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Now that the warm weather has made a firm appearance, it is even more important to remember the sunscreen for ourselves when we spend time outside. But being covered in fur isn't a guarantee that they won't suffer from sun-related skin ailments—we have to look out for our dogs in the sun as well.
Skin cancer is particularly problematic for dogs and it can only hinder recovery if your pet is suffering from back problems as well. Being vigilant and regularly checking your dog's skin for possible problems will help greatly. Early detection is just as key with dogs as it is with humans. Here are some things to look for on your dog this summer.
Common Symptoms
When you check your dog for skin cancer, there are a few things you should look for. Some of the easiest ways to recognize symptoms of skin cancer in dogs are with your own eyes or running your hands over your dog's body. Any abnormal bumps or growths should definitely be red flags, especially if they start to bleed or become uncomfortable for your dog. Be sure to check under any of the collars or harnesses your dog wears to make sure nothing has escaped your attention.
Treatment for skin cancer in dogs – tumors can be operated on and removed once your veterinarian has confirmed that it is skin cancer. Sometimes radiation and chemotherapy are necessary as well, in addition to other medication, to cure inoperable tumors or to make sure that the cancer is entirely gone post-surgery. While skin cancer in dogs is usually very curable, it is important to catch it early so that treatment can be quick and effective, minimizing discomfort for your dog.
It is important to prevent skin cancer when possible. Applying normal sunscreen to the nose and inner ears of your dog, or to the skin if your dog has light or thin fur, is the best first step to preventing sun-related skin problems. Be sure to apply gently and carefully to areas where your pet is already affected with other problems.
Remembering to look after our pets in the sun should go right along with looking after ourselves. If your dog enjoys spending time outdoors or walking extensively, it is important to keep your dog protected as much as possible. While some breeds are more susceptible than others, taking care of your dog's skin in the summer is important, but be sure to keep checking the weather. Even winter sun can be tough on soft skin.
Now working as a writer, Jackie Edwards started her career as a vet's nurse, but after becoming a mom refocused and decided to spend more time with her family. When she's not writing, she volunteers for a number of local animal health charities and also has a menagerie of pets to look after.
The post Skin Cancer And Dogs appeared first on WiggleLess®.


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GoodJanes Tranquility essential oil blend is perfect for the hygge enthusiast that's looking for a comforting addition to curling up with a good book and maybe a nice glass of wine. Infused with bergamot mint, cedarwood, atlas and jasmine absolute essential oils, the fresh, warm notes of Tranquility will set the mood for a comforting night in.
For best results, GoodJane suggests adding this ready-to-use blend to a diffuser or aromatherapy locket. If you prefer applying essential oils directly to your skin, we recommend diluting first in a base of your choice, like vegetable or coconut oil!

subset: commoncrawl


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Chic lace motifs dance over allover lace in this boho fit-and-flare wedding dress, accenting the bodice and breathtaking hem. Complete with strapless sweetheart neckline. Finished with zipper over inner corset closure, with covered buttons trailing from back to hem. Illusion lace poet sleeves sold separately. Detachable beaded belt accented in Swarovski crystals sold separately. Detachable illusion lace cap-sleeves can be worn on or off the shoulder, sold separately.
At Grace & Lace Bridal shops in Colchester and Chelmsford, we are passionate about weddings and helping you to create your dream day. We are family run with over 29 years experience […]
Not only do we have your dream wedding dress, we offer a superb appointment fitting service. We understand your needs to make your wedding day the best of your life.
Sponsored: canadian tire flyer, hudson's bay flyer, weekly flyers, saturn prospekt, toom BauMarkt Prospekt


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- This item is no longer available. Please click here to view other items in my store.
Seashells Designs
Celebrate Bunting Birthday Card
This Birthday Card features three circle bunting rows in bright colours and is finished off with the word Celebrate.
This is a large square card which is made out of Kraft card stock. The inside is blank ready for your message.
All cards come with their own co-ordinating envelope and are packaged in a cellophane bag before being posted in a sturdy envelope for protection during shipping.


text: The V&M Wild Thang Worm measures in at a formidable 10.5-inches in length and delivers a tight, rippling tail action unlike any worm in its class. The motion of its tail is so lifelike it actually intimidates the fish. Bass will eat it just to kill it. When they do - it's Game On! Next time you fish a worm, try the V&M Wild Thang and Hang On! Available in a range of proven colors, the V&M Wild Thang Worm is also loaded with a perfect balance of salt and scent that fish crave. V&M recommends fishing the Wild Thang with a 6/0 or 7/0 hook.


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MES Inc. was proud to deliver, this past quarter, a one of a kind impeller blade castings for axial fans. Material was carefully chosen by the customer because of excellent strength properties at elevated temperatures.
Aluminum C355:
- Offers excellent castability, pressure tightness and resistance to hot cracking.
- Has optimal fluidity and solidification shrinkage tendencies.
- Allows for excellent welding strengths (although in the specific case of this application did not allow any welding.)
Polished finishes can be worthy of excellent engineered components which customers appreciate. These blades were designed and manufactured for axial fans with end application in underground and above-ground mining and power industries.
Material was cast using high vacuum melting casting furnace and high tilt automatic equipment. All parts were then X-ray tested per ASTM E155 with expectation to meet Level 2 near the shank of the blade and Level 4 in other areas. Parts also went through machining with tight tolerance of +/-0.02" expected near the shank of the blade. Parts were required to be heat treated (Tempered T-6) level to ensure heat characteristics. However, part twist geometry was seen to be deforming so parts were quenched after casting.
Post quenching, a reshaping operation was added using special fixture to bend the part to desired tolerance. Tempering was then after reshaping. Reshaping, quenching and base machining were done to ensure part twist characteristics were intact and tolerance requirements were met.
C355.0 can be sand cast or permanent cast. Typical sand casting applications include printing press bedplates, air compressor pistons, water jackets, crankcases, electric motor fans and blowers. Permanent mold castings are developed for aircraft, missile, and other components requiring high strength, and for fittings, impellers, timing gears and aircraft supercharger covers. Automotive applications for this aluminum grade include: passenger car wheels, engine blocks, cylinder heads, spring brackets, transmission cases, and miscellaneous truck and trailer castings.
Application Specifics:
- Material – C355 with T6 heat treatment
- Cast Weight – 52 Lbs
- Post-Machining Weight – 47 Lbs
- Overall Length – 32.5"
- Blade Length – 30.6"
- Porosity Requirements – Level-2 X-ray requirements with some areas allowed at Level-4
- No distortions allowed along the trailing edge
- Proper filling of the OD of Shank area
- Meeting Elongation requirement of 8% on such a long part while meeting T6 mechanical properties


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Make a difference and work directly with children in our program! Help our advocates with our children's program in both the shelter and our community program. We are looking for positive role models to assist children with homework, reading, arts and crafts and playtime.
Volunteer Requirements
- Must like children, good communication skills and willing to take direction
- Background check and training is required for this role
Location: Exact location will be given over the phone due to privacy and security reasons.
Ages: 16+
Time Commitment: Every other week
Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com or 952-351-4062


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There's something here for everyone—beef eaters, vegetarians, the soup and salad crowd, even pastas, breads, and appetizers. Spend your time this summer cooking great food, not searching the web for the best recipes. We've gathered them all together, just for you.
Additional recipes include: Puffy Tacos, Garlic-Lime Grilled Pork Tenderloin Steaks, Grilled Sausages with Onions, Barbecued Pulled Chicken, Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, Cedar-Planked Salmon, Grilled Portobello Burgers, Summer Pasta Puttanesca, Deli-Style Creamy Coleslaw, Fresh Corn Cornbread, and Summer Peach Cake.
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Cover Price: $29.95
Sale Price: $19.95
The Complete Make-Ahead Cookbook
Cover Price: $19.95
Sale Price: $14.95
Kitchen Hacks: How Clever Cooks Get Things Done
Cook's Illustrated Revolutionary Recipes Special Issue


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Search Results
Facsimile of a Pasteur letter, with French postage stamps commemorating Louis Pasteur
- 1973-Jun-10
Semipostal stamps commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Louis Pasteur. Includes two postmarks depicting Pasteur, with Pasteur also featured on the first day of issue cancel. A semipostal stamp is a postage…
Postcard and French postage stamp commemorating Louis Jacques Thénard
- 1957
Depicts Louis Jacques Thénard, French chemist and the founder of the Charitable Society of the Friends of Science.
Postcard with French postal stamps commemorating the centenary of the birth of Marie Curie
- 1967
Cachet shows the Curie laboratory in Paris, and stamps depict Marie Curie with a bowl of radium.
- Artist Autier, Ph., Pheulpin, Jean
- Engraver Pheulpin, Jean
- Subject Women in science, Curie, Marie, 1867-1934, Women physicists, Women in physics, France, Women scientists, Chemists, Postmarks, Commemorative postage stamps, Women chemists, Science on postage stamps, Nobel Prize winners, Women in chemistry, Cachets (Philately), Physicists, Postage stamps, Postcards, Women physical scientists, Women Nobel Prize winners
Postcard and French postage stamp commemorating Louis Pasteur
- After 1885 – before 1953
Postcard image is a reproduction of Finnish painter Albert Edelfelt's famed portrait "Pasteur Dans Son Laboratoire" [Pasteur In His Laboratory]. The portrait depicts Pasteur in his laboratory at the rue d'Ulm,…
Postcard and French postage stamp commemorating Isaac Newton
- Undated
Depicts Isaac Newton.
- Artist Lalau, Maurice
- Engraver Munier, Pierre
- Subject Postage stamps, Newton, Isaac, 1642-1727, France, Postcards, Postmarks, Commemorative postage stamps, Science on postage stamps
Postcard and French postage stamp commemorating the 2nd centenary of the birth of Antoine Lavoisier
- Circa 1943
Depicts Antoine Lavoisier, the "creator of modern chemistry."


