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2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-antoine Dugué ◽  
Allison Hodge ◽  
Per Ueland ◽  
Øivind Midttun ◽  
Arve Ulvik ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Inflammation is a key feature of aging and a cause of numerous diseases. We investigated the association of 35 blood markers involved in inflammatory processes with age and mortality and developed a signature of ‘inflammaging’. Methods Thirty-five blood markers relating to the kynurenine pathway, vitamin status, and inflammation were measured in 976 participants in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study at baseline (1990-1994, median age 59 years) and follow-up (2003-2007, median age 70 years). Associations of each marker with age and all-cause mortality were assessed using linear and Cox regression, respectively. A signature of inflammaging was obtained via Lasso regression of age on the markers and tested for association with mortality; we compared mortality associations for this signature and two weighted scores across all markers associated with age and mortality, respectively. Results Most markers (29/35) were associated with age, with strongest associations observed for cystatin C, neopterin, quinolinic acid, and the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio, PAr index, and 3-hydroxykynurenine/xanthurenic acid ratio. Many markers (14/35) showed strong associations with mortality in particular neopterin, quinolinic acid, HK/XA, PAr index, CRP, IL-6 and KTr. The inflammaging signature included six markers and showed strong association with mortality (HR = 1.5, 95%CI: 1.3-1.7), almost as strong as the association of weighted scores combining all measured markers. Conclusions Our study highlights the key role played by markers of the kynurenine pathway and vitamin B6 catabolism in aging, along with other well-established inflammation-related markers. Key messages A signature of ‘inflammaging’ based on 6 markers may be useful to better predict mortality.


BMC Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katinka Nordheim Alme ◽  
Torunn Askim ◽  
Jörg Assmus ◽  
Tom Eirik Mollnes ◽  
Mala Naik ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sedentary behaviour is associated with disease, but the molecular mechanisms are not understood. Valid biomarkers with predictive and explanatory properties are required. Therefore, we have investigated traditional and novel biomarkers of inflammation and immune modulation and their association to objectively measured sedentary behaviour in an ischemic stroke population. Methods Patients admitted to hospital with acute ischemic stroke were included in the multicentre Norwegian Cognitive Impairment After Stroke (Nor-COAST) study (n = 815). For this sub-study (n = 257), sedentary behaviour was registered 3 months after stroke using position transition data from the body-worn sensor, ActivPal®. Blood samples were analysed for high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and 10 (IL-10), neopterin, tryptophan (Trp), kynurenine (kyn), kynurenic acid (KA), and three B6 vitamers, pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP), pyridoxal (PL), and pyridoxic acid (PA). The kynurenine/tryptophan ratio (KTR) and the pyridoxic acid ratio index (PAr = PA: PL + PLP) were calculated. Results Of the 815 patients included in the main study, 700 attended the three-month follow-up, and 257 fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this study. Sedentary time was significantly associated with levels of hsCRP, IL-6, neopterin, PAr-index, and KA adjusted for age, sex, waist circumference, and creatinine. In a fully adjusted model including all the significant biomarkers except hsCRP (because of missing values), sedentary time was independently positively associated with the PAr-index and negatively with KA. We did not find an association between sedentary behaviour, IL-10, and KTR. Conclusions The PAr-index is known to capture several modes of inflammation and has previously shown predictive abilities for future stroke. This novel result indicates that the PAr-index could be a useful biomarker in future studies on sedentary behaviour and disease progression. KA is an important modulator of inflammation, and this finding opens new and exciting pathways to understand the hazards of sedentary behaviour. Trial registration The study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02650531). First posted 08/01/2016.


