Screening urine analysis before bacille Calmette-Guérin instillation does not reduce the rate of infectious complications.

UNLABELLED: Study Type - Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Infectious complication is a risk of bacille Calmette-Guérin instillation. Urine analysis in asymptomatic patients has been used as a measure to reduce infections. This study suggests that screening urine analysis prior to bacille Calmette-Guérin instillation did not affect the rate of urinary tract infections. OBJECTIVE: • To discover if the routine use of urine analysis decreases the rate of urinary tract infection (UTI) complications after bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) administration. METHODS: • A retrospective review of the outcomes of 202 patients undergoing BCG treatment for bladder cancer at two medical centres with different pre-BCG screening strategies was performed. • The medical records of 100 patients who received BCG by one urologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) were reviewed. No patient received a urine analysis immediately prior to BCG treatment. • Similarly, 102 patients who received BCG at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) were reviewed. Patients at NMH were screened by urine analysis for pyuria and bacteriuria before BCG treatment, and, if clinically indicated, BCG instillation was delayed for the results of the urine culture. • If the urine culture confirmed infection, then the patient was treated before restarting BCG instillation. RESULTS: • At MSKCC, 100 patients underwent 600 BCG treatments. • After BCG administration, symptomatic UTI occurred in three patients (3%), successfully treated with antibiotics. • No patients developed BCG sepsis or required hospitalization due to infection. • At NMH, 102 patients underwent 612 BCG treatments. • Pre-BCG urine analysis was positive for pyuria (defined as white blood cells >5 per high-power field) in 27.8%, and positive for bacteriuria (defined as any bacteria on microscopy) in 18.1%. • Based on the results of pre-screening urine analysis, BCG instillation was delayed 15 times (2.5%). • Overall, three patients (3%) had culture-proven UTIs after BCG instillation. • No patients developed BCG sepsis or required hospitalization in either group and there were no significant differences in the frequency of UTIs. CONCLUSIONS: • Urine analysis can safely be omitted before administration of BCG in asymptomatic patients. • Omission of urine analysis could save time and expense during the office-based treatment of bladder cancer.

Heterologous array analysis in Heterobasidion: hybridisation of cDNA arrays with probe from mycelium of S, P or F-types.

Because of the close relatedness between three species of Heterobasidion annosum (P-type), Heterobasidion parviporum (S-type) and Heterobasidion abietinum (F-type), we investigated the possible use of arrays from one species for studies of gene expression in the other. Clones containing partial cDNAs from 94 identifiable genes expressed during spore germination and differentiation in H. parviporum were printed manually in six replications on nylon membranes. The membrane was hybridized with chemifluorescent labelled cDNA from actively growing mycelia of H. parviporum, H. annosum or H. abietinum, cultivated on a non-selective substrate. Product-moment correlation coefficient varied between 0.81 and 0.49. Due to the level of correlation, in the gene expression among the intersterility groups, we concluded that the cDNA array of one can be used to study gene expression in the others.

VESICULAR-ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZA IN NATURAL VEGETATION SYSTEMS: IV. TRANSFER OF NUTRIENTS IN INTER- AND INTRA-SPECIFIC COMBINATIONS OF HOST PLANTS.

The role of inter-plant hyphal bridges formed by vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal mycelia was investigated using double pots in which donor plants were grown in the mycorrhizal (M) or non-mycorrhizal (NM) condition with root systems split so that they could be supplied with nutrients in the donor pot. Plantago lanceolata L. and Festuca ovina L. were grown in intra-and inter-specific combination as donors and receivers. The normally non-mycorrhizal species Arabis hirsuta L. was included as an additional potential receiver. Nutrient solution or distilled water was applied to the donor pot and the patterns of growth responses, and of nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation were compared in receiver plants with and without mycelial interconnections. Yields of M receivers were significantly higher than those of NM plants in all combinations of plants at the second or third harvest, except in the case of the intra-specific combination of Plantago. A. hirsuta showed no response to nutrient application. Mycorrhizal infection of receivers in the distilled water treatment produced a relatively small response indicating that improved exploitation of sand in the receiver pots was not the cause of growth stimulation in M receivers. Yield increases were associated with higher total N contents of the mycorrhizal receiver plants in three of the species combinations and of P content in all combinations, by the third harvest the gain in P concentration being relatively greater than that of N. The results confirm that VA infection can provide channels for direct inter-plant nutrient transfer and that transfer is sufficient to sustain significant enhancement of both growth and nutrient composition of receivers, in some cases within six weeks of commencement of the treatment. The probable physiological and ecological significance of these observations is discussed.

