bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pentraxin-3 levels are associated with vasculitis and disease activity in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Sahin S , Adrovic A , Barut K , Durmus S , Gelisgen R , Uzun H , Kasapcopur O 
Published: March 2017

Objectives Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is a multisystemic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory organ damage by means of vasculitis. Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is expressed locally at the sites of inflammatory processes, predominantly from endothelial cells. In adult studies, PTX3 has shown to be an indicator of active vasculitis both in large-vessel and small-vessel vasculitides, as well as in SLE. Moreover, in SLE it has found to be correlated with disease activity, and with some of the clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters. We aimed to ascertain if PTX3 might be a significant mediator in cSLE and if it might indicate active vasculitis during the course of the disease. Methods Serum PTX3 levels were measured in 76 patients with cSLE and 41 healthy subjects. We have investigated its relation with disease activity, damage, clinical features, laboratory parameters and medications. Results Serum levels of PTX3 were found to be increased in cSLE compared to healthy controls (mean ± SD; 10.6 ± 8.2 ng/mL vs 2.7 ± 1.3 ng/mL, p < 0.001). PTX3 concentrations were also in correlation with SLEDAI-2K ( r = 0.57, p < 0.001). When viewed from the clinical perspective, serum PTX3 levels were significantly higher only in patients with active vasculitis ( p < 0.001), Raynaud phenomenon ( p = 0.006) and mucocutaneous manifestations ( p < 0.001). However, an association between PTX3 and age, age at disease onset, disease duration, complement levels, PedSDI score (pediatric version of the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index), ESR, CRP, procalcitonin levels, anti-ds DNA antibody, anticardiolipin antibodies was not detected. Conclusions Patients with cSLE have increased levels of serum PTX3 compared to healthy controls. Thus, serum PTX-3 level might be a significant mediator in cSLE. Apart from these, the results support that PTX3 reflects active cutaneous vasculitis in cSLE and correlates with disease activity.
Prospective evaluation of a protocol for transitioning porcine lente insulin-treated diabetic cats to human recombinant protamine zinc insulin
Authors: Gostelow Ruth , Hazuchova Katarina , Scudder Christopher , Forcada Yaiza , Church David , Niessen Stijn JM 
Published: March 2017

Objectives The objective was to evaluate a nadir-led protocol for transitioning porcine lente insulin suspension (PLIS)-treated diabetic cats onto human recombinant protamine zinc insulin (PZIR). Methods Recently diagnosed (<5 months) diabetic cats, treated with PLIS q12h for ⩾6 weeks, were recruited. Fructosamine, 24 h blood glucose curve (BGC), quality of life assessment (DIAQoL-pet score) and Diabetic Clinical Score (DCS) were assessed at enrolment (PLIS-treated) and 2, 4 and 12 weeks after transitioning to PZIR (starting dose 0.2–0.7 U/kg q12h). Short duration of insulin action was defined as <9 h. Linear mixed effects modelling assessed for change in fructosamine, mean blood glucose (MBG) during BGCs, DIAQoL-pet score, DCS and q12h insulin dose. McNemar’s tests compared the proportion of cats with hypoglycaemia at week 0 (PLIS-treated) and week 4 (PZIR-treated). Results Twenty-two cats were recruited. Median PLIS dose at enrolment was 0.5 U/kg (interquartile range 0.3–0.7 U/kg) q12h, equalling median PZIR starting dose (0.5 U/kg; interquartile range 0.3–0.7 U/kg q12h). Transitioning was followed by significant decreases in fructosamine ( P = 0.00007), insulin dose ( P = 0.02), DCS ( P = 8.1 × 10−8) and DIAQoL-pet score ( P = 0.003), indicating improved quality of life. MBG did not alter significantly ( P = 0.1). Five cats (22.7%) achieved remission. Hypoglycaemia was recorded in 30/190 12 h BGCs (15.8%) and five cats experienced clinical hypoglycaemia. The proportion of cats with hypoglycaemia did not differ between PLIS (week 0) and PZIR (week 4) ( P = 1.0). Duration of action was analysed in 19 cats. Six cats (31.6%) showed short duration of action on PLIS, compared with two cats (10.5%) after 4 weeks on PZIR. All six cats with short PLIS duration showed duration of ⩾9 h on PZIR. Conclusions and relevance Used alongside a low-carbohydrate diet, transitioning to PZIR was associated with significantly improved clinical signs and quality of life, with some cats achieving remission. Transition to PZIR should be considered for cats with short duration of action on PLIS.
Functional network connectivity abnormalities in multiple sclerosis: Correlations with disability and cognitive impairment
Authors: Rocca Maria A , Valsasina Paola , Leavitt Victoria M , Rodegher Mariaemma , Radaelli Marta , Riccitelli Gianna C , Martinelli Vittorio , Martinelli-Boneschi Filippo , Falini Andrea , Comi Giancarlo , Filippi Massimo 
Published: March 2017