Author(s):  
Pierre-Antoine Dugué ◽  
Allison M Hodge ◽  
Arve Ulvik ◽  
Per M Ueland ◽  
Øivind Midttun ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Inflammation is a key feature of aging. We aimed to i) investigate the association of 34 blood markers potentially involved in inflammatory processes with age and mortality, ii) develop a signature of ‘inflammaging’. Methods Thirty-four blood markers relating to inflammation, B vitamin status and the kynurenine pathway were measured in 976 participants in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study at baseline (median age=59 years) and follow-up (median age=70 years). Associations with age and mortality were assessed using linear and Cox regression, respectively. A parsimonious signature of inflammaging was developed and its association with mortality was compared with two marker scores calculated across all markers associated with age and mortality, respectively. Results The majority of markers (30/34) were associated with age, with stronger associations observed for neopterin, cystatin C, IL-6, TNF-α, several markers of the kynurenine pathway and derived indices KTR (kynurenine/tryptophan ratio), PAr index (ratio of 4-pyridoxic acid and the sum of pyridoxal 5´-phosphate and pyridoxal), and HK:XA (3-hydroxykynurenine/xanthurenic acid ratio). Many markers (17/34) showed an association with mortality, in particular IL-6, neopterin, CRP, quinolinic acid, PAr index, and KTR. The inflammaging signature included ten markers and was strongly associated of mortality (HR per SD=1.40, 95%CI:1.24-1.57, P=2x10 -8), similar to scores based on all age-associated (HR=1.38, 95%CI:1.23-1.55, P=4x10 -8) and mortality-associated markers (HR=1.43, 95%CI:1.28-1.60, P=1x10 -10), respectively. Strong evidence of replication of the inflammaging signature association with mortality was found in the Hordaland Health Study. Conclusion Our study highlights the key role of the kynurenine pathway and vitamin B6 catabolism in aging, along with other well-established inflammation-related markers. A signature of inflammaging based on ten markers was strongly associated with mortality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 226 (09) ◽  
pp. 212-219
Author(s):  
Nguyễn Tú Anh ◽  
Nguyễn Thị Lan Anh ◽  
Phạm Thị Tuấn Linh

Cải cách hành chính đã được thực thi toàn diện ở các địa phương tại Việt Nam với việc sử dụng chỉ số PAR Index để đánh giá kết quả hoạt động cải cách hành chính. Trong những năm qua, tỉnh Thái Nguyên đã đạt được các thành tích trong cải cách thể chế, cải cách thủ tục hành chính và thực hiện cơ chế một cửa, một cửa liên thông, cải cách tổ chức bộ máy nhà nước, xây dựng, nâng cao chất lượng đội ngũ cán bộ, công chức, viên chức, cải cách tài chính công. Tuy nhiên, hiện tại chưa có nghiên cứu đánh giá tác động của cải cách hành chính, thu hút đầu tư và sự phát triển kinh tế xã hội. Phương pháp nghiên cứu tại bàn được sử dụng để hệ thống và đánh giá tổng quan tài liệu , phương pháp thảo luận nhóm tập trung được sử dụng để đề xuất một mô hình tích hợp nhằm đánh giá tác động của cải cách hành chính, thu hút đầu tư và sự phát triển kinh tế xã hội tại tỉnh Thái Nguyên. Ngoài ra, nghiên cứu này thiết kế một chỉ số mới là PAR-SE Index để đánh giá một cách toàn diện các tác động đó. Các nghiên cứu thực nghiệm có thể sử dụng mô hình tích hợp và PAR-SE Index để ước lượng các tác động của cải cách hành chính lên thu hút đầu tư và sự phát triển kinh tế - xã hội tại tỉnh Thái Nguyên nói riêng và các địa phương khác trên cả nước.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1646
Author(s):  
Arwa Gera ◽  
Shadi Gera ◽  
Michel Dalstra ◽  
Paolo M. Cattaneo ◽  
Marie A. Cornelis

