bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
G1359A Polymorphism in the Cannabinoid Receptor-1 Gene is Associated with the Presence of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Wang Rui , Hu Wenchao , Qiang Lu 
Published: May 2016

Objective Previous studies demonstrated that G1359A polymorphism of cannabinoid receptor-1 (CNR1) was associated with cardiovascular risk factors including obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and inflammation, which are also risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, this study was aimed to determine whether G1359A polymorphism of CNR1 is associated with T2DM and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with T2DM. Methods A total of 450 patients with T2DM (259 patients with CAD and 191 patients without CAD) and 94 healthy subjects were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results No significant differences in genotype frequency of CNR1 were found between normal controls and patients with T2DM without CAD. GG genotype frequency of CNR1 was significantly higher in the patients with T2DM with CAD compared with those without CAD and healthy subjects ( P = 0.003 and P = 0.005, respectively). Unconditional logistic regression analysis revealed that GG genotype was significantly associated with the presence of CAD in the patients with T2DM compared with GA and AA genotypes (odds ratio, 2.632; 95% confidence interval, 1.481–4.678; P < 0.001). In addition, GG genotype of CNR1 was significantly correlated with elevated levels of body mass index, systolic blood pressure, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and C-reactive protein, as well as decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with T2DM. Conclusions G1359A polymorphism of CNR1 may be not associated with T2DM but may contribute to the genetic risk for the presence of CAD in patients with T2DM of Chinese Han population.
Prognostic Significance of Neutrophil Gelatinase–Associated Lipocalin in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Akcay Adnan Burak , Ozlu Mehmet Fatih , Sen Nihat , Cay Serkan , Ozturk Oktay Hasan , Yalıcn Fatih , Bilen Perihan , Kanat Selcuk , Karakas Mehmet Fatih , Isleyen Ahmet , Demir Ahmet Duran , Sogut Sadik , Covic Adrian , Kanbay Mehmet 
Published: May 2016

Objectives This study investigated the prognostic value of neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Background Neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin is a promising biomarker for acute kidney injury. Recently, it was concluded that NGAL may be used beyond the boundaries of renal physiopathology. It was found to be an important factor indirectly contributing to the inflammatory processes. Little is known regarding its predictive role in STEMI. Methods One hundred six consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI and control group consisted of age- and sex-matched 60 consecutive patients with chest pain admitted to the hospital for elective PCI. According to median NGAL level, patients were classified into high- and low-NGAL groups. Results Neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin levels were higher in patients with STEMI compared to the elective PCI group subjects. Inhospital and 1-year mortality rates were found to be significantly greater in patients with high NGAL. In addition, inhospital and 1-year major adverse cardiovascular event rates were significantly greater in the high-NGAL group, compared to the low NGAL group. High NGAL level on admission was a significant predictor for long-term mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events. The receiver operating characteristics curve analysis further illustrated that NGAL level on admission is a strong indicator of mortality, with an area under the curve of 0.76 (95% confidence interval, 0.62–0.89). Conclusions High NGAL levels may be associated with poor prognosis after PCI in patients with STEMI. However, further studies with larger numbers of patients and longer follow-up are required to evaluate the usefulness of plasma NGAL level for predicting prognosis of STEMI.
Human Steroid Biosynthesis for the Oncologist
Authors: Auchus Mary Louise , Auchus Richard J. 
Published: May 2016

In 2005, results from the Arimidex, Tamoxifen Alone or in Combination (ATAC) trial ushered in a new era of endocrine therapy for hormone-responsive malignancies. This study demonstrated that, compared with tamoxifen (a selective estrogen receptor modulator), anastrozole (aromatase inhibitor [AI]) prolonged time to recurrence and disease-free survival for postmenopausal women with breast cancer. The advantage was even greater for those with estrogen receptor–positive (ER+) tumors, and anastrozole was better tolerated than tamoxifen. Since then, AIs have become first-line adjuvant therapy for ER+ breast cancer in postmenopausal women. In late 2010, a trial comparing abiraterone acetate (a 17-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase [CYP17A1] inhibitor) plus prednisone versus prednisone alone in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) previously treated with docetaxel chemotherapy was terminated early because of the survival benefit in the abiraterone acetate arm. This result not only validated a new therapy for CRPC but also, with the antecedent phase I-II abiraterone studies, shattered our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning CRPC development and progression. Aromatase inhibitors and CYP17A1 inhibitors will be widely used by oncologists, yet fellowship programs provide little training in steroid biosynthesis, compared with training in the biology of standard chemotherapies. Consequently, these drugs might be used without an appreciation of their caveats and pitfalls. The purpose of this review was to acquaint practicing oncologists with the fundamental principles and pathways of steroid biosynthesis, to improve their understanding of how and why these drugs work, and to alert these physicians to potential problems related to the drugs’ mechanisms of action.
Performance of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in the Diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Ozhan Hakan , Alemdar Recai , Caglar Onur , Ordu Serkan , Kaya Ahmet , Albayrak Sinan , Turker Yasin , Bulur Serkan ,   MELEN Investigators
Published: May 2016

