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Kinds of Days Terms modified by Days Selected AbstractsEvaluation of 6 Prognostic Models Used to Calculate Mortality Rates in Elderly Heart Failure Patients With a Fatal Heart Failure AdmissionCONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, Issue 5 2010Andria L. Nutter The objective was to evaluate 6 commonly used heart failure (HF) prognostic models in an elderly, fatal HF population. Predictive models have been established to quantify risk among HF patients. The validation of these models has not been adequately studied, especially in an elderly cohort. Applying a single-center, retrospective study of serially admitted HF patients who died while in the hospital or within 30 days of discharge, the authors evaluated 6 prognostic models: the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM), Heywood's model, Classification and Regression Tree (CART) Analysis, the Heart Failure Survival Score (HFSS), Heart Failure Risk Scoring System, and Pocock's score. Eighty patients were included (mean age, 82.7 ± 8.2 years). Twenty-three patients (28.75%) died in the hospital. The remainder died within 30 days of discharge. The models' predictions varied considerably from one another and underestimated the patients' actual mortality. This study demonstrates that these models underestimate the mortality risk in an elderly cohort at or approaching the end of life. Moreover, the predictions made by each model vary greatly from one another. Many of the models used were not intended for calculation during hospitalization. Development of improved models for the range of patients with HF syndromes is needed. Congest Heart Fail. 2010;16:196,201. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Increased Mortality Associated With Low Use of Clopidogrel in Patients With Heart Failure and Acute Myocardial Infarction Not Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary InterventionCONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, Issue 5 2010Scott Harris DO We studied the association of clopidogrel with mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with heart failure (HF) not receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background. Use of clopidogrel after AMI is low in patients with HF, despite the fact that clopidogrel is associated with absolute mortality reduction in AMI patients. Methods. All patients hospitalized with first-time AMI (2000 through 2005) and not undergoing PCI within 30 days from discharge were identified in national registers. Patients with HF treated with clopidogrel were matched by propensity score with patients not treated with clopidogrel. Similarly, 2 groups without HF were identified. Risks of all-cause death were obtained by the Kaplan,Meier method and Cox regression analyses. Results. We identified 56,944 patients with first-time AMI. In the matched cohort with HF (n=5050) and a mean follow-up of 1.50 years (SD=1.2), 709 (28.1%) and 812 (32.2%) deaths occurred in patients receiving and not receiving clopidogrel treatment, respectively (P=.002). The corresponding numbers for patients without HF (n=6092), with a mean follow-up of 2.05 years (SD=1.3), were 285 (9.4%) and 294 (9.7%), respectively (P=.83). Patients with HF receiving clopidogrel demonstrated reduced mortality (hazard ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.78,0.95) compared with patients with HF not receiving clopidogrel. No difference was observed among patients without HF (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.83,1.16). Conclusions. Clopidogrel was associated with reduced mortality in patients with HF who do not undergo PCI after their first-time AMI, whereas this association was not apparent in patients without HF. Further studies of the benefit of clopidogrel in patients with HF and AMI are warranted.,Bonde L, Sorensen R, Fosbol EL, et al. Increased mortality associated with low use of clopidogrel in patients with heart failure and acute myocardial infarction not undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a nationwide study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010;55:1300,1307. [source] Perioperative Outcome and Long-Term Mortality for Heart Failure Patients Undergoing Intermediate- and High-Risk Noncardiac Surgery: Impact of Left Ventricular Ejection FractionCONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, Issue 2 2010Kirsten O. Healy MD The impact of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on outcome in patients with heart failure (HF) undergoing noncardiac surgery has not been extensively evaluated. In this study, 174 patients (mean age, 75±12 years, 47% male, mean LVEF (47%±18%) underwent intermediate- or high-risk noncardiac surgery. Patients were stratified by LVEF, and adverse perioperative complications were identified and compared. Adverse perioperative events occurred in 53 patients (30.5%), including 14 (8.1%) deaths within 30 days, 26 (14.9%) myocardial infarctions, and 44 (25.3%) HF exacerbations. Among the factors associated with adverse perioperative outcomes in the first 30 days were advanced age (>80 years), diabetes, and a severely decreased LVEF (<30%). Long-term mortality was high, and Cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated that LVEF was an independent risk factor for long-term mortality. Congest Heart Fail. 2010;16:45,49. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] THE IMPACT OF PRICES AND CONTROL POLICIES ON CIGARETTE SMOKING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTSCONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC POLICY, Issue 2 2001C Czart Smoking among youths and young adults rose throughout the 1990s. Numerous policies were enacted to try to reverse this trend. However, little is known about the impact these policies have on the smoking behavior of young adults. This article uses a dichotomous indicator of daily smoking participation in the past 30 days, an ordered measure representing the frequency of cigarette consumption, and a quasi-continuous measure of the number of cigarettes smoked per day on average to examine the impact of cigarette prices, clean indoor air laws, and campus-level smoking policies on the smoking behaviors of a 1997 cross section of college students. The results of the analysis indicate that higher cigarette prices are associated with lower smoking participation and lower levels of use among college student