Mammalian cells respond to endotoxic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by activation of protein kinase cascades that lead to new gene expression. A protein kinase, p38, that was tyrosine phosphorylated in response to LPS, was cloned. The p38 enzyme and the product of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae HOG1 gene, which are both members of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family, have sequences at and adjacent to critical phosphorylation sites that distinguish these proteins from most other MAP kinase family members. Both HOG1 and p38 are tyrosine phosphorylated after extracellular changes in osmolarity. These findings link a signaling pathway in mammalian cells with a pathway in yeast that is responsive to physiological stress.

ABSTRACT. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the enhancement pattern of the normal facial nerve at 3.0 T temporal MRI. We reviewed the medical records of 20 patients and evaluated 40 clinically normal facial nerves demonstrated by 3.0 T temporal MRI. The grade of enhancement of the facial nerve was visually scaled from 0 to 3. The patients comprised 11 men and 9 women, and the mean age was 39.7 years. The reasons for the MRI were sudden hearing loss (11 patients), Mé niè re's disease (6) and tinnitus (7). Temporal MR scans were obtained by fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) and diffusion-weighted imaging of the brain; threedimensional (3D) fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) images of the temporal bone with a 0.77 mm thickness, and pre-contrast and contrastenhanced 3D spoiled gradient record acquisition in the steady state (SPGR) of the temporal bone with a 1 mm thickness, were obtained with 3.0 T MR scanning. 40 nerves (100%) were visibly enhanced along at least one segment of the facial nerve. The enhanced segments included the geniculate ganglion (77.5%), tympanic segment (37.5%) and mastoid segment (100%). Even the facial nerve in the internal auditory canal (15%) and labyrinthine segments (5%) showed mild enhancement. The use of high-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio (with 3 T MRI), thin-section contrastenhanced 3D SPGR sequences showed enhancement of the normal facial nerve along the whole course of the nerve; however, only mild enhancement was observed in areas associated with acute neuritis, namely the canalicular and labyrinthine segment.

Background: Global variation in the incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) is generally ascribed to differences in genetic and environmental risk factors. Here we investigate temporal trends in the incidence of MS and related disorders in British Columbia, Canada, from 1986 to 2010, focusing particularly on the Asian ethnic subpopulation. Methods: A longitudinal database was screened to identify newly diagnosed cases of MS and related disorders, including neuromyelitis optica and clinically isolated syndromes. Age-standardized, sex-specific mean annual incidence was calculated for the Asian and non-Asian population of British Columbia for 5-year intervals from 1986 to 2010. Temporal changes and cohort differences in incidence rates and demographic characteristics were evaluated. Results: During this period, the incidence of MS and related disorders in the non-Asian population remained relatively unchanged, from 10.41 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.87-10.97) to 9.91 (95% CI: 9.46-10.39) per 100,000 (p = 0.167). In contrast, incidence in the Asian population doubled during the same period. This increase was driven by a precipitous rise in the incidence of MS in females from 0.71 (95% CI: 0.01-1.50) to 2.08 (95% CI: 1.43-2.91) per 100,000 (p = 0.004), including both Canadian-born and immigrant Asians. The incidence of neuromyelitis optica did not change significantly during this period. Conclusions: The incidence of MS may be increasing among females in the Asian ethnic population of British Columbia.RÉSUMÉ: Incidence de la sclérose en plaques et des maladies connexes dans les populations asiatiques de la Colombie Britannique. Contexte: La variation de l'incidence de la sclérose en plaques (SP) à travers le monde est généralement attribuée à des différences dans les facteurs de risque génétiques et environnementaux. Nous avons étudié les tendances temporales de l'incidence de la SP et des maladies connexes en Colombie Britannique, au Canada, de 1986 à 2010, surtout dans les sous-populations asiatiques. Méthode: Nous avons identifié les nouveaux cas de SP et de maladies connexes, dont la névrite optique et les syndromes cliniques isolés, dans une base de données longitudinale. Nous avons calculé l'incidence annuelle moyenne par sexe, standardisée pour l'âge, dans la population asiatique et non asiatique de la Colombie Britannique, par intervalles de 5 ans, de 1986 à 2010. Nous avons évalué les changements temporaux et les différences de cohortes dans les taux d'incidence ainsi que les caractéristiques démographiques. Résultats: Pendant cette période de temps, l'incidence de la SP et des maladies connexes dans la population non asiatique est demeurée relativement inchangée, soit de 10,41 (intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95%: 9,87 à 10,97) à 9,91 (IC à 95%: 9,46 à 10,39) par 100 000 (p = 0,167) de population. Par contre, l'incidence dans la population asiatique a doublé au cours de la même période. Cette augmentation s'explique par une hausse rapide de l'incidence de la SP chez les femmes, de 0,71 (IC à 95%: ...

