico City and four surrounding states; on the contrary, in the northern states, LCM is considerably low. This difference is valid for women too. Comparing all states, a gradient of LCM rates from high to low mortality areas is observed. The social and health implications of LCM regional distribution demand the conduction of epidemiological studies to identify possible explanatory variables related to the pattern of alcohol consumption or other risk factors. Nonetheless, these data alone justify the implementation of an effective action plan in the high-risk areas to deal with this health problem, inherently associated with individual and social behaviors.


[Liver cirrhosis mortality in Mexico. II. Excess mortality and pulque consumption]. Over the years high cirrhosis mortality rates have been reported in Mexico City and in the surrounding states (Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Puebla and the State of Mexico); on the contrary, well defined areas, such as the northern states, have shown a considerably lower mortality rate. This situation may indicate that some factors such as the pattern of alcoholic intake and other environmental characteristics could explain this striking difference. To determine the role of alcohol, the availability and consumption of alcohol at regional and state level were compared with cirrhosis mortality rates. A high and statistically significant correlation was found with pulque availability and consumption (r = 72-92%, p less than 0.01) in all periods of time under examination. On the contrary, a statistically significant negative association was observed with beer consumption and a positive, but not significant correlation, with distilled alcoholic beverages. Infectious hepatitis incidence, prevalence of exclusive use of native languages (as an indirect index of ethnic background) and nutritional deficiencies were also studied as possible risk factors. Nutritional deficiencies and the prevalence of exclusive use of náhuatl and otomí languages were positively correlated. These results can be useful to conduct further epidemiological studies still needed to determine the etiologic role of pulque consumption as well as of the other risk factors. Nonetheless, the current data stress the need to implement public health programs to reduce alcohol consumption, especially pulque, and to minimize the impact of these risk factors in high mortality areas.


[Contraceptive practices among adolescents and youths of the metropolitan area of Mexico City]. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief description of the information that the adolescent and youth population of Mexico City has concerning the knowledge and use of contraceptive methods, as well as the reasons why they do not adopt some contraceptive method during their sexual relations. The data obtained from the Survey on Adolescent and Youth Reproductive Behavior in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City serves as a basis for pointing out several behavior patterns of the male and female population from 10 to 25 years of age. Of those interviewed, 32.7 per cent had had at least one sexual contact; the average age at which sexual relations had begun was 16 years for males and 17 for females. A total of 33.8 per cent of those who had had sexual contact stated that they had used some form of contraception, the principal methods used during first sexual intercourse being rhythm (36.9%); withdrawal (23.6%), and condoms (12.3%). The reasons for not using any contraceptive method were as follows: lack of knowledge regarding the methods, how to use them or where to obtain them (39.4%), and unplanned sexual intercourse (28.9%). During the last sexual contact they had, 70.5 per cent had used a contraceptive. The methods most frequently used were hormonal contraceptives and IUD (40.9%); rhythm (23.8%), and withdrawal and condoms. The reasons why no contraceptive was used in the last sexual contact were: neither partner thought that pregnancy would occur (27.1%) and the sexual contact was unplanned.


[Supply of medical equipment in Mexico]. This article covers the report on Supply of Medical Equipment in Mexico, presented during the Second National Congress of Public Health. The results are part of an investigation that dealt with the general conditions that currently prevail in the production and distribution of medical equipment. The information was obtained by means of a survey applied to 208 companies that comprised the sample study. The facts indicate that of the companies that correspond to this industrial sector in Mexico, 3.8 per cent are manufacturers, 69.7 per cent distributors, 19.2 per cent manufacturer-distributors, and the remaining 7.2 per cent correspond to corrective and preventive maintenance. Also, these companies pose serious problems of external dependence with regard to production costs and the commercialization of products. Furthermore, it became evident that there is a substantial need for financial support to optimally satisfy the demands of various institutions in the country's health sector.


[Evaluation of heart rate and blood pressure in residents of Milpa Alta, D.F]. Both the altitude of Mexico City (D.F.) and the increase in atmospheric pollutants make it important to establish parameters of comparison for cardiovascular variables, such as heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP). The epidemiological transition occurring in Mexico is increasing the need for human and physical resources at the first level of health care in order to perform early diagnoses of cardiovascular disorders among the population. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP, DBP) were recorded under diverse conditions (seated, standing, performing 30 sit-ups, and then standing and seated after the sit-ups) in 235 inhabitants of Milpa Alta (a suburb of Mexico City). The procedures and equipment used were designed and produced at the Center for Development and Technological Applications, Ministry of Health. The following results were found: HR decreases with age and body surface. Likewise, the HR increase due to exercise is lower with increasing age and larger body surface and its return to resting levels is slower. SBP and DBP magnitude is directly related to body surface. In women an increase of body weight was found to be significantly related to a higher SBP. The orthostatic reflex (OR) decreases with age and body surface. The descending slope is higher in women than in men. We propose that the study of OR could provide better information for predicting cardiovascular changes. The described procedures can be performed with the physical and human resources available at the Health Centers. The extension of this type of applied research to first level health care centers would allow the country to respond efficiently to the epidemiological transition.


[Determinants of the development of professional patterns in medical students]. This paper reports the preliminary results of a research work aimed at establishing some determinants of the development of professional patterns in medical students. We present the results of a cohort of medical students in which we explored the type and frequency of general and specialized reading, family and friendship ties within the profession and some educational elements. These three aspects are associated with some aspects of professional patterns. The first statistical estimations show a strong influence of family ties. The presence of a family member or a close friend related with the medical profession strongly influenced the development of traditional beliefs about the medical profession, its practice, and the features of contents and areas of knowledge. Reading of newspapers and specialized journals by the students was used to explore cultural socialization, and this was found not to influence definitely the patterns of the profession. As for the influence of some educational elements, their participation is not clear, and further studies are needed to disclose it. Finally, we point out some questions emerging from this first approach to this information, and future research lines to be addressed.


[Between the public and the private. New incentives in health care]. This paper discusses some of the proposals regarding the improvement of the efficiency in the delivery of health care services. Several countries have implemented different strategies based on the experience of the Health Maintenance Organizations, which have used the market to stimulate competition between providers and insurance companies. One of the proposals includes the creation of agencies that would compete in quality and in price. Another one implies the creation of a National Health Service capable of hiring public or private services from local agencies. The ideal strategy would enable a consumer to choose between insurance companies and public and private providers, and would hopefully create cost conditions reasonably correlated with the efficiency and quality of the rendered services.


Endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts. Seventeen patients with pancreatic pseudocysts were treated by endoscopic drainage. In nine cases we performed endoscopic retrograde pancreatic drainage (ERPD) by inserting 7-Fr pigtail catheters via the papilla into the cyst or into the main pancreatic duct. In two cases transduodenal cystotomy (ECD) and in eight cases transgastral cystotomy (ECG) are performed by using coagulator and papillotome. In five cases of ECG an endoprosthesis was inserted into the cyst. In two cases combination therapy of ERPD and ECG was performed. All patients reported reduction of continuous pain and postprandial epigastralgia after placement of endoprosthesis. After disappearance of symptoms and abnormal endoscopic findings within a period of 2-12 months the drainage tubes were removed. In one case postoperative dislocation of the prosthesis was observed; no serious complication was not encountered. The period of observation varied from 5 to 40 months. Two patients are presently under treatment with endoprostheses. Endoscopic drainage yielded good results in the treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts.


Sclerotherapy of internal hemorrhoids using newly devised transparent disposable anorectoscope. We devised a transparent anorectoscope for internal hemorrhoidal sclerotherapy. Using this scope the grade of hemorrhoids of the patients can be evaluated accurately through the transparent wall of the scope, and the device facilitates easier and safer sclerotherapy under clear direct vision, compared to the conventional free-hand-style treatment. We conclude that sclerotherapy using this anorectoscope represents a minimally invasive treatment for low-grade internal hemorrhoids and is recommendable for outpatient therapy of internal hemorrhoids.


Perforated synapses are present during synaptogenesis in rat neocortex. It has been known for some time that perforated synapses increase in number and size with increasing age. Initially, these trends were used to support the concept that nonperforated synapses enlarge until an optimal size is reached, at which point they perforate and may subsequently split. More recent stereological and three-dimensional reconstruction investigations, however, suggest that this may not be the case and that perforated and nonperforated synapses constitute separate synaptic populations. In order to test the separate population hypothesis, synapses have been studied ultrastructurally in the parietal cortex of rats aged 19 and 20 days gestation, and 1 and 4 days postnatal. By examining synapses serially, and also by studying three-dimensional reconstructions, it has been demonstrated that perforated synapses are present at each of these ages. Some are relatively simple in organization, resembling previously described perforated synapses at 14 days of age, although others appear to consist of two or more separate PSD components. These findings demonstrate that perforated synapses are present from early on in synaptogenesis and that developing perforated synapses may have distinct characteristics that cast light on their developmental course.


