Sjögren's syndrome without mixed cryoglobulinemia is not associated with hepatitis C virus infection.

Objectives: Hepatitis C virus infection has been associated with the formation of autoantibodies. Furthermore, several autoimmune and immune-complex mediated disorders have been proposed to be associated with hepatitis C virus infection. The best documented of these associations is between hepatitis C virus infection and essential mixed cryoglobulinemia.

Acute polyarthritis.

Preview Although erythema infectiosum occurs primarily in children, the infection may be responsible for acute arthritis or arthralgia in adults. In this article, a case of acute symmetric polyarthritis affecting one of the authors is described. His symptoms were caused by parvovirus B19 infection, which was probably acquired from one of his children who had had erythema infectiosum a short time earlier.

Acute polyarthritis. Fifth disease passed from child to adult.

Physicians are familiar with the "slapped cheek" rash seen in childhood cases of erythema infectiosum. Less well known is that infection with its pathogen, parvovirus B19, often becomes manifest in adults as acute viral arthropathy. In evaluation of suspected cases, a complete blood cell count and blood chemistry profile are useful additions to thorough history taking and physical examination.

Hyperprolactinemia in male NZB/NZW (B/W) F1 mice: accelerated autoimmune disease with normal circulating testosterone.

It has been proposed that the immunostimulatory hormone, prolactin, is associated with flares of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In autoimmune female NZB/NZW F1 (B/W) mice with accelerated lupus-like disease, hyperprolactinemia accelerated autoimmunity. The current study explored effects of moderate and severe hyperprolactinemia in male B/W mice, which have late-onset SLE.

Longstanding hyperprolactinemia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus: possible hormonal stimulation of an autoimmune disease.

Objective: To describe 4 women in whom hyperprolactinemia was associated with the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Clinical assessment and followup (2 cases). Chart review and interviews with the attending rheumatologist (2 cases).

Regulation of the induction and resolution of granulomatous experimental autoimmune thyroiditis in mice by CD8+ T cells.

Mouse thyroglobulin (MTg)--sensitized spleen cells activated in vitro with MTg induce experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) in which the thyroid cellular infiltrate consists primarily of mononuclear cells (lymphocytic EAT). Cells cultured with MTg plus anti-IL2R antibody induce EAT having a granulomatous histopathology. CD4+ T cells are required to induce both forms of EAT.

Primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and microscopic polyarteritis in the puerperium: a case report.

The primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (PAPS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may occur in women of reproductive age, and both syndromes have been reported to exacerbate during periods of hormonal flux such as oral contraceptive administration, pregnancy, or the puerperium. These disorders have features which cause them to resemble other multisystem diseases. PAPS and SLE must be differentiated from preeclampsia with HELLP syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura occurring during pregnancy.

Intrathyroidal cell phenotype in murine lymphocytic and granulomatous experimental autoimmune thyroiditis.

In-vitro mouse thyroglobulin (MTg) activated spleen cells from immunized donor mice can induce experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) after transfer to recipient mice. The intrathyroidal cellular infiltrate consists primarily of mononuclear cells (lymphocytic EAT). Cells cultured with MTg together with anti-IL2R antibody induce EAT with a granulomatous histopathology in which the thyroid infiltrate contains mononuclear cells (MNC) in addition to PMN's histiocytes, and multinucleated giant cells.

Recent advances in understanding maternal and fetal responses to exercise.

In the past decade, physical health fitness has become increasingly more important in the lives of women of child-bearing age. Many have made regular, and sometimes vigorous commitments to exercise programs. In 1985, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) developed a set of guidelines for women who plan to exercise during pregnancy.

Parental influences on childhood fitness and activity patterns.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of parental attitudes and self-reported exercise habits on the fitness and activity levels of their children. One parent from each of 1,253 families was asked about exercise habits and completed the Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale (EBBS) to determine their personal attitudes toward exercise. The children completed a self-reported activity questionnaire (SRA) and had their aerobic power predicted using a cycle ergometer test.

Prolactin and autoimmune disease.

A number of reports have shown that PRL is an immune-stimulating hormone that is capable of stimulating organ-specific inflammatory disease in humans. More recently, hyperprolactinemia has been associated with the active phase of the immune-complex-mediated autoimmune disease, systemic lupus erythematosus. The theory that PRL contributes substantially to disease activity was upheld in the NZB/W mouse model of spontaneous, hormone-sensitive lupus.

Effects of parturition, suckling and pseudopregnancy on variables of disease activity in the B/W mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: The pituitary hormone, prolactin, accelerates systemic lupus erythematosus in NZB/NZW F1 (B/W) mice. Our study evaluated disease activity in B/W females experiencing the physiologic hyperprolactinemia of mating, pregnancy, suckling, and pseudopregnancy.

Methods: Nonsuckling postpartum, suckling and pseudopregnant mice were compared to virgin females.

Alpha-fetoprotein, prolactin and cortisol responses to maximal exercise during pregnancy.

The purpose of this study was to assess the maternal-fetal hormonal stress reactivity, via the monitoring of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), prolactin and cortisol responses, to maximal maternal exercise. We had women perform maximal exercise bouts to volitional fatigue at select times in their gestation (25 weeks, 35 weeks, and 10 weeks post-partum). Blood samples were taken immediately before exercise and 1 min into the recovery from exercise.

Calorie-restricted weight reduction, blood pressure, and atrial natriuretic peptides.

