Biphenotypic characteristics, cell size and prognosis in childhood acute myeloblastic leukemia

In order to determine the prognostic significance of cell size together with expression of biphenotypic markers in childhood acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), we evaluated the cell size of children with AML, 12 with and 21 without biphenotypic markers. The patients were followed up for at least 12 months. The cells which were stained with FITC conjugated surface marker antibodies were divided into small, middle or large cell groups according to their mean channel number of forward scatter by flow cytometry. Nine of 12 biphenotypic and 15 of 21 non-biphenotypic children either died or relapsed within the first 12 months. The percentages of the small, middle and large cells were similar in children and in deceased patients, regardless of whether or not they expressed biphenotypic markers. We believe that biphenotypic marker expression is a poor prognostic factor regardless of cell size.     

Prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae specific antibodies in different clinical situations and healthy subjects in Izmir, Turkey

Serological markers for Chlamydia pneumoniae were investigated by using the microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test in various age and patient groups in a specific area in Turkey. IgG seropositivity to C. pneumoniae was 64.3% and 18.7% in healthy adults and children, respectively. The highest positivity rate (77%) was in the 15–19 age group. Among the groups investigated, serological findings revealed a possible etiological association between C. pneumoniae and the clinical condition in the groups with acute myocardial infarction, atypical pneumoniae and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.     

谷氨酸脱羧酶抑制剂L-苹果酸对小鼠学习记忆的影响

跳台法和Y迷宫法试验表明,小鼠po L-苹果酸600mg·kg^-1连续5d后对记忆的获得、巩固和再现均有明显的改善作用,并能促进空间辨别学习能力;L-苹果酸改善记忆的作用能被NMDA受体拮抗剂氯胺酮所拮抗。脑内游离氨基酸测定显示,L-苹果酸可明显降低小鼠脑内GABA水平,提高Glu/GABA比值。实验结果表明,脑内GABA水平下降,Glu/GABA比值升高对学习记忆有正性调节作用。     

Comparison of two different techniques for brachial plexus block: infraclavicular versus axillary technique

BACKGROUND: Brachial plexus block via the axillary approach is problematic in patients with limited arm mobility. In such cases, the infraclavicular approach may be a valuable alternative. The purpose of our study was to compare axillary and infraclavicular techniques for brachial plexus block in patients undergoing arm or forearm surgery. METHODS: After institutional approval and informed consent were obtained, 30 patients (ASA physical status I or II) scheduled for forearm and hand surgery under brachial plexus anesthesia were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups. Brachial plexus block was performed via the axillary approach in the Group A patients and via the infraclavicular approach in the Group I patients using a peripheral nerve stimulator. All blocks were performed with a total dose of 40 ml 0.375% bupivacaine. RESULTS: In each nerve territory (radial, ulnar, median, and musculocutaneous), the mean values of the degree and the duration of the sensory block and motor block were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Inadvertent vessel puncture was significantly more frequent in the axillary approach (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Brachial plexus block performed via the infraclavicular approach is as safe and effective as the axillary approach. Infraclavicular approach may be preferred to the axillary approach when the upper arm mobility is impaired or not desired.     

Hepatitis A virus infection presenting with seizures

Hepatitis A infection rarely causes extrahepatic manifestations. Here we present a 5-year-old patient with an initial complaint of nuchal rigidity and convulsions during the course of hepatitis A infection. Because hepatitis A virus RNA was demonstrated in the cerebrospinal fluid, it was thought that convulsions might be related to this viral infection.     

Neonatal tetanus in the South-Eastern region of Turkey: changes in prognostic aspects by better health care

Neonatal tetanus is an important health problem with an estimated 500,000 deaths per year worldwide, particularly in developing countries. We analysed 56 cases of neonatal tetanus (NNT), retrospectively, who were admitted to Diyarbakir Children State Hospital between 1994 and 2001. In 1998 an intervention in a childcare intensive unit was conducted, which included a nurse education programme, increasing the number of nurses and other health staff, and more qualified management of cases. The mean age of patients was 7.9 days at admission, and the male:female ratio was 1:6. Eleven per cent of the cases had body weight under 2500 g. The mean hospitalization period was 9.9 days. All patients were born at home without medical help and 28.6 per cent were from urban areas. The case fatality rate that was formerly 88.5 per cent, decreased to 53.6 per cent by the intervention conducted in 1998. Based on our findings, we can say that improved hospitalization conditions and intensive care may reduce mortality. Enforcing preventive policies both in rural and urban areas is of great importance in the least developed regions.     

Salmonellosis and ulcerative colitis. A causal relationship or just a coincidence

Coincidence of salmonellosis and ulcerative colitis is a rare clinical problem. Salmonella infection was reported to complicate the ulcerative colitis, as either facilitating its occurrence or activation. In this article, we present a case with salmonellosis whose clinicopathological findings also suggested ulcerative colitis. The patient improved rapidly after taking additional mesalazine to norfloxacin treatment. We conclude that salmonella infection might have either been coincidentally present or might have triggered an early ulcerative colitis in this patient who did not have history of inflammatory bowel diseases. In case of persistent severe diarrhea despite appropriate treatment, the possibility of a coincident inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis should always be considered, especially in endemic regions for salmonellosis.