SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “correlation”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 991 records · Page 55Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Correlation of aberrations with visual symptoms using wavefront analysis in eyes after laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the information assessed with the Alcon LADARWave wavefront measurement device and correlate it with visual symptoms in eyes previously treated with laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), and to analyze the influence of scotopic pupil size on visual symptoms. METHODS: One hundred and five eyes of 58 patients who underwent LASIK were evaluated. Wavefront measurements were assessed using the Alcon LADARWave device. Visual symptoms were correlated to higher order aberrations in three different pupil sizes (5 mm, 7 mm, and scotopic pupil size). Generalized estimating equations were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In eyes after LASIK, visual symptoms analysis showed positive correlation of double vision with total coma and with horizontal coma for the 5-mm and 7-mm pupil sizes, negative correlation between starburst and total coma for the 7-mm pupil size, positive correlation of double vision with horizontal coma, and glare and starburst with spherical aberration and with total aberrations. Scotopic pupil size had a positive association with starburst and negative association with double vision. CONCLUSION: The LADARWave wavefront measurement device is a valuable diagnostic tool in measuring ocular aberrations in eyes after LASIK. A strong correlation between visual symptoms and ocular aberrations, such as monocular diplopia with coma, and starburst and glare with spherical aberration, suggest this device is valuable in diagnosing symptomatic LASIK-induced aberrations. Horizontal coma was correlated with double vision, while vertical coma was not, demonstrating a greater sensitivity with horizontally oriented multifocality.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Correlation of wavefront data and corneal asphericity with contrast sensitivity after laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between contrast sensitivity (CS), Zernike wavefront aberrations (WFA), and asphericity after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia. METHODS: LASIK was performed using the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser with custom aspheric transition zone (CATz) ablations. Total and high order (HO) WFA of 71 eyes (37 patients) undergoing LASIK in March 2003 were measured before and at 1 month postoperatively with the Nidek OPD-Scan aberrometer at a 4-mm pupil entrance; asphericity was measured at 6 mm (Q index). Preoperative and 1 to 3-month postoperative contrast sensitivity were evaluated with the Vector Vision CSV-1000 at 3, 6, 12, and 18 CPD; the Area Under the Log Contrast Sensitivity Function (AULCSF) was calculated. Uncorrected-visual acuity (UCVA) was evaluated. RESULTS: One month after LASIK, CS decreased significantly at 6 CPD and above (P<.05), then returned to normal at 3 months (P=.33). Postoperative AULCSF correlated with patient age (P=.04) but not with total WFA (P=.13), HO WFA (P=.50), or asphericity (P=.22). Postoperative Logmar UCVA correlated with postoperative total and HO WFA (P<.05). Postoperative total WFA correlated with spherical equivalent refraction (P<.0001); HO WFA correlated with Strehl ratio (P=.004) and asphericity (P=.03). The HO WFA increase was 0.065 microm (P<.05) and did not correlate with preoperative refraction (P=.40). Increase in asphericity correlated with corneal refractive change and was predicted by the parabolic Munnerlyn equation (P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: After LASIK, AULCSF was not dependent on WFA, but mainly on patient age. WFA results correlated well with postoperative spherical equivalent refraction, asphericity, and Strehl ratio. These conclusions support a published hypothesis that postoperative low amount of WFA does not completely fit contrast sensitivity measurements.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Variability in cytologic-histologic correlation practices and implications for patient safety.

CONTEXT: The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 require that laboratories perform cytologic-histologic correlation, although the optimal methods and the value of performing correlation have not been determined. OBJECTIVE: To determine the similarities and differences in how laboratories perform cytologic-histologic correlation. DESIGN: One hundred sixty-two American laboratories were sent a letter requesting copies of the materials they used in the cytologic-histologic correlation process. The returned materials were classified into the categories of forms, logs, and tally sheets. A checklist (derived from the College of American Pathologists Laboratory Accreditation Cytopathology Checklist) was developed to classify the "minimum expected" (15) and "additional" data points that laboratories collected when they performed a correlation. PARTICIPANTS: American pathology laboratories. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measures were percentage of laboratories that recorded minimum expected and additional data points and the frequency with which specific minimum expected data points were recorded. RESULTS: The response frequency was 32.1%, and a total of 84 cytologic-histologic correlation materials were obtained. The only minimum expected variables recorded on forms or logs by more than 50% of laboratories were cytology case number, sign-out cytology diagnosis, surgical pathology case number, and sign-out surgical pathology diagnosis. Nine (17.3%) laboratories did not record data on forms, logs, or tally sheets. The mean number of minimum expected and additional variables recorded on forms was 6.5 and 8.7, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Laboratories record data from the cytologic-histologic correlation process in a number of ways, indicating the lack of standardization of the data collection process.