Pneumoperitoneum following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Does the timing of panendoscopy matter? Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has had a significant impact on enteral alimentation in patients unable to maintain adequate oral caloric intake. PEG avoids the morbidity and mortality associated with the traditional feeding gastrostomies placed by celiotomy. Several authors have documented benign, self-limiting pneumoperitoneum following PEG placement. No study has addressed whether the timing of panendoscopy in relation to gastric puncture has an effect on the incidence of post-PEG pneumoperitoneum. The authors prospectively studied 30 patients undergoing PEG. Panendoscopy was either performed before or after gastric puncture, and each patient then had abdominal radiographs to determine the presence of pneumoperitoneum. Four of 16 patients (25%) having panendoscopy prior to gastric puncture had radiographic evidence of pneumoperitoneum compared to three of 14 patients (23%) having panendoscopy following gastric puncture. The authors conclude that the timing of panendoscopy in relation to gastric puncture does not significantly effect the incidence of post-PEG pneumoperitoneum.


Effects of high-dose methamphetamine on monoamine uptake sites in rat brain measured by quantitative autoradiography. The neurotoxicity of methamphetamine to monoaminergic neurons was examined. Neurotoxicity was assessed by quantitative autoradiography using radioligands specific for binding to norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin uptake sites. High-dose administration of methamphetamine led to decreases in binding to uptake sites for the three monoamines. Norepinephrine binding sites were decreased in certain amygdaloid nuclei and in the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus. Serotonin binding sites were reduced in widespread brain areas, while dopamine binding sites were reduced in the caudate putamen, olfactory tubercle, and nucleus accumbens. The decreases in binding site density for the three monoamines are limited to terminal field areas; cell body areas are not affected. Our results indicate that methamphetamine is neurotoxic to serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine neurons. The neurotoxicity to norepinephrine neurons is in selected brain areas.


Bioptic techniques in flexible endoscopy. An experimental study in the pig. Low success rates in biopsies of submucosal gastric lesions have been reported. We undertook an experimental study in the pig of three different and commonly used bioptic techniques to test their ability to provide submucosal material using spiked as well as nonspiked biopsy forceps. The best results were obtained using the Crosta technique where the overlying mucosa is excised using a diathermy snare and biopsies are taken from the bared underlying tissue. The hole-in-hole technique of Seifert and the ethanol injection technique of Asaki were inferior as to bioptic depth but not in size of the biopsies. Biopsy forceps with a central spike were slightly superior to those without.


Severe infantile sialidosis--the characteristics of oligosaccharides isolated from the urine and the abdominal ascites. A female infant presenting congenital ascites, hepatosplenomegaly, coarse face, and delayed mental and physical development is described. Oligosaccharides in the urine and the abdominal ascites of this patient were investigated by Bio-Gel column chromatography. The level of urinary oligosaccharides excreted (nmol/mg creatinine) by the patient was 25.8 times the levels of the controls. The oligosaccharides in the urine and the ascites were composed almost entirely of sialyl oligosaccharides. The structures of urinary oligosaccharides were the same as those of oligosaccharides in the ascites. The ratio of high molecular weight sialyl oligosaccharides with repeating structures to low molecular weight sialyl oligosaccharides was higher in the ascites than in the urine.


Pneumopericardium and subcutaneous emphysema of the neck. An unusual manifestation of colonoscopic perforation. Subcutaneous neck emphysema has been reported infrequently following colonoscopic perforation and only a single case of pneumopericardium has been previously reported. The successful management of these patients in the literature has largely been non-operative. We report a case of colonoscopic perforation which presented with subcutaneous neck emphysema, pneumopericardium, and pneumoperitoneum that required operative intervention.


Pericentric inversion of chromosome 9 in prenatal diagnosis and infertility. In order to evaluate the relation between pericentric inversion of chromosome 9 (inv(9)) and clinical problems, the characteristics of inv(9) were investigated on the basis of chromosomal analyses of fetuses and infertile couples. The incidence of such inversion in fetuses with parents having an offspring who suffered from various clinical problems was significantly higher than the basic incidence obtained in fetuses karyotyped by reason of advanced maternal age. In the chromosomal examination of the parents whose fetuses were diagnosed as inv(9), it was revealed that either parent might be the carrier. Furthermore, in the inv(9) carrying fetuses, the number of females was significantly greater than that of males. Analysis of infertile couples revealed that the incidence of such inversion in males was significantly higher than the basic incidence mentioned above. Moreover, infertile couples with an inv(9) carrier showed a significantly higher incidence of intrauterine fetal death, compared with infertile couples with a translocation carrier or those in which the etiology was unknown. These results indicate that inv(9) may often cause clinical problems in offspring of the carrier and infertility with unknown mechanisms related to sex.


Role of norepinephrine in the lack of reflex tachycardia after angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor treatment. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors decrease blood pressure without causing reflex tachycardia in hypertensives, but do not always do so in normotensives. To investigate this phenomenon, hemodynamic changes in normotensive rabbits receiving a subpressor dose of norepinephrine were studied following captopril or diltiazem treatment. We also investigated the effect of captopril on baroreceptor reflex in relation to norepinephrine infusion; the baroreflex sensitivity was determined by the relationship between mean arterial pressure and pulse interval receiving graded doses of phenylephrine. Captopril infusion decreased mean arterial pressure and pulse interval from 84 +/- 4 to 74 +/- 5 mmHg and 244 +/- 7.4 to 216 +/- 7.6 msec, respectively. In contrast, in rabbits receiving a norepinephrine infusion captopril lowered mean arterial pressure to the same extent (92 +/- 5 to 76 +/- 3 mmHg, p less than 0.05) without producing reflex tachycardia. When diltiazem was administered, reflex tachycardia occurred in rabbits both with and without a norepinephrine infusion. There was no difference in the baroreflex sensitivity between rabbits receiving norepinephrine with and without captopril treatment. However, the baroreflex curve showed a slight shift to lower pressures after norepinephrine infusion in the rabbits receiving captopril. These results suggest that elevating circulating norepinephrine might be involved in preventing reflex tachycardia after captopril.


The microvasculature of the human bone marrow correlated with the distribution of hematopoietic cells. A computer-assisted three-dimensional reconstruction study. Surgical specimens of ordinary bone marrow from eight patients were submitted to computer-assisted three-dimensional reconstruction from resin-embedded, semi-thin serial sections. This was undertaken with the aim of contributing to a better understanding of hematopoietic microenvironment by establishing the basic architecture of the bone marrow, particularly the microvasculature and its relation to the hematopoietic cell series. The basic vascular structure was found to consist of mutually intertwining sinuses and hematopoietic cords (or compartments), the latter with an arteriole running along the axis. This allowed to define the unitary structure of the bone marrow as a hematopoietic cord with a central arteriole and surrounded by sinuses. Here granulopoietic cells were distributed mostly along the wall of the central arteriole. Erythropoietic cells, located mainly around the sinus wall, proved to be forming a continuous network of cord instead of separate "islands" as usually assumed, justifying a designation of "erythroblastic cords". Megakaryocytes were positioned in close vicinity to the sinus wall. These findings appear not only to be helpful in analyzing factors involved in the in vivo hematopoiesis of man, but also to visualize the importance of structural studies of bone marrow.


Acrosin profiles of human spermatozoa recovered from the new Sperm Prep II filtration column. Twenty semen samples were collected and two aliquots of 1.5 ml were prepared from each sample. One sample of each pair (fraction-one) was used for evaluation of semen parameters and total acrosin activity of spermatozoa. The other sample of each pair (fraction-two) was mixed with an equal volume of Ham's F-10 medium and filtered through the Sperm Prep II. At the end of the filtration, the filtrate was pooled, sperm parameters were evaluated and total acrosin activity was assessed. Percentage of normal spermatozoa, sperm motility, and total acrosin activity of spermatozoa were significantly higher in the postfiltered fraction-two than in the fresh fraction-one. Considering the great importance of acrosin for fertilization, it is suggested that Sperm Prep II filtration method may be beneficial in preparing spermatozoa from infertile men with low acrosin profiles for assisted reproduction programs. Further studies will be necessary, however, in order to confirm this, since the present study concerned men with known fertility.


Comparison of characteristics between frequent participants and non-participants in screening program for stomach cancer. To clarify the differences in characteristics between participants and non-participants in the screening program for stomach cancer, life-style and medical histories were compared among 20, 169 subjects who lived in an urban area (Sendai) and a rural area (Wakuya and Tajiri) in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. All subjects were classified into three groups according to the frequency of participation in the screening program during the last 5 years; i.e., frequent participating group (FPG) for 4 or 5 times, reference group (RG) for 1-3 times and non-participating group (NPG) for 0 times. Subjects in the FPG consumed more milk and green-yellow vegetable whereas those in the NPG consumed less these foods. The age-adjusted proportions of present smokers were higher in the NPG but lower in the FPG significantly. The proportions of subjects who had parental histories of all cancers and stomach cancer and past history of gastro-duodenal ulcer were higher in the FPG and lower in the NPG. To control influences among the variables a stepwise multiple regression analysis was done, and it revealed that smoking and parental history of cancers were strong predictors to explain the frequency of participation.


