Acanthodian dental development and the origin of gnathostome dentitions.

Chondrichthyan dentitions are conventionally interpreted to reflect the ancestral gnathostome condition but interpretations of osteichthyan dental evolution in this light have proved unsuccessful, perhaps because chondrichthyan dentitions are equally specialized, or else evolved independently. Ischnacanthid acanthodians are stem-Chondrichthyes; as phylogenetic intermediates of osteichthyans and crown-chondrichthyans, the nature of their enigmatic dentition may inform homology and the ancestral gnathostome condition. Here we show that ischnacanthid marginal dentitions were statodont, composed of multicuspidate teeth added in distally diverging rows and through proximal superpositional replacement, while their symphyseal tooth whorls are comparable to chondrichthyan and osteichthyan counterparts.

No acute effect of nateglinide on postprandial lipid and lipoprotein responses in subjects at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Background: To study the acute effect of nateglinide, an insulinotropic agent, on the postprandial triglyceride and lipoprotein responses in subjects at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Six women and 10 men, with at least one first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes were included (Age: 48 +/- 7 years, BMI: 27.5 +/- 2.

Early alterations in the postprandial VLDL1 apoB-100 and apoB-48 metabolism in men with strong heredity for type 2 diabetes.

Objectives: To study the postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) metabolism, specifically the concentrations of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL); from intestine (apoB-48) and liver (apoB-100), in men with normal fasting triglycerides but at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Subjects And Settings: Sixteen healthy men with at least two first-degree relatives with type 2 diabetes were individually matched with 16 control subjects without known diabetes heredity for: age, body mass index, and fasting triglyceride level.

Fat distribution, lipid accumulation in the liver, and exercise capacity do not explain the insulin resistance in healthy males with a family history for type 2 diabetes.

To explore the mechanisms for the insulin resistance associated with a family history of type 2 diabetes, we studied 16 healthy men with at least two first-degree relatives with type 2 diabetes and 16 control subjects without known heredity. They were pair-wise matched for age, body mass index, and fasting triglycerides and underwent an oral glucose tolerance test, iv glucose infusion to measure the early insulin secretion, euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, computed tomography scan, 7-d food record, and a cardiopulmonary exercise test to measure peak oxygen uptake. Insulin sensitivity index was 30% lower (P = 0.

Continuous quality improvement in the ambulatory endoscopy center.

What does quality assessment have to do with the practicing gastroenterologist? Why should one spend the time and effort to incorporate CQI activities into an already busy practice? First and foremost, quality improvement should directly benefit the patient by ensuring that they receive the highest quality of care possible. For example, comparing endoscopic use or outcomes, such as procedure success or complications, with national standards or other endoscopists in the same community may identify physicians who could benefit from additional training. Similar analyses may likewise identify outstanding physicians who might serve as resources for other physicians.

Importance of outcomes research in endoscopic practice.

The field of outcomes research has emerged in response to rising health care costs and the continued scarcity of resources. This field concerns itself with identifying the most effective and efficient use of finite resources and is a monitoring system to ensure that quality is maintained. This commitment to quality, however, must extend to the level of the individual endoscopist to ensure that patients' interests are maintained.