Increase In Death Rate Research Articles

In vitro evaluation of nematophagous activity of fungal isolates

Four filamentous fungi associated with nematodes were isolated and identified from litter samples collected in the Integral Natural Reserve "Bosco Siro Negri" (PV, Italy): Arthrobotrys dactyloides, Arthrobotrys oligospora var. oligospora, Pochonia bulbillosa, and Pochonia chlamydosporia var. catenulata. Their capacity to break down the nematode population was evaluated in vitro by means of simple and reproducible multiwell plates method. All fungal strains were able to cause a death-rate significantly different from the controls (p < 0.05). Precisely, A. dactyloides caused, on average, a 26% death rate increase in the nematode population compared to the control, A. oligospora var. oligospora 25%, P. bulbillosa 12%, and P. chlamidosporia var. catenulata 17%. The method has also allowed to determine the more active fungi as regards the prey's life cycle stage. The most active strains against nematodes (adults) were A. dactyloides and A. oligospora var. oligospora, known to attack adults or larval stages by means of tridimensional traps. On the contrary P. bulbillosa and P. chlamydosporia, known to attack mainly the nematode life stage of cysts, showed lower activity against adult nematodes.

Treatment of Hypertension

A method of treating hypertension by oral administration of the ethyl ester of L- alpha -methyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed.

Impacts of alcohol duty reductions on cardiovascular mortality among elderly Chinese: a 10-year time series analysis

BackgroundIn March 2007, the Hong Kong Government halved its heavy excise taxes on beer and wine, and 1 year later, it eliminated all duties on these beverages. This study examines...

Trends in Outcomes and Hospitalization Costs for Traumatic Brain Injury in Adult Patients in the United States

Several new therapeutic strategies have been introduced for the management of adult traumatic brain injury (TBI) over the last decade, such as the development of management pathways and specialized TBI units and improved treatment of cerebral perfusion. The purpose of this study is to compare TBI-related hospitalization outcomes in the United States between two time periods, 1993-1994 and 2006-2007. We determined the rates of occurrence, in-hospital outcomes, and mean hospital charges for patients hospitalized with adult TBI in 1993-1994 using the nationally representative all-payer Nationwide Inpatient Survey (NIS) database, and compared these outcomes with homologous data from 2006-2007. The incidence of TBI admissions was reduced by 35% in 2006-2007 compared with 1993-1994; (22/100,000 versus 34/100,000 population; p<0.0001). The mean length of hospitalization (mean±SD, in days) was significantly lower in 2006-2007 than in 1993-1994 (2.5±2.4 days versus 2.7±2.6 days; p<0.0001). In-hospital mortality increased significantly in 2006-2007 compared with 1993-1994 (0.8% versus 0.4%, p<0.0001). Average hospitalization charges were significantly higher in 2006-2007 compared with 19993-1994 ($21,460±$21,212 versus $5,142±$4,625; p<0.0001), even after adjusting for inflation. In both time periods, most hospitalized adult TBI patients were graded as mild (98.2% in 1993-1994 versus 98.0% in 2006-2007; p=0.20). There was a significant increase in average hospitalization charges and death rates in all TBI severity subgroups in 2006-2007 compared with 1993-1994. The decline in rate of hospitalization between the two time periods was predominantly related to the decline in the number of admissions of patients with mild TBI. Although the number of TBI admissions was reduced, a significant increase in average hospitalization charges and in-hospital mortality rate was observed in 2006-2007 compared with 1993-1994.

Ultrafine Particle Characteristics in a Rubber Manufacturing Factory

According to epidemiological research, exposure to rubber fumes can cause various types of cancer and can lead to an increase in death rate because of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we have assessed the characteristics of ultrafine particles emitted into the air during the manufacturing of rubber products using waste tires. To assess the aerosol distribution of rubber fumes in the workplace from a product during curing, we have performed particle number concentration mapping using a handheld condensation particle counter. The particle number concentration of each process, count median diameter (CMD), and nanoparticle ratio (<100nm) were determined using an electrical low-pressure impactor (ELPI), and the surface area concentration was determined using a surface area monitor. The shape and composition of the sampled rubber fumes were analyzed using an ELPI-transmission electron microscopy grid method. Further, the rubber fume mass concentration was determined according to the Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances 47/2. The results of particle mapping show that the rubber fumes were distributed throughout the air of the workplace. The concentration was the highest during the final process of the work. The particle number concentration and the surface area concentration were 545 000cm(-3) and 640 µm(2) cm(-3), respectively, approximately 10- and 4-fold higher than those in the outdoor background. During the final process, the CMD and the nanoparticle ratio were 26nm and 94%, respectively. Most of the rubber fume particles had a compact shape because of the coagulation between particles. The main components of these fumes were silicon and sulfur, and heavy metals such as zinc were detected in certain particles. The filter concentration of the rubber fumes was 0.22mg m(-3), lower than the UK workplace exposure limit of 0.6mg m(-3). Therefore, the rubber manufacturing process is a potentially dangerous process that produces a high concentration of specific nanoparticles.

