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1.
RMD Open ; 8(2)2022 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36283758

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the medication and disease burden of young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS: Young adults with JIA prospectively followed in the Juvenile Arthritis Methotrexate/Biologics long-term Observation reported on their health status and medication use. All medications taken (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)/prescription/over-the-counter drugs, but excluding most local therapies) classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System were included in this analysis. Medication use at last follow-up was evaluated by sex, JIA category and time from symptom onset to the first biological DMARD (bDMARD) start. RESULTS: A total of 1306 young adults (68% female) with JIA and a mean disease duration of 13.6±6 years were included in the study. Patients reported using on average 2.4±2.1 medicines and 1.5±1.7 non-DMARD medicines, respectively, at the last follow-up. Almost a quarter of the patients reported polypharmacy. The higher the number of medications used was, the higher the disease activity, pain and fatigue, and the lower the quality of life of patients. Medication usage differed significantly between sexes and JIA categories, being highest in patients with rheumatoid factor-positive polyarthritis and systemic JIA. The number of medications used was significantly associated with the time from symptom onset to bDMARD start. Patients taking opioids or antidepressants had a particularly high disease burden and had received bDMARDs an average of 2 years later than patients not taking these medications. CONCLUSION: Medication use in adults with JIA varies depending on sex, JIA category, and the time between symptom onset and initiation of treatment with bDMARD.


Subject(s)
Antirheumatic Agents , Arthritis, Juvenile , Biological Products , Humans , Young Adult , Female , Male , Arthritis, Juvenile/drug therapy , Arthritis, Juvenile/epidemiology , Arthritis, Juvenile/complications , Methotrexate/adverse effects , Rheumatoid Factor , Quality of Life , Antirheumatic Agents/adverse effects , Biological Products/adverse effects , Nonprescription Drugs/therapeutic use
2.
Neurocrit Care ; 34(3): 731-738, 2021 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33495910

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Several methods have been proposed to measure cerebrovascular autoregulation (CA) in traumatic brain injury (TBI), but the lack of a gold standard and the absence of prospective clinical data on risks, impact on care and outcomes of implementation of CA-guided management lead to uncertainty. AIM: To formulate statements using a Delphi consensus approach employing a group of expert clinicians, that reflect current knowledge of CA, aspects that can be implemented in TBI management and CA research priorities. METHODS: A group of 25 international academic experts with clinical expertise in the management of adult severe TBI patients participated in this consensus process. Seventy-seven statements and multiple-choice questions were submitted to the group in two online surveys, followed by a face-to-face meeting and a third online survey. Participants received feedback on average scores and the rationale for resubmission or rephrasing of statements. Consensus on a statement was defined as agreement of more than 75% of participants. RESULTS: Consensus amongst participants was achieved on the importance of CA status in adult severe TBI pathophysiology, the dynamic non-binary nature of CA impairment, its association with outcome and the inadvisability of employing universal and absolute cerebral perfusion pressure targets. Consensus could not be reached on the accuracy, reliability and validation of any current CA assessment method. There was also no consensus on how to implement CA information in clinical management protocols, reflecting insufficient clinical evidence. CONCLUSION: The Delphi process resulted in 25 consensus statements addressing the pathophysiology of impaired CA, and its impact on cerebral perfusion pressure targets and outcome. A research agenda was proposed emphasizing the need for better validated CA assessment methods as well as the focused investigation of the application of CA-guided management in clinical care using prospective safety, feasibility and efficacy studies.


Subject(s)
Brain Injuries, Traumatic , Adult , Brain Injuries, Traumatic/therapy , Cerebrovascular Circulation , Consensus , Delphi Technique , Homeostasis , Humans , Prospective Studies , Reproducibility of Results
3.
Int J Stroke ; 15(7): 807-812, 2020 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32090712

