We present a case of severe EPN caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae, successfully managed with early PCD, and propose a step-up strategy aimed toward graft preservation.”
“Purpose:
The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum acute-phase proteins and high disease activity evaluated by activity score (DAS28) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Material/Methods: Studies were carried out on 27 females with RA and 32 control women. Acute-phase proteins were divided into 4 fractions as follows: alpha 1-globulins represented by alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT); alpha 2-globulins-haptoglobin (Hp); beta-globulins-complement C3 (C3) and total transferrin (Tf); gamma-globulins-C Entinostat mechanism of action reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), and determined by
immunoturbidimetric methods.
Results: The serum levels of acute-phase proteins changed in RA patients. On account of the alterations of concentration, acute-phase proteins are placed in the downgrade scale as follows: CRP, Hp, AGP, C3, AAT and Tf. None of the acute-phase proteins correlated with the RF and the majority of them were closely related to ESR. Almost all of the acute-phase proteins (without C3) were closely related to RA activity (based on DAS28) and their places in the downgrade scale were as follows: CRP, Tf, AGP, Hp and AAT. The degree of disability evaluated by Health Assessment Questionnaire has Selleckchem Staurosporine affected on the concentrations of AGP, Tf and CRP. Serum AGP, AAT and RF levels significantly correlated with the patient’s age. No correlations were observed between IgG, TP levels, and clinical data.
Conclusions: Among the entire panel, the CRP and AGP appeared to be the most useful biochemical markers for evaluation of the disease activity of patients with RA.”
“Microsporidiosis is an opportunistic infection in organ transplant recipients and patients with other cellular immunodeficiency. Fumagillin is an effective treatment against Enterocytozoon bieneusi, one of the two main species causing the microsporidiosis involved in human diseases. We report the first case, to our knowledge, of a probable drug-induced
aseptic meningoencephalitis, after administration of fumagillin in a kidney transplant recipient with microsporidiosis.”
“Purpose: Biologically active vitamin D3 (VD) derivatives possess modulatory activities GS-9973 purchase on immunological and inflammatory responses which can be reflected by altered levels of pro-inflammatory chemokines. Nasal polyposis (NP), defined as a chronic inflammatory process of upper respiratory system, could be influenced by VD derivatives. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) and 1 alpha,24(R)-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (tacalcitol) on the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 by fibroblasts derived from NP.
Material and Methods: The study involved 12 fibroblast cultures derived from NP samples obtained from surgically treated patients.