University of Minnesota

About: University of Minnesota is a education organization based out in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Transplantation. The organization has 117432 authors who have published 257986 publications receiving 11944239 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities & University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Exchange-correlation functional with broad accuracy for metallic and nonmetallic compounds, kinetics, and noncovalent interactions

Abstract: By incorporating kinetic-energy density in a balanced way in the exchange and correlational functionals and removing self-correlation effects, we have designed a density functional that is broadly applicable to organometallic, inorganometallic, and nonmetallic bonding, thermochemistry, thermochemical kinetics, and noncovalent interactions as well as satisfying the uniform electron gas limit. The average error is reduced by a factor of 1.3 compared with the best previously available functionals, but even more significantly, we find a functional that has a high accuracy for all four categories of interaction.

Effect of partial ileal bypass surgery on mortality and morbidity from coronary heart disease in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Report of the Program on the Surgical Control of the Hyperlipidemias (POSCH)

Abstract: Background and Methods The Program on the Surgical Control of the Hyperlipidemias (POSCH), a randomized clinical trial, was designed to test whether cholesterol lowering induced by the partial ileal bypass operation would favorably affect overall mortality or mortality due to coronary heart disease. The study population consisted of 838 patients (417 in the control group and 421 in the surgery group), both men (90.7 percent) and women, with an average age of 51 years, who had survived a first myocardial infarction. The mean follow-up period was 9.7 years. Results When compared with the control group at five years, the surgery group had a total plasma cholesterol level 23.3 percent lower (4.71±0.91 vs. 6.14±0.89 mmol per liter [mean ±SD]; P<0.0001), a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level 37.7 percent lower (2.68±0.78 vs. 4.30±0.89 mmol per liter; P<0.0001), and a high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level 4.3 percent higher (1.08±0.26 vs. 1.04±0.25 mmol per liter; P = 0.02). Overall mortality...

Major Risk Factors as Antecedents of Fatal and Nonfatal Coronary Heart Disease Events

Abstract: ContextA frequently cited concept is that individual major risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) are absent in many patients (perhaps >50%) with CHD. However, prior studies have not systematically evaluated the extent to which CHD patients have previous exposure to at least 1 risk factor, including diabetes, cigarette smoking, or clinically elevated levels of cholesterol or blood pressure.ObjectiveTo determine the frequency of exposure to major CHD risk factors.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThree prospective cohort studies were included: the Chicago Heart Association Detection Project in Industry, with a population sample of 35 642 employed men and women aged 18 to 59 years; screenees for the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial, including 347 978 men aged 35 to 57 years; and a population-based sample of 3295 men and women aged 34 to 59 years from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS). Follow-up lasted 21 to 30 years across the studies.Main Outcome MeasuresFatal CHD in all cohorts and nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) in the FHS, compared by exposure to major CHD risk factors, defined as total cholesterol of at least 240 mg/dL (≥6.22 mmol/L), systolic blood pressure of at least 140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure of at least 90 mm Hg, cigarette smoking, and diabetes. Participants were stratified by sex and age (18-39 vs 40-59 years).ResultsFor fatal CHD (n = 20 995), exposure to at least 1 clinically elevated major risk factor ranged from 87% to 100%. Among those aged 40 to 59 years at baseline with fatal CHD (n = 19 263), exposure to at least 1 major risk factor ranged from 87% to 94%. For nonfatal MI, prior exposure was documented in 92% (95% CI, 87%-96%) (n = 167) of men aged 40 to 59 years at baseline and in 87% (95% CI, 80%-94%) (n = 94) of women in this age group.ConclusionsAntecedent major CHD risk factor exposures were very common among those who developed CHD, emphasizing the importance of considering all major risk factors in determining CHD risk estimation and in attempting to prevent clinical CHD. These results challenge claims that CHD events commonly occur in persons without exposure to at least 1 major CHD risk factor.

Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections.

Abstract: Background:Although many catheter-related blood-stream infections (CRBSIs) are preventable, measures to reduce these infections are not uniformly implementedObjective:To update an existing evidenced-based guideline that promotes strategies to prevent CRBSIsData Sources:The MEDLINE database, conference proceedings, and bibliographies of review articles and book chapters were searched for relevant articlesStudies Included:Laboratory-based studies, controlled clinical trials, prospective interventional trials, and epidemiologic investigationsOutcome Measures:Reduction in CRBSI, catheter colonization, or catheter-related infectionSynthesis:The recommended preventive strategies with the strongest supportive evidence are education and training of healthcare providers who insert and maintain catheters; maximal sterile barrier precautions during central venous catheter insertion; use of a 2% chlorhexidine preparation for skin antisepsis; no routine replacement of central venous catheters for prevention of infection; and use of antiseptic/antibiotic-impregnated short-term central venous catheters if the rate of infection is high despite adherence to other strategies (ie, education and training, maximal sterile barrier precautions, and 2% chlorhexidine for skin antisepsis)Conclusion:Successful implementation of these evidence-based interventions can reduce the risk for serious catheter-related infection

Inbreeding avoidance in animals.

Abstract: The phenomenon of inbreeding depression is well documented and behavioral adaptations for inbreeding avoidance have been described. However, there is debate over whether inbreeding depression is always an important selective force on behavior. Here, we summarize recent evidence for inbreeding depression under natural conditions, review inbreeding avoidance mechanisms, and discuss how these are influenced by social structure. We also examine the idea that animals have evolved mechanisms to avoid outbreeding.