smokers. Local- and state-level clean indoor air restrictions have a cumulative impact on the level of smoking by current smokers. Complete smoking bans on college campuses are associated with lower levels of smoking among current smokers but have no significant impact on smoking participation. Bans on cigarette advertising on campus as well as bans on the sale of cigarettes on campus have no significant effect on the smoking behavior of college students. [source] Time course of changes in angiogenesis-related factors in denervated muscleACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2006A. Wagatsuma Abstract Aim:, Denervation leads to capillary regression in skeletal muscle. To gain insight into the regulation of this process, we investigated the time course of changes in capillary supply and gene expression of angiogenesis-related factors during muscle denervation. Method:, Female mice underwent surgery to transect the sciatic nerve, and then the gastrocnemius muscles were isolated at 12 h, 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, or 30 days after surgery. The capillary supply was assessed by immunohistochemistry using anti-PECAM-1/CD31 antibody. The mRNA levels for angiogenesis-related factors were analysed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results:, We found that the capillary-to-fibre ratio began to decrease 10 days after muscle denervation and decreased by 52% after 30 days. The levels of mRNA for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), its receptors [fms-like tyrosine kinase (Flt-1) and a kinase insert domain-containing receptor/fetal liver kinase-1 (KDR/Flk-1)], angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 of denervated muscle were immediately down-regulated after 12 h and remained lower than control muscle until 30 days after muscle denervation. The levels of mRNA for the VEGF receptor, neuropilin-1, angiopoietin receptor and Tie-2 decreased within 12,24 h, but returned to near those of control muscle after 10,20 days, and again decreased after 30 days. Conclusions:, These findings suggest that denervation-induced capillary regression may be associated with down-regulation of VEGF and angiopoietin signalling. [source] Effects of immersion water temperature on whole-body fluid distribution in humansACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2004J. M. Stocks Abstract Aim:, In this study, we quantified acute changes in the intracellular and extracellular fluid compartments during upright neutral- and cold-water immersion. We hypothesized that, during short-term cold immersion, fluid shifts would be wholly restricted to the extracellular space. Methods:, Seven males were immersed 30 days apart: control (33.3 ° SD 0.6 °C); and cold (18.1 ° SD 0.3 °C). Posture was controlled for 4 h prior to a 60-min seated immersion. Results:, Significant reductions in terminal oesophageal (36.9 ° ± 0.1 °,36.3 ° ± 0.1 °C) and mean skin temperatures (30.3 ° ± 0.3 °,23.0 ° ± 0.3 °C) were observed during the cold, but not the control immersion. Both immersions elicited a reduction in intracellular fluid [20.17 ± 6.02 mL kg,1 (control) vs. 22.72 ± 9.90 mL kg,1], while total body water (TBW) remained stable. However, significant plasma volume (PV) divergence was apparent between the trials at 60 min [12.5 ± 1.0% (control) vs. 6.1 ± 3.1%; P < 0.05], along with a significant haemodilution in the control state (P < 0.05). Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration increased from 18.0 ± 1.6 to 58.7 ± 15.1 ng L,1 (P < 0.05) during cold immersion, consistent with its role in PV regulation. We observed that, regardless of the direction of the PV change, both upright immersions elicited reductions in intracellular fluid. Conclusion:, These observations have two implications. First, one cannot assume that PV changes reflect those of the entire extracellular compartment. Second, since immersion also increases interstitial fluid pressure, fluid leaving the interstitium must have been rapidly replaced by intracellular water. [source] Comparative assessment of time-related bioactive glass and calcium hydroxide effects on mechanical properties of human root dentinDENTAL TRAUMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Monika Marending These materials have a disinfecting capacity similar to Ca(OH)2, but bear the advantage of bioactivity. However, because bioactive glasses initially act as alkaline biocides just as Ca(OH)2 does, they may also negatively affect mechanical dentin properties over time. This was assessed in the current study using standardized human root dentin bars. Specimens were immersed in 1:20 (wt vol,1) suspensions of nanometric bioactive glass 45S5 or calcium hydroxide for 1, 10, or 30 days. Control specimens were immersed in pure saline for 30 days (n = 20 per group). Subsequently, modulus of elasticity (E) and flexural strength (FS) of the specimens were determined. Results were compared between groups using one-way anova and Scheffé's post-hoc test. Ca(OH)2 caused a significant (P < 0.001) 35% drop in mean flexural strength values compared to the control treatment after 10 days. No further change was observed between 10 days and 30 days. Bioactive glass caused a 20% drop in mean flexural strength as compared to the control after 10 days. However, this difference did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). No effects of either material on dentin modulus of elasticity values were observed. It was concluded that the calcium hydroxide suspension affected the dentin more than the bioactive glass counterpart; however, the effect was self-limiting and probably restricted to superficial dentin layers, as suggested by the mere decrease in flexural strength but not in modulus of elasticity values. [source] Hypothermic insult to the periodontium: a model for the study of aseptic tooth resorptionDENTAL TRAUMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2000C. W. Dreyer Abstract , The aim of the current investigation was to define an animal model for the study of hard tissue resorption by examining the responses of the periodontal ligament (PDL) to both single and multiple episodes of hypothermic injury to the crowns of rat teeth. A group of 12 male rats weighing 200,250 g were anesthetized, and pellets of dry ice (CO2) were applied once to the crowns of the right first maxillary molars for continuous periods of 10 or 20 min. Animals were sacrificed at 2, 