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Rhinoviruses (RV) are the major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and are associated with exacerbation development as well as community-acquired pneumonia in children, leading to substantial morbidity, mortality, and hospital admission. Here we have examined how changes at the amino terminal of the conserved VP4 epitope of different RV serotypes may affect pulmonary cytokine and chemokine responses and disease severity. Samples positive for rhinovirus were used for genetic characterization, followed by profiling gene expression of pulmonary Th1 and Th2 cytokines/chemokines by RT-PCR arrays. Genetic sequencing and homology 3D modeling revealed changes at the amino terminal of the conserved viral protein 4 (VP4) epitope in the RV-A101 serotype, especially serine at several positions that are important for interactive binding with the host immune cells. We found dysregulation of pulmonary gene expression of Th1- and Th2-related cytokines and chemokines in RV-A 101 and RV-C 8 pneumonia patients. These findings might contribute to a better understanding of RV immunity and the potential mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of severe RV infections, but further functional studies are needed to confirm the causal relationship.

A rare case of vesical calculi complicating the procedure of ventriculo-vesical shunt is presented. In addition to highlighting technical difficulties in placing shunt catheters into the urinary system, the potential complications are discussed. We consider this route of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) diversion less physiological compared with the peritoneal, pleural or the venous sites, and discourage use of the urinary bladder as the drainage site for the shunting of CSF.

A rare case of unilateral benign essential tremor is presented that responded to surgical excision of a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst.

A case of recurrent intracranial abscess at the initial site after a latency of 16 years is presented. The causes and possible mechanisms of recurrence are discussed.

Intraspinal pneumocoele is rarely associated with closed head injury. We describe a case of intra-spinal pneumocoele following a closed head injury. We believe this to be the first case presenting with radicular symptoms.

The authors present four patients with a history of high dose cranial irradiation, who were diagnosed years later to have symptomatic meningiomas requiring surgical management. Relevant literature pertaining to these rare tumours is reviewed and their unusual characteristics highlighted. Their aetio-pathogenesis and management strategies are discussed.