Reciprocal Associations Among Maternal and Child Characteristics of At-Risk Families: A Longitudinal Actor-Partner Interdependence Model.

Researchers have found linear associations among maternal and child characteristics. However, family systems theorists suggest that relationships are more complex and family members are interdependent. We used actor-partner interdependence modeling to unravel associations among maternal and child characteristics to predict outcomes in adolescence.

Clinical significance of complement deficiencies.

The complement system is composed of more than 30 serum and membrane-bound proteins, all of which are needed for normal function of complement in innate and adaptive immunity. Historically, deficiencies within the complement system have been suspected when young children have had recurrent and difficult-to-control infections. As our understanding of the complement system has increased, many other diseases have been attributed to deficiencies within the complement system.

Mold and human health: separating the wheat from the chaff.

The term "mold" is utilized to define the ubiquitous fungal species commonly found in household dust and observed as visible multicellular filaments. Several well-defined human diseases are known to be caused or exacerbated by mold or by exposure to their byproducts. Among these, a solid connection has been established with infections, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and asthma.

Contemporary challenges in mastocytosis.

Mastocytosis denotes a wide range of disorders characterized by having abnormal growth and accumulation of mast cells. Mast cells contain histamine and other inflammatory mediators, which have diverse actions within the body, and play crucial roles in acquired and innate immunity. The diverse actions of these inflammatory mediators can lead to puzzling symptoms in individuals with mastocytosis.

Polyarteritis nodosa.

Polyarteritis nodosa, as a diagnosis, has been progressively narrowed from a collection of ill-defined vasculitides to its current definition as a systemic transmural necrotizing vasculitis that usually affects medium-sized muscular arteries and sometimes small muscular arteries, commonly within the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, skin, nerves, joints, and muscles. In this review, we will highlight the clinical features and classification of this disease and emphasize that more accurate diagnosis of subtypes leads to more effective treatment.