ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Augmentation in the expression of E-selectin on activated vascular endothelial cells regulates leukocyte migration into the tissue. These molecules are also shed into the circulation as a soluble form. The level of soluble forms in the serum has been known to be correlated with those expressed on the endothelial cells, thus it can be used as a marker of inflammation in that tissue. The purpose of this study is to compare the serum levels of soluble E-selectin(sE-selectin) in patients with atopic dermatitis(AD), atopic asthmatics, and healthy non-atopics, and to determine whether sE-selectin levels are correlated with disease activity in patients with atopic dermatitis. METHODS: We examined serum sE-selectin levels, serum total IgE levels, and total eosinophil counts from 18 children with AD, 15 atopic asthmatics and 15 healthy non-atopics. The severity of AD was assessed by clinical scoring(SCORAD index). We compared the sE-selectin levels among the three groups and investigated the correlations with SCORAD index. RESULTS: The children with AD had significantly higher levels of sE-selectin than those of atopic asthmatics(P<0.05) and of healthy non-atopics(P<0.05). There was no difference in the serum sE-selectin levels between the groups of atopic asthmatics and healthy non- atopics. Serum sE-selectin levels were correlated with SCORAD index in patients with AD, (P<0.05) but not significantly correlated with serum total IgE levels and total eosinophil counts. There were no significant correlations among SCORAD index, serum total IgE levels, and total eosinophil counts. CONCLUSION: The serum sE-selectin level is elevated only in patients with AD, not in atopic asthmatics. Therefore, sE-selectin could be considered as a useful marker of the disease activity in AD.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Biomarkers , Dermatitis, Atopic , E-Selectin , Endothelial Cells , Eosinophils , Immunoglobulin E , Inflammation , LeukocytesABSTRACT
Gitelman's syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalciuria that has recently been reported to be linked to thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter gene mutation. In this study, we performed renal clearance studies to differentiate Gitelman's from Bartter's syndrome and to confirm the diagnosis in two patients clinically diagnosed with Gitelman's syndrome. Each patient was hydrated by 20 mL/kg body weight of oral water within 30 minutes, which was followed by intravenous half saline. When urinary flow reached 10 mL/min, samples of urine and serum were obtained to calculate the osmolar clearance, free water clearance, chloride clearance, and distal fractional chloride reabsorption. Subsequently, furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide was administered. Samples were collected and the same parameters were calculated. In our patients, chloride clearance was increased more than 10 times after furosemide administration(2.1:25.7 and 2.2:27.4 mL/min/100 mL GFR), but not increased after hydrochlorothiazide treatment(2.1:1.6 and 2.2:2.6 mL/min/100 mL GFR). And the distal fractional chloride reabsorption was significantly decreased by furosemide injection (73%:15% and 75%:4.6%), whereas hydrochlorothiazide had no effect on it(73%:63% and 75%:78%). These findings indicate that our patients have a defect in thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter in the distal tubule, which is compatible with the pathophysiology of Gitelman's syndrome.
Subject(s)
Humans , Alkalosis , Bartter Syndrome , Body Weight , Diagnosis , Furosemide , Gitelman Syndrome , Hydrochlorothiazide , Solute Carrier Family 12, Member 3 , WaterABSTRACT
No abstract available.
Subject(s)
Cerebrospinal Fluid , Immunoglobulin G , Meningitis, AsepticABSTRACT
Leukemic reticuloendotheliosis (L.R.E.) was first described as a clinical and pathological entity by Ewald in 1923. LRE is a rare neoplastic disease of the hematopoietic system that is characterized cliniclly by chronic course with an insidious onset. marked splenomegaly with absence of substantial lymphadenopathy and predominant in male and characterized histologically by the presence of circulating abnormal mononuclear cells with many cytoplasmic projections, which have been refered to ??airy cells frequently. Splenectomy appeared to be the most beneficial treatment at present for those patients with massive splenomegaly and hypersplenism and chemotherapy is of little benefit in the treatment in LRE. Recently, the authors had the opportunity to observe a two year and eight old male child at this hospital whose clinical course and pathologid features were consistent with LRE. Splenectomy is performed and discharged with relatively good conditions.