Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has become a significant threat to public health. Although broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy is the primary treatment option for CDI, its use has evident limitations. Probiotics have been proved to be effective in the treatment of CDI and are a promising therapeutic option for CDI. In this study, 4 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), namely, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR5), Lactococ-cuslactis (SL3), Bifidobacterium breve (BR3), and Bifidobacterium lactis (BL3) were evaluated for their anti-C. difficile activity. Co-culture incubation of C. difficile (106 and 1010 CFU/ml) with each strain of LAB indicated that SL3 possessed the highest antimicrobial activity over a 24-hr period. The cell-free supernatants of the 4 LAB strains exhibited MIC50 values between 0.424 mg/ml (SL3) and 1.318 (BR3) mg/ml. These results may provide a basis for alternative therapies for the treatment of C. difficile-associated gut disorders.
Bacteria ; Bifidobacterium ; Clostridium ; Clostridium difficile ; Coculture Techniques ; Complementary Therapies ; Lactic Acid ; Lactobacillus rhamnosus ; Probiotics ; Public Health ; Pyridines ; Sprains and Strains ; Thiazoles

The authors present a case of cervical syringomyelia associated with cerebellar mixed oligoastrocytoma in an 18-month-old boy who was normally delivered at full-term. The child presented with an increasing incidence of vomiting and irritability, and a poor truncal control. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed cerebellar vermian tumor with an obstructive hydrocephalus and a small-sized syringomyelia at the 6th cervical vertebral level. The tumor was completely removed via suboccipital craniectomy. Histologically, the tumor consisted of mixed oligo-astrocytoma. The cervical syringomyelia was conservatively managed with no specific operative treatment. At two months postoperatively, magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine showed a remarkable reduction in size of the syringomyelic cavity.
Astrocytoma ; Brain ; Cerebellar Neoplasms ; Child ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Incidence ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Spine ; Syringomyelia* ; Vomiting

No abstract available.
Brain Stem* ; Cysticercus* ; Granuloma*

Background: Nitric oxide(NO) has been reproted to play an important role in macrophage-mediated microbicidal capacity for a variety of intracellular pathogens. NO generation is used as an indicator of microbicidal function of macrophages. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose is to investigate the production of NO rom macrophages phagocytized with Mycobacterium leprae or M. leprae phenolic glycolipid-1(PGL-1) for the purpose of elucidating the pathogenesis of leprosy. METHODS: We used a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. Macrophages were incubated with dead M. leprae or PGL-1, respectively and then treated with interfer n-gamma(IFN-r) and/or tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-a). The release of NO was determined spectrophotometrically by measuring nitrite. RESULTS: M. Leprae and PGL-1 failed to stimulnte NO secretion execept at high bacteria-to-cell rations(50:1)and at the higheat concentrat,ion(100pg/ml) of PGL-1. IFN-r or IFN-r plus TNF-a markedly stimulated macrophages phagocyt,ized with M. leprae or PGL-1 to release NO . CONCLUSION: Defective IFN-r-dependent NO production of macrophages may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of leprosy.
Cell Line ; Cytokines* ; Leprosy ; Macrophages* ; Mycobacterium leprae* ; Mycobacterium* ; Necrosis ; Nitric Oxide* ; Phenol*

Isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency is an uncommon disorder for which the pathogenetic mechanism has not yet been identified. It has been reported that isolated ACTH deficiency (ICD) may be accompanied by deficiencies in other pituitary hormones; impaired growth hormone (GH) secretion was noted in 20 to 30% of ICD patients. Here, we describe a female patient with isolated ACTH deficiency accompanied by empty sella syndrome presenting as hypoglycemia, which was confirmed via various endocrine tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sella turcica. The patient's symptoms improved rapidly with prednisolone therapy and, during follow-up, her previously impaired GH response to provocative stimuli and high TSH levels were corrected by glucocorticoid replacement alone. However, treatment failed to normalize plasma IGF-1 levels, suggesting that physiological cortisol levels are necessary for a normal plasma GH response to provocative stimuli.
Adrenal Insufficiency ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Empty Sella Syndrome ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hypoglycemia ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Plasma ; Prednisolone ; Sella Turcica

