Erratum to: “Ultrasonography after pharmacological stimulation of erection for the diagnosis and therapeutic follow-up of erectile dysfunction due to cavernovenous leakage” [J. Med. Vasc. 45 (2020) 3–12]

SummaryPlasminogen binds to endothelial and blood cells as well as to fibrin, where the zymogen is efficiently activated and protected from inhibition by α2-antiplasmin. In the present study we have found that complestatin, a peptide-like metabolite of a streptomyces, enhances binding of plasminogen to cells and fibrin. Complestatin, at concentrations ranging from 1 to 5 μM, doubled 125I-plasminogen binding to U937 cells both in the absence and presence of lipoprotein(a), a putative physiological competitor of plasminogen. The binding of 125I-plasminogen in the presence of complestatin was abolished by e-aminocaproic acid, suggesting that the lysine binding site(s) of the plasminogen molecule are involved in the binding. Equilibrium binding analyses indicated that complestatin increased the maximum binding of 125I-plasminogen to U937 cells without affecting the binding affinity. Complestatin was also effective in increasing 125I-plasminogen binding to fibrin, causing 2-fold elevation of the binding at ~1 μM. Along with the potentiation of plasminogen binding, complestatin enhanced plasmin formation, and thereby increased fibrinolysis. These results would provide a biochemical basis for a pharmacological stimulation of endogenous fibrinolysis through a promotion of plasminogen binding to cells and fibrin.

Download Full-text

Deep brain stimulation of the posterior limb of the internal capsule in the treatment of central poststroke neuropathic pain of the lower limb: case series with long-term follow-up and literature review

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/2019.5.jns19227 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 133 (3) ◽

pp. 830-838 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andrea Franzini ◽

Giuseppe Messina ◽

Vincenzo Levi ◽

Antonio D’Ammando ◽

Roberto Cordella ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neuropathic Pain ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Internal Capsule ◽

Posterior Limb ◽

Vas Score ◽

The Mean ◽

Deep Brain ◽

Stimulation Of

OBJECTIVECentral poststroke neuropathic pain is a debilitating syndrome that is often resistant to medical therapies. Surgical measures include motor cortex stimulation and deep brain stimulation (DBS), which have been used to relieve pain. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the safety and long-term efficacy of DBS of the posterior limb of the internal capsule for relieving central poststroke neuropathic pain and associated spasticity affecting the lower limb.METHODSClinical and surgical data were retrospectively collected and analyzed in all patients who had undergone DBS of the posterior limb of the internal capsule to address central poststroke neuropathic pain refractory to conservative measures. In addition, long-term pain intensity and level of satisfaction gained from stimulation were assessed. Pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS). Information on gait improvement was obtained from medical records, neurological examination, and interview.RESULTSFour patients have undergone the procedure since 2001. No mortality or morbidity related to the surgery was recorded. In three patients, stimulation of the posterior limb of the internal capsule resulted in long-term pain relief; in a fourth patient, the procedure failed to produce any long-lasting positive effect. Two patients obtained a reduction in spasticity and improved motor capability. Before surgery, the mean VAS score was 9 (range 8–10). In the immediate postoperative period and within 1 week after the DBS system had been turned on, the mean VAS score was significantly lower at a mean of 3 (range 0–6). After a mean follow-up of 5.88 years, the mean VAS score was still reduced at 5.5 (range 3–8). The mean percentage of long-term pain reduction was 38.13%.CONCLUSIONSThis series suggests that stimulation of the posterior limb of the internal capsule is safe and effective in treating patients with chronic neuropathic pain affecting the lower limb. The procedure may be a more targeted treatment method than motor cortex stimulation or other neuromodulation techniques in the subset of patients whose pain and spasticity are referred to the lower limbs.

Download Full-text

Faculty Opinions recommendation of Deep brain stimulation of the subcallosal cingulate for treatment-refractory anorexia nervosa: 1 year follow-up of an open-label trial.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.727349473.793546331 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Luc Mallet

Keyword(s):

Anorexia Nervosa ◽

Deep Brain Stimulation ◽

Brain Stimulation ◽

Open Label ◽

Open Label Trial ◽

Treatment Refractory ◽

Deep Brain ◽

Stimulation Of

Download Full-text

Evaluation of Long-Term Clinical Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction Rate Following Low Intensity Shock Wave Therapy in Men With Erectile Dysfunction: A Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up on a Prospective Open-Label Single-Arm Clinical Study

Sexual Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100384 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 100384

Author(s):

Eric Chung ◽

Ross Cartmill

Keyword(s):