Accreditation↗

PubMed2026

Genetic Correlation Between Brain Imaging Phenotypes and Externalizing Behavior: A Large-Scale LDSC Analysis of UK Biobank IDPs.

Externalizing has been associated with differences in brain structure and function; however, it remains unclear whether these associations reflect shared common-variant genetic influences. Cross-trait linkage disequilibrium score regression was used to estimate genome-wide genetic correlations between externalizing genome-wide association study (GWAS) results and 3,935 brain imaging-derived phenotypes from the UK Biobank BIG40 resource. The imaging phenotypes covered structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion MRI, susceptibility-weighted imaging, resting-state functional MRI, and task-based functional MRI. Results were included in the primary analysis when the imaging phenotype had positive single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) heritability, a heritability Z statistic of at least 1.96, a mean GWAS chi-square statistic of at least 1.02, at least 200,000 regression SNPs, and a complete LDSC result without a fatal error. Technical imaging quality-control phenotypes were excluded from biological inference. Individual results were corrected using the Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate procedure. Aggregated Cauchy association tests (ACATs) were used to evaluate evidence across all imaging phenotypes and within predefined imaging categories. Statistical power, simultaneous confidence bounds, and alternative quality-control definitions were examined in sensitivity analyses. Of the 3,935 imaging phenotypes, 3,716 produced estimable genetic correlations, 2,980 met the primary LDSC quality-control criteria, and 2,967 were classified as biological imaging phenotypes. No individual phenotype survived false discovery rate correction. The smallest unadjusted P value was 0.0005, and the minimum adjusted q value was 0.486. The distribution of genetic correlations was centered near zero, with a median genetic correlation of 0.0014 and a median absolute genetic correlation of 0.0338. ACAT provided no evidence of an aggregate association across all biological imaging phenotypes (P = 0.302), and no predefined imaging category survived multiple-testing correction. The median minimum detectable genetic correlation at 80% power was 0.216. Bonferroni-adjusted simultaneous confidence intervals were fully contained within the interval [-0.30, 0.30] for 80.0% of phenotypes in the primary analysis and 88.0% under the stringent heritability quality-control definition. Broad and stringent sensitivity analyses produced the same overall conclusions. In this study, no statistically robust evidence of genome-wide genetic correlations between externalizing and individual UK Biobank brain imaging phenotypes was found. Nevertheless, small, localized, mixed-direction, or developmentally specific genetic effects remain possible.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Correlation between color power Doppler sonographic measurement of breast tumor vasculature and immunohistochemical analysis of microvessel density for the quantitation of angiogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: To record the correlation between color power Doppler sonographic measurement of breast tumor vasculature and immunohistochemical analysis of microvessel density for the quantitation of angiogenesis. METHODS: Women with palpable breast masses scheduled for excision biopsy were scanned with two- and three-dimensional color power Doppler sonography before and after the administration of a sonographic contrast agent. Vessel counts were performed on two- and three-dimensional sonographic images before and after contrast agent administration. All tumors were surgically removed and underwent immunohistochemical analysis for microvessel density assessment. The sonographic measure of tumor vascularity was correlated with microvessel density. RESULTS: Pathologic examination showed 43 breast cancers and 14 benign breast masses. Higher microvessel density was noted in malignant than benign breast masses (P < .0005). Color power Doppler sonographic measurement of tumor vessel number showed a significant positive correlation with tumor size (P < .05) and progesterone receptor negativity (P < .05). A significant positive correlation was observed between microvessel density and the number of intratumoral blood vessels assessed by both two- and three-dimensional color power Doppler sonography (P < .05). Regression models showed three-dimensional color power Doppler sonography to have a significantly higher correlation with microvessel density when compared with two-dimensional color power Doppler sonography at baseline (P < .005). The administration of a sonographic contrast agent did not improve correlation with microvessel density. CONCLUSIONS: A significant correlation was shown between color power Doppler sonographic measurement of tumor vascularity and microvessel density by immunohistochemical analysis. Further improvement in Doppler sonographic techniques to map capillary vessel flow should be explored to improve the current association with pathologic findings.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Macrophage infiltration and angiogenesis in cervical squamous cell carcinoma--clinicopathologic correlation.

