Preliminary survey of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on cattle in northern Sudan

In a cross sectional survey conducted during the period June 2001 to July 2002, the geographical distribution of ticks on cattle in the Sudan was determined. Seventeen locations were surveyed from Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Blue Nile and White Nile Provinces. Total body collections of ticks were made from 20 cattle at each location. Four tick genera and 11 species were identified. The tick species collected included Amblyomma lepidum, Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus decoloratus, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma impeltatum, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus sanguineus group and Rhipicephalus simus simus. Major ecological changes have occurred due to extensive animal movement, deforestation, desertification and establishment of large mechanized agricultural schemes. These factors have certainly affected the distribution of ticks and tick-borne diseases in the Sudan. The absence of A. variegatum and A. lepidum in northern Sudan was not surprising, since these tick species are known to survive in humid areas and not in the desert and semi-desert areas of northern Sudan. The absence of B. annulatus in northern and central Sudan is in accordance with the finding that this tick species is restricted to the southern parts of the central Sudan. The presence of H. anatolicum anatolicum in Um Benin in relatively high abundance is an interesting finding. The present finding may indicate that the southern limit of this species has changed and moved southwards to latitude 13 degrees N. It is concluded that major changes in tick distribution have taken place in the Sudan.

Incubation Temperature for Ostrich (Struthio camelus) Eggs

The impact of incubation temperature on egg weight loss, embryonic mortality, incubation period, hatchability, and chick weight in 394 ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs was studied. Eggs were obtained from 3 farms in Texas. Three incubation temperatures (36.5, 37.0, or 37.5 degrees C) with relative humidity ranging from 20 to 30% were used. Results showed that incubation of fertile eggs at 36.5 degrees C increased hatchability and incubation period in comparison with other treatments. The incidence of dead in shell and total dead embryos was increased at 37.5 degrees C when compared with 36.5 degrees C. No differences in hatchability, incubation period, dead-in-shell embryos, and total dead embryos were observed between eggs incubated at 37.0 or 37.5 degrees C. Neither chick weight nor egg weight loss at 7, 14, 28, or 38 d of incubation was affected by incubation temperature, but egg weight loss at 21 d was lower for eggs incubated at 37.5 degrees C than for the other treatments. Results show that the most effective incubation temperature for the ostrich is lower than the most effective incubation temperature for most bird species.

Effect of acetyl salicylic acid in drinking water on reproductive performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The impact of acetyl salicylic add (ASA) on reproductive performance during periods of heat stress was studied in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). During a season when daily high temperatures averaged between 34 and 40 degrees C, four treatments each containing four replicates of five males and five females were given 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 g/L ASA in drinking water from 34 to 45 wk of age. At 39 wk of age control quail were lighter than quail fed ASA. Quail receiving 1.5 g/L ASA exhibited increased fertility, hatchability, and egg production and decreased late dead and total embryonic mortality. Early dead embryos, pips, chick weight, and egg weight were not different among treatments. The lumen of uterovaginal junction sperm host glands (UVJSHG) from control quail was apparently devoid of spermatozoa, whereas quail receiving 1.5 g/L ASA had the greatest apparent accumulation of spermatozoa. Control caudal infundibulum host glands (CPOI) were devoid of spermatozoa in contrast with CPOI from quail receiving ASA. Results show that UVJSHG lumens from quail receiving 1.5 g/L ASA had larger inside diameters than other treatment groups. However, the CPOI inside diameter and the outside diameters of both UVJSHG and CPOI were not affected by ASA. Adding 1.5 g/L ASA to the drinking water of quail under heat stress improved body weight, fertility, hatchability, embryonic mortality, egg production, egg specific gravity, and sperm storage capacity.

