Structural studies of the O-antigen oligosaccharides from two strains of Moraxella catarrhalis serotype C

The oligosaccharide parts from Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis serotype C lipooligosaccharides were isolated by mild acid hydrolysis followed by gel permeation chromatography. Four different oligosaccharides could be identified from strain RS26 and two from strain RS10. The structures of the O-oligosaccharides were established by methylation analyses, mass spectrometry, and NMR spectroscopy. It is concluded that the oligosaccharide O-antigens from RS26 are a mixture of octa-, deca-, and undeca-saccharides, and most likely a heptasaccharide. Strain RS10 contains the deca- and the undeca-saccharide only. The structures for the oligosaccharides are shown below. [formula: see text] OS(7) [formula: see text] OS(8) [formula: see text] OS(10) [formula: see text] OS(11) Methylation analysis of the intact lipooligosaccharides showed that two Kdo residues were present, one terminal and one 4,5-substituted residue. It also showed that they consisted of a lipid A portion with 6-substituted glucosamine residues.

Structural studies of the Shigella boydii type 5 O-antigen polysaccharide

The structure of the Shigella boydii type 5 O-antigen polysaccharide has been investigated by sugar and methylation analyses, and specific degradations. It is proposed that it is composed of hexasaccharide repeating units with the following structure. The repeating unit also contains an O-acetyl group, linked to one of the primary positions. [formula: see text]

The effects of cigarette smoking on human gingival tissues (a histopathological study)

Gingival biopsy specimens were obtained from 9 smokers and 7 non-smokers during routine flap surgical procedure to investigate the effects of cigarette smoking on gingival epithelium and connective tissue. Although no remarkable histopathological difference was noted between gingival tissues of smokers and non-smokers, but smokers revealed relatively more epithelial keratosis, inflammatory cells, blood vessels and collagen fibres in connective tissue. Congestion of the capillaries were also more prominent in the smoker's gingival tissues.

Maternal and socioeconomic factors and the risk of severe malnutrition in a child: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relation of maternal and socioeconomic factors with the development of severe malnutrition in young children.

DESIGN

A case-control study.

SETTING

A large diarrhoea treatment centre in a metropolitan city.

SUBJECTS

Cases were 125 severely malnourished children, aged < 36 months, having weight-for-age < 55% of the United States National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) median values. Controls (n = 125) were recruited concurrently matching for gender, disease type (i.e. diarrhoea or dysentery) and age stratum, having weight-for-age > 60% of NCHS median values.

INTERVENTION

Mothers of the children were interviewed to record personal history and various socioeconomic variables and examined for height and weight.

RESULTS

Maternal factors such as illiteracy, mothers' employment outside, lack of breastfeeding and maternal malnutrition (as indicated by low body mass index, weight or height); and selected socioeconomic indicators such as poor family income, use of unprotected surface water or unhygienic latrine were found to be significantly associated with severe malnutrition in their children. In multivariate analysis, maternal illiteracy and lack of breastfeeding were associated with approximately fourfold increased risk of severe malnutrition in their children. A strong positive association of employment of mothers outside homes with fivefold increased risk was surprising and may reflect a complex social problem of poor urban mothers; malnourished mothers were 2.5 times more likely to have severely malnourished children.

CONCLUSION

The findings confirm the well-known association of lack of maternal education and breastfeeding with severe malnutrition of their children. Maternal malnutrition may be a useful indicator to identify at-risk families with severely malnourished children. However, its causal association, though plausible, cannot be inferred from the study.

Structural studies of the O-polysaccharide from the lipopolysaccharide of Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis serotype A (strain ATCC 25238)

The polysaccharide of the Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis serotype A lipopolysaccharide was prepared by mild acid hydrolysis followed by gel permeation chromatography. The structure was established by methylation analysis, mass spectrometry, and NMR spectroscopy. It is concluded that the O-antigenic polysaccharide has the following structure. [formula see text] Methylation analysis of the intact lipopolysaccharide showed that the lipid A portion consisted of 6-substituted glucosamine residues. Methylation followed by methanolysis showed that two Kdo residues were present, one terminal and one 4,5-substituted residue. A terminal Kdo thus substitutes the branch-point Kdo in the 4-position.

