Immunophenotyping of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Saudi Arabia: Second look

Geographical variations in the incidence of disease are of considerable theoretical and practical importance. It has been claimed that the distribution of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) phenotypes in Saudi Arabia is different from that recorded in the Western literature. One hundred and twelve (112) patients under 15 years of age, diagnosed as ALL between January 1992 and May 1994 had immunophenotypes performed on their blast cells. Common ALL (cALL) together with pre-B-ALL, formed 86.5% of the total; B-cell 3%, T-cell 6% and null cell 4.5%. These figures are not significantly different from the Western literature. A previous claim from this institution in 1990, that both null and B-cell ALL were significantly increased compared with elsewhere, is not supported by the present figures. Age and sex distribution, and FAB classification, L1 77%, L2 20% and L3 3%, were also of the same order as described elsewhere and, in particular, there was no increase in the frequency of L3 subtype.     

Hemodynamic effects of experimental testicular torsion

Summary Experimental testicular torsion must be used for certain studies of clinical relevance, but most experimental models either do not provide hemodynamic alteration comparable to the clinical situation or cannot guarantee reproducibility. Using a rat model arterial perfusion and hemorrhagic infarction were correlated to the degree of both intra- and extravaginal testicular torsion. Arterial inflow was measured sequentially with radiolabelled microspheres, hemorrhagic infarction was judged by the increase of testicular weight. Maximal hemorrhagic infarction and reproducible values were found when the spermatic cord was twisted togehter with the tunica vaginalis for 360°–540°.     

Predicting the dynamic effects of rubella vaccination programmes

In the Netherlands, prepubertal girls have been vaccinated against rubella since 1974 (the UK strategy). Recently the Dutch Health Council advocated the introduction of an elimination strategy: vaccination of 1- and 9-year-old children. Dynamic effects of both strategies are studied using deterministic and stochastic models. Estimates of several epidemiological parameters are given. All computations and simulations were performed using as much field data as possible. Under the old strategy a new equilibrium is expected around the years 1995 to 2000; the new strategy is estimated to eliminate rubella (CRS) in large parts of the population 3 to 5 years after its initiation. Possible consequences of the new strategy on a cluster of people who refuse vaccination are investigated.     

Association Between Various Drugs Used for Hypertension and Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction

We examined the relation between various drugs used for treating high blood pressure and the incidence of acute myocardial infarction with a case-control design. Four hospitals taking care of all patients in Oslo with acute myocardial infarction participated with a total of 95 hypertensive men and women under 75 years of age who had had an acute myocardial infarction. A total of 329 age and sex matched controls were hypertensive citizens in Oslo without myocardial infarction. Frequency of treatment with drugs and odds ratio of risks with these drugs were calculated. The risk (odds ratio) of myocardial infarction for drug treatment during the last five years versus non drug treatment was 0.70 (95% confidence interval 0.42-1.18). The risk for diuretics and bT-blockers tested against no treatment was 0.91 (0.52-1.61). The corresponding risk for vasodilating drugs was 0.43 (0.20-0.91). Four weeks of exposure to aL-blockers, on the other hand, tested against other drug treatments, indicated an odds ratio of 4.62 (1.01-24.0) for individuals with a history of angina. These data confirm that treatment with diuretics and bT-blockers has only little effect on the incidence of myocardial infarction. As a whole, vasodilators are associated with a significant reduction in this incidence, but aL-blockers enhance the risk in patients with angina.     

Dexamethasone in the treatment of meningeal leukemia

To determine if dexamethasone has a role in the treatment of meningeal leukemia, 8 consecutive patients with acute lymphoblastic and signs or symptoms of CNS were included in the study. After the confirmation of leukemic blast cells on cerebrospinal fluid, they received intrathecal and IV dexamethasone; 3 days later the patients received “triple” intrathecal chemotherapy with dexamethasone, methotrexate and cytarabine, and the spinal fluid was studied again. All patients had good clinical response and 7 out of the 8 patients showed reduction on the CSF cell count after the use of dexamethasone alone. The results suggest that dexamethasone is a lympholytic agent that could play a more active role in the prevention and therapy of meningeal leukemia and should be preferred over hydrocortisone in the so called “triple” intrathecal chemotherapy for the prevention and treatment of CNS leukemia. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Bifurcation properties of the two process model

Abstract Daan's two process model is known to be one of the most powerful models, covering various situations from free-running to sleep deprivation. In this study, bifurcation properties of the model dynamics as function of a gap, D , between the threshold processes are clarified using a circle map. As a function of D , we will show that the model has the different types of the mutual entrainment regions that are intervened by the tangent bifurcation. The variable behavior of human circadian rhythm is suggested to be systematically understood based on the bifurcation properties of the two process model.     

三次抛物线配合方法在碘缺乏病区居民患病率分析中的应用

<正>在碘缺乏病区,居民甲状腺肿患病率在年鹅分布上的特征,可用二次抛物线加以描述[l].根握资料类型的不同,可选择更为适合的三次抛物线来描述.根据现场调查资料,本文采用三次抛物线方法进行配合,并将配合结果与二     

高血压鼠局部脑梗塞后脑超微结构改变动态观察

本文选用肾血管性高血压鼠(RHR)复制大脑中动脉闭塞(MCAO)模型,其后2h至7d分8次取不同区域脑组织进行透射电镜动态观察超微结构的改变。显示局部脑梗塞后发生全脑性改变,其损害程度和出现时间梗塞区最早,以坏死为主,呈完全不可逆性损害;边缘区稍后,主要是微血管塌陷和微血栓形成及部分脑细胞坏死,呈部分可逆性损害,远隔区和镜区最迟,以内皮和星形细胞水肿为主,呈可逆性损害,认为用RHR复制MCAO,更接近于高血压性脑血管损害基础上发生脑梗塞的临床病理改变,全脑超微结构的动态性改变中微血管损害起着重要作用。     

透明质酸在脑出血和腔隙性脑梗塞中病理作用的探讨

本文对５７例急性脑出血和脑腔梗患者及３５例对照组血清透明质酸（ＨＡ）含量进行了测定，并与相应的临床指标（病程、血压及神经功能缺损评分等）、血液生化指标（血糖、血脂、纤维蛋白原及血液流变学等）和影像学指标进行了相关分析。结果表明：脑出血和脑腔梗组的ＨＡ含量明显高于对照组，腔梗组明显高于出血组（Ｐ＜０．０１）。脑出血组ＨＡ含量与纤维蛋白原含量呈明显负相关，与其它指标无相关性。而脑腔梗组ＨＡ含量与纤维蛋白原及其它指标均无相关性。