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE: Disturbances in dynamic cerebral autoregulation after ischemic stroke may have important implications for prognosis. Recent meta-analyses have been hampered by heterogeneity and small samples. AIM AND/OR HYPOTHESIS: The aim of study is to undertake an individual patient data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) of dynamic cerebral autoregulation changes post-ischemic stroke and to determine a predictive model for outcome in ischemic stroke using information combined from dynamic cerebral autoregulation, clinical history, and neuroimaging. SAMPLE SIZE ESTIMATES: To detect a change of 2% between categories in modified Rankin scale requires a sample size of ∼1500 patients with moderate to severe stroke, and a change of 1 in autoregulation index requires a sample size of 45 healthy individuals (powered at 80%, α = 0.05). Pooled estimates of mean and standard deviation derived from this study will be used to inform sample size calculations for adequately powered future dynamic cerebral autoregulation studies in ischemic stroke. METHODS AND DESIGN: This is an IPD-MA as part of an international, multi-center collaboration (INFOMATAS) with three phases. Firstly, univariate analyses will be constructed for primary (modified Rankin scale) and secondary outcomes, with key co-variates and dynamic cerebral autoregulation parameters. Participants clustering from within studies will be accounted for with random effects. Secondly, dynamic cerebral autoregulation variables will be validated for diagnostic and prognostic accuracy in ischemic stroke using summary receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Finally, the prognostic accuracy will be determined for four different models combining clinical history, neuroimaging, and dynamic cerebral autoregulation parameters. STUDY OUTCOME(S): The outcomes for this study are to determine the relationship between clinical outcome, dynamic cerebral autoregulation changes, and baseline patient demographics, to determine the diagnostic and prognostic accuracy of dynamic cerebral autoregulation parameters, and to develop a prognostic model using dynamic cerebral autoregulation in ischemic stroke. DISCUSSION: This is the first international collaboration to use IPD-MA to determine prognostic models of dynamic cerebral autoregulation for patients with ischemic stroke.


Subject(s)
Brain Ischemia , Ischemic Stroke , Stroke , Brain Ischemia/complications , Homeostasis , Humans , Neuroimaging , Stroke/diagnostic imaging
4.
Acta Neurochir Suppl ; 126: 209-212, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29492563

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Retrospective data from patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) indicate that deviation from the continuously calculated pressure reactivity-based "optimal" cerebral perfusion pressure (CPPopt) is associated with worse patient outcome. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between prospectively collected CPPopt data and patient outcome after TBI. METHODS: We prospectively collected intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring data from 231 patients with severe TBI at Addenbrooke's Hospital, UK. Uncleaned arterial blood pressure and ICP signals were recording using ICM+® software on dedicated bedside computers. CPPopt was determined using an automatic curve fitting procedure of the relationship between pressure reactivity index (PRx) and CPP using a 4-h window, as previously described. The difference between an instantaneous CPP value and its corresponding CPPopt value was denoted every minute as ΔCPPopt. A negative ΔCPPopt that was associated with impaired PRx (>+0.15) was denoted as being below the lower limit of reactivity (LLR). Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score was assessed at 6 months post-ictus. RESULTS: When ΔCPPopt was plotted against PRx and stratified by GOS groupings, data belonging to patients with a more unfavourable outcome had a U-shaped curve that shifted upwards. More time spent with a ΔCPPopt value below the LLR was positively associated with mortality (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.76 [0.68-0.84]). CONCLUSIONS: In a recent cohort of patients with severe TBI, the time spent with a CPP below the CPPopt-derived LLR is related to mortality. Despite aggressive CPP- and ICP-oriented therapies, TBI patients with a fatal outcome spend a significant amount of time with a CPP below their individualised CPPopt, indicating a possible therapeutic target.


Subject(s)
Arterial Pressure , Brain Injuries, Traumatic/therapy , Cerebrovascular Circulation , Intracranial Pressure , Adult , Cohort Studies , Disease Management , Female , Glasgow Outcome Scale , Humans , Male , Monitoring, Physiologic , Retrospective Studies , Trauma Severity Indices
5.
Technol Health Care ; 25(2): 171-186, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27689558

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The non-image-forming effects of luminous radiation on people with intellectual disabilities or dementia received attention from researchers. Such studies, however, have generally been conducted using disparate methodologies which precludes generalization and reproducibility. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the practical applicability of measurement devices for studies investigating non-image-forming effects of luminous radiation, specifically for people with intellectual disabilities or dementia. METHODS: In three experiments, ten cognitive impaired people and thirty-nine unaffected subjects participated by wearing one or more portable devices. Six devices were assessed in total. Measurement data was accompanied with user experiences obtained from questionnaires, interviews and observations in order to assess the devices on practical and comfort issues. RESULTS: On average, the devices worn by the cognitive impaired subjects were not experienced as annoying or irritating. No significant differences are found between genders and for one of the portable devices significantly less annoyance was reported by the cognitive impaired participants compared to the unaffected group of participants. INNOVATIVE SOLUTION: The three phases of the research process in towards measuring personal luminous exposures are: selection of the most suitable portable device, application of the assessment method, and the application of the device in the (pilot) study. CONCLUSIONS: However, the findings of this study suggest that inaccuracies potentially caused by practical and comfort issues associated with the portable devices need to be considered.


