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| 2. |
- Parati, G, et al.
(author)
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MASked-unconTrolled hypERtension management based on office BP or on ambulatory blood pressure measurement (MASTER) Study: a randomised controlled trial protocol
- 2018
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In: BMJ open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 8:12, s. e021038-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) carries an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) complications and can be identified through combined use of office (O) and ambulatory (A) blood pressure (BP) monitoring (M) in treated patients. However, it is still debated whether the information carried by ABPM should be considered for MUCH management. Aim of the MASked-unconTrolled hypERtension management based on OBP or on ambulatory blood pressure measurement (MASTER) Study is to assess the impact on outcome of MUCH management based on OBPM or ABPM.Methods and analysisMASTER is a 4-year prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded-endpoint investigation. A total of 1240 treated hypertensive patients from about 40 secondary care clinical centres worldwide will be included -upon confirming presence of MUCH (repeated on treatment OBP <140/90 mm Hg, and at least one of the following: daytime ABP ≥135/85 mm Hg; night-time ABP ≥120/70 mm Hg; 24 hour ABP ≥130/80 mm Hg), and will be randomised to a management strategy based on OBPM (group 1) or on ABPM (group 2). Patients in group 1 will have OBP measured at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 months and taken as a guide for treatment; ABPM will be performed at randomisation and at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months but will not be used to take treatment decisions. Patients randomised to group 2 will have ABPM performed at randomisation and all scheduled visits as a guide to antihypertensive treatment. The effects of MUCH management strategy based on ABPM or on OBPM on CV and renal intermediate outcomes (changing left ventricular mass and microalbuminuria, coprimary outcomes) at 1 year and on CV events at 4 years and on changes in BP-related variables will be assessed.Ethics and disseminationMASTER study protocol has received approval by the ethical review board of Istituto Auxologico Italiano. The procedures set out in this protocol are in accordance with principles of Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Results will be published in accordance with the CONSORT statement in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.Trial registration numberNCT02804074; Pre-results.
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| 3. |
- Pujato, N., et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of the humoral immune response to a multicomponent recombinant vaccine against S-aureus in healthy pregnant heifers
- 2018
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In: The Veterinary Journal. - : Elsevier. - 1090-0233 .- 1532-2971. ; 235, s. 47-53
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Staphylococcus aureus is a worldwide pathogen that causes mastitis in dairy herds. Shortcomings in control programs have encouraged the development of vaccines against this pathogen. This study evaluated the vaccine candidate VacR, which included recombinant S. aureus protein clumping factor A (rClf), fibronectin binding protein A (rFnBP) and hemolysin beta (rBt), formulated with a novel immune-stimulating complex. Comparisons were made between healthy pregnant heifers that received either VacR (n = 8; VacR group) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) plus adjuvant (control group) SC in the supramammary lymph node area on days 45 and 15 before the expected calving date. Blood and foremilk samples were collected from 7 to 60 days post-calving. After calving, heifers in the VacR group produced higher total IgG (IgG(total)) titers against each component, in both serum (rBt, 3.4 x 10(5); rClf, 3.1 x 10(5); rFnBP, 2.3 x 10(5)) and milk (rBt, 2.6 x 10(4); rClf, 1.3 x 10(4); rFnBP, 1.1 x 10(4)), than control heifers (P < 0.0001). There were increased concentrations of IgG(1), and IgG(2) in VacR group (P < 0.05), in both serum and milk. Humoral responses remained high throughout the period most susceptible to intramammary infections (P < 0.01). Antibodies produced against S. aureus rClf and rFnBP reduced bacterial adherence to fibronectin and fibrinogen by 73% and 67%, respectively (P < 0.001). Milk antibodies against these adhesins inhibited S. aureus invasion of a mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T), resulting in 15.7% of bacteria internalized (P < 0.0001). There was an approximately 6-fold reduction in the hemolysis titer for the native hemolysin in the VacR group compared to the control group (P < 0.0001) and a significantly increase in the proportion of positive neutrophils (VacR, 29.7%; PBS, 13.1%) and the mean fluorescent index (VacR, 217.4; PBS, 152.6; P < 0.01) in the VacR group. The results suggest that VacR is a valuable vaccine candidate against S. aureus infections, and merits further field trials and experimental challenges. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Camussone, C. M., et al.
(author)
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Immune response and functional role of antibodies raised in heifers against a Staphylococcus aureus CP5 lysate and recombinant antigens vaccine formulated with Iscom Matrix adjuvant
- 2014
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In: Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-2427 .- 1873-2534. ; 162:3-4, s. 96-107
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequently isolated pathogen from bovine intramammary infections worldwide. Commercially available vaccines for mastitis control are composed either of S. aureus lysates or inactivated whole-cells formulated with traditional adjuvants. We recently showed the ability of a S. aureus CP5 lysate vaccine adjuvanted with Iscom Matrix to generate a longer lasting specific antibody response in blood and milk with improved opsonic capacity compared with a S. aureus CP5 whole-cell formulation. The aim of the present study was to obtain an experimental immunogen composed of lysed cells of a CP5 S. aureus strain supplemented with recombinant clumping factor A fibronectin binding protein A and beta-toxin formulated with Iscom Matrix characterize the immune response generated when immunizing pregnant heifers and assess the functional role of antibodies raised against this immunogen in experimental models. Both a lysate vaccine and a lysate + recombinant antigens vaccine elicited antibodies that promoted neutrophil phagocytosis and inhibited internalization into mammary epithelial cells in vitro. Incorporation of defined antigenic molecules to the lysate formulation elicited a strong specific humoral immune response against both lysate and recombinant antigens and was associated with higher expression of regulatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition antibodies were efficient for blocking S. aureus binding to bovine fibrinogen and fibronectin and neutralizing beta-toxin effect in vitro placing these antigens as candidates to be included in a formulation directed to prevent staphylococcal bovine mastitis. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 5. |
- O'Toole, M. S., et al.
(author)
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Effects of psychological interventions on systemic levels of inflammatory biomarkers in humans : A systematic review and meta-analysis
- 2018
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In: Brain, behavior, and immunity. - : Elsevier BV. - 0889-1591 .- 1090-2139. ; 74, s. 68-78
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of the present investigation was to systematically review randomized controlled trials examining the effects of psychological interventions on inflammatory biomarkers in adult populations and to quantitatively analyze those effects by meta-analysis. Two researchers independently searched key electronic databases, selected eligible publications, extracted data, and evaluated methodological quality. Nineteen randomized controlled trials examining a total of 1510 participants were included. The overall combined effect size from pre to post psychological intervention on pro-inflammatory biomarker levels was statistically significant, showing an attenuating effect, although of a small magnitude (s’ g = 0.15, p = .008, CI [0.04–0.26]). However, this effect was not maintained into the follow-up period (g < −0.01, p = .964, CI [−0.19–0.18]). Looking at the individual biomarkers assessed across studies, only C-reactive protein (CRP) was found to significantly decrease following psychological intervention. A number of moderation analyses were conducted, none of which reached statistical significance. However, the numerically largest – and significant – within-group effect size was obtained for the group of studies that had preselected participants based on elevated psychological distress (g = 0.29, p = .047). In conclusion, psychological interventions appear efficacious in reducing pro-inflammatory biomarker levels. Future studies are recommended to carefully select individuals based on inflammatory (e.g., the presence of low-grade inflammation) and/or psychological (e.g., psychological distress) criteria.
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