Developing a Charlson Comorbidity Index for the American Indian Population Using the Epidemiologic Data from the Strong Heart Study.

Background: The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is a frequently used mortality predictor based on a scoring system for the number and type of patient comorbidities health researchers have used since the late 1980s. The initial purpose of the CCI was to classify comorbid conditions, which could alter the risk of patient mortality within a 1-year time frame. However, the CCI may not accurately reflect risk among American Indians because they are a small proportion of the US population and possibly lack representation in the original patient cohort.

Identification of plasma protein biomarkers for endometriosis and the development of statistical models for disease diagnosis.

Study Question: Can a panel of plasma protein biomarkers be identified to accurately and specifically diagnose endometriosis?

Summary Answer: A novel panel of 10 plasma protein biomarkers was identified and validated, demonstrating strong predictive accuracy for the diagnosis of endometriosis.

What Is Known Already: Endometriosis poses intricate medical challenges for affected individuals and their physicians, yet diagnosis currently takes an average of 7 years and normally requires invasive laparoscopy. Consequently, the need for a simple, accurate non-invasive diagnostic tool is paramount.

Serial secretoneurin measurement and risk of ventricular arrhythmias and death in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Background: Secretoneurin, a member of the granin protein family, is associated with the risk of mortality in patients with acute and chronic heart failure. Secretoneurin may play an important role in cardiomyocyte calcium handling, suggesting that it may influence cardiac arrhythmia risk. We hypothesized that baseline and serial measurements of circulating secretoneurin are associated with the risk of incident ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VA) and death, and that serial measurement would provide prognostic information beyond baseline values.

Effects of a Six-Day, Whole-Diet Sweet Taste Intervention on Pleasantness, Desire for, and Intakes of Sweet Foods: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Reduced exposure to sweet taste has been proposed to reduce sweet food preferences and intakes, but the evidence to support these associations is limited. This randomised controlled trial investigated the effects of a whole-diet sweet taste intervention for 6 days, on subsequent pleasantness, desire for, and sweet food intakes. Participants ( 104) were randomised to increase ( 40), decrease ( 43), or make no change to ( 21) their consumption of sweet-tasting foods and beverages for six consecutive days.