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Background: We aimed to study, for the first time in the Egyptian population, the relationship between the serum adiponectin level in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients and its correlation with clinical, radiological, and ultrasonographic characteristics. Additionally, investigate the relationship between the adiponectin (ADIPOQ) gene rs1501299 (+ 276G/T) polymorphism and KOA susceptibility and severity., Methods: This case-control study enrolled 40 patients with primary KOA and 40 matched controls. All patients underwent physical examination of the knee, pain assessment using the visual analogue scale (VAS), and functional evaluation by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Severity of KOA was assessed by Kellgren Lawrence (KL) grading scale and ultrasonography grading systems. Serum adiponectin levels and adiponectin (ADIPOQ) gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs1501299) genotyping were done for all patients and controls., Results: The study included 40 patients with primary symptomatic KOA and 40 controls with comparable age, sex, and body mass index. The genotype of the rs1501299 (+ 276G/T) polymorphism of the ADIPOQ gene was determined using TaqMan allelic discrimination. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent test was used to measure the level of serum adiponectin. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) score was used to assess functional capability, while the visual analogue scale was utilised to assess knee pain. Using the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading method and global femoral cartilage (GFC) ultrasound grading, the severity of KOA was assessed. No significant differences between patients and controls as regards the genotype distributions and allele frequencies (p = 0.400, p = 0.507, respectively) of ADIPOQ gene rs1501299 (+ 276G/T) polymorphism. Furthermore, serum adiponectin level was significantly higher in the patients compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.001). Additionally, adiponectin level had a significant negative correlation with disease severity as evaluated by KL and GFC grading (r=-0.351, p = 0.027 and r=-0.397, p = 0.011, respectively)., Conclusions: The ADIPOQ gene rs1501299 (+ 276G/T) polymorphism was not associated with KOA severity or vulnerability. The level of adiponectin considerably reduced as the severity of KOA rose, indicating that adiponectin may have a preventive effect in KOA., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a 12-week home-based transitional cardiac telerehabilitation (Hb-T-CTR) program on health-related quality-of-life and therapeutic self-care in older adults' post-Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). The intervention group (n = 57) underwent Hb-T-CTR, incorporating preoperative counseling, postoperative education, a culturally adapted video, home visits, and telephone counseling, while the control group (n = 61) received standard care. Using the Coronary Revascularization Outcome Questionnaire and the Sidani Doran Therapeutic Self-Care Measure, data were collected at three time points. Results showed significant improvements in overall scores for both health-related quality of life (t 1 =3.386, P = 0.001; t 2 =4.224, P < 0.001) and therapeutic self-care (t 1 =7.104, P < 0.001; t 2 =4.242, P < 0.001) in the intervention group compared to controls. This telehealth approach provides convenient and accessible rehabilitation services for older adults' post-CABG and highlights the importance of integrating Hb-T-CTR into routine care for personalized rehabilitation. This study underscores the potential of telehealth tools in overcoming barriers and enhancing patient-centered interventions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not those of the acknowledged institution., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Platelet-derived lyophilized growth factors (L-GFs) use a standardized number of allogenic pathogen-free platelets instead of autologous platelets used in PRP as a source of growth factors. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of L-GF injection versus placebo in subacromial impingement (SIS) treatment., Methods: The current randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study included sixty patients (40 females and 20 males, aged between 24 and 75 years) diagnosed with SIS (both clinically and sonographically). Patients were randomly assigned to two equal groups. Under ultrasound guidance, group 1 received subacromial saline injection, and group 2 received L-GF injection. Clinical examination, pain visual analogue scale (VAS), shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) and shoulder ultrasound were performed before and at the 8th week after injection., Results: Follow-up assessment showed statistically significant improvement in the L-GF group regarding active flexion, active and passive internal rotation and extension, SPADI-disability scale, VAS and thickness of the supraspinatus tendon by US. Regression analysis showed that group 1 was approximately 30 times more likely than the L-GF group to experience painful arc at follow-up. Both groups showed statistically significant improvement in SPADI-pain scale and SPADI-total, flexion and abduction (still the mean value of abduction was significantly higher in the L-GF group)., Conclusions: L-GF injection resulted in clinically significant reductions in pain and functional disability outcomes in patients with SIS. An objective significant reduction in the thickness of the supraspinatus tendon, measured by ultrasound, in the L-GF group hopefully encourages proper healing and functioning in SIS., Trial Registration: The identification number is NCT04330027, date of first registration (01/04/2020). Unique on 21/11/2019, Protocol ID: 0106178., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

This study sought to compare a bioceramic sealer (TotalFill) and a calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH] 2 ) sealer (Sealapex) in terms of their pH, calcium ion (Ca²⁺) release, and antibacterial effect against Enterococcus faecalis bacteria. For the pH and Ca²⁺ release tests, 20 polyethylene tubes (10 mm in height and 1 mm in internal diameter) were filled with the appropriate sealer (n = 10 per sealer), immersed in glass flasks each containing 10 mL of deionized water, and stored in an incubator at 37°C. The water was changed after 1, 7, 28, and 90 days. At each water change, the eluates were measured with an advanced electrochemistry meter to determine the pH and with a flame atomic absorption spectrometer to determine the Ca²⁺ release. The antibacterial effect was measured using the turbidimetry-based direct contact test in which the wells of a microtiter plate were coated with a thin, even layer of freshly prepared sealer (10 wells per sealer), which was allowed to set before application of a suspension of E faecalis. Control wells were obtained by placing an identical bacterial suspension in 10 uncoated wells. The optical density of the sealer and control groups was measured immediately and 1, 3, and 7 days after sealer preparation. Data were analyzed for normality with the Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Student t test, and 1-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc tests were all utilized with a significance level of P < 0.05. TotalFill maintained significantly higher pH and Ca²⁺ release levels than Sealapex at all evaluation times (P < 0.05). Both sealers demonstrated significantly greater antibacterial effect (lower optical density) than the control group; however, TotalFill resulted in significantly lower optical density values than Sealapex (P < 0.05). TotalFill bioceramic sealer demonstrated superior Ca(OH) 2 -related properties compared to Sealapex Ca(OH) 2 sealer., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest pertaining to any of the products or companies discussed in this article.