Blood serum levels of amino-terminal pro-C-type natriuretic peptide in patients with systemic sclerosis.

The aim of this pilot study was to examine the association of serum levels of amino-terminal fragment of pro-C-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proCNP), as a substitute measure of serum C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), with clinical and laboratory findings in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Serum NT-proCNP, soluble (s)E-and sP-selectin levels were examined using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 30 patients with SSc and 30 healthy controls. We found no statistically significant difference in serum levels of NT-proCNP neither between patients with SSc and healthy controls nor between those treated with immunosuppressive agents and untreated patients.

Fournier's gangrene: historical survey, current status, and case description.

Background: The first-documented clinical picture of the disease was made by Fournier in 1883. Its epidemiology has changed and is much different from the original. It is infectious in its etiology, affecting mostly men between 50 and 60 years of age.

Role of epigenetic DNA alterations in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Epigenetic alternations in genomic DNA encompass cytosine methylation in cytosine and guanine (CpG) dinucleotide islands, which are usually extended in the promoter and first exon of genes. The DNA methylation is carried out by DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) and it serves as an epigenetic method of gene expression modulation. The epigenetic alternations in genomic DNA have been implicated in the development of malignant and autoimmune diseases.

Genetic background of cutaneous forms of lupus erythematosus: update on current evidence.

This article reviews and updates current information on the possible genetic basis for cutaneous lupus erythematosus. The aetiology of this condition remains unknown and is believed to be multifactorial, involving genetic, environmental and retroviral factors. A genetic predisposition is probably the greatest risk factor for this condition.

Identification of retroviral conserved pol sequences in serum of mixed connective tissue disease and systemic sclerosis patients.

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) expression has been suspected as a factor participating in the development of autoimmune diseases. Employing the dot blot hybridisation, we observed that 90.9% of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) (n = 22) patients exhibited the presence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) conserved pol sequence in DNA isolated from serum.

Identification of retroviral DNA sequences in serum of cutaneous forms of lupus erythematosus patients.

Discoid (DLE), discoid disseminated (DDLE) and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) are recognised as cutaneous forms of lupus erythematosus (LE). It has been suggested that expression of endogenous retroviral components might induce the biosynthesis of antiDNA antibodies in LE patients. Using the dot blot hybridisation, we detected the greatest correlation between biosynthesis of anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), anti-single stranded DNA (anti-ssDNA) antibodies and the presence of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) pol sequences in DNA isolated from serum of SCLE (n = 22) patients.

Replication at the level of reverse transcription of HIV-1SF2 strain in Th1 and Th2 cells.

It has been reported that Th2 cells better support replication of T-tropic HIV-1 strain than Th1 cells. We investigated at the level of reverse transcription the replication of T-tropic HIV-1SF2 strain in Th1 and Th2 cells. To determine the presence of the early (RU5), intermediate (gag) and full-length (LTR/gag) product of reverse transcription of virus RNA in Th1 and Th2 cells, we employed the PCR technique.

Distribution of two HIV-1-resistant polymorphisms (SDF1-3'A and CCR2-64I alleles) in the Polish population.

Chemokine receptors (CCR2 and CXCR4) are used as coreceptors for entry of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) into the target cells. Mutations in CCR2 (CCR2-64I) and stromal-derived factor SDF1 (SDF1-3'A), the primary ligand for CXCR4, exhibited a protective effect against the onset of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The frequency of the SDF1-3'A and CCR2-64I alleles were determined in blood donors from 16 provinces, covering the entire territory of Poland.