A rapid method for semi-quantitative analysis of neurite outgrowth from chick DRG explants using image analysis

Neurite outgrowth from dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explants is a method of evaluating neurotrophic activity of growth factors and neurotrophin mimetics. The drawbacks to this approach are the difficulties in quantifying the response. Neurite counts are time consuming and labour intensive, and the accuracy is often questionable due to branching and fasciculation of the neurites. We report here a method of semi-quantitative analysis of neurite outgrowth from chick DRG explants, using image analysis to quantify the area occupied by neurites emanating from the ganglion. This method is rapid, takes into account both the length and number of neurites, and is unaffected by neurite fasciculation or branching. Primary explants of chick DRGs were treated with the neurotrophins nerve growth factor (NGF) or neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and with the compound K252a. K252b was tested for potentiation of the response to NT-3. The results show a dose dependent outgrowth of neurites from explants treated with NGF, NT-3 and K252a, and potentiation of the NT-3 response by K252b. These responses were quantified by neurite area quantification using image analysis. We conclude that neurite area measurement using image analysis provides a robust means of evaluating neurotrophic activity of growth factors and neurotrophin mimetics in vitro.

External versus internal attributions in suicide and their implications for crisis intervention and suicide prevention

The concept of belief of locus of control is explored for its relevance in crisis intervention and suicide prevention. Although research into the association has produced inconsistent findings, the counselor has rich possibilities for intervention, especially if belief in locus of control is explored along with feelings of powerlessness and helplessness.

Unusual cluster of mild invasive serogroup C meningococcal infection in a university college

The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology and public health response to an apparent cluster of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C infection in university students in a residential college. A conventional epidemiological approach was taken, supported by routine and novel diagnostic techniques. Over the two days of 21-22 August 1997, three cases of suspected meningococcal infection were notified from a residential college complex at a university campus in the Sydney metropolitan area. Neisseria meningitidis was grown from throat swabs of all three cases, and was isolated from the blood of one case only. All three isolates were typed as C:2a:P1.5,2. Seroconversion was demonstrated by a novel method in the three cases. Rifampicin was given to all identified contacts. Forty-seven days after the index case, a 19 year old female living in the same complex was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, and identified contacts given rifampicin. When this isolate was found to be group C, it was decided to vaccinate residents of the college complex. Genotyping and serotyping (C:2a:P1.5) later revealed the fourth isolate to be distinct from isolates from Cases 1-3. In conclusion the authors note that Australia's increasing capacity to type meningococcal strains is essential to understanding the epidemiology of this disease. Furthermore, typing information is of critical importance when decisions are made regarding mass vaccination. As early antibiotic treatment may inhibit isolation of the organism, development of novel approaches to diagnosis and typing should be supported.

Trauma in the elderly: a new epidemic?

Australia's population is ageing. Statistics predict that by the year 2021, 17.8% of our population will be over the age of 65 years. These statistics are reflected in most Western nations. The elderly represent an increasing proportion of emergency department patients. They are generally more acute on presentation, they get admitted more frequently, and account for an increasing proportion of admissions to intensive care units. The elderly trauma patient will increasingly consume more resources than patients from any other age group. There are significant differences in physiology and response to trauma between the elderly patient and the young. Airway compromises, a decrease in lung compliance, a change in cardiovascular haemostasis and the prevalence of pre-existing disease all contribute to increase morbidity and mortality in a patient with an already limited physiological reserve. Many studies demonstrate an increased mortality in hospitalized elderly trauma patients. For those who die from traumatic insult, death is mainly due to multiorgan system failure. The long-term functional outcome of the elderly trauma patient has been investigated by a number of authors. One study showed that only 8% of survivors returned to independent living 1 year post-polytrauma. Another more encouraging study showed that 89% of survivors of blunt multiple trauma after 38 months were independent and living at home. Ethical issues have been raised regarding the appropriateness of care for the severely injured elderly patient given today's ever-shrinking hospital finances and bed shortages. Today's environment is very challenging as frequently, the clinician is forced to make an economic decision on who will take the last critical care bed, which is a far from optimal situation.

