Seroprevalence to bovine virus diarrhoea virus and other viruses of the bovine respiratory complex in Venezuela (Apure State).

Six hundred and fifteen serum samples obtained from cows in five districts of Apure State, Venezuela, were tested by ELISA for antibodies to bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV). The same samples were also ELISA-tested for antibodies to bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV). Additionally, the haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test was used for detecting antibodies to parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV-3).

Electrophoretic karyotype of environmental isolates of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

Five of the 12 environmental isolates of the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis known to date, were analysed by contour-clamped homogeneous electric field gel electrophoresis (CHEF). The electrophoretic pattern was shown to consist of five bands, with molecular size ranging from 3.2 to 10 Mb, a model quite similar to the one found in the clinical isolates previously tested and used here as controls.

Determination of carbaryl, carbofuran and methiocarb in cucumbers and strawberries by monoclonal enzyme immunoassays and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. An analytical comparison.

Carbaryl, carbofuran and methiocarb are three of the most important N-methylcarbamate pesticides. In the present work, the application of laboratory-developed monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to the determination of these compounds in fruits and vegetables is described. Cucumbers and strawberries were spiked with the three carbamates at 10, 50 and 200 ppb.

Human immunodeficiency virus antibody testing by enzyme-linked fluorescent and western blot assays using serum, gingival-crevicular transudate, and urine samples.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible utilization of saliva and urine as alternative samples to serum for the diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. A total of 302 individuals participated in the study: 187 HIV-infected individuals (106 had Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] stage II infection, 19 had CDC stage III infection, and 62 had CDC stage IV infection) and 115 noninfected persons (46 of the noninfected persons were blood donors and 69 belonged to a group at high risk of HIV infection). Paired saliva and urine samples were taken from each of the participants in the study.

Right-sided heart failure in a dog with primary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma.

A seven-year-old, female German shepherd mixed-breed dog was presented with weakness, inappetence, and a distended abdomen. Right-sided heart failure with pleural, pericardial, and abdominal effusions; dyspnea; and tachycardia were identified. The radiographic and electrocardiographic examinations did not allow a conclusive diagnosis.

A comparative study by the enzyme-linked immunofiltration assay of solid phases used in the development of flow immunosensors.

The application of an inert membrane-based, enzyme-linked immunofiltration assay (ELIFA) to the characterization of immunosorbents suitable for flow immunosensor development is described. For direct assays, eight monoclonal antibodies (MAb) raised against the insecticide carbaryl were immobilized on three sorbents, namely, controlled pore glass (CPG), hydrazide derivatized agarose beads and a hydrophilic polymer with immobilized Protein A/G. The interaction between immobilized antibodies and antigen was directly detected using a carbaryl hapten conjugated to horseradish peroxidase.

Sub- and supercritical fluid extraction of trichloropyridinol from soil prior to immunoassay.

A comparative study on the extraction of TCP (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol, a metabolite of chlorpyrifos) from soil with CO2 and H2O is reported. The polarity of the analyte requires the presence of both a cosolvent (methanol) and an ion-pair reagent [(1R)-(-)-10-camphorsulfonic acid ammonium salt] for 95% extraction in 30 min when supercritical CO2 at 40 degrees C and 383 bar is used as extractant. Subcritical water (250 degrees C and 200 bar) enables complete extraction within 15 min without additives.

Electrophoretic karyotype of clinical isolates of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

Chromosomal DNA molecules were obtained from eight clinical isolates of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis during the early staged of the yeast to mycelial transformation process and were separated by contour-clamped homogeneous electric field gel electrophoresis. In seven of the isolates, it was possible to separate five bands, albeit with two different migration patterns (A and B). In the remaining isolate only four bands were observed (pattern C).

Topography of cardiac ganglia in the adult human heart.

Published descriptions of the topography of cardiac ganglia in the human heart are limited and present conflicting results. This study was carried out to determine the distribution of cardiac ganglia in adult human hearts and to address these conflicts. Hearts obtained from autopsies and heart transplant procedures were sectioned, stained, and examined.

Postmortem findings in lung transplant recipients.

Lung transplantation is now an accepted modality for treating end-stage lung disease. To better understand the factors limiting the survival of these patients, we reviewed the autopsy findings in 37 patients who received lung transplants. Between 1986 and 1995, 131 patients have undergone lung transplantation at our institution, including 4 patients with repeat transplantations.

Arterial impedance in patients during intraaortic balloon counterpulsation.

Background: Symptomatic improvement of a patient's hemodynamic condition during intraaortic balloon counterpulsation (IABC) is considered to result largely from a reduction in afterload. Afterload can be accurately quantified by arterial input impedance measurements. Here we report the effect of IABC on arterial impedance in humans.

Post-lung transplant biopsies: an 8-year Loyola experience.

