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PubMed1988

Two-process models for discrete-time serial categorical response.

This paper proposes a two-process log-linear model for analysis of polychotomous response data generated on study subjects assessed at successive discrete intervals. Response type at each discrete time may be either a transient response or a cause-specific failure. We view outcome of transient response as fundamentally different from outcome of failure, and, in a competing risk framework, we motivate a separate model for each: one to describe the process for transitions to transient response states and the other to describe the process for transitions to absorbing failure states. We maximize the likelihood for each model separately with use of existing software for iterative proportional fitting.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Effect of changing the saddle angle on the incidence of low back pain in recreational bicyclists.

OBJECTIVE: According to the literature, 30-70% of cyclists suffer from cervical, dorsal, or lumbar back pain. This study was conducted to evaluate one of the possible causes of low back pain and to suggest a solution by appropriate adjustments to the bicycle. METHODS: Serial fluoroscopic studies were performed while cyclists sat on different types of bicycle (sports, mountain, and city). Pelvic/spine angles were measured at different seat angles, and the related force vectors analysed. RESULTS: There was a tendency towards hyperextension of the pelvic/spine angle which resulted in an increase in tensile forces at the promontorium. These forces can easily be reduced by appropriate adjustment of the seat angle--that is, by creating an anterior inclining angle. The findings of the biomechanical analysis were then applied to a group of cyclists who were members of a cycling club and who complained of low back pain. After appropriate adjustment of the saddle angle, most of the cyclists (>70%) reported major improvement in the incidence and magnitude of their back pain. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and magnitude of back pain in cyclists can be reduced by appropriate adjustment of the angle of the saddle. It is important that these findings be conveyed to cyclists, bicycle salesmen, trainers, and members of the general public who engage in cycling, in order to decrease the prevalence of back pain.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Remote memory and lexical retrieval in a case of frontal Pick's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the status of remote memory and lexical retrieval processes in a patient with frontal lobe-type dementia studied serially during an 18-month period. DESIGN: Longitudinal single-case study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT: A 67-year-old man presented to the hospital with progressive frontal lobe dysfunction confirmed by neuropsychological testing and single photon emission-computed tomographic scan. Postmortem brain examination demonstrated focal atrophy of the orbitofrontal region of the frontal lobe and medial temporal structures with abundant Pick's bodies and Pick's cells. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anterograde memory was assessed on a range of free recall and recognition tests using verbal and nonverbal material. Remote memory was assessed by Famous Faces and Famous Events tests and the Crovitz test of remote personal memory. Lexical retrieval was examined using initial-letter and semantic category-based fluency tasks. RESULTS: Initially there was a dissociation between anterograde memory, which was severely impaired, and relatively spared remote memory. Within retrograde memory there was evidence of selective difficulty in retrieving contextually rich and time-specific personal memories and in dating personal and public memories. In contrast, retrieval of names of famous persons and recognition of famous events was relatively normal. As the disease progressed, performance on all remote memory tests worsened, but without a temporally graded pattern. Lexical retrieval was markedly impaired and affected to an equivalent degree performance on initial-letter and category fluency tasks. CONCLUSION: These findings are interpreted in the context of a general retrieval deficit resulting from the interruption of frontostriatal circuits.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Outcome 3 to 5 years after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate neuropsychologic, emotional, and functional status and quality of life (QOL) 3 to 5 years after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Observational cohort. SETTING: Level I trauma center. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive adult admissions with TBI involving intracranial abnormalities, prospectively followed up for 3 to 5 years, with 80% follow-up. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Neuropsychologic functioning (Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test, California Verbal Learning Test), emotional status (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory), functional status (Functional Status Examination, Glasgow Outcome Scale, Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, employment), and perceived QOL. RESULTS: Significant functional limitations were observed in all areas. Recovery to preinjury levels ranged from 65% of cases in personal care to approximately 40% in cognitive competency, major activity, and leisure and recreation. Brain injury severity, measured by the modified Abbreviated Injury Scale, related to functional status and neuropsychologic functioning, but not to emotional or QOL measures. Length of impaired consciousness appeared to contribute to outcome more than did anatomic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide representative estimates of long-term morbidity in patients with TBI involving intracranial lesions. The magnitude of morbidity was high. Although direct costs of TBI have received the most attention, the long-term consequences and their cost implications are much larger, unfold over time, and are borne by the survivors, their families, and the public subsidy system.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1985

Fitness: a new look at an old term (measurements of human aerobic performance).

