| 1. |
- Soki, Jozsef, et al.
(författare)
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Emergence and evolution of an international cluster of MDR Bacteroides fragilis isolates
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0305-7453 .- 1460-2091. ; 71:9, s. 2441-2448
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to examine the antibiotic resistance profiles, antibiotic resistance mechanisms and possible 'clonal' nature of some MDR Bacteroides fragilis strains that simultaneously harboured cfiA, nimB, IS1186 and IS4351. Antibiotic susceptibilities were determined by Etests and antibiotic resistance genes and different genetic elements were detected by applying PCR methods. The environments of the cfiA and nimB genes were also determined by sequencing. The transferability of the cfiA, nimB and tet(Q) genes was tested by conjugation. The genetic relatedness of the test strains was tested by ERIC-PCR or PFGE. The complete genome sequences of two strains (B. fragilis BF8 and O:21) were determined by next-generation sequencing. Most of the seven B. fragilis strains tested displayed multidrug resistance phenotypes; five strains were resistant to at least five types of antibiotics. Besides the common genetic constitution, ERIC-PCR implied high genetic relatedness. Similarities in some of the antibiotic resistance mechanisms [carbapenems (cfiA) and metronidazole (nimB)] also confirmed their common origin, but some other resistance mechanisms {MLSB [erm(F)] and tetracycline [tet(Q)]} and PFGE typing revealed differences. In B. fragilis BF8 and O:21, erm(F) and tet(X) genes were found with IS4351 borders, thus constituting Tn4351. All the strains were tet(Q) positive and transferred this gene in conjugation experiments, but not the cfiA and nimB genes. An international cluster of MDR B. fragilis strains has been identified and characterized. This 'clone' may have emerged early in the evolution of division II B. fragilis strains, which was suggested by the low-complexity ERIC profiles and differences in the PFGE patterns.
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| 2. |
- Zamora, Juan Carlos, et al.
(författare)
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Considerations and consequences of allowing DNA sequence data as types of fungal taxa
- 2018
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Ingår i: IMA Fungus. - : INT MYCOLOGICAL ASSOC. - 2210-6340 .- 2210-6359. ; 9:1, s. 167-185
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Nomenclatural type definitions are one of the most important concepts in biological nomenclature. Being physical objects that can be re-studied by other researchers, types permanently link taxonomy (an artificial agreement to classify biological diversity) with nomenclature (an artificial agreement to name biological diversity). Two proposals to amend the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), allowing DNA sequences alone (of any region and extent) to serve as types of taxon names for voucherless fungi (mainly putative taxa from environmental DNA sequences), have been submitted to be voted on at the 11th International Mycological Congress (Puerto Rico, July 2018). We consider various genetic processes affecting the distribution of alleles among taxa and find that alleles may not consistently and uniquely represent the species within which they are contained. Should the proposals be accepted, the meaning of nomenclatural types would change in a fundamental way from physical objects as sources of data to the data themselves. Such changes are conducive to irreproducible science, the potential typification on artefactual data, and massive creation of names with low information content, ultimately causing nomenclatural instability and unnecessary work for future researchers that would stall future explorations of fungal diversity. We conclude that the acceptance of DNA sequences alone as types of names of taxa, under the terms used in the current proposals, is unnecessary and would not solve the problem of naming putative taxa known only from DNA sequences in a scientifically defensible way. As an alternative, we highlight the use of formulas for naming putative taxa (candidate taxa) that do not require any modification of the ICN.
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| 3. |
- Agostoni, Angelo, et al.
