Aortic dissection: sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging

Gated transverse magnetic resonance (MR) images of 54 patients (35 male, 19 female; aged 16-90 years) with suspected or known aortic dissection were reviewed by three cardiac radiologists without knowledge of clinical details. The reviewers independently determined the presence or absence and the type of aortic dissection. A confidence level was assigned for each diagnosis, and receiver operating characteristic curves were generated. The reviewer with extensive MR experience correctly identified 96% of the proved aortic dissections and all of the normal cases; the reviewer with moderate experience identified 96% and 84%, respectively; and the reviewer with minimal experience, 78% and 94%. The sensitivity at a specificity level of 90% was determined for each reviewer (100%, 96%, and 83%, respectively). MR imaging is highly sensitive and specific in the diagnosis of aortic dissection but does require considerable experience because of the need to recognize flow artifacts.     

Osteopenia in cerebral palsy

The bone mineral density of the lumbar spine was assessed in nine non-ambulant children with cerebral palsy combined with measurements of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and urinary calcium excretion. Three children with recurrent fractures received treatment with bisphosphonates for periods ranging from 12-18 months. All the children demonstrated a severe reduction in bone mineral density even when allowance was made for their body weight. There were no consistent abnormalities of vitamin D or parathyroid hormone status. Three children had gross hypercalciuria. Each of the children treated with bisphosphonates demonstrated an increment in bone density ranging from 20-40% with no apparent adverse effects.     

Absence of lymphocyte ecto-5'-nucleotidase in infants with reticuloendotheliosis and eosinophilia (Omenn's syndrome)

Lymphocytes from three infants with reticuloendotheliosis and eosinophilia ( Omenn 's syndrome) and immunodeficiency were assayed for 5'-nucleotidase activity. B and T lymphocytes from all three patients were totally deficient in ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity, but had normal levels of cytoplasmic 5'-nucleotidase. In contrast, cultured lymphocytes expressed normal ectoplasmic and cytoplasmic activities, suggesting that the lymphocyte-restricted enzyme deficiency was not likely a primary genetic defect. The deficiency of lymphocyte ecto-5'- nucleotidase was not associated with any abnormality of deoxynucleoside metabolism. The absence of lymphocyte ecto-5'-nucleotidase may be a characteristic feature of this syndrome and may help to distinguish this disease from others with similar manifestations.     

Assessment of cognitive function in asymptomatic HIV-positive subjects

This retrospective study aims to assess cognitive involvement in pre-AIDS, not drug abuser subjects and to determine whether CD4 status or disease stage best correlates with cognitive changes that may portend development of ADC. 328 cases were analyzed. No differences in psychometric performance in relation to CDC stage were found. Instead, patients with CD4 < 200/microl performed worse overall, with a statistically significant difference for Digit Symbol, Corsi Test, Block Design and HIVDA Scale. Even if cognitive decline is not evident in the early phase of HIV infection, CD4 count seems the more sensitive early indicator of cognitive changes adequately pointed out by the HIVDA Scale, which could be considered a useful screening tool for cognitive deficit.     

Lead content in abortion material from urban women in early pregnancy

Summary Lead concentration was determined in abortion material obtained from non-professionally exposed women following legal abortions. Furthermore, lead and free erythrocyte porphyrin levels in mother's blood were measured. Under conditions of apparent normal lead exposure, we detected lead levels in abortion products which were between 0.07 and 5.29 g/g dry weight with a geometric mean of 1.27. No significant correlation was observed between the parameters measured in mother's blood and lead content in the specimens of the first trimester. The influence of different factors, such as smoking, area of residence, gestational age and parity, was also investigated. None of these factors showed a contributory effect on the total variation of lead in abortion material. From these data, we can conclude that, at least in our population, lead does not accumulate in human embryos/fetuses in the first trimester of pregnancy.     

抗CD3人源化抗体恒定区突变体的体外生物学特性研究

目的 研究抗CD3人源化抗体hul2F6的恒定区突变体hul2F6m的体外生物学活性。方法 通过细胞因子释放分析及早期活化标志分子的检测对hu12F6m的T细胞活化性质进行评价；通过体外抗原调变实验考察hul2F6m对T细胞的抑制功能。结果：hul2F6m激活T细胞释放TNF-α，IFN-γ、IL-10等细胞因子及表达早期活化标志CD69分子的水平明显低于hul2F6，但其调变CD3抗原的能力保持与hul2F6相似。结论 hul2F6m对T细胞的激活作用显著减弱并保留了对T细胞的抑制功能，有望成为一种抗排异能力强、免疫原性和毒副作用小的有效免疫抑制剂。