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Borg M, Bodtger U, Kristensen K, Alstrup G, Mamaeva T, Arshad A, Laursen CB, Hilberg O, Andersen MB, Rasmussen TR. Incidental pulmonary nodules may lead to a high proportion of early-stage lung cancer: but it requires more than a high CT volume to achieve this. Eur Clin Respir J 2024; 11:2313311. [PMID: 38379593 PMCID: PMC10878329 DOI: 10.1080/20018525.2024.2313311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The management of pulmonary nodules plays a critical role in early detection of lung cancer. Computed tomography (CT) has led to a stage-shift towards early-stage lung cancer, but regional differences in survival rates have been reported in Denmark. This study aimed to evaluate whether variations in nodule management among Danish health regions contributed to these differences. Material and Methods The Danish Health Data Authority and Danish Lung Cancer Registry provided data on CT usage and lung cancer stage distribution, respectively. Auditing of lung cancer stage IA patient referrals and nodule management of stage IV lung cancer patients was conducted in seven Danish lung cancer investigation centers, covering four of the five Danish health regions. CT scans were performed up to 2 years before the patients' diagnosis from 2019 to 2021. Results CT usage has increased steadily in Denmark over the past decade, with a simultaneous increase in the proportion of early-stage lung cancers, particularly stage IA. However, one Danish health region, Region Zealand, exhibited lower rates of early-stage lung cancer and overall survival despite a CT usage roughly similar to that of the other health regions. The audit did not find significant differences in pulmonary nodule management or a higher number of missed nodules by radiologists in this region compared to others. Conclusion This study suggests that a high CT scan volume alone is not sufficient for the early detection of lung cancer. Factors beyond hospital management practices, such as patient-related delays in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, may contribute to regional differences in survival rates. This has implications for future strategies for reducing these differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Borg
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lillebaelt Hospital Vejle, Vejle, Denmark
| | - U. Bodtger
- Respiratory Research Unit PLUZ, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zealand University Hospital Næstved & Roskilde, Næstved, Denmark
- Institute for Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - K. Kristensen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gødstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark
| | - G. Alstrup
- Respiratory Research Unit PLUZ, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zealand University Hospital Næstved & Roskilde, Næstved, Denmark
| | - T. Mamaeva
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - A. Arshad
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - CB. Laursen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Odense Respiratory Research Unit (ODIN), Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - O. Hilberg
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lillebaelt Hospital Vejle, Vejle, Denmark
- Institute for Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - M. Brun Andersen
- Department of Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev and Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of clinical medicine, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - T Riis Rasmussen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Lackner L, Quitmann J, Kristensen K, Witt S. Health-Related Quality of Life, Stress, Caregiving Burden and Special Needs of Parents Caring for a Short-Statured Child-Review and Recommendations for Future Research. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:6558. [PMID: 37623144 PMCID: PMC10454502 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20166558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Children with short stature can experience a range of burdens due to their chronic condition. However, little is known about parents' experiences dealing with their child's short stature and the potential caregiving burdens and concerns they may face. We aim to review the literature on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), caregiving burden, and special needs among parents caring for a child with isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) or idiopathic short stature (ISS). Using pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, we systematically searched for literature using PubMed and Web of Science from its inception to December 2022. We identified 15 articles assessing HRQOL, special needs, or caregiving burdens in parents of IGHD/ISS children. The main problems included concerns about the future, organizational issues, side effects from growth hormone treatment, and social stigmatization. Furthermore, two studies assessed parents' special needs to cope with caregiving stress, mainly the dialogue between them and their families or parent support groups. This review outlines parental burdens, needs, and resources when caring for an IGHD/ISS child. Furthermore, it provides information about previously used measures appraising parents' special needs and underlines the need for disease-specific measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Stefanie Witt
- Department of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, W26, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
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Witt S, Kristensen K, Wiegand-Grefe S, Quitmann J. [Measures for optimal access to psychosocial care of children with rare diseases and their families]. Inn Med (Heidelb) 2023; 64:494-499. [PMID: 36988654 PMCID: PMC10054192 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-023-01496-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases in childhood can affect the quality of life and mental health of the entire family. The psychosocial challenges are significant for those affected and are often compounded by a lack of appropriate support services. RESEARCH QUESTION This article aims to summarize the barriers of current pathways to psychosocial care and identify potential solutions for a care strategy adapted to the needs of families. MATERIALS AND METHODS In three focus group sessions with 14 professionals from the field of rare pediatric diseases, the results of a previous qualitative study on barriers in current pathways to psychosocial care were presented. In the focus groups, the experts discussed possible solutions. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Despite an increased need for psychosocial support services, it is difficult for children with rare diseases and their families to access these. To facilitate access, interventions should address multiple levels. On the one hand, care should be increasingly adapted to the needs of families. At the same time, long-term and reliable care structures need to be established to ensure sustainable care. Structural interdisciplinary collaboration should be promoted, while the training of health professionals should also be more strongly geared to rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Witt
- Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52 (W26), 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland.
| | - Kaja Kristensen
- Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52 (W26), 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - Silke Wiegand-Grefe
- Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, -psychotherapie und -psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - Julia Quitmann
- Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52 (W26), 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland
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Witt S, Kristensen K, Hohenfellner K, Quitmann J. Health-related quality of life and patient-reported outcome measurements in patients with cystinosis. JIMD Rep 2023; 64:199-211. [PMID: 36873093 PMCID: PMC9981409 DOI: 10.1002/jmd2.12352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nephropathic cystinosis is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder. With the availability of treatment and renal replacement therapy, nephropathic cystinosis has evolved from an early fatal disease to a chronic, progressive disorder with potentially high impairment. We aim to review the literature on the health-related quality of life and identify appropriate patient-reported outcome measurements to assess the health-related quality of life of patients with cystinosis. For this review, we conducted a literature search in PubMed and Web of Science in September 2021. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for the selection of articles were defined a priori. We identified 668 unique articles through the search and screened them based on title and abstract. The full texts of 27 articles were assessed. Finally, we included five articles (published between 2009 and 2020) describing the health-related quality of life in patients with cystinosis. All studies, apart from one, were conducted in the United States, and no condition-specific measurement was used. Patients with cystinosis reported a lower health-related quality of life (for certain dimensions) than healthy subjects. Few published studies address the health-related quality of life of patients with cystinosis. Such data must be collected standardized and follow the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of this disorder on health-related quality of life, it is necessary to use generic and condition-specific instruments to measure this, preferably in large samples from longitudinal studies. A cystinosis-specific instrument for measuring health-related quality of life has yet to be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Witt
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of Medical PsychologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Kaja Kristensen
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of Medical PsychologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | | | - Julia Quitmann
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of Medical PsychologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
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Wirth M, Gálvez RI, Jochum J, Strauss R, Kristensen K, Stich A, Stegemann M, Stahl P, Puchner KP, Strasen J, Parisi S, Braasch T, Bender M, Hörning A, Hanke M, Störk S, Jacobs T, Pritsch M, Zoller T. Knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and serological status related to Chagas disease among Latin American migrants in Germany: A cross-sectional study in six German cities. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 12:1047281. [PMID: 36760233 PMCID: PMC9905718 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1047281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Little is known about knowledge, attitudes and behaviors concerning Chagas disease (CD) among Latin American migrants in Germany to inform public health decision making. Methods A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted between March 2014 and October 2019 among Latin American migrants in six cities in Germany to obtain information on migration history, socioeconomic and insurance status, knowledge about CD, potential risk factors for Trypanosoma cruzi infection, and willingness to donate blood or organs. Results 168 participants completed the questionnaire. The four countries with the highest proportion of participants contributing to the study population were Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Ecuador. Before migrating to Europe, the majority of the study population resided in an urban setting in houses made of stone or concrete, had higher academic education and was integrated into the German healthcare and healthcare insurance system. The majority of all study participants were also willing to donate blood and organs and a quarter of them had donated blood previously. However, many participants lacked basic knowledge about symptoms and modes of transmission of Chagas disease. One out of 56 serologic tests (1.8%) performed was positive. The seropositive female participant born in Argentina had a negative PCR test and no signs of cardiac or other organ involvement. Conclusions The study population does not reflect the population structure at risk for T. cruzi infection in endemic countries. Most participants had a low risk profile for infection with T. cruzi. Although the sample size was small and sampling was not representative of all persons at risk in Germany, the seroprevalence found was similar to studies previously conducted in Europe. As no systematic screening for T. cruzi in Latin American blood and organ donors as well as in women of child-bearing age of Latin American origin is implemented in Germany, a risk of occasional transmission of T. cruzi remains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margit Wirth
