The relationship between early reversibility test and maximal inspiratory pressure in patients with airway obstruction.

Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) is a marker for assessing the degree of respiratory muscle dysfunction. Muscle dysfunction represents a pathophysiological feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We aimed to determinate the MIP value in patients with airway obstruction, to evaluate the change in MIP with bronchodilator drug, and to show the relationship between the changes in MIP and disease characteristics.

Effects of different hyaluronic acid products on synovial fluid NO levels in knee osteoarthritis.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different hyaluronic acid forms on synovial fluid nitric oxide (NO) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activities in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Forty patients were equally randomized into two groups and treated with native sodium hyaluronate (group I) or with cross-linked hylan G-F 20 (group II). Clinical evaluations and synovial fluid aspirations were performed before the first (baseline), the second (week 1), and third injections (week 2), and a week after the third injection (week 3).

Effects of different hyaluronic acid products on synovial fluid levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in knee osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different hyaluronic acid (HA) forms on synovial fluid levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) during the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Forty patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups that were treated with native sodium hyaluronate (group I) or cross-linked hylan G-F 20 (group II). Clinical evaluations and synovial fluid aspirations were performed before the 1st injection (baseline), the 2nd injection (week 1), the 3rd injection (week 2), and at 1 week after the 3rd injection (week 3).