bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis
Authors: Rizzo Manfredi , Corrado Egle , Coppola Giuseppe , Muratori Ida , Novo Salvatore 
Published: May 2016

Background Several studies have suggested that inflammation and infection may be important for accelerated progression of atherosclerosis, but few data are available on subjects with early stages of atherosclerosis. Methods and Results We included, in a prospective 5-year follow-up study, 150 patients with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis, evaluating at baseline all established traditional cardiovascular risk factors (eg, older age, male sex, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, family history of coronary artery disease, and dyslipidemia); 2 markers of inflammation, fibrinogen, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP); and the seropositivity to Helicobacter pylori, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and cytomegalovirus. After follow-up, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events were registered in the 19% of patients, and the increment in CRP levels (in quintiles) was significantly associated with ischemic stroke ( P = 0.0253), acute myocardial infarction ( P = 0.0055), cardiovascular or cerebrovascular death ( P = 0.0145), and the presence of any event ( P = 0.0064). Most traditional cardiovascular risk factors (eg, older age, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia) were significantly associated with the events but only in the unadjusted analysis; in fact, at logistic regression analysis, among all baseline variables, only elevated CRP levels showed a predictive role (odds ratio, 7.0; 95% confidence interval, 2.2-18.4; P = 0.0247). Conclusions Our findings suggest that elevated CRP concentrations may significantly influence the occurrence of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events in patients with baseline subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. Notably, null findings were obtained by viral and bacteria titers, suggesting a greater role of inflammation (and not of infection) in the progression of atherosclerosis in our cohort. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the therapeutic implications in this category of patients.
Oxidative DNA Damage is Significantly Correlated with Flow-Mediated Dilation in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Yurdakul Selen , Ozben Beste , Bilge Ahmet Kaya , Turkoglu Umit Mutlu , Arkaya Selda , Nisanci Yilmaz 
Published: May 2016

Background Oxidative DNA damage was increased in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and correlated with the severity of the disease. Endothelial dysfunction plays a major role in atherosclerotic process. The aim of this study was to explore a relation between oxidative DNA damage and endothelial function in patients with CAD. Methods Forty patients with CAD and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Endothelial function was assessed by brachial artery ultrasonography. The DNA damage was determined by comet method. Results The DNA damage scores after incubation with repair enzymes were found significantly higher in the patients with CAD ( P = 0.04). There was a significant negative correlation between oxidized DNA damage scores and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) measures in the patients with CAD ( r = −0.41; P = 0.009). Oxidized DNA damage scores were significantly and independently associated with FMD (standardized β = −0.455; P = 0.009) when adjusted by age, sex, smoking status, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Conclusions The DNA damage scores were significantly inversely correlated with FMD measures. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing the presence of a relation between DNA damage scores and FMD.
Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Huang Jian , Parish Roy , Mansi Ishak , Yu Herbert , Kennen Estela M. , Davis Terry , Carden Donna 
Published: May 2016

Background Metabolic syndrome (MS) represents a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that includes hypertriglyceridemia. Although low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the critical therapeutic target in patients with coronary artery disease, LDL cannot be calculated in those with excessive hypertriglyceridemia. Non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) does not require LDL for calculation and may be an alternative therapeutic target in MS. The purpose of this study was to determine non-HDL cholesterol in relation to other lipid components and comorbidities in MS patients. Methods A cross-sectional chart review on 928 public hospital patients was performed. Results Metabolic syndrome was present in 53% of all patients. Among those with MS, 87% had triglyceride level of greater than 150 mg/dL, 85% had low HDL, 71% had LDL of greater than 100 mg/dL, and 74% had non-HDL of greater than 130 mg/dL. The level of non-HDL cholesterol, but not total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol, was significantly higher ( P < 0.05) and less at goal ( P < 0.0001) in patients with MS. Diagnoses of coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, and diabetes were significantly more prevalent in MS patients ( P < 0.0001). Conclusion Compared with those without MS, non-HDL level was significantly higher and undertargeted in patients with MS, in parallel with significantly higher prevalence of comorbidities.
Perioperative Risk of Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Authors: Daye Jad , Boatman Dustin , Peters Calvin , Varghese Indu , Haider Aman , Roesle Michele , Jessen Michael E. , DiMaio J. Michael , Banerjee Subhash , Brilakis Emmanouil S. 
Published: May 2016