Objective: To investigate resting state (RS) functional connectivity (FC) abnormalities within the principal brain networks in a large cohort of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, to define the trajectory of FC changes over disease stages and their relation with clinical and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures. Methods: RS functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), clinical, and neuropsychological evaluation were obtained from 215 MS patients and 98 healthy controls. Connectivity abnormalities and correlations with clinical/neuropsychological/imaging measures were evaluated. We analyzed seed-voxel FC with seven major hubs, producing one visual/sensory, one motor, two cognitive, one cerebellar, and two subcortical networks. Results: MS patients showed reduced network average RS FC versus controls in the default-mode network. At regional level, a complex pattern of decreased and increased RS FC was found. Reduced RS FC mainly involved sensorimotor, cognitive, thalamic, and cerebellar networks, whereas increased RS FC involved visual/sensory and subcortical networks. Reduced RS FC correlated with T2 lesions. Reduced thalamic RS FC correlated with better neuropsychological performance, whereas for all remaining networks reduced FC correlated with more severe clinical/cognitive impairment. Conclusion: Increased and decreased RS FC occurs in MS and contributes to a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. RS FC reduction is related to T2 lesions. Such a paradigm is inverted for the thalamic network.
Analgesia induced by the epigenetic drug, L-acetylcarnitine, outlasts the end of treatment in mouse models of chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain
Authors: Notartomaso Serena , Mascio Giada , Bernabucci Matteo , Zappulla Cristina , Scarselli Pamela , Cannella Milena , Imbriglio Tiziana , Gradini Roberto , Battaglia Giuseppe , Bruno Valeria , Nicoletti Ferdinando 
Published: March 2017

Background L-acetylcarnitine, a drug marketed for the treatment of chronic pain, causes analgesia by epigenetically up-regulating type-2 metabotropic glutamate (mGlu2) receptors in the spinal cord. Because the epigenetic mechanisms are typically long-lasting, we hypothesized that analgesia could outlast the duration of L-acetylcarnitine treatment in models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Results A seven-day treatment with L-acetylcarnitine (100 mg/kg, once a day, i.p.) produced an antiallodynic effect in the complete Freund adjuvant mouse model of chronic inflammatory pain. L-Acetylcarnitine-induced analgesia persisted for at least 14 days after drug withdrawal. In contrast, the analgesic effect of pregabalin, amitryptiline, ceftriaxone, and N-acetylcysteine disappeared seven days after drug withdrawal. L-acetylcarnitine treatment enhanced mGlu2/3 receptor protein levels in the dorsal region of the spinal cord. This effect also persisted for two weeks after drug withdrawal and was associated with increased levels of acetylated histone H3 bound to the Grm2 gene promoter in the dorsal root ganglia. A long-lasting analgesic effect of L-acetylcarnitine was also observed in mice subjected to chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve. In these animals, a 14-day treatment with pregabalin, amitryptiline, tramadol, or L-acetylcarnitine produced a significant antiallodynic effect, with pregabalin displaying the greatest efficacy. In mice treated with pregabalin, tramadol or L-acetylcarnitine the analgesic effect was still visible 15 days after the end of drug treatment. However, only in mice treated with L-acetylcarnitine analgesia persisted 37 days after drug withdrawal. This effect was associated with an increase in mGlu2/3 receptor protein levels in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord. Conclusions Our findings suggest that L-acetylcarnitine has the unique property to cause a long-lasting analgesic effect that might reduce relapses in patients suffering from chronic pain.
Intrathecal administration of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells genetically modified with human proenkephalin gene decrease nociceptive pain in neuropathic rats
Authors: Sun Yi , Zhang Dengwen , Li Haifeng , Long Ruichun , Sun Qiang 
Published: March 2017