Despite the increased public interest in being fit, there is no universally accepted definition of "fitness." Various reports equate fitness to oxygen consumption with exercise. This genetically determined V02 maximum is the limiting factor in high-intensity, short duration maximal aerobic exercise. For the nonathelete, however, this capacity may not be an accurate assessment of fitness. Instead, the ability of this individual to do less vigorous work of greater duration may be the best estimate of his fitness. Energy expenditure, a requirement of work, is obtained from the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. A measure of the relative utilization of these substrates is the respiratory quotient (R.Q.). Initial phases of exercise depend primarily on carbohydrate metabolism which is reflected by an RQ of 1.0. As exercise continues, substrate utilization relies upon an increasing percentage of free fatty acid metabolism and the R.Q. will approach 0.7. As nonathletes are trained, there is more rapid shift to free fatty acid metabolism which is reflected by a lower R.Q. in the early phases of exercise. The serial measurement of R.Q. as an individual steadily exercises below his anaerobic threshold will reflect his ability to utilize lipids as an energy source. The greater the rate of change of R.Q. with time, the greater is his ability to metabolize lipids. Increased utilization of lipids during exercise indicates his augmented capacity to do submaximal long-duration work, therefore, fitness.

Cytochrome c Group↗

PubMed2026

Associations of Illness Perception, Resignation Coping, and Social Support With Self-Regulatory Fatigue in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

AIMS: To examine the associations among illness perception, resignation coping, social support, and self-regulatory fatigue (SRF) in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study specifically explores whether resignation coping and social support exhibit indirect associations with SRF in the context of illness perception. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: From November 2024 to October 2025, a convenience sample of 302 adult patients with T2DM was recruited from a tertiary general hospital in China. Participants completed validated instruments with established psychometric properties, namely the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Self-Regulatory Fatigue Scale. Statistical analyses included Spearman correlation and serial mediation analysis using the PROCESS Macro (Model 6) with bias-corrected bootstrapping. RESULTS: SRF was positively correlated with negative illness perception (r = 0.579, p < 0.01) and resignation coping (r = 0.612, p < 0.01), and negatively correlated with social support (r = -0.598, p < 0.01). Serial mediation analysis revealed that illness perception was associated with SRF through indirect pathways involving resignation coping and social support. Resignation coping and social support mediated the association between illness perception and self-regulatory fatigue, both individually and sequentially. CONCLUSIONS: Negative illness perception correlates with higher SRF. This observed correlation is additionally linked to indirect pathways involving resignation coping and lower social support. Collectively, these findings highlight a pattern of interrelated cognitive (illness perception), behavioural (resignation coping), and resource (social support) factors that are associated with self-regulatory fatigue in this cross-sectional study. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: The findings offer a clear, evidence-based framework for nursing practice. They highlight the potential value of integrated assessment and intervention that simultaneously addresses patients' illness beliefs, maladaptive coping strategies, and social support systems, which are associated with lower SRF and better diabetes self-management. REPORTING METHOD: This study adheres to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines for cross-sectional studies. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients participated solely as research participants by providing survey data. They were not involved in the study design, implementation, data analysis, interpretation, or manuscript preparation. All patients provided written informed consent prior to questionnaire completion.

Humans↗

PubMed1991

Radiological protection guidance for radioactive patients--new data for therapeutic 131I.