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a heterogeneous bile duct adenocarcinoma with a rising global incidence and a poor prognosis. This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the most recent radiological research on iCCA, focusing on its histopathologic subclassification and the use of imaging findings to predict prognosis and inform treatment decisions. Histologically, iCCA is subclassified into small duct (SD-iCCA) and large duct (LD-iCCA) types. SD-iCCA typically arises in the peripheral small bile ducts and is often associated with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. It presents as a mass-forming lesion with a relatively favorable prognosis. LD-iCCA originates near the hepatic hilum, is linked to chronic bile duct diseases, and exhibits more aggressive behavior and poorer outcomes.Imaging is essential for differentiating these subtypes and assessing prognostic factors like tumor size, multiplicity, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, enhancement patterns, and intratumoral fibrosis. Imaging-based prognostic models have demonstrated predictive accuracy comparable to traditional pathological staging systems. Furthermore, imaging findings are instrumental in guiding treatment decisions, including those regarding surgical planning, lymphadenectomy, neoadjuvant therapy, and the selection of targeted therapies based on molecular profiling. Advancements in radiological research have improved our understanding of iCCA heterogeneity, facilitating prognosis prediction and treatment personalization. Imaging findings assist in subclassifying iCCA, predicting outcomes, and informing treatment decisions, thus optimizing patient management. Incorporating imaging-based approaches into clinical practice is crucial for advancing personalized medicine in the treatment of iCCA. However, further high-level evidence from international multicenter prospective studies is required to validate these findings and increase their clinical applicability.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a heterogeneous bile duct adenocarcinoma with a rising global incidence and a poor prognosis. This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the most recent radiological research on iCCA, focusing on its histopathologic subclassification and the use of imaging findings to predict prognosis and inform treatment decisions. Histologically, iCCA is subclassified into small duct (SD-iCCA) and large duct (LD-iCCA) types. SD-iCCA typically arises in the peripheral small bile ducts and is often associated with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. It presents as a mass-forming lesion with a relatively favorable prognosis. LD-iCCA originates near the hepatic hilum, is linked to chronic bile duct diseases, and exhibits more aggressive behavior and poorer outcomes.Imaging is essential for differentiating these subtypes and assessing prognostic factors like tumor size, multiplicity, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, enhancement patterns, and intratumoral fibrosis. Imaging-based prognostic models have demonstrated predictive accuracy comparable to traditional pathological staging systems. Furthermore, imaging findings are instrumental in guiding treatment decisions, including those regarding surgical planning, lymphadenectomy, neoadjuvant therapy, and the selection of targeted therapies based on molecular profiling. Advancements in radiological research have improved our understanding of iCCA heterogeneity, facilitating prognosis prediction and treatment personalization. Imaging findings assist in subclassifying iCCA, predicting outcomes, and informing treatment decisions, thus optimizing patient management. Incorporating imaging-based approaches into clinical practice is crucial for advancing personalized medicine in the treatment of iCCA. However, further high-level evidence from international multicenter prospective studies is required to validate these findings and increase their clinical applicability.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a heterogeneous bile duct adenocarcinoma with a rising global incidence and a poor prognosis. This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the most recent radiological research on iCCA, focusing on its histopathologic subclassification and the use of imaging findings to predict prognosis and inform treatment decisions. Histologically, iCCA is subclassified into small duct (SD-iCCA) and large duct (LD-iCCA) types. SD-iCCA typically arises in the peripheral small bile ducts and is often associated with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. It presents as a mass-forming lesion with a relatively favorable prognosis. LD-iCCA originates near the hepatic hilum, is linked to chronic bile duct diseases, and exhibits more aggressive behavior and poorer outcomes.Imaging is essential for differentiating these subtypes and assessing prognostic factors like tumor size, multiplicity, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, enhancement