Recombinant HAV (a.a. 1121-1234)

PurposeTo identify factors associated with the reporting of cold sensitivity, by comparing cases to controls with regard to anthropometry, previous illnesses and injuries, as well as external exposures such as hand-arm vibration (HAV) and ambient cold.MethodsThrough a questionnaire responded to by the general population, ages 18-70, living in Northern Sweden (N=12,627), cold sensitivity cases (N=502) and matched controls (N=1004) were identified, and asked to respond to a second questionnaire focusing on different aspects of cold sensitivity as well as individual and external exposure factors suggested to be related to the condition. Conditional logistic regression analyses were performed to determine statistical significance.ResultsIn total, 997 out of 1506 study subjects answered the second questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 81.7%. In the multiple conditional logistic regression model, identified associated factors among cold sensitive cases were: frostbite affecting the hands (OR 10.3, 95% CI 5.5-19.3); rheumatic disease (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.7-5.7); upper extremity nerve injury (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.0); migraines (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.3); and vascular disease (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-2.9). A body mass index25 was inversely related to reporting of cold sensitivity (0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.6).ConclusionsCold sensitivity was associated with both individual and external exposure factors. Being overweight was associated with a lower occurrence of cold sensitivity; and among the acquired conditions, both cold injuries, rheumatic diseases, nerve injuries, migraines and vascular diseases were associated with the reporting of cold sensitivity.

Objectives The study aimed to validate automated quantification of high and low signal intensity volumes using ultrashort echo-time MRI, with CT and pulmonary function test (PFT) as references, to assess the severity of structural alterations in cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods This prospective study was performed in a single center between May 2015 and September 2017. Participants with CF completed clinical examination, CT, MRI, and PFT the same day during routine clinical follow-up (M0), and then 1 year after (M12) except for CT. Using MRI, percentage high (%MR-HSV), low (%MR-LSV), and total abnormal (%MR-TSV) signal intensity volumes were recorded, as well as their corresponding attenuation values using CT (%CT-HAV, %CT-LAV, %CT-TAV, respectively). Automated quantifications and visual Bhalla score were evaluated independently by two observers. Correlations were assessed using the Spearman test, comparisons using the Mann-Whitney test, and reproducibility using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results A total of 30 participants were enrolled (median age 27 years, 18 men). At M0, there was a good correlation between %MR-HSV and %CT-HAV (rho = 0.70; p < 0.001) and %MR-LSV and %CT-LAV (rho = 0.60; p < 0.001). Automated MR metrics correlated to PFTs and Bhalla score (p < 0.05) while %MR-TSV was significantly different between CF with and without respiratory exacerbation (p = 0.01) at both M0 and M12. The variation of %MR-HSV correlated to the variation of FEV1% at PFT (rho = - 0.49; p = 0.008). Reproducibility was almost perfect (ICCs > 0.95). Conclusions Automated quantification of abnormal signal intensity volumes relates to CF severity and allows reproducible cross-sectional and longitudinal assessment.