Bilateral symmetric gluteal muscle metastases from pancreatic carcinoma presenting as a myositis.

Skeletal muscle metastases from pancreatic carcinoma are exceedingly rare with only a few cases reported in the published work. The case of a 59-year-old man with bilateral, symmetric gluteal muscle metastases from pancreatic carcinoma is presented. This case was clinically challenging as until skeletal muscle biopsy was carried out, the working diagnosis was that of paraneoplastic polymyositis.

A smooth muscle Cav1.2 calcium channel splice variant underlies hyperpolarized window current and enhanced state-dependent inhibition by nifedipine.

Native smooth muscle L-type Ca(v)1.2 calcium channels have been shown to support a fraction of Ca(2+) currents with a window current that is close to resting potential. The smooth muscle L-type Ca(2+) channels are also more susceptible to inhibition by dihydropyridines (DHPs) than the cardiac channels.

Involvement of beta 2-integrin in ROS-mediated neutrophil apoptosis induced by Entamoeba histolytica.

Cellular adhesion through beta 2-integrin (CD18) is an important step in signal transduction leading to apoptosis of human neutrophils, and NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential for neutrophil apoptosis induced by Entamoeba histolytica. Therefore, we investigated the role of beta 2-integrin-mediated signals in ROS-dependent neutrophil apoptosis induced by E. histolytica.

High prevalence of liver and intestinal fluke infections among residents of Savannakhet Province in Laos.

The prevalence of liver and intestinal fluke infections was surveyed on residents of Savannakhet Province, Laos. Fecal specimens were collected from a total of 981 residents in 4 Mekong riverside villages and examined by the Kato-Katz thick smear technique. The results revealed that the overall helminth egg positive rate was 84.

Regulation of German cockroach extract-induced IL-8 expression in human airway epithelial cells.

Background: Cockroaches have been known as a cause of respiratory allergies such as asthma. IL-8 plays an integral role in the coordination and persistence of the inflammatory process in the chronic inflammation of the airways in asthma.

Objective: We investigated the mechanism by which German cockroach extract (GCE) triggers IL-8 release from human airway epithelial cells.

Sequence polymorphisms of major German cockroach allergens Bla g 1, Bla g 2, Bla g 4, and Bla g 5.

Background: The allergenicity of allergens could be influenced by amino acid substitutions in B- or T-cell epitope regions. The German cockroach is known to produce potent allergens inducing strong IgE-mediated allergic reactions. This study was performed to investigate sequence variations in major allergens of the German cockroach.

Molecular cloning and the allergenic characterization of tropomyosin from Tyrophagus putrescentiae.

Storage mites have been recognized as a cause of asthma and rhinitis. Studies from several countries have shown that the IgE-mediated allergy to storage mites is of considerable importance, especially in rural populations. This study aimed to identify and characterize new allergens from Tyrophagus putrescentiae.

Management outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes: targeting the 10-year absolute risk of coronary heart disease.

Objective: To assess the management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the primary care setting, with respect to risk factors associated with coronary heart disease.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional audit.

Setting: Specialised diabetes assessment clinic in a tertiary referral teaching hospital.

Pituitary involvement in Wegener's granulomatosis.

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitis of small and medium-sized vessels. Pituitary involvement in WG is rare with only 22 previous case reports in the English medical literature between 1966 and 2006. Herein we report another patient with WG-related diabetes insipidus (DI) and partial disruption of the anterior pituitary axes.

Lessons learnt from two women with morbidly adherent placentas and a review of literature.

Introduction: Pathologically adherent placentas occur when there is a defect of the decidua basalis, typically arising from previous caesarean section, resulting in abnormally invasive implantation of the placenta. The depth of placental invasion varies from the superficial (accreta), to transmural and possibly beyond (percreta).

Clinical Picture: We report on 2 cases, one treated "conservatively", the other with a caesarean hysterectomy, both of which led to a safe outcome for both mother and baby.

Effect of cosensitization with buckwheat flour extract on the production of house dust mite-specific IgE.