Calorie restriction with resultant weight loss lowers arterial blood pressure in obese people. The mechanism of this blood-pressure reduction has been unknown, but recent evidence suggests that the atrial natriuretic peptide hormonal system may play a role in the blood-pressure changes associated with calorie-reduction-induced weight loss. This newly described hormonal system consists of a 126-amino acid (aa) prohormone synthesized primarily in the heart with a 98-aa NH2-terminal and a 28-aa COOH-terminal of this prohormone released into the circulation.

Thermoregulation of pregnant women during aerobic exercise on land and in the water.

Seven women in their 25th week of pregnancy exercised for 20 minutes on a cycle ergometer at 70% of their maximal heart rate on land and in the water (30 degrees C) to compare thermoregulatory responses. Rectal temperatures increased 0.5 +/- 0.

Premature death with bladder outlet obstruction and hyperprolactinemia in New Zealand black X New Zealand white mice treated with ethinyl estradiol and 17 beta-estradiol.

Objective: To determine causes of death, estrogen toxicity, and hyperprolactinemia in a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Female New Zealand Black x New Zealand White (NZB x NZW) mice were implanted with ethinyl estradiol, 17 beta-estradiol, or empty capsules (controls).

Results: Estrogen-treated mice developed striking hyperprolactinemia and died prematurely with genitourinary complications.

Effect of 12-hour infusion of naloxone on mood and cognition in normal male volunteers.

The effects of a 12-hour naloxone infusion on mood, cognition, and plasma cortisol levels were evaluated in eight normal subjects. The dosage used was a 10 mg dose plus 7 mg/hr (total = 94 mg). Naloxone induced a significant rise in serum cortisol and also induced cognitive impairment, as shown by increased choice reaction time, reduced ability to recall the order of letters and numbers, and reduced accuracy of spatial orientation.

Weight reduction decreases the circulating concentration of the N-terminus of the ANF prohormone.

The N-terminus of the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) prohormone (ie, proANF 1-98) contains two vasodilatory peptides consisting of amino acids (aa): aa 1-30 (ie, proANF 1-30) and aa 31-67 (ie, proANF 31-67) of the 126 aa prohormone. The relationship of this N-terminus to the renin-aldosterone axis and blood pressure reduction was investigated in 18 obese subjects (5 hypertensive and 13 normotensive) placed on a 12-week, low sodium (40 mmol), weight reducing diet. The N-terminus of the ANF prohormone and proANF 31-67, which circulates as a distinct entity after being proteolytically cleaved from the N-terminus, were significantly (p less than 0.

Prolactin influences autoimmune disease activity in the female B/W mouse.

Prolactin, an anterior pituitary hormone, stimulates humoral and cell-mediated immunity. This study investigated effects of manipulating prolactin levels in the autoimmune B/W mouse model of SLE. A group of B/W females was treated with daily injections of the prolactin-suppressing drug, bromocriptine.

Pregnancy-induced changes in the maximal physiological responses during swimming.

The effect of pregnancy on peak O2 uptake (VO2 peak) during tethered swimming was evaluated in 10 women during their 25th and 35th wk of pregnancy, as well as 9-11 wk postpartum. The swim results were compared with cycle ergometry results obtained at similar times. The results indicated that exercise-induced maximal heart rates remained the same and were similar for the swim and cycle trials, approximately 184 +/- 4 beats/min.

Cost containment and the physician's ethical obligations.

The chairman of the American Medical Association's Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs evaluates the ethical relationship between physicians and payers, and cautions that physicians must use great restraint and diligence to maintain professionalism in an environment of cost constraints.

Effect of caloric deficit and dietary manipulation on aerobic and anaerobic exercise.

Twelve competitive wrestlers restricted their caloric intake (92 kJ/kg FFW/day) for 7 days, using a high (HC) or normal (NC) carbohydrate diet to determine the acute effect of caloric deficiency on aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance as well as growth hormone (hGH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels. The subjects were tested while on a eucaloric diet and at the end of the dietary restriction. Neither the dietary restriction nor composition had an effect on the ability to complete an 8-minute run at 85% of maximal capacity, but both produced an increased fat utilization during the run.

Fetal responses to maximal swimming and cycling exercise during pregnancy.

Fetal responses to maximal maternal exercise were studied during cycle ergometry and tethered swimming in 13 untrained subjects at 25 and 35 weeks' gestation. The fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine and umbilical artery waveforms were measured before exercise, immediately after exercise, and at 5-minute intervals during 20 minutes of recovery. The mean maternal maximal heart rate was 179 +/- 12 beats per minute and did not differ between swimming and cycling exercise trials.

High-dose naloxone modifies cardiovascular and neuroendocrine function in ambulant subjects.

To determine the role of the opioids in the control of the cardiovascular system in awake ambulatory subjects, eight healthy men were infused with a high dose of naloxone (10 mg bolus plus 7 mg/hr), or saline placebo, for 12 hr. Ambulatory monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate every 10 min indicated no differences between trials for blood pressure (p greater than 0.80), but a significant difference for the maximal heart rate response during stair climbing or 1 km walks (p less than 0.

Thermoregulation in pregnancy. Implications for exercise.

Studies concerning exposure to heat during pregnancy have indicated that maternal hyperthermia can be teratogenic, causing primarily CNS abnormalities. Data, using the animal model, have consistently indicated that the effects of heat are most hazardous when exposure occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy. However, the human data from retrospective studies and sauna bath exposure are not conclusive.