Factors associated with concerns about falling and activity restriction in older adults after hip fracture: a mixed-methods systematic review

PURPOSE

To investigate factors contributing to concerns about falling and activity restriction in the community among older adults who had a hip fracture.

METHODS

A mixed method systematic review with a convergent segregated approach. We searched Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, PEDRo, CINAHL and the Cochrane library. Results were synthesised narratively considering physical, psychological, environmental, care, and social factors and presented in tables. Critical appraisal was completed in duplicate.

RESULTS

We included 19 studies (9 qualitative, 9 observational, 1 mixed methods) representing 1480 individuals and 23 factors related to concerns about falling and activity restriction. Physical factors included falls history, comorbidities, balance, strength, mobility and functionality. Psychological factors included anxiety and neuroticism scores, perceived confidence in/control over rehabilitation and abilities, and negative/positive affect about the orthopaedic trauma, pre-fracture abilities and future needs. Environmental factors included accessibility in the home, outdoors and with transport. Social and care factors related to the presence or absence of formal and informal networks, which reduced concerns and promoted activity by providing feedback, advice, encouragement, and practical support.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight that to improve concerns about falling and activity restriction after hip fracture, it is important to: improve physical and functional abilities; boost self-confidence; promote positive affect; involve relatives and carers; increase access to clinicians, and; enhance accessibility of the home, outdoors and transport. Most factors were reported on by a small number of studies of varying quality and require replication in future research.

Barriers and facilitators to early mobilisation and weight-bearing as tolerated after hip fracture surgery among older adults in Saudi Arabia: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the practice of prescribing and implementing early mobilisation and weight-bearing as tolerated after hip fracture surgery in older adults and identify barriers and facilitators to their implementation.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 healthcare providers (10 orthopaedic surgeons and 10 physiotherapists) from Saudi Arabian government hospitals. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

While early mobilisation and weight-bearing as tolerated were viewed as important by most participants, they highlighted barriers to the implementation of these practices. Most participants advocated for mobility within 48 h of surgery, aligning with international guidance; however, the implementation of weight-bearing as tolerated was varied. Some participants stressed the type of surgery undertaken as a key factor in weight-bearing prescription. For others, local protocols or clinician preference was seen as most important, the latter partially influenced by where they were trained. Interdisciplinary collaboration between orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists was seen as a crucial part of postoperative care and weight-bearing. Patient and family member buy-in was also noted as a key factor, as fear of further injury can impact a patient's adherence to weight-bearing prescriptions. Participants noted a lack of standardised postoperative protocols and the need for routine patient audits to better understand current practices and outcomes.

CONCLUSION

This study contributes to national and global discussions on the prescription of early mobilisation and weight-bearing as tolerated. It highlights the necessity for a harmonised approach, incorporating standardised, evidence-based protocols with patient-specific care, robust healthcare governance and routine audits and monitoring for quality assurance and better patient outcomes.

Assessing the relationship between coverage of essential health services and poverty levels in low- and middle-income countries

Universal health coverage (UHC) aims to provide essential health services and financial protection to all. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the service coverage aspect of universal health coverage and poverty in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Using country-level data from 96 LMICs from 1990 to 2017, we employed fixed-effects and random-effects regressions to investigate the association of eight service coverage indicators (inpatient admissions; antenatal care; skilled birth attendance; full immunization; cervical and breast cancer screening rates; diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection treatment rates) with poverty headcount ratios and gaps at the $1.90, $3.20 and $5.50 poverty lines. Missing data were imputed using within-country linear interpolation or extrapolation. One-unit increases in seven service indicators (breast cancer screening being the only one with no significant associations) were associated with reduced poverty headcounts by 2.54, 2.46 and 1.81 percentage points at the $1.90, $3.20 and $5.50 lines, respectively. The corresponding reductions in poverty gaps were 0.99 ($1.90), 1.83 ($3.20) and 1.89 ($5.50) percentage points. Apart from cervical cancer screening, which was only significant in one poverty headcount model ($5.50 line), all other service indicators were significant in either the poverty headcount or gap models at both $1.90 and $3.20 poverty lines. In LMICs, higher service coverage rates are associated with lower incidence and intensity of poverty. Further research is warranted to identify the causal pathways and specific circumstances in which improved health services in LMICs might help to reduce poverty.

