Relationship between the soluble F11 receptor and markers of inflammation in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: The human F11 receptor (F11R) is an important cell adhesion molecule implicated in inflammatory thrombosis. We hypothesize that serum levels of the soluble released form of F11R (sF11R) are elevated in dialysis patients since these patients have higher cardiovascular disease burdens than the general population. In this study, we examined whether sF11R levels were elevated in hemodialysis (HD) patients and correlated with known inflammatory cytokines. METHODS: We used new and standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques to measure levels of sF11R, as well as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10), in a cross section of 52 HD patients and compared these with 15 healthy controls. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 56 +/- 17.3 years; 60% were female, and 36% had diabetes mellitus. Serum levels of sF11R, hs-CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 were all significantly higher in patients than in control sera (p < .05). Within the patient group, there was a significant positive correlation between sF11R and TNF-alpha (r = .41, p = .003), IL-10 (r = .32, p = .023), and IL-6 (r = .32, p = .023), whereas hs-CRP showed no significant correlation (r = -.27, p = .052). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the sF11R level is elevated in HD patients and correlates with known markers of cardiovascular disease. sF11R may be a novel cardiovascular risk marker, and longitudinal studies are needed to better assess its relationship with cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality in this population.     

Branchio-oculo-facial syndrome

Branchio-oculo-facial syndrome (BOFS) is a very rare autosomal dominant disorder with incomplete penetrance and variable expression; with phenotypic variation ranging from mild to severe forms, involving eye, ear, oral and craniofacial structure. We report three members of one family, showing great variability in its phenotypic expression and review the recent literature.     

Langer-giedion syndrome with renal cyst

Here it is reported a 4-year-old boy with Langer-Giedion syndrome (Trichorhino phalangeal syndrome-II), who had characteristic features of TRP II, associated with multiple renal cysts hitherto unreported. This could be a new association in this syndrome that may serve to support the concept of contiguous gene syndrome in patients with TRP II.     

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: the Next Cardiovascular Dilemma in Women?

All known risks for cardiovascular disease are increased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, which features amenorrhea, hirsutism, and obesity. Epidemiologic studies in these patients and their families have revealed a familial predisposition not only to polycystic ovary syndrome, but also diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. The heterogeneity of phenotypes (clinically and biochemically) leads to difficulty in achieving a precise diagnosis, defining a single underlying pathogenesis, and selecting a homogeneous population for much needed prospective studies. The authors believe that while insulin resistance plays and important role in some cases of polycystic ovarian syndrome, it is the overall milieu created by the co-existence of several cardiovascular risk factors in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients which could be an important target for preventative strategies and therapy.     

Novel mechanism of cellular DNA topoisomerase II inhibition by the pyranonaphthoquinone derivatives α-lapachone and β-lapachone

PURPOSE: The mechanisms of intracellular topoisomerase II inhibition by the pyranonaphthoquinone derivatives alpha-lapachone and beta-lapachone were studied. METHODS: Cell-based mechanistic studies were designed based on the in vitro mechanisms [17] and primarily involved the use of cultured KB (nasopharyngeal tumor cells) cells and the etoposide-resistant sub-line KB-7d. RESULTS: The KB-7d cells exhibited collateral sensitivity to alpha-lapachone; this supports the possibility of catalytic inhibition of topoisomerase II in the cells. Interestingly, both compounds induced an increase (two- to threefold) in reversible double-stranded DNA breaks in cell lines with a reduced expression of topoisomerase II. However, these drug-induced DNA breaks became irreversible at treatment times greater than 1 h. Studies showed that DNA breaks in KB-7d cells were not caused by endonucleases. Use of antioxidants abolished the appearance of cellular DNA breaks; this suggests involvement of the oxidation-reduction cycle of pyranonaphthoquinones in topoisomerase II inhibition; however, irreversible DNA breaks were not a result of drug-induced oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the findings, it is proposed that the compounds, on longer incubation with cells, induce abortive dissociation of topoisomerase II from the DNA, leading to an irreversible accumulation of high molecular weight DNA fragments. In addition to establishing topoisomerase II as an intracellular target of alpha-lapachone, the results suggest that both compounds can be classified as neither typical poisons nor as typical catalytic inhibitors of the enzyme. In summary, both compounds are members of a new inhibitor class, and alpha-lapachone, in particular, can be considered a potential lead for the development of drugs to treat multidrug-resistant cell lines with lower expression of topoisomerase II.     

印度亚拉文眼科模式

印度亚拉文医院是世界卫生组织合作单位,创造了“大规模、高质量、低成本”的眼科医疗模式,2005年,医院门诊量达163万多,手术超过22万例,其中白内障手术达16万多例,为世界之最。如何有效地借鉴印度亚拉文的模式为我所用,成为中国眼科界同仁日益热烈讨论的一个话题。本刊特邀印度亚拉文医院的主要负责人就该模式的特点撰文介绍。     

A Comparative Study Between Endoscopic Middle Meatal Antrostomy and Caldwell-Luc Surgery in the Treatment of Chronic Maxillary Sinusitis

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) has almost completely replaced the radical Caldwell-Luc approach. About 20 years after its origin of FESS a comparative study with Caldwell-Luc Surgery (C-L) definitely should be on cards to validate the previous results. To compare the effectiveness of endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy and Caldwell-Luc’s surgery in the management of Chronic Maxillary Sinusitis. This is a prospective randomized comparative study based on the analysis of eighty patients who were diagnosed to have chronic, unilateral, maxillary sinusitis and underwent surgery, after a failed trial of conservative management. One year after surgery 44% of the C-L patients and 89% of the FESS patients reported distinct improvement of their symptoms. Both are effective in the management of chronic sinusitis. Endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy is superior to Caldwell-Luc in intraoperative and postoperative parameters.