National trends in pharmaceutical opioid related overdose deaths compared to other substance related overdose deaths: 1999–2009

BackgroundPharmaceutical opioid related deaths have increased. This study aimed to place pharmaceutical opioid overdose deaths within the context of heroin, cocaine, psychostimulants, and pharmaceutical sedative hypnotics examine demographic trends, and describe common combinations of substances involved in opioid related deaths. MethodsWe reviewed deaths among 15–64 year olds in the US from 1999–2009 using death certificate data available through the CDC Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) Database. We identified International Classification of Disease-10 codes describing accidental overdose deaths, including poisonings related to stimulants, pharmaceutical drugs, and heroin. We used crude and age adjusted death rates (deaths/100,000 person years [p-y] and 95% confidence interval [CI] and multivariable Poisson regression models, yielding incident rate ratios; IRRs), for analysis. ResultsThe age adjusted death rate related to pharmaceutical opioids increased almost 4-fold from 1999 to 2009 (1.54/100,000 p-y [95% CI 1.49–1.60] to 6.05/100,000 p-y [95% CI 5.95–6.16; p<0.001). From 1999 to 2009, pharmaceutical opioids were responsible for the highest relative increase in overdose death rates (IRR 4.22, 95% CI 3.03–5.87) followed by sedative hypnotics (IRR 3.53, 95% CI 2.11–5.90). Heroin related overdose death rates increased from 2007 to 2009 (1.05/100,000 persons [95% CI 1.00–1.09] to 1.43/100,000 persons [95% CI 1.38–1.48; p<0.001). From 2005–2009 the combination of pharmaceutical opioids and benzodiazepines was the most common cause of polysubstance overdose deaths (1.27/100,000 p-y (95% CI 1.25–1.30). ConclusionStrategies, such as wider implementation of naloxone, expanded access to treatment, and development of new interventions are needed to curb the pharmaceutical opioid overdose epidemic.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Rat Ischemic Brain Injury: Importance of Stimulation Duration

We explored the optimal duration of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation for protecting the brain against ischemic injury. The experiments were carried out in rats exposed to right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 60 min followed by 24-hr reperfusion. EA was delivered to “Shuigou” (Du 26) and “Baihui” (Du 20) acupoints with sparse-dense wave (5/20 Hz) at 1.0 mA for 5, 15, 30, and 45 min, respectively. The results showed that 30 min EA, starting at 5 minutes after the onset of MCAO (EA during MCAO) or 5 minutes after reperfusion (EA after MCAO), significantly reduced ischemic infarct volume, attenuated neurological deficits, and decreased death rate with a larger reduction of the ischemic infarction in the former group. Also in the group of EA during MCAO, this protective benefit was positively proportional to the increase in the period of stimulation, that is, increased protection in response to EA from 5- to 30-min stimulation. In all groups, EA induced a significant increase in cerebral blood flow and promoted blood flow recovery after reperfusion, and both blood flow volume and blood cell velocity returned to the preischemia level in a short period of time. Surprisingly, EA for 45 min did not show reduction in the neurological deficits or the infarct volume and instead demonstrated an increase in death rate in this group. Although EA for 45 min still increased the blood flow during MCAO, it led to a worsening of perfusion after reperfusion compared to the group subjected only to ischemia. The neuroprotection induced by an “optimal” period (30 min) of EA was completely blocked by Naltrindole, a δ-opioid receptor (DOR) antagonist (10 mg/kg, i.v.). These findings suggest that earlier EA stimulation leads to better outcomes, and that EA-induced neuroprotection against ischemia depends on an optimal EA-duration via multiple pathways including DOR signaling, while “over-length” stimulation exacerbates the ischemic injury.

