IL4-10 fusion protein has chondroprotective, anti-inflammatory and potentially analgesic effects in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Objective: Effective disease-modifying drugs for osteoarthritis (DMOAD) should preferably have chondroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activity combined in a single molecule. We developed a fusion protein of IL4 and IL10 (IL4-10 FP), in which the biological activity of both cytokines is preserved. The present study evaluates the chondroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activity of IL4-10 FP in in vitro and in vivo models of osteoarthritis.

Perioperative blood transfusions and delayed wound healing after hip replacement surgery: effects on duration of hospitalization.

Patients who receive allogeneic blood transfusions after orthopedic surgery have a longer duration of hospitalization, and this cannot be explained by a more frequent incidence of infections in transfused patients. To determine whether transfusion of allogeneic blood interferes with wound healing and therefore increases the duration of hospitalization, we performed an observational study in 444 consecutive patients scheduled for elective primary hip surgery. Transfusion, wound, and infection variables were collected at five time points during treatment.

Efficacy and tolerance of three different calcium acetate formulations in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Calcium acetate (CaAc) is an effective phosphate binder in patients with chronic renal failure. However, an important side effect is gastro-intestinal discomfort. Phos-ex (Cablon, The Netherlands) is the only commercially available non-coated CaAc formulation in our country.

A simplified grading method of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder: reproducibility, clinical significance and comparison with other prognostic parameters.

Objective: To determine the extent to which the biological potential of transitional cell neoplasms can be predicted by histological grading of the primary tumour in a two grade system using simple histological criteria and to evaluate the additional value of grading when combined with other prognostic factors. The inter-observer variability of the World Health Organization grading and the two grade system was tested.

Patients And Methods: The study included 311 patients with newly diagnosed transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

Heterogeneity in bladder cancer as detected by conventional chromosome analysis and interphase cytogenetics.

Thirty transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) of the bladder were examined by classical chromosome counting to establish range, modal number, and percentage of metaphases with 2n, 3n, 4n, and > or = 5n chromosomes. In addition, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was applied to interphase nuclei to detect the percentage of tumor cells showing polyploidization and chromosome imbalance. In FISH, centromere-specific DNA probes for chromosomes 1, 7, 9, and 11 were used.

A study on the buffering activity of the human rectum. In vivo demonstration of HCO3- and H+ secretion after rectal application of fluids with an unphysiological pH.

The buffering activity of the human rectum was evaluated in various pilot studies, using a rectal lumen perfusion method. Quantitative alkaline and acid secretion was measured, respectively, by direct titration according to the pH-stat method. The change in composition of the perfusate with regard to the test drug benzoate and the concentration HCO3- was detected.

Control of an epidemic spread of a multi-resistant strain of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus in a hospital.

The spread of a multi-resistant glucose-acidifying Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain in a community hospital was studied. After admission of a colonized patient to the hospital the strain was found in clinical specimens from ICU patients and subsequently from several of these patients after transfer to medical wards. Environmental specimens from the ICU and medical wards were analysed in order to investigate the mode of spread of the strain.