Brunnstrom stages and Wallerian degenerations: a study using MRI. We studied the relationship between the Brunnstrom stages obtained after rehabilitations and Wallerian degenerations detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Forty-nine hemiplegic patients were retrospectively studied. The patients were grouped into a low stage group (30 patients) demonstrating Brunnstrom stages I approximately IV and a high stage group (19 patients) demonstrating stages V approximately VI. MRI detected Wallerian degenerations as changes of signal intensity in corticospinal tracts on T2-weighted images. The signals were hypointense or hyperintense compared to the normal side according to the intervals between the MRI examinations and the ictuses. MRI showed Wallerian degenerations in 27 of 30 patients in the low stage group and 5 of 19 patients in the high stage group. The difference between the two groups was significant (p less than 0.005).


Mortality among female practitioners of Chanoyu (Japanese "tea-ceremony"). A cohort study aimed to evaluate the effect of drinking green tea on longevity was performed. Three thousand three hundred and eighty female practitioners of chanoyu (Japanese tea-ceremony), living in Tokyo, were followed from 1980 to 1988, and 280 were dead during this period. Standardized mortality ratios were estimated 0.55 when all Japanese women was used as standard population and 0.57 when women living in Tokyo was used, indicating the possibility that green tea is a protective factor for several fatal diseases.


A physiologically based description of ethylene oxide dosimetry in the rat. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PB-PK) model providing a quantitative description of ethylene oxide (ETO) dosimetry in the rat was developed by integrating information on physiology, tissue solubility of ETO, and rate constants for ETO metabolism and binding. The PB-PK model consisted of nine compartments; liver, lung, testis, brain, fat, venous blood, arterial blood, richly perfused and poorly perfused tissues. The tissue: air partition coefficients of ETO, determined by vial equilibration, were similar among the various tissues (range 44-83). The rate constants for glutathione (GSH) conjugation, hydrolysis, and hemoglobin (Hb)- and DNA-binding were estimated from published data and by conducting in vivo inhalation exposure studies. The model adequately predicted the concentrations of Hb and DNA adducts, hepatic and extrahepatic GSH, and urinary N-acetyl-S-(2-hydroxyethyl)-cysteine following inhalation exposures of 1.2 to 1,200 ppm and intravenous administration of 1 to 100 mg/kg of ETO in male Fischer-344 and Sprague-Dawley rats. There was no evidence of nonlinearity in the overall elimination of ETO in the dose range examined. However, nonlinearities in the components of this first order elimination process (namely GSH conjugation, hydrolysis, exhalation) were found to occur at high exposure concentrations. Characterization of the individual metabolic pathways that affect the tissue dosimetry of ETO is important for interspecies extrapolation and risk assessment for this chemical.


On reference dose (RfD) and its underlying toxicity data base. The toxicity data of pesticides were summarized and compared amongst different animal species and types of bioassays. These comparisons showed the expected inter-species and inter-bioassay variability. After quantitative and statistical analysis of these data, it was concluded that, on the average, a 2-year dog bioassay detected toxic responses at similar doses as a 2-year rat study, and that both of these bioassays detected toxic responses at lower doses than either a rat 2-generation bioassay, a rat developmental toxicity study, or a 2-year mouse bioassay. Although these chronic dog and rat bioassays were found to detect toxic responses at lower doses than the other studies listed, this analysis does not reflect the seriousness of the effects that were compared. Within the confines of this analysis, then, it appears that a 2-year dog and rat study, reproductive and developmental bioassays are a sufficient data base on which to estimate high confidence Reference Doses (RfDs), and furthermore, that an additional uncertainty factor is needed to estimate RfDs to account for this inter-species and inter-bioassay variability when fewer than this number of bioassays are available.


Effects of hexachloro-1,3- butadiene and 1,1,2,2- tetrachloroethylene on individual serum bile acids. Rats were exposed to hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD) or tetrachloroethylene (TET) in order to determine which of these chemicals was more likely to be responsible for elevations in individual serum bile acids (SBA) found in workers exposed primarily to these two chemicals. Increases in cholic and taurocholic acids were found on exposure to high doses of HCBD. Elevations of SBA occurred right down to low exposures for TET, however, with cholic, chenodeoxycholic, and glycocholic acids being the most sensitive bile acids. Only at high doses for each chemical was there any indication of liver injury as determined by routinely used parameters such as serum enzymes or bilirubin. The data suggest that TET is likely to play a role in the elevated individual SBA in an exposure situation where both this chemical and HCBD are found.


Resolution of infection status of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seroindeterminate donors and high-risk seronegative individuals with polymerase chain reaction and virus culture: absence of persistent silent HIV type 1 infection in a high-prevalence area. To address concerns over the prevalence of silent (antibody-negative) infections among blood donors and high-risk populations, a combination of proviral amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and viral isolation by co-culture techniques was employed to resolve the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection status of well-characterized groups of suspect blood donors and others identified in the blood bank setting. No silent infections were found in 65 follow-up samples from 26 persistently HIV-1-seroindeterminate blood donors, 16 persistently seronegative heterosexual partners of infected transfusion recipients, and 6 high-risk seronegative homosexual men identified through donor look-back investigations. In contrast, 21 seropositive controls tested positive. These results suggest a low prevalence of persistently silent infections in at-risk populations, even in high HIV prevalence regions. The PCR assay, with a co-detected internal positive control, and appropriate confirmatory algorithms, was found to be a useful direct assay to rule out infection, especially in concert with confirmatory virus isolation.


Absence of human T-lymphotropic virus types I and II infection in an Ontario hemophilia population. Two hundred ninety-three serum samples from Ontario hemophiliacs and 200 samples from human immunodeficiency virus-positive blood donors were screened for the presence of antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, radioimmunoassay, and Western blot techniques. None of the serum samples provided unequivocal positive results, but several samples gave inconclusive results. Of the hemophiliacs with inconclusive serologic results from whom peripheral blood lymphocyte DNA could be obtained, all were negative for HTLV-I and HTLV type II (HTLV-II) sequences as determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR was also performed on a lymph node biopsy sample taken from a hemophiliac who developed a rare T-cell lymphoma; the sample was negative for HTLV-I and -II sequences. These results indicate that Ontario hemophiliacs have not been exposed to HTLV-I or HTLV-II.


The effect of prestorage irradiation on posttransfusion red cell survival. Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) may occur whenever immunologically competent allogeneic lymphocytes are transfused to an immunocompromised recipient. Irradiation of blood components eliminates the risk of TA-GVHD but may damage the cellular elements in the transfused component, particularly if the cells are stored for prolonged periods in the irradiated state. To study the effect of irradiation on long-term storage of red cells, AS-1 red cells from eight normal subjects were prepared on two occasions. On one occasion, the units were stored as standard AS-1 red cells for 42 days at 4 degrees C; on the other, they were exposed to 3000 cGy radiation within 4 hours of collection and then were stored as AS-1 red cells for 42 days at 4 degrees C. The donations were at least 12 weeks apart. Irradiated units demonstrated significant elevations in poststorage plasma hemoglobin (Hb) (623 +/- 206 vs. 429 +/- 194 g/dL [6230 +/- 2060 vs. 4290 +/- 1940 g/L], p less than 0.02) and plasma potassium (78 +/- 4 vs. 43 +/- 9 mEq/L [78 +/- 4 vs. 43 +/- 9 mmol/L], p less than 0.01) and significant decreases in red cell ATP (1.9 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.1 +/- 0.3 microM/g Hb, p less than 0.04) and 24-hour posttransfusion red cell recovery (68.5 vs. 78.4%, p less than 0.02), as compared to nonirradiated units. It can be concluded that irradiation with 3000 cGy damages red cells and that long-term storage in the irradiated state may enhance this damage. Red cells should not be stored for 42 days after irradiation with 3000 cGy.


Virus sterilization in platelet concentrates with psoralen and ultraviolet A light in the presence of quenchers. The virucidal and functional effect of the treatment of platelet concentrates (PCs) with long-wave ultraviolet light (UVA) and the psoralen derivative 4'-aminomethyl-4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (AMT) was studied. Cell-free vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was completely inactivated (greater than or equal to 6.5 log10) on treatment of PCs with 25 micrograms per mL (85 microM) of AMT and with 20.7 J per cm2 (30 min) of UVA in the presence of air, or with 82.8 J per cm2 (2 hours) of UVA under conditions of reduced oxygen tension. When treatment was in air, the extent and rate of platelet aggregation in response to collagen measured after overnight storage were reduced to about 70 and 50 percent of control values, respectively; however, aggregation responses were similar to those of controls when PCs were treated under reduced oxygen tension. As a means of eliminating the necessity of oxygen depletion during AMT and UVA treatment, we examined the effects of the addition of quenchers of reactive oxygen species. The presence of 2 mM (2 mmol/L) mannitol during treatment of PCs with 25 micrograms per mL of AMT and 20.7 J per cm2 of UVA in air significantly improved the aggregation response and other in vitro indicators of platelet function and had little or no effect on VSV inactivation. Less benefit was observed with the other quenchers examined. Thus, the nucleic acid specificity of psoralen photoinactivation under reduced oxygen conditions may also be attainable when selected free radical scavengers such as mannitol are present during treatment in air.


