Five-year Follow-up Period Research Articles

Clinical Study of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Induced by Epidemic Influenza A (H7N9) Infection: A Hint for COVID-19 Treatment.

H7N9 viruses quickly spread between mammalian hosts and carry the risk of human-to-human transmission, as shown by the 2013 outbreak. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), lung failure, and acute pneumonia are major lung diseases in H7N9 patients. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising choice for treating virus-induced pneumonia, and was used to treat H7N9-induced ARDS in 2013. The transplant of MSCs into patients with H7N9-induced ARDS was conducted at a single center through an open-label clinical trial. Based on the principles of voluntariness and informed consent, 44 patients with H7N9-induced ARDS were included as a control group, while 17 patients with H7N9-induced ARDS acted as an experimental group with allogeneic menstrual-blood-derived MSCs. It was notable that MSC transplantation significantly lowered the mortality of the experimental group, compared with the control group (17.6% died in the experimental group while 54.5% died in the control group). Furthermore, MSC transplantation did not result in harmful effects in the bodies of four of the patients who were part of the five-year follow-up period. Collectively, these results suggest that MSCs significantly improve the survival rate of H7N9-induced ARDS and provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of H7N9-induced ARDS in both preclinical research and clinical studies. Because H7N9 and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) share similar complications (e.g., ARDS and lung failure) and corresponding multi-organ dysfunction, MSC-based therapy could be a possible alternative for treating COVID-19.

Abstract TP438: Japanese versus Non-Japanese Patients With Transient Ischemic Attack or Minor Stroke: Five-Year Risk of Stroke and Vascular Events

Background: We have reported 5-year risk of stroke and vascular events after a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor ischemic stroke in patients enrolled into the TIAregistry.org, which was an international multicenter-cooperative, prospective registry (N Engl J Med 2018;378:2182-90). We conducted subanalysis on the 5-year follow-up data of Japanese patients in comparison with non-Japanese patients. Methods: The patients were classified into two groups on ethnicity, Japanese (n=345) and non-Japanese (n=3502), and their 5-year event rates were compared. We also determined predictors of five-year stroke in both groups. Results: Death from vascular cause (0.9% vs 2.7%, HR 0.28, 95% CI 0.09-0.89, p=0.031) and death from any cause (7.8% vs 9.9%, HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.45-0.99, p=0.045) were fewer in Japanese patients than in non-Japanese patients, while stroke (13.9% vs 7.2%, HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.31-2.43, p<0.001) and intracranial hemorrhage (3.2% vs 0.8%, HR 3.61. 95% CI 1.78-7.30, p<0.001) were more common in Japanese than non-Japanese patients during five-year follow-up period. Caplan-Meyer curves at five-years showed that the rates of stroke was also significantly higher in Japanese than non-Japanese patients (log-rank test, p=0.001). Predictors for stroke recurrence at five years were large artery atherosclerosis (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.31-2.52, p<0.001), cardioembolism (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.18-2.47, p=0.004), multiple acute infarction (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.27-2.45, p<0.001) and ABCD 2 score 6 or 7 (HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.38-2.78, p<0.001) in non-Japanese patients, although only large artery atherosclerosis (HR 3.28, 95% CI 1.13-9.54, p=0.029) was a predictor for stroke recurrence in Japanese patients. Conclusions: Recurrence of stroke and intracranial hemorrhage were more prevalent in Japanese than non-Japanese patients. Large artery atherosclerosis was a predictor for stroke recurrence not only in non-Japanese patients but also in Japanese patients.

