Immune components (IgA, IgM, IgG, immune cells) of colostrum of Bangladeshi mothers

BACKGROUND: Colostrum is the first defense for neonates. It is rich in immune components including immunoglobulins and viable immune cells. In the present study, human colostrum collected from 105 postpartum mothers was analyzed for its IgA, IgM, IgG levels, and peripheral immune cells. METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze the serum immunoglobulin concentrations. Immune cells were estimated by counting 200 cells. RESULTS: IgA was the dominant immunoglobulin and ranged from 2.84 to 8.69 g/L (mean 5.61 g/L). Mean IgM and IgG concentrations were 0.4 g/L (0.16-0.66 g/L) and 0.095 g/L (0.04-0.15 g/L), respectively. Neutrophil-macrophage (neu-mac) predominated in cell count (59%) followed by lymphocyte-plasma cells (lymph-plasma; 40%). The influence of maternal nutritional status, age, parity and income levels on the colostral immunological factors was studied. No significant association could be traced for immunoglobulin content, suggesting that maternal characteristics do not have any bearing on the immunoglobulin content of colostrum. Mean value of eosinophils was found to be higher among the underweight than the normal mothers (F= 3.143, r=-0.101). Maternal age was positively correlated with eosinophil (F= 3.296, r= 0.162). Concentration of neu-mac had a positive significant correlation with parity (t=-2.07, r= 0.205), while it was negatively significant for lymphocyte-plasma cells (t= 2.073, r=-0.101). However, the correlation coefficients of the immunologic parameters with other maternal characteristics were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Colostrum has enough humoral and cellular elements to protect babies. Therefore, immune protection derived from breastfeeding depends on the immunoglobulin level of the colostrum as well as the amount of colostrum ingested.     

Filarial dance in a breast mass on colour Doppler imaging

Filarial dance in breast lesions is a very rare entity. It is difficult to show the characteristic vigorous movement of the adult worms on static images although pulse wave Doppler and colour power Doppler have been used. Filarial dance on colour Doppler imaging has not been reported earlier to the best of our knowledge.     

Evaluation of the role of CT in the assessment of response to selective internal radiation therapy in patients with colorectal liver metastases*

Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is a relatively new method for treating non‐resectable liver tumours. There is reason to believe that conventional assessments of response by CT scan may underestimate the efficacy of this treatment. A study was undertaken in 54 patients to evaluate CT changes after SIRT for advanced colorectal cancer and to compare these with tumour marker (carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)) changes to determine how best to assess whether a response has occurred. Computed tomography scans were carried out before treatment and at 3‐monthly intervals thereafter. Serial CEA measurements were undertaken at 4‐weekly intervals. Index lesions were identified and their size was assessed on serial scans by three independent, blinded investigators. Per cent changes in CEA levels after SIRT were calculated for all patients. Disappearance of all index lesions was noted in five patients (9.3%). A decrease in the size was seen in a further 41 patients (76%), no change was seen in five (9.3%), and an increase in size was noted in three (5.4%). The time taken for the maximum decrease in size to occur ranged from 3 to 21 months (median 12 months). Carcinoembryonic antigen changes were more dramatic, with a reduction of more than 75% within 2 months in 35 of 50 patients (70%) and a rise in only 3 of 50 patients (6%). Early assessment of response by CT scan may be misleading because of the time taken for size reduction to occur. Response to SIRT is more accurately judged in the early stages by tumour marker data.     

慢性乙肝患者阿德福韦治疗的病毒学应答和耐药性

背景:HBV感染患者的阿德福韦耐药性发生率和危险因素尚未明确。目的:探讨阿德福韦病毒学应答的特征、明确阿德福韦耐药的发生率并研究起始病毒学应答(Initial Virologic Response,IVR) 和阿德福韦耐药的相关因素。     

MILITARY ENVIRONMENT AND FECUNDITY : A STUDY OF WOMEN IN UNIFORM

Fecundity is an area where individual experiences, community belief and anecdotes cloud scientific evidence. It has been a common belief that working women experience various types of subfecundity like infertility, abortion and prolonged waiting time for pregnancy. Work environment may be contributing to this end, besides the delay in starting a reproductive career. Since working women in military environment are exposed to factors like mobility, shift duty, anaesthetic gases etc, it was decided to study their fecundity vis-a-vis housewives of same sodo economic status. In this study 204 subjects returned the questionnaire with a response rate of 68%. It was found that higher shades of subfecundity exist among women engaged in military service but does not reach the level of statistical significance (p=>0.05) to attribute it to the work environmentKEY WORDS: Environment, Fecundity