Detection of Ralstonia solanacearum by loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

Ralstonia solanacearum is a pathogenic bacterium that causes wilt in over 200 plant species. Here we report a rapid and sensitive detection of R. solanacearum using an isothermal method for copying DNA known as loop-mediated amplification (LAMP). A set of four primers was designed to replicate the gene coding for the flagellar subunit, fliC, and conditions for detection were optimized to complete in 60 min at 65 degrees C. Magnesium pyrophosphate resulting from the amplification reaction could be detected optically as an increase in the solution turbidity, and the DNA products spread in a reproducible ladder-like banding pattern after electrophoresis in an agarose gel. Replication of the fliC gene was detected only from R. solanacearum. The detection limit of this LAMP assay was between 10(4) to 10(6) colony forming units/ml, and the technique may be useful for developing rapid and sensitive detection methods for the R. solanacearum pathogen in soil and water.

A homoleptic phosphine adduct of Tl(I).

A homoleptic phosphine adduct of thallium(I) supported by a tris(phosphino)borate ligand has been isolated and structurally characterized.

Refinement of the pressure assay for milk urea nitrogen.

We report improvements in the application of a pressure-based assay for urea. The assay involved the enzymatic hydrolysis of urea and subsequent measurement of CO2 partial pressure. Effects of the preservative bronopol on the assay and their implications for laboratory applications are discussed. A method of remediating these effects with cysteine is described. A method is also described wherein these additives can be used to prepare standards of known urea concentration in milk. The improved assay can be used to measure urea N in unadulterated milk or in bronopol preserved milk with an accuracy of +/-0.7 mg/dl (0.25 mM) in the range from 0 to 30 mg/dl (0 to 10.7 mM).

Chemical assay of urea for automated sensing in milk.

Results of a new chemical assay for urea involving enzymatic hydrolysis to ammonium and carbonate and subsequent measurement of CO2 partial pressure are presented. The assay is simple to implement in an automated version, and the hardware used is not prone to fouling and damage by raw milk. The assay sensitivity at 24 degrees C is about 0.367 kPa per milligram per deciliter of urea N. The assay has no dependence on milk fat in the sample, and effects of milk proteins and lactose are slight (less than 2% change in sensitivity per change in w/v percent). Observed sensitivities to urea in spiked milk samples were not significantly different from each other or from standards in distilled water or 0.1 M phosphate-buffered saline. The standard error of the assay is about 0.3 mg/dl of urea N (0.1 mM) in standard solution, and about 1 mg/dl of urea N (0.3 mM) in milk in a range of 0 to 30 mg/dl of urea N (0 to 11 mM). The assay holds promise for use in an on-line sensor to measure milk urea N in the milking parlor.

Maternal mortality in the Irish Republic, 1989-1991.

The aim was to study the numbers and causes of Maternal Mortality in the Irish Republic in the years 1989-1991, inclusive and publish sufficient detail to allow for international comparative studies. Maternal Deaths were identified via Death Certificates, Coroners' Reports and Hospital Annual Reports. Details of these deaths were then obtained from relevant clinicians and analysed by the authors with further consultation with involved parties, if necessary. There were nineteen deaths notified in the three year period. According to ICD9 these were classified as five direct, seven indirect, and seven fortuitous deaths. Amongst the five Direct deaths, two were associated with amniotic fluid embolism, and one with each of eclampsia, septicaemia and pulmonary embolism, a direct maternal mortality rate of 3.2 per 100,000 births.

Benign cervical leiomyoma leading to disseminated fatal malignancy.

A case study is reported of incomplete excision of a sessile leiomyoma of the posterior cervix followed by rapid tumor growth of the same region in a pregnancy commencing 2 months later. Cesarean section for placenta previa was followed 10 days later by hysterectomy for massive hemorrhage. The tumor was considered, following multiple review, to be a leiomyoma of the cervix with mitosis consistent with recent pregnancy. Widespread peritoneal recurrence occurred within 3 months requiring further laparotomy for excision of widespread tumor and ligation of internal iliac arteries. Death occurred 4 weeks later with widespread peritoneal occurrence. No postmortem was performed. The case emphasizes the rare potential for malignant change in histologically benign leiomyomas with no indications to this potential apart from biological behavior.

The effect of intermittent steroid therapy on anti-sperm antibody levels.

