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The article examines the role of aspergillus fumigatus in the growth of cystic fibrosis lung disease in patients. Colonization of cavity may result to aspergilloma with symptoms of cough and haemoptyses. Patients with CF experienced wheezing and reversible airflow obstruction. Patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis should be administered with oral steroids.

The lifetime T1 of the symmetric Si–H stretching mode for the Si(100)/H:2×1 surface is significantly longer (T1>=6 ns at 100 K) than for Si(111)/H:1×1. T1 is strongly sample dependent and temperature dependent. Samples with the longest lifetimes also show the smallest inhomogeneous width. The difficulty in reproducing the longer lifetimes at low temperature indicates that the measured T1 may not be intrinsic and may by due to defects. The deuterated surface has a lifetime of 250±30 ps with little variation from sample to sample and a weak temperature dependence. It is expected to be the intrinsic lifetime. On the hydrogenated surface, the energy transfer time between the symmetric and asymmetric mode is measured to be 90±15 ps at 100 K. From photon-echo measurement, the measured dephasing time at 100 K is 75±5 ps. We propose that the dephasing on that surface is induced by a low-energy silicon phonon (200–300 cm-1) as for the Si(111)/H:1×1 surface. We derive an expression relating the dephasing time and the energy transfer time for the general case of two coupled oscillators and discuss its application to this system. © 1995 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysing culture supernatants of yeast and hyphal cells of Candida albicans, we found two close homologues of pathogenesis-related ( PR-) 1 proteins, Rbe1p and Rbt4p, in the secretome. Due to sequence homology, three additional, yet not characterized open reading frames, ORF19.6200, ORF19.2787 and ORF19.2336, together with RBE1 and RBT4 were assigned to a novel family of CaPRY proteins. In a Δ rbe1/ Δ rbt4 deletion strain, genome-wide transcriptional analysis revealed differential transcription of only a limited set of genes implicated in virulence and oxidative stress response. Single deletion of RBE1 or RBT4 in a clinical C. albicans isolate resulted in a moderate but significant attenuation in virulence in a mouse model for disseminated candidiasis. However, a synergistic effect was observed in a Δ rbe1/ Δ rbt4 double deletion strain, where virulence was strongly affected. Remarkably, transcription of RBT4 and RBE1 was each upregulated in blastospores of Δrbe1 or hyphae of Δrbt4 deletion strains respectively, indicating functional complementation thereby compensating a potential virulence defect in the single deletion strains. Furthermore, the double deletion strain showed increased sensitivity to attack by polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Therefore, the crucial contribution of both C. albicans pathogenesis-related proteins to virulence might be vested in protection against phagocyte attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which observed blood platelet count of patients after undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Information on the patients and methods; Results of the study; Discussion of findings.

Studies the impact of antithymocyte globulin on short-term toxicity after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Information on the patients; Methodology; Results of the study.

Background: Laparoscopic splenectomy is a novel approach for the treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in patients requiring surgical intervention. This technique was used for treatment in 16 consecutive patients. Follow-up was initiated at a median of 13.5 months after surgery to determine whether or not laparoscopic splenectomy is a safe and successful procedure that should be used in all patients requiring splenectomy for ITP. Methods: Sixteen patients underwent laparoscopic splenectomy for ITP between May 1994 and September 1996. They were evaluated prospectively prior to surgery, immediately following surgery, at discharge, and at 13.5 months following surgery ( n= 14) to determine the short- and long-term results of the procedure. Results: Mean operation time was 123.4 ± 12.1 min, and there were no significant intra- or postoperative complications. Mean intraoperative blood loss was 437.5 ± 73.5 ml. Autologous blood transfusion was necessary in one patient (6.3%). Mean organ weight was 202.2 ± 47.3 g. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.6 ± 0.4 days. Before discharge, mean platelet count rose by 100.7%. At follow-up (13.5 months postoperatively), it was 77.7% above preoperative values. No additional surgery was necessary in any of the patients undergoing laparoscopic splenectomy, and hematologic success was achieved in 12 patients (85.7%). Conclusions: Our results clearly indicate that laparoscopic splenectomy is a safe and successful procedure in patients suffering from ITP. It offers the well-known advantages of minimal invasive surgery as well as the surgical effectiveness of the open approach. This surgical technique should therefore be considered in all patients requiring splenectomy for the treatment of ITP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate endothelial cell alterations in BMT recipients developing acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) we determined levels of the endothelial cell markers von Willebrand factor (VWF) and thrombomodulin (TM) in 57 patients undergoing BMT. Before conditioning VWF and TM levels did not differ significantly between transplant recipients who later developed no or mild (grade I) aGVHD (group A, allogeneic n = 22, autologous n = 7; VWF 136.0 ± 44.1%; TM 29.5 ± 18.0 ng/ml), and those with moderate or severe (grade II or III) aGVHD (group B, n = 28; VWF 142.2 ± 37.6%; TM 35.2 ± 20.1 ng/ml). A first significant rise of both VWF and TM levels was noted after conditioning (day 0) both in group A (VWF 197.0 ± 113.3%; P < 0.001; tm 39.3 ± 23.3 ng/ml; P < 0.01) as well as in group b (vwf 201.7 ± 53.3%; P < 0.0001; tm 43.5 ± 23.5 ng/ml; P < 0.05). subgroup analysis of autografted patients revealed no significant increase after conditioning in these patients. at the time of engraftment and onset of agvhd (day 21), when vwf and tm levels within the groups were significantly elevated as compared with baseline (day -8) levels, group b patients (62.7 ± 38.5 ng/ml) had significantly higher (P < 0.01) tm levels than patients of group a (37.4 ± 19.6 ng/ml). this significant elevation also persisted at the end of the investigational period (day 28; group b: 56.0 ± 37.6 ng/ml; group a: 38.2 ± 23.7 ng/ml; P < 0.01). an elevation of endothelial cell markers is found in the course of bmt, particularly after conditioning and at the time of engraftment. this increase is pronounced in patients with agvhd suggesting not only epithelial cell but also endothelial cell injury during agvhd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and aminopropeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) have been described as markers of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We determined these parameters in two patients undergoing BMT and subsequent liver transplantation due to VOD. Previously normal PAI-1 levels (maximum 30.0 ng/ml in patient 1, 23.7 ng/ml in patient 2) were elevated for the first time in both patients at the time of clinically diagnosed VOD on days 40 and 20, respectively (patient 1: 317.5 ng/ml; patient 2: 317.2 ng/ml). Levels remained elevated until liver transplantation was performed on days 79 and 41, respectively. Baseline levels (day -8) of aminopropeptide of type III collagen (patient 1: 4.44 μ g/l; patient 2: 8.1 μ g/l) peaked at the time of BMT in both patients (155.0 μ g/l and 108.3 μ g/l). After an intermittent decrease at the time of discharge on day 32, a second elevation was observed in patient 1 when she was readmitted and presented with typical signs of VOD on day 40. In patient 2, PIIINP levels remained high until VOD was diagnosed (day 20) and liver transplantation was performed. After liver transplantation, PAI-1 levels normalized in both patients and PIIINP levels declined. Both patients died due to infectious complications and multiorgan failure on days 141 and 101, respectively. Whereas the early rise of PIIINP did not correlate with the clinical onset of VOD, the results emphasise the relevance of PAI-1 for diagnosing VOD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]