Background: Anti-amyloid-β (Aβ) immunotherapy trials have revealed amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) as the most prevalent and serious adverse events linked to pathological changes in cerebral vasculature. Recent studies underscore the critical involvement of perivascular macrophages and the infiltration of peripheral immune cells in regulating cerebrovascular damage. Specifically, Aβ antibodies engaged at cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) deposits trigger perivascular macrophage activation and the upregulation of genes associated with vascular permeability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) have been identified as the most common and serious adverse events resulting from pathological changes in the cerebral vasculature during several recent anti-amyloid-β (Aβ) immunotherapy trials. However, the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying how amyloid immunotherapy enhances cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)-mediated alterations in vascular permeability and microhemorrhages are not currently understood. Interestingly, brain perivascular macrophages have been implicated in regulating CAA deposition and cerebrovascular function however, further investigations are required to understand how perivascular macrophages play a role in enhancing CAA-related vascular permeability and microhemorrhages associated with amyloid immunotherapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Cognitive rehabilitation research has progressed slowly, in part due to incomplete reporting of intervention content and delivery and the difficulties this produces for discerning program effectiveness. This knowledge gap can be reduced by providing detailed intervention descriptions. We document the content/ingredients and therapeutic targets of a cognitive rehabilitation program for adults with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCaloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) can temporarily reduce visuospatial neglect and related symptoms. The present study examined the effect of CVS on representational neglect during free exploration of the map of France. We asked patients to name cities they could mentally "see" on the map of France, without giving them any directional instructions related to the left or right sides of the map.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) and pregnancy can present a challenging scenario for healthcare professionals. Information regarding the management of patients who become pregnant and have SCIs is limited in the nursing literature, and therefore, more case studies must be presented and research must be conducted to build evidence-based care. Physiologic changes in pregnancy can increase a patient's risk for serious complications during pregnancy and, consequently, may put the fetus at a greater risk.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCase Rep Obstet Gynecol
October 2019
Background: Maternal risks of betamethasone have been rarely reported.
Case: At 36 weeks' gestation, a previously healthy 23-year-old gravida with fetal intrauterine growth restriction was admitted to the hospital for steroid administration. Twenty-six hours after the first dose of betamethasone, a maternal bradycardia was initially noted and eventually nadired at 41 beats per minute.
Background: Activation of microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, is a prominent pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the gene expression changes underlying microglia activation in response to tau pathology remain elusive. Furthermore, it is not clear how murine gene expression changes relate to human gene expression networks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To identify patient rationale for pregnant women to decline transvaginal cervical length screening.
Methods: Survey data from 511 women presenting for second-trimester anatomy and transvaginal cervical length sonography were collected during a 4-month period from September 2016 to January 2017. Each patient completed a medical questionnaire that includes demographic and obstetric history data and a survey to document their acceptance or declination of transvaginal cervical length screening.
Objectives: To determine factors associated with absenteeism, presenteeism, work productivity loss (WPL), and daily activity impairment in UK patients with AxSpA using standardised measures.
Methods: 490 patients with AxSpA completed (1) Work Productivity and Impairment questionnaire (WPAI), providing measures for absenteeism, presenteeism, WPL and daily activity impairment, and (2) BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, Jenkins Sleep scale, Patient Global Assessment disease activity (PGA), back pain night and anytime, EQ-5D for mobility, self-care, daily activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression, EQ-VAS Health State Today, FACIT fatigue, for health-related disease factors. Multivariate linear and logistic regression determined associations between WPAI measures and health-related factors.
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is a microglial receptor that recognizes changes in the lipid microenvironment, which may occur during amyloid β (Aβ) accumulation and neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Rare TREM2 variants that affect TREM2 function lead to an increased risk of developing AD. In murine models of AD, TREM2 deficiency prevents microglial clustering around Aβ deposits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Music is a non-invasive, safe, and inexpensive intervention that can be delivered easily and successfully. We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether music improves recovery after surgical procedures.
Methods: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adult patients undergoing surgical procedures, excluding those involving the central nervous system or head and neck, published in any language.
