Methods: In total, 128 end-stage medial-type knee OA patients were enrolled and followed up for 6 months. MRI using the whole-organ MRI scoring (WORMS) method, radiographic findings, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and a patient-oriented outcome measure, and the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM) were recorded at baseline. The area under the curve (AUC) was estimated to determine the discriminative value of the prediction models.
Results: While 74 patients (57.8%) did not undergo TKA, the remaining 54 patients (42.2%) underwent TKA during this period. The AUCs of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the activities of daily living (ADL) score evaluated by the JKOM ADL score [0.70 (95% CI: 0.60–0.79)] and osteophyte score [0.72 (0.64–0.81)] were 0.70 or greater. The JKOM ADL score (17/40) and the osteophyte score (30/98) showed relative risks (RR) of 2.61 (1.32–5.15) and 3.01 (1.39–6.52) for undergoing TKA, respectively.
Conclusion: The osteophyte score detected by MRI, in addition to ADL score, was found to be an important factor in determining whether the patient should undergo TKA. 相似文献
Methods: Seventy-six RA patients who underwent primary TKA with more than two years of follow-up were retrospectively reviewed to assess postoperative knee function and disease activity.
Results: Postoperative knee function was significantly improved in all clinical scores, and maintained up to 24 months after surgery. RA disease activity was significantly decreased in DAS28-CRP, CDAI, and serum CRP level, and maintained up to 24 months after surgery. Postoperative knee function was negatively correlated with RA disease activity.
Conclusions: TKA improves both knee function and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 相似文献
Methods: Forty-seven consecutive participants with knee OA were included in this cross-sectional study. They were divided according to the results of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale into a group with a low level of confidence in physical functioning (ABC < 50, n = 22) and a group with moderate and high levels of confidence (ABC ≥ 50, n = 25).
Results: In the ABC < 50 group, the effect of pain on ADL, the physician’s global assessment of the disease, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores were significantly higher, while quality of life (Short form-36) was lower compared to the ABC ≥ 50 group. No significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the static and dynamic balance measurements.
Conclusions: Older people with knee OA who were less confident in their daily physical activities had more physical difficulties and a greater effect of pain on ADL, lower quality of life, and a higher physician’s global assessment, but no differences were obtained in balance tests.
Clinical Implications: In people with knee OA, decreased balance confidence is associated with more physical difficulties, an increased effect of pain on ADL, and lower quality of life. An improved awareness of decreased balance confidence may lead to more effective management of older people with knee OA by improving their mobility and QOL through rehabilitation. Furthermore, future research in that direction is warranted. 相似文献
To describe the risky behaviours of Jamaican teens with sickle cell disease (SCD) and compare them to a national sample of Jamaican youth.
Methods
One hundred twenty two SCD adolescents, 15–19 years old, completed the standardized questionnaire used in the Jamaican Youth Risk and Resiliency Behaviour Survey (JYRRBS), which was a nationally representative survey of 1317 Jamaican youths. Information was obtained on socio-demographics, smoking, alcohol use, and sexual activity. Secondary data from the JYRRBS were extracted to measure the difference in risky behaviours between the groups.
Results
Almost 50% of SCD and 58% of national teens reported having had sexual intercourse. More SCD teens used alcohol (77.7% vs. 60.7%; P value = 0.001). Risky behaviours tended to coexist and living with a parent (odds ratio: 0.62, P value <0.01) and currently attending school (odds ratio: 0.43, P value <0.001) lowered the likelihood of having had sex.
Discussion
SCD teens engage in many risky behaviours and health care professionals should screen and counsel them at each visit. 相似文献
This study aimed to investigate the expression levels of T-cell immune response cDNA 7 (TIRC7) in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients before and after high-dose dexamethasone (HD-DXM) treatment.
Methods
Forty-four patients with ITP were enrolled and received dexamethasone (40 mg/day) for 4 consecutive days. Patients who had platelet counts more than 50 × 109/l or less were defined as responders or non-responders, respectively. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to measure RNA level and plasma level of TIRC7, respectively.
Results
TIRC7 levels (RNA and plasma level) were significantly higher in ITP than that in control (P < 0.0001). However, after treatment, TIRC7 levels were significantly decreased in responders (P < 0.0001) but not in non-responders (P > 0.05).
