Evaluation of mechanical properties, in vitro corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of Gum Metal in the context of implant applications.

In recent decades, several novel Ti alloys have been developed in order to produce improved alternatives to the conventional alloys used in the biomedical industry such as commercially pure titanium or dual phase (alpha and beta) Ti alloys. Gum Metal with the non-toxic composition Ti-36Nb-2Ta-3Zr-0.3O (wt.

Blood serum levels of amino-terminal pro-C-type natriuretic peptide in patients with systemic sclerosis.

The aim of this pilot study was to examine the association of serum levels of amino-terminal fragment of pro-C-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proCNP), as a substitute measure of serum C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), with clinical and laboratory findings in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Serum NT-proCNP, soluble (s)E-and sP-selectin levels were examined using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 30 patients with SSc and 30 healthy controls. We found no statistically significant difference in serum levels of NT-proCNP neither between patients with SSc and healthy controls nor between those treated with immunosuppressive agents and untreated patients.

Intra-articular treatment of arthritides and activated osteoarthritis with the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist tropisetron. A double-blind study compared with methylprednisolone.

Background: Since the good effect of intra-articular injections of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist tropisetron in patients with arthritides and activated osteoarthritis has already been demonstrated in pilot studies, the effect of tropisetron is compared with that of methylprednisolone here.

Objectives: In a double-blind study, 34 patients with gonarthritides or activated osteoarthritis (18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 16 patients with osteoarthritis) were treated with a single intra-articular injection of 10 mg tropisetron (18 patients) or 40 mg methylprednisolone (16 patients). Before treatment as well as one and three weeks later, the intensity of rest pain and pain following exercise was measured with the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the clinical findings in the knee joint were recorded.

[Osteoporosis in ankylosing spondylitis: comparison of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative ultrasonography (QUS)].

The aim of this study was to determine bone mineral density (BMD) of the forearm and of the femoral neck using DXA technique and evaluation of broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) of the heel using QUS technique in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The group of 59 AS patients were involved in the study: 53 male and 6 female with average age (40.0 +/- 8.

Cardiac valvular disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Relationship with anticardiolipin antibodies.

We performed two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography in 52 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and in 34 healthy controls. In 25 patients (48.1%) echocardiographic disturbances were found (25/52 vs 2/34, p<0.

Does the presence of HLA-DR B1 shared motif affect progression of the disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients?

The present study was undertaken in order to evaluate role of HLA DR Bl shared motif in prognosis of development of erosions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). HLA genotyping was carried out in a retrospective analysis of 73 RA patients and 87 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction. The assessment of disease activity was performed according to Mallya-Mace Index, whereas radiographs of hands were assessed according to the Larsen Index.

[Bone tissue metabolism in systematic lupus erythematosus patients treated with glucocorticosteroids].

The present study has been undertaken to evaluate bone turn-over in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treated with glucocorticosteroids. Thirty-eight patients with definite SLE has been investigated. The following parameters have been determinated.

[Bone tissue metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with glucocorticosteroids].

The present study has been undertaken to evaluate bone turn-over in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients as well as the influence of low dose glucocorticosteroids (gcs) on bone mass loss. Ninety patients with establish RA has been investigated. The patients have been divided into two groups: 44 patients treated with gcs (age 52.

The presence of HLA-DR B1 shared motif does not influence cyclophosphamide and methotrexate cytotoxicity in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

In the present study we investigated the relation between cyclophosphamide and methotrexate toxicity and the presence of HLA- DR B1 alleles in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Seventy-eight such patients (67 women and 11 men) were observed for 12 months. Eighteen were treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide, 28 with oral methotrexate, and 32 with intramuscular gold salts.

[Glucocorticosteroid induced osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Glucocorticosteroids have been recognized as a well known risk factor for drug induced osteoporosis. Many studies have shown a decrease in bone mass, bone quality disorders and an increase in the risk of fractures in patients with long-term corticosteroid therapy. Rheumatic patients, particular with rheumatoid arthritis, who are usually chronic steroid users are at the highest risk.

[Quantitative ultrasound densitometry (QUS) and dual X-ray densitometry (DXA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to assess of bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) of the forearm using DXA technique (DTX-200) and to evaluate broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) of the heel using QUS technique (DTU-ONE). We examined 83 RA patients: 73 women and 10 men, at average age (55.0 +/- 12.

TNF-alpha gene polymorphism does not affect the clinical and radiological outcome of rheumatoid arthritis.

The present study was undertaken in order to investigate the relationship between tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene polymorphism and the radiological progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) within the first 3-years of the disease. Sixty-eight RA patients (59 women and nine men) were observed for 3-years. TNF-alpha polymorphism analysis was performed in all patients.

Nabumetone induces less gastrointestinal mucosal changes than diclofenac retard.

