Colonic variceal bleeding in a child

A 5-year-old girl with biliary atresia is described who developed lower gastrointestinal bleeding from colonic varices. Vasopressin infusions temporarily controlled the bleeding. Following a right hemicolectomy the bleeding has not recurred.     

Isolation of polymeric glycoprotein complexes of enveloped viruses using the Quill A glycoside and a study of their immunogenic activity

Specific multimer complexes of glycoproteins of enveloped viruses were prepared by treatment of suspensions of purified concentrated virus with a non-ionic detergent MECK mixed with 0.2% glycoside Quil A. Mixed complexes of glycoproteins with glycoside Quil A were formed upon removal of the detergent from the mixture of solubilized glycoproteins and glycoside Quil A. According to the results of electron microscopy, the formed complexes differed morphologically from the conventional micelles of glycoproteins and presented spherical reticular structures 20-30 nm in diameter. The immunogenic potency of the complexes was much higher than that of virus particles and micelles of purified glycoproteins and was comparable to the immunogenic potency of glycoproteins mixed with complete Freund adjuvant. The protective activity of the complex of protein G of rabies virus with glycoside Quil A was higher than that of the subunit rabies vaccine adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide.     

Evaluation of the grafted ascending aorta with computed tomography. Complications caused by suture dehiscence

Patients who have undergone surgery on the thoracic aorta and placement of a synthetic tubular graft need close, long-term radiological follow-up, as they are at risk of not only complications and progression of the underlying disease (atherosclerosis, dissection, or cystic medial necrosis) but also complications of the procedure, notably suture dehiscence leading to formation of an aneurysm around the graft. In a series of 14 asymptomatic postoperative patients studied by computed tomography (CT), the authors detected leakage of contrast material around the graft in 6 patients, 2 of whom required re-operation to correct suture dehiscence. CT is a noninvasive and sensitive method of postoperative evaluation of patients who have undergone an aortic graft.