Ultraviolet-B irradiation of platelets: a preliminary trial of efficacy

Prior studies established that ultraviolet-B light (UVB) irradiation of platelet concentrates (PCs) at appropriate doses can eliminate the mixed lymphocyte culture-stimulating and -responding capacity of lymphocytes in the PCs without adversely affecting in vitro platelet function. The in vivo recovery and survival and in vitro characteristics of UVB-irradiated platelets were investigated in paired studies. PCs were stored for 1 day and then exposed to UVB. Platelet recovery, survival, and function were comparable to those of nonirradiated platelets. Recovery and survival of platelets stored for 5 days before UVB exposure were decreased relative to controls, although they were considered clinically acceptable. Paired transfusion studies were also performed in seven thrombocytopenic patients by using platelets obtained by apheresis. Comparable posttransfusion platelet increments and bleeding time corrections were obtained with both irradiated and control (nonirradiated) platelets. It can be concluded that platelets survive and function relatively normally in vivo after UVB irradiation sufficient to abolish lymphocyte reactivity in mixed lymphocyte culture. Long-term studies of UVB-irradiated PCs are needed to assess their potential in reducing recipient alloimmunization.     

TDI技术评价卡维地洛对高血压患者左室舒张功能的影响

目的:应用组织多普勒显像(TDI)技术评价卡维地洛对高血压患者左室舒张功能的影响.方法:对30例高血压给予卡维地洛治疗24周.治疗前、治疗后12周、24周用TDI技术测量左室收缩期二尖瓣环平均舒张早期运动速度(Ea)、舒张晚期运动速度(Aa)及Ea/Aa,并与血流多普勒指标E波速度(E)、A波速度(A)、E/A进行比较,观察降压效果及对左室舒张功能的影响.结果:卡维地洛治疗12周后收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)、心率(HR)均较治疗前下降(P＜0.05),Ea、Ea/Aa均较治疗前升高(P＜0.05),治疗24周后E、E/A较治疗前升高(P＜0.05),Aa较治疗前降低(P＜0.05),Ea、Ea/Aa有进一步改善的趋势(P＜0.05).结论:TDI技术在评价左室舒张功能方面较二尖瓣血流频谱更敏感;卡维地洛对轻、中度高血压具有良好的降压作用,且能改善患者左室舒张功能.     

TDI技术评价卡维地洛对高血压患者左室舒张功能的影响

目的:应用组织多普勒显像(TDI)技术评价卡维地洛对高血压患者左室舒张功能的影响.方法:对30例高血压给予卡维地洛治疗24周.治疗前、治疗后12周、24周用TDI技术测量左室收缩期二尖瓣环平均舒张早期运动速度(Ea)、舒张晚期运动速度(Aa)及Ea/Aa,并与血流多普勒指标E波速度(E)、A波速度(A)、E/A进行比较,观察降压效果及对左室舒张功能的影响.结果:卡维地洛治疗12周后收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)、心率(HR)均较治疗前下降(P＜0.05),Ea、Ea/Aa均较治疗前升高(P＜0.05),治疗24周后E、E/A较治疗前升高(P＜0.05),Aa较治疗前降低(P＜0.05),Ea、Ea/Aa有进一步改善的趋势(P＜0.05).结论:TDI技术在评价左室舒张功能方面较二尖瓣血流频谱更敏感;卡维地洛对轻、中度高血压具有良好的降压作用,且能改善患者左室舒张功能.     

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected blood donors: epidemiologic, laboratory, and donation characteristics. The HIV Blood Donor Study Group

Transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) by homologous blood transfusion in the United States (US) is minimized by the deferral of potential donors who are at risk for HIV-1 infection and by the screening of all donations for HIV-1 antibody. HIV-1-seropositive donors at 20 blood centers were studied for information to be used in evaluating the safety of the US blood supply and making recommendations to increase that safety. From June 1988 to August 1989, 829 (0.04%) of 2,192,000 donors were found to be seropositive; 512 were interviewed. Of 388 seropositive men, 56 percent had had sex with men, 10 percent had used drugs intravenously, 8 percent had had sex with intravenous drug users, and 27 percent had no identified risk. Of 124 seropositive women, 58 percent had had sex with men at risk for HIV (81% of whom used drugs intravenously), 5 percent had used drugs intravenously, and 41 percent had no identified risk. Racial and ethnic minorities made up 68 percent of seropositive donors (black, 38%; Hispanic, 30%) and approximately 14 percent of all donors. The 157 persons with no identified risk had demographic characteristics and serologic test results for syphilis and hepatitis B that were more similar to those of HIV-1-seropositive donors with recognized risk than to those of seronegative donors. Three health care worker-blood donors (from an estimated 93,100 health care worker-donors) had infection that was probably acquired occupationally.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

