A myxoid leiomyoma of the uterus is radiologically described. Sonography showed a large mass extending from the renal hilum to the pelvis. Enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings denoted cystic and myxoid components. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated flow voids between the mass and the uterus, indicating likely origin from the uterus. Exploratory laparotomy showed a huge leiomyomatous mass.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Albendazole versus praziquantel in the treatment of cerebral cysticercosis: clinical evaluation.

One hundred consecutive patients presenting with symptoms and signs of neurocysticercosis, confirmed by neuroimaging techniques, were randomly assigned to treatment with either praziquantel 50 mg/kg/d for 15 d or albendazole 15 mg/kg/d for 30 d. All patients were treated in addition with steroids for 45 d. Follow-up was for 90 d for response to treatment and at least 1 year for recurrence. Although similar numbers of patients showed no improvement in neuroimaging criteria at 3 months, the response to albendazole was more pronounced with larger numbers showing marked improvement or disappearance of lesions. Resolution of the presenting neurological signs and symptoms was also more frequent in the albendazole group. Electroencephalographic changes also became normal. The use of steroid cover eliminated the headache frequently present during the first few days of treatment and permitted severe cases to be treated. Both albendazole and praziquantel appeared to be effective at the doses used, with albendazole showing a slightly better overall response.

Albendazole↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Further studies on a phospholipase A2 isolated from human platelet plasma membranes.

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Blood Platelets↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Surface redistribution of interferon gamma-receptor and its colocalization with the actin cytoskeleton.

BACKGROUND: Specific antibodies for human IFN gamma-R1 were used to examine its mobilization in Colo 205 cells. METHODS: We report here that antibody-IFN gamma-R1 complex induced capping and actin colocalization. Pretreatment with cytochalasin D abolished this capping. To define the role of the IFN gamma-R1 in the possible interaction with actin, transfected murine fibroblasts cell line with human cDNA IFN gamma-R1 were used. RESULTS: Only those cells expressing the full receptor and cultured in suspension polarized the receptor and this colocalized with actin filaments. Nevertheless, cells truncated in their intracellular domain displayed no capping and actin remained unaltered either in suspension or in monolayer culture conditions. A mutant bearing an IFN gamma-R1 with substitutions in positions 270-271 of the intracellular domain redistributed both IFN gamma-R1 and actin as micropatches instead of capping. Mutation in 256-303 residues resulted in IFN gamma-R1 microaggregates but actin remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: These experimental models allowed us to highlight an apparent receptor-microfilament association through the intracellular domain of IFN gamma-R1, and to specifically locate it within the intracellular region 256-303 that has been identified as relevant for ligand-receptor internalization and biological function.

Actins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Vitamin D prophylaxis and the lowered incidence of fractures in anticonvulsant rickets and osteomalacia.

Small doses of vitamin D can probably prevent catastrophic skeletal demineralization in patients taking antiseizure medication. Moderate doses of vitamin D can reverse this degree of demineralization once it has occurred. Prophylactic vitamin D therapy was associated with a lowered incidence of seizure patients in the overall fracture census and a decrease in the number of in-hospital days for treatment of seizure patients with fractures. Vitamin D therapy should probably be used as a routine dietary supplement in all seizure patients at dosage levels of approximately 400 units daily. Much larger doses (50,000 units once or twice weekly) should be as necessary when these patients sustain fractures or other injuries.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Identification of immunogenic epitopes of the 170-kDa subunit adhesin of Entamoeba histolytica in patients with invasive amebiasis.

