120 research outputs found
Suggestive evidence of a multi-cytokine resistin pathway in humans and its role on cardiovascular events in high-risk individuals
In cells and tissues resistin affects IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and TNF-α expression, thus suggesting the existence of a multi-cytokine "resistin pathway". We investigated whether such pathway does exist in humans and, if so, if it is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Serum cytokines were measured in 280 healthy subjects from the Gargano Study 2 (GS2) whose BMI, waist circumference, HOMA IR, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure data were available and in 353 patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease from the Gargano Heart Study (GHS)-prospective design (follow-up 5.4 ± 2.5 years; 71 MACE). In GS2, cytokines mRNA levels in white blood cells were also measured. In GS2, resistin mRNA was correlated with all cytokines expression (all p < 0.001), but IL-12B. Consistently, serum resistin was correlated with all serum cytokines (all p < 0.001), but IL-12. Expression (eRPS) and serum (sRPS) resistin pathway scores (excluding IL-12) were each other correlated (p < 0.001) and both associated with cardiovascular risk factors (all p < 0.01). In GHS, sRPS was independently associated with MACE (HR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.10-1.90). Our data indicate the existence of a resistin pathway, which is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and which strongly and independently predicts MACE
Transition of patients with metabolic bone disease from paediatric to adult healthcare services: current situation and proposals for improvement
Metabolic bone disease; Paediatric; Transitional careEnfermedad ósea metabólica; Pediátrico; Atención de transiciónMalaltia ossi metabòlica; Pediàtric; Atenció transicionalBackground
There are currently no models for the transition of patients with metabolic bone diseases (MBDs) from paediatric to adult care. The aim of this project was to analyse information on the experience of physicians in the transition of these patients in Spain, and to draw up consensus recommendations with the specialists involved in their treatment and follow-up.
Methods
The project was carried out by a group of experts in MBDs and included a systematic review of the literature for the identification of critical points in the transition process. This was used to develop a questionnaire with a total of 48 questions that would determine the degree of consensus on: (a) the rationale for a transition programme and the optimal time for the patient to start the transition process; (b) transition models and plans; (c) the information that should be specified in the transition plan; and (d) the documentation to be created and the training required. Recommendations and a practical algorithm were developed using the findings. The project was endorsed by eight scientific societies.
Results
A total of 86 physicians from 53 Spanish hospitals participated. Consensus was reached on 45 of the 48 statements. There was no agreement that the age of 12 years was an appropriate and feasible point at which to initiate the transition in patients with MBD, nor that a gradual transition model could reasonably be implemented in their own hospital. According to the participants, the main barriers for successful transition in Spain today are lack of resources and lack of coordination between paediatric and adult units.
Conclusions
The TEAM Project gives an overview of the transition of paediatric MBD patients to adult care in Spain and provides practical recommendations for its implementation.This study was sponsored by KYOWA KIRIN FARMACÉUTICA, S.L
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Serum Resistin and Kidney Function: A Family-Based Study in Non-Diabetic, Untreated Individuals
Background: High serum resistin levels have been associated with kidney dysfunction. Most of these studies have been carried out in individuals with severe kidney impairment, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and related treatments. Thus, the observed association might have been influenced by these confounders. Our aim was to study the relationship between serum resistin, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in a family-based sample, the Gargano Family Study (GFS) of 635 non diabetic, untreated Whites. Methods: A linear mixed effects model and bivariate analyses were used to evaluate the phenotypic and genetic relations between serum resistin and both ACR and eGFR. All analyses were adjusted for sex, age, age squared, BMI, systolic blood pressure, smoking habits and physical exercise. Results: After adjustments, resistin levels were slightly positively associated with ACR (SE = 0.0490.023, p = 0.035) and inversely related to eGFR (SE = −1.430.61, p = 0.018) levels. These associations remained significant when either eGFR or ACR were, reciprocally, added as covariates. A genetic correlation (ρg = −0.310.12; adjusted p = 0.013) was observed between resistin and eGFR (but not ACR) levels. Conclusion: Serum resistin levels are independently associated with ACR and eGFR in untreated non-diabetic individuals. Serum resistin and eGFR share also some common genetic background. Our data strongly suggest that resistin plays a role in modulating kidney function
COASTAL HIDROGEOLOGY: COMPARATIVE ISSUES IN AREA OF RECENT QUATERNARY SEDIMENT HOLOCENE – PARANÁ COAST