Subject(s)
Cognitive Dysfunction , Light , Luminescent Measurements/instrumentation , Circadian Rhythm
6.
Acta Neurochir Suppl ; 122: 113-6, 2016.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27165888

ABSTRACT

The index of cerebrovascular pressure reactivity (PRx) correlates independently with outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, as an index plotted in the time domain, PRx is rather noisy. To "organise" PRx and make its interpretation easier, the colour coding of values, with green when PRx <0 and red when PRx> 0.3, has been introduced as a horizontal colour bar on the ICM+ screen. In rare cases of death from refractory intracranial hypertension, an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) is commonly preceded by values of PRx >0.3, showing a "solid red line".Twenty patients after TBI and one after traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) from six centres in Europe and Australia have been studied. All of them died in a scenario of refractory intracranial hypertension. In the majority of cases the initial ICP was below 20 mmHg and finally increased to values well above 60 mmHg, resulting in cerebral perfusion pressure less than 20 mmHg. In three cases initial ICP was elevated at the start of monitoring. A solid red line was observed in all cases preceding an increase in ICP above 25 mmHg by minutes to hours and in two cases by 2 and 3 days, respectively. If a solid red line is observed over a prolonged period, it should be considered as an indicator of deep cerebrovascular deterioration.


Subject(s)
Brain Injuries, Traumatic/physiopathology , Cerebrovascular Circulation/physiology , Intracranial Hypertension/physiopathology , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic/physiopathology , Adult , Arterial Pressure , Brain Injuries, Traumatic/complications , Female , Humans , Intracranial Hypertension/etiology , Intracranial Hypertension/mortality , Male , Monitoring, Physiologic , Prognosis , Pulse Wave Analysis , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic/complications , Young Adult
7.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol ; 30 Suppl 4: 3-56, 2016 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27062556

ABSTRACT

Within their first days of life, newborns' skin undergoes various adaptation processes needed to accommodate the transition from the wet uterine environment to the dry atmosphere. The skin of newborns and infants is considered as a physiological fragile skin, a skin with lower resistance to aggressions. Fragile skin is divided into four categories up to its origin: physiological fragile skin (age, location), pathological fragile skin (acute and chronic), circumstantial fragile skin (due to environmental extrinsic factors or intrinsic factors such as stress) and iatrogenic fragile skin. Extensive research of the past 10 years have proven evidence that at birth albeit showing a nearly perfect appearance, newborn skin is structurally and functionally immature compared to adult skin undergoing a physiological maturation process after birth at least throughout the first year of life. This article is an overview of all known data about fragility of epidermis in 'fragile populations': newborns, children and adolescents. It includes the recent pathological, pathophysiological and clinical data about fragility of epidermis in various dermatological diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, acne, rosacea, contact dermatitis, irritative dermatitis and focus on UV protection.


Subject(s)
Epidermis/physiology , Adaptation, Physiological , Adolescent , Cells, Cultured , Child , Epidermal Cells , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Keratinocytes/cytology
8.
J Clin Monit Comput ; 30(5): 527-38, 2016 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26342642

ABSTRACT

Non-invasive measurement of ICP (nICP) can be warranted in patients at risk for developing increased ICP during pneumoperitoneum (PP). Our aim was to assess available data on the application of nICP monitoring during these procedures and to present a patient assessed with an innovative combination of noninvasive tools. Literature review of nICP assessment during PP did not find any studies comparing different methods intraprocedurally and only few studies of any nICP monitoring were available: transcranial Doppler (TCD) studies used the pulsatility index (PI) as an estimator of ICP and failed to detect a significant ICP increase during PP, whereas two out of three optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) studies detected a statistically significant ICP increase. In the case study, we describe a 52 year old man with a high grade thalamic glioma who underwent urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Considering the high intraoperative risk of developing intracranial hypertension, he was monitored through parallel ONSD ultrasound measurement and TCD derived formulae (flow velocity diastolic formula, FVdnICP, and PI). ONSD and FVdnICP methods indicated a significant ICP increase during PP, whereas PI was not significantly increased. Our experience, combined with the literature review, seems to suggest that PI might not detect ICP changes in this context, however we indicate a possible interest of nICP monitoring during PP by means of ONSD and of TCD derived FVdNICP, especially for patients at risk for increased ICP.