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Missioklinik, Klinikum Würzburg Mitte, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rosa Isela Gálvez
- Protozoa Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Jochum
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany,I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ricardo Strauss
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Department, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kaja Kristensen
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Department, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany,Faculty of Life Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany
| | - August Stich
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Missioklinik, Klinikum Würzburg Mitte, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Stegemann
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany,Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Stahl
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Gießen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Karl Philipp Puchner
- Laboratory of Primary Health Care, General Medicine and Health Services Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Jörn Strasen
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Missioklinik, Klinikum Würzburg Mitte, Würzburg, Germany,Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Parisi
- Department of General Practice, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Trixi Braasch
- Department of Internal Medicine, Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marion Bender
- Medical Department of the worldwide air ambulance Unicair GmbH, Idstein, Germany,Department of Occupational Medicine, B.A.D, Health Center, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Anna Hörning
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Monika Hanke
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany,Department of Clinical Research & Epidemiology, Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Störk
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany,Department of Clinical Research & Epidemiology, Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Jacobs
- Protozoa Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Pritsch
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Zoller
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany,Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany,*Correspondence: Thomas Zoller,
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Witt S, Kristensen K, Blömeke J, Hebestreit H, Wocker M, Pfister L, Bullinger M, Tüscher O, Deckert J, Graessner H, Lapstich AM, Zwaan MD, Mundlos C, Quitmann JH. [Quality of Life and Experienced Distress of Patients Suspected of having a Rare (Chronic) Health Condition - Initial Findings from the ZSE-DUO Study]. Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol 2023; 73:9-15. [PMID: 35793670 DOI: 10.1055/a-1814-3998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients suspected of having a rare (chronic) health condition have often gone a long way within the healthcare system. To date, little is known about the health-related quality of life of this group of patients. The study aims to describe the health-related quality of life and the perceived distress of patients suspected of having a rare (chronic) health condition and compare the results with standard values of the German population. METHODS Eighty patients suspected of having a rare (chronic) health condition were recruited in the nationwide intervention study "ZSE-DUO" and reported their health-related quality of life and perceived distress using the SF-8 and the Distress-Thermometer. RESULTS The patients rated all eight dimensions of quality of life as well as the physical and mental component scores of the SF-8 significantly lower than the general population. On average, the perceived distress was rated significantly higher. More than 90% of the sample indicated distress in the clinical range. Exhaustion, pain, limited mobility as well as worries and fears were mentioned most frequently as concrete problems, with percentages ranging from 73% to 90% of the total sample. DISCUSSION In comparison to German reference data, patients suspected of having a rare (chronic) health condition report a massive impairment of their quality of life and a high burden, which is especially characterized by physical and emotional problems. The lack of a diagnosis could explain the high proportion of emotional problems, as it can create a form of legitimation of one's own disease experience. CONCLUSION The present results underline the need for research on the psychosocial impact of the possible presence of a rare (chronic) health condition. The high distress and the impact on the physical and psychological quality of life domains also highlight the need for care in this patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Witt
- Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kaja Kristensen
- Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Janika Blömeke
- Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Helge Hebestreit
- Zentrum für Seltene Erkrankungen - Referenzzentrum Nordbayern, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Wocker
- Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lisa Pfister
- Zentrum für Seltene Erkrankungen - Referenzzentrum Nordbayern, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Monika Bullinger
- Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Tüscher
- Zentrum für Seltene Erkrankungen, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jürgen Deckert
- Zentrum für Seltene Erkrankungen - Referenzzentrum Nordbayern, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Holm Graessner
- Zentrum für Seltene Erkrankungen, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anne-Marie Lapstich
- Institut für Epidemiologie, Sozialmedizin und Gesundheitssystemforschung, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martina de Zwaan
- Klinik für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine Mundlos
- Allianz Chronischer Seltener Erkrankungen (ACHSE) e.V., Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Hannah Quitmann
- Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Iorizzo L, Carlsson Y, Johansson C, Berggren R, Herbst A, Wang M, Leiding M, Isberg P, Kristensen K, Wiberg-Itzel E, McGee T, Wiberg N. 35 Proposed cut-off for fetal scalp blood lactate in intrapartum fetal surveillance based on neonatal outcomes: A large prospective observational study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.11.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Kristensen K, Warne G, Agarwal D, Foster TJ. Effects of different moisture contents on the structural and functional properties of cellulose with cell wall components in different citrus fibres. Food Funct 2022; 13:2756-2767. [PMID: 35171166 DOI: 10.1039/d1fo02808a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This research used a multi-method approach to analyse the influence of different moisture levels (low, medium and high) on the structural and functional properties of cellulose with cell wall materials such as pectin, lignin, and hemicellulose present in citrus fibres. The influence of the drying and purification processes and the source of the citrus fibres on these interactions were also considered. A fluidized bed dryer results in a higher aggregation of cellulose fibres, which limits their interactions with water, pectin, lignin, and hemicellulose. Citrus fibre suspension produce by a alcohol washing in combination with a centrifugal drying process showed higher storage modulus (G'), loss modulus (G'') and water retention capacity. The compositions of the citrus fibres and the type of hydrogen bonding (analysed by FTIR) play a key role in generating stable rheological and thermal properties as well as controlling the moisture sorption behaviour of the citrus fibres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaja Kristensen
- Division of Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - George Warne
- Division of Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Deepa Agarwal
- Division of Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK. .,The New Zealand Institute of Plant and Food Research, Plant & Food Research Canterbury Agriculture & Science Centre, Gerald St, Lincoln 7608, New Zealand
| | - Tim J Foster
- Division of Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.
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Hebestreit H, Zeidler C, Schippers C, de Zwaan M, Deckert J, Heuschmann P, Krauth C, Bullinger M, Berger A, Berneburg M, Brandstetter L, Deibele A, Dieris-Hirche J, Graessner H, Gündel H, Herpertz S, Heuft G, Lapstich AM, Lücke T, Maisch T, Mundlos C, Petermann-Meyer A, Müller S, Ott S, Pfister L, Quitmann J, Romanos M, Rutsch F, Schaubert K, Schubert K, Schulz JB, Schweiger S, Tüscher O, Ungethüm K, Wagner TOF, Haas K, Akkaya F, Babka C, Bârlescu L, Bärsch-Michelmann A, Bergbreiter A, Blömeke J, Böhm L, Böttger B, Braun B, Brinkmann F, Britz V, Cario H, Celiker M, de Greck M, Debatin KM, Dillmann-Jehn K, Ertl M, Ettinger M, Eymann J, Frommer J, Gabrian M, Glode A, Gödecke V, Grasemann C, Grauer E, Greger H, Haas A, Haase M, Haisch L, Heinrich I, Held M, Hennermann J, Herrmann-Werner A, Hett J, Hilbig B, Holthöfer L, Imhof C, Jacob T, Junne F, Karl S, Kassubek J, Kick L, Koschitzki KT, Krassort H, Kratz C, Kristensen K, Kropff B, Kuhn J, Latzko P, Loew T, Lorenz D, Ludolph AC, dos Santos IM, Meyer T, Mohnike K, Monninger M, Musacchio T, Nanciu AN, Nießen M, Nöhre M, Papagianni A, Pfeifer-Duck C, Piduhn LS, Rampp C, Richter A, Rieß O, Schmidt A, Schneider S, Schoels L, Schwalba M, Selig U, Spangenberger A, Sroka A, Steinbüchel T, Stösser S, Suchant S, Vogel M, Volk D, Vollmuth C, Volnov S, Walter S, Warrings B, Weiler C, Witt S, Zajt KK, Zeltner L, Zenker K, Zhang KD, Zipfel S. Dual guidance structure for evaluation of patients with unclear diagnosis in centers for rare diseases (ZSE-DUO): study protocol for a controlled multi-center cohort study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022; 17:47. [PMID: 35164804 PMCID: PMC8842899 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02176-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In individuals suffering from a rare disease the diagnostic process and the confirmation of a final diagnosis often extends over many years. Factors contributing to delayed diagnosis include health care professionals' limited knowledge of rare diseases and frequent (co-)occurrence of mental disorders that may complicate and delay the diagnostic process. The ZSE-DUO study aims to assess the benefits of a combination of a physician focusing on somatic aspects with a mental health expert working side by side as a tandem in the diagnostic process. Study design This multi-center, prospective controlled study has a two-phase cohort design. Methods Two cohorts of 682 patients each are sequentially recruited from 11 university-based German Centers for Rare Diseases (CRD): the standard care cohort (control, somatic expertise only) and the innovative care cohort (experimental, combined somatic and mental health expertise). Individuals aged 12 years and older presenting with symptoms and signs which are not explained by current diagnoses will be included. Data will be collected prior to the first visit to the CRD’s outpatient clinic (T0), at the first visit (T1) and 12 months thereafter (T2). Outcomes Primary outcome is the percentage of patients with one or more confirmed diagnoses covering the symptomatic spectrum presented. Sample size is calculated to detect a 10 percent increase from 30% in standard care to 40% in the innovative dual expert cohort. Secondary outcomes are (a) time to diagnosis/diagnoses explaining the symptomatology; (b) proportion of patients successfully referred from CRD to standard care; (c) costs of diagnosis including incremental cost effectiveness ratios; (d) predictive value of screening instruments administered at T0 to identify patients with mental disorders; (e) patients’ quality of life and evaluation of care; and f) physicians’ satisfaction with the innovative care approach. Conclusions This is the first multi-center study to investigate the effects of a mental health specialist working in tandem with a somatic expert physician in CRDs. If this innovative approach proves successful, it will be made available on a larger scale nationally and promoted internationally. In the best case, ZSE-DUO can significantly shorten the time to diagnosis for a suspected rare disease. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov; Identifier: NCT03563677; First posted: June 20, 2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03563677.