A clinical and immunologic study of blood transfusion and postoperative bacterial infection in spinal surgery. Allogeneic blood transfusion has been implicated as an independent risk factor for postoperative bacterial infection in clinical and animal studies. The association among transfusion, quantitative immunologic factors, and infection was examined in 102 patients undergoing 109 spinal fusion procedures. In 60 procedures, patients received autologous blood only; in 24 procedures, they received at least 1 unit of allogeneic blood, and in 25 procedures, they received no transfusions. Twenty-two patients developed bacterial infections, in 8 cases while in hospital and in 14 cases after discharge. Univariate analysis revealed that patients who received any allogeneic blood and those who received no allogeneic blood differed significantly in the rate of hospital-acquired infection (20.8 vs. 3.5%), length of stay (12.3 vs. 9.7 days), days of fever greater than or equal to 38 degrees C (4.0 vs. 2.9), days on antibiotics (3.9 vs. 2.5), duration of surgery (309 vs. 231 min), blood loss (1343 vs. 887 mL), surgeon, and postoperative drop in natural killer (NK) cells (-174 vs. -42/microL). Multivariate logistic and linear regressions revealed that the number of allogeneic units transfused was the only significant predictor of in-hospital infection (p = 0.016) or days on antibiotics and length of stay. None of the clinical, surgical, or transfusion variables was significantly associated with posthospital infection, although a significantly greater drop in NK cells had occurred in patients who developed infection (p = 0.0035). These data strongly implicate allogeneic transfusion as a risk factor for in-hospital postoperative bacterial infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Detection of cell-drug (hapten)-antibody complexes by the gel test. Most drugs causing immunocytopenias do not bind firmly to the affected cells. Consequently, the drug-dependent antibodies in such cases are completely removed from their binding sites by conventional cell washing. It has recently been shown that such cell-drug-antibody complexes do survive the washing procedure, if the drug (metabolite) was included in the wash medium. The study reported here used the microtube gel test to reexamine the reactivity of different drug-dependent red cell antibodies: cefotaxime (n = 1), carbimazole (n = 1), cianidanol (n = 1), diclofenac (n = 3), penicillin (n = 3), and nomifensine (n = 10). Whether the drug tested binds (penicillin, cianidanol, carbimazole, and diclofenac) or does not bind (cefotaxime and nomifensine) firmly to the cells, the resultant cell-drug-antibody complex could be recognized on and/or in the gel after it was separated from the mixture containing the drug by means of centrifugation alone and without washing. It is concluded that the gel test might be of value not only for the detection of drug-dependent antibodies, but also for the analysis of subtle drug--cell interactions.


Detection of plasmapheresis-induced platelet activation using monoclonal antibodies. Twelve volunteer plasma donors were studied so as to determine the extent and duration of in vivo platelet activation caused by automated plasmapheresis. Samples obtained immediately before and after donation were mixed with murine monoclonal antibodies PAC-1 and S12, which bind specifically to activated platelets. Antibody binding on platelets was quantitated by flow cytometry. The change in the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) (MFI after donation minus MFI before donation) was 61 +/- 23 (confidence interval [CI], 48-75) for PAC-1 and 56 +/- 64 (CI, 19-92) for S12 in plasmapheresis donors, as compared to 0.3 +/- 0.8 (PAC-1; CI, -0.2-0.8) and 0.3 +/- 0.9 (S12: CI, -0.3-0.9) in whole blood donors (p less than 0.05). Additional studies showed circulating activated platelets up to 48 hours after plasmapheresis. In contrast to other data, significant platelet activation was demonstrated following plasmapheresis on an automated machine. None of the donors had clinical complications. Nevertheless, it may be appropriate to delay subsequent plasmapheresis and platelet procurement from such donors until evidence of platelet activation has disappeared.


Biocompatibility of white cell filters as evaluated by complement activation. The biocompatibility of nine different white cell filters was examined by analysis of complement activation in plasma specimens obtained from blood components before and after filtration. Filters for both red cell (RBC) concentrates and platelet concentrates (PCs) were tested. It was found in all of the filters tested that the postfiltration levels of complement activation products were not higher than the prefiltration levels in RBC concentrates and PCs. One exception was the filtration of multiple PCs with Imugard IG-500, in which case a rise in C3 activation products was seen. Moreover, there was a significant rise in C3 activation products, but not the terminal complement complex, when plasma was filtered through Imugard E, which contrasted with results with the other filters. High initial and storage time-dependent levels, especially of C3 activation products, were observed in the PCs, probably due to their processing at room temperature. It can be concluded that the majority of the filters tested do not activate complement.


Improvement in appropriate autologous donations with local education: 1987 to 1989. Preoperative autologous blood donation for elective surgery patients at university hospitals was underused in the past. More recently, national educational efforts have been made. To test the impact of local surgeon interviews and education, in 1988 the same local educational program was instituted at three university hospitals; three community hospitals were used as controls. Donation by appropriate patients of interviewed surgeons (elective surgery, crossmatch recommended, no contraindications to donation) increased from 24 percent (44/180) to 40 percent (88/222) (p = 0.002) and 15 percent (21/143) to 32 percent (41/127) (p = 0.001) at two university hospitals where the investigator-educators were on site, but not at the three community hospitals. Between 1987 and 1989, donation rates at all six hospitals remained low among patients for whom autologous donation was (probably) less appropriate. Donation rates for type and screen procedures were 3.0 percent (131/4587) in 1987 and 3.0 percent (199/6606) in 1989 (p = 0.67). Donation rates for "no blood order" procedures were 0.2 percent (15/9429) in 1987 and 0.1 percent (9/11,239) in 1989 (p = 0.14). It can be concluded that appropriate autologous blood donations increased at university hospitals where surgeons were individually interviewed and educated by an investigator on site. However, despite this increase, apparently eligible elective surgery patients in 1989 still failed to donate. This situation deserves additional investigation.


Validation of a simple method to count very low white cell concentrations in filtered red cells or platelets. The increased performance of white cell (WBC) filters makes it difficult to count precisely the number of residual WBCs. Concentrations as low as 0.01 WBC per microL cannot be determined with electronic cell counters, conventional hemocytometers, or the flow cytometric techniques currently being used. This article describes a simple, manual method using a Nageotte hemocytometer with a large-volume chamber (50 microL) to count the number of WBCs contained in red cell (RBC) suspensions (preparations A, B, and C) and in platelet suspensions (preparation D) diluted 1 in 10 pure, or concentrated two fold. To validate the method, several reference ranges, prepared by successively adding mononuclear cells to a suspension of pure RBCs or platelets, were used. Among the different series, validation ranges varied from 0.2 to 12 to 0.01 to 0.5 WBCs per microL and correlation coefficients ranged from 0.929 to 0.996. To determine the limit of accurate detection, accuracy tests (n = 160) were carried out by two experienced operators on samples with WBC concentrations of about 5, 10, and 120 times the concentration at the theoretical limit of detection (1 WBC/chamber). No significant difference was observed in the various types of preparations (A, B, C, D) in the tests performed by the two operators. However, intra-assay coefficients of variation were 18, 9.5, and 2.2 percent, respectively, at WBC concentrations of 5, 10, and 120 times that at the theoretical limit of detection. These observations show that a limit of accurate detection (10%) seems to be reached when 10 cells are observed in a Nageotte hemocytometer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Anti-i causing acute hemolysis following a negative immediate-spin crossmatch. A unique case of acute hemolysis following transfusion of red cells (RBCs) that were found compatible by immediate-spin (IS) crossmatch technique is reported. Screening tests for unexpected antibodies, using low-ionic-strength saline (LISS), 10 minutes' incubation at 37 degrees C, and anti-IgG, were nonreactive; however, 1 transfused unit was found crossmatch incompatible by indirect antiglobulin technique (IAT). An anti-i (titer 512 at 4 degrees C) that was not an autoantibody was identified in the patient's serum. Unlike the incriminated donor RBCs, most I+ RBCs did not react by LISS-IAT. Variable reactivity was seen with ficin-treated I+ RBCs, and there was marked hemolysis of iadult and icord RBCs. In marked contrast, dominant Lu(a-b-) RBCs, with reduced expression of i, did not react by any test method; nor did autologous I+, Lu(b+) RBCs. The in vivo clinical significance of this anti-i was confirmed by monocyte monolayer assay and RBC survival studies. The patient's i antigen may have been altered, by either chemotherapy or disease, and lacked part of the i antigen-mosaic. Her antibody was directed at epitopes of i that were absent from her RBCs. Those i epitopes missing from her RBCs are also absent on dominant Lu(a-b-) RBCs. This anti-i represents a unique cause of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. It also represents a case of acute immune-mediated hemolysis following transfusion of IS crossmatch-compatible blood when screening tests for unexpected antibodies are nonreactive. Because of the rarity of such cases (less than 1/200,000 RBC units transfused), modifications to pretransfusion testing protocols are not proposed.


