Viridans streptococci causing community acquired pneumonia

In children under 5 years of age, presenting to the paediatric emergency room with clinical and radiological findings of pneumonia, viridans streptococci were isolated in 10/33 positive haemocultures as the only microorganism. Viridans streptococci should therefore not be ruled out as a cause of pneumonia.

Effects of dietary sodium and genetic background on angiotensinogen and Renin in mouse

Elements of a renin-angiotensin system expressed along the entire nephron, including angiotensinogen secreted by proximal tubule and renin expressed in connecting tubule, may participate in the regulation of sodium reabsorption at multiple sites of the nephron. The response of this tubular renin-angiotensin system to stepwise changes in dietary sodium was investigated in 2 mouse strains, the sodium-sensitive inbred C57BL/6 and the sodium-resistant CD1 outbred. Plasma angiotensinogen was not affected by sodium regimen, whereas plasma renin increased 2-fold under low sodium. In both strains, the variation in urinary parameters did not parallel the changes observed in plasma. Angiotensinogen and renin excretion were significantly higher under high sodium than under low sodium. Water deprivation, by contrast, induced significant activation in the tubular expression of angiotensinogen and renin. C57BL/6 exhibited significantly higher urinary excretion of angiotensinogen than did CD1 animals under both conditions of sodium intake. The extent to which these urinary parameters reflect systemic or tubular responses to challenges of sodium homeostasis may depend on the relative contribution of sodium restriction and volume depletion.

Median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials in patients with lacunar and other small subcortical strokes

We recorded median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) in 42 patients with small subcortical strokes associated with lacunar syndromes. Seventeen patients had abnormal SSEPs. The P22 component was most often affected; changes in N20 and N18 were less common. Four patients with pure motor strokes (PMS) had abnormal SSEPs. Abnormalities of P22 correlated best with motor findings; those of N20 with sensory signs and symptoms. Similar SSEP abnormalities were produced by lesions in various locations. P22 and N20 abnormalities occurred independently and together. We conclude: (1) abnormal SSEPs are common in patients with small subcortical strokes associated with lacunar syndromes, including pure motor stroke; (2) P22 and N20 have separate cortical generators; and (3) P22 may be generated within sensory pathways which are adjacent to or influenced by motor pathways.