Mechanism of reduced maximal expiratory flow with aging.

To investigate the determinants of maximal expiratory flow (MEF) with aging, 17 younger (7 men and 10 women, 39 +/- 4 yr, mean +/- SD) and 19 older (11 men and 8 women, 69 +/- 3 yr) subjects with normal pulmonary function were studied. For further comparison, we also studied 10 middle-aged men with normal lung function (54 +/- 6 yr) and 15 middle-aged men (54 +/- 7 yr) with mild chronic airflow limitation (CAL; i.e., forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity = 63 +/- 8%). MEF, static lung elastic recoil pressure (Pst), and the minimal pressure for maximal flow (Pcrit) were determined in a pressure-compensated, volume-displacement body plethysmograph. Values were compared at 60, 70, and 80% of total lung capacity. In the older subjects, decreases in MEF (P < 0.01) and Pcrit (P < 0.05), compared with the younger subjects, were explained mainly by loss of Pst (P < 0.05). In the CAL subjects, MEF and Pcrit were lower (P < 0.05) than in the older subjects, but Pst was similar. Thus decreases in MEF and Pcrit were greater than could be explained by the loss of Pst and appeared to be related to increased upstream resistance. These data indicate that the loss of lung recoil explains the decrease in MEF with aging subjects, but not in the mild CAL patients that we studied.     

Blastocystis hominis--a potential intestinal pathogen.

The parasite Blastocystis hominis has been found in 10% to 18% of stool specimens submitted to microbiology laboratories. Controversy exists as to whether this organism can cause illness in humans. We have reviewed the records of 65 symptomatic patients with B hominis in their stool. We conclude that B hominis is a potential pathogen that may or may not require drug therapy depending on the overall clinical circumstances, the severity of symptoms, and the presence of other pathogenic organisms.     

An evaluation of the suitability of the European suspension test to reflect in vitro activity of antiseptics against clinically significant organisms

The effectiveness of four antiseptics representing soluble phenolics (Dettol), Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QAC) (Dettol Hospital Concentrate: DHC), mixed QAC/chlorhexidine (Hibicet Hospital Concentrate: HHC) and povidone iodine (Betadine) was assessed using the proposed phase 2 step 1 European Suspension test. The in vitro activity of the antiseptics against two of the proposed challenge strains, i.e. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was compared with that of 14 problematic clinical isolates of bacteria from a range of genera, including some multiple antibiotic resistant strains, and a clinical isolate of Candida albicans. In addition to the 5 min contact time recommended in the European test, a 1 min time was included. All four products, at their recommended use dilutions and a contact time of 5 min, achieved a Microbicidal Effect (ME) log reduction of at least 5 against the majority of organisms. Differences in activity between products were more pronounced and therefore the tests more discriminatory, when the contact time was reduced to 1 min. The clinical strains were not overtly more resistant to antiseptics than the standard test strains, suggesting that the CEN test strains mimic the antiseptic susceptibility of clinical isolates.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Burkholderia</Emphasis> Hep_Hag autotransporter (BuHA) proteins elicit a strong antibody response during experimental glanders but not human melioidosis

Background  

The bacterial biothreat agents Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei are the cause of glanders and melioidosis, respectively. Genomic and epidemiological studies have shown that B. mallei is a recently emerged, host restricted clone of B. pseudomallei.