Background Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has been one of the potential tools in neuropathic pain therapy; however, the augmented efficacy may be expected when they are modified with human proenkephalin ( hPPE) gene. In the current study, the antinociceptive effect of human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs) engineered with hPPE gene (hPPE-hBMSCs) on sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain in rats was investigated. Methods Primary-cultured hBMSCs were passaged and modified with hPPE, and the cell suspensions (6 × 106) were then intrathecally injected into a rat model of CCI. Paw mechanical withdrawal threshold and paw withdrawal thermal latency were measured before and after CCI surgery. The effects of hPPE gene transfer on hBMSCs bioactivity were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. Results No changes were observed in the surface phenotypes and differentiation of hBMSCs after gene transfer. The hPPE-hBMSC group showed improved paw mechanical withdrawal threshold and paw thermal withdrawal latency values on the ipsilateral side of rats with CCI from day 9 post-surgery, and the analgesic effect was reversed by naloxone. Leucine-enkephalin (L-EK) secretion was augmented in the hPPE-engineered hBMSC group. Conclusions The intrathecal administration of BMSCs modified with hPPE gene can effectively relieve pain caused by chronic constriction injury in rats and might be a potentially therapeutic tool for neuropathic pain in humans.
Outbreak of clonal complex 22 Panton–Valentine leucocidin-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Garvey Mark I. , Bradley Craig W. , Holden Kerry L. , Oppenheim Beryl 
Published: March 2017

Aims: We describe the investigation and control of a nosocomial outbreak of Sequence Type (ST) 22 MRSA containing the Panton–Valentine leucocidin (PVL) toxin in an acute multispecialty surgical ward at University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. Methods: A patient was classed as acquiring methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) if they had a negative admission screen and then had MRSA isolated from a subsequent screen or clinical specimen. Spa typing and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was undertaken to confirm MRSA acquisitions. Findings: The Infection Prevention and Control Team were alerted to the possibility of an outbreak when two patients acquired MRSA while being on the same ward. In total, five patients were involved in the outbreak where four patients acquired the PVL-MRSA clone from an index patient due to inadequate infection control practice. Two patients who acquired the strain developed a bloodstream infection. Infection control measures included decolonisation of affected patients, screening of all patients on the ward, environmental sampling and enhanced cleaning. Discussion: Our study highlights the potential risk of spread and pathogenicity of this clone in the healthcare setting. Spa typing and PFGE assisted with confirmation of the outbreak and implementation of infection control measures. In outbreaks, microbiological typing should be undertaken as a matter of course as without specialist typing identification of the described outbreak would have been delayed.
Meeting Patient Expectations During Hospitalization: A Grounded Theoretical Analysis of Patient-Centered Room Elements
Authors: Patterson Emily S. , Sanders Elizabeth B.-N. , Sommerich Carolyn M. , Lavender Steven A. , Li Jing , Evans Kevin D. 
Published: March 2017

