The demonstration that the use of COX-2 selective or preferential inhibitors is associated with a better tolerability opened new horizons

in the search of safer drugs for the management of inflammation. In the present study, we report the synthesis and the pharmacological evaluation of pyridine analogues BVD-523 order of nimesulide, a COX-2 preferential inhibitor. The cyclooxygenases (COXs) inhibitory activities were evaluated in vitro using a human whole blood model. According to the in vitro results, a selection of compounds exhibiting moderate to high COX-2/COX-1 selectivity ratio (from weak COX-2 preferential inhibitors to compounds displaying a celecoxib-like selectivity profile) were further evaluated in vivo in a model of A carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats. Some of the selected compounds displayed similar or improved anti-inflammatory properties when compared to nimesulide and celecoxib.”
“Neurons in primary sensory cortex have diverse response properties, whereas higher cortical areas are specialized. Specific connectivity may be important for areal specialization, particularly in the mouse, where neighboring neurons are functionally diverse. KU-55933 inhibitor To examine whether higher visual areas receive functionally

specific input from primary visual cortex (V1), we used two-photon calcium imaging to measure responses of axons from V1 arborizing in three areas with distinct spatial and temporal frequency preferences. We found that visual preferences of presynaptic boutons in each area were distinct and matched the average preferences of

recipient neurons. This specificity could not be explained by organization CH5183284 manufacturer within V1 and instead was due to both a greater density and greater response amplitude of functionally matched boutons. Projections from a single layer (layer 5) and from secondary visual cortex were also matched to their target areas. Thus, transmission of specific information to downstream targets may be a general feature of cortico-cortical communication.”
“IMPACT is an inhibitor of GCN2, a kinase that phosphorylates the alpha subunit of the translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2ot). GCN2 has been implicated in regulating feeding behavior and learning and memory in mice. IMPACT is highly abundant in the brain, suggesting its relevance in the control of GCN2 activation in the central nervous system. We describe here the distribution of IMPACT in the brain of rodents (mice and rats) and of a primate (marmoset) using highly specific antibodies raised against the mouse IMPACT protein. Neurons expressing high levels of IMPACT were found in most areas of the brain. In the hippocampal formation the lack of IMPACT in the dentate gyrus granule cells was striking.

However, despite the high incidence of these risk factors, sexual function and fertility seems to be normal in most patients. Taskinen, S. et al. Nat. Rev. Urol. 9, 699-706 (2012); published online 13 November 2012; doi:10.1038/nrurol.2012.196″
“Objective: To investigate the effect of anesthesia on the cognitive status damage and MMP-2 expression in rats. Methods: A total of 120 healthy rats were selected and randomly divided into the control group, CF3-CH(OCH2F)-CF3 (Sevoflurane) group and CF3-CH2-O-CHF-CF3 group (Sevoflurane) (n=40). After Compound C ic50 training for 3 d by the Morris water maze,

the control group were injected with fentanyl for analgesia, the CF3-CH(OCH2F)-CF3 group and the CF3-CH2-O-CHF-CB group were anesthesia with CF3-CH (OCH2F)-CF3 and CF3-CH2-O-CHF-CF3 on the basis of fentanyl, then rats in three groups underwent open surgery and suture conventional incision. Morris water maze was used to measure the rats’ cognitive ability in three groups on the 1st d, 3rd d, 5th d and 7th d, and the brain tissue MMP-2 expression was detected. Results: After 1 d/7 d of the surgery, Morris water maze performance and MMP-2 expression were

not significantly different among three groups (P>0.05); After 3 d/5 d of the surgery, compared with the control group, the Morris water maze test result was significantly worsened, MMP-2 expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.05); After 3 d/5 d of the surgery, JQ-EZ-05 molecular weight compared with the CF3-CH2-O-CHF-CF3 group, Morris water maze test result of CF3-CH(OCH2F)-CF3 group was significantly worsened, MMP-2 expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusions: Anesthesia can cause some injury on cognitive status, different anesthetic drugs may cause different injury, and the cognitive status injury is related to the MMP-2 expression.”
“BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcome and