Effect of feeding time on the reproductive performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Several feeding regimens are applied to improve performance of fertile egg production during times of heat stress. During a period of heat stress (34 to 36 degrees C), two feeding periods were used to measure the impact of feeding time on reproductive performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix cotunix japonica) between 44 and 60 wk of age. Each feeding time treatment had 25 individually caged male and female pairs. Quail were fed ad libitum between 0600 to 1400 or 1400 to 2200 h daily. Results indicated that feeding between 0600 to 1400 h reduced BW, fertility, hatchability, egg production, and egg specific gravity when compared with the effects of feeding between 1400 to 2200 h. Feeding time had no effect on total embryonic mortality, egg weight, or the period between subsequent ovipositions. The different feeding times affected the distribution curve of oviposition over time. An instrument designed to record oviposition time is described. Results showed that selection of the time of day for application of an 8-h restricted feeding regimen affected BW, fertility, hatchability, egg production, egg specific gravity, and oviposition time in Japanese quail.

Effect of early feed restriction on reproductive performance in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Reproductive performance of quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) was evaluated following feed restriction (100, 85, and 70% of ad libitum) between 2 to 5 wk of age with three replicates of 12, 2-wk-old chicks per replicate. Body weight, feed conversion, and leucocyte distribution were measured during feed restriction. After experimental feed treatment, BW, age at first egg, egg production, fertility, hatchability, and embryonic mortality were evaluated from five replicates of two females and one male per treatment. Feed-restricted female chicks had lower BW from 3 to 5 wk of age, but male weights were depressed only during the most severe restriction at 4 and 5 wk. No treatment differences were observed among BW within a sex from 6 to 13 wk. Body weights at first egg were significantly heavier for females fed 70% ad libitum than for birds on other treatments. Fertility, age at first egg, feed conversion, egg production, and egg weight were unaffected by feed restriction. Although hatchability was unaffected by feed restriction, percentage of late dead and total dead embryos were significantly reduced in eggs from restricted quail. Thirty quail fed 70% of ad libitum control intake had significantly increased egg specific gravity. Feed restriction increased the percentage of heterophils and basophils and the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, whereas the percentage of lymphocytes and eosinophils decreased. Feed can be restricted to 85 or 70% of ad libitum feed intake from 2 to 5 wk of age without detrimentally affecting reproductive parameters between 6 to 13 wk of age.

Monitoring of cadmium in "on" and "off" date palms

The study demonstrated that the mature dates we investigated were considered safe for human consumption. However, our findings revealed that much of the early fruit and leaves, which appeared at the advent of the fruiting season, possessed elevated levels of cadmium (Cd) that could accumulate in the food chain and thus impact adversely on the environment. In addition, animal feed for livestock contains date leaves, which should be restricted to the mature ones. The monitoring of cadmium in date palms is of considerable interest to environmental science and the thrust of this work, therefore, involved measurement, by ICP, of Cd in dates and corresponding leaf specimens, and evaluation of its distribution during the developmental stages of the fruiting season. Thirty-six date samples and 36 leaf specimens of the Fard cultivar were collected from "on" and "off" date palms during the Kimri, Bisir and Rutab stages of the fruiting season and subjected to suitable digestion procedures. Sample masses of typically 1 g (dry weight) were prepared in 25 ml dilute acid solution and investigated for trace levels of Cd by ICP-AES. Special attention was paid to contamination and the validation of our methodology. The Cd "threshold" in our study was 50 ng/g, in keeping with the levels of tolerance appearing in the literature. For the dates we found elevated levels of Cd [> 50 ng/g] in most of the samples, for both categories of "on" and "off" trees, during the Kimri stage. In the case of the leaves, the "on" samples revealed significant values up to 125 ng/g in Bisir, in some cases, but the trend for the "off" trees remained the same with the highest levels [> 100 ng/g] recorded during Kimri. Safe levels were attained during Rutab for all specimens. The possibility of a connection between Cd toxicity and the alternate-bearing phenomenon is discussed and this could be the subject of future interest.

