Association of systemic and intra-articular osteoclastogenic potential, pro-inflammatory mediators and disease activity with the form of inflammatory arthritis.

Purpose: We aimed to assess osteoclastogenic potential of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and synovial fluid-derived mononuclear cells (SFMC) in different forms of arthritis and to correlate it with inflammatory mediators within intra-articular and circulatory compartments.

Methods: Paired PBMC and SFMC samples of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA; n = 10) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA; n = 10), and PBMC of healthy controls were cultured to assess osteoclastogenic potential by the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts (OCs) and expression of OC-related genes (receptor activator of nuclear factor-κΒ (RANK), cFMS, and TRAP). Osteoclastogenesis was correlated with the arthritis-related inflammatory indicators in serum and synovial fluid (SF).

Osteoblastogenesis from synovial fluid-derived cells is related to the type and severity of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Introduction: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is characterized by synovial inflammation, followed by hyperplastic changes of the synovium, and destruction of articular cartilage along with underlying bone. This hyperplastic process is the result of inflammation-induced activation of NF-κB, which may be accompanied by decreased osteogenic differentiation of synovial mesenchymal progenitors and contribute to bone resorption. We aimed to explore osteoblast differentiation of synovial fluid (SF)-derived mesenchymal progenitors and correlate it with intensity of inflammation in patients with JIA.

Retention of basic sciences knowledge at clinical years of medical curriculum.

Aim: To explore the association between the knowledge of basic (physiology and biochemistry) and clinical sciences (internal medicine) among medical students, and determine the level of retained basic science knowledge at the fifth year of medical studies.

Methods: Medical students attending the second (n=145, response rate 60%) or the fifth year (n=176, response rate 73%) of medical studies at the Zagreb University School of Medicine in Croatia were given an anonymous knowledge test with 15 pairs of questions developed specifically for this purpose. Each pair consisted of a basic and clinical question, with the correct answer to the basic question explaining the physiological or biochemical background of the clinical question.