Right-sided EKG in pulmonary embolism.

Purpose: To identify right-sided chest lead electrocardiographic abnormalities in acute pulmonary embolism.

Patients And Methods: Analysis of electrocardiographic changes in 100 African American patients suspected of having pulmonary embolism was made at Howard University Hospital during 2001-02 (60% women, 40% men, median age 50 years). Standard 12-lead EKGs were obtained within one hour of arrival to emergency room.

Depression in sickle cell disease.

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms and examine the contribution of demographics, disease severity, and health care use variables to depressive symptoms in sickle cell patients who had been in stable health for at least one month.

Patients And Methods: Subjects were a convenience sample of 27 men and 23 women selected during a routine visit to the sickle cell clinic at Howard University Hospital. Depression was assessed using a cut-off score from the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and related to a variety of health outcomes.

Long-term outcomes in patients with sickle cell disease and frequent vaso-occlusive crises.

Background: The frequency of vaso-occlusive crises correlates with mortality in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). We examined the degree to which a high number of hospitalization days for these events affected survival.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed data for 58 adult patients with SCD (mean age, 29.

IgE(+), Kit(-), I-A/I-E(-) myeloid cells are the initial source of Il-4 after antigen challenge in a mouse model of allergic pulmonary inflammation.

Background: IL-4 is generated within hours after antigen lung challenge and influences events that take place early in the induction of pulmonary inflammation. However, the cells responsible for this early IL-4 production in the lung are unknown.

Objectives: We sought to characterize the initial inflammatory events in the lung after antigen challenge and to identify cells responsible for producing IL-4 at early time points.