Examining the Implementation of Conditional Financial Incentives Using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) Framework to Improve HIV Outcomes among Persons Living with HIV (PLWH) in Louisiana.

Economic strengthening interventions are needed to support HIV outcomes among persons living with HIV (PLWH). The Baton Rouge Positive Pathway Study (BRPPS), a mixed method implementation science study, was conducted to assess key RE-AIM components tied to the provision of conditional financial incentives among PLWH in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Seven hundred and eighty-one (781) PLWH enrolled at four HIV clinic sites were included in the final analyses.

Ventricular activation time as a marker for diastolic dysfunction in early hypertension.

Background: A standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is performed in all hypertensive patients, primarily to detect left ventricular hypertrophy. Echocardiographic assessment of hypertensive subjects reveals that abnormalities in diastolic function occur more commonly and earlier than increased left ventricular mass. However, ECG changes associated with diastolic dysfunction (DD) remain poorly defined; we assessed the ventricular activation time (VAT) (i.

Blood pressure control determines improvement in diastolic dysfunction in early hypertension.

Background: Diastolic dysfunction is common in early hypertension. We hypothesized that improvement in diastolic dysfunction is blood pressure (BP) dependent and may occur early with treatment in newly diagnosed untreated hypertensive patients.

Methods: Forty untreated hypertensive subjects (age 52 +/- 1.

Left ventricular structural and functional changes in the metabolic syndrome.

To test the hypothesis that the cardiac structural and functional abnormalities of the metabolic syndrome (MS) are independent of body mass index (BMI), 160 untreated patients (aged 47+/-1 years [mean +/- SEM], 53% male) underwent 2-dimensional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging and evaluation for MS. Participants with MS and controls were similar in age, BMI, and ejection fraction, but those with MS had greater left ventricular relative wall thickness (RWT) (0.43+/-0.

Comparison of echocardiographic measures of left ventricular diastolic function in early hypertension.

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction identifies patients at risk of developing heart failure and may be common in patients with hypertension. The prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension was compared using criteria provided by the Canadian Consensus, European Study Group, and American Medical Association guidelines. One hundred twenty patients with newly diagnosed untreated hypertension (mean age 46.

Feasibility study of percutaneous transvalvular endomyocardial cryoablation for the treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Background: Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in the setting of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) confers negative adverse outcomes. Current nonpharmacologic treatment options include surgical myectomy and percutaneous transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy (TASH). While TASH negates a more invasive procedure, concern remains with particular regard to the arrhythmogenic potential of the resultant myocardial scar.

Rise of circulating thrombopoietin following cardiothoracic surgery is potentiated in patients with coronary atherosclerosis: correlation with a preceding increase in levels of interleukin-6.

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is the major regulator of platelet production. Plasma levels of TPO are thought to be regulated by its binding to platelets and megakaryocytes. Here we have used a model of cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP) to test the possibility that changes in TPO levels are influenced by the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and by changes in interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Accommodative speech and terms of endearment: elements of a language mode often experienced by older adults.

Aim: To discuss the use of patronizing patterns of speech and modified forms of address in conversations between nurses and other health workers, and older people.

Rationale: The impetus for this paper was the publication of the National Service Framework for Older People, which draws attention to the prevalence of age discrimination and the need to provide individualized care.

Approach: The literature between 1990 and 2001 was reviewed in a systematic way.

Identifying meaning and perceived level of satisfaction within the context of work.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objectives of this study were to identify sources of meaning for individuals within the context of a work environment, and to compare varied sources of meaning for individuals with high and low work satisfaction levels. METHOD: Participants were chosen based on satisfaction levels in employment, full-time employment status within an organization for at least one year, and diversity in the work setting. Data were gathered through a series of interviews and observations of the participants' workplaces.

Reversal of pulmonary hypertension after ligation of a brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula.

The arteriovenous (AV) fistula is the access method of choice for long-term hemodialysis according to DOQI guidelines. Among the recognized complications of upper extremity AV fistulae fashioned for hemodialysis are infection, aneurysm formation, and high-output left ventricular failure. We describe a novel cardiopulmonary complication--secondary pulmonary hypertension resulting from an aneurysmal brachiocephalic AV fistula.