7, 14 and 28 days and tissues were processed for routine histological examination. A second group of eight animals and a third group of 12 animals were subjected to three applications of dry ice over a period of 1 week and sacrificed at 2 and 14 days respectively after the final application. In addition to thermal insult, the periodontium of teeth from a fourth group of six rats was subjected to mechanical trauma. Examination of the sections from the group undergoing a single freezing episode revealed that, by 1 week, shallow resorption lacunae had appeared on the root surface. These became more extensive after 14 days. At the same time hyaline degeneration was evident in the PDL. Within this group, teeth subjected to the longer 20-min application times generally showed more extensive injuries. By 28 days, evidence of repair was observed with reparative cementum beginning to line the resorption lacunae in the root dentin. Sections from animals subjected to multiple episodes of thermal trauma and those subjected to additional mechanical insult showed more extensive external root resorption than those from single-injury animals. It was concluded that low temperature stimuli applied to the crowns of rat molars were capable of eliciting a sterile degenerative response in the PDL which, in turn, resulted in external root resorption. Furthermore, the degree of this tissue injury was commensurate with the duration and number of exposures to the trauma. The results also indicated that progression of the resorptive process required periodic exposure to the injury, in the absence of which repair to the damaged root occurred. [source] A Case of Aptos Thread Migration and Partial ExpulsionDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2005José G. Silva-Siwady MD Background In our practice, the use of dented polypropylene suture has become a very simple, conservative, and effective procedure for lifting flabby ptosed facial tissue, improving it without surgery. As with some cosmetic procedures, we have seen complications with this technique. Objective To present a case report of migration and partial expulsion of Aptos thread (TOTAL Charm, Moscow, Russia). Methods After successful fixation of facial tissue with 10 Aptos threads (5 on each side, 3 in the upper and central cheek, and 2 in the mandibular area), the patient returned 28 days later owing to migration and partial expulsion of one of the Aptos threads. Results The expulsed thread was easily removed, and the patient was treated with antibiotic therapy without further complications. Conclusion After this experience, we can conclude that Aptos threads are an additional tool in our arsenal for the treatment of facial aging. We must be especially cautious and aware that our patients can present with previously unknown complications secondary to newly described procedures, as with this recent technique. JOSé G. SILVA-SIWADY, MD, CELINA DÍAZ-GARZA, AND JORGE OCAMPO-CANDIANI, MD, HAVE INDICATED NO SIGNIFICANT INTEREST WITH COMMERCIAL SUPPORTERS. [source] The efficacy of nicotinamide gel 4% as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of cutaneous erosions of pemphigus vulgarisDERMATOLOGIC THERAPY, Issue 3 2010Fariba Iraji ABSTRACT The high rate of morbidity and mortality resulting from long-term use of corticosteroids in pemphigus vulgaris (PV) warrants discovery of a new treatment strategy. Based on the pathophysiology of PV, nicotinamide can block the process of blister formation through its anti-inflammatory properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of nicotinamide gel in the treatment of skin lesions of PV. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, eight PV patients with a total of 60 skin lesions were treated by either nicotinamide or placebo gel. After 30 days of treatment, epithelialization index of the two groups was compared. The mean of the epithelialization index in skin lesions that received nicotinamide was significantly higher than that of the placebo group (26 vs. ,5.8, p < 0.001). Our results were suggestive that nicotinamide gel can effectively be used as an adjunctive treatment for PV lesions. [source] Molecular characterization of conditionally immortalized cell lines derived from mouse early embryonic inner earDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 4 2004John A. Germiller Abstract Inner ear sensory hair cells (HCs), supporting cells (SCs), and sensory neurons (SNs) are hypothesized to develop from common progenitors in the early embryonic otocyst. Because little is known about the molecular signals that control this lineage specification, we derived a model system of early otic development: conditionally immortalized otocyst (IMO) cell lines from the embryonic day 9.5 Immortomouse. This age is the earliest stage at which the otocyst can easily be separated from surrounding mesenchymal, nervous system, and epithelial cells. At 9.5 days post coitum, there are still pluripotent cells in the otocyst, allowing for the eventual identification of both SN and HC precursors,and possibly an elusive inner ear stem cell. Cell lines derived from primitive precursor cells can also be used as blank canvases for transfections of genes that can affect lineage decisions as the cells differentiate. It is important, therefore, to characterize the "baseline state" of these cell lines in as much detail as possible. We characterized seven representative "precursor-like" IMO cell populations and the uncloned IMO cells, before cell sorting, at the molecular level by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunocytochemistry (IHC), and one line (IMO-2B1) in detail by real-time quantitative PCR and IHC. Many of the phenotypic markers characteristic of differentiated HCs or SCs were detected in IMO-2B1 proliferating cells, as well as during differentiation for up to 30 days in culture. These IMO cell lines represent a unique model system for studying early stages of inner ear development and determining the consequences of affecting key molecular events in their differentiation. Developmental Dynamics 231:815,827, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Two DM domain genes, DMY and DMRT1, involved in testicular differentiation and development in the medaka, Oryzias latipesDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 3 2004Tohru Kobayashi Abstract The recent discovery of the DMY gene (DM domain gene on Y chromosome and one of the DMRT1 