Evidence for nosocomial transmission of Candida albicans obtained by Ca3 fingerprinting

The moderately repetitive sequence Ca3 was used to fingerprint Candida albicans isolates from 32 patients hospitalized for more than 3 days, 17 recent admissions or outpatients, and 8 recently readmitted patients and 10 commensal isolates from the community in Wellington, New Zealand, plus isolates from 21 hospitalized patients, 26 outpatients or recent admissions, 4 recently readmitted patients, and 10 healthy individuals in the community in Auckland, New Zealand. In Wellington, isolates from patients hospitalized in Wellington Hospital for more than 3 days were genetically significantly less diverse than were isolates from outpatients or recent admissions or isolates from healthy individuals in the community. In addition, two clusters of genetically similar strains were isolated from hospitalized patients significantly more often than from other individuals. These observations provide evidence (albeit indirectly) for nosocomial transmission of hospital-specific C. albicans strains. In contrast, no indication of hospital-specific transmission of C. albicans was found in Auckland Hospital. Since these results were obtained under conditions in which no candidiasis outbreak occurred in either hospital, they also suggest that Ca3 fingerprinting may be a useful tool in preventive nosocomial infection control programs, allowing assessment of the extent of C. albicans transmission occurring in a hospital.

Immunogenicity of the N-glycans of peanut peroxidase

The three tryptic glycopeptides of cationic peanut peroxidase (C. PRX) and the sole one of anionic peanut peroxidase (A. PRX) were individually coupled to bovine serum albumin to raise antisera. The three categories of antibodies directed towards three N-glycans of C. PRX (anti-GLa, anti-GLb and anti-GLc) were isolated from antisera with glycan-conjugated ECH Sepharose 4B affinity columns and the distribution of epitopes on the N-glycans was investigated. The reactivity of anti-GLa, anti-GLb and anti-GLc is inhibited 25-40% by 1 M fucose, compared with a slight inhibition by N-acetylglycosamine and xylose. Mannose and galactose showed no inhibition to anti-GLa and only a slight inhibition to anti-GLb and anti-GLc. All of anti-GLa, anti-GLb and anti-GLc recognize A. PRX and horseradish peroxidase but do not recognize fetuin. Also, their reactivity is inhibited by bromelain by more than 70%. The three categories of antibodies present high homogeneity and appear to be directed mainly towards the core structure [Xyl] (Man)3 [Fuc] (GlcNAc)2. An effective and simple method to screen antibodies with carbohydrate specificities is described herein.

Heterogeneous glycosylation of cationic peanut peroxidase

Cationic peanut peroxidase (CPrx) from a cell suspension culture is N-glycosylated at Asn60, Asn144, and Asn185. All three N-glycans are complex type and galactose rich, and show heterogeneity in length and ConA (concanavalin A) binding property. The glycan heterogeneity causes a polymorphism of the enzyme. Based on its behavior on ConA columns, CPrx can be grouped into two fractions: nonbinding (CPrx-) and binding (CPrx+) types. A synchronously cosecreted beta-galactosidase has been discovered in the culture medium; there are two isozymes of 60 kDa (pI 7.3) and 66 kDa (pI 7.6). This beta-galactosidase has been partially purified by a combination of ion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatographies and preparative isoelectrofocusing. In vitro experiments indicate that the cosecreted beta-galactosidase is able to convert peroxidase from CPrx- to CPrx+ and may, to some extent, contribute to the glycan heterogeneity of peroxidase in the cell culture.

Differentiation of immortalized epithelial cells derived from cystic fibrosis airway submucosal glands

