Alloantigen systems L and P influence phagocytic function independent of the major histocompatability complex (B) in chickens.

Synthetic parent stocks were designed to produce progeny among which alleles were simultaneously segregating for nine alloantigen systems, including the MHC (B). Chicks from Ancona-derived B19B19 females crossed with White leghorn B19B21 males were blood typed, resulting in genotypic categories for the A-E, C, D, H, I, L, and P loci with the objective of determining which, if any, of the eight non-MHC alloantigen systems influence or interact with the B system genotypes for blood monocyte phagocytic activity. Leukocytes obtained from whole blood at 2 and 4 wk were separated on a Fico/Lite LymphoH, density gradient and were allowed to adhere to glass coverslips. The resulting adherent monocyte monolayers were incubated with viable Escherichia coli for 1 h and stained with Leukostat, and the phagocytic monocytes and numbers of internalized bacteria per phagocytic monocyte were scored microscopically. The combined results from two separate trials demonstrated that the genotypes of the A-E, C, D, H, and I systems did not differ in the percentage of monocytes exhibiting phagocytosis, whereas significant differences were noted relative to the B system genotype at 2 wk of age (B19B21 > B19B19; P = 0.049), L at 4 wk (L1L1 > L1L2; P = 0.009), and P at 4 wk (P4P4 > P1P1; P = 0.047). The data were further analyzed to determine any interactions of P and L alloantigen genotypes with the B system genotypes; no such interaction was observed. These studies suggest that the L and P non-MHC alloantigen systems have the potential to influence immune responses by modulating phagocytic function in chickens. Furthermore, this modulation seems to be independent of the B (MHC) system.

A study of the use of atracurium in minor and major surgery.

Seventy patients were administered Atracurium, during six months from November, 1986 to April, 1987, for muscle relaxation during minor to major surgery. Age range was between 16-75 years with an average of 45. No premedication was used. Induction was with 2.5%, Sodium Pentothal and maintenance with gas, oxygen and halothane. Sixty one (87%) patients had good surgical relaxation. Two (2.85%) adequate and seven (10%) had poor relaxation. Major complications were bradycardia, eleven (15.7%) patients and bronchospasm (12.8%) nine patients. Sixty three (90%) had spontaneous recovery. Atracurium was found to be a safe muscle relaxant with an added advantage of elimination by Hoffman's reaction.

Juvenile type of chronic myeloid leukaemia in a four year old boy.

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a rare disease in children. Three varieties of CML occur in childhood. Juvenile (Infantile), adult and familial types, each with distinct clinical and laboratory findings. Prognosis of all these types of CML in childhood is uniformly bad. The mean survival of a juvenile CML is 9 months and that of adult variety is 2.5 years. The adult form of childhood CML responds to therapy, but the patient succumbs to the disease during the blast crisis. Various modalities of treatments are being tried in the juvenile CML without any beneficial effect. We report a case of juvenile CML with characteristic findings in a four year old boy.