Background Most data suggesting that noncardiac surgery early after coronary artery bypass surgery carries low risk are derived from post hoc analyses of randomized controlled trials, with only limited data derived from contemporary, nonselected, and nontrial patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery at our institution between January 1999 and October 2006 to determine whether they subsequently had major noncardiac surgery and what the outcomes of the noncardiac surgery were. Results During the study period, 1065 patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery, and 272 (26%) subsequently underwent 467 major noncardiac surgeries. The mean interval from coronary artery bypass to noncardiac surgery was 1.9 ± 1.9 years (range, 0-7.8 years). A major complication occurred in 3 surgeries (0.6% [95% confidence interval, 0.1%-1.9%]). Two patients died (both from respiratory arrest during the postoperative period: 1 patient had a tongue cancer excision, and the other patient had polycythemia vera), and the third patient had a perioperative arrhythmia. Conclusions Noncardiac surgery is often required early after coronary artery bypass surgery and carries very low risk for cardiac complications, suggesting that preoperative cardiac evaluation may not be required in most such patients.
Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor SD-3651 Reduces Proteinuria in MRL/lpr Mice Deficient in the NOS2 Gene
Authors: Njoku Chinedu , Self Sally E. , Ruiz Philip , Hofbauer Ann F. , Gilkeson Gary S. , Oates Jim C. 
Published: May 2016

Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of arginine analog nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor therapy in preventing and treating murine lupus nephritis. However, MRL/MpJ- FASlpr(MRL/lpr) mice lacking afunctional NOS2 (inducible NOS [iNOS]) gene (NOS2−/−) develop proliferative glomerulonephritis in a fashion similar to their wild-type (wt) littermates. This finding suggests that the effect of arginine analog NOS inhibitors is through a non-iNOS-mediated mechanism. This study was designed to address this hypothesis. NOS2−/− mice were given either vehicle or a NOS inhibitor (SD-3651) to determine if pharmacological NOS inhibition prevented glomerulonephritis, using wt mice as positive controls. Urine was collected fortnightly to measure albumin. At the time of full disease expression in wt mice, all mice were killed, and renal tissue was examined for light, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopic evidence of disease. Serum was analyzed for anti-double-stranded DNA antibody production. NOS2−/− mice had higher serum anti-double-stranded DNA antibody antibody levels than those of wt mice. SD-3651 therapy reduced proteinuria, glomerular immunoglobulin G deposition, and electron microscopic evidence of podocytopathy and endothelial cell swelling without affecting proliferative lesions by light microscopy. These studies confirm that genetic iNOS deficiency alone is insufficient to prevent proliferative glomerulonephritis and suggest that iNOS activity may inhibit autoantibody production. These results also suggest that SD-3651 therapy acts via a non-iNOS-mediated mechanism to prevent endothelial cell and podocyte pathology. Studies that elucidate this mechanism could provide a useful drug target for the treatment of nephritis.
Oxandrolone Enhances Hepatic Ketogenesis in Adult Men
Authors: Vega Gloria Lena , Clarenbach Jacob J. , Dunn Fredrick , Grundy Scott M. 
Published: May 2016

