Performance of two-dimensional shear wave elastography and transient elastography compared to liver biopsy for staging of liver fibrosis.

Background: Staging of liver fibrosis traditionally relied on liver histology; however, transient elastography (TE) and more recently two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) evolved to noninvasive alternatives. Hence, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of 2D-SWE assessed by the Canon Aplio i800 ultrasound system using liver biopsy as reference and compared the performance to TE.

Methods: In total, 108 adult patients with chronic liver disease undergoing liver biopsy, 2D-SWE and TE were enrolled prospectively at the University Hospital Zurich.

Absorption, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics of tebufelone in the rat.

Tebufelone (NE-11740) is a member of the new di-tert-butylphenol class of anti-inflammatory agents. It exhibits good inhibitory activity against cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase in vitro. It also shows excellent anti-inflammatory activity and inhibits bone resorption in vivo in the rat adjuvant arthritis model at an oral dose level of 1 to 2 mg/kg.

Viability of Salmonella in bone meal.

The ability of Salmonella to survive varying concentrations of sodium metabisulphite incorporated into bone meal (rendered animal by-product) was investigated. No viable Salmonella was detected after 4 days of exposure of the micro-organisms to 5,000 ppm of sodium metabisulphite. The minimum killing concentration of metabisulphite was also established at 4,000 ppm.

Possible typhus-group infection in New York State: presentation of four suspect cases.

Epidemiologic investigations were recently conducted on four cases which were reported in New York State in 1986 and 1987, three of which were within one family. These included hospital chart reviews, case or family interviews, animal trappings, and ectoparasite surveys. Serologic tests and immunoblots were performed on blood samples obtained from these patients.

Photochemically induced binding of Rh(phen)2Cl2+ to DNA.

The photoinduced covalent binding of the title compound to native and heat denatured DNA is described. The level of binding has been measured by UV (for DNA) and atomic absorption (for Rh) analysis. Quantum efficiencies of 6.

Nucleic acid hybridization for detection of cell culture-amplified adenovirus.

A number of recombinant plasmids containing genomic segments of adenovirus were constructed. Seven cloned probes, as well as total adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) and Ad16 genomic DNA, were tested by a nucleic acid hybridization technique for sensitivity and specificity in detecting adenoviruses in infected cells. Adenovirus DNA was spotted onto a nitrocellulose filter and hybridized with 32P-labeled DNA probes.

Detection of enteroviruses using subgenomic probes of Coxsackie virus B4 by hybridization.

The objective of this research was to develop group- and type-specific probes for the detection of enteroviruses. Coxsackie virus B4 RNA was cloned, and a series of subgenomic clones were generated. Six of these clones, containing sequences from the 3' end or the 5' end of the genome, were tested for their ability to detect these viruses in a small number of infected cells employing nucleic acid hybridization technique and total cytoplasmic RNA from a panel of 11 serotypes of enteroviruses.

cDNA probes of individual genes of human rotavirus distinguish viral subgroups and serotypes.

The use of cDNA probes for detection of rotaviruses has been investigated using plasmids containing inserts specific for each of the eleven genes of human rotavirus strain Wa. In a dot-blot detection system in which radioactive DNA probes were hybridized to viral RNA extracted from cultivatable rotavirus strains, cDNAs of genes 7, 8, 10 and 11, were found to be the most reliable probes for detecting a range of rotavirus strains. Unexpectedly, rotaviruses could be distinguished with respect to subgroup and subtype specificities when cDNAs of genes 6 and 9, which encode the immunologically relevant proteins VP6 (group-specific antigen) and VP7 (type-specific antigen), were used as probe, even though the nucleic acid sequences of these genes are known to have a high degree of sequence homology.

Widespread outbreaks of clam- and oyster-associated gastroenteritis. Role of Norwalk virus.