(författare)
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Hereditary and acquired angioedema: problems and progress: proceedings of the third C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency workshop and beyond
- 2004
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Ingår i: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1097-6825 .- 0091-6749. ; 114:3 Suppl, s. 51-131
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hereditary angioedema (HAE), a rare but life-threatening condition, manifests as acute attacks of facial, laryngeal, genital, or peripheral swelling or abdominal pain secondary to intra-abdominal edema. Resulting from mutations affecting C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), inhibitor of the first complement system component, attacks are not histamine-mediated and do not respond to antihistamines or corticosteroids. Low awareness and resemblance to other disorders often delay diagnosis; despite availability of C1-INH replacement in some countries, no approved, safe acute attack therapy exists in the United States. The biennial C1 Esterase Inhibitor Deficiency Workshops resulted from a European initiative for better knowledge and treatment of HAE and related diseases. This supplement contains work presented at the third workshop and expanded content toward a definitive picture of angioedema in the absence of allergy. Most notably, it includes cumulative genetic investigations; multinational laboratory diagnosis recommendations; current pathogenesis hypotheses; suggested prophylaxis and acute attack treatment, including home treatment; future treatment options; and analysis of patient subpopulations, including pediatric patients and patients whose angioedema worsened during pregnancy or hormone administration. Causes and management of acquired angioedema and a new type of angioedema with normal C1-INH are also discussed. Collaborative patient and physician efforts, crucial in rare diseases, are emphasized. This supplement seeks to raise awareness and aid diagnosis of HAE, optimize treatment for all patients, and provide a platform for further research in this rare, partially understood disorder.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Gulyas, Katalin, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of 1-year anti-TNF-α therapies on bone mineral density and bone biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
- 2020
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Ingår i: Clinical Rheumatology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0770-3198 .- 1434-9949. ; 39:1, s. 167-175
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectivesRheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have been associated with generalized and localized bone loss. We conducted a comprehensive study using imaging (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, DXA) and laboratory biomarkers in order to determine bone health and to study the effects of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) biologics in RA and AS.Patients and methodsThirty-six RA and 17 AS patients undergoing 1-year etanercept (ETN) or certolizumab-pegol (CZP) therapy were studied. Bone density was assessed by DXA at baseline and after 12 months. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D3, osteocalcin, procollagen type I N-propeptide (P1NP), C-terminal telopeptide (βCTX), osteoprotegerin, sclerostin (SOST), Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), soluble receptor activator nuclear kappa B ligand (sRANKL), and cathepsin K (cathK) levels were determined at baseline and after 6 and 12 months.ResultsTNF-α inhibition was clinically effective. Anti-TNF-α halted further bone loss over 1 year. In general, anti-TNF therapy significantly increased P1NP, SOST levels, and the P1NP/βCTX ratios, while decreased DKK-1 and CathK production at different time points in most patient subsets. In the full cohort and in RA, baseline and/or 12-month bone mineral density (BMD) at multiple sites exerted inverse relationships with CRP and βCTX, and positive correlation with SOST. In AS, L2-4 BMD after 1-year biologic therapy inversely correlated with baseline βCTX, while femoral neck BMD rather showed inverse correlations with CRP.ConclusionsAnti-TNF therapy slowed down generalized bone loss, in association with clinical improvements, in both diseases. TNF blockade may enhance bone formation and suppress joint destruction. Anti-TNF therapy may act inversely on DKK-1 and SOST. Independent predictors of BMD were SOST and βCTX in RA, whilst CRP in AS.
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| 7. |
- Hebert, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Bosentan Improves Exercise Capacity in Adolescents and Adults After Fontan Operation: The TEMPO (Treatment With Endothelin Receptor Antagonist in Fontan Patients, a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study Measuring Peak Oxygen Consumption) Study.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Circulation. - 1524-4539. ; 130:23, s. 2021-2030
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Fontan procedure has improved survival in children with functionally univentricular hearts. With time, however, complications such as reduced exercise capacity are seen more frequently. Exercise intolerance is multifactorial, but pulmonary vascular resistance probably plays a crucial role. Elevated pulmonary vascular resistance has been associated with raised levels of endothelin-1, which are common both before and after Fontan operations. Treatment with endothelin-1 receptor antagonists could theoretically improve cardiopulmonary hemodynamics and exercise capacity. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the efficacy and safety of bosentan in Fontan patients.
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| 8. |
- Hjortshøj, Cristel M Sørensen, et al.
(författare)
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Past and current cause-specific mortality in Eisenmenger syndrome.
