Mechanical upper bowel obstruction caused by a large trichobezoar in a young woman: A very unusual case report

BACKGROUND Bezoars usually compile human fibers and debris.A special form of bezoar in case of psychologically altered individuals is the trichobezoar.It consists of voluntarily swallowed hair bulks and is normally removed via gastroscopy.Trichobezoars leading to ileus have rarely been reported.CASE SUMMARY A 24-year-old female patient presented to the emergency room with abdominal pain,nausea,and vomiting for 3 d.Her previous medical and psychiatric history was unremarkable.Laboratory analysis showed iron deficiency anemia,leukocytosis,and elevated liver enzymes.An abdominal CT scan revealed a dense structure in the patients’stomach which turned out to be a huge trichobezoar completely obstructing the pylorus.The trichobezoar had to be removed surgi-cally.During her postoperative course,a subcutaneous seroma formed.After a single puncture,the rest of the recovery process was unremarkable,and the patient recovered fully.CONCLUSION A mechanical bowel obstruction is a potentially life-threatening event for every patient.In our case a young female was suffering from severe symptoms of an obstruction which might have resulted in serious harm without successful surgical management.

Better understanding of c-reactive protein and leukocytes in psychiatric inpatients with affective disorders:A biopsychosocial approach

BACKGROUND Affective disorders(AD)have been linked to inflammatory processes,although the underlying mechanisms of this relationship are still not fully elucidated.It is hypothesized that demographic,somatic,lifestyle,and personality variables predict inflammatory parameters in AD.AIM To identify biopsychosocial factors contributing to inflammation in AD measured with two parameters,C-reactive protein(CRP)and leukocytes.METHODS This observational study investigated 186 hospital inpatients diagnosed with AD using demographic parameters,serum inflammatory markers,somatic variables,psychological questionnaires,and lifestyle parameters.Hierarchical regression analyses were used to predict inflammatory markers from demographic,somatic,lifestyle,and personality variables.RESULTS Analyses showed that 33.8%of the variance of CRP was explained by body mass index and other somatic medication(e.g.anti-diabetics),age and education,and age of affective disorder diagnosis.For leukocytes,20.1%of the variance was explained by smoking,diet,metabolic syndrome(MetS),and anti-inflammatory medication(e.g.non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).Other psychiatric or behavioural variables did not reach significance.CONCLUSION Metabolic components seem important,with mounting evidence for a metabolic affective disorder subtype.Lifestyle modifications and psychoeducation should be employed to prevent or treat MetS in AD.

利用MoorFLPI激光血流成像仪等观察不同针刺手法的效应

目的:观察单纯提插或捻转手法造成的穴位及相关部位皮肤表面微血管灌注量的变化、对受试者血压、心率及心率变异性的影响,同时记录受试者的针感。方法:选择20岁～35岁青年志愿者15人,平均年龄25.4岁±2.61岁。针刺右下肢足三里穴,采用MoorFLPI激光多普勒扫描仪散斑全帧实时扫描成像系统进行穴位及相关部位点状波形模式的实时扫描,扫描前后进行心电及血压监测。结果:提插及捻转手法操作均可有效降低血压及心率,改善HRV;提插与捻转手法对被观察点及对照点的皮肤微血管灌注量的影响有较大的差异;提插手法产生的针感明显强于捻转手法。结论:提插与捻转手法在上述所观察的各项指标均有差异,提示其对人体产生影响的机制有所不同,值得进一步研究。

Pyogenic liver abscess: Differences in etiology and treatment in Southeast Asia and Central Europe

Knowledge of etiology and timely treatment of underlying causes,when possible,play an important role in the successful therapy of patients with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA).Recent publications from Central Europe and Southeast Asia hint at considerable differences in etiology.In this article,we aim to elaborate these differences and their therapeutic implications.Apart from some special types of PLA that are comparable in Southeast Asia and Central Europe (such as posttraumatic or postprocedural PLA),there are clear differences in the microbiological spectrum,which implies different risk factors and disease courses.Klebsiella pneumoniae (K.pneumoniae) PLA is predominantly seen in Southeast Asia,whereas,in Central Europe,PLA is typically caused by Escherichia coli,Streptococcus or Staphylococcus,and these patients are more likely to be older and to have a biliary abnormality or malignancy.K.pneumoniae patients are more likely to have diabetes mellitus.Control of septic spread is crucial in K.pneumoniae patients,whereas treatment of the underlying diseases is decisive in many Central European PLA patients.

