PubMed, the Internet portal of biomedical and life sciences literature, indexed an interesting article, entitled Pharyngitis of infectious mononucleosis: computed tomography findings (Radiat Med. 2008 May;26(4):248-51). Authors are Kutuya N Kurosaki Y Suzuki K et al., from the Department of Radiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Two women presented with sore throat and fever. Their symptoms were not alleviated by antibiotics. Cervical computed tomography (CT) with contrast enhancement demonstrated enlargement of predominant posterior cervical lymph nodes and streaky heterogeneous tonsils with interspersed low attenuation. They were diagnosed as having infectious mononucleosis by their laboratory data. Thus, when radiologists encounter these CT findings of pharyngitis that is not alleviated by antibiotic therapy, infectious mononucleosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis. To access the full abstract of the article, click here.
PubMed, the Internet portal of biomedical and life sciences literature, indexed an interesting article, entitled Safety and efficacy of carvedilol therapy for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy secondary to muscular dystrophy (Pediatr Cardiol. 2008 Mar;29(2):343-51). Authors are Rhodes J Margossian R Darras BT et al., from the Department of Cardiology, Children’s Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. By the age of 20 years, almost all patients with Duchenne’s or Becker’s muscular dystrophy have experienced dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a condition that contributes significantly to their morbidity and mortality. Although studies have shown carvedilol to be an effective therapy for patients with other forms of DCM, few data exist concerning its safety and efficacy for patients with muscular dystrophy. Carvedilol therapy appears to be safe for patients with DCM secondary to muscular dystrophy and produces a modest improvement in systolic and diastolic function. To access the full abstract of the article, click here.
On 8/07/2008, a new orphan medicinal product was registered into the community register of orphan medicinal products under the EU orphan designation number 555. The active ingredient is Vincristine sulphate liposomes for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Meeting at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, UK
Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th December 2008-08-22
The purpose of this meeting is to establish the infrastructure and networks that can support research into PWS across the EU. The meeting is planned for the end of the present EU PWS research project so that we can move from what has been a relatively small and focussed project to individuals and groups developing further research ideas that would bring together many research groups and different National PWS Associations. This meeting is designed for clinicians, researchers and representatives of national PWS Associations from the EU. If you are interested in attending please send details to Cathy D’Antonio cad48@medschl.cam.ac.uk or phone (0)1223 746123
On 10/07/2008, a new orphan medicinal product was registered into the community register of orphan medicinal products under the EU orphan designation number 558. The active ingredient is Sapacitabine for acute myeloid leukaemia.
Secondary intracranial hypertension with acute intracranial pressure crisis in superficial siderosis
PubMed, the Internet portal of biomedical and life sciences literature, indexed an interesting article, entitled Secondary intracranial hypertension with acute intracranial pressure crisis in superficial siderosis (J Clin Neurosci. 2008 Jul 22.). Authors are Linder S Nowak DA Rodiek SO et al., from the Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Academic Hospital Bogenhausen, Technical University of Munich, Germany. Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system is a very rare disease related to hemosiderin deposits in the brain, brainstem, cerebellum and spinal cord due to chronic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Chronic increased intracranial pressure develops in about one-third of affected cases. Our case emphasizes that patients with superficial siderosis may present with sudden elevation of intracranial pressure due to chronic intracranial hypertension. In this situation permanent CSF drainage provides a useful therapeutic option. To access the full abstract of the article, click here.
PubMed, the Internet portal of biomedical and life sciences literature, indexed an interesting article, entitled Functional C1-Inhibitor diagnostics in hereditary angioedema: Assay evaluation and recommendations. (J Immunol Methods. 2008 Jul 22.). Authors are Wagenaar-Bos IG Drouet C Aygören-Pursun E et al., from the Department Immunopathology, Sanquin Research at CLB, and Landsteiner Laboratory, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by recurrent episodes of potentially life-threatening angioedema.In addition to low C4 levels, the most important laboratory parameter for correct diagnosis of HAE or angioedema due to acquired C1-Inh deficiency is reduced C1-Inh function (fC1-Inh).We can recommend the chromogenic assay for the determination of fC1-Inh, while the complex ELISA needs further investigation. To access the full abstract of the article, click here.
PubMed, the Internet portal of biomedical and life sciences literature, indexed an interesting article, entitled Diffuse pulmonary ossification: an unusual interstitial lung disease (Curr Opin Pulm Med 2008 Sep;14(5):488-92). Authors are Peros-Golubicic T Tekavec-Trkanjec J. et al., from the University Hospital for Lung Diseases Jordanovac, Zagreb, Croatia. Diffuse pulmonary ossification is a rare disease characterized by diffuse small bone fragments in the lung tissue. It can be idiopathic or associated with underlying chronic pulmonary or heart diseases. The majority of cases had been diagnosed on autopsy.Diffuse pulmonary ossification is still underrecognized during life. Its relevance concerning the increasing age of population and longer survival of patients with chronic diseases is underrated. A timely diagnosis will enable a better understanding of pathogenesis and natural course of disease thus paving the way to new therapeutic strategies. To access the full abstract of the article, click here.
On 8/07/2008, a new orphan medicinal product was registered into the community register of orphan medicinal products under the EU orphan designation number 557. The active ingredient is Sapacitabine for treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes.
PubMed, the Internet portal of biomedical and life sciences literature, indexed an interesting article, entitled Treatment of skin swellings with C1-inhibitor concentrate in patients with hereditary angio-oedema (Allergy. 2008 Jun;63(6):751-7.). Authors are Bork K, Staubach P Hardt J. et al., from the Department of Dermatology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. Skin swellings are the most frequent symptoms in hereditary angio-oedema (HAE) arising out of C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) deficiency. They may be painful and impact daily activities of patients. Detailed clinical data concerning the treatment of skin swellings by C1-INH concentrate have not been reported yet. The C1-INH concentrate has proven to be highly effective and safe for treating skin swellings in patients with HAE arising out of C1-INH deficiency. To access the full abstract of the article, click here.