Activity of clinafloxacin, compared with six other quinolones, against Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates.

The in vitro activity of clinafloxacin was studied in comparison with ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, nalidixic acid, sparfloxacin and trovafloxacin against Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates. Clinafloxacin showed a MIC(90) of 4 mg/L, whereas the remaining quinolones showed a MIC(90) equal to or higher than 16 mg/L. MIC(50) determination in the presence of reserpine resulted in a two-fold decrease, except for trovafloxacin, which decreased four-fold, and for moxifloxacin and nalidixic acid, which did not change.

In vitro activity of clinafloxacin in comparison with other quinolones against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia clinical isolates in the presence and absence of reserpine.

A total of 33 Stenotrophomonas maltophilia clinical isolates were tested for their susceptibility to clinafloxacin in comparison with ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin, sparfloxacin and trovafloxacin. The MIC(50) and MIC(90) were as follows: ciprofloxacin 4 and 64 microg/mL; clinafoxacin 0.5 and 4 microg/mL; levofloxacin 2 and 32 microg/mL; moxifloxacin 1 and 8 microg/mL; nalidixic acid 8 and 128 microg/mL; norfloxacin 64 and 256 microg/mL; sparfloxacin 1 and 16 microg/mL; and trovafloxacin 1 and 8 microg/mL.

Identification of a novel HLA-DQB1*06 allele, DQB1*0618.

We report here the identification of a novel DQB1*06 allele, DQB1*0618, found in a bone marrow donor. The new allele was detected during routine DNA-based HLA typing by an ambiguous pattern of probe hybridization, obtained by polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific oligonucleotides (PCR-SSO). Molecular cloning and sequencing confirmed that the new allele is identical to DQB1*0609 at exon 2 except for 3 nucleotide substitutions at positions 353, 356 and 367, also found in other alleles.

Identification of a new HLA-DRB1*04 allele, DRB1*0437.

In this report we describe the identification of a novel DRB1*04 allele, DRB1*0437, found in a Spanish individual. The routine HLA typing, in the context of bone marrow transplantation, by polymerase chain reaction-sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) made possible the identification of this new allele. This allele is identical to DRB1*0402 except for a single nucleotide substitution at position 286 (A-->C), changing the encoded Isoleucine to a Leucine.

Activity regulates programmed cell death of zebrafish Rohon-Beard neurons.

Programmed cell death is a normal aspect of neuronal development. Typically, twice as many neurons are generated than survive. In extreme cases, all neurons within a population disappear during embryogenesis or by early stages of postnatal development.

Identification and sequence characterization of a novel HLA-A11 serological variant (HLA-A*1108).

In this report we describe the identification of a novel HLA-A*11 allele, HLA-A*1108, found in two individuals of a Spanish family. This new allele was detected during routine HLA typing by an atypical serological reactivity pattern and by inconclusive patterns obtained in DNA-based typing methods. The nucleotide sequence of exons 2 and 3 of HLA-A*1108 was identical to HLA-A*11011 except for two nucleotide substitutions at codons 152 (GCG-->GAG) and 156 (CAG-->CGG).

Transfusion of incompatible RBCs to a patient with alloanti-Kp(b).

Background: The finding of an antibody that reacts against a high-incidence blood group antigen always constitutes a complex transfusion problem because of the difficulty in finding compatible units. When the transfusion of incompatible RBCs is imperative, it would be of great interest to have access to techniques facilitating the prediction of the transfusion outcome.

Study Design And Methods: The case of a patient with alloanti-Kp(b) who required RBC transfusions is reported.

Kv2 channels form delayed-rectifier potassium channels in situ.

A non inactivating potassium current known as the delayed rectifier plays a major role in membrane repolarization during an action potential. Whereas several candidate genes exist that code for potassium current, the identities of the molecular isotypes that are responsible in situ for membrane repolarization remain unidentified. We report that Kv2 channels play a major role in action potential repolarization.

Identification of a new HLA-DRB4 allele (DRB4*01033) by PCR-SSP and direct sequencing.

In this report, we describe the identification of a novel DRB4*01 allele, DRB4*01033, found in two Spanish Caucasian individuals. The new allele was detected during routine HLA typing by an unusual pattern of amplification obtained by polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) that did not match with any of the previously described DRB4 alleles. In order to establish the polymorphism responsible for this pattern exons 2 and 3 of the DRB4 locus were amplified and directly sequenced.

Synaptic activity modulates presynaptic excitability.

Synaptic activity modulates synaptic efficacy and is important in learning and development. Here we show that development of excitability in presynaptic motor neurons required synaptic activation of postsynaptic muscle cells. Synaptic blockade broadened action potentials and decreased repetitive firing of presynaptic neurons.

Xenopus embryonic spinal neurons express potassium channel Kvbeta subunits.

Developmental regulation of voltage-dependent delayed rectifier potassium current (I(Kv)) of Xenopus primary spinal neurons regulates the waveform of the action potential. I(Kv) undergoes a tripling in density and acceleration of it activation kinetics during the initial day of its appearance. Another voltage-dependent potassium current, the A current, is acquired during the subsequent day and contributes to further shortening of the impulse duration.

Analysis of the mechanisms of quinolone resistance in clinical isolates of Citrobacter freundii.