Diet therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases: The established and the new

Although patients with inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD) have a strong interest in dietary modifications as part of their therapeutic management, dietary advice plays only a minor part in published guidelines. The scientific literature shows that dietary factors might influence the risk of developing IBD, that dysbiosis induced by nutrition contributes to the pathogenesis of IBD, and that diet may serve as a symptomatic treatment for irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms in IBD. The role of nutrition in IBD is underscored by the effect of various dietary therapies. In paediatric patients with Crohn's disease(CD) enteral nutrition(EN) reaches remission rates similar to steroids. In adult patients, however, EN is inferior to corticosteroids. EN is not effective in ulcerative colitis(UC). Total parenteral nutrition in IBD is not superior to steroids or EN. The use of specific probiotics in patients with IBD can be recommended only in special clinical situations. There is no evidence for efficacy of probiotics in CD. By contrast, studies in UC have shown a beneficial effect in selected patients. For patients with pouchitis, antibiotic treatment followed by probiotics, like VSL#3 or Lactobacillus GG, is effective. When probiotics are used, the risk of bacterial translocation and subsequent bacteremia has to be considered. More understanding of the normal intestinal microflora, and better characterization of probiotic strains at the phenotypic and genomic levels is needed as well as clarification of the mechanisms of action in different clinical settings. A FODMAP reduced diet may improve symptoms in IBD.

Lymph node staging in colorectal cancer:Old controversies and recent advances

Outcome prediction based on tumor stage reflected by the American Joint Committee on Cancer(AJCC)/Union for International Cancer Control(UICC)tumor node metastasis(TNM)system is currently regarded as the strongest prognostic parameter for patients with colorectal cancer.For affected patients,the indication for adjuvant therapy is mainly guided by the presence of regional lymph node metastasis.In addition to the extent of surgical lymph node removal and the thoroughness of the pathologist in dissecting the resection specimen,several parameters that are related to the pathological work-up of the dissected nodes may affect the clinical significance of lymph node staging.These include changing definitions of lymph nodes,involved lymph nodes,and tumor deposits in different editions of the AJCC/UICC TNM system as well as the minimum number of nodes to be dissected.Methods to increase the lymph node yield in the fatty tissue include methylene blue injection and acetone compression.Outcome prediction based on the lymph node ratio,defined as the number of positive lymph nodes divided by the total number of retrieved nodes,may be superior to the absolute numbers of involved nodes.Extracapsular invasion has been identified as additional prognostic factor.Adding step sectioning and immunohistochemistry to the pathological work-up may result in higher accuracy of histological diagnosis.The clinical value of more recent technical advances,such as sentinel lymph node biopsy and molecular analysis of lymph nodes tissue still remains to be defined.

Determination of glycated hemoglobin in patients with advanced liver disease

AIM:To evaluate the glycated hemoglobin(HbA_(1c)) determination methods and to determine fructosamine in patients with chronic hepatitis,compensated cirrhosis and in patients with chronic hepatitis treated with ribavirin. METHODS:HbA_(1c) values were determined in 15 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis and in 20 patients with chronic hepatitis using the ion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography and the immunoassay methods. Fructosamine was determined using nitroblue tetrazolium. RESULTS:Forty percent of patients with liver cirrhosis had HbA_(1c) results below the non-diabetic reference range by at least one HbA_(1c)method,while fructosamine results were either within the reference range or elevated.Twenty percent of patients with chronic hepatitis(hepatic fibrosis) had HbA_(1c)results below the non-diabetic reference range by at least one HbA_(1c)method.In patients with chronic hepatitis treated with ribavirin,50% of HbA_(1c)results were below the non-diabetic reference using at least one of the HbA_(1c)methods. CONCLUSION:Only evaluated in context with all liver function parameters as well as a red blood count including reticulocytes,HbA_(1c)results should be used in patients with advanced liver disease.HbA_(1c)and fructosamine measurements should be used with caution when evaluating long-term glucose control in patients with hepatic cirrhosis or in patients with chronic hepatitis and dbavidn treatment.

