A prospective case control study of the association of Gianotti-Crosti syndrome with human herpesvirus 6 and human herpesvirus 7 infections.

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome (GCS) is known to be associated with hepatitis B and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections. Apart from a single case report based on serology alone, there are no published data on an association between GCS and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) primary infections or reactivations. Our aim was to investigate the association between GCS and HHV-6 and HHV-7 infections.

Pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease--recent advances.

The article summarizes the proceedings of a symposium on recent advances in research on the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease at the 2001 RSA meeting in Montreal, Canada. The chairs were Amin A. Nanji and Samuel W.

Evaluation of the Directigen FluA+B test for rapid diagnosis of influenza virus type A and B infections.

Directigen FluA+B (BD Diagnostic Systems, Sparks, Md.), a new rapid test for the detection of influenza virus types A and B, was evaluated with nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens collected from 250 patients in comparison with culture and direct fluorescent antigen (DFA) detection tests. The patients studied were predominantly children, 80% being View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor expression in male and female ethanol-fed rats.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factory (MIF) regulates macrophage accumulation at sites of injury and can promote the inflammatory response. We studied MIF expression in the intragastric feeding rat model for alcoholic liver injury. Male and age-matched female rats were fed ethanol or dextrose with fish oil.

Arginine reverses ethanol-induced inflammatory and fibrotic changes in liver despite continued ethanol administration.

We investigated the potential of arginine to reverse pathological changes in alcohol-induced liver injury. Four groups (six rats/group) of male Wistar rats were fed a fish oil-ethanol diet for 6 (group 2) or 8 (group 1) weeks. Rats in group 3 were fed fish oil-ethanol for 6 weeks, after which they were administered arginine with fish oil-ethanol for an additional 2 weeks.

Increased severity of alcoholic liver injury in female rats: role of oxidative stress, endotoxin, and chemokines.

Alcoholic liver injury is more severe and rapidly developing in women than men. To evaluate the reason(s) for these gender-related differences, we determined whether pathogenic mechanisms important in alcoholic liver injury in male rats were further upregulated in female rats. Male and age-matched female rats (7/group) were fed ethanol and a diet containing fish oil for 4 wk by intragastric infusion.

Should we screen for globin gene mutations in blood samples with mean corpuscular volume (MCV) greater than 80 fL in areas with a high prevalence of thalassaemia?

Aims: To investigate whether it is worthwhile, in areas where thalassaemia is common, to screen for globin gene mutations in subjects with a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) above 80 fL, especially in partners of known thalassaemia carriers.

Methods: Blood samples from 95 subjects with MCV between 80 and 85 fL were screened for the presence of alpha globin gene mutations and the haemoglobin (Hb) E mutation.

Results: Thirty four subjects harboured globin gene mutations.

Efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil in patients with diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis. Hong Kong-Guangzhou Nephrology Study Group.

Background: The combination of cyclophosphamide and prednisolone is effective for the treatment of severe lupus nephritis but has serious adverse effects. Whether mycophenolate mofetil can be substituted for cyclophosphamide is not known.

Methods: In 42 patients with diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis we compared the efficacy and side effects of a regimen of prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil given for 12 months with those of a regimen of prednisolone and cyclophosphamide given for 6 months, followed by prednisolone and azathioprine for 6 months.

Ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of childhood intussusception: technique and demonstration.

The authors review the technique of ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of childhood intussusception and illustrate, in real-time fashion, the treatment of three cases with this technique. Two cases of successful reduction of ileocolic intussusception are demonstrated. The third case is an example of the complex fronded appearance of ileo-ileocolic intussusception and failed reduction.

Genetic and clinical features of hemoglobin H disease in Chinese patients.

Background: Normally, one pair of each of the two alpha-globin genes, alpha1 and alpha2, resides on each copy of chromosome 16. In hemoglobin H disease, three of these four alpha-globin genes are affected by a deletion, a mutation, or both. We studied the alpha1-globin gene abnormalities and the clinical and hematologic features of Chinese patients with hemoglobin H disease in Hong Kong.

Prevalence and genotypes of alpha- and beta-thalassemia carriers in Hong Kong -- implications for population screening.

Background: The thalassemias are common in southern China. We determined the prevalence of heterozygous carriers of these genetic disorders in Hong Kong and assessed the feasibility of a community-based screening program.

Methods: An educational and screening program for the thalassemias was carried out in three high schools with a total of 2420 students.

Serous otitis media. An opportunity for early recognition of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

In a prospective study of 271 new patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, 36 (13.3%) were found to have cranial nerve involvement. Serous otitis media (SOM) was found in 98 (41.