Biocompatible Hydrogel for Intra-Articular Implantation Comprising Cationic and Anionic Polymers of Natural Origin: In Vivo Evaluation in a Rabbit Model.

We describe the functional capability of a cross-linked hydrogel composed of sulfated glycosaminoglycans and a cationic cellulose by conducting trials on experimental animal models using intra-articular implants to treat an articular disease called osteoarthritis. Forty-eight mature New Zealand white rabbits were divided into three experimental groups: A, B, and C. Group A and B underwent unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) of the right knee.

Blood lead levels in indigenous peoples living close to oil extraction areas in the Peruvian Amazon.

Background: High blood lead levels (BLLs) have been previously reported in indigenous people living in communities in the northern Peruvian Amazon. Oil extraction activities have been conducted in the area since the 1970s and have been identified as a source of lead exposure.

Objective: Measure BLL and assess risk factors associated with BLL among indigenous populations from four river basins of the northern Peruvian Amazon.

Oil extraction in the Amazon basin and exposure to metals in indigenous populations.

Most oil extraction areas in the Peruvian Amazon are within indigenous territories. Poor environmental practices have exposed the indigenous population to metals. We conducted a survey in two indigenous Kukama communities to assess body burdens of metals after the occurrence of two major oil spills in 2014.

Long-term follow-up and predictive factors of recurrence of anemia in a cohort of 102 very elderly patients explored for iron-deficiency anemia.

Aim: To evaluate long-term follow-up and predictors of relapse of anemia in a cohort of 102 very elderly patients previously explored for iron-deficiency anemia (IDA).

Methods: One hundred and two patients [61 women and 41 men, mean age 82+/-5.8 y (75 to 98)] explored for IDA were prospectively followed up from inclusion (June 2003 to May 2005) until death or May 2006.

A computerised medical manpower database--an assessment of its value in medical education.

The development of a computerised medical and dental manpower database for medical education in the West of Scotland is described. The purpose of the database is to provide the West of Scotland Committee for Postgraduate Medical Education with information on the career patterns of doctors and dentists, and to assist in the planning of training. Data collection is from a wide variety of sources and confidentiality and security are paramount.

Thyrotrophin (TSH)-binding proteins in bacteria and their cross-reaction with autoantibodies against the human TSH receptor.

A screen of a range of bacteria normally found in gut flora identified eight with the ability to bind TSH specifically. These included the previously reported Yersinia enterocolitica, Gram-positive, Gram-negative, pathogenic and commensal organisms. Eleven preparations of TSH-receptor autoantibodies strongly able to displace 125I-labelled TSH from the mammalian TSH receptor differed in their ability to displace the tracer from binding to bacterial extracts.

Mucosal association by Clostridium difficile in the hamster gastrointestinal tract.

For many organisms, mucosal association is an important virulence determinant. Although studied in detail for other intestinal pathogens, this aspect of pathogenicity has not been studied for Clostridium difficile. We compared the ability of an avirulent non-toxigenic strain (M-1), a highly virulent toxigenic strain (B-1), and a poorly virulent toxigenic strain (BAT) of C.

Clostridium difficile--a spectrum of virulence and analysis of putative virulence determinants in the hamster model of antibiotic-associated colitis.

Each of nine different toxigenic strains of Clostridium difficile was administered orally to groups of hamsters pre-treated with clindamycin and housed individually in sterile isolator boxes. Faecal pellets and caecal contents from well, diarrhoeic, moribund and freshly dead animals were analysed for C. difficile and toxins A (enterotoxin) and B (cytotoxin), and tissue obtained when animals were killed was examined histologically.

Analysis of latex agglutination test for Clostridium difficile toxin A (D-1) and differentiation between C difficile toxins A and B and latex reactive protein.

Virulent toxigenic and avirulent non-toxigenic strains of Clostridium difficile gave a positive result in the latex agglutination test (LAT) for C difficile toxin A (D-1). Similar concentrations of latex agglutinating antigen were produced by these strains in vivo. Positive reactions were also given by C sporogenes, proteolytic C botulinum Types A, B, and A/F, and Bacteroides assaccharolyticus.

