Novel educational methods to maintain the required understanding and skills are also described. (C) 2010 The Royal College THZ1 mouse of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“In this work we have investigated the effect of the chromium (Cr) impurity on the thermoelectric properties of lead telluride (PbTe) bulk crystal with different Cr-content. The structural characterization of the crystals was done by x-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopic analyses. The incorporation of Cr in PbTe over the soluble limit has been found to replace Pb from the lattice site, forcing it to be precipitated into nanodots, with

their dimensions in the range of 2-13 nm and their numbers increasing with the increase in Cr doping. The transport properties Autophagy Compound Library research buy of the samples with different Cr-content have been evaluated through temperature dependent electrical resistivity, the Hall coefficient, and thermopower measurements in the temperature range of 100-600 K. The highest mobility is obtained as 1404 cm(2)/V s for

a sample with a carrier concentration of 3.84 x 10(18) cm(-3) at 300 K. The high electron mobility and moderately higher value of the thermopower are expected to produce a high power factor of the samples with the highest value of 38.49 x 10(-4) Wm(-1) K(-2) in a specimen with a Cr-content of 1.45 at. % at room temperature. The power factor of the specimen with 1.3 at. % Cr-content is found to be above 29 x 10(-4) Wm(-1)K(-2) in the wide temperature range of 300-600 K.

(C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3592349]“
“Silymarin, a mixture of flavonolignans, is extracted from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) and has a strong antioxidant activity and exhibits anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective effects. In this study we attempted to determine whether silymarin and the glutathione modifiers, buthionine sulfoxamine (BSO) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), are involved in regulation of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in proliferating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Cellular glutathione was manipulated during a 14-day culture using BSO, NAC and silymarin. At intervals of 2, 7 and 14 days, cells were collected YH25448 order and COX-2 and iNOS levels were measured. In parallel, generation of cellular H(2)O(2) and glutathione were measured. Supplementation of the culture media with BSO caused a dose-dependent decrease in MSC proliferation, whereas NAC or silymarin elevated the proliferation (p < 0.05). Treatment of MSC with NAC or silymarin caused a significant decrease in COX-2 levels. However, COX-2 levels in cells treated with high levels of NAC (1.0 mM) were significantly lower than those in MSCs treated with high levels of silymarin (100 mu M). BSO (1.0 and 5.0 mu M) caused a significant increase in COX-2 on days 2, 7 and 14.

Conventional echocardiography selleck compound failed to demonstrate significant differences between carriers and controls in systolic function. All carriers had multi-focal, minimal to marked myofiber necrosis, fibrosis, mineralization, inflammation, and/or fatty change in their hearts. Immunohistochemistry revealed a mosaic dystrophin deficiency in scattered cardiac myofibers in all carriers. No controls had cardiac histologic lesions; all had uniform dystrophin staining. Despite cardiac mosaic dystrophin expression and degenerative cardiac lesions, GRMD

carriers at up to 3 years of age could not be distinguished statistically from normal controls by echocardiography or 24-h Holter monitoring. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Recently, a renewed interest in Zener tunneling has arisen because of its increasing impact on semiconductor device performance at nanometer dimensions. In this paper we evaluate the tunnel probability under the action of a nonuniform electric field using MK5108 a two-band model and arrive at significant deviations from the commonly used Kane’s model, valid for weak uniform fields only. A threshold on the junction bias where Kane’s model for Zener tunneling breaks down is determined. Comparison with Kane’s model particularly shows that our calculation yields a higher tunnel probability for

intermediate electric fields and a lower tunnel probability for high electric fields. When performing a current calculation comparing to the WKB approximation for the case of an abrupt p-n junction significant differences concerning the shape of the I-V curve are demonstrated. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3311550]“
“Purpose: To determine whether unenhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography performed with a three-dimensional (3D) segmented steady-state free

precession (SSFP) sequence would be an alternative to contrast material-enhanced MR angiography for evaluating pulmonary veins find more (PVs) prior to and following radiofrequency (RF) ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Materials and Methods: MR angiographic examinations of PVs, performed in 20 patients (nine men, 11 women; mean age, 56.4 years +/- 12.7 [standard deviation]), were retrospectively reviewed according to an institutional review board-approved protocol. The number of PVs and their orthogonal measurements obtained from the 3D SSFP images were compared with those obtained from contrast-enhanced MR angiography. Signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios were also compared. Qualitative assessment of both techniques was performed by independent reviewers who scored the image quality (on a scale of 1 to 5) on the basis of PV conspicuity. The presence of cardiac and extracardiac pathologic indicators was also determined. Bland-Altman and Wilcoxon signed rank statistical analyses were performed.

