Cell mass-dependent expression of an anticancer protein drug by tumor-targeted .

Bacterial cancer therapy relies on the properties of certain bacterial species capable of targeting and proliferating within solid malignancies. If these bacteria could be loaded with antitumor proteins, the efficacy of this approach could be greatly increased. However, because most antitumor proteins are also toxic to normal tissue, they must be expressed by bacteria that specifically target and exclusively localize to tumor tissue.

Physical activity but not sedentary activity is reduced in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the levels of physical activity in individuals with primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS) and its relationship to the clinical features of PSS. To this cross-sectional study, self-reported levels of physical activity from 273 PSS patients were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form (IPAQ-SF) and were compared with healthy controls matched for age, sex and body mass index. Fatigue and other clinical aspects of PSS including disease status, dryness, daytime sleepiness, dysautonomia, anxiety and depression were assessed using validated tools.

Subjective and Objective Measures of Dryness Symptoms in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: Capturing the Discrepancy.

Objective: To develop a novel method for capturing the discrepancy between objective tests and subjective dryness symptoms (a sensitivity scale) and to explore predictors of dryness sensitivity.

Methods: Archive data from the UK Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Registry (n = 688) were used. Patients were classified on a scale from -5 (stoical) to +5 (sensitive) depending on the degree of discrepancy between their objective and subjective symptoms classes.

Alendronate-related femoral diaphysis fracture--what should be done to predict and prevent subsequent fracture of the contralateral side?

Introduction: Atypical fractures of the femoral diaphysis have recently been associated with alendronate therapy (Neviaser et al. J Orthop Trauma 22(5):346-350, 2008; Kwek et al. Injury 39:224-231, 2008; Lenart et al.

Gross synovial fluid analysis in the differential diagnosis of joint effusion.

Aims: To develop an objective and easy to complete standardised questionnaire for documentation of synovial fluid (SF) gross appearance and use it in the assessment of patients presenting to the rheumatology service with a joint effusion.

Methods: A standardised questionnaire to record the gross appearance of SF was developed. Interobserver error in recorded observations and direct gross analysis of synovial fluid between four observers was calculated in a pilot study.

Modified Larsen scoring of digitized radiographs in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To facilitate storage, retrieval, and analysis of radiographic images we assessed the validity of a film digitizer and computer based system.

Methods: A total of 101 sets of radiographs of hands and feet from patients with early rheumatoid arthritis were digitized according to standards defined by the American College of Radiology. Two blinded observers applied the modified Larsen score to the digitized images and the original radiographs.

Serum TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and MMP-1 in patients with systemic sclerosis, primary Raynaud's phenomenon, and in normal controls.

Background: Excess tissue matrix accumulates in systemic sclerosis (SSc), accounting for both visceral and dermal fibrosis. It is suggested that decreased serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) or increased levels of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) may account for this matrix accumulation.

Objective: To measure serum levels of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and collagenase-1 (MMP-1), in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc), limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc), primary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), and in normal controls.