family genes) as a key determinant of male development in the medaka (Oryzias latipes) has led to its designation as the prime candidate gene for sex-determination in this species. This study focused on the sites and pattern of expression of DMY and DMRT1 genes during gonadal differentiation of medaka to further determine their roles in testis development. DMY mRNA and protein are expressed specifically in the somatic cells surrounding primordial germ cells (PGCs) in the early gonadal primordium, before morphological sex differences are seen. However, somatic cells surrounding PGCs never express DMY during the early migratory period. Expression of DMY persists in Sertoli cell lineage cells, from PGC-supporting cells to Sertoli cells, indicating that only DMY -positive cells enclose PGCs during mitotic arrest after hatching. DMRT1 is expressed in spermatogonium-supporting cells after testicular differentiation (20,30 days after hatching), and its expression is much higher than that of DMY in mature testes. In XX sex-reversed testes, DMRT1 is expressed in the Sertoli cell lineage, similar to the expression of DMY in XY testes. These results suggest strongly that DMY regulates PGC proliferation and differentiation sex-specifically during early gonadal differentiation of XY individuals and that DMRT1 regulates spermatogonial differentiation. Developmental Dynamics 231:518,526, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, but not estradiol, enhance survival of new hippocampal neurons in adult male ratsDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 10 2007Mark D. Spritzer Abstract Past research suggested that androgens may play a role in the regulation of adult neurogenesis within the dentate gyrus. We tested this hypothesis by manipulating androgen levels in male rats. Castrated or sham castrated male rats were injected with 5-Bromo-2,deoxyuridine (BrdU). BrdU-labeled cells in the dentate gryus were visualized and phenotyped (neural or glial) using immunohistochemistry. Castrated males showed a significant decrease in 30-day cell survival within the dentate gyrus but there was no significant change in cell proliferation relative to control males, indicating that androgens positively affect cell survival, but not cell proliferation. To examine the role of testosterone on hippocampal cell survival, males were injected with testosterone s.c. for 30 days starting the day after BrdU injection. Higher doses (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg) but not a lower dose (0.25 mg/kg) of testosterone resulted in a significant increase in neurogenesis relative to controls. We next tested the role of testosterone's two major metabolites, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol, upon neurogenesis. Thirty days of injections of DHT (0.25 and 0.50 mg/kg) but not estradiol (0.010 and 0.020 mg/kg) resulted in a significant increase in hippocampal neurogenesis. These results suggest that testosterone enhances hippocampal neurogenesis via increased cell survival in the dentate gyrus through an androgen-dependent mechanism. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007. [source] Development of individually distinct recognition cuesDEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 7 2006Jill M. Mateo Abstract Despite extensive research on the functions of kin recognition, little is known about ontogenetic changes in the cues mediating such recognition. In Belding's ground squirrels, Spermophilus beldingi, secretions from oral glands are both individually distinct and kin distinct, and function in social recognition across many contexts. Behavioral studies of recognition and kin preferences suggest that these cues may change across development, particularly around the time of weaning and emergence from natal burrows (around 25 days of age). I used an habituation-discrimination task with captive S. beldingi, presenting subjects with odors collected from a pair of pups at several ages across early development. I found that at 21 days of age, but not at 7 or 14, young produce detectable odors. Odors are not individually distinct, however, until 28 days of age, after young have emerged from their burrows and begun foraging. In addition, an individual's odor continues to develop after emergence: odors produced by an individual at 20 and 40 days of age are perceived as dissimilar, yet odors produced at 28 and 40 days are treated as similar. Developmental changes in odors provide a proximate explanation for why S. beldingi littermate preferences are not consolidated until after natal emergence, and demonstrate that conspecifics must update their recognition templates as young develop. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 48: 508,519, 2006. [source] Effects of the presence of the father on pup development in California mice (Peromyscus californicus)DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2003Mauro L. Vieira Abstract Pup development and behavior in California mice were studied in litters housed with single mothers, or with fathers and mothers living together. Behavior of pups was recorded during a 15-min session every 2 days from 10 to 30 days of age. Physical contact, locomotion, grooming, and physical development indicators were recorded. It was found that the physical contact between siblings was greater and there was a tendency to have more contact between pup and either parent in the group in which the father was present. Finally, it was noted that the presence of the father did not affect either the first appearance of pup behavior during development or physical growth. In conclusion, the results indicate that the presence of the father had a greater influence on social contact between the different members of the litter than on pup behavioral development and physical growth. