The effect of statin therapy on allergic patients with asthma.

Background: 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors have significantly improved outcomes in coronary artery disease. They have anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering effects. Statins alter the production of T(H)1 cytokines and thus promote a T(H)2 response.

Protein/creatinine ratio in preeclampsia: a systematic review.

Objective: To estimate the accuracy of the protein/creatinine ratio in predicting 300 mg of protein in 24-hour urine collection in pregnant patients with suspected preeclampsia.

Data Sources: Articles were identified through electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINHAL, and Cochrane) using the terms "preeclampsia," "protein/creatinine ratio," and "diagnosis," during the period January 1966 to October 2007. The relevant citations were hand searched.

Hypertonic saline for hyponatremia: risk of inadvertent overcorrection.

Background And Objectives: Data regarding dosage-response relationships for using hypertonic saline in treatment of hyponatremia are extremely limited. Objectives of this study were to assess adherence to previously published guidelines (limiting correction to <12 mEq/L per d and <18 mEq/L per 48 h) in treating hyponatremia with hypertonic saline and to determine the predictive accuracy of the Adrogué-Madias formula.

Design, Setting, Participants & Measurements: A retrospective review was conducted of all 62 adult, hyponatremic patients who were treated with hypertonic saline during 5 yr at a 528-bed, acute care, teaching hospital.

Testing a self-determination theory intervention for motivating tobacco cessation: supporting autonomy and competence in a clinical trial.

A longitudinal randomized trial tested the self-determination theory (SDT) intervention and process model of health behavior change for tobacco cessation (N = 1006). Adult smokers were recruited for a study of smokers' health and were assigned to intensive treatment or community care. Participants were relatively poor and undereducated.

Physician practices and attitudes regarding adult immunizations.

Objectives: To assess immunization practices and attitudes of U.S. primary care physicians regarding adult influenza and pneumococcal immunizations.

Self-determination, smoking, diet and health.

A Clinical Trial will test (1) a Self-Determination Theory (SDT) model of maintained smoking cessation and diet improvement, and (2) an SDT intervention, relative to usual care, for facilitating maintained behavior change and decreasing depressive symptoms for those who quit smoking. SDT is the only empirically derived theory which emphasizes patient autonomy and has a validated measure for each of its constructs, and this is the first trial to evaluate an SDT intervention. Adult smokers will be stratified for whether they are at National Cholesterol Education Program (1996) recommended goal for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).