Search results for "Actor"

Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA)

2011

The Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) is a PCR-based method. The procedure relies on sequence-specific probe hybridization of genomic DNA, followed by multiplex-PCR amplification of the hybridized probe and a semiquantitative analysis of the resulting PCR products. MLPA allows the analysis of around 40 loci in the same reaction, and is a sensitive and relatively fast technique. Only a small amount of DNA is required and results are available within 2 days.The critical factors when performing MLPA analyses from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues are DNA integrity and purity; for this reason, a suitable DNA extraction method must be chosen.The MLPA protocol …

The challenge of using the rheumatoid arthritis diagnostic criteria in clinical practice.

2015

The new 2010 ACR/EULAR (American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism) criteria of Rheumatoid Arthritis recently published, have been released to classify and identify patients with early RA who could benefit from early therapy. They recommend anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) testing as an alternative criterion to Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and ACPA that were introduced together with the other classic criteria in a scoring system. We previously criticized these new criteria because of unavailable specificity and sensibility in the first paper, and the use of ACPA as dichotomous criterion (presence/absent) and alternatives to rheumatoid factor. Our previous work p…

Evaluation of efficacy and biocompatibility of a new absorbable synthetic substitute as a dural onlay graft in a large animal model.

2016

Numerous dura substitutes are commercially available, but no absorbable synthetic dura repair product has been used for both onlay and suture applications.The safety and effectiveness of a new absorbable synthetic substitute composed of Poly-L-lactide microfibers as onlay dural graft were evaluated.Physical properties and performance of the microfibrous synthetic dural substitute implanted as an onlay or suturable grafts were compared with these commercial products, including CODMAN ETHISORB™ Dura Patch and DuraGen™ Dural Graft Matrix, in a canine duraplasty model. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, macroscopic and microscopic observation at 30 and 90 days after implantation were invest…

Is time to joint replacement a valid outcome measure in clinical trials of drugs for osteoarthritis?

2003

The rate of radiographic joint space narrowing is commonly used today as a structural outcome measure in clinical trials evaluating potential disease-modifying drugs in patients with hip osteoarthritis, but this results in a continuous variable. Among the methods proposed to circumvent this problem, it has been suggested that the incidence of total hip arthoplasty (THA) provides a hard outcome measure. It is a dichotomized variable, easy to measure and sensitive to change, with acceptable intrinsic validity. However, because this measure is limited by the variability of factors underlying the decision to perform surgery and the length of waiting lists, it has been suggested that time to ful…

MINIMIZING INFLIXIMAB TOXICITY IN THE TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

2008

Abstract Background Infliximab is a widely used biological agent for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, and has a favorable risk/benefit ratio. Aim It is useful to know that patients treated with infliximab are exposed to developing adverse events that could be reduced with a prudent and a rational clinical approach and by optimizing the treatment protocol. Methods PubMed (including Epub) was searched in October 2006 and again in March 2007. Results The high immunogenic potential of infliximab determines the antibodies that inhibit the effect of infliximab and the appearance of subsequent acute and delayed infusion reactions. Infliximab has an immunomodulatory effect, thus increas…

Levetiracetam‐induced pediatric toxic epidermal necrolysis successfully treated with etanercept

2020

Successful management of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) with tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors has been described in adults, but few cases have been reported in children. To date, only four pediatric cases of TEN treated with infliximab and one with etanercept have been published. We present the case of an 8-year-old boy diagnosed with TEN induced by levetiracetam, successfully treated with etanercept, systemic corticosteroids, and intravenous immunoglobulin.

2020

The occupation of dental assistants (DAs) involves many health risks of the musculoskeletal system due to static and prolonged work, which can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of MSDs in DAs in Germany. Methods: For this purpose, an online questionnaire analyzed 406 (401 female participants and 5 male participants, 401w/5m) DAs. It was based on the Nordic Questionnaire (lifetime, 12-month, and seven-day MSDs’ prevalence separated into neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, upper back, lower back, hip, knee, and ankle), and occupational and sociodemographic questions as well as questions about specific medical conditions. Results: 98.5% …

Abatacept as Adjunctive Therapy in Refractory Polymyalgia Rheumatica.

2021

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the mainstay of treatment for patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).1 Despite their efficacy, GCs are associated with well-known adverse events and a substantial proportion of patients with PMR do not respond adequately, or are refractory, to initial GC treatment. GC-sparing agents in PMR are limited to methotrexate (MTX).1.

Arthritis Associated with Ulcerative Colitis: Our Experience in Palermo

2009

To The Editor: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the inflammatory bowel diseases, which affects the small intestine and colon [1]. The pathophysiology of UC is not known [2, 3]. The association between arthritis and UC is well known. The authors report the frequency of arthritis in 53 Sicilian patients with UC. The diagnosis of UC was made according to criteria described by Schachter and Kirsner [4]. The involvement of sacroilitic joints was assessed radiologically according to Bennett and Burch grade (0=normal joint, 1=suspicious sacroiliitis 2=abnormal joint with sclerosis and/or erosions, 3=unequivocally abnormal with erosions, sclerosis, widening or narrowing or partly ankylosed, 4=tota…

Treatment with a CO-releasing molecule (CORM-3) reduces joint inflammation and erosion in murine collagen-induced arthritis.

2008

Contains fulltext : 70589.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) OBJECTIVE: CO-releasing molecules (CO-RMs) are a novel class of anti-inflammatory agents. We have examined the possible therapeutic effects of CORM-3 in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS: Arthritis was induced in DBA-1/J mice by type II collagen. Animals were treated with CORM-3 (5 and 10 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) or the inactive compound iCORM-3 (10 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) unable to release CO, from days 22 to 31. Production of anti-type II collagen antibodies, cytokines and cartilage olimeric matrix protein (COMP) was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) by rad…