Effectiveness of exercise rehabilitation interventions on depressive symptoms in older adults post hip fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This study determines the effectiveness of exercise rehabilitation interventions on depressive symptoms in older adults after hip fracture. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, APAPsych, CENTRAL, CIHAHL, PEDro and Open Grey were searched from database inception to June 10, 2022 for definitive, pilot or feasibility randomised controlled trials of rehabilitation interventions (versus any comparator) which reported depressive symptoms among older adults post hip fracture. Nonrandomised trials and those not published in English were excluded. Selection, quality appraisal (Cochrane Risk of Bias 2) and extraction in duplicate. Results were synthesised narratively and with meta-analysis (Hedge's g for intervention effect, I2 for heterogeneity). Eight trials (1146 participants) were included. Interventions were predominantly face-to-face exercise rehabilitation (range three to 56 sessions) at home versus usual care. Three trials were assigned overall low risk of bias, three some concerns and two high risk. The pooled effect of rehabilitation on depressive symptoms at intervention end favoured the intervention group (Hedges's g -0.43; 95% CI: -0.87, 0.01; four trials). Three trials demonstrated no between group difference following adjustment for baseline depressive symptoms. One trial found lower odds of depression when the intervention additionally included falls prevention, nutrition consultation and depression management. There is a potential benefit of exercise rehabilitation interventions on depressive symptoms after hip fracture. A mechanism for benefit may relate to baseline symptom severity, exercise frequency, frequency of health professional contacts, addition of a psychological component or of the quality of the underlying trials. To appropriately inform clinical guidelines, further appropriately powered trials with follow-up are warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: CRD42022342099.

Physiotherapists' perspectives of barriers and facilitators to effective community provision after hip fracture: a qualitative study in England

PURPOSE

to investigate physiotherapists' perspectives of effective community provision following hip fracture.

METHODS

qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 community physiotherapists across England. Thematic analysis drawing on the Theoretical Domains Framework identified barriers and facilitators to implementation of effective provision. Interviews were complemented by process mapping community provision in one London borough, to identify points of care where suggested interventions are in place and/or could be implemented.

RESULTS

four themes were identified: ineffective coordination of care systems, ineffective patient stratification, insufficient staff recruitment and retention approaches and inhibitory fear avoidance behaviours. To enhance care coordination, participants suggested improving access to social services and occupational therapists, maximising multidisciplinary communication through online notation, extended physiotherapy roles, orthopaedic-specific roles and seven-day working. Participants advised the importance of stratifying patients on receipt of referrals, at assessment and into appropriately matched interventions. To mitigate insufficient staff recruitment and retention, participants proposed return-to-practice streams, apprenticeship schemes, university engagement, combined acute-community rotations and improving job description advertisements. To reduce effects of fear avoidance behaviour on rehabilitation, participants proposed the use of patient-specific goals, patient and carer education, staff education in psychological strategies or community psychologist access. Process mapping of one London borough identified points of care where suggested interventions to overcome barriers were in place and/or could be implemented.

CONCLUSION

physiotherapists propose that effective provision of community physiotherapy following hip fracture could be improved by refining care coordination, utilising stratification techniques, employing enhanced recruitment and retainment strategies and addressing fear avoidance behaviours.

Kanamycin treatment in the pre-symptomatic stage of a Drosophila PD model prevents the onset of non-motor alterations

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor alterations, which is preceded by a prodromal stage where non-motor symptoms are observed. Over recent years, it has become evident that this disorder involves other organs that communicate with the brain like the gut. Importantly, the microbial community that lives in the gut plays a key role in this communication, the so-called microbiota-gut-brain axis. Alterations in this axis have been associated to several disorders including PD. Here we proposed that the gut microbiota is different in the presymptomatic stage of a Drosophila model for PD, the Pink1^B9 mutant fly, as compared to that observed in control animals. Our results show this is the case: there is basal dysbiosis in mutant animals evidenced by substantial difference in the composition of midgut microbiota in 8-9 days old Pink1^B9 mutant flies as compared with control animals. Further, we fed young adult control and mutant flies kanamycin and analyzed motor and non-motor behavioral parameters in these animals. Data show that kanamycin treatment induces the recovery of some of the non-motor parameters altered in the pre-motor stage of the PD fly model, while there is no substantial change in locomotor parameters recorded at this stage. On the other hand, our results show that feeding young animals the antibiotic, results in a long-lasting improvement of locomotion in control flies. Our data support that manipulations of gut microbiota in young animals could have beneficial effects on PD progression and age-dependent motor impairments.

Barriers and facilitators of weight bearing after hip fracture surgery among older adults. A scoping review

PURPOSE

This scoping review aimed to synthesise the available evidence on barriers and facilitators of weight bearing after hip fracture surgery in older adults.

METHODS

Published (Cochrane Central, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PEDro) and unpublished (Global Health, EThOS, WorldCat dissertation and thesis, ClinicalTrials.gov , OpenAIRE, DART-Europe) evidence was electronically searched from database inception to 29 March 2022. Barriers and facilitators of weight bearing were extracted and synthesised into patient, process (non-surgical), process (surgical), and structure-related barriers/facilitators using a narrative review approach.

RESULTS

In total, 5594 were identified from the primary search strategy, 1314 duplicates were removed, 3769 were excluded on title and abstract screening, and 442 were excluded on full-text screening. In total, 69 studies (all from published literature sources) detailing 47 barriers and/or facilitators of weight bearing were included. Of barriers/facilitators identified, 27 were patient-, 8 non-surgical process-, 8 surgical process-, and 4 structure-related. Patient facilitators included anticoagulant, home discharge, and aid at discharge. Barriers included preoperative dementia and delirium, postoperative delirium, pressure sores, indoor falls, ventilator dependence, haematocrit < 36%, systemic sepsis, and acute renal failure. Non-surgical process facilitators included early surgery, early mobilisation, complete medical co-management, in-hospital rehabilitation, and patient-recorded nurses' notes. Barriers included increased operative time and standardised hip fracture care. Surgical process facilitators favoured intramedullary fixations and arthroplasty over extramedullary fixation. Structure facilitators favoured more recent years and different healthcare systems. Barriers included pre-holiday surgery and admissions in the first quarter of the year.

