Hand joint space narrowing and osteophytes are associated with magnetic resonance imaging-defined knee cartilage thickness and radiographic knee osteoarthritis: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Objective: To evaluate whether features of radiographic hand osteoarthritis (OA) are associated with quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-defined knee cartilage thickness, radiographic knee OA, and 1-year structural progression.

Methods: A total of 765 participants in Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI; 455 women, mean age 62.5 yrs, SD 9.

Greater rates of cartilage loss in painful knees than in pain-free knees after adjustment for radiographic disease stage: data from the osteoarthritis initiative.

Objective: To investigate whether rates of cartilage loss differ in knees with frequent baseline pain versus those without pain, after adjustment for radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) stage.

Methods: One knee in each of 718 Osteoarthritis Initiative participants was examined: 310 with calculated Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grade 2, 299 with calculated K/L grade 3, and 109 with calculated K/L grade 4. Twelve-month change in (subregional) cartilage thickness was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.

Rates of change and sensitivity to change in cartilage morphology in healthy knees and in knees with mild, moderate, and end-stage radiographic osteoarthritis: results from 831 participants from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Objective: To study the longitudinal rate of (and sensitivity to) change of knee cartilage thickness across defined stages of radiographic osteoarthritis (OA), specifically healthy knees and knees with end-stage radiographic OA.

Methods: One knee of 831 Osteoarthritis Initiative participants was examined: 112 healthy knees, without radiographic OA or risk factors for knee OA, and 719 radiographic OA knees (310 calculated Kellgren/Lawrence [K/L] grade 2, 300 calculated K/L grade 3, and 109 calculated K/L grade 4). Subregional change in thickness was assessed after segmentation of weight-bearing femorotibial cartilage at baseline and 1 year from coronal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Femorotibial subchondral bone area and regional cartilage thickness: a cross-sectional description in healthy reference cases and various radiographic stages of osteoarthritis in 1,003 knees from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Objective: To identify structural differences in total subchondral bone area (tAB) and cartilage thickness between healthy reference knees and knees with radiographic osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Baseline magnetic resonance images from 1 knee of 1,003 Osteoarthritis Initiative participants were studied: 112 healthy reference knees without radiographic OA, symptoms, or risk factors; 70 preradiographic OA knees (calculated Kellgren/Lawrence [K/L] grade 0/1); and 821 radiographic OA knees (calculated K/L grade ≥2). Means and standard (Z) scores (SD unit differences compared with normal subjects) of the tAB and regional cartilage thickness were assessed in the weight-bearing femorotibial joint and compared between groups.

Diclofenac sodium gel in patients with primary hand osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: To measure the efficacy and safety of diclofenac sodium gel in patients with primary hand osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, men and women aged > or = 40 years diagnosed with primary OA in the dominant hand were randomly assigned to self-apply topical 1% diclofenac sodium gel (Voltaren Gel) (n = 198) or vehicle (n = 187) to both hands 4 times daily for 8 weeks. Primary outcome measures included OA pain intensity (100-mm visual analog scale), total Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN) score, and global rating of disease activity at 4 and 6 weeks.

Host cell responses of Salmonella typhimurium infected human dendritic cells.

Live attenuated Salmonella are attractive vaccine candidates for mucosal application because they induce both mucosal immune responses and systematic immune responses. After breaking the epithelium barrier, Salmonella typhimurium is found within dendritic cells (DC) in the Peyer's patches. Although there are abundant data on the interaction of S.

Human alveolar macrophages infected by virulent bacteria expressing SipB are a major source of active interleukin-18.

Recent publications have demonstrated that the protease caspase-1 is responsible for the processing of pro-interleukin 18 (IL-18) into the active form. Studies on cell lines and murine macrophages have shown that the bacterial invasion factor SipB activates caspase-1, triggering cell death. Thus, we investigated the role of SipB in the activation and release of IL-18 in human alveolar macrophages (AM), which are the first line of defense against inhaled pathogens.

DC-SIGN is the major Mycobacterium tuberculosis receptor on human dendritic cells.

Early interactions between lung dendritic cells (LDCs) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of tuberculosis, are thought to be critical for mounting a protective anti-mycobacterial immune response and for determining the outcome of infection. However, these interactions are poorly understood, at least at the molecular level. Here we show that M.

Salmonella virulence factor SipB induces activation and release of IL-18 in human dendritic cells.

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) plays an important role in innate and acquired immunity, in particular against intracellular pathogens. However, little is known about the microbial factors that trigger IL-18 secretion by dendritic cells (DCs). To determine the influence of bacterial virulence factors on the activation and release of IL-18, we infected human monocyte-derived DCs with virulence mutants of the facultative intracellular pathogen Salmonella typhimurium.

Evaluation of cationic solid lipid microparticles as synthetic carriers for the targeted delivery of macromolecules to phagocytic antigen-presenting cells.

Biodegradable microparticles represent a promising carrier system for the efficient delivery of therapeutic macromolecules to phagocytic professional antigen-presenting cells (APC). Solid lipid microparticles (SLM) consisting of a tripalmitin matrix were prepared using a novel micromixer-based solvent extraction process. A positive surface charge was introduced by the incorporation of cationic lipids into the formulation.