Effect of hypoxia/reoxygenation on the cytokine-induced production of nitric oxide and superoxide anion in cultured osteoarthritic synoviocytes.

Objective: Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) is an important feature in the osteoarthritis (OA) physiopathology. Nitric oxide (NO) is a significant proinflammatory mediator in the inflamed synovium. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of H/R on inducible NO synthase (iNOS) activity and expression in OA synoviocytes.

High DNA oxidative damage in systemic sclerosis.

Objective: Several lines of evidence suggest that the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is of major importance in the pathogenesis of SSc. Protein and lipid damage have previously been demonstrated, but scarce data are available on oxidative damage to DNA. In patients with SSc, we evaluated levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), the main validated biomarker of endogenous oxidative damage to DNA, compared to levels of F2-isoprostane, a product of free radical-mediated peroxidation of arachidonic acid.

[Evaluation of analytical and diagnostic performances of the anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) automated assay on Elecsys analyzer].

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) are highly characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since 2006, anti-CCP assays have been included in both French and European recommendations. We have evaluated the analytical and clinical performances of the anti-CCP assay on the Elecsys analyzer (Roche Diagnostics).

Assessment of the nitrosylation process.

Purpose Of Review: To understand the principles and limits of the methodologies used for the measurement of S-nitrosylated proteins.

Recent Findings: Among methods for studying protein S-nitrosylation, chemoluminescence and biotin switch assay have rapidly gained popularity. However, recent findings have attempted to highlight potential pitfalls for these methods.

B-type natriuretic peptides for the diagnosis of congestive heart failure in dyspneic oldest-old patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for the diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) in dyspneic patients aged >or=85 years admitted to the Emergency Department (ED), and to define threshold values in this oldest-old population.

Design And Methods: This study involved 210 oldest-old patients, and 360 patients aged from 65 to 84 years (<85 years), admitted to the ED for dyspnea.

Results: Median BNP and NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in CHF oldest-old patients (p<0.