Enantiomeric separation of N-protected amino acids by non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis with dimeric forms of quinine and quinidine derivatives serving as chiral selectors.

A non-aqueous capillary electrophoretic method with quinine and tert.-butyl carbamoylated quinine as chiral selectors was developed previously for the enantioseparation of N-protected amino acids. This system was here applied as a screening tool for a fast evaluation of the chiral discrimination potential of six new dimeric forms of carbamoylated quinine and quinidine derivatives as chiral additives: 1,3-phenylene-bis(carbamoylated quinine), 1,6-hexamethylene-bis(carbamoylated quinine), 1,6-hexamethylene-bis(carbamoylated quinidine), trans-1,4-cyclohexylene-bis(carbamoylated quinine), trans-1,4-cyclohexylene-bis(carbamoylated-11-dodecylthio-dihydroquinine) and trans-1,4-cyclohexylene-bis(carbamoylated-11-dodecylsulfinyl-dihydroquinine).

Enantiomer separation of N-protected amino acids by non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography with tert.-butyl carbamoylated quinine in either the background electrolyte or the stationary phase.

A non-aqueous CE method was developed for evaluating the chiral discrimination potential of cinchona alkaloids and different kinds of carbamoylated derivatives of quinine and quinidine type chiral selectors towards acidic analytes, in particular a series of various Bz (benzoyl), DNB (3,5-dinitrobenzoyl) and DNZ (3,5-dinitrobenzyloxycarbonyl) amino acid derivatives. In this study, the enantioselectivity values obtained in non-aqueous CE with tert.-butyl carbamoylated quinine as chiral additive have been compared with the values found for the same series of selectands in HPLC using the same selector immobilized onto silica as chiral stationary phase.

Analysis of illicit amphetamine seizures by capillary zone electrophoresis.

Capillary zone electrophoresis was applied for the determination of amphetamine and related substances in seized drugs. A buffer made of 0.1 M phosphoric acid adjusted to pH 3.

Hospital-acquired Aspergillus fumigatus infection: can molecular typing methods identify an environmental source?

Aspergillus fumigatus infection in hospitalized immunocompromised patients often raises suspicion regarding the potential for hospital acquisition. Hospital staff have an important responsibility in implementing preventive measures, especially since the advent of current legislation concerning hospital-acquired infections. There have been high expectations that molecular typing methods might determine the source of Aspergillus fumigatus, a ubiquitous mould.

Emergence of Enterobacter aerogenes as a major antibiotic-resistant nosocomial pathogen in Belgian hospitals.

Objective: To study the epidemiology of Enterobacter aerogenes infections in Belgian hospitals and determine whether recent trends show an increase in incidence of E. aerogenes infections and antimicrobial resistance.

Methods: Data from the bloodstream infection component of the National Surveillance of Hospital Infections (October 1992 to September 1996 data in 45 hospitals) and from a retrospective study on E.

A longitudinal study of lung transplant recipients infected with Aspergillus: genetic polymorphism of A fumigatus.

Background: Aspergillus infection is a well-known complication of lung transplantation and remains associated with high mortality rates. Molecular typing methods are required to elucidate the complex epidemiology of Aspergillus disease in lung transplant recipients.

Methods: Eight lung transplant recipients from one hospital were followed for A fumigatus colonization or infection.

A Campylobacter coli foodborne outbreak in Belgium.

In May 1995, the Scientific Institute of Public Health was informed of an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness in a congregational school in the Brussels area. The field investigation identified 24 cases with mild to severe gastrointestinal and general symptoms of acute bacterial enterocolitis. Campylobacter coli was detected in the stools of 5 patients.

Molecular epidemiology of airway colonisation by Aspergillus fumigatus in cystic fibrosis patients.