Patients leaving hospital after 131I treatment for thyrotoxicosis face restrictions on their contact with other members of the public. These restrictions depend on the level of residual body radioactivity which for practical purposes can be taken to be almost entirely in the thyroid gland. This study provides an appropriate data base from which to draw advice to patients consistent with current radiological protection requirements in terms of the duration of these restrictions. Thyroidal retention of 131I was measured in 77 thyrotoxic patients over a period of 1-50 days after a first therapeutic administration of the radionuclide. Mean 131I activity in the gland (+/- S.D.) at 1 day was 56.1 +/- 11.1% of the administered dose activity and thereafter retention followed a single exponential decay pattern with a mean effective half-life (+/- S.E.M.) of 6.35 +/- 0.14 days. In patients who required further 131I therapy, there was evidence that retention could be markedly reduced if there was virtual ablation of thyroid tissue. It is proposed that these retention data can be used to determine body radioactivity at any interval after the administration of 131I for treatment of thyrotoxicosis, thus obviating the need for serial measurements in every individual patient.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Genetic studies in rat models: insights into cardiovascular disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Limited to 2003-2004 publications, this review focuses on 'big picture' concepts learned from rat genetic studies of cardiovascular disease. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: Analysis reveals insights into pathogenic paradigms, as well as experimental perspectives into rat-based systems of analyses of complex cardiovascular disease. Key concepts are forwarded. Multiple susceptibility genes underlie several quantitative trait loci for blood pressure suggesting a 'quantitative trait loci cluster' concept; hypertension end-organ disease quantitative trait loci are distinct from blood pressure quantitative trait loci indicating differential susceptibility paradigms for hypertension and each complication (stroke, renal disease, cardiac hypertrophy); distinct blood pressure quantitative trait loci are found in males and females indicating gender-specific susceptibility; and genetic subtypes comprise polygenic hypertension in rat models suggesting a genetic basis for clinical heterogeneity of human essential hypertension. Gender specific genetic susceptibility plays a key role in coronary artery disease susceptibility; multiple distinct quantitative trait loci underlie hyperlipidemia and type-2 diabetes, indicating multiple susceptibilities in risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Studies in transgenic inbred rat-strain models demonstrate value for serial, complex, cardiovascular pathophysiological analyses within a genetic context. SUMMARY: Cognizant of the limitations of animal model studies, observations from rat genetic studies provide insight into respective modeled human cardiovascular diseases and risk factor susceptibility, as well as systematically dissect the multifaceted complexities apparent in human complex cardiovascular disease. Given the recapitulation of many features of human cardiovascular disease, the value of rat model-based genetic studies for complex cardiovascular disease is unequivocal, thus mandating the expansion of resources for maximization of rat-based genetic studies.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Perceptions of the media in a community exposed to serial murder.

This study examined resident perceptions of the media in a community exposed to serial murder. Residents were surveyed regarding the popularity, accuracy and trust of various information sources. One hundred eighty-four residents (48% response rate) responded to mailed questionnaires. Results indicated that traditional sources of news (television, radio, and newspapers) were the most popular sources of information. However, police press conferences were judged to be the most accurate and trustworthy. Residents viewed media reports on methods of reducing personal risk as beneficial and enhancing feelings of safety. However, details of mutilations and sensational reporting were judged to increase personal fears and led to widespread dissatisfaction with the media.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Mercury levels in high-end consumers of fish.