Objective Central obesity is a prerequisite for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Precise measurement of visceral fat by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has been validated. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of BIA in MetS and validate the best cutoff in a large adult cohort. Materials and Methods The study was performed on the MELEN Study cohort—a prospectively designed survey on the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors in Turkish adults. The final cohort consisted of 2219 participants. Weight and visceral body composition were measured without shoes in light indoor clothes using a bioimpedance analyzer (Omron BF 510; Omron Corp, Kyoto, Japan). Plasma concentrations of cholesterol, insulin, fasting triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and other biochemical variables were measured. The diagnostic performance of visceral fat measurement by BIA in patients with MetS was assessed. Results Metabolic syndrome was detected in 751 participants (520 women and 231 men with a mean age of 55 [12] years; 34% of the whole study population). Total body fat and visceral fat levels were higher in subjects with MetS. Correlation analyses showed that there were significant correlations between anthropometric and BIA measurements. Receiver operating curve characteristics of visceral adiposity revealed the best cutoff values as greater than 12% for men and greater than 9% for women. The diagnostic performance was good in both sexes (the sensitivity/specificity and area-under-the-curve values were 76%/75% and 0.83 for men and 83%/67% and 0.81 for women, respectively). Conclusions Visceral fat measured with BIA is an easily applicable and useful method for identifying people with MetS. The best cutoff values were higher than 12% for men and higher than 9% for women.
Prevalence of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Patients Referred to a Tertiary Pain Clinic
Authors: Brill Silviu , Ablin Jacob N. , Goor-Aryeh Itay , Hyat Kim , Slefer Alexander , Buskila Dan 
Published: May 2016

Background Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), the prototypical central pain augmentation syndrome, is characterized by widespread pain and tenderness. Although patients referred to tertiary care pain clinics are recognized as suffering from chronic pain, they are generally considered to have pain attributable to discrete peripheral, nociceptive, or neuropathic etiology. The purpose of the current study was to assess the prevalence of FMS among consecutive patients referred to a tertiary pain clinic and to evaluate the contribution of central pain to the clinical impact upon such patients. Methods Eighty-five consecutive patients (38 were male, and 47 were female) attending a pain clinic were assessed for the presence of FMS. The presence of FMS was determined according to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria. Quality of life and physical functioning were assessed, utilizing a structured questionnaire. Results The ACR criteria for the classification of FMS were fulfilled by 41.2% of patients. Patients fulfilling FMS criteria ranked significantly lower on all domains of the SF-36, including general health, physical functioning, role limitation due to physical and emotional problems, vitality, social functioning, bodily pain, and mental health. Composite physical and mental health scores were significantly lower among patients fulfilling ACR FMS criteria. Patients fulfilling the ACR criteria for FMS felt significantly more tenderness, based on the mean number of tender points and the mean tenderness threshold, when compared with patients not fulfilling the ACR FMS criteria. Conclusions A significant proportion of patients referred to a tertiary pain clinic were found to fulfill the ACR criteria for classification of FMS and thus exhibit an important element of central pain. Central pain augmentation should be actively searched for and therapeutically addressed in the evaluation and management of all patients with chronic pain.
The Relationship between High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Coronary Collateral Circulation in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Kadi Hasan , Ozyurt Huseyin , Ceyhan Koksal , Koc Fatih , Celik Atac , Burucu Turgay 
Published: May 2016

Introduction High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) promotes cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells in atheroma plaques. In addition, HDL-C has anti-inflammatory and endothelium-protective properties. Despite that the only prerequisite for collateral development is shown to be the degree of coronary artery stenosis, there are significant differences even among patients with a similar degree of coronary artery disease. Objective We designed this study to investigate a possible association between HDL-C and coronary collateral circulation (CCC). Materials and Methods All study participants had at least one occluded major coronary artery. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained from patients’ medical records. To classify CCC, we used Rentrop classification. The patients were then classified as having poor CCC (Rentrop grades 0–1) or good CCC (Rentrop grades 2–3). We performed t test and the χ2 test in comparing groups and multivariate logistics regression analysis to determine the predictors of CCC. The study population consisted of 151 patients (mean age, 63.7 ± 9 years; 76.2% male). Results Forty-nine patients had poor CCC and 102 patients had good CCC. The proportion of previous myocardial infarctions, serum triglycerides, and low HDL-C levels were more frequent in the poor CCC group ( P = 0.026, P = 0.015, and P < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that low HDL-C is a predictor of CCC ( B = 1.456; P < 0.001; odds ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.964–9.369). Conclusion We found that low HDL-C frequency was more frequent in the poor CCC group than the good CCC group, and HDL-C was a predictor of CCC.
Placental Protein 13 as an Early Predictor in Egyptian Patients with Preeclampsia, Correlation to Risk, and Association with Outcome
Authors: El Sherbiny Walid S. , Soliman Ahmed , Nasr Aml S. 
Published: May 2016