Sperm-bound antisperm antibody levels were measured in 10 males in subfertile partnerships who were treated with high dose intermittent prednisolone therapy over a period up to 9 months. Antibody levels fell in all patients during therapy, although a transient rise occurred after 2-4 months. There were low treatment complication rates. Four pregnancies occurred during the treatment of the 10 patients. There was no correlation between pregnancy and change in antibody.

Sexual and contraceptive practice in an Irish university.

177 university undergraduate students, randomly selected, completed a questionnaire concerning their sexual practices and contraceptive awareness. Irish students were no different from others in high degree of risk taking with respect to pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. Health promotion requires basic information of the type reported here.

Postlaparoscopic small bowel obstruction.

Laparoscopic surgery continues to grow in popularity as a technique for approaching a variety of clinical problems. With an increase in the number of these procedures performed, unique complications, both early and late, will be identified. Optimal management of complications may differ significantly from the conventional approach. We describe the course of a patient who develops a high-grade partial small bowel obstruction 2 days after an uneventful laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. The patient had a history of laparoscopic pelvic surgery 7 years previously. Findings at exploration included a Richter's hernia through a midline fascial defect unrelated to our procedure. This defect, approximately 5 cm below the umbilicus, was most likely secondary to her previous laparoscopic procedure. This finding supports routine fascial closure of 10-mm or greater trochar sites and early, aggressive investigation and intervention in postlaparoscopic bowel obstructions.

Does incourse assessment and counselling improve exist performance?

Based on an incourse MCQ test in obstetrics and gynaecology, 60 final year medical students were individually advised, according to their performance, whether or not they needed to work harder at the subject to avoid the risk of failure at the final medical examination. Nobody who performed well at the MCQ failed or was borderline at the final examination. Half of those who were advised to work harder occupied the lowest marks at the final examination. The incourse MCQ was sensitive in selecting out those candidates at risk in their final examination but the advice they were given failed to deal with the deficiencies in half of the students involved. After graduating, these doctors will presumably need special help to maintain their knowledge as they are either incapable of self-motivation or are otherwise deficient. The incourse assessment feedback may have helped another small groups of students to work harder but this study cannot confirm that. The exercise seems worthwhile in that the outlay in time is small, there may be a positive advantage for some students and the medical teacher can feel free of any guilt for failing to advise those students who were at risk of poor performance in the final examination.

Atheroembolism.

Atheroembolism is an underdiagnosed and often preventable cause of acute arterial insufficiency. The patients suffering from atheroembolism require aggressive evaluation for a source of emboli and frequently surgical excision or exclusion of the source. The Keesler Air Force Base experience with atheroembolism over the past four years was reviewed. Fifteen patients representing 0.03 per cent of hospital admissions were diagnosed with atheroembolism. The embolic source as confirmed by arteriography was aortoiliac in eight patients (57%), femoropopliteal in six patients (43%), and unknown in one patient. Nine patients (60%) were treated surgically or with angioplasty. Three patients had toe amputations and one required a below-the-knee amputation. Only one death occurred that was secondary to unrelated disease.

Intra abdominal rupture of first trimester cervical pregnancy.

A case of cervical pregnancy resulting in intra abdominal rupture in the first trimester is reported. The clinical features of this rare cause of uterine rupture are outlined. Pathological examination of the uterus showed placenta percreta.

Redistribution of plasma zinc between albumin and alpha 2-macroglobulin in pregnancy.

A cross sectional study involving 12 non-pregnant and 71 pregnant women was undertaken to determine the effect of pregnancy on the concentration in the plasma of zinc and copper and the binding of zinc to plasma proteins. The results confirmed the relationship observed by others between reduced zinc and increased copper concentrations in the plasma of pregnant women. These changes occurred during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. The concentrations of plasma albumin-bound zinc and alpha 2-macroglobulin-bound zinc were observed to decrease 27.5% and 52.1%, respectively, during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. During the second and third trimesters of pregnancy a redistribution of zinc occurred within the total plasma zinc pool between albumin and alpha 2-macroglobulin. In the process, the contribution of albumin-bound plasma zinc pool was increased 16.2%, whereas the contribution of alpha 2-macroglobulin-bound plasma zinc was decreased 31.6%. The former is considered more "dynamic" than the latter and the observed shift of zinc within the plasma pool to the albumin-bound state, during pregnancy, may represent an adaptive response designed to offset any adverse effects of reduced maternal plasma zinc concentrations on the developing fetus.