Subject(s)
Intracranial Hypertension/physiopathology , Intracranial Pressure/physiology , Monitoring, Physiologic/methods , Pneumoperitoneum/physiopathology , Adult , Aged , Brain Mapping/methods , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Monitoring, Intraoperative/methods , Optic Nerve/pathology , Prospective Studies , Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
9.
Br J Dermatol ; 170 Suppl 1: 12-8, 2014 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24930566

ABSTRACT

In vitro models are valuable for evaluating potential active ingredients and other molecules used in medications for atopic dermatitis (AD). However, finding appropriate in vitro models can be problematic. Our strategy was to set up different in vitro models that would mimic the pathomechanisms of AD. We describe five such models - the AD keratinocyte model, the AD reconstructed human epidermis model, the adaptive immunity model, the innate immunity model and the pruritus model - which we have used to evaluate a new ingredient for emollients derived from a biological extract. The models chosen provide useful data for the pharmacological characterization of active ingredients in adjunctive treatments for AD.


Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy , Dermatologic Agents/therapeutic use , Models, Biological , Adaptive Immunity/physiology , Dermatitis, Atopic/immunology , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods , Humans , Immunity, Innate/physiology , In Vitro Techniques , Pruritus/physiopathology
10.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol ; 28 Suppl 4: 1-18, 2014 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24931580

ABSTRACT

The skin is the largest organ of the body, providing a protective barrier against bacteria, chemicals and physical insults while maintaining homeostasis in the internal environment. Such a barrier function the skin ensures protection against excessive water loss. The skin's immune defence consists of several facets, including immediate, non-specific mechanisms (innate immunity) and delayed, stimulus-specific responses (adaptive immunity), which contribute to fending off a wide range of potentially invasive microorganisms. This article is an overview of all known data about 'fragile skin'. Fragile skin is defined as skin with lower resistance to aggressions. Fragile skin can be classified into four categories up to its origin: physiological fragile skin (age, location), pathological fragile skin (acute and chronic), circumstantial fragile skin (due to environmental extrinsic factors or intrinsic factors such as stress) and iatrogenic fragile skin. This article includes the epidemiologic data, pathologic description of fragile skin with pathophysiological bases (mechanical and immunological role of skin barrier) and clinical description of fragile skin in atopic dermatitis, in acne, in rosacea, in psoriasis, in contact dermatitis and other dermatologic pathologies. This article includes also clinical cases and differential diagnosis of fragile skin (reactive skin) in face in adult population. In conclusion, fragile skin is very frequent worldwide and its prevalence varies between 25% and 52% in Caucasian, African and Asian population.


Subject(s)
Epidermis/pathology , Epidermis/physiology , Skin Diseases/pathology , Skin Diseases/physiopathology , Acne Vulgaris/pathology , Acne Vulgaris/physiopathology , Acne Vulgaris/therapy , Avena , Dermatitis, Atopic/pathology , Dermatitis, Atopic/physiopathology , Dermatitis, Atopic/therapy , Dermatitis, Contact/pathology , Dermatitis, Contact/physiopathology , Dermatitis, Contact/therapy , Eczema/pathology , Eczema/physiopathology , Eczema/therapy , Emollients/pharmacology , Emollients/therapeutic use , Epidermis/drug effects , Epidermis/immunology , Epidermis/physiopathology , Epidermolysis Bullosa/pathology , Epidermolysis Bullosa/physiopathology , Epidermolysis Bullosa/therapy , Humans , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Psoriasis/pathology , Psoriasis/physiopathology , Psoriasis/therapy , Retinoids/pharmacology , Retinoids/therapeutic use , Skin Diseases/immunology , Skin Diseases/therapy
11.
Med Eng Phys ; 36(5): 601-6, 2014 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24238618