Noninvasive diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C

Assessment of hepatic fibrosis is important for determining prognosis,guiding management decisions,and monitoring disease. Histological evaluation of liver biopsy specimens is currently considered the reference test for staging hepatic fibrosis. Since liver biopsy carries a small but significant risk,noninvasive tests to assess hepatic fibrosis are desirable. This editorial gives an overview on noninvasive methods currently available to determine hepatic fibrosis and their diagnostic accuracy for predicting significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C. Based on available data,the performance of simple tests derived from routine laboratory parameters appears to be similar to that of more complex and expensive fibrosis panels. Transient elastography seems more accurate than blood tests for diagnosing cirrhosis.

MicroRNAs as novel predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer(CRC) is the third most common cancer in western countries. Despite significant improvement in available treatment options, CRC still remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Traditionally, 5-fluorouracil has been used as the main chemotherapy drug for treatment of metastatic CRC(mCRC). However, during the last two decades more effective chemotherapeutic agents such as oxaliplatin, irinotecan and the monoclonal antibodies cetuximab, panitumumab and bevacizumab have been used in clinical practice. More recently, the therapeutic armamentarium has been supplemented by the monoclonal antibodies bevacizumab, cetuximab and panitumumab as well as the protein-trap aflibercept and the smallmolecule multi-kinase inhibitor regorafenib. One of the major problems for the management of CRC is the inherent or acquired resistance to therapeutic approaches. The discovery of microRNAs(miRNAs), a class of small, endogenous, non-coding, single-stranded RNAs that play a role as post-transcriptional regulators, has added new dimensions to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Because miRNAs are important regulators of carcinogenesis, progression, invasion, angiogenesis and metastases in CRC, they might serve as potential predictive and prognostic factors and even as therapeutic targets themselves. Several miRNAs are already known to be dysregulated in CRCs and have been linked to biological processes involved in tumor progression and response to anti-cancer therapies. This review summarizes current therapeutic approaches for treating CRC and highlights the role of miRNAs as novel predictive biomarkers and potential drug targets in CRC patients.

Antioxidants,inflammation and cardiovascular disease

Multiple factors are involved in the etiology of cardiovascular disease(CVD). Pathological changes occur in a variety of cell types long before symptoms become apparent and diagnosis is made. Dysregulation of physiological functions are associated with the activation of immune cells,leading to local and finally systemic inflammation that is characterized by production of high levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS). Patients suffering from inflammatory diseases often present with diminished levels of antioxidants either due to insufficient dietary intake or,and even more likely,due to increased demand in situations of overwhelming ROS production by activated immune effector cells like macrophages. Antioxidants are suggested to beneficially interfere with diseases-related oxidative stress,however the interplay of endogenous and exogenous antioxidants with the overall redox system is complex. Moreover,molecular mechanisms underlying oxidative stress in CVD are not fully elucidated. Metabolic dybalances are suggested to play a major role in disease onset and progression. Several central signalingpathways involved in the regulation of immunological,metabolic and endothelial function are regulated in a redox-sensitive manner. During cellular immune response,interferon γ-dependent pathways are activated such as tryptophan breakdown by the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase(IDO) in monocyte-derived macrophages,fibroblasts,endothelial and epithelial cells. Neopterin,a marker of oxidative stress and immune activation is produced by GTP-cyclohydrolase Ⅰ in macrophages and dendritic cells. Nitric oxide synthase(NOS) is induced in several cell types to generate nitric oxide(NO). NO,despite its low reactivity,is a potent antioxidant involved in the regulation of the vasomotor tone and of immunomodulatory signaling pathways. NO inhibits the expression and function of IDO. Function of NOS requires the cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin(BH4),which is produced in humans primarily by fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Highly toxic peroxynitrite(ONOO-) is formed solely in the presence of superoxide anion(O2-). Neopterin and kynurenine to tryptophan ratio(Kyn/Trp),as an estimate of IDO enzyme activity,are robust markers of immune activation in vitro and in vivo. Both these diagnostic parameters are able to predict cardiovascular and overall mortality in patients at risk. Likewise,a significant association exists between increase of neopterin concentrations and Kyn/Trp ratio values and the lowering of plasma levels of vitamin-C,-E and-B. Vitamin-B deficiency is usually accompanied by increased plasma homoycsteine. Additional determination of NO metabolites,BH4 and plasma antioxidants in patients with CVD and related clinical settings can be helpful to improve the understanding of redox-regulation in health and disease and might provide a rationale for potential antioxidant therapies in CVD.