Introduction Placental protein 13 (PP13) is a protein expressed only in the placenta. It is involved in gluing the placenta to the uterus and remodeling the maternal arteries to expand them. Women who subsequently develop preterm preeclampsia have low first trimester maternal serum. Aim of Work The aim of this work was to assess the value of PP13 as an early marker for screening of preeclampsia and to correlate it with the PP13 messenger RNA (mRNA). Patients and Methods As a part of the Antenatal Screening Project, 100 women in the first trimester of pregnancy were selected and subdivided into 2 groups: 50 women who developed preeclampsia in their third trimester (patient group) and 50 women who completed normal uncomplicated pregnancy until full term (control group). Placental protein 13 level was measured using the commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and PP13 mRNA was tested using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results The maternal serum PP13 level in the preeclamptic group was (157.9 ± 45.5 pg/mL), which is significantly lower than that of the control group (225.3 ± 67.3 pg/mL), with highly statistically significant difference ( P < 0.0001). The frequency of maternal PP13 mRNA expression was lower in the preeclamptic group (28%) compared to that in the control group (76%), with highly statistically significant difference ( P < 0.0001). Conclusion Combined serum PP13 level assay and PP13 mRNA expression are reliable markers for early detection of preeclampsia, and we recommend doing it as a routine investigation during the first trimester.
Vitamin D Deficiency is Associated with the Development of Subclinical Coronary Artery Disease in African Americans with HIV Infection: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Lai Hong , Detrick Barbara , Fishman Elliot K. , Gerstenblith Gary , Brinker Jeffrey A. , Hollis Bruce W. , Bartlett John , Cofrancesco Joseph , Tong Wenjing , Tai Hong , Chen Shaoguang , Bhatia Sandeepan , Lai Shenghan 
Published: May 2016

Background Premature coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major concern in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected African Americans. The objectives of the study were to estimate the incidence of subclinical CAD, defined by the presence of coronary plaque and/or calcification on cardiac computed tomography (CT), and to identify the associated risk factors in this vulnerable population. Subjects and Methods Between August 2003 and September 2010, 188 HIV-infected African Americans without known, or symptoms of, CAD underwent cardiac CT. The subset without demonstrable disease underwent a second cardiac CT approximately 2 years later. The incidence of disease over that period and the effects of antiretroviral treatment and other known and hypothesized risk factors were investigated. Results Sixty-nine of these 188 African Americans had evidence of subclinical disease on the initial cardiac CT, confirming prior high prevalence reports. A second cardiac CT was performed on 119 African Americans without disease approximately 2 years later. The total person-years of follow-up was 284.4. Subclinical CAD was detected in 14 of these, yielding an overall incidence of 4.92/100 person-years (95% confidence interval, 2.69–8.26). Among the factors investigated, only male sex and vitamin D deficiency were independently associated with the development of subclinical CAD. The study did not find significant associations between CD4 count, HIV viral load, antiretroviral treatment use, or cocaine use and the incidence of subclinical CAD. Conclusions The incidence of subclinical CAD in African Americans with HIV infection is provocatively high. Larger studies are warranted to confirm the role of vitamin D deficiency in the development of CAD in HIV-infected African Americans.
Serum Vitamin D Levels are Independently Associated with Severity of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Akin Fatih , Ayça Burak , Köse Nuri , Duran Mustafa , Sarı Mustafa , Uysal Onur Kadir , Karakukcu Cigdem , Arinc Huseyin , Covic Adrian , Goldsmith David , Okçün Barış , Kanbay Mehmet 
Published: May 2016

