Alpha chemokines in Crohn's disease.

Many studies have shown that chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor (CXCR)3 and its ligand chemokines, as monokine induced by interferon (IFN)-γ (MIG), interferon-γ inducible protein (IP-10) and IFN-inducible T cell-α chemoattractant (I-TAC), are strongly overexpressed both in the intestinal mucosa of mice with experimental colitis, and in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) in lymphocytes, in macrophages and in epithelial cells. IFN-γ induces CXCR3 and its chemokines expression in epithelial intestinal cells; these chemokines are important for the recruitment of granulocytes and mononuclear cells, thus for the maintenance of inflammation in CD. Serum IP-10 levels might reflect CD disease activity, and it may be a marker for the responsiveness of patients to treatments. However other studies are needed to document the use of IP-10 in clinical setting. Attempts are currently underway to inhibit CXCR3 or its chemokines in CD as a possible therapy of CD.

Interferon γ -induced chemokines in psoriatic arthritis.

Interferon γ-inducible protein (IP-10) chemokine is implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). It was shown that chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor (CXCR) 3 and CXCR4 were expressed by both blood-derived plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and pDCs isolated from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and PsA synovial fluid (SF) and that IP-10, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)-11, and CXCL-12 present in RA and PA SF stimulated chemotaxis of blood-derived pDCs. High circulating levels of IP-10 and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL) 2 have been found in PsA patients, with a T helper cells (Th) 1 immune predominance in the early phase of the disease. Moreover a decline of IP-10 levels has been observed in long lasting PsA, with a significant increase of the CCL2/IP-10 ratio, suggesting a shift from Th1 to Th2 immune response in long duration PsA. IP-10 levels in PsA patients are significantly higher in presence of autoimmune thyroiditis. IP-10 has been suggested to be a good marker to monitor the activity or progression of PsA. Attempts have been made to modulate or inhibit the production of IP-10 in PsA in order to modify the course of the disease.

Immunohistologic assessment of technetium-99m-MIBI uptake in benign and malignant breast lesions.

UNLABELLED: This study was undertaken to assess the relationship between the degree of 99mTc-MIBI uptake in breast lesions and the following histologic factors: neovascularity, desmoplastic reaction, cellular proliferation and mitochondrial density. METHODS: Forty-two patients who previously underwent MIBI breast imaging (4 false-negative, 12 false-positive, 15 true-negative, 11 true-positive) were studied. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for neovascularity (Factor VIII antigen), desmoplasia (alpha-actin antigen), mitochondrial density (mitochondrial antigen) and cellular proliferation (MIB-1 antigen). The degree of microscopic staining was correlated with region of interest measurements of MIBI uptake on scintigraphy. RESULTS: There was a poor correlation between MIBI uptake and the degrees of neovascularity (r = 0.08, p > 0.05) and intracellular mitochondrial density (r = 0.04, p > 0.05) while there was a moderate correlation with cellular proliferation (r = 0.4, p < 0.05) and desmoplasia (r = 0.55, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The degree of MIBI uptake in breast lesions is multifactorial, but it appears to be related more to the degree of desmoplastic activity and cellular proliferation than neovascularity and mitochondrial density.

Anomalous inferior and superior venae cavae with oculoauriculovertebral defect: review of Goldenhar complex and malformations of left-right asymmetry.

We observed a girl with an interrupted, left inferior vena cava with hemiazygous continuation, bilateral superior venae cavae, heart defects, and sacral agenesis. She had macrostomia and bilateral ear tags and pits, as in oculoauriculovertebral defect. Maternal diabetes was present. The combination, which we call OAV-heterotaxia complex, supports the view that some cases of oculoauriculovertebral defect may be part of a midline field defect of blastogenesis.

Dyspnea during hospitalizations for acute phase of illness as recalled by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

With use of a qualitative research approach, a study was conducted to explore the phenomenon of dyspnea from the point of view of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. During a nonacute phase of their illness, 96 adults with chronic bronchitis or emphysema were asked in semistructured interviews to recall their feelings associated with sensations of shortness of breath during hospitalizations for the acute phase. Through content analysis, accounts of different subjects were compared, and several themes were isolated that dominated the dyspneic experience. The themes were fear, helplessness, loss of vitality, preoccupation, and legitimacy. Each theme was expanded by integrating accounts of dyspnea previously reported in the literature with the field study data. Substantiated descriptions of the five themes are presented to sensitize nurses to patients' perceptions of dyspnea and nursing behaviors during hospitalization for the acute phase of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Actual and recalled test anxiety and flexibility, rigidity, and self-control.

Recalled and actual test anxiety were compared, and the interrelationship of anxiety and certain personality variables was examined. Sex differences in the variables and in the correlations among variables were studied. The A-State scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was administered to a sample of college students (N = 71) under different conditions and instructions. Scales that measure trait anxiety, dependency, flexibility, and self-control also were administered. Recalled test anxiety was significantly higher than actual TA. No significant sex differences were found in the means or correlations of the variables. A strong, positive relationship between A-Trait and dependency was found.

Actual and intended health-related information seeking and health locus of control.

Individuals with an internal health locus of control orientation and high health value have been found to express an intent to obtain a greater mean number of health pamphlets than people with an external orientation and/or low health value. After measures of behavioral intent were obtained, college students were afforded the opportunity to actually receive health-related written information. The previously stated finding was replicated for intended but not for actual health-related information seeking. The weak relationship found between actual and intended information seeking calls into question studies using intent measures as if they were almost identical to actual behavior.