BACKGROUND: The role of angiogenesis and inflammatory cell response in predicting disease outcome was evaluated in various malignant tumors. However, the data relating to cervical cancer remains equivocal. This study evaluates the prognostic significance of microvessel counts and peritumoral macrophage infiltrates in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. METHODS: Seventy-five cervical squamous cell carcinomas were stained immunohistochemically by two endothelial markers- anti-CD31 and Ulex Europaeus lectin I (UEA-I), and the macrophage- specific marker anti-CD68. Microvessel and macrophage counts were performed using a grid at X200 and X400 magnification, respectively, in areas of maximal density ('hot spots'). Five fields were scanned. Microvessel counts were correlated with macrophage density, and both were correlated with patient age, tumor stage, histological grade, and survival. RESULTS: Microvessel counts were comparable for ulex lectin (mean 6.8+/-4.8/field) and CD31 (8.7+/-5.3/field), and results by both markers correlated (p<0.001). Counts by both markers correlated with tumor stage, being higher in stages Ib-II compared to stage III-IV tumors (p<0.05). No correlation with age, grade, or survival was found. Macrophage counts (mean 13.1+/-12.3 cells/field) did not correlate with any of the clinical parameters studied or with microvessel counts. CONCLUSIONS: Microvessel counts and macrophage density do not correlate with survival in cervical cancer. Neither do they appear to be inter-related. The association between elevated microvessel counts and localized disease may reflect peak angiogenic stimuli by neoplastic cells. We hypothesize that the beneficial role of macrophages in cellular immunity may be opposed by the elaboration of growth factors in the vicinity of neoplastic cells.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Correlation between arthroscopically observed changes and synovial light microscopic findings in osteoarthritic temporomandibular joints.

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between arthroscopically observed (ASC) changes in the synovial membrane and other joint components and synovial light microscopic (LM) findings in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Synovial membrane biopsies were obtained during unilateral arthroscopy in forty patients. Thirty-one patients were diagnosed with TMJ osteoarthritis (OA) and nine patients with non-osteoarthritic conditions of their TMJs. Correlations between ASC and synovial LM findings were analyzed with Cohen's Kappa and Spearman's rank correlation tests. Values for Kappa of 0.6 and higher and values for a correlation coefficient of 0.7 and higher were considered satisfactory. No correlations were found in the retrodiscal tissue biopsies. In the anterodiscal tissue biopsies, ASC hypervascularity correlated with LM intima cell shape and cell density. ASC lowered attachment to the anterior slope of the articular eminence correlated with the LM presence of a fibrous intima matrix. In several TMJs, a high concurrence was observed between ASC and LM pathologic changes. The severity of pathologic changes as observed by LM was, however, often less than was suggested arthroscopically.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

99mTc-HMPAO regional cerebral blood flow and quantitative electroencephalography in Alzheimer's disease: a correlative study.