The structure and function of the vegetative mycelium of ectomycorrhizal plants III. Ultrastructural and autoradiographic analysis of inter-plant carbon distribution through intact mycelial systems.

Plants of Pinus sylvestris L. were grown in mycorrhizal association with Suillus bovinus (Fr.) O. Kuntze in observation chambers until an interconnecting mycelial network had developed between the seedlings. The shoot of an individual seedling was then scaled in a perspex cuvette and exposed to 14 CO2 . After incubation for 48 h, the'donor'shoot was removed and components of the mycelial network and mycorrhizal roots of connected and unconnected'receiver'seedlings were harvested, fixed, embedded and sectioned prior to being autoradiographed and examined by transmission electron microscopy. The patterns of distribution of 14 C-labelled material within the mycelial strands, the sheath and root tissues was examined. The results are discussed in relation to carbon metabolism of the fungus and of the interconnected host plant.

Vertical distribution of ectomycorrhizal fungal taxa in a podzol soil profile.

• Studies of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities in forest soils are usually restricted to the uppermost organic horizons. Boreal forest podzols are highly stratified and little is known about the vertical distribution of ectomycorrhizal communities in the underlying mineral horizons. • Ectomycorrhizal root tips were sampled from seven horizons in three continuous columns of a 52-cm deep podzol profile. Root tips were sorted into morphological groups and the colonising fungi identified by sequencing of the rDNA ITS region. The vertical distribution of mycorrhizal taxa was examined. • A relationship between ectomycorrhizal species composition and soil horizon was found. Tomentellopsis submollis, three Piloderma species and Dermocybe spp. were found predominantly in the upper horizons while Suillus luteus, Lactarius utilis and three undescribed Piloderma species were associated with the mineral horizons. • Two thirds of the root tips were found in the mineral soil and half of the taxa were restricted to the mineral horizons. The results highlight the need to include the mineral soil in order to gain a more accurate representation of the ectomycorrhizal community.

Respiration of [14C]alanine by the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus.

The ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus efficiently took up exogenously supplied [14C]alanine and rapidly converted it to pyruvate, citrate, succinate, fumarate and to CO2, thus providing direct evidence for the utilisation of alanine as a respiratory substrate. [14C]alanine was further actively metabolised to glutamate, glutamine and aspartate. Exposure to aminooxyacetate completely suppressed 14CO2 evolution and greatly reduced the flow of carbon from [14C]alanine to tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates and amino acids, suggesting that alanine aminotransferase plays a pivotal role in alanine metabolism in Paxillus involutus.

Primary spheroidal degeneration of the cornea in Labrador and northern Newfoundland.

The reported prevalence and severity of primary spheroidal degeneration in Labrador and nothern Newfoundland is based on a survey of 929 patients. The degeneration is associated with man in outdoor occupations and with pinguecula, but not with glaucoma. Ultraviolet radiation is a probable causative factor and prophylaxis using appropriately filtering glass a possibilty.

Sub-Tenon's local anaesthesia: the effect of hyaluronidase.

AIMS: A prospective, randomised, double blind study was used to investigate the effect of hyaluronidase on the quality of block achieved with sub-Tenon's local anaesthesia. METHODS: 150 patients scheduled for elective cataract surgery were randomly allocated to either sub-Tenon's block with 3 ml lignocaine 2%/adrenaline 1:200 000 alone or with the addition of 30 IU/ml of hyaluronidase. The blocks were assessed for degree of akinesia and reduction of eyelid movement, and also post-injection and postoperative pain scores. RESULTS: Akinesia and reduction of eyelid movement measured 10 minutes after injection were significantly better in the group with hyaluronidase added to the anaesthetic solution. Postoperative pain scores were not significantly different between the two groups but the post-injection pain score was greater (marginally significant) in the group with hyaluronidase added. CONCLUSION: The addition of hyaluronidase significantly improves the quality of the motor blockade achieved with sub-Tenon's local anaesthesia, but has no effect on the sensory blockade.

Scattering cross-sections and partial kerma factors for neutron interactions with carbon at 20 less than En less than 65 MeV.

