The effects of salt concentration and growth phase on MRSA solar and germicidal ultraviolet radiation resistance.

The extensive use of antimicrobial drugs has led to the widespread emergence of resistant bacterial strains. One such organism, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is now found extensively in both healthcare facilities and diverse community settings such as households, correctional facilities, and athletic teams. The importance of ultraviolet radiation as an adjunctive therapy to reduce bioburden and improve wound status in patients has been documented.

IFN-gamma at the site of infection determines rate of clearance of infection in cryptococcal meningitis.

In animal models, immunity to cryptococcal infection, as in many chronic fungal and bacterial infections, is associated with a granulomatous inflammatory response, intact cell-mediated immunity, and a Th1 pattern of cytokine release. To examine the correlates of human immunity to cryptococcal infection in vivo, we analyzed immune parameters at the site of infection over time and assessed the rate of clearance of infection by serial quantitative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fungal cultures in 62 patients in a trial of antifungal therapy for HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis. CSF IL-6, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-8 were significantly higher in survivors compared with nonsurvivors.

Mother-to-child transmission of human herpesvirus-8 in South Africa.

To investigate transmission of human herpesvirus (HHV)-8, 2546 mother-child pairs were recruited from rural clinics in South Africa and were tested for antibodies against lytic and latent HHV-8 antigens. The prevalence of antibodies in children increased with increasing maternal antibody titer (lytic, chi 21=26, and P<.001; latent, chi 21=55, and P<.

Exploring the public understanding of basic genetic concepts.

It is predicted that the rapid acquisition of new genetic knowledge and related applications during the next decade will have significant implications for virtually all members of society. Currently, most people get exposed to information about genes and genetics only through stories publicized in the media. We sought to understand how individuals in the general population used and understood the concepts of "genetics" and "genes.

Laboratory testing in autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

There are a number of pathological conditions in which tissue damage occurs in association with immune activation directed against components of normal tissue. The initial damaging events usually involve cells of the immune system, the T-cells, but the cell damage releases antigens that become targets for an antibody response. The detection and quantification of autoantibodies has become an important component in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, the systemic vasculitides and systemic sclerosis.

Quality of life among men treated with brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

Brachytherapy, the implantation of permanent radiation sources into the transperineal area, is being used with increasing frequency as treatment for localized prostate cancer. In this study, men undergoing brachytherapy evaluated their quality of life (QoL) before and after treatment. Brachytherapy affects QoL within the domains of emotional well-being and specific prostate concerns.

Antibody response to pneumolysin and to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide in healthy individuals and Streptococcus pneumoniae infected patients.

Background: Animal experiments have shown that antibodies against capsular polysaccharide enhance phagocytosis of pneumococcal bacteria and that antibodies against pneumolysin are anti-inflammatory and prevent pneumococcal invasion. It is not known if an antibody response to pneumolysin can be acquired from natural exposure to pneumococcal bacteria or how the concentration of pneumolysin antibody at the mucosal surface compares with that of antibodies against pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide. This study used an equal potency method to measure specific antibody concentrations against pneumolysin and pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides in order to facilitate comparative estimates of concentrations in saliva and serum.

Behavioral interventions to reduce the pica of persons with developmental disabilities.

The consumption of nonfood items (i.e., pica) frequently occurs in persons with developmental disabilities.

A Domain in the C-terminal region of latency-associated nuclear antigen 1 of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus affects transcriptional activation and binding to nuclear heterochromatin.

The latency-associated nuclear antigen 1 (LANA-1) of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is required for the maintenance and replication of viral episomal DNA. The binding sites for nuclear heterochromatin and transcriptional repressor complexes are located in an amino-terminal region of LANA-1, whereas those for viral episomal DNA, p53, pRB, and members of the BRD/fsh family of nuclear proteins are located in its carboxy-terminal domain. LANA-1 activates or represses several cellular and viral promoters.

Genotypic analysis methods for detection of drug resistance mutations in the HIV-1 proteinase and reverse transcriptase genes.

Understanding the basis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug resistance represents a key requirement for individualized HIV patient care. The genotypic data generated to date have already provided significant insight. However, it is clear that the relationship between genotype, phenotype and clinical outcome is complex and still poorly defined.

Precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia presenting as osteoblastic bone lesions.

