Comparison of Zirconia Implant Surface Modifications for Optimal Osseointegration.

Zirconia ceramic implants are commercially available from a rapidly growing number of manufacturers. Macroscopic and microscopic surface design and characteristics are considered to be key determining factors in the success of the osseointegration process. It is, therefore, crucial to assess which surface modification promotes the most favorable biological response.

Mortality factors in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy: focusing on malignancy and interstitial lung disease.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the incidence and common types of concomitant malignancies and to define predictive factors of death in Korean patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM).

Methods: From January 1989 to May 2011, 162 patients were diagnosed with IIM at a university hospital in Korea. The medical records were retrospectively reviewed.

Diagnosis of Paget's disease of the pelvis using F-18 FDG PET/CT.

Sclerotic lesions of the right iliac bone were discovered incidentally in a 52-year-old Korean woman. In this case, imaging of the right iliac bone showed intense osteoblastic activity on the bone scan and very mild F-18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography (PET). Since Paget's disease is rare in Koreans, we aimed to rule out other bone diseases such as osteoblastic metastasis or osteomyelitis.

Direct inhibition of human RANK+ osteoclast precursors identifies a homeostatic function of IL-1beta.

IL-1β is a key mediator of bone resorption in inflammatory settings, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IL-1β promotes osteoclastogenesis by inducing RANKL expression on stromal cells and synergizing with RANKL to promote later stages of osteoclast differentiation. Because IL-1Rs share a cytosolic Toll-IL-1R domain and common intracellular signaling molecules with TLRs that can directly inhibit early steps of human osteoclast differentiation, we tested whether IL-1β also has suppressive properties on osteoclastogenesis in primary human peripheral blood monocytes and RA synovial macrophages.

Upregulation of interleukin-1β production by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) in activated human macrophages.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)) plays important roles in the immune system. In contrast to its well known function in the adaptive immune system, much less is known about the immunoregulatory effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in the innate immune system, especially on activated human macrophages. Here we found that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) strongly stimulated the production of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in PMA-differentiated U937 cells and human monocyte-derived macrophages treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or PMA.

Functional monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 promoter -2518 polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis.

The monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) promoter -2518 A/G polymorphism has been reported inconsistently to be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN). The aim of this study was to explore whether the MCP-1 polymorphism confers susceptibility to SLE or LN. We surveyed studies on the MCP-1 polymorphism and SLE or LN identified by MEDLINE or manual searches.

A new onset of systemic lupus erythematosus developed after bee venom therapy.

Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease of an unknown origin, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be triggered by numerous stimuli. Bee venom therapy is an alternative therapy that is believed to be effective for various kinds of arthritis. We present here a case of a 49-year-old female who experienced a new onset lupus after undergoing bee venom therapy, and this looked like a case of angioedema.

Fc receptor-like 3 -169 C/T polymorphism and RA susceptibility: a meta-analysis.

The Fc receptor-like 3 (FCRL3) -169 C/T polymorphism has been reported to be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but with inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to explore whether the FCRL3 -169 C/T polymorphism confers susceptibility to RA and SLE. The authors conducted a random effect meta-analysis on the associations between the C/C (recessive effect) or C/C + C/T (dominant effect) genotype or the allele C of the FCRL3 -169 polymorphisms and RA or SLE in different populations.

Associations between osteoprotegerin polymorphisms and bone mineral density: a meta-analysis.

Associations between polymorphisms of the osteoprotegerin gene (OPG) and bone mineral density (BMD) have been studied by several research groups, but results are mixed. Accordingly, the authors performed a meta-analysis on studies of associations between OPG polymorphisms and BMD. Appropriate studies were identified using MEDLINE and by manual searching.

Association between the rs7574865 polymorphism of STAT4 and rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the rs7574865 polymorphism of STAT4 (signal transducers and activators of transcription 4) confers susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in populations with different ethnicities. A meta-analysis was conducted on the T allele of the STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism in 15 studies containing 16,088 RA patients and 16,509 normal control subjects. Meta-analysis revealed an association between RA and the STAT4 rs7574865 T allele in all subjects (OR = 1.

Effect of glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate on the osteoarthritis progression: a meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to assess the structural efficacies of daily glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The authors surveyed randomized controlled studies that examined the effects of long-term daily glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate on joint space narrowing (JSN) in knee OA patients using the Medline and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and by performing manual searches. Meta-analysis was performed using a fixed effect model because no between-study heterogeneity was evident.

Association of STAT4 polymorphism with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis.