UNLABELLED: In this study the neuropsychological status of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) was correlated with quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) both in the cortex and in deep gray matter structures. METHODS: Forty-three outpatients (mean age 72.4 +/- 7.5 y) with probable AD underwent 99mTc-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime SPECT with a brain-dedicated gamma camera and qEEG (relative values) within 1 mo. Preliminary factorial analysis with promax rotation identified four qEEG bands (2-5.5, 6-7.5, 8-11.5 and 12-22.5 Hz, with no distinction as to topography) and six SPECT regions (the two thalami together, the two parietal cortices together, the right temporal cortex, the right hippocampus, the left hippocampus and the remaining cortical areas together) as the variables with highest statistical power. All these variables and the Mini-Mental Status Examination score (MMSE, a sensitive marker of neuropsychological deficit) were processed by a final factorial analysis and multivariate analysis of variance. RESULTS: Both the 2-5.5 Hz and the 8-11.5 Hz powers were correlated with the perfusion level in the parietal regions of interest (ROls) (P = 0.0009), whereas the 2-5.5 Hz power was correlated with the right hippocampal perfusion level (P = 0.007). The MMSE score was significantly correlated with the perfusion level, both in the right (P = 0.006) and in the left (P = 0.004) hippocampal ROls and in the parietal ROls (P = 0.01); moreover, it was correlated with both the 2-5.5 Hz (P = 0.0005) and the 8-11.5 Hz (P = 0.004) power. CONCLUSION: rCBF (bilateral parietal perfusion) and qEEG (especially the slowest frequencies, i.e., 2-5.5 Hz) are confirmed to be good descriptors of AD severity. It is especially noteworthy that bilateral hippocampal CBF was the perfusional index best correlated with the MMSE as well as being significantly correlated to qEEG. Hippocampal SPECT imaging appears to be a promising index to improve characterization of AD in respect to other forms of primary degenerative dementia and may be proposed as a marker for evaluating the effects of pharmacotherapy of AD at the neuronal level.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Correlation between uptake of Tc-99m sestaMIBI and prognostic factors of breast cancer.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this retrospective study was assessment of correlation between Tc-99m sestaMIBI uptake and some prognostic factors of breast cancer. The following prognostic factors have been included in this study: size of the tumour, age of the patients, axilla node involvement, oestrogen and progesterone receptor (ER, PR) status, grading system of Bloom-Richardson and Ki-67 antigen expression. METHODS: 79 patients were enrolled in this study, with 85 lesions confirmed as primary breast cancers. Mean age of patients was 53 years. Scintimammography (SMM) was performed after intravenous injection of 740MBq. At 5-10 min after injection standard planar images were obtained in prone lateral and anterior supine views. Assessment of correlation between known prognostic factors of breast cancer and uptake of MIBI (evaluated as a tumour to background ratio-TBR) was performed used non-parametric (Kendall-tau correlation) statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were 85 breast cancers (73 invasive ductal carcinomas, 11 DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) and 1 lobular carcinoma. There was positive correlation between TBR Tc-99m MIBI uptake and size of the tumour (t = 0.19, p = 0.01), presence of axilla node involvement (t = 0.2, p = 0.006) and also grade of the IDC tumours evaluated using Bloom-Richardson's criteria (t = 0.18, 0.03). There were negative correlation between TBR and presence of PR (t = -0.16, p = 0.02) and borderline negative correlation between TBR and age of patients (t = -0.137, p = 0.06) and also TBR and ER status (t = -0.135, p = 0.065). Patients who are younger and/or have PR or ER negative cancers have higher Tc-99m MIBI uptake. Patients who presented with high grade of malignancy (B-R) also have higher uptake of radiotracer. Also those with higher uptake of radiotracer often had axillary node involvement. This would suggest that more aggressive tumours have higher uptake of Tc-99m MIBI. Finally this study suggest correlation between in vivo uptake of MIBI and some of the known prognostic factors of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed2000

Correlation of clinical, pathological status, hormone receptor and C-erbB-2 oncoprotein in breast cancer patients.

This study is to evaluate the correlation of some established prognostic factors, hormone receptor and C-erbB-2 expression of breast cancer patients in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Beginning January 1997, 60 breast cancer patients who were treated either by mastectomy, breast conserving surgery or biopsy, were evaluated clinically in connection with age, menopausal status, stage, tumor size, nodes; also histologically regarding type, grade and mitotic index. Patients were evaluated for estrogen and progesterone receptor, as well as C-erbB-2 expression with immunohistochemical techniques. Median age was 47.5 years old, range from 28 to 80 years old. Most of them were premenopause (65.0%). One patient (1.7%) was a man. Most of the patients were stage IIB (25.0%), 51.7% with positive estrogen receptor and 65.9% with positive progesterone receptor. The type was mostly invasive duct carcinoma, high grade (70.0%). Most of the tumor size ranged between 2-5 cm (56.9%), with more than 3 nodes in 38.3% of patients. High mitotic index was found in 69.5% and positive C-erbB-2 in 71.7% patients. Correlation of C-erbB-2 and other prognostic factors showed that only stage, node and mitotic index had significant correlations (p = 0.016; 0.035 and 0.005, respectively). A significant correlation was also found between ER and PR level, PR and tumor size, stage and tumor size, stage and nodes, tumor size and nodes (p < 0.05), and a borderline correlation between ER and tumor size (p = 0.065) in conclusion, this preliminary study showed that breast cancer in Yogyakarta had an aggressive phenotype. C-erbB-2 positivity was correlated significantly with stage of the disease, number of nodes involved and mitotic index. Hormone receptors also correlated with some prognostic factors in breast cancer patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Impact of correlated synaptic input on output firing rate and variability in simple neuronal models.

