Treg-inducing capacity of genomic DNA of subsp. .

Allergic and autoimmune diseases comprise a group of inflammatory disorders caused by aberrant immune responses in which CD25 forkhead box P3-positive regulatory T cells (Treg) cells that normally suppress inflammatory events are often poorly functioning. This has stimulated an intensive investigative effort to find ways of increasing Tregs as a method of therapy for these conditions. Commensal microbiota known to have health benefits in humans include the lactic acid-producing, probiotic bacteria B.

induction of T regulatory cells by a methylated CpG DNA sequence in humans: Potential therapeutic applications in allergic and autoimmune diseases.

Background: Allergic and autoimmune diseases comprise a group of inflammatory disorders caused by aberrant immune responses in which CD25+ Forkhead box P3-positive (FOXP3+) T regulatory (Treg) cells that normally suppress inflammatory events are often poorly functioning. This has stimulated an intensive investigative effort to find ways of increasing Tregs as a method of therapy for these conditions. One such line of investigation includes the study of how ligation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) by CpG oligonucleotides (ODN) results in an immunostimulatory cascade that leads to induction of T-helper (Th) type 1 and Treg-type immune responses.

Sarcoidosis: can a murine model help define a role for silica?

Both genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role in the etiology of sarcoidosis. An association of the condition with exposure to environmental microbes has been recognized for many years, and has become stronger in the last 10-15 years with the advent of newer investigative techniques. A body of literature now is accumulating suggesting that silica may be yet another trigger in genetically predisposed persons.

Restricted and shared patterns of TCR beta-chain gene expression in silicone breast implant capsules and remote sites of tissue inflammation.

Silicone breast implants (SBI) induce formation of a periprosthetic, often inflammatory, fibrovascular neo-tissue called a capsule. Histopathology of explanted capsules varies from densely fibrotic, acellular specimens to those showing intense inflammation with activated macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, and lymphocytic infiltrates. It has been proposed that capsule-infiltrating lymphocytes comprise a secondary, bystander component of an otherwise benign foreign body response in women with SBIs.

Elevated concentrations of interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in plasma of women with silicone breast implants.

Plasma from 27 women with silicone breast implants (SBIs) and 50 age-matched control women without SBIs were examined by enzyme immunoassay for the presence of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and its naturally occurring receptor antagonist, IL-1ra. The results show that 74% (20 of 27) of women with SBIs had elevated concentrations of IL-1ra, whereas only 2% (1 of 50) of controls without SBIs had elevated concentrations of IL-1ra. In contrast to the IL-1ra results, the frequency of elevated IL-1 beta concentrations among women with SBIs was only 40% (11 of 27), but this was significantly higher than the 0% (0 of 50) in control women without SBIs.

Computerized tomography in evaluation of atlantoaxial subluxation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Nineteen patients with rheumatoid C1-C2 subluxation of greater than or equal to 5mm were studied by computerized tomography (CT). CT demonstration of spinal cord compression as defined by loss of posterior subarachnoid space was present in 11/19 (CT+) and absent in 8/19 (CT-). Fourteen patients were examined by a blinded neurologist.

Systemic lupus erythematosus with myocarditis complicating pregnancy.

We report a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and myocarditis complicating pregnancy. Cardiomegaly and compensated congestive heart failure persisted postpartum and we had the therapeutic dilemma of a pregnancy six months later. The defined maternal prognosis of a similar disease, peripartum cardiomyopathy, suggested the need for termination of pregnancy.

Cardiac abnormalities in mixed connective tissue disease.

Sixteen patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) were studied using noninvasive cardiovascular techniques. Cardiovascular abnormalities including pericarditis, asymmetric septal hypertrophy, and LV dilatation were found in 38 percent of the study group. Borderline ECG and echocardiographic abnormalities were present in 31 percent of the study group, and the remaining 31 percent were normal by all study techniques.

Reproducibility studies for anti-DNA antibody detection in systemic lupus erythematosus and related diseases. FIAX fluorometric immunoassay and Farr radioimmunoassay.

We compared the FIAX fluorometric immunoassay for antiDNA antibodies with a Farr radio-immunoassay. Neither was precise; coefficients of variation usually exceeded 10%. The 2 assays correlated well (r = 0.

Articular and soft tissue abnormalities in a "normal" population.

One hundred twenty-three medical students underwent comprehensive locomotor physical examinations as part of their sophomore physical diagnosis course. Sixty-nine point one per cent of subjects were found to have between 1 and 7 separate congenital, developmental, post-traumatic, inflammatory or idiopathic abnormalities. More than 30 different types of abnormalities were noted.

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis in Sjögren's syndrome.

A 30-year-old woman had scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome, deforming polyarthritis, distal renal tubular acidosis, hypokalemic periodic paralysis, and persistent mild myopathy. During a five-year period the patient's otherwise mild course of disease was complicated by the occurrence of five episodes of severe flaccid muscle paralysis involving both proximal and distal muscle groups. Between the paralytic episodes the patient functioned well without replacement therapy, and had normal potassium levels.

Association of myositis and myocarditis in progressive systemic sclerosis.

A retrospective review of 47 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis revealed a highly significant (P less than 0.001) association between myositis and myocarditis. Three patients developed clinically overt myocarditis as an early feature of their disease.

Mixed connective tissue disease in children and adolescents.

Since the recognition of mixed connective tissue disease in 1972, a small number of pediatric and adolescent patients with this disorder have been described in detail. Four additional patients, two male and two female, are reported in this study. Age range at onset of symptoms was 11 to 18 years.

Systemic vasculitis with coexistent large and small vessel involvement. A classification dilemma.

A patient with systemic vasculitis had the palpable purpuric lower extremity lesions of leukocytoclastic vasculitis and the renal aneurysms of polyarteritis nodosa, features thought to clearly separate these two syndromes. Questions are raised pertinent to the classification, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of systemic vasculitis.

Brown's syndrome. An unusual manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis.

Two patients presented with an ocular complication of rheumatoid arthritis that was extraocular in location. Clinical manifestations include vertical diplopia, an intermittent nature, a clicking sensation, and apparent inferior oblique palsy. A stenosing tenovaginitis of the superior oblique tendon and its sheath is the probable underlying pathologic mechanism.

Absence of echocardiographic abnormalities of the anterior mitral valve leaflet in rheumatoid arthritis.

Thirty-five consecutives patients with classic or definite rheumatoid arthritis underwent echocardiography to evaluate the motion of the anterior mitral valve leaflet. Adequate echocardiograms were obtained in 31 patients. All 31 patients showed normal valve motion and a normal EF slope.