10 research outputs found
Selective Decrease of Components of the Creatine Kinase System and ATP Synthase Complex in Chronic Chagas Disease Cardiomyopathy
Chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC) affects millions in endemic areas and is presenting in growing numbers in the USA and European countries due to migration currents. Clinical progression, length of survival and overall prognosis are significantly worse in CCC patients when compared to patients with dilated cardiomyopathy of non-inflammatory etiology. Impairment of energy metabolism seems to play a role in heart failure due to cardiomyopathies. Herein, we have analyzed energy metabolism enzymes in myocardium samples of CCC patients comparing to other non-inflammatory cardiomyopathies. We found that myocardial tissue from CCC patients displays a significant reduction of both myocardial protein levels of ATP synthase alpha and creatine kinase enzyme activity, in comparison to control heart samples, as well as idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Our results suggest that CCC myocardium displays a selective energetic deficit, which may play a role in the reduced heart function observed in such patients
SPINAL NEURILEMOMAS AND NEUROFIBROMAS - CENTRAL DOT SIGN IN POSTGADOLINIUM MRI
The MR studies of three histologically proven spinal neurilemmomas and
neurofibromas were reviewed retrospectively. There were two benign
neurilemmomas (schwannomas) and one neurofibroma. The common
characteristic of these cases was a central low intensity focus
(”dot”) seen on postcontrast T1-weighted imaging. The low intensity
foci corresponded histologically to a congeries of changes including
edema, microcysts, foam cells, hyalinization of blood vessels, old
hemorrhage, and dystrophic calcification
Steady Increment of Immature Platelet Fraction Is Suppressed by Irradiation in Single-Donor Platelet Components during Storage
Circulating immature platelet fraction (IPF) reflects real-time thrombopoiesis and correlates with platelet recovery from thrombocytopenic presentations. To understand the dynamics of IPF in platelet transfusions, we quantified the %-IPF in single-donor platelet components (SDP) during prolonged storage. %-IPF significantly increased from baseline by day 5 post-donation. Absolute IPF counts (A-IPC) had similar significant increments. However, gamma-irradiation suppressed the increments of %-IPF and A-IPC by >50%. Ultrastructural analysis of SDP units at day 10 showed well preserved morphology of immature platelets. Our findings suggest that IPF might actively expand ex-vivo and may have a longer shelf life than their mature counterparts. Closer study of IPF may be of critical clinical importance for transfusion practices