complications of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide as adjuvant to reduce postoperative macular edema in patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for epiretinal membranes.\n\nPATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective comparative study LY2157299 molecular weight included 22 patients (22 eyes) who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling for the treatment of idiopathic epiretinal membrane. Fifteen eyes (15 patients) received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg (0.1 cc) of triamcinolone acetonide at the end of surgery, and no injection was performed for 7 eyes (7 patients). Main outcome measures were visual acuity and intraocular pressure. Minimum follow-up was 3 months.\n\nRESULTS: Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients were included in the study. The follow-up ranged from 3 to 12 months. Visual acuity improved in both groups at 3 months: logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution -0.26 +/- 0.19 in the triamcinolone acetonide group (P = .001) and -0.26 +/- 0.13 in the control group (P = .002).

granulosus in the locality. Questionnaire survey revealed that 17.2% of the respondents were aware of hydatidosis but non of them were

knowledgeable on its transmission. Up to 84.4% of the respondents had domestic ruminants and donkeys, while 89.1% had dogs. Of the households with dogs, only 19.3% had their dogs dewormed at least once in life time. Most of the households (87.7%) had their dogs managed freely and 77.2% of the respondents reported school children to be the closest friends of dogs in the family. The prevalence of E. granulosus infection in wildlife and the possible relationship of the domestic cycle to the sylvatic cycle operating in the same area are unknown and need to be studied.”
“Context: Irisin, a recently identified hormone, has this website been proposed to regulate energy homeostasis and obesity in mice. Whether irisin levels are associated

with risk of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), cardiometabolic variables, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in humans remains unknown. Objective: Our objective was to assess the associations between baseline serum irisin levels and MetS, cardiometabolic variables, and CVD risk. Design, Setting, and Subjects: We conducted a comparative cross-sectional evaluation of baseline circulating levels of the novel hormone irisin and the established adipokine adiponectin with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Library order MetS, cardiometabolic variables, and CX-6258 CVD risk in a sample of 151 subjects. Results: Baseline irisin levels were significantly higher

in subjects with MetS than in subjects without MetS. Irisin was associated negatively with adiponectin (r = -0.4, P smaller than .001) and positively with body mass index (r = 0.22, P = .008), systolic (r = 0.17, P = .04) and diastolic (r = 0.27, P = .001) blood pressure, fasting glucose (r = 0.25, P = .002), triglycerides (r = 0.25, P = .003), and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (r = 0.33, P smaller than .001). After adjustment for potential confounders, including body mass index, subjects in the highest tertile of irisin levels were more likely to have MetS (odds ratio [OR] = 9.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.66-33.44), elevated fasting blood glucose (OR = 5.80, 95% CI = 1.72-19.60), high triglycerides (OR = 3.89, 95% CI = 1.16-13.03), and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 3.30, 95% CI = 1.18-9.20). Irisin was independently associated with homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance and general Framingham risk profile in multiple linear regression analyses after adjustment for confounders. Adiponectin demonstrated the expected associations with outcomes.

This finding may be one of the factors accounting for anchorage-independence in circulating metastatic melanoma cells. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Nearly every cell type exhibits some form of polarity, yet the molecular mechanisms vary widely. Here we examine what we term ‘chemical systems’ where cell polarization arises through biochemical interactions in signaling pathways, ‘mechanical systems’ where cells polarize due to forces, stresses and transport, and ‘mechanochemical systems’ where polarization results learn more from interplay between mechanics and chemical signaling. To reveal potentially unifying principles, we discuss mathematical conceptualizations of several

prototypical examples. We suggest that the concept of local activation and global

