Hla-c locus antigens in hla-b27 associated arthritis

Frequecies of the HLA-C locus antigens, Cw 1, Cw2, Cw3, and Cw4, were determined in 88 patients with spondylitic diseases and 88 matched and 64 B27-positive normal controls. Both Cw1 and Cw2 were significantly increased in B27-positive patients and B27-positive controls as compared to B27-negative patients and matched controls. Cw1 and Cw2 demonstrate strong linkage disequilibrium with B27. Their absence in B27-negative patients suggests disease susceptibility is related to HLA-B.     

Performance of cobas® 4800 and m2000 real-time™ assays for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in rectal and self-collected vaginal specimen

A prospective, multicenter trial was designed to compare the performance characteristics of the cobas® 4800 (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN, USA) and m2000 real-time™ (Abbott Molecular Inc., Des Plaines, IL, USA) assays for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) in rectal and self-collected vaginal swabs. Rectal (n = 234) or self-collected vaginal swabs (n = 687) were obtained from consenting individuals visiting their general practitioners, dermatologists, gynecologists, sexually transmitted disease clinics, or family planning centers from May 2010 to February 2011. High concordance rates (≥96%) were observed between the cobas® 4800 and m2000 real-time™ assays for CT/NG detection in both rectal and self-collected vaginal swabs. The performance profiles confirm the usefulness of both kinds of swab types for CT and NG detection using described nucleic acid amplification tests assays. Based on this study, rectal and self-collected vaginal swabs offer a noninvasive alternative, which may improve screening for CT and NG infections.     

Structure-activity relationships in 1,4-benzodioxan-related compounds. 7. Selectivity of 4-phenylchroman analogues for alpha(1)-adrenoreceptor subtypes

WB4101 (1)-related compounds 5-10 were synthesized, and their biological profile at alpha(1)-adrenoreceptor (AR) subtypes and 5-HT(1A) serotoninergic receptors was assessed by binding assays in Chinese hamster ovary and HeLa cell membranes expressing the human cloned receptors. Moreover, their receptor selectivity was further determined in functional experiments in isolated rat prostate (alpha(1A)), vas deferens (alpha(1A)), aorta (alpha(1D)), and spleen (alpha(1B)). In functional assays, compound 5 was the most potent at alpha(1D)-ARs with a reversed selectivity profile (alpha(1D) > alpha(1A) > alpha(1B)) relative to both prototype 1 and phendioxan (2) (alpha(1A) > alpha(1D) > alpha(1B)), whereas compound 8, bearing a carbonyl moiety at position 1, was the most potent at alpha(1A)-ARs with a selectivity profile similar to that of prototypes. The least potent of the series was the trans isomer 6, suggesting that optimum alpha(1)-AR blocking activity in this series is associated with a cis relationship between the 2-side chain and the 4-phenyl ring rather than a trans relationship as previously observed for the 2-side chain and the 3-phenyl ring in 2 and related compounds. Binding affinity results were not in complete agreement with the selectivity profiles deriving from functional experiments. Although a firm explanation was not available, neutral and negative antagonism and receptor dimerization were considered as two possibilities to account for the difference between binding and functional affinities. Finally, compound 5 was selected for a modeling study in comparison with 1, mephendioxan (3), and open phendioxan (4) to achieve information on the physicochemical interactions that account for its high affinity toward alpha(1d/D)-ARs.     

Primary cutaneous coccidioidomycosis

Primary cutaneous coccidioidomycosis is usually secondary to laboratory or autopsy inoculation, but can result from trauma in endemic areas. We describe an unusual case of primary inoculation cutaneous coccidioidomycosis occurring in an immunocompetent woman in a nonendemic area. The clinical features, diagnostic tests, and therapy of this extremely rare disease are reviewed.