bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-neonatal meningitis due to less common bacterial pathogens, the Netherlands, 1975–83
Authors: Spanjaard L. , Bol P. , Zanen H. C.
Published: October 2009

In the Netherlands, case histories of 160 patients aged more than 1 month, with meningitis due to bacteria other thanNeisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzaeandStreptococcus pneumoniaewere reviewed in order to look for associations between the bacteriological data and the course of disease.

The incidence of such cases was about 0·8/100000/year.Escherichia coliandListeria monocytogeneseach accounted for about 15% of the cases. The case-fatality rate was 18·8% (Gram-negative bacteria, 25%; Gram-positives, 15%) and sequelae occurred in 13·3% of the surviving patients (14 and 13% Gram-negative and Gram-positive, respectively). Hearing loss was the most prevalent sequela (50%). Predisposing factors were present in 70% of patients (69 and 71% respectively), especially in meningitis due to enteric Gram-negative bacteria (except for salmonella) and due to staphylococci.

Surveillance is important because the incidence of meningitis due to these micro-organisms is likely to increase and because the problems in antibiotic treatment have not yet been solved.
Comparison of techniques for demonstrating antibodies to Rift Valley fever virus
Authors: Swanepoel R. , Struthers J. K. , Erasmus M. J. , Shepherd S. P. , McGillivray G. M. , Erasmus B. J. , Barnard B. J. H.
Published: October 2009

Nine serological techniques were compared by monitoring the response to infection with Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus in three sheep. Antibodies were monitored daily for the first 14 days after infection, then weekly and later fortnightly up to week 24. The earliest antibody response was detected in one sheep on day 3 by a plaque reduction neutralization test, and by day 6 antibodies were demonstrable in all three sheep by haemagglutination-inhibition, reversed passive haemagglutination-inhibition, immunodiffusion, indirect immunofluorescence (IF), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and neutralization of cytopathic effect in cell cultures. Antibodies were demonstrable by complement fixation on day 8 at the earliest. IF and the two neutralization techniques produced the highest titres, but all tests could be used satisfactorily for the serological diagnosis of RVF. Inactivated antigen could be used for all except the neutralization tests. A radioimmunoassay technique using125I-labelIed staphylococcal protein A detected antibodies on day 8 at the earliest and produced lower mean titres than some of the other techniques. This was probably because sheep immunoglobulins bind protein A poorly.
Experimental plague infection in South African wild rodents
Authors: Shepherd A. J. , Leman P. A. , Hummitzsch D. E.
Published: October 2009

Susceptibility studies were undertaken to determine the response of some South African wild rodent species to experimental plague (Yersinia pestis) infection.

A degree of plague resistance was found in three gerbil species captured in the plague enzootic region of the northern Cape Province, these being the Namaqua gerbil, Desmodillus auricularis, (LD50 1 × 106 organisms), the bushveld gerbil, Tatera leucogaster, (LD50 9·1 × 105) and the highveld gerbil, T. brantsii (LD50 4 × 102). Animals from a population of the four-striped mouse, Rhabdomys pumilio, captured in the plague area of Port Elizabeth, proved moderately resistant to experimental plague infection (LD 50 1·3 × 104) while those from another population of the same species captured in a plague-free area of the Orange Free State were extremely susceptible (LD50, 5 organisms). The response of both populations however was a heterogeneous one. Marked differences in susceptibility were also found between two populations of multimammate mice, Mastomys natalensis (2n = 32) although both originated from areas outwith the known distribution of plague in southern Africa.

The 50% infectious dose was relatively high in T. leucogaster (3·2 × 102) and D. auricularis (1·7 × 103), but was low (2–16 organisms) in the other rodent species tested.

The plague antibody response, determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was extremely short-lived in T. leucogaster, only 10% of inoculated animals remaining seropositive at low titres after 11 weeks. Antibodies persisted for only slightly longer in the sera of T. brantsii which were reinoculated with 2 × 103 plague organisms 6 weeks after initial challenge.

The demonstration of the existence of both susceptible and resistant populations of R. pumilio and M. natalensis indicates that these species must be considered as potential plague reservoir hosts in parts of South Africa.

The results suggest that resistance to plague infection in previously epizootic hosts in the northern Cape Province such as Tatera sp. and D. auricularis has arisen through continual selective pressure of the organism. If the findings are applicable to gerbil populations in other plague enzootic regions of South Africa it is probable that acquired plague resistance has been responsible for the absence of gerbil epizootics and consequently for the dramatic decline in human plague outbreaks in South Africa since 1950.
Microbiology of beef carcasses before and after slaughterline automation
Authors: Whelehan O. P. , Hudson W. R. , Roberts T. A.
Published: October 2009

