Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is strongly associated with the presence of significant risk factors for cardiovascular disturbances. A disturbance in the oxidative/antioxidative balance is involved in the pathogenesis of OSA and cardiovascular diseases. ⋯ CIMT was significantly higher in the OSA group compared with the control group (0.88± 0.26 mm vs 0.75±0.17 mm, p=0.005). The CIMT and serum IMA levels were positively correlated with the apnea-hypopnea index (r=0.35 and r=0.32, respectively), and with the oxygen desaturation index (r=0.34 and r=0.29, respectively) at baseline. Increased IMA levels and CIMT may be related to increased oxidative stress and risk of atherosclerosis in individuals with OSA.
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Participant accrual into research studies is critical to advancing clinical and translational research to clinical care. Without sufficient recruitment, the purpose of any research study cannot be realized; yet, low recruitment and enrollment of participants persist. StudySearch is a web-based application designed to provide an easily readable, publicly accessible, and searchable listing of IRB-approved protocols that are accruing study participants. ⋯ Locally, StudySearch is part of the CCTS recruitment toolkit. Features continue to be modified to better accommodate user behaviors. Nationally, this open source application is available for use.
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The aim of this study was to assess the effect of continuous propofol sedation plus prolonged mechanical ventilation on adrenal insufficiency (AI) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Eighty-five adult patients diagnosed with moderate TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score 9-13) from October 2011 to October 2012 were included in this prospective study. The patients comprised three groups: no mechanical ventilation and sedation (n=27), mechanical ventilation alone (n=24) and mechanical ventilation plus sedation (n=34). ⋯ Furthermore, hypoxemia on admission and shock were associated with the development of AI. The findings showed that sedation is associated with an increased incidence of AI. Patients with TBI who are treated with continuous sedation should be monitored for AI carefully.
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The relationship between triglyceridemia and diabetes mellitus remains unclear. This study evaluated the risk of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose associated with a wide range of triglyceride levels. A longitudinal retrospective study was carried out employing data from a screening center between the years 2000 and 2012. ⋯ On stepwise logistic regression analysis, every 10 mg/dL increase in triglyceride level significantly increased the risk of diabetes by 4% and of impaired fasting glucose by 2% (p<0.001). This association held true even when rising triglyceride levels remained within the accepted normal range (<150 mg/dL, p<0.001). Sustained increments in serum triglyceride level, even within the accepted normal range, are an independent risk factor for diabetes mellitus and impaired fasting glucose in normoglycemic participants.
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Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from an autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells. The incidence of T1D is on the rise globally around 3% to 5% per year and rapidly increasing incidence in younger children is of the greatest concern. currently, there is no way to cure or prevent T1D; hence, a deeper understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of this disease is essential to the development of new effective therapies. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle with multiple functions that are essential for cellular homeostasis. ⋯ Accumulating data have implicated ER stress and defective UPR in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and ER stress has been implicated in β-cell failure in type 2 diabetes. However, the role of ER stress and the UPR in β-cell pathophysiology and in the initiation and propagation of the autoimmune responses in T1D remains undefined. This review will highlight the current understanding and recent in vivo data on the role of ER stress and adaptive responses in T1D pathogenesis and the potential therapeutic aspect of enhancing β-cell ER function and restoring UPR defects as novel clinical strategies against this disease.