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Kristensen K, Lorenz KM, Zhou X, Piro-Gambetti B, Hartley SL, Godar SP, Diel S, Neubauer E, Litovsky RY. Language and executive functioning in young adults with Down syndrome. J Intellect Disabil Res 2022; 66:151-161. [PMID: 34288180 PMCID: PMC8766869 DOI: 10.1111/jir.12868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examined the association between executive functioning and language in young adults with Down syndrome (DS). METHOD Nineteen young adults with DS (aged 19-24 years) completed standardised measures of overall cognition, vocabulary, verbal fluency and executive function skills. RESULTS Friedman's analysis of variance (χ2 (3) = 28.15, P < .001) and post hoc comparisons indicated that, on average, participants had a significantly lower overall non-verbal than verbal cognitive age equivalent and lower expressive than receptive vocabulary skills. Using Spearman correlations, performance on a verbal measure of cognition inhibition was significantly negatively related to receptive vocabulary (ρ = -.529, adjusted P = .036) and verbal fluency (ρ = -.608, adjusted P = .022). Attention was significantly positively correlated with receptive (ρ = .698, adjusted-p = .005) and expressive (ρ = .542, adjusted P = .027) vocabulary. Verbal working memory was significantly positively associated with receptive vocabulary (ρ = .585, adjusted P = .022) and verbal fluency (ρ = .737, adjusted P = .003). Finally, visuospatial working memory was significantly associated with receptive vocabulary (ρ = .562, adjusted P = .027). CONCLUSIONS Verbal and non-verbal measures of executive functioning skills had important associations with language ability in young adults with DS. Future translational research is needed to investigate causal pathways underlying these relationships. Research should explore if interventions aimed at increasing executive functioning skills (e.g. attention, inhibition and working memory) have the potential to lead to increases in language for young adults with DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kristensen
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - K M Lorenz
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - X Zhou
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - B Piro-Gambetti
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - S L Hartley
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - S P Godar
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - S Diel
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - E Neubauer
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - R Y Litovsky
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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11
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Witt S, Kristensen K, Wiegand-Grefe S, Boettcher J, Bloemeke J, Wingartz C, Bullinger M, Quitmann J. Rare pediatric diseases and pathways to psychosocial care: a qualitative interview study with professional experts working with affected families in Germany. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:497. [PMID: 34838091 PMCID: PMC8626925 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-02127-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rare diseases occur in early childhood and have a major impact on the quality of life of the affected children and their families. Their need for psychosocial support is considerable, but psychosocial care in Germany is still far from being part of routine care. We interviewed experts to explore how they describe the current pathways to psychosocial care, potential barriers and problems, and possibilities for improvements. Results We conducted telephone interviews with 49 experts working in somatic medicine, psychosocial medicine, patient organizations, child and youth welfare, and the educational sector. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using focused interview analysis. Results document ways of access and facilities used by families to receive psychosocial care. The barriers described by the experts can be summarized on three levels: the family-organizational level, the family-psycho-emotional level, and finally, the structural system level. Accordingly, suggestions for improvement were directed at these levels. Conclusion Based on the experts' perspectives, there is ample room for improvement to facilitate the pathways to psychosocial care for children with rare diseases and their families. Unfortunately, there seems to be a long way to go before psychosocial care will be routinely provided. However, awareness of the issue among different professional groups is high, and numerous suggestions for improvement were made, including continuous expansion of services to all family members, strengthening of low-threshold services, simplifying application procedures, and more cooperation between different funding agencies as well as between different care providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Witt
- Department of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Kaja Kristensen
- Department of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Silke Wiegand-Grefe
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Boettcher
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Janika Bloemeke
- Department of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christina Wingartz
- Department of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Monika Bullinger
- Department of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Quitmann
- Department of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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12
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Iorizzo L, Carlsson Y, Johansson C, Berggren R, Herbst A, Wang M, Leiding M, Isberg PE, Kristensen K, Wiberg-Itzel E, McGee T, Wiberg N. Proposed cutoff for fetal scalp blood lactate in intrapartum fetal surveillance based on neonatal outcomes: a large prospective observational study. BJOG 2021; 129:636-646. [PMID: 34555249 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.16924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Determination of lactate in fetal scalp blood (FBS) during labour has been recognised since the 1970s. The internationally accepted cutoff of >4.8 mmol/l indicating fetal acidosis is exclusive for the point-of-care device (POC) LactatePro™, which is no longer in production. The aim of this study was to establish a new cutoff for scalp lactate based on neonatal outcomes with the use of the StatstripLactate® /StatstripXpress® Lactate system, the only POC designed for hospital use. DESIGN Observational study. SETTING January 2016 to March 2020 labouring women with indication for FBS were prospectively included from seven Swedish and one Australian delivery unit. POPULATION Inclusion criteria: singleton pregnancy, vertex presentation, ≥35+0 weeks of gestation. METHOD Based on the optimal correlation between FBS lactate and cord pH/lactate, only cases with ≤25 minutes from FBS to delivery were included in the final calculations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Metabolic acidosis in cord blood defined as pH <7.05 plus BDecf >10 mmol/l and/or lactate >10 mmol/l. RESULTS A total of 3334 women were enrolled of whom 799 were delivered within 25 minutes. The areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves (AUC) and corresponding optimal cutoff values were as follows; metabolic acidosis AUC 0.87 (95% CI 0.77-0.97), cutoff 5.7 mmol/l; pH <7.0 AUC 0.83 (95% CI 0.68-0.97), cutoff 4.6 mmol/l; pH <7.05 plus BDecf ≥12 mmol/l AUC 0.97 (95% CI 0.92-1), cutoff 5.8 mmol/l; Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes AUC 0.74 (95% CI 0.63-0.86), cutoff 5.2 mmol/l; and pH <7.10 plus composite neonatal outcome AUC 0.76 (95% CI 0.67-0.85), cutoff 4.8 mmol/l. CONCLUSION A scalp lactate level <5.2 mmol/l using the StatstripLactate® /StatstripXpress® system will safely rule out fetal metabolic acidosis. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT Scalp blood lactate <5.2 mmol/l using the StatstripLactate® /StatstripXpress system has an excellent ability to rule out fetal acidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Iorizzo
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helsingborg Hospital, Helsingborg, Sweden
| | - Y Carlsson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Centre of Perinatal Medicine and Health, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - C Johansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ystad lasarett, Ystad, Sweden
| | - R Berggren
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - A Herbst
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Skåne University Hospital, Skåne, Sweden
| | - M Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - M Leiding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Skåne University Hospital, Skåne, Sweden
| | - P-E Isberg
- Department of Statistics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - K Kristensen
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia
| | - E Wiberg-Itzel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Söder Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute of Karolinska, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - T McGee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - N Wiberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ystad lasarett, Ystad, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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13
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Kristensen K, König HH, Hajek A. The empty nest, depressive symptoms and loneliness of older parents: Prospective findings from the German Ageing Survey. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2021; 95:104425. [PMID: 33979713 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2021.104425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to analyse the longitudinal association between the transition to an empty nest and depressive symptoms and loneliness, respectively. METHOD Longitudinal data was used from the German Ageing Survey, a representative sample of community-dwelling adults aged 40 and over. The indication of children living outside the respondent's household was defined as an empty nest. A 6-item version of the validated De Jong Gierveld Loneliness scale was used to assess perceived loneliness. The 15 item version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale was used to measure depressive symptoms. Fixed-effects regression analyses adjusted for time-varying socio-demographic and health-related variables were applied. RESULTS The unadjusted regression yielded that transitioning to an empty nest led to decreased loneliness in men (b = -0.05; p < 0.05) and increased depressive symptoms in women (b = 0.48; p = 0.05). However, when controlling for potential confounders, the transition was no longer associated with a change in loneliness or depressive symptom scores. CONCLUSION The empty nest is an expected phase of the family life cycle that most parents will experience. In this longitudinal study, this phase of the family life cycle was shown not to be associated with parents' psychosocial health in terms of loneliness and depressive symptoms. Our study suggests that the consequences of an empty nest have been overestimated in the past. Future longitudinal studies with panel regression models in different cultural settings are needed to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaja Kristensen
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Hans-Helmut König
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - André Hajek
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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14
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Kristensen K, Quitmann J, Witt S. Health-Related Quality of Life of Children and Adolescents With Congenital Hyperinsulinism - A Scoping Review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:784932. [PMID: 34925243 PMCID: PMC8678977 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.784932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite improvements in diagnosis and therapeutic advances in treatment, congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) remains a severe disease with high patient impairment. We aimed to review the literature on Health-related Quality of Life in children and adolescents with congenital hyperinsulinism and summarize the findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS For this scoping review, a literature search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science in May 2021. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for the selection of articles were defined a priori. RESULTS Two hundred and forty-five (245) articles were identified through the search and screened on the basis of title and abstract. The full texts of forty articles were then assessed. Finally, four articles (published 2012-2020) describing Health-related Quality of Life in children and adolescents with congenital hyperinsulinism were included. The study designs were heterogeneous and included cross-sectional observational studies (n=2), clinical trials (n =1), and case reports (n=1) with different sample sizes. Three studies were conducted in European countries and one in Japan. The results for Health-related Quality of Life revealed inconsistencies. CONCLUSION There are only a few studies looking at Health-related Quality of Life in children and adolescents with congenital hyperinsulinism. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of congenital hyperinsulinism on Health-related Quality of Life in children and adolescents, it is necessary to use both generic and condition-specific instruments to measure Health-related Quality of Life of young patients in larger samples, to collect longitudinal data, and to consider qualitative research approaches.
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15
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Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Objectives: A relationship between sleep and pain is well established. A better understanding of the mechanisms that link sleep and pain intensity is urgently needed to optimize pain management interventions. The objective of this systematic review was to identify, synthesize, and critically appraise studies that have investigated putative mediators on the path between sleep and pain intensity. Methods: A systematic search of 5 electronic bibliographic databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) was conducted. Eligible studies had to apply a formal test of mediation to variables on the path between a sleep variable and pain intensity or vice versa. All searches, data extraction and quality assessment were conducted by at least 2 independent reviewers. Results: The search yielded 2839 unique articles, 9 of which were eligible. Of 13 mediation analyses, 11 investigated pathways from a sleep variable to pain intensity. Putative mediators included affect/mood, depression and/or anxiety, attention to pain, pain helplessness, stress, fatigue, and physical activity. Two analyses investigated pathways from pain intensity to a sleep variable, examining the potentially mediating role of depressive symptoms and mood. Although evidence supported a mediating role for psychological and physiological aspects of emotional experiences and attentional processes, methodological limitations were common, including use of cross-sectional data and minimal adjustment for potential confounders. Discussion: A growing body of research is applying mediation analysis to elucidate mechanistic pathways between sleep and pain intensity. Currently sparse evidence would be illuminated by more intensively collected longitudinal data and improvements in analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Whibley
- Epidemiology Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition.,Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kratz Lab.,Department of Anesthesiology, Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Nourah AlKandari
- Epidemiology Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
| | - Kaja Kristensen
- Epidemiology Group, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition.,Faculty of Human and Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Max Barnish
- Evidence Synthesis and Modelling for Health Improvement (ESMI), Institute for Health Research, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter
| | | | - Katie L Druce
- Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
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16
