Inhaled mannitol for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: a randomised, controlled trial.

Rationale: Bronchiectasis is characterised by excessive production of mucus and pulmonary exacerbations. Inhaled osmotic agents may enhance mucociliary clearance, but few long-term clinical trials have been conducted.

Objectives: To determine the impact of inhaled mannitol on exacerbation rates in patients with non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis.

Captopril and lisinopril suppress production of interleukin-12 by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have immunomodulatory functions and can suppress a number of proinflammatory, monocyte/macrophage-derived cytokines. Interleukin-12 is a cytokine produced primarily by monocytes and macrophages, which plays an essential role in cell mediated immunity and stimulates the development of T helper type 1 immune responses. In this study, we investigated the ability of ACE inhibitors, captopril and lisinopril, to suppress IL-12 production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

Menière's disease: differential diagnosis and treatment.

Menière's disease may be the underlying cause of dizziness, which is a common presenting complaint. This disease is differentiated from other causes of dizziness by its classic constellation of four symptoms; dizziness characterized as episodic spinning or whirling vertigo; fluctuating, low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss; tinnitus, and a sensation of fullness in the ear. Because these symptoms may or may not develop or occur simultaneously, a careful history and a complete physical examination are necessary for diagnosis.

Efficacy of frozen-section evaluation of uterine curettings in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.

Objective: This study was undertaken to examine the accuracy of frozen section for the identification of products of conception on curettage of patients undergoing surgery for suspected ectopic pregnancy.

Study Design: A retrospective analysis of 87 consecutive cases in which frozen-section assessment of an endometrial curettage specimen to identify products of conception was undertaken. A frozen-section diagnosis was considered correct if the final diagnosis concurred with the findings at frozen section.

Enhanced secretion of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1 beta by isolated lamina propria mononuclear cells from patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

The perpetuation of inflammation in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease may be regulated in part by an increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines due to either an appropriate response to initial stimulating agents, and/or due to an impaired down-regulation of cytokine secretion. The aim of this study was to determine the secretion patterns of the proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6 and IL-1 beta, from isolated lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMNC) isolated from colonic biopsies from patients with untreated ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. LPMNC isolated from involved inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mucosa spontaneously produced increased amounts of TNF-alpha, and IL-6, and IL-1 beta.