BACKGROUND Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a major challenge after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation but treatment options for patients are still limited. In many cases first-line treatment with glucocorticoids is not successful. Among second-line therapies the extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is frequently performed, due to induction of selective tolerance instead of general immuno...

BACKGROUND To study the role played by eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in patients with Mycoplasma pneumonia infection. METHODS Pediatric patients aged 4 to 14 years old were divided into 3 groups, each consisting of 30 patients. Group 1 comprised patients with known M. pneumoniae infection. Group 2 comprised patients with asthma who were in a stable condition with no infection, acute asthm...

INTRODUCTION Helicobacter pylori is one of the main causes of gastroduodenal diseases, such as chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer. It has been shown that eosinophils increase in the stomach in H. pylori infection. Eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) is a cytotoxic molecule secreted by the activated eosinophils. However, there are no sufficient data about the role of ECP in H. pylori infection a...

PURPOSE To compare endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) and the Ahmed drainage implant in the treatment of refractory glaucoma. METHODS Sixty-eight eyes of 68 patients with refractory glaucoma were prospectively assigned to either ECP or Ahmed tube shunt implantation. All procedures were performed by a single surgeon. Eyes that were included were pseudophakic with a history of at least one ...

BACKGROUND The Ministry of Health (MOH) launched the National Reproductive Health Policy in 2005, which included recommendations regarding the use of emergency contraceptive pills (ECP). However, ECP have not yet been introduced officially in the public sector of the Lao PDR. Thus, their availability is limited. Understanding the knowledge of ECP and attitudes about their provision, barriers to...

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a widely used clinical cell-based therapy exhibiting efficacy in heterogenous immune-mediated diseases such as cutaneous T cell lymphoma, graft-versus-host disease, and organ allograft rejection. Despite its documented efficacy in cancer immunotherapy, little is known regarding the induction of immunostimulatory mediators by ECP. In this article, we show th...

BACKGROUND Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has been reported to be safe and the ultimate treatment option in lung transplant recipients with chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), the main overall cause of mortality in lung transplant recipients. However, ECP is not reimbursed in selected health jurisdictions, and reimbursement by health insurance providers is a major issue. In Switzerla...

In vivo observations of microcirculatory behavior during autoregulation and adaptation to varying myocardial oxygen demand are scarce in the human coronary system. This study assessed microvascular reactions to controlled metabolic and pressure provocation [bicycle exercise and external counterpulsation (ECP)]. In 20 healthy subjects, quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography and arteri...

Eosinophils contain in their granules eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and other basic proteins that have been implicated in immunity to parasites and pathophysiology of chronic allergic responses. In a model of eosinophil degranulation, we show that eosinophils release ECP upon short-term GM-CSF priming and stimulation with either platelet-activating factor (PAF) or the anaphylatoxin C5a, but...