Cystic fibrosis (CF) involves abnormalities in mucus production and secretion of the airway. Studies of the regulation of airway mucin production and secretion has been difficult due to the lack of in vitro models of the airway epithelial cells which express functional differentiation. Because the majority of the mucin in the airway is apparently produced by the submucosal glands, we have focused our attention on the development of cell culture models of human airway submucosal glands. This report describes the propagation of CF airway submucosal gland epithelial cells which continue to express mucin production. The CF bronchus was obtained from a 31-yr-old patient who received a double lung transplant. The glands were dissected out and primary cultures prepared by the explant/outgrowth procedure. The cells were immortalized by infection with Ad12-SV40 hybrid virus. The cultures are maintained in serum-free keratinocyte basal medium supplemented with insulin (5 micrograms/ml), hydrocortisone (0.5 microgram/ml), epidermal growth factor (10 ng/ml), bovine pituitary extract (25 micrograms/ml), and antibiotics. Cultures were passaged using 0.125% trypsin in Ca+2 and Mg(+2)-free Hanks', balanced salt solution. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis demonstrated that the cells were homozygous for the delta F508 mutation. Morphologic observations showed that the cells were epithelial and were interconnected by sparsely distributed desmosomes. Their cytoplasm contained secretory-type structures including abundant Golgi, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and secretory vesicles. Immunofluorescent studies determined that all cells were positive for cytokeratins, mucin glycoconjugates, and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. The cultures secreted substantial amounts of mucin glycoproteins and expressed the MUC-2 mucin gene.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Echocardiographic evaluation of bupivacaine cardiotoxicity

In nine pentobarbital anesthetized dogs, the global effects of bupivacaine on the heart were examined during and after the onset of bupivacaine cardiotoxicity. The onset of bupivacaine cardiotoxicity was followed by the use of echocardiography to determine the sequence of events. The overall sequence of changes in the heart, demonstrated by the echocardiographic images, was markedly impaired systolic function and right ventricular dilation. The right ventricular dilation was so profound that it was associated with a septal shift into the left ventricle. Right ventricular dilation was so profound that the ability to maintain the whole ventricle within the echocardiographic image was lost. Areas obtained from the left ventricle at the two time points studied (the half-time from the beginning of injection to the occurrence of asystole referred to as midway through the toxic episode and at asystole) exhibited a significant systolic dilation only midway through the toxic episode. The mean total dose of bupivacaine resulting in the dilation of the ventricles was 14.0 +/- 3.3 mg/kg. The mean arterial pressure was reduced from control by 46.9% +/- 8.8% midway through the toxic episode. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure exhibited no significant change from before the bupivacaine injection sequence. A variety of conduction changes seen midway through the toxic episode were widening of the QRS complex, inversion, bradycardia, premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), or a combination of these. PVCs, if seen at all, were only beginning to develop and no heart block was seen in any dog midway through the toxic episode.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The effects of fibronectin on DNA synthesis and ultrastructure of periodontal ligament cells]

Microspectrophotometer and transmitted electron microscope (TEM) were used to study the change of DNA synthesis and ultrastructure after fibronection(FN) acted on cultured periodontal ligament cells (PDLC).The results showed that the data of nuclus area,nuclus total absorbs and nuclus mean absorbs of PDLC in FN group was higher than control(P<0.01).Under the TEM we observed that in FN group there were more euchromatin in cell nuclues and more organ cells such as microfilaments,chondriosomes and endoplasmic reticulum in cytoplasm.It suggested that FN can accelerate periodontal regeneration by promoting DNA and protein synthesis of PDLC.

[Cytological study on the effect of fibronectin in promoting periodontal regeneration]

Cell cultures and MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] colorimetric assay were used to observe the different biological effects of fibronectin (FN) on periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and gingival fibroblasts (GF). The results showed that FN has the capacity to accelerate PDL cell multiplication at dose 0.044 mumol/L, and accelerate GF multiplication at does from 0.089 mumol/L to 0.178 mumol/L. It suggests that PDL cells are more susceptible to FN than GF. So, the right amount of FN might promote the PDL cells to occupy root surface firstly and multiply, differentiate, and then to form a new connective tissue attachment.

A study on glycosylation of cationic peanut peroxidase

Cationic peroxidase from a cell suspension culture has two heterogeneously glycosylated forms, based on their Concanavalin A column binding property, namely CP-and CP+. In these two forms three out of five potential glycosylation sites are used. Asn60 and Asn185 are located in hydrophilic beta-turns, while Asn144 in a hydrophobic beta-sheet. Asn209 and Asn275 lacking glycans all have a proline residue at the C-terminal of the consensus sequence. The difference between CP- and CP+ is due to the heterogeneous glycosylation at individual glycosylation sites.

