Results: Patients were divided into 2 groups: those suffering from acute ischemic attack (symptomatic, n = 31) and those that did not present with symptoms (asymptomatic, n = 34). Ultrasound analysis revealed that plaque vulnerability was greater in the symptomatic group (P = .033; Chi-square test). Immunohistochemistry revealed that plaques from the symptomatic group Anlotinib supplier had a greater concentration of M1 macrophages (CD68-, CD11c-positive) while plaques from the asymptomatic group had more M2 macrophages (CD163-positive). This observation was confirmed by Western blotting. Characterization by real-time polymerase chain reaction studies revealed
that plaques from the symptomatic group had increased expression of the M1 markers CD68 and CD11c, as well as monocyte chemoattractive protein-1, interleukin-6, and matrix metalloproteinase-9.
In addition, more M1 macrophages expressed in unstable plaques were defined by ultrasound analysis, while more M2 macrophages were expressed in stable plaques. Conclusions: Our data show that M1 macrophage content of atherosclerotic plaques is associated with clinical incidence of ischemic stroke and increased inflammation or fibrinolysis. Elacridar mw We also show the benefits of using ultrasound to evaluate vulnerability in the plaques.”
“Background: The efficacy of intratympanic steroid (ITS) treatment in sudden deafness (SD) remains controversial. To shed light on this issue, we performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials to assess the overall efficacy of ITS therapy and to clarify whether it is more suitable as a first-line approach (primary treatment) or as a salvage treatment when traditional systemic agents have failed.
Methods: An electronic database search (MEDLINE and PubMed) was performed with the objective of identifying all studies published in the English language between January 1980 and November 2011 on the efficacy of ITS in the treatment of
SD. All relevant articles Selleckchem GF120918 were retrieved, and the related reference lists were reviewed systematically to identify other reports that could be included. Data were synthesized using the Mantel-Haenszel model. Results are expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results: A total of 11 randomized studies including 472 subjects allocated to ITS and 453 controls were selected. Intratympanic steroid regimens used and treatments administered to controls varied widely across studies. When considering together trials investigating ITS therapy as a primary (n = 4) or salvage (n = 7) treatment, the common OR for recovery was 1.7 (95% CI, 1.3-2.3). When considering them separately, the common ORs for recovery were 0.9 (95% CI, 0.7-1.6) for primary and 2.9 (95% CI, 1.9-4.5) for salvage therapy.
Conclusion: Intratympanic steroid therapy seems to confer a certain degree of benefit as a salvage but not as a primary treatment of SD.