A total of 109 sequential and multiple Aspergillus fumigatus isolates corresponding to 41 samples from seven cystic fibrosis (CF) patients was typed by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) with the primer NS3 from the fungal ribosomal gene 18S subunit, and by sequence-specific DNA primer (SSDP) analysis. RAPD typing of the isolates revealed 10 different genotypes, whereas nine genotypes were identified by SSDP. Combination of the two typing methods permitted the differentiation of 25 overall genotypes.

Trends in gonorrhoea in nine western European countries, 1991-6. European Study Group.

Objective: To present, describe, and assess trends in gonorrhoea in western Europe between 1991 and 1996.

Methods: A European Union concerted action was initiated in 1990 to monitor the prevalence of HIV among patients with a sexually transmitted infection in sentinel networks in western Europe. Data from this concerted action were used to assess trends in gonorrhoea between 1991 and 1996.

Trends in HIV seroprevalence among patients with sexually transmitted diseases in 17 European sentinel networks, 1990-1996. European Study Group.

Objective: To monitor trends in HIV seroprevalence among sentinel populations of patients with new sexually transmitted disease episodes in 17 networks of 15 European countries.

Methods: Time trends were estimated by logistic regression for homo-/bisexual men, injecting drug users (IDU) and non-IDU heterosexuals. The networks were included as independent variables to account for different prevalence levels across Europe.

Non-aqueous capillary electrophoretic enantioseparation of N-derivatized amino acids using cinchona alkaloids and derivatives as chiral counter-ions.

A non-aqueous capillary electrophoretic method developed with quinine and tert.-butyl carbamoylated quinine as chiral selectors for the enantioseparation of N-protected amino acids was applied to the investigation of other quinine derivatives as chiral additives. The optimum composition of the background electrolyte was found to be 12.

A case-control study after a hantavirus infection outbreak in the south of Belgium: who is at risk?

Puumala is the most common hantavirus serotype in Europe and is spread mainly by the red bank vole. Between 1 July 1992 and 31 January 1994, an outbreak of Puumala virus-induced nephropathia epidemica (NE) occurred in the Belgian Ardennes. Serologically confirmed cases (n = 41) were compared with two groups of asymptomatic seronegative controls.

PCR typing of tetracycline resistance determinants (Tet A-E) in Salmonella enterica serotype Hadar and in the microbial community of activated sludges from hospital and urban wastewater treatment facilities in Belgium.

The distribution of tetracycline resistance determinants Tet A-E was studied by PCR in 40 tetracycline-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Hadar (S. hadar) isolates collected from human patients in 1996 and 1997, as well as in the microbial community originating from activated sludges of hospital and urban wastewater treatment facilities. A fast DNA extraction and purification method from activated sludges was used to provide amplifiable DNA.

Control of influenza. Public health policies.

The control and management of influenza are currently based on the surveillance, prevention and treatment of the disease. Almost all European countries have influenza immunization policies for populations considered as being at-risk, but there are large disagreements about the meaning of "risk", and the levels of vaccine use vary greatly country by country. In the near future, new vaccines and specific anti-viral drugs will need to adapt and to extend current recommendations, but meanwhile increasing vaccination coverage, improving and up-dating national policies and their achievement are the only ways to reduce the recurrent burden of influenza epidemics for both individuals and society.

ICH guidelines and PhEur monographs on derivation and characterisation of cell substrates used for production of biotechnological/biological products. International Conference on Harmonisation.

This presentation gives an overview of the guidance which is available in the EU as it would be applicable to licensing requirements for influenza vaccines produced on banked cells. Whereas ensuring compliance of cell banks would be relatively straightforward, ensuring compliance of new virus seeds (and possibly harvests) with requirements concerning adventitious viral contamination needs further evaluation.

Multi-residue analysis of tranquillizers in meat: confirmatory assays using mass spectrometry.

A rapid and sensitive multi-residue method was developed to attempt to confirm the presence of the beta-blocker carazolol and the tranquillizers acepromazine, azaperone, chlorpromazine, propionylpromazine and xylazine in pig muscle tissues. The procedure involves determination by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The liquid chromatographic separation was performed on a Symmetry C18 column with gradient elution.