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 42: 246,251, 2003. [source] The development of "roughness" in the play fighting of rats: A Laban Movement Analysis perspectiveDEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Afra Foroud Abstract With increasing age, rats, when play fighting, become rougher. In part, this change can be accounted for by the increasing likelihood of using adult-typical fighting tactics. However, even when using the same tactics, adults appear rougher than juveniles in their play. In this study, videotaped sequences of play fighting in rats from the juvenile (30 days) to the post-pubertal (70 days) period were analyzed using Laban Movement Analysis (LMA). Movement qualities called Effort Factors in LMA captured the character of some of this change. Juveniles tended to use Indulging Efforts, whereas older rats tended to use Condensing Efforts. The latter are related to performing movements that are more controlled. This greater level of control was also evident in the way older rats maintained postural support during play fights. When standing over supine partners, juveniles are more likely to stand on the partner with all four paws, reducing their postural stability, and hence ability to control their partner's movements. Older rats are more likely to place their hind paws on the ground, thus providing a firmer anchor for movements with their upper bodies and forepaws. These age-related changes in behavior were found for both males and females. The findings lend support to a growing body of evidence that play fighting in the juvenile phase of rats is not just a more frequently occurring version of that present in adults, but rather, has unique organizational properties. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 42: 35,43, 2003. [source] Influences of postconceptional age and postnatal experience on the development of auditory recognition memory in the newborn infantDEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2002Raye-Ann deRegnier Abstract We evaluated the effects of postconceptional age and postnatal experience on the development of neonatal auditory recognition memory. Three groups were tested: a premature newborn group (tested at 35,38 weeks postconceptional age, ,1 week old), a full-term newborn group (tested at 39,42 weeks postconceptional age, ,1 week old), and a full-term experienced group (tested at 39,42 weeks postconceptional age, >1 week old; range 8,30 days). Event-related potentials were collected while infants listened to the maternal voice alternating with a stranger's voice. Postconceptional age was correlated with the development of recognition memory for the maternal voice while there were qualitative effects of postnatal experience on latency measurements. Maturity of auditory cortical responses was not correlated with recognition memory abilities. We conclude that maturation of the recognition memory pathways is primarily a function of postconceptional age with qualitative effects of postnatal experience. Maturation of the auditory recognition memory pathway is not contingent upon maturation of the "P2" peak thought to arise from primary auditory cortex. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 41: 216,225, 2002. Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/dev.10070 [source] Short-term effects of metformin in type 2 diabetesDIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 3 2007A. Eriksson Background:, Although metformin is widely used in the management of type 2 diabetes, its mechanism(s) of action is not fully known, and there have been remarkably few reports on short-term effects of the drug. Here, we examined early effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, and on certain adipose tissue and inflammatory markers during treatment for 28 days. Methods:, Twenty-one patients were randomized to metformin (n = 16) or placebo (n = 5) and studied at baseline, 1, 2 and 4 weeks with blood sampling and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT). The active group received 500 mg metformin daily in week 1, 500 mg twice daily in week 2 and 1000 mg twice daily in week 3 and 4. Results:, After 7 days of treatment, a reduced area under curve (AUC) for glucose at OGTT with no change in AUC for insulin levels was observed compared with baseline. Insulin sensitivity, as derived from the OGTT by Gutt's index, was increased. Reductions in fasting plasma glucose, total and LDL-cholesterol appeared after 14 days, and reductions in triglycerides, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and leptin after 28 days of treatment. There were no changes in body weight, adiponectin or C-reactive protein. Compared with placebo, the changes between day 0 and day 28 differed significantly with regard to AUC for glucose at OGTT and Gutt's index, and showed strong trends for PAI-1 and leptin. Conclusions:, The data demonstrate that in type 2 diabetes metformin rapidly affects glucose handling without changing the concentrations of insulin. Reductions in PAI-1 and leptin levels indicate that the early effects of metformin involve also the adipose tissue. [source] Insulin mimetic effects of macrocyclic binuclear oxovanadium complexes on streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetes in ratsDIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 6 2003B. Ramachandran Aim:, The vanadium complexes so far tested for their insulin mimetic effects are either mono- or binuclear and contain only acyclic ligands. The leaching or hydrolysis of vanadyl ions from these complexes is much easier, and hence they elicit side effects. In the present study, a new binuclear macrocyclic oxovanadium complex was synthesized, and its efficacy was studied on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats over a period of 30 days. Methods:, The insulin mimetic effect of the complex was tested on the blood sugar level in the STZ-diabetic rats and on the activities of the carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes present in the liver. Results:, Administration of vanadium complex to STZ-induced diabetic rats decreased blood glucose levels from hyperglycaemic to normoglycaemic when compared to diabetic rats. The activity of carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes such as hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycogen synthase and glycogen content were increased to near normal in vanadium complex-administered diabetic rats. The biochemical studies such as assay of blood urea and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminases revealed that the complex is not toxic to the system. Conclusion:, The nontoxic nature of this complex may be due to the presence of the vanadyl ions in an intact macrocyclic form. Further, the vanadyl ions present in the macrocyclic binuclear oxovanadium complex are very close to each other, and this may enhance the insulin mimetic activity by synergic effect. [source] A comparison of risk factors for habitual violence in pre-trial subjectsACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2002S. Z. Kaliski