Neural histology and neurogenesis of the human fetal and infant brain.

The human brain develops slowly and over a long period of time which lasts for almost three decades. This enables good spatio-temporal resolution of histogenetic and neurogenetic events as well as an appropriate and clinically relevant timing of these events. In order to successfully apply in vivo neuroimaging data, in analyzing both the normal brain development and the neurodevelopmental origin of major neurological and mental disorders, it is important to correlate these neuroimaging data with the existing data on morphogenetic, histogenetic and neurogenetic events. Furthermore, when performing such correlation, the genetic, genomic, and molecular biology data on phenotypic specification of developing brain regions, areas and neurons should also be included. In this review, we focus on early developmental periods (form 8 postconceptional weeks to the second postnatal year) and describe the microstructural organization and neural circuitry elements of the fetal and early postnatal human cerebrum.

POMT1-associated walker-warburg syndrome: a disorder of dendritic development of neocortical neurons.

We have analyzed the morphology and dendritic development of neocortical neurons in a 2.5-month-old infant with Walker-Warburg syndrome homozygotic for a novel POMT1 gene mutation, by Golgi methods. We found that pyramidal neurons frequently displayed abnormal (oblique, horizontal, or inverted) orientation. A novel finding of this study is that members of the same population of pyramidal neurons display different stages of development of their dendritic arborizations: some neurons had poorly developed dendrites and thus resembled pyramidal neurons of the late fetal cortex; for some neurons, the level of differentiation corresponded to that in the newborn cortex; finally, some neurons had quite elaborate dendritic trees as expected for the cortex of 2.5-month-old infant. In addition, apical dendrites of many pyramidal neurons were conspiciously bent to one side, irrespective to the general orientation of the pyramidal neuron. These findings suggest that Walker-Warburg lissencephaly is characterized by two hitherto unnoticed pathogenetic changes in the cerebral cortex: (a) heterochronic decoupling of dendritic maturation within the same neuronal population (with some members significantly lagging behind the normal maturational schedule) and (b) anisotropically distorted shaping of dendritic trees, probably caused by patchy displacement of molecular guidance cues for dendrites in the malformed cortex.

Echovirus 11 infections of newborns with mortality during the 1979 enterovirus season in Milwaukee, Wis.

Echovirus serotype 11 (ECHO-11) was implicated in three neonatal deaths during an enterovirus outbreak from July through October 1979 in Milwaukee. The deaths followed congenital infections acquired in the community during late pregnancy. Two of the three ECHO-11 and one Coxsackie B4 deaths of infants occurred after cesarean section deliveries. Of 225 confirmed echovirus infections, 30 to 45 percent occurred in infants under 60 days old, 54 to 67 percent in the first year of life, and 13 to 25 percent in the over-10 age groups. In 13 cases with onset of symptoms in the first week of life. 8 (including the 4 fatalities) were acquired congenitally; 6 of the 8 were associated with ECHO-11, 2 with ECHO-7, and 1 with Coxsackie B4. ECHO-7 and 30 other predominant strains were isolated during the outbreak, but none was associated with mortality or severe disease in neonates. At a Milwaukee hospital, a temporal association was observed between echovirus infection, particularly ECHO-11, and increased numbers of stillbirths.

Leukocyte tubuloreticular inclusions in Reye's syndrome.

Tubuloreticular inclusions (TRI) have been observed in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of blood lymphocytes and monocytes in two cases of Reye's syndrome initiated by influenza infections. Tubuloreticular inclusions are seen in these mononuclear leukocytes during the acute phase of illness, but not during convalescence. Since TRI have been demonstrated in peripheral mononuclear leukocytes in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and certain viral infections including T-cell leukemia, it may be that the finding of TRI in Reye's syndrome reflects a viral infection and/or immune dysfunction, if such association is not proved to be fortuitous.

Performance analysis of and compensation for aspect-ratio effects of fast-fourier-transform-based simulations of large atmospheric wave fronts.

Fast-Fourier-transform-based simulators of atmospheric wave fronts with a von Kármán turbulence spectrum were tested with reference to the phase-structure function and phase variance over a pupil on large square and rectangular formats. The symmetry and the accuracy of the phase-structure function were found to be limited by the aspect ratio and the size of the phase screen. The phase variance over a pupil is less sensitive to the aspect ratio than the phase-structure function and is dependent mainly on the size of the phase screen. Several tests are reported and discussed together with a method of compensation for the negative effects of rectangular formats.

