Recovery of Chlamydia trachomatis from the endometrium of women at risk for chlamydial infection

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted disease in Western Society today and is a major cause of salpingitis and tubal infertility. However, the frequency with which it produces upper genital tract infection in asymptomatic women has not been determined. Endometrial, endocervical, and urethral cultures for C. trachomatis were obtained from 60 women who were at risk for chlamydial infection but who did not have evidence of endometritis or salpingitis on physical examination. Chlamydia was isolated from the lower genitourinary tract in 26 (43%) and from the endometrium in 12 (20%). Thus 12 of 29 (41%) women infected with C. trachomatis had endometrial infections. Upper genital infections appear to be common in women at risk for chlamydial infection, and spread to the upper tract may occur shortly after the infection is acquired.

The effects for recall patients of a comprehensive sealant program in a clinical dental public health setting

The preventive outcomes of a comprehensive sealant program in a dental public health treatment center for low SES children are reported. The Linn County (Iowa) Dental Health Center implemented a comprehensive sealant philosophy in 1978. Since then, virtually all pits and fissures in primary and permanent teeth for all new and recall patients have been sealed. The comprehensive sealant philosophy was formulated following a previously reported Dental Health Center study documenting the negative outcomes of unmet treatment need as a result of the lack of continuity of care for this specific low SES target population. Sealants were evaluated for all recall patients seen over a two-month period. The sealants had been placed six months to six years before the two-month examination period. Ninety-five percent of the sealants were intact for the recall patients. Only 3.3 percent of the sealants were in need of repair or resealing--a procedure easily incorporated into the preventive recall appointment. Only 1.5 percent of the teeth were carious, and to a minor extent. To maintain the total sealant treatment philosophy on repaired and newly erupted teeth for recall patients in the dental public health setting requires on the average approximately five additional minutes per recall appointment. Low SES children are at highest risk to dental caries, but are still not guaranteed access to ongoing preventive services. Sealants are of much greater importance than the usual prophylaxis-fluoride regimen for low SES children displaying more episodic than preventive dental behavior. Comprehensive sealant programs should be considered for all dental public health clinical treatment programs for children.

Differences in outer membrane proteins of the lymphogranuloma venereum and trachoma biovars of Chlamydia trachomatis

The lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and trachoma biovars of Chlamydia trachomatis exhibit differences in biological properties both in vivo and in vitro. To identify analogous biochemical differences, we studied the molecular charges of chlamydial outer membrane proteins (OMPs) by means of isoelectric focusing and nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis. Analysis of proteins of whole elementary bodies biosynthetically labeled with L-[35S]cysteine revealed that most chlamydial proteins were neutral or acidic. The major OMPs (MOMPs) of all strains tested were acidic and had apparent isoelectric points (pIs) that varied within narrow limits (approximately 5.3 to 5.5) despite differences in molecular mass of up to 3,000 daltons (Da). However, a low-molecular-mass cysteine-rich OMP analogous to that previously described for Chlamydia psittaci varied consistently in molecular mass (12,500 versus 12,000 Da) and pI (5.4 versus 6.9) between LGV strains and trachoma strains, respectively. OMPs with a molecular mass of 60,000 Da in the trachoma biovar strains had pIs in the 7.3 to 7.7 range. However, analogous OMPs in the LGV strains existed as a doublet with a molecular mass of about 60,000 Da. Both members of the doublet were basic (pIs greater than 8.5). Both proteins of this basic doublet in LGV strains and the neutral analog in trachoma strains bound a species-specific monoclonal antibody in an immunoblot assay. These data indicate substantial differences in biochemical characteristics of analogous OMPs in the LGV and trachoma biovars. Such differences are the first structural differences described between LGV and trachoma strains which support their distinction into separate biovars and may be related to some of their biological differences.

Recovery of Chlamydia trachomatis from the endometrium in infertile women with serum antichlamydial antibodies

Upper genital tract infection with Chlamydia trachomatis appears to be a frequent cause of salpingitis and tubal infertility. However, the prevalence of active infection in women with infertility has not been well-defined. To examine this question, endocervical and endometrial cultures for C. trachomatis were obtained from infertile women with serum antibodies to C. trachomatis. The first 19 consecutive patients with titers greater than or equal to 1/32 were cultured. C. trachomatis was recovered from the endometrium or endocervix in six (32%) of the women examined and from the endometrium in five (26%). These findings indicate that a significant portion of infertile women with serum antichlamydial antibodies may have active upper genital tract infection with C. trachomatis at the time of presentation.

