Abnormal lipid metabolism is associated with angiogenic and anti angiogenic factor imbalance in PIH women

Background: Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and fetal/neonatal mortality and morbidity even in developed countries. Despite of extensive research, the etiology and pathogenesis of preeclampsia are not completely understood. Evidence shows that imbalance between angiogenic and antiangiogenic factor plays a pivotal role in the genesis of endothelial dysfunction which is considered as a hall mark in the development of multisystem disorder in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Abnormal lipid metabolism is a known causative factor for endothelial dysfunction. This study has been designed to determine the association between abnormal lipids and angiogenic, anti angiogenic balance in PIH (PE and E) women.Methods: Study group consisted of Normotensive pregnant women (N) preeclamptic women (PE) and eclamptic women (E) with 100 subjects in each group in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. They were investigated for lipid profile and apolipoproteins, MDA, FRAP, TNF-α, sFlt-1, VEGF, PlGF, NO. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA and pearson correlation analysis.Results: When compared to controls TC, TGL, VLDL, LDL, apoB, MDA, TNF-α, sFlt-1 levels were found to be significantly high and HDL, apoA, FRAP, VEGF, PIGF, and NO levels were significantly low in PE, E group.  Eclamptic women showed a significantly high level of MDA, TNF-α, sFlt-1and low levels of FRAP, VEGF, PIGF, NO when compared to PE group.Conclusions: In PIH women, abnormal lipid metabolism is associated with angiogenic and antiangiogenic imbalance

ApoB/ApoA-1 ratio and nitric oxide levels in pregnancy induced hypertensive women

Background: Pregnancy induced hypertension is considered as the major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality. Even though occurrence of PIH is due to abnormal placentation, endothelial dysfunction plays a pivotal role in the genesis of the multisystem disorder that develops in pre eclampsia and eclampsia. Various studies have proved that hyperlipidemia is one of the major causes of endothelial dysfunction. Since ApoB/apoA-I ratio is a dyslipidemic indicator, the study was designed to determine ApoB/ApoA-I in PIH women and to analyse whether this ratio can be correlated with ED in PIH women.Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study involved normotensive, preeclamptic and eclamptic pregnant women with hundred subjects in each group. They were investigated for serum lipid profile, ApoA, ApoB, NO, MDA, FRAP in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.Results: The SBP & DBP were significantly high between 3 groups. The mean plasma TC, TGL, VLDL, LDL, MDA, ApoB levels, ApoB/ApoA-I were significantly high & HDL, ApoA-I, NO, FRAP levels were significantly low between 3 groups. The ApoB/ApoA-I was positively correlated with TC, TGL, VLDL, LDL, malondialdehyde and negatively correlated with HDL, FRAP & NO.Conclusions: Our results indicate that women with PE & E exhibit markedly elevated concentrations of TGL-rich lipoproteins. The negative correlation between ApoB/ApoA-I with NO indicates that the hyperlipidemia is directly related with severity of ED in PIH. So, careful monitoring of ApoB/ApoA-I along with NO might be helpful to predict the onset and progression of the disease

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators for the treatment of arrhythmias and cardiac resynchronisation therapy for the treatment of heart failure: systematic review and economic evaluation

