Intake of selected minerals and risk of premenstrual syndrome.

Iron, potassium, zinc, and other minerals might impact the development of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) through multiple mechanisms, but few studies have evaluated these relations. We conducted a case-control study nested within the prospective Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2001). Participants were free from PMS at baseline.

iPathCase(KEGG): An iPad interface for KEGG metabolic pathways.

Background: Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) is an online and integrated molecular database for several organisms. KEGG has been a highly useful site, helping domain scientists understand, research, study, and teach metabolisms by linking sequenced genomes to higher level systematic functions. KEGG databases are accessible through the web pages of the system, but the capabilities of the web interface are limited.

Associations between reduced hospital length of stay and 30-day readmission rate and mortality: 14-year experience in 129 Veterans Affairs hospitals.

Background: Reducing length of stay (LOS) has been a priority for hospitals and health care systems. However, there is concern that this reduction may result in increased hospital readmissions.

Objective: To determine trends in hospital LOS and 30-day readmission rates for all medical diagnoses combined and 5 specific common diagnoses in the Veterans Health Administration.

Multidisciplinary approach to epizootiology and pathogenesis of bat rabies viruses in the United States.

Zoonotic disease surveillance is typically initiated after an animal pathogen has caused disease in humans. Early detection of potentially high-risk pathogens within animal hosts may facilitate medical interventions to cope with an emerging disease. To effectively spillover to a novel host, a pathogen may undergo genetic changes resulting in varying transmission potential in the new host and potentially to humans.

The emergency department action in smoking cessation (EDASC) trial: impact on cessation outcomes.

Introduction: The focus on acute care, time pressure, and lack of resources hamper the implementation of smoking cessation guidelines in the emergency department (ED). The purpose of this study was to determine whether an emergency nurse- initiated intervention based on the 5A's (Ask-Advise-Assess-Assist-Arrange) framework improves quit rates.

Methods: We conducted a pre-post implementation trial in 789 adult smokers who presented to two EDs in Iowa between August 13, 2008 and August 4, 2010.

The structure, thermal properties and phase transformations of the cubic polymorph of magnesium tetrahydroborate.

The structure of the cubic polymorph of magnesium tetrahydroborate (γ-Mg(BH(4))(2)) has been determined in space group Ia3d from a structural database of the isoelectronic compound SiO(2); this has been corroborated by DFT calculations. The structure is found to concur with that recently determined by Filinchuk et al. (Y.

Long-term safety and effectiveness of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors in systemic sclerosis patients with inflammatory arthritis.

Objectives: To assess the long-term safety and effectiveness of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in the treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with inflammatory arthritis.

Methods: SSc patients who fulfilled the ACR criteria and had inflammatory arthritis followed in The Scleroderma Programme at the Mount Sinai and Toronto Western Hospitals, Toronto, Canada who received a TNF inhibitors for 12 months or more were retrospectively reviewed. Safety outcomes included development of TNF inhibitor related side effects, malignancy and death.

Clinical evidence, practice guidelines, and β-blocker utilization before major noncardiac surgery.

Background: Largely on the basis of 2 randomized trials published in the 1990s, β-blockers were initially promoted as an evidence-based intervention for preventing cardiac complications of noncardiac surgery. However, subsequent studies raised concerns about a widespread use of perioperative β-blockade. Little is known regarding how this changing evidence influenced the use of perioperative β-blockers in clinical practice.

A statistically based acute ischemia detection algorithm suitable for an implantable device.

This study investigates the performance of a new statistically driven acute ischemia detection algorithm that can process data from two bipolar cutaneous or subcutaneous leads. During a start-up phase, the algorithm processes electrocardiogram signals to determine a normal range of ST-segment deviation as a function of heart rate. The algorithm then generates upper and lower ST-deviation thresholds based on the dispersion of the baseline ST-deviation data.

CCR3 induced-p42/44 MAPK activation protects against staurosporine induced-DNA fragmentation but not apoptosis in airway smooth muscle cells.

Background: Chemokine receptors (CCRs) are expressed on airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. As their ligands are present in the airways in asthma, we hypothesized that ASM CCR activation could promote the increase in ASM mass seen in patients with chronic asthma.

Objective: To determine which CCRs are expressed by ASM cells and their potential functional relevance to the chronic airway changes seen in asthma.

Liver transplant center risk tolerance.

