Eccentric Versus Concentric Exercises in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Randomized Comparative Study

Objective@#To determine the efficacy of concentric vs. eccentric exercise in improving shoulder function, pain, and tendon characteristics for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and rotator cuff tendinopathy. @*Methods@#Forty patients with rheumatoid arthritis and rotator cuff tendinopathy were divided into either concentric or eccentric exercise groups, with 20 patients in each group. Patients received 12 sessions at a pace of 3 sessions per week. Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), the visual analogue scale (VAS), supraspinatus and subscapularis thickness, echo pixels, and the Disease Activity Score-28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS-28-ESR) were assessed at baseline and post-treatment. @*Results@#There was a significant difference between the concentric and eccentric groups regarding SPADI and VAS scores in favor of the eccentric group. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding tendon thickness, echo pixels, or DAS-28-ESR. @*Conclusion@#Eccentric exercises were more effective than concentric exercises in improving shoulder function and pain intensity. However, neither of the two types of exercises was superior in improving tendon characteristics or disease activity.

Comparative study of some mechanical properties of cobalt chromium and polyether ether ketone thermoplastic removable partial denture clasps: an In-vitro Study / Estudo comparativo de algumas propriedades mecânicas dos grampos parciais removíveis termoplásticos removíveis termoplásticos de cobalto cromo e éter cetona: um estudo in vitro

Objective: was to evaluate the retentive force, fatigue resistance and deformity of clasps made from two materials cobalt chromium and poly ether ether ketone (PEEK). Material and Methods: sixteen models were fabricated,each one having lower 1st molar. Models were divided into two groups according to materials,group I (GI) for cobalt chromium (Co-Cr) and group II (GII) for PEEK. Each testing models and its clasps were mounted inside universal testing machine, the retention was measured by applying withdrawal force to it by this machine at 5 mm/min. The Fatigue resistance is measured by the reduction in retention through repeated insertion and removal cycles using robota chewing simulator. Removal and insertion cycling of clasps was carried out for 360, 730, 1080, 1,440, 2,116 and 2,880 cycles (corresponding to 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months of simulated clinical use of a RPD) to simulate the fatigue resistance test. Deformity was measured before and after each cycling using a digital micrometer. Statistical analysis was done by 2-way-ANOVA test to detect significance effects of each variable. Results: Retention and fatigue resistance, after 360, 730, 1080, 1,440, 2,116 and 2,880 cycles totally the difference between Co-Cr and PEEK groups was statistically non-significant (P = 0.0980> 0.05) where (Co-Cr > PEEK). Deformation results, regardless to evaluation time, Co-Cr group recorded statistically significant higher deformation mean value than PEEK group (P = 0.008 < 0.05).Regardless to material group, deformation mean value changed nonsignificantly by time (P = 0.2882> 0.05). Conclusion: PEEK clasps (1.0 mm in cross section diameter) engage 0.50 mm undercut provide sufficient retention nearly similar that of Co-Cr clasps.(AU)

Objetivo: o objetivo foi avaliar a força de retenção, a resistência à fadiga e a deformidade dos grampos fabricados com dois materiais diferentes: cromo-cobalto (Co-Cr) e poliéter-éter-étercetona (PEEK). Materiais e métodos: dezesseis modelos foram confeccionados, cada um com 1º molar inferior. Os modelos foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com o material: grupo I Co-Cr e grupo II para PEEK. Cada modelo de teste universal e seus grampos foram montados em uma máquina de teste universal. A retenção foi medida aplicando força de retirada por esta máquina a 5 mm/min. A resistência à fadiga foi medida pela redução na retenção através de ciclos repetidos de inserção e remoção usando um simulador do ciclo de mastigação. O ciclo de remoção e inserção dos grampos foi realizado por 360, 730, 1080, 1.440, 2.116 e 2.880 ciclos (correspondendo a 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 e 24 meses de uso clínico simulado de um RPD) para simular o teste de resistência à fadiga. A deformidade foi medida antes e após cada ciclo, usando um micrômetro digital. A análise estatística foi realizada pelo teste ANOVA de 2 fatores para detectar os efeitos de significância de cada variável. Resultados: A retenção e a resistência à fadiga após 360, 730, 1080, 1.440, 2.116 e 2.880 ciclos entre os grupos Co-Cr e PEEK não mostrou diferença estatisticamente significativa (p = 0,0980> 0,05), onde (Co-Cr> PEEK). Para os resultados da deformação, independentemente do tempo de avaliação, o grupo Co-Cr registrou um valor médio de deformação maior, com diferença estatística significativa, quando comparado com o grupo PEEK (p= 0,008 < 0,05). Independentemente do grupo de material, o valor médio da deformação foi alterado de forma não significativa pelo tempo (p= 0,2882> 0,05). Conclusão: os grampos PEEK (1,0 mm de diâmetro da seção transversal) engatam 0,50 mm retenção quase semelhante à dos grampos Co-Cr (AU)

New methodology in newborn screening for cystic fibrosis in Egypt

We used a three-tier neonatal screening method for cystic fibrosis disease. A total of 924 newborns, 458 males and 466 females, were screened by taking a heel prick on Guthrie cards during the first, three days after labour. The studied newborns were divided into two groups: Group I included forty high risk neonates and Group II included 884 randomized full term neonates. For all 942 newborns immunoreactive trypsinogen [IRT] was determined in neonatal blood spot. Forty positive cases [IRT equal to or higher than 60 ng/mL] were confirmed by sweat electrolyte testing. It was positive [equal to or higher than 50 mEq/L] in only three cases. DNA analysis using ARMS-PCR amplification technique for detection of F508 mutation was done to the three positive infants. One did not show the F508 mutation on both allels. The other two carried the F508 mutation on one allele. All three cases were recalled to exclude CF disease

Hemoglobin levels and anemia in pregnant tikrit women

The present study describes the variation of hemoglobin levels and anemia prevalence in 206 pregnant women in Tikrit primary health centers. The results show that 33.45% of the pregnant women were suffered from anemia, no effect of family size or educational level of the women on their hemoglobin level