Fearfulness of hens caged individually or in groups in different tiers of a battery and the effects of translocation between tiers

The responses of laying hens in several fear-eliciting situations were examined. The effects of group-housing and translocation of birds between tiers upon a previously-observed relationship between fearfulness and cage level were assessed. Birds housed in the top tier showed longer durations of tonic immobility, greater avoidance of a novel rod placed in their food trough and decreased approach, activity and vocalisation when placed in a pen containing a novel object, than did their middle-tier counterparts. This relationship, which was common to birds housed either individually or socially, was disrupted by translocation between tiers. The consistently higher fear scores recorded by birds from the top tier are considered likely to reflect differences in general rather than stimulus-specific fearfulness.

Chlamydia trachomatis in the pharynx and rectum of heterosexual patients at risk for genital infection

Although urogenital infections with Chlamydia trachomatis are well recognized, less is known about infection at other body sites in adults. Pharyngeal specimens obtained from 706 heterosexual men and 686 women, and rectal specimens obtained from 1223 women who were at risk for chlamydia infection were cultured for C. trachomatis. Urogenital specimens were obtained from all patients. Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from the pharynx in 3.7% of men and 3.2% of women. Recovery of chlamydiae was not associated with the presence of pharyngeal symptoms, but in women, but not men, it was associated with a history of oral-genital sex. The organism was also recovered from the rectum of 5.2% of the women. Rectal isolation did not correlate with a history of rectal symptoms or rectal sex but did correlate with concurrent genital infection. Infection at these sites may be important in the transmission or persistence of C. trachomatis infections.

Olfaction and behavioral modification in domestic chicks (Gallus domesticus)

Olfactory responsiveness in the female domestic chick was examined in a series of experiments. Individually-housed chicks preferred the familiar soiled substrate from their own home box to that soiled by a strange conspecific and to clean wood litter when placed in an otherwise novel Y maze. An artificial odorant present during the development of group-reared chicks subsequently proved attractive in an otherwise novel and potentially frightening situation. Chicks reared with one of two aromatic oils subsequently discriminated between them and preferred the familiar oil when both were present in the test box. The preferences are likely acquired because naive, one-day-old chicks reacted similarly to wood litter treated with either water or oil. Presence of a familiar rearing odor also reduced fear of a novel open field. In contrast to controls, chicks whose nostrils were blocked prior to rearing with an aromatic oil showed no subsequent preference for this odorant. The present results suggest that domestic chicks can regulate their behavior in response to olfactory cues though trigeminal chemoreception may also be involved.

Long term management of congenital cataracts

Presentation and outcome, particularly in terms of development, nursery, and school placement of 55 children with treated congenital cataracts was studied. Results indicate that although most children have satisfactory vision many of their parents would have welcomed more support at the time of the diagnosis, an opportunity to talk to parents of similarly affected children, and further advice on their child's early development and educational placement. It is suggested that improved communications between clinicians, therapists, and teachers, and parents' support groups would be helpful to these families.

Intramitotic variation in proliferative potential: stochastic events in cellular aging

A series of mitotic pairs of cells were isolated and the proliferative potential of each cell determined. Although the proliferative potentials of the two cells of a single pair were similar for most pairs examined, in a significant proportion large differences were observed. These results suggest a strong stochastic component in the somatic inheritance of proliferative potential. This observation provides the basis for refinement of a mathematical model for in vitro cellular aging.

Women at risk for gonorrhea: comparison of rosaramicin and ampicillin plus probenecid in the eradication of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and genital mycoplasmas

Rosaramicin is a macrolide antibiotic with activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and the genital mycoplasmas Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis. Its efficacy in the treatment of genital infections was evaluated and compared with that of single-dose ampicillin plus probenecid in women with known, or suspected, uncomplicated gonococcal infection. Isolation rates for N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, U. urealyticum, and M. hominis were 72%, 44%, 95%, and 65%, respectively. Rosaramicin cured 24 (89%) of 27 gonococcal infections and 11 (92%) of 12 chlamydial infections. It transiently reduced the carriage of U. urealyticum but had little effect on carriage of M. hominis. Rosaramicin may be of value in the treatment of concurrent gonococcal and chlamydial infections when tetracycline is contraindicated.

