BHK cell attachment and growth on EDA-plasma-modified poly(L-lactide/epsilon-caprolactone) biodegradable films

In this study, attachment and growth of Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK) cells on ethylene diamine (EDA)-plasma-treated poly(L-lactide/epsilon-caprolactone) biodegradable copolymer films were investigated. The co-polymer (Mw: 58000; Mn: 35000 and PI 1.60) was synthesised by ring-opening polymerization of the respective dimers with using stannous octoate as the catalyst. The final ratio of L-lactide to epsilon-caprolactone obtained by 1H-NMR was 87:13. The co-polymer films were treated with the EDA-plasma in a glow-discharge apparatus. The BHK-30 cell line was cultured on plain and EDA-plasma-treated films and their pre-wetted forms (with ethanol and/or cell culture medium before use). Cell attachment and growth were followed. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and glucose uptake in cell culture medium were also investigated. There was no attachment in the first 12 h. Glow-discharge treatment increased significantly the attachment and growth. Pre-wetting with ethanol and cell culture medium was also increase significantly both the attachment and growth.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Demodex folliculorum</Emphasis> in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and density of Demodex folliculorum in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Forty-one patients with RA and twenty-seven age and sex matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Disease Activity Score (DAS 28) was used for the assessment of disease activity. Out of 41 patients, 33 were females and 8 males. The mean disease duration was 10.9 ± 8.2 years. The mean DAS 28 was 3.8 ± 1.2. No statistically significant differences in the incidence and density of Demodex mites were found between patients with RA and controls. Although immunosuppression is thought to be a risk factor for the D. folliculorum infestation no such correlations could be found in the 41 immunosuppressed patients with RA, therefore, further studies with larger groups are needed.     

Cross-cultural adaptation,validity and reliability of Turkish version of Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for children with congenital talipes equinovarus

BackgroundThe purpose of the study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire (OxAFQ) to provide cultural adaptation.MethodsThis study involved translation, back translation, and cross-cultural adaptation. Forty-nine patients with congenital talipes equinovarus were evaluated using the Turkish version of OxAFQ. Turkish version of the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) was used as a gold standard to validate the Turkish version of the OxAFQ. The validation was assessed with Spearman correlation analysis by using CHAQ. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed with Cronbach alpha (internal consistency) and exploratory factor analysis.ResultsHigh validity was found between OxAFQ and CHAQ (r = -0.422?0.292) (p < 0.01). Reliability analysis showed that OxAFQ had a high level of Cronbach alpha (α = 0.88?0.96) and internal consistency (ICC = 0.90?0.96).ConclusionThe Turkish version of OxAFQ is a valid, reliable and useful quality of life questionnaire in patients with congenital talipes equinovarus and it is proper for use by health professionals and researchers.     

Projecting future drug expenditures--2003.

Drug expenditure projections for 2003 and factors likely to influence drug costs are discussed. The United States continues to face the challenge of increased growth in health expenditures, and drug expenditures are continuing to increase faster than the growth in total health care expenditures. These increases can be largely attributed to an increase in the average age of the U.S. population and technological advancement. On the basis of price inflation and non-price inflationary factors, including increases in volume, shifts in patient and therapeutic intensity, and expected approval of new drugs, a 10-12% increase in drug expenditures in 2003 for the inpatient setting and a 13.5-15.5% increase for ambulatory care settings are forecasted. While few new drugs are expected to greatly influence expenditures in 2003, the continued diffusion of recently approved drugs such as drotrecogin alfa and nesiritide will have a dramatic impact on total drug expenditures and must be carefully considered in the budgeting process. An agent likely to have a significant impact on HIV treatment is enfuvirtide, the first in a new class of antiretrovirals (fusion inhibitors), but its high cost ($10,000-$15,000 per year) may limit patients' access to this medication. An expanded user's guide is provided to assist the reader in appropriate application of this information in the drug budgeting process. Technological, demographic, and market-based changes and changes in public policy will continue to influence pharmaceutical expenditures in the coming year. An understanding of the overall drivers of medication expenditures and vigilance in monitoring pharmaceutical innovation are critical in the effective management of these resources.     

Cardiac Autonomic Function and Global Left Ventricular Performance in Autoimmune Eauthyroid Chronic Thyroiditis: Is Treatment Necessary at the Euthyroid Stage?

Objective: Autoimmune chronic thyroiditis (ACT) is characterized by lymphocyte infiltration in the thyroid gland and the presence of antithyroid antibodies in serum. Medical treatment does not affect antibody levels and treatment decision is not definite yet for the euthyroid patients. We aimed to evaluate cardiac autonomic function and global left ventricular performance in autoimmune euthyroid chronic thyroiditis and determine the need for medical treatment. Method: We studied 30 ACT patients and 25 healthy control subjects. Cardiac autonomic function is evaluated by heart rate recovery (HRR). Global left ventricular performance is evaluated by two‐dimensional echocardiography and pulsed‐wave tissue Doppler echocardiography. Results: There was no difference between patients and controls with respect to clinical and biochemical parameters except hemoglobin (13.67 ± 1.25 g/dL, 14.51 ± 1.35 g/dL, p:0.047) and low density lipoprotein (120.71 ± 24.91 mg/dL, 100.55 ± 14.73 mg/dL, p: 0.003). Tei index was significantly higher in ACT group (0.521 ± 0.074, 0.434 ± 0.034, P < 0.0001). E′/A′ was found to be significantly lower (1.234 ± 0.42, 1.750 ± 0.291, P < 0.0001) and E/E′ was found to be higher than the controls (8.482 ± 0.449, 6.039 ± 0.209, P < 0.0001). HRR was significantly lower than the controls (20 ± 4 BPM, 30 ± 8 BPM, P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Although left ventricular performance is found to be normal by conventional echocardiographic methods, it is found to be impaired when Tei index and tissue Doppler parameters are used. Cardiac autonomic function is also impaired in ACT patients. As a result of these cardiac changes, medical treatment may be considered earlier, even at the euthyroid stage. (Echocardiography 2011;28:15‐21)