Establishment and validation of a novel risk model for estimating time to first treatment in 120 patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia.

Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia is a rare disease and data on the treatment are often extrapolated from myelodysplastic syndrome studies. Although several scores exist for the prognosis of overall survival in chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia, so far there is no designated score for the prediction of the time to first treatment. We tested clinical parameters and cytogenetic information for their ability to predict the time to first treatment in our single center cohort of 55 unselected consecutive chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia patients.

An anatomically comprehensive atlas of the adult human brain transcriptome.

Neuroanatomically precise, genome-wide maps of transcript distributions are critical resources to complement genomic sequence data and to correlate functional and genetic brain architecture. Here we describe the generation and analysis of a transcriptional atlas of the adult human brain, comprising extensive histological analysis and comprehensive microarray profiling of ∼900 neuroanatomically precise subdivisions in two individuals. Transcriptional regulation varies enormously by anatomical location, with different regions and their constituent cell types displaying robust molecular signatures that are highly conserved between individuals.

Multi-scale correlation structure of gene expression in the brain.

The mammalian brain is best understood as a multi-scale hierarchical neural system, in the sense that connection and function occur on multiple scales from micro to macro. Modern genomic-scale expression profiling can provide insight into methodologies that elucidate this architecture. We present a methodology for understanding the relationship of gene expression and neuroanatomy based on correlation between gene expression profiles across tissue samples.

Severe pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome after massive fetomaternal hemorrhage following blunt abdominal trauma.

Severe pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome developed within 24h after a 31year old nulliparous woman suffered a blunt abdominal trauma with massive fetomaternal hemorrhage and fetal intracranial bleeding. This is the first case reported of fulminating pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome following maternal exposure to a large amount of fetal cells and/or fetal cell debris as DNA or microparticles.

An uncommon cause of anaemia: Sheehan's syndrome.

Ischemic pituitary necrosis due to severe postpartum haemorrhage called Sheehan's syndrome is a rare cause of hypopituitarism in the western world, but much more common in developing countries. A 45-year-old female patient being a war refugee from Chechnya with severe anaemia and fatigue was diagnosed at our outpatient department with Sheehan's syndrome after severe postpartum haemorrhage and emergency hysterectomy 15 years ago. Panhypopituitarism was adequately treated with substitution of hydrocortisone, thyroxine and transdermal oestrogen which resulted in haemoglobin increase to nearly normal levels and symptoms improved immediately.

Differential diagnostic challenge of chronic neutrophilic leukemia in a patient with prolonged leukocytosis.

Our interesting case deals with the clinical and morphological aspects of a chronic neutrophilic leukemia and the critical evaluation of differential diagnosis of leukemoid reaction in bone marrow biopsies.

Dealing with difficult sexual questions during consultations: a new training program.

For over 30 years gynecological teaching associates have made a valuable contribution to undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, by allowing medical students to perform a pelvic examination on them. These women are skilled in giving detailed feedback to the medical students about their examination performance. In this study we describe a new training program: gynecological teaching associates act as simulated patients portraying a gynecological/sexual problem, in addition to allowing themselves to be examined by the students.

Serious complication 1 year after sacrospinous ligament fixation.

Myositis of the gluteal region caused by group A streptococci 1 year after a sacrospinous ligament fixation was recognised as a serious complication of this procedure. Most likely, the infection was spread to the gluteal region through a port d'entree caused by vaginal atrophy, via the non-resorbable sutures. The patient was treated successfully with antibiotics intravenous and local estrogens.

The contribution of birth defects to preterm birth and low birth weight.

Objective: To assess the impact of birth defects on preterm birth and low birth weight.

Methods: Data from a large, prospective multi-center trial, the First and Second Trimester Evaluation of Risk (FASTER) Trial, were examined. All live births at more than 24 weeks of gestation with data on outcome and confounders were divided into two comparison groups: 1) those with a chromosomal or structural abnormality (birth defect) and 2) those with no abnormality detected in chromosomes or anatomy.

Massive infiltration of bone marrow in colon carcinoma after treatment with activated protein C.

We present an unusual case of localized colorectal carcinoma complicated by sepsis which was treated with activated protein C (APC). Shortly after treatment the patient developed symptomatic metastases to the bone marrow (BM). Destruction of bones by colorectal cancer (CRC) is rare, although BM micrometastases are frequently observed.