Background Immediate administration of oxandrolone markedly increases hepatic lipase activity and reduces levels of plasma high-density lipoprotein. Rationale for the study We postulated that oxandrolone should increase hepatic lipase and that the nonesterified fatty acids generated would enhance hepatic ketogenesis during an extended fat tolerance test. Main Results Eighteen men participated in the study using short-term administration of oxandrolone (10 mg/d) over a week. Subjects had evaluation of hepatic ketogenesis at baseline and after 7 days of administration of oxandrolone. Ketogenesis was assessed by measuring plasma levels of 3-hydroxybutyrate during a fat tolerancetest. Oxandrolone increased fasting levels of 3-hydroxybutyrate by 70%, and increased the area under the curve during an FFT by 53% above pretreatment levels without affecting the areas under the curve for nonesterified fatty acids, glycerol, or triglycerides. Fasting 3-hydroxybutyrate levels correlated with nonesterified fatty acids and with triglycerides; however, there were no significant correlations with any other parameter. Conclusions This study shows that short-term administration of oxandrolone results in marked increases in hepatic ketogenesis. This finding is consistent with an increased influx of fatty acids into the liver secondary to lipoprotein lipolysis by increased hepatic lipase. However, the possibility cannot be ruled out that oxandrolone acts directly in the liver to stimulate fatty acid oxidation. Therefore, the observation of increased ketogenesis will require further studies to determine the molecular basis of the response.
Harbingers for Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea
Authors: Pant Chaitanya , Madonia Phillip N. , Jordan Paul , Manas Kenneth , Bass Pat 
Published: May 2016

Purpose Recent research has recognized surrogate markers for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). Among the most consistently identified markers are the leukocyte count, platelet count, and albumin level. Previous investigators failed to exclude patients with hematologic disorders that may have confounded their results. Therefore, the exclusion of this subset from our study lends it a unique perspective. Methods We undertook a retrospective review of inpatients at our institution that were diagnosed with nosocomial diarrhea and subsequently had a stool sample sent for C. difficile toxins A and B. Patients with major hematologic disorders were excluded. Results A total of 77 C. difficile-positive patients and 91 C. difficile-negative patients were studied. Patients with CDAD had a significantly higher leukocyte and platelet count but a lower albumin level compared with patients without CDAD. Conclusion Our results support the conclusion of preceding studies that leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, and hypoalbuminemia are reliable clinical predictors for CDAD even after careful exclusion of confounding factors.
Collaborative Care Interventions for Depression in the Elderly
Authors: Chang-Quan Huang , Bi-Rong Dong , Zhen-Chan Lu , Yuan Zhang , Yu-Sheng Pu , Qing-Xiu Liu 
Published: May 2016

Objective To determine the effective components and the feasibility of collaborative care interventions (CCIs) in the treatment of depression in older patients. Methods Systematic review of randomized controlled trials, in which CCIs were used to manage depression in patients aged 60 or older. Results We identified 3 randomized controlled trials involving 3930 participants, 2757 of whom received CCIs and the others received usual care. Collaborative care interventions were more effective in improving depression symptoms than usual care during each follow-up period. Compared with baseline, thoughts of suicide in subjects receiving CCIs significantly decreased (odds Ratio [OR], 0.52; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.35−0.77), but not that in those receiving usual care (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.50−1.43). Subjects receiving CCIs were significantly more likely to report depression treatment (including any antidepressant medication and psychotherapy) than those receiving usual care during each follow-up period. Collaborative care interventions significantly increased depression-free days, but did not significantly increase outpatient cost. At 6 and 12 months postintervention, compared with those receiving usual care, participants receiving CCIs had lower levels of depression symptoms and thoughts of suicide. Moreover, participants receiving CCIs were significantly more likely to report antidepressant medication treatment, but were not significantly more likely to report psychotherapy. Collaborative care interventions with communication between primary care providers and mental health providers were no more effective in improving depression symptoms than CCIs without such communication. Conclusions Collaborative care interventions are more effective for depression in older people than usual care and are also of high value. Antidepressant medication is a definitely effective component of CCIs, but communication between primary care providers and mental health providers seems not to be an effective component of CCIs. The effect of psychotherapy in CCIs should be further explored.
Matrix Metalloproteinases Gene Variants in Idiopathic Disseminated Bronchiectasis
Authors: Stankovic Marija , Nikolic Aleksandra , Divac Aleksandra , Rakicevic Ljiljana , Tomovic Andrija , Mitic-Milikic Marija , Nagorni-Obradovic Ljudmila , Grujic Milan , Petrovic-Stanojevic Natasa , Andjelic-Jelic Marina , Dopudja-Pantic Vesna , Radojkovic Dragica 
Published: May 2016

