Association of Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR-4) gene expression and polymorphisms in patients with severe asthma.

Innate immunity plays a central role in the pathogenesis of severe asthma, and it is closely linked to elevated IgE and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) levels. However, there is a scarcity of information about the association of the TLR-4 receptor polymorphism in the pathogenesis of severe asthma. This study highlights the level of gene expression of different alleles in asthmatic patients compared to healthy control individuals.

Risk of malignancy in pulmonary nodules: A validation study of four prediction models.

Objectives: Clinical prediction models assess the likelihood of malignancy in pulmonary nodules detected by computed tomography (CT). This study aimed to validate four such models in a UK population of patients with pulmonary nodules. Three models used clinical and CT characteristics to predict risk (Mayo Clinic, Veterans Association, Brock University) with a fourth model (Herder et al.

Outcome of acute myeloid leukemia and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome according to health insurance status.

Background: Age, cytogenetic status, and molecular features are the most important prognostic factors in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of patients with AML or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) according to insurance status.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed, covering all patients with AML and high-risk MDS evaluated and treated at Akron General Medical Center between 2002 and 2012.

Global health language and culture competency.

This article presents findings from a survey conducted to examine the availability of foreign language and culture training to Civil Affairs health personnel and the relevance of that training to the tasks they perform. Civil Affairs forces recognize the value of cross-cultural communication competence because their missions involve a significant level of interaction with foreign governments? officials, military, and civilians. Members of the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne) who had a health-related military occupational specialty code were invited to participate in the survey.

Standard therapy for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by cytopenias, dysplastic changes in the hematopoietic precursors, and an increased risk of evolving into acute leukemia. Treatment for patients with MDS ranges from supportive care with blood products and/or growth factors up to allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Over the past decade, several novel therapeutic agents have been approved for clinical use.

Significance of thrombocytopenia in myelodysplastic syndromes: associations and prognostic implications.

Purpose: To analyze the incidence and significance of thrombocytopenia in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Patients And Methods: A total of 2517 patients with MDS referred to our institution since 1993 were analyzed, with a specific focus on the incidence and associations of thrombocytopenia.

Results: The median age of the study group was 66 years.

Acute pulmonary failure during remission induction chemotherapy in adults with acute myeloid leukemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome.

Background: Acute pulmonary failure during remission induction therapy is a serious complication in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To the authors' knowledge, the course and prognosis of such patients is not well known.

Methods: A total of 1541 patients referred for remission induction chemotherapy of AML or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome were retrospectively reviewed.