Endomyocardial fibrosis in an adult mimicking left ventricular mass

Endomyocardial fibrosis is a rare condition that occurs primarily in tropical countries. It can often mimick a variety of other common cardiac conditions such as apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and Ebstein anomaly. We report a case of a left ventricular mass that at histologic examination was found to be endomyocardial fibrosis.     

Takotsubo syndrome after cardiac surgery

We have not found any reports to date of Takotsubo syndrome after cardiac surgery. Recently described Takotsubo syndrome is characterized by acute reversible left ventricular dysfunction with apical ballooning in the absence of coronary artery disease, and with chest pain and electrocardiographic changes mimicking acute anterior myocardial infarction, but with minimal release of myocardial enzymes. We describe Takotsubo syndrome that developed after elective mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty in a 62-year-old woman. On supportive therapy with vasopressors, left ventricular function gradually improved with an ejection fraction returning to 50%. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy should be considered as a possible complication of the cardiac surgery.     

^ 18 F-FDGhPET/CT显像在非小细胞肺癌诊断与分期中的应用价值

目的 观察18F-FDG复合线路显像(hPET/CT)在非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)综合治疗中对确定分期、界定靶区、决定治疗原则的应用价值.方法 对53例NSCLC患者于治疗前进行18F-FDGhPET/CT显像检查,分析比较18F-FDG分期和CT分期结果.结果 18F-FDG显像较CT多发现39个转移淋巴结,发现远处转移病灶22个;使28例患者临床分期发生改变,其中分期升级20例,分期降级8例.结论 "F-FDGhPET/CT显像对NSCLC的正确诊断分期,制定放疗计划,或指导肿瘤综合治疗原则有较好的指导意义.     

A role for inflammatory mediators in the IL-18 mediated attenuation of LTP in the rat dentate gyrus

Pro-inflammatory cytokines are known to be elevated in several pathological conditions that are associated with deficits in cognition. We have previously demonstrated that interleukin-18 (IL-18) inhibits long-term potentiation (LTP) in the dentate gyrus in vitro. In this study we have examined the involvement of the inflammatory mediators COX-2 and iNOS in IL-18-mediated inhibition of LTP. The effect of an anti-inflammatory PPARγ agonist was also investigated. We report that the impairment of LTP by IL-18 is significantly attenuated by prior application of the COX-2 inhibitor, SC-236 and the iNOS inhibitor 1400W. These agents had no effect on paired pulse depression in the dentate gyrus. Furthermore, application of the PPARγ agonist ciglitazone also attenuated IL-18-mediated inhibition of LTP. We discuss a role for p38 MAP kinase in these effects. This study provides novel evidence for the involvement of inflammatory mediators in IL-18-mediated inhibition of LTP in the rat dentate gyrus in vitro.     

ILC2s in skin disorders

The activation of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) is controlled by various tissue-derived factors, including cytokines, whereas T cells respond to foreign antigens. This review discusses the tissue-specific properties of ILC2s in skin and their involvement in human skin diseases. In a steady state, cutaneous ILC2s contribute to tissue homeostasis. In the keratinocytes of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-33 (IL-33) is overexpressed. ILC2s are stimulated by IL-33-stimulated basophils through IL-4 to produce type 2 cytokines, such as IL-5 and IL-13. According to several studies, ILC2 expression is upregulated in human AD skin lesions, and it is involved in AD pathogenesis. Dupilumab, an antibody against IL-4 receptor α, lowered the number and percentage of ILC2s in the peripheral blood of patients with AD. Cutaneous ILC2s are divided into two subgroups: circulating and skin-resident ILC2s. However, ILC2s are homogeneous cell populations that are highly diverse and plastic, and there is no consensus on the classification that should be used. The variations in the definition for cutaneous ILC2s in different studies make comparisons among studies difficult, and in particular, the weak expression of the IL-33 receptor ST2 in cutaneous ILC2s and its lack of markers have posed a great challenge to researchers. Therefore, further comprehensive analytical studies are warranted.     

CK-18(M30)和胰岛素抵抗指数在非酒精性脂肪性肝病CT分级检测中的意义

目的探讨角蛋白片段CK-18(cytokeratin-18)(M30)、胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-insulin resistance,HOMA-IR)在非酒精性脂肪性肝病(non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,NAFLD)CT分级诊断中的应用价值。方法 71例NAFLD按CT检测分组,轻度24例,中度22例,重度25例。71例NAFLD和66例正常对照组用ELISA测定CK-18(M30),葡萄糖氧化酶法测定空腹血糖,化学发光法测定空腹胰岛素,采用稳态模型计算得出HOMA-IR。结果 CT分级轻、中、重度NAFLD组和正常对照组CK-18(M30)(ng/L)分别为138.55±40.48、209.87±58.62、261.72±71.39和97.63±23.28;HOMA-IR分别为2.18±0.94、3.54±1.19、4.60±1.57和1.63±0.81。结论 CK-18(M30)及HOMA-IR与NAFLD病情活动CT分级高度相关,CK-18(M30)及HOMA-IR可作为NAFLD疾病进展的评价指标。     

18-三体综合征胎儿超声声像特征分析

目的分析18-三体综合征胎儿超声声像特征,以期早期诊断与处理。方法回顾分析经染色体核型分析确诊的18-三体儿12例超声检查的资料。结果全部18-三体儿存在二个或以上异常超声声像表现。其中,胎儿生长受限、羊水过多表现率最高,各为58.3%;其次是心脏畸形,50.0%;再其次是脉络丛囊肿、单脐动脉、脑发育不全、上肢发育异常。在〈28周的胎儿中,超声异常的表现率最高的是心脏畸形、脉络丛囊肿,各为66.7%,其次是胎儿生长受限、羊水过多,各为50.0%。胎儿生长受限主要表现为股骨长度发育落后于正常。结论超声检查是产前筛查18-三体儿的有效手段。     

白介素18及细胞间粘附分子与斑秃关系的研究

为探讨白介素１８（IL－１８）及细胞间粘附分子与斑秃的关系，我们对斑秃患者血清中IL－１８和可溶性细胞间粘附分子－１（sICAM－１）水平变化进行了检测。１材料与方法：６１例斑秃患者均为斑片型斑秃，其中男３７例，女２４例。平均年龄３５．４岁（６～６６岁）。病程２天～２年。活动期斑秃３６例，稳定期斑秃２５例。正常对照组为４４例年龄及性别相配的健康体检者。血清IL－１８和sICAM－１测定：采用双抗体夹心ELISA法。IL－１８ELISA试剂盒为法国Diaclone公司产品，sICAM－１（CD５４）ELISA试剂盒为美国Endogen…     

Association of interleukin-18 gene polymorphism with asthma in Chinese patients

Like other allergic diseases, asthma results from multiple conditions. Asthmatic beginning and severity are mediated by both environmental and genetic factors. In asthma studies, important work is realization of the genetic background and identification of genetic factors resulting in asthma development and phenomena. Here, we investigated whether interleukin (IL)-18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are involved in Chinese asthma patients. IL-18 (IL-18) SNP was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction analysis in 201 patients with asthma and 60 normal controls. Significant differences were found in the genotype distribution of IL-18 SNP between asthma patients and controls (P=0.000003). Allelic frequency of the IL-18 gene distinguished asthma patients from controls (P=0.000066). The results revealed a significant difference between asthma patients and normal controls in IL-18 SNP and a statistical correlation between IL-18 polymorphisms (105A/C) and asthma formation. We concluded that Chinese who carry the C/C homozygote of the IL-18-105A/C gene polymorphism in coding regions may have a higher risk of developing asthma.