Bilobed thumbnails with erythronychia.

Onychodystrophy is a common problem and may have multiple causes, both internal and environmental. We present an unusual nail finding in a gentleman without any identifiable etiology. He and several family members had isolated notching of the thumbnails with a characteristic erythematous band.

Genetic causes of human infertility.

The currently characterized chromosomal disorders and gene mutations that cause infertility in humans were reviewed. Of the four arbitrary compartments, genes expressed in the gonad comprise the most common site affected by mutations causing infertility. Clinicians should be aware of the most common causes that have clinical implications: (1) women with a 45,X cell line commonly have cardiac anomalies that may pose a risk for maternal death in pregnancies achieved by donor egg IVF; (2) men with Y-chromosome deletions may produce male offspring with the same deletion, rendering them infertile; (3) CBAVD must be ascertained in men with azoospermia because of the risk for having a child with CF; and (4) some women with premature ovarian failure may be fragile X syndrome carriers, so other family members may be at risk for the full syndrome.

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis.

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis is an uncommon cutaneous entity characterized by persistent human papillomavirus infection. A defect in cell-mediated immunity is the suggested causative factor. Numerous specific human papillomavirus types have been detected in this disease.

Hip Pain in a High School Football Player: A Case Report.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the evaluation, diagnosis, and conservative treatment of a 15-year-old male high school football player with an avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity. BACKGROUND: Avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity is a rare and often missed diagnosis. A literature review offered limited information concerning the evaluation and conservative treatment of such an injury.

Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA within murine cardiac tissue sections by in situ polymerase chain reaction.

The use of in situ techniques to detect DNA and RNA sequences has proven to be an invaluable technique with paraffin-embedded tissue. Advances in non-radioactive detection systems have further made these procedures shorter and safer. We report the detection of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, via indirect and direct in situ polymerace chain reaction within paraffin-embedded murine cardiac tissue sections.

Functional MRI study of semantic and phonological language processing in bilingual subjects: preliminary findings.

The objective of the study was to explore differences in regional fMRI activation topography and lateralization between semantic and phonological tasks performed in English and Spanish in bilingual individuals. Eight bilingual (primary Spanish and secondary English-speaking) individuals performed fMRI noun-verb association and rhyming tasks in both Spanish and English. Functional dataset analysis within Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM99) with overlay on T1-weighted anatomic images was performed.

Stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a group of brain diseases which produce chronic motor disability in children. The causes are quite varied and range from abnormalities of brain development to birth-related injuries to postnatal brain injuries. Due to the increased survival of very premature infants, the incidence of cerebral palsy may be increasing.

Depressed patients have higher body temperature: 5-HT transporter long promoter region effects.

Background: Depression has been associated with a decrease in intracellular serotonin (5-HT) reuptake through its transporter, SERT. The 5-HT transporter long promoter region (5-HTTLPR) deletion in the SERT gene has also been associated with a decrease in 5-HT reuptake. Conversely, increases in extracellular 5-HT have been associated with increased temperature.

The effect of acid primer or conventional acid etching on microleakage in a photoactivated sealant.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in microleakage in extracted human teeth when placing sealants using conventional acid etching or an acidic primer resin.

Methods: Three experimental groupings were used: group 1--conventional acid etching with placement of light-cured sealant; group 2--application of acidic primer resin (Prompt-L-Pop) and light curing, followed by sealant placement; group 3--similar to group 2, but acidic primer and sealant were photocured after placement of sealant. Teeth were thermocycled, stained, sectioned and examined for marginal microleakage.

Initial platelet serotonin (5-HT) transport kinetics predict nortriptyline treatment outcome.

According to the hypothesis of initial conditions, drug response may be determined by different initial states of neurotransmitter protein recognition systems. Platelet serotonin (5-HT) transport kinetics were studied as initial-conditions predictors of antidepressant response in 24 depressed patients before and after 3 weeks of treatment with nortriptyline (75 mg). The initial affinity of the 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) correctly predicted 71% of the outcome.

Use of an extraoral verification template for dental implant-supported prostheses.

This article demonstrates the utilization of a preprosthetic extraoral verification template that could be used to ensure the accuracy of the master cast from which the laboratory working model is used as the in vitro foundation for the implant-supported prosthesis framework construction.

Clinical phenotype and infertility treatment in a male with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to mutations Ala129Asp/Arg262Gln of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor.

Objective: To characterize the genotype and phenotype of a man with idiopathic hypogonadism with infertility.

Design: Molecular analysis and clinical description.

Setting: Medical school laboratory and reproductive endocrine clinic.

Cutaneous sclerosing extramedullary hematopoietic tumor in chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Background: Extramedullary hematopoiesis is a well-documented manifestation of chronic myeloproliferative disorders, most commonly seen in chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis (agnogenic myeloid metaplasia), but rarely in chronic myelogenous leukemia. It typically occurs in the spleen and liver, but has also been described in skin. Microscopically, foci of extramedullary hematopoiesis consist of erythroid and myeloid precursors intermixed with megakaryocytes.

