The presence of beta2-adrenoceptors sensitizes alpha2A-adrenoceptors to desensitization after chronic epinephrine treatment.

Background: In addition to the regulation of blood pressure, alpha2- and beta-adrenoceptor (AR) subtypes play an important role in the modulation of noradrenergic neurotransmission in the human CNS and PNS. Several studies suggest that the alpha2-AR responsiveness in cells and tissues after chronic epinephrine (EPI) or norepinephrine (NE) exposure may vary, depending on the beta-AR activity present there. Recently, we reported that in BE(2)-C human neuroblastoma cells (endogenously expressing alpha2A- and beta2-AR), chronic EPI treatment (300 nM) produced a dramatic beta-adrenoceptor-dependent desensitization of the alpha2A-AR response.

The use of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy in HIV-positive individuals with rheumatic disease.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the safety and efficacy of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents (etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab) in HIV-positive patients with rheumatic diseases refractory to standard therapy.

Methods: Patients were treated with anti-TNF blocker with rheumatic diseases refractory to disease modifying antirheumatic drugs who had a CD4 count of >200 mm3 and an HIV viral load of <60 000 copies/mm3 and no active concurrent infections. Changes in CD4 counts, HIV viral loads, or other adverse effects while on anti-TNF agents and clinical response were monitored for 28.

Recent change in the annual pattern of sexually transmitted diseases in the United States.

This study analyzed the 1999 to 2003 database of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for seasonal and longer-term time trends in the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in the United States. Linear regression was used to ascertain time trends, and a linear mixed auto-regression model was applied to determine the statistical significance of the major peaks relative to the annualized time series mean. A statistically significant increasing trend during the 5 yr span was documented only in the incidence of chlamydia.

Reducing contraband in a psychiatric hospital through the use of a metal detector.

A private, free-standing, nonprofit psychiatric hospital installed a metal detector and a screening procedure to prevent weapons and other proscribed items from being carried into the hospital by visitors. A wide variety of metal objects was discovered, including knives, ammunition, and hand tools. Visitors did not object to the procedure.

Irradiated homograft cartilage in laryngotracheal reconstruction--a preliminary experience.

Objective: To determine the suitability of irradiated homograft cartilage in pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR).

Methods: Retrospective case series at a tertiary care children's hospital. Pediatric patients with subglottic stenosis who had LTRs performed using irradiated homograft costal cartilage.

Infection and musculoskeletal conditions: Rheumatologic complications of HIV infection.

The pandemic caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has entered its second quarter-century, with 40 million people now affected worldwide - particularly in Africa, where the impact has been most devastating. A complex array of rheumatic disease manifestations has been described, including diseases specific to HIV infection such as HIV-associated arthritis and the diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome; other conditions which occur prominently in HIV-positive individuals include vasculitis, reactive and psoriatic arthritis and HIV-associated polymyositis, opportunistic musculoskeletal infections, and finally disorders that were originally ameliorated by HIV infection, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Effective antiretroviral treatment ameliorates many of these disorders; however, the introduction of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) has introduced a new spectrum of disorders and new challenges confronting the clinician, including osteonecrosis, rhabdomyolysis, and, with immune reconstitution, the appearance de novo of a variety of autoimmune disorders and phenomena.

Seasonality of primarily childhood and young adult infectious diseases in the United States.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States collects and maintains records of communicable (so-called notifiable) infectious diseases that cause significant morbidity and mortality and impact the national economy. This investigation focused on seasonal patterns in the primarily childhood and young adult infectious diseases of meningococcal meningitis, mumps, pertussis, typhoid fever, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (1990 to 2003 CDC database), and varicella (1993 to 2003 CDC database). Linear regression was performed to ascertain the trend in the incidence of each disease, and multi-component cosinor analysis was applied to determine and describe periodicities.

Simultaneous expression of apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme and scavenger receptor BI mediated by a therapeutic gene expression system.

Cardiovascular diseases are often accompanied by elevated LDL particles and endothelial dysfunction. We have examined the possibility of concurrently reducing LDL levels and modulating endothelial function using a single helper-dependent adenovirus vector system to simultaneously express the apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme (Apobec1) and the scavenger receptor, class B, type I (SR-BI) genes under the control of separate promoters (designated HD-C2). Apobec1 edits apoB mRNA at nucleotide C-6666 to produce truncated apoB48 and is normally expressed in small intestine only.

Spondyloarthritis: update on pathogenesis and management.

A great deal of progress has occurred in the past few years in elucidating the causes and designing new treatments for ankylosing spondylitis and other types of spondyloarthritis. In addition to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 and other major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, chromosomal regions and genes elsewhere in the genome are being implicated both in disease susceptibility and severity. The various ways HLA-B27 may function in causing spondyloarthritis now are better understood to encompass not only antigen presentation but also other mechanisms, possibly all being operative in pathogenesis (misfolding of the HLA-B27 molecule, impaired intracellular killing of bacteria, and HLA-B27 itself serving as an autoantigen).