美国卫生组织体系20年的变革和经验

1背景与资料上世纪80和90年代,美国的医院和医生组织投入大量时间和资源进行机构重组,以实现提高组织效率、改善财务绩效水平、机构长期生存、承担社区责任和救治病人的目的。而机构重组的主要趋势是建立“有组织的服务提供体系”,包括建立横向的医院联合体,横向的医生联合体,以及纵向的医院与医生联合体等。到目前为止,在美国开展的大量研究对上述机构重组效果的认识莫衷一是。     

Human leukocyte antigen matching and fetal loss: results of a 10 year prospective study

The role that maternal and fetal human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes play in pregnancy is unknown, but it has been suggested that fetuses whose HLA alleles do not differ from maternal alleles (i.e. histocompatible fetuses) are more likely to be aborted than fetuses with HLA alleles that differ from maternal alleles (i.e. histoincompatible fetuses). To elucidate the role of HLA compatibility in pregnancy, we tested the hypothesis that couples who match for HLA alleles or haplotypes would have reduced fertility because only these couples could produce histocompatible fetuses. We conducted a 10 year prospective study of HLA matching and pregnancy outcome in 111 Hutterite couples, providing information on 251 pregnancies. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of HLA matching at HLA regions and loci on pregnancy outcome (fetal loss versus delivery). Significantly increased fetal loss rates were observed among couples matching for the entire 16-locus haplotype (P = 0.002). Among the individual loci, loss rates were increased among couples matching for HLA-B (P = 0.019), HLA-C (P = 0.033) and the complement component, C4 (P = 0.043). We interpret these results as evidence that matching for the entire 16-locus haplotype and/or alleles at an HLA-B-linked locus confers significant risk for fetal loss.      

Attitudes about genetic risk of couples undergoing in-vitro fertilization

Many couples undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) are at a higher risk of having a child with a genetic abnormality. In a sample of 55 consecutive couples starting IVF, only 33% had no genetic risk factor. The most common genetic risks were advanced maternal age and possible abnormalities associated with severe male infertility. Despite education on these risks, 71% of couples had no interest in receiving formal genetic counselling. Only 14% of couples at risk would consider using a gamete donor to avoid transmitting a genetic disorder to a child. The triple test to screen for fetal abnormalities was acceptable to 82% of couples, but only 47% planned to have amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling. Couples were significantly more likely to opt for prenatal testing if they would consider terminating a pregnancy should the fetus have a severe genetic abnormality (P < 0.01). Roman Catholic couples tended to have more conservative attitudes about pregnancy termination. Socio-economic status and whether the infertility factor was male or female were not predictors of a couple's attitudes.      

Dentomaxillofacial manifestations of Gaucher's disease: preliminary clinical and radiographic findings

Objectives

A wide variety of manifestations is presented in patients with Gaucher''s disease (GD), including bone, haematology and visceral disturbances. This study was conducted to ascertain the main maxillofacial abnormalities by means of clinical survey, panoramic and cone beam CT (CBCT); to compare the patient''s group with an age–sex matched control group; and to correlate clinical and radiological data.

Methods

Ten patients previously diagnosed with GD were submitted to clinical and radiological surveys (CBCT and panoramic radiographs). The examination consisted of anamnesis, extra- and intraoral examinations and analyses of each patient''s records. Imaging data were collected from the point of view of 3 observers, and the results compared with a healthy group (20 individuals) by means of statistical analysis (Fisher''s exact test).

Results

Gaucher patients had significantly more manifestations than otherwise healthy carriers. The most prevalent findings were enlarged marrow spaces, generalized osteopenia and effacement of jaw structures (mandibular canal, lamina dura and mental foramen). Here we describe a case in which thickening of the maxillary sinus mucosa was observed on CBCT rather than opacification of the sinus as seen on panoramic radiographs. Pathological fractures, root resorption and delay on tooth eruption were not observed.

Conclusions

A poor relationship could be observed between clinical and radiological data. Patients showed important bone manifestations, which require careful diagnostic and surgical planning whenever necessary. Although panoramic radiographs have shown significant differences, CBCT is more effective in pointing out differences between patients and a control group, thus showing it as an important tool for evaluation of Gaucher patients.