Impact of health education on the feeding of green leafy vegetables at home to children of the urban poor mothers of Bangladesh

To evaluate the impact of health education on mothers, on the feeding of their children green leafy vegetables (GLV) at home, we studied 160 children aged 6 to 35 months and their mothers in two intervention groups and one comparison group. The mothers of the first intervention group (n = 44) were given health education including a feeding demonstration, by offering a single meal of cooked GLV to their children. The mothers in the second intervention group (n = 36) received health education only. Mothers of both the intervention groups were visited at home after eight weeks of intervention without prior notice, and for each of them an immediate neighbourhood mother having a child in the same age range was selected as a comparison mother (n = 80). During this visit, mothers were asked whether they had cooked GLV that day and fed these to their children; this was confirmed by spot-checking. Also, mothers were interviewed to elicit their perceptions about GLV. The percentages of mothers who thought that GLV are good for health were 88.7%, 86.1% and 76.2% in groups 1, 2 and comparison respectively (P = 0.06). However, the percentages of mothers who actually fed their children GLV were 57%, 64% and 26% in groups 1, 2 and comparison group respectively (P < 0.001). The influence of health education on GLV feeding persisted after controlling for the effect of maternal literacy (Mantel Haenszel chi-square = 16.99; P < 0.0001) and family income (Mantel Haenszel chi-square = 17.36; P < 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibitor regulation of tissue kallikrein activity in the synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Tissue kallikrein (TK) and alpha 1-antitrypsin (AT)/TK complexes can be detected in SF from patients with RA if components of the fluids which interfere with the detection of TK are removed. alpha 2-Macroglobulin (alpha 2-M) in SF was demonstrated to contain trapped proteases which were still active in amidase assays. Removal of alpha 2-M from RA SF reduced their amidase activity. However, at least some of the remaining activity was due to TK because it was soya bean trypsin inhibitor resistant and trasylol sensitive and was partly removed by affinity chromatography on anti-TK sepharose. Removal of RF from the fluids reduced the values obtained for TK levels by ELISA. Addition of SF to human urinary kallikrein (HUK) considerably reduced the levels of TK detected suggesting the presence of a TK ELISA inhibitor in the fluids. Removal of components of > 300 kDa from SF markedly reduced the TK ELISA inhibitory activity and increased the values for both the TK and alpha 1-AT/TK levels in fluids as measured by ELISA. It is considered this novel inhibitor does not bind to the active site of TK but rather binds to the site reactive with anti-TK antibodies.

A new range of instruments ensuring easy and effective surgery for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

To work with ease and comfort in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, four instruments (Tohoku dissector, Tohoku forceps, short mantis device, and long mantis device) have been developed that can be used by any surgeon, even one not accustomed to this new procedure. These instruments have the advantage of offering a feel of open surgery and have been in use since February 1991 with significant comfort and safety.

Absorption of macronutrients from a high-protein diet in children during convalescence from shigellosis

Absorption of macronutrients and energy intake were determined in 29 children aged 24-59 months, during convalescence from acute shigellosis. A 72 h metabolic balance study was performed to determine the absorption of carbohydrate, fat, and protein. Eighteen children received a high-protein (5 g/kg/day) diet, and 11 children received a standard-protein (2.5 g/kg/day) diet. The mean +/- SD energy intake was 612 +/- 38 kJ/kg/day for children receiving the high-protein diet, compared with 633 +/- 50 kJ/kg/day for the standard-protein group. The coefficient of carbohydrate absorption was 89 and 92% for the high-protein and standard-protein diets, respectively (p = 0.059). The coefficient of protein absorption was 80 and 71% for the high-protein and standard-protein groups, respectively, and was significantly higher in the high-protein group (p < 0.01). Absorption of fat was similar in both groups. The results of the study show better absorption of protein from a high-protein diet during convalescence, which may have a positive impact on catch-up growth of children suffering from shigellosis.

