[Impact of comorbidities on in-hospital mortality from acute myocardial infarction, 2003-2009].

Introduction And Objectives: Treatment of acute myocardial infarction has changed notably in recent years. The objective of this study was to analyze trends in in-hospital mortality during the period 2003-2009 and to examine how changes in comorbidity indices affected mortality prediction models for acute myocardial infarction using the minimum basic data set.

Methods: During the study period, 5275 cases of acute myocardial infarction were admitted.

Change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and risk of subsequent hospitalization for coronary artery disease or stroke among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The association between the changes in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and the risk of cardiovascular (CVD) or cerebrovascular hospitalization among patients with type 2 diabetes remains unclear. We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of 30,067 members of the Kaiser Permanente Northwest and Georgia regions, who had type 2 diabetes and 2 HDL cholesterol measurements 6 to 24 months apart in 2001 to 2006. We followed up the cohort for ≤8 years (through 2009) to determine whether the change in HDL cholesterol was associated with subsequent CVD hospitalization.

Availability of vitamin D photoconversion weighted UV radiation in southern South America.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) plays a key role in several biological functions, including human health. Skin exposure to UVR is the main factor in vitamin D photoconversion. There is also evidence relating low levels of vitamin D with certain internal cancers, mainly colon, breast and prostate, as well as other diseases.

Reducing inter-observer variability in embryo evaluation by means of training courses.

Purpose: To study the utility of a training session offered to junior embryologists, comparing the results obtained with those reported by a group of senior embryologists.

Methods: The 62 junior embryologists participanting were asked to decide on the quality of the embryos and theg clinical decision to be taken.

Results: The junior embryologists' success rate following the training course was significantly higher than before for embryo classification (48.

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for protein, tryptophan, and lysine evaluation in quality protein maize (QPM) breeding programs.

Quality protein maize (QPM) has approximately twice the tryptophan (Trp) and lysine (Lys) concentrations in protein compared to normal maize. Because several genetic systems control the protein quality of QPM, it is essential to regularly monitor Trp and/or Lys in breeding programs. Our objective was to examine the potential of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to enhance the efficiency of QPM research efforts by partially replacing more expensive and time-consuming wet chemistry analysis.

Differential effects of esculetin and daphnetin on in vitro cell proliferation and in vivo estrogenicity.

Esculetin (6,7-dihydroxycoumarin) and daphnetin (7,8-dihydroxycoumarin) are secondary metabolites of plants used in folk medicine. These compounds have showed great antiproliferative activity in several tumor cell lines and have been proposed as potential anticancer agents. However, the estrogenic potential of these two compounds has to date not been reported.

Clinical predictive factors of poor outcome in patients with stage pT0 disease at radical cystectomy.

Purpose: We evaluated new pre-cystectomy predictive factors for outcomes in patients with no evidence of residual tumor at cystectomy (pT0).

Materials And Methods: A total of 1,114 patients underwent radical cystectomy at our institution between August 1978 and June 2002, of whom 141 (12.66%) had stage pT0.

Primary care colorectal cancer screening recommendation patterns: associated factors and screening outcomes.

Background: The relationship of a primary care provider's (PCP's) colorectal cancer (CRC) screening strategies to completion of screening is poorly understood.

Objective: To describe PCP test recommendation patterns and associated factors and their relationship to patient test completion.

Design: This cross-sectional study used a PCP survey, in-depth PCP interviews, and electronic medical records.

Laparoscopic management of spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage.

Wünderlich's syndrome is a spontaneous nontraumatic massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage. It is usually secondary to a renal neoplasm, with angiomyolipoma being the most frequent followed by renal cell carcinoma. The management of spontaneous retroperitoneal bleeding varies depending on the hemodynamic status of the patient.

Scorpion toxins modify phytopathogenic fungus physiology. A possible source of new fungicides.

Seven toxins (F1-F7) were purified from Tityus discrepans scorpion venom on a C18 HPLC column. The compounds were fungitoxic on Macrophomina phaseolina. The molecular masses of F1-F7 were (Da) 1061.

Hydrogen atom donors: recent developments.

This review highlights recent developments in the field of hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reagents that circumvent the disadvantages of classical group 14 reagents, such as Bu₃SnH. Special emphasis is laid on the lowering of bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of molecules that could, as yet, not be used as HAT reagents and on the use of organometallic HAT reagents.

