The persistence of anticardiolipin antibodies is associated with an increased risk of the presence of lupus anticoagulant and anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies

OBJECTIVE: We studied antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in blood samples from a cohort of individuals followed for thrombosis to determine whether the persistent presence of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) is associated with a greater likelihood of having lupus anticoagulant and/or anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies (LA/abeta2GPI). METHODS: Blood samples from 353 individuals who had been tested for aCL on at least two occasions were tested for abeta2GPI and LA. Two groups were defined: aCL-persistent, who tested aCL-positive on at least two occasions, and aCL non-persistent, who tested aCL-positive on fewer than two occasions. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed using LA/abeta2GPI, LA and abeta2GPI as outcome variables and the percentage of aCL-positive tests as the predictor variable, adjusted for age, gender, family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), smoking and number of venous (VT) and arterial thromboses (AT). RESULTS: Sixty-eight (19%) individuals were aCL persistent and 285 (81%) were aCL non-persistent. LA/abeta2GPI was found in 36 (53%) of the aCL persistent group and 38 (13%) of the aCL non-persistent group. The two groups were similar for age, gender and smoking. Family history of CVD, SLE, VT and AT were more frequent in the aCL persistent group. Multivariate analyses revealed that odds ratios for LA/abeta2GPI, LA and abeta2GPI were 1.34 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.22-1.47], 1.36 (95% CI = 1.24-1.50) and 1.47 (95% CI = 1.31-1.65) respectively for each 10% increase in aCL-positive tests vs 0% positive tests. CONCLUSION: Persistence of aCL positivity is associated with an increased risk of LA/abeta2GPI.     

Short-term effects of an educational intervention on physical restraint use: a cluster randomized trial

Background

Hospitalization for older patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is associated with functional decline. Little is know about the relationship between inflammatory markers and determinants of functional status in this population. The aim of the study is to investigate the association between tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Activities of Daily Living, and to identify risk factors associated with one year mortality or hospital readmission.

Methods

301 consecutive patients hospitalized for CAP (mean age 73.9 ± 5.3 years) in a University affiliated hospital over 18 month period were included. All patients were evaluated on admission to identify baseline demographic, microbiological, cognitive and functional characteristics. Serum levels for TNF-α and CRP were collected at the same time. Reassessment of functional status at discharge, and monthly thereafter till 3 months post discharge was obtained and compared with preadmission level to document loss or recovery of functionality. Outcome was assessed by the composite endpoint of hospital readmission or death from any cause up to one year post hospital discharge.

Results

36% of patients developed functional decline at discharge and 11% had persistent functional impairment at 3 months. Serum TNF-α (odds ratio [OR] 1.12, 95% CI 1.08–1.15; p < 0.001) and the Charlson Index (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.71; p = 0.001) but not age, CRP, or cognitive status were independently associated with loss of functionality at the time of hospital discharge. Lack of recovery in functional status at 3 months was associated with impaired cognitive ability and preadmission comorbidities. In Cox regression analysis, persistent functional impairment at 3 months, impaired cognitive function, and the Charlson Index were highly predictive of one year hospital readmission or death.

Conclusion

Serum TNF-α levels can be useful in determining patients at risk for functional impairment following hospitalization from CAP. Old patients with impaired cognitive function and preexisting comorbidities who exhibit delay in functional recovery at 3 months post discharge may be at high risk for hospital readmission and death. With the scarcity of resources, a future risk stratification system based on these findings might be proven helpful to target older patients who are likely to benefit from interventional strategies.     

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen correlates with fibrosis and necroinflammation: A multicentre perspective in China

The kinetics of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been studied, but the factors affecting them remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the factors affecting HBsAg titres, using data from multicentre, large‐sized clinical trials in China. The baseline data of 1795 patients in 3 multicentre trials were studied, and the patients were classified into 3 groups: hepatitis B early antigen (HBeAg)‐positive chronic HBV infection (n = 588), HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B (n = 596), and HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B (n = 611). HBsAg titres in the different phases were compared, and multiple linear progression analyses were performed to investigate the implicated factors. HBsAg titres varied significantly in different phases (P = .000), with the highest (4.60 log10 IU/mL [10%‐90% confidence interval: 3.52 log10 IU/mL‐4.99 log10 IU/mL]) in patients with HBeAg‐positive chronic HBV infection. In all phases, age and HBV DNA were correlated with serum HBsAg level. In HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients, a negative correlation between HBsAg titres and fibrosis stage was observed. Alanine amonitransferase or necroinflammatory activity was also correlated with HBsAg titres in HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B patients. In conclusion, decreased HBsAg titres may be associated with advancing fibrosis in HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients or increased necroinflammation in those with HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B. Our findings may help clinicians better understand the kinetics of HBsAg and provide useful insights into the management of this disease.     

Assessment of Airway Distribution of Transnasal Solutions in Mice by PET/CT Imaging

Purpose

Transnasal administration is one of the most common routes for allergen challenge in mouse models of airway diseases. Although this technique is widely used, neither the amount of allergen that reaches the lung nor its airway distribution has been well established. We used positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) to examine the anatomical distribution of a solution containing a tracer immediately after transnasal delivery and to determine the possible influence of age and administered volume.

Procedures

Forty-six female BALB/c mice were divided into three groups according to instillation volume and age: (A) 15 μl, 8–10 weeks old (N?=?10), (B) 30 μl, 8–10 weeks old (N?=?20), and (C) 30 μl, 32 weeks old (N?=?16). Anesthetized animals underwent a dynamic scan in a dedicated small-animal PET scanner immediately after transnasal administration of a solution containing ¹⁸FDG. Regions of interest were used to obtain quantitative data. Animals were also imaged with a small-animal CT scanner to obtain complementary anatomical information.

Results

Mean?±?SD (5.69?±?4.51%) of the solution administered reached the lungs in group A, 41.84?±?8.03% in group B, and 36.65?±?16.15% in group C. A comparable percentage was delivered to the left and right lungs in all the groups. Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference between the groups in the proportion of the solution that reached the lungs depending on the injection volume (P?Conclusions In this first report on quantitative imaging by PET and CT in small animals, we confirmed the suitability of the transnasal route with an instilled volume of 30 μl delivering fluids into the lower airways, although only about 40% of the dose reaches the lungs.     

输尿管镜气压弹道碎石术治疗输尿管结石560例

1临床资料输尿管结石560(男324,女236)例,年龄16～68(平均38)岁.其中左侧输尿管246例,右侧输尿管268例,双侧输尿管46例,合并肾功能减退者28例,合并妊娠12例,孤肾合并输尿管结石5例,上段输尿管139例,中段输尿管154例,下段输尿管267例,合并输尿管狭窄68例,合并输尿管息肉156例,合并输尿管扩张及不同程度肾积水286例,36例有肾或输尿管切开取石史,196例行体外震波碎石效果不佳,其中16例形成石街.本组经X线诊断的阳性结石388例,经B超或静脉肾盂造影诊断的阴性结石148例,未发现结石经输尿管镜诊断的结石24例.     

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies to an antigenic protein from Stachybotrys chartarum and its measurement in house dust

Using sera from atopic patients we have isolated an extracellular protein, which is antigenic in humans, from Stachybotrys chartarum sesu lato. Here we report the production of monoclonal antibodies to the protein and the development of a sensitive and specific assay to the target protein as well as analyses in house dust samples spiked with spores. The detection limit for the target antigen in house dust was approximately 0.2 ng/g dry weight house dust. This detection limit is comparable to those for house dust mite allergen and the allergen of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus but lower than that for the fungus Alternaria alternata.