CONCLUSION

Most patient/surgery-related barriers/facilitators may inform future risk stratification. Future research should examine additional process/structure barriers and facilitators amenable to intervention. Furthermore, patient barriers/facilitators need to be investigated by replicating the studies identified and augmenting them with more specific details on weight bearing outcomes.

Rhinitis associated with asthma is distinct from rhinitis alone: The ARIA-MeDALL hypothesis

Asthma, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis (AD) are interrelated clinical phenotypes that partly overlap in the human interactome. The concept of "one-airway-one-disease", coined over 20 years ago, is a simplistic approach of the links between upper- and lower-airway allergic diseases. With new data, it is time to reassess the concept. This article reviews (i) the clinical observations that led to Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA), (ii) new insights into polysensitisation and multimorbidity, (iii) advances in mHealth for novel phenotype definition, (iv) confirmation in canonical epidemiologic studies, (v) genomic findings, (vi) treatment approaches and (vii) novel concepts on the onset of rhinitis and multimorbidity. One recent concept, bringing together upper- and lower-airway allergic diseases with skin, gut and neuropsychiatric multimorbidities, is the "Epithelial Barrier Hypothesis". This review determined that the "one-airway-one-disease" concept does not always hold true and that several phenotypes of disease can be defined. These phenotypes include an extreme "allergic" (asthma) phenotype combining asthma, rhinitis and conjunctivitis. Rhinitis alone and rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity represent two distinct diseases with the following differences: (i) genomic and transcriptomic background (Toll-Like Receptors and IL-17 for rhinitis alone as a local disease; IL-33 and IL-5 for allergic and non-allergic multimorbidity as a systemic disease), (ii) allergen sensitisation patterns (mono- or pauci-sensitisation versus polysensitisation), (iii) severity of symptoms and (iv) treatment response. In conclusion, rhinitis alone (local disease) and rhinitis with asthma multimorbidity (systemic disease) should be considered as two distinct diseases, possibly modulated by the microbiome, and may be a model for understanding the epidemics of chronic and auto-immune diseases.

Effect of inpatient rehabilitation treatment ingredients on functioning, quality of life, length of stay, discharge destination, and mortality among older adults with unplanned admission: an overview review

BACKGROUND

To synthesise the evidence for the effectiveness of inpatient rehabilitation treatment ingredients (versus any comparison) on functioning, quality of life, length of stay, discharge destination, and mortality among older adults with an unplanned hospital admission.

METHODS

A systematic search of Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, PsychInfo, PEDro, BASE, and OpenGrey for published and unpublished systematic reviews of inpatient rehabilitation interventions for older adults following an unplanned admission to hospital from database inception to December 2020. Duplicate screening for eligibility, quality assessment, and data extraction including extraction of treatment components and their respective ingredients employing the Treatment Theory framework. Random effects meta-analyses were completed overall and by treatment ingredient. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed with the inconsistency-value (I2).

RESULTS

Systematic reviews (n = 12) of moderate to low quality, including 44 non-overlapping relevant RCTs were included. When incorporated in a rehabilitation intervention, there was a large effect of endurance exercise, early intervention and shaping knowledge on walking endurance after the inpatient stay versus comparison. Early intervention, repeated practice activities, goals and planning, increased medical care and/or discharge planning increased the likelihood of discharge home versus comparison. The evidence for activities of daily living (ADL) was conflicting. Rehabilitation interventions were not effective for functional mobility, strength, or quality of life, or reduce length of stay or mortality. Therefore, we did not explore the potential role of treatment ingredients for these outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Benefits observed were often for subgroups of the older adult population e.g., endurance exercise was effective for endurance in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and early intervention was effective for endurance for those with hip fracture. Future research should determine whether the effectiveness of these treatment ingredients observed in subgroups, are generalisable to older adults more broadly. There is a need for more transparent reporting of intervention components and ingredients according to established frameworks to enable future synthesis and/or replication.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO Registration CRD42018114323 .

The effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions including outdoor mobility on older adults' physical activity, endurance, outdoor mobility and falls-related self-efficacy: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of community-based rehabilitation interventions which incorporate outdoor mobility on physical activity, endurance, outdoor mobility and falls-related self-efficacy in older adults.

Design

MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PEDro and OpenGrey were searched systematically from inception to June 2021 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of community-based rehabilitation incorporating outdoor mobility on physical activity, endurance, outdoor mobility and/or falls-related self-efficacy in older adults. Duplicate screening, selection, extraction and appraisal were completed. Results were reported descriptively and with random-effects meta-analyses stratified by population (proactive [community-dwelling], reactive [illness/injury]).

