44 results match your criteria: "University of Texas McGovern School of Medicine[Affiliation]"

Article Synopsis
  • A study compared fatigue levels in a large group of people with systemic sclerosis (SSc) to typical fatigue levels in the general population, finding that SSc patients experienced significantly more fatigue.
  • Participants included 2,385 individuals, with a majority being female and averaging around 55 years old, and it was noted that 18% reported mild fatigue, 27% moderate fatigue, and 8% severe fatigue.
  • Factors such as age, gender, marital status, fatigue-related lifestyle choices (like smoking and BMI), and specific disease features (like gastrointestinal issues and joint problems) were all linked to higher fatigue scores in SSc patients.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study examined changes in work status, financial adequacy, and preferences for remote versus in-office work among individuals with systemic sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Conducted with 298 participants, findings revealed that most people's work status and financial well-being remained stable from April 2020 to August 2022, with only a few changes in employment.
  • Participants preferred flexible work arrangements, but most were required to work in a fixed, in-person setting, suggesting a need for more adaptable workplace policies to accommodate their conditions.
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Majority of the lung adenocarcinomas show a mixture of different histological patterns. The possibility of histologically heterogeneous areas of the adenocarcinoma showing genetic heterogeneity and harboring different driver mutations, with potentially significant clinical impact, has not been adequately addressed. Currently, there are no guidelines to suggest how to submit tumor tissue in adenocarcinomas with mixed histological features for molecular testing.

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The association of outdoor temperature and self-reported Raynaud's phenomenon severity among people with systemic sclerosis: a Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Cohort study.

Lancet Rheumatol

October 2024

Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Biomedical Ethics Unit, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: Raynaud's phenomenon is the earliest and most common systemic sclerosis manifestation. Episodes can be triggered by cold exposure and ambient temperature changes. Small studies have found that Raynaud's phenomenon outcomes were associated with season.

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Objective: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare, chronic autoimmune disorder associated with disability, diminished physical function, fatigue, pain, and mental health concerns. We assessed minimal detectable changes (MDCs) of the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 Profile version 2.0 (PROMIS-29v2.

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The association of resilience and positive mental health in systemic sclerosis: A Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) cohort cross-sectional study.

J Psychosom Res

April 2024

Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Biomedical Ethics Unit, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Electronic address:

Objective: A previous study using Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) Cohort data identified five classes of people with systemic sclerosis (also known as scleroderma) based on patient-reported somatic (fatigue, pain, sleep) and mental health (anxiety, depression) symptoms and compared indicators of disease severity between classes. Across four classes ("low", "normal", "high", "very high"), there were progressively worse somatic and mental health outcomes and greater disease severity. The fifth ("high/low") class, however, was characterized by high disease severity, fatigue, pain, and sleep but low mental health symptoms.

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Objectives: To compare physical function in systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) to general population normative data and identify associated factors.

Methods: Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Cohort participants completed the Physical Function domain of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Version 2 upon enrolment. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess associations of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and disease-related variables.

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Background: Many individuals with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are at heightened risk for COVID-19 related morbidity and isolation due to interstitial lung disease, frailty, and immunosuppressant use. Minimal research has explored loneliness predictors in individuals with chronic illnesses during COVID-19. This study evaluated moderators of loneliness trajectories in individuals with SSc during COVID-19.

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Objective: Some individuals with systemic sclerosis (SSc) report positive mental health, despite severe disease manifestations, which may be associated with resilience, but no resilience measure has been validated in SSc. This study was undertaken to assess the validity, reliability, and differential item functioning (DIF) between English- and French-language versions of the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) in SSc.

Methods: Eligible participants were enrolled in the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Cohort and completed the CD-RISC-10 between August 2022 and January 2023.

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Background: The left ventricular hemodynamic load differs between aortic regurgitation (AR) and primary mitral regurgitation (MR). We used cardiac magnetic resonance to compare left ventricular remodeling patterns, systemic forward stroke volume, and tissue characteristics between patients with isolated AR and isolated MR.

Methods: We assessed remodeling parameters across the spectrum of regurgitant volume.

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Integrated care pathways (ICPs) are evidence-based decision support tools intended to reduce variation and improve quality of care. Historically, adoption of ICPs has been difficult to measure, as the pathways were outside of the electronic health record (EHR), where care delivery documentation and orders were completed. This Technology Column describes the innovative development and implementation of a diagnosis specific electronic ICP that directly embeds pathway steps into an EHR to facilitate order sets, clinical decision-making, and usage tracking.

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The Assembled Genome of the Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat.

Hypertension

January 2023

Center for Human Genetics, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas McGovern School of Medicine, Houston, TX (Y.Z., I.S.D., P.A.D.).

Background: We report the creation and evaluation of a de novo assembly of the genome of the spontaneously hypertensive rat, the most widely used model of human cardiovascular disease.

Methods: The genome is assembled from long read sequencing (PacBio HiFi and continuous long read data [CLR]) and scaffolded with long-range structural information obtained from Bionano optical maps and proximity ligation sequencing proximity analysis of the genome. The genome assembly was polished with Illumina short reads.

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Purpose: The Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) online hand exercise program (SPIN-HAND), is an online self-help program of hand exercises designed to improve hand function for people with scleroderma. The objective of this feasibility trial was to evaluate aspects of feasibility for conducting a full-scale randomized controlled trial of the SPIN-HAND program.

Materials And Methods: The feasibility trial was embedded in the SPIN cohort and utilized the cohort multiple randomized controlled trial (cmRCT) design.

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Rat genomic tools have been slower to emerge than for those of humans and mice and have remained less thorough and comprehensive. The arrival of a new and improved rat reference genome, mRatBN7.2, in late 2020 is a welcome event.

