Serum opsonins and chemotactins in neutropenic oncology patients

Serum opsonins and chemotactins, C3 and C5, were studied in neutropenic oncology patients. Our data indicate that these individuals possess normal serum chemotactins and adequate opsonin activity regardless of disease status or prior chemotherapy. Their sera should therefore support function of transfused granulocytes.     

Pharmacological properties of the stereoisomers of prizidilol: their use in analysis of reflex tachycardia and blood pressure control in normotensive cats, rats, and dogs

Prizidilol, a combined vasodilator/beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, has two optical isomers. The pharmacological activities of these isomers have been established and heart rate/blood pressure responses to both isomers have been determined. Both the R and S isomers elicited similar blood pressure lowering and vasodilator activity in anaesthetised normotensive rats. S-Prizidilol was a substantially more potent beta-adrenoceptor antagonist in vitro and in vivo than R-prizidilol. Neither optical isomer showed any specificity for either beta 1- or beta 2-adrenoceptors. In conscious rats both isomers lowered blood pressure similarly with only marginal differences in heart rate. In conscious cats the importance of increased sympathetic drive in reflex tachycardia was emphasised by the incidence of tachycardia after R-prizidilol but not after S-prizidilol when administered at equieffective blood pressure lowering doses. In conscious dogs both isomers caused tachycardia although S-prizidilol tended to cause the greater fall in blood pressure.     

Identification of multiple groups of efferent vestibular neurons in the adult pigeon using horseradish peroxidase and DAPI

This study was designed to investigate the efferent innervation of the pigeon labyrinth.Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected and confined within the endolymphatic space of one labyrinth in 9 adult pigeons. The brain was perfused by transcardiac carotid catheterization and the HRP reacted by the tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) blue reaction process. Five different groups of HRP-labeled vestibular efferent neurons were identified. Three groups were located within the confines of the ipsilateral vestibular nuclear complex (in the lateral, tangential and descending nucleus) and two additional groups, each bilateral, were located in the reticular formation. In 9 additional pigeons, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) was also injected and confined within the endolymphatic space of one labyrinth. DAPI-labeled cells were noted in 3 of the 5 locations (tangential nucleus, and both reticular groups) which in the other animals contained HRP-labeled cells.These findings raise the possibility of different physiological roles for the efferent vestibular groups in the ipsilateral vestibular nuclear complex and bilateral reticular formation.     

Isolated testicular relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia of childhood: Report on behalf of the Medical Research Council's working party on leukaemia in childhood

The presentation, method of treatment, and follow-up of 29 apparently isolated testicular relapses in 522 boys entering Medical Research Council trials I-III are described. The need for intensive local and systemic treatment is stressed. The prognosis is poor for those with high initial leucocyte counts, and for those with testicular relapse while on chemotherapy. Among the remainder, intensive local and systemic treatment can result in some long-term remissions.     

Waterborne gastrointestinal illness at a ski resort. --Isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica from drinking water--.

Approximately 41 percent of the visitors and employees who were at a ski resort in Montana between December 23, 1974, and January 17, 1975, became ill with diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. The association between illness and water consumption proved to be significant, and the previously noncontaminated water supply was found to contain coliforms. No pathogens except Yersinia enterocolitica were isolated, and it was isolated from two wells serving the area. The role of Y. enterocolitica in this outbreak is not clear, but it was the only organism isolated that is known to be pathogenic.     

Low T lymphocyte responsiveness to Mycobacterium leprae antigens in association with HLA-DR3

The type of leprosy which develops after infection with Mycobacterium leprae is influenced by the presence or absence of HLA-DR3, as has been demonstrated in an ethnic group originating from Surinam. In the present study we investigated in this same ethnic group the role of HLA-DR, and of HLA-DR3 in particular, in monocyte-T cell interactions during leprosy specific proliferative responses in vitro. HLA-DR3 heterozygous T cells from tuberculoid leprosy patients were cultured with antigen and either HLA-DR3 positive or HLA-DR3 negative homozygous HLA-DR compatible allogeneic monocytes as antigen presenting cells (APCs). T cell proliferative responses with DR3 homozygous monocytes as APCs, were observed to be decreased as compared to T cell proliferative responses with DR3 negative homozygous monocytes as APCs. Furthermore, although the leprosy specific monocyte-T cell interactions were shown to be restricted for HLA-DR, in the anti-MLW-1 response HLA-DR3 appeared to function as a restricting element poorly or not at all. These observations may imply, that an in vitro correlate has been found for an (HLA associated) genetic control of leprosy in vivo.     

Effective treatment for rhinopulmonary mucormycosis in a boy with leukaemia.

Lymphoblastic leukaemia in a 3-year-old child was complicated by rhinopulmonary mucormycosis. This was successfully treated by surgical resection of the nasal mass, pulmonary lobectomy, combined with amphotericin.     

Does cesarean protect against fecal incontinence in primiparous women?

The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with new onset of postpartum fecal incontinence in primiparous women. A population-based study was conducted that surveyed all women delivering between 2002 and 2003 in Oregon. Factors associated with fecal incontinence were identified using logistic regression analysis. A total of 6,152 primiparous women completed the survey 3–6 months postpartum with 2,482 reporting a new onset of fecal incontinence (FI) after childbirth. Vaginal delivery was associated with a greater risk of FI compared to cesarean (odds ratio = 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.29 to 1.64). However, vaginal delivery without laceration or instrument assistance did not increase the risk of FI over cesarean. Being overweight (body mass index ≥30 kg/m²), pushing for greater than 2 h, and constipation were independently associated with postpartum FI (p < 0.05) regardless of route of delivery. This study provides important data to inform counseling and management of primiparous women. Funding  This study was supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01 HD41139-04). NICHD did not influence any part of this work.