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Rose Burlingham and Louis Robert Weigele were married Nov. 18 at the Harlem Jazz and Gospel Getaway, a townhouse in New York the couple rented from their friend, Joyce Hanly. Jerry Greenfield, a college roommate of the groom and a founder of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, became a minister with American Marriage Ministries to officiate. Ben Cohen, the other founder of Ben & Jerry's, took part in the ceremony.
The bride, 65, is an independent art dealer and writer based in Cleveland. She is writing a nonfiction book to be published by Post Hill Press in 2018. She graduated from Beloit College in Beloit, Wis.
She is a daughter of Genevieve Tamburr Generalli of Lakewood, N.J., and the late Ernest J. Generalli, who lived in Clifton, N.J.
The groom, 66, is a clinical social worker with a private psychotherapy practice in Cleveland. He is also an instructor and a Ph.D. candidate in social welfare at Case Western Reserve University, from which he received a master's degree in social work. He graduated from Oberlin College.
He is a son of the late Marjorie Sayre Weigele and the late Louis C. Weigele, who lived in Northampton, Mass.
Ms. Burlingham and Mr. Weigele met as teenagers in 1966 when they worked at the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton summer camp in Wharton, N.J.
"As a young girl, she was a bit quirky and had a great interest in art; she saw the world through very creative eyes," Mr. Weigele recalled. "We just hit off and became the best of friends."
They remained friends for more than half a century, staying in touch through good times and bad, including each of their previous marriages.
"I always cared about him, and I know he cared about me," Ms. Burlingham said. "But we always seemed to be in relationships with other people."
But they were both single three years ago when Mr. Weigele invited Ms. Burlingham to the annual beefsteak dinner — a fund-raiser — at the Boys and Girls Club of Clifton.
She happily accepted.
"Throughout the years, I always looked forward to seeing him," Ms. Burlingham said. "Those feelings, regardless of the circumstances, never went away."
At the dinner, Ms. Burlingham said that she began "feeling something spur of the moment happening between us."
"It's kind of silly, because we were basically in a bingo hall with fluorescent lighting, not exactly a romantic setting," she said. "But all that mattered was that we were together again, and this time, I didn't want him to leave."
So she asked him to stay — and he did.
Mr. Weigele, living in Cleveland at the time, drove Ms. Burlingham back to her apartment and they soon embarked on a long-distance relationship that resulted in her moving in with him in June.
"Having lived in Manhattan for over 40 years, I can tell you that Cleveland is a great place to get my writing done in quiet," said Ms. Burlingham, laughing. "Absolutely no distractions."
Except of course, for Mr. Weigele.
"We have always enjoyed each other's company and been the best of friends," he said. "After all these years, our relationship is solid to the core, we're very comfortable around each other, and most importantly, we have the greatest amount of respect for one another."
On Nov. 17, the couple held their wedding rehearsal dinner at the Boys and Girls Club of Clifton, where they were joined by friends and family, bad lighting and all.


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Romania plans to sell a minority stake in natural-gas producer Romgaz SA this "autumn" and will wait for political turmoil to ease "soon" before selling another stake in its Transgaz SA (TGN)utility, Bursa reported, citing an economy ministry official.
The Romanian energy-market regulator and a commission are working to set up regulated gas-transport tariffs by the time a schedule for the sale of a 15 percent stake in Transgaz is released, Remus Vulpescu, the head of the industry privatization office, told the Bucharest-based newspaper. This would enable the natural-gas grid operator to forecast its revenue for the next four years, Bursa said.
An auction to select lead managers for the sale of a minority stake in nuclear-power plant operator Nuclearelectrica SA will be resumed "soon," Vulpescu said, according to Bursa.
To contact the reporter on this story: Irina Savu in Bucharest at email@example.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: James M. Gomez at email@example.com


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What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia infection is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.
How common is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is the most common notifiable STD in the U.S. There were 1.5 million new cases reported in 2016.1 Chlamydia occurs in both men and women, but is most often seen in young women under the age of 25, with young minority women being the hardest hit.2 About twice as many cases reported in females than in males.1
How is chlamydia spread?
Chlamydia infection can be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It is more easily transmitted from male to female. Mothers of newborn infants can transmit the infection during childbirth.
Does chlamydia cause symptoms?
Most of the time, a chlamydia infection does not cause symptoms. ¾ females and ½ of males have no symptoms.2 Chlamydia is known as a "silent disease" because most people who are infected do not have symptoms. Without symptoms, infected people can spread the chlamydia infection to their sexual partners without knowing it. Yearly screening tests are recommended for people at high risk for chlamydia, even when they do not have symptoms: (1) sexually active females under 25 years of age; (2) females over 25 years whose sexual practices put them at risk for infection; and (3) all pregnant females and (4) men who have sex with men.3
What are the symptoms of chlamydia?
Some people do get symptoms when they have a chlamydia infection. Symptoms of chlamydia in women can include inflammation of the cervix, abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal discharge and painful urination. Urethral infections in males may cause discharge from the penis and painful urination. If the chlamydia infection involves the anus and rectum, pain, discharge, and bleeding in both males and females can occur.2
Are there any treatments available for chlamydia?
Chlamydia infection can be treated with antibiotics regardless of the site of infection. Sex partners should also be treated and sexual activity should stop during the treatment. Not receiving treatment and treatment delay can lead to serious health problem. Treatment does not reverse existing complications.4
What complications can result from chlamydia?
One potential complication of chlamydia infection in a female is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID occurs when vaginal or cervical infections travel to the upper genital tract and infect the lining of the uterus and the fallopian tubes. Sometimes the infection causes abscesses in the tubes and ovaries and the infection spreads into the pelvic cavity. PID is associated with long-term problems including chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.5
Another possible complication of chlamydia infection is the spread of the infection from a mother to her baby. If the mother is infected, newborn infants may acquire diseases like conjunctivitis and pneumonia at the time of childbirth.
Does chlamydia affect the spread of HIV?
Chlamydia infection increases the chance of getting HIV if exposed. HIV targets CD4 cells that are produced by the body to fight off chlamydia and causes HIV to spread throughout the body.
Can chlamydia be prevented?
Yes; chlamydia can be prevented by refraining from sexual activity until a person is in a lifelong, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner. Mothers should be screened for chlamydia infection during pregnancy to prevent the spread of chlamydia infection to their babies.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2016. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2017. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats16/chlamydia.htm. Accessed October 2017
- Grimes, Jill (editor), Sexually Transmitted Disease: An Encyclopedia of Diseases, Prevention, Treatment, and Issues, 2014 Greenwood Publishers, Santa Barbara, Ca.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2015," MMWR June 5, 2015, Vol. 63/No 3
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2015. MMWR 2015 Vol. 64/No. 3 Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6403a1.htm Accessed December 2015.
- Sweet,RL, "Treatment of Acute Pelvic Inflammatory Disease," Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2011; 2011:561909 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249632/ accessed Dec 2015
- Sowadsly, Rick, "The HIV-STD Connection", The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource, March 2009 http://www.thebody.com/content/art2283.html
Updated: November 2017


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How to Style The Modern Mushroom Haircut in 5 Steps
The bowl cut with a modern feel.
The mushroom haircut (a.k.a. the bowl cut) is making a major comeback. The mushroom hairstyle is forswearing its traditional stiff and sleek look for now. Hairstyles that are packed with texture are the It Girl look of the season and the modern mushroom haircut is one of them.
If you think that mushroom-cut hair is solely the territory of women, think again. Men have been sporting this look for many years. A popular iteration of this is the undercut/bowl cut combo, where the top lengths are left longer and the bottom layers are shaved or faded.
Want to get in on this flawlessly styled 'do? Read on to learn more about how to style the mushroom hair cut.
Step 1: Start with clean hair.
Wash hair with a volumizing hair care system to infuse your mushroom hairstyle with body and volume. Start by washing hair with Love Beauty and Planet Volume and Bounty Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Shampoo, then follow up with Love Beauty and Planet Volume and Bounty Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Conditioner.
Step 2: Pile on the texture.
To enhance texture while styling short mushroom hairstyles, you can opt for liberally applying a product like Bed Head By TIGI Queen Beach Salt Infused Texture Spray throughout your hair.
For men, using a paste product, such as Dove Men+Care Sculpting Paste can help provide texture on otherwise straight hair. To use, apply a finger-swipe or dime-sized amount of product onto palms. Rub hands together to ensure the product is spread evenly, and rake through from hairline to the back of your parietal ridge (or skull bump). Point-style as needed with any leftover product.
Step 3: Rough-dry.
Rough-dry your mushroom hairstyle by using a blowdryer with the concentration nozzle attached. As you dry, use your hand to lift your hair at the roots, and your fingers to roughly tousle your strands. If you have naturally curly or wavy hair, use a round brush to help straighten your texture first.
Step 4: Add (barely there) curls.
Use a one-inch curling iron to create loose, chunky curls. Don't bother going for perfectly-done ringlets!
Step 5: Scrunch and finish.
Work a texturizing agent, like Bed Head by TIGI Joyride Texturizing Powder Balm, through your hair to create a grungier texture. To complete the look, scrunch your ends to create full, piecey waves throughout your mushroom hairstyle.