The staurosporine-like compound L-753,000 (NB-506) potentiates the neurotrophic effects of neurotrophin-3 by acting selectively at the TrkA receptor

K-252b, a member of the staurosporine family of protein kinase inhibitors, selectively potentiates the activation of the nerve growth factor receptor, TrkA, by a nonpreferred ligand, neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), in a variety of cell types. At higher (micromolar) concentrations of K-252b, an inhibitory effect occurs because of the inhibitory action of K-252b on the Trk kinase. By examining analogs of K-252b, we identified the compound L-753,000 (NB-506), which potentiates the action of NT-3 on TrkA but is devoid of the inhibitory action of K-252b. L-753,000 was effective at nanomolar concentrations in a Chinese hamster ovary cell line that expressed TrkA but was devoid of p75, the low-affinity neurotrophin receptor. L-753,000 also potentiated the activation of mitogen-activating protein kinase signaling (downstream from Trk activation) by NT-3 in this cell line. Although L-753,000, like K-252b, had a negligible effect in the absence of NT-3, the compound was found to potentiate NT-3-induced survival in both rat and chick primary cultures of dissociated dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and on neurite outgrowth of chick DRG explants. Unlike K-252b, which at micromolar concentrations inhibits the survival response of NT-3 in dissociated rat DRG, L-753,000 continued to potentiate the actions of NT-3 up to a concentration of 10 microM. Furthermore, the compound, unlike K-252b, did not inhibit an unrelated protein kinase, protein kinase C, at concentrations up to 10 microM. Because L-753, 000 selectively potentiates the NT-3-induced stimulation of TrkA without inhibiting Trks and other protein kinases, it represents a novel class of selective modifiers of neurotrophin actions.

Isolation and characterization of a sulfate-reducing bacterium that anaerobically degrades alkanes

An alkane-degrading, sulfate-reducing bacterial strain, AK-01, was isolated from an estuarine sediment with a history of chronic petroleum contamination. The bacterium is a short, nonmotile, non-spore-forming, gram-negative rod. It is mesophilic and grows optimally at pH 6.9 to 7.0 and at an NaCl concentration of 1%. Formate, fatty acids (C4 to C16) and hydrogen were readily utilized as electron donors. Sulfate, sulfite, and thiosulfate were used as electron acceptors, but sulfur, nitrite, and nitrate were not. Phenotypic characterization and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicate that AK-01 is most closely related to the genera Desulfosarcina, Desulfonema, and Desulfococcus in the delta subdivision of the class Proteobacteria. It is phenotypically and phylogenetically different from strains Hxd3 and TD3, two previously reported isolates of alkane-degrading, sulfate-reducing bacteria. The alkanes tested to support growth of AK-01 had chain lengths of C13 to C18. 1-Alkenes (C15 and C16) and 1-alkanols (C15 and C16) also supported growth. The doubling time for growth on hexadecane was 3 days, about four times longer than that for growth on hexadecanoate. Mineralization of hexadecane was indicated by the recovery of 14CO2 from cultures grown on [1-14C]hexadecane. Degradation of hexadecane was dependent on sulfate reduction. The stoichiometric ratio (as moles of sulfate reduced per mole of hexadecane degraded) was 10.6, which is very close to the theoretical ratio of 12.25, assuming a complete oxidation to CO2. Anaerobic alkane degradation by sulfate reducers may be a more widespread phenomenon than was previously thought.

