Comparison of three probiotics in the treatment of acute diarrhea in mentally retarded children.

Background: This article aims to compare the use of VIS-01 (Yovis) with two other probiotics (lactic acid bacteria), such as Lactogèrmine and Codex in the treatment of acute diarrhea in children with mental retardation. A recent paper highlights the superiority of the first drug, claiming new perspectives in probiotic therapy.

Methods: The authors perform a prospective study on 33 mentally retarded children (mean age 10.

Fat malabsorption assessed by 14C-triolein breath test in HIV-positive patients in different stages of infection: is it an early event?

The aim of this study was to evaluate fat absorption in HIV-positive (HIV+) patients in different phases of HIV infection using a 14C-triolein breath test. We distributed 47 HIV+ patients according to the 1993 Centers for Disease Control Revised Classification: 20 in Group 2 (A1 or A2) and 27 in Group 3 (B1, B2, A3, B3, or C). Ten HIV-negative healthy subjects comprised the control group (Group 1).

HIV-1 diversity in Brazil: genetic, biologic, and immunologic characterization of HIV-1 strains in three potential HIV vaccine evaluation sites. Brazilian Network for HIV Isolation and Characterization.

The Brazilian Network for HIV Isolation and Characterization was established for the surveillance of HIV variability in Brazil. Here, we report characterization of HIV strains and virus-specific immune responses from 35 clinical samples collected from three potential HIV vaccine sites. Three genetic subtypes of HIV-1 were identified by heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) B (in 82.

New mutations in XNP/ATR-X gene: a further contribution to genotype/phenotype relationship in ATR/X syndrome. Mutations in brief no. 176. Online.

The molecular causes of ATR-X syndrome reside in mutations involving the XNP/ATR-X gene, which maps in the Xq13.3 region. Mutational analysis of this gene in two unrelated affected patients allowed us to identify two new molecular defects in two distinct regions of the gene.

[Dynamics of institutionalization of older adults in Belo Horizonte, Brazil].

Introduction: Epidemiological and social changes related to population aging in Brazil will probably increase the need for nursing homes (NH). The study analyses the dynamics of institutionalization in Belo Horizonte, a 3 million inhabitant city of whom 8.0% are aged 60 or more.

Cardiofaciocutaneous (CFC) syndrome.

An 11-year-old boy affected by mental retardation and seizures demonstrates congenital heart defect, many dysmorphic features and dry skin. His hair is sparse over the vertex with alopecia of the eyebrows and eyelashes. There are horny small papules evident in those areas.

Concurrent pituitary and adrenal tumors in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism: 17 cases (1978-1995).

Objective: To describe the clinicopathologic characteristics of dogs with hyperadrenocorticism and concurrent pituitary and adrenal tumors.

Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: 17 client-owned dogs.

Direct detection of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin in patients' stools during an outbreak of food poisoning.

An outbreak of diarrhoea in a hotel affected 25 time keepers attending the 1997 Mediterranean Games. Epidemiological investigation implicated a 'pasta al ragù' consumed at the hotel's restaurant and Clostridium perfringens food poisoning was identified by direct detection of C. perfringens enterotoxin in patients' stools.

Pharmacokinetics of exogenous corticotropin in normal dogs, hospitalized dogs with non adrenal illness and adrenopathic dogs.

Corticotropin (ACTH) pharmacokinetics was assessed in 10 normal dogs receiving exogenous ACTH (0.5 U/kg, i.v.

Persistence of protection through 33 months of age provided by immunization in infancy with two three-component acellular pertussis vaccines. Stage II Working Group.

A large, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in Italy on two three-component pertussis vaccines, given as DTaP in infancy, one manufactured by SmithKline and Beecham (SB) and one by Chiron Biocine (CB), found each vaccine to be 84% efficacious through the average age of 24 months. The cohort of children enrolled in the trial was followed with unmodified case ascertainment procedures for nine additional calendar months, during which partial unblinding occurred, for the unvaccinated randomized group. For the DTaP groups, the specific vaccine assignment remained double-blinded throughout the entire additional observation period.

Predictors of adverse events after the administration of acellular and whole-cell diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines.