The next influenza pandemic: lessons from Hong Kong, 1997.

The 1997 Hong Kong outbreak of an avian influenzalike virus, with 18 proven human cases, many severe or fatal, highlighted the challenges of novel influenza viruses. Lessons from this episode can improve international and national planning for influenza pandemics in seven areas: expanded international commitment to first responses to pandemic threats; surveillance for influenza in key densely populated areas with large live-animal markets; new, economical diagnostic tests not based on eggs; contingency procedures for diagnostic work with highly pathogenic viruses where biocontainment laboratories do not exist; ability of health facilities in developing nations to communicate electronically, nationally and internationally; licenses for new vaccine production methods; and improved equity in supply of pharmaceutical products, as well as availability of basic health services, during a global influenza crisis. The Hong Kong epidemic also underscores the need for national committees and country-specific pandemic plans.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and antimicrobial use in Belgian hospitals.

Objective: To investigate relationships between the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the use of different classes of antimicrobials in Belgian hospitals.

Design: Using Pearson correlation coefficients, the number of new nosocomial MRSA-colonized or -infected patients in the second half of 1994 and the first half of 1995 reported by the national MRSA surveillance program was compared with use of various antimicrobial classes as reported by the National Institute for Sickness and Disability Insurance. Relationships between different classes of antimicrobials were evaluated in a correlation matrix.

Epidemiology of nosocomial bloodstream infections in Belgium, 1992-1996.

The main results of the bloodstream infection (BSI) component of the Belgian National Programme for the Surveillance of Hospital Infections (NSIH project) are reported. From October 1992 to September 1996, 117 hospitals (59.1% of Belgian acute-care institutions) reported 13678 nosocomial BSIs.

Optimization of an antibiotic residue screening test, based on inhibition of Bacillus subtilis BGA, with experimental design.

Experimental design was applied to an agar-diffusion inhibition test for the screening of residues of veterinary antimicrobial drugs in slaughter animals. The effects and interactions of four independent parameters were studied: the dextrose content of the culture medium, the trimethoprim concentration in the culture medium, the thickness of the agar-layer and the preincubation time. The effects on the inhibition zones of sulphadimidine, oxytetracycline, streptomycin and tylosin, substances of four different antibiotic groups were measured.

European Influenza Surveillance Scheme on the Internet.

In 1995, The European Influenza Surveillance Scheme was created with the participation of eight networks from seven countries. The main objectives were to continue the previous CARE Telematics Network and to adapt the project to the Internet environment as well as to improve substantially the quality of the surveillance according to new epidemiological requirements. Clinical and virological data from the general population and hospitals are collected in an interactive real-time database which can then be used for data entry, queries and consultations.

Sequence Variation in the Ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacers, Including the 5.8S rDNA, of Naegleria spp.

The ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), including the 5.8S rDNA, from the majority of the 11 described species of the amoeboflagellate Naegleria and from Willaertia magna have a size between 300 and 450 bp. In N.

Three different group I introns in the nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA of the amoeboflagellate Naegleria.

We have amplified the large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSUrDNA) of the 12 described Naegleria spp. and of 34 other Naegleria lineages that might be distinct species. Two strains yielded a product that is longer than 3 kb, which is the length of the LSUrDNA of all described Naegleria spp.

Cervical cancer screening in the Flemish region (Belgium): measurement of the attendance rate by telephone interview.

In November and December 1995 a computer assisted telephone interview (CATI) was organized in order to measure the rate of participation in cervical cancer screening among a sample of 1,477 women between 18 and 69 years old, residing in the Flemish Region and selected by random digit dialling. Associations between screening status and a set of explanatory variables (demographic, socioeconomic determinants and exposition to primary risk factors for cervical cancer) were studied by logistic regression modelling. The screening coverage meaning the percentage of women screened less than 3 years ago, increases sharply up to 25 years and remains higher than 85% up to 40 years; from then it decreases progressively.