The coastal hydrogeology has characteristics quite peculiars, both in quantitative and qualitative point of view. This study, we present the comparative results between two studies in two areas of the coastline of Paraná. One area is located in Valadares Island and the other in an area located in Pontal do Sul. The results show that even being in the same geological feature and close, approximately 17 km, the hydrogeological results show considerable variations. The Valadares Island, the effect of the tidal in the groundwater level influences the quality of water and the underground flux which not observed in Pontal do Sul. The hydraulic conductivity variation is of the order of 102 cm/s. The electric conductivity in Pontal do Sul is considerably lower than Valadares Island, indicating an unconfined aquifer of continental origin and without influence of tidal. The recharge in both areas are mainly related to rainfall but, the discharge in Valadares Island is related to the wells that serve the population in the form of supply while in Pontal do Sul the discharge is strongly skewed toward to Perêque river and its mangrove area in a very narrow range, near the beach, to the sea.A hidrogeologia costeira possui características bastante peculiares, tanto sob o ponto de vista quantitativo quanto qualitativo. Neste estudo, são apresentados os resultados comparativos entre dois estudos realizados em duas áreas da costa litorânea do Paraná. Uma área está localizada na Ilha dos Valadares e, outra em uma área localizada em Pontal do Sul. Os resultados comprovam que mesmo estando na mesma feição geológica e próximas, aproximadamente 17 km, os resultados hidrogeológicos apresentam consideráveis variações. Na Ilha dos Valadares, o efeito da maré no nível d’água subterrâneo influência a qualidade da água e fluxo subterrâneo o que não é observado na área em Pontal do Sul. A condutividade hidráulica tem variação da ordem de 102 cm/s. A condutividade elétrica em Pontal do Sul é consideravelmente mais baixa que na Ilha dos Valadares, indicando um aqüífero livre de origem continental e sem influência de maré. A recarga em ambas as áreas estão essencialmente relacionadas a pluviosidade porém, a descarga na Ilha dos Valadares está ligada aos poços que servem a população na forma de abastecimento enquanto que em Pontal do Sul a descarga está fortemente direcionada para o rio Perequê e sua área de mangue e em uma faixa muito estreita, próximo a praia, para o mar
NEMO: A Project for a km Underwater Detector for Astrophysical Neutrinos in the Mediterranean Sea
The status of the project is described: the activity on long term
characterization of water optical and oceanographic parameters at the Capo
Passero site candidate for the Mediterranean km neutrino telescope; the
feasibility study; the physics performances and underwater technology for the
km; the activity on NEMO Phase 1, a technological demonstrator that has
been deployed at 2000 m depth 25 km offshore Catania; the realization of an
underwater infrastructure at 3500 m depth at the candidate site (NEMO Phase 2).Comment: Proceeding of ISCRA 2006, Erice 20-27 June 200
Measurement of the atmospheric muon flux with the NEMO Phase-1 detector
The NEMO Collaboration installed and operated an underwater detector
including prototypes of the critical elements of a possible underwater km3
neutrino telescope: a four-floor tower (called Mini-Tower) and a Junction Box.
The detector was developed to test some of the main systems of the km3
detector, including the data transmission, the power distribution, the timing
calibration and the acoustic positioning systems as well as to verify the
capabilities of a single tridimensional detection structure to reconstruct muon
tracks. We present results of the analysis of the data collected with the NEMO
Mini-Tower. The position of photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) is determined through
the acoustic position system. Signals detected with PMTs are used to
reconstruct the tracks of atmospheric muons. The angular distribution of
atmospheric muons was measured and results compared with Monte Carlo
simulations.Comment: Astrop. Phys., accepte
Measurement of the atmospheric muon depth intensity relation with the NEMO Phase-2 tower
The results of the analysis of the data collected with the NEMO Phase-2
tower, deployed at 3500 m depth about 80 km off-shore Capo Passero (Italy), are
presented. Cherenkov photons detected with the photomultipliers tubes were used
to reconstruct the tracks of atmospheric muons. Their zenith-angle distribution
was measured and the results compared with Monte Carlo simulations. An
evaluation of the systematic effects due to uncertainties on environmental and
detector parameters is also included. The associated depth intensity relation
was evaluated and compared with previous measurements and theoretical
predictions. With the present analysis, the muon depth intensity relation has
been measured up to 13 km of water equivalent.Comment: submitted to Astroparticle Physic
A First Search for coincident Gravitational Waves and High Energy Neutrinos using LIGO, Virgo and ANTARES data from 2007
We present the results of the first search for gravitational wave bursts
associated with high energy neutrinos. Together, these messengers could reveal
new, hidden sources that are not observed by conventional photon astronomy,
particularly at high energy. Our search uses neutrinos detected by the
underwater neutrino telescope ANTARES in its 5 line configuration during the
period January - September 2007, which coincided with the fifth and first
science runs of LIGO and Virgo, respectively. The LIGO-Virgo data were analysed
for candidate gravitational-wave signals coincident in time and direction with
the neutrino events. No significant coincident events were observed. We place
limits on the density of joint high energy neutrino - gravitational wave
emission events in the local universe, and compare them with densities of
merger and core-collapse events.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figures, science summary page at
http://www.ligo.org/science/Publication-S5LV_ANTARES/index.php. Public access
area to figures, tables at
https://dcc.ligo.org/cgi-bin/DocDB/ShowDocument?docid=p120000
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