Persistent Opacification of the Woven EndoBridge Device: A Conebeam CT Analysis of the Bicêtre Occlusion Scale Score 1 Phenomenon.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Some Woven EndoBridge devices present a persistent intradevice opacification at imaging follow-up, described as the Bicêtre Occlusion Scale Score 1 (BOSS 1) phenomenon. The clinical implications remain unknown. We aimed here to analyze the factors influencing this occurrence and to precisely describe the evolution of BOSS 1 with time using conebeam CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a prospectively maintained Woven EndoBridge database at our tertiary center and included all patients with isolated BOSS 1 and BOSS 1 associated with small neck remnant (BOSS 1 + 2). RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-seven aneurysms were treated with a Woven EndoBridge device between July 2012 and December 2021. Follow-up with DSA was available for 220 aneurysms (median, 5 months), among which BOSS 1 and 1 + 2 were found in 9.1% (20/220) (95% CI, 5.5%-12.7%). A second DSA follow-up (median, 17 months) was performed in 15 of these 20 aneurysms, which revealed that 40% had evolved to complete Woven EndoBridge occlusion, 33% showed a decreased persistent opacification, and 27% remained stable. BOSS 1 was significantly associated with postoperative antiplatelet medication, a lower aneurysm aspect ratio, and the use of the Woven EndoBridge 17 (P < .05). The average Woven EndoBridge shape modification was less pronounced in the BOSS 1 population (P < .02). None of the BOSS 1 or 1 + 2 aneurysms required retreatment or were associated with hemorrhage occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated persistent flow inside the Woven EndoBridge device at follow-up is rare and notably associated with antiplatelet prescription. It seems to present a benign course in most cases.

Root Resorption Diagnostic: Role of Digital Panoramic Radiography.

INTRODUCTION: Root resorption is a pathological process characterized by loss of dental root substance, caused by bacterial infections, traumatic injuries or chemical irritation. Root resorption might be accidentally observed on digital panoramic radiography. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to identify characteristic radiological aspects for the different types of root resorption that could be observed on digital panoramic radiography, to make an easier diagnostic of root resorption. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The retrospective study used the X-ray base from the Oral Rehabilitation and Dental Prosthetics Clinic of UMF Craiova to identify the most representative images for different types of root resorption. Digital panoramic radiographies were analysed by two investigators, of which the most suggestive images were selected and described. RESULTS: Digital panoramic radiographies and dental charts of 240 patients were analyzed. 113 cases of root resorption were identified. External inflammatory root resorption (EIRR) was present in 27.07% of studied cases, external cervical root resorption (ECRR) was identified in 10.83% of all studied cases, external replacement root resorption (ERRR) was diagnosed in 7.08% of studied cases and internal root resorption (IRR) was the most rare type of root resorption, with only 2.08% from all studied cases. 16 cases were selected to describe the radiologic features of different types of root resorption, featuring the most interesting images of root resorption evident on digital panoramic radiographies. DISCUSSION: Comparative analyses have been made between our results and the results of other specific studies, with both similar and different values. The radiological features which lead to the diagnostic of each type of RR were highlighted, assessing the causes that caused the lesions, as well as the treatment recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Digital panoramic radiography is a useful tool to identify root resorption, since it has become the most common radiological investigation for diagnostic in dentistry. Description of radiological aspects of different types of root resorption on panoramic digital radiography allows faster diagnosis. Still, the CBCT may be recommended in some cases to confirm the diagnosis.

Statistical Aspects of Partial Edentulism in a Sample of Adults in Craiova, Romania.

The purpose of the study was to analyze the prevalence of different forms of partial edentulism and the description of the various parameters associated with this disease. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted on a total of 204 subjects who presented themselves at the Clinic of Dental Prosthetics and Oral Rehabilitation Clinic of the Faculty of Dentistry Craiova between October 2015 and June 2016. Results. Of the 204 subjects diagnosed with partial edentulism, 51.47% belonged to the age group of 20-29 years, 52.46% were female and 82.84% came from the urban environment. The most frequent cause of the edentulism was dental caries and their complications. The present study has shown that the partial edentulism forms encountered, especially those of the Kennedy III class, had an increased frequency among the young population, especially in the maxillary arch.