Bile duct cyst in adults:Interventional treatment,resection,or transplantation?

Cystic dilatations of the bile ducts may be found along the extrahepatic biliary tree,within the liver,or in both of these locations simultaneously.Presentation in adults is often associated with complications.The therapeutic possibilities have changed considerably over the last few decades.If possible,complete resection of the cyst(s)can cure the symptoms and avoid the risk of malignancy.According to the type of bile duct cyst,surgical procedures include the Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy and variable types of hepatic resection.However,the diffuse forms of Todani type Ⅴ cysts(Caroli disease and Caroli syndrome)in particular remain a therapeutic problem,and liver transplantation has become an important option.The mainstay of interventional treatment for Todani typeⅢbile duct cysts is via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.The diagnostic term"bile duct cyst"comprises quite different pathological and clinical entities.Interventional therapy,hepatic resection,and liver transplantation all have their place in the treatment of this heterogeneous disease group.They should not be seen as competitive treatment modalities,but as complementary options.Each patient should receive individualized treatment after all of the clinical findings have been considered by an interdisciplinary team.

Incidence and analysis of radial head and neck fractures

AIM: To investigate several complications like persistent radial head dislocation, forearm deformity, elbow stiffness and nerve palsies, associated with radial head fractures. METHODS: This study reviewed the clinical records and trauma database of this level Ⅰ Trauma Center and identified all patients with fractures of the radial head and neck who where admitted between 2000 and 2010. An analysis of clinical records revealed 1047 patients suffering from fractures of the radial head or neck classified according to Mason. For clinical examination, range of motion, local pain and overall outcome were assessed. RESULTS: The incidence of one-sided fractures was 99.2% and for simultaneous bilateral fractures 0.8%. Non-operative treatment was performed in 90.4%(n = 947) of the cases, surgery in 9.6%(n = 100). Bony union was achieved in 99.8%(n = 1045) patients. Full satisfaction was achieved in 59%(n = 615) of the patients. A gender related significant difference(P = 0.035) in Mason type distribution-type Ⅲ fractures were more prominent in male patients vs type Ⅳ fractures in female patients-was observed in our study population. CONCLUSION: Mason typeⅠfractures can be treated safe conservatively with good results. In type Ⅱ to Ⅳ surgical intervention is usually considered to be indicated.

Burden of respiratory syncytial virus infection in young children

Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) is the most frequent and important cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and children. It is a seasonal virus, with peak rates of infection occurring annually in the cold season in temperate climates, and in the rainy season, as temperatures fall, in tropical climates. High risk groups for severe RSV disease include infants below six mo of age, premature infants with or without chronic lung disease, infants with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease, infants with immunodeficiency or cystic fibrosis, and infants with neuromuscular diseases. Mortality rates associated with RSV infection are generally low in previous healthy infants(below 1%), but increase significantly in children with underlying chronic conditions and comorbidities. Following early RSV lower respiratory tract infection, some patients experience recurrent episodes of wheezing mimicking early childhood asthma with persistence of lung function abnormalities until adolescence. There is currently no RSV vaccine available, but promising candidate vaccines are in development. Palivizumab, a monoclonal RSV antibody that is the only tool for immunoprophylaxis in high-riskinfants, lowers the burden of RSV infection in certain carefully selected patient groups.

