Recurrent enchondroma protuberans: a case report.

Enchondroma protuberans is a rare benign tumor. We present a case of late recurrence of a previously reported enchondroma protuberans in the hand. This was treated successfully with curettage and calcium carbonate grafting.

Experience induces structural and biochemical changes in the adult primate brain.

Primates exhibit complex social and cognitive behavior in the wild. In the laboratory, however, the expression of their behavior is usually limited. A large body of literature shows that living in an enriched environment alters dendrites and synapses in the brains of adult rodents.

Phylogenetic analysis of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus strains from the Arabian Peninsula: did RHDV emerge simultaneously in Europe and Asia?

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) emerged in 1984 in China and subsequently a single strain apparently dispersed worldwide killing millions of rabbits. Two isolates that caused outbreaks in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have been sequenced and analysed phylogenetically. The Saudi Arabian lineage is directly descended from the Chinese strain, but the Bahrain isolate occupies a distinct and more divergent lineage than the Chinese virus implying that epidemic RHDV strains have emerged at least twice during the past 20 years and are co-circulating in both domestic and wild rabbits.

Abnormal elevation of FMR1 mRNA is associated with psychological symptoms in individuals with the fragile X premutation.

Until recently, individuals with premutation alleles (55-200 CGG repeats) of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene were believed to be psychologically unaffected. However, the recent documentation of abnormal elevation of FMR1 mRNA, discovery of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), and reports of psychiatric disorders in children and adults with the premutation have suggested a pathogenic gene-brain-behavior mechanism. In a large collaborative study, 68 men and 144 women with the FMR1 premutation completed a psychological symptoms checklist and FMR1 genetic testing, including determination of CGG repeat size, percentage of FMR1 protein (FMRP)-positive lymphocytes, and FMR1 mRNA levels.

Trade treaties and alcohol advertising policy.

Restrictions on alcohol advertising are vulnerable to challenge under international trade agreements. As countries negotiate new trade treaties and expand the scope of existing ones, the risk of such a challenge increases. While alcohol advertising restrictions normally do not distinguish between foreign and domestic products, this neutral character does not protect them from being challenged under trade rules.

Nonviremic transmission of West Nile virus.

West Nile virus (WNV) is now the predominant circulating arthropod-borne virus in the United States with >15,000 human cases and >600 fatalities since 1999. Conventionally, mosquitoes become infected when feeding on viremic birds and subsequently transmit the virus to susceptible hosts. Here, we demonstrate nonviremic transmission of WNV between cofeeding mosquitoes.

Rapid subgroup identification of the flaviviruses using degenerate primer E-gene RT-PCR and site specific restriction enzyme analysis.

A simplified and rapid method for the diagnosis of all flaviviruses could provide an important tool for understanding their epidemiology. A protocol based on the use of degenerate nested oligonucleotide primers and RT-PCR was developed for the identification of flaviviruses. The primers were selected to flank the three E-gene markers that identify the viruses, giving DNA products of 971-986 (outer primers) and 859-884 bp (inner primers).

Reductions by aquatitanium(II).

Solutions of titanium(II), prepared by dissolving titanium wire in mixtures of hydrofluoric and triflic acids, reduce quinones, nitrosodisulfonate anion, and complexes of cobalt(III). When the oxidant is taken in excess, these reactions yield Ti(IV), whereas with excess reductant, the principal product is Ti(III). These reactions are compared with those by Ti(III).

Virus evolution during a severe dengue epidemic in Cuba, 1997.

Full-length genomic sequences from six DENV-2 isolates sampled at different times during a dengue outbreak that occurred in Cuba in 1997 were determined. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these isolates fall into the "American/Asian" genotype. Genome analysis revealed strong conservation of the structural proteins and the non-coding regions (5' NCR and 3' NCR).

Tick-borne virus diseases of human interest in Europe.

Several human diseases in Europe are caused by viruses transmitted by tick bite. These viruses belong to the genus Flavivirus, and include tick-borne encephalitis virus, Omsk haemorrhagic fever virus, louping ill virus, Powassan virus, Nairovirus (Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus) and Coltivirus (Eyach virus). All of these viruses cause more or less severe neurological diseases, and some are also responsible for haemorrhagic fever.

Ovarian steroids influence cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of the adult female rat in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

In previous work, we have demonstrated that cell proliferation in the adult hippocampal formation is regulated by estrogen under both natural and experimental conditions. To determine the extent to which this regulation is affected by the dose or schedule of hormone treatment, or progesterone administration, we examined the impact of different acute and chronic ovarian hormone replacement regimens on cell production using the S-phase marker bromodeoxyuridine. Additionally, we investigated the long-term impact of surgical ovarian hormone depletion on the capacity of estrogen to stimulate cell proliferation and the production of new cells that express either TuJ1 (a marker of neuronal phenotype) or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP; a marker of astroglial phenotype).

Dengue virus type 2 in Cuba, 1997: conservation of E gene sequence in isolates obtained at different times during the epidemic.

It was recently reported that disease severity increased during the 1997 Cuban dengue 2 virus epidemic and it was suggested that this might be explained by the appearance of neutralization resistant escape mutants. We investigated these observations and ideas by sequencing 20 dengue 2 virus isolates obtained during the early (low case fatality rate) and the late (high case fatality rate) phases of the outbreak. Our results showed total conservation of the E gene sequence for these isolates suggesting that the selection of envelope gene escape mutants was not the determinant of increased disease severity.

