Only STN activity at 60-90 Hz was coherent with activity in M1. Directionality analysis showed that STN gamma activity at 60-90 Hz tended to drive gamma activity in M1. The effects of levodopa on both local and distant synchronization at 60-90 Hz correlated with the degree of improvement in bradykinesia-rigidity as did local STN activity at 300-400 Hz. Despite this, there were no ERK signaling inhibitors effects of movement type, nor interactions between movement type and levodopa in the STN, nor in the coherence between STN and M1. We conclude that synchronization

at 60-90 Hz in the basal ganglia cortical network is prokinetic but likely through a modulatory effect rather than any involvement in explicit motor processing.”
“Background: Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is still the main complication after lung transplantation. Besides other improvements in post-operative management, newer immunosuppressive regimens might decrease the devastating sequelae of this complication.\n\nMethods: We compared the prospectively collected data of lung transplant recipients treated either with azathioprine (AZA; n = 48) or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF; n = 108), who underwent regular monthly surveillance bronchoscopies for at least 6 post-operative months.\n\nResults: Patients on MMF had significantly fewer acute (P < 0.001) and recurrent (P < 0.001), as well as less severe rejection episodes (P = 0.01). In addition,

MMF significantly reduced the number of alveolar lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils (P < 0.001), and decreased the hemosiderin score reflecting non-specific alveolar-capillary damage (P < selleck kinase inhibitor 0.001). Although there was no change in the three stages of BOS, there was a trend towards improved survival (P = 0.062) and a significant decrease in graft loss due to BOS (P = 0.049)

in patients receiving MMF.\n\nConclusions: Immunosuppression with MMF significantly decreased the incidence, severity and recurrence of acute rejection episodes in lung transplant recipients. Parameters of alveolar inflammation and alveolar-capillary damage were also decreased. As a potential consequence, MMF significantly reduced graft loss due to BOS and tended to improve overall survival in these patients. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“BACKGROUND: Infectious events have been reported as major environmental triggers of thrombotic thrombocytopenic GSK2879552 mouse purpura (TTP). We detail here the potential association between infections and TTP. STUDY\n\nDESIGN AND METHODS: We recruited randomly and prospectively a cohort of 280 consecutive TTP patients during a 9-year period. Features of infection were systematically recorded.\n\nRESULTS: Features consistent with an infectious event were observed in 114 patients (41%) at time of TTP diagnosis. Infectious agents were documented in 34 cases and were mainly Gram-negative bacilli. At time of diagnosis infected patients more frequently had fever (p < 0.001).