Recent changes in Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) condition for participation, using benchmark volume/outcomes requirements for certification, have been implemented. Consequently, the ability of a transplant center to assess its risk tolerance is important in successful management. An analysis of SRTR data was performed to determine donor/recipient risk factors for graft loss or patient death in the first year.

Clinical utility of diagnostic guidelines and putative biomarkers in lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

Background: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis is a rare disease occurring almost exclusively in women. Diagnosis often requires surgical biopsy and the clinical course varies between patients with no predictors of progression. We evaluated recent diagnostic guidelines, clinical features and serum biomarkers as diagnostic and prognostic tools.

Stimulus variability affects the amplitude of the auditory steady-state response.

In this study we investigate whether stimulus variability affects the auditory steady-state response (ASSR). We present cosinusoidal AM pulses as stimuli where we are able to manipulate waveform shape independently of the fixed repetition rate of 4 Hz. We either present sounds in which the waveform shape, the pulse-width, is fixed throughout the presentation or where it varies pseudo-randomly.

Perspectives for improving the evaluation and access of therapies for rare lung diseases in Europe.

The approach to treating a rare disease is different to that taken for more common diseases. Small patient cohorts alter clinical trial design and limit enrollment, and the picture for rare lung diseases is further complicated by the fact that most are composed of a variety of clinical phenotypes. Since the outcome measures of lung impairment have considerable test-to-test variability, potential new therapies face a substantial challenge.

Dual therapy in IPAH and SSc-PAH. A qualitative systematic review.

Background: Use of endothelin receptor antagonists (ERA), phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors and prostaglandin analogues has resulted in improved outcomes in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and systemic sclerosis-associated PAH (SSc-PAH) patients. However, patients often deteriorate on monotherapy. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of dual therapy on outcomes in IPAH and SSc-PAH.

Warfarin in systemic sclerosis-associated and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. A Bayesian approach to evaluating treatment for uncommon disease.

Objective: Warfarin is recommended in systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH) and idiopathic PAH (IPAH) to improve survival. There is no evidence to support this in SSc-PAH and the evidence in IPAH is conflicting. We evaluated the ability of warfarin to improve survival using 2 large SSc-PAH and IPAH cohorts.

Evaluation of native kidney recovery after simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation.

Background: Debate continues about which liver transplantation candidates with impaired renal function should undergo liver transplant alone versus simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation (SLK). Identifying predictors of native kidney function recovery after SLK requires an accurate measure of the relative function of all three kidneys in patients with SLK.

Methods: The distance of a transplanted kidney from the renal scan camera can be substantially different from that of native kidneys.

ANCA-associated vasculitis in systemic sclerosis report of 3 cases.

The aim of the study was to describe the occurrence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. SSc patients who developed biopsy-proven AAV were identified. Their clinical manifestations, autoantibodies, presentation with vasculitis, treatment and outcome were described and compared with previously reported patients with these two conditions.

Pulmonary hypertension in systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe manifestation of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Due to improvements in the understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases, improved methodological rigour in the conduct of epidemiological studies and the advent of successful therapies, our understanding of SSc-PAH and SLE-PAH has evolved considerably. In this review we will review the current evidence regarding the prevalence, prognostic factors and survival estimates for SSc-PAH and SLE-PAH.

Prognostic factors for survival in systemic lupus erythematosus associated pulmonary hypertension.

Objective: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a rare but severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that can ultimately result in death. The identification of factors that prognosticate survival in SLE-PH is necessary for appropriate monitoring, timing of therapeutics and lung transplantation. The primary objective of this study was to identify prognostic factors for survival in SLE-PH through review of the literature.

Validation of potential classification criteria for systemic sclerosis.

Objective: Classification criteria for systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) are being updated jointly by the American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism. Potential items for classification were reduced to 23 using Delphi and nominal group techniques. We evaluated the face, discriminant, and construct validity of the items to be further studied as potential criteria.

Items for developing revised classification criteria in systemic sclerosis: Results of a consensus exercise.

Objective: Classification criteria for systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) are being updated. Our objective was to select a set of items potentially useful for the classification of SSc using consensus procedures, including the Delphi and nominal group techniques (NGT).

Methods: Items were identified through 2 independent consensus exercises performed by the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium and the European League Against Rheumatism Scleroderma Trials and Research Group.