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Background: The Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) developed an online self-management program (SPIN-SELF) designed to improve disease-management self-efficacy in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc, or scleroderma). The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility aspects for conducting a full-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the SPIN-SELF Program.

Methods: This feasibility trial was embedded in the SPIN Cohort and utilized the cohort multiple RCT design.

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Background: Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma; SSc) is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disease. We completed an initial feasibility trial of an online self-administered version of the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Self-Management (SPIN-SELF) Program using the cohort multiple randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. Due to low intervention offer uptake, we will conduct a new feasibility trial with progression to full-scale trial, using a two-arm parallel, partially nested RCT design.

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COVID-19 Presentation in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A Case Series.

Am J Case Rep

May 2021

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA.

BACKGROUND Certain health conditions have been proven to have an effect on the severity of COVID-19, the disease caused by SAR-COV-2. The list of identified comorbid conditions includes hematological diseases, with sickle cell disease (SCD) falling into this category. CASE REPORT This case series examines the history, presentation, and clinical course of 5 patients with SCD who tested positive for SAR-COV-2 during the spring and summer of 2020.

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Factors associated with fears due to COVID-19: A Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) COVID-19 cohort study.

J Psychosom Res

January 2021

Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Biomedical Ethics Unit, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • No studies have previously looked into the factors influencing fear during COVID-19 among individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, particularly those with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
  • The study linked pre-COVID-19 data with COVID-19 data to assess fear related to the pandemic, revealing that participants in the UK reported higher fear scores compared to those in France, while those in Canada and the US showed higher scores that were not statistically significant.
  • The findings indicated that those with greater breathing problems and lower financial resources experienced higher levels of COVID-19 fear, highlighting the need for targeted interventions based on health and socio-economic factors specific to different populations.
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Background: Almost 20% of U.S. women remain at risk for cervical cancer due to their inability or unwillingness to participate in periodic clinic-based screening.

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Changes in mental health symptoms from pre-COVID-19 to COVID-19 among participants with systemic sclerosis from four countries: A Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) Cohort study.

J Psychosom Res

December 2020

Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, 1020 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A2, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada; Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, McGill University Health Centre, 5252 boulevard de Maisonneuve, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3S5, Canada.

Introduction: No studies have reported mental health symptom comparisons prior to and during COVID-19 in vulnerable medical populations.

Objective: To compare anxiety and depression symptoms among people with a pre-existing medical condition and factors associated with changes.

Methods: Pre-COVID-19 Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Cohort data were linked to COVID-19 data from April 2020.

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Viridans group streptococci (VGS), especially the subgroup, are pivotal pathogens in a variety of invasive endovascular infections, including "toxic shock" in neutropenic cancer patients and infective endocarditis (IE). Previously, we showed that the serial in vitro passage of strains in sublethal daptomycin (DAP) resulted in rapid, high-level and stable DAP-resistance (DAP-R), which is accompanied by distinct changes in several genotypic and phenotypic signatures: (1) the disappearance of two key membrane phospholipids, phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and cardiolipin (CL); (2) increased membrane fluidity; (3) increased positive surface charge; (4) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in two loci involved in CL biosynthesis (); and (5) DAP hyperaccumulation. The current study examined these same metrics following in vitro serial DAP passages of a separate well-characterized bloodstream isolate (SF100).

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Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation With Incidentally Discovered Masses on Computed Tomography.

Am J Cardiol

October 2020

University of Texas McGovern School of Medicine, Houston, Texas (ASG, DJM, DB, RJ, KP, CL, EGS, SJ, YZ, PB, TCN, AE, IDG, PL, BK, RWS, AD); Memorial Herman Heart and Vascular Center, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas (PB, TCN, AE, RWS, AD). Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • Doctors do CT scans of the chest and abdomen before a heart procedure called TAVI to check for hidden health issues, including potentially dangerous growths.
  • In a study of 1,081 patients who had TAVI, researchers looked at the effects of these hidden growths on survival rates.
  • They found that while having these growths alone didn't make people more likely to die within a year, having both these growths and a past cancer increased the risk of dying significantly.*
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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigated readmission rates, causes, and outcomes in patients who underwent tricuspid valve repair/replacement (TVR) using data from the National Readmission Database.
  • About 20.84% of the 8254 patients studied were readmitted within 30 days post-surgery, with no significant difference in rates between isolated and concomitant procedures.
  • Key predictors for readmission included acute kidney injury and a high Charlson comorbidity index, with a mortality rate of 6.1% during readmissions and many patients requiring skilled facility care afterwards.
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Objective: Contagious disease outbreaks and related restrictions can lead to negative psychological outcomes, particularly in vulnerable populations at risk due to pre-existing medical conditions. No randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have tested interventions to reduce mental health consequences of contagious disease outbreaks. The primary objective of the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network COVID-19 Home-isolation Activities Together (SPIN-CHAT) Trial is to evaluate the effect of a videoconference-based program on symptoms of anxiety.

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Strengthening effects of bone marrow mononuclear cells with intensive atorvastatin in acute myocardial infarction.

Open Heart

May 2020

Department of Cardiology, Center for Coronary Heart Disease, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Objective: To test whether intensive atorvastatin (ATV) increases the efficacy of transplantation with autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) in patients suffering from anterior ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: This clinical trial was under a 2×2 factorial design, enrolling 100 STEMI patients, randomly into four groups of regular (RA) or intensive ATV (IA) with MNCs or placebo. The primary endpoint was the change of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at 1-year follow-up from baseline, primarily assessed by MRI.

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