Baseline levels of circulating galectin-1 associated with radiographic hand but not radiographic knee osteoarthritis at a two-year follow-up.

Objective: We tested the potential of circulating galectin-1, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) levels at baseline in individuals with knee pain as biomarkers for development of radiographic knee and/or hand osteoarthritis (OA). Design: This study comprised 212 individuals with knee pain from the Halland osteoarthritis cohort (HALLOA). Clinical characteristics and serum/plasma levels of galectin-1, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF alpha were measured at baseline, and knee and hand radiographs were obtained at a two-year follow-up. The predictive value of circulating inflammatory markers and clinical variables at baseline was assessed using multinominal logistic regression for those who developed radiographic OA in knees only (n â€‹= â€‹25), in hands only (n â€‹= â€‹40), and in both knees and hands (n â€‹= â€‹43); the group who did not develop OA (n â€‹= â€‹104) was used as reference. Correlations were assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficients. Results: As expected, age was identified as a risk factor for having radiographic knee and/or hand OA at the two-year follow-up. Baseline circulating galectin-1 levels did not associate with developing radiographic knee OA but associated with developing radiographic hand OA (odds ratio (OR) for a 20% increased risk: 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.29) and both radiographic knee and hand OA (OR for a 20% increased risk: 1.18, 95% CI 1.05-1.30). However, baseline IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF alpha did not associate with developing radiographic knee and/or hand OA. Conclusion: Non-age adjusted circulating galectin-1 is superior to IL-6, IL-1 beta, and TNF alpha in predicting radiographic hand but not knee OA.

Impaired delivery of insulin to adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in obese women with postprandial hyperglycemia.

CONTEXT: An impaired transfer of insulin from the circulation to the interstitial fluid has been suggested to contribute to insulin resistance. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to address whether the delivery of insulin from the circulation to adipose tissue and skeletal muscle is impaired in obese women with postprandial hyperglycemia compared with lean healthy controls. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Seven obese nondiabetic women with postprandial hyperglycemia and nine lean healthy women were recruited. The interstitial insulin concentration in adipose tissue and muscle tissue was measured by the microdialysis technique during an oral glucose tolerance test (75 g). In parallel, arterial insulin levels were measured. We used ¹³³Xe clearance and plethysmography to monitor blood flow. Subcutaneous needle biopsies were taken to obtain fat cell size. RESULTS: After oral glucose ingestion, mean arterial insulin levels were higher in obese women than in the lean group. However, interstitial insulin levels in sc adipose tissue and forearm muscle were similar in both groups. Accordingly, the proportion of circulating insulin being transported across the vascular endothelium to the interstitial fluid in adipose tissue and in muscle tissue was significantly lower in the obese compared with the lean group. CONCLUSIONS: Obese subjects with postprandial hyperglycemia need higher circulating insulin levels than lean controls to attain similar interstitial insulin levels in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, indicating an impaired transfer of insulin across the endothelium.

Reduced bleeding through temporary balloon occlusion in hip and knee revision surgery.

We used temporary balloon occlusion of the iliac or femoral artery to reduce blood loss in major hip or knee operations in 15 cases in 13 patients. The balloon was introduced by an interventional radiologist in the afternoon of the day before surgery or in the morning before. A latex occlusion balloon was inserted via the transfemoral ipsi- or contralateral route. The patients received two 40 mg doses of low molecular weight heparin. At the beginning of the operation, saline was injected into the predetermined volume to inflate the balloon. The balloons were inflated during 1-6 hours. In each case, the balloon occlusion clearly reduced bleeding in the surgical field and facilitated surgery. The perioperative bleeding was reduced by half, as compared to a retrospective control group. We measured the intraarterial blood pressures distally to the balloon in 2 patients. They decreased from 120 to 40 mm Hg and 155 to 50 mm Hg, respectively, after inflation. Two complications occurred, one bleeding due to catheter dislocation the night before surgery and one postoperative necrosis of the tip of a toe in a patient in whom the deflated balloon was not extruded until the day after surgery and the dose of heparin was too low.

Autotransplanted teeth with early-stage endodontic treatment: a radiographic evaluation.

Autotransplantation of teeth has been performed for many years and with varying degrees of success. The present report concerns the long-term results of autotransplantation of 36 teeth with completed root formation. Endodontic treatment was started before or within 12 weeks after transplantation. At the final check-up 32 teeth were present, 24 of them without signs of inflammation, replacement, or internal resorption. Careful radiographic examination during the follow-up period and adequate therapeutic measures with inter alia renewed endodontic treatment are of importance for successful autotransplantation.