Travel and changes in routine do not increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome

We investigated the relationship between travel and changes in routine and the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) among 485 SIDS cases compared with 1800 randomly selected control infants. There was no increased risk of SIDS with travel. Special events, such as christenings, were not associated with an increased risk of SIDS. However, visits to and by friends or relatives were associated with a significantly reduced risk of SIDS after controlling for potential confounders (odds ratios = 0.70; 95% confidence interval = 0.52, 0.96). These findings may indicate less social support in SIDS cases.     

Cardiovascular abnormalities in end stage renal failure: the effect of anaemia or uraemia?

Plasma interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentrations were measured in patients with atopic dermatitis. Plasma IL-8 was not detected in 25 controls (0/25), in allergic rhinitis (0/20), or in bronchial asthma during remission (0/13), while low concentrations of IL-8 were detectable in a few patients with urticaria (1/19), contact dermatitis (4/17), and bronchial asthma at the time of attack (6/16). In contrast, IL-8 was detectable in most cases of atopic dermatitis (41/52). Moreover, IL-8 concentrations were significantly higher in severe than in mild or moderate atopic dermatitis. IL-8 concentrations decreased as atopic dermatitis was improved by treatment, and IgE production in vitro was also decreased while serum IgE concentrations remained unchanged. IL-8 measurement may be a useful tool for the study of the pathogenesis and clinical course of atopic dermatitis.     

Digital subtraction angiography system evaluation with phantoms

Advances in digital subtraction angiography imaging demonstrate the need for critical evaluation of the performance of digital subtraction equipment. The design of a phantom set for noninvasive assessment of the imaging quality of digital subtraction equipment is described; components include a remotely controlled transport system and individual patterns to evaluate the contrast and detail properties of the image intensifier, low-contrast sensitivity and resolution of the system, geometric distortion of image, linearity, mechanical and electronic stability of equipment, and effects of bone and bowel gas on iodine perception. The performance of an add-on digital radiographic system is presented, along with radiation exposure levels at the image intensifier for a range of radiographic techniques.     

Recombinant human factor IX: replacement therapy, prophylaxis, and pharmacokinetics in canine hemophilia B

Recombinant human factor IX (rFIX) has been expressed in transduced cultured cell systems since 1985. Because there has been limited in vivo testing of rFIX in hemophilia B subjects, this study was undertaken using the severe hemophilia B canines of the Chapel Hill strain. Three groups of hemophilic dogs received either 50, 100, or 200 IU/kg of rFIX. As a control, a fourth group of hemophilic dogs received 50 IU/kg of a high purity, plasma-derived human FIX (pdFIX). The coagulant and hemostatic effects of rFIX and pdFIX were similar with all comparative dosing regimens. Based on activity data, the elimination half-life of rFIX was 18.9 +/- 2.3 hours and pdFIX was 17.9 +/- 2.1 hours. A prophylactic regimen administering rFIX daily resulted in a continuous therapeutic level of plasma FIX and was accompanied by a two-fold increase in recovery levels by day 5, compared to that observed with administration of a single bolus. The mechanisms of the high to complete recovery of FIX with the prophylactic regimen could depend not only on the degree of saturation of the vascular endothelial binding sites but also on the altered dynamics of the balance of FIX distribution between the intravascular and extravascular compartments. The pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters for rFIX and pdFIX were similar. However, the relative PK values for V1 and V5s of both products on day 5 differed greatly from day 1 and may reflect the changing equilibrium of FIX between compartments with elevated levels of plasma FIX. Neutralizing antihuman FIX antibodies resulting from human FIX antigen being administered to FIX deficient dogs were observed beginning at 14 days. The antigenicity of rFIX and pdFIX appeared to be comparable. Despite the very different procedures used for production of rFIX and pdFIX products, in vivo testing in hemophilia B dogs showed the functional behavior of these products is similar; they are highly effective for replacement therapy and for prophylaxis.     

Colonic and jejunal motor disturbances after colonic antigen challenge of sensitized rat

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Inflammation in the colon may alter motility in the proximal gut and potentiate clinical symptoms. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of colonic anaphylaxis on local (colonic) and remote (small intestinal) motility and identify the mechanism and mediators involved. METHODS: Rats were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of 10 microg egg albumin and surgically prepared with electrodes in jejunum and colon and a colostomy tube. Colonic and jejunal myoelectric activity were recorded in fasted animals before and after colonic antigen challenge without and then after pretreatment with specific antagonists. RESULTS: Colonic antigen challenge of sensitized rats was associated with significant (1) increase in colonic myoelectric spike activity, (2) disruption of fasting jejunal motility and initiation of aborally propagating spike complexes, and (3) increase in plasma rat mast cell protease II levels with a decrease in granulated mast cells in colon but not jejunum. The myoelectric disturbance in both colon and jejunum was inhibited significantly by pretreatment with atropine and hexamethonium, doxantrazole, cyclooxygenase, and lipoxygenase inhibitors. Methysergide inhibited only the jejunal disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: Colonic antigen challenge of sensitized animals results in local mast cell activation and the release of mediators that modulate neural pathways to initiate both a local colonic and a remote jejunal myoelectric disturbance. (Gastroenterology 1997 Jun;112(6):1996-2005)