Simplified technique for parastomal hernia repair after radical cystectomy and ileal conduit creation.

Objective: To review the results of parastomal hernia repair with a simplified technique of translocation of the stoma with no need for a midline incision.

Methods: A total of 405 radical cystectomies with creation of an ileal conduit were reviewed at our institution. The primary goal of the review was to determine the incidence of parastomal hernias in a large series of cystectomies and their management at our institution.

Patient Barriers to Mammography Identified During a Reminder Program.

Patient mammogram reminders are effective at increasing screening, but patient barriers remain. We evaluated patient characteristics and reported barriers for their association with mammogram completion after a reminder program. This retrospective cohort study used data from electronic records and a subgroup survey.

[Renal retransplantation: risk factors and results].

Objective: to review our experience in renal retransplantations.

Materials And Methods: we carried out a retrospective study on 71 patients with retransplantation performed between 1980 and 2005. We studied: the characteristics of the recipient and graft, surgery data, causes of loss of the graft, number of rejects and transplantectomies and, survival of the graft.

Sternal metastasis of breast cancer: ex vivo hypothermia and reimplantation.

Breast cancer frequently metastasizes to the bone. When the sternum is involved, it usually presents as a solitary lesion. In such cases, resection is indicated, including with the intention to cure.

Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) assessment of δ(18)O and nitrogen and ash contents for improved yield potential and drought adaptation in maize.

The oxygen isotope composition (δ(18)O), accumulation of minerals (ash content), and nitrogen (N) content in plant tissues have been recently proposed as useful integrative physiological criteria associated with yield potential and drought resistance in maize. This study tested the ability of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict δ(18)O and ash and N contents in leaves and mature kernels of maize. The δ(18)O and ash and N contents were determined in leaf and kernel samples from a set of 15 inbreds and 18 hybrids grown in Mexico under full irrigation and two levels of drought stress.

Effect of a patient panel-support tool on care delivery.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a patient panel-support tool (PST) on care delivery for diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Study Design: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study among primary care providers (PCPs), with 2005 as the preintervention, 2006 as the implementation, and 2007 as the postintervention period.

Methods: We estimated the intervention effect using electronic medical record data and hierarchical linear models.

Hierarchical self-assembly of a biomimetic diblock copolypeptoid into homochiral superhelices.

The aqueous self-assembly of a sequence-specific bioinspired peptoid diblock copolymer into monodisperse superhelices is demonstrated to be the result of a hierarchical process, strongly dependent on the charging level of the molecule. The partially charged amphiphilic diblock copolypeptoid 30-mer, [N-(2-phenethyl)glycine](15)-[N-(2-carboxyethyl)glycine](15), forms superhelices in high yields, with diameters of 624 ± 69 nm and lengths ranging from 2 to 20 μm. Chemical analogs coupled with X-ray scattering and crystallography of a model compound have been used to develop a hierarchical model of self-assembly.

Apoptogenic peptides from Tityus discrepans scorpion venom acting against the SKBR3 breast cancer cell line.

Two novel peptides named neopladine 1 and neopladine 2 were purified from Tityus discrepans scorpion venom and found to be active on human breast carcinoma SKBR3 cells. Mass spectrometry molecular masses of neopladine 1 and 2 were 29918 and 30388 Da, respectively. Their N-terminal sequences were determined by Edman degradation.

Membrane topology and identification of critical amino acid residues in the Wzx O-antigen translocase from Escherichia coli O157:H4.

Wzx belongs to a family of membrane proteins involved in the translocation of isoprenoid lipid-linked glycans, which is loosely related to members of the major facilitator superfamily. Despite Wzx homologs performing a conserved function, it has been difficult to pinpoint specific motifs of functional significance in their amino acid sequences. Here, we elucidate the topology of the Escherichia coli O157 Wzx (Wzx(EcO157)) by a combination of bioinformatics and substituted cysteine scanning mutagenesis, as well as targeted deletion-fusions to green fluorescent protein and alkaline phosphatase.

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O26:H11-Associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: Bacteriology and Clinical Presentation.

Infection by enterohemorrhagic ESCHERICHIA COLI (EHEC) is the most frequent cause of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in childhood. During a 6-year period, all patients with the clinical diagnosis of HUS were registered in a prospective multicenter study in Austria and Germany. EHEC O26:H11 was the second most frequent detected serotype, accounting for 15.