Advanced MR imaging of cortical dysplasia with or without neoplasm: a report of two cases.

We herein describe two cases of patients with epilepsy with occipital lobe cortical dysplasia who were studied with both MR spectroscopy and MR diffusion imaging in addition to conventional MR imaging. Greater diffusion abnormalities, as well as more marked decreases in N-acetylaspartate, were observed to occur in the patient harboring a low grade neoplasm within an area of cortical dysplasia than in the patient with cortical dysplasia alone.

Depths of cure and effect of shade using pulse-delay and continuous exposure photo-curing techniques.

This study investigated the extent of cure (monomer conversion into polymer) of a variety of photo-initiated resin composites and different shades. Cure values were measured at the top surface and at simulated lighting conditions 0.5, 1.

Chronic pain: psychological approaches for the front-line clinician.

Many of the techniques and skills the average front-line practitioner possesses (such as intake, psychological testing, cognitive behavior therapy, and relaxation therapy) can be readily and effectively applied to a chronic-pain population. More specialized techniques for pain reduction, such as biofeedback training, can be easily learned by the generalist clinician with a minimum of additional training. In this article, four general steps to assess and reduce chronic pain are reviewed.

In vitro hardness, water sorption, and resin solubility of laboratory-processed and autopolymerized long-term resilient denture liners over one year of water storage.

Statement Of Problem: The clinical properties of resilient denture liners may be influenced by the method by which they are polymerized.

Purpose: This in vitro study investigated material property changes of 2 new resilient denture lining materials that represent 2 different curing modes: autopolymerization and conventional laboratory processing.

Material And Methods: Two silicone-based liner products were tested; one was allowed to autopolymerize (Tokuyama Soft Relining Paste), and the other was laboratory processed (Luci-Sof).

Impaired vasodilation and nitric oxide synthase activity in glucocorticoid-induced hypertension.

Synthetic glucocorticoids are among the most widely prescribed medications by physicians. Although they have a vast array of beneficial effects such as immunosuppression and anti-inflammation, excess glucocorticoids can lead to iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome, which includes hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The exact mechanism by which glucocorticoids elevate blood pressure is not completely understood, but it appears to be a complex pathology that involves increased responsiveness to vasoconstrictors and decreased vasodilator production.

Fibroblasts promote breast cancer cell invasion by upregulating tumor matrix metalloproteinase-9 production.

Background: Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) promotes breast cancer cell invasion of collagen by upregulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) production. Stromal TSP-1 may play a role in regulating tumor cell invasion. We hypothesize that fibroblasts promote breast cancer cell invasion by upregulating the production of MMP-9 through TSP-1.

Thiazolidinedione therapy in a patient with diabetes after cardiac transplantation.

Objective: To describe the successful use of a thiazolidinedione agent for the treatment of diabetes diagnosed after heart transplantation.

Methods: We present a case report of a 51-year-old woman who underwent cardiac transplantation because of cardiomyopathy; diabetes developed 6 months later. Her clinical course and serial laboratory findings are documented as insulin therapy was initiated and subsequently transitioned to rosiglitazone during maintenance of the immunosuppressive regimen.

FSH beta gene mutations in a female with partial breast development and a male sibling with normal puberty and azoospermia.

FSH is a dimeric pituitary glycoprotein hormone that regulates gonadal function. Human mutations in the FSH beta gene have been shown to produce complete deficiency states in which pubertal development and reproductive capacity are inhibited. To date, no patients with partial or complete pubertal development due to FSH beta mutations have been documented in humans.

From vulcanite to vinyl, a history of resins in restorative dentistry.

This article provides historical background on the development of resin-based dental restorative materials. With an understanding of the evolution of these materials, clinicians can better appreciate both the complexity of and similarities among the wide variety of resins and polymerization techniques available today. Common problems associated with the use of resin-based materials are explained, and more advanced resin-based systems currently under development are briefly reviewed.

Initial conditions of serotonin transporter kinetics and genotype: influence on SSRI treatment trial outcome.

Background: Fifty-one patients with major depression were classified for 5-HTT promoter region polymorphism and platelet 5-HTT kinetics before treatment with fluoxetine, and then examined for treatment outcome.

Methods: Dose was stratified from 1.25 mg to 40 mg per day to allow for the possibility that one genotype could express a lower-dose fluoxetine response.

Pharmaceutical manufacturer assistance programs.

Background And Objective: While there have been many public discussions concerning Medicare covering outpatient prescription medications, currently, Medicare does not pay for most outpatient prescriptions. Meanwhile, costs associated with prescription medications as well as the number of underinsured patients are rapidly increasing. Many pharmaceutical companies offer assistance programs for patients who require medications but have inadequate financial resources to obtain them.