Weeks Of Medical Treatment Research Articles

The Correlation between Increased Serum Concentrations of Interleukin-6 Family Cytokines and Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

PurposeThis study was performed to determine whether the serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6 family cytokines are elevated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate the relationship between IL-6 family cytokine levels and disease activity in RA patients.Materials and MethodsWe obtained serum samples from 40 patients with RA and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, and we assessed the clinical parameters of disease activity, including the 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Serum samples from five patients with high disease activity (DAS28 > 5.1) were also collected at the eighth week of treatment. Serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-11, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsSerum concentrations of IL-6 family cytokines, including IL-6, IL-11, and LIF, were significantly elevated in patients with RA compared to those of healthy controls. Although there was no significant relationship between IL-6 family cytokine levels and DAS28, the IL-6 levels of patients with RA showed a significant correlation with CRP levels. After eight weeks of medical treatment in patients with high disease activity, a decrease in DAS28 was associated with a significant decrease in the serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-11.ConclusionThe serum concentrations of IL-6 family cytokines were significantly elevated in patients with RA, and they decreased with medical treatment. These findings suggest a possible role for IL-6 family cytokines in the pathogenesis of RA.

Disseminated, histologically confirmed Cryptococcus spp infection in a domestic ferret

A 4-year-old castrated male domestic ferret from central Massachusetts was evaluated for weight loss over a 1.5-month period and for 2 days of retching, diarrhea, and signs of lethargy. It had been housed indoors, with 2 other ferrets, 2 cats, and humans that lacked signs or symptoms of disease. Physical examination revealed a thin body condition, tachypnea, an increase in respiratory effort, and retching. Splenomegaly was detected during abdominal palpation. Clinicopathologic analysis revealed lymphopenia, lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperglobulinemia. A pulmonary bronchointerstitial pattern was evident on radiographs, and abdominal ultrasonography revealed a suspected pancreatic mass and mesenteric lymphadenopathy. After 2 weeks of medical treatment and once clinical signs resolved, an exploratory laparotomy was performed and a lymph node biopsy specimen was collected. Histologic evaluation of the specimen revealed Cryptococcus-like organisms. Antifungal treatment was initiated with itraconazole (PO) and amphotericin B (IV). The ferret died after 2 days of treatment. A full necropsy was performed, revealing multicentric cryptococcosis affecting the lungs, brain, spleen, and multiple lymph nodes. Paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed lung tissue was submitted for DNA extraction, and the organism was identified as Cryptococcus neoformans var grubii. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of disseminated cryptococcosis in a North American ferret. This case is unique in that the ferret lived indoors, in a geographic region in which reports of cryptococcosis are rare. The genotyping technique used to identify the Cryptococcus strain can aid in better understanding the epidemiology of cryptococcosis.

1445 C-REACTIVE PROTIEN: A NOVEL MARKER FOR EXPULSION RATE OF LOWER URETERIC CALCULI?

You have accessJournal of UrologyStone Disease: SWL, Ureteroscopic or Percutaneous Stone Removal I1 Apr 20101445 C-REACTIVE PROTIEN: A NOVEL MARKER FOR EXPULSION RATE OF LOWER URETERIC CALCULI? Altaf Khan and Manjunath Shetty Altaf KhanAltaf Khan More articles by this author and Manjunath ShettyManjunath Shetty More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2010.02.1159AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Plasma C - reactive protien (CRP) is an acute phase protien which becomes elevated in inflammatory disorders. It is also increased in ureteric obstruction with pyelonephritis. Presence of edema and infection decreases the chances of expulsion of ureteric calculi. We used CRP as a marker to detect the expulsion rate of lower ureteric calculi following medical expulsive treatment. METHODS From January 2009 to June 2009, 100 consecutive patients with lower ureteric calculi, size ranging from 5-7mm with mild symptoms were included in the study. All patients were investigated in form of X-ray KUB, USG KUB and CRP. Patients were subjected for medical treatment with alpha blockers (tamsulosin 0.4mg in patients >40yrs and alfuzosin 10mg in <40 yrs age group), diuretics and analgesics whenever required. Of 100 patients 46 patients had CRP <20 mg/L, 26 patients between 20-40 and 28 patients had CRP >40mg/L. Average stone size was comparable for all the groups. RESULTS Patients were followed up after 3 weeks of medical treatment. Patients were assessed for symptom relief, investigated with X-ray KUB and USG KUB. Of the 46 patients with CRP <20 mg/L, 40(86.9%) had passed the stone. Of 26 patients with CRP between 20-40, 12(46.15%) had passed the stone. But of 28 patients with CRP >40 only 3(10.71%) had passed the stone. Patients with non expulsion of stone were subjected for Ureterorenoscopy and intracorporeal lithotripsy. CONCLUSIONS CRP is a novel sensitive marker in deciding the stone expulsion rate in patients with small sized (5-7mm) lower ureteric calculi. Patients with CRP >40mg/L should directly be subjected for intervention instead of medical therapy. Mangalore, India© 2010 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 183Issue 4SApril 2010Page: e557 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2010 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Altaf Khan More articles by this author Manjunath Shetty More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Dienogest and the breast

