A new, semiautomatic algorithm for tracing outlines of endocardium of newborns that are detectable in echocardiographic images is presented. The main advantage of the method proposed is its low sensitivity to operator errors. Moreover, in contrast to the acoustic quantification method (AQ), an analysis of archive and low quality images is available, as well as the traces obtained are smooth and free of artefacts. Thus, the new solution allows for further, fully automatic, quantitative characterization of the shape and size of the ventricle. The results are compared with manual tracings in order to demonstrate the advantage of the newly developed method. Some results from massive research on newborns with various heart defects are also presented

Recurrent and severe infections and absence of thymic shadow in X-ray examination were observed in children with the transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Among 45 children (29 boys and 16 girls) with TGA whose age ranged from 3 days to 16 years and who were hospitalized during 1 year, infectious diarrhea was observed in 77.7% cases, urinary tract infections in 44.5%, respiratory tract infections in 42.2%, sepsis in 17.5%, and meningitis in 8.8%. Nine of the children died, sepsis was a cause of death in seven children, and there were postsurgical complications in two children. Immunologic abnormalities in children with TGA included a decreased level of T-lymphocytes and T29 degrees subpopulation, impaired mitogen-induced lymphoproliferation in vitro, and increased nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction activity of monocytes. Impaired parameters of cellular immunity correlated with worst clinical status. No disorders of humoral immunity were observed. These observations may be important for forming opinion about proper therapy and the cause of death in children with TGA.

The Netherlands (spn. by Margot van dc Uor) Red blood cell (RUC) peroxide catabolism, vla the synery,~sllc action of catalase and the glutatlllone rccycllng sy:jtesl (glutathione peroxidase and reductase), helps protect Lhe lung against oxygen toxicity (Am Rev Hesp Dis 1989;140:531). Uslng serial changes In reduced (CSH) and oxidized (GSSG) f:lutaLtllone as a marker, the abillty of RUCs to deal with a hydrogen peroxide (11.0) load was compared in vitro in preterm (n=8) and tr:ri~t (n=9) ba6igs and adults (n=10). Incubation of HBCs wlth li 0 caoscd a rapid depletion of GSH and increase of GSSG, followgd2by a recovery of GSH and fall of GSSG to initial values. A I:rcat<:r CSll depletion produced a slower GSH recovery time (r=-0.79, pcO.001). Neonatal RBCs showcd significantly less depletion and qu~cker recovery of GSli than those of adults (p<0.001). Partial inhibition of H 0 catabolism by catalase irlactivatlon produced 50% loss of int?a$ellular glutathione and slower CSH recovery (p<3.005) in a11 subjects, but recovery rernalned qu~ckcr in the babies (p<0.01). There was a positive correlation between gestational age and recovery time (r=O.G8, pc0.02). The cCfuctlvc peroxide catabolism in neonatal RBCs may partly conlpcnaatr for. ricficlencies In antioxidant defenses of the lmmature l u n g , PLATELET ACTIVATION IN 'THALASSEMIC CH1I.I)IIEN.

The in vitro parameters of cell-mediated immunity were studied in 20 children with an established diagnosis of Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) (age range 4-15 years) and 23 age- and sex-matched healthy children. (No attempt was made to correlate the observed changes with clinical course or treatment.) We are not certain, at this time, of clinical relevancy or the generalizability of the findings. The normal level of T-lymphocytes (CD3+) and normal proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes were seen in children with JRA. The in vitro response of lymphocytes to T-cell mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA) also was normal. The suppressor activity of JRA monocytes was essentially the same as controls. In contrast, monocytes from patients with JRA showed the following: decreased expression of receptors for Fc part of IgG immunoglobulin (FcR), diminished nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction activity, and depressed expression of Ia.7 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II determinants. This indicates that certain monocyte functions in selected patients with a variety of manifestations of JRA are depressed.