The role of interferons in early pregnancy.

The interferons (IFNs) form part of the large family of glycoproteins known as cytokines. They are secreted by host cells as a line of defence against pathogens and certain tumours. IFNs affect cell proliferation and differentiation and also play a very important role in the functioning of the immune system. Miscarriage in both humans has been associated with higher levels of IFN, particularly IFN-γ. However, this cytokine is evidently vital in successful murine pregnancies since it is involved in maintaining the decidual layer in addition to remodelling of the vasculature in the uterus. The effects of IFN on human pregnancies are more difficult to study. Hence, there is still a lot more to be discovered in the hope of reaching a definite conclusion regarding the impact of IFN.

Non-contact Vital Signs Monitoring in Paediatric Anaesthesia - Current Challenges and Future Direction.

Non-contact vital sign monitoring is an area of increasing interest in the clinical scenario since it offers advantages over traditional monitoring using leads and wires. These advantages include reduction in transmission of infection and more freedom of movement. Yet there is a paucity of studies available in the clinical setting particularly in paediatric anaesthesia. This scoping review aims to investigate why contactless monitoring, specifically with red-green-blue cameras, is not implemented in mainstream practise. The challenges, drawbacks and limitations of non-contact vital sign monitoring, will be outlined, together with future direction on how it can potentially be implemented in the setting of paediatric anaesthesia, and in the critical care scenario.

Solitary Fibrous Tumour A rare cause of acute abdomen.

Solitary Fibrous Tumours(SFT), previously known as haemangiopericytoma, are rarely encountered in surgery. They arise from mesenchyme tissue and can occur at several sites in the body - head and neck, extremities, thorax, abdomen and retroperitoneal space. In the thorax, where they arise from the pleura, and abdomen they may attain a large size before giving rise to symptoms. Most SFT behave in a benign manner. However a number of them recur locally or metastasize. Recurrences can occur several years after excision of the primary tumour. Complete surgical excision remains the primary modality of treatment. But, in sites where complete excision is not possible, other modalities have been tried with varying success. Here, we describe a SFT of the mesentery of the small intestine, an uncommon manifestation of the tumour, recurring after a period of 19 years in a 55 year old female, and presenting to the Emergency Department as an acute abdomen caused by acute intestinal obstruction. Surgical excision of the tumour was performed together with primary anastomosis of the small intestine. KEY WORDS: Acute abdomen, Late recurrence, Mesentery, Solitary Fibrous tumour.