Infrared thermography and ulcer prevention in the high-risk diabetic foot: data from a single-blind multicentre controlled clinical trial.

AIM: To assess the usefulness of monthly thermography and standard foot care to reduce diabetic foot ulcer recurrence. METHODS: People with diabetes (n = 110), neuropathy and history of ≥ 1 foot ulcer participated in a single-blind multicentre clinical trial. Feet were imaged with a novel thermal imaging device (Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention System). Participants were randomized to intervention (active thermography + standard foot care) or control (blinded thermography + standard foot care) and were followed up monthly until ulcer recurrence or for 12 months. Foot thermograms of participants from the intervention group were assessed for hot spots (areas with temperature ≥ 2.2°C higher than the corresponding contralateral site) and acted upon as per local standards. RESULTS: After 12 months, 62% of participants were ulcer-free in the intervention group and 56% in the control group. The odds ratios of ulcer recurrence (intervention vs control) were 0.82 (95% CI 0.38, 1.8; P = 0.62) and 0.55 (95% CI 0.21, 1.4; P = 0.22) in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, respectively. The hazard ratios for the time to ulcer recurrence (intervention vs control) were 0.84 (95% CI 0.45, 1.6; P = 0.58) and 0.67 (95% CI 0.34, 1.3; P = 0.24) in univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Monthly intervention with thermal imaging did not result in a significant reduction in ulcer recurrence rate or increased ulcer-free survival in this cohort at high risk of foot ulcers. This trial has, however, informed the design of a refined study with longer follow-up and group stratification, further aiming to assess the efficacy of thermography to reduce ulcer recurrence.

Cornelius Celsus--ancient encyclopedist, surgeon-scientist, or master of surgery?

PURPOSE: The Roman nobleman Cornelius Celsus (25 BC-AD 50) wrote a general encyclopedia (De Artibus) dealing with several subjects, among which some had medical content (De Medicina), an eight-volume compendium, including two books about surgery (VII + VIII). It is the most significant medical document following the Hippocratic writings. In 1443, Pope Nicolas V rediscovered the work of Cornelius Celsus, despite it having been forgotten for several centuries, and it was the first medical and surgical book to be printed (AD 1478). Up until the nineteenth century, 60 editions were published in Latin as well as numerous translations in European languages, the last of which was a French translation in 1876. While Celsus' work is the best account of Roman medicine as practiced in the first century of the Christian era and its influence persisted until the nineteenth century, there is controversy as to whether Cornelius Celsus himself actually practiced as a surgeon or was only an encyclopedist who collected in the Latin language the medical knowledge available at that time. METHODS: The detailed analysis of the surgical techniques described by Celsus, the modifications tailored to the findings, possible complications, detailed description of pre- and postsurgical activities, give the general impression that he himself practiced surgery at least within his family and among his dependents. In addition, his descriptions give a clear insight into the astonishingly high standard of surgical knowledge available at the time of Celsus. RESULTS: His work thus reflects the state of knowledge of his time, which is why he also assumed the role of teacher and scientist. As such, his meets the modern criteria addressed to a surgeon-scientist, who apart from the practical surgical activity, also had a role as teacher of surgery and scientist. Whether Cornelius Celsus had inaugurated a new surgical technique and was the first to describe that, and as such can be described as a master of surgery, cannot be corroborated. CONCLUSION: Cornelius Celsus deserves a firm place in the history of surgery because with his publication De Medicina, Book VII + VIII, he has preserved Roman surgical knowledge in the first century of the Christian era and, thanks to the use of Latin in medicine and surgery, this continues to be retained up till the present day.

Adenovirus infection inhibits the phosphorylation of major histocompatibility complex class I proteins.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules act as peptide receptors to direct the recognition of foreign antigens by cytolytic T cells. The cell surface expression and trafficking of these peptide receptors is thought to be controlled by the conformation of the MHC molecule and possibly by the phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic portion of the heavy chain protein. It is of some interest that adenoviruses (Ads) have evolved proteins that interfere with the expression of MHC molecules. One of these proteins, called E3/19k, binds to newly synthesized MHC molecules in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and inhibits their trafficking to the cell surface. Here we show that during the infection of a human cell line with Ad2, the phosphorylation of the endogenous MHC molecules is inhibited. We also observe that the phosphorylation of the endogenous HLA molecules is grossly impaired in a human cell line transfected with the Ad2 EcoRI D fragment containing the E3/19k gene. We conclude that the E3/19k protein inhibits the phosphorylation of the MHC heavy chains and that this may be one of the important functions of this protein in infected cells. In addition, we show that a mutant of the E3/19k protein, which lacks an RER retention signal but which retains its ability to bind to HLA molecules, does not inhibit the phosphorylation of HLA molecules and that phosphorylated molecules are not Endo H sensitive. This suggests that HLA molecules are phosphorylated after leaving the medial-Golgi compartment, thus providing the most compelling evidence yet that HLA molecules are phosphorylated at or near the cell surface. Finally, to our knowledge, this is the first study under which the phosphorylation of MHC molecules is shown to be altered and may have some relevance for other pathogenic conditions.