Discussions
TIRC7 might be associated with the pathogenesis of ITP, and TIRC7 levels could be used as an indicator to evaluate patients’ response to HD-DXM treatment. 相似文献
To investigated the relationship between CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) and prognosis in adults with acute leukemia.
Methods
Bone marrow samples from 53 acute myeloid leukemia and 50 acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients were collected. The methylation status of 18 tumor suppressor genes was determined using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction.
Results
Greater than 30% of acute leukemia patients had methylated p15, p16, CDH1, CDH13, RUNX3, sFRP1, ID4, and DLC-1 genes; methylation of ≥4 were defined as CIMP positive. Age, type of leukemia, white blood cell count, and CIMP status were significantly associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) (P < 0.05). CIMP status was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio: 2.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.03–4.15, P = 0.040). CIMP-negative patients had significantly improved RFS and OS (P < 0.05). p16 and DLC1 methylation was significantly associated with RFS and OS (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
CIMP may serve as an independent risk factor for evaluating the prognosis of patients with acute leukemia. 相似文献
To evaluate the influence of age on the relationships between biochemical and hematological variables and stability of erythrocyte membrane in relation to the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in population of 105 female volunteers between 20 and 90 years.
Methods
The stability of RBC membrane was determined by non-linear regression of the dependency of the absorbance of hemoglobin released as a function of SDS concentration, represented by the half-transition point of the curve (D50) and the variation in the concentration of the detergent to promote lysis (dD).
Results
There was an age-dependent increase in the membrane stability in relation to SDS. Analyses by multiple linear regression showed that this stability increase is significantly related to the hematological variable red cell distribution width (RDW) and the biochemical variables blood albumin and cholesterol.
Discussion
The positive association between erythrocyte stability and RDW may reflect one possible mechanism involved in the clinical meaning of this hematological index. 相似文献
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with perioperative vascular (SCD-related) and non-vascular complications. To minimize perioperative complications during elective surgery, either exchange blood transfusion or simple blood transfusion can be used. We systematically reviewed the literature and meta-analyzed randomized and observational trials comparing exchange transfusion to simple transfusion, as well as studies comparing preoperative transfusion to no transfusion to assess the relative risk (RR) and benefit of each strategy in sickle cell patients undergoing surgery.
Methods
Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane-controlled trial register were searched to identify studies that evaluated exchange transfusion to simple transfusion, as well as studies comparing any form of blood transfusion with no transfusion. Studies were evaluated according to a priori inclusion criteria and critically appraised using established internal validity criteria. Pooled RR was estimated using a random effects model.
Results
Three randomized trials and seven observational studies were included. We found there was no difference between exchange transfusion and simple transfusion for perioperative mortality, vascular, or non-vascular perioperative complications. However, transfusion-related complications (RR 2.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49–3.91) and the amount of blood transfused (mean difference 2.03, 95% CI: 1.23–2.83) were higher in those treated with exchange transfusion versus simple transfusion. Similarly, there was no difference in perioperative mortality, vascular, or non-vascular perioperative complications between those treated with preoperative transfusion strategy and no transfusion strategy.
Conclusion
Based on the current literature, neither preoperative exchange transfusion nor simple transfusion reduces perioperative complications in patients with SCD who are undergoing surgery; however, available studies were underpowered to detect a treatment effect. 相似文献
Currently, multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable disease. Despite the fact that arsenic trioxide (ATO) shows promising results in vitro, data from treatment of patients with MM are disappointing. Due to these discrepancies, we compared the efficacy and selectivity of ATO at two different concentrations in samples from MM patients.
Methods
The extent of apoptosis induced by 2 and 5 µM ATO was evaluated by flow cytometry using annexin V. 34 diagnostic bone marrow samples obtained from MM patients were analysed.
Results
5 µM ATO efficiently induced apoptosis in primary samples. Besides efficacy, also selectivity of action on MM cells in comparison to remaining haematopoietic cells was demonstrated for 5 µM ATO but not for 2 µM ATO.
