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Milella G, Introna A, Mezzapesa DM, D'Errico E, Fraddosio A, Ucci M, Zoccolella S, Simone IL. Clinical Profiles and Patterns of Neurodegeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Cluster-Based Approach Based on MR Imaging Metrics. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2023; 44:403-409. [PMID: 36958798 PMCID: PMC10084907 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The previous studies described phenotype-associated imaging findings in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with a prior categorization of patients based on clinical characteristics. We investigated the natural segregation of patients through a radiologic cluster-based approach without a priori patient categorization using 3 well-known prognostic MR imaging biomarkers in ALS, namely bilateral precentral and paracentral gyrus cortical thickness and medulla oblongata volume. We aimed to identify clinical/prognostic features that are cluster-associated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bilateral precentral and paracentral gyri and medulla oblongata volume were calculated using FreeSurfer in 90 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and 25 healthy controls. A 2-step cluster analysis was performed using precentral and paracentral gyri (averaged pair-wise) and medulla oblongata volume. RESULTS We identified 3 radiologic clusters: 28 (31%) patients belonged to "cluster-1"; 51 (57%), to "cluster 2"; and 11 (12%), to "cluster 3." Patients in cluster 1 showed statistically significant cortical thinning of the analyzed cortical areas and lower medulla oblongata volume compared with subjects in cluster 2 and cluster 3, respectively. Patients in cluster 3 exhibited significant cortical thinning of both paracentral and precentral gyri versus those in cluster 2, and this latter cluster showed lower medulla oblongata volume than cluster 3. Patients in cluster 1 were characterized by older age, higher female prevalence, greater disease severity, higher progression rate, and lower survival compared with patients in clusters 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spontaneously segregate according to age and sex-specific patterns of neurodegeneration. Some patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis showed an early higher impairment of cortical motor neurons with relative sparing of bulbar motor neurons (cluster 3), while others expressed an opposite pattern (cluster 2). Moreover, 31% of patients showed an early simultaneous impairment of cortical and bulbar motor neurons (cluster 1), and they were characterized by higher disease severity and lower survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Milella
- From the Neurology Unit (G.M., A.I., D.M.M., E.D., A.F., M.U., I.L.S.), Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - A Introna
- From the Neurology Unit (G.M., A.I., D.M.M., E.D., A.F., M.U., I.L.S.), Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - D M Mezzapesa
- From the Neurology Unit (G.M., A.I., D.M.M., E.D., A.F., M.U., I.L.S.), Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - E D'Errico
- From the Neurology Unit (G.M., A.I., D.M.M., E.D., A.F., M.U., I.L.S.), Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - A Fraddosio
- From the Neurology Unit (G.M., A.I., D.M.M., E.D., A.F., M.U., I.L.S.), Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - M Ucci
- From the Neurology Unit (G.M., A.I., D.M.M., E.D., A.F., M.U., I.L.S.), Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - S Zoccolella
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale Bari (S.Z.), San Paolo Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - I L Simone
- From the Neurology Unit (G.M., A.I., D.M.M., E.D., A.F., M.U., I.L.S.), Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
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Introna A, Milella G, Morea A, Ucci M, Fraddosio A, Zoccolella S, D'Errico E, Simone IL. King's college progression rate at first clinical evaluation: A new measure of disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 2021; 431:120041. [PMID: 34736124 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.120041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To estimate King's college clinical stage progression rate (ΔKC) at first clinical evaluation in order to define its predictive and prognostic role on survival in a large cohort of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients. METHODS The ΔKC was calculated with the following formula: 0 - KC clinical stage at first clinical evaluation/disease duration from onset to first evaluation, and each result was reported as absolute value. All the evaluations were performed in two cohorts: one from our tertiary centre for motor neuron disease and the other one from a pooled resource open-access ALS clinical trials (PRO-ACT) database. C-statistic was used to evaluate the model discrimination of survival at different time points (1-3 years). Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify factors associated with survival. RESULTS ΔKC predicted survival at three years in our centre and in the PRO-ACT cohort (C-statistic 0.83, 95% CI 0.8-0.86, p < 0.0001; 0.7, 95% CI 0.68-0.73, p < 0.0001, respectively). At multivariate analysis, ΔKC was independently associated with survival both in our cohort (HR 3.62 95% CI 2.71-4.83 p = 0.001) and in the PRO-ACT cohort (HR 2.75 95% CI 2.1-3.6 p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Based on our results, ΔKC could be used as a novel measure of disease progression, hence as an accurate predictor of survival in ALS patients. Indeed, greater values of ΔKC were associated with a 3.5-fold higher risk to experience the event, confirming its robust prognostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Introna
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Giammarco Milella
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonella Morea
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Ucci
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Fraddosio
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Eustachio D'Errico
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Isabella Laura Simone
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy.
