Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Kidney Oxygenation and Perfusion During Sickle Cell Vaso-occlusive Crises.

Background: Our understanding of the pathophysiologic processes underlying sickle cell nephropathy remains incomplete. We performed a pilot study to investigate the potential value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the assessment of kidney oxygenation and detection of potential changes to tissue perfusion and cellular integrity during a vaso-occlusive crisis.

Study Design: A case-control study.

Rosuvastatin Is Effective to Decrease CD8 T-Cell Activation Only in HIV-Infected Patients With High Residual T-Cell Activation Under Antiretroviral Therapy.

Objective: The aim of the trial was to evaluate in patients under antiretroviral therapy (ART) the effect of rosuvastatin on cellular and soluble markers of immune activation/inflammation, as well as to identify patients who better benefit from statin administration.

Methods: IMEA-043-CESAR was a phase II open-label pilot trial that enrolled patients under suppressive ART and CD4 <500/mm. Patients received rosuvastatin (20 mg/d) for 12 weeks.

Pearson syndrome in the neonatal period: two case reports and review of the literature.

Pearson syndrome is a multiorgan mitochondrial cytopathy that results from defective oxidative phosphorylation owing to mitochondrial DNA deletions. Prognosis is severe and death occurs in infancy or early childhood. This article describes 2 cases with a severe neonatal onset of the disease.

Costimulatory molecule CD154 in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Therapeutic perspectives.

SLE is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by B cell hyperactivity. Evidence from the last years has shown that B cells play a key role in the development of the immune response. The interaction of CD40 on B cells with its ligand CD154 on activated T cells provides a costimulatory signal that induces T dependent B cell proliferation and differentiation with subsequent antibody production.