Olanexidine gluconate formulations as environmental disinfectants for enveloped viruses infection control.

This study investigated the potential of olanexidine gluconate as environmental disinfectant against enveloped viruses in the suspension test and three non-porous surface tests. In the suspension test, olanexidine gluconate showed immediate virucidal activity. In addition, non-porous surface tests demonstrated that, although the immediate effect of aqueous formulations was weak, the final virucidal efficacy outcompeted that of ethanol for disinfection. Furthermore, the effectiveness of olanexidine gluconate persisted even after drying on environmental surfaces. This study demonstrated the potential usage of olanexidine gluconate formulations as an environmental disinfectant in the infection control of enveloped viruses.

Selection of cellular genetic markers for the detection of infectious poliovirus.

AIMS: Cellular responses of an established cell line from human intestinal epithelial cells (INT-407 cells) against poliovirus (PV) infections were investigated in order to find cellular genetic markers for infectious PV detection. METHODS AND RESULTS: Gene expression profile of INT-407 cells was analysed by DNA microarray technique when cells were infected with poliovirus 1 (PV1) (sabin) at multiplicity of infection of 10-3 and incubated for 12 h. Poliovirus infection significantly altered the gene expressions of two ion channels, KCNJ4 and SCN7A. The expression profile of KCNJ4 gene was further investigated by real-time RT-qPCR, and it was found that KCNJ4 gene was significantly regulated at 24 h postinfection of PV1. CONCLUSIONS: KCNJ4 gene, coding a potassium channel protein, is proposed as a cellular genetic marker for infectious PV detection. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study to show the availability of cellular responses to detect infectious PV. The selection of cellular genetic markers for infectious viruses using DNA microarray and RT-qPCR can be applicable for the other enteric viruses.

Bayesian modeling of virus removal efficiency in wastewater treatment processes.

Left-censored datasets of virus density in wastewater samples make it difficult to evaluate the virus removal efficiency in wastewater treatment processes. In the present study, we modeled the probabilistic distribution of virus removal efficiency in a wastewater treatment process with a Bayesian approach, and investigated how many detect samples in influent and effluent are necessary for accurate estimation. One hundred left-censored data of virus density in wastewater (influent and effluent) were artificially generated based on assumed log-normal distributions and the posterior predictive distribution of virus density, and the log-ratio distribution were estimated. The estimation accuracy of distributions was quantified by Bhattacharyya coefficient. When it is assumed that the accurate estimation of posterior predictive distributions is possible when a 100% positive rate is obtained for 12 pairs of influent and effluent, 11 out of 144, 60 out of 324, and 201 out of 576 combinations of detect samples gave an accurate estimation at the significant level of 0.01 in a Kruskal-Wallis test when the total sample number was 12, 18, and 24, respectively. The combinations with the minimum number of detect samples were (12, 9), (16, 10), and (21, 8) when the total sample number was 12, 18, and 24, respectively.

Efficacy and toxicity of (chemo)radiotherapy for primary subglottic cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Primary subglottic cancer is a rare malignancy. We investigated the efficacy and toxicity of radiotherapy for subglottic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the subglottis received radiotherapy, 14 of whom also underwent chemotherapy. Of the 19 patients, 15 received definitive radiotherapy to the gross tumors with total doses of 70-70.2 Gy in 35-39 fractions, and 4 underwent preoperative radiotherapy with total doses of 37.8-55.8 Gy in 21-31 fractions, followed by total laryngectomy. RESULTS: Of the 19 patients, 5 developed local progression and 2 developed distant metastasis at the median follow-up period of 5 years. The 5-year local control and disease-free rates were 74 and 63%, respectively. Three patients died of tumor progression, and the 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 80 and 63%, respectively. Regarding acute toxicities, transient mucositis and dermatitis of grade 3 or lower were observed in all patients, but there were no late toxicities of grade 3 or higher. CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the subglottis. The use of chemotherapy together with radiotherapy may enhance treatment efficacy and contribute to larynx preservation through good local control.

Ophthalmic and anesthetic evaluation of topical 1 percent tetracaine and 0.5 percent proparacaine in dogs / Ação anestésica e oftálmica da administração de colírio de tetracaína 1 por cento e proparacaína 0,5 por cento em cães

The aim of this study was to establish the action of 1 percent tetracaine eye drops in combination with 0.1 percent phenylephrine in two different posologies and their effects on the eye compared to the 0.5 percent proparacaine drops in dogs. 22 animals were divided into two groups: TG (11 animals), received 1 percent tetracaine associated with 0.1 percent phenylephrine eye drops, one drop instilled in the left eye and two drops, with one-minute interval between each, instilled in the right eye; PG (11 animals) received 0.5 percent proparacaine eye drops following the same dosage. The average duration of the observed anesthetic action was 25 minutes for tetracaine and 15 minutes for proparacaine. The instillation of two drops increased anesthetic time in five minutes. No changes in intraocular pressure, pupil diameter and tear production was observed. The drops of tetracaine triggered chemosis in four (36.4 percent) animals. Topical anesthesia with proparacaine eye drops showed no adverse reactions and is thus recommended preferentially.

