Correlation of serum IgE levels with severity of acute pulmonary thromboembolism

We aimed to investigate whether there is a direct correlation of serum IgE concentration with severity of acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTINGS: University medical center. Forty-six patients (27 female, 19 male) who were diagnosed as acute PTE in our clinic between 01 October 2000 and 30 November 2001 comprised the study group. Mean age was 55 (range was 20-82). The study group was divided into three groups according to severity of PTE: Group A, submassive PTE without pulmonary infarction (20 patients); group B, submassive PTE with pulmonary infarction (15 patients); and group C, massive PTE (11 patients). Serum IgE concentrations were measured by ELISA method at 1st, 5th, 15th, 30th, 60th, 90th days, and 120th days, if needed, after the diagnosis. Statistical analysis was made by Post hoc Tukey test. First day serum IgE levels were highest in group B (mean 507.7) followed by group C (mean 324.2), and were lowest in group A (mean 117.2). The differences between group B and group C, between group B and group A, and also between group C and A were all statistically significant (p< 0.5, p< 0.0001, p< 0.015, respectively). 5th day and 15th day results showed statistically significant differences between group B and A, and between group C and A (at 5th day: p<0.0001, p< 0.015 respectively, and at 15th day: p< 0.0001, p< 0.012 respectively). At 30th, 60th, and 90th days of diagnosis serum IgE concentrations were higher in group B than in group A which were statistically significant (p< 0.0001, p< 0.0001, p< 0.019 respectively). Patients with submassive PTE and pulmonary infarction had the highest serum IgE concentrations and the longest duration of high levels of IgE.     

Pars plana vitrectomy and removal of the internal limiting membrane in the treatment of chronic macular oedema

Background To evaluate the results of pars plana vitrectomy with peeling of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) in eyes with chronic macular oedema.Methods PPV with indocyanine green (ICG) assisted peeling of the ILM was performed in 33 eyes with diabetic (21 eyes) or non-diabetic (12 eyes) macular oedema. Postoperatively, resolution of macular oedema, improvement of visual acuity (VA) and complications were documented. The peeled membranes were submitted for light and transmission electron microscopic evaluation.Results The mean follow-up time was 12.2 months. The macular oedema decreased or was resolved in 17 (81%) eyes in the diabetic group and in 11 (92%) eyes in the non-diabetic group. VA improved by at least 2 lines in 11 (52%) eyes in the diabetic group and in 7 (58%) eyes in the non-diabetic group. The difference between visual acuity improvements of the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). However, in the diabetic group the difference of visual improvement between cystoid and diffuse type of macular oedema eyes was statistically significant (14% versus 71%, P=0.02). Light and transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of ILM in all specimens. During the follow-up period no recurrence of macular oedema or epiretinal membrane formation was observed.Conclusion Pars plana vitrectomy with peeling of the ILM and epiretinal membrane leads to the resolution of macular oedema in the majority of eyes. This however, is not always associated with VA improvement. In diabetic eyes, cystoid type of macular oedema appears to be a poor prognostic factor for improved VA.     

Plasma and placental levels of interleukin-10, transforming growth factor-beta1, and epithelial-cadherin in preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the plasma and placental levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), and epithelial-cadherin (E-cadherin) in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies. METHODS: The study population consisted of 33 women with normotensive pregnancy and 35 women with preeclampsia. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected before labor (35.3 +/- 1.1 and 34.2 +/- 3.4 weeks' gestation for normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies, respectively), and placental tissues were obtained after delivery. Maternal plasma and placental homogenate IL-10, TGF-beta1, and E-cadherin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The mean plasma and placental levels of IL-10, TGF-beta1, and E-cadherin were significantly higher in preeclamptic than normotensive patients (P <.001). The plasma and placental levels of IL-10, TGF-beta1, and E-cadherin significantly increased with the increments in diastolic blood pressure (P <.001). CONCLUSION: IL-10, TGF-beta1, and E-cadherin may be involved in the pathologic process of preeclampsia. The pathophysiologic changes associated with preeclampsia may stem in part from the overproduction of these placental mediators.     

Mosaic form (45X/46XX) of Turner's syndrome. A case report

BACKGROUND: Turner's syndrome (TS) is a sex chromosome disorder occurring in 1 in 2,500 female births and in approximately 50 in 100,000 adult females and is characterized by retarded growth, gonadal dysgenesis and infertility. The 45,X/46,XX chromosomal pattern is the most frequent mosaic type of this disease (36%). CASE: The mosaic form of TS was diagnosed in a 25-year-old, nulliparous woman whose major symptoms were menstrual irregularity and menorrhagia. She had normal development of secondary sexual characteristics and spontaneous menarche despite a very low amount (7%) of normal cells. CONCLUSION: Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is very uncommon in TS. Mosaic forms of TS may have very few features of TS despite a very low range of normal cells.     