A reorganização espacial dos homicídios no Brasil e a tese da interiorização

This paper analyzes the spatial and temporal distributions of homicides in Brazil since the 1980s, when a sharp increase in death rates occurred. It also analyzes the evolution of homicides during the three following decades (1990s, 2000s and 2010s), when distinct processes took place, such as population reduction, stabilization and growth in different regions of the country. The main source of data for the first part of the paper consisted of various editions of “Mapa da Violencia” (Map of Violence) by WAISELFISZ (1998, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011). Besides analyzing the spatial and temporal distribution of homicides, we will examine the widespread thesis of internalization, disseminated by these studies. Then, based only on the period of 1999 to 2006, the paper includes a geographical analysis of homicides in Brazil by geographical macro-region, exploring and describing the phenomena of “internalization” and the “spread of violence.” To do so we will use homicide records published by SVS/MS in order to produce risk rates and coropleth mapping at the municipal level. This article’s mainthesis is that the reorganization of violence in Brazil based on homicide records reveals a complex process that goes beyond what is conventionally called the “internalization of violence.” There is a reorganization that follows the logic of agglomeration, with the clear presence of effects of contagion and the formation of clusters of homicides in areas that, in recent years, experienced economic dynamism or the reorganization of their spaces due to changes in land-use and functions.

Education and adult cause-specific mortality—examining the impact of family factors shared by 871 367 Norwegian siblings

To estimate the impact family factors shared by siblings has on the association between length of education and cause-specific mortality in adulthood. The study population (n = 871 367) was all Norwegians born 1940-59 having one or more sibling within the cohort and alive in 1990. Length of education was obtained in 1990. Follow-up of deaths was from 1991 to 2008 when participants were aged 32-68 years. Sixty-five per cent of participants had one or more siblings who had completed a different number of years of formal education. A one-category difference in education was associated with a 30% increase in the hazard rate of death by all causes among men in the cohort analysis and 23% in within siblings analysis, and in women, increases were 22% and 14%, respectively. For cardiovascular disease, increases were 36% and 25% in men and 51% and 36% in women. For lung cancer, they were 48% and 29% in men and 53% and 22% in women. External causes and alcohol-related causes in men were generally similar in both analyses. This study suggests that at least some of the educational inequalities in all-cause, cardiovascular disease and lung cancer, external and alcohol-related mortality are explained by factors shared by siblings.

Depression and Renal Pathology: Literature Review and Perspectives for Intervention

Depression in patients affected by renal disease is a relevant problem because it is related to a increase of death and hospitalization rate and to a reduction of compliance. The pharmacological treatments result to be the best therapy of choice, however there is a greater difficulty in treating depressive symptoms that occur in comorbidity with renal disease, than when depression is the only disease. Various studies show that this problem can be addressed through an integrated pharmacological and psychotherapeutic intervention, which presents an additive effect in the treatment of this pathology. In relation to renal disease various studies suggest the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic intervention in the treatment of depressive symptoms, but more research is needed to compare the effectiveness of the different psychotherapeutic approaches.

Prognostic Factors of Paraneoplastic Pemphigus

To identify the prognostic factors of overall survival in a series of patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP). Multicenter retrospective cohort study. Twenty-seven dermatology departments in France. A total of 53 patients (31 men and 22 women; median age, 59 years; age range, 30-88 years) were diagnosed as having PNP between 1992 and 2010. Overall Kaplan-Meier survival rates were estimated, and features associated with survival were assessed using univariate (log-rank test) and multivariate (Cox regression) analyses. The study included 53 patients with PNP. Thirty-six patients (68%) died during the study. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 49%, 41%, and 38%, respectively. The main causes of death were infections (n=21) and evolution of neoplasia (n=6). In univariate analysis, the main detrimental prognostic factors identified were erythema multiforme–like skin lesions (P=.05) and histologic keratinocyte necrosis (P=.03). None of the 5 patients with Castleman disease died during the study. After adjustment for age and sex in multivariate analysis, erythema multiforme–like skin lesions remained predictive of fatal outcome, with a 2-fold increase in death rate (hazard ratio [HR], 2.3; 95% CI, 1.05-5.03; P=.04). The prognosis of patients with PNP was even poorer when erythema multiforme–like skin lesions were associated with severe skin or mucosal involvement at presentation (HR of death, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.01-8.92; P=.049). Patients with PNP with erythema multiforme–like skin lesions and histologic keratinocyte necrosis, especially when associated with extensive lesions at presentation, are likely to have a more severe and rapid fatal outcome and should be managed very carefully.