Intake from an energy-dense porridge liquefied by amylase of germinated wheat: a controlled trial in severely malnourished children during convalescence from diarrhoea

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of an energy-dense diet liquefied with amylase-rich flour from germinated wheat (ARF) in increasing the energy intake in severely malnourished infants and young children and its acceptability to mothers.

DESIGN

A randomized controlled clinical trial with two sets of controls.

SETTING

Nutrition rehabilitation unit of a large diarrhoea treatment centre where mothers stay with their very severely malnourished children.

SUBJECTS

78 severely malnourished children aged 5-18 months just recovered from diarrhoea.

INTERVENTION

Children were randomly assigned to receive either an energy-dense porridge made liquid by adding ARF (test diet) or an unaltered thick porridge of similar energy density (control 1 diet), or the porridge made liquid with addition of water to have the same viscosity as the test diet but of lower energy (control 2 diet), in four major meals a day for 5 days and intake was measured; breast-milk was measured by test weighing. Children also received an additional three milk-cereal meals a day.

RESULTS

The mean energy intake (95% CI, P value for difference between test and control) was 385 (339-431), 289 (251-327, P < 0.005), and 255 (222-289, P < 0.001) kJ/kg.d respectively. Feeding test diet was not associated with significant adverse effects e.g. on diarrhoea, vomiting, breast-milk intake, and was well accepted by mothers.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that use of an energy-dense ARF-treated liquefied porridge increases calorie intake by very severely malnourished children during convalescence from diarrhoea, and that it does not produce any adverse effect.

Changes in body composition of malnourished children after dietary supplementation as measured by bioelectrical impedance

Body composition was measured with bioelectrical impedance in 35 malnourished children aged 24-59 mo to investigate the effect of a 3-wk feeding supplementation. Twenty children received a high-protein diet with 15% of total energy as protein, whereas 15 children received an isoenergetic standard-protein diet with 7.5% of energy as protein. Bioelectrical impedance analysis and anthropometry were done before and after 21 d of dietary supplementation. The children fed the high-protein diet gained significantly more body weight than those receiving the standard-protein diet (1.33 +/- 0.54 vs 0.88 +/- 0.47 kg, P < 0.02). The total body water and fat-free mass determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis showed that the group fed the high-protein diet increased significantly more (0.92 vs 0.58 kg) than those on the standard-protein diet (P < 0.02). Results of this study suggest that feeding a high-protein diet accelerates catch-up growth and restores the reference body composition in children recovering from malnutrition.

Clonal relationships among classical Vibrio cholerae O1 strains isolated between 1961 and 1992 in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, the replacement of classical Vibrio cholerae by the E1 Tor biotype in 1968 and the reappearance of the classical biotype and its coexistence with the E1 Tor biotype after 1982 were never adequately explained. We have analyzed 23 classical V. cholerae isolates collected between 1961 and 1968, 14 classical isolates collected between 1982 and 1992 from the capital city, Dhaka, and 6 classical V. cholerae isolates collected from two southern districts of Bangladesh and studied restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns of rRNA genes (ribotypes) to investigate the clonal relationships among the isolates. Southern blots of total DNA digested with restriction enzyme BamHI, BglI, EcoRI, HindIII, or PstI were probed, using a cloned Escherichia coli rRNA operon. While restriction enzymes BamHI, EcoRI, and PstI failed to differentiate the isolates on the basis of ribotyping, BglI and HindIII produced digestion patterns that allowed differentiation. Ribotyping the isolates with BglI and HindIII revealed five different clones (ribotypes IA, IB, IIA, IC, and IIC) of classical vibrios in Bangladesh. Strains belonging to ribotypes IA and IB were isolated in Dhaka before 1968, and one ribotype (IA) was again isolated between 1982 and 1992. Ribotype IIA was isolated in 1988 and 1989, when both clones (IA and IIA) of classical vibrios coexisted with the EI Tor vibrios. Isolates belonging to ribotypes IC and IIC were collected in the southern districts of Bangladesh and were clearly different from those collected in Dhaka between 1968 and 1992 by ribotyping analysis with BglI. These results support the previous assumption that classical vibrios were never completely replaced in Bangladesh and also demonstrate the existence of more than one genetically different clone of classical V. cholerae.