Characterization and expression of plasma and tonoplast membrane aquaporins in primed seed of Brassica napus during germination under stress conditions

Two aquaporin genes were isolated from a cDNA library of canola (Brassica napus L.). The first aquaporin, BnPIP1 of 1094 bp, encoding a putative polypeptide of 287 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 30.4 kDa and a pI of 7.8, belongs to the family of plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIPs) aquaporins. The B. napus aquaporin showed 85-94% identity to the Arabidopsis thaliana PIPs. ABA priming of seed induced high levels of BnPIP1 transcript which remained after subsequent re-drying of the seed. The second aquaporin, Bny-TIP2 of 1020 bp, encoded a putative polypeptide of 253 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 25.8 kDa and a pI of 5.8. Bngamma-TIP2 showed 83-90% identity to gamma-TIP genes from a variety of plant species. Bngamma-TIP2 was expressed only when radicle protrusion occurred in either untreated or primed seeds. Seeds primed with PEG or ABA germinated earlier and showed a higher final percentage of germination than unprimed seed, particularly under salt and osmotic stresses at low temperature. Transcripts of both BnPIP1 and Bngamma-TIP2 genes were present earlier during germination of primed seeds than non-primed seed. From these results, we conclude that BnPIP1 is related to the water transportation required for enzymatic metabolism of storage nutrients at the early stages of canola seed germination whereas Bngamma-TIP2 expression is related to cell growth associated with radicle protrusion. Priming induced the expression of BnPIP1 but had no effect on Bngamma-TIP2.

Anaerobic degradation of 3-halobenzoates by a denitrifying bacterium

A denitrifying bacterium was isolated from a river sediment after enrichment on 3-chlorobenzoate under anoxic, denitrifying conditions. The bacterium, designated strain 3CB-1, degraded 3-chlorobenzoate, 3-bromobenzoate, and 3-iodobenzoate with stoichiometric release of halide under conditions supporting anaerobic growth by denitrification. The 3-halobenzoates and 3-hydroxybenzoate were used as growth substrates with nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor. The doubling time when growing on 3-halobenzoates ranged from 18 to 25 h. On agar plates with 1 mM 3-chlorobenzoate as the sole carbon source and 30 mM nitrate as the electron acceptor, strain 3CB-1 formed small colonies (1-2 mm in diameter) in 2 to 3 weeks. Anaerobic degradation of both 3-chlorobenzoate and 3-hydroxybenzoate was dependent on nitrate as an electron acceptor and resulted in nitrate reduction corresponding to the stoichiometric values for complete oxidation of the substrate to CO2. 3-Chlorobenzoate was not degraded in the presence of oxygen. 3-Bromobenzoate and 3-iodobenzoate were also degraded under denitrifying conditions with stoichiometric release of halide, but 3-fluorobenzoate was not utilized by the bacterium. Utilization of 3-chlorobenzoate was inducible, while synthesis of enzymes for 3-hydroxybenzoate degradation was constitutively low, but inducible. Degradation was specific to the positive of the halogen substituent, and strain 3CB-1 did not utilize 2- or 4-chlorobenzoate.

Isolation from estuarine sediments of a Desulfovibrio strain which can grow on lactate coupled to the reductive dehalogenation of 2,4, 6-tribromophenol

Strain TBP-1, an anaerobic bacterium capable of reductively dehalogenating 2,4,6-tribromophenol to phenol, was isolated from estuarine sediments of the Arthur Kill in the New York/New Jersey harbor. It is a gram-negative, motile, vibrio-shaped, obligate anaerobe which grows on lactate, pyruvate, hydrogen, and fumarate when provided sulfate as an electron acceptor. The organism accumulates acetate when grown on lactate and sulfate, contains desulfoviridin, and will not grow in the absence of NaCl. It will not utilize acetate, succinate, propionate, or butyrate for growth via sulfate reduction. When supplied with lactate as an electron donor, strain TBP-1 will utilize sulfate, sulfite, sulfur, and thiosulfate for growth but not nitrate, fumarate, or acrylate. This organism debrominates 2-, 4-, 2,4-, 2,6-, and 2,4,6-bromophenol but not 3- or 2,3-bromophenol or monobrominated benzoates. It will not dehalogenate monochlorinated, fluorinated, or iodinated phenols or chlorinated benzoates. Together with its physiological characteristics, its 16S rRNA gene sequence places it in the genus Desulfovibrio. The average growth yield of strain TBP-1 grown on a defined medium supplemented with lactate and 2,4,6-bromophenol is 3.71 mg of protein/mmol of phenol produced, and the yield was 1.42 mg of protein/mmol of phenol produced when 4-bromophenol was the electron acceptor. Average growth yields (milligrams of protein per millimole of electrons utilized) for Desulfovibrio sp. strain TBP-1 grown with 2,4,6-bromophenol, 4-bromophenol, or sulfate are 0.62, 0.71, and 1.07, respectively. Growth did not occur when either lactate or 2,4,6-bromophenol was omitted from the growth medium. These results indicate that Desulfovibrio sp. strain TBP-1 is capable of growth via halorespiration.

