Proliferative Responses of Peripheral Blood Leucocytes of Sheep Infected with Trypanosoma evansi

The effects of Trypanosoma evansi on the proliferative responses of ovine peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) were examined in in vitro cell culture systems. Sheep were vaccinated against pneumonic pasteurellosis with a monovalent Pasteurella haemolytica vaccine and then infected with T. evansi TREU 2143. From 1 week post-infection (p.i.), the PBL were separated and stimulated in cultures with either Concanavalin A (Con A), bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), pasteurella antigen (P.ag), or homologous trypanosome antigen (T.ag). The proliferative responses of the cells to Con A and LPS were significantly ( P  < 0.001) suppressed by the infection. This suppression was associated with active infection, as treatment of the sheep with a trypanocide restored the proliferative ability of the cells to both mitogens. Similarly, active infection significantly ( P  < 0.001) suppressed specific responses to P.ag and T.ag but although treatment resulted in full specific proliferative responsiveness to the homologous trypanosome antigen, the same was not true of P.ag, in which the responsiveness of cells from uninfected vaccinated sheep to it were still significantly higher ( P  < 0.001) than those of cells from infected sheep.     

FDA提醒人们产前慎用商业性超声检查

非医疗性的产前实时三维超声技术又称为“胎儿写真‘美国食品与药品管理局（FDA）提醒人们说，该项检查可能体裁对胎儿有不良影响。超声作为一种能量形式，即使在低能量状态下，也可能对人体千万伤害。FDA早在10年前就已经停止开展这类商业活动，如今他们正在考虑制定新的行业操作规范。     

Intramuscular Ketamine for Pediatric Sedation in the Emergency Department: Safety Profile in 1,022 Cases

Study objective: To determine the safety of intramuscular ketamine when administered by emergency physicians for pediatric procedures in accordance with a defined protocol. Methods: We assembled a consecutive case series of children aged 15 years or younger who were given ketamine in the emergency departments of a university medical center and an affiliated county hospital over a 9-year period. A protocol for ketamine use (4 mg/kg, intramuscularly) was followed. Treating physicians were instructed to complete data forms recording complications and adequacy of sedation concurrent with patient care. Subsequent chart review was used to determine indications, adjunctive drugs, time to discharge, and adverse reactions for all patients. Results: Intramuscular ketamine was administered 1,022 times, mainly for laceration repair and fracture reduction. Physicians completed data forms for 431 of treated children (42%). Transient airway complications occurred in 1.4%: airway malalignment (n=7), laryngospasm (n=4), apnea (n=2), and respiratory depression (n=1). All were quickly identified and treated without intubation or sequelae. Emesis occurred in 6.7%, without evidence of aspiration. Mild recovery agitation occurred in 17.6%, moderate to severe agitation in 1.6%. No child required hospitalization for complications caused by ketamine. Ketamine produced acceptable sedation in 98% of patients. The median time from injection to emergency department discharge was 110 minutes for children given a single dose of ketamine. Conclusion: Intramuscular ketamine may be administered safely by emergency physicians to facilitate pediatric procedures in accordance with a defined protocol and with appropriate monitoring. Ketamine is highly effective, has a wide margin of safety, does not require intravenous access, and uniquely preserves protective airway reflexes. [Green SM, Rothrock SG, Lynch EL, Ho M, Harris T, Hestdalen R, Hopkins GA, Garrett W, Westcott K: Intramuscular ketamine for pediatric sedation in the emergency department: Safety profile in 1,022 cases. Ann Emerg Med June 1998;31:688-697.]     

Absence of Minimal Residual Disease Detectable by Facs, Southern Blot or PCR in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Treated with Fludarabine

We report the results of assessment of minimal residual disease in four patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, who achieved clinical and haematological complete response following treatment with fludarabine. Patients were assessed both before and after treatment by immunophenotyping, DNA electrophoresis, Southern blotting and PCR amplification to detect immunoglobulin gene rearrangements. Immediately after treatment, no patient had disease detectable by any method and there was evidence of recovery of normal B-cells. No patient has yet shown evidence of clinical or haematological relapse (follow-up 59-142 weeks). Two patients remain in immunophenotypic and molecular remission at 141 and 59 weeks. These methods have allowed more sensitive definition of elimination of residual disease, with PCR demonstrating the capacity to detect disease recurrence before any other evidence is available.