23 research outputs found
The −675 4G/5G Polymorphism in Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Gene Is Associated with Risk of Asthma: A Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND: A number of studies assessed the association of -675 4G/5G polymorphism in the promoter region of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 gene with asthma in different populations. However, most studies reported inconclusive results. A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the association between polymorphism in the PAI-1 gene and asthma susceptibility. METHODS: Databases including Pubmed, EMBASE, HuGE Literature Finder, Wanfang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Weipu Database were searched to find relevant studies. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of association in the dominant model, recessive model, codominant model, and additive model. RESULTS: Eight studies involving 1817 cases and 2327 controls were included. Overall, significant association between 4G/5G polymorphism and asthma susceptibility was observed for 4G4G+4G5G vs. 5G5G (OR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.12-2.18, P = 0.008), 4G/4G vs. 4G/5G+5G/5G (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.06-1.80, P = 0.02), 4G/4G vs. 5G/5G (OR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.17-2.76, P = 0.007), 4G/5G vs. 5G/5G (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.07-1.84, P = 0.02), and 4G vs. 5G (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.08-1.68, P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggested that the -675 4G/5G polymorphism of PAI-1 gene was a risk factor of asthma
Variation in Structure and Process of Care in Traumatic Brain Injury: Provider Profiles of European Neurotrauma Centers Participating in the CENTER-TBI Study.
INTRODUCTION: The strength of evidence underpinning care and treatment recommendations in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is low. Comparative effectiveness research (CER) has been proposed as a framework to provide evidence for optimal care for TBI patients. The first step in CER is to map the existing variation. The aim of current study is to quantify variation in general structural and process characteristics among centers participating in the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study. METHODS: We designed a set of 11 provider profiling questionnaires with 321 questions about various aspects of TBI care, chosen based on literature and expert opinion. After pilot testing, questionnaires were disseminated to 71 centers from 20 countries participating in the CENTER-TBI study. Reliability of questionnaires was estimated by calculating a concordance rate among 5% duplicate questions. RESULTS: All 71 centers completed the questionnaires. Median concordance rate among duplicate questions was 0.85. The majority of centers were academic hospitals (n = 65, 92%), designated as a level I trauma center (n = 48, 68%) and situated in an urban location (n = 70, 99%). The availability of facilities for neuro-trauma care varied across centers; e.g. 40 (57%) had a dedicated neuro-intensive care unit (ICU), 36 (51%) had an in-hospital rehabilitation unit and the organization of the ICU was closed in 64% (n = 45) of the centers. In addition, we found wide variation in processes of care, such as the ICU admission policy and intracranial pressure monitoring policy among centers. CONCLUSION: Even among high-volume, specialized neurotrauma centers there is substantial variation in structures and processes of TBI care. This variation provides an opportunity to study effectiveness of specific aspects of TBI care and to identify best practices with CER approaches
Variation in structure and process of care in traumatic brain injury: Provider profiles of European Neurotrauma Centers participating in the CENTER-TBI study
Introduction: The strength of evidence underpinning care and treatment recommendations in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is low. Comparative effectiveness research (CER) has been proposed as a framework to provide evidence for optimal care for TBI patients. The first step in CER is to map the existing variation. The aim of current study is to quantify variation in general structural and process characteristics among centers participating in the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study. Methods: We designed a set of 11 provider profiling questionnaires with 321 questions about various aspects of TBI care, chosen based on literature and expert opinion. After pilot testing, questionnaires were disseminated to 71 centers from 20 countries participating in the CENTER-TBI study. Reliability of questionnaires was estimated by calculating a concordance rate among 5% duplicate questions.Results: All 71 centers completed the questionnaires. Median concordance rate among duplicate questions was 0.85. The majority of centers were academic hospitals (n = 65, 92%), designated as a level I trauma center (n = 48, 68%) and situated in an urban location (n = 70, 99%). The availability of facilities for neuro-trauma care varied across centers; e.g. 40 (57%) had a dedicated neuro-intensive care unit (ICU), 36 (51%) had an in-hospital rehabilitation unit and the organization of the ICU was closed in 64% (n = 45) of the centers. In addition, we found wide variation in processes of care, such as the ICU admission policy and intracranial pressure monitoring policy among centers. Conclusion: Even among high-volume, specialized neurotrauma centers there is substantial variation in structures and processes of TBI care. This variation provides an opportunity to study effectiveness of specific aspects of TBI care and to identify best practices with CER approaches.</p
La conservazione preventiva del patrimonio librario come possibile alternativa al restauro tradizionale
The present paper focuses on the close relation between library collections and their preservation environment, aiming, in particular, at highlighting the importance of promoting and sustaining the monitoring. The paper proposes some simple and ready-to-use technologies – smart monitoring – to prevent future damages
Consequences of timing of organic enrichment provision on pig performance, health and stress resilience after weaning and regrouping
Detection of Antioxidative Activity of Plant Extracts at the DNA-Modified Screen-Printed Electrode
A simple procedure for the voltammetric detection of antioxidative activity of plant extracts based on the protection from DNA damage at the electrode surface is reported. A disposable electrochemical DNA biosensor fabricated as a carbon-based screen-printed electrode modified by a surface layer of the calf thymus double stranded (ds) DNA was used as a working electrode in combination with a silver/silver chloride reference electrode and a separate platinum auxiliary electrode. The [Co(phen)3]3+ ion served as the dsDNA redox marker and the [Fe(EDTA)]- complex with hydrogen peroxide under the electrochemical reduction of the iron atom were used as the DNA cleavage mixture. A remarkable antioxidative activity of phenolic antioxidants such as rosmarinic and caffeic acids as standards and the extracts of lemon balm, oregano, thyme and agrimony was found which is quite in agreement with an antiradical activity determined spectrophotometrically using 2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical
Detection of Antioxidative Activity of Plant Extracts at the DNA-Modified Screen-Printed Electrode
Detection of antioxidative activity of plant extracts at the DNA-modified screenprinted electrode
Abstract: A simple procedure for the voltammetric detection of antioxidative activity of plant extracts based on the protection from DNA damage at the electrode surface is reported. A disposable electrochemical DNA biosensor fabricated as a carbon-based screen-printed electrode modified by a surface layer of the calf thymus double stranded (ds) DNA was used as a working electrode in combination with a silver/silver chloride reference electrode and a separate platinum auxiliary electrode. The [Co(phen)3] 3+ ion served as the dsDNA redox marker and the [Fe(EDTA)]- complex with hydrogen peroxide under the electrochemical reduction of the iron atom were used as the DNA cleavage mixture. A remarkable antioxidative activity of phenolic antioxidants such as rosmarinic and caffeic acids as standards and the extracts of lemon balm, oregano, thyme and agrimony was found which is quite in agreement with an antiradical activity determined spectrophotometrically using 2,2’diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical
Voltammetric Detection of Antioxidative Properties of Flavonoids Using Electrically Heated DNA Modified Carbon Paste Electrode
A simple electrochemical sensor consisting of electrically heated carbon paste electrode with the surface modified by dsDNA is used to characterize voltammetric behaviour and antioxidative activity of four selected flavonoids. Quercetin, rutin, catechin and epigallocatechin gallate accumulate within the DNA layer. A positive effect of the electrode temperature within the range of 20 to 38 ºC on the detection of a deep DNA degradation by a copper(II)/H2O2/ascorbic acid cleavage mixture as well as an antioxidative effect of flavonoids was evaluated