South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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The effects of ascorbic acid and calcium and sodium ascorbate at a concentration range of 10(-6)M - 10(-1)M on polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) phagocytosis of Candida albicans and post-phagocytic nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction, hexose monophosphate shunt (HMS) activity and myeloperoxidase-mediated iodination of ingested protein were investigated. Phagocytosis of C. albicans was unaffected by ascorbate concentrations of 10(-6)M - 10(-2)M; however, progressive inhibition was observed at concentrations of 10(-2)M upwards. ⋯ The stimulations of HMS activity and NBT reduction was independent of myeloperoxidase iodination of ingested protein and this latter function was strongly inhibited by ascorbate. Concentrations of ascorbic acid and calcium and sodium ascorbate which caused inhibition of phagocytosis and HMS activity were the same as those which mediated stimulation of cell motility, indicating that independent cellular mechanisms may govern motility and phagocytosis.
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Comparative Study
The position of epidural catheters in obstetric regional anaesthesia.
The fate of plastic catheters threaded into the epidural space was studied radiographically in a total of 125 catheters in 75 patients. The longer the segment of catheter, the less likely it is to reach the intended position, because it may curl up or become deflected. The most reliable technique for accurately placing an epidural catheter at any specific level is to enter the epidural space as close as possible to that level, so that the catheter does not need to be threaded for more than 2--3 cm.