Development of a polymerase chain reaction test for specific identification of the urinary tract pathogen Aerococcus urinae.

A polymerase chain reaction test was developed for identification of the gram-positive urinary tract pathogen Aerococcus urinae. Oligonucleotide primers were based on highly specific sequences within the small-subunit rRNA gene. A confirmatory test based on hybridization of the amplified products to a highly specific internal probe was also developed.

Isolated ocular involvement in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with immunocytochemical evaluation.

We report the case of a patient with isolated ocular involvement and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (also known as reticulum cell sarcoma). Most non-Hodgkin's central nervous system lymphomas are large cell lymphomas derived from B-cells. The patient initially had iritis OD and vitreous cells OS.

Globicatella sanguis gen.nov., sp.nov., a new gram-positive catalase-negative bacterium from human sources.

Phylogenetic studies were performed on some Gram-positive catalase-negative cocci from human clinical sources of uncertain taxonomic position. 16S rRNA sequence analysis demonstrated that the isolates represent a hitherto unknown line of descent within the low G+C Gram-positive bacteria for which the name Globicatella sanguis gen.nov.

Condylocephalic nailing in pertrochanteric fractures.

Because of the spectacular increase in the number of fractures of the proximal end of the femur, especially in the elderly, there is a great interest to find surgical techniques that are simple, decrease mortality, and restore early the functional status of the patients, thus reducing the hospital stay. From 1969 until 1989, 2660 fractures were treated with the Küntscher condylocephalic (KC) nail. The mean age of patients was 79 years, and the general condition was considered to be good in only 23%.

[Role of echography in septic arthritis of the hip in the newborn].

Pyogenic arthritis of the hip in neonates remains a serious problem. The sequelae of delay in diagnosis and treatment can be crippling. Five hips, in four neonates, with a presumed diagnosis of septic arthritis were examined with ultrasonography.

Development of a polymerase chain reaction-probe test for identification of Alloiococcus otitis.

A rapid polymerase chain reaction test was developed for specific identification of the human middle ear pathogen Alloiococcus otitis. Primers for the enzymatic amplification reaction were designed from highly specific sequences within the 16S rRNA gene. In addition, a confirmatory test based on hybridization of the polymerase chain reaction products to a specific internal probe was developed.

[Yellow nail syndrome: presentation of a case and review of the literature].

We discuss the yellow nails syndrome which is constituted by yellow nails, pleural effusion and lymphedema. After reviewing the literature, it can be said that nail disorders are an early and constant sign, and its absence could put in doubt the diagnosis of this syndrome. The most frequent pleuro-pulmonary disorder is the pleural effusion, chylous or exudative type.

Atherosclerotic aneurysms of the axillary artery. A report of two cases and a review of the literature.

Atherosclerotic axillary artery aneurysms are rare. We report two cases of this entity and review the literature with respect to clinical presentation, diagnosis, operative management, and long-term outcome of these lesions.

Phylogenetic analysis of some Aerococcus-like organisms from urinary tract infections: description of Aerococcus urinae sp. nov.

Partial 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequences of five Aerococcus-like organisms originally isolated from patients with urinary tract infections were determined using reverse transcriptase in order to clarify their taxonomic position. Analysis of the sequence data revealed that the clinical isolates represent a hitherto unknown line of descent within the genus Aerococcus. A new species, Aerococcus urinae, is proposed for these isolates.

Phylogenetic analysis of Alloiococcus otitis gen. nov., sp. nov., an organism from human middle ear fluid.

The partial 16S rRNA sequence of an unknown bacterium that was originally isolated from middle ear fluids of children with persistent otitis media was determined by reverse transcription. A comparison of this sequence with sequences from other gram-positive species having low guanine-plus-cytosine contents revealed that this bacterium represents a new line of descent, for which the name Alloiococcus otitis gen. nov.

Specific and intraspecific molecular typing of lactococci based on polymorphism of DNA encoding rRNA.

The rRNA gene restriction patterns or species of the genus Lactococcus were determined. Chromosomal DNA was digested with endonucleases and probed with radiolabelled DNA complementary to rRNA synthesized by random oligonucleotide priming using reverse transcriptase. Highly discriminatory restriction patterns were obtained which served to distinguish the five currently recognized lactococcal species.

Lipid peroxidation: a possible factor in late graft failure of coronary artery bypass grafts.