Results

A total of 29 RCTs with 7,076 participants were identified (66% high bias for at least one domain). The outdoor mobility component was predominantly a walking programme with behaviour change. Rehabilitation for reactive populations increased physical activity (seven RCTs, 587 participants. Hedge’s g 1.32, 95% CI: 0.31, 2.32), endurance (four RCTs, 392 participants. Hedges g 0.24; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.44) and outdoor mobility (two RCTs with 663 participants. Go out as much as wanted, likelihood of a journey) at intervention end versus usual care. Where reported, effects were preserved at follow-up. One RCT indicated a benefit of rehabilitation for proactive populations on moderate-to-vigorous activity and outdoor mobility. No effect was noted for falls-related self-efficacy, or other outcomes following rehabilitation for proactive populations.

Conclusion

Reactive rehabilitation for older adults may include walking programmes with behaviour change techniques. Future research should address the potential benefit of a walking programme for proactive populations and address mobility-related anxiety as a barrier to outdoor mobility for both proactive and reactive populations.

Experience of UK Latin Americans caring for a relative living with dementia: A qualitative study of family carers

INTRODUCTION

Most studies of the Latin American immigrant experience and care for relatives living with dementia have been in the United States (US). In the United Kingdom (UK), unlike the US, most Latin Americans are first generation immigrants and are a rapidly increasing population. Therefore, we aimed to explore the UK experiences of Latin Americans caring for a relative with dementia.

METHODS

We purposively recruited UK-based Latin American family carers of people with dementia ensuring maximum diversity. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews (in English or Spanish) with 11 family carers, stopping recruiting when we reached thematic saturation. We took an inductive thematic analytic approach.

FINDINGS

Four main themes were identified: (1) Family comes first, particularly older people, leading to an obligation to care; (2) dementia as an illness that is accepted and talked about, which is regarded as positive with close networks but not wider society; (3) difficult behaviours are not the responsibility of the person with dementia, who is often conceptualised as a child; and (4) caring expectations lead to incompatibility with formal services, and a reluctance to leave people with dementia alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Familial obligation is the driver for family carers and acceptance of the illness helped despite adversities. Openness to talk about dementia with close networks was distinctive and helpful, contrasting with wider society, where greater awareness of dementia is needed. Considering the person with dementia as a child did not seem to undermine personhood and enabled maintenance of compassion. The relative with dementia was a priority. There was a lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate services, thus restricting family carers' ability to fulfil other roles, such as parental.

Multidisciplinary team healthcare professionals' perceptions of current and optimal acute rehabilitation, a hip fracture example A UK qualitative interview study informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework

OBJECTIVE

To understand multidisciplinary team healthcare professionals' perceptions of current and optimal provision of acute rehabilitation, perceived facilitators and barriers to implementation, and their implications for patient recovery, using hip fracture as an example.

METHODS

A qualitative design was adopted using semi-structured telephone interviews with 20 members of the acute multidisciplinary healthcare team (occupational therapists, physiotherapists, physicians, nurses) working on orthopaedic wards at 15 different hospitals across the UK. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, anonymised, and then thematically analysed drawing on the Theoretical Domains Framework to enhance our understanding of the findings.

RESULTS

We identified four themes: conceptualising a model of rehabilitative practice, which reflected the perceived variability of rehabilitation models, along with facilitators and common patient and organisational barriers for optimal rehabilitation; competing professional and organisational goals, which highlighted the reported incompatibility between organisational goals and person-centred care shaping rehabilitation practices, particularly for more vulnerable patients; engaging teams in collaborative practice, which related to the expressed need to work well with all members of the multidisciplinary team to achieve the same person-centred goals and share rehabilitation practices; and engaging patients and their carers, highlighting the importance of their involvement to achieve a holistic and collaborative approach to rehabilitation in the acute setting. Barriers and facilitators within themes were underpinned by the lack or presence of adequate ways of communicating with patients, carers, and multidisciplinary team members; resources (e.g. equipment, staffing, group classes), and support from people in leadership positions such as management and senior staff.

CONCLUSIONS

Cornerstones of optimal acute rehabilitation are effective communication and collaborative practices between the multidisciplinary team, patients and carers. Supportive management and leadership are central to optimise these processes. Organisational constraints are the most commonly perceived barrier to delivering effective rehabilitation in hospital settings, which exacerbate silo working and limited patient engagement.

Increased risk of asthma in overweight children born large for gestational age

BACKGROUND

Being born large for gestational age (LGA) is a marker of increased growth velocity in fetal life and a risk factor for childhood overweight. Both being born LGA and childhood overweight may influence the development of asthma, although the role of overweight in the association between LGA and childhood asthma is unclear. Importantly, recent studies have suggested that the association between overweight and asthma may be related to non-allergic pathways. If this also applies to the association between LGA and asthma, the association between being born LGA and asthma may be different for atopic and non-atopic children.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the association of being LGA with the prevalence of asthma at age 8 in atopic and non-atopic children and the role of overweight in this association.

