High risk of lymphomas in children of Asian origin: ethnicity or confounding by socioeconomic status?

To examine the role of ethnic origin as a risk factor for paediatric lymphoma, a cancer registry-based analysis was undertaken in Yorkshire, UK. Children of Asian ethnic origin were found to have an odds ratio for lymphomas of 1.60 (CI 0.98-2.62), after adjusting for age and sex. After adjusting also for 'super profile group' as an indicator of socioeconomic status, the estimate became 1.99 (CI 1.08-3.68). Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were analysed separately with similar results. Super profile group is an area-based measure and may not reflect the individual variation in living standards, especially among the Asian immigrants. Our results indicate that socioeconomic status does not confound the relationship between lymphomas and ethnic origin. However, there is a need for studies of ethnicity that include indicators of individual living standards or socioeconomic status.     

Early isotonic saline resuscitation from uncontrolled hemorrhage in rats

BACKGROUND: Attempts to modify traditional fluid resuscitation have been based on animal models that evaluate several variables including anesthesia. This study presents the effects of early saline resuscitation from severe uncontrolled hemorrhage unanesthetized rats. METHODS: Sixty-three female Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into three groups: group A, nonresuscitated; and groups B and C, resuscitated ;with isotonic saline (40 and 80 mL/kg, respectively). Hemodynamics, blood loss, survival time, and mortality were recorded for 360 minutes after the hemorrhage, which was initiated by 75% resection of the tail. RESULTS: In group C, 80 mL/kg of saline significantly lowered mortality (24% vs 76% and 71% for groups A and B, respectively) with concomitant increases in mean survival time (241 +/- 103 min vs 146 +/- 108 and 175 +/- 92 min for groups A and B, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in blood loss, hematocrit, or hemodynamic parameters among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Early and adequate isotonic saline resuscitation of unanesthetized rats improved outcome despite continuing hemorrhage. The significantly lower mortality rate and increased survival time were not a result of transiently improved arterial pressure and did not correlate with blood loss. No significant bleeding increases were noted in the resuscitated groups.