Between 1972 and 1978, 429 patients underwent intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation in our institution. Ninety-six were women (22.4). The overall mortality was 52.9% for men and 69.8% for ...women. During 1978, however, the mortality for women decreased to 57.1%, even though they comprised a larger percentage of patients (28.2%) than before. The major indication for IABP support in these women was ischemic myocardial dysfunction resulting in failure to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass (THI hemodynamic Classification C) despite volume expansion and pharmacologic support. Improved results were obtained with the use of larger intraaortic balloons and direct ascending aortic IABP insertion (which allowed use of larger, more effective 30 or 40 ml balloons), combined with delayed sternal closure.
Individuals infected by the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) demonstrate progressive depletion and qualitative dysfunction of the helper T4 (CD4 super(+)) cell population. Mechanisms proposed ...for attrition of CD4 super(+) T cells include direct cytopathicity of these mature cells following infection as well as infection of early T-lymphocyte progenitors. The latter mechanism could lead to failure to regenerate mature functioning CD4 super(+) T cells. The present study determines the susceptibility of thymocytes at various stages of maturity to infection with HIV-1. Infection of multiple stages and multiple subsets of the T-cell lineage in man, mediated via the CD4 molecule, may explain the inability of the T-cell pool to regenerate in the setting of progressive HIV infection.
Mammalian plasmas and sera have been reported to contain endogenous inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis (EIPS), but the identity and role of these suggested inhibitors is as yet undetermined. ...Albumin and haptoglobin have been proposed as possible inhibitors, and it has been suggested that EPIS may have a part to play in the control of PG production during pregnancy and in the neonatal period. As part of a series of studies aimed at elucidating the identity and role of EIPS, maternal and fetal blood samples were collected from chronically catheterized pregnant ewes, and plasma levels of albumin, haptoglobin and EIPS activity determined. Pregnant ewe plasma possessed high EIPS activity and fetal lamb plasma little or no EIPS activity. Levels of albumin and/or haptoglobin did not consistently parallel that of EIPS activity. A post-operative rise (4 sheep studied) and a pre-parturition nadir (1 sheep studied) in maternal plasma EIPS activity were also noted. The possible physiological significance of these results is discussed.
The ability of various human and ovine blood plasmas to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis in vitro has been tested. Human plasmas were significantly more potent in their ability to inhibit ...prostaglandin synthesis than their counterpart ovine plasmas. In general, female plasma had greater inhibitory activities than male plasmas and adult plasmas were more active than fetal plasmas. There was no simple correlation between the activity of plasmas as inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis and their respective albumin or haptoglobin contents.