Severe anaphylactic reactions following transfusions of platelets to a patient with anti-Ch. The high-frequency Chido (Ch) antigen, found predominantly in plasma, is a determinant of the C4d fragment of the C4 molecule and is acquired by red cells during in vivo complement activation. Antibodies are made by Ch- people who lack C4S. It has often been reported that anti-Ch (and anti-Rg) do not cause hemolytic transfusion reactions. Reported here is a case of a transfusion reaction caused by anti-Ch. The antibody did not cause red cell destruction, but did cause a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction during transfusion of plasma proteins in pooled platelets. The antibody was of the IgG4 subclass and might have caused a short-term, sensitizing anaphylactic response. This case, and one previously reported in which a patient with anti-Rg experienced a severe reaction to fresh-frozen plasma and a plasma derivative, illustrates that these antibodies can cause severe, life-threatening reactions in patients who receive plasma-containing components.


Glutamyl-transfer RNA: a precursor of heme and chlorophyll biosynthesis. In green plants, archaebacteria and many eubacteria, the porphyrin ring that is common to both chlorophyll and heme is synthesized from 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) via an interesting pathway. This two-step process involves the unusual enzymes glutamyl-tRNA reductase and glutamate-1-semialdehyde 2,1-aminomutase. Interest in this pathway has increased since it was discovered that a tRNA cofactor was required for the formation of ALA. This tRNA(Glu) is common to the biosyntheses of both porphyrins and proteins.


Bacterial protein translocation: kinetic and thermodynamic role of ATP and the protonmotive force. The energetic mechanism of preprotein export in Escherichia coli has been a source of controversy for many years. In vitro studies of translocation reactions that use purified soluble and membrane components have not clarified the main features of this mechanism. Translocation occurs through consecutive steps which each have distinct energy requirements. Initiation of translocation requires ATP and the SecA protein. Most of the further steps can be driven by the protonmotive force (delta p).


Packaging and unpackaging the sea urchin sperm genome. Two species of histones in sea urchin sperm (Sp H1 and Sp H2B) are chimeric molecules whose highly basic amino-terminal domains are dephosphorylated at the last stage of sperm cell differentiation, and rephosphorylated immediately following fertilization. The phosphorylated regions consist largely of repeating tetrapeptides with two basic residues flanking Ser-Pro residues ('SPKK' motifs) and are predicted to have beta-turn secondary structures. Alteration of the charge and structure of the SPKK sites may play a role in the unusually dense DNA packaging of the mature sperm chromatin. The motif resembles the target site of cell-cycle-associated cdc2 kinases and is found in several other proteins whose nucleic acid affinities may be altered during the cell cycle.


The ets gene family.

The ets gene family. Ets proteins have a conserved DNA-binding domain and regulate transcriptional initiation from a variety of cellular and viral gene promoter and enhancer elements. Some members of the Ets family, Ets-1 and Ets-2, cooperate in transcription with the AP-1 transcription factor, the product of the proto-oncogene families, fos and jun, while others, Elk-1 and SAP-1, form ternary complexes with the serum response factor (SRF). Certain ets gene family members possess transforming activity while others are activated by proviral integration in erythroleukaemias.


Ribotoxin recognition of ribosomal RNA and a proposal for the mechanism of translocation. The ribotoxins alpha-sarcin and ricin catalyse covalent modifications in adjacent nucleotides in 28S rRNA, yet the elements of nucleic acid structure that they recognize are not only different but incompatible. This suggests that this ribosomal domain (which in two dimensions is a seven-base-pair helical stem and a 17-member single-stranded loop) has alternate conformers. Since the domain is involved in binding of aminoacyl-tRNA and GTP hydrolysis, we propose that the switch between the two configurations, perhaps initiated by the binding of elongation factors, plays a role in translocation.


[Morphofunctional features of the nucleoli in glandular hyperplasia and endometrial cancer]. The morphofunctional peculiarities of epithelial cells nucleoli in patients with glandular hyperplasia and endometrial cancer has been studied on the cytological smears from endometrium stained with silver nitrate were investigated. The patterns of nucleolonemic nucleoli content and high activity of nucleolar organizers in cancer of corpus uteri are revealed.


[Comparative analysis of variability of various genetic systems in farm animals]. The particularities of the genetic structure formings of the different genetic systems (biochemical and immunogenetic markers) in the breeds, interbreed crosses of sheep and groups of cattle in connections with the locus, breed and the way of the productivity trait selections were described. The uniqueness of the characteristics and forming mechanisms of the genetic structure related with these factors and the inadequacy of the suppositions about them on the genealogical data were discussed.


[Estimation of combining ability of specialized types of the Big White breeds]. The combining ability of the specialized intrabreed types of Estonia Big White (EBW-1) and Ukrainian Big White (UBW) breeding of pigs has been studied by the results of their productivity using the first Griffing method (1956). A close coincidence of theoretical and practical indices by the studied sings, proves the ability to use this method for prediction of interline hybridization of pigs.


[Genotoxicity of the preparation "binase" in tests on Salmonella: Ames test and ARA-test]. The present work deals with mutagenicity determination of enzyme sample "binase" (Bacillus intermedius ribonuclease) in microbial test-systems: Ames test and Ara-test. The weak mutagenic effect of "binase" high concentration was established in both tests by induction of forward Ara-mutations and Histidine-reverse mutations. A metabolic activation is seen to remove this effect.


[Chromosome abnormalities of human gametes and intrauterine selection. Male gametes]. Man appears to be unique among mammals with respect to very high level of reproductive wastage. It seems reasonable to suppose that many early losses attribute to cytogenetical abnormalities. However, this stage of pregnancy is difficult to be studied. The investigation of gametes is one of the most reliable ways to estimate the cytogenetical disorders in early life. The results from cytogenetical analysis of human male gametes are summarized.


Continent urinary diversion using cutaneous ileocecocystoplasty. We have employed a technique of continent urinary diversion that uses ileocecocystoplasty to incorporate native bladder into the urinary reservoir. This allows creation of a reservoir in selected patients using less complicated surgery than complete replacement of the bladder and avoids ureteral-intestinal anastomoses. Early results are promising for this simplified means of continent diversion.


[Clinico-genetic aspects of the ovarian failure syndrome]. Clinical-genetic examination of 50 patients with menopause praecox syndrome has been performed. The results of the examination show genetic syndrome heterogeneity. Chromosomal and gene mutations take part in the syndrome pathogenesis. Chromosomal abnormalities frequency is 12%. Chromosomal aberrations are presented by different mosaicism types of sex chromosomes. Monogenic syndrome genesis with different inheritance types of the pathologic gene is determined: autosomal-recessive or autosomal-dominant.


[Genetic interrelationship between lactation maturity, fertility and life productivity in Simmental cows]. In Ukrainian simmental heritabilities of maturity rate defined as ratio of the highest to first lactation yields were 0.17. Single lactation production and longevity are negatively correlated (-0.45). Waiting for third lactation records of test daughters and including secondary trains like reproduction or persistency into selection should slow down or stop the decrease.


Comparison of plicated and stapled continent ileocecal stoma. Tapered terminal ileum and an intact ileocecal valve have been shown to be an effective efferent continence mechanism in patients with continent ileocecal urinary reservoirs. The terminal ileum can be tapered by simple suture plication or with linear gastrointestinal stapling devices. We used precise urodynamic techniques to study 21 continent urinary reservoirs constructed from ileocecal bowel segments: 14 with plicated segments and 7 with stapled segments. Mean contraction pressures tended to be higher in the latter (P = 0.054), although maximum contraction pressures were similar (P = 0.48). Terminal ileum tapered with the gastrointestinal stapling device and an intact ileocecal valve provide for an effective efferent continence mechanism that is easy to construct and catheterize.


Surgical management of urethral strictures based on etiology. Where do urethral stents fit in? Recent studies in the urologic literature indicate a renewed interest in the management of urethral stricture disease. Specifically, urologists are now treating all types of urethral strictures regardless of location, etiology, or extent with methods other than primary urethroplasty or direct vision internal urethrotomy (DVIU), i.e., balloon dilation or urethral stenting. To see which patients might best be managed by these new modalities, we reviewed our experience with urethral strictures at LAC-USC Medical Center.


Specific investigations in chronic urinary bilharziasis. Seventy-two patients with histologically confirmed chronic urinary bilharziasis were studied for the reliability of some specific investigative tools in diagnosing this disease, namely urinalysis, serology, urography, and cystoscopy. Of the 72 patients 36 (50%) had hematuria and only 3 (4%) had ova of Schistosoma haematobium on urinalysis. Sixty-two patients (86%) had features of bilharziasis on intravenous urography (IVU). Of the remaining 10 patients with negative urography 6 underwent serology and all had positive results. Of the total patients 52 underwent serology and 49 had significant bilharzial antibody titer (94.2%). At cystoscopy all patients (100%) had features of bilharziasis. It is concluded that the most reliable diagnostic tools in chronic urinary bilharziasis are cystoscopy, serology, and to a lesser extent urography. Unlike early bilharziasis, chronic bilharziasis can be missed if total reliance is placed on urinalysis for screening a population at risk.


