Bradycardia was commonly seen in the acute stage after SCI as well as during procedures such as penile vibro-stimulation and tracheal suction. These episodes of bradycardia were seen more often in individuals with cervical injuries. Longitudinal studies with continuous electrocardiogram recordings are needed to uncover the true relation between cardiac arrhythmias and SCI.

BackgroundNeutrophil dysfunction plays a key role in the development of diseases characterized by inflammation and angiogenesis. Here, we studied the systemic expression of neutrophil markers reflecting activation, adhesion, and resolution of inflammation in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).ResultsThis was a prospective case-control study of patients with neovascular AMD and age-matched healthy control individuals. Patients were recruited from an outpatient program, and control individuals were recruited amongst patients’ relatives. Current smokers and individuals with either active immune-disease or ongoing cancer were not included, as these factors are known to affect neutrophil function. Fresh-drawn venous blood was processed for flow cytometric analysis of neutrophil markers. We determined percentages of positive cells and compared expression levels using fluorescence intensity measures. We found conditional differences on marker expression between patients with neovascular AMD (n = 29) and controls (n = 28): no differences were found when looking broadly, but several differences emerged when focusing on non-smokers. Here, patients with neovascular AMD had increased expression of the activity marker cluster of differentiation (CD) 66b (P = 0.003; Mann-Whitney U test), decreased expression of adhesion marker CD162 (P = 0.044; Mann-Whitney U test), and lower expression of the resolution of inflammation marker C-X-C chemokine receptor 2 (P = 0.044; Mann-Whitney U test).ConclusionsWe present novel evidence suggesting that the activity of circulating neutrophils, sensitive to smoking, may differ in patients with neovascular AMD.

BackgroundIndividuals with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have altered number and distribution of retinal macrophages and show changes in circulating antibodies. We wanted to investigate the corresponding precursors, with subpopulations. We therefore measured monocyte and B-lymphocyte populations in individuals with neovascular AMD.DesignThis was an observational case–control study.Participants or samplesA total of 31 individuals with neovascular AMD and 30 healthy age-matched controls were included.MethodsPatients and controls were interviewed, and ophthalmological examination included visual acuity assessment using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), slit-lamp examination and fundus photography. Moreover, venous blood was drawn and prepared for flow cytometry. Cells were gated and measured for surface markers.Main outcome measuresRelative amounts of monocytes and B-lymphocytes with subsets, as well as selected surface markers, were measured.ResultsThe two groups did not significantly differ in age, smoking history, body mass index, physical activity or C-reactive protein (CRP). Total monocytes (percentage of all leukocytes) were lower in the neovascular AMD group (median 5.5%) compared with the level in the control group (6.5%; P-value: 0.028). The percentage of intermediate monocytes positive for cluster of differentiation 11b (CD11b) was lower for AMD patients (99.4%) compared with 100% for the control group (P-value: 0.032).ConclusionWe observed lower numbers of monocytes, which show a potentially impaired ability to migrate across the endothelial wall in patients with neovascular AMD. These subtle changes could potentially lead to an imbalance in the recruitment of macrophages into the retina during disease development.

ObjectiveHigh vitreous levels of soluble (s)CD163 have been demonstrated in severe diabetic retinopathy (DR). The aim of this study was to explore the predictive values of plasma sCD163 and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) for DR progression in adults with type 1 diabetes.Methods and analysesThe study design was prospective. Fundus photography performed in 2009 and at follow-up (≤12 years later) were compared after being categorised according to the International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale. ‘DR progression at least one level’ was calculated. In 2009, data collection (sex, age, diabetes duration, metabolic variables, serum creatinine, macroalbuminuria and lifestyle factors) and biochemical analyses were performed. Plasma sCD163 and HbA1c were divided into quartiles. Logistic regression analyses were performed.ResultsThe prevalence of DR in 2009 versus at follow-up in 270 participants (57% male) were: no apparent 28% vs 18%; mild 20% vs 13%; moderate 24% vs 26%; severe 11% vs 13%; and proliferative DR 17% vs 30% (p<0.001). DR progression occurred in 101 (45%) patients. HbA1c ≥54 mmol/mol (≥7.1%) (>1st quartile) (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.8, p<0.001) and sCD163 ≥343 ng/mL (>1st quartile) (AOR 2.6, p=0.004) were independently associated with DR progression. The associations with DR progression increased significantly from the first to the fourth quartile for HbA1c (AORs: 1; 2.5; 3.6; 7.4), but not for sCD163 (AORs: 1; 2.9; 2.4; 2.4).ConclusionPlasma sCD163 may constitute a valuable biomarker for DR progression in addition to and independent of the well-established biomarker HbA1c.