Reduction of halogenated hydrocarbons in aqueous media: I. Involvement of sulfur in iron catalysis

Experiments were carried out to investigate the reduction of tri- and tetra-chloroethene with iron in aqueous solutions. Results indicate (i) dependence of the dehalogenation capacity of the iron on its sulfur content and (ii) that ethyne was the primary dehalogenated hydrocarbon for both compounds. A reaction mechanism based on in situ formation of ferrous sulfide as the catalyst and its reaction with the halocompounds in the presence of hydrogen has been postulated.

Effect of case managers with a general medical patient population

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of inpatient case management (CM) on a general medical service and to determine if a prediction rule, identifying patients likely to need discharge planning services, could define a subset of patients for whom CM would be most effective. We hypothesized that CM would have greatest impact on patients predicted to be at highest risk of needing discharge planning to arrange for post-discharge medical services. We carried out a prospective controlled study. Six general medicine teams from a 600-bed urban teaching hospital were randomly assigned to CM (n = 4) or standard care (SC) (n = 2). Number of patients = 302 (207 CM; 95 SC). Case managers participated in daily physician team rounds and coordinated discharge planning for CM patients; SC patients received discharge planning from staff nurses or discharge planners when requested by physicians. The outcomes measured were deviation from the hospital length of stay (LOS) expected for a patient's diagnosis, patient satisfaction and non-acute medical service utilization during the month after discharge. Overall, patients from CM and SC teams did not differ in their deviation from expected LOS, post-discharge medical service utilization and patient satisfaction. However, after stratifying patients by their predicted need for post-discharge medical services, only patients in the 'high risk' category had a significantly shorter LOS under CM (2.9 days shorter than SC patients; P = 0.02). We concluded that, in this study, the effect of case managers on a general medical service was limited to shortening LOS only among a stratum of high risk patients.

Amphotericin B deoxycholate treatment of visceral leishmaniasis with newer modes of administration and precautions: a study of 938 cases

Out of 938 parasitologically confirmed patients with visceral leishmaniasis treated with amphotericin B (1 mg/kg bodyweight daily infused in 2 h for 20 days), 935 were cured clinically, 933 parasitologically and 931 ultimately (no relapse within 6 months). Two parasitologically 'not cured' and 4 relapsed patients were cured with 25 infusions, and 1 with double relapse with 30 infusions. The treatment was started only when serum haemoglobin reached 5 g/dL, serum electrolyte imbalance was corrected and sodium stibogluconate-induced myocardial damage stabilized after 10 days' rest. Bronchopneumonia, cardiac failure and acute renal failure caused the death of 1 patient each. Nightblindness, angular stomatitis, neuritis, and petechial haemorrhages improved with appropriate treatment; 2 patients were given blood transfusion for post-treatment anaemia. Nausea and anorexia, and changes in serum creatinine and potassium, became normal in 2 weeks. Immediate withdrawal of the drug and restart after 10 days cured 2 patients who developed acute renal failure. Infusion-related toxicities--shivering, rigor and fever--were minimized but not eliminated by prior administration of hydrocortisone. Tuberculosis and visceral leishmaniasis were treated concurrently. Four pregnant patients were successfully treated without harmful effects on mother and child. It was concluded that the dosage of amphotericin B used was an effective and well-tolerated regimen and achieved 99% cure. Toxicity could be minimized with some precautions. All unresponsive and relapsed patients responded to more amphotericin and no resistance to the drug was seen.

