Many biological properties have been attributed to various types of propolis, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, wound healing, and immunomodulatory activities. This article reviewed studies published that investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of propolis of different origins and/ or its isolated components, focusing on the mechanisms of action underlying ...

We described immune reconstitution infl ammatory syndrome (IRIS) associated with mycobacterial infection in 2 HIV-infected male children. Both cases had severe immune suppression at the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART), with a known risk of IRIS. They presented with neck masses that were enlarged and infl amed lymph nodes, which represented an enhanced immune response after 6 weeks of...

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010 30 INTRODUCTION Certain workers, particularly in agriculture, are exposed to large quantities of dust during their work. The dust consists of varying amounts of inorganic material, organic substances of plant and animal origin as well as viable and non-viable microorganisms and their by-products (biochemical components, toxins, antigens).1-4 The pathogenic role of dust co...

Normal aging is marked by dysregulated immune function or immunosenescence. However, there is considerable variation in the degree to which adults are susceptible or resilient to immune dysregulation and disease. Stress is an important factor that can further alter the aging immune system. In this chapter, we review research that shows how stress can enhance age-related immune dysregulation in ...

We report the case of a 50-year-old Japanese woman with SAPHO (synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosisosteomyelitis) syndrome. Radiographs showed osteosclerosis of the cervical and lumbar vertebrae, as well as osteosclerosis and osteolysis of the right femoral neck, resembling multiple metastatic bony lesions. Arriving at a diagnosis required hematological and imaging tests. Whole-body bone scin...

Acute pericardial diseases include acute pericarditis and cardiac tamponade. Both conditions can be associated with acute hemodynamic instability or cardiac failure and require immediate diagnostic workup and treatment. The pericardium surrounds the heart with two layers. The outer fi brous layer is called the parietal pericardium; the inner layer, which covers the cardiac surface, is the serou...

Approximately 600-700 species of Ipomoea, Convolvulaceae, are found throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Several of those species have been used as ornamental plants, food, medicines or in religious ritual. The present work reviews the traditional uses, chemistry and biological activities of Ipomoea species and illustrates the potential of the genus as a source of therapeut...

Pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome Damage-associated DNA and microparticles Cell-free DNA is detected in blood in many diseases and can originate from necrotic cells or apoptotic processes to refl ect the extent of cellular damage. ARDS is associated with several acute diseases that may cause cell death and release of DNA into the bloodstream [1]. Okkonen and colleagues [2] per...

1 Lin PW, Stoll BJ. Necrotising enterocolitis. Lancet 2006; 368: 1271–83. 2 Guillet R, Stoll BJ, Cotton CM, et al. Association of H2-blocker therapy and higher incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants. Pediatrics 2006; 117: e137–42. 3 Holman RC, Stoll BJ, Curns AT, et al. Necrotising enterocolitis hospitalisations among neonates in the United States. Paediatr Pern...

Right-sided endocarditis, and endocarditis of the tricuspid valve in particular, is a relatively uncommon condition, encountered approximately 5 to 10 percent all cases infectious (IE). The recent increase prevalence right-sided IE attributed intravenous drug abuse as well increased utilization implantable cardiac devices such pacemakers, cardioverter-defi brillators, resynchronization therapy ...