Comparison of soluble and placental transferrin receptors as standards for the determination of soluble transferrin receptor in humans.

Transferrin receptor is a transmembrane protein that mediates iron transport from blood into cells. The extracellular part of this receptor circulates in blood as soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and the immunological determination of this parameter is widely used in clinical practice. This study aimed at comparing the properties of sTfR and placental TfR (pTfR) and to evaluate the validity of pTfR as a standard for the determination of sTfR in human serum. sTfR and pTfR were studied by immunofluorescent assay and fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) gel filtration. Serum sTfR levels were calculated using sTfR or pTfR as a standard. The immunological activity of pTfR was lower than that of sTfR in all anti-TfR monoclonal antibody pairs. Upon FPLC gel filtration, pTfR eluted in a void volume of the column as a protein with a molecular weight (MW) of >1500 kDa, whereas the MW of sTfR corresponded to 237 kDa. This could be a result of micelle formation by pTfR because of its hydrophobic intracellular part. The serum sTfR levels calculated against sTfR were 2.5 times lower than those calculated against pTfR. Serum sTfR levels are overestimated when pTfR is used as the standard.

Isolated tuberculous tenosynovitis of the flexor tendon of the fourth finger of the hand. Case report.

A 21-year-old woman presented with a painful swelling of her palm which prevented her from fully extending her fourth finger. Magnetic resonance imaging showed synovial thickening around the flexor tendon and fluid in the tendon sheath. The mass was excised and histopathological examination showed tuberculosis. She had a six-month course of antituberculous treatment and was perfectly well three years later.

A different approach to the treatment of the lateral malleolar fractures with syndesmosis injury: the ANK nail.

This retrospective study was conducted on a total of 139 cases of fractured ankles involving the fibula above the syndesmosis which were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with the intramedullary ANK nail at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Vakif Gureba Teaching Hospital from 1990 to 1997. We were able to review 128 of these patients after a mean follow-up of 3.1 years (range, 1 - 7 years) including 60 with Weber type B and 68 with Weber type C fractures. The results were evaluated using objective, subjective, and roentgenographic criteria described by Cedell. Ninety-three patients (73%) have obtained good objective results, 28 (22%) fair, and seven (5%) have obtained poor objective results. Subjective rating were 94 patients (74%), good; 26 patients (20%), fair; and eight patients (6%), poor. Good radiological results were found in 99 patients (77%), fair radiological results in 21 patients (17%), and poor radiological results were found in eight patients (6%). It is concluded that the ANK nail could be used for the fixation of the lateral malleolar fracture with tear of the syndesmosis ligament.

Avulsion of the iliac crest apophysis.

In this paper we report a case concerning an avulsion fracture of the iliac crest in an 18-year-old boy. The fracture happened while he was playing soccer. He reported with a left hip pain to the Accident and Emergency Department about half an hour after the injury had occurred. The diagnosis was made on the basis of radiographs of the pelvis which showed an avulsion fracture of the iliac crest. He was treated conservatively with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and rest. Two months later he could play soccer again without any complaint.