METHODS

Complete data on asthma, anthropometry and atopy at age of 8 years, and potential confounders were available for 1608 participants of the PIAMA birth cohort. Odds ratios for the association between LGA and asthma in atopic and non-atopic children were estimated by logistic regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders. Overweight was assessed as a potential modifier of the association between LGA and asthma.

RESULTS

Being born LGA was not significantly associated with asthma at age of 8 in atopic and non-atopic children. However, overweight at age of 8 years modified the association between asthma at age of 8 and LGA. In non-atopic children, children who were born LGA and were overweight at age of 8 years had a significantly increased odds of asthma compared to non-LGA, non-overweight children (adj OR 7.04; 95% CI 2.2-24).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed that non-atopic children born LGA, who were overweight by 8 years have an increased risk of asthma. If confirmed, these findings suggest that non-atopic children born LGA may be identified early in life as a high-risk group for asthma.

FACILE FUNCTIONALIZATION OF sp2 CARBON ALLOTROPES WITH A BIOBASED JANUS MOLECULE

A simple, versatile, sustainable, not expensive method for the functionalization of sp2 carbon allotropes, both nano-sized and nano-structured, without altering their bulk crystalline organization, is presented. Carbon materials available at the commercial scale were used: furnace carbon black (CB), nano-sized graphite with high surface area, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes. A bio-sourced molecule, 2-(2,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-1,3-propanediol (serinol pyrrole), was used for the functionalization. Serinol pyrrole (SP) was obtained from serinol through a reaction with atomic efficiency of about 82%, performed in the absence of solvents or catalysts. Synthesis of serinol pyrrole was performed as well on carbon allotropes as the solid support. Adducts of serinol pyrrole with a carbon allotrope were prepared with the help of either thermal or mechanical energy. Functionalization yield was in all cases larger than 90%. With such adducts, stable dispersions in water and in NR latex were prepared. A few layers of graphene were isolated from the water dispersions, and NR-based composites precipitated from the latex revealed very even distribution of fine graphitic particles. Composites were prepared, based on NR, IR, and BR as the rubbers and CB and silica as the fillers, with different amounts of CB–SP adduct, and were cross-linked with a sulfur-based system without observing appreciable effect of functionalization on vulcanization kinetics. The CB–SP adduct led to appreciable reduction of the Payne effect.

Paving the way of systems biology and precision medicine in allergic diseases: the MeDALL success story: Mechanisms of the Development of ALLergy; EU FP7-CP-IP; Project No: 261357; 2010-2015

MeDALL (Mechanisms of the Development of ALLergy; EU FP7-CP-IP; Project No: 261357; 2010-2015) has proposed an innovative approach to develop early indicators for the prediction, diagnosis, prevention and targets for therapy. MeDALL has linked epidemiological, clinical and basic research using a stepwise, large-scale and integrative approach: MeDALL data of precisely phenotyped children followed in 14 birth cohorts spread across Europe were combined with systems biology (omics, IgE measurement using microarrays) and environmental data. Multimorbidity in the same child is more common than expected by chance alone, suggesting that these diseases share causal mechanisms irrespective of IgE sensitization. IgE sensitization should be considered differently in monosensitized and polysensitized individuals. Allergic multimorbidities and IgE polysensitization are often associated with the persistence or severity of allergic diseases. Environmental exposures are relevant for the development of allergy-related diseases. To complement the population-based studies in children, MeDALL included mechanistic experimental animal studies and in vitro studies in humans. The integration of multimorbidities and polysensitization has resulted in a new classification framework of allergic diseases that could help to improve the understanding of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of allergy as well as to better manage allergic diseases. Ethics and gender were considered. MeDALL has deployed translational activities within the EU agenda.

Oxidative Stress, DNA, Cell Cycle/Cell Cycle Associated Proteins and Multidrug Resistance Proteins: Targets of Human Amniotic Membrane in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The anticancer effects of human amniotic membrane (hAM) have been studied over the last decade. However, the action mechanisms responsible for these effects are not fully understood until now. Previously results reported by our team proved that hAM is able to induce cytotoxicity and cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a worldwide high incident and mortal cancer. Therefore, this experimental study aimed to investigate the cellular targets of hAM protein extracts (hAMPE) in HCC through in vitro studies. Our results showed that hAMPE is able to modify oxidative stress environment in all HCC cell lines, as well as its cell cycle. hAMPE differently targets deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), P21, P53, β-catenin and multidrug resistance (MDR) proteins in HCC cell lines. In conclusion, hAMPE has several targets in HCC, being clear that the success of this treatment depends of a personalized therapy based on the biological and genetic characteristics of the tumor.

Selective cytotoxicity and cell death induced by human amniotic membrane in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a worldwide high incidence and mortality. For this reason, it is essential to invest in new therapies for this type of cancer. Our team already proved that human amniotic membrane (hAM) is able to inhibit the metabolic activity of several human cancer cell lines, including HCC cell lines. Taking into account the previously performed work, this experimental study aimed to investigate the pathways by which hAM protein extracts (hAMPEs) act on HCC. Our results showed that hAMPE reduce the metabolic activity, protein content and DNA content in a dose- and time-dependent manner in all HCC cell lines. This therapy presents selective cytotoxicity, since it was not able to inhibit a non-tumorigenic human cell line. In addition, hAMPE induced cell morphology alterations in all HCC cell lines, but death type is cell line dependent, as proved by in vitro and in vivo studies. In conclusion, hAMPE have a promising role in HCC therapy, since it is capable of inducing HCC cytotoxicity and cell death.

