The H antigen at epithelial surfaces is associated with susceptibility to asthma exacerbation.

Rationale: Acute asthma exacerbations, precipitated by viral infections, are a significant cause of morbidity, but not all patients with asthma are equally susceptible.

Objectives: To explore susceptibility factors for asthma exacerbations, we considered a role for histoblood group antigens because they are implicated in mechanisms of gastrointestinal viral infection, specifically the O-secretor mucin glycan phenotype. We investigated if this phenotype is associated with susceptibility to asthma exacerbation.

Accumulation of intraepithelial mast cells with a unique protease phenotype in T(H)2-high asthma.

Background: Previously, we found that mast cell tryptases and carboxypeptidase A3 (CPA3) are differentially expressed in the airway epithelium in asthmatic subjects. We also found that asthmatic subjects can be divided into 2 subgroups ("T(H)2 high" and "T(H)2 low" asthma) based on epithelial cell gene signatures for the activity of T(H)2 cytokines.

Objectives: We sought to characterize intraepithelial mast cells (IEMCs) in asthma.

Ex vivo sputum analysis reveals impairment of protease-dependent mucus degradation by plasma proteins in acute asthma.

Rationale: Airway mucus plugs, composed of mucin glycoproteins mixed with plasma proteins, are an important cause of airway obstruction in acute severe asthma, and they are poorly treated with current therapies.

Objectives: To investigate mechanisms of airway mucus clearance in health and in acute severe asthma.

Methods: We collected airway mucus from patients with asthma and nonasthmatic control subjects, using sputum induction or tracheal aspiration.

Effect of aromatase inhibition on lipids and inflammatory markers of cardiovascular disease in elderly men with low testosterone levels.

Objective: Although androgen replacement has been shown to have beneficial effects in hypogonadal men, there is concern that androgens may deleteriously affect cardiovascular risk in elderly men.

Design: Anastrozole is an oral aromatase inhibitor that normalizes serum testosterone levels and decreases oestradiol levels modestly in elderly men with mild hypogonadism. Thirty-seven elderly hypogonadal men were randomized to receive either anastrozole 1 mg daily (n = 12), anastrozole 1 mg twice weekly (n = 11), or daily placebo (n = 14) for 12 weeks in a double-blind fashion.

Targets of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase 2-mediated tumor growth regulation revealed by serial analysis of gene expression.

Although the c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway has been implicated in mediating cell growth and transformation, its downstream effectors remain to be identified. Using JNK2 antisense oligonucleotides (JNK2AS), we uncovered previously a role for JNK2 in regulating cell cycle progression and survival of human PC3 prostate carcinoma cells. Here, to identify genes involved in implementing JNK2-mediated effects, we have analyzed global gene expression changes in JNK2-deprived PC3 cells using Serial Analysis of Gene Expression.

Progression of HIV-associated dementia treated with HAART.

A consecutive series of 96 patients with HIV-associated dementia treated with HAART were studied to identify specific clinical factors associated with an improved response to therapy. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering dementia severity scale and the HIV Dementia Scale were used to assess outcomes. Of 30 patients meeting the inclusion criteria with adequate follow-up, 60% improved neurologically and 40% progressed.