Anti-scl-70.

Objective: To develop an overview focusing on the utility of anti-Scl-70 autoantibody determinations in the rheumatic diseases.

Methods: Articles from electronic literature searches were retrieved, critiqued and data were extracted and pooled on anti-Scl-70 (topoisomerase I) in relation to history, optimal tests used for its detection, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, indications, interpretation and pitfalls.

Results: Anti-Scl 70 antibodies are very useful in distinguishing systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients from healthy controls, from patients with other connective tissue diseases, and from unaffected family members.

Contraception or abortion? Inaccurate descriptions of emergency contraception in newspaper articles, 1992-2002.

Background: Media portrayals of emergency contraception (EC) may influence public health policy and the public's acceptance of this reproductive health option.

Objectives: We investigated the accuracy of newspaper coverage of EC, 1992-2002.

Methods: We conducted a content analysis of a sample of 1077 articles in 113 newspapers discussing both EC and abortion and determined the frequency of confusion between the two.

Capsule synthesis by Bacillus anthracis is required for dissemination in murine inhalation anthrax.

Bacillus anthracis, the agent of anthrax, produces a poly-D-glutamic acid capsule that has been implicated in virulence. Many strains missing pXO2 (96 kb), which harbors the capsule biosynthetic operon capBCAD, but carrying pXO1 (182 kb) that harbors the anthrax toxin genes, are attenuated in animal models. Also, noncapsulated strains are readily phagocytosed by macrophage cell lines, whereas capsulated strains are resistant to phagocytosis.

Autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis and fibrosing syndromes: clinical indications and relevance.

Purpose Of Review: Systemic sclerosis, or scleroderma, is associated with a variety of autoantibodies, each of them having their own clinical associations. The fibrosing disorders, other than systemic sclerosis, represent a diverse group of diseases with systemic or localized effect and with limited understanding of their pathogenesis. The purpose of this review is to analyze the literature on the clinical usefulness of examining serum autoantibodies in patients with known or suspected scleroderma and fibrosing disorders.

Colocalization of dentin matrix protein 1 and dentin sialoprotein at late stages of rat molar development.

Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) are acidic proteins found in the extracellular matrices of bones and teeth. Recent data from gene knockouts, along with those of gene mutations, indicate that these two phosphoproteins are critical for bone and tooth development and/or maintenance. However, the precise functions of the two proteins have not been elucidated.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor agents for rheumatoid arthritis in the setting of chronic hepatitis C infection.

Objective: To examine the safety of using anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the setting of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods: The charts of 5 patients known to have RA requiring anti-TNF therapy as well as established HCV infection were reviewed retrospectively for laboratory data of hepatic parenchymal inflammation and viral proliferation while taking these agents.

Results: In a mean +/- SD followup period of 41 months (+/- 28.

C-reactive protein is an essential aspect of cardiovascular risk factor stratification.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation that, along with low density lipoprotein cholesterol, has become the best predictor of future cardiovascular events. CRP is easy to measure, and patients and physicians can readily grasp its interpretations. Coupling the measurement of CRP with a lipid panel yields the best predictor of cardiovascular risk assessment currently available.

Imaging of bilateral ureteropelvic junction laceration from blunt trauma.

Bilateral ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) injury from blunt abdominal trauma is rare, with only seven previously reported cases, all of which were complete avulsions. Early and delayed computed tomography (CT) for visualization of the nephrographic and excretory renal phases, respectively, is essential to distinguish parenchymal from collecting system injury. Once UPJ injury is detected by CT, differentiation between laceration and avulsion is mandatory since laceration is treated nonoperatively, whereas avulsion requires surgical repair.

Aspirin and other cyclooxygenase inhibitors: new therapeutic insights.

Aspirin acetylates serine-530 of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), thereby blocking thromboxane A (2) synthesis in platelets and reducing platelet aggregation. This mechanism of action accounts for the effect of aspirin on prevention of coronary artery and cerebrovascular thrombosis. Aspirin is less effective in inhibiting COX-2 activity, whereas celecoxib and rofecoxib selectively inhibit COX-2 activity as they contain a side chain to anchor to the side pocket of COX-2 substrate channel.

Abolished interaction of NUB1 with mutant AIPL1 involved in Leber congenital amaurosis.

Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is often considered the most severe inherited retinopathy, and AIPL1 was the fourth gene identified as associated with LCA. Although the function of AIPL1 is unknown, it has been reported to interact with NUB1. Here, we searched for a NUB1-binding site on AIPL1 and located it between amino acid residues 181 and 330 in AIPL1.

Detection of dentin sialoprotein in rat periodontium.

Cloning and sequencing of the cDNA indicates that dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) is a precursor of both dentin sialoprotein (DSP) and dentin phosphoprotein (DPP). Dentin sialophosphoprotein must be proteolytically processed to form these two extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Numerous studies led us to conclude that DSP (and DSPP) are exclusively expressed by odontoblasts and preameloblasts.