Antibiotic resistance pattern of heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) producing Escherichia coli isolated from children with diarrhoea in Bangladesh: clonal relationships among isolates with different resistant phenotypes

Fifty-six heat-labile, enterotoxin-producing (LT+) Escherichia coli isolated from 33 children less than 5 years of age with diarrhoea were analysed for resistance to antibiotics, plasmid contents, and clonal relationships among isolates by ribosomal RNA (rRNA) fingerprinting (ribotyping). Fifty-five (98.2%) of the LT+ isolates were resistant either to tetracycline alone (48.2%) or to tetracycline and one or more other antibiotic, i.e. ampicillin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or nalidixic acid. Most of the isolates harboured one or more plasmid but antibiotic resistance patterns did not always correlate with particular plasmid patterns. Ribotyping of the isolates using the restriction endonuclease EcoRI revealed a total of 7 different ribotypes, and ribotypes were shared by E. coli isolates with different antibiotic resistant phenotypes. The results indicate that in Bangladesh at least 7 different clones of LT+ E. coli acquired resistance to one or more different antibiotics in various combinations. However, a similar drug resistance pattern was not mediated by the same set of plasmids in all strains. The mechanism for the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance among E. coli should be investigated further in Bangladesh, where LT+ E. coli is an important agent of early childhood diarrhoea.

National growth rate method with varying internal migration rate

"The assumption of 'uniform flow of internal migration' used in [the paper by] Rahman (1987) is generalised in this paper for cases when the flow of internal migration is increasing or even decreasing. In particular, the cases when the migration rate is proportional to the national population or to the regional population are analysed. Procedure for estimation of the migration rate and the pure migration are given. The formula for prediction of population is also provided. As an application of the procedure, migration to the Dhaka SMA is analysed with the help of Census data [for Bangladesh]."

Structural studies of the Vibrio mimicus W-26768 O-antigen polysaccharide

The structure of the Vibrio mimicus W-26768 O-antigen polysaccharide has been investigated by sugar and methylation analyses, Smith degradation, and NMR spectroscopy. It is proposed that it is composed of chains of beta-(1-->4)-linked 3,6-dideoxy-3-[(R)-3-hydroxybutyramido]-D-glucopyranosyl residues (D-Qui(p)3NR), approximately 60% of which are substituted in the 2-position with 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl groups. The polysaccharide does not seem to be composed of oligosaccharide repeating units but has a less regular structure, schematically indicated below. [formula: see text]

Structural studies of Vibrio fluvialis M-940 O-antigen polysaccharide

The structure of the Vibrio fluvialis M-940 O-antigen polysaccharide has been investigated by sugar and methylation analyses, specific degradations, NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. It is proposed that it consists of a heptasaccharide unit having the following structure. alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->2)-alpha-L-Fucp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Galp-(1--> 2)-alpha-L-Fucp- (1-->3)-beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->4)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glc pNAc-(1--> The heptasaccharide is most probably linked to the 3-position of an alpha-D-galactopyranosyl residue in the core.

Rapid catch-up growth of children fed a high-protein diet during convalescence from shigellosis

Sixty-nine children age 2-5 y, convalescing from shigellosis in a randomized clinical trial were fed either a high-protein diet containing 628 kJ.kg-1.d-1 with 15% of total energy as protein, or a standard-protein diet that was isoenergetic but with 7.5% of total energy as protein for 21 d. Children fed the high-protein diet showed a significant increase in height (1.02 +/- 0.44 cm; mean +/- SD) compared with the children who were fed the standard-protein diet (0.69 +/- 0.34 cm; P < 0.001). Similarly, increases in body weight were 1.25 +/- 0.48 vs 0.86 +/- 0.48 kg for the high-protein and the standard-protein diet, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean increases of serum proteins were also significantly higher in the high-protein group (P < 0.01). These results indicate that increasing the protein content of the diet during convalescence from shigellosis in children leads to more rapid catch-up growth.

Can infants and young children eat enough green leafy vegetables from a single traditional meal to meet their daily vitamin A requirements?

