Broadened T-cell Repertoire Diversity in ivIg-treated SLE Patients is Also Related to the Individual Status of Regulatory T-cells

Intravenous IgG (ivIg) is a therapeutic alternative for lupus erythematosus, the mechanism of which remains to be fully understood. Here we investigated whether ivIg affects two established sub-phenotypes of SLE, namely relative oligoclonality of circulating T-cells and reduced activity of CD4 + Foxp3+ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) reflected by lower CD25 surface density.Octapharma research funding; Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia postdoctoral fellowships: (SFRH/BPD/20806/2004, SFRH/BPD/34648/2007); FCT Programa Pessoa travel grant

Biomechanical properties of absorbable implants in finger fractures

The mechanical rigidity of five different methods of pin fixation in two proximal phalangeal fracture models was studied and absorbable implants were compared with metallic implants in a biomechanical cadaver study. Thirty phalanges were tested in apex palmar bending, compression and torsion. Results showed that rigidity of absorbable implants was comparable with metallic implants, except in torsion. © 1997 The British Society for Surgery of the Hand.link_to_subscribed_fulltex