Familial synovial chondromatosis: brief report

In synovial chondromatosis, foci of metaplastic cartilage form in the synovial membrane of a joint. These foci may grow, become detached from the synovial membrane and enter thejoint cavity as loose bodies. Calcification or ossification of the cartilage masses may occur (Jaffe 1958). As far as we know no cases of synovial chondromatosis with a familial pattern have been reported. We describe a family in which three men are affected

Role of substance P in several models of bladder inflammation

Substance P (SP) is a peptide found in the sensory nervous system which has multiple biologic effects including stimulation of muscle contraction, pain nociception, immune cell functions, plasma extravasation and a constellation of inflammatory effects. Here we investigate the role of SP in several animals models of bladder inflammation. Using the female Lewis rat, inflammation was induced using either xylene, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyIC). Inflammation occurred rapidly (4 h) and was maintained in each model for at least 7 days. Each of these protocols decreased the bladder content of immunoreactive SP by approximately 50%, suggesting enhanced release. There was no change in the urinary frequency of these animals over 3 weeks, suggesting that urinary frequency changes are not mediated by acute inflammation. We also found that the SP receptor (NK1) antagonist, (-)CP96345, was unable to block the inflammation produced by polyIC, suggesting that SP is not an obligatory mediator of immune cell stimulation in this model