Dipeptidyl peptidase activity of CD26 in serum and urine as a marker of cholestasis: experimental and clinical evidence.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (CD26) is a membrane-associated enzyme that is expressed on the surface of T cells and on the hepatocyte brush border. In a soluble form it is present in serum. CD26 has been implicated in the regulation of T cell activation and in the metabolism of hormones and cytokines.

Dorsal penile nerve block vs topical placebo for circumcision in low-birth-weight neonates.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB) and eutectic mixture of lidocaine (EMLA) for palliation of pain associated with circumcision in low-birth-weight infants.

Design: Randomized, blinded, controlled trial.

Setting: Intensive care nursery (step down unit) at Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC.

Reduction of mortality, morbidity, and respiratory distress syndrome in infants weighing less than 1,000 grams by treatment with betamethasone and ritodrine.

The efficacy of betamethasone has been questioned in infants of less than 28 week's gestation. From January 1983 to June 1986, 86 infants weighing 600 to 1,000 g were born at our center. Control of labor was attempted with ritodrine in all patients with less than or equal to 5 cm cervical dilation.

Isolation and characterization of lipocortin (lipomodulin).

Lipocortin is a phospholipase inhibitory protein whose synthesis is induced in various cells by glucocorticoids. At least three species with molecular weights of 40,000, 30,000, and 15,000 are presently known. This protein mimics the anti-inflammatory action of glucocorticoids in vitro as well as in vivo.