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Ringgaard L, Melander F, Eliasen R, Henriksen JR, Jølck RI, Engel TB, Bak M, Fliedner FP, Kristensen K, Elema DR, Kjaer A, Hansen AE, Andresen TL. Tumor repolarization by an advanced liposomal drug delivery system provides a potent new approach for chemo-immunotherapy. Sci Adv 2020; 6:6/36/eaba5628. [PMID: 32917608 PMCID: PMC7473747 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba5628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment allow cancer cells to escape immune recognition and support cancer progression and dissemination. To improve therapeutic efficacy, we designed a liposomal oxaliplatin formulation (PCL8-U75) that elicits cytotoxic effects toward both cancer and immunosuppressive cells via protease-mediated, intratumoral liposome activation. The PCL8-U75 liposomes displayed superior therapeutic efficacy across all syngeneic cancer models in comparison to free-drug and liposomal controls. The PCL8-U75 depleted myeloid-derived suppressor cells and tumor-associated macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. The combination of improved cancer cell cytotoxicity and depletion of immunosuppressive populations of immune cells is attractive for combination with immune-activating therapy. Combining the PCL8-U75 liposomes with a TLR7 agonist induced immunological rejection of established tumors. This combination therapy increased intratumoral numbers of cancer antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells and Foxp3- T helper cells. These results are encouraging toward advancing liposomal drug delivery systems with anticancer and immune-modulating properties into clinical cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Ringgaard
- Department of Health Technology, Biotherapeutic Engineering and Drug Targeting, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - F Melander
- Department of Health Technology, Biotherapeutic Engineering and Drug Targeting, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - R Eliasen
- Department of Health Technology, Biotherapeutic Engineering and Drug Targeting, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - J R Henriksen
- Department of Health Technology, Biotherapeutic Engineering and Drug Targeting, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - R I Jølck
- Department of Health Technology, Biotherapeutic Engineering and Drug Targeting, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - T B Engel
- Department of Health Technology, Biotherapeutic Engineering and Drug Targeting, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - M Bak
- Department of Health Technology, Biotherapeutic Engineering and Drug Targeting, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - F P Fliedner
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - K Kristensen
- Department of Health Technology, Biotherapeutic Engineering and Drug Targeting, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - D R Elema
- The Hevesy Laboratory, Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - A Kjaer
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A E Hansen
- Department of Health Technology, Biotherapeutic Engineering and Drug Targeting, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - T L Andresen
- Department of Health Technology, Biotherapeutic Engineering and Drug Targeting, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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17
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Strauss R, Lorenz E, Kristensen K, Eibach D, Torres J, May J, Castro J. Investigating the utility of Google trends for Zika and Chikungunya surveillance in Venezuela. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:947. [PMID: 32546159 PMCID: PMC7298838 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09059-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chikungunya and Zika Virus are vector-borne diseases responsible for a substantial disease burden in the Americas. Between 2013 and 2016, no cases of Chikungunya or Zika Virus were reported by the Venezuelan Ministry of Health. However, peaks of undiagnosed fever cases have been observed during the same period. In the context of scarce data, alternative surveillance methods are needed. Assuming that unusual peaks of acute fever cases correspond to the incidences of both diseases, this study aims to evaluate the use of Google Trends as an indicator of the epidemic behavior of Chikungunya and Zika. METHODS Time-series cross-correlations of acute fever cases reported by the Venezuelan Ministry of Health and data on Google search queries related to Chikungunya and Zika were calculated. RESULTS A temporal distinction has been made so that acute febrile cases occurring between 25th of June 2014 and 23rd of April 2015 were attributed to the Chikungunya virus, while cases occurring between 30th of April 2015 and 29th of April 2016 were ascribed to the Zika virus. The highest cross-correlations for each disease were shown at a lag of 0 (r = 0.784) for Chikungunya and at + 1 (r = 0.754) for Zika. CONCLUSION The strong positive correlation between Google search queries and official data on acute febrile cases suggests that this resource can be used as an indicator of endemic urban arboviruses activity. In the Venezuelan context, Internet search queries might help to overcome some of the gaps that exist in the national surveillance system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Strauss
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Research Group Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Eva Lorenz
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Research Group Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - Kaja Kristensen
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Research Group Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Hamburg, Germany.,Faculty of Life Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, 21033, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Eibach
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Research Group Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jaime Torres
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Jürgen May
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Research Group Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julio Castro
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
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18
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Kristensen K, König HH, Hajek A. The association of multimorbidity, loneliness, social exclusion and network size: findings from the population-based German Ageing Survey. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:1383. [PMID: 31660910 PMCID: PMC6816194 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7741-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to examine the association between multimorbidity and (i) loneliness, (ii) social exclusion and (iii) network size, respectively. METHODS Cross-sectional data from a German representative sample of community-dwelling adults aged 40 and over was used (N = 7604). Multimorbidity was indicated with the presence of two or more diseases. Self-rated loneliness was assessed with a short form of the validated De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and social exclusion was measured with a validated scale developed by Bude and Lantermann. Counts of important people in regular contact represented the network size of respondents. RESULTS Multimorbidity was present in 68% of the sample. While controlling for potential confounders, multiple linear regression analysis yielded that multimorbidity was associated with increased loneliness (b = 0.08; p < 0.001) and increased social exclusion (b = 0.10; p < 0.01). Multimorbidity was also associated with an increased network size (b = 0.27; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION While there was an association between multimorbidity and increased social exclusion as well as increased loneliness, regressions also revealed an association between multimorbidity and an increased network size. Although the association between multimorbidity and our outcome measures is weak, its complex nature should be investigated further using a longitudinal approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaja Kristensen
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Hans-Helmut König
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - André Hajek
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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19
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Kristensen K, König HH, Hajek A. The longitudinal association of multimorbidity on loneliness and network size: Findings from a population-based study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2019; 34:1490-1497. [PMID: 31172559 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the onset of multimorbidity with loneliness and social network size longitudinally. METHODS Longitudinal data was used from the German Ageing Survey, a representative sample of adults aged 40 and over, residing in private households. The presence of two or more illnesses indicated multimorbidity. A 6-item version of the validated De Jong Gierveld Loneliness scale was used to assess perceived loneliness. The network size of respondents was represented by counts of important people in regular contact. Fixed-effects regressions adjusted for time-varying socio-demographic, life style, and health-related variables were used. RESULTS The regression analysis yielded, when controlling for possible confounders, that the onset of multimorbidity led to increased loneliness (β = .06, p < .001). However, the results revealed as well that the onset of multimorbidity was associated with an increased network size (β = .29, p < .001). CONCLUSION Results demonstrate a complex relationship of the variables examined. Efforts to target multimorbidity, eg, to postpone or prevent it, could be helpful to decrease loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaja Kristensen
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Helmut König
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - André Hajek
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Kristensen K, Jensen LN, Glasius M, Bilde M. The effect of sub-zero temperature on the formation and composition of secondary organic aerosol from ozonolysis of alpha-pinene. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2017; 19:1220-1234. [PMID: 28805852 DOI: 10.1039/c7em00231a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
This study presents a newly constructed temperature controlled cold-room smog chamber at Aarhus University, Denmark. The chamber is herein utilized to study the effect of sub-zero temperature on the formation and chemical composition of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from ozone initiated oxidation of α-pinene. The chemical composition of α-pinene SOA formed from dark ozonolysis of α-pinene at 293 K and 258 K was investigated using High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometry (HR-ToF-AMS) and Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray Ionization Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC/ESI-qToF-MS). For comparison, an OH-initiated oxidation experiment was performed at 293 K. In ozonolysis experiments it was found that oxygen-to-carbon (O : C) ratios were higher in the particles formed at 293 K compared to 258 K. A total of 16 different organic acids and 30 dimers esters were quantified in the collected particles composing up to 34% of the total α-pinene SOA mass with increased mass fraction of carboxylic acids in particles from α-pinene ozonolysis at 258 K compared to 293 K. In contrast, dimer esters showed suppressed formation at the sub-zero reaction temperature, thus contributing 3% to SOA mass at 258 K while contributing 9% at 293 K. SOA formed in the OH-initiated oxidation of α-pinene at 293 K resulted in low concentrations of dimer esters supporting Criegee intermediates as a possible pathway to dimer ester formation. Vapour pressure estimates of the identified carboxylic acids and dimer esters are presented and show how otherwise semi-volatile carboxylic acids at sufficiently low temperatures may classify as low or even extremely low volatile organic compounds (ELVOC), thus may add to an enhanced particle formation observed at the sub-zero temperature through gas-to-particle conversion. The change in chemical composition of the SOA particles with temperature is ascribed to a combination of effects: the decreased vapour pressures and hence increased condensation of carboxylic acids from the gas phase to the particle phase along with suppressed formation of the high molecular weight dimer esters and different gas and particle phase chemistry results in particles of different chemical composition as a consequence of low reaction temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kristensen
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C., Denmark.
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Kazankov K, Møller HJ, Lange A, Birkebaek NH, Holland-Fischer P, Solvig J, Hørlyck A, Kristensen K, Rittig S, Handberg A, Vilstrup H, Grønbaek H. The macrophage activation marker sCD163 is associated with changes in NAFLD and metabolic profile during lifestyle intervention in obese children. Pediatr Obes 2015; 10:226-33. [PMID: 25073966 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Revised: 05/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is associated with metabolic derangement and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Macrophages are involved in liver inflammation and fibrosis, and soluble (s)CD163 is a macrophage activation marker. OBJECTIVES To associate sCD163 with parameters of paediatric obesity and NAFLD, as well as changes in these parameters during lifestyle intervention. METHODS We studied 117 obese children during a 10-week lifestyle intervention; 71 completed the 12-month follow-up. We recorded clinical and biochemical data, and performed liver ultrasonography. RESULTS Baseline sCD163 was higher in children with elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) (2.3 ± 0.7 vs. 2.0 ± 0.6 mg L(-1), P = 0.03), steatosis (2.3 ± 0.7 vs. 2.0 ± 0.6 mg L(-1), P = 0.01) and high paediatric NAFLD fibrosis index (2.3 ± 0.7 vs. 1.9 ± 0.6 mg L(-1) , P = 0.03). Baseline sCD163 was independently associated with ALT, cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). The change in sCD163 during lifestyle intervention was associated with changes in ALT, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), hs-CRP and cholesterol, and inversely associated with the change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. CONCLUSION sCD163 was associated with markers of liver injury and metabolic parameters in obese children, and changes in these parameters during lifestyle intervention. This may suggest that activated macrophages play a role in NAFLD and sCD163 may serve as a marker of liver disease severity and treatment effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kazankov
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Basnet A, Butler S, Hartvig Honoré P, Butler M, Gordh T, Kristensen K, Bjerrum O. Promising effects of donepezil when added to patients treated with gabapentin for neuropathic pain. Scand J Pain 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sjpain.2013.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Aims
The clinical relevance of adding the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil to existing gabapentin treatment in patients with post-traumatic neuropathic pain was explored in this open-label study. The two drugs have previously shown synergism following co-administration in nerve-injured rats [1,2].
Methods
The study comprised two consecutive periods of minimum six weeks: (1) titration of gabapentin until highest tolerable dose or maximum 24GG mg daily; and (2) addition of donepezil 5 mg once daily to the fixed gabapentin dose. Efficacy and tolerability were assessed by ratings of pain intensity, questionnaires for pain and health-related quality of life, and reporting of adverse events and analgesic rescue medication. Pain scores were also analyzed using mixed-effects analysis (i.e. incorporating inter-subject variability) with the software NONMEM.
Results
Eight patients commenced treatment with donepezil upon the gabapentin titration period, of which two withdrew due to adverse events. Addition of donepezil reduced pain by >35% in four of six patients compared to gabapentin monotherapy. Mixed-effects analysis revealed that pain scores were significantly lower during co-administration (p < 0.05 combination vs. monotherapy). Donepezil was well tolerated in combination with gabapentin. At the end of study, three patients wished to continue combination therapy with gabapentin and donepezil.