Ovarian myxoma: ultrastructural and immunohistochemical findings. The ultrastructural and immunohistochemical findings are reported in two ovarian myxomas, one of which was also associated with a sclerosing stromal tumor of the same ovary. Both neoplasms showed a myxoid, moderately cellular proliferation of spindle and stellate cells interspersed with areas of fibrosis and hemorrhage as well as delicate vascular spaces. Ultrastructurally, stellate neoplastic cells with irregular nuclei and occasional nucleoli were embedded in a mucinous and loose collagen matrix. Their cytoplasm showed abundant intracytoplasmic thin filaments that rarely condensed into poorly formed dense bodies. These thin filaments correlated with immunoreactivity for muscle-specific actin and vimentin. The neoplastic cells showed no immunoreactivity with antibodies to desmin, S-100 protein, cytokeratin AE1:AE3, factor VIII-related protein, or placental alkaline phosphatase. These ultrastructural and immunohistochemical findings are consistent with myofibroblastic differentiation. These ancillary studies exclude important, clinically more aggressive differential considerations such as myxoid rhabdomyosarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma, myxoid neural tumors, mucinous adenocarcinoma showing pseudomyxomatous change, and myxoid-appearing endodermal sinus (yolk sac) tumor.


Transurethral resection of prostate under TV monitoring (TV-TURP). Since February 1987, we have used television monitoring as the main method for operative guidance during transurethral resection (TV-TURP). With this system, the surgeon watches the image on the TV monitor during TURP, and does not look through an endoscope. Seventy-one cases treated using TV-TURP were compared with 50 cases treated by conventional TURP without TV monitoring. The resection time per gram of tissue for TV-TURP was not significantly different from that of the conventional TURP. The other resulting data for TV-TURP were also statistically similar to those for conventional TURP. TV-TURP is an excellent method and not inferior to conventional TURP.


Identification of Charcot-Leyden crystals by electron microscopy. Observations of the ultrastructure of Charcot-Leyden crystals are sporadic in the literature. These crystals appear occasionally in clinical materials, however, and may pose diagnostic dilemmas if not correctly identified. Two cases in which unusual crystallike structures were seen on electron micrographs of specimens were evaluated for diagnostic purposes. These structures were tentatively identified as Charcot-Leyden crystals and subsequently were confirmed as such by immunoperoxidase labeling. The cases are reported together with a review of the ultrastructure, histology, immunology, and natural history of Charcot-Leyden crystals.


Renal artery aneurysms.

Renal artery aneurysms. Renal artery aneurysms, previously considered to be rare, have been diagnosed more frequently in recent years mainly due to the extensive use of angiography. Fifty-six patients with 67 aneurysms were evaluated, 5 of these were dissecting aneurysms. Most cases were manifestations of medial hyperplasia or atherosclerosis of the renal arteries. Symptomatology is not pathognomonic. Expanding aneurysm, intractable hypertension, hematuria, and renal infarction represent the most common indications for surgical repair. Reconstruction and repair of these aneurysms, with preservation of the kidney, is the preferred treatment. Surgery was performed on 17 patients (30%): 14 patients had primary repair, while 3 patients underwent nephrectomy for associated carcinoma and end-stage kidney disease. Temporary occlusion of the renal artery with hypothermic perfusion allows surgical repair safely to both patient and kidney. Autotransplantation into the ipsilateral iliac fossa was employed for dissecting aneurysms after resection and repair of the diseased segment. Nine of 12 hypertensive patients required no treatment for hypertension following aneurysmal repair, while 3 patients had improved control.


Retrospective review of sexual and marital satisfaction of spinal cord injury and diabetic males post penile injection or implant. This study compares sexual activity and sexual and marital satisfaction in spinal-cord-injured (SCI) and diabetic men who had received either a penile prosthesis or papaverine/phentolamine injections for the treatment of impotence. Questionnaires were used retrospectively to assess changes pre- and post-procedure in 30 SCI and 26 diabetic males. Regardless of whether they received a penile prosthesis or injections, both diabetic and SCI males reported increases in diversity and frequency of sexual activities and satisfaction with sexual activities post-implant/injection. When compared with a normative sample, both diabetic and SCI males were found to have poorer body image post-implant/injection. They also reported more disagreement with their partners but engaged in more activities together.


Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy for stones in lower ureter. Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has been accepted as the method of choice for most upper urinary tract calculi. However, in cases of stones in the lower ureter, ureteroscopic procedures have generally been preferred. Using the Dornier HM3 lithotriptor with modifications in the patient's position, we were able to successfully treat 155 unselected cases of lower ureteral calculi. The average stone size was 9.6 mm (range 5-23 mm). One hundred forty-three patients had stones located below the lower margin of the sacroiliac joint. These patients were placed in a supine position. The stones were visualized radiologically without use of a ureteral catheter in 78 percent of the patients; in 22 percent a ureteral catheter was inserted prior to ESWL to aid in stone localization. In 145 patients (94%) treatment was completed in one session; 10 patients (6%) required two sessions. Of the patients, 38 percent were free of stones one day after ESWL; 97 percent became stone free within three months, and only 3 patients required endoscopic manipulation, after ESWL. Twelve patients had stones in the midureter overlying the sacroileum. They were placed in the prone position, and the calculi were visualized with the aid of a ureteral catheter. All these patients became free of stones one month after treatment. There were no significant treatment-related complications except for bacteremia in 1 case. In view of the remarkable efficacy, negligible complication rate, and shorter hospital stay as compared to ureteroscopic stone manipulations, we recommend high energy ESWL as the primary monotherapy of mid and lower ureteral stones.


Birbeck granules or Birbeck junctions? Intercellular "zipperlike" lattice junctions in eosinophilic granuloma of bone. Three cases of eosinophilic granuloma of bone exhibited intercellular attachments between histiocytes, with a pentalaminar structure identical to that seen in nearby intracellular Birbeck granules (BG). It is proposed that the term "lattice junction" be coined to describe this organelle, which seems to be expressed only by cells of monocytic-histiocytic lineage. While this finding confirms the ability of the surface membrane to form such structures, it does not necessarily preclude other intracytoplasmic sites of origin for some BG. The previously suggested role of BG in membrane storage and regulation is reiterated as a supportable model for their function.


Management of urinary tract in children with epidermolysis bullosa. Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of rare genetic disorders characterized by noninflammatory blistering lesions of the skin occurring after minor mechanical trauma. In association with junctional epidermolysis bullosa, a syndrome of pyloric atresia has occasionally been noted in the literature. Several infants who had this combined disorder have been reported to have severe genitourinary tract involvement. Most of these patients have died at an early age because of severe urinary tract involvement. We describe a rare survivor who was initially treated with urinary diversion. Subsequent attempts at undiversion of this patient were unsuccessful. He is presently stable following rediversion. The entities of e. bullosa and e. bullosa/pyloric atresia are reviewed with emphasis on urologic associations.


A fast method for processing biologic material for electron microscopic diagnosis in infectious disease. A fast method for processing biologic material for electron microscopy for precise and specific diagnosis of infectious agents is an increasing necessity. After different, reportedly fast methods were tested, a useful and quick technique was developed that provides well-preserved cellular structures, enabling the etiologic diagnosis of infectious agents even in necrotic tissue or other biologic material such as sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, and the like. This procedure takes less than 3 hours.


Tethered cord syndrome: cause for urge incontinence and pain in lower extremities. An eight-year-old girl has had urge incontinence for the last three years and muscle weakness and pain in the lower extremities for one month. Urodynamic study revealed a bladder instability of severe degree. Tethered cord syndrome caused by a tight filum terminale was identified by metrizamide myelography. An untethering of the filum terminale resolved her symptomatology completely. The urologist should be aware of this syndrome in a patient presenting with incontinence that has persisted for a long time or has recurred.


Abdominoscrotal hydrocele: diagnosis by herniogram and ultrasound. A four-month-old male infant presented with a lower abdominal mass and bilateral hydroceles. With pressing on the abdominal mass, the right hydrocele became larger. Herniogram and ultrasound led to the diagnosis of abdominoscrotal hydrocele which was successfully repaired through an extraperitoneal and intraperitoneal approach.


Milk of calcium renal cyst: CT findings. Milk of calcium in the kidney is usually found in association with hydronephrosis or caliceal diverticula. A case of milk of calcium in a renal cyst is presented. Contiguity with an adjacent rib can make it difficult to detect the dependent layered milk of calcium.


Use of gadolinium-DTPA-enhanced MRI to characterize renal mass in patient with renal insufficiency. A patient with chronic renal insufficiency was found to have an indeterminate renal mass after renal ultrasound, non-contrast CT, and non-contrast MRI studies. The mass was correctly diagnosed as an enhancing tumor with gadolinium-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.


Hoarseness; a unique clinical presentation for renal cell carcinoma. The first reported case of an isolated metastasis to the larynx from a regionally localized renal cell carcinoma presenting clinically as hoarseness is discussed. Aggressive management and outcome are presented.


AIDS presenting as primary testicular lymphoma. A case of AIDS presenting as a primary testicular lymphoma is reported. Despite the lack of evident systemic disease, such a presentation in a young patient should alert the physician to the possible presence of an underlying human immunodeficiency virus infection.


