Calcimimetics maintain bone turnover in uremic rats despite the concomitant decrease in parathyroid hormone concentration

1. Download high-res image (408KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

Cardiovascular risk factors in patients with spondyloarthritis from Northern European and Mediterranean countries: An ancillary study of the ASAS-COMOSPA project

Objectives

The objectives of this study were: (1) to compare the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors among different phenotypes of spondyloarthritis (SpA); (2) to assess the differences in cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors between two geographical areas, i.e. Northern Europe vs. Mediterranean region; (3) to identify potential predictive factors for high Framingham Risk Score regarding disease features in SpA and geographical area.

Psychological assessment of patients with temporomandibular disorders: confirmatory analysis of the dimensional structure of the Brief Symptoms Inventory 18

OBJECTIVE: This article analyzes the psychometric and structural properties of the Brief Symptoms Inventory 18 in a sample of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), given the convenience of a brief evaluation of distress in these patients. METHODS: Confirmatory factor analysis was carried out in a sample of 114 patients with TMDs. Two models were tested: the theoretical model with the original structure proposed--which considers three dimensions--and the empirical model obtained through the exploratory factor analysis initially carried out by Leonard R. Derogatis--which consists of the four-factor structure. RESULTS: Both models reached satisfactory indexes in confirmatory factor analysis. Empirical and theoretical reasons led us to prefer the original proposal of three dimensions: somatization, depression and anxiety, and general distress. CONCLUSION: The Brief Symptoms Inventory 18 has been demonstrated to be a reliable and valid tool for the assessment of distress in patients with TMDs, with the advantage of its simplicity and ease of application.     

Association of novel POLG mutations and multiple mitochondrial DNA deletions with variable clinical phenotypes in a Spanish population

BACKGROUND: Both dominant and recessive mutations were reported in the gene encoding the mitochondrial (mt) DNA polymerase gamma (POLG) in patients with progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO). Phenotypes other than PEO were recently documented in patients with mutations in the POLG gene. OBJECTIVE: To screen patients with mitochondrial disease and multiple mtDNA deletions in muscle for mutations in the coding regions of the POLG, PEO1, and SLC25A4 genes. DESIGN: To identify the underlying molecular defect in a group of patients with multiple mtDNA deletions comparing their molecular genetic findings with those of healthy controls. PATIENTS: Twenty-four patients (16 men and 8 women) diagnosed with mitochondrial disease and having multiple mtDNA deletions in muscle by Southern blot analysis. Thirteen patients had PEO; 2 had PEO alone, 4 had PEO and myopathy, and 5 had PEO and multisystem involvement. Four patients had multisystem disease without PEO. The remaining 9 patients had isolated myopathy. DNA from 100 healthy individuals was also studied. RESULTS: No mutation was identified in the PEO1 or SLC25A4 genes. Nine POLG mutations were observed in 6 of 24 patients. Four novel mutations were detected and mapped in the linker region (M603L) and in the pol domain of the enzyme (R853W; D1184N; R1146C). Five patients with PEO had mutations: 2 were compound heterozygotes, 1 was homozygous, and another showed a mutation in a single allele. The remaining patient also showed a sole mutation and had an unusual phenotype lacking ocular involvement. CONCLUSIONS: POLG molecular defects were found in 25% of our patients with multiple mtDNA deletions and mitochondrial disease. The uncommon phenotype found in 1 of these patients stresses the clinical variability of patients harboring POLG mutations. Molecular studies in the POLG gene should be addressed in patients with mitochondrial disease, particularly in those with PEO, and multiple mtDNA deletions.     

The relationship between neighborhood-level socioeconomic characteristics and individual mental disorders in five cities in Latin America: multilevel models from the World Mental Health Surveys

Purpose

Our understanding of community-level predictors of individual mental disorders in large urban areas of lower income countries is limited. In particular, the proportion of migrant, unemployed, and poorly educated residents in neighborhoods of these urban areas may characterize group contexts and shape residents’ health.

Methods

Cross-sectional household interviews of 7251 adults were completed across 83 neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina; Medellín, Colombia; São Paulo, Brazil; Lima, Peru; and Mexico City, Mexico as part of the World Mental Health Survey Initiative. Past-year internalizing and externalizing mental disorders were assessed, and multilevel models were used.