To evaluate the feasibility of providing adequate vitamin A precursors to meet the daily need from a meal oftraditionally cooked green leafy vegetables and boiled rice and to understand mothers' perceptions and acceptance of leafy vegetables for infants and young children, 118 children aged 6 months to 3 years and their mothers were studied. The mothers were interviewed regarding their acceptance and perceptions about giving leafy vegetables to their young children. Their children were served a measured amount of rice and cooked leafy vegetables and mothers were asked to feed the child within about half an hour. Median intakes of leafy vegetables in children aged 6-11 months, 12-17 months and 18-35 months were 41 g, 71 g and 129 g respectively (in terms of raw green leaf). Approximately 40 g green leaf provides the recommended daily allowance for vitamin A precursors. 77% of the under-1-year-old children were breast-fed. The breast-fed children had a lower intake of vegetables than the completely weaned children. 87% of the children were found to like vegetables, 89% of the mothers liked to give vegetables to their children and 74% of the mothers answered that vegetables were good for health. Only two mothers (1.5%) refused to feed their children the leafy vegetables. The results show that leafy vegetables are acceptable to most of the mothers, and that children can eat enough leafy vegetables to meet a day's need of vitamin A precursors. Feasibility of feeding children enough green leafy vegetables at home on a regular basis needs further study.

Periodontal health parameters in patients with chronic renal failure and renal transplants receiving immunosuppressive therapy

The periodontal status of 54 renal transplant recipients and 52 patients with chronic renal failure receiving hemodialysis was evaluated and compared with that of systemically healthy subjects matched for age, sex, social status and the number of teeth present. The renal transplant recipients had been receiving immunosuppressive (IS) drug therapy since the time of transplantation. Both of the renal patient groups had significantly higher plaque index scores than the respective controls. By contrast, the renal transplant recipients showed significantly lower periodontal scores and pocket depths. However, there was no significant difference between the hemodialysis group and the corresponding healthy controls with regard to mean periodontal index score and pocket depth. No significant differences could be found among the three groups with regard to mean sulcular bleeding index score or gingival index score. Within the IS group, no relationship was found between the duration of drug therapy and the various periodontal parameters. The observed variations among the groups studied appear to suggest modulation of periodontal condition by both general health status in patients with chronic renal failure and the IS agents used in renal transplant recipients.

Effects of a protein-rich diet during convalescence from shigellosis on catch-up growth, serum proteins, and insulin-like growth factor-I

Shigellosis in children can cause growth retardation, worsening of malnutrition, and hypoproteinemia. To assess the effects of ingestion of a protein-rich diet during convalescence, 22 children aged 2 to 4 y with culture-proven shigellosis were randomly assigned after 5 d of antibiotic treatment to 21-d feeding regimens of either a 150 kcal/kg/d high-protein diet with 15% of calories as protein or an isocaloric control diet with 6% of calories as protein. At the start and end of dietary treatment, weight, height, mid-arm circumference, skinfold thickness, serum protein concentrations, and serum IGF-I were measured. Means of weight gain and increases in mid-arm circumference were greater in children fed high-protein diets than those fed control diets (1.23 versus 0.76 kg; 1.40 versus 0.96 cm; p < 0.05). Mean increase in height in children fed high-protein diets (0.83 cm) was not significantly greater than with control diets (0.74 cm). Mean increases in serum concentrations of total protein, prealbumin, and retinol-binding protein were greater in the high-protein group than in controls (p < 0.05). Mean serum concentrations of IGF-I were low in both groups before treatment [4.2 +/- 2.6 nmol/L (31.9 +/- 19.6 ng/mL) in controls; 3.1 +/- 3.4 nmol/L (24.0 +/- 26.3 ng/mL) in the high-protein group] but increased more in the high-protein group [39.0 +/- 16.2 nmol/L (298 +/- 124 ng/mL)] than in the control group [16.7 +/- 9.2 nmol/L (128 +/- 70 ng/mL), p < 0.01].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Differentiation of Shigella flexneri strains by rRNA gene restriction patterns