Cancer risk in IBD: How to diagnose and how to manage DALM and ALM

The risk of developing neoplasia leading to colorectal cancer is significantly increased in ulcerative colitis (UC) and most likely in Crohn's disease. Several endoscopic surveillance strategies have been implemented to identify these lesions. The main issue is that colitisassociated neoplasms often occurs in flat mucosa, often being detected on taking random biopsies rather than by identification of these lesions via endoscopic imaging. The standard diagnostic procedure in long lasting UC is to take four biopsies every 10 cm. Image enhancement methods, such as chromoendoscopy and virtual histology using endomicroscopy, have greatly im- proved neoplasia detection rates and may contribute toreduced random biopsies by taking targeted "smart" biopsies. Chromoendoscopy may effectively be performed by experienced endoscopists for routine screening of UC patients. By contrast, endomicroscopy is often only available in selected specialized endoscopic centers. Importantly, advanced endoscopic imaging has the poten- tial to increase the detection rate of neoplasia whereas the interplay between endoscopic experience and interpretation of histological biopsy evaluation allows the physician to make a proper diagnosis and to find the appropriate therapeutic approach. Colitis-associated intraepithelial neoplasms may occur in flat mucosa of endoscopically normal appearance or may arise as dysplasia-associated lesion or mass (DALM), which may be indistinguishable from sporadic adenomas in healthy or non-colitis mucosa [adenoma-like mass (ALM)]. The aim of this review was to summarize endoscopic and histological characteristics of DALM and ALM in the context of therapeutic procedures.

两种中药对14d后肢去负荷大鼠肌肉结构的影响(英文)

目的研究当归和川芎对尾吊大鼠比目鱼肌(SOL)肌球蛋白重链(MHC)表达及肌萎缩的影响。方法尾部悬吊法建立模拟失重模型,将大鼠分为同步饲养组(Con)、尾吊灌溶媒组(HLU+W)、尾吊当归灌胃组(HLU+Ang)和尾吊川芎灌胃组(HLU+Lig)。免疫组化法检测大鼠比目鱼肌肌球蛋白重链的表达。结果与同步饲养组相比,尾吊组比目鱼肌的湿重,肌重体重比以及I型和II型肌纤维横截面积均有所下降,而MHCII的表达和II型肌纤维的比例上升。与未治疗组相比,当归可以使I型和II型肌纤维横截面积分别提高29%和35%,MHCII的表达下降。川芎可使I型肌纤维横截面积提高25%(P=0.064)并相应减少MHCII的表达。结论当归和川芎均能显著抑制模拟失重导致的MHCII型表达的升高,并缓解尾吊大鼠肌纤维横截面积的缩小。

Current concepts in total knee arthroplasty: Patient specific instrumentation

Patient specific instrumentation(PSI) in total knee arthroplasty(TKA) promises faster operation time(by using less instruments and individual cutting jigs), less blood loss, faster rehabilitation, better implant sizing and accuracy, superior overall outcome, and at the end- less costs. However, as evident for every new development, its superiority remains to be provenover the conventional systems. Whilst dissatisfaction is reported to be eminent in up to 30% of patients having undergone conventional TKA, it is unclear, whether PSI can address to these patients as a suitable option in the future. The author believes that the current evidence does not support superiority of PSI in TKA over conventional systems. However, future long-term level I and II studies might aid to show its cost-effectiveness stating same results, accuracy, and overall outcome with less operation time.

Neuroendocrine liver metastases: Contributions of endoscopy and surgery to primary tumor search

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are diagnosed with increasing frequency and patients often present with liver metastases at the time of diagnosis. Apart from treatment of the metastases, resection of the primary tumor at an early phase is recommended to prevent complications, although it may be difficult to locate, especially in patients with functionally inactive NETs. Small and multifocal tumors in the jejunum and ileum represent a particular challenge. Primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma is extremely rare and is diagnosed only after exclusion of other primary tumors. Therefore, some uncertainty may remain, as small non-hepatic primary tumors may escape detection. Diagnostic work-up in these patients includes biochemical assays and imaging modalities (also comprising specific techniques of scintigraphy and positron emission tomography). This editorial highlights the contributions of endoscopy and operative exploration to the search for the primary tumor. Besides esophagogastro-duodenoscopy, endoscopic ultrasonography, colonoscopy and bronchoscopy, special endoscopic techniques such as balloon enteroscopy or capsule endoscopy are used with growing experience. Compared with balloon enteroscopy, capsule endoscopy is noninvasive and better tolerated, but it cannot localize a lesion precisely and does not allow biopsy or removal of lesions. Before proceeding to surgery, a discussion of the findings by a tumor board should be a standard procedure. Improvements in diagnostic tools have created new perspectives for the detection of obscure primary tumors in patients with neuroendocrine liver metastases, and these searches are best coordinated by a multidisciplinary team.

