Impaired cardiac sympathetic nerve function in patients with Kawasaki disease: comparison with myocardial perfusion

This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in Zhao, Chunlei ; Shuke, Noriyuki ; Yamamoto, Wakako ; Okizaki, Atsutaka ; Sato, Junichi ; Kajino, Hiroki ; Fujieda, Kenji ; Aburano, Tamio, Impaired cardiac sympathetic nerve function in patients with Kawasaki disease: comparison with myocardial perfusion, Pediatric research 57(5 pt1), 2005, pp. 744-748Kawasaki disease (KD) is a leading cause of CAD in children. The impairment of cardiac sympathetic nerve function (CSNF) in the adult patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) could often be seen. However, little is known concerning the impairment of CSNF in KD patients. We investigated CSNF and its relationship with myocardial perfusion in KD patients. Eleven children with KD and 4 controls were studied with 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) and stressed 201Tl single photon emission computed tomography. By the findings on coronary artery angiography (CAG), the patients were divided into 2 groups: A, without stenosis; B, with significant stenosis and/or old myocardial infarction. CSNF was evaluated from the uptake of 123I-MIBG. While myocardial perfusion was evaluated from 201Tl uptake. The numbers of patients in the groups A and B were 7 and 4. Perfusion defect was found in 0, and 2 patients in group A (0%), and B (50%). 123I-MIBG defects were found in 1 and 4 patients in the group A (14%) and B (100%). There were excellent concordances between the finding of 201Tl and 123I-MIBG in group A. While in group B, the coronary territories with 123I-MIBG defects were significantly more than those with perfusion defects (p < 0.05). In KD patients, the impairment of CSNF might be subsequent to coronary artery stenosis and was more severe than the injury of myocardial perfusion

Isolated limb infusion for malignant melanoma: Predictors of response and outcome

Purpose Isolated limb infusion (ILI) is an alternative to isolated limb perfusion (ILP) for the treatment of unresectable limb melanoma recurrence. The aims of this study were to determine the response rates of unresectable local and/or in-transit melanoma of the upper or lower limb to ILI and to identify factors predictive of survival. Methodology A prospective database identified 74 patients (35 male and 39 female) with local and/or in-transit melanoma recurrence without metastatic disease who underwent hyperthermic ILI with melphalan at a single institution between January 1996 and December 2008. Three patients could not be evaluated for response. Median follow-up was 34 months. Results Of the 74 patients, the majority had N2c disease (57/74, 67%), while 17/74 (33%) patients had N3 disease. Median maximum temperature achieved was 38.1°C and median tourniquet time was 32.5 min. Wieberdink III/IV complications occurred following 7/74 (10%) ILI and were associated with higher limb volumes and higher total melphalan dose. Complete response (CR) was seen following 17/71 (24%) ILI and the partial response rate was 30% (22/71). The median duration of CR was 43 months. Univariable analyses found that limb volume >8.0 l and maximum limb temperature >38.5°C were the only independent factors predictive for a CR following ILI. Multivariate analyses identified CR and positive lymph nodes as the only independent prognostic factors for melanoma-specific survival. Conclusions Patients who obtain CR have significantly improved survival compared with nonresponders. The challenge remains to improve CR rates and prospectively identify responders

Antiherpetic (HSV-1) activity of carrageenans from the red seaweed Solieria chordalis (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) extracted by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE)

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Clinical, laboratory and neuroimage findings in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus presenting involvement of the nervous system Achados clínicos, laboratoriais e de imagem no lupus eritematoso sistêmico juvenil com comprometimento do sistema nervoso

OBJECTIVE: To characterize neurological involvement in juvenile systemic lupus erythe-matosus. METHOD: The charts of all patients with the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus before the age of 16 years, followed at the Rheumatology Unit of Pequeno Príncipe Hospital, from January 1992 to January 2006, were retrospectively reviewed, highlighting neuropsychiatric aspects. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were included. Neuropsychiatric syndromes were found 29 (61.7%): seizures (17 / 36.2%), intractable headache (7 / 14.9%), mood disorders (5 / 10.6%), cerebrovascular disease (4 / 8.5%), acute confusional state (3 / 6.4%), aseptic meningitis (3 / 6.4%), psychosis (3 / 6.4%), chorea (3 / 6.4%), Guillain-Barré syndrome (2 / 4.3%) and cranial neuropathy (1 / 2.1%). Morbidity indexes (SLEDAI and SLICC) were higher among patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Neuropsychiatric syndromes are frequent, and add significant morbidity to juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus.<br>OBJETIVO: Caracterizar o comprometimento neurológico no lupus eritematoso sistêmico juvenil. MÉTODO: Os prontuários dos pacientes com o diagnóstico de lupus eritematoso sistêmico antes dos 16 anos de idade, em acompanhamento na Unidade de Reumatologia do Hospital Pequeno Príncipe, de janeiro de 1992 a janeiro de 2006, foram revisados retrospectivamente enfatizando aspectos neuropsiquiátricos. RESULTADOS: Quarenta e sete pacientes foram incluídos. Síndromes neuropsiquiátricas foram encontradas em 29 (61,7%): crises convulsivas (17 / 36,2%), cefaléia intratável (7 / 14,9%), distúrbios do humor (5 / 10,6%), doença cerebrovascular (4 / 8,5%), estado confusional agudo (3 / 6,4%), meningite asséptica (3 / 6,4%), psicose (3 / 6,4%), coréia (3 / 6,4%), síndrome de Guillain-Barré (2 / 4,3%) e neuropatia craniana (1 / 2,1%). Índices de morbidade (SEDAI e SLICC) foram maiores em pacientes com manifestações neuropsiquiátricas (p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Síndromes neuropsiquiátricas são um achado freqüente que acrescenta morbidade significativa ao lupus eritematoso sistêmico juvenil