Conclusions
Donepezil may provide additional analgesia to neuropathic pain patients with insufficient pain relief from gabapentin as monotherapy. Further confirmation in controlled clinical trials is justified. Mixed-effects analysis was sensitive enough to detect statistically significant effects, showing its usefulness in small-scale trials and/or when data is associated with high variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Basnet
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - S. Butler
- Multidisciplinary Pain Centre , Uppsala University Hospital , Uppsala , Sweden
| | - P. Hartvig Honoré
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - M. Butler
- Multidisciplinary Pain Centre , Uppsala University Hospital , Uppsala , Sweden
| | - T.E. Gordh
- Multidisciplinary Pain Centre , Uppsala University Hospital , Uppsala , Sweden
| | | | - O.J. Bjerrum
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark
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Sørensen HT, Steffensen FH, Ejlersen E, Møller-Petersen J, Kristensen K. Research in the Danish health service system: completeness and validity of prescription data, illustrated by analysis of utilization of oral anticoagulants. Int J Risk Saf Med 2013; 7:33-41. [PMID: 23511670 DOI: 10.3233/jrs-1995-7104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We studied the utilization of oral anticoagulants and the degree of completeness and validity of some key research variables from the Danish health service in the county of North Jutland (482 000 inhabitants), studying the records of 12 855 prescriptions of oral anticoagulants during 1991 and 1992. The utilization of oral anticoagulants showed an increase of 16% from 1991 to 1992, when 0.3% of all women and 0.4% of all men were treated during one year. The increase was less than expected based on newly introduced indications for treatment of atrial fibrillation. The following variables were studied: the name (ATC commodity number) and amount of the prescribed drug, the defined daily dose, the personal registration number of the patient, type of prescription (e.g. in writing or by telephone), number of repeat prescriptions, date of prescription issued by the doctor, the registration number of the GP or hospital department (if the prescription is made by a hospital doctor) and date of expedition from the pharmacy. The number of wrong and missing data was less than 1%. The study suggests that Danish prescription information is of such quality that it can be used for pharmacoepidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- H T Sørensen
- The Danish Epidemiology Science Centre, Aarhus University, Nørrebrogade 44, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark Department of Internal Medicine V, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Sorensen JS, Vaziri-Sani F, Maziarz M, Kristensen K, Ellerman A, Breslow N, Lernmark Å, Pociot F, Brorsson C, Birkebaek NH. Islet autoantibodies and residual beta cell function in type 1 diabetes children followed for 3-6 years. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2012; 96:204-10. [PMID: 22251574 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2011.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Revised: 12/08/2011] [Accepted: 12/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To test if islet autoantibodies at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and after 3-6 years with T1D predict residual beta-cell function (RBF) after 3-6 years with T1D. METHODS T1D children (n=260, median age at diagnosis 9.4, range 0.9-14.7 years) were tested for GAD65, IA-2, ZnT8R, ZnT8W and ZnT8Q autoantibodies (A) at diagnosis, and 3-6 years after diagnosis when also fasting and stimulated RBF were determined. RESULTS For every 1-year increase in age at diagnosis of TID, the odds of detectable C-peptide increased 1.21 (1.09, 1.34) times for fasting C-peptide and 1.28 (1.15, 1.42) times for stimulated C-peptide. Based on a linear model for subjects with no change in IA-2A levels, the odds of detectable C-peptide were 35% higher than for subjects whose IA-2A levels decreased by half (OR=1.35 (1.09, 1.67), p=0.006); similarly for ZnT8WA (OR=1.39 (1.09, 1.77), p=0.008) and ZnT8QA (OR=1.55 (1.06, 2.26) p=0.024). Such relationship was not detected for GADA or ZnT8RA. All OR adjusted for confounders. CONCLUSIONS Age at diagnosis with T1D was the major predictor of detectable C-peptide 3-6 years post-diagnosis. Decreases in IA-2A, and possibly ZnT8A, levels between diagnosis and post-diagnosis were associated with a reduction in RBF post-diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Sorensen
- Department of Pediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
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Andresen LC, Nothlev J, Kristensen K, Navntoft S, Johnsen I. The wild flora biodiversity in pesticide free bufferzones along old hedgerows. J Environ Biol 2012; 33:565-572. [PMID: 23029904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The natural field margin ecotone from the field border and into a cropped field hosts a diversity of plant species. In conventional cropped fields, biodiversity suffers from fertilizer and pesticide application. In our study at Danish conventional spring-barley fields, we laid out bufferzones with no pesticide application spraying after sowing, with the widths: 24, 12, 6 and 4 m (and control) to the field edge hedgerow. Through one season: plant species number, biodiversity and evenness for each bufferzone at the distances: 18, 9, 5, 2 and 0 m from the hedgerow were significantly affected by distance to the hedge and by width of bufferzone. The bufferzones affected: species number (total of 92 weed species), species diversity (1.27 to 0.44) and species evenness index (0.63 to 0.87), and revealed that the bufferzone of 24 m gave the largest improvementof the field margin for plants. Decreasing the bufferzone widths provided smaller biodiversity and larger evenness of plants at distances larger than the buffer width: the distance at which diversity (Shannons) was reduced by half the difference between hedge- and field diversity was 1.2, 3.1, 6.7, 10.8 and 10.9 m in bufferwidth treatments of 0, 4, 6, 12 and 24 m; likewise, the half-way distance for Smiths and Wilsons evenness index was 1.2, 1.7, 5.4, 14.0 and 30.2 m in the bufferwidth treatments of 0, 4, 6,12 and 24 m. Based on modelled diversity and evenness indexes a positive effect of buffer was evident from 6 m bufferzone. The average diversity over the distances from 0 to 18 m was 0.66, 0.75, 0.98, 1.14 and 1.11 in bufferwidth treatments of 0, 4, 6, 12 and 24 m and the average evenness over the distances from 0 to 18 m was 0.82, 0.80, 0.74, 0.66 and 0.63, in bufferwidth treatments of 0, 4, 6, 12 and 24 m. Furthermore, the accumulated number of species revealed that a bufferzone width of at least 6 m was needed to significantly increase the species richness at all distances between 2 and 18 m. At 18 m distance, the accumulated number of species was 37.1, 39.7, 41.2, 42.4 and 42.7 in bufferwidth treatments of 0, 4, 6, 12 and 24 m.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Andresen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Skovgård H, Kristensen K, Hald B. Retention of Campylobacter (Campylobacterales: Campylobacteraceae) in the house fly (Diptera: Muscidae). J Med Entomol 2011; 48:1202-1209. [PMID: 22238880 DOI: 10.1603/me11061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The house fly (Musca domestica L.) may transmit Campylobacter to broiler flocks. We assessed the retention time of house flies for Campylobacter jejuni at five temperatures and three doses. Flies were inoculated individually at their proboscis with 1.6 x 10(7) CFU (colony forming units) of C. jejuni and incubated at 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 degrees C. Furthermore, a dose experiment was conducted at 25 degrees C where individual flies were inoculated in three series: 6.5 x 10(6), 6.0 x 10(4), and 8.2 x 10(2) C.jejuni CFU. Whole flies were tested for C. jejuni carriage at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h by initial preenrichment in Bolton broth, which afterwards was streaked on modified mCCDA agar plates and incubated under micro-aerobic conditions. The results showed that the time C. jejuni remained in flies declined over time with ascending temperatures and when reducing the inoculation dose. All flies stayed Campylobacter positive 24 h postinoculation at 15 degrees C whereas only one-third of the flies were positive at 20 degrees C and few to none at 25, 30, and 35 degrees C. When combinations of temperature and retention time were expressed as accumulated day-degrees, data could be adequately fitted using a generalized linear mixed model that included a linear effect of day-degrees and the difference between the lowest and the two highest doses. Based on model predictions of selected combinations of temperature and dose, the time for 50% and 1% of flies containing Campylobacter was calculated. It is suggested that house flies are mainly short distance carriers of C. jejuni.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Skovgård
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Agroecology, University of Aarhus, Forsøgsvej 1, DK-4200 Slagelse, Denmark.
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Abstract
Background: Tau protein has been proposed as biomarker of axonal damage leading to irreversible neurological impairment in MS. CSF concentrations may be useful when determining risk of progression from ON to MS. Objective: To investigate the association between tau protein concentration and 14-3-3 protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with monosymptomatic optic neuritis (ON) versus patients with monosymptomatic onset who progressed to multiple sclerosis (MS). To evaluate results against data found in a complete literature review. Methods: A total of 66 patients with MS and/or ON from the Department of Neurology of Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, were included. CSF samples were analysed for tau protein and 14-3-3 protein, and clinical and paraclinical information was obtained from medical records. Results: The study shows a significantly increased concentration of tau protein in CSF from patients with relapsing–remitting MS and patients monosymptomatic at onset who progressed to MS, but interestingly no increased tau protein concentration in monosymptomatic ON. The concentration of tau protein was significantly correlated to Expanded Disability Status Scale score. No 14-3-3 protein was detected in any CSF sample. Conclusions: The results of this study invite further exploration of the possible role of tau protein as a prognostic factor to predict progression from ON to MS in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Frederiksen
- Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - K Kristensen
- Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - JMC Bahl
- Department of Autoimmunity and Clinical Biochemistry, Statens Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M Christiansen
- Department of Autoimmunity and Clinical Biochemistry, Statens Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Bojesen A, Birkebæk N, Kristensen K, Heickendorff L, Mosekilde L, Christiansen JS, Gravholt CH. Bone mineral density in Klinefelter syndrome is reduced and primarily determined by muscle strength and resorptive markers, but not directly by testosterone. Osteoporos Int 2011; 22:1441-50. [PMID: 20658127 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-010-1354-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2010] [Accepted: 07/02/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY Klinefelter syndrome (KS) patients have lower bone mineral density (BMD) at the spine, hip and forearm compared to healthy subjects, but frank osteoporosis is not common. Muscle strength and bone markers predicted BMD but KS itself and serum testosterone did not. Low vitamin D and high PTH were frequent among KS. INTRODUCTION The long-term consequence of KS on bone health is not well described. The objective of this study is to investigate the regional BMD and its determinants in KS. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study. BMD at the spine, hip and forearm are measured by DXA and correlated to biochemical markers of bone turnover, vitamin D metabolites, PTH, sex hormones, growth factors as well as muscle strength and anthropometric measures. The setting is at a university clinical research centre. The study involves 70 adult KS patients and 71 age-matched healthy subjects. RESULTS In KS, BMD was universally lowered in all regions. Markers of bone formation or bone resorption were not altered in KS, but 25-OH-Dvitamin was lower (55 vs. 82 nmol/L, p < 0.0001) than in healthy subjects. Significantly more KS patients had low BMD (Z-scores below -2) at the forearm (15 KS vs. two healthy subjects, p = 0.001) but not at the spine or hip. Muscle strength (bicep and quadriceps) was lower among KS patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that muscle strength, treatment with testosterone (ever/never), age at diagnosis, SHBG, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and 1CTP were all independent predictors of BMD, but androgens was not. CONCLUSIONS KS patients had lower BMD at the spine, hip and forearm compared to age-matched healthy subjects, but frank osteoporosis was not common. Muscle strength, previous history of testosterone treatment, age at diagnosis and bone markers were predictors of BMD, but testosterone was not. Signs of secondary hyperparathyroidism were present among KS. Dietary intake of vitamin D or sun exposure may be lower in KS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bojesen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Vejle Hospital, DK-7100 Vejle, Denmark
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Birkebaek NH, Lange A, Holland-Fischer P, Kristensen K, Rittig S, Vilstrup H, Handberg A, Gronbaek H. Effect of weight reduction on insulin sensitivity, sex hormone-binding globulin, sex hormones and gonadotrophins in obese children. Eur J Endocrinol 2010; 163:895-900. [PMID: 20829367 DOI: 10.1530/eje-10-0538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Obesity in men is associated with reduced insulin sensitivity and hypoandrogenism, while obesity in women is associated with reduced insulin sensitivity and hyperandrogenism. In children, the effect of obesity and weight reduction on the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis is rarely investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of weight reduction in obese Caucasian children on insulin sensitivity, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), DHEAS and the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. METHODS One hundred and sixteen (65 females) obese children with a median age of 12.3 (7-15) years were examined before and after a 10-week stay at a weight loss camp. Examination included anthropometry and fasting blood samples measuring plasma glucose, serum insulin, SHBG, DHEAS, testosterone, 17β-oestradiol, FSH and LH. RESULTS Body mass index (BMI) decreased (P<0.01), insulin sensitivity and SHBG increased (P<0.01), independent of gender and puberty. The changes in insulin sensitivity and the changes in SHBG correlated significantly (P<0.01) independent of gender, puberty and the changes in BMI. Testosterone increased in boys (P<0.01) and tended to decrease in girls (P=0.05, in girls after menarche (P=0.03)). FSH increased in boys and girls. LH increased in boys and was unchanged in girls. CONCLUSIONS During weight loss, insulin sensitivity and SHBG increased significantly in obese children, and the changes in insulin sensitivity and the changes in SHBG correlated significantly independent of gender, puberty and the changes in BMI. There was sexual dimorphism in the changes of testosterone, with the changes in boys towards increased virilisation and the changes in girls towards less virilisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- N H Birkebaek
- Department of Paediatric, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, DK-8200 Aarhus, Denmark.