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Introna A, Milella G, Ghirelli A, Guglielmini G, Ucci M, D'Errico E, Fraddosio A, Ruggieri M, Simone I. King's progression rate: Prognostic value in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis according to cerebrospinal neurofilament light chain levels. J Neurol Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.117742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Milella G, Introna A, Mezzapesa D, Zoccolella S, Ucci M, Ghirelli A, D'Errico E, Fraddosio A, Simone I. Medulla oblongata volume predicts survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. J Neurol Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.117762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Milella G, Introna A, D'Errico E, Fraddosio A, Scaglione G, Morea A, Ucci M, Ruggieri M, Mastrapasqua M, Megna M, Puntillo F, Simone IL. Cerebrospinal Fluid and Clinical Profiles in Adult Type 2-3 Spinal Muscular Atrophy Patients Treated with Nusinersen: An 18-Month Single-Centre Experience. Clin Drug Investig 2021; 41:775-784. [PMID: 34389971 PMCID: PMC8390404 DOI: 10.1007/s40261-021-01071-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Nusinersen was approved as the first disease-modifying therapy in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Our aim was to analyse therapy-related changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum parameters of adult type 2-3 SMA and to correlate biochemical data with motor functional status. METHODS Nine adult SMA type 2-3 patients and ten control subjects without neurodegenerative diseases were included in our single-centre study. Cross-sectional analysis of CSF routine parameters, CSF neurofilament light chain, CSF Tau, CSF phospho-Tau and serum creatinine was performed between SMA patients at baseline (T0) and control subjects. The above-mentioned fluid parameters were longitudinally analysed in the SMA cohort after loading dose (T1) and after four maintenance doses (T2, T3, T4, T5). Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE), Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM) and the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) were used to evaluate motor outcomes. RESULTS Improvements in HFMSE, RULM and 6MWT were observed only after the loading dose of nusinersen. No significant differences in routine CSF parameters and CSF markers of neurodegeneration were found between SMA patients and control subjects. Serum creatinine levels were significantly lower in SMA patients than in control subjects. CSF/serum albumin ratio (Qalb) significantly increased from T0 to each time point, without any further increase after the maintenance doses. Persistent systemic oligoclonal bands (OCBs) were found in five patients from baseline. Three more patients developed persistent systemic OCBs from T1; one patient showed intrathecal OCBSs from baseline to T5. Markers of neurodegeneration did not change during the follow-up and did not correlate with motor scores at baseline and at each timepoint. Serum creatinine levels significantly correlated with HFMSE and RULM at each time point. CONCLUSIONS The increase of the Qalb values and the development of systemic OCBs in some SMA patients could be due to repeated lumbar puncture and to the immunogenic effect of nusinersen. On the other hand, the presence of OCBs in serum and/or CSF at baseline should be further investigated. Furthermore, biomarkers of neurodegeneration did not play a prognostic role in our cohort of adult SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giammarco Milella
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Introna
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Eustachio D'Errico
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Fraddosio
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Gaspare Scaglione
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonella Morea
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Ucci
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Maddalena Ruggieri
- Neurophysiopathology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Mariangela Mastrapasqua
- Neurophysiopathology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Marisa Megna
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Filomena Puntillo
- Anesthesia, Intensive Care, and Pain Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Isabella Laura Simone
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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Introna A, Caputo F, Santoro C, Guerra T, Ucci M, Mezzapesa DM, Trojano M. Guillain-Barré syndrome after AstraZeneca COVID-19-vaccination: A causal or casual association? Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2021; 208:106887. [PMID: 34418708 PMCID: PMC8360997 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We report a case of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following the first dose of Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine with papilledema as atypical onset. As the COVID-19 vaccination campaign progresses worldwide, GBSs vaccine-related have been increasingly reported. After reviewing the available literature, considering the annual incidence of GBS, in this historical moment, the public health systems cannot afford an unjustified distrust in vaccines, caused by misinterpretation of epidemiological data. Nonetheless, it is important for clinicians to promptly recognize neurological complications potentially associated with COVID-19 vaccinations and report them to pharmacovigilance agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Introna
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy.
