A multi-target antisense approach against PDE4 and PDE7 reduces smoke-induced lung inflammation in mice.

Background: Recent development in the field of COPD has focused on strategies aimed at reducing the underlying inflammation through selective inhibition of the phosphodiesterase type IV (PDE4) isoform. Although the anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator activity of selective PDE4 inhibitors has been well documented, their low therapeutic ratio and dose-dependent systemic side effects have limited their clinical utility. This study examined the effect of 2'-deoxy-2'-Fluoro-beta-D-Arabinonucleic Acid (FANA)-containing antisense oligonucleotides (AON) targeting the mRNA for the PDE4B/4D and 7A subtypes on lung inflammatory markers, both in vitro and in vivo.

[A case of Whipple's disease with ankylosing spondylarthritis treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole].

We report the case of a patient, suffering from Whipple's disease and HLA B27 positive ankylosing spondylitis with syndesmophytes and erosive discopathy. Since spinal radiographic aspects of spondylitis due to Whipple's disease are unusual, we are debating on their relation. We, then, took an interest in the treatment given to this patient: trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole which would now appear to be the best antibiotic for Whipple's disease.

[Value of discography in disk punctures in bacterial spondylodiscitis].

26 discographic examinations were performed during puncture of 28 intervertebral disks for septic spondylitis. Discography assures the operator that the diagnostic needle is correctly inserted in the intervertebral disk, without destroying the causative microorganisms. But, in particular, this examination reveals the presence of lesions which often are not suspected within the vertebra or the adjacent soft tissue, and notably the presence of large and frequently occurring pyogenic abscesses.