Preliminary dengue vector surveillance in the Sunda Islands, Indonesia: Interchange of breeding habitat preferences of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

Ovitrap surveillance was conducted to determine the infestation patterns of dengue vectors in fourteen study sites across eight provinces located in the Sunda Islands, Indonesia. High ovitrap indices up to 70% and 90% were obtained from indoor and outdoor areas, respectively. Mean numbers of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus larvae ranged from 0.13 to 14.50 and 0.10 to 18.60, respectively. Mixed infestation (<10%) and interchange of breeding habitat preferences of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti were also observed in the present study.

Monitoring Insecticide Resistance Profiles of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Sunda Islands of Indonesia Based on Diagnostic Doses of Larvicides.

This study was conducted to monitor the susceptibility status of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) larvae in the Sunda Islands of Indonesia against various organophosphates and organochlorines. Larval bioassay was performed in accordance with the World Health Organization standard protocol. Field-collected and reference strains of Ae. aegypti larvae were tested against diagnostic doses of eight larvicides belonging to organophosphates and organochlorines, namely bromophos (0.050 mg/liter), chlopyrifos (0.002 mg/liter), fenitrothion (0.020 mg/liter), fenthion (0.025 mg/liter), malathion (0.125 mg/liter), temephos (0.012 mg/liter), DDT (0.012 mg/liter), and dieldrin (0.025 mg/liter). Mortality rates of larvae were recorded at 24-h posttreatment. This study showed that Ae. aegypti larvae from Padang, Samarinda, Manggarai Barat, and South Central Timor were susceptible to both fenitrothion and dieldrin (mortality rates ≥ 98%). About 6 out of 10 field strains of Ae. aegypti larvae were resistant (<80% mortality rates) against fenthion, whereas Ae. aegypti larvae from Kuningan, Samarinda, Sumba, and South Central Timor exhibited some degrees of resistance (mortality rates 80-98%). All field-collected Ae. aegypti larvae were resistant against diagnostic doses of chlorpyrifos, malathion, temephos, and DDT with mortality rates ranging from 0 to 74.67%. Continued insecticide susceptibility studies are essential to identify the efficacy of insecticides for an improved dengue vector control and to delay the development of insecticide resistance.

Preliminary dengue vector surveillance in the Sunda Islands, Indonesia: Interchange of breeding habitat preferences of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus

@#Ovitrap surveillance was conducted to determine the infestation patterns of dengue vectors in fourteen study sites across eight provinces located in the Sunda Islands, Indonesia. High ovitrap indices up to 70% and 90% were obtained from indoor and outdoor areas, respectively. Mean numbers of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus larvae ranged from 0.13 to 14.50 and 0.10 to 18.60, respectively. Mixed infestation (<10%) and interchange of breeding habitat preferences of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti were also observed in the present study.

Bioefficacy Evaluation of Commercial Mosquito Coils Containing Metofluthrin, d-Allethrin, d-Trans Allethrin, and Prallethrin Against Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Malaysia.

The bioefficacy of commercial mosquito coils containing four different active ingredients, namely metofluthrin, d-allethrin, d-trans allethrin, and prallethrin against Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) from 10 states in Malaysia, was evaluated using the glass chamber method. In this study, Ae. albopictus exhibited various knockdown rates (50% knockdown time, KT50), ranging from 2.50 to 5.00 min, 2.50 to 7.00 min, 3.00 to 8.00 min, and 5.00 to 17.00 min for metofluthrin, d-trans allethrin, d-allethrin, and prallethrin, respectively. Overall, all strains of Ae. albopictus were most susceptible to metofluthrin, with mortality rates >80%. On the other hand, mortality rates ranging from 5.0 to 100% were observed from all populations exposed to d-trans allethrin, d-allethrin, and prallethrin. In addition, significant correlations between KT50 of metofluthrin and d-allethrin (r = 0.758, P = 0.011), metofluthrin and prallethrin (r = 0.676, P = 0.032), d-allethrin and d-trans allethrin (r = 0.832, P = 0.003), d-allethrin and prallethrin (r = 0.921, P = 0.000), and d-trans allethrin with prallethrin (r = 0.941, P = 0.000) were detected, suggesting some levels of cross-resistance within the pyrethroid insecticides. This study demonstrated that metofluthrin can induce high insecticidal activity in Ae. albopictus in Malaysia, followed by d-trans allethrin, d-allethrin, and prallethrin.

Comparative Efficacy of Commercial Mosquito Coils Against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in Malaysia: A Nationwide Report.