STAT4 is a transcription factor that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Recently, several reports has documented that a STAT4 haplotype is associated with RA, SLE and Sjogren's syndrome. To summarize and review these findings, we conducted a meta-analysis of all relevant reports published before September 2008.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs): a novel therapeutic target for osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Bone losses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) include focal marginal joint erosion, juxtaarticular osteopenia, and systemic osteoporosis. Systemic osteoporosis prevalent in RA is associated with increased fracture rates and is a cause of very high morbidity and mortality. A couple of reports showed that advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) influence osteoclasts (bone resorption) and osteoblasts (bone formation), so AGEs may be have an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoporotic bone diseases.

Vitamin D receptor TaqI, BsmI and ApaI polymorphisms and osteoarthritis susceptibility: a meta-analysis.

Objective: Genetic factors may play a role in the development of osteoarthritis (OA), and vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms have been associated with several common diseases including OA by some studies. The aim of this study was to explore whether the VDR polymorphisms confer susceptibility to OA.

Methods: We conducted meta-analyses on the associations between the VDR TaqI, BsmI, ApaI polymorphisms and OA using: (1) allele contrast, (2) the recessive model, (3) the dominant model, and (4) contrast of homozygotes, using fixed and random effects models.

Effects of low-dose corticosteroids on the bone mineral density of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis.

Background: : The effects of long-term high-dose corticosteroids on bone mineral density (BMD) are clear, but the effects of low-dose corticosteroids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of low-dose corticosteroids on BMD in patients with RA.

Methods: : The authors surveyed randomized controlled studies that examined the effects of low-dose corticosteroids on BMD in patients with RA using MEDLINE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and by performing manual searches.

Association of Fcgamma receptor polymorphisms with adult onset Still's disease in Korea.

Objective: Fcgamma receptors (FcgammaR) have important functions in the regulation of immune response and clearance of immune complex. High levels of immunoglobulins have been observed in patients with the active stage of adult onset Still's disease (AOSD), and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment has decreased the disease activity of AOSD. We investigated polymorphisms of FcgammaR as genetic factors influencing susceptibility or disease course of AOSD in Korea.

Association between the A1330V polymorphism of the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 gene and bone mineral density: a meta-analysis.

The association between the A1330V polymorphism of the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 gene (LRP5) with bone mineral density (BMD) has been studied, but results have been mixed. Accordingly, the authors performed a meta-analysis on studies on the association between the A1330V LRP5 polymorphism and BMD. Appropriate studies were identified using MEDLINE and by manual searching.

Association between serum uric acid and the Adult Treatment Panel III-defined metabolic syndrome: results from a single hospital database.

Hyperuricemia is known to be associated with various metabolic abnormalities of the metabolic syndrome, but its precise contribution is not well defined. We have investigated the effects of serum uric acid on the metabolic syndrome as defined by the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria and tested its independent association. This was a cross-sectional study consisting of 1686 Korean subjects (821 men and 865 women) from a health promotion center.

Meta-analysis of the combination of TNF inhibitors plus MTX compared to MTX monotherapy, and the adjusted indirect comparison of TNF inhibitors in patients suffering from active rheumatoid arthritis.

This present study was designed to examine (1) whether a combination therapy of TNF (tumor necrosis factor) blockers and methotrexate (MTX) is better than MTX monotherapy, and (2) if the TNF inhibitors such as etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab are all same for treating patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We performed meta-analysis of a combination therapy of TNF-blockers and MTX compared to MTX monotherapy and we performed adjusted indirect comparison of the TNF-blocking agents for their efficacy and toxicity. Three studies met the inclusion criteria for the analysis.

Changes of clinical response and bone biochemical markers in patients with ankylosing spondylitis taking etanercept.

Objective: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha has a prominent role in the inflammatory process and bone resorption in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We evaluated the markers of clinical efficacy and bone biochemical changes in Korean patients with AS treated with etanercept therapy.

Methods: Serum samples from 26 patients receiving etanercept for refractory AS were obtained at baseline and 12 weeks after treatment.

Incidence of tuberculosis in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA): effects of RA itself and of tumor necrosis factor blockers.

Objective: To elucidate the incidence rate and relative risk of tuberculosis (TB) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in patients with RA treated with tumor-necrosis-factor (TNF) blockers in Korea.

Methods: Using data from the Korean National Tuberculosis Association (KNTA) as a control and data from a single-center cohort of patients with RA, we conducted an evaluation of 1285 patients with RA not exposed to TNF blockers and reviewed medical records of 90 and 103 patients with RA treated with infliximab and etanercept, respectively, between 2001 and 2005.

Results: The mean incidence rate of TB, reported by the KNTA, was 67.

Postsplenectomy recurrence of thrombocytopenia with an accessory spleen.

Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) is an autoimmune disorder that results from antiplatelet autoantibodies; these autoantibodies cause platelet destruction in the reticluoendothelial system. Oral corticosteroid therapy is the first line treatment. Splenectomy is the major treatment modality after the failure of more conservative medical therapy.