Cortical neurons are typically driven by thousands of synaptic inputs. The arrival of a spike from one input may or may not be correlated with the arrival of other spikes from different inputs. How does this interdependence alter the probability that the postsynaptic neuron will fire? We constructed a simple random walk model in which the membrane potential of a target neuron fluctuates stochastically, driven by excitatory and inhibitory spikes arriving at random times. An analytic expression was derived for the mean output firing rate as a function of the firing rates and pairwise correlations of the inputs. This stochastic model made three quantitative predictions. (1) Correlations between pairs of excitatory or inhibitory inputs increase the fluctuations in synaptic drive, whereas correlations between excitatory-inhibitory pairs decrease them. (2) When excitation and inhibition are fully balanced (the mean net synaptic drive is zero), firing is caused by the fluctuations only. (3) In the balanced case, firing is irregular. These theoretical predictions were in excellent agreement with simulations of an integrate-and-fire neuron that included multiple conductances and received hundreds of synaptic inputs. The results show that, in the balanced regime, weak correlations caused by signals shared among inputs may have a multiplicative effect on the input-output rate curve of a postsynaptic neuron, i.e. they may regulate its gain; in the unbalanced regime, correlations may increase firing probability mainly around threshold, when output rate is low; and in all cases correlations are expected to increase the variability of the output spike train.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2000

Immunohistochemical analysis of CA125, CA19-9, and Ki-67 in stage III or IV endometriosis: positive correlation between serum CA125 level and endometriotic epithelial cell proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Serum levels of CA125 and CA 19-9 are often elevated in patients with endometriosis, but the clinical or biological significance of this is not well established. The aim of the present study was to compare serum and tissue levels of CA125 and CA19-9, and to examine the correlation between these levels and cell proliferation using immunohistochemical analysis in stage III or IV endometriosis. METHODS: Forty-five cases diagnosed histologically as endometriosis were analyzed (26 cases were stage III and 19 were stage IV using the revised American Fertility Society classification). The preoperative serum levels of CA125 and CA19-9 were measured by immunoradiometric assay. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using antibodies against CA125, CA199, and Ki-67 (a representative marker of cell proliferation). RESULTS: The serum levels of CA125 and CA19-9 were elevated (over the cutoff values) in 25 cases and 21 cases, respectively. There was no significant correlation between serum CA125 and serum CA19-9 levels (correlation coefficient [q]=0.19). The serum CA19-9 level correlated well with the degree of immunostaining for CA19-9 (q=0.57), but not with the Ki-67 labeling index. The serum CA125 level did not show a strong correlation with CA125 staining (q=0.41), but it correlated well with the Ki-67 labeling index (q=0.53). CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that the serum CA125 level may correlate with the proliferative activity of epithelial cells in endometriotic lesions.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Balance and ankle range of motion in community-dwelling women aged 64 to 87 years: a correlational study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study investigated the relationship between balance measures and ankle range of motion (ROM) in community-dwelling elderly women with no health problems. Identification of modifiable factors associated with balance may enable clinicians to design treatments to help reduce the risk of falls in elderly people. SUBJECTS: The sample consisted of 34 women between the ages of 64 and 87 years (mean=74.7, SD=6.0). METHODS: Goniometry was used to determine bilateral ankle active-assistive range of motion (AAROM) and passive range of motion. Balance capabilities were measured with the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA). Balance data for the FRT, POMA balance subtest, POMA gait subtest, and POMA total score were correlated with ankle ROM using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient (PCC). RESULTS: Correlations between ROM and balance scores were found, ranging from.29 to.63. The POMA gait subtest and FRT resulted in higher correlations with ROM than did the POMA balance subtest (left total AAROM PCC=.63,.51, and.31). Correlations using composite ankle ROM scores were higher than individual motions. The strongest correlation existed between bilateral, total ankle AAROM and the POMA gait subtest scores (PCC=. 63) CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: Correlations exist between ankle ROM and balance in community-dwelling elderly women. Additional research is needed to determine whether treatment directed at increasing ankle ROM can improve balance.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed2000