We studied the restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns of rRNA genes (ribotypes) of 72 clinical isolates of Shigella flexneri representing eight serotypes to determine whether ribotyping could be used to distinguish S. flexneri strains and to compare the discriminating ability of the method with that of serotyping. By using a cloned Escherichia coli rRNA operon as the probe, Southern blot hybridization of restriction endonuclease-digested total DNA was carried out. Ribotyping of the isolates with each of the five restriction endonucleases BamHI, EcoRI, HindIII, PstI, and SalI generated reproducible restriction patterns. However, HindIII produced the optimum digestion pattern of the rRNA genes and was more useful than the other enzymes used in differentiating strains. Analysis of the 72 isolates showed 11 different HindIII cleavage patterns of their rRNA genes. Four of these HindIII-generated ribotypes could be further differentiated into two to four subribotypes by using PstI. The results indicate that ribotyping has an application for differentiation of S. flexneri strains and can complement serotyping. Definition of strains in terms of both serotype and ribotype may be of greater use in epidemiological studies.

Decreased food intake in children with severe dysentery due to Shigella dysenteriae 1 infection

Factors that affect food intake in acute shigellosis were studied in 82 children aged 24-59 months. Children were offered an energy-dense milk-cereal-oil-based diet every 2 h. Food intake was compared between children with Shigella dysenteriae 1 infection and those infected with other Shigella spp (predominantly S. flexneri). Mean energy intake in the first 48 h was 435 kJ/kg.d in children infected with S. dysenteriae 1 and 536 kJ/kg.d in children infected with other Shigella spp (P < 0.001). Febrile children ate significantly (P < 0.05) less food than afebrile ones (469 vs 517 kJ/kg.d). Food intake remained significantly (P < 0.001) less in children infected with S. dysenteriae 1 after controlling for the effect of fever. The results show that food intake is significantly reduced in dysentery due to S. dysenteriae 1 infection compared to that of other Shigella species; however, adequate calorie intake can be maintained by providing frequent energy-dense meals despite anorexia, fever, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

An experimental study on the gastric acid and gut hormone secretion after pylorus preserving duodenectomy in dogs

To clarify changes in gastric acid and gut hormone secretion after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD), an experimental study was performed using a model of pylorus-preserving duodenectomy in dogs previously provided with Heidenhain pouch (HP). The duodenectomy involves resection of the duodenum and 10 cm of the proximal jejunum preserving 2 cm of juxtapyloric duodenum and round-shaped duodenal wall around pancreatic papilla. Reconstruction was done by anastomosing the rho-shaped jejunal loop to gallbladder, juxtapyloric duodenum and peripapillar round-shaped duodenal wall with ligation of the common bile duct. For these dogs, intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), meal ingestion test (TM) and histological studies of pancreatic specimen obtained at autopsy were performed investigating pancreatic, gastric acid and gut hormone secretion. Preservation of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic secretion after operation demonstrated our experimental model to be adequate for evaluation of the factor of duodenectomy in PPPD on gastric acid and gut hormone secretion avoiding the influences of changes in pancreatic secretion. Postprandial gastric acid secretion from HP did not change significantly after operation. Postprandial secretion of gastrin, glucagon, GIP and enteroglucagon did not alter significantly after operation. These results indicated that in the clinical PPPD procedure, preservation of more than 2 cm of duodenum from the pylorus produced neither postprandial gastric acid hypersecretion, which might be cause of postoperative stomal ulcer, nor any change of related gut hormone secretion.

Lipopolysaccharide composition and virulence properties of clinical and environmental strains of Vibrio fluvialis and Vibrio mimicus

Vibrio mimicus strains W-26768 (stool isolate) and N-1301 (environmental isolate) and Vibrio fluvialis strains AA-18239 (stool isolate) and M-940 (environmental isolate) were studied for virulence properties and lipopolysaccharide composition. All four strains were hydrophobic, produced cytotoxin, adhered to HeLa cells and showed mannose-sensitive agglutination of guinea pig erythrocyte. The strains were negative for enterotoxin production and were mostly susceptible to the common antibiotics. The environmental and clinical isolates of both species were antigenically unrelated to each other. Lipopolysaccharide antigen analysis showed that O-antigen polysaccharides of two strains of V. fluvialis and two strains of V. mimicus differed with respect to the sugar components. Only LPS from V. mimicus W-26768 showed the presence of an unusual sugar, 3,6-dideoxy-3-acetamido-hexose. The sugar compositions of these V. fluvialis and V. mimicus strains differed from those of previously reported Japanese isolates. These differences probably reflect differences in the serogroup of strains.