Are allergic multimorbidities and IgE polysensitization associated with the persistence or re-occurrence of foetal type 2 signalling? The MeDALL hypothesis

Allergic diseases [asthma, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis (AD)] are complex. They are associated with allergen-specific IgE and nonallergic mechanisms that may coexist in the same patient. In addition, these diseases tend to cluster and patients present concomitant or consecutive diseases (multimorbidity). IgE sensitization should be considered as a quantitative trait. Important clinical and immunological differences exist between mono- and polysensitized subjects. Multimorbidities of allergic diseases share common causal mechanisms that are only partly IgE-mediated. Persistence of allergic diseases over time is associated with multimorbidity and/or IgE polysensitization. The importance of the family history of allergy may decrease with age. This review puts forward the hypothesis that allergic multimorbidities and IgE polysensitization are associated and related to the persistence or re-occurrence of foetal type 2 signalling. Asthma, rhinitis and AD are manifestations of a common systemic immune imbalance (mesodermal origin) with specific patterns of remodelling (ectodermal or endodermal origin). This study proposes a new classification of IgE-mediated allergic diseases that allows the definition of novel phenotypes to (i) better understand genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, (ii) better stratify allergic preschool children for prognosis and (iii) propose novel strategies of treatment and prevention.

The locus C11orf30 increases susceptibility to poly-sensitization

A number of genetic variants have been associated with allergic sensitization, but whether these are allergen specific or increase susceptibility to poly-sensitization is unknown. Using data from the large multicentre population-based European Community Respiratory Health Survey, we assessed the association between 10 loci and specific IgE and skin prick tests to individual allergens and poly-sensitization. We found that the 10 loci associate with sensitization to different allergens in a nonspecific manner and that one in particular, C11orf30-rs2155219, doubles the risk of poly-sensitization (specific IgE/4 allergens: OR = 1.81, 95% CI 0.80-4.24; skin prick test/4+ allergens: OR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.34-3.95). The association of rs2155219 with higher levels of expression of C11orf30, which may be involved in transcription repression of interferon-stimulated genes, and its association with sensitization to multiple allergens suggest that this locus is highly relevant for atopy.

Arterial blood pressure responses to short-term exposure to low and high traffic-related air pollution with and without moderate physical activity

BACKGROUND

Short-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) has been associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Physical activity (PA) in polluted air may increase pollutant uptake and increase these effects.

METHODS

Crossover real-world exposure study in 28 healthy participants comparing systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) responses to four different exposure scenarios: 2 h exposure in high or low-TRAP environment, each at rest and combined with intermittent moderate PA consisting of 15 min intervals alternating rest and cycling on a stationary bicycle. Data was analyzed using mixed effect models for repeated measures.

RESULTS

Exposure to high TRAP was associated with higher DBP (1.1 mm/Hg, p = 0.002) post-exposure, irrespective of exercise status. Ultrafine particles (UFP) increased DBP post-exposure (0.9 mm/Hg, p = 0.004). Interquartile increases in black carbon (BC), fine particulate matter (PM10 and PMcoarse), UFP, and nitric oxides (NOx) were associated with statistically significantly higher SBP post-exposure (1.2, 1.0, 1.1, and 1.1 mm/Hg, respectively). Intermittent PA compared with rest was associated with lower SBP post-exposure (-2.4 mm/Hg, p < 0.001). PA lowered SBP more after exposure to the low-TRAP site (-2.3 mm/Hg) compared with the high-TRAP site (-1.6 mm/Hg). We only found evidence of an interaction between PA and both PM10 and PMcoarse, increasing SBP.

CONCLUSION

Both SBP and DBP increase after exposure to TRAP. Intermittent PA attenuates the TRAP-related increases in SBP, with the exception of PM10 and PMcoarse, which potentiate these increases. We showed that in low-TRAP environments intermittent PA has stronger beneficial effects on SBP than in high-TRAP environments.

Severe chronic allergic (and related) diseases: a uniform approach--a MeDALL--GA2LEN--ARIA position paper

Concepts of disease severity, activity, control and responsiveness to treatment are linked but different. Severity refers to the loss of function of the organs induced by the disease process or to the occurrence of severe acute exacerbations. Severity may vary over time and needs regular follow-up. Control is the degree to which therapy goals are currently met. These concepts have evolved over time for asthma in guidelines, task forces or consensus meetings. The aim of this paper is to generalize the approach of the uniform definition of severe asthma presented to WHO for chronic allergic and associated diseases (rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, chronic urticaria and atopic dermatitis) in order to have a uniform definition of severity, control and risk, usable in most situations. It is based on the appropriate diagnosis, availability and accessibility of treatments, treatment responsiveness and associated factors such as comorbidities and risk factors. This uniform definition will allow a better definition of the phenotypes of severe allergic (and related) diseases for clinical practice, research (including epidemiology), public health purposes, education and the discovery of novel therapies.

