泡状棘球蚴病宿主淋巴细胞的变化及意义

目的　为探讨泡状棘球蚴病宿主体内淋巴细胞在免疫调节和发病中的作用。方法　对泡球蚴感染BALB/c小鼠观察至 2 5周 ,在不同时间取脾制备细胞悬液 ,检测CD+ 4 ,CD+ 8细胞数量。对 2 5例泡球蚴病患者和 18例健康人群 ,用FCM分析了CD+ 3 ,CD+ 4 ,CD+ 8,CD+ 19,CD+ 3 8,CD+ 56和HLA -DR+ 细胞的变化。结果　泡球蚴感染BALB/c小鼠后 ,1～ 8周以CD+ 4 细胞为主 ,随后CD+ 4 细胞减少 ,CD+ 8细胞增加 ,2 0周后改变显著 (P <0 0 5 ) ,CD+ 4 /CD+ 8比值迅速倒置。泡状棘球蚴病患者CD+ 3细胞未发生改变 ,CD+ 4 细胞较正常对照组下降 (P <0 0 5 ) ,CD+ 8细胞上升 (P <0 0 5 ) ,使CD+ 4 /CD+ 8比值降低 (P <0 0 5 )。CD+ 56细胞较正常对照组显著性降低 (P <0 0 1) ,CD+ 19,CD+ 3 8和HLA -DR+ 细胞未发生改变 (P >0 0 5 )。结论　泡球蚴感染小鼠前 8周 ,以CD+ 4 细胞反应为主 ,具有保护性免疫。感染后期逐渐以CD+ 8细胞为主 ,使机体呈免疫抑制状态 ,有利于泡球蚴生存。泡状棘球蚴病患者机体呈免疫抑制状态 ,有利于泡状棘球蚴在体内的生长     

Benign oesophagobronchial fistulae

Two patients with recurrent long-standing pulmonary infection underwent surgery for bronchiectasis. At operation an oesophageal communication was observed. The oesophageal fistula was divided and lobectomy performed. Both have done well following surgery. Diagnosis and management of oesophagobronchial fistula is discussed along with a review of relevant literature.     

The effect of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (Gonal-F) on endogenous luteinizing hormone secretion in women

Parenteral administration of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) has been shown to lower luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations in women undergoing ovulation induction. This study was designed to explore the physiological mechanism of this effect. Seven healthy women were recruited into a double-blind placebo-controlled study. LH secretion, after the administration of variable i.v. boluses (37.5, 75 and 150 IU) of recombinant FSH (Gonal-F), was evaluated. LH was measured at 10 min intervals for 2 h before and 4 h after the FSH/placebo infusion. LH pulse frequency and amplitude were evaluated and there was no significant difference between control and trial cycles for each subject. A linear regression analysis revealed that in the group receiving 150 IU FSH, the mean plasma LH concentration decreased significantly due to a reduction tonic LH secretion. This could be a result of the suppression of secretion or an alteration of clearance. This decrease was not seen in the other dosage groups, revealing that above a dosage threshold, FSH reduced non-pulsatile LH secretion. Therefore the effect of FSH in this study exposed the likely presence of two components of LH concentration: an FSH-sensitive, non-pulsatile tonic secretion and a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-stimulated, pulsatile release that is unaffected by FSH. Although an indirect effect involving ovarian regulation is not excluded, the rapidity of the effect suggests that FSH acts directly on the pituitary gland.      

The athlete’s heart: Is this an entity in paediatrics?

A case report of a boy who demonstrates features of an athlete's heart, associated with dilatation of the coronary artery, is presented. The importance of distinguishing this benign condition from pathologic causes such as cardiomyopathy, and risk of sudden death in these athletes is discussed.     

Effect of growth hormone on height, weight, and body composition in Prader-Willi syndrome

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of the administration of growth hormone on stature, body weight, and body composition in children aged between 4 and 10 years with Prader-Willi syndrome. METHODS: Height, weight, and skinfold thickness were recorded in 25 children using standard anthropometric techniques at recruitment, and six months later, shortly before the start of daily subcutaneous injections of growth hormone. Body composition was assessed via a measurement of total body water using stable isotopes. Measurements were repeated at the end of the six months of growth hormone administration. Measurements of height, weight, and skinfold thickness were expressed as standard deviation scores (SDSs). RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in the percentage of body fat after growth hormone treatment; height velocity doubled during treatment; body weight did not change significantly when expressed as an SDS. Skinfold thickness at both the triceps and subscapular site decreased in absolute terms and when expressed as an SDS. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate sufficient potential benefit to justify a more prolonged trial of growth hormone treatment and an exploration of different dosage regimens in children with Prader-Willi syndrome.