Fetal gallstones

Routine obstetric ultrasound (US) examinations in a 33-year-old woman revealed a normal fetal gallbladder at 24 menstrual weeks but multiple structures in the gallbladder with findings typical of gallstones at 37 menstrual weeks. No other abnormalities were present. Three days after a term delivery, an abdominal US examination again demonstrated multiple gallstones. When the infant was 6 weeks old, a follow-up abdominal US study showed no evidence of gallstones. This case, as well as one previously reported, demonstrates that findings typical of gallstones may be seen in the fetus, and that these structures may spontaneously resolve.     

Deposits of immunoglobulins and complement in oral lupus erythematosus

ABSTRACT – Deposits of immunoglobnlins were demonstrated at the basement membrane zone in oral lesions in 10 out of 11 patients with lupus erythematosus (LE), and in normal oral mucosa in one out of six patients with LE by means of an imniunofluorescence staining technique. The reported findings are in accordance with the findings in skin biopsies from cutaneous LE lesions. In cases of LE, difficult to diagnose clinically and histopathologically, the imniunofluorescence staining technique may be of value as a supplementary diagnostic tool.     

Effect of Zendium toothpaste on recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Abstract – A Double-blind clinical trial with cross-over was conducted for a period of 12 months in 25 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). The effect of the amyloglucosidase and glucoseoxidase containing Zendium toothpaste on the discomfort, number of exacerbations, duration of exacerbation, number of ulcers and number of days with pain caused by RAS was studied. The use of Zendium significantly reduced the sensation of discomfort from RAS as compared to the use of placebo toothpaste (0.025>p>0.01). However, the patients were unable to discriminate significantly between Zendium and placebo when asked to choose one of the toothpastes (0.10>p>0.05) and no significant differences were demonstrated as far as the above mentioned parameters of disease serverity were concerned. Therefore, it is concluded that the reducing effect of Zendium containing amyloglucosidase and glucoseoxidase on RAS is weak as compared to a similar toothpaste without these enzymes.     

Coinfection with hepatitis C virus,oxidative stress and antioxidant status in HIV‐positive drug users in Miami*

Background

The pathogenesis of HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is poorly understood. We examined markers of oxidative stress, plasma antioxidants and liver disease in HIV/HCV‐coinfected and HIV‐monoinfected adults.

Methods

Demographics, medical history, and proof of infection with HIV, hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV were obtained. HIV viral load, CD4 cell count, complete blood count (CBC), complete metabolic panel, lipid profile, and plasma concentrations of zinc, selenium, and vitamins A and E were determined. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase concentrations were obtained as measures of oxidative stress. Aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis index (FIB‐4) markers were calculated.

Results

Significant differences were found between HIV/HCV‐coinfected and HIV‐monoinfected participants in levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (mean±standard deviation: 51.4±50.6 vs. 31.9±43.1 U/L, respectively; P=0.014), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (56.2±40.9 vs. 34.4±30.2 U/L; P<0.001), APRI (0.52±0.37 vs. 0.255±0.145; P=0.0001), FIB‐4 (1.64±.0.91 vs. 1.03±0.11; P=0.0015) and plasma albumin (3.74±0.65 vs. 3.94±0.52 g/dL; P=0.038). There were no significant differences in CD4 cell count, HIV viral load or antiretroviral therapy (ART) between groups. Mean MDA was significantly higher (1.897±0.835 vs. 1.344± 0.223 nmol/mL, respectively; P=0.006) and plasma antioxidant concentrations were significantly lower [vitamin A, 39.5 ± 14.1 vs. 52.4±16.2 μg/dL, respectively (P=0.0004); vitamin E, 8.29±2.1 vs. 9.89±4.5 μg/mL (P=0.043); zinc, 0.61±0.14 vs. 0.67±0.15 mg/L (P=0.016)] in the HIV/HCV‐coinfected participants than in the HIV‐monoinfected participants, and these differences remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, CD4 cell count, HIV viral load, injecting drug use and race. There were no significant differences in glutathione peroxidase concentration, selenium concentration, body mass index (BMI), alcohol use or tobacco use between groups. Glutathione peroxidase concentration significantly increased as liver disease advanced, as measured by APRI (β=0.00118; P=0.0082) and FIB‐4 (β=0.0029; P=0.0177). Vitamin A concentration significantly decreased (β=?0.00581; P=0.0417) as APRI increased.

Conclusion

HIV/HCV coinfection is associated with increased oxidative stress and decreased plasma antioxidant concentrations compared with HIV monoinfection. Research is needed to determine whether antioxidant supplementation delays liver disease in HIV/HCV coinfection.

     

Aortic dissection associated with cogans's syndrome: deleterious loss of vascular structural integrity is associated with GM-CSF overstimulation in macrophages and smooth muscle cells

Background  

Cogan's syndrome is a rare disorder of unknown origin characterized by inflammatory ocular disease and vestibuloauditory symptoms. Systemic vasculitis is found in about 10% of cases.     

Sexually dimorphic changes in the exploratory and habituation profiles of heterozygous neuregulin-1 knockout mice

The neuregulin-1 gene is widely expressed in the central nervous system and is associated with increased risk for schizophrenia. Using an ethologically based approach, the phenotype of neuregulin-1 heterozygous knockout mice was examined by revealing the individual elements of behaviour in the murine repertoire over the prolonged course of interaction with the environment. During initial exploration, neuregulin-1 mutants displayed a phenotype characterized by increases in locomotion and rearing free, with sex-specific alterations in sifting and grooming. Over subsequent habituation, certain initial effects endured while new phenotypic effects emerged, some of which were again sex-specific. These studies elaborate a pleiotropic role of neuregulin-1 in development, plasticity and function, including sexual dimorphism, by defining the elemental, temporal and sex-specific characteristics of the neuregulin-1 mutant ethogram.