Isotype-specific antibody responses to acute Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma pneumoniae-induced respiratory infections affect millions of patients and have been implicated in exacerbation of bronchial asthma. IgE may be involved in such exacerbations. While specific IgG and IgM responses to Mycoplasma pneumoniae are well described, the response of other isotypes is less known. PURPOSE: To determine whether specific IgE and what subclasses of IgG are formed in response to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. METHODS: We studied 20 patients with acute Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, in whom the diagnosis was confirmed by a 16-fold increase in complement fixation titer between acute and convalescent serum samples. We developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the determination of IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies specific for Mycoplasma pneumoniae protein antigens. We used Western blotting to confirm the results of the ELISA and to detect Mycoplasma-specific IgG subclasses and IgE. RESULTS: Changes in Mycoplasma pneumoniae-specific IgG, IgA, and IgM were significant. Western blots of Mycoplasma pneumoniae antigens in 13 convalescent sera showed specific IgG in all, IgM in 11, IgA in 6, and IgE in 10. The IgG response consisted mainly of IgG1 and IgG3, and to a lesser degree of IgG2 and IgG4. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is associated with a significant specific IgA and IgE response, in addition to the well-known responses of IgG and IgM. As IgE is involved in allergic reactions, the production of Mycoplasma pneumoniae-specific IgE may have a role in exacerbation of bronchial asthma.

Outbreak of influenza in a neonatal intensive care unit.

An outbreak of influenza A/Victoria/3/75 (H3N2) involving five infants in a neonatal intensive care unit is described. The clinical signs and symptoms were indistinguishable from those seen in bacterial sepsis. There was no evidence of meningoencephalitis. All infants recovered without any sequelae.

Chronic myopathy associated with coxsackievirus type A9. A combined electron microscopical and viral isolation study.

Virus-like crystalline structures in human skeletal muscles have been observed by many electron microspists, but no viruses have been isolated and identified in such cases. An 11-year-old girl who had had muscular weakness and physical retardation since early infancy died of pneumonia due to atrophy of diaphragmatic and intercostal muscles. Electron microscopy of these muscles revealed a heavy infiltration of picornavirus-like particles that measured 19 to 23 nm in diameter. Subsequent inoculation of primary human-amnion cells with a sonic-treated suspension of the patient's diaphragmatic muscle induced an enterovirus-like cytopathic effect. The isolate was identified with use of Lim-Benyesh--Meinick enterovirus typing serum pools as coxsackievirus Type A-9. This viral isolation supports the belief that the organized electron-dense particles in human muscle are indeed virions.

Increasing rubella seronegativity despite a compulsory school law.

To determine if lower rubella susceptibility persisted five to seven years after immunization legislation, we retrospectively reviewed the serologic status of 341 outpatients from 1985 to 1987 in an inner-city school age population. Seronegative rates increased significantly during the two-year study period from 4.2 to 24.5 percent (17 percent overall). (Beta = 6.8%, 95% CI = 3.3, 10.3). Charts were reviewed for 57 of 58 seronegative and 114 seropositive controls. Estimates were then made to the population of 341 subjects. Those with documented rubella immunization had a seronegative rate of 13 percent compared to 19 percent if the immunization status was unknown. For patients who received care in our clinic for less than two years, 32 percent were seronegative compared to 10 percent for those treated greater than or equal to 2 years (odds ratio = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.16, 0.60). Among patients immunized in 1977 or 1978, 33 percent were seronegative compared to 7 percent immunized at other times (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.07, 0.63). Factors associated with increased rubella seronegativity include immunization in 1977 or 1978 and lack of continuity of care in our clinic. Much of the increase remains unexplained.

Hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies in vaccinated children with renal disease.

One year after immunization with a single 0.5-mL dose of influenza virus vaccine, serum samples from 30 children with renal diseases were tested for serum hemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) antibody titers to A/New Jersey/76, A/Victoria/75, and A/USSR/77. Eleven unvaccinated children with renal diseases formed a comparison group. In contrast to the comparison group (0/11), 53% (16/30) of the vaccinated group had a protective level of serum HI titers (greater than or equal 1:40) against A/New Jersey. A protective level of serum HI titer against A/Victoria was noted in 83% (25/30) of the vaccinated group, while 54% (6/11) of the unvaccinated group had similar HI titers. None had a detectable HI titer against A/USSR. A minor common cold-like illness occurred in seven of the 30 vaccinated children; one of these had exacerbation of nephrotic syndrome. The data suggest a good protection against influenza one year after vaccination in children with renal disease.

Influenza virus immunization. Antibody response and adverse effects in children with renal disease.

Before and four weeks after immunization with a single 0.5-ml dose of influenza virus vaccine, sera from 36 children with renal diseases were tested for serum hemagglutinating-inhibiting antibody (HAI) titers to A/New Jersey/76, A/Victoria/75, and A/Port Chalmers/73. Before immunization, 1:40 HI antibodies to A/New Jersey were noted in one child only, to A/Victoria in ten children (27%), and to A/Port Chalmers in 25/34 children (68%). Serum HAI titers increased fourfold or more (P less than .01) in 31/36 children (86%) after immunization. Neither the type of the renal disease nor therapy with prednisone had any effect on the rise of serum HAI titers (P less than .05). Of the seven children with preimmunization proteinuria, four had a transient rise in protein levels following immunization. None required an increased prednisone dose for exacerbation of nephrotic syndrome. Children with chronic renal problems should be protected against influenza.

