Acoustic Stimuhtion-induced Fetal Response Compared to Traditional Nonstress Testing

Eighty-eight nonstress tests (NSTs) were obtained on gravid women between 27 and 44 weeks' gestation to compare the results of a three-second acoustic stimulus with a traditional NST. Length of testing time was significantly decreased with the use of acoustic stimulation. Consequently, nursing time and equipment use were also considerably lessened per test. Previous studies indicated that the predictive value of the acoustic stimulation test is comparable or better than the traditional NST.     

Computed Tomographic Localization of Malposition of Pacing Electrodes: The Value of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography

Three patients with uncertain pacemaker electrode position on plain film radiography were studied with fast cine cardiovascular computed tomography (CT) imaging. The value of this new technique in determining the position of pacing electrodes is discussed.     

The influence of the site of parasite inoculation on the development of Th1 and Th2 type immune responses in (BALB/c × C57BL/6) F1 mice infected with Leishmania major

Although inbred strains of mice are classified as genetically resistant or susceptible to Leishmania major based upon their ability to control infection, other factors such as the strain, dose, and site of parasite inoculation can also affect the outcome of the disease. Here we used the Fl progeny of BALB/c (susceptible) and C57BL/6 (resistant) mice (designated CB6F1) to investigate whether mice or intermediate susceptibility to infection differed from the parental strains in their ability to control infections at different cutaneous sites. CB6F1 mice developed progressive disease when inoculated in the dorsal skin, but healed infections in the footpad. Consistent with these observations, mice inoculated in the footpad ultimately developed Th1 responses, known to be required for healing, while Th2 responses developed in mice inoculated in the dorsal skin. However, IL-4 and IFN-γ production during the first few weeks of infection was similar in CB6F1 mice inoculated at either site, suggesting that factors in addition to the relative levels of these cytokines produced early in infection may influence the nature of the antileishmanial immune response, and the eventual disease outcome. Infection in CB6F1 mice provides a model for the study of immunity to L. major in genetically identical animals, in which a prolonged mixed Thl/Th2 cytokine pattern initially develops, but ultimately diverges into more defined Th1 and Thl type responses.