Cardiovascular phenotypes in type 2 diabetes: Latent class analysis of the CANVAS Program and CREDENCE trial.

Aim: To identify unique clinical phenotypes in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and investigate their treatment response to canagliflozin using latent class analysis.

Methods: This was a pooled latent class analysis of the individuals in the CANVAS Program and CREDENCE trial. The co-primary endpoints were hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) and the composite of cardiovascular death (CVD) or HHF.

Effect of a probiotic formula on gastrointestinal health, immune responses and metabolic health in adults with functional constipation or functional diarrhea.

Objective: Our aim was to determine the efficacy of four-week probiotic supplementation on gastrointestinal health. The secondary objectives were to assess probiotic effects on immune reaction, as well as weight control and metabolic health.

Methods: We conducted two randomized sub-trials, respectively, among subjects who were diagnosed with functional constipation (FC) or functional diarrhea (FDr) according to the Rome IV criteria.

Race and Ethnicity With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Within a Universal Health Care System: Insights From the CARTaGENE Study.

Background: It remains unclear whether racial and ethnic disparities for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) persist within universal health care systems. We aimed to explore long-term ASCVD outcomes within a single-payer health care system with extensive drug coverage in Québec, Canada.

Methods: CARTaGENE (CaG) is a population-based prospective cohort study of individuals aged 40 to 69 years.

Attitudes About Artificially Intelligent Interactive Voice Response Systems Using Amazon Alexa in Cardiovascular Clinics: Insights from the VOICE-COVID-19 Study.

The acceptability of artificially intelligent interactive voice response (AI-IVR) systems in cardiovascular research settings is unclear. As a result, we evaluated peoples' attitudes regarding the Amazon Echo Show 8 device when used for electronic data capture in cardiovascular clinics. Participants were recruited following the Voice-Based Screening for SARS-CoV-2 Exposure in Cardiovascular clinics study.

Lotka-Volterra models for extraterrestrial self-replicating probes.

A sufficiently advanced extraterrestrial civilization can send out a swarm of self-replicating probes for space exploration. Given the fast-growing number of such a probe, even if there is only one extraterrestrial civilization sending out such probes in the Milky Way galaxy, we should still expect to see them. The fact that we do not consist part of the Fermi paradox.

External validation and extension of the TIMI risk score for heart failure in diabetes for patients with recent acute coronary syndrome: An analysis of the EXAMINE trial.

Aims: The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Risk Score for Heart Failure (HF) in Diabetes (TRS-HF ) prognosticates HF hospitalization in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aimed to externally validate and extend its use for those with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Materials And Methods: The TRS-HF was externally validated in the Examination of Cardiovascular Outcomes with Alogliptin versus Standard of Care (EXAMINE) trial (n = 5380) and extended with natriuretic biomarkers.

Personalized Nutrition Intervention Improves Health Status in Overweight/Obese Chinese Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Overweight and obesity increase the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Personalized nutrition (PN) approaches may provide tailored nutritional advice/service by focusing on individual's unique characteristics to prevent against NCDs.

Objective: We aimed to compare the effect of PN intervention with the traditional "one size fits all" intervention on health status in overweight/obese Chinese adults.

Real-World Safety of Sacubitril/Valsartan in Women and Men With Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Meta-analysis.

Background: Sacubitril/valsartan (SV) is a novel and effective therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Despite several sex-specific particularities that may influence drug effects, there has been no prior study evaluating the safety of SV in women with HFrEF in the "real-world."

Methods: We performed a literature search to identify observational studies evaluating SV.

Voice-based screening for SARS-CoV-2 exposure in cardiovascular clinics.

Aims: Artificial intelligence (A.I) driven voice-based assistants may facilitate data capture in clinical care and trials; however, the feasibility and accuracy of using such devices in a healthcare environment are unknown. We explored the feasibility of using the Amazon Alexa ('Alexa') A.

Prediction of heart failure outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Validation of the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Risk Score for Heart Failure in Diabetes (TRS-HF ) in patients in the ACCORD trial.

Aim: To investigate the ability of the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Risk Score for Heart Failure in Diabetes (TRS-HF ) to stratify patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and high cardiovascular risk for heart failure (HF) hospitalization.

Materials And Methods: We used data from the control group of the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Study Group (ACCORD) trial (n = 5123; mean follow-up 4.8 years).

Effects of Conventional Milk Versus Milk Containing Only A2 β-Casein on Digestion in Chinese Children: A Randomized Study.

Objectives: In this study, we hypothesized that replacing conventional milk, which contains A1 and A2 β-casein proteins, with milk that contains only A2 β-casein in the diet of dairy or milk-intolerant preschoolers (age 5 to 6 years) would result in reduced gastrointestinal symptoms associated with milk intolerance, and that this would correspond with cognitive improvements.