Quality of life and stimulation of weight gain after treatment with megestrol acetate: correlation between cytokine levels and nutritional status, appetite in geriatric patients with wasting syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The geriatric wasting syndrome (GWS) has been associated with proinflammatory cytokines, depression and progressive decline in quality of life (QOL). The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the changes in cytokine levels and appetite, nutritional markers, and QOL in geriatric patients with GWS following a randomized clinical trial of megestrol acetate (MA) versus placebo. METHODS: This was a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. We evaluated 69 predominantly male (3 females) nursing home residents with weight loss of > or =5% of their usual body weight over the past three months or body weight 20% below their ideal body weight. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or megestrol acetate (MA) oral suspension (O.S.) 800 mg/day for 12 weeks and were then followed for 13 weeks off treatment. Data on appetite, weight, nutritional status, QOL and cytokine levels were collected at baseline and week 12. The correlation between appetite, weight, nutritional status, sense of well being and cytokine level changes in response to MA treatment was examined at week 12. RESULTS: Appetite, sense of well being, and QOL assessed by an "enjoyment list" significantly improved in the MA arm. Rising prealbumin showed a negative correlation with decreasing IL-6 (r = -0.51), TNFR-p 55 (r = -0.49) and sIL-2R (r = -0.38). There was also an improvement in prealbumin and a decrease in IL-6 and TNFR-p55 in the MA-arm (p < 0.01). A correlation between a decrease in the IL-6 levels and improvement in depression (r = 0.50) was seen in the MA arm as well. Improvement in appetite positively correlated with increased enjoyment of life (r = -0.41), less depression (r = -0.34), improved sense of well being (r = 0.36), prealbumin gain (r = 0.30), and weight gain (r = 0.38) by 12 weeks. Also, improvement in appetite positively correlated with improvement in nutritional parameters such as prealbumin, albumin, fat free mass and weight in the MA arm. CONCLUSIONS: In a geriatric nursing home population with weight loss, reduction in cytokine levels after MA treatment correlates with improvement in appetite, prealbumin, albumin, and improvement in quality of life.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Serum matrix metalloproteinase 3 in early rheumatoid arthritis is correlated with disease activity and radiological progression.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical significance of serial measurements of serum matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) levels in relation to markers of disease activity and radiological progression in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: In a 3 year prospective study of 33 patients with early RA (symptoms < 1 year at entry) monthly measurements of serum MMP-3 were transformed into time integrated values for 6 month periods for comparison with other markers of disease activity like swollen joint count (SJC), tender joint count (TJC), Ritchie articular index (RAI), the disease activity score (DAS), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and radiological progression, scored according to Sharp's method, in which erosions and joint space narrowing are scored separately and combined to a total Sharp score. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between serum MMP-3 and SJC, ESR, and CRP during all periods and between 6 and 30 months with the DAS. There were no correlations between serum MMP-3 and TJC or the RAI. During the first 12 months serum MMP-3 was correlated only with the item joint space narrowing of the Sharp score. After 12 months of followup it was also correlated with the total Sharp score and after 18 months it was correlated with all 3 items of the Sharp score. There was a wide interindividual variation in the relation between serum MMP-3 and radiological progression but intraindividually this relation seemed to be rather constant. CONCLUSION: Time integrated values of serum MMP-3 are correlated with time integrated values of other markers of disease activity such as joint swelling, ESR, CRP, and the DAS. Of the radiological scores, as outcome measures, especially joint space narrowing correlated closely with cumulative serum MMP-3.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Changes in serial correlation coefficients and fractional parameters during functional recovery in stroke patients.

