HLA antigens in schistosomal hepatic fibrosis patients with haematemesis

20 patients of schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and splenomegaly (SHF) with and without haematemesis were examined. Typing for HLA-A, B and C antigens in these patients were compared with those of a group of 100 Egyptian controls. The study showed the presence of an association between HLA-A1 and B5 antigens in SHF cases. However, there was no significant association between HLA antigens and SHF cases with haematemesis.     

Toll- like receptor 2 polymorphism and IL-6 profile in relation to disease progression in chronic HBV infection: a case control study in Egyptian patients

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has a wide range of outcomes depending on host immune responses mainly Toll-like receptors (TLRs) signaling and released cytokines. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) may influence the course of CHB. We aimed to elucidate the relation between TLR-2 polymorphism, IL-6 profile, and CHB progression. We analyzed TLR-2 polymorphism (SNP; rs3804099) in 185 CHB patients and 60 controls using TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Serum IL-6 levels were assessed by ELISA. IL-6 levels were considerably higher in active CHB and cirrhotic patients compared with inactive carriers and controls (P < 0.001). IL-6 showed positive correlation with ALT and advanced fibrosis in active CHB patients (r = 0.31, P = 0.02). A significant positive correlation was noticed between IL-6 and HBV DNA PCR in all CHB groups. TT genotype of rs3804099/TLR-2 was significantly more prevalent in inactive carriers compared to active hepatitis patients (P = 0.04, OR = 0.39 and 95% CI: 0.16–0.95). Both heterozygous CT and mutant TT genotypes were significantly more frequent among inactive carriers compared to cirrhotic patients (P = 0.01, OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13–0.81 and P = 0.009, OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13–0.77). TT genotype was significantly related to lower IL-6 levels in active hepatitis and cirrhotic groups (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001, respectively) showing that TLR mutations would be associated with milder hepatitis activity and lower possibility for disease progression. There may be a positive association between TLR2 rs3804099 polymorphism and hepatitis B activity. IL-6 is a good indicator of CHB disease progression.

     

Comparative evaluation of pulpal repair after direct pulp capping using stem cell therapy and biodentine: An animal study

The response of the dentin–pulp complex in rat teeth was investigated after direct capping with biodentine with or without bone marrow‐derived stem cells (BMDSCs). Following mechanical exposure, pulps were randomly capped with one of the followings materials: calcium hydroxide, biodentine or 1 × 10⁵ BMDSCs mL^?1 + biodentine. Histological examination was performed by light microscopy after 1, 3 and 5 weeks. Inflammatory reaction, necrotic tissue formation and calcific bridge formation were scored. Analysis showed that compared with the effects of calcium hydroxide or biodentine, BMDSCs + biodentine substantially reduced inflammatory reaction and necrotic tissue while promoting calcified tissue formation. Therefore, the combination of biodentine and BMDSCs could potentially stimulate pulp tissue regeneration after direct pulp capping.     

Characterization of a paradoxical post-operative increase in serum cortisol in Cushing disease

Pituitary - In Cushing disease, early post-operative serum cortisol fluctuations have not been adequately characterized, and their association with initial remission and recurrence is unclear. A...     

Phase II study of ifosfamide plus daily oral etoposide in previously treated ovarian cancer: a Hoosier Oncology Group (HOG) study

Advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma is a chemosensitive tumor to platinum plus paclitaxel combination chemotherapy. However, most patients develop recurrences following their initial platinum-based regimen and are candidates for subsequent chemotherapy. Several chemotherapeutic drugs have been tested as single therapeutic agents or in combination for relapsed epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The response rate has been modest with no obvious advantage to combination chemotherapy versus single agents. Both oral etoposide and ifosfamide have shown activity as single agents in pretreated patients. We completed a phase II study at the Hoosier Oncology Group utilizing oral etoposide plus ifosfamide in patients with relapsed ovarian epithelial carcinoma. Fourteen patients entered the study. Ifosfamide was given intravenously (IV) at a dose of 1.2 g/m2/d on days 1 to 4 with mesna 300 mg/m2 IV 15 minutes prior to and 4 and 8 hours after ifosfamide infusion. Etoposide was administered as 37.5 mg/m2/d orally on days 1 to 14. This regimen was repeated every 28 days until disease progression or for a maximum of 6 cycles. Grade III to IV granulocytopenia occurred in 9 patients (64%), with 2 neutropenic infections, but with no therapy-related deaths. Grade III to IV thrombocytopenia occurred in 3 patients (21%), and grade III to IV nausea and vomiting in 1 patient. No renal, pulmonary, hepatic, cardiac, or serious neurotoxicity was observed. Two patients (14%) achieved partial response, and additional 5 (35%) patients had stable disease. The 1-year survival probability using Kaplan-Meier analysis was 0.8. In this small sample-size trial, we did not demonstrate an advantage to this combination regimen compared to these or other single agents.     

Pharmacoproteomics of Brain Barrier Transporters and Substrate Design for the Brain Targeted Drug Delivery

Pharmaceutical Research - One of the major reasons why central nervous system (CNS)-drug development has been challenging in the past, is the barriers that prevent substances entering from the...     

Miller Fisher syndrome: unique involvement of ophthalmic division of trigeminal nerve

The clinical, electrophysiological, and radiological features of a patient with a typical Miller Fisher Syndrome are reported. The patient has shown a unique affection of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. The significance of serial electrophysiological testing particularly blink reflex study is discussed.