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In this editorial [1], the sentence:Certainly under physiological conditions, it would seem that cortisol facilitates beta-receptor binding of catecholamines to vascular smooth muscle, allowing noradrenaline to exert its vasopressor effect.should have read: Certainly under physiological conditions, it would seem that cortisol facilitates adrenoceptor binding of catecholamines to vascular smooth muscle, allowing noradrenaline to exert its vasopressor effect.The authors apologise for this error.

Many fruits and vegetables are sensitive to ethylene, which upon prolonged exposure induces the deterioration of food quality, such as change in taste, odour and colour, or microbial growth. Therefore, ethylene scavengers in packages can be used to limit ethylene accumulation. Ethylene scavengers extend the shelf life and retain the original food quality. Here, we review ethylene scavenging systems such as potassium carbonate, palladium, natural clays, titanium dioxide-based, electrondeficient dienes and trienes. Ethylene scavenging is done by chemical reactions and physical adsorption. We then discuss the applications and benefits of ethylene scavengers in packages. The efficiency of ethylene scavengers is improved using atmospheric packaging tools.

The [2003][2004][2005] Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health report recommended the introduction of the modified early obstetric warning system (MEOWS) in all obstetric inpatients to track maternal physiological parameters, and to aid early recognition and treatment of the acutely unwell parturient. We prospectively reviewed 676 consecutive obstetric admissions, looking at their completed MEOWS charts for triggers and their notes for evidence of morbidity. Two hundred patients (30%) triggered and 86 patients (13%) had morbidity according to our criteria, including haemorrhage (43%), hypertensive disease of pregnancy (31%) and suspected infection (20%). The MEOWS was 89% sensitive (95% CI 81-95%), 79% specific (95% CI 76-82%), with a positive predictive value 39% (95% CI 32-46%) and a negative predictive value of 98% (95% CI 96-99%). There were no admissions to the intensive care unit, cardio respiratory arrests or deaths during the study period. This study suggests that MEOWS is a useful bedside tool for predicting morbidity. Adjustment of the trigger parameters may improve positive predictive value. Accepted: 28 May 2011The development of early warning systems from simple bedside observation charts arose from the knowledge that physiological abnormalities precede critical illness [1,2]. A variety of early warning systems, developed in the nonobstetric adult patient population, assign weighted values to a number of physiological parameters according to their degree of deviation from the normal. When the measurement reaches a defined threshold, a mandatory action is initiated to expedite further assessment of the patient by a suitably qualified clinician [3,4]. It is thought that early intervention will result in improved patient outcome.A number of non-obstetric adult studies have attempted to validate early warning systems with variable success. Whilst sensitivity has been shown to be generally acceptable, positive predictive values are consistently low when death or ICU admission is applied as the primary outcome measure [4]. As ICU admissions, cardiorespiratory arrests and death are rare in the obstetric population in developed countries [5,6], obstetric morbidity has become increasingly important as an outcome measure. The 2003-2005 triennial Confidential Enquiry intoMaternal and Child Health (CEMACH) report recommended the routine use of the modified early obstetric warning system (MEOWS), which is an early warning system adapted for the obstetric population [5]. Although no previous studies have validated such charts, a number of hospitals in the UK already use them in their obstetric units [7].The aim of our study was to evaluate the MEOWS as a tool for predicting maternal morbidity, by measuring its sensitivity, specificity and predictive value. MethodsEthical approval was obtained from the local ethics committee. Monitoring of parturients using MEOWS chart is an established aspect of patient care at our hospital. This chart was adapted from the seventh CEMACH report (2003)(2004)(2005) [5]...

Background:Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disorder characterized by the loss of functional melanocytes from the epidermis. Although the etiology of vitiligo is unknown, over the last few years, substantial data from clinical research has greatly supported the ‘Autoimmune theory’ and this is supported by the frequent association of vitiligo with disorders that have an autoimmune origin, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves disease, type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and Addison's disease. As cytokines are important mediators of immunity, there is evidence to suggest that they play a major role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.Aim:Keeping this in view we have assayed sera for cytokine IL-6, IL-2, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IFNγ in 80 cases of vitiligo and compared it with healthy subjects, in order to find out whether they play a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo or not.Materials and Methods:Serum IL-6, IL-2, TNF-α, and IFNγ were done by the indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results:The mean serum IL-6 and IL-2 levels in the patient group were significantly higher when compared with those of the normal controls. The mean serum IFNγ level in patients with vitiligo was significantly lower than that in the control group. There was no significant difference in the serum level of TNF-α between vitiligo and healthy controls.Conclusion:An increase in the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-2 in vitiligo patients may play an important role in melanocytic cytotoxicity. Thus, we speculate that the cytokine production of epidermal microenvironment may be involved in vitiligo.

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