Distribution of the NF-kappaB complex in the inflammatory exudates characterizing the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

The transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a ubiquitously expressed protein family that is considered crucial in autoimmunity. We describe NF-kappaB p50 and p65, and the inhibitor I-kappaB alpha in the inflammatory exudates characteristic for the different idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), that is, endomysial CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells invading non-necrotic fibers in polymyositis (PM) and sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM), and the perimysial/perivascular CD20(+) B cells and CD4(+) T cells in dermatomyositis (DM). We also analyzed other inflammatory cells in the vicinity of active inflammation sites.

Short-term outcome of patients with cardiac- and thrombo-embolic cerebral infarcts.

Objectives: It has already been demonstrated by previous studies that patients suffering from a cardiac-embolic stroke (CES) have a worse outcome than those with a thrombo-embolic stroke (TES). Many factors, such as age, initial stroke severity, stroke recurrence and vascular risk factors have been quoted as a possible explanation. The present retrospective study re-investigates more in detail which variables are the most important to explain the difference in disability between patients with CES and with TES on hospital discharge.

Distribution of glucocorticoid receptor alpha and beta subtypes in the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

In contrast with dermatomyositis and polymyositis, inclusion body myositis is unresponsive to glucocorticoid treatment. Glucocorticoid action is mediated through an active glucocorticoid receptor-alpha and negatively regulated by another glucocorticoid receptor isoform. In several autoimmune diseases glucocorticoid receptor-beta up-regulation is involved in glucocorticoid resistance.

Reversible orofacial dyskinesia after ofloxacin treatment.

We report on a patient who developed orofacial dyskinesia 3 days after starting ofloxacin treatment. The association of orofacial dyskinesia with other fluoroquinolone antibiotics has been reported rarely, chiefly in the elderly with impaired renal or hepatic function or in overdosed patients. It has been ascribed to interference with GABA-ergic neurotransmission.

Necrotizing myopathy with microvascular deposition of the complement membrane attack complex.

Necrotizing myopathy without prominent inflammatory changes is increasingly being recognized as a form of inflammatory myopathy, different from dermatomyositis, polymyositis and sporadic inclusion-body myositis. We report a patient with a chronic steroid-responsive myopathy and an ill-defined overlap syndrome. The muscle biopsy showed thickened capillaries and arterioles and deposition of the membrane attack complex in the replicated mural elements of some vessels.