Sarcoidosis Vasc Dif
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Sarcoidosis Vasc Dif · Mar 2013
YKL-40 and matrix metalloproteinases as potential biomarkers of inflammation and fibrosis in the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome.
The development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) after lung transplantation is characterized by inflammation, remodeling and fibrosis. Both YKL-40 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 have shown to be involved in these processes. We measured serial YKL-40 and MMP-9 serum levels in lung transplant recipients and assessed their usefulness as biomarker for BOS. Furthermore, we investigate the relationship between these two potential biomarkers of BOS and MMP-7. ⋯ From the moment of transplantation onwards, patients who eventually developed BOS had significantly increased MMP-9 serum levels in comparison with patients who did not develop BOS. Therefore, increased MMP-9 serum levels might be useful as risk factor for BOS.
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Sarcoidosis Vasc Dif · Mar 2013
Case Reports23-year-old female with dyspnea, hematuria, and seizure progressing to respiratory failure.
Takayasu arteritis is a rare chronic inflammatory disease on unknown etiology. We report a 23-year old female who presented with fever, shortness of breath and abdominal pain. ⋯ We discuss the clinical manifestations and the diagnostic work up of Takayasu arteritis. The patient's response to therapy and a discussion on treatment modalities of the disease are also included in the report.
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Sarcoidosis Vasc Dif · Oct 2012
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyAre clinical features in Löfgren's syndrome-related erythema nodosum different from idiopathic erythema nodosum?
We retrospectively evaluated acute sarcoidosis (Löfgren's syndrome) patients diagnosed at 2 centers and compared the clinical features of Löfgren's syndrome (LS) related erythema nodosum (EN) to patients with idiopathic IEN who were diagnosed within the same time frame. ⋯ Apart from BHL, arthritis and/or arthralgia especially periarticular ankle inflammation is the feature which could be used to differentiate LS related EN from IEN. There is more need for steroids in LS patients and the symptoms quickly resolve with steroids.
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Sarcoidosis Vasc Dif · Oct 2012
Comparative StudyHealth-related quality of life does not predict mortality in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Although health-related quality of life (HRQL) has recently been considered to be an important outcome in clinical trials of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), its relationship with survival is unknown. ⋯ There was no significant relationship between HRQL evaluated with the SGRQ and the subsequent mortality in IPF. The present negative result might suggest that HRQL is measuring an aspect other than one from physiological and functional impairment or disability.
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Sarcoidosis Vasc Dif · Oct 2012
Comparative StudyFeasibility of cytological diagnosis of sarcoidosis with endobronchial US-guided transbronchial aspiration.
Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has a high diagnostic value in sarcoidosis if the obtained histological specimen is indicative of a non-caseating epithelioid-cell granuloma. However, EBUS-TBNA in sacoidosis sometimes affords solely cytological specimens. ⋯ Cytological evaluation of the EBUS-TBNA specimens had higher sensitivity than histological evaluation alone for intrathoracic lymphadenopathy due to sarcoidosis. It should be recognized, however, that up to 6% of patients with thoracic malignancy may have sarcoid reaction in non-metastatic lymph nodes.