Decreased phagocytic function in neutrophils and monocytes from peripheral blood in periodontal disease

Phagocytosis by neutrophils and monocytes constitutes the main defense mechanism against bacterial challenges in periodontitis. Phagocytosis by neutrophils has already been evaluated, whereas phagocytic function of monocytes has hardly been addressed so far.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess phagocytosis by neutrophils and monocytes in periodontitis.

Material and Methods

The sample included 30 subjects with severe periodontitis and 27 control subjects without periodontal disease. The phagocytic index (PhI) was calculated as the mean number of adhered/ingested Saccharomyces cerevisiae per phagocytozing monocyte or neutrophil multiplied by the percentage of phagocytes involved in phagocytosis.

Results

A significant reduction in phagocyte functions was observed in individuals with periodontitis. The median of PhI of neutrophils using non-sensitized S. cerevisiae was 3 for the control group, and 1.5 for the periodontitis group (p=0.01, Mann-Whitney test). The median of PhI of monocytes with non-sensitized S. cerevisiae was 26.13 for the control group, and 13.23 for the periodontitis group (p=0.03, Mann Whitney test). The median of PhI of monocytes assessed with sensitized S. cerevisiae was 97.92 for the control group and 60.1 for the periodontitis group (p=0.005, t-test).

Conclusion

The data demonstrated a reduction in the function of phagocytes, suggesting a decrease in immune defenses in periodontitis.     

Long-term results of thin corneas after refractive laser surgery

PURPOSE: To report the long-term refractive results of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in patients with thin corneas. DESIGN: A long-term, retrospective, non-randomized follow-up study. METHODS: Sixty-three patients (124 eyes) (28 males and 35 females), who had a preoperative central corneal thickness (CCT) of less than 500 microns and completed at least one year of follow-up examinations after surgery. Thirty-five patients (68 eyes) underwent PRK and 28 patients (56 eyes) underwent LASIK. RESULTS: Mean preoperative corneal pachymetry was 484.95 +/- 6.65 microm (range, 470 to 498 microm) and 482.38 +/- 10.73 microm (range, 453 to 499 microm) for LASIK and PRK, respectively. No intraoperative complications were found in both groups. None of the included eyes developed postrefractive corneal ectasia. The mean predictability for the PRK group was 0.08 diopters (D) with a standard deviation of 0.40 D (range, -1.38 to 1.00 D), and the mean predictability for the LASIK group was 0.14 D with a standard deviation of 0.55 D (range, -1.25 to 1.33 D). CONCLUSIONS: Refractive laser surgery with LASIK or PRK in patients with thin corneas (less than 500 microm) seems to be a safe and predictable technique for myopic refractive corrections.     

PAPULAR-PURPURIC GLOVES-AND-SOCKS SYNDROME

Background and Objective. Papular-purpuric gloves-and-socks syndrome (PPGSS) is a recently described dermatosis in which human parvovirus B19 (HPV B19) has been implicated as etiologic agent; however, it is suspected that PPGSS may be caused by various agents. This study was designed to survey the general characteristics of PPGSS and to determine the role of HPV B19 in its etiology. Methods. We analyzed data from 21 patients and examined serum samples from three new cases for various viruses. Results. The PPGSS displays a striking uniform clinical pattern. Histologic and immunofluorescence findings are nonspecific. Seroconversion of HPV B19 was reported in six cases and confirmed in two of our patients. In only one case was a possible causative role of Coxsackie virus B6 suggested consistently. Conclusions. The PPGSS represents a distinctive dermatosis and a manifestation of HPV B19 infection. Unlike erythema infectiosum, anti-HPV B19 antibodies seem to develop later after onset of the skin eruption and while viremia is still present.     

Acute esophageal necrosis after kidney transplantation: A case report

Rationale:Acute esophageal necrosis (AEN) is a rare syndrome with characteristic endoscopic and pathologic findings. It usually results from a combination of tissue hypoperfusion, impaired local defense barriers, and massive reflux of gastric contents. We report a case of AEN after a kidney transplant.Patient concerns:A 53-year-old man with hypertension and end-stage renal disease presented with abdominal pain and a single episode of hematemesis 14 days after kidney transplantation.Diagnosis:Upper endoscopy revealed circumferential black coloration in the mid to lower esophageal mucosa. Esophageal biopsy showed ulcer, and immunostains were negative for viral etiology.Interventions:Conservative management was done with total parenteral nutrition and proton pump inhibitor.Outcomes:The patient experienced no further episodes of hematemesis or abdominal pain and follow-up endoscopy showed remarkable changes from the black mucosa to a red friable mucosa with whitish exudates.Lessons:In the case, AEN occurred in the setting of normal blood pressure after major surgery despite the absence of preceding factors such as hypotension and infections. The possibility of AEN should be considered in patients with solid organ transplantation who present with abdominal pain, dysphagia, and hematemesis.     

Comparison of 1-Year Colectomy Risk Between the US and Korean Patients with Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Digestive Diseases and Sciences - Colectomy risk after acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) has not been compared between Eastern and Western countries. We compared the 1-year colectomy risk...     

Megalocytic Interstitial Nephritis Following Acute Pyelonephritis with Escherichia coli Bacteremia: A Case Report

Megalocytic interstitial nephritis is a rare form of kidney disease caused by chronic inflammation. We report a case of megalocytic interstitial nephritis occurring in a 45-yrold woman who presented with oliguric acute kidney injury and acute pyelonephritis accompanied by Escherichia coli bacteremia. Her renal function was not recovered despite adequate duration of susceptible antibiotic treatment, accompanied by negative conversion of bacteremia and bacteriuria. Kidney biopsy revealed an infiltration of numerous histiocytes without Michaelis-Gutmann bodies. The patient''s renal function was markedly improved after short-term treatment with high-dose steroid.

Graphical Abstract

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Five-Year Subjective Outcomes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Surgery: A Multiinstitutional Study

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) surgery on long-term (5-year) subjective outcomes, including sleep disordered breathing (SDB) symptoms and other complications, in patients with OSA.

Methods

We enrolled patients who underwent diagnostic polysomnography for OSA between January 2006 and December 2006 in ten hospitals. Patients either were treated for OSA or were not treated for OSA. All patients completed a brief telephone survey regarding their SDB signs and symptoms (e.g., snoring, apnea, nocturnal arousals, and daytime sleepiness), positive airway pressure (PAP) compliance, and any adverse effects of either the surgery or PAP. A positive subjective outcome for either surgery or no treatment was taken to be the alleviation of apnea, defined as a ≥50% increase in score. A positive subjective outcome (compliance) for PAP was defined as a PAP usage of ≥4 hours per night and ≥5 days per week.

Results

A total of 229 patients were included in this study. Patients were divided into three groups: a surgery group (n=87), a PAP group (n=68), and a control (untreated) group (n=74). The surgery group exhibited significant improvement in all SDB symptoms compared with the control group. The long-term subjective outcomes of the surgery (52.9%) and PAP (54.4%) groups were significantly better than those of the control group (25.0%). The subjective outcome of the surgery group was not significantly different from that of the PAP group. The overall surgical complication rate was 23.0% (20 of 87) in the surgery group, and 55.0% (22 of 40) of all patients with PAP experienced adverse effects.

Conclusion

The extent of SDB symptoms was consistently improved in patients with OSA at 5 years postsurgery. Information about the potential long-term subjective outcomes should be provided to patients when considering surgery.