NK and NKT-like cells in granulomatous and fibrotic lung diseases

Clinical and Experimental Medicine - Background The pathogenetic and regulatory roles of natural killer (NK) and natural killer T-like cells in interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), fibrotic and...     

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome and cerebral atrophy: a rare association?

Neurologic complications are common in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome. In this article, we report the case of a young woman with neurologic disorders, a history of hypertension and transient ischemic attacks, and cerebral atrophy associated with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS). Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed multiple ischemic lesions and remarkable atrophy of frontal and parietal lobes. Cerebral atrophy in patients with PAPS can be considered as a feature of this disease. The case is discussed on the basis of relevant past literature. Although there are few reports on neuroradiologic findings in patients with PAPS, cerebral atrophy has been described. Because PAPS is more frequently recognized today than in the past, this condition should be included in the differential diagnosis of cerebral atrophy, particularly in young patients.     

国际脊髓损伤脊柱损伤基础数据集

收集脊柱损伤的信息对于脊髓损伤患者的诊断和治疗非常重要,设立脊髓损伤患者脊柱损伤基础数据集是为了规范脊柱损伤相关信息的收集方式和报告内容,学习并使用国际脊髓损伤脊柱损伤基础数据集,有助于规范和统一我国脊髓损伤患者脊柱损伤信息的收集,为相关治疗提供依据。本文将介绍国际脊髓损伤脊柱损伤基础数据集的研发过程,数据元素的内容以及数据编码的应用实例。     

An evaluation of a strategy to improve the support of orthopaedic nurses through a team preceptorship programme

Transition to a new work area is often stressful for both experienced and new graduate nurses. It is essential that the new graduate be supported through this transition period to enable them to adjust to the environment itself, refine knowledge, and develop skills specific to their chosen clinical stream. In past years, several strategies have been designed with varying levels of success.This study evaluates an Australian transition support model, where the fundamental difference is that the management of the program is facilitated by a nurse possessing refined leadership, communication, clinical and organisational skills.The model has been evaluated on its effectiveness in meeting specific outcomes. The findings revealed that this coordinated team approach provided increased support for the new graduate, reduced the stress and workloads on the preceptors, whilst promoting confidence in the new starters and preventing conflict between preceptors and preceptees. The Coordinator’s role was shown to be an effective and crucial component in the Coordinated Team Preceptorship Model (CTPM) and findings illustrated that a team preceptorship model is not sustainable without a Coordinator.     

Low-dose thalidomide in combination with oral fludarabine and cyclophosphamide is ineffective in heavily pre-treated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Elevated levels of TNF-alpha have been associated with progressive disease in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Thalidomide has been shown to inhibit production of TNF-alpha. We investigated the effects of thalidomide on clinical outcome and TNF-alpha serum levels in five pre-treated CLL patients. The schedule consisted on daily thalidomide (Thal), oral fludarabine (Flu) and oral cyclophosphamide (CTX). Median duration of treatment was 60 days; four patients stopped treatment for disease progression and one patient for neurological toxicity. Serum TNF-alpha levels did not show any decrease during treatment. Low-dose thalidomide is not effective in CLL patients with refractory disease.     

β-Endorphin: synthesis and properties of human β-endorphin-(1–28) and its analogs

Three analogs of human β-endorphin (β_h-EP) were synthesized by the solid-phase method: β_h-EP-(1–28) (II), [D-Ala², Gln⁸] - β_h-EP-(1–28) (III). Radioreceptor binding assay with use of tritiated β_h-EP as primary ligand gave relative potencies as follows: β_h-EP, 100; I, 85; II, 380; III, 146. Relative potencies in an analgesic assay were: β_h-EP; 100; I, 18; II, 36; III, 13.     

A case repot of Merkel cell carcinoma on chronic lymphocytic leukemia: differential diagnosis of coexisting lymphadenopathy and indications for early aggressive treatment

Background  

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a monoclonal disorder, characterized by a progressive proliferation of functionally incompetent B lymphocytes. There is increased evidence of association between CLL and skin cancers, including the uncommon Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).