Search results for "RFA"
showing 10 items of 11106 documents
Efficacy and tolerability of multiple-dose SDZ IMM 125 in patients with severe psoriasis.
2006
Although cyclosporin is effective in immunosuppression following organ transplantation and in the treatment of psoriasis, its use is limited by its side-effects, notably impaired renal function and hypertension. As SDZ IMM 125, a new derivative of the cyclosporin family, showed considerable immunosuppressive activity in experimental studies, with less effect on renal function, it was considered a potential successor to cyclosporin for both indications. In this multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the efficacy and tolerability of 40, 100, 200 and 400 mg SDZ IMM 125 daily were studied in 59 patients with psoriasis. Patients were followed for a period of 5 weeks (4 weeks treatm…
Induction of the cytokine TWEAK and its receptor Fn14 in ischemic stroke.
2008
Stroke outcome is determined by delayed neuronal cell death and edema formation. TWEAK, a cytokine of the TNF superfamily, and its membrane receptor Fn14 promote ischemia-induced neuronal apoptosis and leakage of the blood-brain barrier. Both TWEAK and Fn14 are upregulated in experimental stroke models. In this study, we investigated whether TWEAK and Fn14 are upregulated in stroke patients. We measured serum concentrations of TWEAK in stroke patients and matched control subjects by ELISA. Expression of Fn14 in the brain was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. TWEAK serum concentrations were elevated in stroke patients. In autopsy samples, we found elevated mRNA levels o…
De novo 15q21.1q21.2 deletion identified through FBN1 MLPA and refined by 244K array-CGH in a female teenager with incomplete Marfan syndrome
2010
International audience; Interstitial deletions involving the 15q21.1 band are very rare. Only 4 of these cases have been studied using molecular cytogenetic techniques in order to confirm the deletion of the whole FBN1 gene. The presence of clinical features of the Marfan syndrome (MFS) spectrum associated with mental retardation has been described in only 2/4 patients. Here we report on a 16-year-old female referred for suspicion of MFS (positive thumb and wrist sign, scoliosis, joint hyperlaxity, high-arched palate with dental crowding, dysmorphism, mitral insufficiency with dystrophic valve, striae). She had therefore 3 minor criteria according to the Ghent nosology. She also had speech …
Natural history of chronic HBV carriers in northern Italy: morbidity and mortality after 30 years
2004
Background & aims: Increased morbidity and mortality from liver disease have been reported in chronic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, but data on survival are equivocal. To assess the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on survival and liver-related complications, we re-evaluated, after a mean follow-up of 30 years, a cohort of 296 blood donors excluded from donation 30 years ago when HBsAg screening became mandatory. Methods: Clinical and ultrasound examination and biochemical and virologic tests were performed. The cause of death was recorded and survival was compared with a control population of 157 HBV-negative blood donors selected at baseline. Results: Thirty-two…
Effect of self-etching primer/adhesive and conventional bonding on the shear bond strength in metallic and ceramic brackets
2011
Introduction: Bracket debonding from the tooth surface is a common problem in fixed orthodontics. The aims of the present study were to assess the bond strength and failure sites in two ways of bonding technique, with metallic and ceramic brackets. Material and Methods: One hundred premolars were assigned to 4 groups of 25 each: Group A, metallic brackets/ conventional procedure; Group B, metallic brackets/Transbond XT; Group C, ceramic brackets/conventional procedure; and Group D, ceramic brackets/Transbond XT. Transbond XT composite paste was used for bracket bonding and cured by conventional light-cure device. Specimens were subjected to thermocycling. One week after bonding shearing for…
Wilms' tumor in patients with 9q22.3 microdeletion syndrome suggests a role for PTCH1 in nephroblastomas
2012
Nephroblastoma (Wilms' tumor; WT) is the most common renal tumor of childhood. To date, several genetic abnormalities predisposing to WT have been identified in rare overgrowth syndromes. Among them, abnormal methylation of the 11p15 region, GPC3 and DIS3L2 mutations, which are responsible for Beckwith-Wiedemann, Simpson-Golabi-Behmel and Perlman syndromes, respectively. However, the underlying cause of WT remains unknown in the majority of cases. We report three unrelated patients who presented with WT in addition to a constitutional 9q22.3 microdeletion and dysmorphic/overgrowth syndrome. The size of the deletions was variable (ie, from 1.7 to 8.9 Mb) but invariably encompassed the PTCH1 …
Electromyographic evaluation of synergist muscles of the pelvic floor muscle depending on the pelvis setting in menopausal women: A prospective obser…
2019
Background: Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training is recommended to increase their strength and endurance. Muscles which act synergistically with PFM are taken into consideration in the therapeutic management of weakened PFM. Research question: how does electromyography activity of the synergists muscle to PFM change concerning pelvis position and does the greater bioelectric activity of synergist muscles affect PFM function? Methods: A prospective, observational study evaluating the surface electromyography (sEMG) activity of selected synergist muscles of the PFM depending on the orientation of the pelvis. One hundred thirty-one menopausal women registered for the study were screened for incl…
Sputum metalloproteinase-9/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 ratio correlates with airflow obstruction in asthma and chronic bronchitis
1998
Asthma and chronic bronchitis are inflammatory diseases with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and collagen deposition. Collagen homeostasis is controlled by metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). We evaluated MMP and TIMP balance in induced sputum of 10 control, 31 untreated asthmatic, and 16 chronic bronchitic subjects. We first performed zymographic analysis to identify the profile of MMPs. Zymography revealed a similar MMPs profile in all populations studied and that MMP-9 was the major enzyme released. We then measured, using enzyme immunoassay, the concentrations of MMP-9 and of its inhibitor TIMP-1 and evaluated whether airflow limitation m…
Regulation of immunomodulatory functions by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in vivo
1996
The present study was designed to investigate in vivo immunomodulatory properties of hematopoietic growth factors. The influence on the activation of cytokine synthesis and on the expression of surface antigens associated with cellular activation of G-CSF or GM-CSF was investigated in cancer patients receiving these factors. One single dose of growth factor was administered to patients with bladder cancer (G-CSF group) or small cell lung cancer (GM-CSF group) before chemotherapy. After cytoreductive chemotherapy patients received supportive therapy with G-CSF or GM-CSF. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma samples were obtained for flow cytometry, Northern blot analysis, and assess…
Double Negative (CD19+IgG+IgD-CD27-) B Lymphocytes: A New Insight from Telomerase in Healthy Elderly, in Centenarian Offspring, and in Alzheimer’s Di…
2014
Background: We have previously reported the increase of IgD-CD27- (Double Negative, DN) B cell population in the aged. These memory B cells have short telomeres and poor abilities to proliferate in vitro. Here, we investigated whether the low ability of DN B cells to proliferate depends on the expression levels of the CD307d and CD22 inhibitory receptors or whether DN B cells can proliferate and reactivate telomerase by the engagement of both innate and adaptive immune receptors. Methods: Phenotypic analyses were made by using flow cytometry. Quantitative analysis of telomerase activity was made by using a TRAP and a photometric enzyme immunoassay in young, healthy elderly, centenarian offs…