Auberger red cell antigens are not part of the Kell, Colton, or Dornbrock blood group systems.

Since 1981, red cell samples from families were tested with anti-Aua and, since 1986, with both anti-Aua and anti-Aub in an attempt to elevate Auberger to a blood group system status. The results show that Auberger is not pan of the Kell (five families), Colton (three Families), or Dombrock (two families) blood group systems. Exclusion from four more systems (Di, Yt, LW, Ch:Rg) is required before system status may be claimed.

Autoimmune hemolysis following transfusion: a mimicking autoanti-D in a D- patient with alloanti-D.

An 80-year-old group O, D- (rr) female with anti-C, -D, -E, and -Fya received four units of crossmatch-compatible red blood cells (RBCs). The direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was negative. Two weeks later, jaundice, dark urine, a 16% drop in hematocrit (Hct), a 20% reticulocyte count, and absent haptoglobin occurred. During the next month, her DAT was positive with anti-IgG and -C3d. Acid eluates, which repeatedly showed anti-D specificity, were nonreactive with enzyme-treated D- RBCs. Adsorption with D- RBCs reduced reactivity. An eluate from the adsorbing D- RBCs was nonreactive with D+ KBCs. These findings suggest an autoantibody mimicking alloanti-D. The patient was treated with prednisone and was transfused with group O, D- (rr), K-, Fy(a-) RBCs. Four months later, the Hct was stable. One year later, the DAT remained positive and the eluate demonstrated a panagglutinin.

Working with women in secure environments.

1. Women's adverse experiences as patients in secure and other mental health services appear to reflect sexism in wider social and historical contexts. 2. A Women's Service Development Group in a medium secure unit in the United Kingdom has made improvements in services for female patients, including an independent advocacy and befriending service, a Well-Woman Clinic, and other gender-sensitive activities. 3. In general, services were evaluated positively by women. Some dissatisfaction primarily was related to activities, issues concerning seclusion, and the lack of a day area for women only. 4. Women had mixed views about their contact with male staff and patients. Because of this, policies and services in this and related areas should account for individual needs.

[Serpiginous choroiditis in a patient with uterine cervix carcinoma]. / Coroiditis serpiginosa en paciente con carcinoma de cérvix uterino.

CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 70-year-old patient with serpiginous choroiditis and uterine cervix carcinoma. DISCUSSION: The etiology of serpiginous choroiditis is unknown, but similar lesions have been described in association with systemic lupus erythematosus, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Crohn's disease, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, herpes virus infection, autoimmune hepatitis and lung carcinoma.

Coroiditis serpiginosa en paciente con carcinoma de cérvix uterino / Serpiginous choroiditis in a patient with uterine cervix carcinoma

Caso clínico: Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente de 70 años con coroiditis serpiginosa y carcinoma de cérvix uterino. Discusión: La etiología de la coroiditis serpiginosa es desconocida pero lesiones similares han sido descritas en asociación con lupus eritematoso sistémico, linfoma no Hodgkin, enfermedad de Crohn, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, infección por virus del herpes, hepatitis autoinmune y carcinoma pulmonar(AU)

Case report: We report the case of a 70-year-old patient with serpiginous choroiditis and uterine cervix carcinoma. Discussion: The etiology of serpiginous choroiditis is unknown, but similar lesions have been described in association with systemic lupus erythematosus, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Crohn's disease, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, herpes virus infection, autoimmune hepatitis and lung carcinoma(AU)

The perception of color by cattle and its influence on behavior.

Experiments have suggested that cattle can only discriminate long wavelengths of light (colored red) from short (blue) or medium (green) wavelengths, and not short from medium wavelengths; however, stimuli were inadequately balanced for intensity. In this study, an initial group of calves was trained to discriminate light sources by intensity, and the intensities of short, medium, and long wavelength lights were then varied to determine when the calves perceived them to be isoluminant. A new group of calves was tested for their ability to discriminate between the three isoluminant sources and were able to discriminate between long and short or medium wavelengths (mean correct choice 82 and 89%, respectively) but had limited ability to discriminate between the short and medium wavelengths (three out of seven calves could just discriminate in the first eight tests, but thereafter they all selected at random). The response to three stimuli--novel, fearful, and their handler--was video-recorded in isoluminant short, medium, and long wavelengths and movement was assessed by image analysis. In the fear test (a loud noise behind them), the calves negotiated a barrier and concealed themselves more rapidly in the medium (58 s) than the short wavelength (95 s) light. They performed fewest movements in the medium wavelength light compared with the short and long wavelength lights in the novel stimulus and fear tests. They had stronger movement in the long than the short or medium wavelength light in the novel arena test and in response to the handler, and they took least time to reach the handler in the long wavelength.

Mediastinoscopy.

A series of 150 mediastinoscopic examinations, performed at The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, is reported. The procedure was employed as a diagnostic aid in the care of patients known to be suffering from disease processes involving the superior mediastinum, and as a preoperative assessment in a group of patients known to have, or suspected of having, bronchogenic carcinoma, There was no mortality. The morbidity rate was 2%.