Haemoglobin A1c concentrations in men and women with diabetes

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Moxalactam treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea in women

The efficacy of a 1-g dose of moxalactam was evaluated in the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea in women. Of 100 infected women, 96 had negative cultures after treatment. Two of the four who were not cured may have been reinfected, while therapy appeared to have failed in the other two. The MICs of moxalactam and penicillin were less than 1 microgram/ml for 100% and less than 0.06 micrograms/ml for 90% of the 115 pre- and post-treatment isolates tested. Moxalactam appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea in women. All of four white women and one of seven black women with pharyngeal gonorrhea gave a history of fellatio. Among those without pharyngeal gonorrhea, 20 of 35 white women and 15 of 111 black women gave such a history. Thus, a history of fellatio may not adequately predict which patients are at risk of pharyngeal gonorrhea, especially for black women.

The school-based dental care systems of New Zealand and South Australia--a decade of change

The purpose of this paper is to review and update the highly successful school-based dental care systems of the country of New Zealand and the state of South Australia. These school-based systems have undergone changes in the past 10 years. The New Zealand Dental Service has greatly reduced the number of dental nurses in training. Declining birth rates, changes in disease patterns, revision of diagnostic criteria, and longer employment trends in women have all had an impact on the system. The South Australian School Dental Service has expanded rapidly in recent years to serve a high percentage of eligible South Australian children. This system also is responding to these factors with flexible programs to meet new trends. Both systems are examples of comprehensive programs of quality dental care that dissolve away SES utilization differences providing equal access to continuity of care for all children.

Delayed visual maturation

Sixteen blind babies who were considered to be showing the characteristics of delayed visual maturation were studied prospectively. The diagnosis was made on clinical grounds, and the criteria for this are discussed. All of these infants developed visual responses between 4 and 6 months of age and had normal or near normal visual acuities by 1 year of age. Long term follow up, however, has shown neurological abnormalities in some of these children.

Improving the quality of data in a computerised patient master index: implication for costs and patient care

This study was designed to test the accuracy and completeness of nominal identifying data recorded on a hospital patient master index (PMI) and to estimate the cost-effectiveness of using patient questionnaires for improving quality of data. The study showed that the design of any PMI should include a method of obtaining and storing the last date at which a patient's details were confirmed as correct, a prompt system for identifying missing data and a routine report on completeness and inconsistencies within the data. Both accuracy and completeness of patient identification can be improved by the use of patient questionnaires. The cost of their use is more than matched by the savings obtained from complete accurate data. The use of computer produced questionnaires also reduces the need for peak time activity on busy computer systems.

Effects of 3-methylcholanthrene on covalent binding and toxicity of 4-ipomeanol in inducible and non-inducible (B6D2) mice

The effects of 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) on the covalent binding and toxicity of 4-ipomeanol (1-(3-furyl)-4-hydroxypentanone, IPO) were studied in (C57BL/6N)(DBA/2N)F1 X DBA/2N backcross (B6D2)D2) mice previously segregated into relatively "inducible" or "non-inducible" groups based on zoxazolamine (2-amino-5-chlorobenzoxazole, ZOX) paralysis times following MC treatment. MC decreased the covalently bound IPO metabolite(s) both in the lungs and in the kidneys of "inducible" and "non-inducible" mice when compared to controls not pretreated with MC. On the other hand, concentrations of covalently bound IPO metabolite(s) in liver were increased in "inducible" mice and decreased in "non-inducible" mice by MC pretreatment when compared to non-pretreated heterogenous mice. Associated with MC pretreatment was a significant decrease in the acute lethality of IPO both in the "inducible" and in the "non-inducible" mice when compared to nonpretreated control animals (LD50: 213 +/- 2, 140 +/- 14 and 14 +/- 4 mg/kg, respectively). Hepatic necrosis occurred frequently in the "inducible" mice and occasionally in the "non-inducible" mice given large IPO doses near the respective LD50-values. Hepatic necrosis was never observed in non-pretreated mice receiving near lethal doses of IPO. These results support previous studies indicating that reactive IPO metabolites binding to extrahepatic tissues are formed in situ and do not reflect binding of blood-borne metabolites formed in the liver.