Project description:BackgroundEndemic pemphigus foliaceus (EPF) is an autoimmune disease, classically occurring in a restricted geographic area. Foci of EPF have been described in several Central and South American countries, often affecting young people and Amerindians, with some female predilection. Although most American EPF cases have been documented in Brazil, cases have been reported in Peru, Paraguay, El Salvador and Venezuela. An additional variant of EPF has been described in El Bagre, Colombia, (El Bagre-EPF) affecting older men and a few post-menopausal females. Finally, one additional type of EPF has been described in nomadic tribes affecting females of child bearing age in Tunisia, Africa.AimsThe main aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge about autoantigens, and immunologic and genetic studies in EPF.Material and methodsWe utilized a retrospective review of the literature, aiming to compile and compare the multiple geographic foci of EPF.ResultsThe primary autoantigens in EPF are still considered to be desmogleins in the case of the Tunisian and all American cases, in contradistinction to plakins and desmogleins in El Bagre-EPF. Although several autoantigens are been suggested, their biochemical nature needs further elucidation. Current knowledge still supports the concept that an antibody mediated immune response represents the principal pathophysiology in all variants of EPF.ConclusionA strong genetic susceptibility appears to contribute to disease development in several people affected by these diseases; however, no specific genes have been confirmed at present. We conclude that further investigation is necessary to define these disorders immunologically and genetically.
Project description:Fibrosis is the aberrant process of connective tissue deposition from abnormal tissue repair in response to sustained tissue injury caused by hypoxia, infection, or physical damage. It can affect almost all organs in the body causing dysfunction and ultimate organ failure. Tissue fibrosis also plays a vital role in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. The early and accurate diagnosis of organ fibrosis along with adequate surveillance are helpful to implement early disease-modifying interventions, important to reduce mortality and improve quality of life. While extensive research has already been carried out on the topic, a thorough understanding of how this relationship reveals itself using modern imaging techniques has yet to be established. This work outlines the ways in which fibrosis shows up in abdominal organs and has listed the most relevant imaging technologies employed for its detection. New imaging technologies and developments are discussed along with their promising applications in the early detection of organ fibrosis.
Project description:There is a high frequency of diarrhea and vomiting in childhood. As a consequence the focus of the present review is to recognize the different body fluid compartments, to clinically assess the degree of dehydration, to know how the equilibrium between extracellular fluid and intracellular fluid is maintained, to calculate the effective blood osmolality and discuss both parenteral fluid maintenance and replacement.
Project description:DNaseI sensitivity/hypersensitivity using DNase-array method (Sabo et al Nature Methods 3:511-18, 2006) on Affymetrix whole-genome tiling DNA microarrays. Background: Focal alteration in chromatin structure in vivo, detectable through hypersensitivity to DNaseI and other nucleases, is the sine qua non of diverse transcriptional regulatory elements including enhancers, promoters, insulators, and locus control regions. Keywords: genomic
Project description:Purpose of reviewReview work to create and evaluate educational materials that could serve as a primary prevention strategy to help both providers and patients in Panama, Colombia, and the USA reduce disease burden of Toxoplasma infections.Recent findingsEducational programs had not been evaluated for efficacy in Panama, USA, or Colombia.SummaryEducational programs for high school students, pregnant women, medical students and professionals, scientists, and lay personnel were created. In most settings, short-term effects were evaluated. In Panama, Colombia, and USA, all materials showed short-term utility in transmitting information to learners. These educational materials can serve as a component of larger public health programs to lower disease burden from congenital toxoplasmosis. Future priorities include conducting robust longitudinal studies of whether education correlates with reduced adverse disease outcomes, modifying educational materials as new information regarding region-specific risk factors is discovered, and ensuring materials are widely accessible.
Project description:At the most severe end of the spectrum of acute coronary syndromes is ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which usually occurs when a fibrin-rich thrombus completely occludes an epicardial coronary artery. The diagnosis of STEMI is based on clinical characteristics and persistent ST-segment elevation as demonstrated by 12-lead electrocardiography. Patients with STEMI should undergo rapid assessment for reperfusion therapy, and a reperfusion strategy should be implemented promptly after the patient's contact with the health care system. Two methods are currently available for establishing timely coronary reperfusion: primary percutaneous coronary intervention and fibrinolytic therapy. Percutaneous coronary intervention is the preferred method but is not always available. Antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants are critical adjuncts to reperfusion. This article summarizes the current evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of STEMI. This summary is followed by a brief discussion of the role of noninvasive stress testing in the assessment of patients with acute coronary syndrome and their selection for coronary revascularization.