Biochemical parameters of wound healing and their relation to aging

Today old age represents no contraindication to operative treatment. The age dependence of normal coagulation, immunological system and connective tissue components is described with respect to the course of wound healing. Possible misinterpretations that may occur, if preoperative values do not exist and the subsequent course is not observed, are pointed out.     

Incidence of abnormal cerebral findings in the MRI of clinically healthy divers: role of a patent foramen ovale.

BACKGROUND: To investigate incidence and number of abnormal cerebral hyperintensities (ACFs) in Magnet Resonance Imaging (MRI) and its relation to a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in divers with no history of decompression illness. METHODS: Cohort study on 50 divers (21-5500 dives). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence and number of ACFs visualized by cranial MRI and presence and size of a PFO as documented by echocardiography and transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) with echocontrast. RESULTS: A total of 137 ACFs was found in the 50 subjects, with a significant correlation between the number of dives and number of ACFs (r = 0.28; p < 0.05); but after correction for age, the remaining correlation (r = 0.15) did not reach significance. In 18 divers, a PFO was present by either the application of echocardiography or TCD; in 12 divers, the PFO was of high hemodynamic relevance. Ten of 18 divers with a PFO had at least one ACF, while in the remaining 32 divers, only 14 had at least one ACF (56% versus 44%, p = NS). Seven of 14 divers (50%) with 4 ACFs had a PFO, compared to 11 of 36 (31%) with less than 4 ACFs (p = NS). CONCLUSION: In this cohort of healthy divers, in contrast to an earlier report, no significant association was found between PFO presence and incidence or number of ACFs.     

To what extent does IQ 'explain' socio-economic variations in function?

Background  

The aims of this study were to examine the extent to which higher intellectual abilities protect higher socio-economic groups from functional decline and to examine whether the contribution of intellectual abilities is independent of childhood deprivation and low birth weight and other socio-economic and developmental factors in early life.     

Factors predictive of alcohol use during pregnancy in three rural states

Background  

A substance use screening instrument was used to determine factors predictive of drinking during pregnancy. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to negative birth outcomes.     

Discordant repeat size and phenotype in Kennedy syndrome

Previous reports in the literature have described correlation of increasing repeat length with severity of the phenotype, in Kennedy syndrome. We describe male siblings with different repeat lengths, with lack of expression of the phenotype in the sibling with the longer repeat length. The phenotype was identical to motor neurone disease. There is variability of expression in Kennedy syndrome and repeat length even in siblings cannot be taken as a conclusive indicator of severity. CAG repeat length cannot be used to predict the natural history of Kennedy disease. The diagnosis of Kennedy syndrome should be considered in male patients presenting with atypical motor neurone disease.     

INTERFERONS IN ONCOLOGY

SUMMARY The interferons are natural glycoproteins secreted in response to various stimuli, including viral infection. They have antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory effects on different target cell populations. Since recombinant human interferons have become available, they have been tested in a wide range of malignancies. They are well established in the treatment of hairy cell leukaemia, chronic myelogenous leukaemia and multiple myeloma. Although they have documented activity against lymphoma, melanoma, renal cell cancer and carcinoid tumours, their role in the treatment of these tumours is less clear. In the common solid tumours, such as lung cancer and colorectal cancer, the use of interferons remains experimental. Here we will summarise their practice applications in oncology, using randomised studies where available to establish their place in multi-modality treatment. We will not discuss their use as antiviral or immunomodulating agents in viral and autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis or after organ transplantation.