The bacterial status of beef carcasses at a commercial abattoir was monitored before and after slaughterline automation. Bacterial counts did not differ significantly overall (P>0·05) between the original manual line and the automated line for either morning or afternoon slaughter. On the manual line counts in the morning were lower than those from carcasses slaughtered in the afternoon, but on the automated line there was no difference between morning and afternoon counts. Due to highly significant line × sample site interaction for both morning and afternoon counts, overall differences among sample sites were not found by analysis of variance. However, principal components analysis revealed a significant shift in bacterial contamination among some sites due to slaughterline changes. The incidence of Enterobacteriaceae increased marginally following automation.
Bacteriological characters of strains ofStaphylococcus aureussubmitted to a reference laboratory related to methicillin resistance
Authors: Marples R. R. , Richardson J. F. , de Saxe Maureen J.
Published: October 2009

Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA)strains present an increasing clinical problem. Analysis of 2679 strains submitted to a reference laboratory in the first quarter of 1983 and 3050 strains submitted in summer 1984 showed 479 and 593 multi-resistant strains. The proportion of methicillin-resistant strains classified as epidemic rose from 5·9 to 10·2%. Other methicillin-resistant strains continued to occur but other methicillin-sensitive multi-resistant strains appeared to fall. A strain with defined characters could be recognized in the Thames regions.
Infection with influenza A H1N1: 2. The effect of past experience on natural challenge
Authors: Davies J. R. , Grilli E. A. , Smith A. J.
Published: October 2009

Following its reintroduction in 1978 influenza A H1N1 spread widely in the child population. By the autumn of 1979, 75% of 11-year olds entering a boys' boarding school had detectable antibody. The protective effect of previous experience could be assessed during two outbreaks in the school. In the first outbreak in 1979, 90% of those known to have been infected in the previous year were protected against reinfection. In 1983 after strains of the H1N1 subtype had undergone antigenic drift a large outbreak occurred. It was estimated that past infection conferred protection against clinical influenza in 55%. Where past infection resulted in the presence of antibody which reacted with the outbreak strain the attack rate was further reduced. A large number of sub-clinical infections was detected in all groups.
The method of transmission of epidemic influenza: further evidence from archival mortality data
Authors: Hope-Simpson R. E.
Published: October 2009

Evidence for influenza-associated excess mortality in the three centuries before the 20th has been sought from parish burial registers in Cumbria, Devon, Dyfed, East Anglia, Gloucestershire and Northumbria, compared with inter-epidemic years. Most of the registers showed excess of burials concordant with eight historic influenza epidemics.

Comparison of the dates of these epidemics, deduced from the burials data in different areas, showed a rate of spread difficult to reconcile with direct personto-person spread of influenza from the sick. An alternative explanation based on development of latency of the virus in the sick person and subsequent seasonal reactivation is discussed.
Ossifying fibromyxoid tumour of the sphenoid sinus
Authors: Shetty S D , Salib R J , Nair S B , Mathad N , Theaker J
Published: October 2009

Introduction:

Ossifying fibromyxoid tumour is a recently described, rare but morphologically distinctive soft tissue neoplasm characterised by a combination of myxoid and/or fibrous stroma with areas of ossification. Although most authors postulate a neuroectodermal origin for this peculiar tumour, there is no agreement in the literature regarding its histopathogenesis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of ossifying fibromyxoid tumour involving the sphenoid sinus.

Histological findings:

Tumour of low cell density, composed of small, spindle-shaped or stellate cells with small, irregular nuclei set in a fibromyxoid stroma.

Management:

Following discussion at the skull base multidisciplinary team meeting, a combined surgical team including an otorhinolaryngologist and a neurosurgeon carried out resection of the lesion, using an endoscopic transnasal approach, followed by reconstruction of the defect.

Conclusions:

An awareness of the distinctive histopathological features of ossifying fibromyxoid tumour, and of its clinical effects, is crucial to establishing a definitive diagnosis and thereby instituting appropriate management. This case report also reinforces the evolving role of the endoscopic transnasal approach in the management of inflammatory and neoplastic disease involving the skull base. This is increasingly being made possible by close collaboration between multiple surgical specialties, including otorhinolaryngology and neurosurgery.
Radiologically guided balloon dilatation of neopharyngeal strictures following total laryngectomy and pharyngolaryngectomy: 21 years’ experience
Authors: Harris R L , Grundy A , Odutoye T
Published: October 2009

Objective:

To assess the efficacy of radiologically guided balloon dilatation for the treatment of dysphagia secondary to neopharyngeal strictures in patients who have undergone laryngectomy.

Study design:

Retrospective case series.

Subjects and methods:

Twenty consecutive patients with pharyngeal stricture and dysphagia following total laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy. Patients underwent balloon dilatation of the stricture under radiological guidance. The main outcome measure was maintenance of swallowing.

Results:

Five patients gained relief of their dysphagia with one balloon dilatation only. Nine patients required more than one dilatation to maintain swallowing. Two patients had balloon dilatation procedures and stent insertion for palliative relief of dysphagia from known recurrent malignant disease. Three patients failed to maintain swallowing with repeat dilatations. No patients suffered any significant complications such as perforation.

