Lemierre's syndrome and genetic polymorphisms: a case report

BACKGROUND: Lemierre's syndrome presents a classic clinical picture, the pathophysiology of which remains obscure. Attempts have been made to trace genetic predispositions that modify the host detection of pathogen or the resultant systemic reaction. CASE PRESENTATION: A 17-year old female, with no previous medical history, was admitted to the intensive care unit for septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome and Lemierre's syndrome. Her DNA was assayed for single nucleotide polymorphisms previously incriminated in the detection of the pathogen, the inflammatory response and the coagulation cascade. We observed functional variations in her Toll like 5 receptor (TLR 5) gene and two coagulation variations (Tissue Factor (TF) 603 and Plasminogen-Activator-Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G-4G homozygosity) associated with thrombotic events. CONCLUSION: The innate immune response and the prothrombogenic mutations could explain, at least in part, the symptoms of Lemierre's syndrome. Genomic study of several patients with Lemierre's syndrome may reveal its pathophysiology

4-Pyridone-3-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribonucleoside Triphosphate (4PyTP), a Novel NAD+ Metabolite Accumulating in Erythrocytes of Uremic Children: A Biomarker for a Toxic NAD+ Analogue in Other Tissues?

We have identified a novel nucleotide, 4-pyridone 3/5-carboxamide ribonucleoside triphosphate (4PyTP), which accumulates in human erythrocytes during renal failure. Using plasma and erythrocyte extracts obtained from children with chronic renal failure we show that the concentration of 4PyTP is increased, as well as other soluble NAD+ metabolites (nicotinamide, N1-methylnicotinamide and 4Py-riboside) and the major nicotinamide metabolite N1-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide (2PY), with increasing degrees of renal failure. We noted that 2PY concentration was highest in the plasma of haemodialysis patients, while 4PyTP was highest in erythrocytes of children undergoing peritoneal dialysis: its concentration correlated closely with 4Py-riboside, an authentic precursor of 4PyTP, in the plasma. In the dialysis patients, GTP concentration was elevated: similar accumulation was noted previously, as a paradoxical effect in erythrocytes during treatment with immunosuppressants such as ribavirin and mycophenolate mofetil, which deplete GTP through inhibition of IMP dehydrogenase in nucleated cells such as lymphocytes. We predict that 4Py-riboside and 4Py-nucleotides bind to this enzyme and alter its activity. The enzymes that regenerate NAD+ from nicotinamide riboside also convert the drugs tiazofurin and benzamide riboside into NAD+ analogues that inhibit IMP dehydrogenase more effectively than the related ribosides: we therefore propose that the accumulation of 4PyTP in erythrocytes during renal failure is a marker for the accumulation of a related toxic NAD+ analogue that inhibits IMP dehydrogenase in other cells

Stiffness and damping characteristics of MR fluid-based sandwich beams: experimental study

The study investigates the behaviour of three-layered cantilever sandwich beams filled with magnetorheological fluids (MRFs) differing in the iron particle content by volume. Outer layers are made of aluminium, the space between them is sealed with silicone rubber. Two types of beams are considered: fully filled beams and partially filled beams, subjected to the magnetic field. The aim of the study is to determine stiffness and damping characteristics in relation to the magnetic field strength and the actual location where the magnetic field acts upon the beam. For this purpose, measurements have been taken of the beam free vibration response for various magnetic field strength levels and for various positions of the electromagnet located along the beam axis. Basing on the developed measurement data processing algorithm, the influence of the vibration amplitude on the natural frequency and a dimensionless damping coefficient have been determined. Finally, the equivalent natural frequency and the dimensionless damping coefficient have been derived accordingly, and the stiffness and damping ratio have been determined in function of the magnetic field strength, the electromagnet position and the MRF iron particle content by volume

The Influence of a Magnetic Field on Vibration Parameters of a Cantilever Sandwich Beam with Embedded MR Fluid

The paper investigates a magnetic field acting on a three-layer sandwich beam filled with MR fluid, the field being generated by an electromagnet. The FEM approach is applied to determine the magnetic field strength and magnetic flux density in the area between the poles and in the MR fluid layer. The results are utilised to establish the relationship between the magnetic flux density and parameters of the assumed model of the MR fluid layer

Parametry drgań belki z cieczami MR o różnej zawartości cząstek ferromagnetycznych

The study presents the results of laboratory studies on free vibrations of sandwich beams filled with magnetorheological (MR) fluids characterised by various proportions of ferromagnetic particles by weight. Based on the obtained results, it was possible to determine the impact of the content of the particles in question on the natural frequency of free vibrations and the dimensionless damping coefficient of beam.W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań laboratoryjnych drgań swobodnych trójwarstwowych belek wypełnionych cieczami magnetoreologicznymi (MR) o różnej zawartości wagowej cząstek ferromagnetycznych. Na podstawie uzyskanych wyników określono wpływ zawartości tych cząstek na podstawową częstotliwość drgań własnych i bezwymiarowy współczynnik tłumienia belki

Investigation on Vibrations of a Cantilever Beam with Magnetorheological Fluid by Using the Acoustic Signal

The paper presents results of laboratory investigations of a vibrating three-layer cantilever beam with magnetorheological fluid. The goal of the study was to determine changes of the acoustic field around the vibrating beam caused by modifications of the magnetorheological fluid properties. The experimental studies have been carried out on a dedicated measuring stand. The construction of the measuring stand allows fixing one end of the beam in a holder attached to the moving part of the electrodynamic shaker. The magnetic field is produced by an external electromagnet. During the measurements the beam displacements and the acoustic pressure have been simultaneously registered. Frequency analysis of the registered signals has been carried out in 1/12 octave bands near the second natural frequency of the beam. The results reveal that the acoustic signal emitted by the vibrating beam decreases when the magnetic field is applied