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and the effects on the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of nabumetone and diclofenac retard in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). An open, multicentre, randomised, comparative, endoscopy-blind parallel group study included 201 patients with nabumetone and 193 patients with diclofenac retard suffering from moderate to severe OA of the knee or hip joint. Twelve clinical efficacy variables were assessed and a portion of the population underwent gastroduodenoscopy.

Quantitative changes in peripheral blood lymphocytes in erosive rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate. Correlation with disease activity.

In order to better understand the immunological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the level of various lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of 29 patients with erosive RA was determined. All the patients were treated with methotrexate for 2 years. The total number and the proportion of CD3 cells, CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ cells did not change during the study.

[The role of MHC class II genes in the etiopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis].

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with HLA-DR4 and DR1 antigens. HLA-DRB1 gene sequences analysis demonstrated that only a limited set of alleles is positively associated with RA. Third hypervariable region sequences (70-74, 86) Q(R)R(K)RAA, G(V) are found in up to 95% of erosive RA.

Still's disease in children and adults: a distinct pattern of acute-phase proteins.

Crossed affinoimmunoelectrophoresis with Con A as a ligand was used to examine the microheterogeneity of alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) in sera of patients with child-onset and adult-onset Still's disease. The reactivity of both proteins was increased in sera of adults and decreased in sera of children with active disease, when compared with normal values. We also found statistically significant differences in serum concentration of ACT and ferritin in both diseases.

[Echocardiographic heart assessment in systemic lupus erythematosus].

A prospective two dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic studies were performed in 41 patients to assess the incidence and spectrum of cardiac abnormalities. All patients included in the study fulfilled the 1982 revised criteria of the American Rheumatism Association for classification of SLE. There were 37 women and 4 men with average age of 38 years.

The effect of methotrexate and azathioprine on the serum levels of IgA-alpha 1-antitrypsin complex in juvenile chronic arthritis.

In the present study we investigated the influence of methotrexate (MTX) and azathioprine (AZA) on the serum levels of the IgA-alpha 1-antitrypsin (IgA-AT) complex in patients with the systemic form of juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). Fifty-six JCA patients (22 treated with MTX, 18 treated with AZA, and 16 not treated with any immunosuppressive agent) were enrolled in the study. MTX dosage ranged from 0.

Interleukin-10 and interleukin-6 in lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, correlations with acute phase proteins.

We sought to investigate the influence of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-6 on the acute phase proteins (APP) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IL-10, IL-6, Creactive protein (CRP), alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), and alpha1 antichymotrypsin (ACT) serum levels were determined in one hundred-eight patients (71 with SLE, 37 with RA). Quantification of the serum IL-10 level showed increased levels in SLE and RA patients as compared to healthy controls.

Relations between absolute number of CD4 + CD29+ memory cells and levels of interleukin-6, rheumatoid factors, and acute phase proteins in rheumatoid synovial fluid.

Synovial fluid samples from 21 rheumatoid arthritis patients were analyzed for lymphocyte subsets using flow cytometry and antibodies to the lymphocyte surface antigens CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD19, CD29, and CD45RA. Synovial fluid levels of interleukin-6, rheumatoid factors and acute phase proteins were also measured. Depletion of CD45RA+ cells and predominance of CD29+ cells were found.

[The effect of immunosuppressive drugs on expression of surface antigens of lymphocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

One hundred and fifty patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were treated with immunosuppressive drugs for 12 months. Fifty nine patients were treated with methotrexate (MTX), 15 with cyclophosphamide (CTX), 30 with prednisone (PRE) and 46 with non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID). The cell surface phenotype of lymphocyte was analyzed using immunofluorescence methods ans a variety of monoclonal antibodies.

Does cyclophosphamide combined with methylprednisolone affect the expression of leukocyte function associated antigen 1 in refractory rheumatoid arthritis.

In the present study, in order to get a better insight into the mechanism of action of cyclophosphamide (CY) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we monitored the changes in lymphocytes' expression of leukocyte function associated antigen 1 (LFA-1). A group of 28 patients with refractory severe RA were treated with CY and methylprednisolone (MO) intravenously. Using flow cytometry we evaluated the changes in LFA-1 molecule expression on peripheral lymphocytes.

[The effect of low dose methotrexate on the course of rheumatoid arthritis--four years of observation].

Ninety-six patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis were treated with methotrexate for 48 months. We analyzed the effect of low doses of methotrexate (7.5-15 mg weekly) on the activity of the disease and on the progression in damage score.

The effect of intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse on peripheral blood lymphocytes in lupus erythematosus patients.

In the present study we investigated the long-term effect of intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide (CY) on lymphocyte surface antigens in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Blood samples derived from 17 lupus erythematosus patients were analysed using two- and three-colour flow cytometry. During the CY therapy, the total number of T lymphocytes (CD3+) was reduced by 31.