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THE PUBLIC EYE:Scott Walker: Mobilizing Resentment
It's early in the Republican presidential primary process, but at this point former Florida governor Jeb Bush is a slight favorite. However, the latest CNN/ORC poll indicates that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is closing in on Bush. In a large GOP field that features archconservatives and outright crazies, Walker is the most disturbing because his stock-in-trade is mobilizing the resentment of working-class white voters. -more-


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Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) are fundamental for the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases, and have been determined by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIFA) for decades. As the demand for ANA testing increased, alternative techniques were developed challenging the classic IIFA. These alternative platforms differ in their antigen profiles, sensitivity and specificity, raising uncertainties regarding standardisation and interpretation of incongruent results. Therefore, an international group of experts has created recommendations for ANA testing by different methods. Two groups of experts participated in this initiative. The European autoimmunity standardization initiative representing 15 European countries and the International Union of Immunologic Societies/World Health Organization/Arthritis Foundation/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention autoantibody standardising committee. A three-step process followed by a Delphi exercise with closed voting was applied. Twenty-five recommendations for determining ANA (1-13), anti-double stranded DNA antibodies (14-18), specific antibodies (19-23) and validation of methods (24-25) were created. Significant differences between experts were observed regarding recommendations 24-25 (p<0.03). Here, we formulated recommendations for the assessment and interpretation of ANA and associated antibodies. Notably, the roles of IIFA as a reference method, and the importance of defining nuclear and cytoplasmic staining, were emphasised, while the need to incorporate alternative automated methods was acknowledged. Various approaches to overcome discrepancies between methods were suggested of which an improved bench-to-bedside communication is of the utmost importance. These recommendations are based on current knowledge and can enable harmonisation of local algorithms for testing and evaluation of ANA and related autoantibodies. Last but not least, new more appropriate terminologies have been suggested.
The indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) on HEp-2 cells is the reference method for autoantibody screening. The HEp-2 IFA pattern provides useful information on the possible autoantibodies in the sample. The International Consensus on Antinuclear Antibody Patterns (ICAP) initiative seeks to define and harmonize the nomenclature of HEp-2 IFA patterns. The most relevant and usual patterns have been assigned an alphanumeric code from anti-cell (AC)-1 to AC-28 and were organized into a classification algorithm (www.ANApatterns.org). The systemic sclerosis-associated autoantibodies to DNA topoisomerase I (Topo I) produce a peculiar composite 5-element HEp-2 IFA pattern (Topo I-like pattern) comprising the staining of the nucleus, metaphase chromatin plate, nucleolar organizing region, cytoplasm and nucleolus. In a recent assessment of the European Consensus Finding Study Group on autoantibodies, a well-defined anti-Topo I sample was blindly analyzed and classified according to ICAP AC patterns by 43 participant laboratories across Europe. There were wide variations among these laboratories in reporting nuclear, nucleolar and cytoplasmic patterns, indicating the inadequacy of the existing AC patterns to report the Topo I-like pattern. Several ICAP member laboratories independently demonstrated the overall consistency of the HEp-2 IFA Topo I-like pattern using HEp-2 slides from different manufacturers. The ICAP committee reviewed 24 candidate images and selected the four most representative images to be available on the ICAP website. The proper recognition of the AC-29 pattern should trigger suspicion of the presence of anti-Topo I antibodies, which may engender appropriate analyte-specific reflex tests to confirm the autoantibody specificity.
OBJECTIVES: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of lymphoma. There is no biomarker to indicate future lymphoma risk in RA and it is not known whether factors associated with an increased risk of RA also confer an increased risk of lymphoma. We investigated whether anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies, other autoantibodies, and smoking, are associated with lymphoma development in RA.
METHOD: subclasses of anti-CCP antibodies and for 15 antinuclear antibody (ANA)-associated specific autoantibodies. Relative risks were estimated as crude and adjusted odds ratios (adjOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using logistic regression.
RESULTS: We found no association between anti-CCP IgG ≥ 25 units/mL (adjOR 1.4, 95% CI 0.7-2.7), anti-CCP IgG ≥ 500 units/mL (adjOR 1.4, 95% CI 0.7-3.0), anti-CCP Ig of other isotypes, other autoantibodies (adjOR any vs none 0.6, 95% CI 0.3-1.2), or cigarette smoking (adjOR ever vs never 1.1, 95% CI 0.5-2.2) and lymphoma risk among patients with RA.
CONCLUSION: In this study, neither anti-CCP antibodies (IgG, IgG1–4, IgM, or IgA), nor other common autoantibodies, nor smoking predicted lymphoma risk in RA
Background: Early appearance of antibodies specific for native human type II collagen (anti-CII) characterizes an early inflammatory and destructive phenotype in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of anti-CII, IgM RF, IgA RF and anti-CCP in serum samples obtained early after diagnosis, and to relate the occurrence of autoantibodies to outcome after eight years of disease in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods: The Nordic JIA database prospectively included JIA patients followed for eight years with data on remission and joint damage. From this database, serum samples collected from 192 patients, at a median of four months after disease onset, were analysed for IgG anti-CII, IgM RF, IgA RF and IgG anti-CCP. Joint damage was assessed based on Juvenile Arthritis Damage Index for Articular damage (JADI-A), a validated clinical instrument for joint damage. Results: Elevated serum levels of anti-CII occurred in 3.1%, IgM RF in 3.6%, IgA RF in 3.1% and anti-CCP in 2.6% of the patients. Occurrence of RF and anti-CCP did to some extent overlap, but rarely with anti-CII. The polyarticular and oligoarticular extended categories were overrepresented in patients with two or more autoantibodies. Anti-CII occurred in younger children, usually without overlap with the other autoantibodies and was associated with high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) early in the disease course. All four autoantibodies were significantly associated with joint damage, but not with active disease at the eight-year follow up. Conclusions: Anti-CII, anti-CCP, IgA RF and IgM RF detected early in the disease course predicted joint damage when assessed after eight years of disease. The role of anti-CII in JIA should be further studied.
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe form of leishmaniasis. Recent findings indicate that dendritic cells have a key role in the defense against the Leishmania parasite and that the activity of this cell may be modified by the eosinophil secretory protein eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN). We hypothesized that the interactions between dendritic cells and EDN might be of importance in the disease development. Cellular content of EDN was analyzed by ELISA. The single-nucleotide polymorphisms at positions 405, 416, and 1122 in the EDN gene were analyzed by real-time PCR with TaqMan((R)) reagents. The study cohorts comprised 239 Sudanese subjects (65 healthy controls and 174 with VL) and 300 healthy Swedish controls. The eosinophil content of EDN was lower in VL as compared with controls (p < 0.0001). The EDN405 (G>C) genotype distribution was similar among Swedish and Sudanese controls, whereas VL subjects had a higher prevalence of the EDN405-GG genotype (p < 0.0001). The content of EDN in the eosinophils was closely linked to the EDN405 polymorphism (p = 0.0002). Our findings suggest that the predisposition to acquire VL is related to the genetic polymorphism of the EDN gene and the reduced production by the eosinophil of this gene product.
Introduction: Anticitrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) responses for 22 citrullinated peptides in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were analysed and related to radiological and clinical outcome during the first 2 years in a prospective inception cohort.
Methods: The ACPA reactivities were assessed in 1022 patients with early RA (symptoms <12 months) using the custom-made microarray chip (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Uppsala, Sweden) in a prospective longitudinal study of observational assessments of Disease Activity Score (DAS28 and its components) and radiology during the first 24 months, accounting for the treatment.
Results: Frequency of ACPA reactivities varied between 13.3% and 63.1%. Of the anticyclic citrullinated peptide-2 (anti-CCP2) antibody-negative patients, ACPA reactivities were positive in 32.6%. Smoking, human leucocyte antigen-shared epitope ( HLA-SE), anti-CCP2/rheumatoid factor, protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 22 (1858C/ T) and DAS28 were significantly associated with number of ACPA reactivities. The ACPA reactivities modified differently the development of DAS28 over 24 months (identified using trajectories). Anti-Filaggrin307-324, anti-hnRNP (Peptide)-Z1 and anti-F4-CIT-R antibodies anticipated lower DAS28 values (p<0.01-0.05), while positivity for anti-Fibrinogen(Fib) beta 62-78(74), and anti-Fiba563-583 predicted higher DAS28 (p<0.01 both). Interaction between anti-Fib beta 36-52, anti-Pept-5 and anti-Bla-26 antibodies, respectively, and DAS28 during 24 months decreased significantly the DAS28 values (p<0.01-0.05). Corticosteroids and biologicals were related to DAS28-area under the curve and Larsen score 24 months. Anti-vimentin2-17 antibodies remained significantly associated with Larsen score at baseline and 24 months, respectively, and radiological progression, besides biologicals at 24 months adjusted for sex and age.
Conclusions: Several ACPA reactivities modified significantly the DAS28 development during the first 24 months and were significantly associated with Larsen score at baseline, 24 months and radiological progression.
Introduction: Anticitrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) responses for 22 citrullinated peptides in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were analysed and related to radiological and clinical outcome during the first 2 years in a prospective inception cohort.
Methods: The ACPA reactivities were assessed in 1022 patients with early RA (symptoms <12 months) using the custom-made microarray chip (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Uppsala, Sweden) in a prospective longitudinal study of observational assessments of Disease Activity Score (DAS28 and its components) and radiology during the first 24 months, accounting for the treatment.
Results: Frequency of ACPA reactivities varied between 13.3% and 63.1%. Of the anticyclic citrullinated peptide-2 (anti-CCP2) antibody-negative patients, ACPA reactivities were positive in 32.6%. Smoking, human leucocyte antigen-shared epitope (HLA-SE), anti-CCP2/rheumatoid factor, protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (1858C/T) and DAS28 were significantly associated with number of ACPA reactivities. The ACPA reactivities modified differently the development of DAS28 over 24 months (identified using trajectories). Anti-Filaggrin307-324, anti-hnRNP (Peptide)-Z1 and anti-F4-CIT-R antibodies anticipated lower DAS28 values (p<0.01–0.05), while positivity for anti-Fibrinogen(Fib)β62-78(74), and anti-Fibα563-583 predicted higher DAS28 (p<0.01 both). Interaction between anti-Fibß36-52, anti-Pept-5 and anti-Bla-26 antibodies, respectively, and DAS28 during 24 months decreased significantly the DAS28 values (p<0.01–0.05). Corticosteroids and biologicals were related to DAS28-area under the curve and Larsen score 24 months. Anti-vimentin2-17 antibodies remained significantly associated with Larsen score at baseline and 24 months, respectively, and radiological progression, besides biologicals at 24 months adjusted for sex and age.
Conclusions: Several ACPA reactivities modified significantly the DAS28 development during the first 24 months and were significantly associated with Larsen score at baseline, 24 months and radiological progression.
Circulating antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are commonly present in the systemic autoimmune disease Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and in other systemic rheumatic diseases, in humans as well as in dogs. The indirect immunofluorescence (IIF)-ANA test is the standard method for detecting ANA. Further testing for specific ANA with immunoblot techniques or ELISAs is routinely performed in humans to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. Several specific ANA identified in humans have been identified also in suspected canine SLE but, in contrast to humans, investigation of autoantibodies in canine SLE is mainly restricted to the IIF-ANA test. Our aim was to identify both known and novel specific ANA in dogs and to investigate if different IIF-ANA patterns are associated with different specific ANA in dogs. Sera from 240 dogs with suspicion of autoimmune disease (210 IIF-ANA positive (ANA(pos)) and 30 IIF-ANA negative (ANA(neg))) as well as sera from 27 healthy controls were included. The samples were analysed with a line immunoassay, LIA (Euroline ANA Profile 5, Euroimmun, Lubeck, Germany) and four different ELISAs (Euroimmun). The ANA(pos) dogs were divided in two groups depending on the type of IIF-ANA pattern. Of the 210 ANA(pos) samples 68 were classified as ANA homogenous (ANA(H)) and 141 as ANA speckled (ANA(S)), one sample was not possible to classify. Dogs in the ANA(H) group had, compared to the other groups, most frequently high levels of anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) and anti-nucleosome ANA. Anti-dsDNA antibodies were confirmed in some dogs with the Crithidia luciliae indirect immunofluorescence test (CLIFT).The frequency of ANA(H) dogs with values above those observed in the healthy group was significantly higher compared to ANA(S) dogs for anti-dsDNA, anti-nucleosome, and anti-histone reactivity. Dogs in the ANA(S) group had, compared to the other groups, most frequently high levels of anti-ribonucleoproteins (RNP) and/or anti-Smith (Sm) antibodies. Reactivity against Sjogren's syndrome related antigens (SS)-A (including the Ro-60 and Ro-52 subcomponents), SS-B, histidyl tRNA synthetase (Jo-1), topoisomerase I antigen (Scl-70), polymyositis-scleroderma antigen (PM-Scl) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was also noted in individual dogs. In conclusion, by using a commercial LIA and different ELISAs originally developed for detection of human ANA, we identified several specific ANA in serum samples from dogs sampled for IIF-ANA testing. Further, we found that the types of IIF-ANA pattern were associated with reactivity against some particular nuclear antigens.
Objective The presence of antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides has been demonstrated to precede the onset of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by several years. The aim of this study was to analyze antibodies against 10 citrullinated autoantigen-derived peptides for reactivity before the onset of RA symptoms. Methods A casecontrol study was conducted within the Medical Biobank of Northern Sweden. The study was performed in 409 individuals, 386 of whom donated 717 blood samples before the onset of symptoms of RA (pre-patients). The median period of time predating the onset of RA was 7.4 years. A total of 1,305 population-based control subjects were also studied. Antibodies to 10 citrullinated peptides, fibrinogen 573 (Fib573), Fib591, Fib3652, Fib72, Fib74, -enolase (citrullinated -enolase peptide 1 [CEP-1]), triple-helical type II collagen peptide C1 (citC1III), filaggrin, vimentin 217 (Vim217), and Vim6075, were analyzed using a microarray system. Results The fluorescence intensity of antibodies against Fib3652, Fib74, CEP-1, citC1III, and filaggrin was significantly increased in pre-patients compared with controls (P < 0.001). The levels of the earliest-detectable antibodies (Fib591 and Vim6075) fluctuated over time, with only a slight increase after the onset of disease. The frequency of antibodies against Fib3652, CEP-1, and filaggrin increased gradually, reaching the highest levels before symptom onset. The frequency of a cluster of antibodies, citC1III, Fib573, and Fib74, increased only slightly before the onset of symptoms but increased prominently after disease onset. The odds ratio for the development of RA in individuals expressing both CEP-1 and Fib3652 antibodies (using data from samples obtained <3.35 years predating symptom onset) was 40.4 (95% confidence interval 19.882.3) compared with having either antibody alone. Conclusion Development of an immune response toward citrullinated peptides is initially restricted but expands with time to induce a more specific response, with levels, particularly those of antibodies against CEP-1, Fib3652, and filaggrin, increasing during the predating time period closer to the onset of symptoms.
Background: The presence of rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-carbamylated protein antibodies (anti-CarP) and antibodies against citrullinated protein and peptides (ACPA) precedes the onset of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by several years. Relationships between the development of these antibodies are not obvious. Methods: Three isotypes [immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG and IgM) of RF were analysed in 321 pre-symptomatic individuals who provided 598 samples collected a median of 6.2 (interquartile range 7.2) years before the onset of symptoms, and in 492 population control subjects. All samples were donated to the Biobank of Northern Sweden. RF isotypes were analysed using the EliA system (Phadia GmbH, Freiburg, Germany) with 96 % specificity according to receiver operating characteristic curves. Ten ACPA specificities were analysed using the ImmunoCAP ISAC system, and anti-CCP2 and anti-CarP antibodies were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: The frequencies of RF isotypes in pre-symptomatic individuals were significantly increased compared with control subjects (p < 0.0001). In samples collected >= 15 years before the onset of symptoms, the IgA-RF isotype was significantly more prevalent than the most frequent ACPAs. Combinations of IgM- and IgA-RF isotypes with ACPA specificities [a-enolase (CEP-1/Eno(5-21))], fibrinogen (Fib)beta(36-52), Fiba(580-600), filaggrin (CCP-1/Fil(307-324)) and anti-CCP2 antibodies were associated with a significantly shorter time to onset of symptoms (p < 0.001-0.05). Using conditional inference tree analysis, anti-CCP2 in combination with anti-filaggrin antibodies gave the highest probability, 97.5 %, for disease development. Conclusions: RF isotypes predicted the development of RA, particularly in combination with ACPA, anti-CCP2 or anti-CarP antibodies. The highest probability for disease development was the presence of anti-CCP2 and anti-filaggrin antibodies.
Introduction: The presence of a new autoantibody system, anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) antibodies, has been identified in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The presence of anti-CarP antibodies was evaluated in samples taken from individuals who subsequently developed RA before and after onset of symptoms and related to previously analysed antibodies against citrullinated peptides (ACPA specificities) and anti-CCP2. Methods: A total of 252 individuals, with 423 samples from before onset of symptoms of RA, and 197 population controls were identified as donors to the Medical Biobank of Northern Sweden; 192 of them were also sampled at the time of diagnosis. All samples were analysed for anti-CarP IgG and anti-CCP2 antibodies using ELISAs. Ten different antibody reactivities against citrullinated antigens (ACPA specificities) were analysed using a custom-made microarray based on the ImmunoCAP ISAC system (Phadia). Results: The concentration of anti-CarP antibodies was significantly increased in the pre-symptomatic individuals compared with controls (P < 0.001) and also increased significantly after disease onset (P < 0.001). The sensitivity for anti-CarP antibodies in the pre-symptomatic individuals was 13.9% (95% CI: 11 to 17.6) and 42.2% (95% CI: 35.4 to 49.3) following development of RA. Anti-CarP antibody positivity was found in 5.1% to 13.3% of individuals negative for anti-CCP2 or ACPA specificities. Presence of anti-CarP antibodies was significantly related to radiological destruction at baseline, at 24 months and also to radiological change (P < 0.05, all). Conclusions: The results indicate that anti-CarP antibodies are associated with disease development, even after adjusting for the presence of different ACPA fine specificities, and in anti-CCP2 negative individuals and contribute to the identification of a subset of patients with worse radiological progression of the disease independent of ACPA.
The etiopathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is largely unknown. In other autoimmune diseases, type I interferon (IFN) may play a pivotal role by triggering and sustaining the disease process. We therefore aimed to determine whether patients with primary SS had an activated type I IFN system.
Salivary gland biopsy specimens and sera from patients with primary SS were investigated for the occurrence of IFNα-producing cells and measurable IFNα levels, respectively. The ability of primary SS sera together with apoptotic or necrotic cells to induce IFNα production in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells was examined. The IFNα inducer was characterized, and IFNα-producing cells were identified. Clinical data were correlated with the IFNα-inducing capacity of primary SS sera.
Numerous IFNα-producing cells were detected in salivary gland biopsy specimens, despite low serum IFNα levels. Autoantibodies to RNA-binding proteins, combined with material released by necrotic or late apoptotic cells, were potent inducers of IFNα production in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs). This appeared to be attributable to RNA-containing immune complexes triggering PDCs by means of RNA and interaction with Fcγ receptor IIa. The IFNα-inducing capacity of sera was associated with positive results of a labial salivary gland biopsy (focus score ≥1) and with dermatologic, hematologic, and pulmonary manifestations.
Patients with primary SS have an activated type I IFN system. Although virus may initiate the production of IFN, the continued IFNα synthesis is caused by RNA-containing immune complexes that activate PDCs to prolong IFNα production at the tissue level. This IFNα promotes the autoimmune process by a vicious circle–like mechanism, with increased autoantibody production and formation of more endogenous IFNα inducers.
CONTEXT: Studies on clinical and immunological features of Autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD) are needed to understand the disease burden and increased mortality.
OBJECTIVE: To provide upgraded data on autoimmune comorbidities, replacement therapy, autoantibody profiles and cardiovascular risk factors.
DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross sectional, population-based study. 660 AAD patients were included utilizing the Swedish Addison Registry (SAR) 2008-2014. When analyzing cardiovascular risk factors, 3,594 individuals from the population-based survey in Northern Sweden, MONICA (MONItoring of Trends and Determinants of CArdiovascular Disease), served as controls.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence of autoimmune comorbidities and cardiovascular risk factors. Autoantibodies against 13 autoantigens were determined.
