Saint Francis University

About: Saint Francis University is a education organization based out in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Osteoblast. The organization has 1694 authors who have published 2038 publications receiving 87149 citations.

Alpha-delta sleep in patients with a chief complaint of chronic fatigue

Abstract: Our prospective, standardized cohort study was designed to assess the presence of alpha wave intrusions during non-rapid eye movement sleep (alpha-delta sleep) and its relationship to fibromyalgia, major depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in patients with a chief complaint of chronic fatigue. The study group comprised 30 consecutive patients seen at a university hospital referral clinic for evaluation of chronic fatigue. All patients had nocturnal polysomnography, dolorimetric tender point assessment for fibromyalgia, a comprehensive history, physical, and laboratory evaluation, and a structured psychiatric interview. Alpha-delta sleep was identified in 8 of the 30 patients (26%), major depression in 20 (67%), CFS in 15 (50%), and fibromyalgia in 4 (13%). Ten of the 30 patients (33%) had a primary sleep disorder (sleep apnea, periodic limb movements, or narcolepsy). Alpha-delta sleep was not significantly correlated with fibromyalgia, CFS, major depression, or primary sleep disorders, but was significantly more common among patients who had chronic fatigue without major depression. We conclude that primary sleep disorders are relatively common among patients with chronic fatigue and must be diligently sought and treated. Alpha-delta sleep is not a marker of fibromyalgia or CFS, but may contribute to the illness of nondepressed patients with these conditions.

Association between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Pancreatic Cancer. A Cumulative Meta-Analysis

Abstract: Context Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of various malignant conditions. Notwithstanding, its etiological association with pancreatic cancer remains inconclusive. Studies focusing on the relationship between H. pylori infection and pancreatic cancer risk have yielded conflicting results. Objective The aim of this study was to obtain a reliable estimate of the risk of H. pylori infection in causing pancreatic cancer, by performing a meta-analysis of the existing observational studies evaluating the association. Methods/Statistics Observational studies comparing the prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with pancreatic cancer and healthy controls, conducted in adult populations and published in all languages, were identified through systematic search in the MEDLINE and EMBASE up to April 2010. H. pylori infection was confirmed by serological testing using an antigen-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pooled adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained by using a DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model. Results Six studies involving a total of 2,335 patients met our eligibility criteria. A significant association between H. pylori seropositivity and development of pancreatic cancer (AOR 1.38, 95% CI: 1.08-1.75; P=0.009) was seen. No significant association was seen on pooled analysis of the three studies assessing the relationship between cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) positivity and pancreatic cancer. A cumulative meta-analysis suggested a reducing, albeit statistically significant association as the evidence was accumulated. Conclusions The pooled data suggests an association between infection with H. pylori and the development of pancreatic cancer. Further research is needed to confirm our findings. Image: Forest plot of the association between H. pylori and pancreatic cancer.

Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in community-dwelling elderly individuals with calcification of the fibrous skeleton of the base of the heart and aortosclerosis (The Cardiovascular Health Study).

Abstract: In the elderly, mitral annular calcification (MAC) and aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Aortic annular calcification (AAC) commonly occurs with MAC. However, the prognostic value of AAC, singly or in combination with MAC and AVS, for incident cardiovascular disease and mortality is unknown. From the Cardiovascular Health Study, we analyzed 3,782 participants (76 ± 5 years of age, 60% women) who had an echocardiogram at the 1994 to 1995 examination and who were prospectively followed for an average of 6.6 years (range 0.01 to 8.5). All 3 calcification categories were associated with incident congestive heart failure (MAC: hazard ratio [HR] 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35 to 2.18, AAC: HR 1.62, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.06, and AVS: HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.89) and death. A stronger association with incident cardiovascular disease and mortality was observed with a larger number of calcification categories and with increased MAC severity. Moreover, in the participants with prevalent cardiovascular disease at echocardiographic examination (n = 1,054), MAC and AAC were still associated with cardiovascular mortality (MAC: HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.50; AAC: HR 2.11, 95% CI 1.16 to 3.85) even in fully adjusted models. In conclusion, MAC, AAC, and AVS are associated with a significant risk of incident congestive heart failure, cardiovascular and all-cause mortalities, and worse outcome in older patients with preexisting cardiovascular disease. Elderly patients with these findings represent a high-risk group and may require close medical attention.

Current and past cigarette smoking significantly increase risk for microscopic colitis.

Abstract: Background: Cigarette smoking is an important environmental factor affecting inflammatory bowel disease. The role of smoking has not been rigorously studied in microscopic colitis (MC). The aim of this study was to compare the association of cigarette smoking in individuals with MC compared to a control population without MC. Methods: We reviewed the records of patients with a clinical and histologic diagnosis of collagenous colitis (CC) or lymphocytic colitis (LC). Clinical history, including alcohol and smoking status at the time of diagnosis of MC, were reviewed. In this case–control study, age- and gender-matched patients without diarrhea presenting for outpatient colonoscopy served as the control population. Results: We analyzed a total of 340 patients with MC: 124 with CC and 216 with LC. Overall, any smoking status (former or current) was associated with MC (odds ratio [OR] 2.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.56–2.88). This risk was more prominent in current smokers (adjusted OR 5.36, 3.81, and 4.37 for CC, LC, and all MC, respectively, 95% CI all greater than 1). The association of smoking was not significantly affected by gender or average alcohol consumption. Conclusions: In our study population, cigarette smoking is a risk factor for the development of both forms of microscopic colitis. There were no significant differences between LC and CC, and current smoking and the development of microscopic colitis affected men and women similarly. We feel that these data are sufficient to discuss the potential risks of tobacco use in patients with microscopic colitis. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2012)

Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Enhances Deoxyribonucleic Acid and Collagen Synthesis in Osteoblast-Enriched Cultures from Fetal Rat Parietal Bone

Abstract: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or closely related proteins are found in bone matrix and are produced by cultured osteosarcoma cells. In serum-deprived osteoblast-enriched (ob) cultures from fetal rat bone, recombinant human PDGF (composed of a B chain homodimer) at 0.1-3 nM enhanced the rate of DNA synthesis by 2- to 8-fold within 24 h of treatment, and 0.3-3 nM PDGF increased cell number by 1.3- to 1.6-fold. Unlike results with rat kidney fibroblast cultures, the mitogenic effect of PDGF in ob cultures was not synergistic with that of insulin-like growth factor I. PDGF at 0.3-10 nM also enhanced the rates of collagen and noncollagen protein synthesis in ob cultures by 1.5- to 4.0-fold, and these increases were blocked when DNA synthesis was prevented. The stimulatory effects of PDGF did not appear specific to ob cultures from fetal rat bone, since similar increases were found in bone cell cultures containing fibroblasts and osteoblast precursors. PDGF binding at 4 C to ob cultures indicated a single class of receptors with a Kd of 0.16 nM and approximately 60,000 sites/cell. Polyacrylamide gel of 125I-PDGF bound and cross-linked to ob cultures revealed a single radioactive band at approximately 180,000-190,000 mol wt. The present studies, therefore, indicate that PDGF can directly increase replication and matrix protein synthesis by both differentiated and undifferentiated bone cells, and that bone- or platelet-derived PDGF may have an important anabolic role in bone remodeling or fracture repair.