Respiratory health and endotoxin: associations and modification by CD14/-260 genotype

Exposure to endotoxin has been associated with increased respiratory symptoms and decrements in lung function in occupational settings but little is known about the health effects of domestic exposure in adults. Here, we describe the association of respiratory disease, immunoglobulin (Ig)E sensitisation, bronchial reactivity and lung function with mattress endotoxin levels in adults, and determine whether these associations are modified by polymorphisms in CD14. Endotoxin levels in mattress dust from a population-based sample of 972 adults were measured. Associations were examined using generalised linear mixed models, adjusting for individual and household confounders. Effect modification of these associations by CD14/-260 (rs2569190) was assessed. Mattress endotoxin levels varied from 0.1 to 402.6 EU · mg(-1). Although there was no overall association of lung function with endotoxin exposure, there was evidence that the association of forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity with endotoxin was modified by CD14/-260 genotype (p-value for interaction 0.005 and 0.013, respectively). There was no evidence that symptoms, IgE sensitisation or bronchial reactivity were associated with mattress endotoxin levels. In this large epidemiological study of adults, there was no evidence that mattress endotoxin level was associated with respiratory symptoms or IgE sensitisation but the association of lung function with endotoxin levels may be modified by CD14 genotype.

MeDALL (Mechanisms of the Development of ALLergy): an integrated approach from phenotypes to systems medicine

The origin of the epidemic of IgE-associated (allergic) diseases is unclear. MeDALL (Mechanisms of the Development of ALLergy), an FP7 European Union project (No. 264357), aims to generate novel knowledge on the mechanisms of initiation of allergy and to propose early diagnosis, prevention, and targets for therapy. A novel phenotype definition and an integrative translational approach are needed to understand how a network of molecular and environmental factors can lead to complex allergic diseases. A novel, stepwise, large-scale, and integrative approach will be led by a network of complementary experts in allergy, epidemiology, allergen biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology, epigenetics, functional genomics, bioinformatics, computational and systems biology. The following steps are proposed: (i) Identification of 'classical' and 'novel' phenotypes in existing birth cohorts; (ii) Building discovery of the relevant mechanisms in IgE-associated allergic diseases in existing longitudinal birth cohorts and Karelian children; (iii) Validation and redefinition of classical and novel phenotypes of IgE-associated allergic diseases; and (iv) Translational integration of systems biology outcomes into health care, including societal aspects. MeDALL will lead to: (i) A better understanding of allergic phenotypes, thus expanding current knowledge of the genomic and environmental determinants of allergic diseases in an integrative way; (ii) Novel diagnostic tools for the early diagnosis of allergy, targets for the development of novel treatment modalities, and prevention of allergic diseases; (iii) Improving the health of European citizens as well as increasing the competitiveness and boosting the innovative capacity of Europe, while addressing global health issues and ethical issues.

ADRB2 Gly16Arg polymorphism, asthma control and lung function decline

Arg/Arg homozygotes for the Gly16Arg polymorphism in the β₂-adrenoreceptor gene (ADRB2) have a reduced response to short-acting β₂-agonists but no effect has been associated with long-acting β₂-agonists (LABAs). We selected 604 subjects with current asthma from the European Community Respiratory Health Study to evaluate whether asthma control and lung function decline were associated with Gly16Arg polymorphism, and to test whether LABA or inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use modified these effects. There was an increased risk of noncontrolled asthma (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.01-1.75; p = 0.046) for each Arg allele. Among nonusers of ICS, the odds ratio of noncontrolled asthma among Arg/Arg versus Gly/Gly subjects was 2.73 (95% CI 1.28-5.82; p = 0.009). No increased risk of noncontrolled asthma associated with the Arg allele was observed among ICS and/or LABA users. For each Arg allele, a mean ± se decrease in decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s of 7.7 ± 2.5 mL·yr⁻¹ was found (p-value for trend 0.003), irrespective of ICS or LABA use. Arg/Arg subjects had an increased risk of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) versus Gly/Gly subjects, with an odds ratio of 2.51 (95% CI 1.12-5.63; p = 0.025) if they did not use ICS. The Arg allele was associated with poorer asthma control, a steeper lung function decline and BHR. Absence of genotypic effects on asthma control among ICS users may be due to reversed β₂-adrenoreceptor desensitisation.