Entamoeba histolytica causes amebic dysentery (AD) and liver abscess (ALA). Little is known about protective immunity to amebiasis, and studies in this area have been complicated by the paucity of defined ameba antigens. We examined the proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with AD and ALA to a recombinant protein containing a portion of the 170 kDa adhesin of E. histolytica (170CR), and to two synthetic peptides (1 and 2) derived from the 170 kDa sequence that were predicted to contain T cell epitopes. A significant number of patients with AD and ALA had PBMC that proliferated to 170CR molecule, and several individuals with ALA and AD had T cells that recognized one or both peptides. Contrarily, individuals from a non-endemic region for amebiasis did not respond to 170CR protein, or to both peptides. In regard to antibody response, nine of fifteen patients with ALA showed antibodies to 170CR protein. These same patients had antibodies to peptide 2. We identified peptides from 170-kDa adhesin that may contain both T and B cell epitopes recognized by some patients with invasive amebiasis. These peptides may be valuable reagents in studies of the immune response to amebiasis.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Radiographic features of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients infected by HIV: is there an objective indicator of co-infection?

This study aimed to compare the radiographic characteristics of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection with those of HIV-negative patients. In all, 275 TB patients attending the outpatients clinics at the University Hospital/UFPE, were studied from January 1997 to March 1999. Thirty nine (14.2%) of them were HIV(+), with a higher frequency of males in this group (p=0.044). Seventy-five percent of the HIV(+) patients and 19% of the HIV(-) had a negative tuberculin test (PPD) (p < 0.001). The proportion of positive sputum smears in the two groups was similar. The radiological finding most strongly associated with co-infection was absence of cavitation (p < 0.001). It may therefore be concluded that the lack of cavitation in patients with pulmonary TB may be considered a useful indicator of the need to investigate HIV infection. This approach could contribute to increasing the effectiveness of local health services, by offering appropriate treatment to co-infected patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A clinical investigation on three-unit fixed partial dentures fabricated with a lithium disilicate glass-ceramic.

A lithium disilicate glass-ceramic material has recently been developed for the fabrication of 3-unit fixed partial dentures. Conducted on 60 restorations, this initial trial attempted to define clinical indications and establish design principles for fixed partial dentures fabricated of this ceramic material. The design requisites varied depending on placement on the arch, and the authors concluded that lithium disilicate restorations caused reduced antagonist structure or opposing tooth wear. This investigation demonstrated that when a novel ceramic system was utilized for 3-unit restorations replacing up to the first premolar and attained minimal criteria for connector dimensions, an acceptable clinical success rate was achieved.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Intracellular signals involved in glucose control].

Many proteins are involved in glucose control. The first step for glucose uptake is insulin receptor-binding. Stimulation of the insulin receptor results in rapid autophosphorylation and conformational changes in the beta chain and the subsequent phosphorylation of the insulin receptor substrate. This results in the docking of several SH2 domain proteins, including PI 3-kinase and other adapters. The final event is glucose transporter (GLUT) translocation to the cell surface. GLUT is in the cytosol but after insulin stimulation, several proteins are activated either in the GLUT vesicles or in the inner membrane. The role of the cytoskeleton is not well known, but it apparently participates in membrane fusion and vesicle mobilization. After glucose uptake, several hexokines metabolize the glucose to generate energy, convert the glucose in glycogen and store it. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high glucose levels and insulin resistance. The insulin receptor is diminished on the cell surface membrane, tyrosine phosphorylation is decreased, serine and threonine phosphorylation is augmented. Apparently, the main problem with GLUT protein is in its translocation to the cell surface. At present, we know the role of many proteins involved in glucose control. However, we do not understand the significance of insulin resistance at the molecular level with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The demographic dynamics of small island societies.

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Americas↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Update of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. From a new case report.

After presenting the case of a male patient who was diagnosed as suffering from the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome at the age of 4 months, we review the main clinical (infections, bleeding and eczema), immunological (deficiency of IgM, normal IgG, elevated IgA and IgE, deficiency of total T lymphocytes, normal T4 levels, decreased levels of T8, diminished response to phytohemagglutinin and partial depletion of the lymphocyte population in biopsies of lymph nodes and spleen) and haematological (thrombocytopenia, dysmegakaryocytosis, decreased half-life and decreased granulation in the protoplasm of megakaryocytes) manifestations of this syndrome. In general, our aim is to carry out an up-to-date review of the syndrome, and to include comments on the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

Antibody Formation↗