Meniscal regeneration in the long-term after total meniscectomy?

A cohort of 39 patients (28 male, 11 female) that had undergone total meniscectomy as adolescents (mean age 16 years) underwent FISP 3D Magnetic Resonance Imaging at a mean follow up of 30 years. The presence of meniscal tissue was assessed by two independent observers blinded to the operation details. The volume of any meniscal tissue present was calculated. A posterior horn remnant was seen in 57% of medial and 45% of lateral meniscectomy cases. The mean volume of an operated medial meniscal remnant was 0.29 mL compared with a mean volume of 1.15 mL for an intact medial meniscus. The mean volume of an operated lateral meniscal remnant was 0.30 mL compared with 1.07 mL for an intact lateral meniscus. We have shown that the incidence of incomplete excision of the posterior horn is more common after total medial meniscectomy, and that at a mean follow up of 30 years there is no convincing in vivo MRI evidence of long-term meniscal regeneration.     

A case-control study of lung cancer among Vietnam veterans

Because of concerns among veterans over Agent Orange exposure, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has conducted a series of studies of specific cancers among Vietnam veterans. Lung cancer is the topic of investigation in this report. The VA's Patient Treatment File (PTF) was used to identify 329 Vietnam era veterans with a diagnosis of lung cancer made between 1983 and 1990. The PTF is a computerized hospitalized database of inpatient records, including patients' demographic data, and diagnoses. A record is created for each patient discharged from any one of the VA's Medical Centers. Variables abstracted from the military record include education, race, branch of service, Military Occupational Specialty Code, rank, and units served within Vietnam. Two hundred sixty-nine controls were randomly selected from the PTF file of men hospitalized for a reason other than cancer. A second control group numbering 111 patients with colon cancer was also selected from the PTF file. Data were also gathered on exposure to Agent Orange through the location of each individual ground troop veteran's unit in relation to an area sprayed and the time elapsed since that area was sprayed. The crude odds ratio between service in Vietnam and lung cancer was of borderline significance (odds ratio = 1.39 with 95% confidence interval = 1.01-1.92). The relationship disappeared when the confounder year of birth was considered. We conclude from these data that there is no evidence of increased risk in lung cancer associated with service in Vietnam at this time.     

Restoration of T cell-independent type 2 induction of Ig secretion by neonatal B cells in vitro

The humoral immune response of neonates to T cell-independent type 2 (TI-2) Ags is markedly defective. We previously demonstrated that multivalent membrane Ig cross-linking, using dextran-conjugated anti-Ig Abs (anti-Ig-dextran), is an in vitro model for membrane Ig-dependent TI-2 induction of Ig secretion. In this work, we demonstrate that highly purified neonatal B cells are intrinsically defective in IgM secretion in response to anti-Ig-dextran and cytokines in vitro, as well as other modes of B cell activation, relative to adult B cells. However, costimulation of anti-Ig-dextran-activated neonatal B cells with either CD40-ligand, a recombinant bacterial lipoprotein, or LPS restores the IgM secretory response of neonatal B cells to adult levels. Analysis of Ig isotype secretion indicates that neonatal B cells have an enhanced capacity to secrete IgE and IgA relative to other Ig isotypes. These data suggest that neonatal B cells are competent to secrete Ig in response to TI-2 Ags if adequate costimuli are provided, and thus may have particular relevance for the design of vaccine strategies in the immunodeficient host. The data also suggest that neonatal B cells are programmed to secrete relatively enhanced amounts of IgE and IgA, which may be relevant for antimicrobial resistance at mucosal surfaces.     

Hypertension and pulmonary edema associated with subconjunctival phenylephrine in a 2-month-old child during cataract extraction

We have analysed trends in male:female ratios among newborns between 1950 and 1990 in 29 countries from five continents. The numbers of liveborn males and females over the period 1950-1994 were derived from the World Health Organization (WHO) database. Countries for which reliable data were available included 20 major European countries (excluding the former Soviet Union, Albania and a few small countries), Canada, the USA, selected countries of Central and South America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. From the original numbers of males and females, we computed the proportion of males among liveborns for each country and for selected broader areas within Europe. In most countries the proportion of male liveborns was constant during the study period. In particular, the proportion of male newborns in the European Union was 0.515 in 1950-1954, 0.514 in 1970-1974 and 0.514 in 1990-1994. In the USA, corresponding values were 0.513, 0.513 and 0.512. In Japan the ratios were 0.513 in 1950-1954, 0.516 and 1970-1974 and 0.514 in 1990-1994. Decreasing ratios were observed in some northern and eastern European countries plus Greece and Portugal and, particularly, in Mexico. In contrast, the proportion of male liveborns tended to increase in southern Europe and Australia. Overall, among the 29 countries considered, the proportion of males declined in 16, increased in six, and remained stable in seven.     

Ulceration in necrobiosis lipoidica--a case report and study

A case of aggressive ulceration of necrobiosis lipoidica was successfully treated with oral prednisolone. A retrospective study of 23 cases of necrobiosis lipoidica revealed a 13% incidence of ulceration. The pathogenesis, clinical features and treatment of ulceration in necrobiosis lipoidica are discussed.