Aceclofenac versus naproxen in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: A double-blind, controlled study

Abstract The efficacy and tolerability of aceclofenac and naproxen sodium in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) were evaluated and compared in this double-blind, multicenter, controlled study. Of the 130 patients who entered the study, 126 patients met the inclusion criteria. Efficacy was evaluated at baseline, 15 days, and 1, 2, and 3 months using a visual analog scale for spontaneous pain, a zero to three-point scale for pain on movement and pain at rest, and measurements of chest expansion, hand-to-floor distance, Schober's test, and normal daily activities. No significant between-group differences were seen for any of the variables at baseline, except hand-to-floor distance. B…

Indirect Cost of Rheumatoid Arthritis Before and After Successful Initiation of Treatment With Biological Anti-TNFα Drugs: The GISEA Study

Characterization and Reprocessing of Greenhouse Films.

Films for greenhouses are an attractive source of post-consumer plastic materials because they are mainly made of polyethylene and can be easily collected in large amounts in small zones. The types of polymers for this application are, however, increasing and the films contain not only additives and stabilisers, but also fertiliser and pesticide residues. Finally, the extent of photooxidative degradation undergone during the use can strongly influence the recycling operations and the final properties of the secondary material. In this work, a complete characterisation of post-consumer films for greenhouses has been carried out and the properties of the recycled material have been correlated…

The soluble terminal complement complex (SC5b-9) up-regulates osteoprotegerin expression and release by endothelial cells: Implications in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. Complement activation products contribute to a large number of inflammatory diseases, including RA. We have investigated whether osteoprotegerin (OPG) may concur with the soluble terminal complement complex (SC5b-9) to the inflammatory cascade characterizing RA. Methods. Levels of SC5b-9 and OPG in the plasma and SF of patients with active RA were determined by ELISA. The presence of SC5b-9 and OPG in RA synovial lesions was analysed by immunohistochemistry. Cultured endothelial cells were used for in vitro leucocyte/endothelial cell adhesion assays. In addition, endothelial cells were exposed to SC5b-9 in order to evaluate the effects on the production of OPG protein, as well as…

Predictors of Remission in RA Patients Treated With TNF Alpha Blockers at a Community Level: The GISEA Study

“Effect of Filler Type and Processing Apparatus on the Properties of the Recycled “Light Fraction” from Municipal Post-Consumer Plastics”

Plastic waste or scraps are generated from two main sources: industrial wastes and post-consumer wastes. By using the flotation method, generally two fractions are obtained from municipal post-consumer wastes: a light fraction, floating on water, and a heavy fraction. The former is essentially made of low and high density polyethylene—LDPE, HDPE—and polypropylene—PP; the heavy fraction is formed by poly(vinyl chloride)—PVC—and poly(ethylene terephthalate)—PET. In this work, the recycling of a light fraction from municipal post-consumer plastics has been studied, considering also the effect of filler type—glass fibres, calcium carbonate and wood fibres—and processing apparatus—discountinous …

Longterm Retention of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Inhibitor Therapy in a Large Italian Cohort of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis from the GISEA Registry: An Appraisal of Predictors.

Objective.To evaluate 4-year retention rates of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab among patients with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as derived from an Italian national registry.Methods.The clinical records of 853 adult patients with RA in the GISEA (Gruppo Italiano Studio Early Arthritis) registry were prospectively analyzed to compare drug survival rates and the baseline factors that may predict adherence to therapy.Results.In 2003 and 2004, 324 patients started treatment with adalimumab, 311 with etanercept, and 218 with infliximab. After 4 years, the global retention rate of anti-TNF-α therapy was 42%. Etanercept survival (51.4%) …