P1802 Prevalence and prognostic significance of pulmonary artery aneurysms in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension

Abstract Background Pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA) occurs in some patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and can be accompanied by various complications. Objective The aim of the this study is to evaluate the characteristics of cardiac dysfunction and the prognostic impact of PAA by analysing the outcome of patients with PAH complicated by PAA. Methods We performed echocardiography and right-heart catheterization in 130 PAH patients. We measured the maximum dimensions of the main pulmonary artery (MPA) trunk. We evaluated the right ventricular (RV) function and the five-year prognosis of patients with PAA. Results The maximum MPA trunk diameter of >40 mm by echocardiography was defined as PAA. PAA appeared in 32 of the 130 PAH patients (24.6%: Group PAA), other 98 patients were defined as Group non-PAA. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (76 ±18 vs. 61 ± 21 mmHg, P = 0.0008) and mean right atrial pressure (10.0 ± 8.1 vs. 5.4 ± 3.8 mmHg, P < 0.0001) were significantly higher in Group PAA than in Group non-PAA. RV end-diastolic area index was significantly larger (37.3 ± 8.8 vs. 32.3 ± 7.8 mmHg, P = 0.0048), and RV fractional area change (32 ± 8 vs. 36 ± 9 %, P = 0.0176) and RV longitudinal strain amplitude (-16 ±5 vs. -20 ± 6, P = 0.0017) were significantly lower in Group PAA than those in Group non-PAA. During the five-year follow-up period, 20 patients (15%) died. The five-year mortality rate was significantly higher in Group PAA compared to Group non-PAA (30% vs. 10%, P = 0.007). Conclusion In PAH patients with PAA, RV dysfunction was more severe and the prognosis was poor. Assessment of PAA can be a useful index for the extraction of high-risk PAH patients.

An alternative endovascular technique for the vein of galen aneurysmal malformation treatment: ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer embolization via a double-lumen balloon microcatheter

Aim To present an alternative endovascular treatment option for the vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation by ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer embolization via a double-lumen balloon microcatheter. Material and methods A female patient was suspected with the vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation in the prenatal period and diagnosed choroidal type vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation. Once the patient was symptomatic with severe cardiac failure, an endovascular treatment decision was made. In the first step, a mixture of N-butyl cyanoacrylate-lipiodol was used for embolization. In the second session of the treatment, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer was administered through a double-lumen balloon microcatheter. Results Complete cure of the aneurysmal malformation was obtained by no filling was observed in arterial feeders, collapsed appearance of the vein of Galen, and arterial-venous shunts at the end of the five-year follow-up period with magnetic resonance imaging and angiography. Conclusion Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer embolization via double-lumen balloon microcatheter provides an alternative and effective endovascular treatment option for the vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations using less contrast agent in less procedural time. Also, the possibility of spontaneous regression of residual aneurysmal malformations with small feeders should be considered.

Work–family lifecourses and later-life health in the United Kingdom

AbstractSocio-economic inequalities in physical and mental health persist at older ages and previous studies have shown that partnership and parenthood histories are also associated with differentials in later-life health. These domains of adult life interact, and both may be influenced by earlier life circumstances, indicating a need for a holistic approach to understanding lifecourse influences on health at older ages. In this paper, we identify classes of lifecourse types for a United Kingdom (UK) cohort born 1933–1945 and investigate differences between the latent classes identified in physical and mental health, and changes in health over a five-year follow-up period. Data were drawn from Waves 1–5 (2009–2013) of the nationally representative UK Household Longitudinal Study. Multi-level models were used to analyse associations with summary indicators of physical and mental health measured using the SF-12, and changes in health, controlling for childhood circumstances and taking account of support from family and friends in later life. Lifecourses characterised by lower socio-economic position, early parenthood and large family size were associated with worse physical and mental health in later life, with respondents who had combined a high socio-economic position and two children being the most advantaged. The study indicates that socio-economic disparities in later-life health vary depending on the way in which individuals combine work and family life.

Neurometabolic Remodeling in Chronic Hiv Infection: a Five-Year Follow-up Multi-Voxel Mrs Study

