Prevalence of subclinical systolic dysfunction in Takayasu's arteritis and its association with disease activity: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a vasculitis that affects the aorta and its branches and causes stenosis, occlusion, and aneurysms. Up to 60% of TA patients are associated with cardiac involvement which confers a poor prognosis. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) analysis is an echocardiographic technique that can detect the presence of subclinical systolic dysfunction.

Monocyte subpopulations study in patients with plaque psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic and systemic, immune-mediated, inflammatory disease, mainly manifested by skin and / or joints lesions, presenting with a wide degree of clinical severity, but generally with great impact on patients' quality of life. Despite advances in the understanding of its pathogenesis, especially regarding the participation of T-lymphocytes and the key role of TNF, the triggering factor of the disease at the molecular level remains unknown, as well as the function of other cell populations. By presenting antigens to T-lymphocytes, monocytes assume an important role in both innate and adaptive immune response.

Identification of novel recombinants of hepatitis B virus genotypes F and G in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients from Argentina and Brazil.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype G (HBV/G) infection is almost always detected along with a co-infecting HBV strain that can supply HBeAg, typically HBV/A2. In this study we describe, in two human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients from Argentina and Brazil, the first report of HBV/G infection in Argentina and co-circulation of HBV/G, HBV/F and G/F recombinants in the American continent. HBV isolates carrying the 36 bp insertion of HBV/G were the most prevalent in both patients, with >99 % of colonies hybridizing to a probe specific for this insertion.

Thalidomide induces mucosal healing in Crohn's disease: case report.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that is defined by relapsing and remitting episodes. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) appears to play a central role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Standard therapies for inflammatory bowel disease fail to induce remission in about 30% of patients.

The TNF-α -308 polymorphism may affect the severity of Crohn's disease.

Objective: The goal of this project was to analyze the association between Crohn's disease, its clinical features, and the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) -308 polymorphism.

Methods: This is a case-control and cross-sectional study that enrolled 91 patients with Crohn's disease and 91 controls. Patients with Crohn's disease were characterized according to the Montreal Classification, along with their clinical and surgical treatment history.

AIDS related malignancies in Brazil.

Purpose Of Review: There have been relatively few studies of HIV-related malignancies in Brazil. Universal access to antiretroviral drugs in Brazil has changed both the mortality and morbidity rates of AIDS. Nevertheless, there is also extreme poverty in both urban and rural areas and complications of prolonged immune suppression such as mycobacterial and malignant diseases have put a significant strain on the country's healthcare system.