Lymphoblastic lymphoma is a neoplasm of precursors lymphoid cells morphologically indistinguishable from those of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Approximately 10% to 20% of cases are of the precursor B-cell (P-BLL) phenotype. This type of lymphoma most often manifests in the skin and lymph nodes.

Risk factors for human herpesvirus 8 infection in a cohort of drug users in the Netherlands, 1985-1996.

To elucidate the mode of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) transmission in a population of Amsterdam drug users, HHV-8 seroprevalence and seroincidence were determined in 1179 drug users in the Amsterdam Cohort Studies (1985-1996). Risk factors for HHV-8 infection were examined. Serum samples were screened with an enzyme immunoassay by using HHV-8 lytic capsid (open-reading frame [ORF] 65) and latent nuclear (ORF73) antigens; positive results were confirmed by Western blot and immunofluorescence assay.

Focusing on local health needs and promoting new partnerships.

Government reports have stressed the importance of community-based interventions in addressing health inequalities. This article discusses the pivotal role played by a health visitor and school nurse team in identifying the health needs of a local community and working in partnership with local people, key community groups, health and youth workers to address these specific needs. A health needs assessment highlighted the need for a parenting programme to support parents in managing young children's behaviour, a forum for teenagers to socialize and access pertinent health information and health days to raise public awareness of key community health issues.

Recombination in human herpesvirus-8 strains from Uganda and evolution of the K15 gene.

Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) is believed to be the aetiological agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). KS accounts for half the reported cancer cases in Uganda, and occurs in endemic and epidemic [human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated] forms. We confirmed a high prevalence (74%) of HHV-8 antibodies in 114 HIV-negative Ugandan blood donors, and characterized the genomes of HHV-8 strains present in 30 adult Ugandan KS patients.

Synthesis and potassium channel opening activity of substituted 10H-benzo[4,5]furo[3,2-b]indole-and 5,10-dihydro-indeno[1,2-b]indole-1-carboxylic acids.

Compounds in a structurally novel series of substituted 10H-benzo[4,5]furo[3,2-b]indole-1-carboxylic acids and related 5,10-dihydro-indeno[1,2-b]indole-1-carboxylic acids were prepared and shown to possess potent, bladder-selective smooth muscle relaxant properties and thus are potentially useful for the treatment of urge urinary incontinence. Electrophysiological studies using rat detrusor myocytes have demonstrated that prototype compound 7 produces a significant increase in hyperpolarizing current, which is iberiotoxin (IbTx)-reversed, thus consistent with activation of the large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium channel (BK(Ca)).

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus serology in Europe and Uganda: multicentre study with multiple and novel assays.

A multicentre study was undertaken to define novel assays with increased inter-assay concordance, sensitivity, specificity and predictive value for serological diagnosis of human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) infection. A total of 562 sera from European and Ugandan human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected or uninfected individuals with or without Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and blood donors were examined under code by 18 different assays in seven European laboratories. Sera from KS patients and all non-KS sera found positive by at least 70%, 80%, or 90% of the assays were considered "true positive.

Serum levels of the antiinflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 are decreased in patients with unstable angina.

Background: Proinflammatory cytokines play a role in acute coronary events. However, the potential role of antiinflammatory cytokines in the modulation of the atherosclerotic process remains unknown. Interleukin (IL)-10, which is expressed in human atherosclerotic plaques, has potent deactivating properties in macrophages and T cells.

Efficacy of the beta3-adrenergic receptor agonist CL-316243 on experimental bladder hyperreflexia and detrusor instability in the rat.

Purpose: Recent evidence indicates that in a number of species detrusor relaxation is mediated through activation of the beta3-adrenergic receptor. We determined whether activation of the beta3-adrenergic receptor would be a useful therapeutic approach for bladder instability. We profiled in vitro activity of the beta3-adrenergic receptor agonist CL-616243 and the efficacy of this compound in experimental models of detrusor instability and bladder hyperreflexia.

No increased human herpesvirus 8 seroprevalence in patients with HIV-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is closely associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), HIV-associated Castleman's disease, and primary effusion lymphoma. As a high frequency of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) has been reported in patients with HIV-associated KS, we hypothesized that HHV-8 infection could be indirectly implicated in the pathogenesis of NHL. We assessed the prevalence of HHV-8 antibodies in 63 patients with NHL compared with 126 HIV-infected matched control patients without NHL.