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Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)-complicating pregnancy is rare; and it is generally believed that it carries a high maternal risk. We reported a case of good maternal and fetal outcomes of predominantly sensory GBS (generalized pain and numbness, mild deep sensory ataxia, positive serum IgM anti-GalNAcGD1a antibody)-complicating pregnancy after intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a 33-year-old woman who had aseptic meningitis alone, without any other systemic manifestations, due to Behçet's disease. Behçet's disease should be listed as a differential diagnosis of acute aseptic meningitis because, in acute aseptic meningitis caused by Behçet's disease, early treatment with corticosteroids could ameliorate this disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red blood cells (RBC) of bats (Order Chiroptera) are morphologically similar to those of other mammals, but the suborder Megachiroptera are unique in responding to very high demands for oxygen supply, more than 30 times that of resting conditions. Although greater efficiency of these cells to transport oxygen is advantageous to the animal, it could potentially expose the RBC to higher than average risk of oxidant damage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the capacity of RBCs of Pteropus poliocephalus, the greyheaded flying fox, to defend itself against oxidant stress. RBC of flying fox and human were challenged with 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH). The RBC from the two species were found to have similar reduced glutathione (GSH) reduction kinetics and succumbed to haemolysis at similar rates. However, haemoglobin oxidation was much faster in the flying fox suggesting that the RBC of flying fox may not enjoy as good protection as those of humans in the event of an oxidant stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of potassium concentrations on glycolytic rate and pyruvate kinase (PK) activity were investigated in high potassium (HK) and low potassium (LK) erythrocytes from the common brushtail possum ( Trichosurus velpecula). Increasing concentrations of potassium resulted in an increase in glycolytic rate and PK activity in both HK and LK possum erythrocytes. Our results are similar to those from HK/LK sheep. We conclude that there is a close link between Na-pump and glycolysis in erythrocytes from sheep and possum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements were made of glutathione (GSH) levels, catalase activity and the oxidant sensitivity of the erythrocytes from the koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus) and the common brushtail possum ( Trichosurus vulpecula). The oxidant sensitivity was tested by treating the haemolysates with either 0.55 him H2O2 or 1.4 mm NaNO2. The erythrocytes of the koala had greater levels of GSH and catalase and yet were found to be more susceptible to oxidation induced by both these oxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "5-Hydroxymethylcytosine is a useful marker to differentiate between dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and dermatofibroma," in the previous issue.