Discussion
Our study on primary samples confirmed that ATO has a potential role in therapeutic management of MM. Further controlled studies on MM patients are needed. 相似文献
Patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia tend to present later in life with milder anemia than beta-thalassemia major patients. The incidence of mortality and its causes in this patient population remains unknown. We aim to reveal the incidence and most common causes of death in this population.
Methods and results
We reviewed the charts of all of the beta-thalassemia intermedia patients who had been followed at the Chronic Care Center in Hazmieh, Lebanon during a 10-year period. A total of 18 patients out of 127 had died during the follow-up period giving a cumulative 10-year mortality incidence of 14%. The most common causes of cardiac deaths were due to renal and cardiac causes.
Discussion
Most causes of death have been linked to the high levels of iron coupled with anemia present in this patient population. Many of deaths could be prevented by adequate treatment.
Conclusion
Larger studies with more comprehensive data capture on risk factors of mortality in this patient population are called for. 相似文献
Introduction of high-dose chemotherapy and the novel agents including bortezomib, Lenalidomide, and Thalidomide has provided a significant progress in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) with an increase in median overall survival up to 6–8 years. However, the advances in myeloma treatment comes at a price with new spectrum of treatment-related infectious complications which should be taken into consideration while treating these patients.
Clinical presentation
We report here two patients with Ig G λ MM presenting with intracerebral mass lesions in the abscence of constitutional symptoms that would suggest an infectious etiology. Both patients had severe hypogammaglobulinemia and lymphopenia, which was attributed to treatment regimens including bortezomib.
Intervention
The surgical intervention-revealed abscess in both cases caused by Nocardia cyriacigeorgica, a relatively new pathogen which rarely causes infections in humans and also an unexpected pathogen in myeloma patients.
Conclusion
Although every aspect of immune system is known to be affected in MM, humoral immune deficiency is the hallmark of the inherent immune defect in this disease. Introduction of the novel agents, bortezomib in particular seems to have changed the characteristics of the immune dysfunction and the spectrum of the opportunistic infections by causing qualitative and quantitative changes in cellular immunity. The new spectrum of infectious agents might not be limited to hepatitis B and herpes zoster. Monitoring lymphopenia and administration of prophylactic antimicrobial agents accordingly could be considered in patients treated with bortezomib. 相似文献
Bacterial contamination of platelet products is the major infectious risk in blood transfusion medicine, which can result in life-threatening sepsis in recipient. Lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) is an iron-sequestering protein in the antibacterial innate immune response, which inhibit bacterial growth. This study was aimed to evaluate the antibacterial property of Lcn2 in preventing bacterial contamination of platelets.
Methods
Recombinant Lcn2 was expressed in a eukaryotic expression system and following purification and characterization of the recombinant Lcn2, its minimum inhibitory concentration was determined. Then, platelet concentrates were inoculated with various concentrations of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis, and the antibacterial effects of Lcn2 was evaluated at 20–24°C.
Results
Results revealed that Lcn2 effectively inhibited the growth of 1.5 × 104 CFU/ml S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, E. coli, and E. faecalis at 40 ng/ml. At this concentration, Lcn2 also inhibited the growth of 1.5 × 103 CFU/ml Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis.
Conclusion
Recombinant Lcn2 inhibited growth of a variety of platelet-contaminating bacteria. Therefore, supplementation of platelet concentrates with Lcn2 may reduce bacterial contamination. 相似文献
The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of localized treatments to persistently stop epistaxis in patients with inherited bleeding disorders.
Methods
In a self-controlled comparative clinical trial, to offer the best solution to stop epistaxis at home (within 10 minutes), patients with inherited bleeding disorders were treated using three different topical hemostatic agents, including Tranexamic acid impregnated tampon, EpiCell tampon prepared from oxidized regenerated cellulose pad, and ChitoHem tampon (reinforced with chitosan). The results of using these different products on three groups of randomly selected patients were ultimately compared using the χ2 and Fisher's exact test statistics.
Results
A total of 31 patients, 5 females and 26 males with a mean age of 5.6 years, were included in the study. Twenty-three patients had Glanzmann disease, four had von-Willebrand disease, two had Bernard soulier syndrome, two had activated factor VII deficiency, and one patient had impaired secretion of adenosine deaminase. The study exhibited that statistically there was no significant difference between EpiCell tampon and Tranexamic acid impregnated tampon treatments with respect to the hemostasis duration. However, ChitoHem tampon was more efficient than Tranexamic acid impregnated tampon (P value <0.001) and EpiCell tampon (P value < 0.05).
