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Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of kinesio taping (KT) treatments and conventional physical therapy (PT) modalities that are applied to reduce pain and improve physical movements and functions of patients with sub acromial impingement syndrome (SIS). Materials and Methods: Forty patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. The first group was assigned KT plus home exercise program (HEP) for 15 days. The second group was given 15 sessions of PT and HEP Patients were assessed using active joint range of motion (ROM), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; rest, movement, and night pain), the Society of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Evaluation (ASESS-100), Constant-Murley (C-M) scale, and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) index at before and after treatment and at the end of the study (first month control visit). Results: Physical therapy was found to be more effective than KT when these two treatment modalities were assessed based on ASESS-100, WORC index values, night pain, and movement pain. PT and KT treatments have similar effects in active ROM, rest pain, and C-M scale. At the end of the study, they were found to have similar effects except the night pain value. PT was found to be more effective for night pain than KT Conclusion: Physical therapy was concluded to be more effective after treatment. The application of KT does not appear to be an alternative treatment method for SIS, but it can provide a potential supportive care for SIS. However the outcomes suggest that KT can provide a remarkable benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted this study to assess serum soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) levels and erythrocyte membrane Na+K+ ATPase activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and correlate the levels with disease activity. Levels of sE-selectin were measured in the serum of 20 patients with RA and 20 control subjects by an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Na+K+ ATPase activity was determined by a colorimetric method in RA patients and healthy controls. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to demographic data such as age and sex ( p > 0.05). The serum levels of sE-selectin, ESR and C-reactive protein (CRP) in RA patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls ( p < 0.001). Erythrocyte membrane Na+K+ ATPase activity was significantly lower in the RA group than in the control group ( p < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between soluble E-selectin and ESR ( r=0.457; p < 0.05) and CRP ( r = 0.682; p < 0.01) levels. There were statistically significant negative correlations between erythrocyte membrane Na+K+ ATPase activity and ESR ( r = −0.450; p<0.05) and CRP ( r = −0.446; p<0.05) levels. Additionally, a significant negative correlations between sE-selectin and Na+K+ ATPase activity was observed ( r = −0.80; p<0.001). These results show that decreases in erythrocyte membrane Na+K+ ATPase activity and increases in sE-selectin are observed in RA, and that increased levels of sE-selectin may also reflect disease status or activity. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), nitric oxide and xanthine oxidase in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate the correlations between ICAM-1 and nitric oxide and xanthine oxidase. Serum samples were obtained from 42 patients with active RA and 30 healthy controls. ICAM-1, nitric oxide and xanthine oxidase levels were determined. ICAM-1, nitric oxide and xanthine oxidase levels were significantly elevated in patients with RA (p < 0.001). We found a significant positive correlation between ICAM-1 and nitric oxide (r = 0.426, p < 0.05). There was also a significant positive correlation between ICAM-1 and xanthine oxidase (r = 0.511, p < 0.01). High serum levels of soluble ICAM-1 may be a consequence of inflammation or tissue damage induced by nitric oxide generated by xanthine oxidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease and still a major public health problem in many geographic areas including Mediterranean basin and Middle East. Brucellosis causes multisystemic involvement and although rare central nervous system involvement causes serious manifestations. Neurobrucellosis occurs less than 5% of patients and presents with meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis, myelopathy, stroke, paraplegia, radiculoneuritis, intracerebral abscess, epidural abscess, demyelination and cranial nerve involvement or any combination of these manifestations. Spastic paraparesis and the sensorineural involvement are rarely reported in the literature. Methods: Herein we present a 28 years-old man with spastic paraparesis and sensorineural hearing loss due to neurobrucellosis. Results: The patient was treated with antibiotics combination for 6 months and underwent rehabilitation program. Conclusions: Neurobrucellosis should be ruled out in patients with unexplained neurological symptoms and/or sensorineural hearing loss particularly in those living in endemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted this study to assess serum soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) levels and erythrocyte membrane Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and correlate the levels with disease activity. Levels of sE-selectin were measured in the serum of 20 patients with RA and 20 control subjects by an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity was determined by a colorimetric method in RA patients and healthy controls. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to demographic data such as age and sex (p > 0.05). The serum levels of sE-selectin, ESR and C-reactive protein (CRP) in RA patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls (p < 0.001). Erythrocyte membrane Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity was significantly lower in the RA group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between soluble E-selectin and ESR (r = 0.457; p < 0.05) and CRP (r = 0.682; p < 0.01) levels. There were statistically significant negative correlations between erythrocyte membrane Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity and ESR (r = -0.450; p < 0.05) and CRP (r = -0.446; p < 0.05) levels. Additionally, a significant negative correlations between sE-selectin and Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity was observed (r = -0.80; p < 0.001). These results show that decreases in erythrocyte membrane Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity and increases in sE-selectin are observed in RA, and that increased levels of sE-selectin may also reflect disease status or activity., (Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)