RESULTS: Sixty percent of the SAR cohort consisted of females. Mean age at diagnosis was significantly higher for females than for males (36.8 vs. 31.1 years). The proportion of 21-hydroxylase autoantibody positive patients was 83% and 62% of patients had one or more associated autoimmune diseases, more frequently coexisting in females (p<0.0001). AAD patients had lower BMI (p<0.0001) and prevalence of hypertension (p=0.027) compared with controls. Conventional hydrocortisone tablets were used by 89% of patients; with the mean dose 28.1±8.5 mg/day. The mean hydrocortisone equivalent dose normalized to body surface was 14.8±4.4 mg/m(2)/day. Higher hydrocortisone equivalent dose was associated with higher incidence of hypertension (p=0.046).
CONCLUSIONS: Careful monitoring of AAD patients is warranted to detect associated autoimmune diseases. Contemporary Swedish AAD patients do not have increased prevalence of overweight, hypertension, T2DM or hyperlipidemia. However, high glucocorticoid replacement doses may be a risk factor for hypertension.
Background: International autoantibody standards, traditionally based on material obtained from plasmapheresis of single subjects, represent individual immune response and may not comprehend the heterogeneity of the general population. The anti-DFS70 autoantibody yields a characteristic dense fine speckled (DFS) nuclear pattern on indirect immunofluorescence assay on HEp-2 cells (HEp-2 IFA) and speaks against autoimmunity. We propose a novel strategy for developing autoantibody reference standards, based on stepwise pooling of serum samples from hundreds of individuals with anti-DFS70 antibodies.
Methods: Within a 2-year period, serum samples were selected from routine HEp-2 IFA according to the following criteria: DFS HEp-2 IFA pattern at titer >= 1:640; anti-DFS70 reactivity in three analyte-specific tests (Western blot [WB], enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and chemiluminescent immunoassay [CLIA]). Aliquots of individual samples were combined into progressively larger pools with stepwise validation of intermediary pools as for individual samples. Validated intermediary pools were merged into a final pool for lyophilization.
Results: A total of 741 validated samples yielded a 750 mL final pool that was lyophilized into thousands of 200 mu L-aliquots. Reconstituted aliquots yielded the expected anti-DFS70 reactivity in ELISA, CLIA and WB, as well as high-titer DFS HEp-2 IFA pattern. The appropriate antiDFS70 reactivity of the lyophilized pool was confirmed by seven international expert centers, using HEp-2 IFA, ELISA, WB and immunoprecipitation.
Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study provides an innovative and efficient strategy to build serum reference standards for autoantibody testing. The anti-DFS70 standard will integrate the panel of standards of Autoantibody Standardization Committee (ASC, www.autoab.org ), contributing to education for proper assay validation and interpretation of the DFS pattern and other HEp-2 IFA patterns.
OBJECTIVE: Interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) is produced in several autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and may be important in their pathogenesis. We undertook this study to investigate how IFNalpha production induced by RNA-containing immune complexes (ICs) in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) is regulated. METHODS: Normal PDCs purified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were cocultivated with other cell populations isolated from healthy individuals or SLE patients. IFNalpha production was induced by RNA-containing ICs, which consisted of anti-RNP autoantibodies and U1 small nuclear RNP particles, and the effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), reactive oxygen species (ROS), or the cytokines IFNalpha2b, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-10 (IL-10), or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) were explored. RESULTS: Monocytes inhibited IFNalpha production by PDCs in PBMC cultures, while natural killer (NK) cells were stimulatory. The monocytes had little effect on IFNalpha production by pure PDCs but inhibited its stimulation by NK cells. Monocytes from SLE patients were less inhibitory. Exposure of PBMCs or PDCs to IFNalpha2b/GM-CSF increased their IFNalpha production. RNA-containing ICs caused production of ROS, PGE2, and TNFalpha, especially in monocytes. These mediators and IL-10 suppressed IFNalpha production in PBMC cultures, with ROS and PGE2 also inhibiting IFNalpha production by purified PDCs. Inhibition by all of these agents, except for ROS, was abolished by IFNalpha2b/GM-CSF. The inhibitory effect of monocytes was significantly counteracted by the ROS scavengers serotonin and catalase. CONCLUSION: IFNalpha production induced by RNA-containing ICs in PDCs is regulated by a network of interactions between monocytes, NK cells, and PDCs, involving several pro- and antiinflammatory molecules. This should be considered when designing and applying new therapies.
Objective Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide 2 antibodies (anti-CCP2) and rheumatoid factor (RF) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been extensively assessed in industrialized countries. We investigated the diagnostic and prognostic impact of anti-CCP2 and RF isotypes in a Sudanese cross-sectional RA cohort. Methods Consecutive RA patients (n=281) diagnosed according to the 1987 ACR criteria were included 2008-2010. Anti-CCP2 and RF isotypes (IgA, IgM, and IgG) were measured by enzyme immunoassay in 262 patients, with reference intervals aligned to the same diagnostic specificity as for anti-CCP2 (97.6%) using national controls. Results IgA RF was the predominant RA-associated autoantibody (56%), followed by IgM RF and anti-CCP2 (both 52%) and IgG RF (49%). In receiver operator characteristic analysis, IgA RF also showed the largest area under the curve. Patients with IgG RF were younger and had 8years lower median age of disease onset compared to antibody negative patients (p<0.0001). IgG RF was the only marker associated with a high number of involved joints (p=0.028), and together with anti-CCP2 were the strongest markers for finger deformities (p=0.016 and p=0.012), respectively. No statistical differences were found for disease duration, ESR and Hb levels, and occurrence of erosions/osteopenia for any of the investigated autoantibodies. Conclusion Whereas IgA RF showed the best diagnostic performance, IgG RF associated with low age of RA onset, high number of involved joints, and finger deformities. These findings indicate that RA-associated antibodies other than conventional IgM RF and anti-CCP2 might be informative in non-Caucasian RA populations.
Renal function was studied in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) by means of the specific marker cystatin C and related to circulating immune complexes and cytokine production. Forty patients with VL (23 with sub-acute disease and 17 with acute disease), 17 patients with PKDL, and 22 healthy controls were included. Cystatin C, but not creatinine, was significantly raised in VL (P = 0.004). The highest levels of cystatin C were found in those with acute disease (P < 0.0001). In VL, cystatin C levels were positively correlated to circulating immune complexes and production of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), but negatively correlated to aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase. We conclude that cystatin C is a superior marker of glomerular function in leishmaniasis and that immune complex deposition and GM-CSF are two functions that most likely are causally involved in the mechanisms leading to glomerular dysfunction in leishmaniasis.
Objective. To compare clinical characteristics and treatment between simultaneously investigated Sudanese and Swedish outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods. Outpatients with RA from Sudan (n = 281) and Sweden (n = 542) diagnosed according to the 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria were recruited between December 2008 and September 2010 and compared concerning clinical presentation, treatment, and laboratory findings, including immunoglobulin M with rheumatoid factor (IgM-RF).
Results. Sudanese patients had lower inclusion age (median 49 vs 68 yrs), disease duration (48 vs 107 mos), and disease onset age (43 vs 56 yrs) as compared with Swedish patients (p < 0.0001 for all). When stratified concerning the age of inclusion, Swedish patients between 41-50 years had, however, a significantly lower age of onset, with a similar trend for all age groups above 30 years. The female preponderance was higher among Sudanese patients (89.3% vs 72.5%, p < 0.0001), and smoking was nonexistent among Sudanese female patients (p < 0.0001). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels and number of tender joints were significantly higher among Sudanese patients. The proportion of IgM-RF positivity was lower among Sudanese patients with RA (52.4% vs 75.5%, p < 0.0001). Higher proportions of Sudanese patients with RA were treated with methotrexate (MTX) and disease-modifying antirheumatic drug combinations, but none of them used biologics. Sudanese patients used lower doses of MTX and sulfasalazine (p < 0.0001) and higher doses of prednisolone (p < 0.0001) than Swedish patients.
Conclusion. Sudanese patients with RA have significantly higher disease activity and are often IgM-RF-seronegative. Together with reports from Uganda and Cameroon, our data indicate a cluster of highly active and often seronegative RA in central Africa.
Infection with Leishmania donovani is associated with IL-10 as well as with GM-CSF. Immune complexes (IC) exert important functions by stimulation of monocytes/macrophage-mediated production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in rheumatic diseases. In this investigation, we have explored IC-induced cytokine production during Leishmania infection. Sera from 43 patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL), 17 patients with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis, and 20 healthy Sudanese controls were precipitated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The PEG precipitates were added to serum-free PBMC for 20 h,whereupon supernatant levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1 receptor antagonist protein, TNF-α, TNF receptor p75, and GM-CSF were investigated using ELISA. Circulating levels of C1q-binding IC were also measured in the serum samples. PEG precipitates from Leishmania-infected patients induced significantly higher levels of GM-CSF (p = 0.0037) and IL-10 (p < 0.0001), as well as of IL-6 (p < 0.0001) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (p = 0.0238) as compared with PEG precipitates from controls. Patients with acute VL as well as VL patients receiving sodium stibogluconate treatment displayed significantly increased levels of PEG precipitate-induced GM-CSF. The induction of GM-CSF by circulating IC was especially prominent in acute VL patients receiving sodium stibogluconate treatment; ANOVA revealed significant interaction between disease activity and treatment for PEG precipitate-induced levels of GM-CSF (disease activity, p = 0.0006; treatment, p = 0.0005; interaction, p = 0.0046). Parallel associations were determined for C1q-binding immune complexes, but not for any cytokine other than GM-CSF. The importance of IC-induced GM-CSF in leishmaniasis warrants further study.
Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease in tropical countries. Clinical and laboratory features may mimic auto immune diseases and this can complicate the Leishmania diagnosis. Due to our previous investigation for false anti-CCP2 reactivity in Leishmania-infected subjects and our interest in immunity against the joint-specific collagen type II (CII) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) we investigated the same cohort for anti-CII antibodies. We found elevated anti-CII reactivity in Leishmania-infected patients as compared to controls. When anti-CII OD values were compared with BSA-blocked control plates we found higher reactivity against BSA than in CII-coated plates in many Leishmania-infected patients. The percentage of such false positive anti-CII reactions increased with inflammatory activity, and was found in almost all Leishmania patients with highly active inflammatory disease, but was as low in Sudanese healthy controls as well as among Swedish RA patients. The correlation coefficients between false positive anti-CII and anti-CCP2 measured with a commercial ELISA were highest for patients with the most inflammatory disease but non-significant for Sudanese controls and Swedish RA patients, arguing that our findings may have general implications for ELISA measurements in leishmaniasis. ELISA investigations in areas endemic for leishmaniasis might benefit from individual-specific control wells for each serum sample. This approach might also be applicable to other geographical areas or patient groups with high incidence of inflammatory and infectious diseases.
Infection with Leishmania donovani is associated with IL-10 as well as with GM-CSF. Immune complexes (IC) exert important functions by stimulation of monocytes/macrophage-mediated production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in rheumatic diseases. In this investigation, we have explored IC-induced cytokine production during Leishmania infection. Sera from 43 patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL), 17 patients with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis, and 20 healthy Sudanese controls were precipitated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The PEG precipitates were added to serum-free PBMC for 20 h,whereupon supernatant levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1 receptor antagonist protein, TNF-alpha, TNF receptor p75, and GM-CSF were investigated using ELISA. Circulating levels of C1q-binding IC were also measured in the serum samples. PEG precipitates from Leishmania-infected patients induced significantly higher levels of GM-CSF (p = 0.0037) and IL-10 (p < 0.0001), as well as of IL-6 (p < 0.0001) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (p = 0.0238) as compared with PEG precipitates from controls. Patients with acute VL as well as VL patients receiving sodium stibogluconate treatment displayed significantly increased levels of PEG precipitate-induced GM-CSF. The induction of GM-CSF by circulating IC was especially prominent in acute VL patients receiving sodium stibogluconate treatment; ANOVA revealed significant interaction between disease activity and treatment for PEG precipitate-induced levels of GM-CSF (disease activity, p = 0.0006; treatment, p = 0.0005; interaction, p = 0.0046). Parallel associations were determined for C1q-binding immune complexes, but not for any cytokine other than GM-CSF. The importance of IC-induced GM-CSF in leishmaniasis warrants further study.
Objective. Analysis of antibodies against dsDNA is an important diagnostic tool for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and changes in anti-dsDNA antibody levels are also used to assess disease activity. Herein, 4 assays were compared with regard to SLE specificity, sensitivity, and association with disease activity variables. Methods. Cross-sectional sera from 178 patients with SLE, of which 11 were followed consecutively, from a regional Swedish SLE register were analyzed for immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-dsDNA by bead-based multiplex assay (FIDIS; Theradig), fluoroenzyme-immunoassay (EliA; Phadia/Thermo Fisher Scientific), Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence test (CLIFT; ImmunoConcepts), and line blot (EUROLINE; Euroimmun). All patients with SLE fulfilled the 1982 American College of Rheumatology and/or the 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC-12) classification criteria. Healthy individuals (n = 100), patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 95), and patients with primary Sjogren syndrome (n = 54) served as controls. Results. CLIFT had the highest SLE specificity (98%) whereas EliA had the highest sensitivity (35%). When cutoff levels for FIDIS, EliA, and EUROLINE were adjusted according to SLICC-12 (i.e., double the reference limit when using ELISA), the specificity and sensitivity of FIDIS was comparable to CLIFT. FIDIS and CLIFT also showed the highest concordance (84%). FIDIS performed best regarding association with disease activity in cross-sectional and consecutive samples. Fisher's exact test revealed striking differences between methods regarding associations with certain disease phenotypes. Conclusion. CLIFT remains a good choice for diagnostic purposes, but FIDIS performs equally well when the cutoff is adjusted according to SLICC-12. Based on results from cross-sectional and consecutive analyses, FIDIS can also be recommended to monitor disease activity.
Context: Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS1) is a monogenic disorder that features autoimmune Addison disease as a major component. Although APS1 accounts for only a small fraction of all patients with Addison disease, early identification of these individuals is vital to prevent the potentially lethal complications of APS1.
Objective: To determine whether available serological and genetic markers are valuable screening tools for the identification of APS1 among patients diagnosed with Addison disease.
Design: We systematically screened 677 patients with Addison disease enrolled in the Swedish Addison Registry for autoantibodies against interleukin-22 and interferon-α4. Autoantibody-positive patients were investigated for clinical manifestations of APS1, additional APS1-specific autoantibodies, and DNA sequence and copy number variations of AIRE.
Results: In total, 17 patients (2.5%) displayed autoantibodies against interleukin-22 and/or interferon-α4, of which nine were known APS1 cases. Four patients previously undiagnosed with APS1 fulfilled clinical, genetic, and serological criteria. Hence, we identified four patients with undiagnosed APS1 with this screening procedure.
Conclusion: We propose that patients with Addison disease should be routinely screened for cytokine autoantibodies. Clinical or serological support for APS1 should warrant DNA sequencing and copy number analysis of AIRE to enable early diagnosis and prevention of lethal complications.
Background: 21-Hydroxylase autoantibodies (21OHAb) are markers of an adrenal autoimmune process that identifies individuals with autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD). Quality and inter-laboratory agreement of various 21OHAb tests are incompletely known. The objective of the study was to determine inter-laboratory concordance for 21OHAb determinations. Methods: Sixty-nine sera from 51 patients with AAD and 51 sera from 51 healthy subjects were blindly coded by a randomization center and distributed to 14 laboratories that determined 21OHAb, either by an "in-house" assay (n=9) using in vitro-translated S-35-21OH or luciferase-labeled 21OH or a commercial kit with I-125-21OH (n=5). Main outcome measures were diagnostic accuracy of each participating laboratory and inter-laboratory agreement of 21OHAb assays. Results: Intra-assay coefficient of variation ranged from 2.6% to 5.3% for laboratories using the commercial kit and from 5.1% to 23% for laboratories using "in-house" assays. Diagnostic accuracy, expressed as area under ROC curve (AUC), varied from 0.625 to 0.947 with the commercial kit and from 0.562 to 0.978 with "in-house" methods. Cohen's. of inter-rater agreement was 0.603 among all 14 laboratories, 0.691 among "in-house" laboratories, and 0.502 among commercial kit users. Optimized cutoff levels, calculated on the basis of AUCs, increased the diagnostic accuracy of every laboratory (AUC >0.9 for 11/14 laboratories) and increased the Cohen's. of inter-rater agreement. Discrepancies in quantitation of 21OHAb levels among different laboratories increased with increasing autoantibody levels. Conclusions: The quality of 21OHAb analytical procedures is mainly influenced by selection of cutoff value and correct handling of assay materials. A standardization program is needed to identify common standard sera and common measuring units.
Introduction: We have previously identified endogenously citrullinated peptides derived from fibrinogen in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial tissues. In this study, we have investigated the auto-antigenicity of four of those citrullinated peptides, and explored their feasibility to target anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPA). Methods: The autoantigenic potential of the fibrinogen peptides was investigated by screening 927 serum samples from the Epidemiological Investigation of RA (EIRA) cohort on a peptide microarray based on the ImmunoCAP ISAC (R) system. In order to assay for ACPA blocking, two independent pools of purified ACPA were incubated with the respective targeting peptide prior to binding to cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) 2 using the CCPlus (R) ELISA kit. Results: Two peptides derived from the fibrinogen a chain, Arg573Cit (563-583) and Arg591Cit (580-600), referred to as Cit573 and Cit591, and two peptides from the fibrinogen beta chain, Arg72Cit (62-81) and Arg74Cit (62-81) (Cit72 and Cit74), displayed 65 %, 15 %, 35 %, and 53 % of immune reactivity among CCP2-positive RA sera, respectively. In CCP2-negative RA sera, a positive reactivity was detected in 5 % (Cit573), 6 % (Cit591), 8 % (Cit72), and 4 % (Cit74). In the competition assay, Cit573 and Cit591 peptides reduced ACPA binding to CCP2 by a maximum of 84 % and 63 % respectively. An additive effect was observed when these peptides were combined. In contrast, Cit74 and Cit72 were less effective. Cyclization of the peptide structure containing Cit573 significantly increased the blocking efficiency. Conclusions: Here we demonstrate extensive autoantibody reactivity against in vivo citrullinated fibrinogen epitopes, and further show the potential use of these peptides for antagonizing ACPA.
The anticyclic citrullinated peptide 2 (anti-CCP2) assay is a generic test for antibodies to citrullinated proteins, among which there is a subset of about 50% with antibodies to citrullinated enolase peptide 1 (CEP-1). The anti-CEP-1 positive subset is strongly associated with the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope and its interaction with smoking.
To investigate whether anti-CEP-1 antibodies may be helpful in predicting outcome.
Anti-CEP-1 and anti-CCP2 antibodies were measured in two prospective cohorts of patients (Karolinska n=272, Norfolk Arthritis Register (NOAR) n=408) with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Outcomes measured were C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, visual analogue scales for pain and global assessment of disease activity, Health Assessment Questionnaire, physician's assessment, swollen and tender joint counts and radiological progression.
Anti-CCP2 antibodies were present in 57% and 50%, and anti-CEP-1 in 27% and 24% of the Karolinska and NOAR cohorts, respectively. Importantly, no statistically significant differences in clinical outcomes were demonstrated between the anti-CEP-1-/CCP2+ and the anti-CEP-1+/CCP2+ subsets in either cohort, or in radiological outcomes in the Karolinska cohort.
Although antibodies to specific citrullinated proteins may have distinct genetic and environmental risk factors, the similarity in clinical phenotype suggests that they share common pathways in the pathogenesis of joint disease in RA.
Antibodies against double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) are a specific biomarker for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The first WHO International Standard (IS) for anti-dsDNA (established in 1985), which was used to assign units to diagnostic tests, was exhausted over a decade ago.
Plasma from a patient with SLE was first evaluated in 42 European laboratories. The plasma was thereafter used by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control to prepare a candidate WHO reference preparation for lupus (anti-dsDNA) antibodies. That preparation, coded 15/174, was subjected to an international collaborative study, including 36 laboratories from 17 countries.
The plasma mainly contained anti-dsDNA, other anti-chromatin antibodies and anti-Ku. The international collaborative study showed that the field would benefit from 15/174 as a common reference reagent improving differences in performance between different assays. However, no statistically meaningful overall potency or assay parallelism and commutability could be shown.
15/174 cannot be considered equivalent to the first IS for anti-dsDNA (Wo/80) and was established as a WHO Reference Reagent for lupus (oligo-specific) anti-dsDNA antibodies with a nominal value of 100 units/ampoule. This preparation is intended to be used to align test methods quantifying levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies.