Perfil de mortalidade do idoso: análise da evolução temporal em uma capital do Nordeste brasileiro de 1996 a 2007

OBJETIVO: Este trabalho objetivou analisar a evolução temporal da mortalidade de idosos no município de Recife no período de 1996 a 2007. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se estudo de evolução temporal, com o universo de óbitos da população idosa (&gt;60 anos). Os coeficientes de mortalidade foram calculados, padronizados por idade e sexo, pelo método direto para subgrupos etários, sexo, estado civil, causa básica de óbito, local de ocorrência e assistência médica na base de mil habitantes. Foram realizadas análises descritivas e análise de regressão linear. RESULTADOS: A mortalidade em idosos no Recife apresenta tendência de declínio na série analisada, com maiores coeficientes entre os idosos longevos (&gt;80 anos). Os idosos homens apresentam maior mortalidade em relação às idosas, com tendência de diminuição dos coeficientes. Quanto ao estado civil, houve aumento da mortalidade entre idosos solteiros e separados judicialmente. A maioria dos óbitos ocorreu em hospitais e com assistência médica no momento do óbito. Foi observada tendência de decréscimo da mortalidade por doenças do aparelho circulatório, doenças infecciosas e parasitárias, doenças do aparelho digestivo e sinais e sintomas mal definidos e aumento da mortalidade por doenças do aparelho geniturinário. A evolução da mortalidade por neoplasias, doenças endócrinas, nutricionais e metabólicas, doenças do aparelho respiratório e causas externas não sofreu variações. CONCLUSÕES: A mortalidade do idoso recifense apresentou padrão semelhante à realidade nacional, destacando-se a tendência de redução dos coeficientes de mortalidade.

Decentralization, Collusion, and Coal Mine Deaths

Abstract This paper investigates how collusion between regulators and firms affects workplace safety using the case of China’s coal mine deaths. We argue that decentralization makes collusion more likely and that its effect is strengthened if the transaction costs of collusion are lower. These hypotheses are tested by investigating the impact of decentralization contingent on regulators’ characteristics. Exploring both decentralization and centralization reforms in the coal mine industry, we find that decentralization is correlated with an increase in coal mine death rates. Moreover, this increase in mortality is larger for the regulators with lower transaction costs (proxied by the locality of origin).

Chemotherapy Patients with C. difficile Colitis Have Outcomes Similar to Immunocompetent C. difficile Patients

BackgroundClostridium difficile colitis (CDC) patients receiving chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies are anticipated to have worse outcomes than immunocompetent CDC patients. Study designAn IRB approved retrospective cohort study (2004–2009) identified an equal number (n = 49) of CDC inpatients receiving chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies (CDC-HM) as well as CDC patients without malignancies (CDC-NM). Chi-squared tests, linear regression, and analysis of variance were used to compare outcomes. ResultsNo difference (p > 0.05) was noted between groups regarding age, hypertension, diabetes, COPD, or coronary artery disease. Approximately 62 % of CDC-HM patients required colony-stimulating factor for neutropenia. There was no difference (p > 0.05) in peak lactate or creatinine levels. None of the CDC-HM group required colectomy, while four CDC-NM patients required surgery (p = 0.04); neither group experienced death. No differences were noted regarding need for ICU admission for CDC or the need for vasopressors (p > 0.05). Mean hospital length of stay was longer for the CDC-HM group (22 days vs. 10 days; p = 0.001). ConclusionsCDC-HM patients had longer lengths of stay than CDC-NM patients without an increase in rates of death, colectomy, or ICU admission. Outcomes in CDC-HM are better than many would anticipate, underscoring the current knowledge deficit regarding C. difficile infection.

Chalcone JAI-51 improves efficacy of synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy of brain tumors

Microbeam radiation therapy (MRT), a preclinical form of radiosurgery, uses spatially fractionated micrometre-wide synchrotron-generated X-ray beams. As MRT alone is predominantly palliative for animal tumors, the effects of the combination of MRT and a newly synthesized chemotherapeutic agent JAI-51 on 9L gliosarcomas have been evaluated. Fourteen days (D14) after implantation (D0), intracerebral 9LGS-bearing rats received either MRT, JAI-51 or both treatments. JAI-51, alone or immediately after MRT, was administered three times per week. Animals were kept up to ∼20 weeks after irradiation or sacrificed at D16 or D28 after treatment for cell cycle analysis. MRT plus JAI-51 increased significantly the lifespan compared with MRT alone (p = 0.0367). JAI-51 treatment alone had no effect on rat survival. MRT alone or associated with JAI-51 induced a cell cycle blockade in G2/M (p < 0.01) while the combined treatment also reduced the proportion of G0/G1 cells. At D28 after irradiation, MRT and MRT/JAI-51 had a smaller cell blockade effect in the G2/M phase owing to a significant increase in tumor cell death rate (<2c) and a proportional increase of endoreplicative cells (>8c). The combination of MRT and JAI-51 increases the survival of 9LGS-bearing rats by inducing endoreduplication of DNA and tumor cell death; further, it slowed the onset of tumor growth resumption two weeks after treatment.