Consumption of food containing mercury has been identified as a health risk. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the National Academy of Sciences recommend keeping the whole blood mercury level < 5.0 microg/L or the hair level < 1.0 microg/g. This corresponds to a reference dose (RfD) of 0.1 microg/kg body weight per day. All patients in a 1-year period (n = 720) who came for an office visit in a private internal medicine practice in San Francisco, California, were evaluated for mercury excess using the current RfD. One hundred twenty-three patients were tested (93 females, 30 males). Of these, data were statistically analyzed for 89 subjects. Mercury levels ranged from 2.0 to 89.5 microg/L for the 89 subjects. The mean for 66 women was 15 microg/L [standard deviation (SD) = 15], and for 23 men was 13 microg/L (SD = 5); 89% had levels exceeding the RfD. Subjects consumed 30 different forms or types of fish. Swordfish had the highest correlation with mercury level. Sixty-seven patients with serial blood levels over time after stopping fish showed a decline in mercury levels; reduction was significant (p < 0.0001). A substantial fraction of patients had diets high in fish consumption; of these, a high proportion had blood mercury levels exceeding the maximum level recommended by the U.S. EPA and National Academy of Sciences. The mean level for women in this survey was 10 times that of mercury levels found in a recent population survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some children were > 40 times the national mean.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Long-term persistence of multi-drug-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Newport in two dairy herds.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between maintaining joint hospital and maternity pens and persistence of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica serovar Newport on 2 dairy farms. DESIGN: Observational study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Feces and environmental samples from 2 dairy herds. PROCEDURE: Herds were monitored for fecal shedding of S enterica Newport after outbreaks of clinical disease. Fecal and environmental samples were collected approximately monthly from pens housing sick cows and calving cows and from pens containing lactating cows. Cattle shedding the organism were tested serially on subsequent visits to determine carrier status. One farm was resampled after initiation of interventional procedures, including separation of hospital and maternity pens. Isolates were characterized via serotyping, determination of antimicrobial resistance phenotype, detection of the CMY-2 gene, and DNA fingerprinting. RESULTS: The prevalence (32.4% and 33.3% on farms A and B, respectively) of isolating Salmonella from samples from joint hospital-maternity pens was significantly higher than the prevalence in samples from pens housing preparturient cows (0.8%, both farms) and postparturient cows on Farm B (8.8%). Multi-drug-resistant Salmonella Newport was isolated in high numbers from bedding material, feed refusals, lagoon slurry, and milk filters. One cow excreted the organism for 190 days. Interventional procedures yielded significant reductions in the prevalences of isolating the organism from fecal and environmental samples. Most isolates were of the C2 serogroup and were resistant to third-generation cephalosporins. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Management practices may be effective at reducing the persistence of MDR Salmonella spp in dairy herds, thus mitigating animal and public health risk.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Why does the heart beat? The discovery of the electrical system of the heart.

Why does the heart beat? This question--known as the myogenic versus neurogenic theory--dominated cardiac research in the 19th century. In 1839, Jan Evangelista Purkinje discovered gelatinous fibers in the ventricular subendocardium that he thought were muscular. Walter Gaskell, in 1886, demonstrated specialized muscle fibers joining the atria and ventricles that caused "block" when cut and found that the sinus venosus was the area of first excitation of the heart. By examining serial embryologic sections, Wilhelm His, Jr, showed that a connective tissue sheet became a bundle connecting the upper and lower cardiac chambers, the bundle of His. Sunao Tawara traced the atrioventricular (AV) bundle of His backward to find a compact node of fibers at the base of the atrial septum and forward where it connected with the bundles of cells discovered by Purkinje in 1839. Tawara concluded that this "AV connecting system" originated in the AV node, penetrated the septum as the His bundle, and then divided into left and right bundle branches that terminated in the Purkinje fibers. Martin Flack and Arthur Keith studied the conduction system of a mole and found a structure in the sinoauricular junction that histologically resembled the AV node. They felt that this was where "the dominating rhythm of the heart normally begins" and named it the sinoauricular node in 1907. The ECG of Einthoven soon brought a new understanding to the complex electrical system that makes the heart beat. In 2006 and 2007, we celebrate the 100th anniversaries of the publication of the exciting discovery of the AV and sinus nodes, truly landmarks in our understanding of cardiac structure and physiology.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

[Effect of 17 beta-estradiol and phytoestrogen daidzein on the proliferation of pubocervical fascia and skin fibroblasts derived from women suffering from stress urinary incontinence].