inhibition – originally developed to explain spatial patterning in reaction-diffusion systems – provides a framework for understanding many cases of cell polarity. Importantly, we find that the core ingredients in this framework – symmetry breaking, self-amplifying feedback, and long-range inhibition IWR-1-endo – involve processes that can be chemical, mechanical, or even mechanochemical in nature.”
“The previous structure determination [Gillier-Pandraud et al. (1972). C. R. Acad. Sci. Ser. C, 275, 1495] of the title compound, C8H10O, did not report atomic coordinates. There are two molecules in the asymmetric unit, A and B, which both show approximate non-crystallographic C-s symmetry. The intracyclic C-C-C angles cover the range 118.74 (12)-121.76 (13)degrees. In the crystal, molecules are linked by O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds, Cl-amidine generating [001] C-2(2)(4) chains such that molecules A and B alternate. There is no aromatic pi-pi stacking in the crystal as the shortest centroid-centroid distance is greater than 4.74 angstrom.”
“Mass spectrometry and a time-course cell lysis method were used to study proteins involved in perchlorate and chlorate metabolism in pure bacterial cultures and environmental samples. The bacterial cultures used included Dechlorosoma sp. KJ, Dechloromonas hortensis, Pseudomonas

chloritidismutans ASK-1, and Pseudomonas stutzeri. The environmental samples included an anaerobic sludge enrichment culture from a sewage treatment plant, a sample of a biomass-covered activated carbon matrix from a bioreactor used for treating perchlorate-contaminated drinking water, and a waste water effluent sample from a paper mill. The approach focused on detection of perchlorate (and chlorate) reductase and chlorite dismutase proteins, which are the two central enzymes in the perchlorate (or chlorate) reduction pathways. In addition, acetate-metabolizing enzymes in pure bacterial samples and housekeeping proteins from perchlorate (or chlorate)-reducing microorganisms in environmental samples were also identified.

Raising blood glucose to 5-100 mmol/L resulted in a concentration-dependent increase of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; P < 0.001) and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBA-RS) content (P < 0.004).

Non-protein SH groups (NPSH) also increased significantly as the concentration of glucose increased up to 30 mmol/L (P < 0.001). The osmotic fragility was more pronounced in blood of uncontrolled diabetic patients than in these non-diabetic BMS-777607 mouse subjects. Ebselen significantly reduced the glucose-induced increase in osmotic fragility and inhibited HbA1c formation (P < 0.0001). These results indicate that blood from patients with uncontrolled diabetes are more sensitive to osmotic shock than from patients with controlled diabetes and control subjects in relation to increased production of free radicals in vivo.”
“To produce virus-free plants, a simple and original protocol was established by combining several techniques: repeated shoot meristem excision before and during in vitro culture and thermotherapy applied to bulblets in vitro. Lily symptomless virus (LSV) is a major virus that decreases plant growth vigor and the quality of cut flowers, yet infected plants show no distinct symptoms. Stock

bulbs of pollenless Asiatic hybrid lily (L. x elegans Thunb) lines (’409′ and ’599′) were used as explant. Shoot meristems were excised and Linsitinib ic50 micropropagated. Thermotherapy FG-4592 (42 days at 35 degrees C) was applied to in vitro growing bulblets and a second meristem cut was then made from heat-treated material. Leaf tissues from bulblets formed before or postheat treatments were analyzed either by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

Line ’499′ produced LSV-free plants without heat treatment, but line ’599′ produced LSV-free plants only after heat treatment. The virus-free lily bulblets grew vigorously in vitro and acclimatized promptly. It is suggested that thermotherapy given to in vitro growing bulblets effectively eliminated the virus and induced a fast and efficient micropropagation technique for virus-free mother plant stock.”
“Objective: The objective was to examine differences by age in mental health treatment initiation in Veterans Health Administration (VA) primary care patients after positive posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screens.\n\nMethods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 71,039 veterans who were administered PTSD screens during primary care encounters in 2007 at four Pacific Northwest VA medical center sites and who had no specialty mental health clinic visits or PTSD diagnoses recorded in the year before screening.