Shock Wave ◽

Erectile Dysfunction ◽

Clinical Study ◽

Shock Wave Therapy ◽

Open Label ◽

Low Intensity ◽

Satisfaction Rate ◽

Patient Satisfaction Rate

Download Full-text

Associations between depression and cardiometabolic health: A 27-year longitudinal study

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s003329172000505x ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Hillary L. Ditmars ◽

Mark W. Logue ◽

Rosemary Toomey ◽

Ruth E. McKenzie ◽

Carol E. Franz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Erectile Dysfunction ◽

Sleep Apnea ◽

Twin Study ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Cardiometabolic Health ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Polygenic Risk Score ◽

Polygenic Risk

Abstract Background Clarifying the relationship between depression symptoms and cardiometabolic and related health could clarify risk factors and treatment targets. The objective of this study was to assess whether depression symptoms in midlife are associated with the subsequent onset of cardiometabolic health problems. Methods The study sample comprised 787 male twin veterans with polygenic risk score data who participated in the Harvard Twin Study of Substance Abuse (‘baseline’) and the longitudinal Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (‘follow-up’). Depression symptoms were assessed at baseline [mean age 41.42 years (s.d. = 2.34)] using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule, Version III, Revised. The onset of eight cardiometabolic conditions (atrial fibrillation, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, myocardial infarction, sleep apnea, and stroke) was assessed via self-reported doctor diagnosis at follow-up [mean age 67.59 years (s.d. = 2.41)]. Results Total depression symptoms were longitudinally associated with incident diabetes (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.07–1.57), erectile dysfunction (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.10–1.59), hypercholesterolemia (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.04–1.53), and sleep apnea (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.13–1.74) over 27 years after controlling for age, alcohol consumption, smoking, body mass index, C-reactive protein, and polygenic risk for specific health conditions. In sensitivity analyses that excluded somatic depression symptoms, only the association with sleep apnea remained significant (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09–1.60). Conclusions A history of depression symptoms by early midlife is associated with an elevated risk for subsequent development of several self-reported health conditions. When isolated, non-somatic depression symptoms are associated with incident self-reported sleep apnea. Depression symptom history may be a predictor or marker of cardiometabolic risk over decades.

Download Full-text

Staphylococcus aureus Carriage in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Impact on Response to Adalimumab

Dermatology ◽

10.1159/000512617 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Dimitra Stergianou ◽

Vassiliki Tzanetakou ◽

Maria Argyropoulou ◽

Theodora Kanni ◽

Pantelis G. Bagos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Clinical Response ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Hidradenitis Suppurativa ◽

Positive Culture ◽

Nasal Carriage ◽

Loss Of Response ◽

Response Score ◽

Stimulation Of

Background: Several patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) present flare-ups during treatment with adalimumab (ADA), the cause of which is not clear. ADA is the only FDA-approved biologic for the therapy of moderate-to-severe HS. A previous study of our group has shown that Staphylococcus aureus stimulation of whole blood affects the production of human β-defensin 2 and modulates HS severity. It is, therefore, hypothesized, that carriage of S. aureus may drive HS flare-ups. Objective: To explore the association between carriage of S. aureus and loss of response to ADA. Patients and Methods: Among patients with moderate-to-severe HS without carriage of S. aureus at start of treatment with ADA, we investigated for carriage of S. aureus from the nares when flare-ups occurred. Flare-ups were pre-defined as at least 25% increase of inflammatory lesions (sum of inflammatory nodules and abscesses) from baseline. Samplings were also done after completion of 12 weeks of ADA treatment from all patients who did not present flare-ups. Clinical response to ADA was assessed by the HS Clinical Response score (HiSCR). Results: Thirty-nine patients were studied; 24 with Hurley II stage HS and 15 with Hurley III stage HS. Twenty-nine patients achieved HiSCR after 12 weeks of treatment without any flare-ups; 10 patients had flare-ups and failed HiSCR. Three (10.3%) and 5 (50%) patients, respectively, had nasal carriage of S. aureus (odds ratio 8.67; 95% CI 1.54–48.49; p = 0.014). Among 32 patients reaching follow-up week 48, 20 patients achieved HiSCR and 12 had flare-ups leading to ADA failure; 2 (10%) and 5 (41.7%) patients, respectively, had positive culture for S. aureus (odds ratio 6.42; 95% CI 1.00–41.20; p = 0.05). Conclusion: Nasal carriage of S. aureus may be associated with loss of response to ADA. Findings need confirmation in larger series of patients.

Download Full-text