Concentrated smear technique for examining sentinel lymph nodes of the breast at the time of frozen section.

Examination of sentinel lymph nodes for breast carcinoma in the frozen section room at the time of surgery is useful and, if positive, can result in completion axillary dissection at that time. To avoid wasting tissue, many pathologists use direct smears to examine these specimens. We sought to determine whether a concentrated smear technique that was subjectively easier to screen was as sensitive as standard direct and imprint smears.

Reactions of tris(oxalato)cobaltate(III) with two-electron reductants.

The tris(oxalato)cobaltate(III) complex [Co(C(2)O(4))(3)](3-), E(o)(Co)(III/II)=+0.57 V) is readily reduced by the 2e(-) reagents, Sn(II) and Ge(II), in contrast to (NH(3))(5)CoCl(2+) and (NH(3))(5)CoBr(2+), which are unreactive toward these donors. Rates for the oxalato oxidant are only 10(-3)-10(-2) as great as those for vitamin B(12a)(aquacob(III)alamin, E(o)+0.

Complete genome analysis and molecular characterization of Usutu virus that emerged in Austria in 2001: comparison with the South African strain SAAR-1776 and other flaviviruses.

Here we describe the complete genome sequences of two strains of Usutu virus (USUV), a mosquito-borne member of the genus Flavivirus in the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) serogroup. USUV was detected in Austria in 2001 causing a high mortality rate in blackbirds; the reference strain (SAAR-1776) was isolated in 1958 from mosquitoes in South Africa and has never been associated with avian mortality. The Austrian and South African isolates exhibited 97% nucleotide and 99% amino acid identity.

Reactions of octacyanomolybdate(V) and octacyanotungstate(V) with s(2) metal-ion reducing centers.

The s(2) centers, Sn(II), Ge(II), and In(i) reduce Mo(V)(CN)(8)(3-) and W(V)(CN)(8)(3-) quantitatively to the corresponding octacyanomolybdate(IV) and -tungstate(iv) anions. Reductions by In(i) proceed 10(3)-10(5) times as rapidly as those by Sn(II) and Ge(II). All reactions are triggered by a single electron oxidation, yielding a much more reactive s(1) intermediate.

Susceptibility of mosquito and tick cell lines to infection with various flaviviruses.

The genus Flavivirus consists of more than 70 virus species and subtypes, the majority of which are transmitted by mosquitoes or ticks, although some have no known vector (NKV). The ability of these viruses to infect cultured cells derived from mosquito or tick species offers a useful insight into the suitability of such vectors to harbour and replicate particular viruses. We undertook a comparative study of the susceptibility of mammalian Vero cells, a clonal mosquito cell line (C6/36) and recently developed cell lines derived from the ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Ixodes ricinus (L.

Learning enhances the survival of new neurons beyond the time when the hippocampus is required for memory.

Trace memories are formed when a stimulus event becomes associated with another event that occurs later in time and is discontinuous with the first event. The formation of trace memories enhances the survival of newly generated neurons in the dentate gyrus of the adult hippocampus (Gould et al., 1999a).

Papillomas and atypical papillomas in breast core needle biopsy specimens: risk of carcinoma in subsequent excision.

We sought to define the risk associated with papillomas and atypical papillomas in breast core needle biopsy specimens from a series of approximately 8,500 biopsies performed during 8 years. From a total of 62 papillary lesions (including papillomas and atypical papillomas), 40 (65%) had histologic follow-up. Overall, 15 (38%) of 40 patients had ductal carcinoma in situ (12 cases) or invasive carcinoma at excision (3 cases).

Dominance hierarchy influences adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus.

Many mammalian species form dominance hierarchies, but it remains unknown whether differences in social status correspond to structural differences in the brain. Stressful experiences may arise naturally during the establishment of dominance, and stress has been linked to adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus. To determine whether position in a dominance hierarchy leads to changes in adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus, we examined the brains of rats housed in a visible burrow system (VBS), a seminaturalistic environment with opportunities for social interaction.

Early life experience alters response of adult neurogenesis to stress.

Maternal deprivation produces persistent abnormalities in behavioral and neuroendocrine functions associated with the hippocampus, a brain region that shows considerable structural change in response to experience throughout life. Here we show that adverse experience early in life affects the regulation of adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus. More specifically, a decrease in cell proliferation and immature neuron production are observed in the dentate gyrus of adult rats that are maternally separated as pups.

Ticks need not bite their red grouse hosts to infect them with louping ill virus.

For pathogens transmitted by biting vectors, one of the fundamental assumptions is often that vector bites are the sole or main route of host infection. Here, we demonstrate experimentally a transmission route whereby hosts (red grouse, Lagopus lagopus scoticus) became infected with a member of the tick-borne encephalitis virus complex, louping ill virus, after eating the infected tick vector. Furthermore, we estimated from field observations that this mode of infection could account for 73-98% of all virus infections in wild red grouse in their first season.

Live flavivirus vaccines: reasons for caution.

Context: Dengue, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, yellow fever, and West Nile viruses cause substantial morbidity and mortality each year. Modern transportation and the relaxation of mosquito-control measures are largely responsible for the increase of disease caused by flaviviruses. Without effective antiviral drugs, vaccination offers the best chance of decreasing the incidence of these diseases, and live virus vaccines are the most promising and cost effective.