Early stages of avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVNFH) can be conservatively treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). This study investigated how HBOT modulates inflammatory markers and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in patients with AVNFH. Twenty-three male patients were treated with two cycles of HBOT, 30 sessions each with a 30 days break between cycles. Each session consisted of 90 minutes of 100% inspired oxygen at 2.5 absolute atmospheres of pressure. Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and ROS production were measured before treatment (T0), after 15 and 30 HBOT sessions (T1 and T2), after the 30-day break (T3), and after 60 sessions (T4). Results showed a significant reduction in TNF-α and IL-6 plasma levels over time. This decrease in inflammatory markers mirrored observed reductions in bone marrow edema and reductions in patient self-reported pain.

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Dermatobia hominis, commonly known as the human botfly, is native to Tropical America. As such, cutaneous infestation by its developing larvae, or myiasis, is quite common in this region. The distinct dermatological presentation of D hominis myiasis allows for its early recognition and noninvasive treatment by locals. However, it can prove quite perplexing for those unfamiliar with the lesion’s unique appearance. Common erroneous diagnoses include the following: folliculitis, benign dermatocyst, and embedded foreign body with localized infection. We present a patient who acquired D hominis while she was in Belize. In this report, we discuss the presentation, differential diagnosis, diagnostic tests, and therapeutic approaches of human botfly lesion to raise the awareness about human botfly.

Significance Here we show that most chemokine receptors (CRs) form heteromeric complexes with α 1 -adrenergic receptors (ARs) in recombinant systems and that such heteromers are detectable in human monocytes and in the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1. Furthermore, we provide evidence that α 1B/D -ARs control the function of their CR heteromerization partners. Our findings suggest that heteromeric complexes between α 1B/D -ARs and CRs are necessary for normal function of CR heteromerization partners, indicate receptor heteromerization as a molecular mechanism by which stress hormones regulate leukocyte trafficking in health and disease, and offer opportunities to modulate leukocyte and/or cancer cell trafficking in disease processes.