Renal leiomyosarcoma: plea for aggressive therapy. We report a case of renal leiomyosarcoma arising from the renal pelvis with immunohistochemical confirmation of the diagnosis. Treatment was extirpative surgery for both primary and metastatic lung lesions as well as adjunctive radiation and chemotherapy. This patient remains disease-free twelve months following treatment.


Clinical value of pathologic changes after intravesical BCG therapy of superficial bladder cancer. Bladder pathologic features related to intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy in superficial bladder cancer (Ta, T1, Tis) were evaluated and related to clinical outcome. A total of 105 patients were treated with 75 mg Pasteur BCG weekly for six consecutive weeks. When tumor was not demonstrated a maintenance course was given. An additional six-week course was given when tumor recurrence or persistence, without progression, was observed after the induction course. An inflammatory change in the bladder was the most common pathologic finding. Granuloma was the only specific BCG-related feature and did not appear to be a prognostic factor because of low incidence (24%) and lack of correlation with clinical course. Dysplasia occurred more frequently (57%) in nonresponder patients and (26%) in responder patients, often heralding recurrence of tumor. All patients showing concurrent squamous and/or glandular metaplasia were unresponsive to BCG therapy. Histology and cytology did not correlate perfectly: cytology was ineffective in low-grade tumors and improved diagnostic accuracy, particularly when dysplasia was histologically evident.


Tumor-associated tissue inflammatory reaction and eosinophilia in primary superficial bladder cancer. In a retrospective study the data of 428 patients with primary superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were evaluated. The histologic slides were reviewed for presence of a tumor-associated tissue inflammatory reaction, especially tumor-associated eosinophilia. Tumor-associated cell infiltration was found in 23.1 percent and tumor-associated eosinophilia in 2.1 percent. Tumor-associated cell infiltration was associated with less recurrences (p = 0.01). Tumor progression rate was not significantly influenced by tumor-associated cell infiltration. Tumor-related death rate was lower in the group with tumor-associated cell infiltrate (p = 0.50). Using the Cox regression model carcinoma in situ of the tumor margin, tumor-associated cell infiltrate, and grade of differentiation appeared to be important factors in the prognosis for survival.


Aminopenicillins in urology.

Aminopenicillins in urology. The use of ampicillin and amoxicillin remains a mainstay of urologic prophylaxis and therapy, however ampicillin's effectiveness against aerobic gram-negative bacilli, especially Escherichia coli has steadily decreased over time due to increasing beta-lactamase-induced resistance. Presently, up to 40-60 percent of E. coli may be ampicillin resistant. Since there have been no major resistance problems with enterococci, ampicillin remains the preferred anti-enterococcal antibiotic in penicillin-tolerant patients. Ampicillin/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations are preferred when penicillins are used to treat ampicillin resistant aerobic gram-negative bacillary urinary tract infections (UTIs). One response to the problem of resistance has been short-course or single-dose therapy for uncomplicated cystitis in immunocompetent adults, which is less likely to cause side effects, bacterial resistance, or alterations in bowel flora. Another response has been to combine the aminopenicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanate or sulbactam.


Sutureless vasovasostomy: new technique using experimental microclip in rat model. Standard microscopic suture vasovasostomy represents a challenge to many urologists. It is technically demanding, and requires two to five hours of operative time. In an attempt to decrease the technical demand and the time requirement, we report the use of a microvascular anastomotic clip and compare this microclip to a standard eight-suture nonstented technique and a six-suture stented technique using a hollow, absorbable 0.5-mm polyglycolic acid stent. The control group with suture required an average of 38.5 minutes per anastomosis for the nonstented group and twenty-two minutes for the stented group. The clip group required 7.6 minutes for the unstented vasovasostomy and 6.5 minutes for the stented vasovasostomy. We obtained a 91 percent patency rate for the stented clip group and 100 percent patency for the unstented clip group. In a rat vasovasostomy, the operative time as well as the inherent technical demand were significantly reduced.


Urologists and circumcision of newborns. Although urologists have played a key role in performing clinical studies providing the rationale for newborn circumcision, they have not had primary responsibility for the decision to perform the procedure. Recent confirmatory evidence that newborn circumcision has significant preventive health benefits has called attention to previous urologic articles. This review summarizes the contributions of urologists to the controversy on circumcision of newborns over the past sixty years and emphasizes the importance of clinical objectivity in this field.


Megabacteriosis in exhibition budgerigars. Megabacteriosis is a common cause of illness and death in exhibition budgerigars. The clinical signs are variable but include weight loss, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, diarrhoea and sudden death due to haemorrhage. Significant lesions are confined to the proventriculus which becomes inflamed, dilated and ulcerated, and loses its normal architecture, and to the gizzard in which there are degenerative changes in the koilin layer.


A survey of benzimidazole resistant nematodes in sheep in three countries of southern England. Faecal samples were collected from 209 randomly selected sheep farms in southern England, and the nematode eggs extracted were tested by an egg hatch assay and by a larval development test for their resistance to benzimidazoles. Benzimidazole resistance was found on 35 per cent of farms tested in East Sussex, 44 per cent in Oxfordshire and 61 per cent in West Sussex.


Ultrasonographic study of early embryonic loss induced by Actinomyces pyogenes in cattle. Four cows were inoculated into the uterus with Actinomyces pyogenes between 30 and 41 days of gestation. Gross morphological changes were monitored by rectal palpation and with a realtime B-mode two-dimensional scanner with a 7.5 MHz transrectal linear transducer, shortly before infection and afterwards at three to 12 hours intervals. Two control groups of cows 27 to 50 days pregnant were used: two cows were inoculated with 6 ml of sterile saline into the uterine lumen and four cows were treated with cloprostenol (prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue). There was a change in the uterine fluid from a black, non-echogenic image before infection to a grey or cloudy echogenic image as early as 21 hours after infection. There was an increase in the thickness of the endometrium of the horns and body of the uterus. The embryonic membranes thickened and separated from the endometrium as early as four hours after infection, followed by cessation of the embryonic heart beat, opening of the cervix and abortion. Abortion was followed by an increase in the amount of echogenic intrauterine fluid leading to an increase in the size of the uterus, and the cervix remained open for at least eight days. The area of the corpus luteum remained greater than 2 cm2 throughout the whole period. Intrauterine inoculation with sterile saline had no effects, but the administration of cloprostenol was followed by the death of the embryo and abortion within 72 hours, and the regression of the corpus luteum from greater than 2 cm2 at treatment to 0.4 cm2, 24 hours after abortion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Use of information from pig finishing herds for meat inspection purposes. In a field trial on Integrated Quality Control of finishing pigs we evaluated information written on Quality Information Cards (QUIC) for meat inspection purposes. These cards were sent with 3747 shipments of pigs going from the finishing herd to the slaughterhouse. Pig suppliers answered five questions dealing with health problems and the use of drugs during the finishing period. By comparing QUIC answers to recorded post-mortem abnormalities, we found that the information on the QUIC had some, albeit low, predictive value with respect to the abnormalities 'arthritis', 'condemned liver' and lung lesions. Shipments without a QUIC or with a faulty QUIC were considered 'suspect' because higher levels of abnormalities were found in these shipments. These results indicate the potential use of a QUIC.


Preselection of finishing pigs on the farm as an aid for meat inspection. The ability of pig suppliers to separate pigs with abnormalities from pigs without abnormalities at the end of the finishing period was investigated. Nineteen hundred and seventy-eight pigs, delivered by 22 pig suppliers, were involved in the experiment. The pigs were inspected on the farm by the pig supplier and, separately, by a veterinary expert. The animals were sent in 22 deliveries to one slaughterhouse. A veterinary meat inspector carried out the ante- and post-mortem inspections. The results of the inspections were compared. The measure of agreement, Cohen's Kappa (CK), indicated a poor (CK less than 0.40) to fair (0.40 less than CK less than 0.75) agreement among the results of the different inspection procedures, depending on the abnormality under investigation. There was a fair to good agreement for the abnormality 'tail lesion' among all inspections. Some findings of the live animal, such as 'straggler', were associated with a wide range of post-mortem abnormalities. It is concluded that preselection is possible and that the economic and practical feasibility of preselection should be investigated.


Pathogenicity of two strains of Newcastle disease virus in the grey-breasted helmet guinea fowl. Thirty-five 6-week-old guinea fowl keets, seronegative for maternal antibodies to Newcastle disease virus, were infected with Herts strain (33/56) and Kumarov strain of Newcastle disease virus intramucularly (IM) or intranasally (IN). Clinical signs were first noticed four days post infection (PI) in the group infected IM but five days PI in the group infected IN with Herts strain of Newcastle disease virus. These clinical signs were similar in both groups and included anorexia, droopiness, huddling together, greenish diarrhoea and marked cachexia. Prominent nervous signs, including spasms of the head and neck, were observed in groups infected with Herts strain. The major gross lesions observed were emaciation with prominent keel bone, empty intestinal tract and distended gall bladder in most keets. The histological lesions were characterised by meningoencephalitis, necrosis and loss of lymphocytes from splenic and lymphoid aggregates. There was muscular degeneration and necrosis in the gizzard and mild pulmonary congestion and oedema in some keets. Neither gross or microscopic lesions were observed in keets that had received the Kumarov strain.


