Development of the International Consortium for Blood Safety (ICBS) HCV panels.

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of assays used to screen blood for antibody to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the International Consortium for Blood Safety (ICBS) established fully characterized CBS panels. lCBS collected and characterized 1007 anti-HCV-positive plasma units from geographically diverse origins by ELISA, RIBA, RT-PCR, and sequence-based genotyping, 539 of which met the definition of a true positive. Of these, 200 confirmed positive plasma units, representing the 6 major HCV genotypes, were selected to assemble the true-positive constituents of the panel. The negative panel comprises 181 plasma units collected from the USA. The panels have proved valuable for determining the performance of anti-HCV assays thus permitting national authorities, especially in resource-limited countries, to make informed decisions on selection of affordable and reliable assays.

Development of the International Consortium for Blood Safety [ICBS] HCV panels

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of assays used to screen blood for antibody to hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection, the International Consortium for Blood Safety [ICBS] established fully characterized ICBS panels. ICBS collected and characterized 1007 anti-HCV-positive plasma units from geographically diverse origins by ELISA, RIBA, RT-PCR, and sequence-based genotyping, 539 of which met the definition of a true positive. Of these, 200 confirmed positive plasma units, representing the 6 major HCV genotypes, were selected to assemble the true-positive constituents of the panel. The negative panel comprises 181 plasma units collected from the USA. The panels have proved valuable for determining the performance of anti-HCV assays thus permitting national authorities, especially in resource-limited countries, to make informed decisions on selection of affordable and reliable assays

Genetics of acid adaptation in oral streptococci.

A growing body of information has provided insights into the mechanisms by which the oral streptococci maintain their niches in the human mouth. In at least one case, Streptococcus mutans, the organism apparently uses a panel of proteins to survive in acidic conditions while it promotes the formation of dental caries. Oral streptococci, which are not as inherently resistant to acidification, use protective schemes to ameliorate acidic plaque pH values. Existing information clearly shows that while the streptococci are highly related, very different strategies have evolved for them to take advantage of their particular location in the oral cavity. The picture that emerges is that the acid-adaptive regulatory mechanisms of the oral streptococci differ markedly from those used by Gram-negative bacteria. What future research must determine is the extent and complexity of the acid-adaptive systems in these organisms and how they permit the organisms to maintain themselves in the face of a low-pH environment and the microbial competition present in their respective niches.

Adaptation of oral streptococci to low pH.

The strategies employed by oral streptococci to resist the inimical influences of acidification reflect the diverse and dynamic niches of the human mouth. All of the oral streptococci are capable of rapid degradation of sugar to acidic end-products. As a result, the pH value of their immediate environment can plummet to levels where glycolysis and growth cease. At this point, the approaches for survival in acid separate the organisms. Streptococcus mutans, for example, relies on its F-ATPase, to protect itself from acidification by pumping protons out of the cells. S. salivarius responds by degrading urea to ammonia and S. sanguis produces ammonia by arginolysis. The mechanisms by which these organisms regulate their particular escape route are now being explored experimentally. The picture that emerges is that the acid-adaptive regulatory mechanisms of the oral streptococci differ markedly from those employed by Gram-negative bacteria. What remains to be elucidated are the breadth of the acid-response systems in these organisms and how they permit the microbes to sustain themselves in the face of low pH and the bacterial competition present in their respective niches. In this article, we summarize reports concerning the means by which oral streptococci either utilize acidification to subdue their competitors or protect themselves until pH values return to a more favorable level.

[Initial results of genetic carrier diagnosis in risk pedigrees with hemophilia A and B in East Germany]. / Erste Ergebnisse bei der genomischen Carrierdiagnostik in Risikosippen mit Hämophilie A und B in der DDR.

In 7 families at risk for hemophilia A 42 individuals were evaluated by the Taq I polymorphism of the extragenic probe St 14.1 and the Bcl I as well the Hind III polymorphism of the intragenic probe F8e16-19. 15 out of 20 females of the core families were identified as carriers, under them all of the obligate heterozygotes. 5 individuals were excluded as carriers. The heterozygosity for each of the RFLPs was found to be between 30% and 79%. Combining the single data in 96% heterozygosity was found under the individuals tested. A linkage disequilibrium was found between the Bcl I and Hind III polymorphismus of the probe F8e16-19. A family at risk for hemophilia B including 5 individuals was studied using the Taq I and Xmn I polymorphisms of the probe P1. In one of two females the carrier state could be excluded in the other one confirmed.

[Noninvasive roentgen diagnosis of right heart function in patients with recirculation disorders and chronic nonspecific lung changes]. / Nichtinvasive röntgenfunktionsdiagnostische Beurteilung des rechten Herzens bei Patienten mit Rezirkulationsvitien und chronisch unspezifischen Lungenerkrankungen.

The non-invasive x-ray functional diagnostic electroradiographic method at the large vessels near the heart may enrich the radiological preliminary diagnostics of recirculation abnormalities. In chronic unspecific pulmonary diseases it can characterize the load of the right heart. Our studies should serve as a pilot study for the in future possible, simply to be handled non-invasive video-densitometry of the vessels near the heart in the preliminary diagnostics of cardiovascular diseases.

[Results of long-term conditioning in patients with myocardial infarction during phase III rehabilitation]. / Ergebnisse einer Langzeitkonditionierung bei Patienten mit Herzinfarkt in der Rehabilitationsphase III.

The active kinesitherapy is an essential constituent of the whole rehabilitation process of patients with infarction. Despite the decrease due to the physiology of ageing and the progression of the coronary disease the physical functional capacity can be kept relatively constant also over many years. Thus the quality of the patients' lives can be favourably influenced. Whether the life expectancy alone can be improved at long date by the active conditioning, further on remains unclarified. Aimed differentiated medication, psychosocial measures, the consideration of secondary bronchopulmonary diseases and the well-timed selection for the coronary-surgical intervention must be included into the process of complex rehabilitation of patients with myocardial infarction. In these cases diagnostics and therapy of the somatic risk factors must particularly be taken into consideration during the whole process of rehabilitation in order to decrease the progressing of the basic disease.