In a clinical pilot study, 21 women with endometriosis have been primarely treated with dienogest 2 × 10 mg daily p.o. for 24 weeks. Besides the effect on endometriosis the action of such high-dose progestogen treatment on the breast was evaluated by breast ultrasound prior to medication and at 24 weeks of medical treatment. In all women, a significant size reduction of the mammary gland (p < 0.023) and regression of mastopathic changes were observed. There was a non-significant reduction (p = 0.089) of the maximum diameter of the ducts. The portion of the fatty tissue increased slightly, but not significantly (p = 0.348).

Central sympatholytic therapy has anti-inflammatory properties in hypertensive postmenopausal women

Postmenopausal phase expresses many unfavourable physiological changes that lead to increased risk for cardiovascular disease. We compared the effect of two sympatholytic antihypertensive drug treatments, the centrally acting imidazoline receptor-1 agonist moxonidine and peripherally acting beta-blocking agent atenolol on sensitive inflammatory markers in overweight postmenopausal women with diastolic hypertension. This was a multicentre, multinational double-blinded, prospective study comparing moxonidine (0.3 mg twice daily) with atenolol (50 mg once daily) in 87 hypertensive postmenopausal overweight women who were not taking hormone therapy. Sensitive C-reactive protein, IL-6, TNFalpha, TNFalpha-RII and adiponectin were determined in the beginning of the study and after 8 weeks of medical treatment. TNFalpha increased in atenolol and decreased in moxonidine group (P = 0.0004 between the groups). Adiponectin concentration decreased dramatically in atenonol but did not change in moxonidine treatment group (P < 0.0001 between the groups). In logistic regression analysis only treatment group showed an independent effect on changes in adiponectin and TNFalpha concentrations. We believe that centrally acting sympatholytic agent moxonidine is beneficial in the treatment of postmenopausal women with hypertension by reducing inflammatory cytokine TNFalpha without changing protective adiponectin level.

Groove pancreatitis associated with true pancreatic cyst

We report a case of groove pancreatitis (GP) associated with a true pancreatic cyst. An 81-year-old man who had suffered epigastric pain for 4 months was referred to Saisekai Kure Hospital. Computed tomography and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography showed a cystic lesion in the groove area of the pancreas. Serum amylase elevation and imaging findings suggested GP due to the cyst. Six weeks of medical treatment did not improve the clinical symptoms. Therefore, pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Histologic examination revealed a true cyst with intraluminal necrosis, which produced a protein plug that obstructed the Santorini duct. The parenchyma surrounding the groove area showed marked fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration. GP due to true pancreatic cyst was diagnosed. Although GP is usually caused by overconsumption of alcohol, which leads to changes in the pancreatic juice and the ultimate blockage of pancreatic outflow, the histologic features in our patient suggest that true pancreatic cyst stands as a secondary cause of GP.

