GqPCR-stimulated dephosphorylation of AKT is induced by an IGBP1-mediated PP2A switch.

Background: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) usually regulate cellular processes via activation of intracellular signaling pathways. However, we have previously shown that in several cell lines, GqPCRs induce immediate inactivation of the AKT pathway, which leads to JNK-dependent apoptosis. This apoptosis-inducing AKT inactivation is essential for physiological functions of several GqPCRs, including those for PGF2α and GnRH.

Severe ASIA syndrome associated with lymph node, thoracic, and pulmonary silicone infiltration following breast implant rupture: experience with four cases.

Silicone has been considered biologically inert; thus it has been employed in many medical devices and nowadays is commonly used in plastic surgery for mammary prosthesis. It is well tolerated in most cases. However, autoimmune disorders and siliconomas with granulomatous reactions after silicone implant rupture have been described.

Giant cell arteritis: intensity of the initial systemic inflammatory response and the course of the disease.

Objective: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) has a variable course. We assessed whether intensity of initial systemic inflammatory response (ISIR) can predict the course of GCA.

Methods: Charts of 130 GCA patients were reviewed.

Perceived efficacy among patients of various methods of complementary alternative medicine for rheumatologic diseases.

Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to obtain and analyze data on self-perceived efficacy of different types of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) by patients with various rheumatologic conditions.

Methods: Patients followed in rheumatology outpatient clinics were screened for the use of CAM. Patients reporting the use of CAM were asked to participate in face-to-face structured interviews, specifying the various CAM types they used, and grading their subjective impression of efficacy of each CAM type on a scale of 1-10.