Hp: an inflammatory indicator in cardiovascular disease.

Over the past decade significant advancement has occurred in the biological and pathological role that Hp has in cardiovascular disease. Hp is an acute-phase protein with a role in the neutralization and clearance of free heme. Iron has tremendous potential for initiating vascular oxidation, inflammation and exacerbating coronary atherosclerosis.

Understanding results from randomized trials: use of program- and client-level data to study medical and nonmedical treatment programs.

Objective: To address unanticipated results from randomized trials, researchers often focus on client-level data about services received during treatment. Program-level observations can also be helpful, especially in understanding treatment delivered in groups. Using both approaches, this article strives to better understand inconsistent results from a trial comparing medical and nonmedical group-format day treatment.

Prevalence of calcidiol deficiency in CKD: a cross-sectional study across latitudes in the United States.

Background: Recent Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines have raised concerns of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or calcidiol, insufficiency and deficiency in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not yet on dialysis therapy; however, no cross-sectional study across latitudes has been performed to support this assertion.

Methods: Baseline screening data from a prospective study were used to determine calcidiol levels in subjects with moderate to severe CKD not yet on dialysis therapy from 12 geographically diverse regions of the United States. Calcidiol deficiency is defined as levels less than 10 ng/mL (< 25 nmol/L), and insufficiency, as levels of 10 to 30 ng/mL (25 to 75 nmol/L).

Prospective analysis of the outcome of subpectoral breast augmentation: sensory changes, muscle function, and body image.

This study is a prospective analysis of the outcome of subpectoral breast augmentation. Forty-seven patients undergoing breast augmentation were studied. They were assessed for pectoralis muscle function, breast sensation, and body image before and after subpectoral breast augmentation with saline implants.

Assessment of male reproductive system in the CD-1 mice following oral manganese exposure.

Manganese has wide industrial applications and exposure to manganese can result in serious health conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the reproductive effect of oral manganese exposure in male mice. Manganese acetate was tested at three dose levels (7.

Beverage choice among native american and african american urban women.

Background: Little is known about beverage preference, especially among understudied urban minority populations. Also, most studies do not differentiate between beer and malt liquor or among wine, wine coolers, and fortified wine. This article examines whether ethnicity or drinking frequency are associated with beverage choice, considering six types of alcoholic beverages: beer, wine, spirits, malt liquor, fortified wine, and wine coolers.