Downregulation of ER60 protease inhibits cellular proliferation by inducing G1/S arrest in breast cancer cells in vitro.

ER60 protease, a 58-kDa molecular chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum, is involved in glycoprotein synthesis. ER60 protease has been reported to be differentially expressed in various cancers including breast carcinoma. This study explored the relationship of ER60 protease with cell proliferation in breast cancer in vitro.

Radiologic review of total elbow, radial head, and capitellar resurfacing arthroplasty.

The use of metal and pyrolytic carbon radial head implants, capitellar resurfacing, and total elbow arthroplasty has become common in contemporary orthopedic surgery practice. The goal of total elbow arthroplasty is to decrease pain and restore an acceptable range of motion to the elbow joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is the primary indication for total elbow arthroplasty; newer indications include primary or posttraumatic osteoarthritis, fracture nonunion, acute comminuted fractures of the elbow, and postoperative resection of a neoplasm.

Primary skeletal leiomyosarcoma.

Leiomyosarcoma typically occurs within the uterus, gastrointestinal tract, and mesentery. Primary skeletal leiomyosarcoma is exceedingly rare. The radiographic appearance is similar to that of other aggressive sarcomas of the bone.

Genome-wide association study identifies PERLD1 as asthma candidate gene.

Background: Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for asthma have been successful in identifying novel associations which have been well replicated. The aim of this study is to identify the genetic variants that influence predisposition towards asthma in an ethnic Chinese population in Singapore using a GWAS approach.

Methods: A two-stage GWAS was performed in case samples with allergic asthma, and in control samples without asthma and atopy.

Cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of a major group 7 allergen, Der f 7, from the dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae.

Der f 7 is a major group 7 allergen from the dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae that shows 86% sequence identity to the homologous allergen Der p 7 from D. pteronyssinus. Der f 7 was successfully overexpressed in an Escherichia coli expression system and purified to homogeneity using Ni-NTA affinity and size-exclusion column chromatography.

Arthroplasty of the hand: radiographic outcomes of pyrolytic carbon proximal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joint replacements.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the radiographic outcomes of pyrolytic carbon implants in the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, determine the most common complications, and assess risk factors associated with complications.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective review over a 10-year period was performed to identify patients with pyrolytic carbon implants of the PIP or MCP joint. All available radiographs were reviewed and correlated with clinical information.

Imaging assessment of the postoperative arthritic wrist.

Wrist arthritis is a common disease entity that can result in severe pain, swelling, and decreased wrist motion, leading to the impairment of daily activities and vocational functions. Nonsurgical treatment for wrist arthritis can improve function and provide pain relief in some cases. With disease progression, however, conservative therapy may become ineffective, and surgical treatment may be required.

New and improved orthopedic hardware for the 21st century: part 2, lower extremity and axial skeleton.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to provide a survey of new orthopedic products for use in the lower extremity and axial skeleton.

Conclusion: Knowledge of the physiologic purpose, orthopedic trends, imaging findings, and complications is important in assessing new orthopedic devices.

New and improved orthopedic hardware for the 21st century: part 1, upper extremity.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to provide a survey of new orthopedic products for use in the upper extremity.

Conclusion: Knowledge of the physiologic purpose, orthopedic trends, imaging findings, and complications is important in assessing new orthopedic devices.

Genetic variation in BDNF is associated with allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis in an ethnic Chinese population in Singapore.

Allergic diseases affect more than 25% of the world population and result from a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Recent evidence has shown that BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor) could serve as an important marker of allergic disease. Increased levels of BDNF in blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and nasal lavage fluid positively correlate with disease activity and severity in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma and atopic eczema.

Genome-wide association study for atopy and allergic rhinitis in a Singapore Chinese population.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an atopic disease which affects about 600 million people worldwide and results from a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. However genetic association studies on known candidate genes yielded variable results. The aim of this study is to identify the genetic variants that influence predisposition towards allergic rhinitis in an ethnic Chinese population in Singapore using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) approach.

MRI of nontumorous skeletal muscle disease: self-assessment module.

The educational objectives for this case-based self-assessment module are for the participant to exercise, self-assess, and improve skills in diagnostic radiology with regard to the interpretation of MRI examinations of nontumorous skeletal muscle disease.

Multiple wheat flour allergens and cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants bind IgE in baker's asthma.

Background: Several wheat flour allergens relevant to baker's asthma have been identified in the last 25 years. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of sensitization to these allergens in German bakers.

Methods: Using recombinant DNA technology, the following wheat flour allergens were cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli and purified: five subunits of the wheat α-amylase inhibitors (WTAI-CM1, WTAI-CM2, WTAI-CM3, WDAI-0.

Imaging diagnosis of right lower quadrant pain in children.

Objective: This article reviews, through clinical case presentation and correlative imaging, a variety of conditions that cause right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain in children.

Conclusion: This case-based review allows the reader to improve his or her understanding of the differential diagnosis and radiographic appearances of the entities that cause RLQ pain in children.

Variation in Uteroglobin-Related Protein 1 (UGRP1) gene is associated with allergic rhinitis in Singapore Chinese.

Background: Uteroglobin-Related Protein 1 (UGRP1) is a secretoglobulin protein which has been suggested to play a role in lung inflammation and allergic diseases. UGRP1 has also been shown to be an important pneumoprotein, with diagnostic potential as a biomarker of lung damage. Previous genetic studies evaluating the association between variations on UGRP1 and allergic phenotypes have yielded mixed results.

Identification of prognostic protein biomarkers in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Early response to 7 days of prednisolone (PRED) treatment is one of the important prognostic factors in predicting eventual outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Using proteomic tools and clinically important leukemia cell lines (REH, 697, Sup-B15, RS4; 11), we have identified potential prognostic protein biomarkers as well as discovered promising regulators of PRED-induced apoptosis. After treatment with PRED, the four cell lines can be separated into resistant (REH) and sensitive (697, Sup-B15, RS4;11).

TightRope fixation of complex acromioclavicular separation: A high-wire act.

Numerous techniques have evolved for acromioclavicular joint fixation over the past decade to help decrease the risk of hardware complications and improve patient satisfaction. One of these techniques involves the TightRope system, which employs two titanium endobuttons to help reduce and secure the coracoclavicular joint. Clinical outcomes have been favorable, as orthopedic surgeons have gained more experience using this nonrigid system.

Phaeoacremonium parasiticum myositis: A case report with imaging findings.

Phaeoacremonium parasiticum is an unusual cause of human fungal infection that was first reported in 1974. Since the initial description, only a small number of cases have been reported in the world literature. We report on the clinical and imaging findings of Phaeoacremonium parasiticum myositis in a renal transplant recipient.

Exophytic giant-cell tumor of the tibial tubercle.

A 23-year-old pregnant woman presented to the orthopedic tumor clinic with gradual onset of left anteriomedial tibial pain for one month and a lytic lesion of the proximal tibia on radiography. MRI showed an exophytic mass of the left tibial tubercle with fluid-fluid levels. The patient underwent surgical excision, and pathology was consistent with giant-cell tumor.