263 research outputs found
Lineshape measurement of an extreme-weak amplitude-fluctuating light source by the photon-counting-based second-order correlation spectroscopy
We demonstrate lineshape measurement of an extreme-weak amplitude fluctuating
light source by using the photon-counting-based second-order correlation
spectroscopy combined with the heterodyne technique. The amplitude fluctuation
of a finite bandwidth introduces a low-lying spectral structure in the
lineshape and thus its effect can be isolated from that of the phase
fluctuation. Our technique provides extreme sensitivity suited for
single-atom-level applications.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figure
Paradoxical response during antituberculous therapy in a patient discontinuing infliximab: a case report
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens
Role of host tissues for sustained humoral effects after endothelial progenitor cell transplantation into the ischemic heart
Noncellular differentiation effects have emerged as important mechanisms mediating therapeutic effects of stem or progenitor cell transplantation. Here, we investigated the expression patterns and sources of humoral factors and their regional and systemic biological effects after bone marrow (BM)-derived endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) transplantation into ischemic myocardium. Although most of the transplanted EPCs disappeared within a week, up-regulation of multiple humoral factors was sustained for longer than two weeks, which correlated well with the recovery of cardiac function. To determine the source of the humoral factors, we injected human EPCs into immunodeficient mice. Whereas the expression of human EPC (donor)-derived cytokines rapidly decreased to a nondetectable level within a week, up-regulation of mouse (recipient)-derived cytokines, including factors that could mobilize BM cells, was sustained. Histologically, we observed higher capillary density, a higher proliferation of myocardial cells, a lower cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and reduced infarct size. Furthermore, after EPC transplantation, BM-derived stem or progenitor cells were increased in the peripheral circulation and incorporated into the site of neovascularization and myocardial repair. These data indicate that myocardial EPC transplantation induces humoral effects, which are sustained by host tissues and play a crucial role in repairing myocardial injury
Multimodality Imaging Can Help to Doubt, Diagnose and Follow-Up Cardiac Mass
Primary cardiac lymphoma is a very rare form of lymphoma primarily or mainly involving the heart, as in the two cases presented in this report. Various imaging modalities, including coronary computed tomography angiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography were useful for the characterization and diagnosis of cardiac mass. Pathologic confirmation was successful with endomyocardial biopsy under echocardiographic guidance, intra- and extracardiacally. In primary cardiac lymphoma, diagnosis using multiple modalities may be useful for mass characterization, and for response monitoring after chemotherapy
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of in-hospital complications and overall mortality in Takotsubo syndrome preceded by physical triggers
Background
Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) with physical triggers has worse short- and long-term clinical courses than those with emotional triggers. However, predictive factors associated with poor outcomes of TTS with physical triggers are unknown.
Methods
We included 231 patients identified as TTS preceded by physical triggers at two tertiary referral hospitals from 2010 to 2019. In-hospital complications (IHC)âa composite of malignant arrhythmia, need for mechanical circulatory support or mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital deathâand overall mortality were retrospectively reviewed. The associations with clinical features were evaluated by multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses.
Results
The mean age was 69.3â±â11.6years, and 85 (36.8%) were male. The in-hospital complications rate was 46.8%. During a median follow-up of 883days, 96 (41.6%) had died, and overall mortality was 13.6% per patient-year. Higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was associated with a higher risk of IHC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curveâ=â0.73; positive and negative predictive valueâ=â60.9% and 67.2% for NLRââ€â12); odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was 1.03 (1.01â1.05), pâ=â0.010. Subsequently, higher NLR was also related to a greater risk of overall mortality; patients with high NLR (NLRâ>â12) exhibited poor long-term survival than those with low NLR (NLRââ€â5): hazard ratio (95% CI), 3.70 (1.72â7.94) with pâ<â0.001.
Conclusions
A high NLR at initial presentation is associated with an increased risk of IHC and overall mortality in TTS preceded by physical triggers. Given that the treatment of TTS is mainly supportive, intensive monitoring with careful follow-up would be warranted in patients with high NLR.This study was funded by SNUBH Research Fund [Grant No. 14-2015-029]
Primary Pulmonary T-Cell Lymphoma: a Case Report
Primary pulmonary T-cell lymphoma is an extremely rare malady, and we diagnosed this in a 52-year-old male who was admitted to our hospital with cough for the previous two weeks. The chest CT demonstrated multiple variable sized mass-like consolidations with low density central necrosis in the peripheral portion of both the upper and lower lobes. Positron emission tomography (PET) showed multiple areas of hypermetabolic fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in both lungs with central metabolic defects, which correlated with central necrosis seen on CT. The histological sample showed peripheral T-cell lymphoma of the not otherwise specified form. The follow-up CT scan showed an increased extent of the multifocal consolidative lesions despite that the patient had undergone chemotherapy
Clinical courses after administration of oral corticosteroids in patients with severely cholestatic acute hepatitis A; three cases
Acute hepatitis A is currently outbreaking in Korea. Although prognosis of acute hepatitis A is generally favorable, a minority of patients are accompanied by fatal complications. Severe cholestasis is one of the important causes of prolonged hospitalization in patients with acute hepatitis A. In such cases, higher chances of additional complications and increased medical costs are inevitable. We report three cases of severely cholestatic hepatitis A, who showed favorable responses to oral corticosteroids. Thirty milligram of prednisolone was initiated and tapered according to the responses. Rapid improvement was observed in all cases without side effects. We suggest that corticosteroid administration can be useful in hepatitis A patients with severe cholestasis who do not show improvement by conservative managements. Clinical trial will be needed to evaluate effectiveness of corticosteroids in these patients
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