Neurological complications of respiratory syncytial virus infection: case series and review of literature.

Respiratory syncytial virus is a common cause of infection in children. The authors summarize the clinical and diagnostic features of 9 patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with neurological consultation. Patients were aged 5 weeks to 3 years.

Molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding the porcine type XVII collagen noncollagenous 16 A domain and localization of the domain to the upper part of porcine skin basement membrane zone.

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune blistering human skin disease mediated by immunoglobulin (Ig)G autoantibodies targeting skin basement membrane component type XVII collagen, a transmembrane protein. Also designated BP180 and BPAG2, type XVII collagen is an extracellular matrix element essential for the connection between the epidermis and the underlying dermis. In addition to being a target antigen in the human disease bullous pemphigoid, type XVII collagen is also targeted by autoantibodies of canine, feline, equine and porcine patients suffering from a similar blistering skin disease.

Role of the major histocompatibility complex class II transmembrane region in antigen presentation and intracellular trafficking.

While a sorting signal in the cytoplasmic tail of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules is known to influence their endocytic transport, potential effects of the transmembrane (TM) domain of the MHC class II molecules on endocytic transport remain unclear. We have examined the role of the TM domain by comparing antigen-presenting functions of the wildtype (WT) I-Ab and mutant (MT) I-Ab molecule substituted in the beta-chain TM with alpha chain TM. A20 cells transfected with WT I-Ab were able to present antigen (hen egg lysozyme) better to some hybridomas, while those transfected with MT I-Ab consistently outperformed WT for other hybridomas recognizing different epitopes.

'Eruptive syringoma': a misnomer for a reactive eccrine gland ductal proliferation?

Background: Syringomas have traditionally been categorized as benign neoplasms of the eccrine gland ductal epithelium. However, the variety of clinical presentations reported in the literature and some cases recently observed by the authors cast doubt upon the neoplastic nature of eruptive syringomas. Our goal is to challenge the traditional notion that eruptive syringomas are neoplastic lesions.

Distinct patterns of oesophageal shortening during primary peristalsis, secondary peristalsis and transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation.

This study characterized oesophageal shortening during secondary peristalsis and transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation (TLOSR) in an attempt to determine its contribution to the opening mechanism. Eight healthy subjects (four males, 26 +/- 1 years) had metal clips affixed at 0, +3, and +8 cm relative to the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ), defining two distal oesophageal segments. Axial clip movement was assessed with concurrent videofluoroscopy and manometry during primary peristalsis, secondary peristalsis and TLOSR.

Uptake pharmacokinetics of the Fentanyl Oralet in children scheduled for central venous access removal: implications for the timing of initiating painful procedures.

Background: The Fentanyl Oralet (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA) is an oral transmucosal drug delivery system. We previously examined pharmacokinetic parameters of children who had completed consumption of the Fentanyl Oralet. The present study was designed to clarify pharmacokinetic parameters during the consumption phase to determine if there is an optimal administration time before painful procedures.

Induction of a transient graft vs. leukemia effect following unrelated cord blood transplantation.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) has become a frequent source of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation. Of theoretical concern is a potential decrease in the graft vs. leukemia (GvL) effect, given the lesser degree of graft vs.

Ganglioside loss promotes survival primarily by activating integrin-linked kinase/Akt without phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase signaling.

Keratinocyte gangliosides influence cellular functions, including proliferation, adhesion, migration, and differentiation. The effects of endogenous depletion of membrane gangliosides by gene transfection of a human ganglioside-specific sialidase on cell survival were investigated. Ganglioside depletion promotes survival of the human keratinocyte-derived SCC12 cell line through upregulated phosphorylation of beta1 integrin, and increased phosphorylation and activity of integrin-linked kinase, protein kinase B/Akt, and Bad, with resultant inhibition of caspase-9 activation.

Induction of keratinocyte IL-8 expression and secretion by IgG autoantibodies as a novel mechanism of epidermal neutrophil recruitment in a pemphigus variant.

A subset of pemphigus herpetiformis, a rare pemphigus variant, is characterized histopathologically by subcorneal acantholysis and neutrophilic infiltration. The mechanism of neutrophil infiltration is unknown, but chemokines such as IL-8 may play a role. We investigated the possible role of IL-8 in two such cases.

IgY antiporcine endothelial cell antibodies effectively block human antiporcine xenoantibody binding.

