CONTEXT Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is known to reduce
risk of recurrent coronary heart disease in middle-aged men. However, this
effect has been uncertain in elderly people ...and women. OBJECTIVE To estimate the risk reduction of coronary heart disease and total mortality
associated with statin drug treatment, particularly in elderly individuals
and women. DATA SOURCES Trials published in English-language journals were retrieved by searching
MEDLINE (1966–December 1998), bibliographies, and authors' reference
files. STUDY SELECTION Studies in which participants were randomized to statin or control treatment
for at least 4 years and clinical disease or death was the primary outcome
were included in the meta-analysis (5 of 182 initially identified). DATA EXTRACTION Information on sample size, study drug duration, type and dosage of
statin drug, participant characteristics at baseline, reduction in lipids
during intervention, and outcomes was abstracted independently by 2 authors
(J.H. and S.V.) using a standardized protocol. Disagreements were resolved
by consensus. DATA SYNTHESIS Data from the 5 trials, with 30,817 participants, were included in this
meta-analysis. The mean duration of treatment was 5.4 years. Statin drug treatment
was associated with a 20% reduction in total cholesterol, 28% reduction in
LDL-C, 13% reduction in triglycerides, and 5% increase in high-density lipoprotein
cholesterol. Overall, statin drug treatment reduced risk 31% in major coronary
events (95% confidence interval CI, 26%-36%) and 21% in all-cause mortality
(95% CI, 14%-28%). The risk reduction in major coronary events was similar
between women (29%; 95% CI, 13%-42%) and men (31%; 95% CI, 26%-35%), and between
persons aged at least 65 years (32%; 95% CI, 23%-39%) and persons younger
than 65 years (31%; 95% CI, 24%-36%). CONCLUSIONS Our meta-analysis indicates that reduction in LDL-C associated with
statin drug treatment decreases the risk of coronary heart disease and all-cause
mortality. The risk reduction was similar for men and women and for elderly
and middle-aged persons.
Care for many progressive chronic diseases continues to improve, allowing patients to survive and thrive for longer periods of time1. People living with such conditions may now find themselves able ...to achieve long-term goals in education and career development2. Many people now occupy the dual roles of scientist and patient3. This commentary article synthesizes experiences of scientists and advocates with the progressive genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF) who collaborated on a career development session for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s inaugural ResearchCon event in 2019. It explores how such collaborations affirm and transform individual perspectives on patient science and its importance in broader scientific research agenda setting. We first share our own individual insights about the experience and impact of the ResearchCon panel session before progressing to discussion and future directions centering the shared insights from one another’s reflections.
Background & Aims:
The nervous system, through the vagus nerve, controls inflammation by decreasing the release of tumor necrosis factor-α from endotoxin stimulated macrophages. This ...anti-inflammatory effect is mediated by an interaction of acetylcholine, the principal neurotransmitter of the vagus nerve, with macrophage cholinergic nicotinic receptors expressing the α7 subunit.
Methods:
To determine the role of this “nicotinic anti-inflammatory pathway” in experimental pancreatitis, we induced pancreatitis in mice by 12 hourly intraperitoneal injections of cerulein. Pancreatitis was preceded by unilateral left cervical vagotomy or pretreatment with the nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine or by pretreatment with the selective α7 nicotinic receptor agonist 3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene) anabaseine (GTS-21).
Results:
Vagotomy or pretreatment with mecamylamine resulted in an enhanced severity of pancreatitis, as reflected by histology, edema, plasma hydrolases, and interleukin-6 levels. Furthermore, the number of neutrophils migrated to the pancreas was increased in these mice, as shown by myeloperoxidase content and intrapancreatic staining of neutrophils. Conversely, GTS-21 pretreatment strongly decreased the severity of pancreatitis. Pancreatitis-associated pulmonary inflammation was independent of the integrity of the vagus nerve and nicotinic receptors.
Conclusions:
This study provides the first evidence for a therapeutic potential of the vagus nerve and the “nicotinic anti-inflammatory pathway” in attenuating inflammation and injury during experimental pancreatitis.