Do the diminishing efficacy and increasing toxicity of sodium stibogluconate in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in Bihar, India, justify its continued use as a first-line drug? An observational study of 80 cases

Eighty parasitologically confirmed cases of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in Bihar, India, were treated daily with 20 mg sodium stibogluconate/kg for 30 days, to assess the current efficacy and toxicity of this 30-day regimen. Clinical and parasitological cure was obtained in 48 (60%) of the patients. However, 26 (33%) patients did not respond to the first course of treatment (primary unresponsiveness), two relapsed after initial clinical and parasitological cure, and two were withdrawn from the study (one on day 6 of treatment because of cardiotoxicity in the form of supraventricular tachycardia and the other on day 24 because of severe loss of appetite). All 30 patients who were not entirely cured with sodium stibogluconate were successfully treated with amphotericin B. Electrocardiographic changes occurred in many of the patients as the result of treatment with sodium stibogluconate. Diminution in the height of the T wave was seen in 32 (40%), inversion of the T wave (Minnesota code 5-1, 5-2) in seven (9%), elevation of the ST segment (Minnesota code 4-1) in three (4%), prolonged QT interval (compared with baseline findings) in six (8%), and diminution in the height of the P, R and T waves in two (3%). Cardiac arrhythmia occurred in five patients (6%), supraventricular arrhythmia (coarse atrial fibrillation) occurred in one patient and ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, torsade de pointes and multifocal ventricular ectopics occurred in the four patients (5%) who died of cardiotoxicity. Minor side-effects, such as pain at the site of injection (two cases), mild diminution in appetite (12 cases), metallic taste in mouth (six cases), and joint pain (two cases), were also observed. It was concluded that the efficacy of sodium stibogluconate in the study area has declined over the years and that its toxicity has increased. A more efficacious, safer and cheaper, alternative drug is required as the first line of treatment of kala-azar.

Amphotericin B is superior to sodium antimony gluconate in the treatment of Indian post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis

Parasitologically confirmed cases of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) were treated by infusion with amphotericin B deoxycholate (ABD; 1 mg/kg.day on days 1-20, 21-40 and 61-80) or by intramuscular injection with sodium antimony gluconate (SAG; 20-day courses at 20 mg/kg day, with 20-day, drug-free intervals). Of the 11 patients given ABD, all were cured with the three courses, none relapsed in 12 months of follow-up, all developed mild adverse effects (shivering and fever) because of the infusion, five lost their appetites, and three showed increases in their serum creatinine concentrations (although none exceeded 'normal' limits). In contrast, only seven (63%) of the 11 patients given SAG were considered treatment successes (improvement in lesions by the end of the third course) and these took six courses (two cases), nine courses (four cases) or 10 courses (one case) to cure completely. Two of the patients given SAG developed arthralgia and two others developed non-specific ST changes in their electrocardiograms (ECG), although their ECG were normal between courses. The better cure rate with ABD was not statistically significant, probably because of the small sample size. However, ABD appears to be a superior to SAG in terms of the speed of response and cure, although it is more expensive and has some nephrotoxicity. As the effectiveness of SAG against PKDL is apparently declining over time and the cost of ABD is prohibitive in poor countries such as India, a safe, cheap and more effective drug for the treatment of PKDL is needed.

The impact of Ixodiphagus hookeri, a tick parasitoid, on Amblyomma variegatum (Acari: Ixodidae) in a field trial in Kenya

In an experiment to investigate the effect of the tick parasitoid, Ixodiphagus hookeri, on tick numbers on cattle, 150000 parasitoids were released over a period of 1 year in a field where ten cattle infested with multiple tick species were kept. Amblyomma variegatum was reduced from 44 to two ticks per animal while Rhipicephalus appendiculatus increased over the time of parasitoid release. During the time of release 51% of the nymphs of A. variegatum collected from the animals were parasitized. The recovery of the parasitoids after the releases were stopped was only 9%. The total numbers of A. variegatum remained low up to 1 year after the parasitoid release was stopped. This study gives an insight into how I. hookeri could be used strategically for the management of A. variegatum on small-scale farms.

