Occipitoatlantoaxial instability and congenital thoracic vertebral deformity in Pierre Robin sequence: a case report.

Study Design: Case report of a patient with Pierre Robin sequence who presented with occipitoatlantoaxial instability and congenital thoracic deformity.

Objective: As there are lack of similar cases in the literature, we would like to introduce a case of a patient with associated malformations, the consultations that we consider that are obligatory, and our decision-making process. We would also like to demonstrate the follow-up plan and the further key points about either the conservative or the surgical solution of the problem.

Effect of balneotherapy on the antioxidant system--a controlled pilot study.

Background: Balneotherapy is among the most widely used modalities of physical therapy in countries rich in mineral waters. This trial was intended to ascertain whether balneotherapy (i.e.

Ex vivo and in vitro determination of the axial rotational axis of the human thoracic spine.

Study Design: Different geometrical and biomechanical evaluations were performed to determine the axial rotational axis of the thoracic spine.

Objective: Our research group has been dealing with the determination of the axial rotational axis of the thoracic spine. Here, we would like to present the geometrical and experimental results of our trials.

The analgesic effect of pamidronate is not caused by the elevation of beta endorphin level in Paget's disease--a controlled pilot study.

Introduction: Although an analgesic effect is an essential component of the mode of action of bisphosphonates, its physiological mechanisms are still unclear. Beta-endorphin release plays an important role in the analgesic effect of both calcitonin and raloxifene. As patients with Paget's disease receive large doses of bisphosphonates within relatively short time periods, we examined whether repeated pamidronate infusion therapy would cause measurable change in beta-endorphin levels

Materials & Methods: Visual analog scale (VAS) scores of pain intensity, beta-endorphin levels, and alkaline phosphatase activity of 11 patients with Paget's disease (7 with the mono- and 4 with the polyostotic form) were determined at baseline, as well as after 3 and 6 infusions (on Days 6 and 12 of treatment, respectively).

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and tombstoning ST-segment elevation in patients with anterior wall acute myocardial infarction.

Tombstoning ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been associated with a poor prognosis ever since Wimalaratna's first description of this clinical entity, and the reasons for this are not fully understood. We studied 87 consecutive patients who had anterior STEMI (January 2004 to September 2004) to compare the form of STEMI, coronary anatomy, and initial N-terminus pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) level. Patients who had tombstoning STEMI had higher levels of NT-pro-BNP despite significant differences in cardiac enzyme levels or extent of coronary disease.

Termination of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis and in psoriatic arthritis. A comparative study of 270 cases.

102 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 104 psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients' records were analysed according to a standardised protocol. Using Cox regression, life-table analysis and log rank test, the effectiveness and toxicity of, and duration of disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment were compared in RA and PsA. RA patients were treated with gold sodium thiomalate (GST), methotrexate (MTX) and sulphasalazine (SSZ) for a median duration of 35, 72 and 12 months respectively, whereas PsA patients were treated for 12, 12 and 17 months.

Measurement of disease activity in psoriatic arthritis. Extended report.

Objective: To determine whether activity indices, generally accepted in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are useful and valid to measure disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients with peripheral arthritis.

Methods: 38 PsA patients were studied before and after a one year DMARD treatment. Extended and reduced tender and swollen joint counts, Ritchie articular index, Health Assessment Questionnaire HAQ) score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) morning stiffness, the patient's and the assessor's global assessment (PGA and AGA) were recorded.

LKM3 autoantibodies in hepatitis C cirrhosis: a further phenomenon of the HCV-induced autoimmunity.

Chronic hepatitis C is frequently associated with laboratory markers-including LKM1 autoantibodies--of autoimmunity. A 62-yr-old woman with hepatitis C cirrhosis presented autoantibodies against liver and kidney microsomal proteins. By further evaluation of autoantibodies using ELISA and immunoblotting LKM1 and LKM3 autoantibodies could be revealed.

Effects of interferon treatment on the glucose metabolism of patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: The authors report on changes in carbohydrate metabolism observed in 32 patients undergoing therapy with interferon-alpha for chronic hepatitis C. Methods: Diabetes had been diagnosed in three patients and impaired glucose tolerance ascertained in one patient before interferon therapy was started. The remaining 28 patients were non-diabetic.