Medicine
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Researchers have reported false positive/negative results of the cold test in the diagnosis of pulpitis. Knowledge of the correlation between results of the cold test and proteins could aid in decreasing the frequency of incorrect diagnosis. To associate the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) with the responses (in seconds) to the cold test in teeth diagnosed with reversible and irreversible pulpitis. ⋯ In the irreversible pulpitis group, the responses from 6 to ≥10 seconds (second evaluation; P < .0001) were associated with a higher average of MMP-8 levels (mean, 1.97 ng/mL). We determined that an increase in the duration of response to the cold test was associated with an increase in MMP-8 levels (Rho = 0.81, P < .0001) in teeth with pulpitis. The above correlations can be considered an adjunct to the clinical diagnosis of pulpitis.
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Case Reports
Peripheral follicular cytotoxic T -like cells in Kawasaki disease with coronary artery aneurysms: A case report.
Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart abnormalities during childhood. The infiltration of CD8+ T cells plays an essential role in the formation of coronary aneurysms. Follicular cytotoxic T (Tfc) cells are a newly defined subset of CD8+ T cells that express CXC-chemokine receptor 5. The role of Tfc cells in KD is unclear. However, in this report, we present 2 KD children with sustained coronary artery aneurysms (CAA), and we found that their peripheral C-X-C Chemokine Receptor 5+ T cells contained quite amounts of CD4 negative cells. Importantly, these cells have never been reported in KD. ⋯ We speculate that Tfc cells may be associated with the formation of CAA. Further studies with larger sample size and functional analysis of these cells are needed.
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We examined whether the age of patients with rheumatoid arthritis was associated with adverse events (AEs) caused by biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). Patients with rheumatoid arthritis using bDMARDs from Showa University Hospital, Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital, and Showa University Koto Toyosu Hospital from January 2005 to December 2017 were eligible for this retrospective cohort study. The maximum observation period was determined to be 1 year. ⋯ The rates of drug discontinuation because of AEs caused by bDMARDs were 10.5% (7/67) in patients 75 years and older and 10.9% (38/349) in those younger than 75 years (relative risk 0.95, 95% confidential interval 0.45-2.24). In logistic regression analysis adjusted for covariates, the rate of drug discontinuation showed no significant difference between the patients ≥ 75 years and the those < 75 years (adjusted odds ratio 0.70, 95% confidential interval 0.29-1.75, P = .45). The rate of drug discontinuation because of AEs caused by bDMARDs was not significantly different between patients 75 years and older and patients younger than 75 years.
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Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute autoimmune neurological disorder mainly involving the peripheral nerves. Currently, various cytokines have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of GBS. Because of their similar biological structures, interleukin (IL)-36α, IL-36β, IL-36γ, and IL-36 receptor antagonist (Ra) were all renamed and collectively called IL-36 cytokines. ⋯ Similar results were observed in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), IL-36α and IL-36γ levels in CSF were positively correlated with GDSs, while IL-36Ra levels in CSF were negatively correlated with GDSs. Additionally, the serum and CSF levels of IL-36α and IL-36γ in the axonal subtype of GBS patients were higher than those in the demyelination subtype. Based on our findings, IL-36 cytokines may be involved in the pathogenesis of GBS and some of these cytokines may help predict the disease severity and other clinical characteristics of GBS.
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This study aimed to investigate the effects of age on the peak ratio (PR) of ophthalmic artery (OA) Doppler. The initial peak velocity (P1), second peak velocity (P2) and PR of OA were detected by color Doppler ultrasonography in 147 healthy subjects. All of the subjects were divided into 6 groups (G1-G6) according to the age. (G1, 20-29 years; G2, 30-39 years; G3, 40-49 years; G4, 50-59 years; G5, 60-69 years; and G6, 70 years or older). ⋯ PR also had a weak relationship with systolic blood pressure. Both P2 and PR of OA Doppler increase with age. Concern should be raised when P2 and PR are used to evaluate the hemodynamic change of OA.