Lancet
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Dengue infection can result in a wide spectrum of disease. The defining feature of severe disease is increased capillary permeability, which can lead to hypovolaemic shock. Microvascular and endothelial dysfunction might underlie hypovolaemic shock, but they have not been assessed clinically. We aimed to investigate the use of microvascular assessment as a prognostic method in dengue. ⋯ Wellcome Trust.
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Inhaled corticosteroids are commonly used in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but their effects on viral loads and anti-viral responses are poorly characterised. The aim of this study was to assess effects of inhaled fluticasone propionate on rhinovirus infection in vivo, in a mouse model. We tested the hypothesis that this treatment would reduce virus-induced airways inflammation but that the effect would be confounded by interference with anti-viral immune responses, leading to delayed viral clearance. ⋯ Wellcome Trust.
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Metabolically unhealthy obesity is associated with insulin resistance. Dysfunctional adipose tissue remodelling might explain features of this disorder, such as chronic white adipose tissue inflammation, adipocyte hypertrophy, and ectopic lipid deposition. Metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) have been implicated in human adipose tissue remodelling. In a cross-sectional study, we investigated the association of adipose metalloproteinase and TIMP expression with whole-body lipid distribution and insulin resistance. ⋯ British Heart Foundation, Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation Open Funding 2011.
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In the UK, the Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF) has specific targets for general practictioners to record body-mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) in major mental illness, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Although incentives are given for aspects of major mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and related psychoses), barriers to care can occur. Our aim was to compare recording of specific targets for BP and BMI in individuals with major mental illness relative to diabetes and chronic kidney disease across the UK. ⋯ None.
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Helminths infect more than a quarter of the world's population. Their success as parasites is the result of active immunomodulation of the host immune response, which can have benefits for the host, particularly in suppressing harmful allergic and autoimmune responses. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that helminth infection reduces the immune response to allograft transplantation. ⋯ Wellcome Trust.