Ranolazine improves endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Objectives: We investigated the effect of ranolazine on endothelial-dependent vasodilatation (EDV), serum markers of endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction has been shown to be independently associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular events. We sought to investigate whether ranolazine, a novel antianginal medication with no effect on heart rate or blood pressure, improves endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Pioglitazone increases adiponectin levels in nondiabetic patients with coronary artery disease.

Objectives: Hypoadiponectinemia is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Pioglitazone has been shown to increase levels of adiponectin in diabetic patients. We sought to assess whether administration of pioglitazone to patients with CAD and without diabetes would affect plasma adiponectin levels and endothelial function.

Long-term survival in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-associated small non-cleaved cell lymphoma: the role for short course intensive chemotherapy.

While intensive chemotherapy is recommended for the treatment of non-HIV related adult small non-cleaved lymphoma (SNCL), including Burkitt's and Burkitt-like lymphoma, optimal treatment for patients with HIV-associated SNCL is not known. We assessed remissions and survival in a cohort of 44 consecutive HIV positive patients diagnosed with SNCL at our hospital between June 2000 and November 2001 using chart and pathology data. Median follow-up, survival and survival at the median follow-up time were 4.

A scale for measuring patient perceptions of the quality of end-of-life care and satisfaction with treatment: the reliability and validity of QUEST.

We report on the adaptation and evaluation of a previously developed patient-centered instrument that we call the Quality of End-of-life care and Satisfaction with Treatment (QUEST) scale. In a separate group of 30 inpatients, test-retest reliability for QUEST items ranged from 63% agreement (kappa = 0.43) to 93% agreement (kappa = 0.