Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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Elevated cardiac troponin (cTn) in the absence of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is associated with increased mortality in critically ill patients. There are no evidence-based interventions that reduce mortality in this group. ⋯ This retrospective study confirms an association between elevated troponin and outcomes in critically ill patients without ACS and identifies statins, β-blockers, and aspirin as potential outcome modifiers in a cTn-dependent manner.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Six-Week Oral Guanidinoacetic Acid Administration Improves Muscular Performance in Healthy Volunteers.
Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA), a natural precursor of creatine, is a new promising dietary supplement, yet its performance-enhancing effect, if any, has yet to be established. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of supplemental GAA on muscle strength, anaerobic performance, and aerobic performance in healthy men and women. ⋯ Results from this preliminary study indicate that supplemental GAA ingested in young individuals can improve exercise performance, even at low doses (1.2 g/d).
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Mini-extracorporeal circulation (MECC) units were developed to reduce postoperative morbidity, transfusion requirements, and inflammation associated with conventional on-pump coronary artery bypass (ONCAB) surgery without the technical demands of the off-pump (OPCAB) technique. We compared perioperative outcomes and inflammatory mediation among OPCAB, MECC, and ONCAB techniques. ⋯ Off-pump coronary artery bypass and MECC did not significantly reduce mean total RBC transfusion requirements. Off-pump coronary artery bypass and MECC were associated with greater C-reactive protein elevation than ONCAB, suggestive of an increased inflammatory response to each of these techniques.
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A single-nucleotide polymorphism in the aldosterone synthase gene (CYP11B2) promoter [-344C/T, rs1799998] has been reported to associate with cardiovascular phenotypes. ⋯ We were unable to reproduce previously reported associations between -344C/T and PAC, blood pressure, plasma glucose, or LV mass. Methodological differences might explain the differences between our findings and those previously reported.