33 research outputs found

    Burden of comorbidity in systemic lupus erythematosus in the UK, 1999–2012

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    Objective: To estimate the comorbidity associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the UK during 1999–2012. Methods: A retrospective cohort study using the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink was conducted. Prevalent cases of SLE were matched by age, sex, and practice to 4 controls. The incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, end-stage renal failure (ESRF), cancer, osteoporosis, and infection were calculated per 1,000 person-years during the study period and compared to controls using Poisson regression to obtain incidence rate ratios (IRRs). IRRs were adjusted for baseline age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol intake, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, Charlson Index scores, and prednisolone use. Age- and sex-specific incidence rates were calculated. Results: When comparing the 7,732 prevalent cases of SLE with 28,079 matched controls, the unadjusted IRR was 1.98 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.69–2.31) for CVD, 1.81 (95% CI 1.49–2.19) for stroke, 7.81 (95% CI 4.68–13.05) for ESRF, 1.28 (95% CI 1.17–1.40) for cancer, 2.53 (95% CI 2.27–2.82) for osteoporosis, and 1.49 (95% CI 1.40–1.58) for infection. After adjustment, the rates remained significantly higher in cases. Men with SLE had higher rates of CVD, stroke, and cancer, whereas women had higher rates of infection and osteoporosis. Those at younger ages were at the greatest relative risk compared with controls. Cases had significantly higher Charlson Index scores at baseline. Conclusion: People with SLE in the UK have a greater burden of comorbidity and are more likely to develop CVD, stroke, ESRF, cancer, osteoporosis, and infection than people of the same age and sex

    Repeated infections of dengue (serotype DENV-2) in lung cells of BALB/c mice lead to severe histopathological consequences

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    To determine the effect of DENV (serotype 2) repeated infections on lung cells is the main goal of this study. From the result, lung histology of control BALB/c mice showed normal alveolar morphology, while vehicle control BALB/c mice highlighted a slight thickening of the alveolar septum. Lung histopathology of BALB/c mice infected twice by DENV-2 showed the presence of hemorrhage, plasma leakage and presence of hemosiderin-laden macrophages (HLMs). Notably, in the lung of BALB/c mice infected four times by DENV-2, we observed thickening and disruption of the alveolar septum, inflammatory cell infiltration, plasma leakage and increased cellularity. Megakaryocyte releasing platelets were also found into the lung alveolus. Overall, our findings showed severe histopathological damage in lungs repeatedly infected by DENV-2, allowing us to argue that they can be linked to pulmonary complication. Result also showed that the number of infections with similar total DENV-2 titer led to different histopathological changes

    Impact of dengue virus (serotype DENV-2) infection on liver of BALB/c mice: a histopathological analysis

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    In this research, we characterized the histopathological impact of dengue virus (serotype DENV-2) infection in livers of BALB/c mice. The mice were infected with different doses of DENV-2 via intraperitoneal injection and liver tissues were processed for histological analyses and variation was documented. In the BALB/c mouse model, typical liver tissues showed regular hepatocyte architecture, with normal endothelial cells surrounding sinusoid capillary. Based on histopathological observations, the liver sections of BALB/c mice infected by DENV-2 exhibited a loss of cell integrity, with a widening of the sinusoidal spaces. There were marked increases in the infiltration of mononuclear cells. The areas of hemorrhage and micro- and macrovesicular steatosis were noted. Necrosis and apoptosis were abundantly present. The hallmark of viral infection, i.e., cytopathic effects, included intracellular edema and vacuole formation, cumulatively led to sinusoidal and lobular collapse in the liver. The histopathological studies on autopsy specimens of fatal human DENV cases are important to shed light on tissue damage for preventive and treatment modalities, in order to manage future DENV infections. In this framework, the method present here on BALB/c mouse model may be used to study not only the effects of infections by other DENV serotypes, but also to investigate the effects of novel drugs, such as recently developed nano-formulations, and the relative recovery ability with intact immune functions of host

