Long-term prognosis of haemangioblastoma of the CNS: Impact of von Hippel-Lindau disease

Peer reviewe

Heritability of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

OBJECTIVE—Diabetic nephropathy clusters in families, suggesting that genetic factors play a role in its pathogenesis. We investigated whether similar clustering exists for proliferative retinopathy in families with two or more siblings with type 1 diabetes

Evaluation of genotypic and phenotypic methods for differentiation of the members of the Anginosus group streptococci

The terminology and classification of the Anginosus group streptococci has been inconsistent. We tested the utility of 16S rRNA gene and tuf gene sequencing and conventional biochemical tests for the reliable differentiation of the Anginosus group streptococci. Biochemical testing included Rapid ID 32 Strep, API Strep, Fluo-Card Milleri, Wee-tabs, and Lancefield antigen typing. Altogether, 61 Anginosus group isolates from skin and soft tissue infections and four reference strains were included. Our results showed a good agreement between 16S rRNA gene and tuf gene sequencing. Using the full sequence was less discriminatory than using the first part of the 16S rRNA gene. The three species could not be separated with the API 20 Strep test. Streptococcus intermedius could be differentiated from the other two species by β-galactosidase (ONPG) and β-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase reactions. Rapid ID 32 Strep β-glucosidase reaction was useful in separating S. anginosus strains from S. constellatus. In conclusion, both 16S rRNA gene and tuf gene sequencing can be used for the reliable identification of the Anginosus group streptococci. S. intermedius can be readily differentiated from the other two species by phenotypic tests; however, 16S rRNA gene or tuf gene sequencing may be needed for separating some strains of S. constellatus from S. anginosus

Appropriateness of antibiotic treatment in intravenous drug users, a retrospective analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Infectious disease is often the reason for intravenous drug users being seen in a clinical setting. The objective of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of treatment and outcomes for this patient population in a hospital setting.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Retrospective study of all intravenous drug users hospitalized for treatment of infectious diseases and seen by infectious diseases specialists 1/2001–12/2006 at a university hospital. Treatment was administered according to guidelines when possible or to alternative treatment program in case of patients for whom adherence to standard protocols was not possible. Outcomes were defined with respect to appropriateness of treatment, hospital readmission, relapse and mortality rates. For statistical analysis adjustment for multiple hospitalizations of individual patients was made by using a generalized estimating equation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The total number of hospitalizations for infectious diseases was 344 among 216 intravenous drug users. Skin and soft tissue infections (n = 129, 37.5% of hospitalizations), pneumonia (n = 75, 21.8%) and endocarditis (n = 54, 15.7%) were most prevalent. Multiple infections were present in 25%. Treatment was according to standard guidelines for 78.5%, according to an alternative recommended program for 11.3%, and not according to guidelines or by the infectious diseases specialist advice for 10.2% of hospitalizations. Psychiatric disorders had a significant negative impact on compliance (compliance problems in 19.8% of hospitalizations) in multiple logistic regression analysis (OR = 2.4, CI 1.1–5.1, p = 0.03). The overall readmission rate and relapse rate within 30 days was 13.7% and 3.8%, respectively. Both non-compliant patient behavior (OR = 3.7, CI 1.3–10.8, p = 0.02) and non-adherence to treatment guidelines (OR = 3.3, CI 1.1–9.7, p = 0.03) were associated with a significant increase in the relapse rate in univariate analysis. In 590 person-years of follow-up, 24.6% of the patients died: 6.4% died during hospitalization (1.2% infection-related) and 13.6% of patients died after discharge.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Appropriate antibiotic therapy according to standard guidelines in hospitalized intravenous drug users is generally practicable and successful. In a minority alternative treatments may be indicated, although associated with a higher risk of relapse.</p

Solar parameters for modeling interplanetary background

The goal of the Fully Online Datacenter of Ultraviolet Emissions (FONDUE) Working Team of the International Space Science Institute in Bern, Switzerland, was to establish a common calibration of various UV and EUV heliospheric observations, both spectroscopic and photometric. Realization of this goal required an up-to-date model of spatial distribution of neutral interstellar hydrogen in the heliosphere, and to that end, a credible model of the radiation pressure and ionization processes was needed. This chapter describes the solar factors shaping the distribution of neutral interstellar H in the heliosphere. Presented are the solar Lyman-alpha flux and the solar Lyman-alpha resonant radiation pressure force acting on neutral H atoms in the heliosphere, solar EUV radiation and the photoionization of heliospheric hydrogen, and their evolution in time and the still hypothetical variation with heliolatitude. Further, solar wind and its evolution with solar activity is presented in the context of the charge exchange ionization of heliospheric hydrogen, and in the context of dynamic pressure variations. Also the electron ionization and its variation with time, heliolatitude, and solar distance is presented. After a review of all of those topics, we present an interim model of solar wind and the other solar factors based on up-to-date in situ and remote sensing observations of solar wind. Results of this effort will further be utilised to improve on the model of solar wind evolution, which will be an invaluable asset in all heliospheric measurements, including, among others, the observations of Energetic Neutral Atoms by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX).Comment: Chapter 2 in the planned "Cross-Calibration of Past and Present Far UV Spectra of Solar System Objects and the Heliosphere", ISSI Scientific Report No 12, ed. R.M. Bonnet, E. Quemerais, M. Snow, Springe

Comparison of Effects of Medium Composition and Atmospheric Conditions on Detection of Bilophila wadsworthia β-Lactamase by Cefinase and Cefinase Plus Methods

The influence of growth medium and incubation conditions on the detection of Bilophila wadsworthia β-lactamase was tested with Cefinase and Cefinase Plus disks. The tests involved aerobic and anaerobic incubation with conventional disk and quantitative tube assays. The production of β-lactamase was correlated with penicillin G, ampicillin, and ampicillin-sulbactam MICs and inhibition zones on penicillin (2-U) disks. The strains were grown on (i) brucella agar (brucella), (ii) brucella agar supplemented with 1% pyruvate (brucella-pyruvate), and (iii) brucella agar supplemented with 1% taurine (brucella-taurine). With the aerobic disk assay, 100, 100, and 7% of strains were positive after 30 min from growth on brucella-pyruvate, brucella, and brucella-taurine plates, respectively; of strains grown on brucella-taurine, 54% remained negative by the Cefinase assay, and 23% remained negative by the Cefinase Plus assay at 2 h. In quantitative assays, the strains became positive after 30 min from brucella-pyruvate plates and after 1 h from brucella plates. The intensities of the reactions were strongest with brucella-pyruvate plates under anaerobic test conditions. Anaerobic incubation enhanced β-lactamase detection of growth on brucella-taurine: at 3 h, 85% of strains were positive in comparison to 38% with aerobic incubation. All β-lactamase-negative strains were susceptible to penicillin G and ampicillin; all β-lactamase-positive strains were resistant to ampicillin and, with the exception of two strains, penicillin G. In conclusion, β-lactamase production correlated with susceptibility to penicillin G and ampicillin. Brucella agar supplemented with 1% pyruvate was the most reliable medium for testing B. wadsworthia β-lactamase, and anaerobic incubation expedited positive results. Brucella agar supplemented with taurine was unsuitable for B. wadsworthia β-lactamase testing. Cefinase and Cefinase Plus results were in agreement, but Cefinase Plus yielded faster reactions