Interleukin-17A and B-cell activating factor in chronic hepatitis C patients with or without asymptomatic mixed cryoglobulinemia: effects of antiviral treatment and correlations with vitamin D.

Background: Several studies have provided conflicting results regarding the immune responses in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC). The importance of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) in MC has been described, but the role of interleukin (IL)-17A is less clear.

Methods: Serum concentrations of IL-17A, BAFF and 25-OH vitamin D were measured in CHC patients at baseline, end of treatment, and 6 months post-treatment with pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin, versus 12 healthy controls.

The significance of platelet microparticles in patients with chronic hepatitis C and their association with antiviral treatment and smoking.

Background: Platelet microparticles (PMPs) are platelet-derived membrane vesicles involved in cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis. Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is associated with increased atherosclerosis, but the effect of therapy on its atherogenic potential has not been adequately studied.

Methods: We evaluated PMP levels before and after treatment with pegylated-interferon-alfa and ribavirin in 28 CHC patients compared with 20 non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients and 20 healthy volunteers (HV).

Arthroscopic debridement of the osteoarthritic knee under local anaesthesia.

This prospective study compared the efficacy of arthroscopic debridement in osteoarthritic knees under local, general or peridural anaesthesia. Between 1997 and 2001, 201 arthroscopic debridements were performed in 197 patients (173 partial meniscectomies, 192 articular trimmings, 119 microfractures, 201 lavage procedures) in 197 patients. Patients were treated under local (Group "L", n = 67), general (Group "G", n = 65) or peridural anesthesia ( Group "P", n = 65).

Combination therapy with interferon alfa-2b and hydroxyurea during the accelerated phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Inferferon alfa-2b (IFN) plays a major role in the current management of previously untreated patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) as well as patients with CML who have relapsed after bone marrow transplantation. Hydroxyurea (HU) is the best conventional drug for treatment of CML in the chronic phase. Ten patients, six men and four women, 40-70 years of age, were treated during the accelerated phase of CML with a combination of IFN and HU.