Molecular interactions during pregnancy: Association between mannan binding protein deficiency and recurrent miscarriage

The distribution of mannan binding protein (MBP) in blood donorsera was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay toestablish normal concentrations. Abnormally low MBP concentrationswere found in 16% (21 out of 135) of female partners and 14%(15 out of 108) of male partners of couples experiencing recurrentmiscarriage, compared with <5% of obstetrically normal controls(P < 0.005). This relationship was even stronger (9.5 versus1.0%) and more significant (P < 0.002) when only subjectspresumed to be homozygous for the mutant allele responsiblefor MBP deficiency were considered. By immunohistochemistry,MBP could be demonstrated in first trimester placenta. We suggestthat low concentrations of MBP within the feto-placental unitincrease susceptibility to fetal loss, possibly via an infection-inducedplacental cytokine imbalance.     

Terminal acute myelogenous leukemia in a patient with congenital agranulocytosis

Congenital agranulocytosis terminating in acute myelogenous leukemia has been previously reported in only two cases of adolescent males. We describe the clinical and laboratory features of a 13-year-old male with congenital agranulocytosis, treated with G-CSF with initial good neutrophil response, who subsequently developed acute myeloid leukemia. This rare complication may define a preleukemic subset of patients for whom G-CSF therapy is ineffective. The diagnostic challenges of this case are presented.     

In vitro effects of Nd:YAG laser radiation on blood: A quantitative and morphologic analysis

Use of the Neodymium: yttrium -aluminum -garnet (Nd:YAG) laser to recanalize stenosed arteries may require delivery of the beam through blood. To assess the degree of hemolysis and debris formation, 54 samples of citrated whole blood were exposed to Nd:YAG laser radiation of varying powers (10, 20 and 30 watts) and duration (1, 2.5 and 5 seconds). Compared to control samples which were not subjected to laser light, there was no significant decrease in hematocrit (41 to 40.5 +/- 5%), hemoglobin concentration (13.8 to 13.8 +/- .06 g/1OO ml), or increase in "free" hemoglobin concentration. Debris weight (from .45 +/- .002 to .45 +/- .002 mg), as well as the white blood cell count, was also not significantly changed (from 5,400 to 5,200 +/- 240 WBC/cm). Light microscopy examination of debris from samples of whole blood, washed erythrocytes, and platelet-rich plasma subjected to the laser at 30 watts for five seconds failed to demonstrate the presence of membrane denaturation of blood elements, as compared with the morphologic changes observed in whole blood samples exposed to a "hot tip" rather than Nd:YAG laser radiation. Nd:YAG laser can be used intravascularly without fear of hemolysis or debris "micro-embolization" up to a power of 30 watts for five seconds.     

Aortic-iliac occlusive disease

This article is divided into 4 sections which deal with changes in the management of short stenoses in the iliac arteries, the management of aorto-iliac disease and the effects of concomitant myocardial ischemia, changes in the design of prostheses, and multisegmental disease. Myocardial ischemia may be apparent from clinical or electrocardiogram evidence, or it may be covert. The mortality rate after aortic bifurcation grafting may improve if patients with severe coronary artery disease are either refused operation or have a coronary bypass first. It was postulated over 10 years ago that increased porosity would encourage the formation of a functioning intima on the inner surface of a prosthesis. Since then, the fashion has been to use porous prostheses, and recent developments to offset the loss of blood at implantation are described. Methods of predicting which patients with multisegmental disease will require combined aorto-iliac and femoropopliteal reconstructions are discussed in the light of the problem of early occlusion of aortobifemoral grafts.

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Resumen El presente artículo está dividido en 4 secciones relativas al manejo de las estenosis cortas de las arterias iliacas, al manejo de la enfermedad aortoiliaca con isquemia miocárdica concomitante, a los cambios en el diseño de las prótesis vasculares, y a la enfermedad arterial multisegmentaria. La isquemia miocárdica puede resultar aparente por evidencia clínica o electrocardiográfica, o puede permanecer inadvertida. La tasa de mortalidad de los injertos de la bifurcación aórtica puede ser mejorada si aquellos pacientes con enfermedad coronaria severa son rechazados para operación, o bien sometidos primero a una derivacíon coronaria. Hace más de 10 años fue postulado que la mayor porosidad de una prótesis estimula la formación de una íntima funcional en la superficie interna. Desde entonces se ha preferido utilizar prótesis porosas; aquí se describen recientes avances para lograr la pérdida de sangre en el momento de la implantation del injerto. Se discuten métodos para predecir qué pacientes habrán de requerir reconstrucciones aortoiliacas y femoropoplíteas una vez que se presenta el problema de la oclusión temprana de un injerto aortobifemoral.

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Résumé Dans cet article nous envisageons 4 sujets: les tendances therapeutiques actuelles des sténoses courtes des artères iliaques, celles des arteriopathies aorto-iliaques lorsqu'existe une ischémie myocardique concomitante, les changements dans la fabrication des prothèses, et le traitement en cas de maladie artérielle multisegmentaire. Une ischémie du myocarde peut être évidente à partir des données de la clinique ou d'après l'électrocardiogramme; ailleurs elle est latente. Pour réduire la mortalité après remplacement du carrefour aortique chez le patient présentant une maladie ischémique du coeur, on peut soit refuser d'opérer ces patients, soit les faire opérer au préalable de leurs artères coronaires. Il y a plus de 10 ans on a supposé que si on augmentait la porosité, on favoriserait la formation d'une couche d'intima fonctionnelle à l'intérieur de la prothèse. Depuis qu'on utilise des prothèses poreuses, les pertes sanguines au niveau des anastomoses tendent à se minimiser. Les méthodes destinées à choisir quels patients avec une maladie multisegmentaire pourront bénéficier d'une recontruction aorto-iliaque et fémoropoplitée combinée sont discutées à la lumière du problème que pose la thrombose précoce des prothèses aortobifémorales.