Interaction between infectious diseases and personality traits: ACP1*C as a potential mediator.

In geographical regions characterized by high pathogen prevalence, it has been shown that human populations tend to be characterized by lower levels of extraversion (E) and openness to experience (OtE). According to the "behavioral immune system" hypothesis, the reduction of extraversion and openness levels represents a behavioral defense against infections. Like the 'classical' immune system, the "behavioral immune system" could also be shaped by its underlying genetic background.

Infective endocarditis associated with spondylodiscitis and frequent secondary epidural abscess.

Background: Although many patients with IE complain of joint, muscle, and back pain, infections at these sights are rare. Indeed, in patients with back pain and endocarditis, less than 4% actually demonstrate spondylodiscitis.

Case Description: We recently encountered 4 patients with this complication, one each caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus bovis, Streptococcus mitis, and Enterococcus faecalis, and wondered whether the nature of the infecting organism determined the development of spondylodiscitis and epidural abscess.

Molecular interactions of leptin and prostate cancer.

Background: Epidemiological studies have found obesity to be a risk factor for prostate cancer. Our prior independent studies in women have reported a strong relationship between variants of OB (leptin) gene, body mass index, and age at menarche and sporadic breast cancer. The current study investigates an association between genetic variants of the human obesity gene, serum leptin levels, and body mass index in subjects with prostate carcinoma and in age- and gender-matched normal subjects.

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in a patient with metastatic prostate cancer: case report and literature review.

Background: Leptomeningeal metastasis is discovered at autopsy in approximately 5% of patients with systemic cancer. Until recently with the introduction of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), premorbid diagnosis was extremely difficult. In particular, initial spinal fluid cytology is diagnostic in less than 50% of autopsy-verified patients, although repeated spinal fluid examinations may increase the yield significantly.

RANTES: a genetic risk marker for multiple sclerosis.

Unlabelled: Regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) is a beta-chemokine and has been detected in brain lesions of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Considering its potential role in MS, we screened two functional polymorphisms in the proximal promoter region of the RANTES in MS patients versus controls.

Methods: We examined 140 postmortem brain samples from subjects with a primary diagnosis of MS, and peripheral blood samples from 216 control subjects.

Association of CCR5 delta32 deletion with early death in multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: The interaction between chemokines and their receptors is extremely important in controlling T cell migration into sites of CNS inflammation. Because trafficking of inflammatory T cells into the central nervous system (CNS) is a key player in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), we investigated the possible association of CCR5 delta32 deletion in this disorder.

Methods: DNA isolated from postmortem brain tissue samples of 132 patients with MS and from blood tissue samples of 163 gender and ethnicity-matched healthy controls was used to screen for the CCR5 delta32 deletion allele.

A multigene test for the risk of sporadic breast carcinoma.

Background: Although the identification of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have been of great interest, these genes account for less than 5% of all breast carcinoma cases. The remaining cases are sporadic. Reanalysis of a large twin study suggested that genetic factors may play a significant role in sporadic breast and other carcinomas.