Bicruciate Reconstruction with Bilateral Hamstring Autografts: Technique and Functional Results.

 The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and functional results of simultaneous reconstruction of the ACL and PCL with bilateral hamstring autografts. We hypothesized that this reconstruction technique results in less morbidity and has similar results to the ones published in the previous literature.  Eighteen patients with bicruciate lesions were selected and treated by arthroscopic surgery with autologous hamstring tendons in a single-stage procedure.

Metabolic syndrome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis followed at a University Hospital in Northeastern Brazil.

Introduction: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are 30-60% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CV) than the general population. Metabolic syndrome (MS), defined by a number of cardiovascular risk factors, confers a greater risk of CVdisease and diabetes. The association of MS with RA is not yet fully understood and its prevalence varies from 19 to 63% across studies.

Correlation of rheumatoid arthritis activity indexes (Disease Activity Score 28 measured with ESR and CRP, Simplified Disease Activity Index and Clinical Disease Activity Index) and agreement of disease activity states with various cut-off points in a Northeastern Brazilian population.

Introduction: The Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) and its versions have been used to measure rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity, but there is no consensus about which one is the best.

Objectives: Determine the correlation among indexes (DAS28 ESR, DAS28 CRP, SDAI and CDAI) and evaluate agreement of activity strata using different cutoff points.

Methods: Rheumatoid arthritis patients were cross-sectionally evaluated with data collection to calculate the DAS28 (ESR and CRP), SDAI and CDAI, using different cut-offs for defining remission, mild, moderate and high activity.

Identification of mechanisms involved in the relaxation of rabbit cavernous smooth muscle by a new nitric oxide donor ruthenium compound.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relaxation in vitro of cavernous smooth muscle induced by a new NO donor of the complex nitrosil-ruthenium, named trans-[Ru(NH3)4(caffeine)(NO)]C13 (Rut-Caf) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP).

Materials And Methods: The tissues, immersed in isolated bath systems, were pre-contracted with phenilephrine (PE) (1 µM) and then concentration-response curves (10 (-12) - 10(-4) M) were obtained. To clarify the mechanism of action involved, it was added to the baths ODQ (10 µM, 30 µM), oxyhemoglobin (10 µM), L-cysteine (100 µM), hydroxicobalamine (100 µM), glibenclamide, iberotoxin and apamine.