Results: The mean difference in PV diameter measurements between contrast-enhanced MR angiography and 3D SSFP was -0.02 cm +/- 0.25.

“
“Purpose: To assess the utility of attenuation coefficients as predictors of surgical outcome after a single flexible ureteroscopy (URS) with holmium laser lithotripsy. Many reports indicate that the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) can be predicted by the target’s radiofrequency attenuation, measured as Hounsfield units (HUs) on noncontrast CT (NCCT). Studies of flexible URS, however, have not assessed the predictive

value of attenuation coefficients on NCCT.

Patients and Methods: Patients with renal stones who were treated by flexible URS with holmium laser lithotripsy between December 2009 and October 2011 at a single institute were retrospectively evaluated. Stone-free (SF) status was determined by kidneys-ureters-bladder (KUB) radiography at postoperative Z-DEVD-FMK in vitro month 3. Correlations of possible predictors PXD101 research buy with SF status were analyzed using a logistic regression model. The comparison between groups with low and high HUs was examined using the Mann-Whitney U test.

Results: There were 219 eligible procedures. According to the logistic regression model, the maximum attenuation coefficient (P = 0.105) and average attenuation coefficient (P = 0.175) did not significantly, independently predict SF status. Fragmentation efficiency

was significantly different between cases with low and high attenuation coefficients (P = 0.001). In groups with less than 20.0-mm diameter stones, overall operative time (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001) and the time from starting fragmentation (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002) were significantly high in both attenuation groups. In groups with stones greater than 20.0 mm diameter, the two definitions of operative time revealed no differences between the low and high attenuation groups. The retrospective study design was the major limitation of this study.

Conclusions: We found that both the maximum and average attenuation coefficients on NCCT are significantly related to the fragmentation efficiency. In addition, this study showed that, in patient groups with

stone AC220 datasheet a burden <20.0 mm in diameter, both the maximum and average attenuation coefficients were significantly predictive of operative time.”
“Spinal surgery has long been considered to have an elevated risk of perioperative blood loss with significant associated blood transfusion requirements. However, a great variability exists in the blood loss and transfusion requirements of differing patients and differing procedures in the area of spinal surgery. We performed a retrospective study of all patients undergoing spinal surgery who required a transfusion >= 1 U of red blood cells (RBC) at the National Spinal Injuries Unit (NSIU) at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital over a 10-year period.

We have developed in vitro HIV-1 evolution into a systematic research tool that allows the study of different aspects of the viral replication cycle. We will briefly review this method of forced virus evolution and provide several examples that illustrate the power of this approach.”
“Study Design. Prospective validation study of a crosscultural adaptation of the Spinal Appearance Questionnaire (SAQ).

Objective. To provide a French-Canadian version of the SAQ. Summary of Background Data. The SAQ is widely used for the assessment of appearance in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.

Methods. French translation/back-translation

of the Spinal Appearance Questionnaire-French AC220 cell line version (SAQ-fv) was done by an expert committee. Its reliability was measured using the intradomain correlation coefficient, concurrent validity by using the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Outcomes Questionnaire, and discriminant validity using analysis of variance, on 182 consecutive patients attending a scoliosis clinic.

