Search results for "ASIS"
showing 10 items of 4190 documents
Evaluation of serum levels of soluble CD4, CD8 and β2-microglobulin in visceral human leishmaniasis
1994
SUMMARY The levels of soluble CD4 (sCD4), sCD8 and β2-microglobulin (β2-M) were measured in sera from patients with visceral leishmaniasis during the course of infection. Levels of sCD4. sCD8 and β2-M were raised significantly above levels In normal sera and returned to the normal range after recovery. The decrease in the levels of CDS was related to a reduction of anaemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. In contrast, sCD4 levels fluctuated during the period of infection. β2-M returned within normal range more rapidly than sCD8 secretion. Our results suggest that T cells are activated during infection, and that it is also possible that the raised levels of these soluble molecules play a ro…
Focal lesions in cirrhotic liver: what else beyond hepatocellular carcinoma?
2014
Detection and characterization of focal lesions in the cirrhotic liver may pose a diagnostic dilemma. Several benign and malignant lesions may be found in a cirrhotic liver along with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and may exhibit typical or atypical imaging features. In this pictorial essay, we illustrate computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of lesions such as simple bile duct cysts, hemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia-like nodules, peribiliary cysts, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, lymphoma, and metastases, all of which occur in cirrhotic livers with varying prevalences. Pseudolesions, such as perfusion anomalies, focal confluent fibrosis, and segmental hyperpla…
Correlation of nitric oxide and atrial natriuretic peptide changes with altered cGMP homeostasis in liver cirrhosis.
2005
: Background: Cyclic GMP (cGMP) concentration is increased in plasma of patients with liver cirrhosis. Three possible mechanisms may contribute: increased cGMP synthesis by soluble (activated by nitric oxide), or particulate (activated by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)) guanylate cyclase or increased release from cells. Aim: The aim of this work was to analyze the possible contributors to increased plasma cGMP and to assess whether changes in the parameters of the system vary with the degree of liver disease (Child Pugh score) or by the presence of ascites. Methods: We measured cGMP in plasma and lymphocytes, soluble guanylate cyclase activation by nitric oxide in lymphocytes, nitrates an…
What proportion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease outpatients is eligible for inclusion in randomized clinical trials?
2013
<b><i>Background and Objective:</i></b> We aimed to explore to what extent an unselected population of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outpatients would be eligible for inclusion in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Retrospective analysis of the clinical records of outpatient subjects with an ascertained diagnosis of COPD. COPD outpatients were assessed against the following inclusion criteria: 40 < age < 80 years, current or former smokers, forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV<sub>1</sub>) <70% predicted, no long-term oxygen therapy, no other concomitant lung diseases and …
Imaging of the lungs using 3he MRI: Preliminary clinical experience in 18 patients with and without lung disease
1997
The purpose of this study was to describe the 3He MRI findings of normal pulmonary ventilation in healthy volunteers and to evaluate abnormalities in patients with different lung diseases. Hyperpolarized 3He gas (300 ml, 3 x 10(5) Pa, polarized to 35-45% by optical pumping, provided in special glass cells) was inhaled by 8 healthy volunteers and 10 patients with different lung diseases. Imaging was performed with a three-dimensional fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequence (TR = 11.8 msec; TE = 5 msec; transmitter amplitude, 5-8 V; corresponding flip angle, < 5 degrees) in a single breath-hold (22-42 seconds). Clinical and radiological examinations were available for correlation. The studies we…
Gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel until progression or alternating with FOLFIRI.3, as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic pancreatic aden…
2020
Abstract Background Chemotherapy is effective in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPA), but new approaches are still needed to improve patients' survival and quality of life. We have previously published good efficacy and tolerability results on a sequential treatment strategy of gemcitabine followed by an intensified FOLFIRI (5FU+irinotecan) regimen. In the present study, we evaluated the same sequence but replaced gemcitabine by the new gemcitabine + nab-paclitaxel standard first-line combination. Patients and methods We randomised chemotherapy-naive patients with proven mPA, bilirubin levels ≤1.5 upper limit of normal values and performance status 0–2 to alternately receive gemcitab…
Extracellular Vesicles from Healthy Cells Improves Cell Function and Stemness in Premature Senescent Stem Cells by miR-302b and HIF-1α Activation.
2020
Aging is accompanied by the accumulation of senescent cells that alter intercellular communication, thereby impairing tissue homeostasis and reducing organ regenerative potential. Recently, the administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles has proven to be more effective and less challenging than current stem cell-based therapies. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) contain a cell-specific cargo of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids that are released and taken up by probably all cell types, thereby inducing functional changes via the horizontal transfer of their cargo. Here, we describe the beneficial properties of extracellular vesicles derived from non-senescent M…
A Novel MicroRNA Signature for Cholestatic Drugs in Human Hepatocytes and Its Translation into Novel Circulating Biomarkers for Drug-Induced Liver In…
2019
AbstractDrug-induced liver injury (DILI) diagnosis and classification (hepatocellular, cholestatic, and mixed) relies on traditional clinical biomarkers (eg ALT and ALP), despite limitations such as extrahepatic interferences, narrow dynamic ranges, and low mechanistic value. microRNAs may be very useful for complementing traditional DILI biomarkers but most studies in this direction have considered only paracetamol poisoning. Thus the value of microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for idiosyncratic DILI has not yet been demonstrated. In this study, we first examined the effect of model cholestatic drugs on the human hepatocyte miRNome by RNAseq and RT-qPCR. Results demonstrated that chlorpromaz…
Cholelithiasis in Patients with Gaucher Disease type 1: Risk Factors and the Role of ABCG5/ABCG8 Gene Variants
2016
Background & Aim: Patients with Gaucher disease type 1 (GD1) show an altered lipid profile and a certain degree of insulin resistance, which might contribute to cholelithiasis (CL) and could possibly be associated with ABCG5/ABCG8 gene variants. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of CL in Caucasian adult patients with GD1 and the possible risk factors, including gene variants of the ABCG5/ABCG8 genes.
 Methods: 61 Caucasian patients with GD1 (38 female/23male), aged 18-62 years and 61 healthy subjects matched for age, gender and BMI, without CL, for comparison of lipid profiles. Data before start of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) were recorded: clinical, haematological, sever…
A prospective evaluation of the activity of human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on the prevention of chemotherapy-related neutropenia in pati…
1993
After informed consent, 86 patients with advanced cancer undergoing potentially myelosuppressive cytotoxic chemotherapy were randomized to receive placebo or subcutaneous granulocyte - colony stimulating factor (G- CSF) 5 μg/Kg/day in order to prevent severe neutropenia and its related morbidity. The incidence of neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count <1, 000/mm3) was significantly reduced in patients receiving G-CSF than in controls (18% versus 42%; P <0.05). The duration of neutropenia was also shortened by the administration of G-CSF (4.8 versus 8.2 days; P <0.05). Therapy with G-CSF has also a positive impact on the dose-intensity of employed regimens. Patients treated with G-CSF showed…