Nuclear pyruvate dehydrogenase complex regulates histone acetylation and transcriptional regulation in the ethylene response.

Ethylene plays its essential roles in plant development, growth, and defense responses by controlling the transcriptional reprograming, in which EIN2-C-directed regulation of histone acetylation is the first key step for chromatin to perceive ethylene signaling. But how the nuclear acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl CoA) is produced to ensure the ethylene-mediated histone acetylation is unknown. Here we report that ethylene triggers the accumulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) in the nucleus to synthesize nuclear acetyl CoA to regulate ethylene response.

Nuclear Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Regulates Histone Acetylation and Transcriptional Regulation in the Ethylene Response.

Ethylene plays its essential roles in plant development, growth, and defense responses by controlling the transcriptional reprograming, in which EIN2-C-directed regulation of histone acetylation is the first key-step for chromatin to perceive ethylene signaling. But how the nuclear acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl CoA) is produced to ensure the ethylene-mediated histone acetylation is unknown. Here we report that ethylene triggers the accumulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) in the nucleus to synthesize nuclear acetyl CoA to regulate ethylene response.

Do population-level risk prediction models that use routinely collected health data reliably predict individual risks?

The objective of this study was to assess the reliability of individual risk predictions based on routinely collected data considering the heterogeneity between clinical sites in data and populations. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction with QRISK3 was used as exemplar. The study included 3.

Antibiotic prescribing for common infections in UK general practice: variability and drivers.

Objectives: To examine variations across general practices and factors associated with antibiotic prescribing for common infections in UK primary care to identify potential targets for improvement and optimization of prescribing.

Methods: Oral antibiotic prescribing for common infections was analysed using anonymized UK primary care electronic health records between 2000 and 2015 using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). The rate of prescribing for each condition was observed over time and mean change points were compared with national guideline updates.

Relationship between prescribing of antibiotics and other medicines in primary care: a cross-sectional study.

Background: High levels of antibiotic prescribing are a major concern as they drive antimicrobial resistance. It is currently unknown whether practices that prescribe higher levels of antibiotics also prescribe more medicines in general.

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between antibiotic and general prescribing levels in primary care.

Antibiotic prescribing patterns in general medical practices in England: Does area matter?

Antimicrobial resistance is an important public health concern. As most antibiotics are prescribed in primary care, understanding prescribing patterns in General Medical (GP) practices is vital. The aim of this study was a spatial pattern analysis of antibiotic prescribing rates in GP practices in England and to examine the association of potential clusters with area level socio-economic deprivation.

Coccydynia related to the use of a contraceptive vaginal ring.

Coccydynia is a syndrome that rheumatologists encounter frequently in the form of tailbone pain, which is usually worse when sitting. Although the most common origin is trauma, there are several other possible causes of pain in the coccyx. We present an unusual case in which coccydynia developed shortly after the insertion of a contraceptive vaginal ring and remitted completely upon removal of this system.

Improved prediction of knee osteoarthritis progression by genetic polymorphisms: the Arthrotest Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a genetic prognostic tool to predict radiographic progression towards severe disease in primary knee OA (KOA) patients.

Methods: This investigation was a cross-sectional, retrospective, multicentric association study in 595 Spanish KOA patients. Caucasian patients aged ≥40 years at the time of diagnosis of primary KOA of Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 or 3 were included.

Integrating virtual reality with activity management for the treatment of fibromyalgia: acceptability and preliminary efficacy.

Objectives: Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) for fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are important interventions in the management of this condition. Empirical evidence reports that although the results are promising, further research is needed to respond more appropriately to these patients. This study focuses on exploring the use of Virtual Reality (VR) as an adjunct to the activity management component.

Virtual reality in the treatment of fibromyalgia: a pilot study.

The aim of this article is to present preliminary data on the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) as an adjunct to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM). The sample comprised six women diagnosed with FM according to the American College of Rheumatology guidelines (1990). The treatment program consisted of 10 sessions of group CBT with the support of an adaptive virtual environment containing a specific content for developing relaxation and mindfulness skills.

Development and validation of a new disease activity index as a numerical sum of four variables in patients with early arthritis.

Objective: To describe the development and validation of a disease activity index in early arthritis that can be easily applied in daily practice and clinical research.

Methods: The Hospital Universitario La Princesa Index (HUPI) was developed after analysis of data from an early arthritis cohort (202 patients with 756 visits). It is the sum of 4 variables (graded 0-3): tender joint count, swollen joint count, patient global assessment, and acute-phase reactants (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and/or C-reactive protein [CRP] level, depending on availability at the moment of evaluation).

Remission and rheumatoid arthritis: data on patients receiving usual care in twenty-four countries.

Objective: To compare the performance of different definitions of remission in a large multinational cross-sectional cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: The Questionnaires in Standard Monitoring of Patients with RA (QUEST-RA) database, which (as of January 2008) included 5,848 patients receiving usual care at 67 sites in 24 countries, was used for this study. Patients were clinically assessed by rheumatologists and completed a 4-page self-report questionnaire.

Cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results from the QUEST-RA study.

Introduction: We analyzed the prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its association with traditional CV risk factors, clinical features of RA, and the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in a multinational cross-sectional cohort of nonselected consecutive outpatients with RA (The Questionnaires in Standard Monitoring of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Program, or QUEST-RA) who were receiving regular clinical care.

Methods: The study involved a clinical assessment by a rheumatologist and a self-report questionnaire by patients. The clinical assessment included a review of clinical features of RA and exposure to DMARDs over the course of RA.

Value of Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) and DAS28-3 compared to American College of Rheumatology-defined remission in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To assess the criteria for remission based on Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) and DAS28-3 (excluding patients' evaluation of disease activity) compared to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) preliminary criteria in established rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to examine the value of each ACR criterion individually.

Methods: The EMECAR study was designed to assess the burden of comorbidity and inflammatory activity for RA in Spain. A random sample of 788 patients with RA from 34 Spanish centers was selected.

Hand bone segmentation in radioabsorptiometry images for computerised bone mass assessment.

From hand radiographs, the measurement of the bone density of hand bones is automatically performed, using units relative to an aluminium wedge, in order to know the absorption of the ray light intensity respect to a known substance. By means of a point distribution model, the variation modes of a statistical model of the phalanx are determined, and the boundaries of such bones localised, aiming to obtain their average grey level. The goal is to obtain an accurate and reliable computerised radiographic X-ray absorptiometry system for automatic bone mass assessment that can be easily applied to the population.

Increased risk of tuberculosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To quantify the risk of tuberculosis (TB) in an unselected sample of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared to the risk in the general population.

Methods: The incidence of TB in the general population of Spain was obtained from the National Network of Epidemiological Surveillance reports. The incidence of TB was ascertained from a cohort of 788 patients with RA selected randomly from the registries of 34 participating centers throughout Spain.

Patterns of disease modifying antirheumatic drug use in a Spanish cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To determine the adequacy of disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) prescription to disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to assess whether the reasons for DMARD discontinuation agree with published evidence.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of the baseline year of a RA cohort (n = 788) randomly selected from the clinical registries of 34 centers. Data about current and previous DMARD use was collected from medical records and confirmed by the patient.