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Letting a house is all about making the house presentable for potential tenants – it's much the same online. If you can advertise your properties online with a modern and fresh website, the adverts will become more appealing to potential viewers.
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Ambassador Countries N - Z
The My Body Is My Body Ambassadors are an integral part of our programme, as without Ambassadors children and parents would not know about our important message. Our Ambassadors around the world are growing every day and I thank each and every one of them for the important part they play in making this a Safer World For Children.
Hassan AzwarSFC™,SSYB®,SCDM-F™, GAIQ, GGA, GPA - My Body is My Body Ambassador - National Youth Parliament Pakistan
Talk Love FoundationTalklove Africa Foundation is geared towards empowering and meeting the needs of less privileged children, vulnerable women and destitute.
Image Talks AfricaImage Talks Africa is a social investment organization promoting growth and development..
Amarachi Kene OkaforCOORDINATOR AT INST.OF S/WORK OF NIG, UNICEF TRAINED SOCIAL INVESTIGATOR, AN EXPERT IN HOME TRACING & BACKGROUND CHECK.
Hope AmbassadorGlobal Goodwill Ambassador, Philantroprenuer, President/Founder - Hope Ambassadors & Childcare Organization
Nick AskewDigital Strategist. Modern Marketer. Co-Founder at Luminary 2, a creative + marketing agency.
Sonia BansalWe are revolutionizing how schools, educators and parents engage!
Our vision at SoCoWorld is to bring the social and collaborative learning aspect back in our child's life. With increasingly busy lifestyle, our kids are missing on 'our' way of growing up!
Stichting GetOn
GetOn Foundation was founded in 2005 with the aim of supporting underprivileged people in developing countries in their pursuit of economic, social, emotional and spiritual independence. GetOn does not just give away money, but helps those who want to be helped by supporting, facilitating and (co-) financing.
The Stichting GetOn Foundation has been such a wonderful support in the first year of launching the My Body Is My Body Free Animations. They have found several translators for Dutch, AfriKaans, Zulu, Xhosa, and the Setswana languages and have also sponsored the studio recordings for the Dutch, Xhosa, and Swahili songs so far.
The Foundation has been invaluable in it's support of the programme and has also been working with us to help develop our website SEO so we can reach more children - A BIG thank you to all of you...
These are our very first Ambassadors
My Body Is my Body Ambassador
Would you like to be an Ambassador for the My Body is My Body Program?
Please note that the My Body Is My Body Programme is NOT a Charity or an NGO it is just a FREE programme available to communities to help spread awareness about Child Abuse Prevention and show people that through music and simple songs we can teach children to be safer. People can not raise money for this programme or charge for for the videos as everything is freely available on the website and Youtube.
The programme is a successful, positive and fun filled musical "body safety" program. Our program has now been animated so that it can be shared with children in schools, nursery schools and homes around the world.
The programme is FREE to everyone, and the program is currently being translated into several different languages so we can keep children around the world safer.
Everyone that works on this program does so at no charge. We do not have any funding and everything that has been achieved is totally through the kindness and goodwill of people like yourself.
Languages Available
Arabic, Bengali, Mandarin , Dutch, French, Hindi, Persian, Portuguese, Spanish
Swahili, Swedish, Urdu, Xhosa, Tamil, Turkish
Languages currently working on:
Swedish, Setswana, German, Japanese
" The intellectual property rights of all videos and content provided to you belongs to My Body is My Body and cannot be copied, renamed, reused, translated or sold by anyone without the express written consent of My Body is My Body. If any such incident is brought to the notice of
My Body is My Body such person shall be liable for both civil and criminal action."
I am open to any ideas that you may have to get the word out and would like to work with you and help you in any way that I can. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Together we will make this world
On May 25th 2018 a new Data Protection Law came into force, known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). By signing this document you agree that you give me permission to keep a record of your personal data i.e name, contact numbers and email address, and also that I am able to contact you by email, phone call, WhattsApp, Text message or messenger.
The My Body Is My Body Programme will only hold information on our Ambassadors, Committee Members and people interested in helping us with the programme. Information kept will include your email, Facebook connection, Telephone number.
Your information will be stored securely on our computer system and will not be accessed by any other person. If you decide not to be an Ambassador or Committee member or wish to have your information removed from our system, please notify us and we will delete your information.
At no time will your information be shared with any third party.