| | - Francesca Caputo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Tommaso Guerra
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Ucci
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Maria Mezzapesa
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Trojano
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
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Introna A, Milella G, D'Errico E, Fraddosio A, Scaglione G, Ucci M, Ruggieri M, Simone IL. Is cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-β42 a promising biomarker of response to nusinersen in adult spinal muscular atrophy patients? Muscle Nerve 2021; 63:905-909. [PMID: 33660868 PMCID: PMC8251706 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Nusinersen was approved as the first treatment for all types of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), including adults with SMA types 2 and 3. Robust biomarkers of treatment response in SMA adults are lacking. Our aim was to examine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid‐β40 (Aβ40) and amyloid‐β42 (Aβ42) peptides as biomarkers of treatment response. Methods Eight patients with SMA types 2 and 3 were recruited consecutively in a single‐center study. CSF was sampled at baseline, after a loading dose, and after three maintenance doses. Levels of Aβ42 and Aβ40 were evaluated for each CSF sampling. Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed‐rank test was used to detect longitudinal changes. Results CSF levels of Aβ42 increased from baseline to day 420 (95% confidence interval, P = .018), with a significant increase at days 180 and 420 compared with days 0 and 300, respectively (95% confidence interval, P = .012 and P = .018). Discussion The maintenance and promotion of wellness of residual motor neurons mediated by the restored level of SMN protein due to nusinersen could result in an increased level of amyloid peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Introna
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro,", Bari, Italy
| | - Giammarco Milella
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro,", Bari, Italy
| | - Eustachio D'Errico
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro,", Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Fraddosio
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro,", Bari, Italy
| | - Gaspare Scaglione
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro,", Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Ucci
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro,", Bari, Italy
| | - Maddalena Ruggieri
- Neurophysiopathology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro,", Bari, Italy
| | - Isabella Laura Simone
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro,", Bari, Italy
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Sawyer A, Smith L, Ucci M, Jones R, Marmot A, Fisher A. Perceived office environments and occupational physical activity in office-based workers. Occup Med (Lond) 2017; 67:260-267. [PMID: 28339829 PMCID: PMC5927093 DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqx022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals in office-based occupations have low levels of physical activity but there is little research into the socio-ecological correlates of workplace activity. AIMS To identify factors contributing to office-based workers' perceptions of the office environment and explore cross-sectional relationships between these factors and occupational physical activity. METHODS Participants in the Active Buildings study reported perceptions of their office environment using the Movement at Work Survey. A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted on survey items. A sub-sample wore the ActivPAL3TM accelerometer for ≥3 workdays to measure occupational step count, standing, sitting and sit-to-stand transitions. Linear regression analyses assessed relationships between environmental perceptions and activity. RESULTS There were 433 participants, with accelerometer data available for 115 participants across 11 organ izations. The PCA revealed four factors: (i) perceived distance to office destinations, (ii) perceived office aesthetics and comfort, (iii) perceived office social environment and (iv) perceived management discouragement of unscheduled breaks. Younger participants perceived office destinations as being closer to their desk. Younger and female participants perceived more positive office social environments; there were no other socio-demographic differences. Within the sub-sample with accelerometer data, perceived discouragement of breaks by management was related to occupational step count/hour (B = -64.5; 95% CI -109.7 to -19.2). No other environmental perceptions were related to activity or sitting. CONCLUSIONS Perceived managerial discouragement of breaks could be related to meaningful decreases in occupational step count. Future research should aim to elucidate the role of the workplace socio-cultural environment in occupational walking, with a focus on the role of management.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sawyer
- Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - L Smith
- The Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK
| | - M Ucci
- UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, Central House, University College London, 14 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H 0NN, UK
| | - R Jones
- Glasgow Centre for Population Health, Third Floor, Olympia Building, Bridgeton Cross, Glasgow G40 2QH, UK
| | - A Marmot
- UCL Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, 132 Hampstead Road, University College London, London NW1 2PS, UK
| | - A Fisher
- Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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Smith L, McCourt O, Sawyer A, Ucci M, Marmot A, Wardle J, Fisher A. A review of occupational physical activity and sedentary behaviour correlates. Occup Med (Lond) 2016; 66:185-92. [DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqv164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Smith L, Ucci M, Laskowski M, Hamer M, Wardle J, Marmot A, Fisher A. Active Buildings: Modelling Physical Activity and Movement in Office Buildings. Eur J Public Health 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckt123.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Mavrogianni A, Johnson F, Ucci M, Marmot A, Wardle J, Oreszczyn T, Summerfield A. Historic Variations in Winter Indoor Domestic Temperatures and Potential Implications for Body Weight Gain. Indoor Built Environ 2013; 22:360-375. [PMID: 26321874 PMCID: PMC4456148 DOI: 10.1177/1420326x11425966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/11/2011] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