Results. Intradomain correlations were weak to excellent (rho = 0.34-0.76, P < 0.01), indicating that the scales’ items demonstrated ERK inhibitors library a satisfactory internal coherence. Scores comparison between SAQ-fv items and SRS Outcomes Questionnaire domains showed weak to moderate correlations (rho = 0.35-0.53, P < 0.01) for the

self-image domain, as expected in this test of convergent validity. A clear gradient in SAQ-fv scores according to Cobb angles was found in every domain, and patients’ perception of their rib prominence was significantly related to the rib hump measurement, showing good discriminant validity. Body mass index, age, Risser, and gender did not influence the questionnaire scores. Preoperative patients’ and parents’ scores were significantly more affected when compared with other groups (observation, braced, and postoperative). Distribution

of scores in the first section of the questionnaire shows a positive skew toward the wellbeing find more end of the response scales. However, the other section shows an inversed bell-shape distribution.

Conclusion. The SAQ-fv showed satisfactory reliability and validity in French-Canadian adolescents with different severity of idiopathic scoliosis. Spinal deformity appearance evaluation using this tool was found to be independent of patient’s general characteristics. In addition, the SAQ-fv is able to discriminate between relevant clinical values, thus providing useful information for the clinical management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.”
“Heat treatment changes the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of wood. The properties of heat-treated wood have been researched considerably, but the thermal conductivity of heat-treated wood in various conditions has not been reported. In this study, the thermal conductivity of heat-treated fir and beech wood at temperatures 170, 180, 190, and 212 degrees C for 2 h with ThermoWood method were investigated.

The experimental

therapies are mostly disease modifying and have neuroprotective approaches. Gamma secretase inhibitors YM155 nmr aim to reduce amyloid beta formation. Antioxidants, antiinflammatory agents and statins help by preventing oxidation and inflammation. PPAR gamma agonists, estrogen, heavy metal chelators, 5HT(6) antagonists and nicotinic receptor agonists are other therapeutic strategies likely to alter the current treatment paradigm of Alzheimer’s disease. The behavioral abnormalities are best treated first by non-pharmacologic interventions. The pharmacological agents used for treatment of Neuropsychiatric illnesses include antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers. EPZ5676 Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease also includes health maintenance activities and proper nursing care of the patients.”
“Study Design. A prospective study of magnetic resonance imaging findings in outpatients with idiopathic scoliosis.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of neural axis abnormalities in outpatients with scoliosis and to analyze the characteristics of patients who had such abnormalities.

Summary of Background Data. In previous studies, neural axis abnormalities were found in 2.9% to 37% of patients with idiopathic

scoliosis. The current guidelines for MRI screening in scoliosis are valuable, and the proposed indications for Akt inhibitor performing MRI in the literature include early onset, atypical curvature, double thoracic curve (King type-5), rapid progression, male gender, and abnormal neurologic findings.

Methods. A total of 472 outpatients with a primary diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis were examined for neural axis abnormalities by magnetic resonance imaging. Logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of neural

axis abnormalities on MRI.

Results. The incidence of neural axis abnormalities on MRI was 3.8% (18 of 472 patients). Among the 18 patients, 6 had a Chiari I malformation alone, 10 had a Chiari I malformation combined with syringomyelia, and 2 had a syringomyelia without Chiari I malformation. Male gender, patients younger than 11 years old, and abnormal superficial abdominal reflexes were significantly associated with the detection of neural axis abnormalities on MRI.

Conclusion. We recommend routine use of MRI in male patients, younger than 11 years old, and abnormal superficial abdominal reflexes. Even if a patient has no specific indications for MRI, we recommend its routine use in preoperative planning.”
“Antiretroviral therapy has dramatically increased survival for HIV-infected individuals. As this population lives longer, coronary heart disease has become an important comorbid condition.

Methods: Patients between the ages of sixty and eighty-five years were prospectively randomized to receive a cruciate-substituting rotating-platform design or a fixed-bearing design with an all-polyethylene tibial

component. There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics (mean age, 72.2 years; mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score, 2.7; Smoothened Agonist mean body mass index, 31.8 kg/m(2)) or preoperative clinical or radiographic measures between the groups. Routine clinical and radiographic follow-up measures included the Knee Society score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Short Form-36 (SF-36) outcome measures.

Results: The results of 312 arthroplasties (136 with an all-polyethylene tibial component and 176 rotating-platform designs) in 273 patients were analyzed at a minimum of two years (mean, forty-two months) postoperatively.