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But why talk only of SRC, why should it be expected to always provide an ambience for amateur artists to survive if not thrive. The role of most auditoriums in general is hostile to theatre, and this, despite the fact that prime land was given to some of them at ridiculously low prices. They were supposed to promote cultural activity, but now they have priced themselves so high that it becomes unaffordable for performers. Without going into specific details the auditoriums charge over Rs. 10,000 for three hours, and on the day before your show, you need to get the auditorium earlier for putting up your set and for your full dress rehearsals; for that you pay extra. Compound this with a new cess - if your show runs into the next day you pay additional standing charges of the set. The hire charges for Kamani auditorium and Subroto auditorium are even steeper. We need not even discuss Triveni because they have stopped letting out their open air theatre and the studio theatre is reserved for dance performances. On the face of it India Habitat Centre was cheaper. In fact, initially it was very friendly to theatre. They even conducted special seminars to discuss the problems faced by theatre people. But look at their price structure. The auditorium is less, but there is a catch, at the low price it is available only from 6 to 10 pm. And if you need it for the whole day, they charge you in 3 hour slabs. A seminar can be conducted in three hours, but no play can be conducted without a rehearsal on site. And you need to put up the set as well. There are some auditoriums like LTG and BC Pal which are more reasonable but they are unable to attract audiences
If theater has to be saved then one of the solutions lies in state sponsorship. NSD has come forward and it is subsidising theatre through an annual Bharat Rang Mahotsav and through Weekend Theatre. But more needs to be done. A subsidised auditorium and rehearsal space
would be ideal. An auditorium like Sapru House may fit into this role. It has been taken over by the Government and renovated. It has a history of Theatre activity behind it. The Children's Film Society used to exhibit its films here. It has a Library, a Canteen and a lawn for theatre lovers to hang around in. Besides theatre friendly policies of the arms of the government, we need a number of people's auditoriums to shore up the chances of amateur theatre to weather the storm and not wither away. Think about it.


