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Ralph B. D'Agostino

Bio: Ralph B. D'Agostino is an academic researcher from Wake Forest University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Framingham Heart Study & Framingham Risk Score. The author has an hindex of 226, co-authored 1287 publications receiving 229636 citations. Previous affiliations of Ralph B. D'Agostino include VA Boston Healthcare System & University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.


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Journal ArticleDOI
01 Sep 1995-Stroke
TL;DR: Ninety-two percent of subjects presenting with newly discovered AF at the time of acute stroke continued to have this rhythm disturbance in a chronic or paroxysmal form, suggesting that in most instances AF was probably the precipitant rather than the consequence of stroke.
Abstract: Background and Purpose When atrial fibrillation (AF) is first documented at the time of onset of acute stroke, it is difficult to establish a temporal relationship between AF and stroke. Did AF precede and precipitate the stroke, or did the arrhythmia appear as a result of stroke? Following the course of the newly diagnosed AF may help to clarify this relationship. Methods The Framingham Study cohort of 5070 members, aged 30 to 62 years and free of cardiovascular disease at entry, has been under surveillance for the development of cardiovascular disease, including stroke. We followed the course of AF, which was documented for the first time on or soon after hospital admission for stroke. Results During 38 years of follow-up, 115 of 656 initial stroke events occurred in association with AF: 89 had previously documented AF, 21 had AF discovered for the first time on admission for the stroke, and 5 were admitted with sinus rhythm but developed AF after admission. Of the 21 subjects with AF diagnosed on admis...

166 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Job strain made a modest yet statistically significant contribution beyond the effects of chronic illness and psychosocial variables and provides justification for further investigating the role of job strain as an independent risk factor for health-related quality of life.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES. Studies of the health effects of job strain have focused on morbidity and mortality as outcomes. This is the first study to examine the relationship of job strain to more comprehensive health status measures that encompass health-related quality of life. METHODS. In a national cross-sectional survey, 1319 working men and women, aged 18 through 64 years, completed a modified version of the Job Content Questionnaire that classified workers' jobs into four categories: high strain, passive, low strain, and active. Subjects also completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey and a health distress scale. Logistic regression analyses were employed that controlled for age, race/ethnicity, gender, and education. Both work and nonwork variables were included. RESULTS. Job strain was significantly associated with five of nine components of health-related quality of life: physical functioning, role functioning related to physical health, vitality, social functioning, and mental health. Job ...

166 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Examination of 20-year trends in risk factors, incidence, and mortality among women and men in Framingham, Massachusetts, found that more than half of the 51% decline in coronary heart disease mortality observed in women between 1950 and 1989 and one third to onehalf of the 44% decline observed in men could be attributed to improvements inrisk factors in the 1970 cohorts.
Abstract: Variations in cardiovascular disease mortality between sexes, over time, and across regions point to population differences in the biologic, behavioral, and environmental factors influencing cardiovascular health. The authors examined 20-year trends in risk factors, incidence, and mortality among women and men in Framingham, Massachusetts, who were members of the Framingham Heart Study and aged 50-59 years in 1950, 1960, and 1970. The incidence declined 21% between the female cohorts (p < 0.01 for trend) with the greatest decline occurring between the 1950 and 1960 cohorts. The 20-year incidence declined only 6% between the male cohorts despite an 18% decline (p < 0.05 for trend) during the first 10 years of follow-up. Cardiovascular disease mortality declined 59% between the female cohorts and 53% between the male cohorts (both p < 0.001 for trend). The largest mortality declines occurred between the 1950 and 1960 female cohorts during the second 10 years of follow-up and between the 1960 and 1970 male cohorts during both follow-up periods. Obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and high blood pressure were significantly lower at baseline and 10 years later in the 1970 female cohort compared with the 1950 cohort (all p < 0.001). Smoking and high blood pressure were significantly lower at baseline and 10 years later in the 1970 male cohort compared with the 1950 cohort (both p < 0.001). More than half of the 51% decline in coronary heart disease mortality observed in women between 1950 and 1989 and one third to one half of the 44% decline observed in men could be attributed to improvements in risk factors in the 1970 cohorts.