URSULA: a twin-beam multiband computer-controlled photometer for astronomical applications.

A twin-beam multiband photoelectric photometer has been constructed for ground based astronomical observations. The photometer is integrated to a computer to obtain a high degree of flexibility and efficiency. The structure minimizes the atmospheric transmittance variations. It uses the photon-counting technique to optimize the SNR. Constraints on the precision of astronomical photoelectric photometry are discussed. The philosophy, structure, and possible extensions of the photometer are described. The results of a test on the dynamic behavior of the whole system are also given. This photometer is more flexible, more reliable, and simpler than other similar ones. Four of these machines have been constructed for the Catania, Milan, Naples, and Trieste Observatories.

Influenza vaccination is safe and immunogenic when administered to hospitalized patients.

CONTEXT: Very few high-risk persons receive influenza vaccine while hospitalized. Health care providers may be reluctant to administer the influenza vaccine to hospitalized patients because of insufficient data related to the safety and immunogenicity of vaccinating this population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the influenza vaccine administered to hospitalized patients compared to ambulatory clinic patients. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: A 711-bed, acute-care, private tertiary hospital and two private internal medicine clinics from October 1 to December 25, 1999. PARTICIPANTS: 51 inpatients; 177 outpatients. INTERVENTION: All study participants received influenza vaccine. Serum samples for antibody assays were collected at baseline and at 3 weeks after vaccination. Study participants were mailed a questionnaire to elicit information about adverse effects of vaccination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Seroconversion rates (4-fold increase in hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies) and seroprotection rates (titers > or = 1:40) to the influenza vaccine in hospitalized and ambulatory patients. RESULTS: The seroconversion and post-vaccination seroprotection rates in the inpatient group were 65% (33/51) and 88% (45/51) compared to 55% (98/177) and 94% (167/177) in the ambulatory clinic patients. Soreness at the site of injection was the most common adverse effect, reported by 12% of both the inpatients (5/42) and ambulatory clinic patients (20/171). Seventy-four percent of patients (31/41 inpatients and 127/174 outpatients) reported no significant side effect to vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccine is at least as safe and immunogenic in hospitalized patients as it is in ambulatory patients. These data can be used to help convince health care providers to order the influenza vaccine for their hospitalized patients.

Reye syndrome. A correlated electron-microscopic, viral, and biochemical observation.

Liver biopsy specimens of two patients with Reye syndrome were examined for ultrastructural features, viral isolation, and urea-cycle enzyme activity. Concurrent presence of herpes-like virus and myxovirus/paramyxovirus was demonstrated by electron microscopy, and viral infections were confirmed by isolation or serologic tests. A concomitant hepatic ornithine transcarbamoylase deficiency was also noted. The pathogenesis in these instances seems to consist of an initial synergistic insult on the liver by mixed types of viruses and subsequent breakdown of urea cycle, Krebs cycle, and possible other hepatic functions. An exodus of glycogen granules into the hepatic spaces of Disse and sinusoids suggests that the viruses have injured the plasma membranes as well as the mitochondria of hepatocytes. Since Kapila et al reported similar disorders five years before Reye et al, the name of Kapila-Reye disease is suggested.

Testalgia associated with rubella infection.

Investigation of an outbreak of rubella on a college campus provided an opportunity to study the occurrence of orchitis, or testalgia, in male adolescents and young adults. Of 68 subjects with rubellla infection, five reported pain without swelling in one or both testicles lasting up to three days. Two of them had laboratory-confirmed rubella infection. Since the majority of all currently reported cases of rubella in the United States occur in persons 15 years of age and older, an increased awareness of rubella as a possible cause of testicular pain, and perhaps of orchitis, in postpubertal boys and men result in further characterization of this symptom.

Evaluation of the abbott LCx assay for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in endocervical swab specimens from females.

The Abbott LCx Neisseria gonorrhoeae assay (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Ill.) uses a ligase chain reaction (LCR) amplification in the LCx probe system for detection of a specific nucleotide sequence in the Opa-encoding gene of N. gonorrhoeae. We evaluated the LCx assay in a comparison with conventional culture employing modified Thayer-Martin media for the detection of N. gonorrhoeae from female endocervical specimens obtained from patients attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic. Discordantly LCR-positive and culture-negative specimens were further evaluated by testing with another LCR assay which used an N. gonorrhoeae-specific pilin probe. Specimens positive by both LCR assays were considered confirmed LCx-positive specimens. A specimen was considered to contain N. gonorrhoeae when it was either culture positive or culture negative and confirmed LCx positive. A total of 403 female endocervical specimens were evaluated. The prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae in this population was 8.7%. The sensitivity and specificity of the LCx assay were 94.3 and 99.4%, and those of culture were 77.1 and 100%, respectively. The Abbott LCx assay is a rapid, sensitive method for detection of N. gonorrhoeae in female endocervical specimens.