Cytokeratin 18 as a Novel Biomarker in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heart muscle disease associated with an increased risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD). Cytokeratin 18-based proteins, such as M30 and M65 antigens, are known cell-death biomarkers. M30 antigen is released from cells during apoptosis, and M65 antigen is released during cell death from any cause, such as apoptosis or necrosis.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone deficiency results in impaired analgesic response during CFA-induced inflammation.

Purpose: Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) plays an important role in relief of pain by releasing analgesia-associated molecules in several inflammatory states. During inflammation, peripheral CRH acts on cells of the immune system to stimulate the local expression of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and the production of β-endorphin, which in turn binds to opioid receptors on sensory neurons to produce antinociception. In the present study, we further investigated the role of endogenous CRH in inflammatory pain by determining the effects of Crh-deficiency on this process.

Anastrozole monotherapy further improves near-adult height after the initial combined treatment with leuprorelin and anastrozole in early-maturing girls with compromised growth prediction: results from the second phase of the GAIL study.

Background: The first phase of the GAIL study ("Girls treated with an Aromatase Inhibitor and Leuprorelin," ISRCTN11469487) has shown that the combination of anastrozole and leuprorelin for 24 months is safe and effective in improving the predicted adult height (PAH) in girls with early puberty and compromised growth prediction by +1.21 standard deviation score (SDS; +7.51 cm) compared to inhibition of puberty alone, +0.

mRNA expression of CRF family members in urothelial bladder cancer.

The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) gene family includes the three urocortins (UCN1, 2 and 3) and the two receptors (CRFR1 and 2), which play a significant role in the physiology of various organs. The expression of the CRF family of genes and its receptors are shown to participate in the pathogenesis of inflammation and even tumorigenesis. However, data regarding the human urinary tract, especially the bladder, are scarce.

Tubulointerstitial Nephritis and Uveitis Syndrome: A Report of 6 Cases with Renal Biopsy and Electron Microscopy Evaluation.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis with uveitis syndrome is a rare, immune-mediated entity, characterized by oculo-renal inflammation. Diagnosis requires the exclusion of all other causes of tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN). We present 6 patients with clinical, laboratory, and renal biopsy findings denotative of tubulointerstitial nephritis with uveitis syndrome.