Abstract
Expression of L1 mRNA, the first step in the L1 copy-and-paste amplification cycle, is a prerequisite for L1-associated genomic instability. We used a reported stringent bioinformatics ...method to parse L1 mRNA transcripts and measure the level of L1 mRNA expressed in mouse and rat organs at a locus-specific resolution. This analysis determined that mRNA expression of L1 loci in rodents exhibits striking organ specificity with less than 0.8% of loci shared between organs of the same organism. This organ specificity in L1 mRNA expression is preserved in male and female mice and across age groups. We discovered notable differences in L1 mRNA expression between sexes with only 5% of expressed L1 loci shared between male and female mice. Moreover, we report that the levels of total L1 mRNA expression and the number and spectrum of expressed L1 loci fluctuate with age as independent variables, demonstrating different patterns in different organs and sexes. Overall, our comparisons between organs and sexes and across ages ranging from 2 to 22 months establish previously unforeseen dynamic changes in L1 mRNA expression in vivo. These findings establish the beginning of an atlas of endogenous L1 mRNA expression across a broad range of biological variables that will guide future studies.
OBJECTIVE:Tumor necrosis factor and high mobility group box 1 are critical cytokine mediators of inflammation. The efferent vagus nerve inhibits cytokine release through α7-nicotinic acetylcholine ...receptor-mediated cholinergic signaling. Here we studied whether GTS-21, a selective α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, inhibits proinflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo and improves survival in murine endotoxemia and severe sepsis.
DESIGN:Randomized and controlled in vitro and in vivo study.
SETTINGS:Research laboratory and animal facility rooms.
SUBJECTS:RAW 264.7 cells and BALB/c mice treated with endotoxin or subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).
INTERVENTIONS:RAW 264.7 cells were exposed to endotoxin (4 ng/mL or 10 ng/mL) in the presence or absence of GTS-21 (1–100 μM), and tumor necrosis factor and high mobility group box 1 release and nuclear factor-κB activation were analyzed. Mice were treated with GTS-21 (0.4 mg/kg or 4 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) or saline 30 mins before endotoxin (6 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), and serum tumor necrosis factor was analyzed 1.5 hrs after the onset of endotoxemia. In survival experiments, mice were treated with GTS-21 (0.4 or 4.0 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) or saline 30 mins before and 6 hrs after endotoxin and then twice daily for 3 days. Severe sepsis was induced by CLP. Mice were treated with GTS-21 (4 mg/kg) or saline immediately and 6 hrs and 24 hrs after CLP, and serum high mobility group box 1 was analyzed 30 hrs after CLP. In survival experiments, GTS-21 (0.4 or 4 mg/kg) treatment was initiated 24 hrs after CLP and continued twice daily for 3 days.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:GTS-21 dose-dependently inhibited tumor necrosis factor and high mobility group box 1 release and nuclear factor-κB activation in vitro. GTS-21 (4 mg/kg) significantly inhibited serum tumor necrosis factor during endotoxemia and improved survival (p < .0001). GTS-21 (4 mg/kg) significantly inhibited serum high mobility group box 1 levels in CLP mice and improved survival (p < .0006).
CONCLUSION:These findings are of interest for the development of α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists as a new class of anti-inflammatory therapeutics.
Aim In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), a J-curve relationship has been reported between blood pressure (BP) and future cardiovascular events. However, this is controversial. The purpose ...of the study was to determine the relationship between on-treatment BP and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CAD. Methods and results We evaluated 10 001 patients with CAD and a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level <130 mg/dL, randomized to atorvastatin 80 vs. 10 mg, enroled in the TNT trial. The post-baseline, time-dependent BPs systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were categorized into 10 mmHg increments. The primary outcome was a composite of death from coronary disease, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), resuscitated cardiac arrest, and fatal or non-fatal stroke. Among the 10 001 patients, 982 (9.82%) experienced a primary outcome at 4.9 years (median) of follow-up. The relationship between SBP or DBP and primary outcome followed a J-curve with increased event rates above and below the reference BP range, both unadjusted and adjusted (for baseline covariates, treatment effect, and LDL levels). A time-dependent, non-linear, multivariate Cox proportional hazard model identified a nadir of 146.3/81.4 mmHg where the event rate was lowest. A similar non-linear relationship with a higher risk of events at lower pressures was found for most of the secondary outcomes of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, non-fatal MI, or angina. However, for the outcome of stroke, lower was better for SBP. Conclusion In patients with CAD, a low BP (<110–120/<60–70 mmHg) portends an increased risk of future cardiovascular events (except stroke).
Expansion of CFTR modulators to patients with rare/undescribed mutations will be facilitated by patient-derived models quantifying CFTR function and restoration. We aimed to generate a personalized ...model system of CFTR function and modulation using non-surgically obtained nasal epithelial cells (NECs).
NECs obtained by curettage from healthy volunteers and CF patients were expanded and grown in 3-dimensional culture as spheroids, characterized, and stimulated with cAMP-inducing agents to activate CFTR. Spheroid swelling was quantified as a proxy for CFTR function.
