Conclusions: From these results we can identify patients who are at a higher risk of developing DAH after allo-HSCT, and we found that high-dose corticosteroid therapy may not alter the poor outcome associated with this syndrome. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“BACKGROUND
Hypertrophic scars (HScs) are inelastic scars that can cause functional loss and disfigurement. Decorin regulates collagen fibrillogenesis, and its expression is lower in HScs than in normal skin and during wound healing.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of combined verapamil and triamcinolone in treating HScs.
METHODS
Excised
human HSc fragments from surgically treated burned patients were divided into three groups: A (normal saline), B (verapamil), and C (verapamil and triamcinolone). The specimens were bilaterally implanted in the back of nude mice, treated using intralesional injections, and observed for BLZ945 Protein Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor 4 weeks. We compared the fibroblast viability and proliferation, decorin staining, and scar weights to evaluate treatment efficacy.
RESULTS
Viability and proliferation of HSc fibroblasts from groups B and C were significantly lower at all time intervals HM781-36B after transplantation (p <.001).
Treatment (Groups B and C) stimulated strong decorin staining by 4 weeks. Nonsignificant differences in changes in scar weight were observed between groups.
CONCLUSIONS
We present the first evidence of verapamil-augmented decorin expression spatially correlated with collagen bundles in HScs. Combination therapy can reduce the dosage of each drug but achieve equal Bcl-2 inhibitor or better efficacy than monotherapy, reducing the side effects of a single drug.
The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.”
“Background: Breathing pattern description and chest wall kinematics during phonation have not been studied in male
and female patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Objectives: We used optoelectronic plethysmography to provide a quantitative description of breathing pattern and chest wall kinematics. Methods: Volumes of chest wall compartments (rib cage and abdomen) were assessed in 15 patients while reading aloud (R), singing (SI) and during high-effort whispering (HW). Results: Relative to quiet breathing, tidal volume and expiratory time increased while inspiratory time decreased. The expiratory flow decreased during R and SI, but was unchanged during HW. In males, the end-expiratory volume decreased as a result of a decreased volume of rib cage during R, SI and HW and due to a decreased volume of abdomen during HW. In females, a decrease in end-expiratory volume was accomplished by a decrease in abdominal volume during R and HW. During R, the chest wall end-expiratory volume of the last expiration in females was to the left of the maximal expiratory flow volume D curve (MEFV), with still substantial expiratory reserve volume available.