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, crossover study aimed to compare the effects of 5 days' consumption of conventional milk versus milk containing only A2 β-casein on gastrointestinal symptoms, as assessed via visual analog scales, average stool frequency and consistency, and serum inflammatory and immune biomarkers in healthy preschoolers with mild-to-moderate milk intolerance. The study also aimed to compare changes in the cognitive behavior of preschoolers, based on Subtle Cognitive Impairment Test scores.

Comparing external and internal validation methods in correcting outcome misclassification bias in logistic regression: A simulation study and application to the case of postsurgical venous thromboembolism following total hip and knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: We assessed the validity of postsurgery venous thromboembolism (VTE) diagnoses identified from administrative databases and compared Bayesian and multiple imputation (MI) approaches in correcting for outcome misclassification in logistic regression models.

Methods: Sensitivity and specificity of postsurgery VTE among patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement (THR/TKR) were assessed against chart review in six Montreal hospitals in 2009 to 2010. Administrative data on all THR/TKR Quebec patients in 2009 to 2010 were obtained.

Correcting hazard ratio estimates for outcome misclassification using multiple imputation with internal validation data.

Objective: Outcome misclassification may occur in observational studies using administrative databases. We evaluated a two-step multiple imputation approach based on complementary internal validation data obtained from two subsamples of study participants to reduce bias in hazard ratio (HR) estimates in Cox regressions.

Methods: We illustrated this approach using data from a surveyed sample of 6247 individuals in a study of statin-diabetes association in Quebec.

Clinical evaluation of glutathione concentrations after consumption of milk containing different subtypes of β-casein: results from a randomized, cross-over clinical trial.

Unlabelled: This study reports the plasma glutathione concentrations in a double-blind, randomized, controlled, 2 × 2 cross-over study in which healthy participants consumed conventional milk (2 × 250 mL per day) containing both A1 and A2 types of β-casein, or milk containing only A2 type β-casein. Beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7), a peptide uniquely derived from the A1 type of β-casein, was previously reported to downregulate glutathione expression in human gut epithelial and neuronal cell lines by limiting cysteine uptake. The current human study demonstrates that consumption of milk containing only A2 β-casein was associated with a greater increase in plasma glutathione concentrations compared with the consumption of milk containing both β-casein types, and did not increase plasma BCM-7 concentrations compared with the washout diet in the study participants.

Effects of milk containing only A2 beta casein versus milk containing both A1 and A2 beta casein proteins on gastrointestinal physiology, symptoms of discomfort, and cognitive behavior of people with self-reported intolerance to traditional cows' milk.

Background: Cows' milk generally contains two types of β-casein, A1 and A2 types. Digestion of A1 type can yield the peptide β-casomorphin-7, which is implicated in adverse gastrointestinal effects of milk consumption, some of which resemble those in lactose intolerance. This study aimed to compare the effects of milk containing A1 β-casein with those of milk containing only A2 β-casein on inflammation, symptoms of post-dairy digestive discomfort (PD3), and cognitive processing in subjects with self-reported lactose intolerance.

α-Galacto-oligosaccharides Dose-Dependently Reduce Appetite and Decrease Inflammation in Overweight Adults.

Background: Dietary fibers have been associated with a reduction in appetite and energy intake. Although a few studies suggest that nonviscous fibers can exert such effects, likely through colonic fermentation, limited data are available.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether α-galacto-oligosaccharides (α-GOSs), fermentable soluble fibers extracted from legumes, could reduce appetite, food intake, and inflammation in overweight subjects.

In vivo evaluation of the antitussive, expectorant and bronchodilating effects of extract and fractions from aerial parts of Peganum harmala linn.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Aerial parts of Peganum harmala Linn (APP) is used as traditional medical herb in Uighur medicine in China, and it is traditionally used for treatment of cough and asthma.The aim of the present study is to evaluate the antitussive, expectorant and bronchodilating effects of extract and fractions (alkaloids and flavonoids) from APP, and to support its folk use with scientific evidence, and lay a foundation for its further researches.

Materials And Methods: APP was extracted with 50% ethanol by reflux, extracts were concentrated in vacuum to afford total extract of APP (EXT).

Probiotics reduce symptoms of antibiotic use in a hospital setting: a randomized dose response study.

Probiotics are known to reduce antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) and Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) risk in a strain-specific manner. The aim of this study was to determine the dose-response effect of a four strain probiotic combination (HOWARU(®) Restore) on the incidence of AAD and CDAD and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in adult in-patients requiring antibiotic therapy. Patients (n=503) were randomized among three study groups: HOWARU(®) Restore probiotic 1.