The function of AZD7762 p53 is inhibited by the MDM2 oncoprotein. Using a high-throughput screening approach, we identified miR-339-5p as a regulator of the p53 pathway. We demonstrate that this regulation occurs via the ability of miR-339-5p to target directly the 3′-untranslated region of MDM2 mRNA, reducing MDM2 expression and thus promoting p53 function. Consequently, overexpression of miR-339-5p positively impacts on p53-governed cellular responses

such as proliferation arrest and senescence, whereas inhibition of miR-339-5p function perturbs the p53 response in cancer cells, allowing an increased proliferation rate. In addition, miR-339-5p expression is downregulated in tumors harboring wild-type TP53, suggesting that reduction of miR-339-5p level helps to suppress the p53 response in p53-competent tumor cells. Furthermore, we show that a negative correlation between miR-339-5p and MDM2 expression exists in human cancer, implying that the interaction is important for cancer development.”
“Background: Tau inhibits kinesin on GDP-microtubules in vitro, but the physiological significance

in neurons Caspase inhibitor review is unclear.\n\nResults: On GTP-microtubules, Tau loses its inhibitory effect, and kinesin becomes less processive.\n\nConclusion: The nucleotide-binding state of the microtubule influences the behavior of both kinesin and Tau.\n\nSignificance: Tau has different functions, see more both inhibitory and non-inhibitory, in regulating axonal transport.”
“The increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) poses a serious public-health problem worldwide.

Effective prevention and intervention require improved understanding of the factors that contribute to MS. We analyzed data on a large twin cohort to estimate genetic and environmental contributions to MS and to major MS components and their intercorrelations: waist circumference (WC), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglycerides (TGs), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). We applied structural equation modeling to determine genetic and environmental structure of MS and its major components, using 1,617 adult female twin pairs recruited from rural China. The heritability estimate for MS was 0.42 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.00-0.83) in this sample with low MS prevalence (4.4%). For MS components, heritability estimates were statistically significant and ranged from 0.13 to 0.64 highest for WC, followed by TG, SBP, DBP, HDL-C, and FPG. HDL-C was mainly influenced by common environmental factors (0.62, 95% CI: 0.58-0.62), whereas the other five MS components were largely influenced by unique environmental factors (0.32-0.44). Bivariate Cholesky decomposition analysis indicated that the clinical clustering of MS components may be explained by shared genetic and/or environmental factors.

There was a negative correlation between the delay in parenteral lipid introduction and weight gain up to day 28. In multivariate analyses, the association between the cumulative intakes of parenteral lipids and weight gain up to 28 days was independent of gestational age at birth, birth weight, sex, smallness for gestational age, and enteral intakes (regression

coefficient: Selleckchem ABT 737 0.19; 95% CI: 0.01-0.38) and, up to 36 weeks, independent of gestational age, birth weight, sex, smallness for gestational age and parenteral glucose and amino acids (0.16; 95% CI: 0.04-0.27). Conclusions: Parenteral lipids during the first week were positively associated with weight gain in extremely-low-birth-weight infants and could improve early nutritional support of preterm neonates. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for selleck chemicals llc Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism.”
“This study presents the first global transcriptional profiling and phenotypic characterization of the major human opportunistic fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, grown in spaceflight conditions. Microarray analysis revealed that C. albicans subjected to short-term spaceflight culture differentially regulated 452 genes compared to synchronous ground controls, which represented 8.3% of the analyzed ORFs. Spaceflight-cultured C. albicans-induced genes involved in cell

aggregation (similar to flocculation), which was validated by microscopic and flow cytometry analysis. We also www.selleckchem.com/HIF.html observed enhanced random budding of spaceflight-cultured cells as opposed to bipolar budding patterns for ground samples, in accordance with the gene expression data. Furthermore, genes involved in antifungal agent and stress resistance were differentially regulated in spaceflight, including induction of ABC transporters and members of the major facilitator family, downregulation of ergosterol-encoding genes, and upregulation of genes involved in oxidative stress resistance. Finally, downregulation

of genes involved in actin cytoskeleton was observed. Interestingly, the transcriptional regulator Cap1 and over 30% of the Cap1 regulon was differentially expressed in spaceflight-cultured C. albicans. A potential role for Cap1 in the spaceflight response of C. albicans is suggested, as this regulator is involved in random budding, cell aggregation, and oxidative stress resistance; all related to observed spaceflight-associated changes of C. albicans. While culture of C. albicans in microgravity potentiates a global change in gene expression that could induce a virulence-related phenotype, no increased virulence in a murine intraperitoneal (i.p.) infection model was observed under the conditions of this study. Collectively, our data represent an important basis for the assessment of the risk that commensal flora could play during human spaceflight missions.