Changes in vascular basement membrane in the endometrium of Norplant users

Progestogen-only contraception is almost invariably associated with changes in menstrual bleeding patterns. Changes in the endometrial vasculature, and in particular an increase in vascular fragility, may contribute to this bleeding. In this study, endometrial vascular density and endothelial cell basement membrane components were examined using immunohistochemistry before and after insertion of Norplant. Endometrial vascular density was increased from a mean (+/- SEM) of 189.6 +/- 7.0 vessels/mm2 during the control cycle to 253.9 +/- 80.7 vessels/mm2 at 2-13 weeks of Norplant exposure, and to 212.7 +/- 12.9 vessels/mm2 at 14-42 weeks. During the control cycle, a mean of 161.4 +/- 4.5 vessels/mm2 stained for collagen IV (85% of all vessels), while at 2-13 weeks, 144.5 +/- 13.0 vessels/mm2 stained for collagen IV (57% of all vessels) (t ratio = 2.08, P = 0.0057). By 14-42 weeks, 71% of vessels (151.0 +/- 9.8) vessels/mm2 were surrounded by collagen IV. This was not significantly different from control values (t ratio = 2.03). Endometrial vascular laminin was also reduced following Norplant insertion, from a mean of 176.0 +/- 4.2 vessels/mm2 in the control cycle (93% of vessels), to 156.3 +/- 6.7 vessels/mm2 at 2-13 weeks of exposure (57% of vessels) (t ratio = 2.08, P = 0.01). By 14-42 weeks of exposure to Norplant, 162.5 +/- 9 vessels/mm2 (76%) stained for laminin. This was not significantly different from control values (t ratio = 2.04). Endometrial vascular heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG) was reduced from 58.6 +/- 3.0 vessels/mm2 during the control cycle (31% of vessels) to 43.6 +/- 5.6 vessels/mm2 (only 17% of vessels) at 2-13 weeks (t ratio = 2.08, P = 0.025). At 14-42 weeks, only 19% of vessels stained for HSPG (41.3 +/- 5.8 vessels/mm2; t ratio = 2.04, P = 0.009).

Anaerobic biodegradation of BTEX and gasoline in various aquatic sediments

We examined the extent of biodegradation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and the three isomers of xylene (BTEX) as a mixture and from gasoline in four different sediments: the New York/New Jersey Harbor estuary (polluted); Tuckerton, N.J. (pristine); Onondaga Lake, N.Y. (polluted) and Blue Mtn. Lake, N.Y. (pristine). Enrichment cultures were established with each sediment using denitrifying, sulfidogenic, methanogenic and iron reducing media, as well as site water. BTEX loss, as measured by GC-FID, was extensive in the sediments which had a long history of pollution, with all compounds being utilized within 21-91 days in the most active cultures, and was very slight or non-existent in the pristine sediments. Also, the pattern of loss was different under the various reducing conditions within each sediment and between sediments. For example benzene loss was only observed in sulfidogenic cultures from the NY/NJ Harbor sediments while toluene was degraded under all redox conditions. The loss of BTEX was correlated to the reduction of the various electron acceptors. In cultures amended with gasoline the degradation was much slower and incomplete. These results show that the fate of the different BTEX components in anoxic sediments is dependent on the prevailing redox conditions as well as on the characteristics and pollution history of the sediment.