Background The excess of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) might be associated with the airways destruction or dilatation in bronchiectasis. The functional promoter polymorphisms of MMP1 and MMP9 genes, involved in the extracellular matrix remodeling, might increase the expression of MMPs leading to the development of bronchiectasis. Methods Detection of MMP1 G-1607GG and MMP9 C-1562T gene variants was performed on 37 patients with idiopathic disseminated bronchiectasis and 102 control subjects. We also described a novel method for simple and rapid detection of MMP1 G-1607GG polymorphism. Results The frequency of -1607GG allele was significantly higher in the group of patients than in control subjects ( P = 0.014). The heterozygote genotype showed association with bronchiectasis (odds ratio, 5.3; 95% confidence intervals, 1.4-20.0). The association was even stronger in homozygotes for -1607GG allele (odds ration, 8.7; 95% confidence intervals, 1.9-41.0). The allelic and genotype frequencies of MMP9 C-1562T variant did not show significant differences between the groups. Conclusions This is the first report concerning a role of MMP1 G-1607GG and MMP9 C-1562T variants in pathogenesis of idiopathic disseminated bronchiectasis. The results of our study revealed the association of -1607GG allele and the lack of association of MMP9 C-1562T variant with the disease.
Oxidative DNA Damage and Antioxidant Defense after Reperfusion in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Himmetoglu Solen , Dincer Yildiz , Bozcali Evin , Ali Vural Vural , Akcay Tulay 
Published: May 2016

Purpose Myocardial damage mediated by oxidative stress during acute myocardial infarction (MI) has been suggested as an obstructive factor on recovery after an MI. 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is a marker for oxidative DNA damage; superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (G-Px) are major antioxidant enzymes. We determined changes in the plasma level of 8-OHdG and activities of SOD and G-Px in patients with MI and examined the relations between those changes and other cardiac markers. Methods Blood samples were taken at the beginning of the therapy, on the third day of hospitalization, and on the day patients were discharged home. Plasma level of 8-OHdG and SOD and G-Px activities were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and spectrophotometric kits, respectively. Results 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine level at the beginning of the therapy was found to be decreased on the third day of therapy and on the day patients were discharged home. With respect to the treatment way, 8-OHdG level was found to be slightly decreased on the third day of therapy and then remained stable in the group treated with thrombolytic agents. However, 8-OHdG level was found to be sharply decreased on the third day of therapy in the group that underwent primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. No significant relations were determined between those measured parameters and serum levels of cardiac markers. Conclusion Although not correlated with other cardiac markers, plasma level of 8-OHdG shows a decrease after reperfusion therapy in patients with MI, and primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty seems much more effective than thrombolytic therapy for providing a low level of 8-OHdG.
Use of Short-Radius Centrifugation to Augment Ankle-Brachial Indices
Authors: Grenon S. Marlene , Mateus Jaime , Hsiang York , Sidhu Ravi , Young Laurence , Gagnon Joel 
Published: May 2016