Epidemiological Aspects in Lip Tumors in Oltenia Region of Romania During 2012-2016.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to review lip tumor diagnosed subjects from Oltenia region, in the past 5 years according to gender, age, home environment, profession, geographic area, smoking habit, associated diseases, tumor location, macroscopic aspect and histological type. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was done at the Oral and Maxillo-Facial Clinic of the Emergency Clinical County Hospital of Craiova, and involved the analysis of patient file records, surgical registers, histopathological bulletins, from 2012-2016. RESULTS: Of the 175 subjects included in this study, all of them diagnosed with lip tumor pathology, 109 (62.29%) were men, and 66 (37.71%) were women, all of them with ages between 6 and 92 years, with a mean age of 61 years. Distribution of study participants according to the home residence showed that majority of the subjects lived in rural area. The most frequently localization of lip tumors in study participants was at the lower lip-140 cases (80%), than at the upper lip-35 cases (20%).According to histological characteristics, distribution of the malignant lip tumors was 87.39%-squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 5.41%-basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 7.20%-other type of tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The lower lip was the most affected, by lip cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma represents the most frequently histological type of these tumors.

NON-INVASIVE ASSESSMENT OF LIVER STEATOSIS AND FIBROSIS USING TRANSIENT ELASTOGRAPHY AND CONTROLLED ATTENUATION PARAMETER IN TYPE 2 DIABETES PATIENTS.

CONTEXT: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is common in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, being difficult to diagnose. OBJECTIVE: To find a correlation between elastographic parameters and lab results, for facilitating the diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. DESIGN: This is a cross sectional study, conducted at the Departments of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, and Gastroenterology and Hepatology, of the Clinical Emergency Hospital "Pius Brinzeu" Timisoara. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We included 190 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, collected data regarding medical history, clinical and biological features and applied the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. We excluded patients with other causes of liver disease. Liver steatosis and fibrosis were evaluated through transient elastography, yielding two parameters: liver stiffness as an indicator of liver fibrosis stage, expressed in kPa, and liver steatosis stage, assessed by controlled attenuation parameter, expressed in dB/m. Data were analyzed using SPSS 15. RESULTS: The analyzed group comprised 113 patients. Elastographic measurements showed that 93.8% of the patients had steatosis (controlled attenuation parameter ≥232.5 dB/m) and 70.8% severe steatosis (controlled attenuation parameter ≥290 dB/m). Severe steatosis was more common in women (75.7%) than in men (68.1%) (p<0.0001). From the patients with steatosis, 47.2% had liver stiffness values suggestive for fibrosis and 19.8% for cirrhosis. Most patients with steatosis and severe fibrosis were obese (66.7%). Triglycerides/HDLc ratio >4 correlated with hepatic steatosis (p=0.04), being more common in patients with severe fibrosis/cirrhosis (58.3%) than in those with absent or mild fibrosis (36.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found a clear correlation between type 2 diabetes mellitus and the presence of liver steatosis. It correlates with body mass index, waist circumference (in men) and triglycerides/HDLc ratio. Controlled attenuation parameter is a useful noninvasive method for detection and quantification of liver steatosis.

Reverse sural flap for ankle and heel soft tissues reconstruction.

Introduction: The potential of the medial calf integument, as donor site for a free flap based on musculocutaneous branches of the medial sural artery, was first identified by Taylor and Daniel, following cadaver investigation. In 1981, Pontén described the fasciocutaneous sural flap as a reconstructive option for soft tissue loss of the lower extremity, particularly around the knee. Two years later, Donski and Fogdestram presented the distally based fasciocutaneous flap from the sural region followed by Montegut and Allen who considered the sural artery perforator flap as a viable alternative for the gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap. The sural flap proved a considerable versatility at the level of the lower leg (from the knee to the ankle and heel) as well as for other anatomical regions. The most common usage of the flap is for the distal-third defects of the leg. Materials and method: A group of 10 patients with soft tissue losses at the ankle or heal due to a various etiopathogeny represented by cancer excision, trauma, unstable scars, chronic osteomyelitis, in which a microsurgical free transfer had no indication or was not wanted, was presented. Our group reported a 30% complication rate in a high-risk patient population, including patients with diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, and venous insufficiency. Results: All the defects were covered successfully, without major complications. Usually, only a minor margin of the tip of the flap was lost, which was easily solved with a guided secondary healing. Most flaps showed a slight venous congestion, which cleared in a few days. The functional result was very good in all the patients, while the aesthetic appearance was acceptable even in female patients. Discussion: An ideal indication of a reverse sural flap may be a defect over an intact but partially exposed Achilles tendon. Conclusions: The sural reverse flap is useful in the ankle and foot soft tissues reconstruction whenever we have reasons not to use a microsurgical free transfer. Venous congestion with consecutive partial or complete flap loss is a common complication, so this would not be recommended in patients with obvious acute or chronic venous stasis. The reverse sural island flap should no longer be regarded as a flap of secondary choice to free tissue transfer, but as an equally valuable alternative for small and midsized defects around the ankle and heel.

