Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterized by a self-perpetuating cycle of airway obstruction, chronic bacterial infection, and vigorous inflammation that results in structural damage to the airway. CF patients have a predilection for …

In cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic airway infection and neutrophil-dominated airway inflammation lead to progressive lung disease. Cytokines play an important role in the inflammatory response. Evidence suggests that cytokine production is altered …

Altruistic (other-regarding) emotions and behaviors are associated with greater well-being, health, and longevity. This article presents a summary and assessment of existing research data on altruism and its relation to mental and physical health.

It is generally considered that the genetics of atherosclerosis and its complications involves a large number of genes with common alleles having weak effects on disease risk but possibly interacting with each other and with nongenetic factors. In …

Stimulation of human neutrophils with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), or tumor necrosis factor a (TNF) resulted in phosphorylation of Akt, the potency being GM-CSF > G-CSF = TNF, which was …

Central in the regulation of the short life span of neutrophils are their mitochondria. These organelles hardly contribute to the energy status of neutrophils but play a vital role in the apoptotic process. Not only do the mitochondria contain …

Apoptosis is a complex cell-death process that allows cells to die in a controlled fashion. Our overall health relies to a great extent on the proper balance between the normal removal of damaged or unneeded cells via apoptosis and proliferation …

Recent investigations into the etiology and pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the past few years have expanded to include previously unexplored and/or disconnected aspects of AD and related conditions at both the cellular and systemic …

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), caused by the human polyomavirus JC (JCV), is an opportunistic infection of the central nervous system (CNS), the histopathological diagnosis of which can be made by routine staining. Very low copy …

West Nile virus (WNV) has spread across the United States causing annual outbreaks since its emergence in 1999. Although severe disease develops only in about 1% of infections, WNV has claimed a total of 564 lives in the 5 years from 1999 to 2003.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized as a chronic inflammatory disease in joints and concomitant destruction of cartilage and bone. Cartilage extracellular matrix components, such as type II collagen and aggrecan are enzymatically degraded …

Successful management of classical ballet dancers with overuse injuries requires an understanding of the art form, precise knowledge of anatomy and awareness of certain conditions. Turnout is the single most fundamental physical attribute in …

Clinically, neuromuscular blockade is induced with either depolarizing or non‐depolarizing relaxants. Suxamethonium is the only depolarizing relaxant still in use. It is hydrolysed in the plasma by pseudo‐cholinesterase (plasma cholinesterase). In …

A 65-year-old man with IgG lambda multiple myeloma developed severe polyneuropathy with prominent thermal-pain sensory impairment and autonomic failure. Although the clinical presentation suggested amyloid neuropathy, nerve biopsy showed the …