Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Dec 2003
Comparative StudyAngiotensin-converting enzyme genotype, albuminuria and plasma fibrinogen in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Increased fibrinogen level is considered an important atherosclerosis risk factor. Patients with type 2 diabetes frequently have increased fibrinogen levels. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism and the effects of the diabetic environment on plasma fibrinogen in type 2 diabetes. ⋯ ACE gene polymorphism is associated with plasma fibrinogen level in type 2 diabetes. This association is mediated by an interaction between ACE genotype and albuminuria. Diabetes patients with genotypes II or ID have increased plasma fibrinogen in the presence of albuminuria.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Nov 2003
Review Comparative StudyThe cumulative effects of Transcendental Meditation on cognitive function--a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.
It is claimed that regular practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM) improves cognitive function and increases intelligence. This systematic review assesses the evidence from randomised controlled trials for cumulative effects of TM on cognitive function. Searches were made of electronic databases and the collected papers and official websites of the TM organisation. ⋯ The other 6 trials recruited subjects with no specific interest in TM, and 5 of them used structured control procedures. The association observed between positive outcome, subject selection procedure and control procedure suggests that the large positive effects reported in 4 trials result from an expectation effect. The claim that TM has a specific and cumulative effect on cognitive function is not supported by the evidence from randomised controlled trials.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Nov 2003
Comparative StudyChanges in cholesterol and its precursors during the first days after major trauma.
The causes of hypocholesterolemia in the critically ill, including major trauma patients, have not yet been fully elucidated. ⋯ Decreased synthesis of cholesterol precursors is the major cause of hypocholesterolemia in patients with multiple trauma. Lathosterol concentration is proposed as a marker of cholesterol synthesis.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Nov 2003
Review Comparative Study[Progress in the prevention of type 2 diabetes].
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major health problem associated with excess morbidity and mortality. Defects in the action and/or secretion of insulin are the two major abnormalities leading to development of glucose intolerance. Any intervention in the impaired glucose tolerance phase that reduces resistance to insulin or protects the beta-cells, or both, should prevent or delay progression to diabetes. ⋯ Remarkably, cardiovascular event rates, in particular myocardial infarction, were significantly reduced when acarbose was used instead of placebo in subjects with glucose intolerance. The ACE inhibitors captopril (CAPPP) or ramipril (HOPE) and the Angiotensin-II receptor antagonist losartan (LIFE) have been shown to reduce the appearance of diabetes by one third when given to patients with hypertension. Since many hypertensive patients are insulin-resistant and have an increased risk in developing type 2 diabetes, the protective effect of these classes of antihypertensive drugs might be explained by their antiinsulin-resistance effects.