Increased 12/15-lipoxygenase enhances cell growth, fibronectin deposition, and neointimal formation in response to carotid injury.

Objective: To determine whether increased 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15LO) expression in vivo enhances neointimal formation in response to injury.

Methods And Results: 12/15LO expression in the vessel wall is increased in animal models of metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. Increased expression of 12/15LO enhances cultured vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, an effect mediated by the helix-loop-helix factor inhibitor of differentiation 3 (Id3).

The helix-loop-helix factors Id3 and E47 are novel regulators of adiponectin.

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived cytokine with beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and the development of atherosclerosis. Id3 is a helix-loop-helix factor that binds to E-proteins such as E47 and inhibits their binding to DNA. Although the helix-loop-helix factor sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1c is a known activator of adiponectin transcription, this study provides the first evidence of a role for Id3 and E47 in adiponectin expression.

Fracture of the osteoporotic cervical spine from a low-level trauma.

Most cervical spine fractures are caused by high-level trauma or by malignancy. Compression-type fractures usually affect the lumbar and thoracic spine below the T8 level and rarely the cervical spine. In the elderly, however, cervical spine compression fractures can occur with relatively minor trauma and are associated with high morbidity and mortality.

Porphyria cutanea tarda in a patient with HIV-infection.

Several recent reports have described porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) occurring in patients with HIV infection. Current evidence suggests that HIV infection may impair the hepatic cytochrome oxidase system, which could lead to an aberration in porphyrin metabolism and subsequently cause porphyria. We report a case of PCT in an HIV-infected patient who had multiple risk factors for this disorder.