Complete Genome Sequence of Paraclostridium bifermentans DSM 14991.

The complete genome sequence of Paraclostridium bifermentans was obtained by assembly of Illumina and Oxford Nanopore (ONT) reads. The sequence will enable study into the organism's ability to biohydrogenate unsaturated acyl chains in the transformation of C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) into the corresponding bioactive non-methylene-interrupted fatty acids (NMIFAs).

Charge form factor of the neutron at low momentum transfer from the 2H-->(e-->,e'n)1H reaction.

We report new measurements of the neutron charge form factor at low momentum transfer using quasielastic electrodisintegration of the deuteron. Longitudinally polarized electrons at an energy of 850 MeV were scattered from an isotopically pure, highly polarized deuterium gas target. The scattered electrons and coincident neutrons were measured by the Bates Large Acceptance Spectrometer Toroid (BLAST) detector. The neutron form factor ratio GEn/GMn was extracted from the beam-target vector asymmetry AedV at four-momentum transfers Q2=0.14, 0.20, 0.29, and 0.42 (GeV/c)2.

The oncogenic potential of human papillomaviruses: a review on the role of host genetics and environmental cofactors.

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs), with over 100 genotypes, are a very complex group of human pathogenic viruses. In most cases, HPV infection results in benign epithelial proliferations (verrucae). However, oncogenic types of HPV may induce malignant transformation in the presence of cofactors. For example, over 99% of all cervical cancers and a majority of vulval, vaginal, anal and penile cancers are the result of oncogenic HPV types. Such HPV types have been increasingly linked to other epithelial cancers involving the skin, larynx and oesophagus. Although viral infection is necessary for neoplastic transformation, evidence suggests that host and environmental cofactors are also required. Research investigating HPV oncogenesis is complex and quite extensive. The inability to produce mature HPV virions in animal models has been a major limitation in fully elucidating the oncogenic potential and role of associated cofactors in promoting malignant transformation in HPV-infected cells. We have reviewed the literature and provide a brief account of the current understanding of HPV oncogenesis, emphasizing the role of genetic susceptibility, immune response, and environmental and infectious cofactors.

Norplant prescribing in family practice.

BACKGROUND: This study describes the Norplant prescribing experience, training, and attitudes of South Carolina family practice and general practice (FP/GP) physicians. METHODS: A survey was mailed to all FP/GP physicians licensed in South Carolina, with two follow-up mailings to nonrespondents. RESULTS: Responses were received from 520 physicians, representing 43% of all licensed FP/GP physicians and 73% of all board-certified FP physicians. Norplant had been inserted by 39% of the respondents, and fewer than 10% reported encountering complications during the insertion process. Norplant removal was reported by 135 physicians, averaging 4.4 removals per year. Complications during removal were reported by 52% of physicians, with the most common problem being difficulty finding the capsules. Some degree of training in Norplant insertion was reported by 82% of physicians; 69% reported having had some training, formal or informal, in removal; but only 57% reported having received formal training either during residency or at a workshop. Training reduced insertion time but did not affect removal time or the number of complications encountered. Formal training was more likely to prepare physicians to successfully manage procedural complications. CONCLUSIONS: FP/GP physicians are important providers of Norplant. Improved training is needed to ensure that insertion is performed properly and to disseminate effective removal techniques.

PIP: A descriptive study of Norplant prescribing experiences, training, and attitudes among South Carolina physicians revealed a need for improved training opportunities. A questionnaire mailed to all 1201 family and general practice physicians licensed in South Carolina was returned by 540 (43%) physicians. 200 (39%) of these respondents had prescribed Norplant for women seeking contraception. Female physicians, younger physicians, and those who listed their specialty as family rather than general practice were significantly more likely than their counterparts to prescribe this method. The mean number of Norplant insertions per month was 1.9; only 7 physicians performed 10 or more insertions per month. Only 13 physicians reported any insertion-related complications (primarily bruising). Norplant removal was reported by 135 (24%) physicians, with an average of 4.4 removals annually. Complications during removal, primarily difficulties locating the capsules, were reported by 52% of physicians. 82% of physicians had received some form of training in Norplant insertion, including observing another physician, and 69% had been trained in capsule removal; formal training (residency or workshop) in insertion and removal was reported by only 57% and 53%, respectively. Training both reduced insertion time and prepared physicians to manage procedural complications.

Antihypertensive regimen and quality of life in a disadvantaged population.

A sample of family practice patients with essential hypertension (N = 106) who were predominantly elderly, black, and disadvantaged were studied to determine psychosocial and physiological side effects from antihypertensive therapy regimens. Patients were assigned randomly to one of four monotherapy treatment groups: Hydrochlorothiazide-triamterene, metoprolol, captopril, and methyldopa. These medications have been reported to have contrasting effects on quality of life. Measurements of quality of life, physical symptoms, and depression taken at baseline and during therapy revealed few significant changes in these indicators. Changes in mean levels of diastolic and systolic hypertension over time were clinically and statistically significant. Findings raise issues regarding medication effectiveness and cost given the disadvantaged population studied.

Transnasal dacryocystorhinostomy.

The advantages of the transnasal approach to dacryocystorhinostomy over the external incision approach are numerous. The external incision, with dissection of the orbicularis muscle, medial canthal ligament, and other soft tissues, produces much more scarring and is more likely to interfere with the pump action of the orbicularis muscle on the canaliculi. Granulation tissue and scar stenosis are the causes of failure in both the external approach and transnasal surgery. In fact, if follow-up care by a nasal surgeon is not available with the external approach, the failure rate will be higher than with transnasal surgery. Patients who require dacryocystorhinostomy should be advised of the choice of procedures.

Serologic study of specimens with borderline FTA-ABS test reactivity.

The treponemal group-specific absorbed fluorescent antibody test (FTA-ABS) does not yield clearly positive or negative results in all instances. This study was designed to analyze those sera showing borderline reactivity, in order to determine whether additional tests may help to resolve serodiagnostic problem cases. FTA-ABS tests on 23,807 sera submitted to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene yielded borderline results with 479 specimens (2%). Patients showing inconclusive FTA-ABS test reactivity were equally distributed among older and younger age groups, and 6% of borderline cases were women. Of all the 479 specimens, only five sera (1%) gave a non-specific hemagglutination with the Treponema pallidum microhemagglutination (MHA-TP) test, with 82.5% of the FTA-ABS test borderline sera yielding negative results with the MHA-TP test. Because recent findings had shown atypical false fluorescence with the FTA-ABS test on sera from patients with antinuclear antibody, the fluorescent antinuclear antibody test (FANA) was also performed on specimens inconclusive with the FTA-ABS test. Only seven sera (1.5%) were reactive by the FANA test, suggesting that antinuclear antibody was not a significant cause of borderline FTA-ABS reactions. The implications of these findings to venereal disease serology laboratory practice are discussed.