Characterizing the phylogenetic specialism-generalism spectrum of mammal parasites.

The distribution of parasites across mammalian hosts is complex and represents a differential ability or opportunity to infect different host species. Here, we take a macroecological approach to investigate factors influencing why some parasites show a tendency to infect species widely distributed in the host phylogeny (phylogenetic generalism) while others infect only closely related hosts. Using a database on over 1400 parasite species that have been documented to infect up to 69 terrestrial mammal host species, we characterize the phylogenetic generalism of parasites using standard effect sizes for three metrics: mean pairwise phylogenetic distance (PD), maximum PD and phylogenetic aggregation. We identify a trend towards phylogenetic specialism, though statistically host relatedness is most often equivalent to that expected from a random sample of host species. Bacteria and arthropod parasites are typically the most generalist, viruses and helminths exhibit intermediate generalism, and protozoa are on average the most specialist. While viruses and helminths have similar mean pairwise PD on average, the viruses exhibit higher variation as a group. Close-contact transmission is the transmission mode most associated with specialism. Most parasites exhibiting phylogenetic aggregation (associating with discrete groups of species dispersed across the host phylogeny) are helminths and viruses.

Platelet transfusion refractoriness associated with HPA-1a (Pl(A1)) alloantibody without coexistent HLA antibodies successfully treated with antigen-negative platelet transfusions.

BACKGROUND: Alloimmune-mediated refractoriness to platelet transfusion is most commonly due to antibody to HLA antigens in multiply transfused or multiparous patients. Published reports of poor transfusion response due to antibodies to platelet-specific antigens are rare and often confounded by the presence of coexistent antibodies against HLA antigens. CASE REPORT: A case is presented of a multiparous woman with acute myelogenous leukemia whose sole cause of transfusion refractoriness was antibody to platelet antigen HPA-1a. She responded dramatically to HPA-1a-negative platelet transfusion. CONCLUSION: This case provides strong serologic and clinical evidence that platelet transfusion refractoriness may result from antibodies to platelet-specific antigens.

Infections and re-infections in long-term external ventricular drainage. A variation upon a theme.

BACKGROUND: The infection of the external ventricular drainage (EDV) remains the main morbidity and mortality associated with this procedure, in the setting of the treatment of hydrocephalus and its complications, leading to excess of hospitalization with annual economic burden. METHODS. In this 3-year retrospective study we selected and reviewed the records of 15 of 143 patients (mean age 34 years with range from 1 months to 70 years; 12 males and 3 females) undergone to prolonged EVD in the setting of management of hydrocephalus (5 patients because of acute ventricular dilation post-intraventricular hemorrhage or post-hemorrhagic HCP, 8 because of V-P shunt infection, 1 because of post-traumatic HCP and 1 because of shunt malfunction by elevated CSF protein) and developing a shunt infection or one or more superinfection. RESULTS: There was a 26% mortality and a 13% morbidity (1 patient had GOS score of 2, 1 score of 3 and 3 score of 5). The pathogens yielded by CSF culture were normal or transient flora of the patient's skin. The causes of infection were carefully analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our experience the management of infection in long-term EVD includes: the standardization of the environment of the surgery achieved with a) use of prophylactic antibiotics; b) preparation of the patient and sterile field; c) no touch technique. After implantation of EVD the risk of infection must be minimized by carefully nursing care of EVD, and administration of above prophylactic antibiotics. CSF must be collected for culture and cell count, glucose and protein when clinically indicated. When infection o reinfection is demonstrated by CSF culture then it is advisable to remove the entire hardware and start the antibiotic therapy intravenously and intraventricularly basing on susceptibility tests, CSF penetration of antibiotics, their bactericidal action, toxicity, specificity and cost. Regard to the duration of the therapy, a practical guide is treating for 10-14 days after three consecutive CSF sterile cultures. Thus, convention of EVD to a shunt can be performed within 3 weeks from admission, in the best favourable cases, decreasing the duration of hospital stay and the overall cost of neurosurgical management of the cerebral pathology requiring as therapeutic adjunct and EVD.

