Coping with time scales in disease systems analysis: application to bone remodeling.

In this study we demonstrate the added value of mathematical model reduction for characterizing complex dynamic systems using bone remodeling as an example. We show that for the given parameter values, the mechanistic RANK-RANKL-OPG pathway model proposed by Lemaire et al. (J Theor Biol 229:293-309, 2004) can be reduced to a simpler model, which can describe the dynamics of the full Lemaire model to very good approximation.

The effect of the UK incentive-based contract on the management of patients with coronary heart disease in primary care.

Background: The new General Medical Services (nGMS) contract was introduced in April 2004 to improve care of chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD) and reduce differences in treatment between patient subgroups.

Objective: To determine whether the recording of CHD-related health indicators and prescribing of medicines have increased following the introduction of the nGMS contract and whether differences in the treatment of patients of differing age, gender and deprivation have been affected.

Methods: A serial cross-sectional study carried out with 310 general practices in Scotland.

The effect of a six-month exercise program on very low-density lipoprotein apolipoprotein B secretion in type 2 diabetes.

The dyslipidemia and insulin resistance of type 2 diabetes can be improved by aerobic exercise. The effect of 6 months supervised exercise on very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) apolipoprotein B metabolism was investigated in patients with type 2 diabetes. Moderately obese patients (n = 18) were randomized into supervised (n = 9) and unsupervised (n = 9) exercise groups.