New measurements of differential elastic and inelastic neutron scattering from 12C at En = 20.8, 22, 24 and 26 MeV are presented and analysed in terms of both spherical and deformed optical model potentials. Results of these analyses are compared with other recent differential and total cross-section measurements in order to obtain a consistent representation of the energy dependence of neutron scattering over a broad energy range. Heavy ion recoil kerma factors are calculated and compared with earlier measurements and estimates of these quantities.

Neutron scattering cross sections and partial kerma values for oxygen, nitrogen and calcium at 18 less than En less than 60 MeV.

Recent measurements of differential elastic and inelastic neutron scattering from oxygen, nitrogen and calcium at 18 less than En less than 26 MeV are presented and analysed in terms of the optical model. These data, together with earlier measurements of scattering and total cross sections, are used to construct model potentials that may be used to calculate various quantities of interest in neutron dosimetry in an energy region (20-60 MeV) where very few cross section data are available. The heavy-ion-recoil contribution to kerma is obtained directly from the data at each energy. The value of proton inelastic scattering data for validating potential models at high energy is discussed.

Serological diagnosis of cysticercosis by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in experimentally infected cattle.

Taenia saginata infections were established in four groups of calves by administering doses of 10, 10(2), 10(3) and 10(4) infective eggs respectively by gavage. A fifth group remained as uninfected controls. Sera were collected from all calves over a period of 210 days. The sera were examined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a fraction of larval Taenia hydatigena cyst fluid as antigen for the presence of anti-T. saginata IgG antibodies. At slaughter, the tongue, masseter, diaphragm and cardiac muscles and liver were examined for cysticerci. The higher dose rates of T. saginata eggs were reflected in higher numbers of cysticerci found in the calves at necropsy. There was also a correlation between higher levels of antibodies produced as measured by the ELISA and the numbers of eggs given. Sero-conversion was first detected about 25 days postinfection in heavy infections and later in the lighter infections. Maximal levels of antibody occurred between 40 and 60 days postinfection, followed by a gradual decrease in levels of antibody. A secondary increase in antibody occurred between 160 and 200 days postinfection which might have been due to release of antigen after death of the cysticerci. The low level of circulating antibodies in light infections may result in false positive or false negative diagnoses depending upon the selection of the cut-off point.

National Swine brucellosis survey.

A national survey was conducted in 1985 to investigate the brucellosis status of the Canadian swine herd. Serum samples were collected from cull sows slaughtered over a forty week period in 1985; 15,707 samples were suitable for brucellosis testing, and 48 (0.31%) gave some degree of reaction on the buffered plate agglutination screening test. All 48 samples were negative on the 2-mercaptoethanol and modified complement fixation test. We therefore conclude that the Canadian swine herd remains free of brucellosis.

Prevalence of salmonella and campylobacter contamination in manitoba Swine carcasses.

Muscle samples from the neck and diaphragm and fecal samples were collected from five hogs from each of 50 lots of market hogs at three Manitoba abattoirs. Environmental samples were also collected. Each sample was tested for Salmonella contamination, and tissue and fecal samples were tested for Campylobacter.Salmonella was isolated from 34 (4.1%) of 821 samples, with 17 of the isolates coming from one lot of hogs and their concurrent environment. Campylobacter was isolated from 175 (26.3%) of 666 samples. Fifty-five percent were Campylobacter coli and 45% were Campylobacter jejuni.

Psychiatric emergencies in general practice.

A psychiatric emergency may be identified by the patient, family, friends, statutory authorities or the treating physician. Good management involves careful assessment. Although this article does not attempt to detail specific treatment of any disorders it outlines some of the basic principles on which a good outcome may well depend.

Roots and associated fungi drive long-term carbon sequestration in boreal forest.

Boreal forest soils function as a terrestrial net sink in the global carbon cycle. The prevailing dogma has focused on aboveground plant litter as a principal source of soil organic matter. Using (14)C bomb-carbon modeling, we show that 50 to 70% of stored carbon in a chronosequence of boreal forested islands derives from roots and root-associated microorganisms. Fungal biomarkers indicate impaired degradation and preservation of fungal residues in late successional forests. Furthermore, 454 pyrosequencing of molecular barcodes, in conjunction with stable isotope analyses, highlights root-associated fungi as important regulators of ecosystem carbon dynamics. Our results suggest an alternative mechanism for the accumulation of organic matter in boreal forests during succession in the long-term absence of disturbance.