We also found a higher degree of genetic polymorphism in a non-waxy phenotype than in other low amylose types, supporting Selleckchem CCI-779 the hypothesis that low amylose types recently originated from non-waxy type.”
“Aloe

vera acemannan is a polysaccharide composed by a backbone of beta-(1 -> 4)-linked D-mannose residues interspersed by few glucose residues, acetylated in O-2,O-3, and O-6 containing side chains constituted by O-6-linked single alpha-D-galactose and alpha-L-arabinose residues. This structural features are rather similar to mannans from other sources, namely coffee and locust bean gum. However. Aloe vera acemannan and coffee mannans present immunostimulatory activity but locust bean gum does not. In order to know more about the structural features of a commercial ACY-241 cost preparation of Aloe vera presenting comparable immunostimulatory activity to that observed for coffee mannans, this preparation was submitted to sugar and methylation analysis. To gain further

insight to the structural details of the mannans, focusing in the study of acetylation pattern, a specific hydrolysis with an endo-beta-(1 -> 4)-D-mannanase was performed and the resulting oligosaccharides (OS) were fractionated by size exclusion chromatography and characterized by ESI-MS, ESI-MS/MS and MALDI-MS. The majority of the OS obtained for acemannan had a ratio of two acetyl groups per sugar residue. The observation of OS highly acetylated as well as non-acetylated OS, allowed to infer a non-homogeneous distribution of the acetyl groups. Also, it was observed OS presenting fully acetylated arabinose residues.

The occurrence of a high abundance of acetylated residues shows that this polysaccharide contains odd acetylation content. These unusual features are reinforced by the presence of acetylated side chains, only previously observed in chemically acetylated mannans with immunostimulatory activity prepared from coffee residue. The comparison with other galactomannans allowed to infer that lower branching, Selleckchem PP2 shorter chains, and higher acetylation seems to promote the immunostimulatory activity attributed to these polysaccharides. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Th2 cytokines such as interleukin- 13 (IL- 13) have both, stimulatory and inhibitory effects on effector functions of macrophages. Reactive nitrogen species are classicaly induced in Th1 cytokines and/or lipopolysaccharides (LPS) activated macrophages and this response is inhibited by IL-13. In contrast, IL- 13 primes macrophages to produce NO in response to LPS when IL- 13 treatment happens prior to LPS exposure. This mechanism occurs through a complex signalling pathway, which involves the scavenger receptor CD36, the LPS receptor CD14 and the nuclear receptor PPAR gamma. The enhancement of NO production is the consequence of iNOS induction at mRNA and protein levels.

Various bioanalytical approaches are described to evaluate the exposure of metabolites in animal vs. human. A simple LC/MS/MS peak area ratio comparison find more approach is the most facile and applicable approach to make a first assessment of whether metabolite exposures in animals exceed that in humans. In most cases, this measurement is sufficient to demonstrate that an animal toxicology study of the parent

drug has covered the safety of the human metabolites. Methods whereby quantitation of metabolites can be done in the absence of chemically synthesized authentic standards are also described. Only in rare cases, where an actual exposure measurement of a metabolite is needed, will a validated or qualified method requiring a synthetic standard be needed. The rigor of the bioanalysis this website is increased accordingly based on the results of animal: human ratio measurements.