166 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Overall, women were as likely to quit as men; however, women who smoked heavily were the least likely to Quit and the relation of illness development and sex to smoking cessation should be considered in developing smoking cessation programs.
Abstract: The relation of demographic, behavioral, and health-related variables to smoking cessation was studied in 1,178 women and 1,506 men cigarette smokers enrolled in the Framingham Heart Study. Smoking cessation was defined as abstinence from all tobacco products for at least 1 year. Proportional hazard models were used to identify baseline variables associated with long-term cessation. In order to identify factors predictive of cessation in the following 2 years, logistic regression models on person-examination data were used. Recent hospitalization and development of coronary heart disease were predictive of smoking cessation, while diagnosis of cancer or changes in pulmonary function were not. Overall, women were as likely to quit as men; however, women who smoked heavily were the least likely to quit. Secular trends were noted in men only; men were more likely to quit after the release of the 1964 Surgeon General's report on smoking. The relation of illness development and sex to smoking cessation should be considered in developing smoking cessation programs.

166 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that lucinactant, the first of a new class of surfactants containing a functional protein analog of SP-B, is an effective therapeutic option for preterm infants at risk for RDS.
Abstract: Background and Objective. Evidence sug- gests that synthetic surfactants consisting solely of phos- pholipids can be improved through the addition of pep- tides, such as sinapultide, that mimic the action of hu- man surfactant protein-B (SP-B). A synthetic surfactant containing a mimic of SP-B may also reduce the potential risks associated with the use of animal-derived products. Our objective was to compare the efficacy and safety of a novel synthetic surfactant containing a functional SP-B mimic (lucinactant; Discovery Laboratories, Doylestown, PA) with those of a non-protein-containing synthetic surfactant (colfosceril palmitate; GlaxoSmithKline, Brentford, United Kingdom) and a bovine-derived sur- factant (beractant; Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL) in the prevention of neonatal respiratory distress syn- drome (RDS) and RDS-related death. Methods. We assigned randomly (double-masked) 1294 very preterm infants, weighing 600 to 1250 g and of <32 weeks gestational age, to receive colfosceril palmi- tate (n 509), lucinactant (n 527), or beractant (n 258) within 20 to 30 minutes after birth. Primary outcome measures were the rates of RDS at 24 hours and the rates of death related to RDS during the first 14 days after birth. All-cause mortality rates, bronchopulmonary dys- plasia (BPD) rates, and rates of other complications of prematurity were prespecified secondary outcomes. Pri- mary outcomes, air leaks, and causes of death were as- signed by an independent, masked, adjudication com- mittee with prespecified definitions. The study was monitored by an independent data safety monitoring board. Results. Lucinactant reduced significantly the inci- dence of RDS at 24 hours, compared with colfosceril (39.1% vs 47.2%; odds ratio (OR): 0.68; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52-0.89). There was no significant differ- ence in comparison with beractant (33.3%). However, lucinactant reduced significantly RDS-related mortality rates by 14 days of life, compared with both colfosceril (4.7% vs 9.4%; OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.25-0.73) and beractant (10.5%; OR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.18-0.66). In addition, BPD at 36 weeks postmenstrual age was significantly less com- mon with lucinactant than with colfosceril (40.2% vs 45.0%; OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.56-0.99), and the all-cause mortality rate at 36 weeks postmenstrual age was lower with lucinactant than with beractant (21% vs 26%; OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.45-1.00). Conclusions. Lucinactant is a more effective surfac- tant preparation than colfosceril palmitate for the pre- vention of RDS. In addition, lucinactant reduces the in- cidence of BPD, compared with colfosceril palmitate, and decreases RDS-related mortality rates, compared with beractant. Therefore, we conclude that lucinactant, the first of a new class of surfactants containing a functional protein analog of SP-B, is an effective therapeutic option for preterm infants at risk for RDS. Pediatrics 2005;115: 1018-1029; lucinactant, colfosceril palmitate, beractant, surfactant, respiratory distress syndrome.

165 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: G*Power 3 provides improved effect size calculators and graphic options, supports both distribution-based and design-based input modes, and offers all types of power analyses in which users might be interested.
Abstract: G*Power (Erdfelder, Faul, & Buchner, 1996) was designed as a general stand-alone power analysis program for statistical tests commonly used in social and behavioral research. G*Power 3 is a major extension of, and improvement over, the previous versions. It runs on widely used computer platforms (i.e., Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac OS X 10.4) and covers many different statistical tests of thet, F, and χ2 test families. In addition, it includes power analyses forz tests and some exact tests. G*Power 3 provides improved effect size calculators and graphic options, supports both distribution-based and design-based input modes, and offers all types of power analyses in which users might be interested. Like its predecessors, G*Power 3 is free.

