Assessment of disease activity and treatment outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease which primarily causes a symmetric polyarthritis. Clinical manifestations of the disease include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Unless treated, this debilitating disease can progress into long-term disability.

The potential importance of Toll-like receptors in ankylosing spondylitis.

Cells involved in innate immunity scan for pathogens via extracellular and intracellular (endosomal) pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Engagement of PRRs by a specific ligand results in downstream activation of intracellular inflammatory cascades. There is emerging evidence indicating that one class of PRR, the Toll-like receptor (TLR) plays a potential role in the pathogenesis of spondyloarthropathies.

Quality of weight loss advice on internet forums.

Background: Adults use the Internet for weight loss information, sometimes by participating in discussion forums. Our purpose was to analyze the quality of advice exchanged on these forums.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of messages posted to 18 Internet weight loss forums during 1 month in 2006.

Redox function of tetrahydrobiopterin and effect of L-arginine on oxygen binding in endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)), not dihydrobiopterin or biopterin, is a critical element required for NO formation by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). To elucidate how BH(4) affects eNOS activity, we have investigated BH(4) redox functions in the endothelial NOS (eNOS). Redox-state changes of BH(4) in eNOS were examined by chemical quench/HPLC analysis during the autoinactivation of eNOS using oxyhemoglobin oxidation assay for NO formation at room temperature.