Results

Living in neighborhoods with either an above-average or below-average proportion of migrants and highly educated residents was associated with lower odds of any internalizing disorder (for proportion migrants: OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.62–0.91 for the bottom tertile and OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.67–0.94 for the top tertile compared to the middle tertile; for proportion highly educated: OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.64–0.90 for the bottom tertile and OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37–0.90 for the top tertile compared to the middle tertile). Living in neighborhoods with an above-average proportion of unemployed individuals was associated with higher odds of having any internalizing disorder (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.14–1.95 for the top tertile compared to the middle tertile). The proportion of highly educated residents was associated with lower odds of externalizing disorder (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.31–0.93 for the top tertile compared to the middle tertile).

Conclusions

The associations of neighborhood-level migration, unemployment, and education with individual-level odds of mental disorders highlight the importance of community context for understanding the burden of mental disorders among residents of rapidly urbanizing global settings.

     

Perceived injustice in fibromyalgia: psychometric characteristics of the Injustice Experience Questionnaire and relationship with pain catastrophising and pain acceptance

ObjectiveTo validate a Spanish version of the Injustice Experience Questionnaire (IEQ), a measure of perceived injustice, in a fibromyalgia sample and to examine its relationship with pain catastrophising and pain acceptance.MethodsThe IEQ was administered along with the Pain Visual Analogue Scale, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) to 250 primary care patients with fibromyalgia.ResultsThe IEQ had good test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.98) and internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.92). The factor structure obtained was similar to the original validation study. The multiple regression analyses showed that perceived injustice (PI) accounted for significant pain-related outcomes after controlling pain intensity, PCS and CPAQ. Principal component analysis of both the IEQ and the CPAQ taken together showed that the two constructs do not represent opposite extremes of the same dimension.ConclusionThe IEQ is a reliable assessment tool for measuring PI among patients with fibromyalgia. PI seems to be distinct from catastrophising, although the two constructs are very similar. The factor analysis showed that PI and acceptance represent related constructs, and this entails relevant implications for therapy, as acceptance-based interventions would be appropriate.     

The human CMV-UL86 peptide 981-1003 shares a crossreactive T-cell epitope with the encephalitogenic MOG peptide 34-56, but lacks the capacity to induce EAE in rhesus monkeys

Rhesus monkeys immunized with MOG(34-56), a dominant T-cell epitope from myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, develop an acute neurological disease resembling acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in humans. The typical large demyelinated lesions and mononuclear infiltrates in the monkey brains are caused by MOG(34-56) T-cells. We show that MOG(34-56)-reactive CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells are induced in monkeys immunized with a peptide from the human CMV major capsid protein (UL86; 981-1003), that shares sequence similarity with MOG(34-56). Monkeys sensitized against the viral peptide and subsequently challenged with MOG(34-56) display histological signs of encephalitis, but do not show overt neurological signs.     

Sialic acid is an inflammation marker associated with a history of deep vein thrombosis

INTRODUCTION: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) induces a systemic chronic inflammation and it has been associated with atherosclerosis. Increased levels of total sialic acid (TSA) have been shown to correlate with inflammation and atherosclerotic processes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not increased levels of TSA are associated with a history of DVT and with inflammation and coagulation markers, as well as with the lipid profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TSA, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrin D-dimer (D-dimer), prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2), endogenous thrombin generation, cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in 68 patients who had suffered, in the previous 6-12 months, a first episode of idiopathic DVT, and in 68 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. RESULTS: Levels of TSA, fibrinogen, CRP and D-dimer observed in patients were significantly higher than those detected in healthy subjects. TSA positively correlated with fibrinogen (R=0.47, p<0.01), cholesterol (R=0.46, p<0.01), triglycerides (R=0.38, p<0.01) and CRP (R=0.28, p<0.05). The logistic regression analysis confirmed that both high fibrinogen (> or =340 mg/dl) and cholesterol (> or =267 mg/dl) levels significantly and independently influence the TSA concentration. TSA levels above the 95th percentile of controls (>72 mg/dl) were detected in 33% of patients (OR=8.9; p<0.0001; 95% CI 2.4 to 31.7). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a history of DVT had associated high levels of TSA. In these patients, TSA correlated to markers of inflammation activity and lipid profile. Thus, TSA appears to be a useful vascular inflammatory marker in idiopathic DVT.