Atherosclerosis is the paramount cause of late vein graft failure after coronary artery bypass grafting. Lipid peroxidation, which may play a significant role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, was examined in segments of vein grafts (n = 6) harvested at reoperation for coronary disease. These were analyzed for cholesterol, phospholipid, triglyceride, and lipid peroxides.

Resistance to infection in murine beta-thalassemia.

Clinical evidence suggests that individuals with chronic iron overload may be at increased risk of bacterial infection. We studied this question by using a unique model in which mice homozygous for a deletion in the gene encoding for the beta-major globin develop moderate anemia, splenomegaly, and tissue iron overload, a syndrome similar to beta-thalassemia in humans. Mice heterozygous for the gene deletion were phenotypically normal.

Importance of venodilatation in prevention of left ventricular dilatation after chronic large myocardial infarction in rats: a comparison of captopril and hydralazine.

In rats with large myocardial infarctions, we compared the effects of captopril, a presumed arterial and venous vasodilator, with hydralazine, which is thought primarily to be an arterial vasodilator. To determine if the effects of captopril were dependent on the pathophysiological consequences of heart failure, we also studied a group of noninfarcted rats treated with captopril. In noninfarcted rats treated with captopril, left ventricular (LV) systolic and mean aortic pressures decreased from 132 +/- 12 to 107 +/- 15 mm Hg and 122 +/- 1 to 100 +/- 2, respectively (p less than 0.

Tuberculosis of the knee. Surgical or conservative treatment?

This report presents the clinical histories and the radiological, histologic and bacteriological findings of nine patients with tuberculosis of the knee, diagnosed and treated between 1974 and 1980. The authors review the results of the medical and surgical treatments.

Comparative studies of erythroid growth factors.

Representative specimens from two classes of Vertebrata Sub-Phyllum, Bufo paracnemis (amphibian) and Gallus domesticus (avian) were made anemic by phenylhydrazine treatment. Appearance of serum factors able to stimulate the proliferation of mammalian erythroid cells was tested. Normal and anemic sera from Gallus domesticus and Bufo paracnemis were fractioned by alcoholic treatment and assayed by the post-hypoxic mice method, showing null uptake of 59Fe.

A comparison of multiple and single sleep latency and cerebral evoked potential (P300) measures in the assessment of excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy-cataplexy.

A direct comparison was made between the amplitude of evoked potential (EP) component P3 (by the P300 paradigm), a known sensitive EP correlate of sleepiness, and sleep latency measures (both to stage 1 or rapid eye movement [REM] and to stage 2 or REM) of the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) in 11 untreated narcoleptics and matched controls. Repeated P3 measures were performed immediately prior to standard MSLT naps at 10:00 a.m.

Effects of 10- to 12-day treatment with L-thyroxine in rats with myocardial infarction.

The effects of treatment with L-thyroxine (T4) for 10-12 days on left ventricular (LV) function and myosin isoenzyme content in rats with LV dysfunction after myocardial infarction were studied. Electrocardiogram (ECG) criteria were used to select animals with large myocardial infarctions. These animals were divided into six groups: control and five treatment groups that received daily subcutaneous injections of T4 (1.

Variability of the thymidine labeling index in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Tritiated thymidine (3HTdR) labeling is the standard technique for determining the kinetic activity of tumors. This method has been used to label multiple sections of tumor specimens obtained from seven patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Considerable variability was observed in the labeling index in different sites from the same specimen.

Serial changes in left ventricular relaxation and chamber stiffness after large myocardial infarction in rats.

To determine the time course of changes in left ventricular diastolic properties after a large myocardial infarction, we serially measured left ventricular relaxation, chamber stiffness, and the ratio of left ventricular cavity to wall volume (V/VW) after coronary artery ligation in rats. Left ventricular relaxation was measured during the occlusion and then both relaxation and chamber stiffness were measured at 3 hr, 24 hr, and 3, 5, and more than 22 days after infarction. Left ventricular pressures and left ventricular dP/dt were recorded with micromanometer-tipped catheters.

Persistent Campylobacter jejuni infections in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

We identified Campylobacter jejuni infections in four patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); three had persistent and severe C. jejuni infections. Multiple isolates obtained from each patient had the same biochemical and serotypic characteristics, indicating recurrent infection rather than reinfection with unrelated strains.