ABSTRACT

Dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) estimates show large between and within subject variability. Sources of variability include low coherence and influence of CO2 in the very low frequency (VLF) band, where dCA is active. This may lead to unreliable transfer function and autoregulation index (ARI) estimates. We tested whether variability of the ARI could be decreased by suppressing the effect of the VLF band through filtering. We also evaluated whether filtering had any effect on mean group differences between healthy subjects and acute stroke patients. Data from a recent mobilization stroke study were re-analyzed. Middle cerebral artery cerebral blood flow velocity (MCA-CBFV), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and end tidal PCO2 (PetCO2) were obtained in 16 healthy subjects and 27 acute ischemic stroke patients in the supine position. The ARI index was calculated from the transfer function (TF) by using spontaneous BP fluctuations. Three different filtering strategies were compared; no filtering (NF), a high pass filter at 0.04 Hz (Time Domain Filtering: TDF) and a high pass Transfer Function Filter (TFF) at 0.04 Hz. In addition, a simulation study was done to obtain further insight into the effects of the applied filters. The variability of the ARI index decreased significantly only with TFF in healthy subjects (standard deviation (left vs. right) after NF 2.28 vs. 2.36, after TDF 2.13 vs. 2.31 after TFF 1.09 vs. 1.19, p<0.001). Variability was not significantly reduced in stroke patients. The mean ARI was significantly lower in stroke patients compared to healthy subjects after TFF (affected hemisphere 5.85±1.96 vs. 7.13±1.09, non-affected hemisphere 5.96±1.64 vs. 7.31±1.19, p<0.01 for both hemispheres), but not after NF or TDF. The simulation study showed that TFF results in an overestimation of the ARI index at low ARI levels (0-3), but in correct estimates at higher ARI levels. Removing the effect of the VLF band with TFF results in less ARI variability in healthy subjects, and in more pronounced group differences between stroke patients and healthy subjects. This will improve diagnostic properties when using TFA for ARI calculation.


Subject(s)
Brain/physiopathology , Cerebrovascular Circulation , Homeostasis , Models, Biological , Stroke/physiopathology , Blood Flow Velocity , Brain/blood supply , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Middle Cerebral Artery/physiopathology
12.
Med Eng Phys ; 36(5): 585-91, 2014 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24176834

ABSTRACT

Dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) estimates require mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) fluctuations of sufficient amplitude. Current methods to induce fluctuations are not easily implemented or require patient cooperation. In search of an alternative method, we evaluated if MABP fluctuations could be increased by passive cyclic leg raising (LR) and tested if reproducibility and variability of dCA parameters could be improved. Middle cerebral artery cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV), MABP and end tidal CO2 (PetCO2) were obtained at rest and during LR at 0.1 Hz in 16 healthy subjects. The MABP-CBFV phase difference and gain were determined at 0.1 Hz and in the low frequency (LF) range (0.06-0.14 Hz). In addition the autoregulation index (ARI) was calculated. The LR maneuver increased the power of MABP fluctuations at 0.1 Hz and across the LF range. Despite a clear correlation between both phase and gain reproducibility and MABP variability in the rest condition, only the reproducibility of gain increased significantly with the maneuver. During the maneuver patients were breathing faster and more irregularly, accompanied by increased PetCO2 fluctuations and increased coherence between PetCO2 and CBFV. Multiple regression analysis showed that these concomitant changes were negatively correlated with the MABP-CBFV phase difference at 0.1 Hz Variability was not reduced by LR for any of the dCA parameters. The clinical utility of cyclic passive leg raising is limited because of the concomitant changes in PetCO2. This limits reproducibility of the most important dCA parameters. Future research on reproducibility and variability of dCA parameters should incorporate PetCO2 variability or find methods to keep PetCO2 levels constant.


Subject(s)
Brain/physiology , Homeostasis , Leg/physiology , Movement/physiology , Adult , Blood Pressure , Female , Humans , Male , Reproducibility of Results , Rest/physiology
13.
Clin Neurol Neurosurg ; 115(6): 729-31, 2013 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22964346

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stroke severity measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a strong predictor of functional outcome. A short version, the sNIHSS-5, scoring only strength in right and left leg, gaze, visual fields and language, was developed for use in the prehospital setting. Because scoring both legs in anterior circulation strokes is not contributive, we assessed the value of a 4-item score (the sNIHSS-4), omitting the item 'strength in the unaffected leg', in predicting stroke outcome. METHODS: The study population consisted of anterior circulation ischemic stroke patients who participated in the LUB-INT-9 trial. We included all patients in whom the following data were available: NIHSS within 6h after stroke onset and daily between days 2 and 5, and the 12-week modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. Poor outcome was defined as a mRS score>3. RESULTS: There was an excellent correlation between the NIHSS and sNIHSS-4 at all time points for both left and right-sided strokes. Scores at day 2 were a good predictor of poor outcome. Cutoff scores for NIHSS and sNIHSS-4 at day 2 were 15 and 5 in left hemispheric strokes, and 12 and 4 in right hemispheric strokes. CONCLUSION: The sNIHSS-4 is as good as the NIHSS at predicting stroke outcome in both right and left anterior circulation strokes.