Evaluation of a DNA probe to identify enteroaggregative Escherichia coli from children with diarrhoea in Bangladesh

Six hundred and seventy-five Escherichia coli isolates obtained from 225 diarrhoeal children less than five years of age were tested for adherence to HeLa cells and for hybridisation with DNA probes for genes conferring aggregative adherence (AggA), localised adherence (LA) and diffuse adherence (DA) to assess the usefulness of a recently developed DNA probe for AggA of enteroaggregative E. coli (EAggEC). The strains were further analysed with the DNA probes for heat--labile enterotoxin (LT), heat--stable enterotoxin (ST), Shiga--like toxins (SLT I and SLT II) and for enteroinvasiveness and adherent strains were all negative for these properties. The HeLa cell assay and DNA probe assays showed excellent agreement in identifying LA and DA positive isolates. However, significant disparities occurred in the case of AggA positive isolates, and the DNA probe failed to identify 31.9% (15 of 47) of the EAggEC identified by the HeLa cell adherence assay. The failure of the DNA probe to identify all the EAggEC indicated that there may be a high degree of genetic heterogeneity for the expression of AggA, and development of more DNA probes is necessary to detect all the possible genetic variants of EAggEC.

Measurement of post-partum amenorrhoea in Bangladesh

Reported information on the duration of post-partum amenorrhoea usually shows considerable number preference, particularly at 6-monthly intervals. This paper presents a technique for smoothing such amenorrhoea data using a modified exponential curve. An attempt has also been made to estimate the average number of months a mother is expected to remain amenorrhoeic.

Gene transfer in enteric bacteria through the formation of R-prime plasmids by an RP4: :mini-Mu element

Gene transfer in seven pathogenic enteric bacteria was studied using an RP4: :mini-Mu element, the plasmid pULB113. From the E. coli K-12 host strain the plasmid could be efficiently transferred to these enteric bacteria, but its transfer back to E. coli K-12 was not as efficient, being detected only in Shigella dysenteriae 1, S. flexneri and the 'smooth' variant of S. sonnei. In these three species, transposition of chromosomal fragments into the plasmid to produce R-prime plasmid was also detected at a frequency of approximately 10(-5). Transposition was random as suggested by the recovery at approximately the same frequency (10(-5) to 10(-6)) of R-primes involving 20 different auxotrophic markers from widely separated chromosomal locations. Formation of R-prime plasmids expressing toxicity in the E. coli K-12 recipient strain was also efficient in S. dysenteriae 1 but the toxin-activity was rapidly lost from these R-primes. In our experiments, the plasmid pULB113 incorporated relatively small amounts of chromosomal DNA as determined by restriction endonuclease digestion. For a Thy+ R-prime that we analyzed, the amount of cloned DNA was approximately 15 kb.

Changes of duodenal pH and pancreatic exocrine function after upper G-I intraluminal ethanol administration

Using 3 outbred dogs with pancreatic, gastric and jejunal fistulas, we examined changes in pancreatic exocrine secretion, duodenal pH and plasma CCK concentration after intragastric or intrajejunal administration of ethanol. Intragastric administration of 20% or 40% ethanol significantly lowered the pH in the duodenal cavity, and pancreatic fluid secretion and bicarbonate excretion were stimulated. Intrajejunal administration of ethanol elicited stronger responses. Plasma CCK concentration was not changed or was only slightly lowered by ethanol administration in the digestive tract. It is assumed that stimulation of pancreatic exocrine secretion was mediated by the secretion of gastric acid.