Payer-hospital collaboration to improve patient satisfaction with hospital discharge

BACKGROUND

Brigham and Women's Hospital, in Boston, and its major health maintenance organization (HMO), Harvard Community Health Plan, collected data in spring 1994 which revealed that patients were less satisfied with hospital discharge planning than with other elements of care.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION PROCESS

An interdisciplinary team, formed in November 1994 and composed of eight members from the hospital and HMO, used data from the hospital's Patient Satisfaction Survey, flowcharting, and phone interviews with patients to identify discharge planning-related problems. For example, follow-up contact with patients after discharge was erratic and no clear signal of the successful "hand off" of care from the hospital team to the community team existed.

IMPROVEMENT CYCLE 1

Eighty-three percent of the payer's patients that received the improvement strategy developed by the interdisciplinary team-a concierge service-rated discharge planning as excellent or very good, compared to 63% of control patients. IMPROVEMENT CYCLE 2: PLAN SOLUTIONS/STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING HOSPITAL DISCHARGE PLANNING: The results of the team's Cycle 1 improvement provided information for the team to use in designing a second cycle of incremental improvement activity. For example, to address the lack of clarity about who was responsible for making decisions about discharge and follow-up care, the attending physician was designated the transition-of-care coordinator. Once all the improvements were implemented, Cycle 2 patients who received the intervention rated satisfaction with discharge higher (83% versus 73%) than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Implications of hospitalwide implementation of discharge planning-related services attempted on one unit are being considered.

Botulinum toxin-induced myopathy in the rat

We have used histological and histochemical techniques at the light microscopical level, and electron microscopy to examine the myopathological changes in rat muscle up to 30 weeks following botulinum toxin injection. Apart from muscle fibre atrophy and related myofibrillar structural changes, the results show a number of striking abnormalities which developed and disappeared at different stages. During the first 4 weeks after toxin injection, vacuoles of variable size were seen in the sarcoplasm near myonuclei, both at and away from endplates. Following this, between 4 and 10 weeks post-injection, progressive degeneration of junctional folds and separation of some nerve terminals from the simplified postsynaptic membranes were observed. At different time points following recovery from the toxin-induced paralysis (evidenced by the increase in muscle fibre size and return of function) a number of abnormalities were still detectable in muscle fibres. These included the appearance within them of multiple arrays of sarcotubular profiles, focal areas lacking myofibrillar organization and mitochondria, abnormal mitochondrial aggregates showing crystalline inclusions, and extension of the postsynaptic densities along the full depth of junctional folds. Furthermore, targetoid-like areas were detected histochemically following recovery from the toxin-induced paralysis. The early extensive vacuolation of the sarcoplasm and the degeneration of junctional folds suggest a myotoxic effect of botulinum toxin. The late changes are likely to be (at least in part) related to the process of recovery following reinnervation.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity, in botulinum toxin-paralysed rat muscles

Changes in calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI) at the motor endplates of botulinum toxin-paralysed rat muscles were investigated using immunohistochemistry. One day following toxin injection, a dramatic increase in CGRP-LI was detected at the motor endplates and within preterminal axons of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. The upregulation of CGRP-LI persisted throughout the period during which muscle fibres were paralysed and new neuromuscular junctions were being formed by the growing sprouts. Decline of CGRP-LI at the motor endplates coincided with clinical recovery. Both up- and down-regulation of CGRP-LI took place earlier in the soleus than in the gastrocnemius muscle. Up-regulation of CGRP-LI was also detected in a subpopulation of motor axons in the sciatic nerves and in the spinal motor neurons innervating the paralysed muscles. These results indicate that levels of CGRP are regulated, at least partly, by changes in the target innervation. They also suggest an important role for CGRP in the regenerative processes following muscle paralysis.