Although there was significant improvement in both groups, there was no significant difference between the groups with regard to the mean postoperative range of motion (110.9 degrees and 109.1 degrees, respectively; p = 0.21), the mean KSS clinical score (90.4 and 88.2 points; p = 0.168), or the mean KSS pain score (44.9 and 43.1 points; p = 0.108) at this follow-up point. There were ten Fer-1 revisions: seven because of infection, one because of patellar fracture, one because of instability, and one because of aseptic loosening.

Conclusions: The two designs functioned equivalently at the time of early follow-up in this low-to-moderate-demand patient group. The rotating-platform design had no significant clinical advantage over the design with the all-polyethylene tibial

component.”
“Diospyros peregrina is an edible seasonal fruit found in coastal West Bengal, India. The fruits have been reported to possess a significant antioxidant activity. In this study, the aim was to isolate the lead compound responsible for the above-mentioned activity. The aqueous www.selleckchem.com/products/GSK461364.html extract of D. peregrina fruit was subjected to dereplication coupled with an in vitro 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. The n-butanol fraction of the aqueous extract of D. peregrina fruit exhibited significant antioxidant activity (IC50, 131.10 mu g mL(-1)) as compared with the parent extract (IC50, 285.15 mg mL(-1)). The n-butanol fraction was subjected to silica gel column chromatographic separation coupled with a chemo-autographic study of column eluents, employing ethanolic DPPH as a spraying reagent. Two bioactive flavonoid glycosides, namely luteoline-4′-methyl-ether-7-O-glucoside and quercetin-3-O-(glucosyl)- glucoside, were identified to exhibit IC50 values of 74.04 and 65.78 mu g mL(-1), respectively in the DPPH assay.”
“To understand the relative histopathological effects of PEEK particulate debris when applied within the epidural versus the intervertebral disc space.

The mean UDVA (decimal) was 0.11 Snellen +/- 0.05 (SD) preoperatively, 0.18 +/- 0.14 Snellen 6 months after ICRS implantation (P=.001), and 0.50 +/- 0.27 Snellen 6 months after pIOL implantation (P<.0001). The mean CDVA was 0.56 +/- 0.23 Snellen, 0.68 +/- 0.25 Snellen, and 0.73 +/- 0.20 Snellen, respectively (all P<.0001). Six months after pIOL implantation,

Nepicastat chemical structure the efficacy index was 0.88 and the safety index, 1.28. At 6 months, 65% of eyes were within +/- 1.00 diopter (D) of the desired refraction and 45% were within +/- 0.50 D. The mean spherical equivalent after pIOL implantation was -1.19 +/- 1.33 D.

CONCLUSION: Sequential ICRS and pIOL implantation plus corneal relaxing incisions provided good visual selleck compound library and refractive outcomes, indicating that it is a predictable procedure for refractive correction of keratoconus.”
“Background: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a possible complication of antineoplastic chemotherapy.

Aim of the study was to estimate the risk of developing fever at the beginning of any neutropenic period based on the previous history of FN.

Procedure: The conditional frailty model was used to estimate the risk of developing fever during neutropenia separately for children with acute leukaemia/non-Hodgkin lymphoma (AL/NHL), or solid tumour (ST). The total number of previous FN episodes (PFNE), age, gender, type of tumour, calendar year of granulocytopenic period, phase of treatment, and granulocyte count were included in the model.

Results: A total of 901 granulocytopenic periods was observed in 223 children: 306 in 66 AL/NHL and 595 in 157 ST. Fever developed in 328 cases: 125 in 53 AL/NHL and 203 in 92 ST. The PFNE variable was not significantly associated to the risk of fever [hazard ratio (HR) of 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.62-1.22 in children with AL/NHL, and HR of 0.98, 95% CI of 0.70-1.37 in those with ST]. The hazard VS-4718 research buy of FN was significantly affected by the phase of treatment in AL/NHL (P<0.01), and by the level of neutropenia at onset in ST (P<0.01).