Initial pathophysiological changes in chronic pancreatitis induced by pancreatic ductular obstruction model

An experimental chronic pancreatitis model was made in five dogs with chronic pancreatic fistula by injection of microspheres into the peripheral pancreatic duct. Sequential changes of pancreatic exocrine and endocrine functions with morphology were studied. Significant decreases in volume bicarbonate output and amylase output were detected in each sample collected separately on secretin and secretin cerulean stimulation. While the viscosity of pancreatic juice was significantly increased with a concomitant increase in hexosamine concentration, chronic pancreatitis was demonstrated morphologically. These results suggest that concentrated pancreatic juice caused by a decrease in volume and an increase in viscosity of pancreatic juice with a concomitant increase in hexosamine concentration brings about the progression of chronic pancreatitis in this experimental model.

Population ageing in a selected region of Bangladesh: socio-economic and health perspectives

"This paper is an attempt to examine the socio-economic-demographic characteristics and health status of the aged (60 years and above) in rural Bangladesh.... About 87 percent of males are currently married as against only half of the females. On the contrary, a large proportion (50 percent) of females are widowed while only 12 percent are widowers. The educational status of males is much better than that of females.... About half of the females are found unemployed as against only one-third of males. As regards the annual income, the condition of Hindus is better than that of Muslims. The majority of the older people are living in large households of more than five members."

Combined effects of acyclovir and human interferon-alpha on herpes simplex virus replication in cultured neural cells

The combined effects of Acyclovir [9-(2'-hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine; ACV] and human interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) on replication of the herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) were determined in human neural cell lines, neuroblastoma (IMR), glioblastoma (118MGC), and glioma (U251MG). HSV-1 grew well in all these cells, with final yields of more than 1 x 10(6) PFU/ml. In terms of virus-yield reduction, ACV was found to be highly effective in IMR, moderately effective in U251MG, but ineffective in 118MGC. By contrast, IFN-alpha reduced the virus yield significantly in 118MGC and in U251MG, but did not in IMR. Combined application of ACV and IFN-alpha strongly inhibited the virus replication in all three cell lines with various degrees of synergism or additive effect. These results were also confirmed by immunofluorescent examinations. The sensitivity of HSV-1 to ACV or IFN-alpha was found to be different among the three different cell types. By combining the two agents, the virus growth was strongly suppressed in all the cells. These results suggest the importance of combination therapy for severe type of herpes simplex encephalitis in clinical practice.

Involvement of prostaglandin-induced proteins in the inhibition of herpes simplex virus replication

Cyclopentenone prostaglandin (PG), delta7-PGA1 was found to induce several polypeptides in human embryonic fibroblast (HEF) cells which were noticed to be dose-related and appeared after 1 h of treatment with a peak at around 5 h and gradual disappearance after 12 h. PG-induced proteins were almost identical in terms of molecular weights with those induced by heat-shock at 42 degrees C. Regarding the mechanism of inhibition of herpes simplex virus (HSV) replication by PG in cell culture, dot blot hybridization has revealed that the level of immediate early (IE) mRNA of the virus was reduced after PG treatment with time dependence. And this delayed inhibitory effect of delta7-PGA1 on HSV was shown to be associated with the production and accumulation of the induced polypeptides.

Inhibition of herpes simplex virus type 2 replication in vitro by 1-N-pentadecanoyl-3''-N-trifluoroacetyl kanamycin A

The in vitro antiviral activity as well as the mechanism of action of a new antiviral agent, a kanamycin analogue, 1-N-pentadecanoyl-3''-N-trifluoroacetyl kanamycin A (PTKA) against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was investigated. The drug showed excellent antiviral action with negligible cytotoxic effect on the culture cells. Based on plaque reduction assays the 50% inhibitory dose (ID50) of the drug was 1 microgram/ml, and at 20 micrograms/ml plaque formation was totally suppressed. The compound inhibited viral protein synthesis in infected cells without affecting RNA and DNA synthesis, when added to the cultures after virus adsorption. Moreover, pretreatment of the cells with PTKA before HSV-2 infection, increased the antiviral activity significantly. Dot-blot hybridization analysis revealed that the drug reduced the level of immediate early viral mRNA if applied before infection. There was no detectable action at the level of virus adsorption, penetration or uncoating. These results indicate that PTKA exerted its antiviral action at the early stage of viral replication as well as at the level of viral protein synthesis.