- 2017
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Ingår i: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 38:26, s. 2060-2067
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic strategies have changed during the 2000s in conjunction with an emphasis on specialist follow-up. The aim of this study was to determine the cause-specific mortality in ES and evaluate any relevant changes between 1977 and 2015.Methods and results: This is a retrospective, descriptive multicentre study. A total of 1546 patients (mean age 38.7 ± 15.4 years; 36% male) from 13 countries were included. Cause-specific mortality was examined before and after July 2006, 'early' and 'late', respectively. Over a median follow-up of 6.1 years (interquartile range 2.1-21.5 years) 558 deaths were recorded; cause-specific mortality was identified in 411 (74%) cases. Leading causes of death were heart failure (34%), infection (26%), sudden cardiac death (10%), thromboembolism (8%), haemorrhage (7%), and peri-procedural (7%). Heart failure deaths increased in the 'late' relative to the 'early' era (P = 0.032), whereas death from thromboembolic events and death in relation to cardiac and non-cardiac procedures decreased (P = 0.014, P = 0.014, P = 0.004, respectively). There was an increase in longevity in the 'late' vs. 'early' era (median survival 52.3 vs. 35.2 years, P < 0.001).Conclusion: The study shows that despite changes in therapy, care, and follow-up of ES in tertiary care centres, all-cause mortality including cardiac remains high. Patients from the 'late' era, however, die later and from chronic rather than acute cardiac causes, primarily heart failure, whereas peri-procedural and deaths due to haemoptysis have become less common. Lifelong vigilance in tertiary centres and further research for ES are clearly needed.
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| 9. |
- Hjortshøj, Cristel Sørensen, et al.
(författare)
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Epidemiological changes in Eisenmenger syndrome in the Nordic region in 1977-2012
- 2017
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Ingår i: Heart. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 1355-6037 .- 1468-201X. ; 103:17, s. 1353-1358
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Improved diagnostic tools, timely closure of the shunt and a better understanding of the complexity of Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) have led to improved care and treatment in tertiary centres. These may have decreased the incidence of ES and improved survival of patients with ES, although evidence is still lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate temporal changes in incidence, prevalence and mortality in patients with ES for 35 years in the Nordic region.METHODS: This was a retrospective population-based study including 714 patients with ES. Survival analysis was performed based on all-cause mortality and accounting for immortal time bias.RESULTS: The incidence of ES decreased from 2.5/million inhabitants/year in 1977 to 0.2/million inhabitants/year in 2012. Correspondingly, prevalence decreased from 24.6 to 11.9/million inhabitants. The median survival was 38.4 years, with 20-year, 40-year and 60-year survival of 72.5%, 48.4%, and 21.3%, respectively. Complex lesions and Down syndrome were independently associated with worse survival (HR 2.2, p<0.001 and HR 1.8, p<0.001, respectively). Age at death increased from 27.7 years in the period from 1977 to 1992, to 46.3 years from July 2006 to 2012 (p<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and prevalence of ES in the Nordic region have decreased markedly during the last decades. Furthermore, the median age at death increased throughout the study period, indicating prolonged life expectancy in the ES population. However, increasing age represents decreased incidence, rather than improved survival. Nonetheless, longevity with ES is still shorter than in the background population.
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| 10. |
- Kalmár, Péter János, et al.
(författare)
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A MECHANIKUS THROMBECTOMIÁT MEGELÔZÔ INTRAVÉNÁS THROMBOLYSIS SZEREPE AZ AKUT AGYI NAGYÉRELZÁRÓDÁSOK KEZELÉSÉBEN : [The role of intravenous thrombolysis before mechanical thrombectomy in the treatment of large vessel occlusion strokes]
- 2022
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Ingår i: Ideggyógyászati szemle. - : Literatura Medica Kiado. - 0019-1442 .- 2498-6208. ; 75:1-2, s. 23-29
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and purpose: The efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is moderate in the proximal vascular segments of intracranial arteries, as opposed to mecha-nical thrombectomy (MT). In the management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusions (LVO), IVT prior to MT is highly recommended based on the latest guidelines, but the necessity of IVT has been questioned by the latest studies of the past years. The aim of our study was to investigate and compare the efficacy and safety of direct mechanical thrombectomy (dMT) and combined therapy (CT) for patients who suffered an AIS with LVO and were treated in our department.Methods: We investigated patients with AIS caused by LVO who were admitted up to 4.5 hours after symptom onset and underwent MT in our department between November 2017 and August 2019. Patients' data were collected in our stroke register. Patients enrolled in our study were divided into two groups depending on whether dMT or CT was used. Our primary outcome was the 30- and 90- day functional outcome measured by modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Mortality at 30- and 90- day, successful recanalization rates, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were considered as secondary outcomes.Results: A total of 142 patients (age: 68.3 ± 12.6 years, 53.5% female) were enrolled in our study, including 81 (57.0%) dMT cases, and 61 (43.0%) patients who received CT. The vascular risk factors and comorbidities were significantly higher in the dMT-treated group. At day 30, the rate of favorable functional outcomes was 34.7% in dMT vs. 43.6% among those who received CT (p = 0.307), by day 90 this ratio changed to 40.8% vs. 46.3% (p = 0.542). Mortality rates at day 30 were 22.2% and 23.6% (p = 0.851), and at day 90 33.8% and 25.9% (p = 0.343). The rate of effective recanalization was 94.2% for dMT-treated patients and 98.0% for CT-treated patients (p = 0.318). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was detected in 2.5% of dMT-treated patients and 3.4% of CT-treated group (p = 0.757).Conclusion: Our results suggest that CT is associated with a moderately better outcome compared to dMT. IVT prior to MT did not increase the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages.