Avian IgY antibodies are structurally different from mammalian IgGs and do not fix mammalian complement components or bind human Fc receptors. As these antibody-mediated interactions are believed to play significant roles in both hyperacute rejection (HAR) and acute vascular xenograft rejection (AVXR), IgY antibodies to xenoantigen target epitopes may inhibit these rejection processes. In this report, we show that chicken IgY antibodies to alpha-Gal antigen epitopes and to other porcine aortic endothelial cell (PAEC) antigens block human xenoreactive natural antibody binding to both porcine and rat cardiac tissues and porcine kidney tissues.

Quality of life in low-income patients with metastatic prostate cancer: divergent and convergent validity of three instruments.

Few studies have evaluated Quality Of Life (QOL) among low-income patients with cancer. Information is needed about the feasibility and psychometric characteristics of QOL instruments in these populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the convergent and discriminant relationships between scales of three QOL instruments: European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy--General (FACT), and Quality of Life Index (QLI).

Amiodarone therapy in chronic heart failure and myocardial infarction: a review of the mortality trials with special attention to STAT-CHF and the GESICA trials. Grupo de Estudio de la Sobrevida en la Insuficiencia Cardiaca en Argentina.

Amiodarone appears to reduce sudden death in patients with left ventricular dysfunction resulting from an acute MI or a primary dilated cardiomyopathy, particularly if complex ventricular arrhythmias are present. Amiodarone's beneficial effect on mortality in these patients could be unrelated to its antiarrhythmic effects. Multiple factors could account for the improvement in mortality such as the drug's antiischemic effects, neuromodulating effects, its effect on left ventricular function and on heart rate.

Phase I/II trial of combined 131I anti-CEA monoclonal antibody and hyperthermia in patients with advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Background: This pilot project was undertaken to evaluate the toxicity of and tumor response to combined 131I anti-carcinoembryonic antigen monoclonal antibody (131I anti-CEA RMoAb) and hyperthermia in patients with metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Nine patients who had colorectal carcinoma with liver metastases were enrolled in this study. Intact 131I anti-CEA RMoAb was used (the specific antibody was IMMU-4, provided by Immunomedics, Inc.

Combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C.

Purpose: To examine the safety and efficacy of primary combined phacoemulsification, posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, and trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C (0.4 mg/ml) in patients with open-angle glaucoma and visually significant cataract.

Setting: University-hospital-based glaucoma referral practice.

Ethanol ingestion inhibits cell-mediated immune responses of unprimed T-cell receptor transgenic mice.

This paper introduces a transgenic (Tg) mouse in which the majority of the CD4-bearing T cells have T-cell receptors that react with ovalbumin (OVA) as a model for ethanol research. Although these Tg animals were bred onto the BALB/c genetic background, a strain generally considered to be nonpreferring in ethanol consumption, we determined that BALB/c mice would consume an ethanol-containing liquid diet, without significant mortality, and assessed alteration of specific immune responses. BALB/c, C57BL/6 (B6), or (BALB/c x C57BL/6)F-1 hybrid (CB6F1) mice were fed LED containing 35, 30, 25, or 20% ethanol-derived calories.

Identification and assessment of the slowly growing child.

Reliable measurements taken by trained personnel using appropriate equipment are essential in assessment of the slowly growing child. Linear growth plotted on appropriate statistical charts and expected growth based on parental heights are indicators of inappropriately reduced linear growth. Children older than three years of age who grow less than 1.

Phase II study of all-trans-retinoic acid and alpha-interferon in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Between April 1993 and June 1994, 29 patients (pts) with unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer were treated with a combination of p.o. trans-retinoic acid (TRA), 150 mg/m2/day, in three divided doses and s.

A prospective, randomized evaluation of intrapartum amnioinfusion. Fetal acid-base status and cesarean delivery.

Pregnancies with decreased amniotic fluid volume are prediposed to umbilical cord compression and variable fetal heart rate declerations. Intrapartum amnioinfusion has been utilized in an effort to reduce cord compression. Previous studies suggested that amnioinfusion may improve the fetal metabolic state and reduce the incidence of cesarean delivery in selected patients.

Opportunities and pitfalls in international comparisons related to patterns, trends and determinants of CHD mortality.

The experience of recent decades demonstrates the varied and rich opportunities for research in international comparisons of patterns, trends and determinants of CHD mortality. Limitations and pitfalls there are too, of course, as with every scientific method, but these can be anticipated and taken into consideration in a reasonable fashion. Particularly when considered along with the totality of the data from epidemiology and the other investigative methodologies, these data from international comparisons are very valuable in throwing light on the aetiological factors influencing CHD mortality trends in different countries, and therefore in illuminating needs for preventive efforts, both national and international.