Chlamydia pneumoniae and osteoporosis-associated bone loss: a new risk factor?

UNLABELLED: We found an association between the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA both in osteoporotic bone tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the increase in circulating resorptive cytokines. INTRODUCTION: Our study was designed to determine whether C. pneumoniae infection may be involved in osteoporosis-associated bone loss. METHODS: The study included 59 women undergoing hip joint replacement surgery for femoral neck fracture: 32 with osteoporosis and 27 with osteoarthritis. A total of 118 tissue specimens (59 bone tissues, 59 PBMCs) were examined for C. pneumoniae DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serum levels of soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (sRANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 were also measured. RESULTS: C. pneumoniae DNA was detected in osteoporotic bone tissue whereas it was not found in non-osteoporotic bone tissue (p < 0.05). A significantly higher rate of C. pneumoniae DNA (p < 0.05) was found in PBMCs of osteoporotic patients than in those of osteoarthritis patients. Among osteoporotic patients, serum sRANKL, IL-1, and IL-6 concentrations as well as sRANKL/OPG ratio significantly differ between patients with bone tissue and PBMCs positive to C. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae-negative patients. CONCLUSION: The association between the presence of C. pneumoniae DNA, both in bone tissue and PBMCs, and the increase in sRANKL/OPG ratio as well as in IL-1ß and IL-6 levels observed in osteoporotic patients suggests C. pneumoniae infection as a new risk factor for osteoporosis.

Nanocrystalline diamond films grown in nitrogen rich atmosphere: structural and field emission properties.

The field emission behaviour of a series of nanocrystalline N-doped diamond films has been investigated and interpreted on the basis of the structural and compositional characteristics of the layers. The diamond films, formed by crystallites with grain size in the range 20-100 nm were produced from CH4/H2 mixtures using a HF-CVD apparatus. Nitrogen was added to the gaseous reactants in form of both N2 and of Urea. Micro-Raman spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence have been used to define the structure of the deposits on a nanometric scale. The field emission measurements have been carried out under a pressure of 10(-6) mbar using a sphere-to-plane anode-cathode configuration. The characteristics of the emission from the various nanodiamond samples and from different regions of the same sample are discussed in terms of field threshold, current density, current stability.

Hybrid carbon nanotube/nanodiamond structures as electron emitters for cold cathodes.

The field emission properties of hybrid carbon nanotubes/nanodiamond structures produced by one-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process have been investigated in order to assess their application as electron emitters for cold cathodes. The electron emission properties of a series of samples have been investigated by current-pressure, current-voltage and current-time measurements with the aim of testing the emission stability under working conditions relevant to technological applications. Stable emission, high values of current density and lack of arcing have been observed during prolonged working cycles, and without degradation of the material structure.

Using conflict to improve effectiveness of nurse teams.

As nurses increasingly turn to teamwork as a viable option for accomplishing a myriad of duties and responsibilities, they are discovering that teamwork can also be a source of conflict. This article suggests that conflict is both inevitable and necessary within a team. A model is presented that aims not at reducing conflict but at making it more effective. The author traces the influence of preconflict conditions and perspective-taking on conflict and ultimately team effectiveness. Finally, to aid in applying the model to practice, two examples are presented, demonstrating both an ineffective and an effective use of conflict.

[Biomechanical changes in and lesions of the lumbosacral spine in horse riding. Magnetic resonance assessment]. / Modificazioni biomeccaniche e alterazioni traumatiche del rachide lombo-sacrale negli sport equestri. Valutazione con Risonanza Magnetica.

Spinal injuries account for 5-15% of sport-related traumas. Equestrian sports are considered, together with rugby, motor sport and diving, the riskiest sport for severe spinal injuries. We investigated the biomechanical changes and repeated microtraumas in equitation. We examined with MR the lumbar spines of 12 professional horsewomen and horsemen, 18-51 years old (mean: 33.4 years), belonging to F.I.S.E. (the Italian Federation for Equestrian Sports) and classified as Olympic riders, Senior and Young European riders. An 0.3-T resistive and an 0.2-T permanent magnets with dedicated surface coils were used. We also examined a control group of non-professional healthy volunteers homogeneous by age. MR findings were classified as follows: 1) changes in normal bending and angles of the lumbar spine; 2) injuries and changes in lumbar disks; 3) changes in spinal ligaments; 4) vertebral body injuries. MR was very sensitive in the assessment of all lumbosacral components in all the athletes; besides yielding useful findings to integrate with clinical results, MR also has a predictive value relative to both the continuation of sports activity and the possible damage at the end of it.

Conflict with less distress: promoting team effectiveness.

As nurses increasingly turn to teamwork as a viable option for accomplishing a myriad of duties and responsibilities, they are discovering that teamwork can also be a source of conflict and stress. This article suggests that conflict is both inevitable and necessary within a team. A model of conflict is presented that aims not at reducing conflict, but at making it less distressing and thus more effective. The authors trace the influence of pre-conflict conditions and perspective-taking on conflict and ultimately team effectiveness. Finally, to apply the conflict model to practice, two examples are presented demonstrating both an ineffective and an effective use of conflict.

[Diseases detected with defecographic examination in 300 patients]. / Malattie riscontrate tramite esame defecografico su 300 pazienti.

