University of Wisconsin-Madison

About: University of Wisconsin-Madison is a education organization based out in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 108707 authors who have published 237594 publications receiving 11883575 citations.

Amelioration of Vascular Dysfunctions in Diabetic Rats by an Oral PKC β Inhibitor

Abstract: The vascular complications of diabetes mellitus have been correlated with enhanced activation of protein kinase C (PKC) LY333531, a specific inhibitor of the beta isoform of PKC, was synthesized and was shown to be a competitive reversible inhibitor of PKC beta 1 and beta 2, with a half-maximal inhibitory constant of approximately 5 nM; this value was one-fiftieth of that for other PKC isoenzymes and one-thousandth of that for non-PKC kinases When administered orally, LY333531 ameliorated the glomerular filtration rate, albumin excretion rate, and retinal circulation in diabetic rats in a dose-responsive manner, in parallel with its inhibition of PKC activities

Asthma Control Test: Reliability, validity, and responsiveness in patients not previously followed by asthma specialists

Abstract: Background The development of the Asthma Control Test (ACT), a short, simple, patient-based tool for identifying patients with poorly controlled asthma, was recently described in patients under the routine care of an asthma specialist. Objectives We sought to evaluate the reliability and validity of the ACT in a longitudinal study of asthmatic patients new to the care of an asthma specialist. Methods Patients (n = 313) completed the ACT and the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) at 2 physician visits (4-12 weeks apart). Pulmonary function was measured, and asthma specialists rated asthma control. Results Internal consistency reliability of the ACT was 0.85 (baseline) and 0.79 (follow-up). Test-retest reliability was 0.77. Criterion validity was demonstrated by significant correlations between baseline ACT scores and baseline specialists' ratings of asthma control ( r = 0.52, P r = −0.89, P P r = 0.44, P r = −0.69, P 1 values ( r = 0.29, P Conclusions The ACT is reliable, valid, and responsive to changes in asthma control over time in patients new to the care of asthma specialists. A cutoff score of 19 or less identifies patients with poorly controlled asthma. Clinical implications In a clinical setting the ACT should be a useful tool to help physicians identify patients with uncontrolled asthma and facilitate their ability to follow patients' progress with treatment.

Effect of Amlodipine on Morbidity and Mortality in Severe Chronic Heart Failure.

Abstract: Background Previous studies have shown that calcium-channel blockers increase morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic heart failure. We studied the effect of a new calcium-channel blocker, amlodipine, in patients with severe chronic heart failure. Methods We randomly assigned 1153 patients with severe chronic heart failure and ejection fractions of less than 30 percent to double-blind treatment with either placebo (582 patients) or amlodipine (571 patients) for 6 to 33 months, while their usual therapy was continued. The randomization was stratified on the basis of whether patients had ischemic or nonischemic causes of heart failure. The primary end point of the study was death from any cause and hospitalization for major cardiovascular events. Results Primary end points were reached in 42 percent of the placebo group and 39 percent of the amlodipine group, representing a 9 percent reduction in the combined risk of fatal and nonfatal events with amlodipine (95 percent confidence interval, 24 perc...

The ubiquitin–26S proteasome system at the nexus of plant biology

Abstract: Plants, like other eukaryotes, rely on proteolysis to control the abundance of key regulatory proteins and enzymes. Strikingly, genome-wide studies have revealed that the ubiquitin-26S proteasome system (UPS) in particular is an exceedingly large and complex route for protein removal, occupying nearly 6% of the Arabidopsis thaliana proteome. But why is the UPS so pervasive in plants? Data accumulated over the past few years now show that it targets numerous intracellular regulators that have central roles in hormone signalling, the regulation of chromatin structure and transcription, tailoring morphogenesis, responses to environmental challenges, self recognition and battling pathogens.