ABSTRACT
The hemolytic uremic syndrome is a clinical syndrome defined by the presence of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and acute renal failure. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) which is not usually associated with prodromal symptoms, especially diarrhea, has a higher mortality rate and a stronger tendency to progress to chronic renal failure. In approximately 30-50% of patients with aHUS, mutations have been detected in complement factor H, membrane cofactor protein or factor I. Mutations in the complement regulator factor H are the most frequent and have a very poor prognosis, with most patients developing ESRD. We have experienced a 33-year-old man with a family history of renal failure diagnosed as aHUS resulted from factor H mutation, for whom we carried out hemodialysis, plasmapheresis and other conservative management.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Acute Kidney Injury , Anemia, Hemolytic , Membrane Cofactor Protein , Complement Factor H , Complement System Proteins , Diarrhea , Fibrinogen , Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome , Kidney Failure, Chronic , Plasmapheresis , Prodromal Symptoms , Prognosis , Renal Dialysis , Renal Insufficiency , ThrombocytopeniaABSTRACT
Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome is characterized by unexplained blood eosinophilia > 1500/mm3 for more than 6 months and eosinophilic infiltration of several organs. A major source of the morbidity and mortality of this syndrome is the associated cardiac involvement. The typical cardiac involvement includes endocardial fibrosis and mural thrombus. We report a case of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome manifested as multiple regional wall motion abnormalities and moderate pericardial effusion on transthoracic echocardiography that was successfully treated by pericardiostomy and steroid therapy.
Subject(s)
Echocardiography , Eosinophilia , Eosinophils , Fibrosis , Hypereosinophilic Syndrome , Pericardial Effusion , Pericardial Window Techniques , ThrombosisABSTRACT
A 67-year old woman, hospitalized for the management of infectious colitis, developed acute congestive heart failure. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed left ventricular apical akinesia (ballooning) and basal hyperkinesis, which was compatible with stress cardiomyopathy. A marked QT prolongation and T wave inversion followed by nonsustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia was noted in the electrocardiogram. Intravenous administration of magnesium completely suppressed the ventricular tachycardia. After recovery from the colitis, the follow-up ECG and echocardiogram were normalized. There was no evidence of ischemic heart disease in the coronary angiography or perfusion scan. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is one of the most important causes of acquired QT prolongation in ICU (intensive care unit) patients.. A careful monitoring of the QT interval in these patients is warranted particularly when drugs causing QT prolongation are used.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Administration, Intravenous , Colitis , Coronary Angiography , Echocardiography , Electrocardiography , Follow-Up Studies , Heart Failure , Hyperkinesis , Long QT Syndrome , Magnesium , Myocardial Ischemia , Perfusion , Tachycardia, Ventricular , Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy , Torsades de PointesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low energy-ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation on bone metabolism and turnover in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five-week old C57BL/6 mice were randomly allocated into two groups. Control group (n=35) was not exposed to UVB and experimental group (n=35) was exposed to low energy-UVB for 30 min a day during 7 days. Serological and radiological examination was performed at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 week(s) of each group (n=7). RESULTS: Analysis of biochemical bone markers revealed that alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was detected higher in the UVB group compared to control group. Serum level of osteocalcin was higher in UVB group at 1st week after UVB irradiation (p=0.031). The mean value of Vitamin D was significantly higher in UVB group than control group (p=0.032). Bone mineral density (BMD) from both 5th lumbar spine (p=0.124) and femur (p=0.862) showed higher in UVB group than control group from two weeks after irradiation, but they were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our study with radiological bone mineral density and serological tests for biochemical bone turnover markers revealed that ultraviolet irradiation contributed positive effect on bone formation.