There is a lack of data about the long-term follow-up changes in neurometabolic profile and neuropsychological performance of HIV-positive subjects under continuous antiretroviral therapy (cART). The aim of the study was to assess changes in neurometabolic profile in chronically-infected, HIV-positive subjects during a five-year follow-up period, using multi-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Nineteen neurologically asymptomatic, aviremic, HIV-positive subjects, underwent multi-voxel 2D MRS on a 3 T MR unit and synchronous neurocognitive assessment in a five-year follow-up period. Twelve voxels were placed in prefrontal cortices, anterior and posterior cingulate gyrus, intraparietal sulci, and frontal centrum semiovale white matter, to identify peaks of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), choline (Cho), and myoinositol (mI). Ratios of NAA/Cr, NAA/Cho, NAA/mI, mI/Cr, and Cho/Cr were analyzed. Longitudinal differences in ratios and neurocognitive scores were tested with the Wilcoxon signed-rank-test. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.004 significant, and 0.05 > p > 0.004 trending toward significance. A significant longitudinal increase in NAA/Cr ratio was observed in 5/12 voxels, while there was a trend toward significance in an additional three. The increase in Cho/Cr reached statistical significance in one voxel. Changes in the mI/Cr ratio demonstrated a significant increase in 4/12 voxels. A progressive increase in NAA/Cr, followed by better neurocognitive performance, may be an indicator of brain plasticity in the setting of chronic HIV-related neuronal injury. A progressive mI/Cr increase could be partly explained by glial proliferation due to functional compartment remodeling and partly attributable to insufficient control of persistent neuroinflammation by cART.

P.214 Increased vulnerability to ethanol voluntary consumption in a new long-lasting animal model of post-traumatic stress disorder in C57BL/6J mice

HIV-1 is characterized by its ability to mutate and recombine even at polymerase (pol) gene. However, pol-gene diversity is limited due to functional constraints. The aim of this study was to characterize longitudinally, by next-generation sequencing (NGS), HIV-1 variants based on pol-gene sequences, at intra- and inter-host level, from acute/early to chronic stages of infection, in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. Ten men who have sex with men (MSM) were recruited during primary infection and yearly followed for five years. Even after a maximum of a five-year follow-up period, the phylogenetic analysis of HIV-1 pol-gene sequences showed a host-defined structured pattern, with a predominance of purifying selection forces during the follow-up. MSM had been acutely infected by different HIV-1 variants mainly ascribed to pure subtype B, or BF recombinant variants and showed different genetic mosaicism patterns that last until the chronic stage, representing a major challenge for prevention strategies.

Visual and Refractive Long-Term Outcomes Following Standard Cross-Linking in Progressive Keratoconus Management.

PurposeTo analyze the effectiveness and stability of the refractive, topographic and visual outcomes of the standard cross-linking (SCXL) in keratoconus (KC) management.Patients and methodsThis study was designed as a retrospective non-comparative study that included 28 KC patients (n=49 eyes) who performed SCXL as a single procedure to treat KC and completed five-year follow-up period. The topographic, refractive and visual data were recorded preoperatively and at 12, 24, 36 and 60 months postoperatively.ResultsForty eyes (81.6%) showed achieved postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) refraction better than the attempted refraction. Ten eyes (20.4%) improved by <1 D, 23 eyes (46.9%) improved from 1 D to <2 D and 7 eyes (14.3%) improved by ≥2 D. Both uncorrected distant visual acuity (UDVA) and corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA) showed statistically significant improvement from preoperative 1.34±0.29 (mean±SD) and 0.74±0.23 LogMAR to postoperative 0.99±0.32 and 0.50±0.22 LogMAR (P<0.0001) respectively. Both Kmax and SE refraction showed statistically significant and stable improvement from preoperative 51.95±1.90 and −7.90±3.14 D to postoperative 50.19±1.96 and −6.35±2.49 D (P<0.0001) respectively. Two eyes (4%) showed KC progression at the end of 5th follow-up year.ConclusionSCXL had good effectiveness and stability that halted KC progression over 5-year follow-up period. It had also unexpected improvement in the KC refractive components mainly the spherical and SE components.

Evaluation of a screening algorithm using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire to identify children with mental health problems: A five-year register-based follow-up on school performance and healthcare use.

