Objective:The objective of this prospective study was assessment of efficacy of bone marrow aspirate (BMA) (containing plasma rich in growth factors and mesenchymal stem cells) injection in treatment of tennis elbow.Materials and Methods:A total of 30 adult patients of previously untreated tennis elbow were administered single injection of BMA. This concentrate was made by centrifugation of iliac BMA at 2000 rpm for 20-30 min and only upper layer containing platelet rich plasma and mononuclear cells was injected. Assessment was performed at baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 12 weeks using Patient-rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) score.Results:Baseline pre-injection mean PRTEE score was 72.8 ± 6.97 which decreased to a mean PRTEE score of 40.93 ± 5.94 after 2 weeks of injection which was highly significant (P < 0.0001). The mean PRTEE score at 6 week and 12 week follow-up was 24.46 ± 4.58 and 14.86 ± 3.48 respectively showing a highly significant decrease from baseline scores (P < 0.0001).Conclusion:Treatment of tennis elbow patients with single injection of BMA showed a significant improvement in short to medium term follow-up. In future, such growth factors and/or stem cells based injection therapy can be developed as an alternative conservative treatment for patients of tennis elbow, especially who have failed non-operative treatment before surgical intervention is taken.

BackgroundWhile specific patterns of circulating dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes are associated with the incidence of coronary artery disease, the characterization of circulating DC and monocyte subsets in patients with different stages of atherosclerosis remains unclear.MethodsForty-eight patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) diagnosed by angiography were enrolled. Likewise, 31 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were enrolled and confirmed with the presence of thrombosis by angiography. Plaque features of 48 UAP patients were evaluated at the culprit lesions by OCT. Circulating myeloid DCs (mDCs), plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and monocyte subsets were analyzed using flow cytometry.ResultsThe proportions and absolute counts of mDC2s, which specifically express CD141 and possess the ability to activate CD8+ T lymphocytes, significantly decreased in patients with UAP and STEMI when compared with controls (0.08 × 104 ± 0.05 × 104/ml and 0.08 × 104 ± 0.06 × 104/ml vs. 0.11 × 104 ± 0.06 × 104/ml, p = 0.027). On the other hand, patients with UAP and STEMI had significantly higher proportions and counts of Mon2 subsets. In the OCT subgroup, patients with thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) had higher proportions and absolute number of Mon2 (11.96% ± 4.27% vs. 9.42% ± 4.05%, p = 0.034; 5.17 × 104/ml ± 1.92 × 104/ml vs. 3.53 × 104/ml ± 2.65 × 104/ml, p = 0.045) than those without TCFA. However, there was no remarkable difference in mDC2s between patients with and without TCFA.ConclusionsCirculating Mon2 appears to be a promising marker for the severity of atherosclerotic plaque.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12872-017-0702-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The injury rate in SGC is lower than that reported at elite level. However, the high rate of lower back injuries (20%) highlights an area of concern in this cohort. High workloads or inadequate physical conditioning may contribute to such injuries. This study sets the foundation for understanding injury epidemiology in grade cricket and examines the links between injury and performance, these results may assist coaches and administrators to develop and implement cricket-specific injury prevention programmes.

Aim: Ketorolac tromethamine (KT) is highly effective in treating post-operative eye inflammation, allergic conjunctivitis as well other ailments. It is reported that USFDA has approved a 0.45% ophthalmic solution of KT (Acuvail, Allergan, Inc) for the treatment of pain and inflammation after cataract surgery. However, the bioavailable amount of an ocular dosage form is very low due to continuous defensive mechanism in the eye. Thus the aim of present study was to improve the bioavailability of KT via sustained release using the polymer matrix (Chitosan) as a carrier. Materials and Methods: Nanoparticles of Ketorolac tromethamine were prepared by ionotropic gelation method. Design expert software was used to evaluate the effect of chitosan and tripolyphosphate (TPP) concentration on particle size and entrapment efficiency of nanoparticles. Prepared nanoparticles were physico-chemically characterized for % yield, entrapment efficiency, particle size and Zeta potential, surface morphology, in-vitro drug release, release kinetics and stability studies. In accordance with the evaluation parameters and results obtained from factorial design, an optimized batch was designed and evaluated for above mentioned parameters. Results: The optimized batch thus prepared was having Percentage yield (66.4%), Percentage Entrapment Efficiency (61.65%), Particle size (153.9 nm), Zeta Potential (-21.8) and percentage drug release (94.368±0.181 & 92.797±0.150% in PBS and STF (pH 7.4) respectively). Results of release kinetic study revealed that drug dissolution followed Zero order release kinetics model. No physicochemical changes were seen when stored at accelerated conditions. Conclusion: It was concluded that the principle adopted behind this research work will provide impetus for future researchers to carry out such formulations of wider variety of drugs rendering highly economical utility.