Intradermal and virosomal influenza vaccines for preventing influenza hospitalization in the elderly during the 2011–2012 influenza season: A comparative effectiveness study using the Valencia health care information system

AbstractBackgroundThe use of intradermal vaccination or virosomal vaccines could increase protection against influenza among the vulnerable population of older adults. Studies assessing the comparative effectiveness of these two influenza vaccine types in this age group are lacking.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study to estimate the comparative effectiveness of intradermal seasonal trivalent-influenza vaccine (TIV) delivered by a microneedle injection system and a virosomal-TIV intramuscularly delivered for prevention of influenza hospitalization in non-institutionalized adults aged ≥65 years. We obtained administrative data on immunization status and influenza hospitalization for the 2011–2012 influenza season, and used Cox regression models to assess comparative effectiveness. We estimated crude and adjusted (age, sex, comorbidity, pharmaceutical claims, recent pneumococcal vaccination and number of hospitalizations for all causes other than influenza between the previous and current influenza seasons) hazard ratios (HR).ResultsOverall, 164,021 vaccinated subjects were evaluated. There were 127 hospitalizations for influenza among 62,058 subjects, contributing 914,740 person-weeks at risk in the virosomal-TIV group, and 133 hospitalizations for influenza among 101,963 subjects, contributing 1,504,570 person-weeks at risk in the intradermal-TIV group. The crude HR of intradermal-TIV relative to virosomal-TIV was 0.64 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50–0.81), and the adjusted Cox estimated HR was 0.67 (95% CI: 0.52–0.85).ConclusionsDuring the 2011–2012 influenza season the risk of hospitalization for influenza was reduced by 33% in non-institutionalized elderly adults who were vaccinated with intradermal-TIV compared with virosomal-TIV

Recovered and recycled Kraft fibers as reinforcement of PP composites

Recycled Kraft fibers coming from old sacs were used for the preparation of polypropylene (PP) composites. Composites up to 50 wt.% of reinforcement were obtained and maleated polypropylene (MAH-PP) was used as coupling agent for improving the fiber-matrix compatibility and adhesion. In the present work, the mechanical properties of the obtained composites as well as the evaluation of interfacial behavior are studied. The results discussion is based on the analysis of the mechanical properties of composites, measurements of surface polarity, specific surface, fiber dimensions, spectroscopic and microscopic analysis. Different adhesion mechanisms at fiber-matrix interface must be presumed depending on the existence of MAH-PP coupling agent, as revealed the analysis of the modification reaction and the conducted proofs. The results showed that the addition of maleated polypropylene favored the incorporation of the relatively high amounts of this natural reinforcement and promoted the stress transfer inside the composite. Thus, an increase up to 50 wt.% of recycled Kraft fibers increased two times the ultimate tensile strength of the non-reinforced matrix. Additionally, the intrinsic mechanical properties of recycled Kraft fibers are deduced by means of modified rule of mixtures and compared to those available in the literature. Finally, an approach of the industrial competitiveness of these fibers, daily present in the market, with respect to E fiberglass is carried out. For this reason a comparison between the mechanical properties and the final cost of PP composites from recycled Kraft fibers or E fiberglass has been considered. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Fil: Vilaseca, F.. Universidad de Girona; EspañaFil: Méndez, J.A.. Universidad de Girona; EspañaFil: López J.P.. Universidad de Girona; EspañaFil: Vallejos, María Evangelina. Universidad de Girona; España. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Barberà, L.. Universidad de Girona; EspañaFil: Pèlach, M.A.. Universidad de Girona; EspañaFil: Turon, X.. Universidad de Girona; EspañaFil: Mutjé, P.. Universidad de Girona; Españ

Dysfunctional endothelial cells in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Dysfunctional endothelial cells in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Rationale: The material obtained from pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) offers the unique opportunity to study the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) at disease site. Mitochondrial disarrangements in endothelial cells might explain a hyperproliferative resistant phenotype that could explain vascular changes occurring in CTEPH. We aimed to develop an in vitro model of CTEPH using patient-derived cell lines and assess potential mitochondrial disturbances. Methods: Isolated cells from specimens obtained at PEA, were confirmed as being endothelial cells based on cobblestone morphology, endothelial phenotype (flow cytometry, RT-PCR, immunofluorescence) and functional analysis (tubule formation, proliferation and migration). We also measured: i) mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial content and apoptosis/necrosis by flow cytometry and ii) mitochondrial dynamics (MD) by confocal microscopy. Results: Isolated cells maintained cobblestone morphology and stained positive for endothelial markers. They showed a hyperproliferative phenotype when compared with control human pulmonary artery endothelial cell lines (HPAE): number of Ki67+cells (50.33±13.4 vs 32.5±9.5; p<0.05), and fold expansion (1.56±0.08 vs 0.8±0.05; p<0.002). Functionally, they showed reduced capacity to form tubule structures (150±44 vs 96±21; p<0.03). CEPTH cells tended to show lower rates of depolarized MMP (49.91±14.70 vs. 59.87±8.41, p=NS), a decrease of mitochondrial content (148.94±69.96 vs. 295.57±178.60, PNS) and lower levels of necrosis/apoptosis (23.57±8.03 vs. 29.33±5.94, p=NS). Mitochondria from CTEPH patients tended to be smaller and to show higher circularity (0.45±0.009 vs. 0.43±0.012, p=NS), with less branching (2.77±0.14 vs. 2.93±0.06, p=NS) with respect to controls, both considered as pathologic markers. Conclusions: Endothelial cells obtained from PEA in CTEPH show a hyperproliferative phenotype, impaired function and mitochondrial material derangement, that may play a role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary embolism

Evaluation of the persistence of functional and biological respiratory health effects in clean-up workers 6 years after the Prestige oil spill.

Fishermen who had participated in clean-up activities of the Prestige oil spill showed increased bronchial responsiveness and higher levels of respiratory biomarkers 2years later. We aimed to evaluate the persistence of these functional and biological respiratory health effects 6years after clean-up work. In 2008/2009 a follow-up study was done in 230 never-smoking fishermen who had been exposed to clean-up work in 2002/2003 and 87 non-exposed fishermen. Lung function and bronchial responsiveness testing and the determination of respiratory biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate were done identically as in the baseline survey in 2004/2005. Associations between participation in clean-up work and respiratory health parameters were assessed using linear and logistic regression analyses adjusting for sex and age. Information from 158 exposed (69%) and 57 non-exposed (66%) fishermen was obtained. Loss to follow-up in the non-exposed was characterised by less respiratory symptoms at baseline. During the 4-year follow-up period lung function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and the levels of respiratory biomarkers of oxidative stress and growth factors had deteriorated notably more among non-exposed than among exposed. At follow-up, respiratory health indices were similar or better in clean-up workers than in non-exposed. No clear differences between highly exposed and moderately exposed clean-up workers were found. In conclusion, we could not detect long-term respiratory health effects in clean-up workers 6years after the Prestige oil spill. Methodological issues that need to be considered in this type of studies include the choice of a non-exposed control group and limitation of follow-up to subgroups such as never smokers. (aut. ref.

Choosers as extension axioms

Preferences over sets, Non-resolute outcomes,