Beta1-adrenoceptor blockade mitigates excessive norepinephrine release into cardiac interstitium in mitral regurgitation in dog.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is associated with increased neuronal release of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EP) into myocardial interstitial fluid (ISF) that may be necessary in sustaining left ventricular (LV) function via activation of cardiomyocyte beta-adrenergic receptors (ARs). However, activation of neuronal beta-ARs on cardiac neurons may lead to further catecholamine release, with an attendant risk of functional deterioration. We hypothesize that a beneficial effect of beta-AR blockade may therefore mitigate excessive catecholamine release from cardiac adrenergic neurons in dogs with MR.

Digoxin and reduction in mortality and hospitalization in heart failure: a comprehensive post hoc analysis of the DIG trial.

Aims: To determine the effects of digoxin on all-cause mortality and heart failure (HF) hospitalizations, regardless of ejection fraction, accounting for serum digoxin concentration (SDC).

Methods And Results: This comprehensive post-hoc analysis of the randomized controlled Digitalis Investigation Group trial (n=7788) focuses on 5548 patients: 1687 with SDC, drawn randomly at 1 month, and 3861 placebo patients, alive at 1 month. Overall, 33% died and 31% had HF hospitalizations during a 40-month median follow-up.

Serum digoxin concentration and outcomes in women with heart failure: A bi-directional effect and a possible effect modification by ejection fraction.

Background: The association between serum digoxin concentration (SDC) and outcomes in women with heart failure (HF) has not been well studied.

Aims: To test the hypothesis that the effect of digoxin on outcomes in women with HF is bi-directional and dependent on SDC, as in men, and is modified by ejection fraction (EF).

Methods: We studied 1366 female participants of the Digitalis Investigation Group trial in whom data on SDC (ng/ml) were available.

Experimental avoidance as a mediator of the effects of adolescent sexual victimization on negative adult outcomes.

The study examined experiential avoidance as a mediator between sexual victimization and negative adult outcomes. Baron and Kenny's (1986) regression analyses were performed on a sample of 304 undergraduate women to assess direct and indirect effects of sexual victimization on depressive, psychological distress, and alcohol abuse symptoms. Experiential avoidance accounted for statistically significant, but modest effects of victimization on depressive and distress symptoms.

Experimental avoidance and high-risk sexual behavior in survivors of child sexual abuse.

While many long-term correlates of child sexual abuse (CSA) have been identified, theories to explain the development of these correlates have received little empirical validation. The process of experiential avoidance is one theory that has been proposed to account for many of the correlates of CSA. The purpose of the current study was twofold: (1) To attempt to develop a more complex measure of experiential avoidance in women with and without a CSA history, and (2) to explore variables related to two of the long-term correlates of CSA, general psychological distress and high risk sexual behavior.

Prevalence and correlates of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance among adults in Luzon, Philippines.

Recognizing the problem posed by diabetes mellitus, the National Diabetes Commission was created by Republic Act 8191 in 1996. The Commission identified the need for a Second National Diabetes Survey to have an updated estimate of the magnitude of the disease in the country and to have the needed information for developing a diabetes prevention and control program. This paper reports the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in adults and the factors associated with the prevalence of these conditions.