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| 11. |
- Kalmar, Peter Janos, et al.
(författare)
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Comparing endovascular treatment methods in acute ischemic stroke Due to tandem occlusion focusing on clinical aspects
- 2021
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Ingår i: Life. - : MDPI. - 2075-1729. ; 11:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Acute ischemic strokes (AIS) due to tandem occlusion (TO) of intracranial anterior large vessel and concomitant extracranial internal carotid artery (EICA) are represent in 15-20% of all ischemic strokes. The endovascular treatment (EVT) strategy for those patients is still unclear. Although the intracranial mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is considered as a standard treatment approach, the EICA lesion stent necessity remains a matter of debate. We sought to assess the efficacy and safety of EVT in tandem lesions, particularly the EICA stenting management.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients with anterior circulation stroke associated with EICA lesion and receiving EVT in the three participated stroke centers between November 2017 and December 2020. Patients' data were collected from our prospective stroke registry (STAY ALIVE). Patients enrolled in our study were divided into two groups depending on whether acute carotid stenting (ACS) or balloon angioplasty only (BAO) technique was used. Our primary outcome was the 90-day functional outcome assessed by modified Rankin scale (mRS). Mortality at 90 days and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) were considered as secondary outcomes.Results: A total of 101 patients (age: 67 ± 10 years, 38.6% female) were enrolled in our study, including 29 (28.3%) BAO cases, and 72 (71.3%) patients treated with ACS. Patients in the BAO group were slightly older (70 ± 9 years vs. 66 ± 10 years, p = 0.054), and had higher prevalence of comorbidities such as hypertension (100.0% vs. 59.4%, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in favorable outcomes (51.7% vs. 54.4%, p = 0.808) between the groups. However, we observed a trend towards higher rates of sICH (8.3% vs. 3.4%, p = 0.382) and 90-day mortality (23.5% vs. 13.8%, p = 0.278) with significantly higher frequency of distal embolization (39.1% vs. 17.9%, p = 0.043) in patients with ACS. In the overall population age (p = 0.013), atrial fibrillation (AF) (p = 0.008), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) baseline (p = 0.029), and successful recanalization (p = 0.023) were associated with favorable outcome.Conclusion: Endovascular approach of EICA in addition to MT was safe and effective in tandem occlusion of anterior circulation. Furthermore, our results suggest that balloon angioplasty technique without acute stenting shows a comparable favorable outcome rate to ACS with moderately less hemorrhagic events and mortality rates.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Nagy, Edit
(författare)
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Molecular mechanisms of inflammation and calcification in aortic valve stenosis
- 2012
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Aortic valve stenosis is a slowly progressive disorder with a spectrum of disease ranging from aortic sclerosis to severe destroyed valvular architecture leading to critical outflow obstruction. The diseased valve is characterized by inflammation, as an initiating event, pathological remodeling of extracellular matrix and pronounced calcification, which all eventually cause restricted leaflet mobility. Compelling evidence obtained from both experimental animal models and human studies provided detailed histopathological picture of disease development. This implies endothelial cell-, macrophage activation and inflammation-dependent calcification paradigm, in which phenotypic transdifferentiation of valvular myofibroblasts towards osteogenic phenotype takes place to further enhance the structural and compositional changes of the valve leaflets. The prognosis of symptomatic patients with severe stenosis is poor without surgical valve replacement. To date there is no medical treatment for this condition other than surgical valve replacement. Based on inflammation associated calcification, observed in early stages, within this thesis the molecular mechanisms of calcified aortic valve stenosis with focus on inflammation and subsequent calcification were characterized. The aim of the project was to determine the role of proinflammatory signaling through the leukotriene pathway in aortic stenosis. Surgically explanted human aortic valves were subjected for macroscopic dissection followed by Taqman qPCR in order to correlate the gene expression pattern with the echocardiographic parameters quantifying the stenosis severity. This study established a macroscopic dissection technique as a model for in vivo disease development, where different parts of stenotic aortic valve represent the entire disease spectrum from early signs to advanced stages. The inflammatory environment within the affected aortic valve stimulates the 5-lipoxygenase pathway leading to production of potent inflammatory mediators, leukotrienes. Several components of the 5-lipoxygenas pathway were correlated with the stenosis severity. As inflamed valvular tissue demonstrates signs of micro- and macrocalcification, the next step was to determine the spatio-temporal distribution of genes with osteoinductive and osteoresorptive pontential. These findings