Etiological Aspects of Noncarious Dental Lesions.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to correlate etiological factors with noncarious cervical lesions in a group of patients from Craiova. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted between November 2015 and May 2016 on 50 patients, aged 18-56 years, who addressed to the Oral Rehabilitation Clinic, from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova. Patients were divided into two groups: the study group consists of patients who had noncarious cervical dental lesions (NCCLs) and the control group with patients who did not have noncarious cervical lesions. Each patient underwent a clinical examination and completed a questionnaire, referring to eating habits, oral hygiene, vicious habits and personal impressions about the appearance and functionality of his teeth, highlighting the factors involved in the noncarious dental lesions etiology. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 64% women and 36% men. Noncarious cervical lesions were higher in men (72.22%) compared to women (56.25%). Regarding on the tooth brushing method, it has been noted that 34% of patients used a vertical tooth brushing method, 52% were using a circular brushing method, while 14% were practicing a horizontal tooth brushing method. Cervical sensitivity has been detected in 48% of the patients, against 52% who showed no sensitivity. 62% of the participants did not have bruxism, while nighttime/daytime bruxism was found in 38% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: There are several etiological factors correlated with noncarious cervical lesions, among which are: tooth brushing method, bruxism, eating behaviors.

Osteosynthesis using plates and screws after removing a limited area of the periosteum in order to reduce misclassified during radiological assessment metacarpal shaft fractures.

Hand fractures are one of the most common causes for presenting to the emergency room. Metacarpal fractures count about 18 to 44% of all hand fractures, and are most often standalone closed injuries, without misplacement, not needing operative treatment. We present a case in which osteosynthesis with plates and screws was used to reduce two metacarpal fractures in order to allow an early motion recovery, despite the fact that a small portion of the periosteum needed to be removed. The type of fractures were misclassified according to the radiological findings, therefore the correct diagnosis was established during surgery. The results according to the radiological aspects and to the DASH score were excellent with 95% function recovery at twelve months. In this case, the use of osteosynthesis with plates and screws led to a good fracture healing without any major complications. However, there are a series of complications related to this method that should be taken into consideration. Being misled by the radiological aspects of the fractures, the most certain way to classify a metacarpal shaft fracture is through exploratory surgery, even if in most of the cases the three radiological views are enough to establish the diagnosis. Abbreviations: DASH score = Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, TAM = Total Active Motion, MCP = metacarpal phalangeal joint, PIP = proximal inter phalangeal joint.

The embalming of John of Lancaster, first Duke of Bedford (1435 AD): A forensic analysis.

During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, embalming the cadaver of the elite was common practice, being a highly technical treatment mixing vegetal and mineral substances. To assess the exact kind of embalming reserved for the dead body (with the practical necessities of desiccation and good odour), we performed a full biomedical analysis of the mummified remains of John Plantagenet of Lancaster, first Duke of Bedford, regent of France for his nephew, the English King Henri VI (died 1435 AD). Here, we show, among other aspects, that the body was embalmed using substances whose origins were in apothecary and botany: mercury, myrtle, mint, frankincense, lime and, possibly, cinnamon and copper.

Surgical attitude in premalignant lesions and malignant tumors of the lower lip.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant tumors of the lower lip may have a variety of histopathology forms. The diagnosis and treatment of premalignant lesions are extremely important to avoid their malignant evolution. The lower lip tumor diagnosis is based on a series of correlations: anamnestic, clinical, laboratory and histopathological (the latter giving the certain diagnose). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was carried out by selecting the cases with lower lip tumors operated between January 2012 and July 2014, in the Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery Clinic of Bucharest Clinical Emergency Hospital. The variables considered in the study were the following: age, gender, exposure to risk factors, diagnosis, and histopathology. RESULTS: The histopathological examination revealed 63% squamous cell carcinoma, 30% basal cell carcinomas, 5% keratoacanthoma and 2% actinic keratosis. Men were the predominantly affected genre, with a percentage of 70%. In the group of patients studied, 66% were smokers. DISCUSSIONS: The rate of the malignant transformation of premalignant lesion was 32.6% for keratoacanthoma, 16.9% for actinic cheilitis, 10% for actinic keratoses. CONCLUSIONS: There were no clinical or laboratory features to plead for the pre-malignant or malignant character of the of a lower lip tumor, consequently histopathological examination was used for the diagnosis of the lesion. Due to the high percentage of malignant transformation of precancerous lesions, particularly in the form of squamous cell carcinoma, the surgical attitude intending to eradicate a lower lip tumor from an oncological point of view was the excision with oncologic safety margins followed by a lip reconstruction.

