Leaders and elites: portrayals of smoking in popular films.

OBJECTIVE: To study frequency and traits of characters that smoke in films and to document on-screen consequences of tobacco use. DESIGN: This study conducted a content analysis of the top 100 grossing films in 2002, with a total global gross of 12.4 billion US dollars. OUTCOME MEASURES: Three outcome measures were frequency of smoking incidents, traits of characters who smoke, and consequences of tobacco use. RESULTS: 6% of characters smoked in 453 incidents, including 3% of children. In 92% of incidences, smoking had no consequences. The most frequent consequence was a verbal reprimand. Although tobacco is a leading cause of preventable deaths globally, only 0.4% of tobacco incidences resulted in death. No deaths were caused by disease. Characters who smoked tended to be major characters playing leadership roles. They tended to be from privileged elites: male, white, and mature. CONCLUSIONS: Films portray characters that smoke as leaders from privileged elites, making smoking more attractive to audience members. Because 99.6% of characters suffer no life threatening consequences from smoking on screen, smokers seem invincible, belying tobacco's role as a leading cause of preventable deaths.

A recurrent RNA-splicing mutation in the SEDL gene causes X-linked spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda.

Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda (SEDL) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by mild-to-moderate short stature and early-onset osteoarthritis. Both autosomal and X-linked forms have been described. Elsewhere, we have reported the identification of the gene for the X-linked recessive form, which maps to Xp22.2. We now report characterization of an exon-skipping mutation (IVS3+5G-->A at the intron 3 splice-donor site) in two unrelated families with SEDL. Using reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR, we demonstrated that the mutation resulted in elimination of the first 31 codons of the open reading frame. The mutation was not detected in 120 control X chromosomes. Articular cartilage from an adult who had SEDL and carried this mutation contained chondrocytes with abundant Golgi complexes and dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER). RT-PCR experiments using mouse/human cell hybrids revealed that the SEDL gene escapes X inactivation. Homologues of the SEDL gene include a transcribed retropseudogene on chromosome 19, as well as expressed genes in mouse, rat, Drosophila melanogaster Caenorhabditis elegans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The latter homologue, p20, has a putative role in vesicular transport from ER to Golgi complex. These data suggest that SEDL mutations may perturb an intracellular pathway that is important for cartilage homeostasis.

Antibodies to the chlamydial 60 kilodalton heat shock protein in women with tubal factor infertility.

INTRODUCTION: Fallopian tube damage and subsequent infertility are common sequelae of upper genital tract infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. This fallopian tube damage is thought to be immune mediated. The 60 kilodalton chlamydial heat shock protein (hsp) may be the key antigen associated with this pathogenic response. Our objective was to study the relationship between antibody response to 60 kilodalton chlamydial hsp and tubal factor infertility (TFI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three women with TFI and 33 women with male factor infertility (controls) were studied. Tubal factor infertility was defined as infertility for one year with hydrosalpinx or distal tubal occlusion. Patients' sera were tested for antibodies to the chlamydial hsp using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A stepwise logistic regression was performed by each patient's age, race/ethnicity, self-reported history of chlamydia infection, gonorrhea, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), history of ectopic pregnancy, and antibodies to the chlamydial hsp. RESULTS: Eighteen of the 23 women with TFI had a positive result on the hsp ELISA (78.6%) versus 23.4% of controls. Risk factors for TFI were a history of PID (P = 0.022), "nonwhite" race (P = 0.004), history of ectopic pregnancy (P = 0.027), and antibodies to the 60 kilodalton chlamydial hsp (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Antibodies to 60 kilodalton chlamydial hsp are strongly associated with TFI.

Clinical experience with ciprofloxacin: analysis of a multicenter study.

In a multicenter study of 128 patients treated with ciprofloxacin (mean daily dosage, 982 mg per day; mean duration of treatment, 8.9 days) for a variety of infections, 48 were microbiologically proven. Of these, bacteriologic cure and/or improvement resulted in 93% of cases. For all 128 infections clinical cure and/or improvement resulted in 93.8% of cases. Twenty-nine (23.8%) of all infections were classified as chronic. Overall, there were 3/128 (2.3%) adverse reactions (ADRs); one case each of diarrhea, malaise, and nausea/vomiting. None were related definitely to ciprofloxacin therapy. Therapy with ciprofloxacin was discontinued in two (1.6%) of 128 patients because of adverse gastrointestinal (GI) effects. One patient elected to continue ciprofloxacin therapy despite mild GI side effects.