Longterm Effects of Endothelin Receptor Antagonism on Microvascular Damage Evaluated by Nailfold Capillaroscopic Analysis in Systemic Sclerosis.

none6siLongterm treatment with ET-1 receptor antagonist in combination with iloprost was found to interfere with progression of nailfold microvascular damage in patients with SSc, as assessed by NVC over a 3-year followup period.openCutolo M; Zampogna G; Vremis L; Smith V; Pizzorni C; Sulli ACutolo, Maurizio; Zampogna, Giuseppe; Vremis, L; Smith, V; Pizzorni, Carmen; Sulli, Albert

Extended migration profile of the Republic of Moldova

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mission to Moldova is proud to present the result of a two years work in the field of migration data collecting and analysis in Moldova - the Extended Migration Profile (EMP) Report of the Republic of Moldova, developed in context of the project “Supporting the implementation of the migration and development component of the EU–Moldova Mobility Partnership”, funded by EU and implemented by IOM. The present EMP report is a country-owned tool, prepared in consultation with a broad range of government and non-government stakeholders, to be used to enhance policy coherence, evidence-based policymaking and the mainstreaming of migration into development planning. The EMP report comports four elementary blocks of information and analysis, Part A: Migration trends; Part B: Migration impact; Part C: Migration management framework; and Part D: Main findings, policy Implications and recommendations. In light of this structure, the report offers: a description of key migratory trends and migrants’ characteristics in Part A; an analysis of the impact of migration on development in terms of the interlinkages with demographic, economic, labour force employment and labour market, social and public health development in Part B; a succinct explanation of existing migration policies and governance frameworks within national and regional contexts in Part C; and policy recommendations and actions on how to promote more effective and humane management of migration, ensure policy coherence across various sectors, and help maximize the positive impact of migration on development and minimize associated risks and negative effects in Part D

Longterm effects of endothelin receptor antagonism on microvascular damage evaluated by nailfold capillaroscopic analysis in systemic sclerosis

Objective. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by microvascular injury, fibrosis, and hypoxia of involved tissues. The vasoactive peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) seems to be implicated in these events. Using nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NYC), we evaluated longterm effects of ET-1 antagonist treatment on nailfold microvascular damage in patients with SSc, over a 3-year followup period. Methods. Thirty patients with SSc (mean age 64 +/- 5 yrs, mean disease duration 8 +/- 1 yrs) were recruited during their programmed standard treatment protocols. At baseline (TO), 15 patients with SSc (mean age 63 +/- 15 yrs, mean disease duration 7 +/- 3 yrs), already receiving cyclic intravenous infusion of iloprost (5 continuous days, average 80 mu g/day, every 3 mo), continued the treatment for a further 3 years (ILO group). The remaining 15 patients with SSc (mean age 68 +/- 13 yrs, mean disease duration 8 +/- 4 yrs), although they continued the same cyclic intravenous iloprost treatment as the previous group, also received bosentan 125 mg twice a day for 3 years (ILO+BOS group). Qualitative analysis (scleroderma patterns) and semiquantitative scoring of the microvascular damage were performed by validated routine NYC methods. Results. During followup, a statistically significant increase of capillary number was observed in the ILO+BOS group (p < 0.02), with a significant and progressive increase of angiogenesis (p < 0.01). In contrast, the ILO group showed a statistically significant decrease of capillary number (p < 0.05). After 3 years the number of capillaries was significantly higher in the ILO+BOS group than in the ILO group (p < 0.05). The score for giant capillaries decreased significantly in both groups of patients with SSc (p < 0.05). Conclusion. In this open study, longterm treatment with ET-1 receptor antagonist in combination with iloprost was found to interfere with progression of nailfold microvascular damage in patients with SSc, as assessed by NYC over a 3-year followup period