Estudou-se a ação do colírio de tetracaína 1 por cento, em associação com a fenilefrina 0,1 por cento em duas posologias diferenciadas, bem como seus efeitos oculares, comparando-a com a do colírio de proparacaína 0,5 por cento em cães. Vinte e dois animais foram separados em dois grupos. Os do GT (n=11) receberam colírio de tetracaína 1 por cento associada à fenilefrina 0,1 por cento, sendo uma gota instilada no olho esquerdo e duas gotas, com intervalo de um minuto entre cada, instiladas no olho direito; e os do GP (n=11), receberam colírio de proparacaína 0,5 por cento seguindo a mesma posologia. A média de duração da ação anestésica observada foi de 25 minutos para a tetracaína e 15 minutos para a proparacaína. A instilação de duas gotas aumentou o tempo anestésico em cinco minutos. Não ocorreram alterações na pressão intra-ocular, no diâmetro pupilar e na produção lacrimal. O colírio de tetracaína desencadeou quemose em quatro (36,4 por cento) animais. Na anestesia tópica do olho com proparacaína não ocorreram reações adversas sendo, assim, recomendada preferencialmente.

Norovirus-binding proteins recovered from activated sludge micro-organisms with an affinity to a noroviral capsid peptide.

AIMS: Transmission routes of noroviruses, leading aetiological agents of acute gastroenteritis, are rarely verified when outbreaks occur. Because the destination of norovirus particles being firmly captured by micro-organisms could be totally different from that of those particles moving freely, micro-organisms with natural affinity ligands such as virus-binding proteins would affect the fate of viruses in environment, if such microbial affinity ligands exist. The aim of this study is to identify norovirus-binding proteins (NoVBPs) that are presumably working as natural ligands for norovirus particles in water environments. METHODS AND RESULTS: NoVBPs were recovered from activated sludge micro-organisms by an affinity chromatography technique in which a capsid peptide of norovirus genogroup II (GII) was immobilized. The recovered NoVBPs bind to norovirus-like particles (NoVLPs) of norovirus GII, and this adsorption was stronger than that to NoVLPs of norovirus genogroup I. The profile of two-dimensional electrophoresis of NoVBPs showed that the recovered NoVBPs included at least seven spots of protein. The determination of N-terminal amino acid sequences of these NoVBPs revealed that hydrophobic interactions could contribute to the adsorption between NoVBPs and norovirus particles. CONCLUSIONS: NoVBPs conferring a high affinity to norovirus GII were successfully isolated from activated sludge micro-organisms. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: NoVBPs could be natural viral ligands and play an important role in the NoV transmission.

Reciprocal negative regulation between S100A7/psoriasin and beta-catenin signaling plays an important role in tumor progression of squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity.

Overexpression of S100A7 (psoriasin), a small calcium-binding protein, has been associated with the development of psoriasis and carcinomas in different types of epithelia, but its precise functions are still unknown. Using human tissue specimens, cultured cell lines, and a mouse model, we found that S100A7 is highly expressed in preinvasive, well-differentiated and early staged human squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (SCCOC), but little or no expression was found in poorly differentiated, later-staged invasive tumors. Interestingly, our results showed that S100A7 inhibits both SCCOC cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth/invasion in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrated that S100A7 is associated with the beta-catenin complex, and inhibits beta-catenin signaling by targeting beta-catenin degradation via a noncanonical mechanism that is independent of GSK3beta-mediated phosphorylation. More importantly, our results also indicated that beta-catenin signaling negatively regulates S100A7 expression. Thus, this reciprocal negative regulation between S100A7 and beta-catenin signaling implies their important roles in tumor development and progression. Despite its high levels of expression in early stage SCCOC tumorigenesis, S100A7 actually inhibits SCCOC tumor growth/invasion as well as tumor progression. Downregulation of S100A7 in later stages of tumorigenesis increases beta-catenin signaling, leading to promotion of tumor growth and tumor progression.

[Darier and Ferrand dermatofibrosarcoma. About 7 cases at the Ouagadougou teaching hospital, Burkina Faso]. / Le dermatofibrosarcome de Darier et Ferrand (DFDF): A propos de 7 cas au CHU de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The authors report 7 cases of dermatofibrosarcoma of Darier and Ferrand over a 7 year- period at the Yalgado-Ouédraogo teaching hospital, that is to say an average of 1 case per year. A male predominance was noted (4 males and 3 females), average age: 48; 5 recurrences out of 7, with an average delay of 3 years for recurrence, preferentially localised on the trunk (5 cases) and thigh (2 cases). They emphasize the importance of wide surgical exeresis and histopathology essential to confirm the diagnosis. Finally they point out the importance of clinical surveillance because of frequent recurrences.

