Radiolabelled antimicrobial peptides for imaging of infections: a review

Risk factors suggestive of relatively late exposure to EBV have been consistently associated with Hodgkin's disease (HD) in younger adults. In addition, evidence of EBV infection has been found in the Reed-Sternberg cells themselves in about one-third to one-half of all HD cases. However, no study yet published has correlated these childhood social environment risk factors with the presence of EBV in Hodgkin's tumor cells. We examined whether EBV-positive HD occurs in those patients whose childhood environment would predispose them to relatively late exposure to EBV. The study population consisted of 102 cases of mixed cellularity (MC; n = 25) or nodular sclerosing (n = 77) HD. Samples that tested positive for either EBV-encoded RNA or latent membrane protein or both were considered EBV-positive. Of the 102 cases, 83 completed a questionnaire regarding childhood social environment. The association with EBV-positivity was estimated by the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Twenty-two percent of the cases were EBV-positive. These cases were more likely to be MC (OR, 6.2; CI, 2.3-16.3) and male (OR, 3.4; CI, 1.3-9.0). History of infectious mononucleosis (IM) was not predictive of EBV-positivity, with only 3 of 14 such patients being EBV-positive (P = 0.82). Contrary to our hypothesis, no association between EBV and childhood environment risk factors was identified. The association of EBV with MC histology and male gender agrees with previous reports. The most intriguing finding was the dissociation between IM history and EBV-positivity, in that almost all of the cases with a history of IM were EBV-negative.     

Evaluation of the Honeywell ACS 1000 leucocyte differential counter

The Honeywell ACS 1000 is a relatively inexpensive differential white cell counter, which is only partially automated. This instrument has been evaluated in a routine haematology laboratory.     

Mucinous biliary obstruction associated with a cystic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

Obstruction of the biliary tree by large amounts of mucinous material is reported in a patient with a mucin-producing cystic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas invading the common bile duct. Although preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography suggested bile duct invasion, mucinous obstruction, as in the previous cases in which it has been reported, was not suspected. Mucinous obstruction, although unusual, should be considered in patients with cystic carcinomas of the pancreas in the presence of jaundice or episodes of cholangitis.     

The influence of CSF calcium and magnesium on the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide during hyperoxia

Respiratory responses to inhaled carbon dioxide were measured in anaesthetized cats during perfusion of the ventriculocisternal system with artificial cerebrospinal fluid. A study was performed to evaluate the effect of changes in the magnesium and/or calcium concentration of the CSF on the CO2 response curve which was described as VE = S (PCSF, CO2 -- B). A decrease of S was observed when the magnesium concentration of the perfusion fluid was increased; the B-value remaining the same. The reverse was true down to magnesium concentrations of 0.6 mmol-1-1. Below this concentration S remained the same or decreased; the B-value was lowered. When both the calcium and magnesium concentrations of the CSF were changed, the relation between S and these concentrations could be described as to be proportional to CCAa-CMgb. The effect of changes in the calcium concentration was much more pronounced than comparable changes of the magnesium concentration as reflected by the magnitude of the exponents a and b which were found to be -2.80 (S.D. 0.11) and -0.60 (S.D. 0.03) respectively.     

Altered electrodermal responsivity associated with clinical pain

We used certain physiologic maneuvers to perturb the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in an attempt to detect a link between the ANS and pain. In the unperturbed state, we found no difference in the electrodermal response among normal controls, preoperative patients (increased stress without pain) and postoperative patients (increased stress and pain). The electrodermal response elicited by autonomic maneuvers was significantly attenuated in postoperative patients but not in preoperative patients or in normal control subjects.     

The measurement of urethral resistance and mural tension using simple programmable modules

The theory of urethral resistance and the derivation or mural tension have been discussed. A method for the continuous calculation and presentation of these parameters has been described. Urethral resistance and mural tensions are altered by the presence of bladder outflow obstruction and have been shown to return to normality after the obstruction is removed.     

The management of traumatic hemothorax (author's transl)

We reviewed 395 patients with isolated hemo- or hemopneumothorax from stab or bullet wounds. Of these, 45 were in shock on admission. All patients were initially treated by closed thoracostomy and infusions or transfusions. Of the 45 patients in shock, 24 responded to this treatment and remained stable. The other 21, after an initial response, showed a renewed drop in blood pressure and rise in pulse rate and had to be explored. All were found to be bleeding from either a systemic artery or a major lung laceration extending into the hilus. All other patients were continued on tube drainage, supplemented, if necessary, by needle aspiration and instillation of fibrinolytic enzymes until the lung was fully expanded, thus avoiding empyemas and the need for decortications. We found the clinical course after initial tube thoracostomy to be a reliable indicator for thoracotomy or for continued non-operative management, thus avoiding unnecessary thoracotomies.