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Frederiksen J, Kristensen K, Christiansen M. FP17-TU-02 Tau protein is a prognostic factor for developing multiple sclerosis in optic neuritis. J Neurol Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s0022-510x(09)70351-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Kristensen K, Stensballe LG, Bjerre J, Roth D, Fisker N, Kongstad T, Svendsen AL, Nielsen BW. Risk factors for respiratory syncytial virus hospitalisation in children with heart disease. Arch Dis Child 2009; 94:785-9. [PMID: 19541682 DOI: 10.1136/adc.2008.143057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the risk and risk factors for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalisation and determinants of the severity of RSV disease in children with heart disease. METHODS By using a database on RSV tests in Denmark all children with RSV diagnosed with heart disease in Denmark from January 1996 to April 2003 were identified. For each case child one control child matched for age and centre was drawn from the population of children with heart disease. Clinical information was obtained through a review of all records. RESULTS Data were obtained on 313 pairs. Median age at admission was 280 days (range 15-2379). In the multivariate analysis predictors of RSV hospitalisation were Down syndrome (odds ratio (OR) 3.24, 95% CI 1.80 to 5.80), cardiomyopathy (OR 5.84, 95% CI 1.26 to 27.16) and haemodynamically significant heart disease (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.26). During RSV hospitalisation predictors of the need for respiratory support (supplemental oxygen, nasal continuous positive airway pressure or mechanical ventilation) were young age (relative risk (RR) 0.47, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.67 per additional year of age) and cardiac decompensation (RR 1.81, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.23). The incidence rate of RSV hospitalisation among children with any heart disease aged 0-23 months was 5.65 per 100 child-years. CONCLUSION In children with heart disease risk factors for RSV admission are Down syndrome, cardiomyopathy and haemodynamically significant heart disease. Young age and cardiac decompensation are associated with a more severe course of RSV disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kristensen
- Paediatric Clinic 2, National University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Kristensen K, Lindström V, Schmidt C, Blirup-Jensen S, Grubb A, Wide-Swensson D, Strevens H. Temporal changes of the plasma levels of cystatin C, β‐trace protein, β2‐microglobulin, urate and creatinine during pregnancy indicate continuous alterations in the renal filtration process. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 2009; 67:612-8. [PMID: 17852800 DOI: 10.1080/00365510701203488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the plasma levels of the renal functional markers creatinine, urate, cystatin C, beta2-microglobulin and beta-trace protein in samples from the first, second, early third and late third trimesters of 398 healthy women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS Plasma samples from 58 healthy non-pregnant women served as controls. The creatinine levels were significantly lower at all time-points in pregnancy, whereas the urate levels were lower during the first and second trimesters but increased in the late third trimester. The cystatin C, beta2-microglobulin and beta-trace protein levels displayed similar changes with increased levels in the third trimester but unaltered levels during the first and second trimesters. RESULTS The results indicate an increased filtration of low-molecular weight molecules during pregnancy, particularly during the first and second trimesters, whereas filtration of 10-30 kDa molecules is decreased in the third but unaltered in the first and second trimesters. The levels of albumin and alph2-macroglobulin were measured in the same samples. CONCLUSIONS The albumin levels decreased in the second and third trimesters, whereas the levels of chi2-macroglobulin were unchanged, which is compatible with a virtually unaltered transfer of chi2-macroglobulin between the intra- and extravascular space during pregnancy and a significantly increased extravascular fraction of albumin.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kristensen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
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Kristensen K, Strevens H, Lindström V, Grubb A, Wide‐Swensson D. Increased plasma levels of ß2‐microglobulin, cystatin C and ß‐trace protein in term pregnancy are not due to utero‐placental production. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 2009; 68:649-53. [DOI: 10.1080/00365510802007804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Kristensen K, Wide-Swensson D, Lindström V, Schmidt C, Grubb A, Strevens H. Serum Amyloid A Protein and C-Reactive Protein in Normal Pregnancy and Preeclampsia. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2009; 67:275-80. [DOI: 10.1159/000214081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2008] [Accepted: 05/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Andersen NH, Bojesen A, Kristensen K, Birkebaek NH, Fedder J, Bennett P, Christiansen JS, Gravholt CH. Left ventricular dysfunction in Klinefelter syndrome is associated to insulin resistance, abdominal adiposity and hypogonadism. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2008; 69:785-91. [PMID: 18248650 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2008.03211.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Epidemiological data suggest there is an increased risk of dying from heart disease among patients with Klinefelter syndrome (KS). Due to high prevalence of hypogonadism and metabolic syndrome, we speculated that patients with KS may have subclinical changes in the left ventricular function. Therefore, the aim was to assess left ventricular long axis function by tissue Doppler echocardiography in patients with KS and relate these findings to the metabolic status and testosterone levels. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. Out-patient clinic. PATIENTS We investigated 25 unselected patients with KS, recruited from endocrine and fertility clinics. Twenty-five age-matched males served as controls. MEASUREMENTS Left ventricular systolic long axis function (velocities and strain rate) assessed by tissue Doppler echocardiography related to free testosterone, fasting values of plasma glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-index, cholesterol and triglycerides in addition to dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan derived assessment of truncal body fat. RESULTS The long axis function was significantly reduced in patients with KS (peak systolic velocities 4.4 +/- 1.3 vs. 5.3 +/- 1.0 cm/s, P < 0.01 and strain rate -1.3 +/- 0.3 vs.-1.6 +/- 0.3 s(-1), P < 0.01). However, the ventricular dysfunction was mainly attributed KS patients with metabolic syndrome. The peak systolic velocities were significantly correlated to truncal body fat (r = -0.72, P < 0.01) and free testosterone (r = 0.63, P < 0.01), but uncorrelated to plasma glucose, insulin and HOMA-index. CONCLUSION Systolic long axis function is decreased in patients with KS and metabolic syndrome. The decrease in myocardial systolic function was significantly related to truncal body fat and hypogonadism, but not correlated to insulin sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- N H Andersen
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark.
