Sialic acid as receptor of Bacteroides fragilis lectin-like adhesin.

It was observed that sialic acid and macromolecules rich in this sugar were able to inhibit the hemagglutination activity (HA) of Bacteroides fragilis strains in low concentrations. Reversion of the HA and also of the adsorption to beads of Sepharose coupled to bovine submaxillary mucin, by this sugar residue corroborated the recognition capacity of the bacterial lectin-like adhesin. However, when erythrocytes were treated with clostridial neuraminidase, an increase in the HA of some strains was observed.

Use of MAC-ELISA for evaluation of yellow fever vaccination.

An evaluation of the IgM antibody immune response against yellow fever using strain 17D was carried out by MAC-ELISA and PRNT. The results showed an agreement of 97% between both tests and the authors conclude that MAC-ELISA can be used as a specific and sensitive assay to replace the PRNT for detecting yellow fever antibodies in human sera, after vaccination programs.

Pressure drops through arterial stenosis models in steady flow condition.

Measures of pressure drops were made in two different plexiglass models of axial-symmetric arterial stenoses. The stenosis models had the same area reduction (86 percent) but were of different length so as to have a different tapering degree. Pressures were measured in steady flow condition at three equidistant points of the stenosis: upstream, in the middle, and downstream.

Effect of metronidazole on surface properties of Bacteroides fragilis.

The effects of subinhibitory concentrations of metronidazole on the general morphology, ultrastructure and charge and hydrophobicity of Bacteroides fragilis were investigated using transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and measurements of zeta-potentials and contact angles. Metronidazole treatment induced morphological alterations in B. fragilis.

A new nonlinear two-dimensional model of blood motion in tapered and elastic vessels.

An original mathematical model for the local study of blood motion in tapered and distensible arteries was developed. The theory takes into account the nonlinear terms of the Navier-Stokes equations, as well as wall motion and instantaneous taper angle, and allows the calculation of axial and radial velocity profiles with low computational complexity. The relationship between instantaneous flow and the pressure gradient in steady and dynamic conditions is evaluated by means of the mathematical model.

Study of two different enzyme immunoassays for the detection of Mayaro virus antibodies.

This paper presents the evaluation of an enzyme immunoassay in which Mayaro virus-infected cultured cells are used as antigen (EIA-ICC) and an IgM antibody capture ELISA (MAC-ELISA) for Mayaro serologic diagnosis using 114 human sera obtained during a Mayaro outbreak occurred in Bolivia, in 1987. Results were compared with those obtained by haemagglutination-inhibition test (HAI). MAC-ELISA was the most sensitive technique for anti-Mayaro IgM detection.

Epidural pressure measurement in the rat.

An original device for the epidural pressure measurement in the rat is presented. The reliability of epidural pressure as an index of intracranial pressure is discussed and several possible causes of error are examined. The device has been tested under conditions both of transient and prolonged cerebral blood volume increase, obtained by venous outflow obstruction.

Mammary carcinoma--multidisciplinary treatment with bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction.

The classical concepts pertaining to the natural history of mammary carcinoma and its treatment must be reviewed if survival rate is to be improved. By the time diagnosis is established, a fair amount of cases of carcinoma of the breast present distant, clinically undetectable micrometastases, which will not be affected by local therapy (surgery or radiation). Increasing evidence shows that mammary carcinoma nowadays must be looked upon as a diffuse disease affecting both breasts.