Usefulness of multiparametric computerized tomography findings in the differential diagnosis of stroke mimics of epileptic origin: A preliminary study.

Objective: Thirty percent of the patients for whom code stroke is activated have stroke mimics, the most common being epilepsy. Our purpose was to evaluate the usefulness of multiparametric CT for differentiating between seizure-related symptoms and vascular events.

Material And Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study; data were gathered prospectively during one year.

[Gene expression profiling in the first twelve weeks of treatment in chronic hepatitis C patients].

Introduction: Gene expression profiling in the first weeks of treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C may contribute to better evaluate the response to interferon-based therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the gene expression profiles of early responders and non-responders before, and after 12 weeks of treatment with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin.

Methods: Gene expression profiles were analysed in 12 patients with chronic hepatitis C, and scheduled for treatment with peginterferon alpha and ribavirin.

Increased Th1, Th17 and pro-fibrotic responses in hepatitis C-infected patients are down-regulated after 12 weeks of treatment with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin.

Hepatitis C virus causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The infection induces up-regulation of cytokine and chemokines commonly linked to the development of cellular and pro-inflammatory antiviral responses. The current standard in hepatitis C treatment consists of combination regimens of pegylated interferon-alpha plus ribavirin.