The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reproducibility of digital scoring of the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index and its components using a software, compared with conventional manual scoring on printed model equivalents. The PAR index was scored on 15 cases at pre- and post-treatment stages by two operators using two methods: first, digitally, on direct digital models using Ortho Analyzer software; and second, manually, on printed model equivalents using a digital caliper. All measurements were repeated at a one-week interval. Paired sample t-tests were used to compare PAR scores and its components between both methods and raters. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to compute intra- and inter-rater reproducibility. The error of the method was calculated. The agreement between both methods was analyzed using Bland-Altman plots. There were no significant differences in the mean PAR scores between both methods and both raters. ICC for intra- and inter-rater reproducibility was excellent (≥0.95). All error-of-the-method values were smaller than the associated minimum standard deviation. Bland-Altman plots confirmed the validity of the measurements. PAR scoring on digital models showed excellent validity and reproducibility compared with manual scoring on printed model equivalents by means of a digital caliper.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105566562199611
Author(s):  
Daniel Stonehouse-Smith ◽  
Aida N.A. Abd Rahman ◽  
Jeanette Mooney ◽  
Haydn Bellardie

Aim: To assess occlusal outcomes of orthodontic treatment for patients with complete cleft lip and palate. Design: Retrospective assessment using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index. Setting: Consecutive patients treated by one consultant orthodontist at a tertiary care cleft center. Participants: One hundred twenty-seven patients with either complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) or bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) consecutively treated with fixed appliances. Intervention: Fixed orthodontic appliance treatment and orthognathic surgery when required. Outcomes: The PAR index assessment was carried out by a calibrated-independent assessor. Treatment duration, the number of patient visits, and data on dental anomalies were drawn from patient records and radiographs. Results: One hundred two patients’ study models were assessed after exclusions. Mean start PAR score for UCLP (n = 71) was 43.9 (95% CI, 41.2-46.6, SD 11.5), with a mean score reduction of 84.3% (95% CI, 81.9-86.7, SD 10.1). The UCLP mean treatment time was 23.7 months with 20.1 appointments. Mean start PAR score for BCLP (n = 31) was 43.4 (95% CI, 39.2-47.6, SD 11.4), with a mean score reduction of 80.9% (95% CI, 76.3-85.5, SD 12.5). The BCLP mean treatment time was 27.8 months with 20.5 appointments. Conclusion: These results compare well with other outcome reports, including those for patients without a cleft, and reflect the standard of care provided by an experienced cleft orthodontist. As with high-volume surgeons, orthodontic treatment for this high need group is favorable when provided by a high-volume orthodontist. These findings may be used for comparative audit with similar units providing cleft care.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Ujin Yap ◽  
Christine Chen ◽  
Hung Chew Wong ◽  
Mimi Yow ◽  
Elaine Tan

ABSTRACT Objectives To determine the prevalence and severity of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in prospective orthodontic patients. The association between TMDs and malocclusion severity as well as the impact of TMDs on oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) were also examined. Materials and Methods A total of 350 consecutive patients seeking orthodontic treatment were invited to participate in the study. The presence of TMDs was established with the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI), while malocclusion severity and OHRQoL were evaluated using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index and Oral Health Impact Profile–14 (OHIP-14), respectively. Data were analyzed using chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearman's correlation (P < .05). Results Of the 350 patients, 164 consented to participation. Data from 26 participants were excluded because of incomplete entries, and that from 138 subjects (mean age 21.02 ± 5.45 years) were examined. TMD-related symptoms were present in two-thirds of the subjects, with 20.3% experiencing moderate/severe TMDs. While no significant difference in PAR scores were observed between the group with no TMDs and those with TMDs, subjects with TMDs had significantly higher OHIP-14 summary/domain scores than those without TMDs. Although a moderately strong correlation was observed between the FAI and summary OHIP-14 scores (rs = 0.57), no association was observed between FAI and PAR index scores. Conclusions The prevalence of TMD-related symptoms in prospective orthodontic patients was high, emphasizing the importance of screening the masticatory system before initiating orthodontic therapy. Although the presence of TMDs was not associated with malocclusion severity, it had a significant negative impact on OHRQoL.


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