Conclusions:

Radiologically guided balloon dilatation is minimally invasive and safe. It is well tolerated. It may be repeated frequently, and can successfully relieve pharyngeal strictures in patients who have undergone total laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy.
Sweet's disease and profound, bilateral, sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Cheng S , da Cruz M
Published: October 2009

Objective:

We report a case of Sweet's disease associated with rapid, profound loss of hearing, against a background of progressive, bilateral, sensorineural hearing loss.

Results:

The clinical features were indistinguishable from those of immune-mediated inner ear disease. Establishment of a definitive diagnosis was a challenge due to the absence of a reliable diagnostic test. The patient was unresponsive to extensive immunosuppressive therapy and subsequently underwent cochlear implantation, with good hearing outcomes.

Conclusions:

Profound, bilateral, sensorineural hearing loss in the context of Sweet's disease may be related to the underlying immunological aetiology. Cochlear implantation can successfully restore hearing when immunotherapy fails.
Acoustically evoked, short latency negative response in children with sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Emara A A
Published: October 2009

Introduction:

The auditory brainstem response consists of fast and slow waves. The acoustically evoked, short latency negative response is a large, negative deflection with a latency of 3 milliseconds which has been reported in patients with profound hearing loss. It may be of vestibular, particularly saccular, origin, as is the vestibular evoked myogenic potential.

Purpose:

To assess the presence of acoustically evoked, short latency negative responses in children with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss.

Materials and methods:

Twenty-three children (46 ears) with sensorineural hearing loss underwent audiological evaluation and auditory brainstem response, vestibular evoked myogenic potential and caloric testing.

Results:

An acoustically evoked, short latency negative response was present in 30.43 per cent of ears and absent in 69.57 per cent. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were recorded in all ears in the former group, but in only 53.13 per cent in the latter group. Caloric testing was normal in 82.6 per cent of the total ears tested.

Conclusion:

The presence of an acoustically evoked, short latency negative response is dependent not on residual hearing but on normal saccular function. This response can be measured in patients who cannot contract their neck muscles.
A popular music project and people with disabilities community in Hamburg, Germany: the case of Station 17
Authors: ELFLEIN DIETMAR
Published: October 2009

In this article I discuss the past and present of Station 17, a project made up of disabled and non-disabled musicians, which was founded in Hamburg, Germany in 1988. Station 17 refuse to regard themselves as a pedagogic or therapeutic project. My specific interest is to show how they attempt to solve artistic and economic problems that arise out of this decision. In artistic terms they developed two major modes of production, which both led to a dead end. As a consequence they merged these two modes in order to regain the flexibility of improvisation without losing the benefits of sequencer-based electronic music. Within the pop market the lyrics, which are exclusively provided by disabled members of the project, serve as a unique selling proposition. In economic terms they succeeded in creating themselves a niche within a therapeutic structure that allows them to act as professional artists.
3. The role of relatives
Authors: Creer C. , Sturt E. , Wykes T.
Published: October 2009

Many patients depend on the care and support provided by relatives and friends as much as or more than on the help of services. In order to investigate this role and the burden that it might entail, interviews were sought with those who actually played a practical caring role. Members of the research team asked people in the series and staff whether (a) the patient shared a household with someone, or planned to do so in the near future if living in a residential unit; or (b) the patient regularly visited the relative; or (c) someone regularly helped with tasks such as laundry, washing up or cooking. There were 79 such helpers, all but two of whom turned out to be relatives. One exception was a landlady who had for years provided a very disabled patient with extensive motherly support. The other was a friend who visited the patient every evening in hospital. He used to visit her every day when she was living at home, and helped her round the house when she could not manage. For convenience the term ‘relative’ is used to include these two.
Literacy in Indonesia
Authors: Lowenberg Peter H.
Published: October 2009

In 1945, when Indonesia declared its independence from the colonial regime of the Netherlands, only one Indonesian in twenty could read and write (Napitupulu 1980). Just 35 years later, in 1980, almost three-quarters of the Indonesian population aged ten years or older were literate (Nababan 1983). This paper will examine the sociolinguistic and historical context in which this dramatic increase in literacy has occurred, focusing in particular on the crucial role played by Bahasa Indonesia, the national language. Current efforts to extend literacy further among the population through non-formal education programs and to expand reading and writing skills in the school system will also be discussed.
Literacy in Thailand
Authors: Palmer J. D.
Published: October 2009

There are four major dialects of Thai: Northern (Kam Mueng, Yuan), Northeastern (Isan, Lao), Central (Siamese), and Southern (Pak Tai). Standard Thai, the official language of instruction, is based on a prestigious social class dialect of Siamese. In addition to Thai, a great number of other languages are spoken by indigenous peoples, of whom some individuals are literate in thrir native languages. Foreign languages used in Thailand consist of classical (Pali, Sanskrit, Arabic) and modern (English, Chinese, French, Japanese, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Arabic). English is the most widely used foreign language.
Language Teaching and Bilingual Education in the Philippines
Authors: Pascasio Emy M.
Published: October 2009