Conclusions: Previous history of FN does not increase the risk of further febrile

episodes in any new subsequent granulocytopenic period. The aggressiveness of chemotherapy and the level of neutropenia at onset are the most important risk factors in children with AL/NHL and with ST respectively.”
“Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes various diseases, including lymphadenitis, congenital infection of fetuses and life-threatening toxoplasmic encephalitis in immunocompromised individuals. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-mediated immune responses are essential for controlling tachyzoite proliferation during both acute acquired infection and reactivation of infection in the brain. Both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells produce this cytokine in response to infection, although the latter has more potent protective activity.

The enzymatic activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx, and the GSH redox status and lipid peroxidation levels were analyzed using spectrophotometric methods. Of all investigated antioxidants, only NAC decreased metal levels in the liver. Cd had little effect on oxidative stress parameters, while Cr showed a weak prooxidative effect. Cotreatment with TAU/LA/CUR/NAC and Cr significantly increased liver SOD activity.

Chromium induced kidney SOD and CAT, but all antioxidants lowered CAT activity. Cadmium reduced liver and increased kidney GSSG. NAC increased liver GSH, but the increase did not correlate with decrease in Cd. Curcumin given with Cd increased kidney and decreased liver lipid peroxidation, whereas TAU with Cr increased lipid peroxidation in both tissues. N-Acetylcysteine was the most effective

antioxidative agent, owing to its metal-decreasing function as well as to its effects on the GSH redox status. We believe that GSK2879552 nmr the investigated antioxidant substances which may have been involved in the reduction of Cr caused an increase in SOD activity and a decrease in CAT activity. Changes in the GSSG levels in both tissues might be an adaptive response to the prooxidative potential of Cd. Because of their respective tissue- and metal-dependent prooxidative effects, CUR and TAU deserve particular attention in regard to their use against metal toxicity, Cr in particular. JAK inhibitor (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 129-137, 2014.”
“Background-Genetic studies in mouse and human suggest that kynureninase activity may influence blood pressure and renal function. The gene coding kynureninase (KYNU) is also located on chromosome band 2q14-q23, where a linkage

peak for essential hypertension was previously detected in the Chinese Han population.

Methods and Results-After having found no association with common polymorphisms, this study aimed to assess the role of 1 rare variant of KYNU, Arg188Gln, and kynureninase activity in relation to hypertension. Thirty-three of 1124 Chinese patients click here with hypertension were heterozygous for Arg188Gln, whereas only 14 of 1084 normotensive controls were heterozygous for Arg188Gln (188G1n allele frequency, 0.015 versus 0.006; P=0.0075). A genotype-discordant sibling-pair study was performed in another 924 individuals from 213 families, indicating that 188G1n carriers had higher systolic blood pressure (168.29 +/- 24.67 versus 139.00 +/- 12.82 mm Hg, P < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (105.50 +/- 14.08 versus 90.75 +/- 11.07 mm Hg, P = 0.001) than did Arg188 homozygous siblings. The Arg188Gln variant was found to be rarer in 2 other ethnic groups (3 heterozygous among 880 hypertensive French whites and 0 of 90 black Africans with hypertension). The kynureninase activity in plasma was correlated with blood pressure in subjects from hypertensive families (P < 0.05).

The literature reported annual estimates of the US economic burden of RCC between $US0.60 billion and $US5.19 billion, with per-patient costs of $US16 488-43 805.

RCC is associated with substantial economic burden, although the estimates are wide ranging. Comparisons of the estimates across studies were hindered by variations in study methodology, choice of database and the associated Napabucasin datasheet timeframe, and limitations inherent to each database. More research is needed to assess the quality of the economic studies of RCC and to understand why the estimated costs differ across studies.”
“Potential efficacy

of zileuton, a 5-LOX inhibitor, was evaluated for the reduction of pulmonary adenomas in the A/J murine model when administered via nose-only inhalation. Development of pulmonary adenomas was induced with benzo(a)pyrene. Animals were treated with AZD1480 order a zileuton solution (5 mg/mL in 85: 15 ethanol/water) either twice weekly or five times a week via nose-only inhalation; The placebo solution (85: 15 EtOH/H(2)O, no active) was also evaluated. Dose delivered was calculated to be 1.2 mg/kg per exposure for each zileuton group. After 20 weeks of treatment, surface tumors were enumerated and histologically assessed. A significant reduction in tumor count was noted

