Proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma: a new case report and literature review.

Proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma is a rare soft tissue neoplasm which arises from the more proximal part of body and occurs more often in young people; the definite diagnosis depends mainly on the pathological examination; early detection and complete excision remain the foundation of treatment. Due to its aggressive behavior, high capacity of recurrence and the great ability to metastasize, a careful clinical long-term monitoring is required. We report a new case of a 20 years old girl, presented with proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma in her right scapular region, confirmed by pathological examination and removed surgically without recurrence or metastasis at eighteen months of follow-up.

Toll-like receptor expression in monocytes in patients with chronic kidney disease and haemodialysis: relation with inflammation.

Background: Inflammation is one of the main contributors to atherosclerosis in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) leads to inflammatory response. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the expression of TLRs on monocytes and relate their expression with inflammation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and HD patients.

Activation of neutrophils by testosterone in Behçet's disease.

Objective: Gender differences, especially in disease severity, are observed in Behçet's disease (BD), a systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. To determine the putative role of testosterone on neutrophil activity exhibited by patients with BD, peripheral blood neutrophils were examined in vitro before and after treatment with testosterone.

Methods: Peripheral blood neutrophils of 49 patients with BD (26M:23F), 33 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (23M:10F), 8 female patients with hirsutism and 31 healthy individuals (19M:12F) were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Differential expression of toll-like receptor 6 on granulocytes and monocytes implicates the role of microorganisms in Behcet's disease etiopathogenesis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the expressions of toll-like receptors on neutrophils and monocytes in Behcet's disease (BD). Forty-two patients with BD were included in the study. Baseline and stimulated cells with heat shock protein-60 (HSP-60), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and crude extract of Streptococcus sanguis (SS) were analyzed for toll-like receptor-1, -2, -4 and -6 expressions using flow cytometer.

Anti-CCP antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

Our aim is to assess the prevalence and associated clinical features of anti-CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibodies for RF (rheumatoid factor)-positive and RF-negative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). In a prospective, cross-sectional, multi-centre study, we determined the titres of anti-CCP antibodies in 208 RA patients (129 RF-positive, 79 RF-negative), 56 PsA patients and 39 healthy controls (HC). Clinical parameters including disease activity (disease activity score 28-DAS28), physical disability (health assessment questionnaire-HAQ), functional capacity (functional class) and radiological erosions were investigated in patients with RA.

Oxidative burst response to monosodium urate crystals in patients with Behçet's syndrome.

Objective: An erythematous response to intradermal injection of monosodium urate crystals (MSU) has been demonstrated in Behçet's syndrome (BS). To further elucidate the pathogenesis of this response, the effects of MSU on in vitro oxidative burst reaction of neutrophils and monocytes were investigated.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with Behçet's syndrome (BS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and healthy controls (HC) were incubated with 100 ng/ml phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and MSU at different dosages (25-500 microg/ml).

Serum mannose-binding lectin levels are decreased in behcet's disease and associated with disease severity.

Objective: To investigate serum levels of mannose-binding lectin (MBL), a complement-like protein of collectin family, in patients with Behcet's disease (BD).

Methods: MBL levels were measured in sera of 130 patients with BD, 64 patients with recurrent oral ulcerations (ROU), and 105 healthy controls (HC) with ELISA.

Results: Patients with BD had significantly lower median serum MBL levels compared to HC (1857 vs 3136 ng/ml, p = 0.

Clinical and immunological effects of azithromycin in Behçet's disease.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of azithromycin on mucocutaneous manifestations, oral health and immune response in Behçet's disease (BD).

Methods: Eight BD patients with active mucocutaneous symptoms were treated with azithromycin for 4 weeks. Oral health, clinical manifestations and in vitro interleukin (IL)-12, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-10 and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 responses were evaluated before and after treatment.