Conclusion
ChitoHem tampon, the chitosan-reinforced product, was the best therapy solution to stop epistaxis. We recommend further research on the use of other hemostatic agents for localized bleeding in patients with inherited bleeding disorders. 相似文献
Despite the excellent efficacy results of imatinib treatment in CML patients, resistance to imatinib has emerged as a significant problem. Genetic variations in genes involved in drug transportation might influence the pharmacokinetic and metabolism of imatinib. The genotype of a patient is increasingly recognized in influencing the response to the treatment.
Aim
To investigate the genotype frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) G2677T in CML patients undergoing imatinib treatment to determine whether different genotype pattern of these SNPs have any influence in mediating response to imatinib.
Methods
A total of 96 CML and 90 control samples were analyzed for the human multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1) gene polymorphism (G2677T) using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique.
Results
Genotype distribution revealed a significant lower frequency of TT genotype in CML patients and non-significant difference in the GG, GT genotype frequencies between patients and controls (P = 0.004, 0.138, 0.210, respectively). GG genotype was significantly higher in chronic phase (P = 0.046), while GT genotype was significantly higher in Blastic crisis phase (P = 0.002). There was a significant difference in genotype frequency of G2677T among patients showing response and resistance to imatinib in chronic phase (P = 0.02). TT genotype was associated with complete hematological response (P = 0.01), complete cytogenetic response (P < 0.001), and better molecular response with a significant association (P < 0.001). GT genotype was associated with partial hematological response (P = 0.01) and minor cytogenetic response (P < 0.001). Optimal and suboptimal responses were observed for patients with TT genotype (P = 0.003). Failure of drug response was associated with GT genotype (P = 0.02); however, GG had no association with drug response. Multivariate analysis considered GT genotype as independent risk factor for resistance (P = 0.037), while TT genotype as protective factor against resistance to imatinib (P = 0.008).
Conclusion
Determination of MDR1 polymorphisms (G2677T) might be useful in response prediction to therapy with imatinib in patients with CML. 相似文献
Thrombocytopenia is common in HIV-infected individuals and often requires a diagnostic bone marrow examination. Interpretation may, however, be limited due to the multifactorial nature of HIV-associated thrombocytopenia and the difficulty in assessing megakaryocyte function morphologically. The immature platelet fraction (IPF) is a parameter which reportedly reflects megakaryocyte activity, with an IPF >7.7% suggesting increased platelet production. The aim of this study was to correlate the IPF with the bone marrow findings as well as other clinical variables of interest in South African patients with HIV-associated thrombocytopenia.
Methods
Seventy-eight HIV-positive patients with thrombocytopenia were enrolled from the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. The IPF levels were measured using a Sysmex XE-5000 haematology analyzer and were correlated with bone marrow and other findings.
Results
The median IPF was 7.6%, ranging from 1.3 to 44%. It was raised in 78% of patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) (median = 16.3%) and low in 79% of patients with hypocellular marrow (median = 6.5%). Surprisingly, it was highly variable among patients with malignant marrow infiltration and mycobacterial infection of the bone marrow (BMTB) (median = 8.4 and 7.1%, respectively). Mulitivariate linear regression analysis confirmed a significant independent inverse relationship between the IPF and hypocellular marrow (P < 0.0001), a marginally significant positive association with ITP (P = 0.059), and the absence of any relationship with malignant infiltration or BMTB. The IPF had a significant inverse association with the platelet count (P = 0.0006), but was unrelated to the CD4 count and exposure to anti-retroviral therapy. Unexpectedly, it showed a significant positive association with the HIV viral load (P = 0.005). We speculate this to reflect increased megakaryocyte activity in compensation for accelerated platelet clearance due to HIV-driven platelet activation.
