Total joint arthroplasty following intra-articular steroid injection: a literature review.

This study aimed to identify, by systematic review of the literature, whether intra-articular steroid injection before total joint replacement confers an increased risk of post-operative deep prosthetic infection. All studies assessing the incidence of deep prosthetic infection in patients who had undergone steroid injection in the same joint were included. A mixed meta-analysis and narrative review of 12 studies with 2068 participants was conducted.

Neonatal and pediatric antimicrobial stewardship programs in Europe-defining the research agenda.

The relationship between suboptimal use of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance has become increasingly clear. Despite significant international effort aimed at reducing inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing in hospitals, antimicrobial resistance remains a major public health threat. Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) comprise a series of measures aimed at optimizing the use of antimicrobials, while improving the quality of patient care and promoting cost-effectiveness.

Drosophila RecQ4 is directly involved in both DNA replication and the response to UV damage in S2 cells.

The RecQ4 protein shows homology to both the S.cerevisiae DNA replication protein Sld2 and the DNA repair related RecQ helicases. Experimental data also suggest replication and repair functions for RecQ4, but the precise details of its involvement remain to be clarified.

Forced binding of the origin of replication complex to chromosomal sites in Drosophila S2 cells creates an origin of replication.

Origins of replication in higher eukaryotes appear to lack specific sequence characteristics and those mapped often appear to be spread over several kilobases. This has complicated the study of site-specific events at origins of replication in vivo. Here we show that fusion of a Gal4-binding domain to proteins of the origin of replication complex (Orc) is sufficient to direct initiation to Gal4-binding sites inserted in the Drosophila S2 cell chromosome.

Decreased MCM2-6 in Drosophila S2 cells does not generate significant DNA damage or cause a marked increase in sensitivity to replication interference.

A reduction in the level of some MCM proteins in human cancer cells (MCM5 in U20S cells or MCM3 in Hela cells) causes a rapid increase in the level of DNA damage under normal conditions of cell proliferation and a loss of viability when the cells are subjected to replication interference. Here we show that Drosophila S2 cells do not appear to show the same degree of sensitivity to MCM2-6 reduction. Under normal cell growth conditions a reduction of >95% in the levels of MCM3, 5, and 6 causes no significant short term alteration in the parameters of DNA replication or increase in DNA damage.

Defective mitochondrial mRNA maturation is associated with spastic ataxia.

In human mitochondria, polyadenylation of mRNA, undertaken by the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial poly(A) RNA polymerase, is essential for maintaining mitochondrial gene expression. Our molecular investigation of an autosomal-recessive spastic ataxia with optic atrophy, present among the Old Order Amish, identified a mutation of MTPAP associated with the disease phenotype. When subjected to poly(A) tail-length assays, mitochondrial mRNAs from affected individuals were shown to have severely truncated poly(A) tails.

Effects of conventional physical therapy and functional strength training on upper limb motor recovery after stroke: a randomized phase II study.

Background: Functional training and muscle strength training may improve upper limb motor recovery after stroke. Combining these as functional strength training (FST) might enhance the benefit, but it is unclear whether this is better than conventional physical therapy (CPT). Comparing FST with CPT is not straightforward.

The Drosophila Df31 protein interacts with histone H3 tails and promotes chromatin bridging in vitro.

Df31 is a small hydrophilic protein from Drosophila melanogaster that can act as a histone chaperone in vitro. The protein is also detected as an integral component of chromatin, present at approximately the same level as histone H1. We have developed a simple assay to measure protein binding to oligonucleosomes and used it to characterise the DF31-oligonucleosome interaction.

A case of late-onset dependence on cocaine and crack.

Aims: To raise awareness among the professional clinical and research community of the risk of cocaine misuse among elderly patients.

Methods: Case report of a male patient, aged 72 years, who presented to a community substance misuse service with cocaine use disorder (hydrochloride and base form).

Results: The development of the disorder was marked by high levels of cocaine (and later crack cocaine use), repeated periods of abstinence followed by relapse in the past 4 years, with severe consequences to the patient and his family.