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A new house is still a year away. Sigh. But a girl can dream, right?
Let's begin with kitchens. In my heart of hearts, I truly believe that my food can only be truly delicious if cooked in a white kitchen, with stainless steel appliances and a hardwood floor. It is the only way. After surfing the web, I have compiled a list of my favorite white kitchens.
Join me:
Kitchen #1. The brown paint against the white walls is beautiful! Tile back splash might be a little too traditional for my taste... but I still like it.
Kitchen #2: Very modern. Would I dare? Maybe.
Kitchen #3: Natural light is a must!!! Lots and lots. (did you notice the flooring?)
Kitchen #4: Wow. This Kitchen is REALLY white. Maybe too white. But look at those floors! The most beautiful dark hardwood floors in the world. I love them so much that I would lick them.
Kitchen #5: Tile floors. Pooh. But, while I've never considered myself an "orange" girl, I'm digging these walls. Reminds me of autumn time... the best time of the year. With a different back splash and dark hardwood floors, this kitchen would be unstoppable.
Kitchen #6: Very Nautical. I like everything about this kitchen, even the Navy fridge. Do you think it is too cold-looking?
Kitchen #7: I love the subway tile back splash. It is my tile of choice. Modern meets traditional.
Kitchen #8: So bright and cheerful!
My favorite kitchen would be #6... or #2 or #5. They all have lovely things about them.
Which do you like? If you could have a dream kitchen, what would it look like? Or better yet, post some pictures on your blog! Yes, do that! Post pictures!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
I'm Dreaming of a White Kitchen
A new house is still a year away. Sigh. But a girl can dream, right?
Posted by Bethany at 11:05 AM
22 comments:
- Janssen said...
Crawford and I like #1, the second #3 (you have three twice), 6, and 8. I especially like the counter arrangement in 8 - exactly what I'd like someday.
- July 17, 2008 at 12:52 PM
- Janssen said...
Crawford's favorite is 4.
- July 17, 2008 at 12:53 PM
- Melanie said...
I love 3b--all those windows. And I really like how 8 looks like it opens up to another room. For a little while we lived in a house where the kitchen and the family room were basically one big room--very open. I loved it!
SYTYCD: I think Will, Katee, and Chelsea will be the top three, Katee being my favorite. Kherington is really starting to bug. Everyone thinks she's so cute, but she knows it, and every time the camera focuses on her it's like she's TRYING to be cute. I really like Katee because she's almost embarrassed by the attention she gets. I like Courtney too, but I think she's a little more personality than talent so probably won't make it to the end. I we STILL can't get rid of Comfort!
- July 17, 2008 at 1:27 PM
- Evan and Rebecca Jones said...
all so pretty - i'm thinking we could afford that in maybe 30 years. :) when and where are y'all moving to??
- July 17, 2008 at 3:36 PM
- ...Laura... said...
I love them all! I have to admit- I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to do white cabinets. They'd probably look all nasty and dirty all the time! I like black. However- if I had to choose one of these, I wouldn't complain about any! I love the dark brown and orange colors on the walls to contrast the white. Very nice- but not something I would have thought of.
Isn't it fun dreaming of your dream home?
- July 17, 2008 at 8:14 PM
- Steph said...
1,2,4,8! Love love love the white cabnits...also love love love the really dark hardwood. Ahhhhhh, someday I will have a beautiful kitchen! Someday...
- July 17, 2008 at 9:39 PM
- Kristy said...
I like #1, #2, and #4. Oooh, it's good to dream.
- July 19, 2008 at 10:56 AM
- Jessie Nielson said...
I like #8 the best. I like the layout. Kitchens are fun, I finally have one that I like!
- July 20, 2008 at 5:14 PM
- breanna said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- July 21, 2008 at 7:59 AM
- breanna said...
#1 for me. Or #5. I love the pumpkin color too. I could totally see kids running around these kitchens. I would, however, have to have the other unseen wall be the wall of windows/doors like in kitchen #3. It would be perfect--practical, beautiful and bright.
- July 21, 2008 at 8:01 AM
- brenley said...
nice taste! i love #2! the blue is fabulous! #3 & #4 are also wonderful! all i can hope for at this point is a kitchen that doesn't have linoleum floors! maybe one day...
- July 21, 2008 at 2:30 PM
- adrienne said...
Kitchens #4 or 8 for me (as long as there are plenty of red accents. Gotta have red to keep me cheerful in the kitchen.
Also--I truly love that you love white kitchens. Tell your friend Laura, that I have a testimony that white cabinets do not get nasty & dirty. Quite the contrary--white makes your kitchen look clean even if it isn't. Also those white cabinets are a total breeze to wipe off--much easier than wood surfaces--plus you never let them get too dirty because it is obvious when they need a quick wipe.
One more thing--who is Crawford? Is that Bart or is it Janssen's imaginary friend?
P.S. Thomas now has two imaginary friends--Marjorie & James. Please hurry & come to Colorado so that real cousins can replace imaginary friends.
- July 22, 2008 at 1:40 PM
- auntie said...
mmmm...white kitchens...love them! ok, my fav pieces are the subway tile in #7 and the super white vs. super dark in #4 (but i'd have something besides WHITE dishes and accessories in there. sheesh.) but honestly, i'd take any of them because they are CONNECTED TO A HOUSE and not a tiny apartment like i have now. sigh...
have fun choosing what you love!
- July 22, 2008 at 1:40 PM
- Nicole said...
Wow, I never really thought about a white kitchen before!! Thanks for introducing me, I'm now in love. My favorites are 1,3,4,5 and 6. I love the brightness and natural light!
- July 22, 2008 at 4:17 PM
- Heather and Trevor said...
I Love them all! It makes me want a white kitchen now too! I shouldn't complain though because I am happy with what I have I guess.....Ok, I am totally jealous of those kitchens! :) Hope you get the look!
- July 22, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Kitchen #4 is amazing...I am in the middle of a remodel with something very similar. Adding woven matchstick shades would give some much needed warmth. I am laso putting in a slightly funky crystal chandelier for a touch of glam.
- November 2, 2009 at 1:14 PM
- wubblesful said...
White kitchens are perfection. #3 is my choice. All those doors letting the beautiful outdoors come in.
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It's no secret that Christian apologetics is not the same thing as Philosophy or Philosophy of Religion.
If there is one thing that can get under my skin about apologetics, it is the fact that many apologists will present arguments for God's existence in an intellectually dishonest way. What's the dishonest way? Well, I think it's dishonest that many apologists present arguments that didn't convince themselves that God exists. Rather, they already believed that God exists.
The Idea
One way of seeing that it's not the arguments that persuaded a particular apologist is to ask, "If it were shown to you that all these arguments for God's existence are bad arguments, would you then be an atheist?". In my experience, there have been a lot of theists and Christians who say they would still believe in God's existence. That itself is also not genuine in a way. It's not genuine because one is pointing to all these different arguments, but (at the end of the day) they would still believe without the arguments. If the basis for your belief in God's existence is something like an experience or seeming, then just say that.
With that being said, I have just one question for some apologists:
Why would you try to convince someone with an argument for God's existence if that argument is not what convinced you of God's existence?
Without engaging in confirmation bias, would/should you (hypothetical apologist) really find these arguments even close to being strong if you didn't already believe the conclusion (i.e. God exists)? If you honestly have no idea whether you would find said arguments for God's existence compelling if you didn't already believe, then you're practically admitting that you have no idea if the arguments should persuade an unbiased and neutral individual. And if that's the case, then, for all you know, you're wasting your time.
If you wouldn't find the arguments for God's existence to be good without already believing the conclusion that God exists, then be open about that. And, perhaps, stop presenting the arguments!
None of this is to say that apologists should never present arguments for God's existence; however, the issue at hand is whether the argument is what originally convinced a certain apologist.
In addition, by "dishonest" I do not mean that certain apologists are somehow consciously aware of what they are doing (e.g. lying). Instead, I mean that they should know better.
Thirdly, nowhere did I state that one needed to have an argument in order to have a rational belief in a proposition.
Some atheists have been persuaded by arguments for God's existence, and they became theists.
I don't deny that this can happen, but it's rare. But even though it is true, it doesn't really get to the heart of this post. Fundamentally, my post isn't directed at those who were persuaded by the arguments to become theists. In addition, the point is not whether some people became convinced by an argument; rather, the issue is whether some people should have become convinced by a particular argument.