OBJECTIVES: The past decade has witnessed many publications indicating that estrogens play an important role in the function of the female lower urinary tract. Sex steroids receptors have been discovered in areas of the brain involved in the initiation and control of micturition, as well as other target tissues: bladder, urethra and pubocervical fascia. Connective tissue metabolism and collagen biosynthesis are modulated by ovarian steroids. Estrogen deficiency has been linked to the reduction of total vaginal and periurethral collagen content. Therefore, menopause and hypoestrogenism have been associated with several urogenital complaints including stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urgency, recurrent infection and genitourinary prolapse. DESIGN: The main purpose was to evaluate the proliferation ability of fibroblasts from pubocervical fascia after exposure to 17 beta-estradiol and phytoestrogen daidzein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens of human pubocervical fascia were obtained from 8 perimenopausal women during IVS procedure. Fibroblasts were isolated and cultured by outgrowth technique. After reaching confluency fibroblasts were subcultured every four days and cells after passage number 3 to 8 were used for assessment. Next day culture medium was changed and cells were exposed to serial dilutions of 17 beta-estradiol and daidzein in medium supplemented with only Serum Replacement 2. Cell proliferation was assessed after 96 hrs by means of MTT method. A human skin fibroblast culture served as a control. RESULTS: Pubocervical fascia fibroblasts showed increased proliferation capacity after 17 beta-estradiol than daidzein treatment. Proliferative activity of skin fibroblast was lower when compared to genitourinary cells in all groups investigated. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that, at least in vitro, fibroblasts from pubocervical fascia taken from women suffering from SUI are more capable to proliferate after estrogen treatment, when compared to skin fibroblasts. This is an indirect rationale for local estrogen treatment in case of female SUI.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Prevalence of abnormal neurobehavioral scores in populations exposed to different industrial chemicals.

The aim of the study is to establish the prevalence of neurobehavioral scores of occupationally exposed subjects below the 10th percentile rank of normalized curves obtained on a referent population. The Milan Automated Neurobehavioral System (MANS) was administered to 400 drivers from public and private firms; their data were distributed on the basis of age and years of school attendance and were normalized by determining percentile rank equivalence. The exposed population is made up of 20 lead- and zinc-exposed subjects, 18 welders exposed to aluminum for less than 1 year, 150 exposed to different metals in the ferromanganese production, 73 lithographic operators exposed to gasoline and petroleum, 197 exposed to solvents mixtures in the paint manufacture, and 23 dropouts of the same firm. The percentages of scores below 10th percentile rank were calculated in the different exposure groups and in the different age-school attendance ranges. The prevalence of results below the 10th percentile rank was found to be related to the intensity of the exposures and to the low levels of school attendance. In the 20-29 and the 30-39 age ranges, there was a prevalence of POMS scale scores below 10th percentile rank, in the 50-59 age range, the percentages were high for the Digit Symbol, the mean value of Simple Reaction Time, Serial Digit Learning, and Benton Visual Recognition.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

A comprehensive SAGE database for the analysis of gammadelta T cells.