Elimination of superfluous neuromuscular junctions in rat calf muscles recovering from botulinum toxin-induced paralysis

In order to determine the fate of the superfluous neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) formed during the course of botulinum toxin (BoTx)-induced paralysis, we have quantified the change in the total length of the nerve muscle contact area(s) following BoTx injection into rat calf muscles. The results indicate that: (1) at least some of the superfluous NMJs are eliminated following muscle recovery; (2) synapse elimination is a slow process, as 4 months after recovery it was not yet complete; (3) muscles with different content of type I and II fibers follow a different time course during synapse formation and elimination. We further investigated the possibility that the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) would be the element whose loss from the NMJ might play a role in synapse elimination. Using immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy we show that NCAM is exclusively localized between nerve terminals and Schwann cells and not between nerve terminals and muscle. This localization was maintained throughout paralysis and following recovery, suggesting that NCAM does not play a role in synapse elimination.

GAP-43 and p75NGFR immunoreactivity in presynaptic cells following neuromuscular blockade by botulinum toxin in rat

Peripheral nerve lesion results in changes in protein expression by neurons and denervated Schwann cells. In the present study we have addressed the question whether similar changes take place following functional denervation. Using immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy we examined changes in growth-associated protein (GAP-43) and low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (p75NGFR) in rat gastrocnemius muscle following botulinum toxin-induced paralysis. GAP-43 and p75NGFR were selected because they are not expressed by mature intact motor neurons or Schwann cells, but are expressed following nerve lesion in both motor neurons and denervated Schwann cells. In control muscle, GAP-43 and p75NGFR immunoreactivity was seen only in nerve fibres near blood vessels. Two weeks after toxin injection, GAP-43 immunoreactivity could be seen at the motor endplates and in axons. Intensity of staining increased with longer survival and reached a peak between 4 and 8 weeks post-injection. Ultrastructurally, GAP-43 immunoreactivity was confined to nerve terminals and axons, whereas Schwann cells remained negative. Immunostaining for p75NGFR also increased following toxin injection and was detected in some terminal Schwann cells and in perineurial cells of small nerve fascicles near the paralyzed target cells, but not in axons. These results show that changes in expression of GAP-43 in motor neurons following functional denervation closely resemble the changes following anatomical interruption of nerve-muscle contact. GAP-43 was not expressed in Schwann cells, indicating that its upregulation in these cells is induced by loss of axonal contact or nerve degeneration products. There is no support for a role of p75NGFR in incorporation of neurotrophins in axons. The restriction of p75NGFR expression to terminal Schwann cells and perineurial cells in close proximity to the paralyzed target suggests a role for a target-derived signal or, alternatively, macrophages in eliciting this expression.

Natural attraction of livestock ticks by the leaves of a shrub

During examination of leaves of different plants on Rusinga Island, Kenya, ticks were commonly found on the leaves of a plant identified as Acalypha fruticosa Forsk. var. villosa Hutch (Euphorbiaceae). Larvae of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus were the predominant ticks encountered, found quiescent on the undersurface of the leaves. Laboratory investigations showed that significant numbers of ticks were attracted by odours from this plant. It was concluded that the leaves of A. fruticosa are attractive to this tick and have potential for use as a trap to control ticks.

Insulin-like and fibroblast growth factors in spinal cords, nerve roots and skeletal muscle of human controls and patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) and fibroblast growth factors [acidic FGF (aFGF) and basic FGF (bFGF)] are trophic for motor neurones in vitro and (in laboratory animals) in vivo. An immunohistochemical investigation was performed on the distribution of these factors in the neuromuscular system of control patients and patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Comparisons were made with rat tissue. IGF-I immunoreactivity (IGF-I-IR) was seen in motor neurone cell bodies and axons, astroglia and Schwann cells, and in muscle fibres. IGF-II-IR was weak in all these cells. aFGF-IR was present in motor neurone cell bodies and axons, oligodendroglia and muscle fibres, but was not demonstrable in Schwann cells. bFGF-IR was present in motor neurone cell bodies and axons, and in astroglia, but was not seen in Schwann cells or muscle fibres. The distribution of the IGFs and FGFs in material from motor neurone disease (MND) and controls was similar. A role for any of these factors in the etiology of MND is, therefore, unlikely. IGF-I-IR and aFGF-IR were stronger in type II than in type I muscle fibres and were increased in denervated fibres. Species differences were found for IGF-I and bFGF. The function of these factors is apparently not entirely similar in humans and rats.