Aortoesophageal fistula—an unusual complication of esophagitis caused by Dieffenbachia ingestion

Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare and mostly lethal cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in children. We report a successful outcome of surgical treatment after resuscitation of a girl aged 12 1/2 years with AEF as a complication of esophagitis caused by Dieffenbachia ingestion. The girl ate a leaf of Dieffenbachia picta in a suicidal attempt. After 5 weeks of medical treatment of esophagitis, small blood-stained vomitus and melena appeared. Within a few hours, it was followed by a massive gastrointestinal bleeding leading to exsanguination. The girl survived despite the pitfalls in clinical presentation and errors in diagnostic approach and treatment. Emergency exploration of cervical esophagus, followed by laparotomy and thoracotomy, was performed in attempt to find the source of bleeding and to control it. Aortoesophageal fistula was located between the ascending aorta near the origin of the brachiocephalic trunk and thoracic esophagus. Resection of the fistula led to prompt circulatory stabilization. The common houseplant, Dieffenbachia picta, causes edematous swelling of mucus membranes when chewed. Dieffenbachia-caused esophagitis is very rare and this etiology of AEF has not been reported in children.

Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine concentrations in newly diagnosed patients with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris during two weeks of medical treatment

A high concentration of plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been associated with several risk factors for atherosclerosis, and this may increase the risk for acute coronary syndromes (ACSs). We measured plasma ADMA concentrations in patients who had newly diagnosed ACS (n = 48), and we followed the changes in ADMA concentrations during these patients' short-term medical therapy, which included various combination of drugs with or without percutaneous coronary interventions according to the needs of each patient. Concentrations of plasma ADMA were found to be high in patients who had ACS compared with 48 age-matched healthy control subjects (3.13 +/- 0.85 vs 1.57 +/- 0.85 mumol/L, p <0.0001). Follow-up measurements of ADMA showed dramatic decreases in plasma ADMA concentrations over 2 weeks of medical therapy for ACS (from 3.27 +/- 0.87 to 1.52 +/- 0.47 mumol/L, p <0.0001). Plasma ADMA at baseline showed a significant positive correlation with serum C-reactive protein and plasma insulin and a significant negative correlation with serum levels of high-density lipoprotein and plasma alpha-tocopherol. During therapy, changes in plasma ADMA concentrations were significantly correlated with changes in the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and in serum C-reactive protein concentrations but not with changes in insulin levels. This study provides the first evidence that plasma ADMA concentrations are significantly high in patients who have ACS and that ADMA concentrations rapidly decrease after short-term medical therapy.

Natural cytotoxicity and gnrh agonist administration in advanced endometriosis: positive modulation on natural killer activity

To investigate the effects of pharmacologic suppression of ovarian function on the immune system, with respect to the clinical outcome of endometriosis and the possibility of an immunoendocrine combined treatment. After informed consent, 25 of 37 patients with revised American Fertility Society stage III and IV endometriosis who underwent postoperative medical treatment were selected and enrolled for this immunoendocrine longitudinal study. Medical treatment consisted of tryptorelinum depot injection, 3.75 mg/month for 24 weeks. Blood samples were collected before the first injection in the early follicular phase, day 2-3 of the cycle, and during medical treatment (every 4 weeks) and follow-up (every 6 months). At the end of the study, we had ten blood samples per patient to evaluate the cytotoxic activity, the number of natural killer cells, and the serum levels of estradiol. Natural killer activity was determined against the K562 cell line by target cell retention of the fluorescent dye carboxyfluorescein diacetate. A positive immunomodulating effect was observed during GnRH agonist administration. In particular, a significant progressive increase in natural killer cell activity was defined within the first 12 weeks of medical treatment; after three injections, we observed the highest values of cytotoxicity, with a median of 7.1 lytic units (range 0.3-14.0; P = .02). Natural cytotoxicity then decreased toward a plateau, which persisted during therapy completation and follow-up, with slight fluctuations. In patients who had recurrence, the values of natural killer cell activity were constantly lower than those in patients with disease-free follow-up, particularly within the first 12 weeks of medical treatment.

