Recombinant human mannose-binding lectin dampens human alveolar macrophage inflammatory responses to influenza A virus in vitro.

IAV pneumonia remains a serious global health problem, and preventative and therapeutic strategies remain limited. AM are critical effector cells in the control of influenza, impairing IAV replication, promoting IAV clearance, and promoting efferocytosis and resolution of lung inflammation. MBL, an innate immune pattern recognition molecule, present in the lungs, binds IAV, and plasma MBL deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to IAV, although the mechanism remains incompletely understood, and the influence of MBL on the IAV-AM interaction has not been established.

A servo-controlled canine model of stable severe ischemic left ventricular failure.

Reversible left ventricular failure was produced in conscious dogs by compromise of the coronary circulation. In animals with prior left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, mean left atrial pressure (LAP) was incorporated into an automatic feedback control system used to inflate a balloon cuff on the circumflex (Cfx) coronary artery. The system could produce stable increases in LAP to 15-20 mm Hg.

Beta 2 microglobulin serum levels and prediction of survival in AL amyloidosis.

To study the relation between beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2M) and survival in AL amyloidosis, we measured the serum level of beta 2M in 80 patients with AL amyloidosis diagnosed within 1 year of evaluation, who had received no therapy. Patients had a median age of 61 years and 52% were male. Major clinical manifestations were renal disease in 25 patients (31%), cardiomyopathy in 23 patients (29%), and neuropathy or other organ involvement in 32 patients (41%).

Weight Loss and Medication in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Therapy.

Polycystic ovary syndrome, which is a complex syndrome, affects approximately 6% of reproductive-age women. Many abnormalities are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, but confusion still exists about their causation. Diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome is by exclusion.

Epidemiology of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

In summary, the method of diagnosis used for VAP accounts for reported differences in etiology, pathogenesis, and outcomes. Further studies are needed to assess outcomes related to various diagnostic methods rather than to assess the sensitivity and specificity of these methods.

MRA of the intracranial circulation in asymptomatic patients with sickle cell disease.

Background: MR angiography (MRA) provides a mechanism for non-invasively studying blood flow, thus providing a new opportunity to study the intracranial circulation in asymptomatic sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Although conventional angiography is the gold standard for the depiction of vascular anatomy, this is too invasive for an asymptomatic population.

Objective: To establish the range of appearances in asymptomatic SCD patients and to correlate brain MRI results (either sub-clinical abnormalities or normal brain parenchyma) with the MRA findings.

Minimum criteria for reporting child abuse from health care settings.

We evaluated how consistently clinicians of two hospitals reported child abuse and neglect, and the utility of specific, operational criteria for assessing hospital clinicians' compliance with the child abuse reporting laws. To evaluate clinicians' compliance, we audited the medical records of 85 children who had been reported to a child protective service (CPS) agency by clinicians at either of two hospitals and who had been seen at that hospital at least once before the index report of abuse. The time elapsed from first hospital visit to index abuse report among the 85 children averaged 4.

Total parenteral nutrition in pregnancy: case review and guidelines for calculating requirements.

Although many aspects of the use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in pregnancy are controversial, the long-term sequelae of maternal malnutrition in fetal health are not. To avoid these complications, TPN is advocated for use in pregnancies complicated by maternal starvation. The purpose of this paper is to outline an easy to follow method for prescribing TPN solution to meet the needs of the gravid patients.

Carotid MRA--what advantages do the turbo field-echo and 3D phase-contrast sequences offer?

Our purpose was to investigate some of the newer MR angiography (MRA) techniques for studying the carotid arteries. Forty-two arteries in seven asymptomatic, healthy volunteers were studied using five MRA sequences: two conventional time-of-flight sequences, 2D time-of-flight (2DTOF) and 3D time-of-flight (3DTOF); 2D and 3D magnetisation-prepared, segmented time-of-flight sequences (2DTFE and 3DTFE); and a 3D phase contrast angiography (3DPCA) sequence. A protocol that could be realistically employed in a routine clinical situation was chosen.

Molecular cloning of a major human gall bladder mucin: complete C-terminal sequence and genomic organization of MUC5B.

Gall bladder mucin has been shown to play a central role in the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone disease. While cloning and sequencing studies have provided a wealth of information on the structure of other gastrointestinal and respiratory mucins, nothing is known about the primary structure of human gall bladder mucin. In this study, we show that the tracheobronchial mucin MUC5B is a major mucin gene product expressed in the gall bladder.

Aortic root abscess with fistula formation.

Aortic root abscess is a common complication of aortic valve endocarditis. However, aortic root abscess and formation of a fistula from the aortic root to the right ventricular outflow tract in the setting of a native aortic valve and previous repair of an aortic dissection with a Dacron graft is an uncommon event. Transesophageal echocardiography is superior to transthoracic echocardiography for the diagnosis of aortic root abscess.

Causes of death in homeless adults in Boston.

Background: Homeless persons have high mortality rates.

Objective: To ascertain causes of death in a group of homeless persons.

Design: Cohort study.

Violence-related injuries in a pediatric emergency department.

Background: Since the 1980s, violence has emerged as a leading public health concern in the United States. Recent studies have begun to address the impact of interpersonal violence specifically on young children. The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiology of violence-related injuries (VRI) in an urban pediatric emergency department (ED).

Parental issues in selection of antimicrobial agents for infants and children.

The traditional American family has changed during the past several decades with increases in the number of single-parent households and working mothers. These changes have led to increased stress in the family when children become ill. Infectious diseases are the most common reasons parents seek care for ill children, and parents want effective and convenient treatment regimens so the child can recover quickly and return to day care or school.

Elevated plasma norepinephrine after in utero exposure to cocaine and marijuana.

Objective: To compare plasma catecholamine concentrations between cocaine-exposed and unexposed term newborns and to determine the relationship between plasma catecholamines and newborn behavior.

Methods: Forty-six newborn infants participating in a prospective study of the neonatal and long-term effects of prenatal cocaine exposure were studied. Based on maternal self-report, maternal urine screening, and infant meconium analysis, 24 infants were classified as cocaine-exposed and 22 as unexposed.

Survival of anti-Clostridium difficile bovine immunoglobulin concentrate in the human gastrointestinal tract.

To be therapeutically active, oral hyperimmune bovine immunoglobulin concentrate (BIC) must survive its passage through the intestinal tract. This led us to study the gastrointestinal stability of orally administered BIC directed against Clostridium difficile toxins (BIC-C. difficile).

Fast spin echo vs conventional spin echo in cervical spine imaging.

The major attraction of fast-spin-echo (FSE) imaging is reduced acquisition time; however, careful review of the literature reveals many weaknesses: phase-encoded blurring, truncation artefact, bright fat signal, reduced magnetic susceptibility and increased motion artefact. Our aim was a prospective, blinded comparison of FSE and conventional spin echo (CSE) in the cervical spine. Both sequences were performed in 43 patients (19 males and 24 females; mean age 45 years, range 15-66 years).