Low-dose nterleukin 2 for the reduction of ascular inflammatin in acute corona syndromes (IVORY): protocol and study rationale for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II clinical trial.

Introduction: Inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the leading cause of ischaemic heart disease (IHD). Studies in preclinical models have demonstrated that an increase in regulatory T cells (Tregs), which have a potent immune modulatory action, led to a regression of atherosclerosis. The Low-dose InterLeukin 2 (IL-2) in patients with stable ischaemic heart disease and Acute Coronary Syndromes (LILACS) study, established the safety of low-dose IL-2 and its biological efficacy in IHD.

Premature ageing of the immune system underlies immunodeficiency in ataxia telangiectasia.

ATM kinase modulates pathways implicated in premature ageing and ATM genotype predicts survival, yet immunodeficiency in ataxia telangiectasia is regarded as mild and unrelated to age. We address this paradox in a molecularly characterised sequential adult cohort with classical and mild variant ataxia telangiectasia. Immunodeficiency has the characteristics of premature ageing across multiple cellular and molecular immune parameters.

An application of computers to curriculum review and planning.

A computer-based curriculum data base was developed at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine to provide curriculum planners accurate information on what was being taught, who was teaching, and where in the curriculum subjects were being taught. In this paper, the authors report the use of the curriculum data base, its implications for curriculum management and planning, and plans for its further development and use. Applications that address problems of curriculum overlap, integration, and correlation are discussed.