Characterization of two forms of cationic peroxidase from cultured peanut cells

Two forms of cationic peroxidase from peanut cells were differentiated by concanavalin A affinity chromatography. They differed in molecular mass as well as concanavalin A binding, leading to the initial suggestion that they represented two isozymes of peroxidase. However, similar values for the specific activity, Soret absorption, calcium content, and peptide molecular mass were observed for each of the forms. Therefore, the binding and nonbinding fractions most likely represent two molecular forms of cationic peanut peroxidase, rather than two distinct cationic isozymes. The difference between these two forms is discussed in terms of glycosylation. Through the amino acid sequence analysis of the formic acid treated peptide, the cationic isozyme has been shown to be identical in amino acid sequence to the cDNA clone PNC1.

The American, British and Dutch responses to unlinked anonymous HIV seroprevalence studies: an international comparison

With the identification of HIV as the etiological agent responsible for AIDS in 1984, it became clear that an understanding of the dimensions of the epidemic would require more than a careful detailing of the incidence and prevalence of overt symptoms of AIDS. To enable public health authorities to target and evaluate preventative interventions and plan for the health care services that would be required in the future as the infected progressed to symptomatic conditions, knowledge of the incidence and prevalence of HIV infection was critically needed.

The legality of unlinked anonymous screening for HIV infection: the U.S. approach

The purpose of this article is to describe the legal approach, and in particular, the specific statutory vehicle adopted by the U.S. with respect to unlinked anonymous screening, and to offer the U.S. approach as a possible model for those countries presently considering the implementation of unlinked HIV screening programs. Clear legal authorization for unlinked anonymous HIV testing is provided for by statute or regulation in the U.S. Federal regulations and various state laws specifically permit unlinked anonymous testing. Under these regulations and statutes, informed consent of a test subject is not required so long as testing is done for research purposes and the test results are not individually traceable to particular subjects.

A rare case of 68,XX triploidy diagnosed by amniocentesis

68,XX triploidy was found in the amniotic fluid cell culture of a 40-year-old patient. Elective termination of the pregnancy revealed a fetus with multiple congenital anomalies. While this case does show some common features with monosomy X, a greater similarity to the triploidy syndrome is observed.

Prostaglandins stimulate thyroid function in pregnant women

Intravaginal or intravenous administration of prostaglandin F(2alpha) to pregnant women produced significant elevations of plasma triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations, but no rise of thyrotropin. These observations are consistent with those of previous in vitro studies indicating that prostaglandins can act directly on the thyroid gland to stimulate thyroid hormone synthesis or release, or both.

VIBRIO PARAHAEMOLYTICUS–ISOLATION, IDENTIFICATION, CLASSIFICATION, AND ECOLOGY1

Vibrio parahaemolyticus was isolated from samples of water, sediment, blue crabs, oysters, and clams collected in several areas of Chesapeake Bay. Numerical taxonomy was used to identify and classify the bacterial isolates. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) base composition, serology, isozyme, gas chromatography, bacteriophage sensitivity, and DNA/DNA reassociation analyses confirmed the identification and classification of V. parahaemolyticus and permitted establishment of genetic relationships of the Chesapeake Bay strains with isolates from victims of food poisoning in Japan and from samples taken in geographically diverse areas of the United States. Isolates implicated in recent outbreaks of food poisoning, the first fully documented cases of V. parahaemolyticus food poisoning in the United States, were shown by DNA/DNA reassociation measurements to be closely related to the Japanese and other isolates collected in the United States. Fatty acid profiles of cell derivatives prepared using GLC were useful in diagnosing Vibrio spp., including V. parahaemolyticus and Vibrio cholerae. Bacteriophages isolated from ocean sediments collected off Cape Hatteras were found to be active against V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus. Distribution of V. parahaemolyticus appears to be restricted to coastal and estuarine regions. V. parahaemolyticus has been shown to be closely associated with zooplankton and a life cycle for V. parahaemolyticus in Chesapeake Bay is proposed.