Cardiovascular magnetic resonance findings in a case of Danon disease

Danon disease is a rare X-linked dominant lysosomal glycogen storage disease that can lead to severe ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure. We report a case of Danon disease with cardiac involvement evaluated with cardiovascular magnetic resonance, including late gadolinium enhancement and perfusion studies.     

Central and peripheral chemoreflexes in panic disorder

Klein (Arch Gen Psychiatry, 50, 1993, 306-317) has suggested that panic disorder patients have a false suffocation alarm that may be associated with a lowered threshold for carbon dioxide detection. We compared the thresholds and sensitivities of the central and peripheral chemoreflexes between panic disorder patients and age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers to test this aspect of the hypothesis. We used a modified version of Read's rebreathing technique in 11 panic disorder patients and 10 healthy volunteers to examine the peripheral and central chemoreflex characteristics in these two populations. Subjects were examined during three rebreathing tests: training, hyperoxic (central chemoreflex alone) and hypoxic (combined central and peripheral chemoreflex). Panic symptoms were retrospectively assessed between groups using a DSM-IV derived Panic Symptom Scale. Comparisons of panic disorder patients with agoraphobia and healthy volunteers showed no significant differences in sensitivities or thresholds. Klein's hypothesis is not supported by these data. If a false suffocation alarm exists, its triggering may not be implemented within the respiratory chemoreflexes.     

Molecular methods and techniques used in diagnosis and epidemiology of infections caused by pathogenic fungi

In this paper we reviewed the latest literature on molecular techniques used in diagnosis and epidemiology of infections caused by pathogenic fungi. Traditional methods used for the identification and typing of medically relevant fungi include morphological and biochemical analysis. These methods are time-consuming and base on phenotypic features what makes them unreliable. We described the usefulness in mycological studies of fast and very sensitive molecular methods which rely on PCR and hybridization techniques.     

Recent advances in antileishmanial drug development

Leishmania are protozoan parasites responsible for a spectrum of diseases collectively known as leishmaniasis. The disease is a significant health problem in many regions of the world and emerges as a serious co-infection in HIV-positive individuals. Current treatment of the disease is based on a limited number of chemotherapeutic agents which are rapidly becoming ineffective, and are characterized by high toxicity and cost. This review focuses on recent advances in antileishmanial drug development and improvements to current treatment options. Novel approaches currently used to identify leishmanicidal compounds as diverse as antimicrobial peptides and natural plant extracts are described in this review.     

Sphenoid sinus surgery

Sphenoid sinus surgery due to specific localization is placed in otolaryngologists and neurosurgeons field of interest. Surgery of this area, from one side, causes number of problems, which usually arise due to close neighbourhood of important structures, but on the other, serves as alternative approach, eliminating necessity of extended operations with craniotomies. The article summarizes results of sphenoid sinus surgery at ENT Department, University of Medical Sciences in Poznan between 1990 and 2003, as well as points out characteristic features of the surgery in this specific localization.     

Cavernous carotid artery calcification and white matter ischemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The relevance of cavernous carotid artery calcification on unenhanced CT scans of the brain has recently been investigated against the backdrop of the widespread implementation of coronary artery calcification scoring. We sought to determine whether the degree of cavernous carotid artery calcification correlated with scores of white matter hyperintensity seen on MR images. In so doing, we sought to establish a relative risk for future stroke on the grade of carotid calcification. METHODS: Neuroradiologic findings in 187 patients who underwent CT and MR imaging examinations within 1 month of each other were retrospectively reviewed. The degree of circumferential calcification and thickness of calcification were graded for the cavernous carotid arteries on the basis of CT findings. Using the scale developed by the Cardiovascular Health Study, the white matter was graded for degree of disease on the basis of MR findings. Correlation tests and regression analyses were performed to determine the impact of age, race, and sex on results. RESULTS: Although the cavernous carotid calcification scores and the MR imaging white matter scores showed good correlation (P <.001), the effect was mediated by age. With age factored in as a covariant, no correlation was shown between CT calcification scores and MR imaging white matter scores. Sex had no effect, but African American study participants had worse MR imaging white matter scores than did white participants. CONCLUSION: After adjusting for age, cavernous carotid calcification grades and MR imaging white matter scores do not show a significant correlation. The relative risk for future stroke cannot be predicted from cavernous carotid calcifications.