along with the plasma measures of proteins taking part in bone turnover point to a correlation between their tissue-, systemic levels and the stenosis severity. Furthermore, the intracellular effects of LTC4 in vitro cell culture of valvular insterstitial cells and smooth muscle cells from human coronary artery were characterized. The results of these experiments demonstrated cascade of events leading to activation of cell death pathways, activation of the nuclear enzyme PARP-1, upregulation of CysLT1 receptor expression in response to proinflammatory stimuli coupled to nuclear calcium signaling. Moreover, in a separate experiment a conceptual model of phenotypic plasticity of the valvular insterstitial cells due to epigenetic alteration was provided, which might be connected to stenosis progression. The amount of methylated DNA within the 5-lipoxygenase promoter region was significantly lower in the calcified part compared with non-calcified, which was confirmed by accompanied increase in expression of 5-lipoxygenase leading to enhanced inflammatory activity in the calcified region of the valve. In conclusion, the findings of this thesis integrate observations of molecular research using quantitative gene expression data with clinical variables in terms of echocardiographic parameters. The results point to leukotrienes as potential mediators of inflammation in aortic stenosis. Furthermore, the bone turnover both at tissue and systemic levels is associated with stenosis severity. In addition, the thesis also provides mechanistic insight into the direct role of leukotrienes in the pathophysiological process of aortic stenosis. Finally, translational implication of our data suggests possibility for pharmacological intervention using leukotriene receptor antagonists with a potential to retard the hemodynamic progression.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Nagy, Edit, et al.
(författare)
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Valvular osteoclasts in calcification and aortic valve stenosis severity
- 2013
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 168:3, s. 2264-2271
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Bone remodeling in calcified aortic valves is thought to originate from microfractures at multiple sites of the valve, at which osteoclasts and osteoblasts are recruited. The aim of the present study was to assess circulating mediators of bone homeostasis, correlate them to the severity of stenosis and explore the spatio-temporal distribution of bone turnover in different parts of calcified aortic valve tissue.METHODS AND RESULTS: Plasma and explanted aortic valves were obtained from 46 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery. Plasma levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), receptor activator of nuclear-κB (RANK) ligand and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2/Cbfa1) exhibited a significant correlation to the severity of aortic stenosis. mRNA levels in normal, thickened and calcified parts of aortic valves assessed by quantitative real-time PCR were significantly elevated in calcified parts of valves for TRAP (5.08 ± 1.6-fold, P<0.001) RANK ligand (8.6 ± 4.2-fold, P<0.001) and RANK (1.98 ± 0.78-fold, P=0.015). In an age, gender and aortic valve anatomy-adjusted multivariable regression analysis the local transcript levels of TRAP correlated significantly with echocardiographic parameters quantifying stenosis severity in early stages, whereas the expression level of Runx2/Cbfa1 was a predictor of the stenosis severity in advanced stages.CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a critical role of bone turnover as a determinant of aortic stenosis severity.
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| 16. |
- Nagy, Edit
(författare)
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Working in underground offices
- 1998
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The present doctoral dissertation discusses Japanese office employees' psychological reactions to their underground work environment. Studies I and III were methodological in nature and aimed at developing and validating instruments to be used in the empirical studies. The first empirical analysis (Study II) examined office employees' perception of the importance of windows, the lighting conditions and the office interior by means of a questionnaire survey. The second empirical analysis (Study IV) was a qualitative analysis of underground and above ground office employees' conceptualisation of their office environment by means of a multiple sorting task. The results confirmed that windows were strongly desired in work places, especially by employees working underground and not having windows. The underground employees also evaluated their lighting conditions and the general office interior more negatively than did the above ground workers, although the physical design of the offices was very similar. Furthermore, the comparison of the conceptual systems of underground and above ground workers showed that the underground subjects distinguished window related concepts more clearly than the above ground workers. Finally, the Japanese subjects in these studies showed strong reactions against the underground work place similarly to the western subjects of previous studies, indicating that the negative psychological reactions towards underground places, and the desire for windows in the work place, are not substantially influenced by climatic and cultural factors, but seem to be wide spread human reactions.
