In closely monitored patients, adherence in the first month predicts completion of therapy for latent tuberculosis infection.

BACKGROUND: Current therapy for latent TB infection (LTBI) is long, and requires close follow-up. This results in sub-optimal adherence-the major reason for failure of therapy. METHODS: In an open label randomised trial comparing 4 months of rifampicin with 9 months of isoniazid, the proportion and regularity of doses taken, measured with an electronic monitoring system (MEMS), and provider estimates of adherence in the first month of therapy, were assessed as predictors of treatment completion. RESULTS: Of 104 patients analysed, 86 took more than 80% of doses within the expected interval, 11 took more than 80% of doses but over a longer time interval than usually allowed, and seven did not complete treatment. Treatment completion was associated with the number of doses taken, and the variability of intervals between doses during the first month of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence in the first month, based on the number of doses and variability of times when taken, could be useful to predict completion of LTBI therapy. Interventions could be targeted to patients with suboptimal adherence in the first month.

Isolation and characterization of predominant microorganisms during decomposition of waste materials in a field-scale composter.

A self-heating field-scale composter treating agro-industrial wastes within a period of 30 d was analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) (Pedro et al., J. Biosci. Bioeng., 91, 159-165, 2001). Three major bands were derived from Propionibacterium acnes, Methylobacterium mesophilicum or M. radiotolerans, and Bacillus thermocloacae. Strains MSP09A and MSP06G with close affiliation to P. acnes and B. thermocloacae, respectively, were successfully isolated. Based on quantitative-PCR results, the relative population of MSP09A increased towards the end of the composting process (mesophilic stage) while MSP06G seemed to predominate during the middle period (thermophilic stage). These results correlated highly with their growth temperatures. MSP09A and MSP06G had different metabolic profiles which were largely affected by culture conditions. MSP09A was able to utilize large complex molecules of lipids and proteins. An interspecies relationship in terms of metabolites such as propionic acid was expected between the two microorganisms.

Intraventricular arginine vasopressin blocks the acquisition of ethanol tolerance in mice.

Intracerebroventricular administration of [Arg8]vasopressin (AVP) blocks the development of tolerance to ethanol, when ethanol is administered to mice in a learning paradigm. This effect appears to result from an influence of AVP on both functional and dispositional components of tolerance.

Effect of posture on ventilatory response to steady-state hypoxia and hypercapnia.

The ventilatory response to steady-state normocapnic hypoxia and hypercapnia was measured in eight normal subjects after 15 min inhalation of 10.5% oxygen (with added CO2) or 4.2% CO2 in air through a loose-fitting high-flow Venturi mask. The erect (sitting) and the supine postures were studied. Ventilation was measured with inductance coils around the chest and the abdomen (Respitrace). Oxygen saturation was measured with an ear oximeter and PCO2 was measured transcutaneously on forearm skin using a modified pH electrode (Radiometer). In the erect posture (without stimulation), compared to supine, VE(21%) and VT/TI(32%) were greater but TI(19%) and TE(8%), abdominal contribution to tidal volume (24%) and 'arterial' PCO2 (0.6 mm Hg) were less. The mean ventilatory response to hypoxia at an 'arterial' PCO2 of 41 +/- 4 mm Hg (SD) was 0.61 +/- 0.34 L X min-1 X Sa-1O2 erect and 0.84 +/- 0.58 supine and to hypercapnia 2.89 +/- 1.4 L X min-1 X mm Hg-1 erect and 3.73 +/- 2.35 supine. The postural differences did not reach statistical significance. The pattern of response to both stimuli was similar, with doubling of VT, constant TI and slight shortening of TE. The abdominal contribution to tidal volume decreased by 9% with both forms of stimulation. In the steady state, the response to peripheral and central chemoreceptor stimuli was identical and essentially independent of position.