Treatment of mental health problems (MHP) is often delayed or absent due to the lack of systematic detection and early intervention. This study evaluates the potential of a new screening algorithm to identify children with MHP. The study population comprises 2,015 children from the Copenhagen Child Cohort 2000 whose mental health was assessed at age 11-12 years and who had no prior use of specialised mental health services. A new algorithm based on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is utilised to identify MHP by combining parent-reported scores of emotional and behavioural problems and functional impairments. The screening is done on historical data, implying that neither parents, teachers nor health care professionals received any feedback on the screening status. The screening status and results of an IQ-test were linked to individual-level data from national registries. These national registers include records of each child's school performance at the end of compulsory schooling, their health care utilisation, as well as their parents' socio-economic status and health care utilisation. 10% of the children screen positive for MHP. The children with MHP achieve a significantly lower Grade Point Average on their exams, independently of their IQ-score, perinatal factors and parental characteristics. On average, the children with MHP also carry higher health care costs over a five-year follow-up period. The higher health care costs are only attributed to 23% of these children, while the remaining children with MHP also show poorer school performance but receive no additional health care. The results demonstrate that children with MHP and a poor prognosis can be identified by the use of the brief standardised questionnaire SDQ combined with a screening algorithm.

Fissure Depth and Caries Incidence in First Permanent Molars: A Five-Year Follow-Up Study in Schoolchildren.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between the fissure depth (tooth morphology) of permanent molars and dental caries incidence with a five-year follow-up period. In total, 110 Mexican schoolchildren aged seven years were recruited at baseline, of which 88 children completed the follow-up assessments. The fissure depths of the first permanent lower molars were recorded, and dental caries [decayed, missing, and filled deciduous surfaces (dmfs) and decayed, missing, and filled permanent surfaces (DMFS)] was evaluated annually. A generalized estimating equation model was constructed for evaluating the association between dental caries and fissure depth. The initial and final DMFS scores were 0.02 (±0.2) and 1.55 (±2.49), respectively. The generalized estimating equation model showed that children with deep molar fissures were more likely to develop caries lesions, (Odds Ratio OR = 3.15, p = 0.028) compared to children with shallow fissures. Moreover, dental caries in primary teeth (OR = 1.07, p = 0.005) was associated with the development of carious lesions in the permanent dentition. Fissure depth was a useful predictor of dental caries, according to this five-year follow-up study. The detection of deep occlusal fissures in the lower first permanent molars could contribute to the identification of children at high risk of dental caries. Tooth morphology may be used to identify children at a higher caries risk, particularly in settings with limited resources.

Bone expansion and bone condensation – Alternative techniques for maxillary implant bed preparation

Background Maxillary alveolar ridge resorption with a consequential width reduction and limitation of drilling into an atrophic ridge present a frequent problem in implantology. In such cases bone expansion and bone condensation, prior to dental implant placement, make additional surgical augmentation unnecessary especially in patients who refuse augmentation. D-shaped bone expanders, with an increasing diameter, push the alveolar cortical bone laterally by separating the labial and palatal lamellae. Aim/Hypothesis To show advantages and disadvantages of bone expansion and condensation in gaining the horizontal dimension of the maxillary alveolar ridge on four patients. The purpose was to show how the bone condensers, due to the rounded profile, after bone expansion, adjust the bed for implant placement. Material and Methods Dental implant bed was prepared in all patients using bone expanders and bone condensers. Case 1- a year after tooth 24 was extracted, alveolar width and height was 3 and 17 mm. Case 2- teeth 24 and 25 were extracted after several apicoectomies. The gap between implants and between implants and bone was filled with a particulated xenograft. Case 3- socket preservation was performed after the extraction of a fausse-routed tooth 22. During the healing period, a temporary Maryland bridge was provided. Case 4- the bilateral sinus-lift was performed and bone-grafts placed due to insufficient alveolar width. Six months later, bone showed low resistance during pilot drilling. During the implant bed preparation the graft had detached. Nevertheless, six implants were inserted and bone graft was fixed by screws. In all patients Ankylos implants (Dentsply Sirona, Germany) were inserted, and resorbable membranes and particulated xenograft were used (Bio-Gide® and Bio-Oss®, Geistlich, Switzerland Results In all patients a poorly structured bone showed low resistance during pilot drilling. All the implants were inserted six months after teeth extractions and implant beds were prepared using bone expanders and bone condensers. All implants were loaded six months after insertion. After a five-year follow-up period, satisfactory functionality and esthetics were observed in all four cases. Conclusion and Clinical Implications Bone expansion and condensation are valuable alternative techniques for implant insertion into maxillary alveolar ridge with compromised width. Poorly structured bone shows low resistance during pilot drilling. Thereby, instead of drilling, bone expanders can provide adequate bone width allowing that the implant bed is created by condensation. Both procedures can ensure bone dimensions to the adequate diameter of the planned implant. The healing phase should last up to six months (after these procedures).

