Comorbid Conditions are Associated With Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations, and Medical Charges of Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Background/objectives: In addition to increase mortality, comorbidities can increase medical costs for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Healthcare utilization can dramatically increase medical costs. It is essential to better understand the comorbidities that can lead to healthcare utilization, such as emergency department visit and/or hospitalization, for SLE patients.

Seatbelt use to save money: Impact on hospital costs of occupants who are involved in motor vehicle crashes.

Objective: Seatbelt use is the single most effective way to save lives in motor vehicle crashes (MVC). However, although safety belt laws have been enacted in many countries, seatbelt usage throughout the world remains below optimal levels, and educational interventions may be needed to further increase seatbelt use. In addition to reducing crash-related injuries and deaths, reduced medical expenditures resulting from seatbelt use are an additional benefit that could make such interventions cost-effective.

Non-seatbelt use and associated factors among passengers.

Seatbelt use is the most effective way to save lives and reduce severe injuries. However, the percentage of non-seatbelt use is still high among drivers and passengers. Although the factors related to non-seatbelt use among drivers have been widely studied, the factors associated with non-seatbelt use among passengers have not been well documented.

Comorbid conditions are associated with healthcare utilization, medical charges and mortality of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

This study aims to examine the associations between comorbid conditions and healthcare utilization, medical charges, or mortality of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nebraska state emergency department (ED) discharge, hospital discharge, and death certificate data from 2007 to 2012 were used to study the comorbid conditions of patients with RA. RA was defined using the standard International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9-CM 714 or ICD-10-CM M05, M06, and M08).

Higher levels of serum lycopene are associated with reduced mortality in individuals with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of mortality. Increased oxidative stress and inflammation may play an important role in the high mortality of individuals with metabolic syndrome. Previous studies have suggested that lycopene intake might be related to the reduced oxidative stress and decreased inflammation.

Increasing Public Health Burden of Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Conditions and Comorbidity: Results From a Statewide Health Surveillance System, 2007-2012.

Objective: To describe the burden and changing trends of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions (AORCs) on health care and public health by estimating annual rates of emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and mortality, in addition to medical charges related to AORCs and their comorbidities in Nebraska from 2007 to 2012.

Methods: Nebraska state ED discharge, hospital discharge, and death certificate data from 2007 to 2012 were used to estimate disease burden. AORCs were defined using the standard International Classification of Diseases specified by the National Arthritis Data Workgroup.

The influence of BMI on the association between serum lycopene and the metabolic syndrome.

Overweight and obese individuals have an increased risk of developing the metabolic syndrome because of subsequent chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which the antioxidant nutrient lycopene can reduce. However, studies indicate that different BMI statuses can alter the positive effects of lycopene. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine how BMI influences the association between serum lycopene and the metabolic syndrome.

Lycopene reduces mortality in people with systemic lupus erythematosus: A pilot study based on the third national health and nutrition examination survey.

Introduction: Persistent inflammation and oxidative stress are the main mechanisms that increase the risks of cardiovascular disease-related morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). As a natural antioxidant, lycopene can alleviate oxidative stress and suppress inflammation. We hypothesized that lycopene could have the potential to reduce mortality in SLE.

Seat belt use to save face: impact on drivers' body region and nature of injury in motor vehicle crashes.

Background: Seat belt use is the single most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries in motor vehicle crashes. However, some case reports described seat belt use as a double-edged sword because some injuries are related to seat belt use in motor vehicle crashes. To comprehensively understand the effects of seat belt use, we systemically investigated the association between seat belt use and injuries based on anatomic body region and type of injury in drivers involved in motor vehicle crashes.

Age-associated parallel increase of Foxp3(+)CD4(+) regulatory and CD44(+)CD4(+) memory T cells in SJL/J mice.

Effector/memory T cells (Tem) are required to maintain successful immunity, while regulatory T cells (Treg) are required to prevent excessive/uncontrolled inflammation and/or autoimmunity. Although both Tem and Treg cells are increased during aging, the relationship between the increased proportion of Foxp3(+) Treg cells and CD44(+) Tem cells with aging is not clearly understood. We found in this report that Foxp3(+) Treg cells are increased in parallel with CD44(+) Tem cells in SJL/J mice with aging, and that all Foxp3(+) Treg cells are of CD44(+) Tem phenotype, suggesting that the increased Foxp3(+) Treg cells originated from the expanded pool of CD44(+) Tem cells with aging.

CD4+CD25high T cell numbers are enriched in the peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Accumulating evidences support that CD4(+)CD25(high) T regulatory (Treg) cells play an essential role in controlling and preventing autoimmunity. Paradoxically, RA patients have elevated numbers of circulating CD4(+)CD25(high) T cells, however, the inflammation is still ongoing. Further identification of these CD4(+)CD25(high) T cells may contribute to a better understanding of underlying mechanisms.

[Application of modified reversed neurovascular flaps nourished by cutaneous nerve-superficial vein in lower extremity].

Objective: To investigate the application and therapeutic effect of modified neurovascular flaps nourished by sural nerve and small saphenous venous, or saphenous nerve and great saphenous venous.

Methods: According to the anatomy and recipient area, we made some modifications for the two neurovascular flaps. 1) The small and great saphenous venous were ligated or anastomosed with the venous in recipient area; 2) The flap was delayed for 8 - 14 days if the donor area was above the middle and upper one third of leg; 3) The sural nerve and its branch were anastomosed to the nerve in recipient site to restore the sense of flap; 4) the lower turning point could be designed just 3 cm above the point of internal and external malleolus; 5) Partial gastrocnemius or soleus muscle could be included in the flap if needed; 6) Reversed cross leg flap was considered if the adjacent flap in the affected side could not be used.