Mood, major depression, and fluoxetine response in cigarette smokers

Two smoking cessation studies provided venues to 1) look for differences in affective symptoms between cigarette smokers with and without a history of major depression or other psychiatric diagnoses who were not currently depressed and 2) evaluate the efficacy of fluoxetine in ameliorating affective symptoms in smokers with a history of major depression but not currently depressed. Part I: Three hundred sixty-eight smokers who enrolled in a smoking cessation treatment study completed baseline self-rating scales. The relationship between the scale scores and a history of major depression and other psychiatric diagnoses was examined. Part II: Thirty-nine smokers with a history of major depression were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind study that examined the utility of fluoxetine as an aid to smoking cessation. Self-rated scales were compared at baseline and after 3 weeks of medication treatment before the attempt to quit. A history of major depression had significant main effects across all scale scores; subjects with such a history rated themselves as more symptomatic. The effects of other psychiatric diagnoses were neither as pervasive nor as robust. There were no differences in baseline scores between the fluoxetine- and placebo-treated groups and no change within the placebo group after 3 weeks. There was significant improvement from baseline in several subscale scores for the group treated with fluoxetine. However, comparison of the score changes for the placebo and fluoxetine groups did not show a statistically significant difference, which limited the ability to conclude that active treatment was better than placebo. Subjects with a history of major depression, but without current affective illness, reported themselves to be more symptomatic than those without such-a history. Furthermore, in a group of smokers with a history of major depression, affective symptoms, without concurrent syndromal illness, may be ameliorated by treatment with fluoxetine.

Clinical observations in the acute phase of cerebellar hemorrhage and infarction.

Three cases of cerebellar hemorrhage and 5 of cerebellar infarction, diagnosed by brain CT, were examined from the early phase of the onset. All of our cases were mild to moderate in severity and were cured satisfactorily within 3 to 8 weeks of medical treatment. Dizziness and nausea were the commonest symptoms and cerebellar and other CNS signs could be detected only for a short period in some of the cases. Although neuro-otological examinations, especially gaze nystagmus, eye tracking and positional nystagmus tests, were useful for diagnosing the central vestibular lesion, no definite indication could be drawn in order to differentiate between cerebellar hemorrhage and infarction. Therefore, it is considered difficult in such mild cerebellar strokes to establish correct diagnosis by physical examinations alone. It was concluded that if central vestibular disorder is suspected, prompt brain CT examination is necessary in order to diagnose mild cases of cerebellar vascular diseases.

Significance of eosinophil and mast cell counts in rectal mucosa in ulcerative colitis. A prospective controlled study.

Eosinophil and mast cell counts were done in 44 patients with active ulcerative colitis, 10 patients with ulcerative colitis in remission, and 44 matched subjects with functional bowel disorder. Mean (+/- SD) rectal eosinophil counts (EC) per unit area were significantly high (P less than 0.01) in active ulcerative colitis (5.80 +/- 5.49) as compared with inactive disease (2.81 +/- 2.19) or controls (3.01 +/- 1.67). Eosinophil count was not significantly different in the acute stage between responder (6.36 +/- 5.95) and nonresponders (5.1 +/- 5.84) to medical treatment and was thus of little discriminatory and prognostic value. Mean (+/- SD) EC was reduced from 6.36 +/- 5.95 to 3.91 +/- 3.19 in responders after four weeks of medical treatment. There was little change in the EC with treatment in nonresponders. No correlation was seen between tissue eosinophils and clinical severity of ulcerative colitis. Mast cell count was not significantly different between patients with active ulcerative colitis, inactive disease, and controls and thus had little diagnostic or prognostic value. It can be concluded therefore, that EC in the rectal mucosa indicated activity but not severity of ulcerative colitis. A reduction in EC possibly indicated remission. Rectal EC, however, cannot correctly prognosticate the treatment response and outcome of the disease.

A CASE OF PANCREATIC ASCITES

Massive and chronic ascites due to a non-malignant pancreatic disease is recognized as pancreatic ascites. The diagnosis is made by demonstrating increased protein content and high amylase level in the ascitic fluid. A case of pancreatic ascites is reported and 27 cases of this disease in Japan are reviewed. The patient, as 63-year-old man, was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaint of severe abdominal distension. There was a long history of ethanol abuse. The diagnosis of pancreatic ascites was established on the basis of elevatd levels of serum amylase (2304IU/l), ascitic fluid amylase (6300IU/l), ascitic fluid protein (3.4g/dl). One month after his adminission, massive ascites and a pancreatic psuedocyst were detected by computed tomography and ultrasonography. A endoscopic retrograde pancreatogram and percutaneous cystogram revealed no communication between the pancreatic duct and the cyst, nor did contrast media leak into the peritoneal cavity. The patient was treated with hyperalimentaion, parasentesis, etc., but the ascites did-not resolve after 4 weeks of medical treatment. Cystogastrostomy was performed on 24/11/1985. The ascites and high amylasanemia resolved completely soon after the operation. there was no recurrence over a period of sixteen months.