This data driven bioanalysis strategy to address MIST issues within standard drug development processes is described.”
“Background and purpose: Maintaining a delicate balance between the generation of nitric oxide (NO) and removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the vascular wall is crucial to the physiological regulation of vascular tone. Increased production of ROS reduces the effect and/or bioavailability of NO, leading to an impaired endothelial function. This study tested the hypothesis that raloxifene, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator, can prevent endothelial dysfunction under oxidative stress.\n\nExperimental approach: Changes

in isometric tension were measured in rat aortic rings. The content of cyclic GMP in aortic tissue was determined by radioimmunoassay. Phosphorylation of endothelial NOS (eNOS) and Akt was assayed by Western blot analysis.\n\nKey results: In rings with endothelium, ACh-induced relaxations were attenuated by a ROS-generating reaction (hypoxanthine plus xanthine oxidase, HXXO). The impaired relaxations were ameliorated by acute treatment with raloxifene. HXXO suppressed the ACh-stimulated increase in cyclic GMP levels; this effect was antagonized by raloxifene. The improved endothelial function by raloxifene was abolished by ICI 182,780, and by wortmannin or LY294002. Raloxifene also protected SRT2104 clinical trial endothelial cell function against H(2)O(2). Raloxifene increased the phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser-1177 and Akt at Ser-473; this effect was blocked by ICI 182,780. Finally, raloxifene was not directly involved in scavenging ROS, and neither inhibited the activity of xanthine oxidase nor stimulated that of superoxide dismutase.\n\nConclusion and implications: Raloxifene is effective against oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction in vitro through an ICI 182,780-sensitive mechanism that involves the increased phosphorylation and activity of Akt and eNOS in rat aortae.

(c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose: To evaluate peripheral vascular endothelial function in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) using noninvasive endothelium-dependent

flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD).\n\nDesign: Case-control study.\n\nParticipants: Thirty patients with NTG, 30 with POAG, and 30 healthy age- and gender-matched controls.\n\nMethods: Participants underwent measurement of SCH727965 in vivo FMD and endothelium-independent nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilation (NMD) via high-resolution 2-dimensional ultrasonographic imaging of the brachial artery. All patients also underwent blood sampling for biochemistry, lipid profile, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein analysis.\n\nMain Outcome Measures: The association of FMD with NTG and POAG.\n\nResults: The FMD values differed significantly between the patients with NTG, those with POAG, and controls: NTG, 2.70 +/- 2.25%; POAG, 5.33 +/- 2.81%; controls, 7.21 +/- 2.36%; P<0.001. In comparison with the POAG group and normal controls, the NTG group demonstrated markedly impaired FMD. The POAG group exhibited higher intermediate FMD than the NTG group (P<0.001) but significantly lower FMD than normal controls (P = 0.012). Multivariate www.selleckchem.com/products/ly-411575.html analysis indicated that

independent predictors for impaired FMD were presence of NTG, presence of POAG, and advanced age. Additionally, FMD values were significantly lower in glaucoma patients than in controls (4.02 +/- 2.85% vs. 7.21 +/- 2.36%; P<0.001).\n\nConclusions: Patients with glaucoma have impaired FMD. Additionally, patients with NTG have lower FMD than those with POAG.”
“Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of a silver-coated vascular polyester graft in the prevention of graft infection after inoculation with Staphylococcus aureus in a porcine model.\n\nMaterial and methods: Eighty-four pigs were randomly selected 1:1 to receive

a silver-coated or non-silver-coated 8-mm-wide polyester NVP-LDE225 concentration graft implanted end-to-end in the infrarenal aorta. At the end of implantation, 10(6) colony forming units (CFUs) S. aureus in 0.3 ml suspension were inoculated directly on the graft surface. Blood samples assayed for white blood corpuscles (WBCs) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were taken before implantation and on the postoperative days 2, 5, 7, 11 and 14. Two weeks after implantation, the perigraft swabs were analysed for S. aureus or contaminants. CFUs of S. aureus were quantified and logarithmised. Student’s t-tests, repeated measurement analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-square test were employed to compare the two grafts.\n\nResults: All pigs developed graft infection. There were no statistically significant differences between the silver-coated and non-silver-coated grafts in the quantity of S. aureus, macroscopic signs of infection and postoperative changes in the temperature, WBC and CRP.