Our results revealed the higher expression of HIF-1α and MT in varicocele and varicose veins than in the control group; MT overexpression in the muscle layer of both diseased vessels and especially located in the endothelium under confocal microscopy. MT has the function to protect vascular cells from apoptosis under hypoxia. Thus, this MT function may cause a decreased vascular cell apoptosis and then contribute to the dilated and thickened walls of varicocele and varicose veins.

The prevalence of MS among Iranian immigrants to Canada is greater than the overall prevalence of MS in Iran by a factor of at least four, and is similar to that recently observed among Iranian immigrants in other western nations. No major genetic susceptibility variants were identified, suggesting the environment in Canada may be what is increasing the risk of MS in this population.

Preload reserve and mechanisms of afterload mismatch were examined in 10 normal conscious dogs. The left ventricular (LV) pressure, wall thickness, and external major and minor axis diameters (sonomicrometry) were measured during sinus rhythm, and beat-averaged pressure-volume loops were generated. With maximum angiotensin II infusion, LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) increased by 13 +/- 2% (SEM), LV peak pressure (LVSP) increased by 44 +/- 6%, and stroke volume decreased by 12 +/- 3% (P less than 0.01), demonstrating an apparent descending limb of LV performance. With volume load alone, EDV increased by 9 +/- 2% from control (P less than 0.01), and stroke volume increased by 13 +/- 2%; mean wall stress during ejection was not increased, and heart rate and end-systolic pressure-volume relations showed no changes. To test whether the descending limb of function was due to maximum use of preload reserve or to inadequate venous return, angiotensin infusion was repeated during volume load. The descending limb relating LVEDV to stroke volume was always shifted upward and to the right after volume load, and the stroke volume at a comparable wall stress was 12 +/- 3% higher than during control angiotensin infusion (P less than 0.01). During pressure loading plus volume loading, the maximum EDV increase was 16 +/- 2%, and assuming unchanged afterload and end-systolic volume, an average maximum stroke volume reserve of 31 +/- 4% is calculated. 1) We conclude that sizable preload and stroke volume reserves exist in the normal resting dog; and 2) we describe a mechanism for the descending limb of LV performance curves produced by pressure loading in the intact circulation, which is related to inadequate venous return.

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change and minor hyperpigmentation but no scarring and no atrophy (Fig. 1b).In our patient, severe pseudoacanthosis nigricans was associated with pruritus, maceration and excoriation which led to considerable morbidity. Treatment with the topical application of salicylic acid, urea, retinoids and vitamin E rarely leads to substantial and lasting improvement, and obesity can rarely be relieved. The cw-CO 2 laser proved to be a rapid and easy to apply treatment without any side-effects.The CO 2 lasers were first developed in 1964 and soon became the most commonly used dermatological laser. 5 The cw-CO 2 laser emits an invisible beam of wavelength 10•6 m, which is in the mid-infrared or heat part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The laser medium consists of 4•5% CO 2 , 13•5% N 2 and 82% He. At Ϸ 30 m tissue depth 90% of the irradiated energy is resorbed by water. The cw-CO 2 laser is characterized by short bursts which allow thermal destruction of the epidermis and papillary dermis with only a little thermal diffusion to surrounding tissue (100 m), thus avoiding scarring. The thermocoagulatory effect of the cw-CO 2 laser prevents bleeding, providing macroscopic control. It has been extensively used in dermatotherapy for epidermal naevi, which histologically resemble acanthosis nigricans lesions, 6 photoageing, 4 angiofibromas, verrucae, condylomata, 7 trichoepitheliomas and syringomata 8,9 as well as for mucosal lesions such as lichen planus and leucoplakia. 10 As the advantages of the CO 2 laser for the removal of superficial skin lesions with exact ablation causing only limited damage to surrounding normal tissue are well established, we decided to use the defocused laser beam for the treatment of pseudoacanthotic tissue, which could be easily vaporized. There was no impaired wound healing or bleeding. Six months after treatment neither scarring nor a recurrence of pseudoacanthosis nigricans has been observed. We consider cw-CO 2 laser therapy to be a costeffective, well tolerated, efficient treatment for acanthosis nigricans and pseudoacanthosis nigricans.