Safety and efficacy of neurostimulation with a miniaturised vagus nerve stimulation device in patients with multidrug-refractory rheumatoid arthritis: a two-stage multicentre, randomised pilot study.

Unlabelled: Background The inflammatory reflex plays a role in regulating innate and adaptive immunity by modulating cellular and molecular inflammatory pathways. The vagus nerve is a major constituent of the inflammatory reflex and studies have shown that the reflex can be activated by electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve. In this first in-human pilot study, we assessed the safety and efficacy of a novel miniaturised vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) device for the treatment of multidrug-refractory rheumatoid arthritis.

Pharmacokinetics of teriparatide (rhPTH[1-34]) and calcium pharmacodynamics in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Teriparatide (rhPTH[1-34]) affects calcium metabolism in a pattern consistent with the known actions of endogenous parathyroid hormone (PTH). This report describes the pharmacokinetics and resulting serum calcium response to teriparatide in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Pharmacokinetic samples for this analysis were obtained from 360 women who participated in the Fracture Prevention Trial.

Effects of teriparatide in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis on prior alendronate or raloxifene: differences between stopping and continuing the antiresorptive agent.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess adding vs. switching to teriparatide 20 microg/d in patients on alendronate or raloxifene.

Design: We conducted a randomized, open-label trial.

Teriparatide and raloxifene reduce the risk of new adjacent vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Results from two randomized controlled trials.

Background: Vertebral fractures increase the risk of new vertebral fractures; however, we are not aware of any study addressing the risk of new vertebral fractures adjacent to existing vertebral fractures. Therefore, we sought to determine the influence of the number and severity of prevalent (preexisting) vertebral fractures on the risk of new adjacent vertebral fractures and to determine whether teriparatide (rhPTH [recombinant human parathyroid hormone] [1-34]) or raloxifene treatment reduces the incidence of adjacent vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Methods: Data from the Fracture Prevention Trial and the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation trial were analyzed to determine the incidences of new adjacent and new nonadjacent vertebral fractures in the placebo groups and the effect of treatment with raloxifene and teriparatide on the incidence of new adjacent vertebral fractures as compared with that of new nonadjacent vertebral fractures.

Effects of previous antiresorptive therapy on the bone mineral density response to two years of teriparatide treatment in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Introduction: EUROFORS was a 2-yr prospective, randomized trial of postmenopausal women with established osteoporosis, designed to investigate various sequential treatments after teriparatide 20 microg/d for 1 yr. The present secondary analysis examined the effects of 2 yr of open-label teriparatide in women previously treated with antiresorptive drugs for at least 1 yr.

Methods: A subgroup of 245 women with osteoporosis who had 2 yr of teriparatide treatment were stratified by previous predominant antiresorptive treatment into four groups: alendronate (n=107), risedronate (n=59), etidronate (n=30), and non-bisphosphonate (n=49).

Effects of teriparatide and alendronate on vertebral strength as assessed by finite element modeling of QCT scans in women with osteoporosis.

Unlabelled: FE modeling was used to estimate the biomechanical effects of teriparatide and alendronate on lumbar vertebrae. Both treatments enhanced predicted vertebral strength by increasing average density. This effect was more pronounced for teriparatide, which further increased predicted vertebral strength by altering the distribution of density within the vertebra, preferentially increasing the strength of the trabecular compartment.

Development of an algorithm for using PINP to monitor treatment of patients with teriparatide.

Introduction: Teriparatide effects are mediated via the preferential stimulation of osteoblastic activity over osteoclastic activity. Amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP) is an indicator of osteoblastic activity.

Objective: Develop an algorithm using PINP as an aid in the management of patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis treated with teriparatide.

Combination teriparatide and raloxifene therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis: results from a 6-month double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Unlabelled: We compared combination treatment with teriparatide plus raloxifene with teriparatide alone in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis in a 6-month double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that measured biochemical markers of bone turnover and BMD. Markers of bone formation and spine BMD increased similarly with teriparatide alone and combination therapy. However, combination therapy induced a significantly smaller increase in bone resorption versus teriparatide alone and significantly increased total hip BMD versus baseline.

Reduced risk of back pain following teriparatide treatment: a meta-analysis.

Vertebral fractures are the most common osteoporotic fracture and may result in back pain with functional limitations and diminished quality of life. Teriparatide [rhPTH (1-34)] has been shown to increase bone mass and reduce the risk of vertebral and other osteoporotic fractures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of teriparatide on the risk of back pain in patients with osteoporosis.

The effects of teriparatide on the incidence of back pain in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Objectives: Back pain is a major cause of suffering, disability, and cost. The risk of developing back pain was assessed following treatment with teriparatide [rh(PTH 1-34)] in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Research Design And Methods: A secondary analysis of back pain findings from the global, multi-site Fracture Prevention Trial was conducted where postmenopausal women with prevalent vertebral fractures were administered teriparatide 20 microg (n = 541) or placebo (n = 544) for a median of 19 months.

Bone mineral and collagen quality in iliac crest biopsies of patients given teriparatide: new results from the fracture prevention trial.

Context: Evidence suggests that both bone mineral density and bone quality should be taken into account when assessing bone strength and fracture risk. Bone quality is a multifactor entity, of which bone architecture and material properties are two important components. Matrix mineralization, hydroxyapatite characteristics, and collagen cross-link ratio are key determinants of material properties.

Eliminating Dermatophagoides farinae spp. (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) and their allergens through high temperature treatment of textiles.

House dust mite allergens cause allergy and asthma in sensitized individuals. The allergens they produce are known to resist decay under natural household conditions and are thought to accumulate until removed. We sought to evaluate the effects of high temperature (96 degrees C) generated by a hard surface cleaner on live mite populations of American house dust mites, Dermatophagoides farinae Hughes and their allergens in carpet and mattresses.

Teriparatide [PTH(1-34)] strengthens the proximal femur of ovariectomized nonhuman primates despite increasing porosity.

Unlabelled: OVX monkeys treated for 18 months with 1 or 5 microg/kg/d teriparatide [PTH (1-34)] had significantly stronger proximal femora relative to ovariectomized controls. Teriparatide enhancement of cortical area, cortical width, and trabecular bone volume seemed to more than compensate for the dose-dependent increase in cortical porosity. Beneficial effects of teriparatide treatment on the proximal femur persisted beyond the treatment period and may extend to the marrow.

Use of an amplified ELISA technique for detection of a house dust mite allergen (Der f 1) in skin and coat dust samples from dogs.

Objective: To use an amplified ELISA technique to document the presence and quantify the concentration of the house dust mite allergen, Der f 1, in skin and coat dust samples collected from dogs.

Animals: 29 pet dogs of various breeds.

Procedure: Dogs were weighed, and body surface area in square meters was determined.