A longitudinal study of changes in endometrial microvascular density in Norplant implant users

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the subdermal levonorgestrel contraceptive implant Norplant on endometrial vascular density at different durations of exposure, and the relationship between endometrial histology, vascular density, and bleeding patterns. A prospective controlled trial of Norplant implant users compared endometrial vascular density in biopsies taken before and after Norplant implant insertion. A total of 34 women with regular menstrual cycles requesting long-term contraception were recruited at the Sydney Centre for Reproductive Health Research, Australia. A significant increase in mean endometrial microvascular density was observed from as early as 3 weeks after insertion of Norplant implants. Vascular density was increased from a control secretory phase value of 189.6 (7.0 vessels/mm2 (+/- SEM) to 253.80 +/- 7 vessels/mm2 at 2-13 weeks of Norplant implant exposure (t ratio = 2.08, p = 0.01) and 212.7 +/- 12.9 vessels/mm2 at 14-42 weeks of exposure (t ratio = 2.03, p = 0.02). In those with atrophic endometrium, or in whom myometrium and basalis only were found in biopsies (20 of 66, 30%), mean endometrial vascular density was increased at 273.1 +/- 16.1 vessels/mm2 compared with 210.9 +/- 11.7 vessels/mm2 in other histological groups (F ratio = 9.74, p = 0.0028). Bleeding and spotting in the previous 30 days were less common in those with this histological appearance at a mean of 4.95 days compared with 8.22 days. This is the first study to assess endometrial vascular density in the early months of Norplant implant use. The findings suggest that the endometrial vasculature is profoundly altered in the early months of Norplant implant exposure when bleeding problems are most common.

Randomized phase II study of BR96-doxorubicin conjugate in patients with metastatic breast cancer

PURPOSE

BMS-182248-1 (BR96-doxorubicin immunoconjugate) is a chimeric human/mouse monoclonal antibody linked to approximately eight doxorubicin molecules. The antibody is directed against the Lewis-Y antigen, which is expressed on 75% of all breast cancers but is limited in expression on normal tissues. Preclinical xenograft models demonstrated significant antitumor activity, including cures. A randomized phase II design was chosen to estimate the activity of the BR96-doxorubicin conjugate in metastatic breast cancer in a study population with confirmed sensitivity to single-agent doxorubicin.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with measurable metastatic breast cancer and immunohistochemical evidence of Lewis-Y expression on their tumor received either BR96-doxorubicin conjugate 700 mg/m2 IV over 24 hours or doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. Patients were stratified on the basis of prior doxorubicin exposure, visceral disease, and institution. Cross-over to the opposite treatment arm was allowed with progressive or persistently stable disease.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients who had received a median of one prior chemotherapy regimen were assessable. There was one partial response (7%) in 14 patients receiving the BR96-doxorubicin conjugate and one complete response and three partial responses (44%) in nine assessable patients receiving doxorubicin. No patient experienced a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction. The toxicities were significantly different between the two treatment groups, with the BR96-doxorubicin conjugate group having limited hematologic toxicity, whereas gastrointestinal toxicities, including marked serum amylase and lipase elevations, nausea, and vomiting with gastritis, were prominent.

CONCLUSION

The BR96-doxorubicin immunoconjugate has limited clinical antitumor activity in metastatic breast cancer. The gastrointestinal toxicities likely represent binding of the agent to normal tissues expressing the target antigen and may have compromised the delivery of the immunoconjugate to the tumor sites.

