Mastocytosis and systemic sclerosis: a clinical association.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by vascular alterations and autoimmune activation leading to widespread organ fibrosis. At the early stage of disease when organ involvement and extent of disease are emerging, mast cells may have some role, as implied by both symptoms and histologic evidence.

Case Presentation: A female patient diagnosed with cutaneous mastocytosis experienced the onset of systemic sclerosis after 15 years followed by the switch of mastocytosis to the systemic phenotype.

Premature atherosclerosis is associated with hypovitaminosis D and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor non-use in lupus patients.

The ultimate goal is to identify and target modifiable risk factors that will reduce major cardiovascular events in African American lupus patients. As a first step toward achieving this goal, this study was designed to explore risk factor models of preclinical atherosclerosis in a predominantly African American group of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using variables historically associated with endothelial function in nonlupus populations. Fifty-one subjects with SLE but without a history of clinical cardiovascular events were enrolled.

Deficits in reproduction and pro-gonadotropin-releasing hormone processing in male Cpefat mice.

Cpe(fat/fat) mice are obese, diabetic, and infertile. These animals have a point mutation in carboxypeptidase E (CPE), an exopeptidase that removes C-terminal basic amino acids from peptide intermediates. The mutation renders the enzyme unstable, and it is rapidly degraded.

The role of medical students in curriculum committees.

Background: Medical students often play a role in local curricular issues by assessing the curriculum and bringing consumers' perspectives to curricular committees.

Purpose: To identify the formal roles that medical students play on curriculum committees.

Methods: Mail survey to associate deans of medical education at all U.