Microscopic kinetic determinants of macroscopic currents: insights from coupling and uncoupling of GABAA receptor desensitization and deactivation.

The time course of inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) reflects GABA(A) receptor deactivation, the process of current relaxation following transient activation. Fast desensitization has been demonstrated to prolong deactivation, and these processes have been described as being 'coupled'. However, the relationship between desensitization and deactivation remains poorly understood.

Encephalopathy, stroke, and myocardial infarction with DMSO use in stem cell transplantation.

Stem cell transplants are established therapy for hematologic and solid tumor malignancies. Known neurological complications of stem cell transplantation include CNS infection, seizures, strokes, metabolic encephalopathy, and hemorrhage. We report two cases of autologous stem cell transplantation complicated by cerebral infarction and myocardial injury.

Evidence based diagnosis: does the language reflect the theory?

Much effort is directed towards optimising doctor-patient communication and avoiding misunderstandings. The language of everyday diagnostic reasoning as it routinely occurs among doctors in teaching hospitals could benefit from similar attention

The natural history of new orthopaedic devices.

Each year, hundreds of new devices and implants are introduced for orthopaedic surgeons. However, the proportion of new devices which ultimately will be successful is unknown. We investigated the natural history of new devices introduced to the orthopaedic market.

The posterior shearing tibial plateau fracture: treatment and results via a posterior approach.

Objectives: This study was designed to describe the fracture patterns and early results of treatment of posterior shearing tibial plateau fractures.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: Tertiary care hospital.

Metabolic effects of rosiglitazone in HIV lipodystrophy: a randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Patients with HIV infection who are treated with antiretroviral agents often lose subcutaneous fat and have metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance and reduced adiponectin levels, which may be related to disrupted subcutaneous adipogenesis and altered peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma signaling.

Objective: To investigate the effects of rosiglitazone (4 mg/d), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist, in HIV-infected men and women with hyperinsulinemia and lipoatrophy.

Design: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-month study.

Protection of renal epithelial cells against oxidative injury by endoplasmic reticulum stress preconditioning is mediated by ERK1/2 activation.

We investigated the role of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response in intracellular Ca2+ regulation, MAPK activation, and cytoprotection in LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells in an attempt to identify the mechanisms of protection afforded by ER stress. Cells preconditioned with trans-4,5-dihydroxy-1,2-dithiane, tunicamycin, thapsigargin, or A23187 expressed ER stress proteins and were resistant to subsequent H2O2-induced cell injury. In addition, ER stress preconditioning prevented the increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration that normally follows H2O2 exposure.

Antiretroviral resistance associated with supervised treatment interruptions in treated acute HIV infection.

We studied 14 patients acutely infected with wild-type HIV, who underwent supervised treatment interruptions after initial antiretroviral treatment including lamivudine. Lamivudine resistance mutations emerged for the first time during supervised treatment interruptions in one patient. Resistance should be monitored in supervised treatment interruptions trials, because mutations may first be detected only after therapy is interrupted.

New insights in the development of Dupuytren's contracture: a review.

Recent advances in the understanding of myofibroblast histology and function, the activity of fibrogenic cytokines, the role of the extracellular matrix and of free radicals are contributing to an understanding of the aetiology of Dupuytren's disease but not yet to its treatment. Surgical excision remains the best treatment.