Gammadelta T cells have been conserved since the adaptive immune system arose, yet their importance is still unclear. In an attempt to compensate for the lack of a broad knowledge base of gammadelta T cells across species, global analyses of gammadelta T cell transcriptomes have been performed using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). Twelve new SAGE libraries were generated from the following bovine lymphocyte populations: magnetic bead-sorted blood gammadelta T cells, spleen gammadelta T cells and enriched spleen alphabeta T cells from a single calf, both rested and Con A/IL2 stimulated, and flow cytometry-sorted blood gammadelta and alphabeta T cells each either rested, Con A/IL2, or phorbol 12 myristate 13-acetate/ionomycin stimulated. These new libraries complement two earlier SAGE libraries of circulating gammadelta T cell subsets. These databases were analyzed using new web-based bioinformatic tools, which allow the user to rapidly compare gene expression patterns within these and other SAGE and standard expressed sequence tag libraries generated from different cell types and different species. These analyses revealed striking differences between blood and spleen gammadelta T cells and how these cells respond to mitogenic stimulation. These analyses also confirm previous studies that suggested that global gene expression in gammadelta and alphabeta T cells is quite similar; however, a 5-fold increase in gammadelta T cell-specific transcripts could be induced by Con A/IL2 stimulation. These new public databases provide additional resources for the annotation/analysis of global gene expression in gammadelta T cells, which will facilitate studies of the biology of this enigmatic lymphoid cell.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Epigenetic Profiling for Early Detection and Treatment Response Monitoring in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Protocol for a Prospective Translational Biomarker Study.

BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide and continues to have poor survival outcomes, with most patients diagnosed at advanced stages of disease. In New Zealand, NSCLC contributes substantially to cancer inequities, with Māori communities experiencing disproportionately high incidence and mortality rates. Although low-dose computed tomography screening can improve early detection, major limitations remain, including false-positive findings, overdiagnosis, high infrastructure costs, and limited accessibility for rural and underserved populations. Liquid biopsy approaches using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), particularly DNA methylation profiling, have emerged as promising, minimally invasive strategies for improving cancer detection, treatment monitoring, and precision oncology. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to establish integrated genomic and epigenomic predictive and prognostic biomarkers using ctDNA, tumor tissue, and transcriptomic profiling to improve early detection, risk stratification, treatment selection and response prediction, and longitudinal monitoring, with particular emphasis on identifying molecular mechanisms associated with treatment resistance and disease progression. METHODS: This prospective observational translational biomarker study is being conducted through the University of Otago and associated respiratory and oncology services in New Zealand. The study will recruit participants with NSCLC (including squamous and nonsquamous subtypes), individuals referred to fast-track lung nodule assessment clinics, and nonmalignant respiratory controls. Serial peripheral blood sampling will be performed in selected participants at predefined clinical follow-up time points to evaluate treatment response and disease progression. The availability of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded archival tissues will be recorded, but will not be mandatory for enrollment. Genome-scale DNA methylation profiling will be performed using cell-free reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (cfRRBS), while targeted genomic profiling and transcriptomic analyses will be conducted using targeted sequencing panels and RNA sequencing. Integrative bioinformatic analyses will be used to identify molecular biomarkers associated with early-stage disease, advanced disease, treatment response, and therapeutic resistance. RESULTS: Ethics approval for the study has been obtained from the New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committee (2022 EXP 12566). This study commenced in 2022, and recruitment and biospecimen collection are ongoing. The study aims to recruit approximately 450 participants, including patients with NSCLC, individuals referred through respiratory diagnostic pathways, and nonmalignant controls. As of July 31, 2026, 205 participants have been recruited, with recruitment continuing until the target sample size is reached. Molecular and data analyses are ongoing, with additional publications expected as the cohort matures. CONCLUSIONS: This study will generate one of the first integrated genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic liquid biopsy datasets for NSCLC in New Zealand. The findings are expected to support the development of sensitive, accessible, and equitable blood-based biomarkers for NSCLC detection and treatment monitoring while also contributing to improved precision oncology approaches and reducing NSCLC inequities among Māori populations.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Recent incarceration independently associated with syringe sharing by injection drug users.

