Old Disease (old + disease)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Peritoneal dialysis and acute renal failure: A new treatment for an old disease?

EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION, Issue 5 2008
S. F. Peek
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Glia cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: New clues to understanding an old disease?

MUSCLE AND NERVE, Issue 6 2007
Clemens Neusch MD
Abstract In classic neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the pathogenic concept of a cell-autonomous disease of motor neurons has been challenged increasingly in recent years. Macro- and microglial cells have come to the forefront for their role in multistep degenerative processes in ALS and respective disease models. The activation of astroglial and microglial cells occurs early in the pathogenesis of the disease and seems to greatly influence disease onset and promotion. The role of oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells remains elusive. In this review we highlight the impact of nonneuronal cells in ALS pathology. We discuss diverse glial membrane proteins that are necessary to control neuronal activity and neuronal cell survival, and summarize the contribution of these proteins to motor neuron death in ALS. We also describe recently discovered glial mechanisms that promote motor neuron degeneration using state-of-the-art genetic mouse technology. Finally, we provide an outlook on the extent to which these new pathomechanistic insights may offer novel therapeutic approaches. Muscle Nerve, 2007 [source]


Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of neuromyelitis optica: Changing concept of an old disease

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL NEUROIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Zsolt Illes
Abstract The concept of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) has changed considerably during the past few years. The identification of autoantibodies in the sera generated against the water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4) has increased the specificity of diagnosis and modified guidelines. A pathogenic role of anti-AQP4 antibodies has recently been indicated; they evoke the pathological and clinical hallmarks of the disease on transfer and cause necrosis of astrocytes expressing AQP4. The diagnosis of NMO is based on clinical, neuroimaging and serological criteria. Early therapy preventing relapses is mandatory, because neurological impairment accumulated during relapses is the main cause of permanent disability. In a number of cases defined as NMO spectrum diseases, the clinical manifestation is spatially limited. Such events of separate myelitis or relapsing/bilateral optic neuritis challenge diagnosis and might delay proper therapy. Here, current concepts of diagnosis and treatment of NMO and NMO spectrum diseases are summarized. Diagnostic and treatment decisions in different clinical situations are shown by discussion of cases. (Clin. Exp. Neuroimmunol. doi: 10.1111/j.1759-1961.2010.00011.x, 2010) [source]


Quinolones for brucellosis: treating old diseases with new drugs

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 9 2006
G. Pappas
Abstract Although quinolones are theoretically interesting candidates for the treatment of brucellosis, the existing data concerning their efficacy are limited and conflicting. A number of small clinical studies with combination regimens that include quinolones have shown adequacy, but not superiority, although cost-effectiveness, excluding certain disease complications, is an important issue. The emergence of quinolone resistance and its implications is another drawback. Experimental data have yielded contradictory results, although most studies do not indicate a bactericidal effect for quinolones. However, in-vitro studies contrast repeatedly with the clinical response, both in terms of clinical failure, despite in-vitro success, and vice versa. [source]