[Hyperthyroidism in surgery at the Teaching Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo Burkina Faso. About 95 cases]. / Les hyperthyroïdies en milieu chirurgical au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouédraogo, Burkina Faso. A propos de 95 cas.

The authors pay in a retrospective study, 95 cases of hyperthyroidism, listed in the teaching hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou from January 2000 to June 2005. These hyperthyroidism represent 39% of the thyroid affections, with a female prevalence (97%), 32 years of average age, the urban source of the patients (90% of the cases) and the importance of self medication (73%). They stress the importance of sonography, allowing a classification in diffuse goiter (44%) and multi nodular (56%). They insist on a good preparation of the patient before the intervention and on the interest of the sub total thyroïdectomy. They estimate that a correct binding of the vessels, the dissection of recurring, the visualization and the dissection of parathyroid and their vascular pedicle should make it possible to reduce the post-operative complications: null morbidity and death rate 12.5%.

Membrane separation of indigenous noroviruses from sewage sludge and treated wastewater.

In this study, feasibility of membrane separation for the removal of indigenous noroviruses (NVs) is evaluated. The indigenous NV gene was never detected from ultrafiltration (UF) permeates of sewage sludge and treated wastewater. Indigenous NV gene was also not detected from permeates of sewage sludge and treated wastewater by microfiltration (MF) with a pore size of 0.1 microm (MF0.1). Even though the pore size of MF (0.1 microm) was much larger than the diameter of virus particle (approximately 30-40nm), more than 4-log10 reduction value (LRV) at maximum was achieved by membrane separation with MF0.1. NV genes were often detected from permeates of sewage sludge and treated wastewater by MF with a pore size of 0.45 microm (MF0.45), although the maximum log10 reduction values were more than 3.59 for sewage sludge and more than 2.90 for treated wastewater. It is important to verify factors determining the removal efficiency of viruses with MF membranes.

Heavy metal-binding proteins from metal-stimulated bacteria as a novel adsorbent for metal removal technology.

Water pollution with toxic heavy metals is of growing concern because heavy metals could bring about serious problems for not only ecosystems in the water environment but also human health. Some metal removal technologies have been in practical use, but much energy and troublesome treatments for chemical wastes are required to operate these conventional technologies. In this study, heavy metal-binding proteins (HMBPs) were obtained from metal-stimulated activated sludge culture with affinity chromatography using copper ion as a ligand. Two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed that a number of proteins in activated sludge culture were recovered as HMBPs for copper ion. N-termini of five HMBPs were determined, and two of them were found to be newly discovered proteins for which no amino acid sequences in protein databases were retrieved at more than 80% identities. Metal-coordinating amino acids occupied 38% of residues in one of the N-terminal sequences of the newly discovered HMBPs. Since these HMBPs were expected to be stable under conditions of water and wastewater treatments, it would be possible to utilize HMBPs as novel adsorbents for heavy metal removal if mass volume of HMBPs can be obtained with protein cloning techniques.

Detection of infectious pathogenic viruses in water and wastewater samples from urbanised areas.

Regardless of the remarkable improvement in sanitary conditions in urbanised areas, infectious diseases caused by pathogenic viruses in water have been reported year after year. The actual situation for the behaviour of pathogenic viruses in urbanised society should be understood. In this study, infectious enteroviruses and adenoviruses in water and wastewater samples from urbanised areas were investigated. Infectious enteroviruses were continuously detected from sewage and sewage sludge during the summer season. The detection of infectious viruses in sewage and sewage sludge was facilitated by the enzymatic virus elution (EVE) method. The concentration of infectious enteroviruses in positive samples of sewage and sewage sludge was >400 virions/L. Infectious viruses were also detected from water samples at levels >4 virions/L.

Functional metal-binding proteins by metal-stimulated bacteria for the development of an innovative metal removal technology.

Heavy metal pollution has become an environmental problem throughout the world because heavy metal can be accumulated into the food chain and bring about serious problems, not only for ecosystems but also for human health. In this study, functional metal-binding proteins (FMBPs) were isolated from a metal-stimulated activated sludge culture with the aim of applying them to an innovative metal removal technology. Activated sludge bacteria was cultured in growth media including copper ion, and the stimulation of protein production by copper ion led to the 14% increase in a quantity of extracted crude proteins per 1 g of bacterial cell pellet (wet). In order to isolate FMBPs, extracted crude proteins were applied to the immobilized metal affinity column in which each of copper, nickel and zinc was used as a ligand. Several FMBPs were succesfully isolated from copper-stimulated bacteria. One of FMBPs (molecular weight of about 40 kDa) exhibited an ability to adsorb all three metals. The multi metal-binding property of this FMBP could be applied to an innovative metal removal technology. Furthermore, isolated FMBPs that could capture only one kind of heavy metal would also be attractive as a metal adsorbent in recovering a specific metal as a resource from wastewater, including several heavy metals.