Unmet health-care needs and mortality: A prospective cohort study from southern Sweden.

Aims: Research on the effect of unmet health-care needs on mortality at follow-up is scarce. This study investigated whether unmet health-care needs in 2008 were associated with a higher risk of mortality during a five-year follow-up period in a population in southern Sweden, and whether the association was stronger for particular subgroups of cause of death. Methods: The 2008 public-health survey in Skåne was used as baseline. The survey included variables such as unmet health-care needs, risk behaviours and social and socio-economic variables, and had 28,198 respondents aged 18-80 years. The study was longitudinal. Mortality data for the period 27 August 2008 (start of the survey) to 31 December 2013 were provided by the National Board on Health and Welfare. Analyses were run using Cox proportional hazard models. Mortality was analysed as the total and in subgroups: cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer and other causes. Results: In the time period studied, 946 (3.4%) people had died. Unmet health-care needs increased the hazard ratios (HRs) of total mortality after adjusting for age, particularly for people aged 65-80 years (HR=1.53; confidence interval 1.24-1.88). Unmet health-care needs were associated with death due to cancer and other causes but not with CVD. Adjusting for self-rated health attenuated the HRs. For the age group 18-64 years, there was no significant association between unmet health-care needs and mortality. Conclusions: Having unmet health-care needs at baseline was significantly associated with increased mortality for all causes, except CVD, in the following five year-period, particularly for people aged 65-80 years.

Clinicopathological Features of Remnant Gastric Cancer (RGC): Detection of RGC after Five Years of Follow-Up Was Associated with a Poor Prognosis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients who underwent surgery for remnant gastric cancer (RGC) during/after the regular five-year follow-up period after initial distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer that is recommended by the Japanese gastric cancer treatment guidelines. Between January 2007 and December 2017, 40 patients underwent surgery for RGC after distal gastrectomy. Twenty-eight of the 40 patients underwent initial gastrectomy for cancer. We divided the 28 patients into two groups: patients who were diagnosed with RGC during/after the five-year follow-up period after initial gastrectomy, and analyzed their retrospectively collected data. Among the 28 patients, 15 patients were diagnosed with RGC within five years and 13 patients were diagnosed with RGC after five years. There were significant differences in the reconstruction of the initial operation, curative resection, pathological depth of the tumor, and pathological stage of the two groups. Multivariate analyses revealed that the interval between initial gastrectomy and RGC and the pathological TNM stage were significant risk factors for shorter cancer-specific survival. Kaplan-Meier analyses demonstrated that patients with RGC after the five-year follow-up period had a significantly worse prognosis in terms of cancer-specific survival than those who developed RGC within five years. This study suggested surveillance by using the annual endoscopy might be necessary beyond the initial five-year period for patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Dynamics of characteristics of respiratory function for the development of coronary heart disease in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), along with cardiovascular disease, belongs to the leading chronic non-infectious diseases of our time, which, occurring in comorbidity, lead to the development of severe mutually aggravating complications. Objective : to determine the methods of diagnosis and prevention of coronary accidents in patients with COPD living in the northern latitudes, based on the dynamic assessment of the parameters of respiratory function. Materials and methods . The study was a holding during the five years extended instrumental examination (bodypletizmography methods, echocardiography) 182 patients with COPD (mean age of 65,0±1,2 years). Coronary events during prospective followup were recorded in 66 patients (mean age 65,0±1,2 years). Coronary events during prospective follow-up were recorded in 66 patients (mean age 65,0±1,2 years). Results: in a cohort of 976 patients with COPD, the number of patients with moderate severity (54%) was 6 times higher than the number of patients with extremely severe bronchial obstruction (8,6%) (p 0,05). Patients with lower values of volume parameters of external respiration function, such as RVE, inhalation capacity (IC), during the five-year follow-up period had a recorded coronary event (p <0,05). The greatest number of coronary accidents among patients with COPD of moderate and high risk was recorded in the first 3 years of follow — up, among patients of very high risk-evenly over 5 years. Coronary catastrophes were associated with periods of exacerbation of the underlying disease (p <0,05). Their frequency (myocardial infarction, angina, coronary death) for five years in patients with COPD with very high, high and moderate coronary risk was 33,9%, 10,5%, 1,52%, respectively. Using stepwise discriminant analysis, it was found that the leading prognostic markers of coronary accidents in patients with COPD living in the Northern latitudes, are the data of echocardiography (end-diastolic dimensions of the left ventricle, systolic pulmonary artery pressure) and bodypletizmography methods (RVE). Conclusion . It is recommended that the bodypletizmography methods and echocardiographic study all patients with COPD as binding studies to identify latent leaky restrictive disorders of function of external respiration with the first stage of the disease. Given the low level of diagnosis of COPD in Russia, a long asymptomatic course of the disease, the development of COPD after 10 years of living in the North, according to the literature, it is recommended to conduct an annual bodypletizmography as a screening method of examination of all smokers living in the Northern latitudes. Thus, the use of bodypletizmography with a targeted assessment of volume parameters, as well as echocardiographic studies, allows to identify groups at risk of coronary accidents and, thereby, to carry out timely prevention of the latter among patients with COPD.