Subject(s)
Stroke/therapy , Aged , Area Under Curve , Female , Functional Laterality/physiology , Humans , Male , Muscle Weakness/etiology , Prognosis , Recovery of Function , Reproducibility of Results , Stroke/pathology , Treatment Outcome
15.
Technol Health Care ; 20(1): 11-23, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22297710

ABSTRACT

Light therapy is increasingly administered and studied as a non-pharmacologic treatment for a variety of health-related problems, including treatment of people with dementia. Light therapy comes in a variety of ways, ranging from being exposed to daylight, to being exposed to light emitted by light boxes and ambient bright light. Light therapy is an area in medicine where medical sciences meet the realms of physics, engineering and technology. Therefore, it is paramount that attention is paid in the methodology of studies to the technical aspects in their full breadth. This paper provides an extensive introduction for non-technical researchers on how to describe and adjust their methodology when involved in lighting therapy research. A specific focus in this manuscript is on ambient bright light, as it is an emerging field within the domain of light therapy. The paper deals with how to (i) describe the lighting equipment, (ii) describe the light measurements, (iii) describe the building and interaction with daylight. Moreover, attention is paid to the uncertainty in standards and guidelines regarding light and lighting for older adults.


Subject(s)
Engineering/methods , Photoreceptor Cells/physiology , Phototherapy/methods , Dementia/therapy , Humans , Phototherapy/instrumentation , Seasonal Affective Disorder/therapy
17.
Neurocrit Care ; 15(3): 379-86, 2011 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21805216

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Strong correlation between mean intracranial pressure (ICP) and its pulse wave amplitude (AMP) has been demonstrated in different clinical scenarios. We investigated the relationship between invasive mean arterial blood pressure (ABP) and AMP to explore its potential role as a descriptor of cerebrovascular pressure reactivity after traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of patients suffering from TBI with brain monitoring. Transcranial Doppler blood flow velocity, ABP, ICP were recorded digitally. Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and AMP were derived. A new index-pressure-amplitude index (PAx)-was calculated as the Pearson correlation between (averaged over 10 s intervals) ABP and AMP with a 5 min long moving average window. The previously introduced transcranial Doppler-based autoregulation index Mx was evaluated in a similar way, as the moving correlation between blood flow velocity and CPP. The clinical outcome was assessed after 6 months using the Glasgow outcome score. RESULTS: 293 patients were studied. The mean PAx was -0.09 (standard deviation 0.21). This negative value indicates that, on average, an increase in ABP causes a decrease in AMP and vice versa. PAx correlated strong with Mx (R (2) = 0.46, P < 0.0002). PAx also correlated with age (R (2) = 0.18, P < 0.05). PAx was found to have as good predictive outcome value (area under curve 0.71, P < 0.001) as Mx (area under curve 0.69, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated significant correlation between the known cerebral autoregulation index Mx and PAx. This new index of cerebrovascular pressure reactivity using ICP pulse wave information showed to have a strong association with outcome in TBI patients.


Subject(s)
Brain Injuries/physiopathology , Homeostasis/physiology , Intracranial Pressure/physiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Blood Flow Velocity/physiology , Blood Pressure/physiology , Blood Pressure Monitors , Brain Injuries/mortality , Brain Injuries/rehabilitation , Cohort Studies , England , Female , Glasgow Outcome Scale , Humans , Intensive Care Units , Male , Middle Aged , Prognosis , Pulsatile Flow/physiology , Reference Values , Rehabilitation Centers , Retrospective Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted/instrumentation , Software , Survival Rate , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial , Young Adult
18.
Arch Dermatol Res ; 303(10): 707-13, 2011 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21461892

