Absence of up-regulation for a proliferation-inducing ligand in Sjögren's sialadenitis lesions.

Objective: To determine whether a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) has a role in the survival of plasma cells infiltrating salivary glands from SS patients.

Methods: We performed immunological staining for APRIL in minor salivary glands from SS with a pair of antibodies specifically recognizing APRIL-producing cells and secreted APRIL.

Results: Despite high leucocyte infiltration, APRIL-producing cells, identified as neutrophils, were rare in SS salivary glands.

The kidney as a target organ in pharmaceutical research.

Kidney diseases are a major source of morbidity and mortality in humans. In developed countries, mortality owing to chronic kidney disease (CKD) terminating in end-stage renal failure is comparable with that associated with cancer. A full understanding of the mechanisms implicated in the progression of CKD is needed to achieve its prevention and to delay the need for support strategies based on dialysis and transplantation.

Construction of an rsmX co-variance model and identification of five rsmX non-coding RNAs in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are important components of many regulatory pathways and have key roles in regulating diverse functions. In the Pseudomonads, the two-component system, GacA/S, directly regulates at least two well-characterized ncRNAs, RsmZ and RsmY, which act by sequestration of translation repressor proteins to control expression of various exoproducts. Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0 possesses a third ncRNA, RsmX, which also participates in this regulatory pathway.

Side plate fixation vs. intramedullary nailing in an unstable medial femoral neck fracture model: A comparative biomechanical study.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate primary stability of the proximal femoral nailing antirotation for the indication of unstable medial femoral neck fractures. The device was compared to the dynamic hip screw blade, which is a "gold standard" in the treatment of proximal femoral fractures.

Methods: Six pairs of human cadaver femurs were tested in a cyclic loading model with loads up to 200 N, 400 N, 600 N, 800 N, and 1000 N, respectively.

Urinary proteomics and drug discovery in chronic kidney disease: a new perspective.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is becoming a worldwide public health problem. The identification of a specific set of early biomarkers for CKD is extremely relevant to progress in disease knowledge, improving diagnosis, treatment, or development, and monitoring efficacy of new drugs. As kidney fibrosis can be considered the common pathological way to end stage renal failure, independent of the initial renal insult, these biomarkers are therefore biomarkers of early tubulo-interstitial fibrosis.

Comparison of characteristics from White- and Black-Americans with venous thromboembolism: a cross-sectional study.

When compared with Whites, Black-Americans may have a 40% higher incidence venous thromboembolism (VTE) incidence. However, whether other VTE characteristics and risk factors vary by race is uncertain. To compare demographic and baseline characteristics among White- and Black-Americans with VTE, we used data prospectively collected from consecutive consenting adults enrolled in seven Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Thrombosis and Hemostasis Centers from August 2003 to March 2009.

Visceral leishmaniasis in a kidney transplant recipient: parasitic interstitial nephritis, a cause of renal dysfunction.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) due to Leishmania infantum is an endemic parasitic infection in the Mediterranean area. It most commonly affects immunosuppressed individuals, especially HIV patients and less frequently organ transplant recipients. Renal involvement seems to be frequent and is mostly associated with tubulointerstitial nephritis, as described in autopsy reports.

Autophagosome maturation is impaired in Fabry disease.

Fabry disease is a lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) caused by a deficiency in α-galactosidase A. The disease is characterized by severe major organ involvement, but the pathologic mechanisms responsible have not been elucidated. Disruptions of autophagic processes have been reported for other LSDs, but have not yet been investigated in Fabry disease.

Endocellular polyamine availability modulates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and unfolded protein response in MDCK cells.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in embryonic development as well as in several pathological conditions. Literature indicates that polyamine availability may affect transcription of c-myc, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)1, MMP2, TGFbeta(1), and collagen type I mRNA. The aim of this study was to elucidate polyamines role in EMT in vitro.

Transcriptome analysis of Pseudomonas syringae identifies new genes, noncoding RNAs, and antisense activity.

To fully understand how bacteria respond to their environment, it is essential to assess genome-wide transcriptional activity. New high-throughput sequencing technologies make it possible to query the transcriptome of an organism in an efficient unbiased manner. We applied a strand-specific method to sequence bacterial transcripts using Illumina's high-throughput sequencing technology.