In keeping with the general theme of this section ofARAL II, this paper discusses language teaching and the implemetation of bilingualism in the educational system of the Philippines. Space limitations do not permit a treatment of the teaching of both pilipino and English, so the focus is on the latter for the first part of this discussion.
Language Testing-SLA Research Interfaces
Authors: Bachman Lyle F.
Published: October 2009

Language testing [LT] research and second language acquisition [SLA] research are often seen as distinct areas of inquiry in applied linguistics. To oversimplify slightly, SLA research takes a longitudinal view, concerning itself primarily with the description and explanation of how second language proficiency develops, while LT research typically observes a “slice of life”, and attempts to arrive at a more or less static description of language proficiency at a given stage of development.
Bilingual Education
Authors: Tosi Arturo
Published: October 2009

In the past two decades bilingual education has become an educational movement and a field of academic inquiry of remarkable growth throughout the world. At first glance this appears to be the outcome of the increasingly hegemonic role of a few languages like English in the western world and countries economically affiliated to it, Russian in the multilingual republics of the Soviet Union, and Putonghua in the People's Republic of China. But a closer look at the first of these areas—the one better known to us—shows how complex the dynamics of language spread and language change are in diverse sociopolitical contexts.
Written Discourse Analysis
Authors: Grabe William
Published: October 2009

In the relatively recent past, a whole issue ofARAL(Kaplan,et al.1983) was devoted to text analysis. In a way, an article of the sort offered here may be premature in the sense that it appears only two years after the more thorough review volume. There are two reasons why it seems appropriate to look at this area again so quickly. First, the area of text analysis is an extremely active one, and no major bibliographies have appeared since 1983. Second, the approach taken here is somewhat different from that inARAL III; this review has no direct concern either with pedagogical applications or with contrastive forms of text. There is, of necessity, some overlap in bibliography between this article and the earlier volume, but the great majority of sources cited did not appear there. This particular area is in a state of very rapid growth, moving toward the evolution of a new paradigm which may radically modify the field of applied linguistics by providing a new set of questions and a new way of answering them. The rate and direction of change seem to justify another brief sortie into text analysis, and thereby to try to disambiguate some notions that have been available for greater or lesser periods of time.
Discourse analysis and social construction
Authors: Bazerman Charles
Published: October 2009

Complex social activities—such as maintaining a legal system, fostering a literary system, or developing communally validated knowledge—rely on language as the medium through which these activities are accomplished. Law, literature, science, religion, politics, and even economics are socially constructed through discourse. Special language tools and uses have developed in conjuction with the rise of these activities. Thus, we may well say that the construction of legal language is part and parcel of the construction of the legal instructions that order social lives, and that the language acts using legal language were developed in coordination with the elaboration of roles, responsibilities, and relationships of legal actors.
Adult Literacy Issues in Canada
Authors: Burnaby Barbara
Published: October 2009

This chapter concerns adult literacy issues in Canada—adults being defined as people fifteen years or older and out of school—and focuses primarily on adults who are not (or are barely) literate in any language. Until the mid-1980s, educational support for adults who wished to develop or improve their literacy skills up to about the grade eight level was almost entirely a charitable endeavor. People with low literacy skills were perceived to be a marginal group consisting of elderly people who had not had the chance to go to school, people with disabilities who were considered to be untrainable, certain immigrant populations, and people who had failed in the school system through some individual weakness. In 1985, in the midst of national concerns about the productivity of the country's labor force, the government of Ontario launched a program of funding for three explicit purposes: 1) to assist literacy programs for adult learners, 2) to support literacy organizations, and 3) to fund a small amount of community based research on adult literacy. The federal government followed suit in 1986, establishing the National Literacy Secretariat in the Department of the Secretary of State for Canada.
The immunological consequences of challenge with bovine tubercle bacilli in badgers (Meles meles)
Authors: Mahmood K. H. , Rook G. A. W. , Stanford J. L. , Stuart Fiona A. , Pritchard D. G.
Published: October 2009

Optimal conditions were determined for performing antibody measurements (ELISA), lymphocyte transformation tests and, to some extent, skin tests in badgers. These parameters, together with the bacteriological and pathological studies reported previously (Pritchard et al. 1987), were used to follow the course of intradermal and intratracheal challenge of badgers with bovine tubercle bacilli. Two challenge doses were used for each route of infection and two animals received each dose. None of the four animals challenged by the intratracheal method showed any evidence of infection, suggesting that adult badgers may have some resistance to challenge by this method. All four animals challenged intradermally developed lesion of tuberculosis.

Immunologically the disease passed through three phases. There was an early phase in which lymphocyte transformation to whole BCG steadily and significantly increased, and skin tests to tuberculin became positive but there was little change in antibody levels. This was followed by an intermediate phase of variable skin responses, fluctuating lymphocyte transformation and significant increase in antibody levels. The final phase, which was only seen in two animals with extensive disease, was associated with changing skin reactions and falling lymphocyte responses, together with a sudden increase in antibody levels.