This study was conducted using the glass chamber method to determine the susceptibility status of the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti (L.) from 11 states in Malaysia to commercial mosquito coils containing four different active ingredients, namely metofluthrin, d-allethrin, d-trans allethrin, and prallethrin. Aedes aegypti exhibited various knockdown rates, ranging from 14.44% to 100.00%, 0.00% to 61.67%, 0.00% to 90.00%, and 0.00% to 13.33% for metofluthrin, d-allethrin, d-trans allethrin, and prallethrin, respectively. Overall, mortality rates ranging from 0.00% to 78.33% were also observed among all populations. Additionally, significant associations were detected between the knockdown rates of metofluthrin and d-allethrin, and between metofluthrin and d-trans allethrin, suggesting the occurrence of cross-resistance within pyrethroid insecticides. Overall, this study revealed low insecticidal activity of mosquito coils against Ae. aegypti populations in Malaysia, and consequently may provide minimal personal protection against mosquito bites.

Giant hepatic adenoma with atypical features in a patient on oxcarbazepine therapy.

An association between oxcarbazepine therapy and hepatic adenoma (HA) has been documented in animal models but not observed in humans. The authors report a case of a 16-year-old girl on oxcarbazepine therapy for seizure disorder who presented with a giant HA. Pathology of the HA was notable for marked periductal fibrosis and glycoprotein inclusions in the nontumor liver. The patient was not on oral contraceptives and has no other known risk factors for HA.

Large scrotal hernia: a complicated case of mesh migration, ascites, and bowel strangulation.

A 30-year-old male with 1 1/2-year history of an asymptomatic, large, reducible right indirect scrotal hernia presented to the emergency department complaining of a 2-week history of increasing abdominal distension and daily emesis. He had recently undergone an emergent exploratory laparotomy in which his asymptomatic hernia was repaired with a mesh plug from an intra-abdominal approach. The mesh plug subsequently migrated into the patient's scrotum resulting in a strangulating bowel obstruction. This paper discusses a serious complication that may result from inappropriate use and placement of a mesh plug and our approach to correct the situation utilizing a bioabsorbable mesh prosthesis.

Paraneoplastic pemphigus and bronchiolitis obliterans associated with a mediastinal mass: A rare case of Castleman's disease with respiratory failure requiring lung transplantation.

Castleman's disease is an infrequent and usually benign lymphoproliferative disorder. Resection of the tumor usually is curative. The immunostimulatory nature of the tumor can, in rare instances, result in paraneoplastic manifestations. The authors present a case of a 14 year old with mucocutaneous ulcerations and progressive dyspnea that was found to have a large mediastinal mass and circulating autoantibodies that were responsible for his paraneoplastic pemphigus and bronchiolitis obliterans. In spite of aggressive immunotherapy to control the autoimmune mucocutaneous lesions, the pulmonary fibrosis was irreversible and progressed to pulmonary failure necessitating lung transplantation. J Pediatr Surg 36:E22.

Tilmicosin induces apoptosis in bovine peripheral neutrophils in the presence or in the absence of Pasteurella haemolytica and promotes neutrophil phagocytosis by macrophages.

Pathogen virulence factors and inflammation are responsible for tissue injury associated with respiratory failure in bacterial pneumonia, as seen in the bovine lung infected with Pasteurella haemolytica. Tilmicosin is a macrolide antibiotic used for the treatment of bovine bacterial pneumonia. Recent evidence suggests that tilmicosin-induced neutrophil apoptosis may have anti-inflammatory effects. Using bovine leukocytes, we sought to define whether live P. haemolytica affected tilmicosin-induced neutrophil apoptosis, assessed the proapoptotic effects of tilmicosin in comparison with other drugs, and characterized its impact on phagocytic uptake of neutrophils by macrophages. Induction of apoptosis in the presence or absence of P. haemolytica was assessed by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for apoptotic nucleosomes. In addition, fluorescent annexin-V staining identified externalized phosphatidylserine in neutrophils treated with tilmicosin, penicillin, ceftiofur, oxytetracycline, or dexamethasone. Neutrophil membrane integrity was assessed by using propidium iodide and trypan blue exclusion. As phagocytic clearance of apoptotic neutrophils by macrophages contributes to the resolution of inflammation, phagocytosis of tilmicosin-treated neutrophils by esterase-positive cultured bovine macrophages was assessed with light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Unlike bovine neutrophils treated with penicillin, ceftiofur, oxytetracycline, or dexamethasone, neutrophils exposed to tilmicosin became apoptotic, regardless of the presence or absence of P. haemolytica. Tilmicosin-treated apoptotic neutrophils were phagocytosed at a significantly greater rate by bovine macrophages than were control neutrophils. In conclusion, tilmicosin-induced neutrophil apoptosis occurs regardless of the presence or absence of live P. haemolytica, exhibits at least some degree of drug specificity, and promotes phagocytic clearance of the dying inflammatory cells.