Analysis of the neurotrophic effects of GPI-1046 on neuron survival and regeneration in culture and in vivo

The putative neurotrophic effects of the immunophilin ligand GPI-1046 were evaluated in established experimental systems of neuron survival and axon growth in vitro and in vivo. GPI-1046 marginally increased neurite outgrowth of chick dorsal root ganglia in culture under conditions where a very robust effect of nerve growth factor was seen. GPI-1046 failed to protect dopaminergic neurons from 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium in culture or to protect cultured cortical neurons from experimentally induced apoptosis in vitro. In adult rats in vivo, daily administration of GPI-1046 (10 mg/kg, s.c.) for three days enhanced the maximal regeneration distance of both motor and large myelinated sensory axons measured using an electrophysiological assay. However, detailed morphometric analysis of these animals failed to provide evidence for an increase in axon numbers in GPI-1046-treated animals. The ability of GPI-1046 to promote the recovery of dopaminergic function following unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the substantia nigra was also tested in rats. In the first study, the duration of amphetamine (3 mg/kg, s.c.)-induced circling, but not the maximal number of rotations, was significantly reduced in animals treated with GPI-1046 for five days (10 mg/kg/day). In a second study, testing the effects of delayed GPI-1046 administration, chronic treatment with GPI-1046 (10 mg/kg/day) for two weeks, beginning one month after surgery, did not alter circling responses. Morphometric analysis failed to reveal any changes in either the density of tyrosine hyroxylase-positive fibres in dopaminergic target areas or in cell numbers in the substantia nigra in both experiments. Thus, while GPI-1046 produced marginal effects on neurite outgrowth in dorsal root ganglia cultures and on functional paramaters of nerve regeneration in vivo, we failed to obtain evidence in support of the notion of a general neuroprotective effect of the compound or for an effect on morphologic nerve regeneration in vivo.

House dust mite allergen exposure in infancy

BACKGROUND

Infancy may be a critical time for exposure to house dust mite allergens, when exposure to high levels can increase the risk of allergic sensitization and the development of asthma in later life.

OBJECTIVE

To measure house dust mite allergen (Der p 1) concentration in the infants' environment and examine lifestyle factors which may influence mite allergen exposure.

METHODS

Infants aged between 4 and 12 months (n = 134) from the western region of Sydney, Australia. participated. Reservoir dust samples were collected from four sites within each home: infant's bed, second bed (adult or second child's bed), lounge floor and sheepskins (where available). Settling aeroallergen was collected for 10-14 d in Petri dishes in the infant's room. Der p 1 was measured by ELISA. A questionnaire on types of bedding, sleeping and playing patterns of the infant was completed by the parents at the time of dust collection.

RESULTS

All infants were exposed to at least one site with Der p 1 concentrations greater than 10 microg/g fine dust. The mean settling aeroallergen level in the infants' room was 24 ng De p l/m2 day and this was weakly related to bed allergen levels (r=0.21, P<0.05). Mattress type had a weak effect on Der p 1 levels as measured in the whole bed (P = 0.07), while bed cover and bed type had no effect (P>0.6). The mean product of time spent at a site and its allergen concentration was highest for beds in 69% of infants.

CONCLUSION

The high level of allergen exposure in the environment of this group of infants places them at an increased risk of early sensitization and development of asthma. Any strategy to reduce asthma prevalence should address these high and avoidable levels.

Gender, health beliefs, health behaviors, and alcohol consumption

We conducted a study of the relationship between health beliefs, health practices, and alcohol consumption among women and men using the Health Belief Model (HBM). The study sample (N = 41,104) was drawn from the 1990 National Health Interview Survey. A 15% random sample was selected from the total data set for the purpose of selecting variables. Alcohol consumption was defined as a health-related behavior and was regressed on demographic characteristics, health beliefs, and health practices. Quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption were assessed for each gender, using the HBM. The HBM explained similar amounts of the variance in alcohol use for women and men. Quantity of alcohol consumed accounted for more variance than did frequency of consumption. We conclude that health beliefs and behaviors are related to alcohol consumption after adjustment for demographic characteristics, and that differences exist between perceived risks and behaviors for both women and men.