This paper presents the first formal evidence of cell-mediated immunity to tuberculosis in the badger, which may delay onset and prolong the survival of challenged animals.
Legionella pneumophila in a hospital water system following a nosocomial outbreak: prevalence, monoclonal antibody subgrouping and effect of control measures
Authors: Ribeiro C. D. , Burge S. H. , Palmer S. R. , Tobin J. O'H. , Watkins I. D.
Published: October 2009

Swabs and water samples from a hospital water system were cultured for legionellae over an extended period. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, including outbreak associated strains, were isolated in small numbers from approximately 5% of these samples despite implementation of the current DHSS/Welsh Office regulations. No cases of nosocomial legionnaires' disease were proven during the study. Physical cleaning and chemical sterilization of taps, and replacement of washers with ‘approved’ brands did not eradicate the organisms. Eradication of legionellae in hospital water supplies appears to be unnecessary in preventing nosocomial legionnaires' disease provided the current DHSS/Welsh Office recommendations are implemented.
Properties of strains ofEscherichia colibelonging to serogroup O 157 with special reference to production of Vero cytotoxins VTl and VT2
Authors: Scotland S. M. , Willshaw G. A. , Smith H. R. , Rowe B.
Published: October 2009

Fifty-four strains ofEscherichia colibelonging to serogroup O 157 were examined for the production of Vero cytotoxins VT1 and VT2, and for other properties such as plasmid content, resistance to antimicrobial agents and colicin production. Twenty-six strains from cases of diarrhoea, haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome in humans produced VT. By serum neutralization tests and hybridization with DNA probes for VTl or VT2, three classes were recognized which produced either VTl alone or VT2 alone or both VTl and VT2. These strains were of H type 7 or non-motile. The strains producing VT were sensitive to all the antimicrobial agents tested, and all carried at least one plasmid which had a molecular weight ofc.60 × 106. Seven strains of porcine origin and 21 strains of human origin did not produce VT or hybridize with either DNA probe. None of these strains was of H type 7. Of the 21 human VT” strains, 17 were of extraintestinal origin and 18 were of H type 45. Twenty-three of the 28 VT” strains were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent.
Tetanus and its complications: intensive care and management experience in 150 Indian patients
Authors: Udwadia F. E. , Lall A. , Udwadia Z. F. , Sekhar M. , Vora A.
Published: October 2009

A total of 150 patients were treated for tetanus in the tetanus ward of the J. J. Hospital, Bombay, between October 1983 and January 1986. The complications of tetanus and the mode of management in the presence of restricted resources are outlined. Intensive care, proper nutrition, early tracheostomy and ventilator support in severe tetanus were chiefly responsible for an overall reduction in mortality from 30 to 12%. The mortality in severe tetanus was reduced from 70 to 23%.

Sudden death due to unexpected cardiac arrest was an important complication in severe tetanus. We observed that an abrupt marked rise in rectal temperature ( > 107 °F, 41·7 °C), if undetected, could lead to sudden circulatory collapse and death. Well-marked hypoxaemia was observed in all patients with severe tetanus, and was related to ventilation perfusion inequalities and to an increase in the true venous admixture (increasedQs/Qt)in the lungs. Bronchopulmonary infections and the adult respiratory distress syndrome added significantly to morbidity and mortality. Autonomic cardiovascular disturbances included bradycardia alternating with tachycardia, and hypertension which was either labile, paroxysmal or sustained. Persistent hypotension was of ominous significance. Amongst numerous complications involving other systems, sepsis and septic shock were associated with a high mortality.
A food-poisoning incident caused byClostridium botulinumtoxin A in Japan
Authors: Otofuji T. , Tokiwa H. , Takahashi K.
Published: October 2009

Food poisoning caused byClostridium botulinumtoxin A occurred in Japan. Eleven (31 %) of 36 patients from 14 different areas died of botulism. Most of the patients had eaten commercial fried lotus-rhizome solid mustard without heating. The food, which implicated one of the special local products used for gifts in Kumamoto, was found to have been produced by a manufacturer in Kumamoto prefecture.

In Fukuoka prefecture, two of three patients died on days 4 and 8 after eating the food; they had typical symptoms of botulism. A total of 42 packages of the food bought as gifts was collected from different districts in Fukuoka prefecture for examination for both organism and toxin. Thirteen of these (31%) were contaminated with the organism, and in 11 (26%) a small amount of toxin A had been produced.
Changes in the pattern of infection caused byStreptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Gaworzewska Ewa , Colman G.
Published: October 2009

