Polysorbate 80 and Helicobacter pylori: a microbiological and ultrastructural study.

Background: The frequent occurrence of chemoresistant strains reduces the chances of eradication of H. pylori infection and prompted the investigation of non-antibiotic substances active against this organism. Some surfactants enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics for their permeabilizing properties towards bacteria.

Evaluation of antioxidant drugs for the treatment of ochronotic alkaptonuria in an in vitro human cell model.

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare autosomal recessive disease, associated with deficiency of homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase activity in the liver. This leads to an accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA) and its oxidized derivatives in polymerized form in connective tissues especially in joints. Currently, AKU lacks an appropriate therapy.

Evaluation of anti-oxidant treatments in an in vitro model of alkaptonuric ochronosis.

Objectives: Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare genetic disease associated with deficient homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase activity in the liver. This leads to the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA) and its oxidized/polymerized products in connective tissues, which in turn become characterized by the presence of melanin-like pigments (ochronosis). Since at present, further studies are necessary to support the use of drugs for the treatment of AKU, we investigated the effects of various anti-oxidants in counteracting melanin-like pigmentation and oxidative stress related to HGA and its metabolites.

Preclinical characterization of DEKAVIL (F8-IL10), a novel clinical-stage immunocytokine which inhibits the progression of collagen-induced arthritis.

Introduction: In this article, we present a comparative immunohistochemical evaluation of four clinical-stage antibodies (L19, F16, G11 and F8) directed against splice isoforms of fibronectin and of tenascin-C for their ability to stain synovial tissue alterations in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Furthermore we have evaluated the therapeutic potential of the most promising antibody, F8, fused to the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL) 10.

Methods: F8-IL10 was produced and purified to homogeneity in CHO cells and shown to comprise biological active antibody and cytokine moieties by binding assays on recombinant antigen and by MC/9 cell proliferation assays.

Biochemical investigation of the effects of human platelet releasates on human articular chondrocytes.

The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the mitogenic and differentiating properties of platelet-rich plasma releasates (PRPr) on human chondrocytes in mono- and three-dimensional cultures. In order to assess if PRPr supplementation could maintain the chondrocyte phenotype or at least inhibit the cell de-differentiation even after several days in culture, we performed a proteomic study on several cell cultures independently grown, for different periods of time, in culture medium with FCS, human serum (HS), and releasates obtained from PRP and platelet-poor plasma (PPP). We found that PRP treatment actually induced in chondrocytes the expression of proteins (some of which novel) involved in differentiation.

Dimensions of "unidimensional" ratings of pain and emotions in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

The use of unidimensional scales to measure pain intensity has been criticised because of the multidimensional nature of pain. We conducted multiple linear regression analyses to determine which dimensions of pain--sensory versus affective--predicted scores on unidimensional scales measuring pain intensity and emotions in 109 Italian women suffering from chronic, non-malignant musculoskeletal pain. We then compared the results with earlier findings in two groups of cancer patients suffering from acute post-operative pain and chronic cancer-related pain, respectively.

Novel therapeutic agents for bone resorption. Part 1. Synthesis and protonation thermodynamics of poly(amido-amine)s containing bis-phosphonate residues.

Two poly(amido-amine)s (oligoPAM and oligoNER) containing bis-phosphonate residues were obtained by a Michael-type polyaddition of pamidronate and neridronate to 1,4-bis(acryloyl)piperazine. The SEC (size-exclusion chromatography) and the MALDI-TOF (matrix assisted laser desorption ionization) analyses were consistent with the presence of oligomeric species (2-3 kDa) and with a narrow polydispersity index. The thermodynamic results (log Ks, -DeltaH(o) , and DeltaS(o) obtained at 25 degrees C in 0.

Combination therapy with montelukast and ketotifen for arthritis and rash resulting from idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (IHES) is a rare condition of uncertain etiology characterized by marked peripheral blood eosinophilia and organ system dysfunction that cannot be explained by any factor other than the presence of eosinophils or their potentially toxic products. Diagnostic criteria include 1) a sustained eosinophilia greater than 1500/mm for longer than 6 months, 2) absence of other causes of eosinophilia, including parasitic infections and allergic diseases, and 3) multiorgan involvement (ie, lungs, heart, central nervous system, skin, liver, joints). Steroids represent the initial therapeutic approach, although for those patients unresponsive to steroids, cytotoxic chemotherapy should be considered.

Osteogenic growth peptide effects on primary human osteoblast cultures: potential relevance for the treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

The osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) is a naturally occurring tetradecapeptide that has attracted considerable clinical interest as a bone anabolic agent and hematopoietic stimulator. In vivo studies on animals have demonstrated that the synthetic peptide OGP (10-14), reproducing the OGP C-terminal active portion [H-Tyr-Gly-Phe-Gly-Gly-OH] increases bone formation, trabecular bone density and fracture healing. In vitro studies performed on cellular systems based on osteoblastic-like cell lines or mouse stromal cells, have demonstrated that OGP (10-14) increases osteoblast proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) activity and matrix synthesis and mineralization.

A proteomic study on human osteoblastic cells proliferation and differentiation.