Identification of denitrifier strain T1 as Thauera aromatica and proposal for emendation of the genus Thauera definition

Bacterial strain, T1, originally isolated by P.J. Evans on the basis of its capacity for toluene degradation under denitrifying conditions, has been classified as Thauera aromatica. In a comprehensive study of strains of this species, it was found that the cells have a different type of flagellar insertion from that of cells of the type species of the genus, Thauera selenatis, suggesting the convenience of an emendation of the description of the genus Thauera. Further studies on a larger collection of strains with the above characteristics may serve in the future as the basis for the creation of a new generic designation.

Proposed new duplex classification for threshold stenoses used in various symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid endarterectomy trials

Current duplex ultrasound criteria for internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis (1%-15%, 16%-49%, 50%-69%, 70%-99%) may not be applicable to threshold stenoses used in symptomatic (North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial [NASCET], Veterans' Administration [VA]) and asymptomatic (Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study, VA) carotid endarterectomy (CEA) trials. This, along with increasing reports advocating CEA based on duplex results alone, prompted us to identify (1) new velocity criteria consistent with threshold stenoses used by these trials, and (2) velocity criteria with a high positive predictive value (PPV) (> 95%) and accuracy for detecting > or = 60% and > or = 70% ICA stenoses. This is the first study to propose criteria which can be used for all current CEA trials. The color duplex ultrasound (CDU) and arteriogram results of 462 ICAs were analyzed in blind fashion. Angiographic stenosis was calculated as in NASCET. Three velocity criteria (peak systolic velocity [PSV] of the ICA, end diastolic velocity [EDV] of the ICA, and the ratio of the PSV of the ICA/common carotid artery) were recorded and subjected to receiver operator characteristic curves (ROC) analysis to determine optimum criteria for identifying ICA stenoses of > or = 30%, > or = 50%, > or = 60%, and > or = 70%-99%. For > or = 30% stenosis (st): PSV > or = 120 cm/sec had an overall accuracy (OA) of 87%, sensitivity (sen.) of 93%, specificity (spec.) of 67%, PPV of 90%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 77%; for > or = 50% st: PSV > or = 140 cm/sec had an OA of 93%, sen. of 92%, spec. of 95%, PPV of 97%, and NPV of 89%; for > or = 60% st: PSV > or = 150 cm/sec and an EDV of > or = 65 had an OA of 90%, sen. of 82%, spec. of 97%, PPV of 96%, and NPV of 86%; for > or = 70%-99% st: PSV > or = 150 cm/sec and an EDV of > or = 90 had an OA of 92%, sen. of 85%, spec. of 95%, PPV of 91%, and NPV of 92%. An ICA-PSV and EDV of 150, 65, and 150, 110 had the best PPV (> or = 95%) in detecting > or = 60% and > or = 70% st, respectively. When these new criteria are used, CDU can accurately detect threshold stenoses used by various CEA trials. Selected velocities with a high PPV (> 95%) may be used as the sole preoperative imaging.

Isolation and characterization of phenol-degrading denitrifying bacteria

Phenol is a man-made as well as a naturally occurring aromatic compound and an important intermediate in the biodegradation of natural and industrial aromatic compounds. Whereas many microorganisms that are capable of aerobic phenol degradation have been isolated, only a few phenol-degrading anaerobic organisms have been described to date. In this study, three novel nitrate-reducing microorganisms that are capable of using phenol as a sole source of carbon were isolated and characterized. Phenol-degrading denitrifying pure cultures were obtained by enrichment culture from anaerobic sediments obtained from three different geographic locations, the East River in New York, N.Y., a Florida orange grove, and a rain forest in Costa Rica. The three strains were shown to be different from each other based on physiologic and metabolic properties. Even though analysis of membrane fatty acids did not result in identification of the organisms, the fatty acid profiles were found to be similar to those of Azoarcus species. Sequence analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA also indicated that the phenol-degrading isolates were closely related to members of the genus Azoarcus. The results of this study add three new members to the genus Azoarcus, which previously comprised only nitrogen-fixing species associated with plant roots and denitrifying toluene degraders.