Electrical injuries. Biological values measurements as a prediction factor of local evolution in electrocutions lesions.

RATIONALE: Taking into account the incidence and the severity of electrocutions, we consider it extremely necessary to find effective, appropriate and particularized therapeutic solutions aimed at improving the survival, decreasing the mortality, ensuring a superior functional and aesthetic effect and facilitating the social reintegration. Given the severity of the general condition of the electrically injured patient and the fact that any worsening of the lesions has a systemic echo, the selection of the timing for re-excision is very important. The postponement of the surgical timing can break the precarious metabolic equilibrium and can hasten the installation of the multisystem organ failure (MSOF). OBJECTIVE: The study is intended to establish a possible connection between the clinical evolution of the electrically injured patient and the dynamics of three important biological parameters, able to provide data concerning the therapeutic attitude to be followed. The patients with a diagnostic of high-voltage electrocution, who will be admitted to the Clinic, will be followed for a period of 2 years. The parameters to be followed daily will be: - Creatin-kinase, as a marker of muscular damage. - Hemoglobin, as a marker of tissue oxygenation. - Leukocytes, as an indicator of a possible septic evolution. The therapeutic alternatives, including the administration of antiplatelet drugs will be studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the period October 2010-June 2013 a total of 12 cases of high-voltage electrocution were admitted in our clinic. Among these, some could be placed in the study of 7 cases, as the remaining patients died within the first 24 hours of hospitalization due to the endured lesions. All the patients were admitted to the ICU ward that supported the treatment and monitoring until their stabilization, at which time they were transferred to the ward. All the patients received anti-thromboxane treatment from their admission (injectable NSAIDs associated with antisecretory drugs). By mutual agreement with ICU service, Dipyridamole was not introduced because of the "steal effect" in the viable areas to the detriment of the already ischemic areas, the drug effect being obvious in vitro, but hard to be proven in the clinical case. The relationship between the CK level and the clinical appearance of the ischemic areas is relative. We cannot conclude that an increased level of CK is equivalent to an enlarged ischemic area and even less it does not provide us direct information concerning the best time for re-excision. The presence of a viable blood supply around the necrotic tissue will lead to an important resorption of degradation products in that area, a quasinormal level of CK having no value. The sealing of the necrosis areas and the lack of immediate resorption does not have a positive prognostic value. Taking into account that the electrocutions are mostly multiple injuries, the CK level can increase even after some muscular damages, fractures, independent of the actual electrocution lesion. In one case, the patient suffered from electrocution at both thoracic limbs. With the carbonization of the hands and grifa installed up to the level of the elbow fold, he stayed for 6 hours at the accident site until he had been recovered. At the moment of presentation to the hospital, his consciousness condition was satisfactory but the CK level was of over 20000 IU, becoming rapidly non-detectable, in combination with black urine. The patient's condition deteriorated quickly, and, although the bilateral shoulder disarticulation has been carried out, he died in the next 12 hours. DISCUSSION: As a conclusion, the CK level did not prove itself a prognostic for the surgical timing or the actual surgical attitude and could be influenced by a whole series of factors, dependent or not on the electrocution lesion. A radical attitude is to be preferred in cases with established ischemia; the prognostic being the more reserved the larger the damage and the longer the period of time from the event. The established treatment is of renal support and treatment of acute renal injury (AKI) subsequently installed. An increased level of leukocytes is always present as in any severe trauma, even if there are no immediate signs of infection of the electrocution lesions. Taking into account that the electrocution lesion as well as the one caused by burning destroys the natural defense barrier represented by the skin, the infection risk is major and that is why the therapeutic protocol stipulates the immediate establishment of a treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics or with an association of antibiotics. The increase of the leukocytes level under antibiotics treatment involves either the contamination with a germ that is not sensitive to the respective antibiotic or the persistence of necrosis areas which secondarily infect, and where antibiotic penetration is very low. Therefore, the excision of the compromised tissues is an absolute necessity. In terms of prognostic, the increase of the leukocytes number signified an insufficient excision and indicated the resuming and deepening of the excisions. Taking into account that the patient has been admitted through the ICU service, the risk of contracting severe infections with selected germs is real. Another risk is that of infection with Clostridium difficile following the prolonged utilization of broad-spectrum antibiotics, especially in patients with associated diseases and reduced immunity per primam. The existence of completely separate circuits should solve the problem of contamination with bacteria of selected species; unfortunately, in our cases, we have faced this problem and the utilization of last choice antibiotics (Imipenem, Vancomycin, Targocid, etc.) as well as the association of immunoglobulins was necessary. All the patients admitted in the study received anti-thromboxane drugs in order to limit the ischemic process at tissue level. Despite the efforts we have made, the lack of blood and its derivatives or simply the negligence in patient monitoring, allowed the decrease, even transient of the Hb level, sometimes only for a few hours, but enough to allow the deepening of the ischemic lesions. Excisions were carried out in all the patients in emergency or even amputations of the extremities, with the wish to limit the extension of the ischemic lesions and the resorption of cell degradation products. The amputations performed in emergency did not always represent a saving solution; however, they remained the most effective measures when they were carried out immediately after the accident and obviously in viable tissue. The increase of CK is not an indicative factor itself in making re-excisions but orients the therapeutic approach, the utilization of the dialysis when the values do not decrease by treatment for renal support and the forcing of diuresis is required. The normalization of CK indicates the time when we can start the covering of the defects resulted as a consequence of the excisions. The level of the leukocytes represents both a prognostic factor and an indicative factor for the re-excision of the ischemic areas. An increased level under antibiotic therapy signifies either an incomplete excision or the contamination with flora resisting to the antibiotic that has been used. In the light of findings in the caring of the patients with electrocutions, I propose several caring/assessment protocols for the severe electrically injured patient.