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| 17. |
- Nagy, István, et al.
(författare)
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Distinct strains of Propionibacterium acnes induce selective human beta-defensin-2 and interleukin-8 expression in human keratinocytes through toll-like receptors.
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of Investigative Dermatology. - 0022-202X .- 1523-1747. ; 124:5, s. 931-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous follicle. One of the main pathogenetic factors in acne is the increased proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) in the pilosebaceous unit. We investigated whether direct interaction of P. acnes with keratinocytes might be involved in the inflammation and ductal hypercornification in acne. The capacities of different P. acnes strains to activate the innate immune response and the growth of cultured keratinocytes were investigated. We have found that two clinical isolates of P. acnes significantly induced human beta-defensin-2 (hBD2) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression; in contrast a third clinical isolate and the reference strain (ATCC11828) had no effect on hBD2 mRNA expression. In contrast, all four strains significantly induced the interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA expression. The P. acnes-induced increase in hBD2 and IL-8 gene expression could be inhibited by anti-Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and anti-TLR4 neutralizing antibodies, suggesting that P. acnes-induced secretion of soluble factors in keratinocytes are both TLR2 and TLR4 dependent. In addition, the clinical isolate P. acnes (889) was capable of inducing keratinocyte cell growth in vitro. Our findings suggest that P. acnes modulates the antimicrobial peptide and chemokine expression of keratinocytes and thereby contributes to the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the sites of infections.
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| 18. |
- Schophuus Jensen, Annette, et al.
(författare)
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Cause-Specific Mortality in Patients During Long-Term Follow-Up After Atrial Switch for Transposition of the Great Arteries
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of the American Heart Association. - : American Heart Association. - 2047-9980. ; 11:14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Little is known about the cause of death (CoD) in patients with transposition of the great arteries palliated with a Mustard or Senning procedure. The aim was to describe the CoD for patients with the Mustard and Senning procedure during short-(<10 years), mid-(10–20 years), and long-term (>20 years) follow-up after the operation.METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a retrospective, descriptive multicenter cohort study including all Nordic patients (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden) who underwent a Mustard or Senning procedure between 1967 and 2003. Patients who died within 30 days after the index operation were excluded. Among 968 patients with Mustard/Senning palliated transposition of the great arteries, 814 patients were eligible for the study, with a mean follow-up of 33.6 years. The estimated risk of all-cause mortality reached 36.0% after 43 years of follow-up, and the risk of death was highest among male patients as compared with female patients (P=0.004). The most common CoD was sudden cardiac death (SCD), followed by heart failure/heart transplantation accounting for 29% and 27%, respectively. During short-, mid-, and long-term follow-up, there was a change in CoD with SCD accounting for 23.7%, 46.6%, and 19.0% (P=0.002) and heart failure/heart transplantation 18.6%, 22.4%, and 46.6% (P=0.0005), respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Among patients corrected with Mustard or Senning transposition of the great arteries, the most common CoD is SCD followed by heart failure/heart transplantation. The CoD changes as the patients age, with SCD as the most common cause in adolescence and heart failure as the dominant cause in adulthood. Furthermore, the risk of all-cause mortality, SCD, and death attributable to heart failure or heart transplantation was increased in men >10 years after the Mustard/Senning operation.
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| 19. |
- Skogby, Sandra, 1989, et al.
