Longitudinal study of a mouse model of chronic pulmonary inflammation using breath hold gated micro-CT

Objectives  

To evaluate the feasibility of using automatic quantitative analysis of breath hold gated micro-CT images to detect and monitor disease in a mouse model of chronic pulmonary inflammation, and to compare image-based measurements with pulmonary function tests and histomorphometry.     

Clinical course of children requiring prolonged continuous renal replacement therapy

A prospective observational study was performed to analyze the clinical course of critically ill children who require continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Variables associated with prolonged CRRT were analyzed. Of the 174 children treated with CRRT, 32 (18.3%) required CRRT for >14 days and 20 (11.5%) for >21 days. Prolonged CRRT was more common in patients with heart disease and those requiring mechanical ventilation, hemodiafiltration, and higher doses of heparin. The same factors were found when patients with CRRT for >14 days and 21 days were studied. Overall mortality rate was 35.6%; it was slightly higher in patients on prolonged CRRT (43.7% with CRRT > 14 days and 45% with CRRT >21 days), though the differences were not statistically significant. We conclude that there were no differences in the pre-CRRT clinical characteristics, severity of illness, and renal function in critically ill children requiring prolonged CRRT. Prolonged CRRT was more frequently required by patients with heart disease and those on mechanical ventilation. Patients with prolonged CRRT required more frequent hemodiafiltration and higher doses of heparin. Mortality was slightly higher in children with longer CRRT, though this difference did not reach statistical significance.     

The DamX protein of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica

We recently showed that disruption of damX causes bile sensitivity in Salmonella enterica. The damX gene is part of an operon that contains genes with heterogeneous functions: DNA adenine methylation, biosynthesis of aromatic compounds, carbohydrate metabolism, and tRNA charging. The damX gene encodes a protein with a predicted size of 46 kDa. In Salmonella, DamX is found in the inner membrane of both dividing and non-dividing cells. The DamX protein contains a peptidoglycan-binding SPOR domain, and accumulates in the E. coli septal ring. E. coli mutants lacking DamX are bile-sensitive like their Salmonella counterparts.     

Enfermedad pulmonar intersticial por metales duros

Hard metal lung disease is an unusual disease which can occur in individuals exposed to hard metals. Clinically, the condition resembles hypersensitivity pneumonitis depending mainly on individual susceptibility, which eventually progresses to pulmonary fibrosis. We present two patients with pulmonary fibrosis, who were actually diagnosed after an exhaustive anamnesis and examination of the tissue by scanning microscope to discard hard metals. The evaluation of wedge biopsies by scanning electronic microscope can be very helpful in those cases without a specific diagnosis.     

Multiple fluid-filled bone metastases

Bone metastases are usually seen on imaging studies as lytic lesions and less often as sclerotic or mixed lesions. We report an exceedingly unusual case of breast cancer identified after magnetic resonance imaging showed bone metastases with fluid-fluid levels in the spine and sacrum. Bone images containing fluid-fluid levels are usually solitary abnormalities produced by aneurismal bone cysts. The fluid-fluid level is due to bleeding within the tumor followed by layering of the blood components based on density differences. Only two other cases of bone metastases with multiple fluid-fluid levels have been reported. Although fluid-fluid levels are exceedingly rare, clinicians should be aware that they might indicate a malignancy, particularly when they are multiple.