Typhimurium infections, and MLVA data based on 16 VNTRs can be useful in establishing clonal structures among isolates. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Objective. Regarding the efficacy of joint lavage in the treatment of knee OA, we evaluated reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the efficacy of joint lavage alone or joint lavage combined with IA steroid injection to alleviate pain and improve function in knee OA.\n\nMethods. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled

Trials for all reports published since Selleck 3-deazaneplanocin A 1966 of RCTs, evaluating either the efficacy of joint lavage alone or of joint lavage combined with steroid injection for knee OA on pain intensity and physical function. The time point for evaluation was a priori fixed at 3 months. Effect JNK-IN-8 chemical structure size (ES) was calculated to compare results across studies.\n\nResults. From the 49 articles identified, reports of six RCTs were analysed

for a total of 855 OA patients (511 in the treatment group and 344 in the control group). The pooled ES of the joint lavage vs placebo was not significant for pain intensity [ES = 0.17 (-0.37, 0.71)] or physical function [ES = -0.15 (-0.34, 0.04)], nor was the pooled ES of joint lavage combined with steroid injection vs joint lavage alone significant for pain intensity [ES = -0.82 (-2.47, 0.82)] or physical function [ES = 0.09 (-0.28, 0.45)].\n\nConclusions. This meta-analysis of RCTs investigating

joint lavage for knee OA suggests that at 3 months, (i) joint lavage alone selleck chemicals does not provide significant improvement in pain or function and (ii) the combination of joint lavage and IA steroid injection is no more efficacious than lavage alone.”
“Background: Type-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) 4G/5G polymorphism may influence the PAI-1 expression. High plasma levels of PAI-1 are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD).\n\nObjective: This study investigated the influence of PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism on plasma PAI-1 levels and its association with CAD assessed by coronary angiography.\n\nMethods: Blood sample of 35 individuals with angiographycally normal coronary arteries, 31 individuals presenting mild/moderate atheromatosis, 57 individuals presenting severe atheromatosis and 38 healthy individuals (controls) were evaluated. In patients and controls, the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism was determined by PCR amplification using allele-specific primers. Plasma PAI-1 levels were quantified by ELISA assay (American Diagnostica).\n\nResults: No difference was found between groups regarding age, gender and body mass index. Plasma PAI-1 levels and 4G/4G genotype frequency were significantly higher in the severe atheromatosis group compared to the other groups (p<0.001). Furthermore, patients with 4G/4G genotype (r=0.28, p<0.