Single injection, inspiratory/expiratory high-pitch dual-source CT angiography for median arcuate ligament syndrome: novel technique for a classic diagnosis.

This article discusses a novel technique for dynamic imaging of median arcuate ligament syndrome utilizing low dose CT technology and a single contrast injection.

The Hershey access clinic: a model for improving patient access.

Background: When waiting times for new and return patient visits at Hershey Medical Center's Department of Dermatology approached 4 and 2 months, respectively, the Hershey access clinic was implemented to increase access for patients with acute problems.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the Hershey access clinic on patient care.

Results: The great majority of patients were satisfied with the access clinic.

CNTF-activated astrocytes release a soluble trophic activity for oligodendrocyte progenitors.

CNTF (ciliary neurotrophic factor) has been suggested to be an important survival factor for oligodendrocytes; however, this effect is inconsistently obtained and myelination appears normal in CNTF null animals. On the other hand, CNTF stimulates astrocytes to produce growth and trophic factors. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that CNTF acts indirectly through astrocytes to promote oligodendrocyte survival.

Further development of a new transgenic mouse test for the evaluation of the immunogenicity and protective properties of inactivated poliovirus vaccine.

Recently, we developed and optimized a new method for the evaluation of the protective properties of serotype 2 inactivated poliovirus vaccines (IPV). The method is based on the immunization and subsequent challenge of transgenic (Tg) mice susceptible to poliovirus. We describe a similar method for the assessment of the protectiveness of serotype 1 IPV and demonstrate that experimental IPV produced from attenuated Sabin strain (sIPV) of serotype 1 poliovirus induced serum neutralizing antibodies, immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgM, and salivary IgA at titers comparable to those induced by conventional IPV (cIPV) produced from the wild-type Mahoney strain.

Genomic analysis of vaccine-derived poliovirus strains in stool specimens by combination of full-length PCR and oligonucleotide microarray hybridization.

Sabin strains of poliovirus used in the manufacture of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) are prone to genetic variations that occur during growth in cell cultures and the organisms of vaccine recipients. Such derivative viruses often have increased neurovirulence and transmissibility, and in some cases they can reestablish chains of transmission in human populations. Monitoring for vaccine-derived polioviruses is an important part of the worldwide campaign to eradicate poliomyelitis.