Objective: Pre-trial referrals to the Valkenberg Hospital forensic unit over a 6-month period were studied. Habitually violent offenders were compared with those with no history of violence. Methods:, Risk factors known to be associated with violent behaviour were elicited, i.e. demographics, behaviour during index offence (such as impulsivity, identity of victim, use of weapon, accomplices, intoxication, psychotic symptoms), psychiatric and family histories, history of suicide attempts, past child abuse, head injury, criminal record, psychiatric diagnosis and presence of medical disorders. EEG's, Barratt's Impulsivity, Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking and Mini-Mental Scales were administered. Behaviour in the ward during the 30 days was also appraised. Logistic regression models were used to determine relative risks. Results:, There were 155 subjects; 89.7% were male, 71.6% were single and 58.7% were unemployed. For 44.5% the index offence was violent, and 9.7% had committed sexual offences; 61.9% had histories of habitual violence. A psychotic disorder was diagnosed in 32.3% and a personality disorder in 48.4%. Habitually violent subjects were distin- guished by a history of issuing threats (OR=3.68; CI=3.19,4.16; P= 0.000), delusions of persecution (OR=3.43; CI=2.67,4.17; P=0.001), history of conduct disorder (OR=1.95; CI=1.70,2.19; P=0.006), alcohol/substance abuse (OR=2.08; CI=1.53,2.61; P=0.008) and violent index offence (OR=1.66; CI=1.54,2.61; P=0.035). Conclusion: This seems to confirm the relationship between threats, feeling threatened, psychosis, a history of antisocial behaviour and alcohol abuse. [source] Effect of celecoxib on cyclooxygenase-2 expression and possible variants in a patient with Barrett's esophagusDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 3 2007G. A. Jacobson SUMMARY., Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is increased in metaplastic and dysplastic Barrett's esophageal epithelium and it is thought that selective COX-2 inhibitors could offer hope as chemoprevention therapy. The aim of the study was to investigate the in vivo effect of celecoxib on COX-2 expression in patients with Barrett's esophagus and no recent history of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. Endoscopic mucosal biopsy specimens were collected at baseline and after 28 days of therapy in a patient treated with celecoxib 200 mg twice daily. Samples were analyzed for COX-2 expression by immunoblot analysis with chemiluminescence detection. COX-2 expression was found to decline 20% and 44% at two different biopsy sites compared to the baseline sample. Longer exposures revealed a number of previously unidentified proteins above and below the 67 kDa COX-2 protein including 38 kDa and 45 kDa proteins which were present only at study completion consistent with up-regulation after celecoxib therapy. Further investigations of the 38 kDa and 45 kDa proteins were undertaken using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) with immunoblot and MALDI-TOF (matrix assisted laser desorption ionization , time of flight) analysis but no matches were found and results were inconclusive. Unmatched masses from MALDI-TOF peptide mass fingerprinting were compared with human COX-2 (67 kDa) and COX-2b (39 kDa) using unspecific cleavage. Peptide sequence homology with COX-2 and COX-2b was found for a length of 19 amino acids. Based on immunodetection, molecular weight and equivical MALDI-TOF results, one of these up-regulated proteins may be COX-2b. [source] Illicit tranquilliser use and dependence among female opiate usersDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 5 2006GAIL GILCHRIST Abstract This study determined the predictors of 12-month dependence on illicit tranquillisers among female opiate users attending three services in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Twelve-month drug dependence was measured using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. The Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) measured current neurotic symptoms. 60% (159/266) had used illicit tranquillisers in the past 30 days, and 50% (132/266) met criteria for 12-month dependence on illicit tranquillisers. Polydrug use, injecting drug use, childhood and adulthood abuse, adverse life experiences and current and previous mental health problems were associated with 12-month dependence on illicit tranquillisers. Using multiple logistic regression, polydrug use in last 30 days (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.5,7.0), history of deliberate self-harm (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.4), history of injecting drug use (OR 2.5, 1.2,5.2) and likely to need treatment for current neurotic symptoms (CIS-R , 18) (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3,4.4) predicted 12-month dependence on illicit tranquillisers. Drug users in general and female drug users in particular who are using illicit tranquillisers are also particularly likely to have psychiatric symptoms requiring treatment. Mental health problems should be assessed and monitored among this client group and counselling and psychosocial support should be provided when indicated. [source] The importance of family management, closeness with father and family structure in early adolescent alcohol useADDICTION, Issue 10 2010Cherine Habib ABSTRACT Aims To examine the importance of family management, family structure and father,adolescent relationships on early adolescent alcohol use. Design Cross-sectional data was collected across 30 randomly selected Australian communities stratified to represent a range of socio-economic and regional variation. Setting Data were collected during school time from adolescents attending a broad range of schools. Participants The sample consisted of a combined 8256 students (aged 10,14 years). Measurements Students completed a web-based survey as part of the Healthy Neighbourhoods project. Findings Family management,which included practices such as parental monitoring and family rules about alcohol use,had the strongest and most consistent relationship with alcohol use in early adolescence. Adolescents reporting higher family management were less likely to have drunk alcohol in their life-time, less likely to drink alcohol in the preceding 30 days and less likely to have had an alcohol binge. Adolescents reporting emotionally close