Proinflammatory CD20 T cells contribute to CNS-directed autoimmunity.

The origin and function of CD20 T cells are poorly understood. Here, we characterized CD20 T cells in mice and humans and investigated how they are affected by anti-CD20 antibody treatment. We report that murine CD20 T cells are unable to endogenously express the B cell lineage marker CD20; the development of CD20 T cells in rodents requires the presence of CD20-expressing B cells.

An RNA Thermometer Activity of the West Nile Virus Genomic 3'-Terminal Stem-Loop Element Modulates Viral Replication Efficiency during Host Switching.

The 3'-terminal stem-loop (3'SL) of the RNA genome of the flavivirus West Nile (WNV) harbors, in its stem, one of the sequence elements that are required for genome cyclization. As cyclization is a prerequisite for the initiation of viral replication, the 3'SL was proposed to act as a replication silencer. The lower part of the 3'SL is metastable and confers a structural flexibility that may regulate the switch from the linear to the circular conformation of the viral RNA.

Infection retardant coated inflatable penile prostheses decrease the incidence of infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This systematic review was done to compare the effectiveness of infection retardant coated inflatable penile prostheses vs noncoated devices.

Materials And Methods: We systematically reviewed PubMed® and Galileo® to identify all relevant case studies. The postoperative infection incidence rate was compared for coated and noncoated inflatable penile prostheses to determine whether coating the implant affects the rate of surgical implant infection.

A phase II, single-blind, randomized, crossover evaluation of the safety and efficacy of avanafil using visual sexual stimulation in patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.

Objective: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and time course of three doses of avanafil (50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg) compared with sildenafil 50 mg or placebo, given in conjunction with visual sexual stimulation (VSS) videos in men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction (ED).

Patients And Methods: Male patients, 35-70 years of age, with mild to moderate ED of ≥6 months duration, were included in the study. During the course of the study, each patient received placebo, active control (sildenafil 50 mg), and one dose of avanafil (50 mg, 100 mg or 200 mg), all administered in random order at least 72 h apart.

Developmental outcomes after pediatric heart transplantation.

Background: Pediatric heart transplantation has now been successfully performed for more than 20 years. As survival rates have improved, more attention is now focused on long-term outcomes.

Methods: This report reviews the literature on developmental outcomes after pediatric heart transplantation.