Treatment of relapsing Clostridium difficile diarrhoea by administration of a non-toxigenic strain.

Two patients with relapsing Clostridium difficile diarrhoea following metronidazole and vancomycin therapy were colonised with a non-toxigenic avirulent Clostridium difficile strain given orally in three doses. Both patients appeared to respond without side-effects. Oral bacteriotherapy with a defined nontoxigenic strain of Clostridium difficile would appear to represent an acceptable, alternative and novel way to treat hospitalised patients who relapse with Clostridium difficile diarrhoea after specific antibiotic therapy.

Asymptomatic carriage of Clostridium difficile in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Faecal samples from 37 patients with cystic fibrosis and 40 control patients at the Brompton Hospital and the London Chest Hospital were examined for the presence of Clostridium difficile. The organism was isolated from 2 (17%) of control patients who were receiving antibiotics and from one (3.6%) of control patients who had no antimicrobial treatment.

An in-vitro model of colonisation resistance to Clostridium difficile infection.

To investigate the importance of the normal gut flora in preventing the establishment of Clostridium difficile in vivo we have developed an in-vitro test system based on growth in faecal emulsions. Growth of C. difficile and cytotoxin production are inhibited in faecal emulsions from healthy adults, but not in sterilised emulsions; the importance of viable bacteria in the inhibitory system is evident.

Epidemiology of diarrhoea caused by enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens.

Enterotoxigenic strains of Clostridium perfringens have recently been implicated in some cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. We present here the results of an epidemiological study of this disease. Five cases of diarrhoea caused by C.

Diarrhoea due to enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens: clinical features and management of a cluster of ten cases.

Clostridium perfringens has recently been shown to be associated with antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. We describe here the clinical features and management of an outbreak of diarrhoea in a Geriatric Unit. Ten cases were due to enterotoxigenic C.

Microbial and metabolic profile of achlorhydric stomach: comparison of pernicious anaemia and hypogammaglobulinaemia.

The microbial flora and some of its metabolites and enzymes in the stomach were compared in patients with achlorhydria, pernicious anaemia, and primary hypogammaglobulinaemia and in patients with dyspepsia with normal gastric acidity. Detailed analysis of the flora of the gastric juice and of the mucosa from the antrum, body, and fundus in six patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia (mean pH 8.2), seven patients with pernicious anaemia (mean pH 7.

Protection of hamsters against Clostridium difficile ileocaecitis by prior colonisation with non-pathogenic strains.

Prior colonisation of clindamycin-treated hamsters with non-toxigenic strains of C. difficile protected them from subsequent colonisation with a toxigenic pathogenic strain. In total, 13 of 18 'protected' hamsters survived for up to 27 days whereas all 27 animals challenged with the toxigenic strain alone died within 48 h.

Enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens: a possible cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.

Free Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin was detected in the stools of 11 patients with diarrhoea. All had high faecal counts of enterotoxigenic strains of C perfringens, mostly of serotypes not commonly associated with food poisoning. 10 of these 11 patients had severe or prolonged diarrhoea which had developed after antibiotic treatment.

Bacterial colonization and nitrite concentration in the achlorhydric stomachs of patients with primary hypogammaglobulinaemia or classical pernicious anaemia.

The degree and type of bacterial colonization was similar in achlorhydric patients with either severe primary hypogammaglobulinaemia or classical pernicious anaemia. This suggests that antibodies do not play a significant part in controlling the gastric flora in achlorhydric patients. The nitrite concentration in gastric juice was higher in the hypogammaglobulinaemia patients, raising the possibility that these patients may have very high levels of nitrite-derived mutagenic compounds in their gastric juice.

Household pets as a potential reservoir for Clostridium difficile infection.

The purpose of this study was to assess the carriage of Clostridium difficile by household pets to determine their potential as a reservoir of infection. The selective cycloserine-cefoxitin medium was used for C difficile isolation, and tissue culture used for detection of cytotoxin. Carriage of C difficile by household pets was found to be common (23%).