Stress alters the expression of cancer-related genes in the prostate.

Background: Prostate cancer is a major contributor to mortality worldwide, and significant efforts are being undertaken to decipher specific cellular and molecular pathways underlying the disease. Chronic stress is known to suppress reproductive function and promote tumor progression in several cancer models, but our understanding of the mechanisms through which stress contributes to cancer development and progression is incomplete. We therefore examined the relationship between stress, modulation of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) system, and changes in the expression of cancer-related genes in the rat prostate.

Serum amyloid A renal amyloidosis in a chronic subcutaneous ("skin popping") heroin user.

Background: Systemic AA amyloidosis is a long-term complication of several chronic inflammatory disorders. Organ damage results from the extracellular deposition of proteolytic fragments of the acute-phase reactant serum amyloid A (SAA) as amyloid fibrils. Drug users that inject drug by a subcutaneous route ("skin popping") have a higher chance of developing secondary amyloidosis.