40,195 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
21 May 2003-JAMA
TL;DR: The most effective therapy prescribed by the most careful clinician will control hypertension only if patients are motivated, and empathy builds trust and is a potent motivator.
Abstract: "The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure" provides a new guideline for hypertension prevention and management. The following are the key messages(1) In persons older than 50 years, systolic blood pressure (BP) of more than 140 mm Hg is a much more important cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor than diastolic BP; (2) The risk of CVD, beginning at 115/75 mm Hg, doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg; individuals who are normotensive at 55 years of age have a 90% lifetime risk for developing hypertension; (3) Individuals with a systolic BP of 120 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic BP of 80 to 89 mm Hg should be considered as prehypertensive and require health-promoting lifestyle modifications to prevent CVD; (4) Thiazide-type diuretics should be used in drug treatment for most patients with uncomplicated hypertension, either alone or combined with drugs from other classes. Certain high-risk conditions are compelling indications for the initial use of other antihypertensive drug classes (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, β-blockers, calcium channel blockers); (5) Most patients with hypertension will require 2 or more antihypertensive medications to achieve goal BP (<140/90 mm Hg, or <130/80 mm Hg for patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease); (6) If BP is more than 20/10 mm Hg above goal BP, consideration should be given to initiating therapy with 2 agents, 1 of which usually should be a thiazide-type diuretic; and (7) The most effective therapy prescribed by the most careful clinician will control hypertension only if patients are motivated. Motivation improves when patients have positive experiences with and trust in the clinician. Empathy builds trust and is a potent motivator. Finally, in presenting these guidelines, the committee recognizes that the responsible physician's judgment remains paramount.

24,988 citations

28 Jul 2005
TL;DR: PfPMP1)与感染红细胞、树突状组胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用,在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作�ly.
Abstract: 抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1(PfPMP1)与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用,在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员,通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。

18,940 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Because of the increased complexity of analysis and interpretation of clinical genetic testing described in this report, the ACMG strongly recommends thatclinical molecular genetic testing should be performed in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments–approved laboratory, with results interpreted by a board-certified clinical molecular geneticist or molecular genetic pathologist or the equivalent.

17,834 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In those older than age 50, systolic blood pressure of greater than 140 mm Hg is a more important cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor than diastolic BP, and hypertension will be controlled only if patients are motivated to stay on their treatment plan.
Abstract: The National High Blood Pressure Education Program presents the complete Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Like its predecessors, the purpose is to provide an evidence-based approach to the prevention and management of hypertension. The key messages of this report are these: in those older than age 50, systolic blood pressure (BP) of greater than 140 mm Hg is a more important cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor than diastolic BP; beginning at 115/75 mm Hg, CVD risk doubles for each increment of 20/10 mm Hg; those who are normotensive at 55 years of age will have a 90% lifetime risk of developing hypertension; prehypertensive individuals (systolic BP 120-139 mm Hg or diastolic BP 80-89 mm Hg) require health-promoting lifestyle modifications to prevent the progressive rise in blood pressure and CVD; for uncomplicated hypertension, thiazide diuretic should be used in drug treatment for most, either alone or combined with drugs from other classes; this report delineates specific high-risk conditions that are compelling indications for the use of other antihypertensive drug classes (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers); two or more antihypertensive medications will be required to achieve goal BP (<140/90 mm Hg, or <130/80 mm Hg) for patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease; for patients whose BP is more than 20 mm Hg above the systolic BP goal or more than 10 mm Hg above the diastolic BP goal, initiation of therapy using two agents, one of which usually will be a thiazide diuretic, should be considered; regardless of therapy or care, hypertension will be controlled only if patients are motivated to stay on their treatment plan. Positive experiences, trust in the clinician, and empathy improve patient motivation and satisfaction. This report serves as a guide, and the committee continues to recognize that the responsible physician's judgment remains paramount.

14,975 citations