206 research outputs found
Myocardial revascularization using on-pump beating heart among patients with left ventricular dysfunction
Characterisation of mouse monoclonal antibodies against rhesus macaque killer immunoglobulin-like receptors KIR3D
Eight common genetic variants associated with serum dheas levels suggest a key role in ageing mechanisms
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) is the most abundant circulating steroid secreted by adrenal glands-yet its function is unknown. Its serum concentration declines significantly with increasing age, which has led to speculation that a relative DHEAS deficiency may contribute to the development of common age-related diseases or diminished longevity. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association data with 14,846 individuals and identified eight independent common SNPs associated with serum DHEAS concentrations. Genes at or near the identified loci include ZKSCAN5 (rs11761528; p = 3.15×10-36), SULT2A1 (rs2637125; p = 2.61×10-19), ARPC1A (rs740160; p = 1.56×10-16), TRIM4 (rs17277546; p = 4.50×10-11), BMF (rs7181230; p = 5.44×10-11), HHEX (rs2497306; p = 4.64×10-9), BCL2L11 (rs6738028; p = 1.72×10-8), and CYP2C9 (rs2185570; p = 2.29×10-8). These genes are associated with type 2 diabetes, lymphoma, actin filament assembly, drug and xenobiotic metabolism, and zinc finger proteins. Several SNPs were associated with changes in gene expression levels, and the related genes are connected to biological pathways linking DHEAS with ageing. This study provides much needed insight into the function of DHEAS
Quantification of structural changes in the corpus callosumin children with profound hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury
Background Birth-related acute profound hypoxic–ischaemic
brain injury has specific patterns of damage including the
paracentral lobules.
Objective To test the hypothesis that there is anatomically coherent
regional volume loss of the corpus callosum as a result of
this hemispheric abnormality.
Materials and methods Study subjects included 13 children
with proven acute profound hypoxic–ischaemic brain injury
and 13 children with developmental delay but no brain abnormalities.
A computerised system divided the corpus callosum
into 100 segments, measuring each width. Principal component
analysis grouped the widths into contiguous anatomical regions.
We conducted analysis of variance of corpus callosum widths as
well as support vector machine stratification into patient groups.
Results There was statistically significant narrowing of the
mid–posterior body and genu of the corpus callosum in children
with hypoxic–ischaemic brain injury. Support vector machine
analysis yielded over 95% accuracy in patient group stratification
using the corpus callosum centile widths.
Conclusion Focal volume loss is seen in the corpus callosum
of children with hypoxic–ischaemic brain injury secondary to
loss of commissural fibres arising in the paracentral lobules.
Support vector machine stratification into the hypoxic–ischaemic
brain injury group or the control group on the basis of
corpus callosum width is highly accurate and points towards
rapid clinical translation of this technique as a potential biomarker
of hypoxic–ischaemic brain injur
Pharmacist intervention program to enhance hypertension control: a randomised controlled trial
Objective Studies have demonstrated that hypertension remains inadequately managed throughout the world, with lack of adherence to BP-lowering medication being a major factor. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if a pharmaceutical care program could improve antihypertensive medication adherence and blood pressure control. Setting This study was conducted in a secondary care hypertension/dyslipidemia outpatient clinic in the university teaching hospital of Cova da Beira Hospital Centre, Covilhã, located in the Eastern Central Region of Portugal. Method This report evaluates the pharmacist’s interventions during a prospective randomised controlled trial, from July 2009 to June 2010. Patients with diagnosis of essential hypertension attending the clinic for routine follow-up were randomly allocated either to a control group (no pharmaceutical care) or to an intervention group (quarterly follow-up by a hospital pharmacist during a 9-month period). The pharmacist interventions, aimed to increase medication adherence and blood pressure control, involved educational interventions and counselling tips directed to the patient. Main outcome measure Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and blood pressure control (according to JNC 7 guidelines) assessed at the baseline visit and at the end of pharmaceutical care were the main outcome measures. Blood pressure measurements were performed by blinded nurses. Medication adherence was also evaluated, using a validated questionnaire at baseline and at the end of investigation. Results A total of 197 hypertensive patients were randomly assigned to the study (99 in the control group and 98 in the intervention group). Although there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in both groups concerning mean age, gender, body mass index, and antihypertensive pharmacotherapy, blood pressure control was higher in the intervention group (P = 0.005) at the end of the study. Significant lower systolic blood pressure (−6.8 mmHg, P = 0.006) and diastolic blood pressure (−2.9 mmHg, P = 0.020) levels were observed in the intervention group. Medication adherence was also significantly higher in the intervention group at the end of the study (74.5% vs. 57.6%, P = 0.012).Conclusion Pharmacist intervention can significantly improve medication adherence and blood pressure control in patients treated with antihypertensive agents
A randomized trial of a lifestyle intervention in obese endometrial cancer survivors: quality of life outcomes and mediators of behavior change
