Follistatin and activin A in extra-embryonic coelomic and amniotic fluids and maternal serum in early pregnancy

Follistatin is a specific binding protein which controls bioavailability of activins and inhibins which have an important role in fetal development. In the first trimester of pregnancy bioactive dimeric inhibins are found at high concentrations in the extra- embryonic coelomic fluid, but the distribution of follistatin and activins is not known. We have used recently developed immunoassays for follistatin, activin A and activin AB to determine their presence in the intrauterine compartments during early pregnancy. Follistatin was present in highest concentrations in the extra-embryonic coelomic fluid (11.72 +/- 1.70 ng/ml; median +/- SEM), with less in maternal serum (6.35 +/- 4.58) and lowest amounts in amniotic fluid (0.97 +/- 0.52). Follistatin concentrations in extra-embryonic coelomic fluid were highly correlated with both dimeric inhibin isoforms. Activin A was present in only barely detectable amounts in some samples of extra- embryonic coelomic fluid (41% of samples) and maternal serum (26%) and was undetectable in all amniotic fluid samples. Activin AB was undetectable in all compartments. The presence of follistatin in the amniotic and extra-embryonic coelomic fluids may regulate the availability of bioactive activins and inhibins which are released into the intrauterine compartments during the development of the fetus and placenta in early pregnancy.      

穴位坦线配合中药治疗银屑病疗效观察

０　引言　银屑病是一原因不明的常见皮肤病,临床以慢性、复发性,表面覆盖有多层的银白色鳞屑,境界清楚的红斑、丘疹为特征．３ａ来我们采用穴拉埋线配合自拟中药验方治疗银屑病４６例,取得较好疗效．１　对象和方法１．１　对象　本组４６（男２１,女２５）例,年龄...     

Ankylosing spondylitis in a Malawian

I report a case of ankylosing spondylitis in a Malawian patient. I believe this is the first reported case of ankylosing spondylitis in a Malawian. Ankylosing spondylitis is rare in black Africans when compared with the Caucasian population. The clinical features of this disease are also different in these different racial groups. I will present a brief clinical history and a review of ankylosing spondylitis with special reference to the black African.     

Pre-exposure purified vero cell rabies vaccine and concomitant routine childhood vaccinations: 5-year post-vaccination follow-up study of an infant cohort in Vietnam

Children have a high risk of exposure to rabies in countrieswhere the disease is endemic. This prospective, 5-year studyfollowed two groups of children who had received diphtheria,tetanus, whole-cell pertussis and inactivated poliomyelitisvaccine (DTP-IPV) at 2, 3, 4 months and 1 year (Group B) orconcomitant with three doses of purified Vero cell rabies vaccine(PVRV), given at 2, 4 months and 1 year (Group A). Antibodydeterminations were made annually for 5 years. Data were availablefrom a total of 72 subjects; 30 in Group A and 32 in Group B.In Group A, the percentage of patients immunized against rabies(anti-rabies 0.5 IU/ml) decreased from 100% after the thirdvaccination to 63%, 5 years later. After 5 years, 93.8% in GroupA and 96.7% in Group B had seroprotective diphtheria antibodytiters 0.01 IU/ml, and all subjects had anti-polio (type 1,2 and 3) seroprotective titers 5 1:dil. We conclude that co-administrationof PVRV with DTP-IPV elicited protective antibody concentrationsto all antigens that persist for at least 5 years, with continuedprotection against rabies in over 60% of subjects. These resultsare consistent with integration of pre-exposure rabies vaccinationinto the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in countrieswhere rabies is endemic.     

Knowledge,attitude, and skills regarding sports medicine among football players and team doctors in the football super league in Malawi

A study was conducted among football players and team doctors in the football super league in Malawi to determine the level of knowledge, skills and attitude in sports medicine. One hundred football players and thirteen team doctors were involved in the study. Standardised questionnaires were used to collect data in an interview format. Among the players 37% had completed tertiary education and 60% had finished secondary school education. Most players had poor knowledge on prevention of injuries; had poor advice on diet; used illicit drugs or knew of fellow players using illicit drugs and believed in the role of magic in sports. All 13 team ‘doctors’ worked full-time in paramedical fields: 3 were orthopaedic clinical officers, 2 were physiotherapists and the rest were in various fields, such as dental technician, pharmacy assistant, medical assistant and dermatology technician, where trauma is not part of their basic training. Most team “doctors” were aware of the impact of HIV/AIDS on sports but few had good knowledge of the role of nutrition in sports and the effect of performance enhancing drugs in sports. Most believed in the role of magic in sports. Recommendations are made on the basis of these findings.