The American journal of the medical sciences
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Interleukin-33 (IL-33), along with its receptor suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2), is capable of regulating immune responses. Immunologically mediated events play a critical role in the acute phase of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. The present study primarily aimed to determine whether the IL-33/ST2 axis could be used as a reliable biomarker to predict disease progression and prognosis. ⋯ The IL-33/sST2 axis could be used to evaluate the progression and mortality in CHB patients with hepatic flare. The combinatorial use of multiple indicators could achieve the highest diagnostic and predictive accuracy.
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Review Case Reports
Treatment Considerations in an HIV Elite Controller.
HIV elite controllers naturally suppress viral loads below limits of detection and evidence lack of evolution of infection for prolonged periods. The role of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in these individuals is controversial. Though recent data suggest that ART may decrease immune activation and prevent complications such as development of accelerated cardiovascular disease (CVD); treatment has not clearly demonstrated a benefit on clinical outcomes (e.g., HIV disease progression, CVD events, mortality). We describe a 49-year-old female HIV elite controller who presented with asymptomatic HIV infection for 26 years and review recent literature on the role of ART in this population.
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Review Case Reports
Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer (HLRCC): Report of a Family Pedigree.
Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) is a rare familial cancer syndrome with a germline mutation in the fumarate hydratase gene. Affected individuals are predisposed to development of cutaneous leiomyomas, uterine leiomyomas, and papillary renal cell carcinoma. We present a case of a mother and son pair affected with HLRCC, discuss clinical management, and examine potential syndromic manifestations in extended family members. Annual imaging surveillance for kidney cancer is recommended since 20-30% of individuals develop aggressive papillary type II renal cell carcinoma that can be difficult to treat once it has metastasized.