Assessment of joint damage from analysis of released bone sialoprotein into synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients

Bone sialoprotein [BSP] was quantified in synovial fluids and sera from rheumatoid arthritis [RA] patients to elucidate whether its release from bone relates to the degree of joint tissue destruction. BSP levels were determined by immunoassays of knee synovial fluids and of sera from 60 RA patients who were classified into 4 groups on the basis of radiographic knee joint tissue damage. Serum levels were compared with 15 matched healthy subjects as a control group. Synovial fluid concentrations of BSP increased with increasing degree of knee joint damage [F=13.5 and P<0.001]. Serum concentrations of BSP were increased above normal [t=5.9 and P<0.001]. but did not relate to the degree of joint damage [F=0.02 and P>0.05]. From these results we concluded that quantification of BSP in the synovial fluid can be useful as a mean for assessing the degree of tissue damage at the molecular level in patients with RA

versatile fixed performance oxygen therapy device

For the clinical practice of anesthesia lower concentration of oxygen is achieved by solution with air. Pre-mixing of air and oxygen is essential for accurate control of the inspised air by miming metered flows of compressed air and oxygen using an oxygen-driven injector. The air-oxygen mixing unit of the "Brompton-Manley ventilator" is a well known device in Egypt. Humodification is allowed by assing a thermostatically controlled humidifier to the circuit

Attempt for the diagnosis of acute respiratory failure by clinical picture and scoring [preliminary study]

The present study included 51 patients with acute respiratory failure admitted to ICU in 1979 and 1980. It can be safely concluded that clinical signs and symptoms are dependable criteria for the diagnosis of acute respiratory failure without waiting sophosticated laboratory apparatus. The major signs and symptoms found in this study are: increased frequency of respiration, the use of accessory muscles of respiration, retraction of intercostals, dyspnea, flaring of alae nasi, cyanosis. Disorientation and confusion, fatigue and exhaustion, and lastly anxiety. These signs and symptoms can be collected together to form an appropriate score for the diagnosis of Acute Respiratory Failure