Effects of Ethanol and NAP on Cerebellar Expression of the Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1

The neural cell adhesion molecule L1 is critical for brain development and plays a role in learning and memory in the adult. Ethanol inhibits L1-mediated cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs), and these actions might underlie the cerebellar dysmorphology of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The peptide NAP potently blocks ethanol inhibition of L1 adhesion and prevents ethanol teratogenesis. We used quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting of extracts of cerebellar slices, CGNs, and astrocytes from postnatal day 7 (PD7) rats to investigate whether ethanol and NAP act in part by regulating the expression of L1. Treatment of cerebellar slices with 20 mM ethanol, 10−12 M NAP, or both for 4 hours, 24 hours, and 10 days did not significantly affect L1 mRNA and protein levels. Similar treatment for 4 or 24 hours did not regulate L1 expression in primary cultures of CGNs and astrocytes, the predominant cerebellar cell types. Because ethanol also damages the adult cerebellum, we studied the effects of chronic ethanol exposure in adult rats. One year of binge drinking did not alter L1 gene and protein expression in extracts from whole cerebellum. Thus, ethanol does not alter L1 expression in the developing or adult cerebellum; more likely, ethanol disrupts L1 function by modifying its conformation and signaling. Likewise, NAP antagonizes the actions of ethanol without altering L1 expression

Design and characterization of a precision fluid dispensing valve

Precision fluid dispensing is a complicated but yet relevant process where fluid is dispensed in a controlled manner. It is important and applicable in an array of applications ranging from dispensing of food products, biomedical applications to dispensing of adhesive and encapsulants in the semi-conductor industry. This paper discusses the design and characterization of a precision fluid dispensing hybrid valve based on the time-pressure, positive displacement pump, and adhesive jetting technologies. The main advantage of this dispensing method is that the amount of fluid dispensed is independent of the standoff height and does not rely on surface tension between the substrate and the fluid for clean dispensation. Specifically, the dispensed fluid is jetted from a fixed needle height, and hence, repeatability and accuracy is improved while eliminating vertical travel. A prototype valve was built and tested for precision and accuracy of milligrams over a range of pressures and time. The test results are promising, indicating high repeatability and accuracy for low to medium viscous materials and are comparable to existing commercially available precision dispensing systems

Evidence of nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis among AIDS patients by DNA fingerprinting. Microbiologica

DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was performed on Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from patients in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Unit of a community hospital. It was found that M. tuberculosis isolates from two patients with AIDS shared an identical RFLP pattern. Such a fingerprint was not found in M. tuberculosis isolates from any of 40 HIV-negative patients hospitalized in different Units over the same period, assumed as representative of the strains present in the community, thus ruling out that the isolates from the two AIDS patients might match because only a few strains were present in the community. Clinical records of the two AIDS patients showed an 8-day concomitant hospitalization period in the same ward during which one of the two patients showed active tuberculosis; the second patient developed active tuberculosis less than two months later. These findings strongly support the possibility of nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis

DNA restriction fragments length polymorphism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in Pisa, Italy

A total of 60 Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated in the area of Pisa, Italy, over a period from April 1993 to December 1995, were analyzed for the IS6110-based restriction fragments length polymorphism (RFLP). Isolates were found to show a great heterogeneity and only few isolates shared identical DNA banding patterns. In particular, 55 distinct IS6110 patterns were found (average number of isolates per pattern: 1.09) and only 9 strains (15%) occurred in 4 clusters of 2-3 identical clones. Computer analysis of genetic similarities among the strains revealed a family of 17 isolates including the clustered clones implicated in recently acquired infections. No correlation was found between the RFLP DNA patterns of the isolates and drug susceptibility. Of the 5 isolates from immigrants only one showed abnormal DNA fingerprinting. Our data indicate that the patterns of M. tuberculosis isolates in Pisa area are comparable to those of countries with low-prevalence TB and that a low level of TB transmission occurs in this area

Comparison of three restriction endonucleases in IS1245-based RFLP typing of Mycobacterium avium

IS1245-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis has been proposed recently for molecular typing of Mycobacterium avium isolates, As there is no standardised method with respect to the optimal restriction enzyme, three restriction endonucleases were tested for analysis of 17 human isolates, The restriction endonucleases, selected on the basis of the physical maps of IS1245 and of the highly homologous IS1311, were BsaAI, that cleaves IS1245, PvuII, that cleaves IS1311, and NruI, that cleaves both IS1245 and IS1311, All the restriction endonucleases yielded polymorphic and complex RFLP patterns, However, BsaAI- and NruI-generated bands were more evenly distributed and easier to detect than PvuII-generated bands, most of which clustered in a narrow zone of the fingerprint. In some cases, DNA digestion with BsaAI or NruI yielded probe-specific restriction fragments of molecular size lower than expected, Moreover, digestion with NruI, which was expected to generate the highest numbers of bands in all the isolates, yielded fewer bands than were obtained with BsaAI or PvuII in 14 and 5 isolates, respectively, These findings might suggest the existence of unidentified IS1245-related insertion element(s) in M. avium isolates, Computer analysis of the IS1245-based RFLP patterns of M. avium isolates showed that the restriction endonucleases were capable, although with minor differences, of defining distinct banding patterns and clusters of identical or highly related isolates, thus confirming IS1245-based RFLP analysis as a useful technique for epidemiological studies

Reflections on a community engagement strategy for mass antimalarial drug administration in Cambodia

Mass drug administration (MDA) to interrupt malaria transmission requires the participation of entire communities. As part of a clinical trial in western Cambodia, four villages received MDA in 2015–2016. Before approaching study communities, a collaboration was established with the local health authorities, village leaders, and village malaria workers. Formative research guided the development of engagement strategies. In each village, a team of volunteers was formed to explain MDA to their neighbors and provide support during implementation. Public mobilization events featuring drama and music were used to introduce MDA. Villages comprised groups with different levels of understanding and interests; therefore, tailored multiple engagement strategies were required. The main challenges were explaining malaria transmission, managing perceptions of drug side effects, and reaching mobile populations. It was important that local leaders took a central role in community engagement. Coverage during each round of MDA averaged 84%, which met the target for the trial