(författare)
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Outpatient volumes and medical staffing resources as predictors for continuity of follow-up care during transfer of adolescents with congenital heart disease
- 2020
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 310, s. 51-57
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Providing continuous follow-up care to patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) remains a challenge in many settings. Previous studies highlight that patients with CHD experience discontinuation of follow-up care, but mainly describe a single-centre perspective, neglecting inter-institutional variations. Hospital-related factors above and beyond patient-related factors are believed to affect continuity of care. The present multicentre study therefore investigated (i) proportion of "no follow-up care"; (ii) transfer destinations after leaving paediatric cardiology; (iii) variation in proportions of no follow-up between centres; (iv) the association between no follow-up and outpatient volumes, and (v) its relationship with staffing resources at outpatient clinics.METHODS: An observational, multicentre study was conducted in seven university hospitals. In total, 654 adolescents with CHD, born between 1991 and 1993, with paediatric outpatient visit at age 14-18 years were included. Transfer status was determined 5 years after the intended transfer to adult care (23y), based on medical files, self-reports and registries.RESULTS: Overall, 89.7% of patients were receiving adult follow-up care after transfer; 6.6% had no follow-up; and 3.7% were untraceable. Among patients in follow-up care, only one remained in paediatric care and the majority received specialist adult CHD care. Significant variability in proportions of no follow-up were identified across centres. Higher outpatient volumes at paediatric outpatient clinics were associated with better continued follow-up care after transfer (OR = 1.061; 95% CI = 1.001 - 1.124). Medical staffing resources were not found predictive.CONCLUSION: Our findings support the theory of hospital-related factors influencing continuity of care, above and beyond patient-related characteristics.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Tarp, Julie Bjerre, et al.
(författare)
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Subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease
- 2019
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 277, s. 97-103
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Survival in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) has improved dramatically. The result is an ageing population with risk of acquired heart disease. Previous small uncontrolled studies suggested that these patients are protected against the development of atherosclerosis. To test this hypothesis, we sought to determine the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in a larger population of patients with CCHD. Method: We compared the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in adult CCHD patients from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Australia, with that in age-, sex-, smoking status-, and body mass index matched controls. Coronary artery atherosclerosis was assessed on computed tomography with coronary artery calcification (CAC) score. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined by CAC-score > 0. Carotid artery atherosclerosis was evaluated using ultrasound by measuring carotid plaque thickness (cPT-max) and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT). Lipid status was evaluated as an important atherosclerotic risk factor. Results: Seventy-four patients with CCHD (57% women, median age 49.5 years) and 74 matched controls (57% women, median age 50.0 years) were included. There were no differences between the groups in: CAC-score > 0 (21% vs. 19%, respectively; p = 0.8), carotid plaques (19% vs. 9%, respectively; p = 0.1), cPT-max (2.3 mm vs. 2.8 mm, respectively; p = 0.1) or CIMT (0.61 mm vs. 0.61 mm, respectively; p = 0.98). And further no significant differences in lipoprotein concentrations measured by ultracentrifugation. Conclusion: Young adults with CCHD have similar cardiovascular risk factor profiles and measures of subclinical atherosclerosis, compared with controls. Given their increasing life expectancies, athero-preventive strategies should be an important part of their clinical management.
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- Tarp, Julie Bjerre, et al.
(författare)
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Vascular function in adults with cyanotic congenital heart disease
- 2020
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Ingår i: IJC Heart and Vasculature. - : Elsevier BV. - 2352-9067. ; 30
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) may have a low burden of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is an early stage of atherosclerosis and endothelial function is previously studied in smaller CCHD groups with different techniques and variable results. We aimed to examine endothelial function and carotid atherosclerosis in a larger group of CCHD patients. Methods: This multicentre study assessed endothelial function in adults with CCHD and controls by measuring the dilatory response of the brachial artery to post-ischemic hyperaemia (endothelium-dependent flow-mediated-vasodilatation (FMD)), and to nitroglycerin (endothelium-independent nitroglycerin-induced dilatation (NID)). Flow was measured at baseline and after ischaemia (reactive hyperaemia). Carotid-intima-media-thickness (CIMT), prevalence of carotid plaque and plaque thickness (cPT-max) were evaluated ultrasonographically. Lipoproteins, inflammatory and vascular markers, including sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) were measured. Results: Forty-five patients with CCHD (median age 50 years) and 45 matched controls (median age 52 years) were included. The patients presented with lower reactive hyperaemia (409 ± 114% vs. 611 ± 248%, p < 0.0001), however preserved FMD response compared to controls (106.5 ± 8.3% vs. 106.4 ± 6.1%, p = 0.95). In contrast, NID was lower in the patients (110.5 ± 6.1% vs. 115.1 ± 7.4%, p = 0.053). There was no difference in CIMT, carotid plaque or cPT-max. The patients presented with lower high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, and higher level of inflammatory markers and S1P. Conclusion: Adults with CCHD had preserved FMD in the brachial artery, but impaired NID response and lower reactive hyperaemia than controls. The preserved FMD and the comparable prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis indicate that CCHD patients have the same risk of atherosclerosis as controls.
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