Objectives: To identify patient needs and expectations that can be utilized to inform the design or renovation of medical–surgical patient rooms in a hospital. Background: There is an increased interest in supportive room design to increase patient satisfaction and improve the healing process. Methods: Patients’ and family caregivers’ reactions were elicited to intentional room elements embedded in a set of five full-scale simulated room prototypes. Small groups of patients and caregivers toured two of the five rooms and provided verbal and written evaluations of room features. A grounded theory approach was employed to generate a codebook, identify the frequency of codes, and to group codes and memos into emerging themes. Insights from emergent themes were compared with findings from written surveys on the importance of various room design elements completed at the beginning of each session. Results: A theoretical design framework was generated, showing patients expect a hospital room that provides them with the core components of comfort to support healing, facilitates a strong sense of connection to people and the outside world, enables quick and independent access to the patient’s things, and offers suitable levels of control to the patient throughout their hospital stay. Conclusions: The implications for assisting architects, healthcare planners, and interior space designers are described using this framework, as well as its potential for design guidance. In addition, the connection between patient-centered room elements and relevant survey questions in publicly reported patient satisfaction scores for hospitals is discussed.
Seasonal Differences in Light Exposure and the Associations With Health and Well-Being in Older Adults: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Nioi Amanda , Roe Jenny , Gow Alan , McNair David , Aspinall Peter 
Published: March 2017

Objective: This article reports summer verses winter seasonal variations across a suite of blue light, illuminance levels and health and well-being indicators. Background: The quality of lighting in care homes has been assessed previously, yet seasonal comparisons and the associations with sleep quality are limited. This exploratory study investigates light exposure in two seasons to determine the changes over time and the associations with health and well-being. Methods: In a repeated measures design, 16 older people (aged 72–99 years) living in a care home had their personal light exposure and sleep/wake patterns monitored for 4 days. Cognitive ability, mental well-being, daytime physical activity, and visual function were assessed. Mean light levels at preset times across the day, duration in light exposure over 1,000 lux, and sleep parameters were computed. Statistical investigations included correlations exploring associations and paired means tests to detect the changes between seasons. Results: The mean morning illuminance level in summer was 466 lux and 65 lux in winter. Duration in bright light over 1,000 lux was 46 min in summer and 3 min in winter. Light measures were significantly higher in summer. There was no statistical difference in sleep quality parameters between seasons, but there were significant difference in daytime physical activity level (i.e., this was higher in summer). Conclusion: The findings indicate low level of light exposures experienced in both seasons, with exposure levels being particularly low in winter. This provides new insights into the limited amount of light older people receive independent of season and the possible impacts on sleep and daytime physical activity level.
Endothelial follistatin‐like‐1 regulates the postnatal development of the pulmonary vasculature by modulating BMP/Smad signaling
Authors: Tania Navessa P. , Maarsingh Harm , T. Bos I. Sophie , Mattiotti Andrea , Prakash Stuti , Timens Wim , Gunst Quinn D. , Jimenez‐Borreguero Luis J. , Schmidt Martina , van den Hoff Maurice J.B. , Gosens Reinoud 
Published: March 2017

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling regulates vascular smooth muscle maturation, endothelial cell proliferation, and tube formation. The endogenous BMP antagonist Follistatin‐like 1 (Fstl1) is highly expressed in pulmonary vascular endothelium of the developing mouse lung, suggesting a role in pulmonary vascular formation and vascular homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Fstl1 in the pulmonary vascular endothelium. To this aim, Fstl1 was conditionally deleted from endothelial and endothelial‐derived cells using Tie2‐cre driven Fstl1‐KO mice (Fstl1‐eKO mice). Endothelial‐specific Fstl1 deletion was postnatally lethal, as ∼70% of Fstl1‐eKO mice died at three weeks after birth. Deletion of Fstl1 from endothelium resulted in a reduction of right ventricular output at three weeks after birth compared with controls. This was associated with pulmonary vascular remodeling, as the percentage of actin‐positive small pulmonary vessels was increased at three weeks in Fstl1‐eKO mice compared with controls. Endothelial deletion of Fstl1 resulted in activation of Smad1/5/8 signaling and increased BMP/Smad‐regulated gene expression of Jagged1, Endoglin, and Gata2 at one week after birth compared with controls. In addition, potent vasoconstrictor Endothelin‐1, the expression of which is driven by Gata2, was increased in expression, both on the mRNA and protein levels, at one week after birth compared with controls. At three weeks, Jagged1 was reduced in the Fstl1‐eKO mice whereas Endoglin and Endothelin‐1 were unchanged. In conclusion, loss of endothelial Fstl1 in the lung is associated with elevated BMP‐regulated genes, impaired small pulmonary vascular remodeling, and decreased right ventricular output.
Prognostic comparison between creatinine-based glomerular filtration rate formulas for the prediction of 10-year outcome in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome treated by percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Ballo Piercarlo , Chechi Tania , Spaziani Gaia , Fibbi Veronica , Conti Duccio , Ferro Giuseppe , Nigrelli Santi , Dattolo Pietro , Fazi Antonio , Santoro Giovanni Maria , Zuppiroli Alfredo , Pizzarelli Francesco 
Published: March 2017

