Differential effects of propranolol on lymphocyte rosette formation and response to plant mitogens

The effects of propranolol on various lymphocyte functions were studied to gain a better understanding of the recently demonstrated suppressive effect of propranolol on rheumatoid factor production. D- and L-propranolol at a concentration of 1 X 10⁻⁴ M inhibited the formation of human EA rosettes. The inhibition occurred within one minute of adding the compounds, was reversible, and did not affect cell viability. Addition of propranolol to preformed EA rosettes failed to disaggregate them. Patching and capping of SIg by an Fab′2 anti-IgG were inhibited at 2.5 X 10⁻⁵M and above. Propranolol at 2.5 X 10⁻⁵M also inhibited lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen without evidence of cell toxicity by trypan blue staining or absolute numbers of surviving cells. Congeners of propranolol with mainly beta adrenergic blocking properties did not show inhibitory effects. The inhibitory activities of propranolol are interpreted in terms of propranolol's membrane stabilizing effects and ability to interfere with membrane receptor movement.     

An evaluation of short-term hostel care for severely mentally handicapped children

SUMMARY: Short-term care for mentally handicapped children is proving to be a valuable resource in helping families keep such children at home. An evaluation of a hostel offering such care showed that irregularity of use was a problem but also offered an opportunity of extending such care to the 16–19 years age group. Families were found to be very relieved to have the use of such a facility and much preferred it to similar care in a hospital setting.     

Epidemiology,Molecular Epidemiology and Evolution of Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus

The bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is an enveloped, negative sense, single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the pneumovirus genus within the family Paramyxoviridae. BRSV has been recognized as a major cause of respiratory disease in young calves since the early 1970s. The analysis of BRSV infection was originally hampered by its characteristic lability and poor growth in vitro. However, the advent of numerous immunological and molecular methods has facilitated the study of BRSV enormously. The knowledge gained from these studies has also provided the opportunity to develop safe, stable, attenuated virus vaccine candidates. Nonetheless, many aspects of the epidemiology, molecular epidemiology and evolution of the virus are still not fully understood. The natural course of infection is rather complex and further complicates diagnosis, treatment and the implementation of preventive measures aimed to control the disease. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms by which BRSV is able to establish infection is needed to prevent viral and disease spread. This review discusses important information regarding the epidemiology and molecular epidemiology of BRSV worldwide, and it highlights the importance of viral evolution in virus transmission.     

Treating Legg-Perthes Disease

Treatment for Legg-Perthes disease should provide dynamic maintenance of the femoral head in the acetabulum, with the hip in moderate abduction and some internal rotation, and minimize stress of body weight on the avascular femoral head. The trilateral socket hip abduction orthosis accomplishes both goals while allowing the patient to be ambulatory and to participate in normal daily activities.     

Rheumatologic Disorders Due to Immune Complexes

Circulating autologous immune complexes are considered responsible for the vasculitis of systemic lupus erythematosus and of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and appear to contribute to the vasculitis of one form of cryoglobulinemia. Complexes of virus and immunoglobulin probably cause half of the cases of polyarteritis nodosa.