Background This assessment updates and expands on two previous technology assessments that evaluated implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) for arrhythmias and cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) for heart failure (HF). Objectives To assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ICDs in addition to optimal pharmacological therapy (OPT) for people at increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) as a result of ventricular arrhythmias despite receiving OPT; to assess CRT with or without a defibrillator (CRT-D or CRT-P) in addition to OPT for people with HF as a result of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and cardiac dyssynchrony despite receiving OPT; and to assess CRT-D in addition to OPT for people with both conditions. Data sources Electronic resources including MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library were searched from inception to November 2012. Additional studies were sought from reference lists, clinical experts and manufacturers’ submissions to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Review methods Inclusion criteria were applied by two reviewers independently. Data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken by one reviewer and checked by a second. Data were synthesised through narrative review and meta-analyses. For the three populations above, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing (1) ICD with standard therapy, (2) CRT-P or CRT-D with each other or with OPT and (3) CRT-D with OPT, CRT-P or ICD were eligible. Outcomes included mortality, adverse events and quality of life. A previously developed Markov model was adapted to estimate the cost-effectiveness of OPT, ICDs, CRT-P and CRT-D in the three populations by simulating disease progression calculated at 4-weekly cycles over a lifetime horizon. Results A total of 4556 references were identified, of which 26 RCTs were included in the review: 13 compared ICD with medical therapy, four compared CRT-P/CRT-D with OPT and nine compared CRT-D with ICD. ICDs reduced all-cause mortality in people at increased risk of SCD, defined in trials as those with previous ventricular arrhythmias/cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction (MI) > 3 weeks previously, non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (depending on data included) or ischaemic/non-ischaemic HF and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%. There was no benefit in people scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft. A reduction in SCD but not all-cause mortality was found in people with recent MI. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) ranged from £14,231 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) to £29,756 per QALY for the scenarios modelled. CRT-P and CRT-D reduced mortality and HF hospitalisations, and improved other outcomes, in people with HF as a result of LVSD and cardiac dyssynchrony when compared with OPT. The rate of SCD was lower with CRT-D than with CRT-P but other outcomes were similar. CRT-P and CRT-D compared with OPT produced ICERs of £27,584 per QALY and £27,899 per QALY respectively. The ICER for CRT-D compared with CRT-P was £28,420 per QALY. In people with both conditions, CRT-D reduced the risk of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalisation, and improved other outcomes, compared with ICDs. Complications were more common with CRT-D. Initial management with OPT alone was most cost-effective (ICER £2824 per QALY compared with ICD) when health-related quality of life was kept constant over time. Costs and QALYs for CRT-D and CRT-P were similar. The ICER for CRT-D compared with ICD was £27,195 per QALY and that for CRT-D compared with OPT was £35,193 per QALY. Limitations Limitations of the model include the structural assumptions made about disease progression and treatment provision, the extrapolation of trial survival estimates over time and the assumptions made around parameter values when evidence was not available for specific patient groups. Conclusions In people at risk of SCD as a result of ventricular arrhythmias and in those with HF as a result of LVSD and cardiac dyssynchrony, the interventions modelled produced ICERs of < £30,000 per QALY gained. In people with both conditions, the ICER for CRT-D compared with ICD, but not CRT-D compared with OPT, was < £30,000 per QALY, and the costs and QALYs for CRT-D and CRT-P were similar. A RCT comparing CRT-D and CRT-P in people with HF as a result of LVSD and cardiac dyssynchrony is required, for both those with and those without an ICD indication. A RCT is also needed into the benefits of ICD in non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy in the absence of dyssynchrony. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO number CRD42012002062. Funding The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme

"It's a can of worms": understanding primary care practitioners' behaviours in relation to HPV using the Theoretical Domains Framework

Background: The relationship between infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer is transforming cervical cancer prevention. HPV tests and vaccinations have recently become available. In Ireland, as elsewhere, primary care practitioners play a key role in prevention. ATHENS (A Trial of HPV Education and Support) aims to develop a theorybased intervention to support primary care practitioners in their HPV-related practice. This study, the first step in the intervention development process, aimed to: identify HPV-related clinical behaviours that the intervention will target; clarify general practitioners’ (GPs’) and practice nurses’ roles and responsibilities; and determine factors that potentially influence clinical behaviour. A secondary objective was to informally assess the utility of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) in understanding clinical behaviours in an area with an evolving evidence-base. Methods: In-depth semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with GPs and practice nurses. The topic guide, which contained open questions and HPV-related clinical scenarios, was developed through literature review and clinical experience. Interview transcripts were content-analysed using the TDF as the coding framework. Results: 19 GPs and 14 practice nurses were interviewed. The major HPV-related clinical behaviours were: initiating a discussion about HPV infection with female patients; offering/recommending HPV vaccination to appropriate patients; and answering patients’ questions about HPV testing. While the responsibility for taking smears was considered a female role, both male and female practitioners dealt with HPV-related issues. All 12 theoretical domains arose in relation to HPV infection; the domains judged to be most important were: knowledge, emotion, social influences, beliefs about capabilities and beliefs about consequences. Eleven domains emerged in relation to HPV vaccination, with beliefs about consequences, social influences, knowledge and environmental context and resources judged to be the most important. Nine domains were relevant to HPV testing, with knowledge and beliefs about capabilities judged to be the most important. Conclusions: The findings confirm the need for an intervention to support primary care practitioners around HPV and suggest it should target a range of theoretical domains. The TDF proved valuable in analysing qualitative data collected using a topic guide not specifically designed to capture TDF domains and understanding clinical behaviours in an area with an evolving evidence-base