Congenital cysts of the third and fourth pharyngeal pouches or pyriform sinus cysts.

Cysts arising from the III and IV pharyngeal pouches, although uncommon, are typical in their presentation. They occur in neonates, invariably in the left anterior neck and cause respiratory distress. Excision of the cyst with ligation of the tract at the level of the pyriform sinus is curative.

Apoptosis, oxidative metabolism and interleukin-8 production in human neutrophils exposed to azithromycin: effects of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Pathogen virulence factors and the host inflammatory response cause tissue injury associated with respiratory tract infections. The azalide azithromycin has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of these infections. It has been demonstrated previously that induction of polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) apoptosis is associated with minimization of tissue damage and inflammation in the lung. We hypothesized that, in addition to its antibacterial effects, azithromycin may promote apoptosis. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of azithromycin on PMN apoptosis, oxidative function and interleukin-8 (IL-8) production in the presence or absence of Streptococcus pneumoniae, in comparison with penicillin, erythromycin, dexamethasone or phosphate-buffered saline. Human circulating PMNs were assessed for apoptosis (by annexin V labelling and ELISA), oxidative function (by nitroblue tetrazolium reduction) and IL-8 production (by ELISA). Azithromycin significantly induced PMN apoptosis in the absence of S. pneumoniae after 1 h (10.27% +/- 1.48%, compared with 2.19% +/- 0.42% in controls) to levels similar to those after 3 h induction with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (8. 73% +/- 1.86%). This effect was abolished in the presence of S. pneumoniae. Apoptosis in PMNs exposed to the other drugs was not significantly different from that in controls. Azithromycin did not affect PMN oxidative metabolism or IL-8 production. In summary, azithromycin-induced PMN apoptosis may be detected in the absence of any effect on PMN function, and the pro-apoptotic properties of azithromycin are inhibited in the presence of S. pneumoniae.

Anti-inflammatory benefits of tilmicosin in calves with Pasteurella haemolytica-infected lungs.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether tilmicosin alters neutrophil infiltration or function, induces neutrophil apoptosis, and affects accumulation of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in lungs of calves experimentally infected with Pasteurella haemolytica. ANIMALS: 12 weight-ranked Holstein calves. PROCEDURE: Calves were given 25% propylene glycol vehicle (n = 5) or tilmicosin (10 mg/kg of body weight; n = 6) subcutaneously, 18 hours and 15 minutes before intratracheal infection with 2 x 10(8) P haemolytica organisms. Two unmanipulated calves served as controls in some experiments. Rectal temperatures were recorded 15 minutes before, and at 3-hour intervals after infection for 24 hours. Samples obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage performed 3 and 24 hours after infection were used to assess colonization by P haemolytica, and neutrophil infiltration. Neutrophil phagocytosis of P haemolytica, membrane leakage as determined by trypan blue exclusion, oxidative function as determined by nitro blue tetrazolium reduction, and apoptosis, using electron microscopy and DNA fragmentation ELISA, were determined. SOluble TNF-alpha and LTB4 were measured from supernatants from bronchoalveolar lavage samples, using ELISA. RESULTS: Treatment with tilmicosin resulted in significant (P < 0.05) clearance of P haemolytica and neutrophil apoptosis at 3 hours, and decreased concentration of LTB4 at 24 hours. Rectal temperatures, neutrophil infiltration, phagocytosis, oxidative functions, membrane leakage, and soluble TNF-alpha concentrations were not significantly affected by tilmicosin. CONCLUSION: Tilmicosin effectively controlled P haemolytica infection, induced neutrophil apoptosis, reduced pulmonary inflammation, and did not affect neutrophil infiltration or function. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: By inducing neutrophil apoptosis, tilmicosin prevents further amplification of inflammatory injury in P haemolytica-infected lungs.

Value of helical computed tomography, angiography, and endoscopic ultrasound in determining resectability of periampullary carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: High-quality preoperative radiographic evaluation is crucial in selecting patients with periampullary carcinomas who are candidates for surgical exploration and tumor resection while minimizing the rate of unnecessary laparotomy. METHODS: Twenty-one consecutive patients were prospectively investigated using helical computed tomography (CT) scanning, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), and selective visceral angiography (SVA) to determine tumor resectability. All patients were explored and resectability determined. RESULTS: Helical CT had a sensitivity of 63%, a specificity of 100%, and an overall accuracy of 86%. EUS had a sensitivity of 75%, a specificity of 77%, and an overall accuracy of 76%. SVA had a sensitivity of 38%, a specificity of 92%, and an overall accuracy of 71%. CONCLUSIONS: Helical CT scanning is the best preoperative imaging test to determine tumor resectability. EUS is more sensitive than CT for tumor detection, but underestimates resectability. SVA is no longer helpful in the preoperative evaluation of these malignancies.