relationships with their fathers were less likely to have drunk alcohol in their life-time and less likely to have had an alcohol binge in the preceding fortnight. Conclusions Findings indicate that family management practices may contribute to alcohol abstinence in adolescents. Furthermore, emotionally close father,adolescent relationships may also foster abstinence; however, fathers' drinking behaviours need to be considered. [source] Ecohydrological controls on snowmelt partitioning in mixed-conifer sub-alpine forestsECOHYDROLOGY, Issue 2 2009Noah P. Molotch Abstract We used co-located observations of snow depth, soil temperature, and moisture and energy fluxes to monitor variability in snowmelt infiltration and vegetation water use at mixed-conifer sub-alpine forest sites in the Valles Caldera, New Mexico (3020 m) and on Niwot Ridge, Colorado (3050 m). At both sites, vegetation structure largely controlled the distribution of snow accumulation with 29% greater accumulation in open versus under-canopy locations. Snow ablation rates were diminished by 39% in under-canopy locations, indicating increases in vegetation density act to extend the duration of the snowmelt season. Similarly, differences in climate altered snow-season duration, snowmelt infiltration and evapotranspiration. Commencement of the growing season was coincident with melt-water input to the soil and lagged behind springtime increases in air temperature by 12 days on average, ranging from 2 to 33 days under warmer and colder conditions, respectively. Similarly, the timing of peak soil moisture was highly variable, lagging behind springtime increases in air temperature by 42 and 31 days on average at the Colorado and New Mexico sites, respectively. Latent heat flux and associated evaporative loss to the atmosphere was 28% greater for the year with earlier onset of snowmelt infiltration. Given the large and variable fraction of precipitation that was partitioned into water vapour loss, the combined effects of changes in vegetation structure, climate and associated changes to the timing and magnitude of snowmelt may have large effects on the partitioning of snowmelt into evapotranspiration, surface runoff and ground water recharge. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Smoking Stage of Change and Interest in an Emergency Department,based InterventionACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 3 2005Edwin D. Boudreaux PhD Abstract Objectives: To examine factors associated with motivation to quit smoking and interest in an emergency department (ED)-based intervention. Methods: Consecutive ED patients 18 years of age and older were interviewed. Severely ill and cognitively disabled patients were excluded. Smoking history, stage of change, self-efficacy, presence of a smoking-related illness, interest in an ED-based smoking intervention, and screening/counseling by the patient's ED provider were assessed. Results: A total of 1,461 of 2,314 patients (64%) were interviewed. A total of 581 (40%) currently smoked, with 21% in precontemplation (no intention to quit), 43% in contemplation (intention to quit but not within the next 30 days), and 36% in preparation (intention to quit within the next 30 days). Approximately 50% indicated a willingness to remain 15 extra minutes in the ED to receive counseling. Only 8% received counseling by their ED provider. A regression analysis showed that greater readiness to change was associated with multiple lifetime quit attempts, presence of a quit attempt in the past 30 days, and higher self-efficacy. Interest in an ED-based intervention was more likely among patients who reported higher self-efficacy. Conclusions: Approximately 50% of smokers reported at least moderate interest in an ED-based intervention and a willingness to stay 15 extra minutes, but only 8% reported receiving counseling during their ED visit. Considering time and resource constraints, counseling/referral may be best suited for patients characterized by a strong desire to quit, multiple previous quit attempts, high self-efficacy, a smoking-related ED visit, and strong interest in ED-based counseling. [source] Flashblood: blood sharing among female injecting drug users in TanzaniaADDICTION, Issue 6 2010Sheryl A. McCurdy ABSTRACT Aims This study examined the association between the blood-sharing practice of ,flashblood' use and demographic factors, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status and variables associated with risky sex and drug behaviors among female injecting drug users. Flashblood is a syringe-full of blood passed from someone who has just injected heroin to someone else who injects it in lieu of heroin. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Participants One hundred and sixty-nine female injecting drug users (IDUs) were recruited using purposive sampling for hard-to-reach populations. Measurements The association between flashblood use, demographic and personal characteristics and risky sex and drug use variables was analyzed by t -test and ,2 test. The association between flashblood use and residential neighborhood was mapped. Findings Flashblood users were more likely to: be married (P = 0.05), have lived in the current housing situation for a shorter time (P < 0.000), have been forced as a child to have sex by a family member (P = 0.007), inject heroin more in the last 30 days (P = 0.005), smoke marijuana at an earlier age (P = 0.04), use contaminated rinse-water (P < 0.03), pool money for drugs (P < 0.03) and share drugs (P = 0.000). Non-flashblood users were more likely to live with their parents (P = 0.003). Neighborhood flashblood use was highest near downtown and in the next two adjoining suburbs and lowest in the most distant suburbs. Conclusions These data indicate that more vulnerable women who are heavy users and living in shorter-term housing are injecting flashblood. The practice of flashblood appears to be spreading from the inner city to the suburbs. [source] Exposure to cannabis in popular music and cannabis use among adolescentsADDICTION, Issue 3 2010Brian A. Primack ABSTRACT Background Cannabis use is referenced frequently in American popular music, yet it remains uncertain whether exposure to these references is associated with actual cannabis use. We aimed to determine if exposure to cannabis in popular music is associated independently with current cannabis use in a cohort of urban adolescents. Methods We