    Meta-analysis Followed by Replication Identifies Loci in or near CDKN1B, TET3, CD80, DRAM1, and ARID5B as Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Asians

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    Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototype autoimmune disease with a strong genetic involvement and ethnic differences. Susceptibility genes identified so far only explain a small portion of the genetic heritability of SLE, suggesting that many more loci are yet to be uncovered for this disease. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies on SLE in Chinese Han populations and followed up the findings by replication in four additional Asian cohorts with a total of 5,365 cases and 10,054 corresponding controls. We identified genetic variants in or near CDKN1B, TET3, CD80, DRAM1, and ARID5B as associated with the disease. These findings point to potential roles of cell-cycle regulation, autophagy, and DNA demethylation in SLE pathogenesis. For the region involving TET3 and that involving CDKN1B, multiple independent SNPs were identified, highlighting a phenomenon that might partially explain the missing heritability of complex diseases

    Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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    BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

    Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

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    Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

    Meeting the nutrition challenge of stage 3 renal failure: considerations for nursing practice

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    Self-care management is needed for effective management of chronic kidney disease. The main aim for treatment or management of chronic kidney disease is to delay the worsening of kidney function, and to prevent or to manage the co-morbidities. Selfcare management is not easy, and patients will face many challenges, especially when they cannot get use to the new treatment plan. One of the challenges they face is dietary restriction, which is a very important aspect in any self-care management programme. Chronic kidney disease patients require a low-protein, low-sodium, low-potassium, and low-phosphorus diet. There are several strategies patients can undertake to ensure adherence, such as self-monitoring their dietary habits and type of food consumed using a food diary; involving social support, such as family members and spouse to help them to adhere to their diet restrictions; setting goals and providing positive reinforcement when they achieved the targeted goals; joining self-management programmes to equip themselves with the necessary skills so that they can better adhere to the treatment regimes, including diet restriction; and lastly, having the knowledge about their regime, and using this knowledge to help them understand and improve their adherence

    A study on organizational justice

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    105 p.Perceptions of whether organizational justice have occurred or not are abound in organizational life [Sweeney et. al, 1991], as justice is the preeminent concern of human beings [Lerner, 1982]. Questions about justice arise in many organizational milieus, among them contexts as diverse as job recruitment [Gilliland, 1994; Schmitt & Gilliland, 1992; Bies & Shapiro, 1988; Folger & Greenberg, 1985; Greenberg & Folger, 1983], performance appraisals [Folger & Konovsky, 1989; Paese et. al, 1988; Greenberg, 1987; Kanfer et. al, 1987; Folger & Greenberg, 1985; Greenberg, 1986; Folger, 1983], compensation plans [Greenberg, 1987; Folger & Greenberg, 1985; Mahoney, 1983], conflict management [Tyler, 1989; Brett, 1986; Sheppard, 1984; Aram & Salipante, 1981], global strategy generation [Kim & Mauborgne, 1991], budgetary cutbacks [Bies & Shapiro, 1988] and layoff processes [Brockner et. al, 1987].BUSINES

    Meeting the nutrition challenge of stage 3 renal failure : considerations for nursing practice

    No full text
    Self-care management is needed for effective management of chronic kidney disease. The main aim for treatment or management of chronic kidney disease is to delay the worsening of kidney function, and to prevent or to manage the co-morbidities. Selfcare management is not easy, and patients will face many challenges, especially when they cannot get use to the new treatment plan. One of the challenges they face is dietary restriction, which is a very important aspect in any self-care management programme. Chronic kidney disease patients require a low-protein, low-sodium, low-potassium, and low-phosphorus diet. There are several strategies patients can undertake to ensure adherence, such as self-monitoring their dietary habits and type of food consumed using a food diary; involving social support, such as family members and spouse to help them to adhere to their diet restrictions; setting goals and providing positive reinforcement when they achieved the targeted goals; joining self-management\ud programmes to equip themselves with the necessary skills so that they can better adhere to the treatment regimes, including diet restriction; and lastly, having the knowledge about their regime, and using this knowledge to help them understand and improve their adherence
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