It has been argued that the amount of time spent by humans in thermoneutral environments has increased in recent decades. This paper examines evidence of historic changes in winter domestic temperatures in industrialised countries. Future trajectories for indoor thermal comfort are also explored. Whilst methodological differences across studies make it difficult to compare data and accurately estimate the absolute size of historic changes in indoor domestic temperatures, data analysis does suggest an upward trend, particularly in bedrooms. The variations in indoor winter residential temperatures might have been further exacerbated in some countries by a temporary drop in demand temperatures due to the 1970s energy crisis, as well as by recent changes in the building stock. In the United Kingdom, for example, spot measurement data indicate that an increase of up to 1.3°C per decade in mean dwelling winter indoor temperatures may have occurred from 1978 to 1996. The findings of this review paper are also discussed in the context of their significance for human health and well-being. In particular, historic indoor domestic temperature trends are discussed in conjunction with evidence on the links between low ambient temperatures, body energy expenditure and weight gain.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Mavrogianni
- UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - F. Johnson
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London,
London, UK
| | - M. Ucci
- The Bartlett School of Graduate Studies, University College London, London,
UK
| | - A. Marmot
- The Bartlett School of Graduate Studies, University College London, London,
UK
| | - J. Wardle
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London,
London, UK
| | - T. Oreszczyn
- UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - A. Summerfield
- UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London, UK
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Abstract
Domestic winter indoor temperatures in the USA, UK and other developed countries appear to be following an upwards trend. This review examines evidence of a causal link between thermal exposures and increases in obesity prevalence, focusing on acute and longer-term biological effects of time spent in thermal comfort compared with mild cold. Reduced exposure to seasonal cold may have a dual effect on energy expenditure, both minimizing the need for physiological thermogenesis and reducing thermogenic capacity. Experimental studies show a graded association between acute mild cold and human energy expenditure over the range of temperatures relevant to indoor heating trends. Meanwhile, recent studies of the role of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in human thermogenesis suggest that increased time spent in conditions of thermal comfort can lead to a loss of BAT and reduced thermogenic capacity. Pathways linking cold exposure and adiposity have not been directly tested in humans. Research in naturalistic and experimental settings is needed to establish effects of changes in thermal exposures on weight, which may raise possibilities for novel public health strategies to address obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Johnson
- Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK.
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Hart BJ, Crowther D, Wilkinson T, Biddulph P, Ucci M, Pretlove S, Ridley I, Oreszczyn T. Reproduction and development of laboratory and wild house dust mites (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) and their relationship to the natural dust ecosystem. J Med Entomol 2007; 44:568-74. [PMID: 17695009 DOI: 10.1603/0022-2585(2007)44[568:radola]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Life histories of "wild" house dust mites, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Trouessart) (Acari: Pyroglyphidae), were compared with laboratory cultures by using a diet consisting of skin and dust or a laboratory diet consisting of dried liver and yeast. Under constant conditions of 25 degrees C and 75% RH, fecundity and rate of reproduction were higher in laboratory cultures on both diets compared with wild mites. There were also trends for a shorter prereproductive period and more rapid egg development of laboratory mites compared with wild mites. Overall, there was little effect of diet on either strain of mites at 75% RH. At low RH (64%), fecundity was significantly lower (for both strains on both diets), and there were also trends for longer prereproductive period, reduced rate of reproduction, reduced adult survival, prolonged egg and juvenile development, or a combination compared with 75% RH. Additionally egg and juvenile mortality were significantly higher on the liver and yeast diet. Overall, the skin and dust diet favored both strains of mites at 64% RH. On the liver and yeast diet at 64% RH, wild mite adults performed significantly better than laboratory mites, and egg mortality was lower. These results suggest that laboratory mites have stronger reproduction and development than wild mites, except when under environmental stress and that diet is a significant factor, particularly in suboptimal conditions. This could have important implications for predictive models of house dust mite populations in their natural habitat. Ideally, such models should be developed using data from wild dust mite populations reared on a natural diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Hart
- Royal Agricultural College, Stroud Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 6JS, United Kingdom.
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Abstract
A case is reported of a neoplasm involving a supernumerary testicle in a 9-year-old boy. The histologic diagnosis was anaplastic seminoma. We have not been able to find a similar case in the literature.
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15
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Adami E, Amato M, Martinelli F, Salvadori M, Ucci M. [Possibilities of the use of a "single needle" in a dialysis center]. Minerva Nefrol 1976; 23:449-54. [PMID: 1012617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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