Consumption of raw shellfish has long been known to be associated with individual cases and sporadic outbreaks of enteric illness. However, during 1982, outbreaks of gastroenteritis associated with eating raw shellfish reached epidemic proportions in New York State. Between May 1 and December 31, there were 103 well-documented outbreaks in which 1017 persons became ill: 813 cases were related to eating clams, and 204 to eating oysters.

Influenza viruses and paramyxoviruses in ducks in the Atlantic flyway, 1977-1983, including an H5N2 isolate related to the virulent chicken virus.

From 1977 to 1983, waterfowl migrating along the Atlantic flyway were annually monitored for orthomyxoviruses and paramyxoviruses in an area in central New York State. A total of 168 influenza isolates were obtained from 1,430 waterfowl. Twenty-four combinations of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase subtypes were detected, with as many as 12 found in a single year.

Diagnosis of rotavirus infection with cloned cDNA copies of viral genome segments.

The diagnostic potential of cloned cDNA copies of human rotavirus (strain WA) genome segments for the detection of rotavirus in clinical specimens has been determined. A hybridization assay in which a mixture of 32P-labeled cDNAs representing the 11 rotavirus segments was used as a probe compared favorably with three frequently used diagnostic tests for rotavirus in terms of both specificity and sensitivity. Significantly, clinical isolates could be readily distinguished when cloned cDNA copies of individual genome segments were used independently as a probe.

Evaluation of the Potential for Botulinal Toxigenesis in Reduced-Sodium Processed American Cheese Foods and Spreads.

Process cheese foods and spreads manufactured to contain low sodium concentrations (ca 320 mg/100 g or 90 mg/28 g, one serving) and added delta-gluconolactone (0.33%) were resistant to toxigenesis by Clostridium botulinum inoculated at a rate of 1000 spores/g and held at 30°C for 84 d. Low pH values (5.

Circulation of influenza viruses and paramyxoviruses in waterfowl originating from two different areas of North America.

Migratory waterfowl and shore birds harbour a wide range of influenza viruses, some of which have been implicated in influenza outbreaks in mammals and domestic birds. In the present study, a comparison was made of two marshalling areas for different migratory flyways of waterfowl in North America over a 6-8-year period. Virtually all known influenza subtypes were isolated and the predominant subtype changed from year to year.

California serogroup viruses in New York State: the role of subtypes in human infections.

The roles of various subtypes of the California serogroup viruses as infectious agents and as neuropathogens were evaluated by using the plaque reduction neutralization test. Sera from 394 patients with central nervous system (CNS) infections during 1971-1982 and from 501 persons without CNS manifestations were studied. Jamestown Canyon (JC) and La Crosse (LAC) viruses were found to have been common infectious agents in New York State for at least 16 years.

Attachment of Salmonella to mammalian cells in vitro.

The attachment of Salmonella typhimurium strain PHL67342 to several mammalian tissue culture cell lines was investigated. Strain PHL67342 failed to attach in significant numbers to the Buffalo green monkey (BGM), swine testicular (ST), and HeLa cell lines. Significant attachment was observed with the Henle intestinal cell line.

Monoclonal antibodies against La Crosse virus.

Monoclonal antibodies have been used to show that an epitope is present on the G1 glycoprotein of prototype La Crosse virus that is absent or significantly altered on several isolates of La Crosse virus made in New York State, U.S.A.

Effect of lipopolysaccharide mutations on the pathogenesis of experimental Salmonella gastroenteritis.

Lipopolysaccharide mutants of Salmonella typhimurium provoked diminished amounts of fluid in rabbit ileal loops as compared with the response to the wild type. The responses elicited by these mutants ranged from 0 to 60% of that caused by the parent strain. Two completely rough mutants and one leaky rough mutant were chosen for further study.

Effects of potassium sorbate and other antibotulinal agents on germination and outgrowth of Clostridium botulinum type E spores in microcultures.

The effects of potassium sorbate, sodium hypophosphite, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium nitrite, and linoleic acid on the germination and outgrowth of Clostridium botulinum type E spores were studied in microcultures. At pH 5.8 to 6.