OBJECTIVES: Few prospective studies are available on the relationship between incarceration and HIV risk among injection drug users (IDUs). The authors evaluated self-reported rates of syringe sharing and incarceration among a cohort of IDUs. METHODS: This study analyzed syringe lending by HIV-infected IDUs and syringe borrowing by HIV-negative IDUs among participants enrolled in the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS). Since serial measures for each individual were available, variables potentially associated with each outcome (syringe lending and borrowing) were evaluated using generalized estimating equations for binary outcomes. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 1,475 IDUs who were enrolled into the VIDUS cohort from May 1996 through May 2002. At baseline, 1,123 (76%) reported a history of incarceration since they first began injecting drugs. Of these individuals, 351 (31%) reported at baseline that they had injected drugs while incarcerated. Among 318 baseline HIV-infected IDUs, having been incarcerated in the six months prior to each interview remained independently associated with syringe lending during the same period (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06, 1.69; p=0.015). Similarly, among the 1,157 baseline HIV-negative IDUs, having been incarcerated in the six months prior to each interview remained independently associated with reporting syringe borrowing during the same period (adjusted OR=1.26; 95% CI 1.12, 1.44; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Incarceration was independently associated with risky needle sharing for HIV-infected and HIV-negative IDUs. This evidence of HIV risk behavior should reinforce public health concerns about the high rates of incarceration among IDUs.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Treatment of deep chondral defects of the knee using autologous chondrocytes cultured on a support--preparation of the cartilage graft].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Chondral and osteochondral defects represent an important topic in the knee surgery. The knee traumas are often followed by premature development of osteoarthritis due to limited reparative processes in the cartilage. Today's diagnostic possibilities and progress in arthroscopic techniques promote the early diagnostics and exact classification of osteochondral defects. Authors present therapeutic ways for treatment of cartilage injuries and adjacent part of the subchondral bone. New possible method for treatment of deep chondral defects on the weight-bearing area of the knee is the application of autologous cultivated chondrocytes in Tissucol (Baxter, Austria). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Chondrocyte retrieval and in vitro cultivation is today a commonly known method. The goal of the knee surgery is to find a suitable three-dimensional bearer for chondrocyte culture. After serial laboratory tests we decided to use the tissue fibrin glue Tissucol (Baxter, Austria) as a chondrocyte carrier. Very good cell viability and capability of cell migration and outgrow in Tissucol were documented. Authors describe a new chondrograft type, its characteristics. They focused on quality control and documentation of key parameters necessary for graft use in humans. Following methods for quality control were used: Sterility control Determination of cells number Determination of cell viability by trypan blue staining. Viability between 90-95% was demonstrated. Determination of proliferative activity was tested using growth quality control. Migration and outgrowth of chondrocytes was documented. The morphological characteristics were studied by: Light microscopy (haematoxylin-eosin staining). Electron microscopy (transmission and scanning). A good stage of cellular organelles and production of extracellular matrix with protocollagenic fibrils were found in all cases. Immuno-fluorescence microscopy (using monoclonal antibodies against vimentin). RESULTS: Preclinical testing on pigs and cadaverous was provided following laboratory investigations. Testing on cadaverous demonstrated a chondrograft ability to fill up completely the chondral defect to renovate the anatomic surface of the joint cartilage. Tests on pigs described hyaline-like cartilage. Publication contains detailed description of chondrograft preparation to allow reproducibility of described technique. Chondrograft transplantation consists of following phases: Arthroscopic diagnostic of defect. Arthroscopic sampling of cartilage for in vitro cultivation. Transport of samples to tissue bank. Enzymatic isolation, in vitro cultivation of chondrocytes. Graft formation (combination of fibrin glue Tissucol with chodrocytes), quality control. Transplantation (chondrograft agglutination into defect). DISCUSSION: The goal of the nowadays tissue engineering is to find an optimal three-dimensional carrier for autologous chondrocyte culture. A new type of carrier based on hyaluronic acid--Hyalograft C was presented by Marcani et al in 2001 year. Published results from the first 20 clinical cases using Hyalograft C do not report any method complications. Our chondrograft technique represents an alternative option when compared to method described by Marcani. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the successful preclinical outcomes observed in this study, authors conclude that autologous chondrocyte transplantation in Tissucol offers an important treatment option for large full thickness chondral lesions located on the weight-bearing surfaces of the femur.

Cartilage, Articular↗