Intimal hyperplasia of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) at the venous anastomosis of arteriovenous grafts represents the most common cause of vascular access failure in hemodialysis patients. Upstream release of growth factors from leukocytes activated by adhesion to the graft material may play a role in this lesion. We evaluated the effect of interaction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) on proliferation of VSMC. Vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation was significantly increased by conditioned media from human PBMC incubated with PTFE. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell adhesion to PTFE could not be antagonized by the beta 1 integrin ligand-containing peptide GRGDSP, but was attenuated by EDTA consistent with beta 2 integrin-mediated adhesion. Soluble scavenger receptor ligands at high concentrations had no effect on adhesion to PTFE excluding any contributory role of scavenger receptors in this interaction. Neutralizing antibodies to TNF-alpha significantly attenuated the mitogenic effect of PBMC/PTFE conditioned media and a marked increase in TNF-alpha secretion by PBMC on PTFE was detected by ELISA. These studies demonstrate that PBMC interaction with PTFE can promote proliferation of VSMC via increased production of TNF-alpha and perhaps other cytokines. Leukocyte interaction with PTFE causing enhanced secretion of TNF-alpha and consequent VSMC proliferation may account for the development of venous intimal hyperplasia in hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous grafts.

The rapid change in global market and competition elevation, has increasingly made sales promotion strategies contemporary inevitable for market success. The study examines the strategic management of sales promotion techniques on products consumers of selected retail outlets in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. The study adopted the survey research design while a two stage sampling design: the stratified random and judgmental sampling were used in the sample selection. The one way ANOVA and multiple regression analysis were adopted for data estimation. The study established that there is significant effect of free sample on products consumers in selected retail outlets in Calabar Metropolis. The study recommended that Retailers should endeavor to engage in sales promotions strategies vigorously as this would promote sales volume in order to obviate expiry date of some products on the shelf. Also, giving free products to consumers and charging a token should be discouraged, as this practice disenchant many consumers and impairs brand loyalty as many consumer are not ready to come back to patronize such product.

The glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) genotype was determined in 100 male patients with homozygous sickle cell anemia (SS) by a combination of quantitative assay, cytochemical testing, and starch-gel electrophoresis. Of the 100 patients tested, 16 were found to be G6PD deficient (GdA-), AND 84 G6PD normal (22GsA and 62 GdB). This distribution of G6PD genotypes did not differ significantly from that observed in the general population. The level of G6PD activity in GdA- SS patients was nearly always higher than in G6PD-deficient subjects who did not have an associated hemolytic state, but it was nearly always lower than in G6PD-normal subjects. The clinical course of sickle cell disease, including the degree of anemia, was not milder in GdA- than in G6PD-normal patients but could not be proved to be significantly more severe. It was concluded that in this community the incidence of G6PD deficiency in sickle cell anemia was not greater than would be expected by chance, and there was no evidence that the coexistence of the GdA- gene in SS patients ameliorated their disease.

Bienzle, U., Effong, C. E. and Luzzatto, L. (Departments of Haematology and Paediatrics, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria). Erythrocyte glucose 6phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD type A-) and neonatal jaundice. Acta Paediatr Scand, 65: 701, 1976.-The association of erythrocyte G6PD deficiency (type A-) and hyperbilirubinaemia in two groups of Nigerian male newborns has been examined. The results provide evidence that the enzyme deficiency is the single most important factor in the pathogenesis of severe neonatal jaundice in this West African population. KEY WORDS: Erythrocyte G6PD deficiency, neonatal jaundice