Using Intervention Mapping to develop a programme to prevent sexually transmittable infections, including HIV, among heterosexual migrant men

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is little experience with carefully developed interventions in the HIV/STI prevention field aimed at adult heterosexual target groups in the Netherlands. The ability to apply intervention development protocols, like Intervention Mapping, in daily practice outside of academia, is a matter of concern. An urgent need also exists for interventions aimed at the prevention of STI in migrant populations in the Netherlands. This article describes the theory and evidence based development of HIV/STI prevention interventions by the Municipal Public Health Service Rotterdam Area (MPHS), the Netherlands, for heterosexual migrant men with Surinamese, Dutch-Caribbean, Cape Verdean, Turkish and Moroccan backgrounds.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>First a needs assessment was carried out. Then, a literature review was done, key figures were interviewed and seven group discussions were held. Subsequently, the results were translated into specific objectives ("change objectives") and used in intervention development for two subgroups: men with an Afro-Caribbean background and unmarried men with a Turkish and Moroccan background. A matrix of change objectives was made for each subgroup and suitable theoretical methods and practical strategies were selected. Culturally-tailored interventions were designed and were pre-tested among the target groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This development process resulted in two interventions for specific subgroups that were appreciated by both the target groups and the migrant prevention workers. The project took place in collaboration with a university center, which provided an opportunity to get expert advice at every step of the Intervention Mapping process. At relevant points of the development process, migrant health educators and target group members provided advice and feedback on the draft intervention materials.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This intervention development project indicates that careful well-informed intervention development using Intervention Mapping is feasible in the daily practice of the MPHS, provided that sufficient time and expertise on this approach is available. Further research should test the effectiveness of these interventions.</p

Language endangerment and language documentation in Africa

Non peer reviewe

Nonassociative algebras and normal ideals

Available from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:DXN058715 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Is Long Term Duration of Diabetes is a Factor to Cause Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?

Introduction: Endothelial Dysfunction (ED) is an earliest pathological process of atherosclerosis. Endothelium regulates vascular tone, platelet activity, leukocyte adhesion and thrombosis. Impaired function of endothelium initiates the development of atherosclerosis. Nitric oxide is one of the most effective endogenous vasodilator and also a marker for ED. Aim: To assess whether long term duration of diabetes is a factor to cause ED and its complications in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Hence, the study has been designed to assess the ED in patients with long term duration of Type 2 diabetes for early prediction of vascular complications. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 47 Type 2 diabetic subjects. Among these 27 subjects with 5 years duration of diabetes (Group-II). Glucose, HbA1c, BMI and lipid profile were estimated by well established methods in auto-analyzer, MDA by Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), total antioxidant capacity as Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP) and NO was estimated by kinetic cadmium reduction method using spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was performed by “Kruskal-Wallis” test. Result: Significantly low level of NO was identified in Type 2 diabetic patients with >5 years duration of disease compared to 5 years duration of diabetes and no significant difference in the level of FRAP among the study groups. It has also shown significantly high level of age in >5 years duration of Type 2 diabetes than <5 years. But, no significant differences in the levels of HbA1c, lipid profile were identified between two study groups. Conclusion: Age and oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation) has been recognized as risk factors for ED and future complications in patients with more than 5 years duration of Type 2 diabetes