for both the twice weekly administration (40%) and the five times a week administration (59%). The data also showed a significant

reduction for the group, which received the placebo (approximately 58%). The treatment groups were also found to have an impact on the histological stages of adenoma development.”
“The effect of repetitive processing on the mechanical properties and fracture toughness of dynamically vulcanized isotactic polypropylene/ethylene-propylenediene rubber blends (TPVs) with and without addition HKI 272 of beta-nucleating agent (beta-NA) was studied. The results showed that the repetitive processing did not cause much loss in the mechanical properties of TPVs, especially for TPVs with beta-NA, and TPVs with beta-NA showed better performance stability than TPVs without beta-NA. Essential work of fracture (EWF) approach was used to study the fracture behavior, and the results showed that the value of w(e) (the specific essential work of fracture) of TPVs without beta-NA showed a significant decrease while that of TPVs with beta-NA almost kept constant after repetitive processing. Differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle X-ray diffraction were used to study the variation of crystalline structures, and the results indicated that the repetitive processing showed no significant influence on the crystalline structures of TPVs, and the beta-NA maintained high-nucleating efficiency after repetitive processing. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

CA Cancer J Clin 2013;63:419-437. ((c))2013 American Cancer Society, Inc.”
“Pilomatrix carcinoma is a rare malignant counterpart of pilomatricoma. To our knowledge, only approximately Selleck Epigenetic inhibitor 90 cases have been published in English literature. Pilomatrix carcinoma is locally aggressive and occasionally shows rapid progression infiltrating to the muscle, bone and vessels. We report a case of pilomatrix carcinoma that developed

in a 38-year-old man and started to grow after a long stable period, relapsed for a short time and infiltrated into the muscle underneath. While the initial skin biopsy showed histopathological findings consistent with pilomatricoma, the recurrent tumor contained marked cellular atypia and an aggressive growth pattern. Although it is still controversial whether pilomatrix carcinoma arises de novo or through malignant transformation of a pilomatricoma, the present case might be caused by the latter

process considering the patient’s clinical course. beta-catenin is a downstream effecter in the canonical pathway of Wnt, acting as a signal for cell differentiation and proliferation. The characteristic Napabucasin nuclear staining pattern of beta-catenin in the basaloid tumor cells, which is usually observed in pilomatrix carcinoma, supported the diagnosis of pilomatrix carcinoma in the present case.”
“Background: To assess the pattern of metabolic profile associated with first stroke episode in a hospital setting in Cameroon. Methods: All patients admitted for first-ever-in-lifetime stroke over a 6-month period were eligible for inclusion in the study. The 84% participation rate yielded 57 of 68 patients between 16 and 85 years of age. Fifty-seven control subjects were selected to match patients included for age range, sex, and known hypertension and diabetes. We measured

fasting serum glucose, insulin, and lipids in controls and in patients between days 3 and 7 after admission. Results: Total cholesterol was comparable in patients and controls (172. +/- 39.5 v 175.4 +/- 49.7 mg/dL; P = .75), VS-6063 in vivo as were triglycerides (129.4 +/- 56.1 v 122.4 +/- 60.7 mg/dL; P = .53). high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were lower in patients than in controls (37.4 +/- 20.6 v 50.2 +/- 18.0 mg/dL; P = .001), with comparable levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; 109.4 +/- 43.0 v 100.7 +/- 48.8 mg/dL; P = .32). The LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was higher in patients compared to controls (4.0 +/- 3.0 v 2.3 +/- 1.7; P = .0001), as was the total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio (5.9 +/- 3.5 v 3.9 +/- 1.8; P = .0001). Compared to controls, stroke patients had higher fasting insulin levels (5.9 +/- 5.4 v 2.3 +/- 3.2 IU/mL; P<.001) and higher insulin resistance as measured by the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (1.9 +/- 2.2 v 0.7 +/- 1.0; P = .001).