This study attempted to determine changes in motor unit discharge patterns, characterized by serial correlation coefficients (SCC) and fractional parameters during a functional recovery in stroke patients. Using the surface electrode technique, 171 single motor units were recorded from bilateral upper extremities of 23 stroke patients and 7 normal volunteers. SCCs and fractional parameters were calculated and correlated with Rasch-converted Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) scores by linear regression analysis. No statistically significant correlation was found between FIM scores and SCCs and between FIM scores and fractional parameters recorded during first four weeks post stroke. Only FIM for total motor scores and FIM for locomotion subscore significantly correlated with SCC recorded after 4 weeks post stroke (p < 0.05). Predictive power (R2) of SCC for FIM scores did not change much over time. Fractional parameters, recorded after 4 weeks post stroke, had significant correlation with FIM for total motor scores and all FIM subscores except FIM for sphincter control subscores. Predictive values of fractional parameters for FIM scores was better after 6 months post stroke. There was a better correlation between fractional parameters with FIM scores and a better predictive value of fractional parameters for FIM scores over functional recovery period. This change in the correlation during the course of stroke recovery may indicate that fractional parameters could reflect a more stabilized motor control stage rather than a less stabilized motor functional stage.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Correlation of multiple sclerosis measures derived from T2-weighted, T1-weighted, magnetization transfer, and diffusion tensor MR imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In multiple sclerosis (MS), the severity of tissue damage can vary from edema and inflammation to irreversible demyelination and axonal loss. Compared with conventional T2-weighted MR imaging, magnetization transfer (MT) and diffusion tensor (DT) MR imaging provide quantitative indices with increased specificity to the most destructive aspects of MS. To increase our understanding of the pathophysiologic processes of MS, we assessed the correlations between MT and DT MR imaging-derived metrics and the correlations between these quantities and measures derived from conventional MR in patients with MS. METHODS: T2-weighted, T1-weighted, MT, and DT MR images of the brain were obtained from 34 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and 15 age-matched control subjects. T2 and T1 lesion volumes (LV) and brain volume were measured. MT ratio (MTR), mean diffusivity (D macro), and fractional anisotropy (FA) histograms from the overall brain tissue (BT) and the normal-appearing brain tissue (NABT) were obtained. Average lesion MTR, D macro, and FA were also calculated. The correlations between T2 and T1 LV, brain volume, MT-, and DT-derived metrics were assessed with the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: No significant correlations were found between MT and FA histogram-derived metrics and quantities derived from conventional MR scans (T2 and T1 LV and brain volume). On the contrary, T2 and T1 LV (but not brain volume) were significantly correlated with the average D macro values of BT and NABT (r values ranging from 0.52 to 0.78). No significant correlation was found between MT- and DT-derived metrics. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that MT and DT MR imaging provide, at least partially, independent measures of lesion burden in patients with RRMS. This suggests that a multiparametric MR approach has the potential for increasing our ability to monitor MS evolution.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Serum and in vitro production of IL-1 receptor antagonist correlate with C-reactive protein levels in newly diagnosed, untreated lupus patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the correlation between C-reactive protein (CRP) and CRP-inducing cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), as well as to study their relationship with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity (SLEDAI) in newly diagnosed, untreated lupus patients. METHODS: Sera from newly diagnosed untreated lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were examined for CRP and cytokines. Data were compared among patient groups and correlated individually among the lupus group. Lupus monocytes and neutrophils were cultured in vitro to produce IL-1ra and experimental results were related to CRP levels and SLEDAI. RESULTS: Within lupus, serum CRP, IL-6, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha levels were significantly lower than those of RA (all p values were < 0.005) and generally higher than those in the controls (p = 0.002, < 0.001, > 0.2, and < 0.001, respectively). Except IL-1ra, which was correlated with CRP (p = 0.045), no substantial correlation was discovered between CRP and IL-6, IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha individually. Moreover, excluding IL-1ra (p = 0.024), there was no association between cytokines and SLEDAI. In vitro IL-1ra as secreted by monocytes correlated with serum CRP and SLEDAI. CONCLUSION: In lupus patients, serum IL-1 beta, IL-6 or TNF-alpha levels failed to correlate with low CRP levels. This indicates a complicated CRP production process, which can not be explained solely by single cytokines as reported previously. Both serum and in vitro produced IL-1ra may be applied clinically as a surrogate CRP marker in untreated lupus patients as they are both correlated with serum CRP.

Adult↗