Effect of polylactide/glycolide (PLGA) membranes loaded with metronidazole on periodontal regeneration following guided tissue regeneration in dogs

BACKGROUND: Bioabsorbable membranes have been successfully used for guided tissue regeneration (GTR) and local delivery systems because they are biocompatible and do not require second surgery for removal. Several studies have demonstrated that metronidazole, when applied topically, produced immediate effects on microbiological and clinical parameters, most notably a reduction in probing depth and loss of attachment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the regenerative potential of a metronidazole-loaded biodegradable (polylactide/glycolide) (PLGA) GTR membrane in dogs. METHODS: Six male adult dogs with 36 created osseous defects were enrolled. Bilateral dehiscence type defects in 5 mm diameter were created at buccal aspect of the alveolar bone in maxillary premolar teeth. After full thickness flap elevation, exposed root surfaces were thoroughly planed. In the experimental sites, PLGA membranes with or without metronidazole were fitted and placed over the defects. On the control defects only root planing was performed. Gingival flaps were replaced slightly coronal to the cemento-enamel junction. Animals were sacrificed at 60 days. The histometric analysis was evaluated with the following parameters: defect height (DH), apical extension of junctional epithelium (AEJE), new cementum height (NCH), new bone height (NBH), and new gingival connective tissue height (NCTH). RESULTS: Postoperative clinical healing was similar in the 3 groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 experimental groups in any parameters. Statistically significant differences were observed for AEJE, NCH, NBH, and NCTH in experimental groups when compared with the controls. Statistically significantly greater NCH, NBH, and NCTH were seen in the experimental groups than the controls and control defects showed longer AEJE than the experimental defects. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PLGA membranes with and without metronidazole may have a beneficial effect on periodontal regeneration.     

Pharmacodynamics,insulinotropic action and hypoglycemic effect of nateglinide and glibenclamide in normal and diabetic rats

Control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, as well as GK rats, received a single oral administration of either nateglinide (50 microg/g body wt.) or glibenclamide (1.0 microg/g body wt.). The plasma D-glucose and insulin concentrations, as well as the content of plasma, liver and pancreas in either nateglinide or glibenclamide were measured 60 min or 24 hours after the administration of these antidiabetic agents. At the 60th min, the plasma, hepatic and pancreatic content of nateglinide largely exceeded that of glibenclamide. At the 24th hour, however, the plasma concentration, as well as liver and pancreas content, of nateglinide became negligible, whilst that of glibenclamide exceeded the values recorded at the 60th min. A comparable pattern characterized the insulinotropic action and hypoglycemic effect of these two antidiabetic agents. This study thus emphasizes the vastly different pharmacodynamics of nateglinide and glibenclamide in both control and diabetic rats.     

MR fluoroscopy-guided transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy: feasibility

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using an open-configuration magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system with MR fluoroscopic guidance to perform percutaneous transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy in patients with lung masses. Percutaneous transthoracic aspiration biopsies were performed with MR fluoroscopic guidance in 14 patients. The masses were 2-7 cm in diameter (mean, 4.1 cm). The needle was positioned by using a free-hand technique with MR fluoroscopic guidance. The needle tip reached the target lesion, and biopsy was performed. Analysis of the biopsy specimens facilitated a specific diagnosis in all patients. Pneumothorax was noted in two patients (14%) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Study results showed that the described MR fluoroscopy-guided transthoracic biopsy technique can be used safely and successfully for lung masses. MR fluoroscopy can be used to reach the target lesion easily and accurately.     

Urinary biomarkers of exposure to jet fuel (JP-8)

Benzene, naphthalene, and 1- and 2-naphthol were measured in urine samples obtained from 322 U.S. Air Force personnel categorized a priori as likely to have low, moderate, or high exposure to jet fuel [jet propulsion fuel-8 (JP-8)]. In postexposure samples, levels of these analytes in the high-exposure group were 3- to 29-fold greater than in the low-exposure group and 2- to 12-fold greater than in the moderate-exposure group. Heavy exposure to JP-8 contributed roughly the same amount of benzene and more than three times the amount of naphthalene compared with cigarette smoking. Strong correlations were observed among postexposure levels of naphthalene-based biomarkers in urine and naphthalene in air and breath. We conclude that urinary naphthalene and the naphthols can serve as biomarkers of exposure to jet fuel. Of these, the naphthols are probably more useful because of their greater abundance and slower elimination kinetics.     

Bullous oral lichen planus: report of two cases

Lichen planus is a common chronic mucocutaneous disease of unknown cause. Several types of lichen planus (reticular, atrophic, erosive and bullous) within the oral cavity have been described, among which the reticular and erosive types are the most common types,1,2 while the bullous type is rarely observed.1,3 Bullous lichen planus (BLP) lesions are commonly seen on the buccal mucosa, most frequently at the posterior areas adjacent to the second and third molar teeth. Less common localizations are gingiva and inner aspect of the lips.4 Bullae are generally short lived and leave ulcerated lesions on rupturing.1 The clinical diagnosis of bullous lichen planus is extremely difficult, and pathological examinations may be necessary to establish a definitive diagnosis.5     

Glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase activities, glutathione, nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde concentrations in serum of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

BACKGROUND: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a rare neoplasm that comprises a substantial proportion of all leukemias in middle-aged persons and is the most common type among elderly persons. The major causes are not known nor is there a detailed understanding about how the elusive origin(s) may relate to clinical expression, basic biological mechanisms, or pathogenesis. METHODS: Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GRD), Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD) activities, glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO(*), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were measured in serum of patients with CLL and a healthy control group. RESULTS: Serum GSH-Px, Cu-Zn SOD activities, GSH concentration were lower in patients with CLL while serum NO(*) and MDA concentrations were higher in these patients compared with the control group. Serum GRD activity was not statistically significant in patients with CLL compared with the control. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the parameters on the basis of stages in these patients. Serum GSH concentration negatively correlated with serum MDA (r=30.63, p<0.05) and NO(*) concentrations (r=0.72, p<0.05) in patients with advanced stage (III+IV). However, no other correlation could be found among the parameters in healthy controls and patients with CLL CONCLUSIONS: There is significant changes in antioxidant defense system in CLL cases, which may lead to enhanced action of oxygen radical, resulting in lipid peroxidation.