A total of 125 transplant procedures involving the lung have been performed at Loyola University of Chicago in 120 patients. There were 67 single (40 right, 27 left), 44 bilateral single, 2 double lung, and 12 heart-lungs (HL) transplant procedures. This paper summarizes the pathologic findings in 565 transbronchial, 102 endobronchial, 20 open lung, and 92 endomyocardial biopsies and compares them with the recommendations in the published literature.

Natural history of allograft coronary arteriopathy: a retrospective study of 54 patients over a 8 1/2-year period.

A total of 288 patients underwent heart transplantation at Loyola University Medical Center over a 8 1/2-year period starting in March, 1984. Of these patients, 54 were identified as having allograft coronary arteriopathy. Diagnosis was made on the basis of abnormal findings on coronary angiography in 44 patients; either an autopsy or explanted heart revealed the diagnosis in the remainder.

Effect of HeartMate left ventricular assist device on cardiac autonomic nervous activity.

Background: Clinical performance of a left ventricular assist device is assessed via hemodynamic parameters and end-organ function. This study examined effect of a left ventricular assist device on human neurophysiology.

Methods: This study evaluated the time course change of cardiac autonomic activity of 3 patients during support with a left ventricular assist device before cardiac transplantation.

Aspergillus and lung transplantation.

Background: Aspergillus infection is a known complication of transplantation.

Methods: We describe our experience with 37 patients who received lung transplants over 2 years at Loyola University Medical Center. All patients who had evidence of aspergillus on culture of clinical specimens or had biopsies with hyphal forms consistent with aspergillus were categorized according to the clinical manifestations.

Incidence of phrenic neuropathy after isolated lung transplantation. The Loyola University Lung Transplant Group.

Background: Isolated lung transplantation is a viable therapeutic option for many patients with end-stage pulmonary disease. Other intrathoracic surgical procedures have a well documented incidence of phrenic nerve dysfunction, although the incidence after lung transplantation has not been studied.

Methods: Thirty-one patients who underwent lung transplantation were evaluated for evidence of phrenic nerve dysfunction and subsequent recovery.

Optimal size matching in single lung transplantation.

Background: Single lung transplantation for patients with end-stage obstructive lung disease has been highly effective in providing symptomatic relief, and it has been performed at a much increased frequency since 1983. However, there still lacks a convincing study showing the effect of size match and other preoperative variables in predicting functional outcome of patients after transplantation.

Methods: We evaluated 23 single lung transplantations performed for obstructive lung disease over a 34-month period.

DNA flow cytometry of canine mammary tumours: the relationship of DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction to clinical and histological features.

The DNA ploidy status and S-phase fraction (SPF) of benign proliferative lesions (BPL) and malignant tumours (MT) in the mammary glands of dogs were determined by flow cytometric analysis and the results were related to their clinical and histological features. Seven (14.3 per cent) of 49 BPL and 16 (48.

Survival and functional outcome after single and bilateral lung transplantation. Loyola Lung Transplant Team.

Background: The experience at Loyola University Chicago was retrospectively reviewed to evaluate survival and functional outcome after single lung transplantation (SLT) and bilateral lung transplantation (BLT).

Methods: Ninety patients underwent lung transplantation at Loyola University Chicago between April 1990 and December 1993. Mean age was 45 years (range, 13 to 66 years).

Chronic cardiac rejection masking as constrictive pericarditis.

The hemodynamic changes consistent with constrictive pericarditis are often encountered in patients who have undergone cardiac transplantation. We describe here 4 patients who underwent pericardiectomy after cardiac transplantation. All were found to have evidence of a thickened and constricting peel of pericardium at surgical exploration.

Blood groups and malaria.

The possible relationship between erythrocyte antigens and the presence of malaria infection by P. vivax and P. falciparum was sought in four different ethnic groups of two departments of Colombia.

The Loyola University lung transplant experience.

Background: We reviewed our experience with isolated lung transplantation at Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Ill. From April 1990 through June 1992, 33 lung transplantations for end-stage pulmonary disease were performed (30 single lung, three bilateral single lung). Recipient diagnoses include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, alpha 1-antiprotease deficiency, pulmonary fibrosis, primary pulmonary hypertension, Eisenmenger's syndrome, sarcoidosis, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and bronchiolitis obliterans.

Heart and lung grafts harvested en bloc: operative technique, utilization, and results.

Combined heart and lung transplantation has been shown to provide successful therapy for patients with end-stage heart and lung disease. The improved success of lung transplantation has resulted in increasing number of potential recipients and longer waiting times. Maximal utilization of all three thoracic organs is no longer a casual goal but of utmost necessity.

Nonthoracotomy lead system for implantable defibrillator.

Over a 2-year period, 110 patients underwent attempted implantation of an automatic cardioverter-defibrillator using the nonthoracotomy lead system. Indications included sustained monomorphic ventricular (n = 62), nonsustained with poor ventricular function (n = 7), ventricular fibrillation (n = 21), ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (n = 18), and familial long QT syndrome (n = 2). There were 90 male and 20 female patients.