Microdissection, microchip arrays, and molecular analysis of tumor cells (primary and metastases).

Advances in biotechnology and bioinformatics are offering promise for new breakthroughs in gene discovery and elucidation of gene function. At present, many candidate genes related to cancer pathogenesis have been identified in several types of human cancer, yet frequently their function remains elusive. This is particularly true as it relates to the progression of human cancer. This landscape could change dramatically, however, as technological innovations and improvements continue to revolutionize these fields. High-throughput molecular approaches are emerging, which may become accurate, automated, and cost-effective. For example, DNA arrays on microchips are under development with numerous applications, including the ability to screen genes rapidly for mutations and to study patterns of gene expression on a large scale. Automated systems for microdissection and sequencing are also in their implementation stages. Commensurate with their integration and evolution, these information and technological tools have the potential to offer a more comprehensive understanding of multiple genetic and cellular alterations occurring during cancer initiation, development, and progression. Ultimately, this fundamental knowledge can provide strategies for intervention, prevention, and early diagnosis. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.

Effect of partially replacing dietary barley with 20% carob pulp on post-weaning growth, and carcass and meat characteristics of Comisana lambs.

Sixteen male Comisana lambs were divided into two groups of eight at age 45 days. One group received a commercial pelleted diet (control) and the other group (carob) received a diet in which 20% carob pulp was used in partial replacement of barley. The animals were slaughtered at 100 days. No significant differences were observed for live weight, although the carob group ate 14% more dry matter, showing a higher conversion index (2.68 and 3.22kg dry matter per kg weight gain respectively for control and carob). The dressing percentage was higher (p < 0.05) for the control group; however, the carcasses showed no differences in the European classification system. Lightness (lean colour) was the only meat quality parameter (p < 0.05) affected by diet treatment: the carob group lambs had a higher L (∗) value. This could not be attributed to ultimate pH, which was not significantly different between the two groups. In triangle tests, sensory panelists were unable to distinguish one diet treatment from the other. Instrumental tenderness was also unaffected by diet treatment.

Arterial changes after thrombolysis and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in vertebrobasilar thrombosis.

We present clinicopathologic findings in a patient treated with intraarterial thrombolysis and angioplasty for vertebrobasilar thrombosis. Autopsy revealed a marked inflammatory infiltrate within the vertebral artery at the site of catheter manipulation. This finding may have important implications for the use of interventional angiography in cerebrovascular disease.

Painful ophthalmoplegia syndrome (spheno-cavernous syndrome) caused by a ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysm. A brief report.

A case is reported of ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysm presenting as a painful ophthalmoplegia syndrome (spheno-cavernous syndrome). This case suggests that there is need to carried out immediately neuroradiological studies when a painful ophthalmoplegia appears because of possible underlying intracranial aneurysm. This decisional algorithm should decrease the probability of aneurysmal rebleeding and increase the chance of oculomotor nerve function recovery.

Alterations in ornithine decarboxylase and transglutaminase activities in lymphocytes from untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Ornithine decarboxylase (L-ornithine carboxylase, EC 4.1.1.17) and transglutaminase (R-glutaminylpeptide: amine gamma-glutamyltransferase, EC 2.3.2.13), enzymes implicated in the regulation of growth processes, were studied in lymphocytes from untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A marked increase of ornithine decarboxylase activity was found in lymphocytes from chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients when compared to normal human lymphocytes; in contrast, no transglutaminase activity was found in lymphocytes from untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The role of response-reinforcer relationship in discrimination learning of mentally retarded persons.

The role of the spatial relationship between target responses and reinforcers in the discrimination learning of mentally retarded subjects was evaluated. On each training trial, subjects were instructed to move a hand-operated manipulandum to a positive stimulus located at the left or right end of a track. Correct responses were immediately followed by onset of a light and presentation of an edible reinforcer. In the control condition the light and edible reinforcers were presented in a single location equidistant from the ends of the manipulandum track; in the experimental condition, they were presented directly adjacent to the terminus of the response at the end of the manipulandum track corresponding to the location of the correct stimulus. Results showed that discrimination performance was more efficient in the experimental condition than in the control condition.