Background: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a predictor of outcome among patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS), but which estimation formula provides the best long-term risk stratification in this setting is still unclear. We compared the prognostic performance of four creatinine-based formulas for the prediction of 10-year outcome in a NSTE-ACS population treated by percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: In 222 NSTE-ACS patients submitted to percutaneous coronary intervention, eGFR was calculated using four formulas: Cockcroft–Gault, re-expressed modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD), chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-Epi), and Mayo-quadratic. Predefined endpoints were all-cause death and a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal reinfarction, clinically driven repeat revascularisation, and heart failure hospitalisation. Results: The different eGFR values showed poor agreement, with prevalences of renal dysfunction ranging from 14% to 35%. Over a median follow-up of 10.2 years, eGFR calculated by the CKD-Epi and Mayo-quadratic formulas independently predicted outcome, with an increase in the risk of death and events by up to 17% and 11%, respectively, for each decrement of 10 ml/min/1.73 m2. The Cockcroft–Gault and MDRD equations showed a borderline association with mortality and did not predict events. When compared in terms of goodness of fit, discrimination and calibration, the Mayo-quadratic outperformed the other formulas for the prediction of death and the CKD-Epi showed the best performance for the prediction of events (net reclassification improvement values 0.33–0.35). Conclusions: eGFR is an independent predictor of long-term outcome in patients with NSTE-ACS treated by percutaneous coronary intervention. The Mayo-quadratic and CKD-Epi equations might be superior to classic eGFR formulas for risk stratification in these patients.
Use of selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors and platelet aggregation inhibitors among individuals with co-occurring atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and depression or anxiety
Authors: Thornton J Douglas , Agarwal Parul , Sambamoorthi Usha 
Published: March 2017

Objective: Medications commonly used to treat heart disease, anxiety, and depression can interact resulting in an increased risk of bleeding, warranting a cautious approach in medical decision making. This retrospective, descriptive study examined the prevalence and the factors associated with the use of both selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor and platelet aggregation inhibitor among individuals with co-occurring atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and anxiety or depression. Methods: Respondents aged 22 years and older, alive throughout the study period, and diagnosed with co-occurring atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and anxiety or depression (n = 1507) in years 2007 through 2013 of the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey were included. The use of treatment was grouped as follows: selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor and platelet aggregation inhibitor, selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor or platelet aggregation inhibitor, and neither selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor nor platelet aggregation inhibitor. Results: Overall, 16.5% used both selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor and platelet aggregation inhibitor, 61.2% used selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor or platelet aggregation inhibitor, and 22.3% used neither selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor nor platelet aggregation inhibitor. Respondents aged over 65 years (adjusted odds ratio = 1.93 (95% confidence interval = 1.08–3.45)) and having a diagnosis of diabetes (adjusted odds ratio = 1.63 (95% confidence interval = 1.15–2.31)) and hypertension (adjusted odds ratio = 1.84 (95% confidence interval = 1.04–3.27)) were more likely to be prescribed the combination. Conclusion: The drug interaction was prevalent in patients who are already at higher risk of health disparities and worse outcomes thus requiring vigilant evaluation.