Background and Objectives Low-serum vitamin D levels have been associated with increased cardiovascular risk in the general population. We hypothesized that serum vitamin D levels would be inversely associated with inflammation and with severity of coronary atherosclerosis. We therefore investigated the link between serum vitamin D levels and (1) the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessed by the Gensini score and (2) inflammatory parameters, including C-reactive protein and fibrinogen. Materials and Methods We measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and inflammatory markers in 239 patients who underwent coronary angiography. We analyzed the relation between serum levels of 25(OH)D and inflammatory markers and angiographic severity of CAD. The Gensini lesion severity score was used for assessing the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Results Vitamin D insufficiency was very common among our study population: 83% of the study population had levels less than 30 ng/mL. The Gensini score was negatively associated with serum vitamin D levels ( r = −0.416, P < 0.001), and positively correlated with age ( r = 0.209, P = 0.001), blood pressure ( r = 0.379, P < 0.001), diabetes ( r = 0.335, P < 0.001), hyperlipidemia ( r = 0.150, P = 0,021), and C-reactive protein levels ( r = 0.214, P = 0,001). After adjustments for traditional and nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors, vitamin D (B = −0,345, P < 0,001) remained a significant predictor for the severity of CAD. Conclusions Low-serum 25(OH)D levels are associated with the severity of coronary artery stenosis. Further studies are warranted to determine whether vitamin D supplementation could prevent progression of CAD.
Association between Resistin Level and Renal Function in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Authors: Gungor Hasan , Kirilmaz Bahadir , Zorlu Ali , Oguz Emrah , Ayik Mehmet Fatih , Kumak Ferhat , Zoghi Mehdi 
Published: May 2016

Aim The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between resistin levels and renal function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Methods Thirty-seven consecutive patients (mean ± SD, age 60 ± 10 years, 29 (78%) male) undergoing CABG surgery at our department were enrolled into our study. Blood samples were taken to examine quantities of resistin level and other blood parameters the day before surgery. The patients were categorized into 2 groups: lower resistin level (group 1) or higher resistin level (group 2) according to the median value of 9 ng/mL. Results Mean ± SD resistin level, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and urea and creatinine levels were 9.5 ± 4.2 ng/mL, 78 ± 25 mL/min per 1.73 m2, 42 ± 14 mg/dL, and 1.08 ± 0.2 mg/dL, respectively. Resistin showed significant correlation with serum levels of urea ( r = 0.448l P = 0.005), creatinine ( r = 0.367; P = 0.026), inverse correlation with GFR ( r = −0.398; P = 0.015), statin usage ( r = −0.393; P = 0.016), and β-blocker usage ( r = −0.365; P = 0.026). In the multivariate logistic regression model, only GFR (odds ratio, 0.960; 95 confidence interval, 0.928-0.993; P = 0.018) remained independently associated with higher resistin levels after adjustment of other potential confounders in patients undergoing CABG surgery. According to the receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, the optimal cutoff value of GFR to predict higher resistin levels was found as 91 mL/min or less per 1.73 m2, with 100% sensitivity and 61.1% specificity. Conclusion The present study demonstrated that a lower glomerular filtration rate was associated with higher circulating resistin levels, independent of coronary heart disease risk factors in patients undergoing CABG surgery.
Diagnostic Performance of Hemoglobin A1c for Prediabetes and Association with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Chinese Adolescents without Diabetes
Authors: Li Ping , Jiang Ranhua , Li Ling , Li Liang , Wang Zinan , Li Xue , Liu Cong 
Published: May 2016

Aims To examine the performance of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in diagnosing prediabetes and whether it was associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in Chinese adolescents without known diabetes. Methods This was a cross-sectional study including 933 adolescents (aged 11-16 years; 46.5% girls) with HbA1c of 6.4% or less and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of 6.9 mmol/L or less. All participants underwent anthropometric and biochemical examinations. The individuals with an increased HbA1c (5.7%–6.4%) were given a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Results Of 213 subjects with an increased HbA1c or increased FPG (5.6–6.9 mmol/L), only 4.7% (n = 10) met both criteria. Among the 68 students with increased HbA1c who agreed to undergo the OGTT, only 18 subjects (26.5%) were confirmed to be prediabetic, and the receiver operating characteristic curve for HbA1c to identify prediabetes diagnosed by OGTT had an AUC of 0.53, which was not statistically significant ( P = 0.69). The waist circumference, FPG, uric acid, and homeostasis assessment model of insulin resistance were correlated with HbA1c (all P < 0.05). Hemoglobin A1c showed significant association with abdominal obesity and dyslipidemia and the clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors (odds ratios, 1.58–1.90; all P < 0.05). The cutoff point of HbA1c was 5.6% with a maximum accuracy in determining multiple cardiometabolic risk factors (sensitivity, 35.1%; specificity, 72.2%). Conclusions There is poor agreement between HbA1c and FPG or OGTT in diagnosing prediabetes, but the former was associated with the presence of multiple cardiometabolic risk factors in Chinese adolescents.