The distribution of T-and M-protein antigens was determined in 12469 cultures ofStreptococcus pyogenessent to a reference laboratory. Of these 7232 (58%) were isolates from hospital patients, 249 (2%) from hospital staff and 4988 (40%) from the community. The survey extended from January 1980 to June 1987. During this timo the numbers of isolates of M-types 6, 49 and 81 rose then fell, being replaced by types 1, 3 and 28. The proportion of isolates of M-types 4 and 12 remained constant. Few strains were received from cases of nephritis or rheumatic fever but there has been an increase in the number of strains from serious infections and deaths. Forty-four of the 55 (80%) strains received since 1985 from fatal infections have belonged to M-type 1. All other strains, bar two, received from fatal infections in those years belonged to M-type 3. Representatives of M-type 1 were also associated with crysipelas. Types 3 and 4 predominated among the isolates from scarlet fever, types 1, 4, 12 and 49 from nephritis, types 49 and 81 from skin infections in meat workers and type 28 in cases of puerperal sepsis. The M-typability rate was 97% but new M antigens await definition among strains causing pyoderma.
Duck hepatitis B virus: a model to assess efficacy of disinfectants against hepadnavirus infectivity
Authors: Murray S. M. , Freiman J. S. , Vickery K. , Lim D. , Cossart Y. E. , Whiteley R. K.
Published: October 2009

The efficacy of three proprietary glutaraldehyde disinfectants and their component bases was assessed using the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) model. Inactivation of infectivity of undiluted serum containing 106·8ID50/ml DHBV was assessed after a mixture with an equal volume of disinfectant had stood at room temperature for 10 min. A dried spill of infectious serum was simulated using sterile filter paper disks, saturated with serum containing DHBV, dried and then exposed to test disinfectant for 10 min. Residual infectivity, and hence the reduction in virus titre, was determined by inoculation of dilutions of the treated samples into 1-day-old ducklings. A greater than 3 log10reduction in virus titre could be demonstrated for the disinfectants as well as for some of their component bases. Disinfectant activity varied according to the method of viral presentation but a reduction of exposure time from 10 to 2·5 min did not diminish activity. The experimental protocol permits a comparative and quantitative assessment of the efficacy of both established and new disinfectants.
Epidemiology of campylobacteriosis in a cohort of rural population near Calcutta
Authors: Gupta P. G. Sen , Nair G. B. , Mondal S. , Gupta D. N. , Sen D. , Sikdar S. N. , Das P. , Sarkar R. K. , Ghosh S. , Saha N. C. , Deb B. C. , Pal S. C.
Published: October 2009

Over a 2-year period, 25 families comprising of 181 individuals of all ages were longitudinally observed for the excretion ofCampylobacterspecies. Faecal samples were taken from all persons with diarrhoea. Specimens were also taken from apparently healthy individuals and from domestic animals living within the confines of the study families at monthly intervals.

The overall diarrhoea attack rate was 19 episodes per 100 person-years with peak incidence in the 1- to 4-year-old age group (76/100 person-years). Eight (11·5%) of the total episodes were campylobacter-associated and the overall rate of campylobacter positive diarrhoeal episodes were 2·2 per 100 person-years. Of the 1002 stool samples from healthy individuals 32 (3·2/100 samples) were positive for campylobacter. The organism was most frequently isolated from children under 1 year of age both during diarrhoeal episodes (11·5 per 100 person-years) and non-diarrhoeal (11·1 per 100 samples). Multiple infections in a family were rare. In 19·4% of the occasions one or more animals were campylobacter positive. However, only in 7·7% of these occasions was a human infection recorded within 1 month after the animal was found to be positive.

The study showed that the epidemiology of campylobacteriosis in this community was distinct compared to that observed in developed countries.
Group L beta-haemolytic streptococcal infection in meat handlers: another streptococcal zoonosis?
Authors: Barnham M. , Neilson D. J.
Published: October 2009

Group L, β-haemolytic streptococci can cause infection in dogs, pigs, cattle and sheep but there have been very few reports in man. In studies of skin infection in meat handlers we cultured group L streptococci from clinically infected wounds, impetigo and paronychia of 15 patients involved in the slaughter and processing of chickens and pigs.Staphylococcus aureuswas also present in eight (53%) of the lesions. At least five other infections with group L streptococci in meat and animal handlers are known to have occurred in other parts of England in recent years, and brief details are given.
One-point method for serological diagnosis of leptospirosis: a microcapsule agglutination test
Authors: Seki M. , Sato T. , Arimitsu Y. , Matuhasi T. , Kobayashi S.
Published: October 2009

This paper describes a simple and rapid microcapsule agglutination (MCA) test. The results obtained by this new test have been compared with those obtained by the microtitre MCA and the microscopic agglutination (MA) test. The procedures required for the new test are easier and can be performed more rapidly than those necessary for the microtitre MCA test. Furthermore, the new test is more sensitive than the MA test in the early stages of leptospirosis.

This new test appears satisfactory as a screening test for the early diagnosis of leptospirosis.
Most probable numbers of organisms: revised tables for the multiple tube method
Authors: Tillett Hilary E.
Published: October 2009

Estimation of numbers of organisms is often made using dilution series, for example when examining water samples for coliform organisms. In this paper the most probable numbers (MPNs) are calculated for a 15-tube series consisting of five replicates at three consecutive tenfold dilutions. Exact conditional probabilities are computed to replace previous approximations.

