Toll-like receptor 3 upregulation by type I interferon in healthy and scleroderma dermal fibroblasts.

Introduction: Increased levels of genes in the type I interferon (IFN) pathway have been observed in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), or scleroderma. How type I IFN regulates the dermal fibroblast and its participation in the development of dermal fibrosis is not known. We hypothesized that one mechanism by which type I IFN may contribute to dermal fibrosis is through upregulation of specific Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on dermal fibroblasts.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of single-dose intravenous daptomycin in patients with thermal burn injury.

Daptomycin pharmacokinetics were evaluated for burn patients. Burn patients had decreases in the maximum concentration of the drug in serum (44%) and the area under the concentration-time curve (47%) and increases in the volume of distribution (64%) and total clearance (77%) compared to healthy volunteers. In burn patients, daptomycin at 10 to 12 mg/kg of body weight/day would be required to achieve drug exposures similar to those for healthy volunteers receiving 6 mg/kg.

Gigantomastia complicating mirror syndrome in pregnancy.

Background: Gigantomastia is a rare and dangerous condition in pregnancy. Although improvement after delivery is likely, postpartum aggravation is possible. To date, various pharmacological approaches have been tried, with only marginal effectiveness.