Work transitions for peer support providers in traditional mental health programs: unique challenges and opportunities.

Background: Peer support is gaining recognition as a valuable component of mental health service delivery, and a meaningful employment opportunity for mental health consumers. Despite the potential benefits of peer support, there continues to be many barriers to the development and funding of peer positions.

Method: The overall purpose of this multi-site project was to build capacity for employment of trained peer providers in local, community-based mental health programs.

Six-month follow-up of patients with in-hospital thrombocytopenia during heparin-based anticoagulation (from the Complications After Thrombocytopenia Caused by Heparin [CATCH] registry).

Thrombocytopenia is a predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes and in critically ill patients. The Complications After Thrombocytopenia Caused by Heparin (CATCH) registry was designed to explore the incidence, management, and clinical consequences of in-hospital thrombocytopenia occurring during heparin-based anticoagulation in diverse clinical settings. We conducted a prospective observational study of 37 United States hospitals participating in the CATCH registry to assess the relation of in-hospital thrombocytopenia to long-term outcomes.

Scoring system for renal pathology in Fabry disease: report of the International Study Group of Fabry Nephropathy (ISGFN).

Background: In Fabry nephropathy, alpha-galactosidase deficiency leads to accumulation of glycosphingolipids in all kidney cell types, proteinuria and progressive loss of kidney function.

Methods: An international working group of nephrologists from 11 Fabry centres identified adult Fabry patients, and pathologists scored histologic changes on renal biopsies. A standardized scoring system was developed with a modified Delphi technique assessing 59 Fabry nephropathy cases.

Prevalence of thrombophilias in patients presenting for bariatric surgery.

Background: The rise in bariatric surgery has driven an increased number of complications from venous thromboembolism (VTE). Evidence supports obesity as an independent risk factor for VTE, but the specific derangements underlying the hypercoagulability of obesity are not well defined. To better characterize VTE risk for the purpose of tailoring prophylactic strategies, we developed a protocol for thrombophilia screening in patients presenting for bariatric surgery at our institution.

Evaluation and management of thrombocytopenia and suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in hospitalized patients: The Complications After Thrombocytopenia Caused by Heparin (CATCH) registry.

Background: Thrombocytopenia and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) are potentially devastating paradoxical side effects of heparin therapy. We explored the evaluation, management, and clinical consequences of thrombocytopenia occurring during heparin therapy in diverse clinical settings.

Methods: CATCH was a prospective observational study that enrolled 3,536 patients in 48 US hospitals.

Thrombophilia: 2009 update.

As venous thrombosis is mostly caused by disturbances in the plasma coagulation system, abnormalities of coagulation factors are mostly risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Relatively little is known about thrombophilias that predispose to arterial thromboembolism. Although some abnormalities in the fibrinolytic pathway appear to predispose to arterial thrombosis, the associations are weak and often inconsistent between studies.

Inherited antithrombin deficiency: a review.

Antithrombin (AT) is a potent inactivator of thrombin and factor Xa and the major inhibitor of blood coagulation. Inherited AT deficiencies are uncommon, with prevalences in the general population between 1 in 500 and 1 in 5000. They are either quantitative (type I) or qualitative (type II).

Risk-group targeted inferior vena cava filter placement in gastric bypass patients.

Background: Despite a growing body of evidence guiding appropriate perioperative thromboprophylaxis in the general population, few data direct strategies to reduce deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in the morbidly obese. We have implemented a novel protocol for venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk stratification in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) candidates at our institution, which augments clinical assessment with screening for thrombophilias, to guide retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filter utilization.

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data from patients who underwent primary RYGB between 2001 and 2008 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was completed.

[Bisphosphonate-induced collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis; two clinical cases and literature review].

Collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is well described in its idiopathic form, mostly seen in young African American patients, and in association with HIV virus. Its clinical presentation typically includes proteinuria and renal failure rapidly progressing to end stage renal disease. However, a new form has recently been described related to treatment with high doses of intravenous bisphosphonates, especially pamidronate.