Recurrence of adverse events, the effect of site of injection, and concurrent administration of oral polio vaccine (OPV) and hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) on reactogenicity were assessed in recipients of two acellular pertussis vaccines given in combination with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DTaP), one whole-cell DTP vaccine (DTPwc) and one DT vaccine during a double blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Local and systemic side reactions were more likely to recur after the administration of DTaP and DT compared with DTPwc. In all vaccine groups, injection in the buttock was associated with a lower rate of common adverse events compared with injection in the thigh, while simultaneous administration of OPV and/or HBV did not increase the risk of onset of side reactions.

The distribution of body water and general approach to the patient.

This article discusses some of the basic issues concerning fluid therapy in small animals. It is hoped that the reader is able to assess the fluid needs of a dog or cat presented for veterinary treatment. The remaining articles address particular fluid compositions and fluid choices in patients with a variety of diseases and electrolyte imbalances.

An intriguing case of LEOPARD syndrome.

We report a 9-year-old boy affected by LEOPARD syndrome, who also had ichthyosis, axillary freckling, two café au lait spots, and one neurofibroma. The diagnosis of LEOPARD syndrome has been made on clinical grounds, whereas the ichthyosis and neurofibroma have been histologically confirmed. The analogies between LEOPARD syndrome and neurofibromatosis have been discussed.

Eight new mutations of the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene in Italian patients with hyperphenylalaninemia.

This report identifies eight new mutations of the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene detected in Italian patients with hyperphenylalaninemia. The trivial name of the mutations, predicted phenotypic effect, and population of origin (Italian region) are as follows: F55L (nonconservative change: classic, moderate, mild PKU ?; Sicily), IVS2nt-13 (splicing defect, classic PKU; Tuscany), I65N (nonconservative change classic, moderate, mild PKU ?; Sicily), H201Y (non-PKU HPA; Sicily), I269L (non-PKU HPA, or polymorphism; Sicily), IVS7nt3 (splicing defect or polymorphism; Sicily), I283N (classic PKU; Sicily), IVS12nt2 (splicing defect, classic PKU; Sicily and Apulia). In Sicily, the relative frequency of mutations F55L, I65N, H201Y, I269L, IVS7nt3, I283N, IVS12nt2 is < 1%.

The effect of levothyroxine treatment on resting energy expenditure of hypothyroid dogs.

Thirty adult, client-owned dogs were diagnosed with hypothyroidism based on history, physical examination findings, hematologic and biochemical abnormalities, thyrotropin (TSH) response testing, endogenous canine thyrotropin (cTSH) concentration, or both, and total serum thryoxine concentration. All dogs received levothyroxine (L-thyroxine) at an initial dose of 22 micrograms/kg PO sid in either a tablet (13 dogs) or chewable form (17 dogs). Energy expenditure of each dog during apparent rest was estimated with an open-flow indirect calorimetry system by determining the rates of carbon dioxide production and oxygen consumption.

Outbreak of paralytic poliomyelitis in Albania, 1996: high attack rate among adults and apparent interruption of transmission following nationwide mass vaccination.

After >10 years without detection of any cases of wild virus-associated poliomyelitis, a large outbreak of poliomyelitis occurred in Albania in 1996. A total of 138 paralytic cases occurred, of which 16 (12%) were fatal. The outbreak was due to wild poliovirus type 1, isolated from 69 cases.

Prevalence of markers of exposure to Bordetella pertussis among Italian young adults.

Titers of serum antibody and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to Bordetella pertussis antigens were assessed in a cohort of Italian military school students for whom the coverage of pertussis vaccination was low. The overall prevalence of IgG antibody above the minimum level of detection (MLD) was 71.6% for pertussis toxin (PT), 81% for pertactin (PRN), and 99% for filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA).

Comparison of results of adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation and low-dose dexamethasone suppression tests with necropsy findings in dogs: 81 cases (1985-1995).

Objective: Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of results of low-dose dexamethasone suppression (LDDS) and ACTH stimulation tests with necropsy findings in 81 dogs.

Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: 81 dogs that had undergone screening tests for hyperadrenocorticism and that had a complete necropsy report.