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Kristensen K, Wide-Swensson D, Schmidt C, Blirup-Jensen S, Lindström V, Strevens H, Grubb A. Cystatin C, β-2-microglobulin and β-trace protein in pre-eclampsia. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2007; 86:921-6. [PMID: 17653875 DOI: 10.1080/00016340701318133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An altered renal function is an essential component of the patho-physiology of pre-eclampsia. The plasma levels of low molecular mass proteins, e.g. beta-trace protein, beta-2-microglobulin and cystatin C, are increased in the third trimester of normal pregnancy. The plasma levels of cystatin C and beta-2-microglobulin are further increased in pre-eclampsia, and the cystatin C level has been reported to be a reliable marker for the disease. The aim of this investigation was to study the plasma levels of beta-trace protein, beta-2-microglobulin and cystatin C in pre-eclampsia, and to determine the diagnostic performance of these proteins compared to that of urate and creatinine. METHODS A case-control study of 57 women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, and 218 healthy women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies in the third trimester. Women in the catchment area of Lund, Sweden, were included during an 18-month period from October 2003 to April 2005. Venous blood samples were drawn upon inclusion when diagnosis was made. The maternal plasma concentrations of the 3 proteins were analysed by automated particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assays. RESULTS The plasma levels of the 3 proteins were significantly higher in the third trimester of pre-eclamptic patients compared to healthy pregnant women in the third trimester. The upper reference limits (parametric 97.5 percentile) were 2.57 mg/l for beta-2-microglobulin, 0.72 mg/l for beta-trace protein and 1.37 mg/l for cystatin C. ROC analysis showed similar diagnostic performance for the 3 proteins, with beta-trace protein displaying the best diagnostic performance of all the analytes. CONCLUSIONS In this study, the maternal plasma levels of beta2-microglobulin, beta-trace protein and cystatin C were all significantly elevated in pre-eclampsia compared to those of healthy pregnant women, and displayed similar diagnostic performance for diagnosing pre-eclampsia. The results indicate that low molecular mass proteins are useful as markers of renal impairment in pre-eclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kristensen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
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Lindquist SG, Kirchhoff M, Lundsteen C, Pedersen W, Erichsen G, Kristensen K, Lillquist K, Smedegaard HH, Skov L, Tommerup N, Brøndum-Nielsen K. Further delineation of the 22q13 deletion syndrome. Clin Dysmorphol 2005; 14:55-60. [PMID: 15770125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
A chromosomal deletion syndrome associated with a 22q13 microdeletion has previously been reported in approximately 75 children. We report six cases from Denmark with a deletion of 22q13. One was cytogenetically visible by conventional karyotyping, one was diagnosed by high resolution karyotyping after the demonstration of low arylsulfatase A activity. Two were diagnosed by high resolution CGH analysis, one was diagnosed by multisubtelomeric FISH analysis and one was diagnosed serendipitously as lack of the control signal in a FISH analysis for 22q11 deletion. One of the cases was a mosaic with 16% of cells showing two signals. The phenotype of the children included: generalized developmental delay, compromised language development, hypotonia, normal or accelerated growth and minor facial dysmorphism. Other features were partial agenesis of the corpus callosum, bilateral ureteropelvic stricture, gastroesophageal reflux and hearing loss. One case had a different phenotype, and showed a deletion as well as a duplication. The extent of the deletion was studied by quantitative PCR analysis of a number of DNA markers in the 22q13 region. The deletions varied in size, extending from 4.0 to 9.0 Mb. The clinical phenotype seemed rather similar although some specific features might be attributable to differences in deletions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Lindquist
- The John F. Kennedy Institute, Glostrup, Denmark Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark Department of Pediatrics, Gentofte County Hospital, Gentofte, Denmark Department of Pediatrics, Herning Hospital, Herning, Denmark Department of Pediatrics, Vendsyssel Hospital, Hjørring, Denmark Department of Pediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark Department of Pediatrics, Glostrup County Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Genetics, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Pedersen SB, Nyholm B, Kristensen K, Nielsen MF, Schmitz O, Richelsen B. Increased adiposity and reduced adipose tissue mRNA expression of uncoupling protein-2 in first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients: evidence for insulin stimulation of UCP-2 and UCP-3 gene expression in adipose tissue. Diabetes Obes Metab 2005; 7:98-105. [PMID: 15642081 DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-1326.2005.00365.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCP-2 and UCP-3), which have been suggested to be involved in the development of obesity by controlling the energy expenditure (EE), were studied in 22 healthy first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with type 2 diabetes and 13 body mass index (BMI)- and age-matched healthy control subjects. Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were obtained before and after 150-min hyperinsulinaemic clamp (average serum insulin 250 pM). Basal adipose tissue UCP-2 mRNA levels in the FDR group were significantly lower than that in the control group. After the hyperinsulinaemic clamp, adipose tissue UCP-2 mRNA levels were increased by 32% in the control group (p < 0.05) and 32% in the FDR group (p < 0.05). The basal adipose tissue UCP-3 mRNA level was similar in the two groups and increased in both the groups during hyperinsulinaemia (p < 0.001). Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry showed that despite similar BMI the FDR group had significantly higher fat mass (FM) per cent compared to that of the control group (p < 0.01). The UCP-2 mRNA expression was inversely correlated with the amount of adipose tissue (r = -0.53, p < 0.001), and multiple regression analysis revealed that only the amount of FM was independently correlated with basal UCP-2 mRNA levels, whereas age, gender nor family history of type 2 diabetes contributed independently to the variation in UCP-2 mRNA levels. No differences in EE were observed between the two groups, and no association between EE and UCP mRNA expression was found. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that adipose tissue UCP-2 and UCP-3 mRNA levels are significantly increased during a 150-min hyperinsulinaemic clamp. The UCP-2 mRNA levels were expressed at a significantly lower level FDR to type 2 diabetes compared to control subjects. However, in multiple regression analysis controlling for amount of adipose tissue, the difference between the two groups disappeared. Thus, only the amount of adipose tissue contributed independently to the variation in UCP-2 mRNA expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Pedersen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Aarhus Amtssygehus, Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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Pedersen O, Herskind AM, Kamper J, Nielsen JP, Kristensen K. Rehospitalization for respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants with extremely low gestational age or birthweight in Denmark. Acta Paediatr 2003; 92:240-2. [PMID: 12710653 DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2003.tb00533.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM To determine the risk of rehospitalization for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection during the first 2 y of life in extremely preterm infants. METHODS Records on all rehospitalizations during the first 2 living years of all infants born with gestational age <28 wk or birthweight <1,000g during 1994 and 1995 in Denmark were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS Among 240 eligible infants, 43 (18%) had been rehospitalized 48 times owing to RSV. In infants (n = 210) without CLD the risk of rehospitalization for RSV was 16%, whereas in infants with CLD (n = 30) it was 30% (p = 0.065). Eighteen infants (38%) required respiratory support (supplemental oxygen only 3, continuous positive airway pressure 14, mechanical ventilation 1). Apart from CLD the only factor that could be associated with increased risk of hospitalization for RSV was discharge during autumn (p = 0.05). No infant died from RSV infection. CONCLUSION The high rate of rehospitalization for RSV in extremely preterm infants in Denmark, especially in infants with CLD, should lead to considerations concerning more widespread use of prophylaxis against RSV in these infants.
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Pedersen SB, Bruun JM, Kristensen K, Richelsen B. Regulation of UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 mRNA expression in brown adipose tissue, white adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle in rats by estrogen. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2001; 288:191-7. [PMID: 11594772 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.2001.5763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The effects of ovariectomy (OVX) and estrogen substitution on body weight, body composition, food intake, weight gain, and expression of uncoupling proteins (UCPs) in brown adipose tissue (BAT), white adipose tissue (WAT), and skeletal muscle were studied in four groups of rats: (1) Sham-operated rats (N = 8), (2) ovariectomized rats (OVX - E) (N = 8), (3) estrogen-treated OVX rats (OVX + E) (N = 8), and (4) OVX rats on energy restriction (OVX - E + D) (N = 8). OVX was associated with an increase in food intake and body weight gain during a 5-week study period compared to sham-operated rats. The estrogen-substituted rats had a significantly lower food intake and weight gain during the 5 weeks compared to the sham-operated group. However, we also included a nontreated OVX group that was allowed to eat only enough chow to match the weight gain of the sham-operated group. To match the weight gain in the two groups, the OVX group had to consume 16% less chow than the sham-operated group. In BAT, the UCP1 expression was significantly lower in estrogen-deficient rats compared to either intact rats or estrogen-substituted rats, whereas UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA expression was similar in BAT from all four groups. In WAT, both estrogen-deficient groups had significantly lower UCP2 mRNA expression compared to the control rats and estrogen-treated rats; In contrast, the UCP3 mRNA expression in WAT was similar in all four groups. Finally, in skeletal muscle the OVX group on mild energy restriction had reduced UCP3 mRNA expression compared to control, OVX, and estrogen-treated rats. In contrast, the UCP2 mRNA expression in skeletal muscle was similar in all four groups. Thus, the findings that estrogen deficiency is followed by reduced UCP1 expression in BAT and reduced UCP2 expression in WAT in association with weight gain probably caused by a decrease in energy expenditure might indicate that UCPs play a role for the estrogen-mediated changes in body weight and energy expenditure.
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Pedersen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism C, Aarhus Amtssygehus, Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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Pedersen SB, Bruun JM, Hube F, Kristensen K, Hauner H, Richelsen B. Demonstration of estrogen receptor subtypes alpha and beta in human adipose tissue: influences of adipose cell differentiation and fat depot localization. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2001; 182:27-37. [PMID: 11500236 DOI: 10.1016/s0303-7207(01)00557-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
A novel ER-subtype, the ER-beta has recently been characterized in various tissues, furthermore five isoforms of the ER-beta are known (ER-beta1--ER-beta5). Using immunoblotting and real- time RT-PCR, ER-alpha and beta were studied in human adipose tissue. The expression of ER-alpha mRNA was equal in subcutaneous gluteal adipose tissue, subcutaneous abdominal and intra-abdominal adipose tissue, similar findings were obtained at the protein level. In contrast the amount of ER-beta1 (protein and mRNA) was significantly lower in intra-abdominal adipose tissue as compared with the subcutaneous adipose tissue (five-fold lower in women, P<0.005 and three-fold lower in men, P<0.005) whereas the expression of ER-beta4 and -beta5 mRNA isoforms were significantly higher in gluteal adipose tissue compared to subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue. No significant gender differences in ER expression was detected in any of the fat depots investigated. During adipocyte differentiation the expression of ER-alpha, -beta4 and -beta5 mRNA declined, whereas, the expression of ER-beta1 mRNA was constant. In conclusion, the existence of ER-beta isoforms in human adipose tissue was demonstrated and the amount of these receptors was dependent upon fat depot localization, with much reduced expression of ER-beta1 in intra-abdominal adipose tissue compared to subcutaneous adipose tissue. These findings may indicate that estrogens could have differentiation and depot specific effects in human adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Pedersen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Aarhus Amtssygehus, Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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Petersen SO, Kristensen K, Eriksen J. Denitrification losses from outdoor piglet production: spatial and temporal variability. J Environ Qual 2001; 30:1051-1058. [PMID: 11401252 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2001.3031051x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Animal welfare considerations have stimulated the development of outdoor piglet (Sus scrofa) production systems, but the high levels of nutrients excreted suggest that nutrient losses from this system may be high. This study first described the spatial distribution of denitrification activity in a 5- x 5-m grid within and outside a paddock immediately after the sows (32 sows ha(-1) for 6 mo) were removed in October 1997, and again the following March. Denitrification rates averaged 0.01 kg N ha(-1) d(-1) outside, and 0.5 kg N ha(-1) d(-1) inside the paddock in October, while the corresponding figures in March were 0.01 and 0.1 kg N ha(-1) d(-1). The highest denitrification rates were observed around the feeder, and this was also the case for concentrations of dissolved organic C and inorganic N in the soil. A statistical model that included both soil parameters and distance to feeder and huts gave the best description of the variability, but there was no significant autocorrelation between sampling points. In a second phase, seasonal variation of denitrification activity within a paddock (12 sows ha(-1) yr(-1)) was quantified; 10 soil cores were sampled along a transect 11 times between March 1998 and February 1999. There was a significant positive effect of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on denitrification at <25% gravimetric soil moisture (i.e., to November in this study). Both climate and management (position of huts and feeder) appeared to influence denitrification, which was estimated to be 69 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1), or 11% of the N surplus of this production system.
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Affiliation(s)
- S O Petersen
- Dep of Crop Physiology and Soil Science, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Tjele.
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Fisker S, Kristensen K, Rosenfalck AM, Pedersen SB, Ebdrup L, Richelsen B, Hilsted J, Christiansen JS, Jørgensen JO. Gene expression of a truncated and the full-length growth hormone (GH) receptor in subcutaneous fat and skeletal muscle in GH-deficient adults: impact of GH treatment. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001; 86:792-6. [PMID: 11158048 DOI: 10.1210/jcem.86.2.7250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In humans at least two GH receptors are significantly expressed. One is the full-length receptor (GHR); the other is a truncated form (GHRtr), that lacks most of the intracellular domain. This receptor may inhibit the action of the full-length receptor. Circulating GH-binding protein (GHBP) is a proteolytically cleaved product from both of these receptors. The clinical relevance of the different receptor types is unknown. We examined the gene expression of GHR and GHRtr in human adipose tissue and skeletal muscle and the influence of GH treatment on this expression. Furthermore, we studied the relationship of circulating GHBP and body composition to GHR and GHRtr gene expression. Eleven adult GH-deficient patients were studied before and after 4 months of GH substitution therapy. Abdominal fat obtained by liposuction and femoral muscle biopsies were taken at baseline and after 4 months. Gene expression of GHR and GHRtr in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle was determined and expressed relative to the expression of beta-actin. Gene expression of GHR in abdominal sc adipose tissue was not altered, whereas the expression of GHRtr increased significantly. In skeletal muscle inverse changes were seen in the expression of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels for the two GH receptor forms: expression of GHR increased significantly, whereas mRNA levels for GHRtr decreased. As expected, body composition changed with reduction of body fat mass after 4 months of GH treatment. Levels of circulating GHBP decreased significantly. We conclude that GH treatment in GH-deficient adults changes the expression of mRNA for GHR and GHRtr in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Whether these changes are responsible for the observed changes in body composition in response to GH treatment and the observed changes in levels of circulating GHBP, however, needs further elucidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Fisker
- Medical Department M (Endocrinology and Diabetes), Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8000 Aarhus.
