Molecular and immunological characterization of Pasteurella multocida serotype A:3 OmpA: evidence of its role in P. multocida interaction with extracellular matrix molecules.

Pasteurella multocida OmpA-like gene (PmOmpA) was cloned and characterized. The mature protein had a molecular mass of 35,075 Da and significant similarity with Escherichia coli (E. coli) OmpA proteins. Membrane topology analyses predict that like E. coli OmpA, the N-terminal half of PmOmpA exists as an eight-stranded transmembrane antiparallel beta-barrel that displays four variable hydrophilic and surface-exposed regions with predicted antigenic peaks that may be involved in serum resistance or adherence. In addition, the Ala-Pro repeat region between the N-terminal beta-barrel and C-terminal periplasmic domains is completely missing in PmOmpA. PmOmpA was expressed in E. coli and immunoblots analysis revealed that the recombinant PmOmpA was immunogenic, and expressed in vivo. The binding of PmOmpA to biotinylated Madin Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells surface proteins, fibronectin and heparin was demonstrated. Furthermore, PmOmpA binds MDBK monolayers and pre-treatment of P. multocida whole cells with anti-PmOmpA significantly reduced adherence to fibronectin. Ligand blot analysis revealed that fibronectin binds to the native and heat modified forms of PmOmpA when heated at 37 and 100 degrees C, respectively. Collectively these data indicate that PmOmpA may be involved in P. multocida 232 adherence to host cells via heparin and/or fibronectin bridging.

Sinovitis por cuerpo extraño como causa de monoartritis / Synovitis for strange body like cause of monoarthritis

La sinovitis por cuerpo extraño es causa de monoatritis aguda o cronica y debe diferenciarse de procesos inflamatorios yuxtaarticulares. Para su correcto diagnostico se debe incluir evaluacion clinica, artrogenesis con cultivo del liquido sinovial y estudios por imagenes

Sinovitis por cuerpo extraño como causa de monoartritis / Synovitis for strange body like cause of monoarthritis

La sinovitis por cuerpo extraño es causa de monoatritis aguda o cronica y debe diferenciarse de procesos inflamatorios yuxtaarticulares. Para su correcto diagnostico se debe incluir evaluacion clinica, artrogenesis con cultivo del liquido sinovial y estudios por imagenes (AU)

Occupational transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to health care workers in a university hospital in Lima, Peru.

From November 1996 through March 1997, presumptive active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) was detected in 44 health care workers (HCWs) at a university hospital in Lima, Peru. To further assess the magnitude of the outbreak and determine risk factors for occupational Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission, we identified HCWs in whom active pulmonary TB was diagnosed from January 1994 through January 1998, calculated rates by year and hospital work area, and conducted a tuberculin skin test (TST) survey. Thirty-six HCWs had confirmed active pulmonary TB. The rate of TB was significantly higher among the 171 HCWs employed in the laboratory than among HCWs employed in all other areas. In multivariate analysis, the only independent risk factor for HCW M. tuberculosis infection in HWCs employed in the laboratory was the use of common staff areas. Very high rates of active pulmonary TB were detected among HCWs at this hospital, and occupational acquisition in the laboratory was associated with HCW-to-HCW transmission.

Recurrent sclerotic fibroma of the skin.

The pathologic findings of a sclerotic fibroma of the skin may resemble those of other benign cutaneous lesions. In this report, the sequential pathologic changes of a recurrent sclerotic fibroma of the skin during a period of 7 years are documented. As the lesion became older, there was not only a decrease in cellularity, but also a progressive organization of the collagen bundles toward a "plywood-like" appearance.

Treatment charts in radiation therapy. An analysis of European treatment records.

The radiotherapy treatment chart (dose prescription, set-up parameters, dose computation and daily dose recording form) represents an important working tool in radiotherapy, not only as a compilation of data, but also as a method of communication among physicians, physicists and technicians. In addition to administrative and medical data, physical and simulation data that are indispensable for the daily accurate reproduction of the therapy procedures should be recorded, as well as accurate daily entries of the fractional and cumulative absorbed doses. Moreover, any radiation therapy quality assurance programme must rely on the accessibility of the radiation treatment history and a correct record of the therapy protocol in order to be verifiable. We have analysed the treatment charts of 92 European Departments of Radiation Oncology, with the aim of identifying their salient characteristics and data recorded. The study shows strong differences among the charts analysed, not only in the amount of information recorded, but also in the kind of data and concepts used.

Skin flap neovascularization by means of a vasodilator.

The viability of vascularized flaps depends mainly on good microsurgical technique, although several factors can affect the final outcome. There are few studies of neovascularization at the recipient site and its significant role in late vascular occlusion. In this study, the rat abdominal skin flap based on circulation through the epigastric vessels was used, to study a drug with vasodilator effects (isoxsuprine) and its relation to flap neovascularization. By ligating the epigastric artery from one to five days after raising the flap, good results in flap viability were statistically significant when isoxsuprine was used. At two, three, and four day arterial occlusion after flap elevation, faster and more neovascularization occurred with isoxsuprine, when compared to control groups. The study strongly suggest that isoxsuprine hastens neovascularization time in the rat model.