Patterns of joint involvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis and prediction of disease course: A prospective study with multilayer non-negative matrix factorization.

BackgroundJoint inflammation is the common feature underlying juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Clinicians recognize patterns of joint involvement currently not part of the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) classification. Using unsupervised machine learning, we sought to uncover data-driven joint patterns that predict clinical phenotype and disease trajectories.Methods and findingsWe analyzed prospectively collected clinical data, including joint involvement using a standard 71-joint homunculus, for 640 discovery patients with newly diagnosed JIA enrolled in a Canada-wide study who were followed serially for five years, treatment-naïve except for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and diagnosed within one year of symptom onset. Twenty-one patients had systemic arthritis, 300 oligoarthritis, 125 rheumatoid factor (RF)-negative polyarthritis, 16 RF-positive polyarthritis, 37 psoriatic arthritis, 78 enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA), and 63 undifferentiated arthritis. At diagnosis, we observed global hierarchical groups of co-involved joints.To characterize these patterns, we developed sparse multilayer non-negative matrix factorization (NMF). Model selection by internal bi-cross-validation identified seven joint patterns at presentation, to which all 640 discovery patients were assigned: pelvic girdle (57 patients), fingers (25), wrists (114), toes (48), ankles (106), knees (283), and indistinct (7). Patterns were distinct from clinical subtypes (P < 0.001 by χ2 test) and reproducible through external data set validation on a 119-patient, prospectively collected independent validation cohort (reconstruction accuracy Q2 = 0.55 for patterns; 0.35 for groups).Some patients matched multiple patterns. To determine whether their disease outcomes differed, we further subdivided the 640 discovery patients into three subgroups by degree of localization—the percentage of their active joints aligning with their assigned pattern: localized (≥90%; 359 patients), partially localized (60%–90%; 124), or extended (<60%; 157). Localized patients more often maintained their baseline patterns (P < 0.05 for five groups by permutation test) than nonlocalized patients (P < 0.05 for three groups by permutation test) over a five-year follow-up period.We modelled time to zero joints in the discovery cohort using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model considering joint pattern, degree of localization, and ILAR subtype. Despite receiving more intense treatment, 50% of nonlocalized patients had zero joints at one year compared to six months for localized patients. Overall, localized patients required less time to reach zero joints (partial: P = 0.0018 versus localized by log-rank test; extended: P = 0.0057).Potential limitations include the requirement for patients to be treatment naïve (except NSAIDs), which may skew the patient cohorts towards milder disease, and the validation cohort size precluded multivariate analyses of disease trajectories.ConclusionsMultilayer NMF identified patterns of joint involvement that predicted disease trajectory in children with arthritis. Our hierarchical unsupervised approach identified a new clinical feature, degree of localization, which predicted outcomes in both cohorts. Detailed assessment of every joint is already part of every musculoskeletal exam for children with arthritis. Our study supports both the continued collection of detailed joint involvement and the inclusion of patterns and degrees of localization to stratify patients and inform treatment decisions. This will advance pediatric rheumatology from counting joints to realizing the potential of using data available from uncovering patterns of joint involvement.