patterns, and intratumoral fibrosis. Imaging-based prognostic models have demonstrated predictive accuracy comparable to traditional pathological staging systems. Furthermore, imaging findings are instrumental in guiding treatment decisions, including those regarding surgical planning, lymphadenectomy, neoadjuvant therapy, and the selection of targeted therapies based on molecular profiling. Advancements in radiological research have improved our understanding of iCCA heterogeneity, facilitating prognosis prediction and treatment personalization. Imaging findings assist in subclassifying iCCA, predicting outcomes, and informing treatment decisions, thus optimizing patient management. Incorporating imaging-based approaches into clinical practice is crucial for advancing personalized medicine in the treatment of iCCA. However, further high-level evidence from international multicenter prospective studies is required to validate these findings and increase their clinical applicability.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a heterogeneous bile duct adenocarcinoma with a rising global incidence and a poor prognosis. This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the most recent radiological research on iCCA, focusing on its histopathologic subclassification and the use of imaging findings to predict prognosis and inform treatment decisions. Histologically, iCCA is subclassified into small duct (SD-iCCA) and large duct (LD-iCCA) types. SD-iCCA typically arises in the peripheral small bile ducts and is often associated with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. It presents as a mass-forming lesion with a relatively favorable prognosis. LD-iCCA originates near the hepatic hilum, is linked to chronic bile duct diseases, and exhibits more aggressive behavior and poorer outcomes.Imaging is essential for differentiating these subtypes and assessing prognostic factors like tumor size, multiplicity, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, enhancement patterns, and intratumoral fibrosis. Imaging-based prognostic models have demonstrated predictive accuracy comparable to traditional pathological staging systems. Furthermore, imaging findings are instrumental in guiding treatment decisions, including those regarding surgical planning, lymphadenectomy, neoadjuvant therapy, and the selection of targeted therapies based on molecular profiling. Advancements in radiological research have improved our understanding of iCCA heterogeneity, facilitating prognosis prediction and treatment personalization. Imaging findings assist in subclassifying iCCA, predicting outcomes, and informing treatment decisions, thus optimizing patient management. Incorporating imaging-based approaches into clinical practice is crucial for advancing personalized medicine in the treatment of iCCA. However, further high-level evidence from international multicenter prospective studies is required to validate these findings and increase their clinical applicability.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a heterogeneous bile duct adenocarcinoma with a rising global incidence and a poor prognosis. This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the most recent radiological research on iCCA, focusing on its histopathologic subclassification and the use of imaging findings to predict prognosis and inform treatment decisions. Histologically, iCCA is subclassified into small duct (SD-iCCA) and large duct (LD-iCCA) types. SD-iCCA typically arises in the peripheral small bile ducts and is often associated with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. It presents as a mass-forming lesion with a relatively favorable prognosis. LD-iCCA originates near the hepatic hilum, is linked to chronic bile duct diseases, and exhibits more aggressive behavior and poorer outcomes.Imaging is essential for differentiating these subtypes and assessing prognostic factors like tumor size, multiplicity, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, enhancement patterns, and intratumoral fibrosis. Imaging-based prognostic models have demonstrated predictive accuracy comparable to traditional pathological staging systems. Furthermore, imaging findings are instrumental in guiding treatment decisions, including those regarding surgical planning, lymphadenectomy, neoadjuvant therapy, and the selection of targeted therapies based on molecular profiling. Advancements in radiological research have improved our understanding of iCCA heterogeneity, facilitating prognosis prediction and treatment personalization. Imaging findings assist in subclassifying iCCA, predicting outcomes, and informing treatment decisions, thus optimizing patient management. Incorporating imaging-based approaches into clinical practice is crucial for advancing personalized medicine in the treatment of iCCA. However, further high-level evidence from international multicenter prospective studies is required to validate these findings and increase their clinical applicability.