NEC spheroids recapitulated characteristics of pseudostratified respiratory epithelia. When stimulated with forskolin/IBMX, spheroids swelled in the presence of functional CFTR, and shrank in its absence. Spheroid swelling quantified mutant CFTR restoration in F508del homozygous cells using clinically available CFTR modulators.
NEC spheroids hold promise for understanding rare CFTR mutations and personalized modulator testing to drive evaluation for CF patients with common, rare or undescribed mutations.
Portions of this data have previously been presented in abstract form at the 2016 meetings of the American Thoracic Society and the 2016 North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference.
The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway can downregulate inflammation via the release of acetylcholine (ACh) by the vagus nerve. This neurotransmitter binds to the α7 subunit of nicotinic ...acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR), expressed on macrophages and other immune cells. We tested the pharmacological and functional profile of two novel compounds, PMP-311 and PMP-072 and investigated their role in modulating collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice.
Both compounds were characterized with binding, electrophysiological, and pharmacokinetic studies. For in vivo efficacy studies in the CIA model the compounds were administered daily by oral gavage from day 20 till sacrifice at day 34. Disease progression was monitored by visual clinical scoring and measurement of paw swelling. Inflammation and joint destruction were examined by histology and radiology.
Treatment with PMP-311 was effective in preventing disease onset, reducing clinical signs of arthritis, and reducing synovial inflammation and bone destruction. PMP-072 also showed a trend in arthritis reduction at all concentrations tested. The data showed that while both compounds bind to α7nAChR with high affinity, PMP-311 acts like a classical agonist of ion channel activity, and PMP-072 can actually act as an ion channel antagonist. Moreover, PMP-072 was clearly distinct from typical competitive antagonists, since it was able to act as a silent agonist. It synergizes with the allosteric modulator PNU-120596, and subsequently activates desensitized α7nAChR. However, PMP-072 was less efficacious than PMP-311 at both channel activation and desensitization, suggesting that both conducting and non-conducting states maybe of importance in driving an anti-inflammatory response. Finally, we found that the anti-arthritic effect can be observed despite limited penetration of the central nervous system.
These data provide direct evidence that the α7nAChR in immune cells does not require typical ion channel activation to exert its antiinflammatory effects.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global event with unprecedented impact on individuals and communities around the world. The purpose of this study is to use a modified photo-elicitation ...methodology to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of medical students and their communities around the world.
Participating medical students were asked to take photographs for 14 days. In lieu of an interview, which is customary for photo-elicitation projects, participants were asked to share a reflection (a paragraph or two) for each photograph they contributed to the study.
Between April 27th, 2020 and May 11th, 2020 26 students from 19 medical schools across 13 countries shared photographs and reflections. Qualitative analysis of written reflections revealed that medical students felt the impact of the pandemic on several levels 1) individual, 2) interpersonal, 3) educational, and 4) societal.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of medical students on multiple levels. As individuals, students felt emotional distress but found resilience through physical activity and the establishment of new routines. Many students felt isolated as their interpersonal relationships were confined due to social distancing measures. These feelings could be combated with new educational initiatives focused on group collaboration. Lastly, students reflecting on the larger societal implications were concerned with the economic ramifications of the virus and its impact on their future. This study brought together students from several different countries to engage in an applied learning program as a model for equitable global health research.
Recent advances in the management of cystic fibrosis (CF) target underlying defects in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, but efficacy analyses remain limited to specific ...genotype-based subgroups. Patient-derived model systems may therefore aid in expanding access to these drugs. Brushed human nasal epithelial cells (HNEs) are an attractive tissue source, but it remains unclear how faithfully they recapitulate human bronchial epithelial cell (HBE) CFTR activity. We examined this gap using paired, brushed HNE/HBE samples from pediatric CF subjects with a wide variety of CFTR mutations cultured at the air-liquid interface. Growth and structural characteristics for the two cell types were similar, including differentiation into mature respiratory epithelia. In electrophysiologic analysis, no correlation was identified between nasal and bronchial cultures in baseline resistance or epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) activity. Conversely, robust correlation was demonstrated between nasal and bronchial cultures in both stimulated and inhibited CFTR activity. There was close correlation in modulator-induced change in CFTR activity, and CFTR activity in both cell types correlated with in vivo sweat chloride measurements. These data confirm that brushed HNE cell cultures recapitulate the functional CFTR characteristics of HBEs with fidelity and are therefore an appropriate noninvasive HBE surrogate for individualized CFTR analysis.