Since the plasma level of MMP-3 in GOA was higher than that in KOA patients, it may be a superior indicator for whole-joint degeneration.

Summary:We conducted a nationwide survey to define incidence of deep fungal infections and fungal prophylaxis practices after HSCT. In all, 63 institutions responded. Total number of in-patient transplantations was 935: 367 autologous, 414 allogeneic myeloablative, and 154 allogeneic reducedintensity (RIST) (n ¼ 154). Number of patients who were cared for in a clean room at transplant was 261 (71%) in autologous, 409 (99%) in conventional and 93 (66%) in RIST, respectively. All patients received prophylactic antifungal agents; 89% fluconazole. Number of patients who received the dosage recommended in the CDC guidelines (400 mg/day) was 135 (42%) in conventional transplant and 34 (30%) in RIST (P ¼ 0.037). Number of patients who received fluconazole until engraftment and beyond day 75 in conventional transplant vs RIST was, respectively, 324 (100%) vs 109 (97%), and 39 (12%) vs 18 (16%), with no significant difference between the two groups. A total of 37 patients (4.0%) were diagnosed with deep fungal infections; autologous transplantation (0.03%), conventional transplantation (6.0%) and RIST (7.1%). Wide variations in antifungal prophylaxis practice according to the type of transplant and the institutions, and deep fungal infection remain significant problems in RIST.

CRP = C-reactive protein; GOA = generalized osteoarthritis; MMP = matrix metalloproteinase; OA = osteoarthritis; TIMP = tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases. Arthritis Research & Therapy Vol 6 No 3 Takahashi et al. Research articleRelationship between radiographic grading of osteoarthritis and the biochemical markers for arthritis in knee osteoarthritis Masaaki Takahashi, Kenichi Naito, Masashi Abe, Tomokazu Sawada and Akira Nagano AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the biochemical markers of arthritis and the radiographic grading of osteoarthritis (OA) in knees. Seventy-one women aged 49-85 years with knee OA were studied. Anterior-posterior knee radiographs and hand radiographs were taken in all patients. The radiographic grading of OA in the knee was performed by using the Kellgren-Lawrence criteria and the joint space width. The 71 patients with knee OA were divided into two groups: 37 patients exhibiting generalized osteoarthritis (GOA) and 34 non-GOA patients, according to the grading of their hand radiograph. C-reactive protein (CRP), urinary pyridinoline, YKL-40, plasma matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 were measured as the biochemical markers of arthritis. The radiographic grading with the Kellgren-Lawrence scale revealed a significant relationship to the joint space width (P = 0.003): the joint space width decreased with increasing Kellgren-Lawrence grade. All biochemical markers had negative correlations with the joint space width, but only urinary pyridinoline had a significant correlation (P = 0.039). Pyridinoline (P = 0.034) and TIMP-1 (P = 0.017) also exhibited a significant relationship to the Kellgren-Lawrence grade. In GOA evaluations, the joint space width did not differ between GOA and non-GOA patients. CRP, pyridinoline, YKL-40 and MMP-3 levels were significantly greater in GOA patients than in non-GOA patients. CRP, pyridinoline, YKL-40, MMP-3 and TIMP-1 levels each related to at least one of the radiographic gradings. Furthermore, pyridinoline related to every type of radiographic grading examined in the present study.

Reported herein are two cholelithiasis-afflicted infants with a common inability to tolerate enteral feeding necessitating parenteral nutrition. One of the infants received parenteral nutrition for 5 months because of intestinal dysfunction and enterocolitis secondary to extensive aganglionosis, while the second child was premature and placed on parenteral nutrition because of bowel dysfunction after surgery to repair high jejunal atresia and a right diaphragmatic hernia. The relationship between parenteral nutrition and cholelithiasis is discussed.

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