Changes in expression profiles for 17 proteins were ascertained in human mature osteoblasts compared to pre-osteoblasts (differentiation markers). A differential approach was used to highlight proteomic changes between human osteosarcoma cells and mature osteoblasts, showing a relative over-expression of 8 proteins (proliferation and tumor indicators), as well as under-expression of proteins also found down-regulated in pre-osteoblasts (specific markers of osteoblast differentiation). Our findings confirmed the differences between cell lines and primary human cell cultures and suggested caution on the use of osteosarcoma to study anti-osteoporotic drugs in humans.

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma misdiagnosed as lupus erythematosus panniculitis.

We report a case of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL), associated with macrophage activation syndrome, mimicking a lupus erythematosus panniculitis (LEP). A 29-year-old woman presented with high fever, general malaise, nausea, vomiting, and subcutaneous nodules and ulcerating lesions located on the lower extremities. The histopathology showed an infiltration of the panniculus, mostly involving fat, and periadnexial and perivascular structures consistent with lymphocytic lobular panniculitis (LLP).

Do physicians treat symptomatic osteoarthritis patients properly? Results of the AMICA experience.

Objective: The main objective of the AMICA project was to photograph the Italian scenario of osteoarthritis (OA) and its treatment in general and specialty practice. The study was designed to evaluate their prescription modalities to determine whether they matched the recently proposed treatment guidelines for OA (ACR 2000; EULAR 2000; APS 2002).

Methods: The study involved 2764 general practitioners (GPs) and 316 specialists who enrolled a total of 25,589 patients with OA of the hand, knee, and hip.

Clinical presentation of osteoarthritis in general practice: determinants of pain in Italian patients in the AMICA study.

Objective: To assess the clinical characteristics and determinants of pain observed by general practitioners (GPs) in Italian patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand, hip, and knee.

Methods: The 2764 GPs participating in the study were asked to enroll 10 consecutive patients with OA diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) clinical criteria. To standardize the diagnosis, the GPs received ad hoc training from musculoskeletal system specialists.

Pregnancy in Wegener's granulomatosis: successful treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin.

We present the case of a women diagnosed with Wegener's disease at the age of 26 years, refractory to corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide therapy. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) was started, leading to partial clinical remission of disease. During IVIg treatment she became pregnant.

Ultrasonographic study of Achilles tendon and plantar fascia in chondrocalcinosis.

Objective: To investigate by high frequency grey-scale ultrasonography (US) and power Doppler sonography (PDS) the modality and frequency of involvement of the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia in chondrocalcinosis (CC), and to correlate these findings with clinical complaints and radiographic evidence.

Methods: The heels of 57 consecutive patients with CC were evaluated by US, PDS, and radiography. One control group of 50 consecutive patients with osteoarthritis (OA) without signs of CC was studied in the same way.

Long-term effects of neridronate on human osteoblastic cell cultures.

Unlabelled: Bisphosphonates (BPs) are widely used in the treatment of a variety of bone-related diseases, particularly where the bone turnover is skewed in favor of osteolysis. The mechanisms by which BPs reduce bone resorption directly acting on osteoclasts are now largely clarified even at molecular level. Researches concerning the BP's effects on osteoblast have instead shown variable results.

Chromosome aberrations in Raynaud's phenomenon.

We evaluated the occurrence of spontaneous chromosome damage in cultured peripheral lymphocytes of subjects with idiopathic and pre-scleroderma Raynaud's phenomenon, by means of molecular cytogenetic analysis. Using the micronucleus assay as a marker of chromosome alteration, we studied 30 patients with pre-scleroderma Raynaud's phenomenon, 30 patients with idiopathic Raynaud's phenomenon and 30 healthy subjects. All subjects were classified as ANA-, ACA+ or Scl 70+.

Effects of high dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy on bone mass and biochemical markers of bone metabolism in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: a 12-month randomized prospective controlled study.

Objective: To study the effects of one year of high dose 6-methylprednisolone pulse therapy (MPPT) on bone mass, seric bone alkaline phosphatase (sBAP), and urinary deoxypyridinoline (uDpyr) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to compare results with those of patients with active RA treated with oral methylprednisolone (OMP).

Methods: Thirty-one women with active RA were given 1000 mg of MP IV for 3 alternate days, with a mean interval of administration of 76 days (+/- 8.3 SD) for one year (MPPT group).

Prolongation of the corrected QT interval in adult patients with anti-Ro/SSA-positive connective tissue diseases.

Objective: Newborns of mothers positive for anti-Ro/SSA autoantibodies may develop a series of electrocardiographic (EKG) disturbances. Prolongation of the corrected QT (QTc) interval was recently reported in a significant proportion of children with maternally acquired anti-Ro/SSA antibodies, with a concomitant disappearance of EKG abnormalities and acquired maternal autoantibodies during the first year, suggesting a direct, reversible electrophysiologic effect of anti-Ro/SSA antibodies on the ventricular repolarization. On this basis, we investigated whether these antibodies may also affect cardiac repolarization in anti-Ro/SSA-positive adult patients with connective tissue diseases.

Intermittent treatment of knee osteoarthritis with oral chondroitin sulfate: a one-year, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study versus placebo.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of a 3-month duration, twice a-year, intermittent treatment with oral chondroitin sulfate (CS) in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients.

Design: A total of 120 patients with symptomatic knee OA were randomized into two groups receiving either 800mg CS or placebo (PBO) per day for two periods of 3 months during 1 year. Primary efficacy outcome was Lequesne's algo-functional index (AFI); secondary outcome parameters included VAS, walking time, global judgment, and paracetamol consumption.