ABSTRACT

Acne vulgaris is a skin disease affecting pilosebaceous glands in which Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) induced inflammation plays a central role. In order to develop new therapies against the inflammatory events, we evaluated the modulating effect of a new undecyl-rhamnoside, APRC11, on different markers of the inflammation. For this purpose, normal human keratinocytes taken from five healthy donors were pre-incubated for 24 h with APRC11 or Zinc Gluconate (Zn) which was used as reference molecule for its anti-inflammatory properties. Then, keratinocytes were stimulated with P. acnes Membrane Fraction for 6 h, in the presence of either APRC11 or Zn. Different markers were evaluated at mRNA level using a Luminex-based Quantigene array system and at protein level using an ELISA test and a Luminex array system. Results showed that P. acnes significantly increased the expression of IL-1α, IL-1RA, IL-8 and MMP-9. A 24-h treatment with APRC11 prior to the P. acnes stimulation down-regulated the P. acnes-induced cytokines over expression (IL-1α, IL-8 and MMP-9) and up-regulated IL-1RA level in a similar manner than Zn. These regulations were noted at both protein and mRNA levels. In conclusion, the new undecyl-rhamnoside APRC11 is able to down-regulate the expression of molecules implicated in cutaneous inflammation and whose expression is induced by P. acnes, confirming its potential interest in inflammatory acne.


Subject(s)
Acne Vulgaris/immunology , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/immunology , Keratinocytes/drug effects , Propionibacterium acnes/immunology , Undecylenic Acids/pharmacology , Acne Vulgaris/drug therapy , Acne Vulgaris/etiology , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Antigens, Bacterial/immunology , Cells, Cultured , Gene Expression Regulation/immunology , Gluconates/pharmacology , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/complications , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/drug therapy , Humans , Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein/genetics , Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein/immunology , Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein/metabolism , Interleukin-1alpha/genetics , Interleukin-1alpha/immunology , Interleukin-1alpha/metabolism , Interleukin-8/genetics , Interleukin-8/immunology , Interleukin-8/metabolism , Keratinocytes/immunology , Keratinocytes/metabolism , Keratinocytes/pathology , Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics , Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/immunology , Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism , Propionibacterium acnes/pathogenicity
19.
Clin Neurol Neurosurg ; 112(8): 691-4, 2010 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20580486

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic cervical artery dissection (TCAD) is a relative infrequent complication of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Since TCAD is associated with morbidity in a considerable percentage of patients, it is important to obtain clues for recognising TCAD in this category of patients. METHODS: Retrospective case-cohort study in severe TBI patients. RESULTS: Five patients with traumatic cervical artery dissection after severe TBI, leading to ischemic strokes, are described. Secondary deterioration to coma was present in four out of five patients during admission. The diagnosis of TCAD was delayed in most cases because the secondary deterioration was often attributed to multisystem problems related to trauma patients, i.e. shock or hypoxia or medication effects. Local clinical symptoms and signs suggestive of TCAD are difficult to detect in this patient group. In all patients, the CT-scan on admission demonstrated no abnormalities. A follow-up scan at day 2 revealed that in all patients abnormalities in the vascular territories had evolved. CONCLUSION: With this case-cohort study we underline the importance of considering TCAD in severe TBI patients and emphasise the role for standard follow-up brain imaging. Also possible treatment consequences are discussed.


Subject(s)
Brain Injuries/complications , Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection/etiology , Vertebral Artery Dissection/etiology , Adult , Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection/diagnosis , Case-Control Studies , Cohort Studies , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Glasgow Coma Scale , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Vertebral Artery Dissection/diagnosis
20.
Clin Nephrol ; 73(6): 454-72, 2010 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20497759

ABSTRACT

Several genetic disorders can present in adult patients with renal insufficiency. Genetic renal disease other than ADPKD accounts for ESRD in 3% of the adult Dutch population. Because of this low prevalence and their clinical heterogeneity most adult nephrologists are less familiar with these disorders. As a guideline to differential diagnosis, we provide an overview of the clinical manifestations and the pathogenesis of the main genetic disorders with chronic renal insufficiency surfacing in adulthood and add an algorithm plus 4 tables. We also indicate where molecular genetics nowadays can be of aid in the diagnostic process. The following disorders are discussed by mode of inheritance: 1) Autosomal dominant: autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, nephropathies associated with uromodulin (medullary cystic disease and familial juvenile hyperuricemic nephropathy), renal cysts and diabetes syndrome, nail-patella syndrome, glomerulopathy with fibronectin deposits. 2) Not autosomal dominant: Nephronophthisis, Fabry disease, primary oxalosis, Adenine Phosphoribosyl Transferase deficiency, Alport syndrome, Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency, adult-onset cystinosis.


Subject(s)
Genetic Diseases, Inborn/diagnosis , Kidney Failure, Chronic/etiology , Adult , Humans
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