Health literacy, antiretroviral adherence, and HIV-RNA suppression: a longitudinal perspective.

Background: Low health literacy has been associated with worse adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and higher HIV-RNA levels, but these relationships have not been evaluated in longitudinal analyses.

Methods: We evaluated literacy using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) (< or = 6th grade, 7th to 8th grade, > or = 9th grade) in the HIV-Alcohol Longitudinal Cohort study of HIV-infected persons with a history of alcohol problems, conducted from 1997 to 2001. We tested HIV-RNA levels and administered a standardized questionnaire regarding demographics, substance use, receipt of ART, and adherence with ART, every 6 months for up to 7 occasions.

[Palliative therapy in glioblastoma multiforme: a multimodal concept].

We report on a 72-year-old patient with a glioblastoma multiforme, who after initial operation underwent concomitant radiation (60 Gy) and chemotherapy (CCNU), which had to be stopped due to toxicity. After an interval without antineoplastic therapy lasting for several months, disease progressed. In this situation we decided to start second-line chemotherapy (Temozolomid).

[Ginseng modulates the immune response via its effect on cytokine production--secondary publication].

Ginseng has been shown to modulate the immune system. In this study, ginseng"s effects against chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection in animal models and its cytokine-modulating effects on leukocytes were investigated.

Microcephaly is not mandatory for the diagnosis of mosaic variegated aneuploidy syndrome.

The phenotype of mosaic variegated aneuploidy (MVA) syndrome is characterized by severe microcephaly, growth deficiency, mental retardation, and mild physical anomalies. The MVA syndrome is associated with mosaicism for several different aneuploidies involving many different chromosomes with or without premature centromere division (PCD). To date 28 cases of MVA syndrome have been reported.

Cytokine modulating effect of ginseng treatment in a mouse model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection.

The major cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection. In a mouse model of P. aeruginosa lung infection mimicking that in CF patients, the effects of ginseng treatment on cytokine responses and the correlation between the changes in cytokine production and the lung pathology were studied.

Effects of Radix Angelicae sinensis and shuanghuanglian on a rat model of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia.

Objective: To study the effect of two kinds of Chinese herbal medicine, Radix angelicae sinensis (RAS) ([Chinese characters: see text]) and Shuanghuanglian (SHL) ([Chinese characters: see text]) on chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) lung infection in a rat model mimicking cystic fibrosis (CF).

Methods: Rats were divided into RAS, SHL and control groups. All rats were challenged intratracheally with alginate embedded PA and the treatments with herbal medicine started on the same day of challenge.

[Effects of subcutaneous injection with different doses of ginseng on the rat model of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia].

Objective: To observe the effect of ginseng extracts on a rat model of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) pneumonia.

Methods: Subcutaneous injection with four different doses of ginseng aqueous extracts to the model rats for two weeks.

Results: Milder macroscopic lung pathology and lower incidence of lung abscesses were found in all the four groups received different doses of ginseng treatment compared to the control group (P < 0.

[Bullous cutaneous mastocytosis revealed by acute disease secondary to morphine administration].

Unlabelled: Mastocytosis in children shows in three clinical forms. The rarest is the diffuse or bullous form.

Case Report: Since one month of age an infant showed a diffuse erythema and vesicle rash.

Effects of ginseng treatment on neutrophil chemiluminescence and immunoglobulin G subclasses in a rat model of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia.

Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is almost impossible to eradicate with antibiotic treatment. In the present study, the effects of treatment with the Chinese herbal medicine ginseng on blood polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemiluminescence and serum specific antibody responses were studied in a rat model of chronic P. aeruginosa pneumonia mimicking CF.

Ginseng treatment enhances bacterial clearance and decreases lung pathology in athymic rats with chronic P. aeruginosa pneumonia.

In an athymic rat model of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection mimicking cystic fibrosis (CF), we studied the effects of the Chinese herb ginseng. Rats were treated subcutaneously with ginseng extracts (25 mg/kg) once a day for 10 days after challenge with P. aeruginosa embedded in alginate beads.

Ginseng treatment reduces bacterial load and lung pathology in chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia in rats.

The predominant pathogen in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which results in a chronic lung infection associated with progressive pulmonary insufficiency. In a rat model of chronic P. aeruginosa pneumonia mimicking that in patients with CF, we studied whether the inflammation and antibody responses could be changed by treatment with the Chinese herbal medicine ginseng.