Disseminated Adenovirus Infection in Cancer Patients Presenting with Focal Pulmonary Consolidation

We report disseminated adenovirus (ADV) infection in four adult cancer patients presenting with focal pulmonary consolidation. In all cases, ADV was recovered from respiratory specimens and ADV viremia (>1 × 10⁵ copies/ml) was determined by a quantitative PCR assay. Despite antiviral therapy, 3 (75%) patients died. ADV should be considered as a possible cause of severe pneumonia in immunosuppressed patients.     

Effect of deflazacort on cardiac and sternocleidomastoid muscles in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A magnetic resonance imaging study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the involvement of cardiac and sternocleidomastoid muscles by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement of T2 relaxation time and the left ventricular systolic function in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) on treatment with deflazacort and compare them with DMD patients without treatment.SubjectsSeventeen patients with DMD (aged 17–22 years) on treatment with deflazacort for at least 7 years and 17 boys with DMD of younger age (12–15 years) without steroid treatment. All patients were free of cardiac or respiratory symptoms and had normal ECG and Holter monitor examination.MethodsT2 relaxation time of the myocardium (H), left (SCM-L) and right sternocleidomastoid (SCM-R) muscles and left ventricular systolic function were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in two groups of DMD patients. Myocardial and sternocleidomastoid muscles T2 relaxation time was calculated using 16 TEs (10–85 msec) and TR at least 2000 ms and T2 maps were created.ResultsDMD on deflazacort had higher T2 relaxation time values of the heart and of both sternocleidomastoid muscles (T2H median (range): 47 (41–48) vs. 33 (31–37) ms, p<0.001, T2 SCM-L median (range): 35 (30–37) vs. 23 (20–26) ms, p<0.001, T2 SCM-R median (range): 35 (32–37) vs. 23 (20–27) ms, p<0.001) and left ventricular systolic function (LVEDV median (range): 95 (75–120) vs. 90 (80–105) ml, p=0.03, LVESV median (range): 45 (38–55) vs. 47 (41–51) ml, p=0.81(NS), LVEF median (range): 53% (51–57) vs. 48% (42–51), p<0.001) compared to DMD without treatment.ConclusionsDMD patients on deflazacort are characterized by better preservation of the T2 relaxation time of myocardium and sternocleidomastoid muscles and better LV systolic function. The duration of this beneficial effect needs to be studied prospectively.     

ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 gene polymorphisms and serum lipid levels in young Greek nurses

Objective  

The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is essential protein involved in lipid metabolism. The present study was undertaken to detect the possible association of polymorphisms in the ABCA1 gene [rs2230806 (R219K) and rs2230808 (R1587K)] and lipid profile in Greek young nurses.     

Platelet Activating Factor levels and metabolism in Tangier Disease: a case study

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Tangier disease (TD) is a phenotypic expression of rare familial syndrome with mutations in the ABCA1 transporter. The risk of coronary artery disease in patients with TD is variable. On the other hand the pivotal role of Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF) mediator in atheromatosis was found. Plasma lipoproteins are transporters of the PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) in cells and known as lipoprotein-phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) in plasma and regulators of PAF levels in blood. In addition, PAF can be biosynthesized from the remodeling and the de novo pathways in which Lyso-platelet activating factor-acetyltransferase (Lyso-PAF-AT) and platelet activating factor-cholinephosphotransferase (PAF-CPT) are the regulatory enzymes. The aim of this study is to investigate in a TD patient with a unique mutation (C2033A), the concentration of PAF in blood, the Equivalent Concentration for 50% aggregation (EC50) values of platelet rich plasma (PRP) toward PAF, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and thrombin, and the activities of PAF metabolic enzymes Lp-PLA2, PAF-AH, Lyso-PAF-AT and PAF-CPT. METHODS: The EC50 value of PRP was measured by an aggregometer. The determination of the specific activity of PAF-CPT and Lyso-PAF-AT was made after in vitro enzymatic assay, chromatographic separation and measurement of the produced PAF in a biological assay with washed rabbit platelets. The determination of PAF-AH and Lp-PLA2 was made after an in vitro enzymatic assay from the decay of radioactive PAF. RESULTS: The TD patient had lower bound-PAF values in blood, decreased specific activity of PAF-CPT and Lyso-PAF-AT, increased specific activity of PAF-AH in platelets and leukocytes and Lp-PLA2 in plasma compared to healthy women. The EC50 of PAF and Thrombin were higher compared to healthy women. CONCLUSION: The increased LpPLA2 activity, as well as, the decreased activities of PAF-CPT and Lyso-PAF-AT, explain the decreased bound-PAF level in TD patient and the EC50 of PAF. However, total PAF is in a normal range and this probably can explain one of the reasons this TD patient has no CAD.     

Erythromycin as a prokinetic agent in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: The macrolide antibiotic erythromycin is a prokinetic agent that stimulates gastrointestinal motility. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of erythromycin on the gastrointestinal motility of preterm infants. METHODS: Erythromycin 10 mg/kg, 8 hourly or a placebo, was given orally for 7 days in a double-blind randomized, crossover study of 20 preterm infants with a median gestational age of 32 weeks (range, 26-34 weeks). Antral contractility was determined by using ultrasonography to measure the decrease in the gastric antral cross-sectional area after a feed. The whole gut transit time was assessed by timing the transit of carmine red through the gut. RESULTS: Antral contractility lasted for a shorter period of time during erythromycin treatment than during placebo treatment (mean [standard deviation], 31 minutes [9.9 minutes] vs. 70 minutes [13 minutes]; P < 0.01). Whole gut transit time was also shorter during erythromycin treatment (mean, 23.1 hours [12.9 hours] vs. 49.3 hours [29 hours]; P < 0.01). All infants tolerated the drug well. CONCLUSIONS: Oral erythromycin in food-intolerant preterm infants enhances both antral contractility and whole gut transit time.