Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation between patient-reported pain scores and concentrations of IL-6 (Spearman rho = 0.7), MCP-1 (rho = 0.8), MIP-1 beta (rho = 0.6), and IFN-gamma (rho = 0.6). These four cytokines also demonstrated a positive correlation with each other (rho = 0.5 to 0.7). The presence of IFN-gamma, IL-6, MCP-1, CA3 chemical structure or MIP-1 beta performed as well as magnetic resonance imaging in

the prediction of intraoperative findings.

Conclusions: Intra-articular concentrations of four inflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-6, MCP-1, and MIP-1 beta correlated to pain in patients with symptomatic meniscal tears in the knee but were markedly lower in asymptomatic normal knees and in asymptomatic knees with meniscal tears. These cytokines may be involved in the generation of pain following meniscal injury.”
“Background: Recent evidence suggests that YKL-40, also called chitinase-3-like-1 protein, is involved see more in the pathogenesis of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Details of sputum YKL-40 in asthma and COPD, however, remain unknown. Objectives: To clarify associations of sputum YKL-40 levels with clinical indices in asthma and COPD. Methods:

Thirty-nine patients with asthma, 14 age-matched never-smokers as controls, 45 patients with COPD, and 7 age-matched smokers as controls were recuited for this study. Sputum YKL-40 levels were measured and YKL-40 expression in sputum cells was evaluated by immunocytochemistry. Results: Sputum YKL-40 levels were higher in patients with COPD (346 +/- 325 ng/ml) than in their smoker controls (125 +/- 122 ng/ml; p < 0.05), but were not significantly different between patients with asthma (117 +/- 170 ng/ml) and their controls (94 +/- 44 ng/ml; p = 0.15). In patients with asthma only, sputum YKL-40 levels were positively correlated

with disease severity (r = 0.34, p = 0.034) and negatively correlated with pre- and postbronchodilator % FEV1 (r = -0.47 and -0.42, respectively; p < 0.01) and forced mid-expiratory flow (r = -0.48 and -0.46, respectively, p < 0.01). Sputum YKL-40 levels were positively correlated Z-VAD-FMK inhibitor with sputum neutrophil counts in asthma (r = 0.55, p < 0.001) and with neutrophil and macrophage counts in COPD (r = 0.45 and 0.65, respectively, p < 0.01). YKL-40 was expressed in the cytoplasm of sputum neutrophils and macrophages in all groups. Conclusions: Elevated sputum YKL-40 reflects airflow obstruction in asthma whereas the roles of YKL-40 in the proximal airways in COPD remain to be elucidated. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“OBJECTIVE; To measure discontinuation within 6 months among users of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system, copper intrauterine device (IUD), and etonogestrel implant and identify baseline characteristics associated with early discontinuation.