Antiphospholipid and Antinuclear Antibodies in Children with Idiopathic Epilepsy: A 2-Year Prospective Study.

Background And Purpose: The high prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in patients with epilepsy may be associated with either the disease itself or the antiepileptic treatment. The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence of aPL and ANA in children with idiopathic epilepsy before and during treatment with antiepileptic drugs.

Methods: aPL, including both anticardiolipin and anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies, and ANA statuses were determined in 40 healthy children, 30 children treated with sodium valproate (VPA) monotherapy, and 20 children treated with carbamazepine (CBZ) monotherapy before and at 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment initiation.

The emerging role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of cardiac involvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the commonest rheumatic disease in childhood and presents several subtypes according to the ILAR classification. JIA, specifically in its systemic form, may seriously damage various structures of the cardiovascular system. Other JIA phenotypes are also of interest, as cardiovascular disease (CVD) is underestimated and understudied, but chronic systemic inflammation and risk factors remained important contributors for CVD development.

The transforming growth factor-beta/bone morphogenetic protein signalling pathway in adipogenesis.

Rising obesity epidemic makes the better understanding of transcription factor networks regulating adipogenesis very challenging. Adipogenesis begins with the commitment of pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells to the adipocyte lineage, followed by terminal differentiation of preadipocytes to mature adipocytes. Among the molecules that influence the decision of progenitor cells to become adipocytes are members of transforming growth factor-beta superfamily and particularly bone morphogenetic proteins.

Serum leptin, adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-α in hyperlipidemic rats with/without concomitant diabetes mellitus.

We compared the lipid profiles and serum levels of leptin, adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rats with/without hyperlipidemia and with/without concomitant diabetes mellitus. Forty 10-wk-old male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Groups A and C received standard food for 12 wks.