An Explanation for the Recent Increase in the Fall Death Rate among Older Americans: A Subgroup Analysis

We sought to explain the recent increase in the death rate from falls among Americans aged 65 years and older. Using the CDC WONDER online database, a longitudinal analysis of subgroups of fall mortality based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) was conducted in older adults and in younger people. We used linear regression to examine the statistical significance of trends in mortality rates during 1999-2007. The overall mortality rate from falls increased by 55% among older Americans (≥65 years of age) during 1999-2007, from 29 per 100,000 population to 45 per 100,000 population. For those aged ≥65 years, the largest increase by far (698%) occurred in the subgroup "other falls on the same level," followed by a moderate increase in falls involving wheelchairs or furniture (48%). The steepest increases at all ages occurred from 1999 to 2000, after ICD-10 took effect. State-level analysis confirmed the findings for the entire United States. From 1999 to 2007, total mortality from falls decreased by 5% in people younger than 45 years of age and increased by 44% for those aged 45-64 years; mortality from "other falls on the same level" increased by 202% and 431%, respectively, in these age groups. Because the reported minor increases in emergency department and hospitalization rates for falls were insignificant, the almost sevenfold increase in death rates from "other falls on the same level" strongly suggests an effect of improved reporting quality.

Correlação entre inatividade física, polifarmácia e quedas em idosos*

Introdução: Atualmente, verifica-se que os índices de institucionalização e mortes decorrentes de quedas de idosos têm aumentado, e observa-se que sedentarismo, diminuição da capacidade funcional e polifarmácia constituem relevantes fatores de risco para essa população. Objetivo: Avaliar correlação entre prática de atividade física, utilização de medicamentos e tendência a quedas em idosos. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo analítico transversal em Vitória de Santo Antão (PE), com 60 idosos (30 sedentários e 30 praticantes de atividade física), por meio de entrevista para notificação de informações relativas às características sociodemográficas e clínicas, além de avaliação do desempenho funcional por meio dos testes Timed up and Go (TUGT) e Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Resultados: Revelou-se que os voluntários praticantes de atividade física (p=0,029) e com melhores escores no TUGT (p

Is limited pulmonary resection equivalent to lobectomy for surgical management of stage I non-small-cell lung cancer?

A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was: is limited pulmonary resection equivalent to lobectomy in terms of morbidity, long-term survival and locoregional recurrence in patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)? A total of 166 papers were found using the reported search; of which, 16 papers, including one meta-analysis and one randomized control trial (RCT), represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. With regards to 5-year survival rates, the evidence is conflicting: a 2005 meta-analysis and six other retrospective or prospective nonrandomized analyses did not find any statistically significant difference when comparing lobectomy with limited resection. However, three studies found evidence of a decreased overall survival with limited resection, including the only randomized control trial, which showed a 50% increase in the cancer-related death rate (P = 0.09), and a 30% increase in the overall death rate in patients undergoing limited resection (P = 0.08). Age, tumour size and specific type of limited resection were also factors influencing the survival rates. Four studies, including the RCT, found increased locoregional recurrence rates with limited resection. There is also evidence that wedge resections, compared with segmentectomies, lead to lower survival and higher recurrence rates. In conclusion, lobectomy is still recommended for younger patients with adequate cardiopulmonary function. Although limited resection carries a decreased rate of complications and shorter hospital stays, it may also carry a higher rate of loco-regional recurrences. However, limited resection may be comparable for patients >71 years of age, and those with small peripheral tumours.

Role of CD95 in pulmonary inflammation and infection in cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is caused by a defective expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (Cftr) gene, which results in chronic pulmonary inflammation and infections. The pathophysiological mechanisms by which these changes are induced in the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis require definition. This study found that Cftr deficiency in mice results in the upregulation and activation of CD95. CD95 activation is caused by increased ceramide concentrations in cystic fibrosis lungs, as revealed by genetic modifications that normalize pulmonary ceramide concentrations. The activation of CD95 in cystic fibrosis lungs further increases pulmonary ceramide levels and results in a vicious feedback cycle of CD95 activation and ceramide accumulation. Genetic studies reveal that CD95 is crucially involved in the induction of aseptic inflammation, an increase in the bronchial cell death rate, and an increased susceptibility to infection of Cftr-deficient mice. All of these pathologies are partially corrected by heterozygosity of CD95 in Cftr-deficient mice. These findings identify CD95 as an important regulator of lung functions in cystic fibrosis and suggest that CD95 may be a novel target for treating cystic fibrosis.

1019 Thrombocytosis is associated with a significant increase in cancer specific death rate after nephrectomy for patients with renal cell carcinoma

1019 Thrombocytosis is associated with a significant increase in cancer specific death rate after nephrectomy for patients with renal cell carcinoma