Cloning and functional promoter mapping of the rat serotonin-2 receptor gene.

We have cloned the gene encoding the rat serotonin-2 (5-HT2) receptor. The transcription unit is divided into three exons by two introns. The major 5-HT2 transcript is 5.62 kb in length and contains 1173 bases of 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) 1413 bases of open reading frame, and 3033 bases of 3'-UTR. Primer extension demonstrates one strong transcription initiation site 1173 nt from the start codon. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis indicates the presence of at least one additional minor site of transcription initiation 1355 nt from the start codon. There are ATA boxes 28 nt 5' to both the major and minor sites of transcription initiation. Functional promoter mapping was carried out in a transient transfection assay. This analysis reveals that there are negative attenuating elements between 2.5 and 2.3 kb from the initiation site and positive elements between 1100 and 200 nt from transcription initiation. Minimal promoter sequences are contained within 200 nt of the major site of transcription initiation. These findings suggest that the expression of the 5-HT2 receptor gene is regulated by a combination of positive and negative elements operating through the minimal promoter.

Identification and characterization of Drosophila genes for synaptic vesicle proteins.

Proteins associated with synaptic vesicles are likely to control the release of neurotransmitter. Because synaptic transmission is fundamentally similar between vertebrates and invertebrates, vesicle proteins from vertebrates that are important for synaptic transmission should be present in Drosophila as well. This investigation describes Drosophila homologs of vamp, synaptotagmin, and rab3 that are expressed in a pattern consistent with a function in Drosophila neurotransmission. One previously reported candidate (syb), a Drosophila homolog of the vamp or synaptobrevin proteins, has been shown to be expressed at very low levels in neurons and is most abundant in the gut. A neuronal Drosophila vamp (n-syb) is described here and is localized to chromosome band 62A. Northern analysis and in situ hybridizations to mRNA indicate that the novel vamp, as well as the genes for synaptotagmin (syt) and rab3 (drab3), is expressed in the Drosophila nervous system. These genes are widely (perhaps ubiquitously) expressed in the nervous system and we have no evidence of additional neuronal isoforms of synaptotagmin, vamp, or rab3. Immunoreactivity for synaptotagmin and vamp is located in synaptic regions of the nervous system. This distribution suggests that these molecules are components of synaptic vesicles in Drosophila. The conserved structure and neuronal expression pattern of these genes indicate that they may function in processes that are required for both vertebrate and invertebrate synaptic transmission. Because of their distribution in the nervous system and because n-syb, synaptotagmin, and drab3 do not appear to be in a family of functionally redundant homologs, we predict that mutation of these genes will have a profound neurological phenotype and that they are therefore good candidates for a genetic dissection in Drosophila.

Differential expression of transcripts from syb, a Drosophila melanogaster gene encoding VAMP (synaptobrevin) that is abundant in non-neuronal cells.

VAMP (synaptobrevin) is a highly conserved membrane protein originally described as a component of brain synaptic vesicles. The Drosophila melanogaster VAMP-encoding gene (syb) comprises five exons. Splicing exons 1,2,3,4,5 (syb-b) results in a protein with a C-terminal hydrophobic domain and a negligible intraluminal domain. Splicing exons 1,2,3,5 (syb-a) predicts a protein with a 20-amino-acid luminal domain at the C terminus. The ratio of syb-a to syb-b transcripts is highly regulated during development. The syb transcripts show no enrichment in the nervous system and are present in very early embryos, well before neurogenesis. The greatest concentration of syb transcripts was found in cells of the gut and malpighian tubules. Thus, syb may have a general role in membrane trafficking and, perhaps, a role in the secretion of digestive enzymes.

Recombinant porin of Haemophilus influenzae type b.

A protein of approximately 40 kDa in the outer membrane of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) behaves as a porin and permits transmembrane diffusion of low-molecular-weight solutes. The gene for Hib porin was cloned from an M13 library of chromosomal DNA of Hib strain ATCC9795. The gene was subcloned into a new transfer vector as a prerequisite for its use in the baculovirus expression vector system. Pure recombinant virus (AcPORIN) was isolated. On infection of a cultivated insect cell line Sf9 with AcPORIN, a novel protein was detected in cell lysates, and this novel protein reacted with an anti-Hib porin monoclonal antibody. The purified recombinant Hib porin was tested for its pore-forming properties in a synthetic black lipid membrane. The biophysical activity of purified recombinant Hib porin was identical to porin isolated from the bacterial outer membrane.