Neuromuscular Strain Increases Symptom Intensity in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex, multisystem disorder that can be disabling. CFS symptoms can be provoked by increased physical or cognitive activity, and by orthostatic stress. In preliminary work, we noted that CFS symptoms also could be provoked by application of longitudinal neural and soft tissue strain to the limbs and spine of affected individuals.

Defining the role of Porphyromonas gingivalis peptidylarginine deiminase (PPAD) in rheumatoid arthritis through the study of PPAD biology.

Background: Antibodies to citrullinated proteins are a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Porphyromonas gingivalis peptidylarginine deiminase (PPAD) has been implicated in the initiation of RA by generating citrullinated neoantigens and due to its ability to autocitrullinate.

Objectives: To define the citrullination status and biology of PPAD in P gingivalis and to characterise the anti-PPAD antibody response in RA and associated periodontal disease (PD).

Results of a self-assessment tool to assess the operational characteristics of research ethics committees in low- and middle-income countries.

Purpose: Many research ethics committees (RECs) have been established in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in response to increased research in these countries. How well these RECs are functioning remains largely unknown. Our objective was to assess the usefulness of a self-assessment tool in obtaining benchmarking data on the extent to which RECs are in compliance with recognised international standards.

Periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis: the evidence accumulates for complex pathobiologic interactions.

Purpose Of Review: This review was conducted to focus on the recent clinical and translational research related to the associations between periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Recent Findings: There is a growing interest in the associations between oral health and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. A number of epidemiologic studies have described associations between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease.

Perceived comfort level of medical students and residents in handling clinical ethics issues.

Background: Studies have shown that medical students and residents believe that their ethics preparation has been inadequate for handling ethical conflicts. The objective of this study was to determine the self-perceived comfort level of medical students and residents in confronting clinical ethics issues.

Methods: Clinical medical students and residents at the University of Maryland School of Medicine completed a web-based survey between September 2009 and February 2010.

A multicenter study of the awareness and attitudes of Egyptian faculty towards research ethics: a pilot study.

The awareness and attitudes of faculty towards research ethics committees (RECs) and research ethics practices are largely unknown. Accordingly, we conducted a cross-sectional survey study involving various faculties (Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Dentistry) from four universities in Egypt. A large majority (> 85%) held positive attitudes towards RECs, but almost a third thought that RECs would delay research.