Patellofemoral joint: kinematic MR imaging to assess tracking abnormalities

The patellofemoral joint was imaged with magnetic resonance (MR) in the axial plane while the knee was positioned from 0 degrees to 32 degrees of flexion (nine positions). These multiple sequential images obtained within the early phases of flexion of the knee were viewed in a "cine-loop" format, producing a kinematic study that clearly demonstrated the relationship of the patella to the trochlear groove. Four healthy subjects and one patient with known bilateral subluxing patellae were studied. The preliminary results suggest that kinematic MR imaging of the patellofemoral joint is potentially useful for the evaluation of patellar tracking abnormalities.     

Critical ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a coasted in-vitro fertilization patient

We report an instance of critical ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a highly responsive in-vitro fertilization patient despite the preventive measure of a 4 day 'coast' interval during which no gonadotrophins were administered while gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist therapy continued until serum oestradiol concentrations fell below 3000 pg/ml.      

Incidence and determinants of moderate COPD (GOLD II) in male smokers aged 40–65 years: 5-year follow up

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem with an estimated prevalence of 10-15% among smokers. The incidence of moderate COPD, as defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), is largely unknown. AIM: To determine the cumulative incidence of moderate COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio [FEV1/FVC] <0.7 and FEV1 <80% predicted) and its association with patient characteristics in a cohort of male smokers. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: The city of IJsselstein, a small town in the Netherlands. METHOD: Smokers aged 40-65 years who were registered with local GPs, participated in a study to identify undetected COPD. Baseline measurements were taken in 1998 of 399 smokers with normal spirometry (n = 292) or mild COPD (FEV1/FVC <0.7 and FEV1 >or=80% predicted, n = 107) and follow-up measurements were conducted in 2003. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 5.2 years, 33 participants developed moderate COPD (GOLD II). This showed an estimated cumulative incidence of 8.3% (95% CI = 5.8 to 11.4) and a mean annual incidence of 1.6%. No participant developed severe airflow obstruction. The risk of developing moderate COPD in smokers with baseline mild COPD (GOLD I) was five times higher than in those with baseline normal spirometry (one in five versus one in 25). CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of middle-aged male smokers, the estimated cumulative incidence of moderate COPD (GOLD II) over 5 years was relatively high (8.3%). Age, childhood smoking, cough, and one or more GP contacts for lower respiratory tract problems were independently associated with incident moderate COPD.     

Essential role of Src-family protein tyrosine kinases in NF-kappaB activation during B cell development

The nature of signals that govern the development of immunoglobulin heavy chain-dependent B cells is largely unknown. Using mice deficient for the B cell-expressed Src-family protein tyrosine kinases (SFKs) Blk, Fyn and Lyn, we show an essential role of these kinases in pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR)- mediated NF-kappaB activation and B cell development. This signaling defect is SFK specific, as a deficiency in Syk, which controls pre-B cell development, does not affect NF-kappaB induction. Impaired NF-kappaB induction was overcome by the activation of protein kinase C (PKC)-lambda, thus suggesting the involvement of PKC-lambda in pre-BCR-mediated SFK-dependent activation of NF-kappaB. Our data show the existence of a functionally distinct SFK signaling module responsible for pre-BCR-mediated NF-kappaB activation and B cell development.     

An unusual clinical presentation of bilateral schizencephaly

Summary We present a case with a characteristic magnetic resonance image (MRI) of bilateral open-lipped schizencephaly and atypical clinical presentation. The patient is still alive and in good health in her forties, she has never presented seizures, and although the motor dysfunction is well correlated with cerebral lobe involvement, neurobehavioral dysfunction is not proportional to the MR image of the cerebral malformation.

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Un cas inhabituel de schizencéphalie bilatérale

Résumé Nous présentons un cas de schizencéphalie bilatérale ouverte caractérisé par une présentation clinique atypique et une imagerie par résonance magnétique nucléaire caractéristique. La patiente est encore vivante, en bonne santé, à plus de 40 ans, elle n'a jamais présenté de crise comitiale et, bien que les troubles moteurs soient bien corrélés aux altérations cérébrales, les troubles neuro-comportementaux ne sont pas proportionnels aux images IRM de cette malformation cérébrale.

     

Distinct Leishmania braziliensis isolates induce different paces of chemokine expression patterns

Inflammatory events during Leishmania braziliensis infection in mice were investigated. Large lesions were directly correlated with the inflammatory reaction but not with parasite burden. Different L. braziliensis strains induce different paces of chemokine expression patterns, leading to diverse cell recruitment and differential inflammatory responses.