AIM: Evaluation of practicability and functional benefit with modern carbon fibre knee ankle foot orthoses in polio patients. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis, fifty-five (55) polio patients between the ages of 42 and 80 years who had been provided with a carbon fibre orthoses for a minimum of three months, were asked about their acceptance as well as changes in functional capacity and comfort. RESULTS: Clear improvements were shown in walking, sitting and automobile driving as well as comfort and dressing/undressing of the orthoses. Through the use of these new orthoses, the maximum walking distance increased significantly--at least partially due to less weight (40%). 95% of all treated patients were very satisfied or satisfied. CONCLUSION: The use of carbon fibre material in the orthotic treatment of polio patients seems to be supported by the positive results of our study.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Reversible inhibition of IL-8 receptor B mRNA expression and proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer by antisense oligonucleotides.

We examined the importance of IL-8 receptor B mRNA expression in the growth of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Using antisense oligonucleotide ICN 197, we were able to inhibit IL-8 R B mRNA expression in vitro. The sequence specific effect of antisense oligonucleotide and down-regulation of IL-8 R B mRNA was shown by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Southern blot analysis. The proliferation of treated cells was measured by 3H thymidine incorporation. We found that treatment of NSCLC cells caused reversible growth inhibition and reversible down regulation of IL-8 R B mRNA. Furthermore, we observed that the treatment of nude mice with oligonucleotide ICN 197 inhibited the growth of tumors developed from NSCLC cells injected subcutaneously. Our data in vitro suggest that IL-8 receptor B mRNA expression is required to maintain the proliferative rate of NSCLC. Based on the data in vivo. oligonucleotide ICN 197 may be considered for the development of novel therapeutic treatment for lung cancer.

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