Efficacy of biological agents administered as monotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis: a Bayesian mixed-treatment comparison analysis.

Background: Biological agents provide an important therapeutic alternative for rheumatoid arthritis patients refractory to conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Few head-to-head comparative trials are available.

Purpose: The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the relative efficacy of different biologic agents indicated for use as monotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis.

TNF-α Producing Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILCs) Are Increased in Active Celiac Disease and Contribute to Promote Intestinal Atrophy in Mice.

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are an emerging family of innate hematopoietic cells producing inflammatory cytokines and involved in the pathogenesis of several immune-mediated diseases. The aim of this study was to characterize the tissue distribution of ILCs in celiac disease (CD), a gluten-driven enteropathy, and analyze their role in gut tissue damage. ILC subpopulations were analyzed in lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) isolated from duodenal biopsies of CD patients and healthy controls (CTR) and jejunal specimens of patients undergoing gastro-intestinal bypass by flow cytometry.

Deletion of REXO1L1 locus in a patient with malabsorption syndrome, growth retardation, and dysmorphic features: a novel recognizable microdeletion syndrome?

Background: Copy number variations (CNVs) can contribute to genetic variation among individuals and/or have a significant influence in causing diseases. Many studies consider new CNVs' effects on protein family evolution giving rise to gene duplicates or losses. "Unsuccessful" duplicates that remain in the genome as pseudogenes often exhibit functional roles.

The discrepancy between recommendations and clinical practice for viscosupplementation in osteoarthritis: mind the gap!

Recently AAOS, ACR and OARSI revised their recommendations for the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and for hand, knee and hip joints. During ISIAT (International Symposium on Intra-Articular Treatments) 2013 round table on recommendations about the use of intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid (IAHA) in OA, several considerations were elaborated by the ISIAT Technical Expert Panel (TEP) regarding discrepancy between recommendations and clinical practice. The ISIAT TEP gathered the following eight suggestions regarding the drawing of recommendations on the use of IAHA in OA and its comparison with other treatments.

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis bacteraemia in an HIV-1 patient with HBV/HCV co-infections: case report and literature review.

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE) is a common pathogen in animals and generally considered a rare cause of infection in humans. Recently, epidemiological studies demonstrated an increasing number of severe infections, including bacteraemia and endocarditis, caused by SDSE, mainly in predisposed hosts, immunocompromised by underlying conditions. Even though the immune status seems to play an important role in the appearance of SDSE infections, this microorganism has been rarely described as a pathogen in HIV-1 infected subjects.

HS1,2 Ig enhancer alleles association to AIDS progression in a pediatric cohort infected with a monophyletic HIV-strain.

Alteration in the humoral immune response has been observed during HIV infection. The polymorphisms of enhancer HS1,2, member of the 3(') regulatory region of the Ig heavy chain cluster, may play a role in the variation of the humoral response leading to pathological conditions. To assess the role of the HS1,2 polymorphic variants in the progression of AIDS, the HS1,2-A allelic frequencies were investigated in a cohort of HIV infected pediatric subjects from a nosocomial outbreak with a monophyletic strain of HIV.

The collum femoris preserving stem: early results.

Femoral neck preserving stems have been developed to take advantage of the biomechanical properties of the femoral neck, and to optimise femoral anchorage and load distribution. The aim of this study was to report the clinical and radiological results in a group of 126 patients (150 hips), operated on for a total hip arthroplasty with the CFP stem. Clinical evaluation considered Harris Hip Score (HHS), thigh pain, Charnley classification, peri- and post-operative complications.

Total hip replacement rate in a cohort of patients affected by symptomatic hip osteoarthritis following intra-articular sodium hyaluronate (MW 1,500-2,000 kDa) ORTOBRIX study.

Hip osteoarthritis is very common and costly. The European League Against Rheumatology Committee agenda asks for research to investigate treatments able to slow down the progression of hip osteoarthritis (OA), to delay joint replacement, and to determine the comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of non-surgical and surgical treatment modalities as well as criteria relating to the indications for and timing of total hip replacement (THR). After publishing the results of a randomized controlled trial and a cohort study on the efficacy of Intra-articular sodium hyaluronate (MW 1,500-2,000 kDa) on symptomatic hip OA, we performed this retrospective study in patients suffering from hip OA treated with ultrasound-guided intra-articular injections of HyalOne (Hyalubrix 60 Italian brand name) involving a group of THR expert orthopedic surgeons to appraise whether or not considered eligible for THR and the frequency and timing of THR.

May etanercept and PTH (1-34) association heal erosions in early rheumatoid arthritis? A pilot study.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by the formation in the joints of an inflammatory tissue, which causes the appearance of localized erosions on the margins of the joints. The molecular mechanism that causes the bone erosion is multifactorial. Inflammatory cytokines imbalance and OPG-RANK-L system are involved.

The impact of treatment with hylan G-F 20 on progression to total hip arthroplasty in patients with symptomatic hip OA: a retrospective study.

Introduction: There is scarce data available on intra-articular hyaluronan's ability to modify the progression of osteoarthritis (OA).

Objective: The purpose of this retrospective pilot study was to assess the impact of treatment with hylan G-F 20 on progression to total hip replacement (THR) in patients with symptomatic hip OA.

Research Design And Methods: The records of patients presenting with symptomatic hip OA and treated with hylan G-F 20 were analysed.

High serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 predict the clinical outcome of treatment with human recombinant erythropoietin in anaemic cancer patients.