Further complexities of the Rh antigen D disclosed by testing category DII cells with monoclonal anti-D.

The reaction pattern of monoclonal anti-D with category DII cells differed from those of other category D cells. DII cells express epD1, epD2, epD3, epD5, epD6/7 and epD8 but lack epD4 and a new epitope epD9. The new epitope, epD9, is proposed to explain the failure of some monoclonal anti-D (previously considered to be anti-epD3) to react with DII cells.

An antiserum identifying a red cell determinant expressed by Rh:33 and by some "new" depressed Rh phenotypes.

An antibody detecting a determinant on Rh:33 cells and cells with depressed C and/or e antigens was separated by the absorption and elution technique from a serum with antibodies to several low-frequency antigens. The determinant, tentatively named FPTT, has a frequency of about 0.0094 percent in the South of France.

Ten homozygous-D-individuals in one Italian village.

A large inbred Italian kindred with 10 members homozygous for the rare Rh gene complex-D-is described. The propositus has immune antibody to a high-incidence Rh antigen: her baby required exchange transfusion. None of the other 9-D-/-D- individuals has made antibody even though 2 were women with children. This kindred supports previous observations of the excess of consanguinity among the parents of -D-homozygotes. 40.9% (instead of the 25% expected) of the offspring of -D-heterozygous parents are -D-homozygotes.

Chimeric twins. T.S. and M.R. reexamined.

A pair of chimeric twins, T.S. (male) and M.R. (female), were examined. The amounts of 'foreign' blood cells in each twin found on three occasions were compared. The percentages of M.R. cells found in the blood of T.S. in 1977 and in 1982 were similar and about 1/5 of that found in 1970. The amount of T.S.-blood cells found in M.R. was declining slowly from about 31% in 1970 to about 25% in 1982.

Third example of anti-Tar and segregation of the Tar (Targett, Rh 40) antigen in a Danish family.

The third example of anti-Tar and a large Danish pedigree in which Tar antigen is segregating with the Rh haplotype CDTe are reported.

Bronchobiliary fistula due to hydatid disease: a case report.

A case of bronchobiliary fistula due to transdiaphragmatic rupture of hepatic echinococcal cyst is described. The importance of excluding associated extrahepatic biliary obstruction is emphasized. Successful treatment involves relief of this obstruction as well as management of both the pleural space and pulmonary complications.

Glycophorin He(Sta) of the human red blood cell membrane is encoded by a complex hybrid gene resulting from two recombinational events.

A complex glycophorin (GP) variant of the human red blood cell membrane exhibiting both He and Sta antigens was characterized at the molecular level. Restriction mapping identified two novel Msp I fragments derived from the 5' and 3' portions of the GPHe(Sta) gene, respectively. Genomic DNA, including exons II-V and their splice junctions, was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and the nucleotide sequences were determined. Comparison with the GPA and GPB sequences showed the presence in GPHe(Sta) of multiple recombinational breakpoints. In the 5' region of the variant gene, a sequence covering a portion of exon II to intron 2 had been transferred from GPA to GPB, resulting in a B-A-B hybrid structure. Such a gene conversion-like event introduced a number of templated and untemplated nucleotide replacements and was the direct cause for the expression of the He antigen. In the 3' region of the variant gene, an unequal crossover from GPB to GPA took place in the third intron at a recombination site apparently identical to that observed in the B-A hybrid GPSta type A gene. These results indicated that GPHe(Sta) occurs as a B-A-B-A hybrid gene, most likely originating from a two-step mechanism of homologous recombination. Transcript analysis showed the maturation from the GPHe(Sta) pre-mRNA of two shortened mRNAs of which the exon III-deleted species encodes both the He and Sta antigens.

Effectiveness of chlorine washing disinfection and effects on the appearance of artichoke and borage.

AIM: Optimal conditions for chlorine application to obtain a reasonable decrease in the microbial counts without damaging the appearance of artichoke and borage have been established. METHODS AND RESULTS: The influence of chlorine concentration (0-200 mg l(-1)), pH, addition of organic acids, contact time and presence of protective structures on the microflora and vegetal appearance were studied. When pH was not controlled the effect of chlorine depended on its concentration until the pH increase caused by addition of chlorine reached 8.8. Any further increase in chlorine concentration was nullified by the pH increase. When pH was adjusted to 4.5 with acetic acid, the effectiveness increased with concentration. However, the use of citric acid to control pH caused a sharp decrease in effectiveness at concentration about 250 mg l(-1). The higher effectiveness of chlorine on homogenized plant extracts compared with the whole plant showed the impact of the vegetal structures on the resistance of the microorganisms. For artichoke, a relationship between the effectiveness of chlorine disinfection and its structures was also found. Extended washing times did not affect the total counts. However, in both vegetables, the appearance was affected by the extended contact times. CONCLUSIONS: The solutions rendering the highest microbial reduction with minimum damages were: 50 mg l(-1) free chlorine without pH control for artichoke and 100 mg l(-1) free chlorine at pH 7.0 for borage. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Specific conditions for chlorine disinfection of artichoke and borage were determined to reduce the microorganisms in minimally processed artichoke and borage without damaging their appearance.