Lower limb perforator propeller flaps - clinical applications.

BACKGROUND: A great variety of flaps have been used in lower limb reconstructive surgery: random pattern flaps, axial flaps and free microsurgical transfers with many variants. After further research on the cutaneous blood supply and improvement of microsurgical techniques, perforator propeller flaps began to be studied and used. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A propeller flap is defined as an insular flap mobilized through an axial rotation on a perforator pedicle in order to cover a defect that has to be reconstructed.According to the specialized literature data and to the studies we made on cadavers, this paper establishes a classification based on several criteria: 1) the position of the supplying perforator; 2) the reconstructive necessities and the skin island;3) the flap blood supply; 4) the aesthetic and functional demands of the reconstructed areas. Based on this study we established the specific reconstructive indications for these propeller flaps. CONCLUSIONS: The reconstructive lower limb strategy allows the use of the perforator propeller flaps as first therapeutic option for small and medium defects in certain areas considered as "critical". Knowledge of the pedicle length and the surface of the flaps facilitates the optimum flap choice in the reconstruction of a certain area.

The interrelations of good welfare indicators assessed in working horses and their relationships with the type of work.

This paper presents a different approach to the welfare of working horses through the indicators of good welfare, their interrelations and their relationships with the type of work performed by the horses. 697 working horses were assessed by using observation, behavioural tests, clinical exams and questionnaires. The correlated results highlight the complex and multiple interrelations between the good welfare indicators, showing once again that animal welfare is under the influence of all its three dimensions (physical and emotional wellbeing and naturalness). In working horses, the heavier the work they perform is, the more important it is for horse owners/breeders/farmers to fulfil their inherent needs so as to help them cope with the multiple specific risks imposed by their work.

Photodynamic therapy in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical procedure based on the activation of the molecules of various exogenous or endogenous chemical substances called photosensitizers by a light source emitting radiation of an adequate wavelength, usually situated in the visible spectrum; photosensitizers are chemical compounds bearing the capacity to selectively concentrate in the neoplastic cells. The energy captured by the molecules of these substances pervaded in the tumor cells is subsequently discharged in the surrounding tissue, triggering certain photodynamic reactions that result in the destruction of the tumor. The procedure is applicable in numerous medical fields. Skin basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most frequent type of cancer of the human species, is a cutaneous tumor that responds very well to this innovative treatment method. By reviewing numerous recent studies in the field, this article aims to present the role and the indications of photodynamic therapy in the management of basal cell carcinoma, as well as the most important results achieved so far by this therapy in the field of dermato-oncology.

Open quantum system approach to the modeling of spin recombination reactions.

