Mendelian randomization provides no evidence for a causal role of serum urate in increasing serum triglyceride levels.

Background: Triglycerides and their lipoprotein transport molecules are risk factors for heart disease. Observational studies have associated elevated levels of serum urate (SU) with triglycerides and risk of heart disease. However, owing to unmeasured confounding, observational studies do not provide insight into the causal relationship between SU and triglyceride.

Mendelian randomization analysis associates increased serum urate, due to genetic variation in uric acid transporters, with improved renal function.

Increased serum urate predicts chronic kidney disease independent of other risk factors. The use of xanthine oxidase inhibitors coincides with improved renal function. Whether this is due to reduced serum urate or reduced production of oxidants by xanthine oxidase or another physiological mechanism remains unresolved.

Bacterial contamination of unused, disposable non-sterile gloves on a hospital orthopaedic ward.

Background: Non-sterile disposable gloves are used on large hospital wards, however their potential role as a vehicle for pathogen transmission has not been explored in this setting.

Aims: This study investigates glove use on a hospital orthopaedic ward to examine whether pathogen contamination occurs prior to contact with patients.

Method: Glove samples were aseptically removed from boxes on a hospital orthopaedic ward on opening and days 3, 6 and 9 thereafter.

Identification of motor and nonmotor wearing-off in Parkinson's disease: comparison of a patient questionnaire versus a clinician assessment.

This study compares the sensitivity of a Patient Questionnaire versus information gathered by clinicians at a routine clinic visit in recognizing symptoms of wearing-off in early Parkinson's disease (PD). This Patient Questionnaire, containing 32 items representing a wide spectrum of motor and nonmotor wearing-off symptoms, was administered to subjects attending two PD clinics. The Patient Questionnaire results were compared to the information gathered by the clinician from the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part IV, Question 36 and from a specific Clinical Assessment Question regarding loss of medication efficacy, wearing-off, sleepiness, dyskinesias, psychiatric complications, morning akinesia, other dopaminergic side effects, or none of the above.

Cross-cultural evaluation of the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire: tests of data quality, score reliability, response rate, and scaling assumptions in the United States, Canada, Japan, Italy, and Spain.

Background And Objectives: Health status measures, used to measure the subjective functioning and well-being of respondents, are increasingly being used in trials of treatments that are undertaken in a variety of countries. To assess comparability of results gained from such cross-cultural studies, it is important for researchers to know the comparability of instruments across cultures. One measure widely used in cross-cultural studies is the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39).

The use of acellular dermal matrix as a scaffold for periosteum replacement.

Three preclinical models were used to evaluate GraftJacket Acellular Periosteum Replacement Scaffold (Wright Medical Technology, Inc, Arlington, Tenn). The studies assessed the ability of the acellular dermal matrix to repopulate with cells, revascularize, provide a protected environment for bone defect restoration, and minimize fibrous tissue infiltration. An athymic nude rat muscle implantation study demonstrated a steady increase in cellular repopulation through days 2-21.