Congenital tremor in Holstein Friesian-cattle. In a female family line of Holstein-Friesian cattle a series of trembling calves was born within a period of ten years. All trembling animals were male; female calves appeared normal. At necropsy of one calf severe degenerative lesions of spinal cord and brain white matter were observed. Both myelin and axons were lost and some macrophages occurred within digestion chambers. Obviously degenerated neurones were not found. The lesion was interpreted as a single recessive sex-linked hereditary trait.


Occurrence of Salmonella in swine in the Latium Region (central Italy) from 1980 to 1989: a retrospective study. An extensive survey was carried out on 849 biological samples (dead animals, organs and viscera, faeces, and rectal swabs) from pigs in the Latium Region (Central Italy) throughout the years 1980-1989. In total, 46 of the samples (5.4%) were found to be bacteriologically positive for salmonellae. Among dead animals, typical gross lesions were observed in 6 clinically infected animals. As far as serotypes are concerned, 11 different ones were isolated, with a predominance of Salmonella typhimurium (26.1%), S. anatum (21.7%), S. bovis-morbificans (15.2%), and S. heidelberg (10.8%). According to Kauffmann-White's classification scheme, 39.1% of the isolated strains belonged to serogroup B, 13% to serogroup C1, 17.4% tot serogroup C2, 6.5% to serogroup D, and 23.9% to serogroup E1. In conclusion, the authors speculate that the relatively low Salmonella isolation frequency (5.4%) reported in this study was not dependent upon the cultural procedures used, since different enrichment and plating methods were used, but rather upon the great number of rural-type herds which were investigated over the decade compared to industrial-type herds. Other factors such as stress conditions, which are particularly pronounced in industrial-type herds, and overall climatic situations, which tend to be characterised by warm, dry and long summers in the Latium Region, are also considered in this respect.


Towards a sustainable livestock production in developing countries and the importance of animal health strategy therein. Livestock and animal health development projects have not always led to substantial increases in animal productivity or in farmers' welfare. Some have even resulted in unsustainable systems, when they were not based on an understanding of (livestock) production systems. The multipurpose functions of livestock and complex relationships between the biological, technical and social components require a systems approach, whereby nutrition, animal health, breeding, biotechnology knowhow, inputs and technologies are used to optimise resource use. The challenge for developed and developing countries is to reverse the current degradation of the environment, and arrive at sustainable increases in crop and livestock production to secure present and future food supplies. For rural development, governments should show long term commitment and political will to support the rural population in development programmes, because smallholders (including women and landless livestock keepers) represent a large labour force in developing countries. Different systems need different approaches. Pastoral systems must focus on effective management of grazing pressure of the rangelands. Communal rangelands management involves not only the development and application of technologies (e.g. feedlots, vaccination campaigns), but also land tenure policies, institutional development, economic return and a reduction in the number of people depending upon livestock. Smallholder mixed farms must aim at intensification of the total production system, in which external inputs are indispensable, but with the emphasis on optimum input-output relationships by reducing resource losses due to poor management. Resource-poor farming systems must aim at the improved management of the various livestock species in backyards and very small farms, and proper packages for cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, rabbits and poultry should be developed. Specialised commercial livestock farming systems (poultry, pigs, dairy or meat) can only be sustainable with adequate marketing, supply of quality feed, veterinary services, labour, management and control of pollution. Animal health programmes play a keyrole in the proposed system approach.


Oral administration of calcium chloride-containing products: testing for deleterious side-effects. Two products that contain CaCl2 and that are intended for oral administration were tested for safety aspects. One product contained CaCl2 as a gel, the other contained CaCl2 in an oil emulsion. Oral administration of the CaCl2-containing products caused minor to severe damage to the mucosa of the forestomach and abomasum. The gel solution especially proved to be highly caustic, while the oil emulsion appeared to be relatively safe.


Trypanosome infections in warthogs (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) in the Gambia. The prevalence of trypanosome infections in warthogs (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) in The Gambia was found to be 11% of a sample of 62 animals. All isolates were identified as Trypanosoma simiae. Serological evidence indicated a higher level of exposure to T. simiae, but results were inconclusive for the presence of Trypanosoma congolense. The course of T. simiae infection in warthog piglets showed a rapidly rising parasitaemia, with a concomitant fall in packed cell volume, and resulted in a prolonged period of low-level parasitaemia. The same infections killed domestic piglets.


Species of coccidia occurring in lambs in São Paulo State, Brazil. The purpose of this experiment was to characterize the species of Eimeria affecting lambs and their infection pattern. Faecal samples were collected from each animal at 14-day intervals, beginning when lambs were 2 weeks old and ending when they were 32 weeks old. The oocysts were counted and identified as E. intricata, E. parva, E. pallida, E. crandallis, E. bakuensis, E. weybridgensis, E. ahsata and E. ovinoidalis. The highest oocyst counts were observed when the lambs were 4-8 weeks old.


Epidemiologic observations on porcine cysticercosis in a rural community of Michoacan State, Mexico. The prevalence of and risk factors for Taenia solium infection (cysticercosis) in pigs were studied in a rural community in Michoacan State, Mexico. Visual inspection of the tongues of 216 pigs revealed cysticerci in 14 (6.5%). The prevalence was slightly higher in male (10/105) than female pigs (4/110) (P = 0.06) and increased with age (P less than 0.05). The most important risk factors for infection in pigs were access to human feces at a public washing area (P = 0.004), the presence of an indoor latrine (P = 0.05) and indiscriminate disposal of human feces around the pig owner's household (P less than 0.1). Effective and long-lasting control of the transmission of T. solium from humans to pigs must include measures to deny pigs access to human feces, a change which is likely to be resisted because of the traditional and functional aspects of established pig-rearing practices.


Moxidectin: systemic activity against common cattle grubs (Hypoderma lineatum) (Diptera: Oestridae) and trichostrongyle nematodes in cattle. Moxidectin, a systemic insecticide, was evaluated for its efficacy against the migrating first instars of the common cattle grub, Hypoderma lineatum, and against nematode egg production in beef cattle. It was observed that all three levels (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg moxidectin kg-1) were 100% effective against cattle grubs when administered as a s.c. injection. The same levels of treatment were very effective (90-100%) in reducing trichostrongyle nematode egg production. However, there was a slight indication that at least one species, Cooperia oncophora, was not completely eliminated, as it was observed that small numbers of eggs began to appear after 2 weeks post-treatment when there had been no opportunity for reinfection.


Resistance of St. Croix lambs to Haemonchus contortus in experimentally and naturally acquired infections. Parasitological and immunological parameters of experimental or naturally acquired infections with Haemonchus contortus were compared in St. Croix and Dorset lambs. In experimental infections, St. Croix lambs developed significantly greater levels of resistance to H. contortus, following primary exposure, as compared with Dorset lambs. This resistance was influenced both by age and by prior exposure to parasites. In grazing experiments on H. contortus-infected pasture, St. Croix lambs shed significantly fewer eggs as early as 5 weeks following initial exposure. Further, St. Croix lambs had more than 99% fewer worms in the abomasum at necropsy compared with age-matched Dorset lambs. Lymphoproliferative assays using peripheral blood mononuclear cells and antigen-specific serological tests demonstrated only minor differences in immune responsiveness between the two breeds despite the dramatic parasitological differences. Similarly, abomasal mucus from both breeds had elevated levels of parasite-specific antibodies and contained substances mediating larval paralysis. In contrast, St. Croix lambs which had become resistant to nematode infection had dramatically higher numbers of globule leukocytes in the abomasal mucosa compared with Dorset lambs.


Efficacy of moxidectin against naturally acquired nematode infections in cattle. The efficacy of moxidectin, a new endectocide against natural nematode infections, was evaluated. Twenty-five calves were divided into two groups of eight calves each and a third group of nine calves. Moxidectin was administered s.c. to two groups (I, 0.2 mg kg-1 body weight (BW); II, 0.3 mg kg-1 BW) and the third group (III) received the vehicle (placebo) s.c. Two pre-treatment and one post-treatment faecal nematode egg count determinations were made from all calves, and they were necropsied 2 weeks after treatment for the identification and enumeration of nematode parasites. Group III calves, which received the drug-free vehicle, harboured eight species of nematodes (Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia punctata, Nematodirus helvetianus, Trichuris discolor, Oesophagostomum radiatum and Dictyocaulus viviparus). The mean total worm burden for this group was 8935. There was a significant reduction in the numbers of many species of nematodes (Ostertagia, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia and Nematodirus) in both treated groups. Cooperia oncophora was reduced by 94% in Group I and by 96% in Group II, while all other nematode species were reduced by 99%. Immature stages of Ostertagia and Nematodirus were significantly reduced in the two treated groups. Two weeks after treatment, the mean faecal egg counts of both treated groups were reduced by more than 98%. There was no significant difference in mean total worm burdens or egg counts between the two treated groups.