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Pedersen SB, Kristensen K, Bruun JM, Flyvbjerg A, Vinter-Jensen L, Richelsen B. Systemic administration of epidermal growth factor increases UCP3 mRNA levels in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in rats. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2000; 279:914-9. [PMID: 11162449 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.2000.4022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We have previously reported that systemic epidermal growth factor (EGF) treatment in rats reduces the amount of adipose tissue despite an unaltered food intake. The mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCP2 and UCP3) are thought to uncouple the respiratory chain and thus to increase energy expenditure. In order to find out whether the UCP system was involved in the EGF-induced weight loss, the effects of EGF on UCP2 and UCP3 in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle were investigated in the present study. Eight rats were treated with placebo or EGF (150 microg/kg/day) for seven days via mini-osmotic pumps. The EGF-treated rats gained significantly less body weight during the study period than the placebo-treated animals and had significantly less adipose tissue despite a similar food intake. The placebo group and the EGF group had similar UCP2 mRNA expression (in both adipose tissue and skeletal muscle), whereas the EGF-treated group compared to the placebo group had significantly higher UCP3 mRNA expression in both skeletal muscle (3.76 +/- 0.90 vs 8.41 +/- 0.87, P < 0.05) and in adipose tissue (6.38 +/- 0.71 vs 12.48 +/- 1.79, P < 0.05). In vitro studies with adipose tissue fragments indicated that the EGF effect probably is mediated indirectly as incubations with EGF (10 microM) were unable to affect adipose tissue UCP expression, whereas incubations with bromopalmitate stimulated both UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA expression twofold. Thus, EGF treatment in vivo was found to enhance UCP3 mRNA expression in both adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, which may indicate that the EGF effect on body composition might involve up-regulation of UCP3 in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Pedersen
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus Kommunehospital, Aarhus C, DK-8000, Denmark.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the associations between sex hormones and leptin. In addition, to investigate the direct effect of sex hormones by incubations of human subcutaneous adipose tissue explants, in vitro. DESIGN Cross-sectional study and an experimental in vitro study. SUBJECTS 36 women (age, 23-65 y; body mass index, BMI, 19-65 kg/m2) participated in the cross-sectional study. Subcutaneous abdominal biopsies were taken from nine women (age, 28 - 46 y; BMI, 25.5-36.0 kg/m2) for the in vitro study. MEASUREMENTS Fat distribution parameters (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and anthropometry), sex hormones, leptin and insulin. RESULTS Leptin correlated significantly with most estimates of adipose tissue mass (r= 0.5 - 0.9, P< 0.05). However, when the study group was divided in three equal groups (non-obese, obese, and very-obese) it revealed that the correlation predominantly was found in non-obese. In simple correlation analysis leptin was significantly associated with estimates of adipose tissue, insulin and several sex hormones. However, in multiple regression analysis only insulin (partial correlation coefficient = 0.55, P < 0.004) and percentage fat mass (partial correlation coefficient = 0.72, P<0.001) were significantly and independently correlated with leptin without any independent effect of sex hormones. These findings were in agreement with the in vitro studies where neither estrogen nor androgens (testosterone or DHT) affected subcutaneous adipose tissue leptin production. Dexamethasone (10nM) stimulated adipose tissue leptin production 3-fold (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION In regression analysis, where both insulin and measurements of fat mass were taken into account, androgens or estrogens did not independently contribute to the variation in leptin levels. Estrogens and androgens had no direct effects on adipose tissue leptin production in vitro. Thus, the sexual dimorphism evident in serum leptin is not likely to be due to a direct influence of sex hormones on leptin production in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kristensen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus Amtssygehus, Denmark.
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Böttner A, Haidan A, Eisenhofer G, Kristensen K, Castle AL, Scherbaum WA, Schneider H, Chrousos GP, Bornstein SR. Increased body fat mass and suppression of circulating leptin levels in response to hypersecretion of epinephrine in phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT)-overexpressing mice. Endocrinology 2000; 141:4239-46. [PMID: 11089558 DOI: 10.1210/endo.141.11.7755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Epinephrine is a major stress hormone that plays a central role in the control of metabolic function and energy homeostasis. To evaluate the role of epinephrine and the physiological and pathophysiological consequences of sustained elevation of epinephrine on metabolic and endocrine function, we studied several metabolic parameters and circulating leptin levels in a newly developed transgenic mouse model of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) overexpression. A 100-fold overexpression of PNMT and subsequent elevation of epinephrine levels resulted in a marked suppression of circulating leptin levels in the transgenic animals (1.14 +/- 0.05 vs. 2.17 +/- 0.35 ng/ml; P < 0.01), which correlated negatively with plasma epinephrine (r = -0.82; P < 0.05), thus providing evidence for an inhibitory action of epinephrine on leptin production in vivo. In parallel, we found a marked increase in the body fat content of the transgenic animals (12.54 +/- 1.5 vs. 6.22 +/- 0.2%; P < 0.01) that was accompanied by enlarged adipocytes, indicating an increased lipid storage in PNMT transgenic mice. Interestingly, however, transgenic animals had normal body weight and did not exhibit major alterations in carbohydrate metabolism, as evidenced by analysis of random and fasted blood glucose levels, plasma insulin and C peptide levels, and insulin tolerance test. The metabolic alterations observed were not secondary to changes in food intake or increased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, as there were no differences in these parameters. In summary, sustained primary overproduction of epinephrine resulted in suppression of plasma leptin levels and increased lipid storage in the PNMT transgenic mice. The concerted action of the sympathoadrenal system and reduced leptin may contribute to defending energy reservoirs while maintaining a normal body weight, which may be of vital importance under conditions of stress and energy deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Böttner
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Leipzig, Germany.
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Kristensen K, Pedersen SB, Vinter-Jensen L, Flyvbjerg A, Richelsen B. Systemic administration of epidermal growth factor reduces fat mass in rats: effects on the hormone-sensitive-lipase, lipoprotein lipase and leptin. Horm Res 2000; 50:292-6. [PMID: 9873198 DOI: 10.1159/000023293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We examined whether the reduction in fat mass induced by EGF treatment in mature animals was via activation of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and thereby the induction of lipolysis, or through inhibition of lipoprotein lipase activity thus reducing fat uptake in adipose tissue. Sixteen male rats were treated with placebo or EGF 150 microg/kg/day for 7 days via mini-osmotic pumps. The results demonstrate that systemic EGF treatment reduces the amount of adipose tissue, most likely due to increased lipolysis as HSL activity as well as HSL mRNA were increased. The circulating levels of free fatty acids were slightly increased and leptin levels reflected the decrease in adipose tissue mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kristensen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Aarhus Amtssygehus and KH Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Kristensen K, Nielsen S, Karup Pedersen F, Zak M. Erythrocyte-methotrexate and disease activity in children treated with oral methotrexate for juvenile chronic arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol 2000; 29:187-9. [PMID: 10898073 DOI: 10.1080/030097400750002085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
The concentration of methotrexate (MTX) in erythrocytes (E-MTX) was measured twice with three months interval in 21 children suffering from juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). At the same time joint score, visual analogue scale (VAS), and laboratory parameters (CRP, WBC, PMNs, and ALAT) were obtained. There was only a weak insignificant correlation between the dose of MTX/m2 and E-MTX (r=0.24, p=0.11). No significant relations between the clinical or laboratory parameters and E-MTX was found. However, ALAT above normal range was associated with a lower dose of MTX (p=0.02) and lower VAS (p=0.02), indicating that toxicity may be associated with less articular discomfort. At present we consider routine determination of E-MTX in children with JCA of limited value.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kristensen
- Paediatric Clinic 2, the Juliane Marie Centre, the National University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Pedersen SB, Borglum JD, Kristensen K, Norrelund H, Otto J, Jorgensen L, Richelsen B. Regulation of uncoupling protein (UCP) 2 and 3 in adipose and muscle tissue by fasting and growth hormone treatment in obese humans. Int J Obes (Lond) 2000; 24:968-75. [PMID: 10951534 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0801265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the expression of uncoupling proteins (UCP2 and UCP3) was affected by a very low calorie diet (VLCD) and growth hormone (GH) treatment for 4 weeks. DESIGN A randomized, placebo-controlled intervention study of VLCD with or without concomitant GH-treatment. SUBJECTS Seventeen obese women (body mass index, BMI=42.1+/-1.4 kg/m2 (range 31.8-54.5 kg/m2)) treated with VLCD for 4 weeks and randomized to concomitant placebo treatment (n=9) or GH treatment (n=8). MEASUREMENTS Fat mass and lean body mass were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Energy expenditure (EE) was measured by indirect calorimetry. UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA were measured in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle biopsies before VLCD and after VLCD+/-GH-treatment by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS VLCD treatment resulted in a mean weight loss of 5.23 kg+/-0.8 (P<0.01), a 4.1% decrease in EE (P<0.05) and a 24% decrease in UCP3 mRNA in adipose tissue (P<0.03), whereas adipose tissue UCP2 mRNA and skeletal muscle UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA levels were unchanged. GH-treatment had no effects on EE, changes in body weight or UCP mRNA level. In multiple regression analysis the change in EE caused by VLCD was significantly correlated with changes in adipose tissue UCP2 mRNA (r=0.66, P<0.02) and a tendency towards a significant association with the change in adipose tissue UCP3 mRNA (r=0.45, P=0.09), but not with change in body weight, skeletal muscle UCP2 or UCP3 mRNA levels. CONCLUSION VLCD for 4 weeks decreased UCP3 mRNA expression in human adipose tissue, whereas GH-treatment had no effect on UCP expression. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that changes in adipose tissue UCP2 and probably UCP3 mRNA were correlated with the change in EE. These findings indicate that UCPs in adipose tissue in very obese individuals might play a role for the reduction in EE observed during energy restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Pedersen
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus Amtssygehus, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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