Defecography is a radiological examination providing morphological details of the anorectal tract. Over almost 3 years, 300 patients were examined. The authors report on the method and the pathologic conditions they observed. The patients were seated in latero-lateral position on a radiolucent water-filled commode: lead marks were taped to define perianal skin. 150 ml of high-density barium paste were introduced into the rectum and radiographs were then acquired, at rest and during squeezing and straining. All examination phases, especially the study of dynamic evacuation, were recorded on a videotape connected to a brilliance intensifier. From their experience, the authors conclude that defecography is a valuable tool in the diagnosis and evaluation of: rectocele, occult rectal prolapse, and elevator ani tone. The technique proved less useful in the evaluation of fecal incontinence. The authors strongly suggest that the patient be previously examined by a coloproctologist. Defecography is thought to help the surgeon in the choice of therapy, together with other diagnostic procedures and with clinical history.

Response of the articular cartilage to weight-bearing: comparison of hemiarthroplasty with ceramic and cobalt-chromium head in dogs.

The advantages of the use of ceramic in prosthetics are well-known, especially the fact that the coefficient of friction is significantly lower at the bone-ceramic interface than at the bone-metal interface. For this reason, ceramic is used for the cephalic component of the hemiarthroplasty. The advantages of ceramic, however, are purely theoretical, and have never been scientifically proven. The aim of our study, conducted on 20 dogs, was to observe the long-term effects of femoral prosthesis with a ceramic or cobalt-chromium cephalic component upon the acetabular cartilage. Our research was conducted on homogeneous groups of dogs under similar conditions. At 8 months, the results showed evident cartilage damage that was equal in both groups. We therefore conclude that as far as everyday wear neither material is favored over the other.

Effect of stem modulus in a total hip arthroplasty model.

The purpose of this study was to determine the biological effects of the elastic modulus of the femoral stem in canine hip arthroplasty. Cementless total hip arthroplasty was performed in 12 dogs, six had a low elastic modulus polyacetal resin stem and six had a high modulus stainless steel stem. The components were otherwise similar. At six and 12 months after operation, radiographic and histomorphometric analysis showed that those with steel implants had more cortical porosity than did the other group (p less than 0.01). We suggest that the elastic modulus of the implant is an important factor in controlling cortical bone resorption. A low modulus femoral prosthesis can significantly decrease bone resorption which might otherwise eventually lead to implant failure.

[Endosteal hyperostosis with recessive transmission (Van Buchem's disease). A case report]. / Iperostosi endostale a trasmissione recessiva (malattia di Van Buchem). Segnalazione di un caso.

A rare case of Van Buchem's disease is described. This disease is a hereditary sclerosis dysplasia of bone which particularly affects the skull and long bones, the characteristic features being the endosteal deposition of bone, particularly in the diaphyses.

[Prognostic significance of skeletal lesions in multiple myeloma]. / Il significato prognostico delle lesioni scheletriche nel mieloma multiplo.

Prognostic significance of the skeletal lesions in multiple myeloma. Fifty-two patients with multiple myeloma have been analysed and relations between bone X-ray changes and several clinical biohumoral parameters and survival have been found. Our studies show no correlation between the extent of skeletal lesions and the seriousness of anaemia, or between bone marrow infiltration and renal involvement. The results also show that patients with apparently normal bones may also have serious anaemia, wide bone marrow infiltration and serious renal lesions rapidly leading to a poor prognosis. Comparison of survival curves, according to the grade of bone X-ray changes at presentation, shows no significant difference: the grade of bone lesions at diagnosis does not seem to considerably influence survival.

[Clinical and radiological diagnosis considerations on 2 cases of achalasia]. / Considerazioni cliniche e di diagnostica radiologica su due casi di acalasia.

Two cases of achalasia of the lower third of the oesophagus are presented. Leucoplakia was encountered in one of the cases. The clinical, aetiopathogenic and x-ray diagnostic aspects of achalasia are described in relation to the possibility that it may be associated with neoplasia or pre-cancerous alterations. In both the above cases, early dysphagia was encountered.

[Radiographic diagnosis in the early recognition and evaluation of incapacitating sequelae of advanced rheumatoid arthritis]. / Diagnostica radiografica nella diagnosi precoce e nella valutazione dei postumi invalidanti di artrite reumatoide avanzata.

Two observed cases of rheumatoid arthritis, one at an initial, the other at a very advanced stage, form the basis for a detailed report on the radiographic signs of the disease. Particular emphasis is placed on the possibilities offered by the various radiographic techniques for the evaluation of the sequelae of rheumatoid arthritis and for the early diagnosis of the disease.

[CT x-ray in recurrences of lumbar disk herniation. Usefulness of the examination with contrast enhancement]. / La TC nelle recidive di ernia discale lombare. Utilità dell'esame con contrast enhancement.

The CT is an important and valuable instrument in the study of the postoperative lumbar spine, in the patients which presented persistent clinical manifestation. In this report the technique with contrast enhancement is outlined, the criteria for its interpretations are presented, and its advantages and limitations are reviewed; pitfalls in technique interpretation are stressed. Two hundred and fifty patients are referred to the CT without and with i.v. contrast medium for this diagnostic request: scar or herniation at surgery level.

[Radiographic diagnostic problems in cancer of the gastric stump in subjects gastrectomized for ulcer over 10 years earlier]. / Problemi di diagnostica radiografica del cancro del moncone gastrico in soggetti gastroresecati per ulcera da più di dieci anni.

On the basis of some observed cases the histological, clinical and radiological aspects of carcinoma of the gastric stump are described in detail. The condition is comparatively rare, but once it occurs, recurrences are fairly frequent and given the high mortality rate it requires prompt diagnosis. Double contrast examination of the digestive tract is a useful additional technique for this purpose.

[Principal complications in radiographic studies]. / Principali complicanze delle indagini radiografiche.

After an introductory review of ion radiation sickness and the problem of accidents with contrast media, the main complications in urography, cholecystocholangiography, bronchography, lymphography and computerised axial tomography are listed. The comparative frequency of such complications is deduced from a study of the literature.