surveyed all 9th grade students at three large US urban high schools. We estimated participants' exposure to lyrics referent to cannabis with overall music exposure and content analyses of their favorite artists' songs. Outcomes included current (past 30 days) and ever use of cannabis. We used multivariable regression to assess independent associations between exposures and outcomes while controlling for important covariates. Results Each of the 959 participants was exposed to an estimated 27 cannabis references per day [correction added on 19 January 2010, after first online publication: 40 has been changed to 27] (standard deviation = 73 [correction added on 19 January 2010, after first online publication: 104 has been changed to 73]). Twelve per cent (n = 108) were current cannabis users and 32% (n = 286) had ever used cannabis. Compared with those in the lowest tertile of total cannabis exposure in music, those in the highest tertile of exposure were almost twice as likely to have used cannabis in the past 30 days (odds ratio = 1.83; 95% confidence interval = 1.04, 3.22), even after adjusting for socio-demographic variables, personality characteristics and parenting style. As expected, however, there was no significant relationship between our cannabis exposure variable and a sham outcome variable of alcohol use. Conclusions This study supports an independent association between exposure to cannabis in popular music and early cannabis use among urban American adolescents. [source] Alcohol control policies and alcohol consumption by youth: a multi-national studyADDICTION, Issue 11 2009Mallie J. Paschall ABSTRACT Aims The study examined relationships between alcohol control policies and adolescent alcohol use in 26 countries. Design Cross-sectional analyses of alcohol policy ratings based on the Alcohol Policy Index (API), per capita consumption and national adolescent survey data. Setting Data are from 26 countries. Participants Adolescents (aged 15,17 years) who participated in the 2003 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) or national secondary school surveys in Spain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Measurements Alcohol control policy ratings based on the API; prevalence of alcohol use, heavy drinking and first drink by age 13 based on national secondary school surveys; per capita alcohol consumption for each country in 2003. Analysis Correlational and linear regression analyses were conducted to examine relationships between alcohol control policy ratings and past 30-day prevalence of adolescent alcohol use, heavy drinking and having first drink by age 13. Per capita consumption of alcohol was included as a covariate in regression analyses. Findings More comprehensive API ratings and alcohol availability and advertising control ratings were related inversely to the past 30-day prevalence of alcohol use and prevalence rates for drinking three to five times and six or more times in the past 30 days. Alcohol advertising control was also related inversely to the prevalence of past 30-day heavy drinking and having first drink by age 13. Most of the relationships between API, alcohol availability and advertising control and drinking prevalence rates were attenuated and no longer statistically significant when controlling for per capita consumption in regression analyses, suggesting that alcohol use in the general population may confound or mediate observed relationships between alcohol control policies and youth alcohol consumption. Several of the inverse relationships remained statistically significant when controlling for per capita consumption. Conclusions More comprehensive and stringent alcohol control policies, particularly policies affecting alcohol availability and marketing, are associated with lower prevalence and frequency of adolescent alcohol consumption and age of first alcohol use. [source] Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetric Detection of Tea Polyphenols at Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes-Chitosan Composite ElectrodeELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 6 2009Deyin Guo Abstract This study reports the catalytic oxidation and detection of tea polyphenols (TPs) at glassy-carbon electrode modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes-chitosan (MWCNTs-CS) film. The adsorption of TPs at the surface of the MWCNTs through ,,, conjugation prevents the aggregation of nanotubes and induces a stable MWCNTs suspension in water over 30 days. Based on the adsorptive accumulation of polyphenols at MWCNTs, TPs is sensitively and selectively detected by adsorptive stripping voltammetry. The accumulation conditions and pH effect on the adsorptive stripping detection were examined. The linear range was found to be 100 to 1000,mg L,1 with a detection limit of 10,mg L,1 (S/N=3) for 2.5,min accumulation. Additionally, the MWCNTs-CS electrode is easily renewed by applying positive potential to remove the adsorbed TPs. This method was successfully applied to determine TPs in commercially available teas with satisfied result compared with that of conventional spectrometric analysis. [source] Biosensor Based on Self-Assembling Glucose Oxidase and Dendrimer-Encapsulated Pt Nanoparticles on Carbon Nanotubes for Glucose DetectionELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 6 2007Lihuan Xu Abstract A novel amperometric glucose biosensor based on layer-by-layer (LbL) electrostatic adsorption of glucose oxidase (GOx) and dendrimer-encapsulated Pt nanoparticles (Pt-DENs) on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was described. Anionic GOx was immobilized on the negatively charged CNTs surface by alternatively assembling a cationic Pt-DENs layer and an anionic GOx layer. Transmission electron microscopy images and ,-potentials proved the formation of layer-by-layer nanostructures on carboxyl-functionalized CNTs. LbL technique provided a favorable microenvironment to keep the bioactivity of GOx and prevent enzyme molecule leakage. The excellent electrocatalytic activity of CNTs and Pt-DENs toward H2O2 and special three-dimensional structure of the enzyme electrode resulted in good characteristics such as a low detection limit of 2.5,,M, a wide linear range of 5,,M,0.65,mM, a short response time (within 5,s), and high sensitivity (30.64,,A mM,1,cm,2) and stability (80% remains after 30 days). [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||