Background Peripheral arterial disease is mainly caused by atherosclerosis and is characterized by decreased circulation, lower blood pressure, and insufficient tissue perfusion in the lower extremities. The hemodynamics of standing and altered gravity environments have been well studied relative to arm blood pressures but are less well understood for ankle pressures. Methods Because regional blood pressure depends, in part, on the gravitational pressure gradient, we hypothesized that artificial gravity exposure on a short-arm centrifuge with the center of rotation above the head would increase blood pressure in the lower extremities. Cardiovascular parameters for 12 healthy subjects were measured during exposure to supine short-arm centrifugation at 20, 25, and 30 revolutions per minute (rpm), corresponding to centripetal accelerations of 0.94, 1.47, and 2.11 Gz at the foot level, respectively. Results Systolic ankle blood pressure significantly increased at all levels of centrifugation. Ankle-brachial indices (the ratio of systolic ankle to arm blood pressures) increased significantly from 1.17 ± 0.03 to 1.58 ± 0.03 at 0.94 Gz ( P < 0.005), 1.74 ± 0.02 at 1.47 Gz ( P < 0.005), and 1.89 ± 0.06 at 2.11 Gz ( P < 0.005). Systolic arm blood pressure significantly increased at 2.11 Gz, but heart rate did not change significantly. All parameters returned to normal after cessation of centrifugation. Conclusions We demonstrated that short-radius centrifugation leads to an increase in ankle-brachial indices. This could have potential implications for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease.
DNA Oxidation and Antioxidant Status in Breast Cancer
Authors: Himmetoglu Solen , Dincer Yildiz , Ersoy Yeliz E. , Bayraktar Bariş , Celik Varol , Akcay Tulay 
Published: May 2016

Purpose Oxidant/antioxidant balance has been suggested as an important factor for initiation and progression of cancer. The objective of this study was to determine 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) level as a marker of oxidative DNA damage, glutathione peroxidase (G-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities as antioxidant activity, in sera from women with breast cancer. Methods Forty-nine patients with malign breast tumor were included in the study. Blood samples were collected before the surgical operation. Serum level of 8-OHdG was measured with a competitive enzyme-linked immunusorbent assay kit, SOD, and G-Px activities were measured by spectrophotometric kits. Results 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine level and SOD activity were found to be increased in breast cancer group as compared with control group. Glutathione peroxidase activity in the breast cancer group was lower than those in the control group. The ratio of 8-OHdG/G-Px in breast cancer patients was found to be higher than those in the controls. There were correlations between 8-OHdG and CA19-9 ( r = 0.77; P < 0.01); age and G-Px ( r = −0.84; P < 0.05) in the breast cancer group. Conclusions Data show that serum levels of 8-OHdG and SOD activities are higher in patients with breast cancer. Glutathione peroxidase activity is lower in the breast cancer group. Increased ratio of 8-OHdG/G-Px in breast cancer patients is the evidence for impaired oxidant/ antioxidant balance in breast cancer.
MUC7 Polymorphisms are Associated with a Decreased Risk of a Diagnosis of Asthma in an African American Population
Authors: Watson Alan M. , Ngor Wai-Man , Gordish-Dressman Heather , Freishtat Robert J. , Rose Mary C. 
Published: May 2016

Purpose Mucin glycoproteins contribute to lung pathophysiology in asthma. The protein backbone of mucin glycoproteins is encoded by specific MUC genes, which exhibit a high degree of polymorphisms that generate a variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) domains. MUC7 typically encodes for 6 VNTRs, each with 23 amino acids. In a northern European cohort, a polymorphism encoding MUC7*5 (5-VNTR) is in 100% linkage disequilibrium with the single nucleotide polymorphism rs9982010 and associated with a decreased risk of being asthmatic and having better lung function. African Americans have a 5- to 10-fold increase in incidence of asthma relative to whites, who are believed to be partially associated with higher genetic susceptibility. Occurrence of the rs9982010 and MUC7 allelic frequencies was evaluated in inner-city African Americans to test their association with a diagnosis of asthma. Methods Genomic DNA, collected from a cohort of African American asthmatic subjects, was used to detect the MUC7 VNTR polymorphisms and to analyze the rs9982010 single nucleotide polymorphism. Results A logistic regression analysis showed that the MUC7*5-VNTR allele decreased the likelihood of a diagnosis of asthma (odds ratio, 0.173 [95% confidence interval, 0.041-0.737]; P < 0.018) and is not in a strong linkage disequilibrium with the rs9982010 ( r2 = 0.03; odds ratio, 66; confidence interval, 5.913-736.72). A novel MUC7*4-VNTR polymorphism, identified in an African American nonasthmatic individual, was linked to a structural rearrangement of the VNTR domain. Conclusions These data extend the association of MUC7*5 allelic polymorphisms and asthma to inner-city African Americans.