Articles: function.
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Multicenter Study
Safety and efficacy of natalizumab in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (ACTION): a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase 2 trial.
In animal models of acute ischaemic stroke, blocking of the leukocyte-endothelium adhesion by antagonism of α4 integrin reduces infarct volumes and improves outcomes. We assessed the effect of one dose of natalizumab, an antibody against the leukocyte adhesion molecule α4 integrin, in patients with acute ischaemic stroke. ⋯ Biogen.
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Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a poorly understood pain disorder of the limbs. Maladaptive cortical plasticity has been shown to play a major role in its pathophysiological presentation. Recently, there is increasing interest in the role of the basal ganglia (BG), since clinical findings and neuroimaging studies point to possible BG involvement in CRPS. ⋯ Moreover, several neuroimaging studies documented abnormalities in the BG and in the frontal, parietal and limbic cortical areas. These regions are functionally and anatomically connected in motor, pain and working memory networks. Put together, these findings call for further characterization of the dynamic cortical and subcortical interactions in CRPS.
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Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells. Because of their particular ability to initiate and regulate cell mediated and humoral immune responses, there is considerable interest in the role that DCs play in the pathogenesis of various lung diseases, especially those in which there is an excessive immune response to specific antigens (as in asthma) or a deficient immune response (as in lung cancer). ⋯ Although an extensive body of literature has documented the role that DCs play in experimental models of lung disease, this review will highlight recent advances in our understanding of DC function in human disease, including asthma, COPD, antimicrobial immunity, and lung cancer. The future is likely to see new approaches whereby antigens and small molecules are targeted to receptors on particular DC subpopulations in order to modify pulmonary immune responses.
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Pleural effusion adversely affects the pressuregenerating capacity of the diaphragm. It uncouples the lung and chest wall, which may result in diaphragmatic dysfunction. Information on the effects of effusion drainage on diaphragmatic function is limited, but several studies report relief of dyspnoea after drainage, which was attributed to improved diaphragmatic mechanics, even if this issue was never formally addressed. ⋯ Drainage of a unilateral pleural effusion during weaning from mechanical ventilation improves diaphragmatic contractile activity and respiratory system performance.