LAIR1, an ITIM-Containing Receptor Involved in Immune Disorders and in Hematological Neoplasms.

Leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin (Ig)-like receptor 1 (LAIR1, CD305) belongs to the family of immune-inhibitory receptors and is widely expressed on hematopoietic mature cells, particularly on immune cells. Four different types of ligands of LAIR1 have been described, including collagens, suggesting a potential immune-regulatory function on the extracellular matrix. By modulating cytokine secretion and cellular functions, LAIR1 displays distinct patterns of expression among NK cell and T/B lymphocyte subsets during their differentiation and cellular activation and plays a major negative immunoregulatory role.

Estimation of residual renal function using beta-trace protein: Impact of dialysis procedures.

Beta-trace protein (BTP), a low molecular weight protein of 23-29 kDa, has been proposed as a promising biomarker to estimate residual renal function (RRF) in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Indeed, BTP is cleared by native kidney but not during conventional HD session. By contrast, the removal rate of BTP using convective processes (mainly hemodiafiltration [HDF]) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been little or not investigated.

Next-generation sequencing and recombinant expression characterized aberrant splicing mechanisms and provided correction strategies in factor VII deficiency.

Despite the exhaustive screening of gene exons and exon-intron boundaries and promoter region, a significant proportion of mutated alleles remains unidentified in patients with coagulation factor VII deficiency. Here, we applied next-generation sequencing to 13 FVII-deficient patients displaying genotype-phenotype discrepancies upon conventional sequencing, and identified six rare intronic variants. Computational analysis predicted splicing effects for three of them, which would strengthen (c.

Genotyping of five Pakistani patients with severe inherited factor X deficiency: identification of two novel mutations.

: Congenital factor X deficiency is a rare coagulation defect characterized by variable bleeding tendency. The aim of the study was to give a first insight of F10 gene mutations in Pakistani probands. Direct sequencing and/or next-generation sequencing was performed on the coding regions, boundaries and 5' and 3' untranslated regions of the F10 gene in five severe factor X-deficient patients from Pakistan.

CT-pro-AVP as a tool for assessment of intravascular volume depletion in severe hyponatremia.

Background: Assessment of volume status is essential to best manage hyponatremic patients but is not always accurate in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of C-terminal portion of pro-arginine-vasopressin (CT-pro-AVP), a surrogate biomarker of vasopressin release, in assessing intravascular volume (IVV) depletion in hypoosmolar hyponatremic patients.

Methods: Plasma CT-pro-AVP and urea-to-creatinine ratio (Ur/Cr) were performed in 131 hospitalized patients presenting chronic severe hypoosmolar hyponatremia.

Evaluation of QMS everolimus assay using Indiko analyzer: comparison with an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method.

Background: A new particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay, Quantitative Microsphere System (QMS) everolimus, was evaluated using an Indiko analyzer (Thermo Fisher Scientific).

Methods: Analytical performances (imprecision, linearity, limit of detection, and limit of quantification) of this new immunoassay were evaluated. The method was compared with an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) method and with the previously available Innofluor Certican immunoassay on 120 whole-blood samples from 74 transplant recipients.

The face recurve concept: medical and surgical applications.

The application of the Face Recurve theory gives rise to new technical opportunities in the fields of both aesthetic medicine and aesthetic surgery to block the action of the age marker fascicules largely responsible for aging of the paramedian folds. With respect to aesthetic medicine, the combination of botulinum toxin and soft tissue fillers has proven effective. On the basis of the authors' theory, however, two new technical refinements become pertinent.

Structural aging: the facial recurve concept.

Cutaneous facial aging is responsible for the increasingly wrinkled and blotchy appearance of the skin, whereas aging of the facial structures is attributed primarily to gravity. This article purports to show, however, that the primary etiology of structural facial aging relates instead to repeated contractions of certain facial mimetic muscles, the age marker fascicules, whereas gravity only secondarily abets an aging process begun by these muscle contractions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has allowed us to study the contrasts in the contour of the facial mimetic muscles and their associated deep and superficial fat pads in patients of different ages.

Treatment of depressor anguli oris weakening with the face recurve concept.

The authors have created a strategy for rejuvenation of the peribuccal region based on the concept that the repeated contraction of certain fascicles of the mimetic muscles, and not gravity, is the primary cause of structural aging. Treatment is based on a 4-stage strategy, with interventions including botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid, autologous fat transfer, and surgery of the depressor anguli oris.

