Whole body MR imaging in ankylosing spondylitis: a descriptive pilot study in patients with suspected early and active confirmed ankylosing spondylitis

Background  

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorder which usually begins in early adulthood. The diagnosis is often delayed by many years. MR imaging has become the preferred imaging method for detection of early inflammation of the axial skeleton in ankylosing spondylitis.     

Anti-endotoxin therapy in primate bacteremia with HA-1A and BPI.

OBJECTIVE: The in vivo neutralizing activities of an anti-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antibody HA-1A (Centoxin [Centocor, Malvern, PA]), a human immunoglobulin M monoclonal antibody, and of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), an endogenously produced human LPS-neutralizing protein, were studied in a primate model of lethal Escherichia coli bacteremia. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: HA-1A has been used with variable success against LPS activity in some animal models and in a recently reported clinical trial. However, no data assessing the efficacy of this agent in subhuman primates is available. Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein is a product of polymorphomononuclear cells (PMNs) that is stored in azurophilic granules and exhibits LPS-neutralizing activity in vitro and in some in vivo models. METHODS: Immediately after E. coli infusion and in a blinded fashion, three baboons were treated with BPI (5 mg/kg bolus infusion and 95 micrograms/kg/min infusion over 4 hr). Three animals received 3 mg/kg BW of HA-1A, whereas another three baboons received a placebo treatment. RESULTS: The BPI-treated animals demonstrated significantly (p < 0.03) lower circulating LPS-limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) activity compared with the control animals, but this reduction in LPS-LAL activity was not associated with improved survival. HA-1A treatment did not reduce LPS-LAL activity. However, both BPI and HA-1A treatment did attenuate the pro-inflammatory cytokine response. CONCLUSION: The current data suggests that incomplete neutralization of endotoxin activity does not alter mortality from severe bacteremia. Given the diversity of mediator production under such circumstances, a strategy of combination therapy in the form of anti-lipopolysaccharide and anticytokine treatment may be necessary to achieve optimal survival.     

The frequency, prognosis and significance of nerve injuries in total hip arthroplasty

Summary. Although the incidence of post-operative nerve palsy after total hip replacement is rare, it is an important complication for the patient. In a retrospective study the results of 2713 hip arthroplasties were reviewed. Sixty-one cases (2.24%) of post-operative neuropathy were identified, 13 of the sciatic nerve, 33 of the peroneal nerve and 15 of the femoral nerve. The risk is significantly higher in revisions (3.06%), especially when exchanging the acetabular component (8.5%) rather than in primary arthroplasties (2.13%). After an average period of 107 months (11 – 240) from operation, 41 patients with nerve lesions were questioned about their subjective functional capacity: 17% had recovered completely, 39% had noticed an improvement, and in 44% there was no change; 56.1% complained of weakness and had a complete paralysis. In all cases there was dysfunction of sensibility. Another 17.1% had a sensibility defect without weakness. There was pain in 51.2%, paraesthesia in 34.1% and areas of complete anaesthesia in 19.5%. Altogether 61% of the 41 patients had either gait problems or were dependent on orthotic devices. In summary, only about a third of the patients studied achieved a satisfactory degree of functional recovery.

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Résumé. Bien que les lésions nerveuses soient assez rares après l’implantation de prothèses totales de la hanche, il s’agit d’une complication grave pour le patient. Dans une étude rétrospective, on a analysé les résultats de 2723 endoprothèses totales: il y avait 61 cas de neuropathie postopératoires, 13 cas concernaient le nerf sciatique, 33 cas le nerf sciatique poplité externe et 15 cas le nerf crural. Le risque augmente d’une manière plus significative en cas de révision (3,06%) – surtout en cas de changements isolés du cotyle (8,5%) – qu’en cas d’implantation de prothèses primaires. Après une durée moyenne de 107 mois (11 – 240), 41 patients ont été interrogés sur leurs pertes fonctionnelles actuelles: 17% parlaient d’une récupération complète, 39% d’une récupération partielle, et 44% d’une absence de récupération.

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Accepted: 29 April 1996     

慢性低氧时小鼠肺组织低氧诱导因子-1α的表达

目的：研究低氧时小鼠肺组织中低氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-k)表达的变化。方法：实验用雄性小鼠，低氧仓浓度分别为10％、7％、5％。用免疫荧光组织化学技术及共聚焦显微术，检测小鼠在低氧条件下肺组织中HIF-1α表达的变化。结果：正常组小鼠肺组织HIF-1α无表达，低氧组HIF-1α表达增加，且随低氧时间的延长及低氧强度的增加而增强。结论：低氧可诱导小鼠肺组织中HIF-1α的表达增强，(HIF-k)可能参与肺组织细胞凋亡的发生。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">TCF7L2</Emphasis>variant genotypes and type 2 diabetes risk in Brazil: significant association,but not a significant tool for risk stratification in the general population

Background  

Genetic polymorphisms of the TCF7L2 gene are strongly associated with large increments in type 2 diabetes risk in different populations worldwide. In this study, we aimed to confirm the effect of the TCF7L2 polymorphism rs7903146 on diabetes risk in a Brazilian population and to assess the use of this genetic marker in improving diabetes risk prediction in the general population.