There are studies reporting food sensitization in infancy increases the risk of sensitization to inhalants later in life. We performed a study to evaluate whether cosensitization with buckwheat (BW) has an effect on the production of house dust mite-IgE. C3H/HeJ mice (4 weeks, female) were sensitized with house dust mite (HDM)/Al (OH)(3), intraperitoneally on day 0, followed by 4 intranasal sensitizations (on days 14, 15, 16, and 21).

Successful control of Scedosporium prolificans septic arthritis and probable osteomyelitis without radical surgery in a long-term renal transplant recipient.

Scedosporium species are increasingly isolated from immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Scedosporium infections are generally resistant to multiple antifungals, and Scedosporium prolificans is particularly resistant to all single antifungal agents currently in use with in vitro testing. We report here a long-term renal transplant recipient who developed isolated S.

Differential diagnosis of Trichostrongylus and hookworm eggs via PCR using ITS-1 sequence.

Trichostrongylus eggs observed in cellophane-thick smears are difficult, in practice, to distinguish from hookworm eggs. In order to overcome these limitations, a molecular approach was conducted. A Trichostrongylus colubriformis adult worm was obtained from a human in Laos, which was identified morphologically.

Age and gender-dependent alternative splicing of P/Q-type calcium channel EF-hand.

Ca(v)2.1 Ca(2+) channels (P/Q-type), which participate in various key roles in the CNS by mediating calcium influx, are extensively spliced. One of its alternatively-spliced exons is 37, which forms part of the EF hand.

Detection and genotyping of Giardia intestinalis isolates using intergenic spacers(IGS)-based PCR.

Giardia intestinalis infections arise primarily from contaminated food or water. Zoonotic transmission is possible, and at least 7 major assemblages including 2 assemblages recovered from humans have been identified. The determination of the genotype of G.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a major egg antigen in Paragonimus westermani and its use in ELISA for the immunodiagnosis of paragonimiasis.

A recombinant protein of a Paragonimus westermani egg antigen was produced and tested as an antigen for the serologic diagnosis of P. westermani infection. The P.

Chemoprophylaxis and the epidemiological characteristics of re-emergent P. vivax malaria in the Republic of Korea.

Objective: In the Republic of Korea (ROK), soldiers stationed where there is a risk of contracting malaria have received antimalarial chemoprophylaxis since 1997. However, chemoprophylaxis may facilitate the development of drug resistance, and late primary attacks in individuals who have received chemoprophylaxis are becoming more frequent. We investigated the association between chemoprophylaxis and the epidemiological characteristics and effectiveness of treatment for re-emergent Plasmodium vivax malaria, using a nationwide malaria database.

Methysergide-induced valvular heart disease: a report of 2 cases.

Methysergide is a serotonin antagonist and is used as a long-term prophylactic treatment for migraine. Although many patients experience adequate control of migraine episodes, methysergide has been reported to cause retroperitoneal and pleuropulmonary fibrosis. Cardiovascular side effects mainly in the form of valvular fibrosis have been less recognized.

Allergenic tropomyosins and their cross-reactivities.

The ingestion or inhalation of some proteins may lead to adverse immune reactions. Allergens may trigger allergic reactions in genetically predisposed individuals when they are absorbed through the skin or make contact with mucous membranes. An allergic disease often deteriorates the quality of life and may sometimes be life-threatening due to anaphylactic shock.

Biodegradable polymer nanofiber mesh to maintain functions of endothelial cells.

Maintaining functions of endothelial cells in vitro is a prerequisite for effective endothelialization of biomaterials as an approach to prevent intimal hyperplasia of small-diameter vascular grafts. The aim of this study was to design suitable nanofiber meshes (NFMs) that further maintain the phenotype and functions of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). Collagen-coated random and aligned poly(L-lactic acid)-co-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (P(LLA-CL)) NFMs were fabricated using electrospinning.

Field trial on the control effect of fipronil bait against German cockroaches.

A field trial on the control effect of fipronil poison bait against German cockroaches (Blatella germanica) was carried out at different restaurant types in Sinchon, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Monitoring was performed applying food baited traps for 2 days per week. Reduction rates of German cockroaches by applying fipronil baits were 90.

Molecular evidence supports that Anopheles anthropophagus from China and Anopheles lesteri from Japan are the same species.

The Hyrcanus group of Anopheles consists of many related species, of which An. sinensis, An. lesteri, and An.