Characteristics and long-term survival of resected pancreatic cystic neoplasms in Finland. The first nationwide retrospective cohort analysis

BackgroundPancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) are being found increasingly in imaging studies. Even though the characteristics of PCN lesions have been studied extensively in single and multicentre settings, nationwide data is lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the nationwide epidemiologic characteristics and long-term survival of all resected PCNs. MethodsFor this retrospective cohort analysis, all PCNs operated on in Finland during the period 2000–2008 were identified. Data was collected from all patients: on demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, radiological findings, surgical procedures, complications, histopathological diagnoses and survival. Incomplete pathology reports and any uncertain diagnoses were re-assessed. Survival data was collected after a five-year follow-up period. ResultsThe final database included 225 patients with operated PCN. After reviewing the incomplete pathology reports, in 44 cases the original diagnosis was changed, mostly from MCN to IPMN. The most common histopathological diagnoses were IPMN (94/225; 50/225 MD-IPMN, 30/225 MX-IPMN and 14/225 BD-IPMN), SCN (41/225) and MCN (40/225). Overall, 53/225 (23.6%) of the tumours were malignant. Malignancy was detected in MD-IPMN 29/50 (58%), MX-IPMN 10/30 (33.3%), MCN 12/40 (30%), BD-IPMN 2/14 (14.3%) patients. Median 5-year survival for all patients was 77%: 87% in patients without malignancy, 77% with HGD and 27% in patients with a malignant resected PCN. ConclusionOne fourth of the PCNs operated on nationwide were malignant, with a five-year survival of 27%, compared to overall survival of 87% in patients with non-malignant disease and 77% in those with HGD. Detecting – and operating on - a PCN before the malignant transfer remains a great challenge.

Genderspecific risk factors and outcomes of ischemic heart disease

Objective. To study the relationship of gender with the risk factors for coronary artery disease and adverse long-term outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST segment elevation (nonST-ACS). Results. Women were older than men, significantly more likely had arterial hypertension and diabetes, but six times less smoked. Coronary artery stenosis &gt;50% in history occurred in men more often than women: 24.2% vs. 11.7%. The median value of the left ventricular ejection fraction in men was significantly lower than in women (56 (49; 63) vs. 60 (50; 64.7), p=0.028). Men were significantly more likely to have a low risk (39.6% versus 24.5%, p=0.0027), and women had a high risk on the GRACE scale (35% versus 21.6%, p=0.0053). Women significantly (p&lt;0.001) were less likely to undergo coronary angiography, while coronary artery stenosis was more frequent (p&lt;0.001) in men than in women. The median scores on the Syntax score were significantly (p&lt;0.001) lower in women - 9.5 (6; 16.5) compared to the same in men - 14 (7; 22). PCI was performed significantly more often in men (p&lt;0.001). Differences in the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events during the five-year follow-up period after discharge after index nonST-ACS for men and women have not been identified. Conclusion. Women with nonST-ACS have more cardiovascular risk factors, in this case, the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events is the same as men with less pronounced coronary lesions, so need to use more actively invasive strategy of women during the index hospitalization.

Factors associated with development stroke in patients after acute coronary syndrome without ST elevation&#x0D; in the five-year follow-up.