Basic fibroblast growth factor immunoreactivity in the peripheral motor system of the rat

We have used immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy to investigate the distribution of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the peripheral motor system of the adult rat. In the lumbar segments of the spinal cord, bFGF immunoreactivity (bFGF-I) was seen in motor neurons and glial cells but not in axons. The neuronal immunostaining was seen as two or three intensely fluorescent spots in the nuclei with weak and more diffuse staining of the perinuclear cytoplasm. In the sciatic nerve, bFGF-I was seen in Schwann cells with strong intensity at the nodes of Ranvier. Axonal immunostaining could not be detected. At the electron microscopic level, the intense nodal immunostaining of Schwann cells was confirmed and was found to be localized to the Schwann cell membrane at the nodal gap. The intensity of staining decreased with distance from the node. In the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles, bFGF-I was seen at the motor endplates in sites corresponding to the motor nerve terminals in addition to faint staining within the muscle fibers. Electron microscopy showed that bFGF-I was localized within the nerve terminals. Histochemical localization of bFGF in the peripheral motor system is compatible with the functions ascribed for this protein in this system.

Blood culture results as determinants in the organism identification of bacterial meningitis

The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis depends on a lumbar puncture (LP). Sometimes, antibiotics are administered before a LP that is delayed owing to prior need for computerized tomography (CT) scan, technical problems, inability to obtain consent, or an unstable patient. We examined the accuracy of blood culture, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Gram's stain, and antigen detection by latex for organism identification of meningitis. All patients admitted to the Children's Hospital of Buffalo between January 1, 1984 and December 31, 1989 and having a CSF culture diagnosis of bacterial meningitis had their charts retrospectively reviewed. Patients excluded from the study were those with neural tube defects or CSF catheters, those admitted directly to the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN), those whose positive CSF cultures were determined to be a contaminant, those whose medical records were not found, or those older than 16 years. We analyzed a total of 178 patients with positive CSF cultures and the confirmed diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Of 169 patients who had a blood culture performed, 86% had the organism responsible for meningitis recovered by this test, with the highest yield of 91% occurring in the 2.5-month to 24-month age group. Blood culture identified the bacteria in 94% of those patients with Haemophilus influenzae meningitis, and this yield increased to 100% when patients who had been pretreated with antibiotics were excluded. The combination of blood culture, CSF Gram's stain, and/or latex agglutination identified the causative bacteria in 92% of patients with meningitis. Blood culture, CSF Gram's stain, and latex agglutination are useful in identifying the organism causing pediatric meningitis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of exposure period and management methods on the effectiveness of chickens as predators of ticks infesting cattle

Experiments undertaken on Rusinga Island, Kenya, indicated that Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (Neumann) was the predominant tick consumed on tick-infested cattle by chickens, followed by Amblyomma variegatum (Fabricius), Boophilus decoloratus (Koch) and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (Neumann). The number of ticks consumed by chickens released with cattle in a 3 h release period was not significantly different from ticks consumed in a 4 h release period. In a free management system, chickens 1-3 months of age consumed more ticks than older ones; in a confined management system however, chickens 4-6 months of age consumed more ticks than younger birds. Although the numbers of ticks consumed by local and exotic breeds of chickens were not significantly different, a period of 8-10 weeks was necessary for the exotic breeds to become behaviorally adapted to tick predation on cattle. Local chickens bred in environments where cattle were absent took a shorter period of 4-6 weeks to adapt. It was concluded that the relatively large number of ticks consumed by each chicken during the 3 or 4 h release period is an indication that a good reduction of ticks on cattle can be achieved through tick predation by chickens. The preponderance of R. appendiculatus over other tick species consumed was a reflection of its relative abundance on cattle on the island rather than a selective preference for tick species.