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I have one friend who's a true movie aficionado. He works in the entertainment industry. I'm pretty sure over half of his Facebook posts and check-ins are at movie theaters announcing he's seeing yet another just released film.
Meanwhile, I'm over here, getting to see most animated movies as long as they don't seem to scary for my kids. (Not that I don't love kids movies–I do! You know I love Disney animated films with my whole heart. It's just that I rarely get to see a movie in a theater that's not rated G). Am I jealous of my movie-loving friend who seems to see every single movie ever? Yes.
Even though I'm jealous of this guy's freedom to see movies all the time, I take his opinion seriously. I trust his judgment. So when he shared that he had seen over 50 movies in the summer of 2014, and his number one pick was The Hundred-Foot Journey I knew I had to see it soon.
I'm so excited that The Hundred-Foot Journey is available for purchase just in time for Christmas!
From producers Steven Spielberg & Oprah Winfrey and director Lasse Hallström (Chocolat, The Cider House Rules) comes the deliciously entertaining story of The Hundred-Foot Journey.
Based on the beloved, best-selling novel by Richard C. Morais and starring Academy Award-winner Helen Mirren (The Queen, Monsters University, The Debt), this flavorful tale of cultural differences, shared passions, and the unifying nature of food is the perfect gift for movie fans of all ages this holiday season!
Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal) is a culinary ingénue with the gastronomic equivalent of perfect pitch. Displaced from their native India, the Kadam family, led by Papa (Om Puri), settles in the quaint village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in the south of France. Filled with charm, it is both picturesque and elegant – the ideal place to settle down and open an Indian restaurant, the Maison Mumbai. That is, until the chilly chef proprietress of Le Saule
That is, until the chilly chef proprietress of Le Saule Pleureur, a Michelin starred, classical French restaurant run by Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren), gets wind of it. Her icy protests against the new Indian restaurant a hundred feet from her own escalate to all-out war between the two establishments – until Hassan's passion for French haute cuisine and for Mme. Mallory's enchanting sous chef, Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon), combine with his mysteriously delicious talent to weave magic between their two cultures and imbue Saint-Antonin with the flavors of life that even Mme. Mallory cannot ignore.
At first Mme. Mallory's culinary rival, she eventually recognizes Hassan's gift as a chef and takes him under her wing.
Extra found on both the Digital HD & Blu-Ray Combo Pack and the DVD of The Hundred-Foot Journey:
The Recipe, The Ingredients, the Journey: Enter the enchanting world of the film on set with director Lasse Hallström, producer Juliet Blake, author Richard Morais, cast, crew, chefs and composer A.R. Rahman. "The Hundred-Foot Journey" comes to life from the pages of the book, to stunning locations in the South of France, with a beautifully crafted story (and mouth-watering food) that will make you hungry for home and the spice of life.
Additional Extras included on the Digital HD & Blu-Ray Combo Pack of The Hundred-Foot Journey:
The Hundred-Foot Journey with Steven Spielberg & Oprah Winfrey: Producers Steven Spielberg & Oprah Winfrey sit down to discuss "The Hundred-Foot Journey." What was it about the project that brought them together for their first collaboration in 30 years since "The Color Purple." This piece is complimented with photography from the sets to give it an even more personal feel.
On Set With Oprah Winfrey: Production designer David Gropman gives Oprah Winfrey a tour of the Maison Mumbai and the "Hundred-Foot Journey" to the Le Saule Pleureur.
Coconut Chicken: Learn how to make coconut chicken in this demonstration of a beautiful, Indian inspired dish with Chef Anil Sharma.
The Hundred-Foot Journey is rated PG and is available for purchase now! You can buy the movie in either format via these links on Amazon:
The Hundred-Foot Journey on Digital HD & Blu-Ray combo pack