B cells and monocytes are not developmentally affected in a case of reticular dysgenesis

We report a patient with reticular dysgenesis (RD) who received an HLA-identical marrow graft and remained free of infection in spite of incomplete haematological recovery. Mixed chimerism was achieved and resulted from the presence of autologous B cells and monocytes and grafting of donor T cells. Granulocyte recovery was impaired. The B cells were CD5⁺ (B1 cells) and appeared to be functional, since serum immunoglobulin levels became normal after the graft. The findings described here suggest that in some cases the defect selectively affects different cell types, including the more abundant leucocyte populations, granulocytes and T lymphocytes. However, B cells and monocytes appear to be relatively spared in this case of RD. Furthermore, the present case may provide insight into the mechanism involved in the expansion of distinct B cell subpopulations (B1 and B2 cells).     

AN OVERVIEW OF MITOZANTRONE

INTRODUCTION Mitozantrone is a member of the anthraquinone group of chemicals. Anthraquinones were used as blue dyes in the fabric industry in the early 20th century, and subsequently in ballpoint pen ink as ametantrone.¹ Since the discovery of doxorubicin in 1968 searches have continued for anthracycline-related compounds with improved efficacy and/or a different spectrum of activity with less toxicity.     

Association of parental characteristics with adverse outcomes of adolescent pregnancy

BACKGROUND: It is well-known that pregnancy in adolescence has an increased risk of adverse reproductive outcomes. It remains unclear whether this association is due mainly to the unfavourable sociodemographic status or due solely to biological immaturity of pregnant adolescents. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the association of parental sociodemographic characteristics with the adverse outcomes of adolescent pregnancy. METHOD: Data from certificates of live births in Taichung County, Taiwan in 1994 of 7994 singleton, first-born babies whose mothers were 15-34 years of age were analysed. The relative risk of having adverse pregnancy outcomes for adolescent subgroups was obtained as compared with that among mothers 20-34 years of age with the same characteristics. The adjusted relative risk of having adverse pregnancy outcomes for each covariate was calculated by a multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 7994 babies born to mothers of 15-34 years of age, 8.3% were born to adolescent mothers. In all age groups, the younger adolescent mothers (15-17 years of age) had the highest percentage of both infants with low birth weight (10.6%) and preterm births (7.1 %). Younger adolescent mothers in almost all sociodemographic categories had higher risks of having both low-birth-weight and preterm births than those of older adolescent mothers. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a younger maternal age is the only significant risk factor for having infants with low birth weight (adjusted RR = 2.5, 95% Cl 1.8-4.5 and adjusted RR = 1.7, 95% Cl 1.2-2.6 for younger and older adolescent mothers, respectively) or preterm birth (adjusted RR = 1.9, 95% Cl 1.1- 3.4 and adjusted RR = 1.5, 95% Cl 1.0-2.3 for younger and older adolescent mothers, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent pregnancy carries an increased risk of having low-birth-weight and preterm births, and a younger maternal age is causally implicated.      

LEMAKALIM, A POTASSIUM CHANNEL AGONIST, REVERSES ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS INDUCED BY A LARGE DOSE OF BUPIVACAINE IN ANAESTHETIZED DOGS

We have examined the ability of lemakalim to correct bupivacaine-inducedcardiac electrophysiological impairment in an experimental electrophysiologicalmodel in closed-chest dogs. Two groups (n = 6) of pentobarbitone-anaesthetizeddogs were given atropine 0.2mg kg^–1 i.v., and bupivacaine4 mg kg^–1 i.v. over 10 s. Group 2 received also lemakalim0.03 mg kg^–1 i.v. Bupivacaine induced bradycardia, prolongedPR and His-ventricle (HV) intervals, QRS duration, QTc and JTcintervals, decreased left ventricular (LV) dP/dt max and increasedLV end-diastolic pressure. Lemakalim reversed bupivacaine-inducedPR, HV, ORS, QTc and JTc prolongation, and did not worsen bupivacaine-inducedbradycardia and haemo dynamic depression. We conclude that lemakalimcan antagonize the main deleterious electrophysiological effectsinduced by a large dose of bupivacaine in anaesthetized dogs.(Br. J. Anaesth. 1993; 71: 534–539)     

免角膜细胞的原代培养实验研究

报告了兔角膜三种细胞的体外培养技术，成功地建立了角膜上皮、基质和内皮细胞的原代纯培养且形成良好的细胞单层，可用于对角膜组织细胞的体外实验研究。     

Frequency and type of incidents occurring in urban-based group homes

ABSTRACT. A total of 770 persons with mental retardation were evaluated to determine the frequency and types of incidents occurring in urban-based group homes. All persons resided in group homes located in a large city. Over an 18-month period, a total of 3075 incidents in 14 categories, were documented. Two categories, behavioural incidents and medication errors, comprised 61% of all incidents recorded. Further, a small number of clients accounted for a disproportionately high number of behavioural incidents. Results point to the need to apportion resources based on frequency and types of incidents occurring in group homes.     

A Comparative Study of Bivalirudin Plus Clopidogrel versus Bivalirudin Plus Prasugrel in Primary Angioplasty Using Propensity Score Matching

Introduction and Objectives

In primary angioplasty, bivalirudin is superior to treatment with heparin plus glycoprotein inhibitors for reducing cardiovascular events, although bivalirudin increases the risk of stent thrombosis. Our hypothesis is that the use of prasugrel plus bivalirudin in primary angioplasty would reduce stent thrombosis and cardiovascular events.

Method

Consecutive patients with acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction who were treated by primary angioplasty within 12 hours of the onset of symptoms received bivalirudin plus clopidogrel (Group A) or bivalirudin plus prasugrel (Group B). We compared the groups using propensity score matching. The combined end‐point was cardiac death, thrombosis, acute myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular accident at 30 days.

Results

We assessed 168 patients. The approach was preferentially radial (95.7%). No differences in baseline characteristics were observed between Groups A (n = 70) and B (n = 70). The total mortality and rate of major bleeding complications at 30 days were 0% for both of the groups. The rate of acute and subacute thrombosis was 4.3% in Group A and 0% in Group B (P = 0.08). We observed an increased rate of events in Group A (5.7%) versus Group B (0%) (P = 0.042).

Conclusions

The administration of bivalirudin plus prasugrel in primary percutaneous coronary intervention reduces cardiovascular effects compared to bivalirudin plus clopidogrel without increasing major bleeding complications during the first 30 days following primary angioplasty performed with a preferentially radial approach. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:463‐469)