Early life environment, neurodevelopment and the interrelation with atopy

Both neurological and immunological systems are vulnerable to early life exposures. Neurological disorders and atopy have been related in animals and humans. Our main objective was to assess whether multiple exposures to early life determinants remain associated with neurodevelopment after considering the potential intermediate role of atopy. A second objective was to assess whether genes associated with atopy may inform about the potential neurotoxical mechanisms. Children were members of the AMICS birth cohort in Menorca (n=418, 87% of the recruited). General cognition was measured with the McCarthy Scales at age 4 and atopy through specific IgE at age 4 and prick test at age 6; 85 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 16 atopy and detoxification genes were genotyped. Among the 27 risk factors assessed, lower maternal social class, maternal smoking during pregnancy, being first born, shorter breastfeeding, higher DDT levels in cord blood, and higher indoor levels of NO2 (among the non-detoxifiers by GSTP1 polymorphism) were independently associated with poorer cognition. These associations were apparently not mediated by the relation between atopy and general cognition. Among the candidate atopic genes, variants in NQ01 (a detoxification gene) and NPRS1 (related with affective disorders like anxiety and stress management) had a significant association with general cognition (p-value<0.001). However, adjustment for the corresponding SNPs did not change the association between the early life determinants and general cognition. Multiple environmental pre-natal exposures were associated with neurodevelopment independently of their role in the immunological system. Atopic genes related to neurodevelopment suggest some potential mechanisms.

Neuropsychologic status at the age 4 years and atopy in a population-based birth cohort

BACKGROUND

Mental health has been reported to be associated with allergy, but only a few cohort studies have assessed if neurodevelopment predicts atopy.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate if neurobehavioral status of healthy 4-year-old children was associated with specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) at the same age and skin prick test results 2 years later.

METHODS

A population-based birth cohort enrolled 482 children, 422 of them (87%) provided neurobehavioral data, 341 (71%) had specific IgE measured at the age of 4 years; and 395 (82%) had skin prick tests completed at the age of 6 years. Atopy was defined as IgE levels higher than 0.35 kU/l to any of the three tested allergens at the age of 4 or as a positive skin prick test to any of the six tested allergens at the age of 6. McCarthy Scales of Child Abilities and California Preschool Social Competence Scale were the psychometric instruments used.

RESULTS

Twelve percent of children at the age of 4 and 17% at the age of 6 were atopic. Neurobehavioral scores were negatively associated with 6-year-old atopy after adjustment for socio-demographic and allergic factors, A relative risk of 3.06 (95% CI: 1.30-7.24) was associated with the lowest tertile (scorings < or =90 points) of the general cognitive scale. Similar results were found for verbal abilities, executive functions, and social competence. Asthma, wheezing, rhinitis, and eczema at the age of 6, but not at the age of 4, were associated with neurodevelopment at the age of 4.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuropsychologic functioning and later atopy are negatively associated in preschool age children.

Chronic bronchitis before age 50 years predicts incident airflow limitation and mortality risk

BACKGROUND

Previous studies on the relationship of chronic bronchitis to incident airflow limitation and all-cause mortality have provided conflicting results, with positive findings reported mainly by studies that included populations of young adults. This study sought to determine whether having chronic cough and sputum production in the absence of airflow limitation is associated with onset of airflow limitation, all-cause mortality and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), and whether subjects' age influences these relationships.

METHODS

1412 participants in the long-term Tucson Epidemiological Study of Airway Obstructive Disease who at enrolment (1972-1973) were 21-80 years old and had FEV(1)/FVC (forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity) > or = 70% and no asthma were identified. Chronic bronchitis was defined as cough and phlegm production on most days for > or = 3 months in two or more consecutive years. Incidence of airflow limitation was defined as the first follow-up survey with FEV(1)/FVC <70%. Serum IL-8 and CRP levels were measured in cryopreserved samples from the enrolment survey.

RESULTS

After adjusting for covariates, chronic bronchitis at enrolment significantly increased the risk for incident airflow limitation and all-cause mortality among subjects <50 years old (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.8; and HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.8; respectively), but not among subjects > or = 50 years old (HR 0.9, 95% CI 0.6 to 1.4; and HR 1.0, 95% CI 0.7 to 1.3). Chronic bronchitis was associated with increased IL-8 and CRP serum levels only among subjects <50 years old.

CONCLUSIONS

Among adults <50 years old, chronic bronchitis unaccompanied by airflow limitation may represent an early marker of susceptibility to the effects of cigarette smoking on systemic inflammation and long-term risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and all-cause mortality.

The impact of CD14 polymorphisms on the development of soluble CD14 levels during infancy

CD14 is a receptor involved in the recognition of lipopolysaccharide and other bacterial wall components that may be involved in the balance between infectious and allergic disease and the early polarization towards TH1. Our group has shown an association between polymorphisms in the 5' flanking region of the CD14 gene and plasma soluble CD14 (sCD14) levels at 11 years of age. However, whether this association is present at birth and in infancy remains to be determined. In this study, we measured sCD14 levels in plasma from the umbilical cord (n = 387) and at 3 months (n = 357) and 1 year (n = 312) of age in non-selected healthy infants to assess their relationship with CD14 genotypes at -4190, -2838, -1720 and -260 (relative to translation start site). There was no relation of CD14 genotypes with sCD14 at birth. However, there was a significant association between CD14 genotypes and sCD14 as early as 3 months. Longitudinal analysis suggests that CD14 polymorphisms modulate sCD14 levels up to 1 year of age. This association early in life may have an impact on TH1 polarization and subsequent protection against allergic disease.