Wake Forest University

About: Wake Forest University is a education organization based out in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Diabetes mellitus. The organization has 21499 authors who have published 48731 publications receiving 2246027 citations. The organization is also known as: Wake Forest College.

Risk factors for the progression of coronary artery calcification in asymptomatic subjects: results from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Abstract: Background— The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) provides an opportunity to study the association of traditional cardiovascular risk factors with the incidence and progression of coronary artery calcium (CAC) in a large community-based cohort with no evidence of clinical cardiovascular disease. Methods and Results— Follow-up CAC measurements were available for 5756 participants with an average of 2.4 years between scans. The incidence of newly detectable CAC averaged 6.6% per year. Incidence increased steadily across age, ranging from 12% in those >80 years of age. Median annual change in CAC for those with existing calcification at baseline was 14 Agatston units for women and 21 Agatston units for men. Most traditional cardiovascular risk factors were associated with both the risk of developing new incident coronary calcium and increases in existing calcification. These included age, male gender, white race/ethnicity, hypertension, body mass index, d...

Tumor Ablation with Irreversible Electroporation

Abstract: We report the first successful use of irreversible electroporation for the minimally invasive treatment of aggressive cutaneous tumors implanted in mice. Irreversible electroporation is a newly developed non-thermal tissue ablation technique in which certain short duration electrical fields are used to permanently permeabilize the cell membrane, presumably through the formation of nanoscale defects in the cell membrane. Mathematical models of the electrical and thermal fields that develop during the application of the pulses were used to design an efficient treatment protocol with minimal heating of the tissue. Tumor regression was confirmed by histological studies which also revealed that it occurred as a direct result of irreversible cell membrane permeabilization. Parametric studies show that the successful outcome of the procedure is related to the applied electric field strength, the total pulse duration as well as the temporal mode of delivery of the pulses. Our best results were obtained using plate electrodes to deliver across the tumor 80 pulses of 100 µs at 0.3 Hz with an electrical field magnitude of 2500 V/cm. These conditions induced complete regression in 12 out of 13 treated tumors, (92%), in the absence of tissue heating. Irreversible electroporation is thus a new effective modality for non-thermal tumor ablation.

Cultural Influences on Entrepreneurial Orientation: The Impact of National Culture on Risk Taking and Proactiveness in SMEs

Abstract: This study utilizes data from 1,048 firms in six countries to assess the impact of national culture and certain institutions that are representative of national culture on two key dimensions of ent...

Prevention of a first stroke: a review of guidelines and a multidisciplinary consensus statement from the National Stroke Association.

Abstract: ObjectiveTo establish, in a single resource, up-to-date recommendations for primary care physicians regarding prevention strategies for a first strokeParticipantsMembers of the National Stroke Association's (NSA's) Stroke Prevention Advisory Board and Cedars-Sinai Health System Department of Health Services Research convened on April 9, 1998, in an open meeting The conference attendees, selected to participate by the NSA, were recognized experts in neurology (9), cardiology (2), family practice (1), nursing (1), physician assistant practices (1), and health services research (2)EvidenceA literature review was carried out by the Department of Health Services Research, Cedars-Sinai Health System, Los Angeles, Calif, using the MEDLINE database search for 1990 through April 1998 and updated in November 1998 English-language guidelines, statements, meta-analyses, and overviews on prevention of a first stroke were reviewedConsensus ProcessAt the meeting, members of the advisory board identified 6 important stroke risk factors (hypertension, myocardial infarction [MI], atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, blood lipids, asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis), and 4 lifestyle factors (cigarette smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, diet)ConclusionsSeveral interventions that modify well-documented and treatable cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk factors can reduce the risk of a first stroke Good evidence for direct stroke reduction exists for hypertension treatment; using warfarin for patients after MI who have atrial fibrillation, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, or left ventricular thrombus; using 3-hydroxy-3 methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors for patients after MI; using warfarin for patients with atrial fibrillation and specific risk factors; and performing carotid endarterectomy for patients with stenosis of at least 60% Observational studies support the role of modifying lifestyle-related risk factors (eg, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, diet) in stroke prevention Measures to help patients improve adherence are an important component of a stroke prevention plan