The presence of gyrA, gyrB and/or parC mutations, quinolone uptake, outer membrane protein profiles and epidemiological relationship were studied in 12 clinical isolates of Citrobacter freundii. No alterations were observed in the gyrB gene of any of the strains, or gyrA or parC of the four quinolone-susceptible strains (nalidixic acid MIC of 2-4 mg/L, and a ciprofloxacin MIC of 0.006-0.

Validation of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) classification for managing unstable angina.

To validate the AHCPR classification for the prognosis of unstable angina, 225 consecutive patients were recruited with a suspected diagnosis of that condition attending a tertiary hospital from November 1994 through April 1995 and followed for one year. One-hundred fifty-six (69.3%) patients were considered at high risk, 37 (16.

Potassium currents in developing neurons.

In Xenopus spinal neurons, delayed rectifier type voltage-dependent potassium currents (IKv) are developmentally regulated. These currents play a pivotal role in maturation of the action potential from a long-duration calcium-dependent impulse to a brief sodium-dependent one. Although spinal neurons are heterogeneous, IKv undergoes a synchronized and homogeneous developmental functional up-regulation across this diverse population of motor, sensory, and interneurons.

Perceived health over 3 years after percutaneous coronary balloon angioplasty.

The magnitude of the benefit of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in terms of quality of life depending on baseline and outcome clinical variables is not sufficiently understood because of the restrictive inclusion criteria of randomized clinical trials. The present study was designed to assess perceived health outcome at 3 years and its association with clinical variables after successful elective PTCA in a tertiary hospital throughout a prospective cohort study. Questionnaires were administered on the day before the procedure and 1 month and 3.

Clinical, radiographic and HLA associations as markers for different patterns of psoriatic arthritis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether the five clinical forms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) identified by Moll and Wright (Semin Arthritis Rheum 1973;3:55-78) could be clearly distinguished, especially as the disease evolved over time, to analyse whether radiographic features or HLA associations could define subsets with greater precision and to identify predictors of disease outcome.

Methods: Seventy-three patients (37 males and 36 females) were followed for a median time of 8 yr (range 1-16 yr). A standard clinical protocol was used to assess patients at each visit and two clinical scores.

POEMS syndrome, steroid-dependent diabetes mellitus, erythema elevatum diutinum, and rheumatoid arthritis as extramedullary manifestations of plasma cell dyscrasia.

POEMS syndrome is a rare synopsis of different multisystemic disorders (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammapathy, and skin lesions) associated with plasma cell dyscrasia. We herein report the atypical case of a 44-year-old white man presenting with glomerulopathy, POEMS syndrome, and erythema elevatum diutinum with a few-year history of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as early manifestations of IgAlambda multiple myeloma. The prescription of 1 mg/kg/day prednisone improved the patient's features dramatically.

[Trends of morbidity and mortality in chronic heart failure in Catalonia].

Introduction: The epidemiology of chronic heart failure, specifically its morbidity and mortality, is insufficiently known, despite the fact that it has an important economic impact because of the pharmacological treatment and the high hospitalization rate.

Objective: To analyze the trends of mortality and morbidity of chronic heart failure in Catalonia during the periods 1975-1994 and 1989-1994 respectively.

Patients And Methods: Specific mortality and morbidity rates (ages 45-65, and older than 65) were calculated for both sexes.

[Patients with acute coronary syndrome: therapeutic approach (management patterns) and 1-year prognosis in a tertiary general hospital].

Background: To assess the determinants of short-term and one-year prognosis of all patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome seen by the cardiologist on duty in the Emergency Service of a tertiary hospital during a six month period.

Patients And Methods: 153 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, 225 with a diagnosis of unstable angina and 89 with a diagnosis of atypical chest pain were identified and their in-hospital characteristics and one-year prognosis were prospectively assessed.

Results: Age was higher than 65 years in 53% of acute myocardial infarction and in 54% of unstable angina patients.

Is prophylactic treatment after myocardial infarction evidence-based?

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the use of evidence-based prophylactic treatment after myocardial infarction on hospital discharge and in primary care after 1 year of hospitalization.

Methods And Results: We conducted a 1-year prospective study of all the patients discharged from a tertiary hospital who had been treated for myocardial infarction from January 1 to December 31 1995. Three hundred and eighty surviving patients were consecutively discharged from the hospital.

Heteromultimeric potassium channels formed by members of the Kv2 subfamily.

Four alpha-subunits are thought to coassemble and form a voltage-dependent potassium (Kv) channel. Kv alpha-subunits belong to one of four major subfamilies (Kv1, Kv2, Kv3, Kv4). Within a subfamily up to eight different genetic isotypes exist (e.

Zebrafish touch-insensitive mutants reveal an essential role for the developmental regulation of sodium current.

Developmental changes in neuronal connectivity and membrane properties underlie the stage-specific appearance of embryonic behaviors. The behavioral response of embryonic zebrafish to tactile stimulation first appears at 27 hr postfertilization. Because the touch response requires the activation of mechanosensory Rohon-Beard neurons, we have used whole-cell recordings in semi-intact preparations to characterize Rohon-Beard cell electrical membrane properties in several touch-insensitive mutants and then to correlate the development of excitability in these cells with changes in wild-type behavior.

Development of electrical excitability in embryonic neurons: mechanisms and roles.

Xenopus spinal neurons serve as a nearly ideal population of excitable cells for study of developmental regulation of electrical excitability. On the one hand, the firing properties of these neurons can be directly examined at early stages of differentiation and membrane excitability changes as neurons mature. Underlying changes in voltage-dependent ion channels have been characterized and the mechanisms that bring about these changes are being defined.