When growth is observed in several of the tubes it is not realistic to select a single MPN. Instead a most probable range (MPR) should be reported. But using an MPR creates problems when comparison has to be made with a legislated, single-valued Standard. It is suggested that the wording of the Standards should be expressed differently when the multiple tube method is used.
A point source outbreak of campylobacter infection related to bird-pecked milk
Authors: Riordan T. , Humphrey T. J. , Fowles A.
Published: October 2009

A point source outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni affected 11 children in a day nursery. Milk consumed by the children was known to have been pecked by magpies on occasions. Illness was significantly associated with consumption of milk on a single morning. Examination of milk from a bottle pecked after the outbreak yielded campylobacters. The level of contamination was approximately six cells of C. jejuni per 500 ml of milk.
Changing epidemiology of human salmonellosis in Hong Kong, 1982–93
Authors: Wong S. S. Y. , Yuen K. Y. , Yam W. C. , Lee T. Y. , Chau P. Y.
Published: October 2009

A comprehensive analysis of the epidemiology of salmonellosis in a major hospital in Hong Kong from 1982–93 is reported. The trend of salmonella isolations over the past 12 years and changes in the occurrence of individual serotypes are delineated. A total of 5328 isolates were analyzed. Groups B (Salmonella typhimurium and S. derby) and E (S. anatum) were the commonest serogroups isolated from the intestinal tract in all age groups. A significant increase in the isolation of group D salmonellae has been observed since 1989. This is accounted for by a substantial rise in S. enteritidis isolation as seen in Western countries, despite a concomitant decrease of S. typhi. The extraintestinal isolation index (EII) is proposed as an index of the virulence potential of individual serotypes and serogroups. Group D salmonella was found to be the most invasive serogroup. While group D was the predominant serogroup isolated from extraintestinal sites in patients older than 1 year, group B serotypes (especially S. typhimurium) were more frequently seen in infants younger than 12 months.
Duration of carriage and transmission of Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 4, serotype 0:3 in dogs
Authors: Fenwick S. G. , Madie P. , Wilks C. R.
Published: October 2009

Human infections with pathogenic strains of Yersinia enterocolitica have been linked to contact with dogs excreting these microorganisms. This study examines the carriage and transmission of Y. enterocolitica biotype 4, serotype 03 in dogs. Fourteen 6-month-old cross-bred dogs were separated into 5 groups, 2 containing 4 dogs (I and II) and the others 2 dogs (III-V). Each of the 4 dogs in Group I and 2 of the dogs in Group II were inoculated orally with the test strain. Bacteriological examination of faecal samples showed that dogs can be readily infected and can carry the organism for up to 23 days. The two in-contact dogs in Group II started to shed the test organism after 5 days. Subsequent transfer of these dogs to Group III and those in Group III to Group IV showed that Y. enterocoliticabiotype 4, serotype 03 can be readily transmitted between dogs. At no time did any of the dogs show clinical signs of infection. Group V served as a negative control for the trial. These findings suggest that dogs can carry Y. enterocoliticabiotype 4, serotype 03 asymptomatically and hence might act as a potential source of infection for people.
Epidemiological evaluation of a monoclonal ELISA detecting antibodies against bovine leukaemia virus in serum pools
Authors: Knapen K. , Kerkhofs P. , Thiry E. , Mammerickx M.
Published: October 2009

Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting antibodies against bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) were evaluated using a representative sample of 145 serum pools, comprising from 3 to 48 individual sera. The sample was constituted according to the frequency distribution of the negative and positive pools analysed during a screening involving the whole cattle population of Belgium. Sensitivity and specificity were estimated to 88·9% and 100% and the predicted negative and positive values were 99·9% and 100%, respectively. These results indicate the use of serum pools is suitable for the detection of BLV infected herds in eradication campaigns.
Two unnoticed pieces of medieval polyphony
Authors: Hiley David
Published: October 2009

The two pieces introduced and briefly discussed in this article have so far remained unnoticed because of the manner of their notation. In each case pieces of two-voice polyphony were notated with the two voices separate, instead of in the score notation which has been usual since, roughly, the second half of the twelfth century. In the one case, the sequence Magnus deus in universa terra in a manuscript from Marchiennes of the fourteenth century, a second voice was added at the back of the book in which the usual melody had already been recorded. In the other case, the song Ad honorem regis summi in the so-called Codex Calixtinus, the two voices are notated successively, verse 1 of the text being given with the first voice, verse 2 with the second voice.
Contextual cues remediate problem solving: Deficits in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: PRICE AMANDA L.
Published: October 2009

This study examined the contribution of executive functions to arrangement problem-solving performance in Parkinson’s disease (PD), with a particular focus on self-directed cognitive flexibility. PD patients and healthy age-matched adults completed a battery of neuropsychological measures of executive function and a series of anagram puzzles, some of which were modified to include graphemic cues designed to prime potential solutions. PD patients were less successful than healthy controls (HC) at resolving the anagram puzzles, but when a cue accompanied the anagram stimulus, PD patients performed normally. Anagram performance was associated with measures of verbal fluency and inhibition; no association emerged with working memory or set shifting ability. These data suggest that subjects with PD may have difficulty sufficiently inhibiting their automatic response to the experimental stimulus in order to generate the novel arrangements required to produce a successful response. Such deficits might be remediated through the use of environmental cues designed to support strategy generation. (JINS, 2010, 16, 70–76.)
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST): the clinical implications of cellular signalling pathways
Authors: Katz Daniela , Lazar Alexander , Lev Dina
Published: October 2009