Monitoring health-related quality of life in paediatric practice: development of an innovative web-based application
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) questionnaires are increasingly used in clinical practice. These Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) are provided to the paediatrician to facilitate communication with patients during a consultation. The aim of the current article is to describe the development and introduction of a new web-based application for the use of PROs in daily paediatric clinical practice.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Currently, the use of PROs in daily clinical practice is very time consuming and often has logistical problems. The use of a web-based programme can overcome these problems and contributes to an improved use of PROs in clinical practice. We therefore developed an easily accessible website (KLIK) for outpatient treatment and a training programme for paediatricians to maximize the effectiveness and the practical use of PROs (KLIK PROfile).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The KLIK study was launched in August 2008 to evaluate the use of the KLIK PROfile in daily clinical practice. The KLIK study evaluates whether feedback from HRQOL data could influence patient satisfaction with the consultation, the advice given, the type of referrals and topics discussed. In this multicentre study, a control group (without the use of the KLIK PROfile) is compared to an intervention group (with the use of the KLIK PROfile). A sequential cohort design is chosen to avoid contamination between the study groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on the positive experiences with the use of the KLIK PROfile acquired during the study we conclude that the KLIK PROfile may contribute to systematically monitor and discuss HRQOL issues during consultations. The next steps will be a comprehensive evaluation of the KLIK study data and the implementation of the KLIK PROfile in daily clinical practice in different patient groups.</p
Culture dependent and independent analyses of 16S rRNA and ATP citrate lyase genes : a comparison of microbial communities from different black smoker chimneys on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Author Posting. © Springer, 2008. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Springer for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Extremophiles 12 (2008): 627-640, doi:10.1007/s00792-008-0167-5.The bacterial and archaeal communities of three deep-sea hydrothermal vent systems
located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR; Rainbow, Logatchev and Broken Spur) were
investigated using an integrated culture-dependent and independent approach.
Comparative molecular phylogenetic analyses, using the 16S rRNA gene and the deduced
amino acid sequences of the alpha and beta subunits of the ATP citrate lyase encoding
genes were carried out on natural microbial communities, on an enrichment culture
obtained from the Broken Spur chimney, and on novel chemolithoautotrophic bacteria
and reference strains originally isolated from several different deep-sea vents. Our data
showed that the three MAR hydrothermal vent chimneys investigated in this study host
very different microbial assemblages. The microbial community of the Rainbow chimney
was dominated by thermophilic, autotrophic, hydrogen-oxidizing, sulfur- and nitrate
reducing Epsilonproteobacteria related to the genus Caminibacter. The detection of
sequences related to sulfur-reducing bacteria and archaea (Archaeoglobus) indicated that
thermophilic sulfate reduction might also be occurring at this site. The Logatchev
bacterial community included several sequences related to mesophilic sulfur-oxidizing
bacteria, while the archaeal component of this chimney was dominated by sequences
related to the ANME-2 lineage, suggesting that anaerobic oxidation of methane may be
occurring at this site. Comparative analyses of the ATP citrate lyase encoding genes from
natural microbial communities suggested that Epsilonproteobacteria were the dominant
primary producers using the reverse TCA cycle (rTCA) at Rainbow, while Aquificales of
the genera Desulfurobacterium and Persephonella were prevalent in the Broken Spur
chimney.This research was supported by NSF grants MCB 04-56676 (C.V.), OCE 03-27353 (C.V.), MCB 04-56689 (S.M.S.), a grant from the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station to C.V., and a NIH Ph.D. Training
Program in Biotechnology Fellowship (NIH NIGMS 5 T32 GM08339) to J.V. M.H. was
supported through a postdoctoral scholarship from the Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution
Dengue Virus Type 4 Phylogenetics in Brazil 2011: Looking beyond the Veil
Dengue Fever and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever are diseases affecting approximately 100 million people/year and are a major concern in developing countries. In the present study, the phylogenetic relationship of six strains of the first autochthonous cases of DENV-4 infection occurred in Sao Paulo State, Parana State and Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, 2011 were studied. Nucleotide sequences of the envelope gene were determined and compared with sequences representative of the genotypes I, II, III and Sylvatic for DEN4 retrieved from GenBank. We employed a Bayesian phylogenetic approach to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of Brazilian DENV-4 and we estimated evolutionary rates and dates of divergence for DENV-4 found in Brazil in 2011. All samples sequenced in this study were located in Genotype II. The studied strains are monophyletic and our data suggest that they have been evolving separately for at least 4 to 6 years. Our data suggest that the virus might have been present in the region for some time, without being noticed by Health Surveillance Services due to a low level of circulation and a higher prevalence of DENV-1 and DENV- 2
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