[Facial rejuvenation and concentric malar lift: the FACE RECURVE concept].

Cell ageing is responsible for the increasingly creased appearance of our skin. The ageing of the structures of the face is attributed primarily to the effect of gravity on the tissues. The theory expounded below sets out to prove that the main and initial cause of this ageing is the repeated contractions of the mimic muscles.

[Computerized tomography pelvimetry: recent advances].

We describe a new technique of pelvimetry by computerized tomography (CT), using multislice-CT. This new technique can provide measurements of the classical diameters and is able to bring new informations on anatomical aspect of the bony pelvis, especially of the superior strait, with images easier to understand by obstetricians and midwives. It is a simple technique to perform, without increasing cost.

[Virtual endoscopy].

After a brief definition of Virtual Endoscopy (VE), the authors, by a personal experience and literature analysis, present the results of this new method in several applications: tracheo-bronchial tree, vessels, colon, bladder, central nervous system; patients were referred by standard endoscopy, advantages and limits were studied. We underline the atraumatic feature of VE and superiority of fibroscopy. Terminology is assessed.

[Clinical imaging of osteo-condensed metastases].

Introduction: Due to the occurrence of osteoblastic metastases in the course of various cancers, particularly in the course of prostate cancer, we are faced with diagnosis and follow-up issues different from those associated with lytic metastasis. We therefore analyzed the respective advantages of imaging techniques.

Current Knowledge And Key Points: Most of the time, osteoblastic metastases are evidenced by standard radiography.

[Magnetic resonance angiography: fields of exploration, main indications and limitations].

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) has become a widely accepted technique with regards to the other available noninvasive techniques in the diagnosis of vascular disease. This paper proposes a review of the different indications of this technique in arterial and venous diseases. Among several MRA pulse sequences, the most frequently used until today consisted of a time-of-flight technique which provided angiograms without any injection of intravascular contrast medium.

[Endometrial cancer: progress in the evaluation of locoregional extension by imaging techniques].

In the evaluation of loco regional extension, MRI and ultrasound provide highly valuable information, with respect to the invasion of deep myometrium, which determines prognosis, being highly similar for the two techniques. This gives ultrasound techniques a role of primary intention for reasons of public health economics. MRI, however, improves the work-up of other types of loco regional extension, and CT scan remains an indispensable tool for evaluating overall lymph node involvement and visceral extension.

The clinical measurement of volumes using helical CT.

The object of this preliminary study is to evaluate the new techniques of measurement by helical CT which allow direct assessment of the volume of a lesion in clinical practice particularly by obtaining direct macroscopic anatomical correlation. Its primary application is anatomical, with measurement of the volumes of organs or anatomical structures, the clinical importance of which relates primarily to oncology. We present our initial results, including their applications and limits, before extending this study to a larger series so that it may be compared with other multicentre evaluations.

Virtual tracheo-bronchial endoscopy: educational and diagnostic value.

The use of Helical CT significantly improves image quality of examinations in a number of clinical settings. It is particularly suited to the study of the tracheo-bronchial tree as a result of new ways of image processing (developed by GEMS research) which can produce virtual endoscopic images without the use of an endoscope. We present our initial anatamo-radiological findings and their educational value as well as our thoughts on potential future clinical applications.

[Spiral scanners: principles and clinical prospects].

Helical computed tomography (CT) involves continuous patient shifting during X-ray source rotation and data acquisition. As a result, a volume data set is obtained in a short period of time. An entire examination can be completed in a single breath hold, without additional radiation exposure, optimizing enhancement with intravenous contrast material.

[Breast cancer: role of MRI in follow-up of cases treated].

Conventional imaging (CI) for breast cancer includes mammography and ultrasound. Its limited efficiency is especially manifest for breast cancer follow-up after breast-conserving therapy (i.e.

Fotemustine (S 10036) in the intra-arterial treatment of liver metastasis from malignant melanoma. A phase II Study.

Fotemustine is a new nitrosourea which has shown some efficacy on disseminated malignant melanoma (DMM) (24.2% response rate (RR) among 153 patients in a Phase II trial) but little activity on hepatic metastasis (8.8% RR).