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) is a rare malignancy accounting for 3–10% of all soft tissue sarcomas. Most MPNSTs arise in association with peripheral nerves or deep neurofibromas and may originate from neural crest cells, although the specific cell of origin is uncertain. Approximately half of MPNSTs occur in the setting of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), an autosomal dominant disorder with an incidence of approximately one in 3500 persons; the remainder of MPNSTs develop sporadically. In addition to a variety of clinical manifestations, approximately 8–13% of NF1 patients develop MPNSTs, which are the leading cause of NF1-related mortality. Surgical resection is the mainstay of MPNST clinical management. However, because of invasive growth, propensity to metastasise, and limited sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiation, MPNST has a guarded to poor prognosis. Five-year survival rates of only 20–50% indicate an urgent need for improved therapeutic approaches. Recent work in this field has identified several altered intracellular signal transduction cascades and deregulated tyrosine kinase receptors, posing the possibility of personalised, targeted therapeutics. However, expanded knowledge of MPNST molecular pathobiology will be needed to meaningfully apply such approaches for the benefit of afflicted patients.
Pharmakotherapie für Alterspatienten. Allgemeine Grundsätze und die Behandlung der Agitiertheit im Speziellen
Authors: Wettstein
Published: October 2009

Hauptproblem bei der Pharmakotherapie alter Patienten ist die durch Multimorbidität bedingte Polypharmazie. Diese potenziert unerwünschte Nebenwirkungen und Malcompliance. Entscheidend ist, Langzeitmedikamente nicht nur zu verordnen, sondern die Betroffenen zum Medikamenten-Selbstmanagement zu befähigen. Ein wichtiges Mittel dazu sind entsprechende Medikamentenpläne zur Abgabe und Aktualisierung bei jeder Konsultation. Im Alter sollen anticholinerge Substanzen, Dopaminrezeptor-Stimulatoren, langwirksame orale Antidiabetika nicht, Neuroleptika mit Zurückhaltung und bei psychotischen Symptomen sowie Benzodiazepine nicht neu, ausser in der Palliation oder Anästhesie, verordnet werden. Bei unspezifischer Unruhe und Schlafstörung (mit oder ohne Demenz) ist die Massnahme erster Wahl eine angepasste Milieutherapie, die unterstützt werden kann mit einem sedierenden, nicht trizyklischen Antidepressivum.
Strategies for the fusion of satellite fire radiative power with burned area data for fire radiative energy derivation
Authors: Boschetti Luigi , Roy David P.
Published: October 2009

Instantaneous estimates of the power released by a fire (Fire Radiative Power, FRP) are available with satellite active fire detection products. Integrating FRP in time provides an estimate of the total energy released (Fire Radiative Energy, FRE), which can be converted into burned biomass estimates needed by the atmospheric emissions modeling community. While straightforward in theory, the integration of FRP in time and space is affected by temporal and spatial undersampling imposed by the satellite sensing and orbit geometry, clouds, and active fire product omission errors. Combination of active fire FRP estimates with independently derived burned area maps provides the potential for improved and spatially explicit estimates of FRE and biomass burned. In the present work, strategies for the temporal interpolation of FRP data and for the spatial extrapolation of FRE across the burn are proposed and, as a study case, applied to an extensive grassland fire that burned for 40 days in northern Australia. The fusion of FRP estimates derived from MODIS Terra and Aqua active fire detections with the MODIS burned area product is considered, although other polar orbiting and geostationary satellite fire products could be used. Intercomparison of FRE estimated over the MODIS mapped burned area using Terra, Aqua, and Terra‐Aqua combined FRP data highlights the sensitivity of FRE estimation to satellite sampling. Despite this sensitivity, FRE biomass burned estimates derived from MODIS burned area and Terra and Aqua FRP data are within 30% of regional literature estimates, suggesting that this fusion approach is a fruitful avenue for future research and validation.
Explicit infiltration function for boreholes under constant head conditions
Authors: Hinnell A. C. , Lazarovitch N. , Warrick A. W.
Published: October 2009

Infiltration per unit area of the source region from discs, strips and furrows has previously been shown to be the sum of the one‐dimensional infiltration and an edge effect term. Here we apply the same approach to examine infiltration under a constant head from boreholes (both lined and unlined). A critical empirical parameter (γ) in the edge effect term is related to the radius of the borehole, soil hydraulic properties, boundary and initial conditions. For lined boreholes, γ has a narrow range and for the examples investigated, a constant value of 1.06 introduces less than 5% error compared to using the case‐specific γ value. For unlined boreholes, γ is larger, ranging between 1.02 and 3.16 for the examples investigated, and should be estimated for specific conditions.