In theories of spin-dependent radical pair reactions, the time evolution of the radical pair, including the effect of the chemical kinetics, is described by a master equation in the Liouville formalism. For the description of the chemical kinetics, a number of possible reaction operators have been formulated in the literature. In this work, we present a framework that allows for a unified description of the various proposed mechanisms and the forms of reaction operators for the spin-selective recombination processes. On the basis of the concept that master equations can be derived from a microscopic description of the spin system interacting with external degrees of freedom, it is possible to gain insight into the underlying microscopic processes and develop a systematic approach toward determining the specific form of the reaction operator in concrete scenarios.

Echinococcus multilocularis in south-eastern Europe (Romania).

Echinococcus multilocularis, the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in humans, has been found in 4.8% of 561 red foxes originating from various regions of Romania. Infected foxes were identified in 8 of 15 counties with average prevalence rates between 1.7% and 14.6%. In previous studies, E. multilocularis was not found in 535 foxes from three counties, but larval stages (metacestodes) were present in four species of rodents. Furthermore, AE was diagnosed in two patients. Experiences from other European regions indicate that several factors (such as increasing fox populations with higher parasite prevalences and urban cycles of the parasite) may result in an increased infection risk for humans.

Cytokine panel and histopathological aspects in the systemic lupus erythematosus.

UNLABELLED: The systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a systemic autoimmune disorder with a multifactorial etiology, is characterized by the presence of autoantigens in some organs and tissues that induce the development of some antibodies with extended binding and with various specificities. The presence of antibodies is accompanied by disbalances in the immune cellular response, including alterations in the production of some cytokines. Cytokines, quite a heterogeneous group of protein molecules produced in small quantities by certain specifically stimulated cells, have the capacity to maintain the communication between different cell populations that participate in the immune response (messengers of the immune system), thus modeling a defense function. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study is to estimate the seric levels of some proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating cytokines in patients diagnosed with SLE, as well as some correlations between the seric levels of these cytokines and the histopathological aspects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were included in the study 35 patients diagnosed with SLE (active÷remission stage of the disorder), in whom there were determined, before administering the treatment with the immunoenzymatic technique ELISA, the seric level of the following cytokines: interleukins (IL) IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The obtained results in the patients were compared to those observed in a control group, made up of 35 healthy subjects. RESULTS: The IL-2 production of T-lymphocytes was a deficient one (low seric levels in the majority of the patients), while cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha showed high seric levels. IL-10 plays a very important role in the SLE pathogeny, through the high seric levels, and it may be involved, as a predictive biological marker, in the quantification of the activity degree of the disorder. CONCLUSIONS: SLE represents an autoimmune disorder, characterized, among others, by a disbalance in the cytokine network. Signaling and regulating abnormalities of B-lymphocytes by cytokines are responsible of the excessive production of antibodies. IL-6 and IL-10 were proved to be key factors in the intensification of the inflammation and regulation of B-lymphocytes activity, by their polyclonal activation. Alongside TNF-alpha, they play an important part in the development of severe dermo-epidermal alterations.

Correlations among the serum levels of some interleukins and the histopathological aspects in chronic viral hepatitis C.

UNLABELLED: PREMISES AND OBJECTIVES: The evolution of the infection with the hepatic virus C depends on the defense of the organism, found under the control of a network of cytokines and chemokines. The mechanisms that are causing both viral persistence as well as hepatic pathology are not entirely elucidated. We have proposed to study the amount in which different categories of cytokines are incriminated in the pathogenesis of the chronic liver disease, as well as the eventual correlations between the serum levels of these cytokines and certain histopathological aspects in the chronic viral hepatitis C. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with chronic viral hepatitis C (persistent - nine, active - 15, cirrhosis - 11) have been studied, constituting group P, and 20 healthy subjects constituting the reference group (R). In both groups have been determined the serum concentrations of some proinflammatory interleukins (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8), and antiinflammatory (IL-10) cytokines, through the immunoenzymatic technique ELISA. Results. For the proinflammatory cytokines taken into consideration (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8) increased serum values have been determined to the patients with chronic hepatitis C, the maximal level being observed to the patients active chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis (24/35 patients - 68.57%, 19/35 patients - 54.28% and, namely, 18/35 patients - 51.42%). The serum values of IL-10 are increased in 19/35 patients - 54.28%. The direct relationship among the increased levels of IL-10, the astringency of the inflammation and the hepatic functional insufficiency has been taken into consideration. CONCLUSIONS: The immune cellular answer has a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of the liver disease in the patients with chronic viral hepatitis C. The disequilibrium between the pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines participates to the installation of hepatic lesions of cytolysis and/or to the progression of fibrosis. The serum concentrations of the studied cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10) are correlated to the histopathological spoilages of the liver.