Clinical significance of increased lipase levels on admission to the ICU.

Study Objectives: To examine the incidence, risk factors, and sequelae associated with asymptomatic hyperlipasemia in the ICU.

Setting: Medical and surgical ICUs.

Patients: Two hundred forty-five adult critically ill patients admitted to an ICU for > 72 h with a diagnosis other than pancreatitis were studied prospectively.

Decreased response to recall antigens is associated with depressed costimulatory receptor expression in septic critically ill patients.

Anti-inflammatory substances are released during septic shock that modulate monocyte function. Decreased monocyte responsiveness to bacterial toxins and decreased expression of human-leukocyte-associated antigen-DR (HLA-DR) have been reported during septic shock and critical illness. Impaired antigen presentation has been inferred from these observations but has not been demonstrated.

Relationship of vaginal spermicides to birth defects.

Concerns surrounding suspected teratogenic agents are always volatile. This is underscored when the suspected agent is a commonly used substance, such as a spermicidal jelly or cream. This review compares one of the first studies suggesting an association between birth defects and spermicides with subsequent ones.