Disseminated histoplasmosis.

Objective: To study the clinical features and natural history of disseminated histoplasmosis(DH) in India.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data obtained from the in-patient medical records of adults (age > 13 years) diagnosed to have DH during the period from January 1989 to December 1999. DH was diagnosed when histologically compatible intracellular organisms were present or Histoplasma capsulatum was obtained in culture from the extrapulmonary sites.

Relationship between serum butyrylcholinesterase and the metabolic syndrome.

Objective: To identify independent predictors of serum butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity and examine its relationship with the metabolic syndrome.

Design And Methods: Serum BuChE activity was measured and metabolic syndrome risk factors were assessed in 1097 healthy subjects recruited from the Newfoundland adult population.

Results: Serum BuChE activity was related to insulin homeostasis and correlated with fasting insulin levels (r = 0.

RNA binding and phosphorylation determine the intracellular distribution of nuclear factors 90 and 110.

Members of the nuclear factor 90 (NF90) family of human double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding proteins are phosphorylated and translocate into the cytoplasm with the onset of mitosis. We investigated the mechanism of translocation for NF90 and NF110, its larger splice variant. During interphase, NF90 is predominantly nuclear, NF110 is exclusively nuclear, and both are bound to RNA.

Crystal structure of the flagellar rotor protein FliN from Thermotoga maritima.

FliN is a component of the bacterial flagellum that is present at levels of more than 100 copies and forms the bulk of the C ring, a drum-shaped structure at the inner end of the basal body. FliN interacts with FliG and FliM to form the rotor-mounted switch complex that controls clockwise-counterclockwise switching of the motor. In addition to its functions in motor rotation and switching, FliN is thought to have a role in the export of proteins that form the exterior structures of the flagellum (the rod, hook, and filament).

Use of antipsychotics in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe and disabling psychiatric syndrome. With the advent of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), major strides have been made in the realms of pharmacotherapy. The multiplicity of symptom complex includes specific target symptoms, such as intrusiveness, aggression, sleep disturbances, and co-existing psychotic symptoms.

Self-organization of mesomeric-ionic hybrid heterocycles into liquid crystal phases: a new class of polar mesogens.

The first mesoionic nematic and smectic A mesogens derived from sydnones that are characterized by both covalent and ionic features have been synthesized and evidenced by optical, calorimetric and X-ray diffraction studies.

Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea while being treated with continuous positive airway pressure.

Purpose: To report three cases of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) that occurred in patients with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) while being treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Design: A prospective, noncomparative case series.

Methods: Prospective review of 108 patients with NAION diagnosed between 2002 and 2003 to identify any patients who developed NAION while being treated for SAS with CPAP.

Varied clinical manifestations of Penicillium marneffei in patients with human immunodeficiency virus: a report from south India.

Penicillium marneffei is a dimorphic fungus endemic to northeast India. This is the first report of penicilliosis from a hospital in south India. Three patients with diverse clinical manifestations who presented to a tertiary care hospital are described.

Granulin and granulin repeats interact with the Tat.P-TEFb complex and inhibit Tat transactivation.

The cellular positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), containing cyclin T1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), interacts with the human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1) regulatory protein Tat to enable viral transcription and replication. Cyclin T1 is an unusually long cyclin and is engaged by cellular regulatory proteins. Previous studies showed that the granulin/epithelin precursor (GEP) binds the histidine-rich region of cyclin T1 and inhibits P-TEFb function.

Comparison of multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for assessment of percentage body fat in a large, healthy population.

Background: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is widely used in clinics and research to measure body composition. However, the results of BIA validation with reference methods are contradictory, and few data are available on the influence of adiposity on the measurement of body composition by BIA.

Objective: The goal was to determine the effects of sex and adiposity on the difference in percentage body fat (%BF) predicted by BIA compared with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Having a regular doctor: rural, semi-urban and urban differences in Newfoundland.

Introduction: Recent studies suggest that 23% of adult Newfoundlanders do not have a regular doctor. Using data from the 1995 Newfoundland Panel on Health and Medical Care study, we examined the urban, semi-urban and rural differences in the characteristics of adult (age 20 and over) Newfoundlanders who did and did not have a regular doctor.

Methods: We used chi2 tests and logistic regression to analyze data from 11,789 respondents from randomly selected households in Newfoundland.

Emerging importance of Pneumocystis carinii among indian immunosuppressed patients.

Pneumocystis carinii is known to cause both significant morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed individuals. In a six and a half year period starting with 1992, a total of 204 samples including bronchial aspirates, induced sputum and suction catheter tips were examined for P. carinii by direct microscopic examination of Giemsa's and toluidine 'O' stained smears.

The double-stranded-RNA-binding motif: interference and much more.

RNA duplexes have been catapulted into the spotlight by the discovery of RNA interference and related phenomena. But double-stranded and highly structured RNAs have long been recognized as key players in cell processes ranging from RNA maturation and localization to the antiviral response in higher organisms. Penetrating insights into the metabolism and functions of such RNAs have come from the identification and study of proteins that contain the double-stranded-RNA-binding motif.

Endometriosis of the pancreas presenting as a cystic pancreatic neoplasm with possible metastasis.

The authors report a case of endometriosis that presented as a cystic mass in the tail of the pancreas, leading to extensive evaluation and ultimately a major surgical resection. The diagnosis was made by histopathological evaluation, revealing endometrial glands and stroma in the wall of the mass with hemorrhagic fluid in the cystic lumen, compatible with pancreatic involvement by an endometrial cyst.

Evidence-based addiction medicine: the use of lofexidine for opioid detoxification.

Is there any evidence that lofexidine is as effective as and better tolerated than clonidine for opiate detoxification? Could lofexidine be safely combined with other agents in the management of withdrawal? The purpose of this review is to seek answers to these postulates by using evidence-based testimony.

MLE functions as a transcriptional regulator of the roX2 gene.

Dosage compensation is a process that equalizes transcription activity between the sexes. In Drosophila, two non-coding RNA, roX1 and roX2, and at least six protein regulators, MSL-1, MSL-2, MSL-3, MLE, MOF, and JIL-1, have been identified as essential for dosage compensation. Although there is accumulating evidence of the intricate functional and physical interactions between protein and RNA regulators, little is known about how roX RNA expression and function are modulated in coordination with protein regulators.

Effects of postnatal dexamethasone on oxygen toxicity in neonatal rats.

We investigated the effect of timing of early postnatal dexamethasone on survival of hyperoxia-exposed neonatal rats. Pups <24 h old were treated with a tapering course of dexamethasone or saline beginning either prior to exposure (day 0), or after 2, 4, or 6 days of > or =98% O2 (n=11-14) or air (n=8-11). Exposures were continued for 14 days.

Use of CHROMagar medium in the differentiation of Candida species: is it cost-effective in developing countries?

The opportunistic infection of humans with Candida is becoming more common. As several species of Candida are relatively insusceptible to the commonly used antifungal drugs, rapid identification of the species involved can facilitate effective treatment. CHROMagar Candida medium (CCM) is a commercial product designed to allow the rapid identification of Candida to species level.