Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Effects of atorvastatin and simvastatin on low-density lipoprotein subfraction profile, low-density lipoprotein oxidizability, and antibodies to oxidized low-density lipoprotein in relation to carotid intima media thickness in familial hypercholesterolemia.
Little is known about the effects of statins on the quality of circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in relation to atherosclerosis progression. ⋯ Change of IMT after statin treatment was associated with baseline IMT (r = .41), LDL cholesterol (r = -.20), and the amount of dienes formed during in vitro oxidation of LOL (r = .28) but not with plasma levels of antibodies to oxidized LDL, in vitro LDL oxidizability, and LDL subfraction profile.
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This article describes how one Institutional Review Board (IRB) chose to implement the issue of waiver of consent for a research study involving brain trauma victims brought to an emergency department. ⋯ Based on our experience, we conclude that in collaborating with local IRBs, research teams can successfully develop strategies for obtaining "acceptable community consultations" as required by regulatory mandates. We suggest that standardized community consultation guidelines be developed for obtaining waivers of informed consent in emergency research. Such criteria should form the basis for local IRBs to obtain their respective community consultations.
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MRL/MpJ-Tnfrsf6lpr(MRL/lpr) mice, a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), have defective expression of Fas, substantially reducing signaling for apoptosis via this mechanism. However, it is known that MRL/lpr mice have increased spontaneous apoptosis of leukocytes. These conflicting observations have stimulated interest in apoptosis in this SLE model. MRL/lpr mice overproduce nitric oxide (NO) as autoimmune disease progresses. In vitro administration of NO may induce or decrease apoptosis depending on the cell type. Therefore, we hypothesized that NO induces MRL/lpr spleen lymphocyte apoptosis independent of Fas receptor engagement. ⋯ These results suggest that NO plays a role in spleen lymphocyte apoptosis in MRL/lpr mice, possibly via inhibition of PKC, despite a Fas defect.