PURPOSE To demonstrate the specific binding of autoantibodies present in the sera of patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) to human beta4 integrin present in the normal human conjunctiva (NHC) and to study the role of OCP autoantibodies and antibody to human beta4 integrin in the pathogenesis of subepithelial lesion formation in OCP. METHODS Indirect immunofluorescence assay and i...

Enamel matrix proteins, including the most abundant amelogenin and lesser amounts of enamelin, ameloblastin, and proteinases, play vital roles in controlling crystal nucleation and growth during enamel formation. The cooperative action between amelogenin and the 32-kDa enamelin is critical to regulating the growth morphology of octacalcium phosphate crystals. Using biophysical methods, we inves...

BACKGROUND The female athlete triad is the interrelatedness of energy availability, menstrual function, and bone density. Currently, limited information about triad components and their relationship to musculoskeletal injury in the high school population exists. In addition, no study has specifically examined triad components and injury rate in high school oral contraceptive pill (OCP) users. ...

Calcium pyrophosphate hydrate (CPP, Ca(2)P(2)O(7) · nH2O) and calcium orthophosphate compounds (including apatite, octacalcium phosphate etc.) are among the most prevalent pathological calcifications in joints. Even though only two dihydrated forms of CPP (CPPD) have been detected in vivo (monoclinic and triclinic CPPD), investigations of other hydrated forms such as tetrahydrated or amorphous ...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the ovarian hormones and the use of oral contraceptive pills (OCP) on cardiac vagal withdrawal at the onset of dynamic exercise. Thirty physically active women aged 19-32 years were divided into two groups: OCP users (n = 17) and non-OCP users (n = 13). Participants were studied randomly at three different phases of the menstrual cycle...

The new heterometallic title complex, [Co(NCS)(2)(C(10)H(8)N(2))(NH(3))(2)][Cr(NCS)(4)(NH(3))(2)]·2CH(3)CN, has been prepared using the open-air reaction of cobalt powder, Reineckes salt and 2,2'-bipyridine (dpy) in acetonitrile. The crystal structure consists of discrete cationic [Co(NCS)(2)(NH(3))(2)(dpy)](+) and anionic [Cr(NCS)(4)(NH(3))(2)](-) building blocks, both with 2 symmetry, and ace...

OBJECTIVE To assess ovarian suppression during oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use among normal-weight and obese women using two OCP doses. METHODS This was a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial of two 21-day monophasic OCP formulations (20-microgram ethinyl estradiol [E2],/100-microgram levonorgestrel compared with 30-microgram ethinyl E2/150-microgram levonorgestrel) among normal-weig...