Background: A number of anaemic cancer patients are not responsive to treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). The aim of the present study is to investigate whether serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and additional laboratory parameters, together with clinical variables, can predict the clinical outcome of treatment with rHuEPO in anaemic cancer patients.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-five cancer patients and 25 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.

Comparative, double-blind, controlled study of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (Hyalubrix) injections versus local anesthetic in osteoarthritis of the hip.

Introduction: Comparison of intra-articular bacterial-derived hyaluronic acid (Hyalubrix) (HA) with local analgesia (mepivacaine) for osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip.

Methods: A pilot prospective, double-blind, 6-month randomized trial of 42 patients with hip OA. HA or mepivacaine was administered twice (once a month) under ultrasound guidance.

The DePuy Proxima hip: a short stem for total hip arthroplasty. Early experience and technical considerations.

The rationale for short stems in cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) is proximal load transfer and absence of distal fixation resulting in preserved femoral bone stock and avoidance of thigh pain. We report a consecutive series of 65 THAs inserted mainly for osteoarthritis with the DePuy Proxima hip, a short, anatomic implant with a pronounced lateral flare. Patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 3, 6 and 12 months and annually thereafter, using the Harris Hip Score (HHS), the Oxford Hip Score (OHS) and standard radiographs.

Efficacy of topical plus intracameral anesthesia for cataract surgery in high myopia: randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of intracameral lidocaine supplementation of topical anesthesia during cataract surgery in eyes with high myopia.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Ospedale San Pietro-Fatebenefratelli, Rome, Italy.

Methods: This prospective double-blind study comprised 120 highly myopic eyes with an axial length (AL) greater than 26.

Multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome in Sjögren's syndrome patients: casual association or related diseases?

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is defined by multiple symptoms, affecting multiple organs, that wax and wane in response to varying chemical exposures at or below previously tolerated levels. Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a common autoimmune disease affecting 3% of women aged over 55 years. Except for keratoconjunctivitis sicca (which is associated with SS not MCS), systemic features are common between the 2 diseases, leading to considerable morbidity and, occasionally, mortality.

The blind colonic J-pouch: an original technique to reduce the surgical risk in the treatment of extra-peritoneal rectal cancer.

Background: Low and ultra-low anterior resection with colo-rectal or colo-anal anastomosis is accompanied by high frequency of postoperative anastomotic leakage. The aim of this report is to describe a novel technical approach to colorectal reconstruction.

Materials And Methods: The innovative procedure introduces the principle of 'no anastomosis-no leakage', and it can be performed both laparascopically or by means of a laparotomy.

Ultra-short stems with proximal load transfer: Clinical and radiographic results at five-year follow-up.

Bone stock preservation is crucial when performing THR in young patients. Following this philosophy, an original ultra-short custom-made implant with extensive proximal load transfer was developed. It presents three very innovative features: absence of the diaphyseal portion of the stem, a well defined lateral flare with load transfer on the lateral column of the femur and a very high femoral neck cut.

Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy vs. conventional laparoscopy for evaluating unexplained primary infertility in women.

Objective: To verify the usefulness and reliability of transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL) as a screening tool for evaluating infertility in women in comparison with conventional diagnostic laparoscopy.

Study Design: Sixty consecutive women with unexplained primary infertility were prospectively enrolled into the study. After examination of the whole pelvic cavity, tubal patency was evaluated and the uterine cavity studied by hysteroscopy.

Results of the anatomic cementless prosthesis with different types of hydroxyapatite coating.

This study evaluates the clinical and radiographic results and the bone-implant osteointegration obtained with the Anatomic (Zimmer, Warsaw, Ind) cementless total hip prosthesis using three different types of surface coating. Two hundred twenty-seven patients underwent total hip arthroplasty using the Anatomic prosthesis. Patients were divided into groups based on the type of surface coating: in group A (69 patients), prostheses were uncoated; in group B (90 patients), the metaphyseal region of the prostheses was coated with calcicoat (a mixture of hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate) (Zimmer); and in group C (68 patients), the fiber mesh and proximal stem of the prostheses were coated with calcicoat.

Biological indicators of aggressiveness in T1 ductal invasive breast cancer.

Background: Apoptosis plays an important role in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. When defective, this process could contribute to the pathogenesis and the progression of tumors. On this basis, we investigated the combined effect of Bcl-2 and Bax expression, known regulators of apoptotic processes, in the activation of apoptosis in breast cancer.

Laparoscopic Lymphadenectomy and Vaginal Radical Hysterectomy for the Treatment of Cervical Cancer.

The choice of treatment (surgery, radiotherapy) for cervical carcinoma depends on surgical staging. The noninvasive approach for node evaluation is not very accurate; therefore lymph node metastasis has to be determined surgically. Seventeen women with cervical cancer underwent bilateral laparoscopic lymphadenectomy with dissection of the common iliac, hypogastric, and external iliac vessels and the obturator nerve.

Prophylaxis against deep-vein thrombosis in total hip replacement. Comparison of heparin and foot impulse pump.

We performed a randomised controlled study to compare heparin with the A-V Impulse System in the prevention of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) in 132 consecutive patients undergoing total hip replacement. After the operation, all patients had compression stockings, 65 were treated with calcium heparin and 67 with the intermittent plantar pump. DVT was diagnosed by Doppler ultrasound and thermography, followed by phlebography.