Arthritis and rheumatism
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2008
Articular cartilage repair using dedifferentiated articular chondrocytes and bone morphogenetic protein 4 in a rabbit model of articular cartilage defects.
To observe redifferentiation of dedifferentiated chondrocytes after transplantation into the joint, and to evaluate the ability of dedifferentiated chondrocytes transduced with adenovirus containing bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) to redifferentiate in vitro and in vivo in a rabbit model of articular cartilage defects. ⋯ Some dedifferentiated chondrocytes can redifferentiate after transplantation into the load-bearing joint. BMP-4 can be used to induce redifferentiation of dedifferentiated chondrocytes in vitro and in vivo, which could help enhance articular cartilage repair.
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Mar 2008
The clinimetric properties of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II in early inflammatory arthritis.
To assess the clinimetric properties of a new health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instrument, the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II), in patients with early inflammatory arthritis. ⋯ The WHODAS II is a valid and reliable measure of HRQOL in cross-sectional studies of patients with early inflammatory arthritis. Research is still required to investigate potential item redundancy and determine its usefulness in longitudinal studies.
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Mar 2008
Progression of carotid intima-media thickness and plaque in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The goals of this study were to determine the extent of atherosclerotic progression among women with SLE compared with a group of healthy controls and to determine whether factors attributed to SLE or its treatment were associated with atherosclerotic progression independent of traditional CVD risk factors. ⋯ SLE patients have accelerated plaque progression compared with controls. SLE-related risk factors are associated with the progression of IMT and plaque after controlling for traditional CVD risk factors. Carotid B-mode ultrasound may serve as a surrogate end point in SLE intervention trials and clinically to track SLE management.
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Mar 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialDynamic levels of glutamate within the insula are associated with improvements in multiple pain domains in fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic widespread pain condition that is thought to arise from augmentation of central neural activity. Glutamate (Glu) is an excitatory neurotransmitter that functions in pain-processing pathways. This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between changing levels of Glu within the insula and changes in multiple pain domains in patients with FM. ⋯ Changes in Glu levels within the insula are associated with changes in multiple pain domains in patients with FM. Thus, H-MRS data may serve as a useful biomarker and surrogate end point for clinical trials of FM.