Comprehensive Analysis of Thrombotic Microangiopathy Following Renal Transplantation.

Thrombotic microangiopathy is a severe complication of renal transplantation. Little is known about risk factors, incidence of autoantibodies against complement components, and prognosis. Clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively collected for 13 patients diagnosed with post-transplant thrombotic microangiopathy (PT-TMA) in 2011-2018.

Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 is a biomarker of anti-CCP-positive, early rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To assess serum soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) levels in disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naïve early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA), to investigate the association of sTREM-1 levels with Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) and seropositivity for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody and to determine the predictive value of sTREM-1 with respect to clinical response to DMARD therapy.

Methods: Twenty-two consecutive patients with DMARD-naïve ERA were prospectively evaluated for serum sTREM-1 by means of ELISA at diagnosis and at the following clinic visit after prednisone and/or DMARD has been administered, and related to DAS28 and serum level of anti-CCP antibody. We compared the sTREM-1 level to that of 31 patients with established RA as well as to 24 controls.

The accuracy of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and s-TREM-1 in the prediction of serious bacterial infection in neonates.

Unlabelled: In this prospective study, we examined the usefulness of C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (s-TREM-1), and procalcitonin (PCT), in identifying serious bacterial infection (SBI) among neonates. Infants younger than 3 months with suspected SBI were included and serum concentrations of CRP, PCT, and s-TREM-1 were determined.

Results: A total of 112 patients (19 with SBI and 93 with negative cultures) were evaluated.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of montelukast for acute bronchiolitis.

Background: Cysteinyl leukotrienes are implicated in the inflammation of bronchiolitis. Recently, a specific cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist, montelukast (Singulair [MSD, Haarlem, Netherlands]), has been approved for infants in granule sachets.

Objective: Our goal was to evaluate the effect of montelukast on clinical progress and on cytokines in acute bronchiolitis.

House dust mites on skin, clothes, and bedding of atopic dermatitis patients.

Background: Atopic dermatitis is a common allergic condition in children, often associated with a positive skin reaction to house dust mite allergens.

Aim: To determine the presence of house dust mites on the skin, clothes, and bedding of patients with atopic dermatitis.

Methods: Nineteen patients with atopic dermatitis were examined during a 2-year period.

Determination of immunity to vaccinia virus by using diluted inactivated vaccinia vaccine solution for skin testing.

Aims: We evaluated the usefulness of skin test prepared by inactivation of vaccinia vaccine in predicting immunity to vaccinia. Skin test was injected to 77 healthy adults. Twenty had a recent smallpox vaccination (group 1).

Immunogenicity and safety of a novel IL-2-supplemented liposomal influenza vaccine (INFLUSOME-VAC) in nursing-home residents.

Influenza and its complications account for substantial morbidity and mortality, especially among the elderly. In young adults, immunization provides 70-90% protection, while among the elderly the vaccine may be only View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Immunogenicity and safety of a novel liposomal influenza subunit vaccine (INFLUSOME-VAC) in young adults.

Influenza and its complications account for substantial morbidity and mortality among young adults and especially among the elderly. In young adults, immunization provides 70-90% protection, while among the elderly the vaccine may be only 30-40% effective; hence the need for new, more immunogenic vaccines. We compared the safety and immunogenicity of a novel IL-2-supplemented liposomal influenza vaccine (designated INFLUSOME-VAC) with that of a commercial subunit vaccine and a commercial split virion vaccine in young adults (mean age 28 years) in the winter of 1999-2000.