Conclusion
This study investigates the role of the IPF in HIV-associated thrombocytopenia, and emphasizes the limitations of morphological analysis in determining megakaryocyte function. 相似文献
Methods: This study involved 200 subjects with knee pain (mean age, 48.7 years; range, 14–80 years) with no severe osteoarthritic changes on plain X-ray. T1ρ values were measured in the regions of interest on the surface layer of the cartilage on mid-coronal images of the femorotibial joint. Assessment of medial and lateral posterior tibial slope (MTS, LTS) and medial and lateral femoral condylar offset ratio (MFCOR, LFCOR) was performed using sagittal proton density-weighted imaging. Morphological assessment of posterior root and horn of menisci was also performed according to a modified Whole Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) of the knee.
Results: Multiple regression analysis revealed that a decrease in MTS was associated with increased T1ρ values in the medial tibia, independent of age, osteoarthritic changes on plain X-ray, femur-tibia angle (FTA), and posterior medial meniscal lesions.
Conclusions: Shallow MTS correlates with cartilage degeneration in symptomatic patients. This parameter could help in understanding the etiology of osteoarthritis in the early stage. Future kinematic studies will be needed to confirm our findings. 相似文献
This current study was conducted to determine the effect of zinc supplementation on antibody titers to heat shock protein 27 (anti-HSP27) in patients with beta-thalassemia major (β-TM).
Methods
This was a double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted at Dr Sheikh Hospital (Mashhad, Iran) from 2011 to 2012. Sixty-four patients (41 females and 23 males), aged between 8 and 18 years with transfusion-dependent β-TM were randomly allocated to two age- and sex-matched groups. The zinc (case) group received 30 mg of daily zinc sulfate supplementation and the placebo (control) group received same shape and color placebo over 9 months period of the trial. Serum anti-HSP27 titers were measured at the third and ninth months of the trial, using an in-house enzyme-linked immune-absorbent assay.
Result
There was a significant difference in anti-HSP27 titers, between the groups after 9 months. The baseline value of anti-HSP27 was 0.44 ± 0.15 in zinc group and were significantly decreased to 0.40 ± 0.18 after 9 months on treatment, while the baseline value of anti-HSP27 were significantly increased from 0.43 ± 0.17 to 0.44 ± 0.18 in the placebo group (P = 0.01).
Conclusion
Serum anti-HSP27 titers were significantly reduced in patients with β-TM treated with zinc supplements compared to a group treated with a placebo. It suggests that the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of zinc supplements may account for a reduction in anti-HSP27 titers in patients with β-TM. 相似文献
Methods: This is 1-year longitudinal observational study. We recruited ninety-eight patients before and after THA. Fear of falling was assessed for 12 ADLs preoperatively and postoperatively at 3, 6, and 12 months following THA. In addition, we asked patients to answer whether they had refrained from performing each ADL because of fear of falling.
Results: Fifty-two patients were enrolled for the analysis. The total fear of falling score during ADLs decreased with time after THA. The ADLs in which many patients (over 20%) felt fear even at 12 months were using the stairs (25%), sitting and standing from the floor (23%), and walking around the neighborhood (21%). Approximately 10% of patients were restricted in performing ADLs, such as sitting and standing from the floor, because of fear.
Conclusions: Patients undergoing THA frequently experience fear of falling during some ADLs even at 1 year after the operation, which could cause ADL restrictions.
Clinical Implications: Clinicians should evaluate fear of falling and institute rehabilitation programs individually to decrease excessive fear that might lead to ADL restrictions. 相似文献
We aimed to investigate the acute physiological responses (APR) to physiotherapy applications in patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), the difference between pre- and post-ASCT according to APR.
Methods
Twenty-six patients who were hospitalized for ASCT attended regular physiotherapy program. APR was recorded in the beginning and at the end of each exercise session. The differences in APR were calculated for each session. The mean values of the differences in APR were computed in pre-conditioning, pre-, and post-ASCT. Daily complete blood counts were also recorded during ASCT.
Results
Hemoglobin and platelet counts were significantly lower pre- and post-ASCT. Neutrophil counts were significantly lower post-ASCT. The difference in systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the beginning and at the end of the exercise sessions was significantly higher post-ASCT in comparison to pre-ASCT.
Conclusion
There was no significant change in APR except the SBP which suggests that similar level of exercise intensity could be tolerated in pre- and post-ASCT periods as well as preconditioning. 相似文献