AIM2 in regulatory T cells restrains autoimmune diseases.

The inflammasome initiates innate defence and inflammatory responses by activating caspase-1 and pyroptotic cell death in myeloid cells. It consists of an innate immune receptor/sensor, pro-caspase-1, and a common adaptor molecule, ASC. Consistent with their pro-inflammatory function, caspase-1, ASC and the inflammasome component NLRP3 exacerbate autoimmunity during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by enhancing the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 in myeloid cells.

NLR members NLRC4 and NLRP3 mediate sterile inflammasome activation in microglia and astrocytes.

Inflammation in the brain accompanies several high-impact neurological diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. Neuroinflammation is sterile, as damage-associated molecular patterns rather than microbial pathogens elicit the response. The inflammasome, which leads to caspase-1 activation, is implicated in neuroinflammation.

The pathogenic role of the inflammasome in neurodegenerative diseases.

The inflammasome is a large macromolecular complex that contains multiple copies of a receptor or sensor of pathogen-derived or damage-derived molecular patterns, pro-caspase-1, and an adaptor called ASC (apoptotic speck containing protein with a CARD), which results in caspase-1 maturation. Caspase-1 then mediates the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18. These cytokines play critical roles in mediating immune responses during inflammation and innate immunity.

A national network to advance the field of cancer and female sexuality.

Introduction: Understanding sexual health issues in cancer patients is integral to care for the continuously growing cancer survivor population.

Aim: To create a national network of active clinicians and researchers focusing on the prevention and treatment of sexual problems in women and girls with cancer.

Methods: Interdisciplinary teams from the University of Chicago and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center jointly developed the mission for a national conference to convene clinicians and researchers in the field of cancer and female sexuality.

Effect of telavancin (Vibativ) on routine coagulation test results.

Telavancin (Vibativ, Astellas Pharma US, Deerfield, IL) is a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic that has activity against gram-positive microorganisms, but also has the ability to bind to artificial phospholipids found in coagulation reagents. Normal pooled plasma was spiked with telavancin to obtain concentrations of 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 μg/mL of drug.

Underestimating the impact of ventilator-associated pneumonia by use of surveillance data.

We calculated rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) by using surveillance data, clinical data, and coding data. Compared with the VAP rates calculated on the basis of surveillance data, the VAP rates calculated on the basis of coding data were significantly overestimated in 4 of 5 intensive care units. Efforts to improve coding and clinical documentation will address much but not all of this discrepancy between surveillance and administrative data.

Characterization of the GRK2 binding site of Galphaq.

Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) transmit signals from membrane bound G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to intracellular effector proteins. The G(q) subfamily of Galpha subunits couples GPCR activation to the enzymatic activity of phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta). Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins bind to activated Galpha subunits, including Galpha(q), and regulate Galpha signaling by acting as GTPase activating proteins (GAPs), increasing the rate of the intrinsic GTPase activity, or by acting as effector antagonists for Galpha subunits.