Psychometric properties of the Care Dependency Scale in stroke survivors in Indonesian hospitals

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Indonesian version of the Care Dependency Scale (CDS) among stroke survivors.Methods: The study was undertaken in four hospitals.We analysed datasets obtained from 109 stroke survivors on inpatient wards and in outpatient clinics,who were rated by nurses to determine the CDS reliability coefficients.The Cronbach's α and Cohen's kappa coefficients were applied.Concurrent validity was conducted for the data on care dependency,which werecollected from 49 of these 109 participants on inpatient wards by nurses using the CDS and the Barthel Index.A Spearman's rank correlation analysis was conducted to measure the association between the CDS and the Barthel Index results.Results: An analysis of the results of the CDS tested on the inpatient ward and in the outpatient clinic revealed a high level of internal consistency.The reliability analysis yielded the same Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.98 for both the inpatient and outpatient data.A significant,moderate correlation was observed between the CDS and Barthel Index results.Conclusion: The CDS can be recommended for use as a tool for the assessment and evaluation of stroke survivors who are receiving acute or long-term care.

Impact of the microenvironment on the pathogenesis of mucosaassociated lymphoid tissue lymphomas

Approximately 8%of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas are extranodal marginal zone B cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue(MALT),also known as MALT lymphomas.These arise at a wide range of different extranodal sites,with most cases affecting the stomach,the lung,the ocular adnexa and the thyroid.The small intestine is involved in a lower percentage of cases.Lymphoma growth in the early stages is associated with long-lasting chronic inflammation provoked by bacterial infections(e.g.,Helicobacter pylori or Chlamydia psittaci infections)or autoimmune conditions(e.g.,Sjögren’s syndrome or Hashimoto thyroiditis).While these inflammatory processes trigger lymphoma cell proliferation and/or survival,they also shape the microenvironment.Thus,activated immune cells are actively recruited to the lymphoma,resulting in either direct lymphoma cell stimulation via surface receptor interactions and/or indirect lymphoma cell stimulation via secretion of soluble factors like cytokines.In addition,chronic inflammatory conditions cause the acquisition of genetic alterations resulting in autonomous lymphoma cell growth.Recently,novel agents targeting the microenvironment have been developed and clinically tested in MALT lymphomas as well as other lymphoid malignancies.In this review,we aim to describe the composition of the microenvironment of MALT lymphoma,the interaction of activated immune cells with lymphoma cells and novel therapeutic approaches in MALT lymphomas using immunomodulatory and/or microenvironmenttargeting agents.

Immune response after photodynamic therapy increases anti-cancer and anti-bacterial effects

Photodynamic therapy(PDT) is a clinically approved procedure for treatment of cancer and infections. PDT involves systemic or topical administration of a photosensitizer(PS), followed by irradiation of the diseased area with light of a wavelength corresponding to an absorbance band of the PS. In the presence of oxygen, a photochemical reaction is initiated, leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species and cell death. Besides causing direct cytotoxic effects on illuminated tumor cells, PDT is known to cause damage to the tumor vasculature and induce the release of pro-inflammatory molecules. Pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that PDT is capable of affecting both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Immune stimulatory properties of PDT may increase its beneficial effects giving the therapy wider potential to become more extensively used in clinical practice. Be-sides stimulating tumor-specific cytotoxic T-cells capable to destroy distant untreated tumor cells, PDT leads to development of anti-tumor memory immunity that can potentially prevent the recurrence of cancer. The immunological effects of PDT make the therapy more effective also when used for treatment of bacterial infections, due to an augmented infiltration of neutrophils into the infected regions that seems to potentiate the outcome of the treatment.