Improvement of growth of Plasmodium falciparum fresh clinical isolates by using an established serum-free medium, GIT.

In the present study, we have tried to establish continuous cultures of fresh clinical isolates of P. falciparum by using a serum-free medium, GIT. To examine the ability of GIT to support the parasite growth, the growth of various P. falciparum isolates including two laboratory strains of P. falciparum, FCR3 and K1 was compared in both of GIT and RPMI 1640 medium supplemented by 10% human serum (RPMI-HS). Growth rates of various P. falciparum expressed as fold increases were compared in GIT and RPMI-HS, and the maximum growth rates of P. falciparum were 72 in GIT and 35 in RPMI-HS during the culture for 8 days. Growth rate of the clinical isolates varied individually in both culture media, with average growth rates of parasites being 15.9 in GIT and 8.8 in RPMI-HS, respectively (not significant). Growth rates of FCR3 and K1 strains were 28.0 and 6.6 in GIT, and 10 and 7.5 in RPMI-HS. After 30 days culture of P. falciparum in GIT, 9 of 12 clinical isolates still continuously propagated but other three isolates disappeared. Despite variation of the P. falciparum isolates in their abilities to multiply in GIT, our experiments suggested that GIT is useful for culture of fresh clinical isolates of P. falciparum that are derived from geographically distinct areas as well as laboratory strains used commonly in laboratory research.

Automated, simplified GC/MS data processing system for organic acidemia screening and its application.

Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is widely used in diagnosis of organic acidemias. However, GC/MS has not yet become a routine laboratory test, because of the complexity in interpretation of GC/MS data. We developed a personal computer-based system of automated metabolic profiling and disease detection for the screening of organic acidemias by GC/MS. The data were processed after the GC/MS analysis of urinary organic acids. In this system, 130 kinds of metabolites and 25 disorders of organic acids were enrolled for the search and detection, respectively. Metabolites were identified with methylene unit values (MU). target ions (Q- and C-ions) and their intensity ratios, and semiquantified by peak relative area (%) of the Q-ions to that of an internal standard. Metabolites whose values exceeded the cutoff of the control table were flagged as abnormal. The diseases or pathological condition were automatically evaluated by combination of the abnormal compounds. In this system, index metabolites were categorized into three groups. "AND, "OR" and "NO". The groups, "AND" and "OR" comprised essential and optional compounds, respectively, for the specific diagnosis. The third group, "NO", included compounds which must be absent to reach a diagnosis. We compiled data of MU values and mass spectrum of 130 kinds of index metabolites, and tested the usefulness of this system by analysis of 74 patients with 19 kinds of diseases. In all cases, at least a correct diagnosis could be found among the disease names outputted. We have successfully applied this to a pilot neonatal screening by GC/MS in our regional area, and acylglycine analysis by the stable isotope dilution method with tert-butyldimethylsilyl derivatization. With our system, many people can attend for screening programs using GC/MS.

Serotyping of Duffy blood group in several Thai ethnic groups.

Duffy blood groups were serologically investigated in 434 individuals from Black Lahu (N = 54), Shan (N = 62), Lisu (N = 74), Red Karen (N = 112), White Karen (N = 102) and Manni (N = 30) in Thailand. High frequency of Fya (0.917-1.0) which is comparable with other Mongoloid populations was observed. The presence of weak-Fya antigen was detected in eight individuals of northern ethnic groups.

Avaliacao, por docentes e alunos, do processo de integracao das disciplinas enfermagem medica e enfermagem cirurgica. / Evaluation by instructors and students of the integration process of medical-surgical nursing

a por cento (29/32) dos determinantes transferiveis eram do tipo Fi.