Improved cell mediated immune responses after successful re-vaccination of non-responders to the hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) vaccine using the combined hepatitis A and B vaccine

We successfully re-vaccinated hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine non-responders using a double dose of the combined hepatitis A virus (HAV) and HBV vaccine. The hope was to improve priming of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-specific cell mediated immune response (CMI) by an increased antigen dose and a theoretical adjuvant-effect from the local presence of a HAV-specific CMI. A few non-responders had a detectable HBsAg-specific CMI before re-vaccination. An in vitro detectable HBsAg-specific CMI was primed equally effective in non-responders (58%) as in first time vaccine recipients (68%). After the third dose a weak, albeit significant, association was observed between the magnitude of HBsAg-specific proliferation and anti-HBs levels. This regimen improves the priming of HBsAg-specific CMIs and antibodies.     

Fasting plasma glucose levels in healthy preschool children: effects of weight and lifestyle

AIM: To investigate whether a modern lifestyle, with a high-energy intake and a low level of physical activity, influences fasting plasma glucose concentration in healthy children. METHODS: As a part of the prospective study 'All Babies in Southeast Sweden', 127 children from six preschool units chose to participate. The children, 56% girls and 44% boys, were 5-7 years old. Parents answered a questionnaire about their children's heredity, and physical exercise and eating habits. In the morning, before the children ate breakfast, fasting plasma glucose levels and weight, height and waist circumference were measured. RESULTS: Fasting plasma glucose levels varied between 3.7 and 6.1 mmol/L, with both mean and median values of 4.7 mmol/L. There was no association between fasting plasma glucose level and body mass index (BMI), eating habits or degree of physical exercise. BMI and waist circumference were significantly correlated (p < 0.01). Children who play outdoors most frequently had a significantly lower BMI (p < 0.05) and waist circumference (p < 0.01), whereas children who more often watch TV had a significantly higher BMI (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: A modern lifestyle, with low levels of exercise and high-energy consumption, may explain the increasing weight and even obesity of otherwise healthy, preschool children, but does not influence their fasting plasma glucose levels.     

Angina scoring method in the Veterans Administration randomized study of bypass surgery

An angina scoring method was designed in the Veterans Administration Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Study in 1973 to evaluate the effect of medical versus surgical therapy on relief of angina. The score measures the frequency of angina, type of activity producing angina, and use of medications. The score is based on objective responses to specific questions, is easy to compute, and is designed to be administered by a physician familiar with symptoms of angina and coronary artery disease. In this report, the authors evaluate the reproducibility, validity, and utility of the angina score in Veterans Administration study patients. Extensions of the scoring method to include newer cardiac drugs and comparison with other methods of grading the severity of angina are also discussed.     

Pharmacokinetics of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha in rats. Effects of size and number of doses and nephrectomy

The serum pharmacokinetics of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rHuTNF) were determined in male and female rats under various conditions. The clearance of rHuTNF after iv administration was determined to be saturable over the dose range of 10-63 micrograms/kg. Multiple iv administration did not significantly change the clearance of rHuTNF. Nephrectomy significantly reduced but did not eliminate the clearance of rHuTNF. The data suggest that sites other than the kidney also contribute to the elimination of rHuTNF. Female rats showed significantly reduced clearance of rHuTNF compared to male rats at all doses after single and multiple iv administration in control and nephrectomized animals.