Risk evaluation for pathogenic bacteria and viruses in sewage sludge compost.

Composting can be regarded as the most available option for recycling of sewage sludge. However, the existence of pathogenic bacteria and viruses in the compost has been scarcely investigated until now. So there is little information on the infectious risk through agricultural activities or gardening in using the compost. In this study, several kinds of composts were investigated for detection of pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli O157) and enteric viruses. It was concluded from the result that these bacteria and viruses could not be detected in 1.0 g-wet of any kinds of composts. Infectious risks through agricultural activities or gardening were evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation in the case that the compost was polluted by Salmonella spp., E. coli O157:117 and Poliovirus 1. Criteria satisfying the acceptable risk (less than 10(-4) per year) for these pathogenic bacteria and virus in the compost were determined from the result of simulations. 1.0 [CFU or PFU/g-wet] was available as the criteria for E. coli O157 and Poliovirus 1 in the compost. On the other hand, the criterion for Salmonella spp. in the compost should be established on a lower concentration than 0.001 CFU/g-wet.

[Hysterectomies in tropical zones: experience of one African maternal health service. 141 cases in Burkina Faso]. / Les hystérectomies en zone tropicale: expérience d'une maternité africaine. A propos de 141 cas au Burkina Faso.

We conducted a retrospective study of all hysterectomies performed in our setting over a two year period (1995-1996). The objective was double: define the indications and precise the outcome. A total of 141 cases were recorded. The main characteristics of the patients were the following: a mean age of 38 years, mean gravidity and parity of 5 and an average number of living children of 3. Hysterectomy was performed by the abdominal route in 86.52% of the cases. The main indications were: uterine rupture (39.71%), uterine myoma (25.53%), genital prolapse (19.89%) and cervix cancer (7.09%). Adnexectomy was associated in 51 cases and it was bilateral in 22 cases. The following complications occurred: 5 deaths, 8 wound abcess, 2 bladder injury, 1 ureter injury and 1 case of post-operative hemorragea.

Enhanced virus recovery from municipal sewage sludge with a combination of enzyme and cation exchange resin.

There is a great difficulty in virus enumeration in sewage sludge because viruses in sludge are firmly captured by sludge solids. In order to determine the precise number of viruses in sludge, an enhanced virus recovery method with a combination of an enzyme and a cation exchange resin (CER) was developed. Test viruses were seeded to a sample sludge obtained from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, and the sludge were incubated with various eluents. The quantity of eluted viruses in the liquid phase was then measured by the plaque assay technique. Using the eluent containing only water, CER, and CER with enzyme exhibited 0%, 19% and 39% of virus recovery, respectively. While the conventional USEPA method exhibited a virus recovery of 21%. Furthermore, viruses eluted by the eluent containing the CER and the lysozyme included not only surface-attached viruses but also solids-embedded viruses.

[Warm saline enema for reduction of intestinal invagination under the ultrasonographic guidance: preliminary results apropos of 2 cases]. / Désinvagination intestinale par lavement au sérum salé isotonique tiédi sous contrôle échographique: résultats préliminaires à propos de deux cas.

The authors describe the use of isotonic normal saline enema under US guidance in the treatment of acute uncomplicated intestinal intussusception in infants. The technique was successfully used in two patients aged respectively 18 and 16 months, with 11 and 9-month follow-up. The various steps of this technique and the results are analyzed and discussed. It is a valuable alternative to surgical treatment or hydrostatic reduction with opaque x-ray contrast under fluoroscopic guidance.

[Contribution of medical imaging to visceral manifestations of sickle cell anemia in the child]. / Apport de l'imagerie médicale dans les manifestations viscérales de la drépanocytose chez l'enfant.

UNLABELLED: Sickle cell anemia is one of the qualitative hemoglobinopathies which are the most widespread in the world. In a retrospective study on 11 drepanocytary patients (10 SS and 1 SC) observed at the BORDEAUX children's hospital. 3 Processus were identified: Hemolysis: 3 hepatomegaly, 3 splenomegaly, 1 hematochromatosis and 4 pigmentary lithiasis; Thrombosis: 1 infarctus case of spleen, kidney, lung, 1 papillary necrosis and 1 brain vascular ischemic appearance; INFECTION: 1 spleen abscess and 1 pneumopathy. In 15% of instances, visceral appearances are allowed to discoverer sickle cell anemia. Hemolysis type appearances were currently observed (63.6%) like pigmentary lithiasis and hepatomegaly. The authors analyze the major radiological appearances of this hemoglobinopathy and recall the interest in knowing this disease even in low endemicity countries.