Introduction. Recently there has been an active growth in disability of the population due to cases of development of acute cerebrovascular accident (ischemic stroke). Therefore, great attention is given to risk factors for the development of ischemic stroke, including in patients after acute coronary syndrome (non-ST-ACS). Objective: to study the contribution of clinico-laboratory factors associated with the development of acute cerebrovascular accident in patients with non-ST-ACS during five years follow-up. Material and methods. 415 patients were included in the register of patients with non-ST-ACS (2009-2010). The follow-up period was 60 months. In addition to the generally accepted clinical and laboratory examination, patients were assessed the factors of nonspecific inflammation and oxidative metabolism of lipids on the 11th -13th day of hospitalization with ASC. Results. In 29 (7.70%) of the patients with OCSUPST included in the study, ischemic stroke developed over a five-year follow-up period. Significantly, ischemic stroke developed in patients with ischemic stroke in anamnesis (p=0.008) and myocardial infarction (p=0.027), rhythm disturbances about the type of atrial fibrillation-flutter (AF/TP) (p = 0.005) and GRACE-score risk on admission (p=0.00015), higher blood levels of interleukin (IL)-6 (p = 0.01), and IL-10 (p = 0.007), as well as a high average heart- ankle index (p = 0.019). Conclusion. Logistic regression results revealed the most significant adverse factors affecting the development of the ischemic stroke in the long-term follow-up period, after an acute coronary syndrome without an ST segment elevation: an elevated blood concentration of IL-6&gt; 8.0 pg/ml, the presence of atrial fibrillation/flutter, the ischemic stroke in the anamnesis.

Traumatic Dental Injuries Resulting from Sports Activities; Immediate Treatment and Five Years Follow-Up: An Observational Study.

Background:Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) represent 18-30% of all oral pathologies and a considerable number of these are sports related. It is very important to treat sports-related injuries and prevent complications. However, very few studies investigate the most expedient therapeutic strategies for the treatment of dental trauma correlated to sports.Objective:The aim of this work was to focus on the average recovery time for different lesions, to assess adequate times for each athlete, to identify any association with complications and to investigate whether or not the use of mouth-guards interfered with a full recovery to normal health.Methods:This study involved a group of 30 athletes (15 male and 15 female) who had dental injuries of varying severity.For the purposes of data collection, two classifications were taken into account: a classification for hard tissue trauma and another for periodontal lesions. The athletes were subdivided in “type of lesion’ groups”.They were then treated depending on their individual lesions and followed up for 5 years. A statistical analysis was carried out to study the association between recovery time, lesion types and occurrence of complications.Results:The time for recovery was different for each type of lesion and ranged from 3-5 days (only uncomplicated fractures) to 14 days (all hard-periodontal tissue traumas). The total number of recorded pulp complications amounted to 6 cases. Among 30 athletes, 20 had begun and maintained, during the five-year follow-up period, the habit of using mouth-guards when practicing their sport activities.Conclusions:Recovery time and the severity of lesions are statistically associated: the more serious the injury, the more time an athlete needs to recover and return to competitive sports events. Furthermore, recovery time and precautionary measures (mouth-guards) did not influence the onset of complications. The subjects’ habit of wearing a mouth guard continued even after the end of the therapy and follow-up periods.

Cardiac structure and function predicts functional decline in the oldest old.

Background This study examined the association between cardiac structure and function and the deterioration in activities of daily living (ADLs) in an age-homogenous, community-dwelling population of patients born in 1920-1921 over a five-year follow-up period. Design Longitudinal cohort study. Methods Patients were recruited from the Jerusalem Longitudinal Cohort Study, which has followed an age-homogenous cohort of Jerusalem residents born in 1920-1921. Patients underwent home echocardiography and were followed up for five years. Dependence was defined as needing assistance with one or more basic ADL. Standard echocardiographic assessment of cardiac structure and function, including systolic and diastolic function, was performed. Reassessment of ADLs was performed at the five-year follow-up. Results A total of 459 patients were included in the study. Of these, 362 (79%) showed a deterioration in at least one ADL at follow-up. Patients with functional deterioration had a significantly higher left ventricular mass index and left atrial volume with a lower ejection fraction. There was no significant difference between the diastolic parameters the groups in examined. When the data were examined categorically, a significantly larger percentage of patients with functional decline had an abnormal left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular hypertrophy. The association between left ventricular mass index and functional decline remained significant in all multivariate models. Conclusions In this cohort of the oldest old, an elevated left ventricular mass index, higher left atrial volumes and systolic, but not diastolic dysfunction, were predictive of functional disability.