In this study of 30 normal subjects grouped according to the presence or absence of the apolipoprotein E e4 allele, a known risk factor for Alzheimer¹s disease, carriers of the allele had a greater increase in brain activation, as detected by functional magnetic resonance imaging, while they were performing tasks requiring memory than those without the allele. This increase in activation may reflect the need to compensate for minor defects in memory.

Factor VIII and Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism A high plasma level of factor VIII increases the risk of venous thromboembolism and may also heighten susceptibility to recurrent venous thrombosis. Among 360 patients who had completed a course of prophylactic anticoagulation after a first episode of spontaneous venous thromboembolism, 38 had a second episode. On average, these 38 patients had higher plasma levels of factor VIII than the other 322 patients. Moreover, the risk of recurrence in the group of patients with the highest plasma level of factor VIII (>234 IU per deciliter) was nearly seven times the risk in the rest of the study population.

Racecadotril in the Treatment of Acute Watery Diarrhea in Children Diarrheal illnesses are a major cause of illness and death in young children. Oral rehydration is the mainstay of therapy, but antidiarrheal drugs may have additive benefit. In this study of 135 boys who had acute diarrhea, the combination of racecadotril, an inhibitor of enkephalinase, and oral rehydration solution was more effective than oral rehydration solution alone in reducing both 48-hour and total stool output.

Successful Hand Transplantation -- One-Year Follow-up The left hand of a cadaveric donor was transplanted onto the arm of a man who had had traumatic amputation of his left hand. One year after transplantation, the patient had pain, temperature, and pressure sensation in the hand and was able to move the hand well enough to write, turn pages, and tie his shoelaces. He had several episodes of rejection that were successfully treated with increased doses of immunosuppressive drugs.