In 2011, Queensland dialysis services experienced two unprecedented natural disasters within weeks of each other. Floods in south-east Queensland and Tropical Cyclone Yasi in North Queensland caused widespread flooding, property damage and affected the provision of dialysis services, leading to Australia's largest evacuation of dialysis patients. This paper details the responses to the disasters and examines what worked and what lessons were learnt.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAβ Immunotherapy is a promising therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease. Preclinical studies demonstrate that plaque prevention is possible; however, the more relevant therapeutic removal of existing plaque has proven elusive. Monoclonal antibodies in development target both soluble and insoluble Aβ peptide.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Cognitive impairments are common after critical illness. Aetiology and effects of cognitive impairments in this setting are not fully revealed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of critical illness and intensive care unit (ICU) treatment on cerebral function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBr J Educ Psychol
December 2007
Background: Little research has examined interactions between self-reported dispositional and experimentally manipulated situational group orientations in their effect on self-regulation.
Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of dispositional and situational learning goal orientation on children's self-efficacy and engagement and persistence at a puzzle task.
Sample: A self-report learning goal orientation scale was completed by 110 children, aged 9-11 years.
Objective: We investigated the influence of maternal positioning on the measurement of the amniotic fluid index (AFI) in third-trimester pregnancies. We wanted to determine whether a change in the position of the women, from supine-flat to supine-elevated, would influence the measurement of the AFI.
Methods: Each patient had AFI measurements obtained in both positions by the same investigator.
The velocity distributions of 250nm diameter gold nanospheres trapped in the evanescent fields of optical waveguides are studied. The automated analysis of a large number of particles and temporal frames is described. It is used to show that the envelope of the particles' speed follows the mode intensity profile of the evanescent field along a length of the waveguide and across its width.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn integrated optical multisensor for organic pollutants has been realised, and characterised for a single analyte. The sensor exploits fluorescence immunoassay in the evanescent field of channel waveguides to enable rapid, simultaneous and high-sensitivity fluorescence detection of up to 32 pollutants in water. The chemical modification used to render the surface specific to analytes allows automatic regeneration for immediate reuse.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe demonstrate how a Y-branched optical waveguide can be used for microparticle sorting. Polystyrene microparticles, optically guided in the waveguide's evanescent field, are directed down the desired, more strongly illuminated, output branch. The output of a fibre laser at a wavelength of 1066 nm is coupled to the waveguide by direct butting.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA novel analytical system AWACSS (Automated Water Analyser Computer Supported System) based on immunochemical technology has been evaluated that can measure several organic pollutants at low nanogram per litre level in a single few-minutes analysis without any prior sample pre-concentration or pre-treatment steps. Having in mind actual needs of water-sector managers related to the implementation of the Drinking Water Directive (DWD) [98/83/EC, 1998. Council Directive (98/83/EC) of 3 November 1998 relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA novel analytical system AWACSS (automated water analyser computer-supported system) based on immunochemical technology has been developed that can measure several organic pollutants at low nanogram per litre level in a single few-minutes analysis without any prior sample pre-concentration nor pre-treatment steps. Having in mind actual needs of water-sector managers related to the implementation of the Drinking Water Directive (DWD) (98/83/EC, 1998) and Water Framework Directive WFD (2000/60/EC, 2000), drinking, ground, surface, and waste waters were major media used for the evaluation of the system performance. The instrument was equipped with remote control and surveillance facilities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To compare the efficacy and safety of sildenafil and apomorphine in the treatment of men with erectile dysfunction (ED).
Patients And Methods: In all, 139 men with ED who were naïve to treatment were entered into an open-label crossover trial with two treatment periods, each of 8 weeks, separated by a 2-week washout period. Men were randomized to receive either sildenafil then apomorphine or apomorphine then sildenafil, and were allowed to titrate the dose on both drugs.
Objective: To evaluate the success rate of transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage (TACIC) as an elective and emergency procedure for cervical incompetence in comparison to reported success rates for vaginal cerclage.
Study Design: Retrospective review was performed of the hospital records of patients and their neonates who underwent TACIC for cervical incompetence by the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Service, Harrisburg Hospital. Data regarding procedure indications, maternal age, gravidity/parity, gestational age at time of placement, pregnancy outcome, delivery age and fetal weight at delivery were recorded.
Br J Clin Pharmacol
June 2002
Aims: Paracetamol is widely recommended as the initial treatment for pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA). A sustained release (SR) paracetamol formulation (Panadol Extend) was compared with standard immediate release (IR) paracetamol (Panadol) in patients with knee pain secondary to OA. The primary parameter for assessment of efficacy was patient-assessed global pain relief as determined on day 8 of the treatment period.
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