Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0403608 (ureter)
 9,655 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is a human autoimmune disease in which autoantibodies are directed against the cell surface of epidermal cells. Using an immunoblotting technique, we recently demonstrated that a subgroup of PF patients have autoantibodies to the desmosomal core glycoprotein, desmoglein I (DGI). There are desmosomes in all epithelia and in heart, yet PF affects only stratified squamous epithelia. One explanation for this finding might be that there are tissue-specific differences in desmosomes. Thus, to determine whether certain epitopes of DGI are tissue-restricted, we performed immunofluorescence studies on various monkey tissues with the following antibodies: a rabbit polyclonal antiserum against whole desmosomes, which demonstrated the desmosomes in all tissues tested; a mouse monoclonal antibody against DGI, MmDGI-1; and PF sera that bound DGI on immunoblotting (PF IB+). In addition, we tested the tissues with PF sera that did not bind DGI by immunoblotting (PF IB-) to determine if these sera were different from PF IB+ sera in their tissue specificity. PF IB+, PF IB-, and MmDGI-1 antibodies stained all stratified squamous epithelia tested, including skin, tongue, upper esophagus, conjunctiva, and cornea; however, they did not stain heart or any nonstratified squamous epithelia, including gall bladder, small intestine, liver, ureter, and bladder. These results indicate that there is tissue heterogeneity of desmosomes, and that epitopes on DGI defined by both PF antibodies and a monoclonal antibody are present only in stratified squamous epithelia. In addition, PF IB- sera had the same tissue specificity as PF IB+ sera. These results may partially explain why PF involves only stratified squamous epithelia.
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PMID:Pemphigus foliaceus antibodies and a monoclonal antibody to desmoglein I demonstrate stratified squamous epithelial-specific epitopes of desmosomes. 245 47

We present a case of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis that demonstrated a remarkable response to steroids. The patient, a 73-year-old man, complained of left flank pain and weight loss. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated and both CRP and antinuclear factor were positive. DIP showed left hydronephrosis, which proved to be due to the stenosis of the left ureter at the level of L5 by retrograde pyelography. Then abdominal computed tomography revealed a large retroperitoneal mass with the density of soft tissue in which the left ureter was involved. Based upon the above findings, we made the diagnosis of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis. After confirming histological diagnosis by biopsy from the mass, we performed left ureterolysis. Since then, he has been treated with steroid administration. Now we can recognize a remarkable reduction of the mass in abdominal CT and improvement of the left renal function in DIP. We reviewed the association of autoimmune disease with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis and recent therapies for this disease.
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PMID:[A case of retroperitoneal fibrosis demonstrating a remarkable response to steroids]. 322 50

Chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIIP) is a rare heterogeneous clinical syndrome characterized by recurrent episodes of symptoms and signs of intestinal obstruction in the absence of a mechanically obstructing lesion. Dilatation of other viscera, such as the renal pelvis, ureter or urinary bladder, is identified in a minority of patients. We report the cases of two patients with CIIP presenting with abdominal fullness and constipation. Radiologic examination of the first patient revealed dilatation of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and bowel loops up to the ascending colon. The nerve conduction velocity study of the right extremities revealed polyneuropathy and urinary bladder manometry revealed poor sensation. The patient had been admitted to our hospital three times for symptomatic relief within the prior six months. During the last admission, his symptoms persisted without response to medical treatment. Soon after discharge, the patient underwent surgery at another hospital and died of nutritional problems. The second patient was transferred to our hospital after an exploratory laparotomy was performed one month earlier. A radiographic examination revealed distention of the stomach, duodenum, small intestine and ascending colon, as well as bilateral hydronephrosis. Rheumatologic examination revealed no evidence of autoimmune disorder. The patient also had heavy proteinuria due to minimal change disease that was proven by renal biopsy. After receiving prokinetic, cathartic and corticosteroid medication for kidney disease, symptoms improved, but hydronephrosis persisted.
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PMID:Chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. 1074 24