Littoral‐cell angioma as a rare cause of splenomegaly

We report the case of a littoral‐cell angioma of the spleen, a recently described benign vascular tumour, whose imaging and pathological characteristics have been discussed only by a few authors. The diagnosis was made after elective splenectomy. The CT images, scintigraphy and histological specimens are presented, and differential diagnoses discussed.     

Psoriasis confined strictly to vitiligo areas – a Koebner‐like phenomenon?

Vitiligo and psoriasis are both common skin disorders. However, psoriasis strictly confined to pre-existing vitiligo areas is rare and suggests a causal relationship. We report here on two patients with a strict anatomical colocalization of vitiligo and psoriasis. The histopathological examinations showed typical changes for both diseases together with a dense infiltrate of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. By immunohistochemistry, intracytoplasmatic granzyme B and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were detected within the T-cell population, suggesting the functional activity of these cells and the creation of a local T helper 1 (Th1)-cytokine milieu. Additionally, in one patient we could identify anti-melanocytic T cells by tetramer staining and enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) analysis. These skin-infiltrating lymphocytes might trigger, by the local production of Th-1 cytokines such as TNF-alpha and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), the eruption of psoriatic plaques in patients with a genetic predisposition for psoriasis.     

Implant wear induces inflammation, but not osteoclastic bone resorption, in RANK(-/-) mice.

Signaling of RANK (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B) through its ligand RANKL appears critical in osteolysis associated with aseptic loosening (AL). The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of RANK in a murine osteolysis model developed in RANK knockout (RANK(-/-)) mice. Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) debris was introduced into established air pouches on RANK(-/-) mice, followed by implantation of calvaria bone from syngeneic littermates. Wild type C57BL/6 (RANK(+/+)) mice injected with either UHMWPE or saline alone were included in this study. Pouch tissues were collected 14 days after UHMWPE inoculation for molecular and histology analysis. Results showed that UHMWPE stimulation induced strong pouch tissue inflammation in RANK(-/-) mice, as manifested by inflammatory cellular infiltration, pouch tissue proliferation, and increased gene expression of IL-1beta, TNFalpha, and RANKL. However, the UHMWPE-induced inflammation in RANK(-/-) mice was not associated with the osteoclastic bone resorption observed in RANK(+/+) mice. In RANK(+/+) mice subjected to UHMWPE stimulation, a large number of TRAP(+) cells were found on the implanted bone surface, where active osteoclastic bone resorption was observed. No TRAP(+) cells were found in UHMWPE-containing pouch tissues of RANK(-/-) mice. Consistent with the lack of osteoclastic activity shown by TRAP staining, no significant UHMWPE particle-induced bone resorption was found in RANK(-/-) mice. A well preserved bone collagen content (Van Gieson staining) and normal plateau surface contour [microcomputed tomography (microCT)] of implanted bone was observed in RANK(-/-) mice subjected to UHMWPE stimulation. In conclusion, this study provides the evidence that UHMWPE particles induce strong inflammatory responses, but not associated with osteoclastic bone resorption in RANK(-/-) mice. This indicates that RANK signaling is essential for UHMWPE particle-induced osteoclastic bone resorption, but does not participate in UHMWPE particle-induced inflammatory response.     

Systematic overview of drug interactions with antidepressant medications.

OBJECTIVE: Antidepressants are commonly used drugs with potential for numerous drug interactions. This study aims to systematically review the literature on drug interactions with antidepressants. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE (1966 to November 2003) and EMBASE (1980 to 2003), using the heading drug interactions combined with individual antidepressant names. We restricted searches to English-language articles and human studies. We screened drug interaction texts and review articles for relevant studies. We included articles reporting original human data on drug interactions with antidepressants commonly used in North America. Articles were independently evaluated by 2 reviewers on clinical effect, clinical significance, and quality of evidence. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus. RESULTS: There were 904 eligible interactions, involving 9509 patients, for a total of 598 summary interactions. Of these, 439 (73%) demonstrated an interaction, 148 (25%) had no effect, and 11 (2%) had conflicting evidence. For 510 interactions (85%), the quality of evidence was poor. It was fair for 67 (11%) interactions and good for 10 (2%) interactions. There were no interactions with excellent quality of evidence. There were 145 (24%) interactions of major clinical significance. These were predominantly hypertensive emergencies and serotonin syndrome. Most interacting drugs had central nervous system (CNS) activity. As expected, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) appear to be the most problematic family in terms of potential for serious drug interactions. CONCLUSIONS: Drug interactions with antidepressants are an important cause for concern, but this concern is based primarily on poor evidence. We recommend caution when combining antidepressants with other CNS drugs, particularly when coadministering MAOIs with other substances.     

Modern wound dressings: Making and properties. II. Wound dressings containing immobilized proteolytic enzymes (a review)

Published data devoted to making and characterization of the properties of polymeric wound dressings with proteolytic action are reviewed. These data are indicative of individual dependence of the physicochemical properties, activity, and stability of each particular enzyme on the type of polymer matrix and the method of immobilization. In order to obtain wound dressings, which are active in physiological medium and retain their activity upon sterilization, it is necessary to optimize the composition and characteristics of a polymer matrix and the enzyme included into its structure. __________ Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 40, No. 8, pp. 24–28, August, 2006.     

Comparison of asthma treatment given in addition to inhaled corticosteroids on airway inflammation and responsiveness.

There is increasing evidence that the assessment of eosinophilic airway inflammation using induced sputum and measurement of airway hyperresponsiveness provides additional, clinically important information concerning asthma control. The aim of this study was to directly compare the effects of different treatments on these markers in patients with asthma and persistent symptoms, despite the use of low-dose inhaled corticosteroids. A double-blind four-way crossover study was performed, which compared a 1-month treatment with budesonide 400 mug b.i.d., additional formoterol, additional montelukast and placebo in 49 patients with uncontrolled asthma despite budesonide 100 mug b.i.d., with each treatment separated by a 4-week washout period. The change in sputum eosinophil count with formoterol (2.4 to 3.8% change, 0.6-fold reduction, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5-0.9) differed significantly from placebo (2.8 to 2.5% change, 1.1-fold reduction, 95% CI 0.7-1.6) and high-dose budesonide (2.7 to 1.6% change, 1.6-fold reduction, 95% CI 1.2-2.2). The effects of montelukast did not differ from placebo. The changes in methacholine airway responsiveness were small and did not differ between treatments. High-dose budesonide had the broadest range of beneficial effects on other outcomes, including symptom scores, morning peak expiratory flow and forced expiratory volume in one second. In conclusion, treatment given in addition to low-dose inhaled corticosteroids results in modest benefits. Formoterol and high-dose budesonide have contrasting effects on eosinophilic airway inflammation.