University of California, San Diego

About: University of California, San Diego is a education organization based out in San Diego, California, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 83317 authors who have published 204524 publications receiving 12315489 citations. The organization is also known as: UCSD & UC San Diego.

Mortality Associated With Sleep Duration and Insomnia

Abstract: Background Patients often complain about insufficient sleep or chronic insomnia in the belief that they need 8 hours of sleep. Treatment strategies may be guided by what sleep durations predict optimal survival and whether insomnia might signal mortality risks. Methods In 1982, the Cancer Prevention Study II of the American Cancer Society asked participants about their sleep duration and frequency of insomnia. Cox proportional hazards survival models were computed to determine whether sleep duration or frequency of insomnia was associated with excess mortality up to 1988, controlling simultaneously for demographics, habits, health factors, and use of various medications. Results Participants were more than 1.1 million men and women from 30 to 102 years of age. The best survival was found among those who slept 7 hours per night. Participants who reported sleeping 8 hours or more experienced significantly increased mortality hazard, as did those who slept 6 hours or less. The increased risk exceeded 15% for those reporting more than 8.5 hours sleep or less than3.5 or 4.5 hours. In contrast, reports of "insomnia" were not associated with excess mortality hazard. As previously described, prescription sleeping pill use was associated with significantly increased mortality after control for reported sleep durations and insomnia. Conclusions Patients can be reassured that short sleep and insomnia seem associated with little risk distinct from comorbidities. Slight risks associated with8 or more hours of sleep and sleeping pill use need further study. Causality is unproven.

Nuclear receptor that identifies a novel retinoic acid response pathway

Abstract: Molecular cloning and transcriptional activation studies have revealed a new protein similar to the steroid hormone receptors and which responds specifically to vitamin A metabolites. This protein is substantially different in primary structure and ligand specificity from the products of the previously described retinoic acid receptor gene family. By indicating the existence of an additional pathway through which retinoic acid may exert its effects, these data lead to a re-evaluation of retinoid physiology.

Role of oxidised low density lipoprotein in atherogenesis

Abstract: Overview of the concept ofoxidative modification ofLDL There can be no doubt now that there is a continuum of increasing risk for complications ofatherosclerosis when plasma cholesterol levels exceed 160-180 mg/dl. Many types of experimental and clinical evidence substantiate the "cholesterol hypothesis." Many primary and secondary prevention trials, including the recent angiographic trials(CLAS andFATS) document that reduction of plasma cholesterol is as powerful as has been predicted in slowing the progression and clinical expression ofcoronary atherosclerosis. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms linking hypercholesterolemia to atherogenesis and its sequelae remain unclear. Iflowering ofLDL is efficacious in ameliorating the atherogenic process, why then should one bother to understand the mechanisms? Simply because loweringLDL will not be a total solution. Although it may be true that ifcholesterol levels were reduced to < 150 mg/dl there would be little if any coronary artery disease (CAD),' it is not likely that this will occur any time soon. At any given level ofLDL there is great variability in the clinical expression of the disease. Patients with heterozy

The Epidemic of Antibiotic-Resistant Infections: A Call to Action for the Medical Community from the Infectious Diseases Society of America

Abstract: The ongoing explosion of antibiotic-resistant infections continues to plague global and US health care. Meanwhile, an equally alarming decline has occurred in the research and development of new antibiotics to deal with the threat. In response to this microbial “perfect storm,” in 2001, the federal Interagency Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance released the “Action Plan to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance; Part 1: Domestic” to strengthen the response in the United States. The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) followed in 2004 with its own report, “Bad Bugs, No Drugs: As Antibiotic Discovery Stagnates, A Public Health Crisis Brews,” which proposed incentives to reinvigorate pharmaceutical investment in antibiotic research and development. The IDSA’s subsequent lobbying efforts led to the introduction of promising legislation in the 109th US Congress (January 2005–December 2006). Unfortunately, the legislation was not enacted. During the 110th Congress, the IDSA has continued to work with congressional leaders on promising legislation to address antibiotic-resistant infection. Nevertheless, despite intensive public relations and lobbying efforts, it remains unclear whether sufficiently robust legislation will be enacted. In the meantime, microbes continue to become more resistant, the antibiotic pipeline continues to diminish, and the majority of the public remains unaware of this critical situation. The result of insufficient federal funding; insufficient surveillance, prevention, and control; insufficient research and development activities; misguided regulation of antibiotics in agriculture and, in particular, for food animals; and insufficient overall coordination of US (and international) efforts could mean a literal return to the preantibiotic era for many types of infections. If we are to address the antimicrobial resistance crisis, a concerted, grassroots effort led by the medical community will be required.