Association between percutaneous hemodynamic support device and survival from cardiac arrest in the state of Michigan

Introduction

The role of circulatory support in the post-cardiac arrest period remains controversial. Our objective was to investigate the association between treatment with a percutaneous hemodynamic support device and outcome after admission for cardiac arrest.

Dietary Supplementation with Olive Oil or Fish Oil and Vascular Effects of Concentrated Ambient Particulate Matter Exposure in Human Volunteers

Background

Exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) induces endothelial dysfunction, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Olive oil (OO) and fish oil (FO) supplements have beneficial effects on endothelial function.

Objective

In this study we evaluated the potential efficacy of OO and FO in mitigating endothelial dysfunction and disruption of hemostasis caused by exposure to particulate matter (PM).

Methods and Results

Forty-two participants (58 ± 1 years of age) received either 3 g/day of OO or FO, or no supplements (naive) for 4 weeks prior to undergoing 2-hr exposures to filtered air and concentrated ambient particulate matter (CAP; mean, 253 ± 16 μg/m³). Endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery preexposure, immediately postexposure, and 20 hr postexposure. Levels of endothelin-1 and markers of fibrinolysis and inflammation were also measured. The FMD was significantly lower after CAP exposure in the naive (–19.4%; 95% CI: –36.4, –2.3 per 100 μg/m³ CAP relative to baseline; p = 0.03) and FO groups (–13.7%; 95% CI: –24.5, –2.9; p = 0.01), but not in the OO group (–7.6%; 95% CI: –21.5, 6.3; p = 0.27). Tissue plasminogen activator levels were significantly increased immediately after (11.6%; 95% CI: 0.8, 22.2; p = 0.04) and 20 hr after CAP exposure in the OO group. Endothelin-1 levels were significantly increased 20 hr after CAP exposure in the naive group only (17.1%; 95% CI: 2.2, 32.0; p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Short-term exposure to CAP induced vascular endothelial dysfunction. OO supplementation attenuated CAP-induced reduction of FMD and changes in blood markers associated with vasoconstriction and fibrinolysis, suggesting that OO supplementation may be an efficacious intervention to protect against vascular effects of exposure to PM.

Citation

Tong H, Rappold AG, Caughey M, Hinderliter AL, Bassett M, Montilla T, Case MW, Berntsen J, Bromberg PA, Cascio WE, Diaz-Sanchez D, Devlin RB, Samet JM. 2015. Dietary supplementation with olive oil or fish oil and vascular effects of concentrated ambient particulate matter exposure in human volunteers. Environ Health Perspect 123:1173–1179; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408988     

Detection of ingested nitromethane and reliable creatinine assessment using multiple common analytical methods

Aim: Nitromethane, found in fuels used for short distance racing, model cars, and model airplanes, produces a falsely elevated serum creatinine with standard creatinine analysis via the Jaffé method. Erroneous creatinine elevation often triggers extensive testing, leads to inaccurate diagnoses, and delayed or inappropriate medical interventions. Multiple reports in the literature identify “enzymatic assays“ as an alternative method to detect the true value of creatinine, but this ambiguity does not help providers translate what type of enzymatic assay testing can be done in real time to determine if there is indeed false elevation.

Methods: We report seven cases of ingested nitromethane where creatinine was determined via Beckman Coulter^® analyser using the Jaffé method, Vitros^® analyser, or i-Stat^® point-of-care testing. Nitromethane was detected and semi-quantified using a common clinical toxic alcohol analysis method, and quantified by headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Results: When creatinine was determined using i-Stat^® point-of-care testing or a Vitros^® analyser, levels were within the normal range. Comparatively, all initial creatinine levels obtained via the Jaffé method were elevated. Nitromethane concentrations ranged from 42 to 310?μg/mL.

Conclusions: These cases demonstrate reliable assessment of creatinine through other enzymatic methods using a Vitros^® analyser or i-STAT^®. Additionally, nitromethane is detectable and quantifiable using routine alcohols gas chromatography analysis and by headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.     

Chemically synthesized nanoparticles of iron and iron-carbides

In this paper, we report a one-pot chemical synthesis technique for the preparation of iron and iron-carbide nanoparticles. Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and magnetometry were used as the main tools to identify the different phases of Fe–C present. The influence of experimental parameters on the structural and compositional properties of nanoparticles was investigated in detail. These particles show ferromagnetic behavior with room temperature coercivity higher than 300 Oe. The X-ray diffraction was complemented by Mössbauer spectroscopy and thermo-magnetic analysis. Remarkably, the carbon content in iron-carbide nanoparticles (carbon rich or carbon poor iron-carbides) can be modulated simply by varying the experimental conditions, like the reaction time, temperature and iron precursor concentration. Magnetic properties can be tailored based upon crystallographic structure and particles composition.

In this paper, we report a one-pot chemical synthesis for the preparation of iron and iron-carbide nanoparticles.     

Cognitive function after bariatric surgery: evidence for improvement 3 years after surgery

Background

Bariatric surgery is associated with improved cognition, and it is possible that such improvements are found at extended follow-ups. We hypothesized that cognitive improvement would be maintained 3 years after bariatric surgery.

Methods

Fifty bariatric patients were recruited from the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery parent project. Participants completed a computerized cognitive test battery to assess cognitive function at 12 weeks, 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months after surgery.

Results

Repeated measures revealed main effects for attention, executive function, and memory. Attention improved up to 24 months and then slightly declined although it still fell within the average range at 36 months. Improvements in executive function reached their peak at 36 months after surgery. Short-term improvements in memory were maintained at 36 months. No main effect emerged for language.

Conclusions

Bariatric surgery may lead to lasting improvements in cognition. Prospective studies with extended follow-ups (eg, 10 years) should examine whether bariatric surgery can attenuate cognitive decline in severely obese patients.     

Cognitive function predicts weight loss after bariatric surgery

BackgroundClinically significant cognitive impairment is found in a subset of patients undergoing bariatric surgery. These difficulties could contribute to a reduced adherence to postoperative lifestyle changes and decreased weight loss. The present study is the first to prospectively examine the independent contribution of cognitive function to weight loss after bariatric surgery. Executive function/attention and verbal memory at baseline were expected to negatively predict the percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) and body mass index (BMI) at follow-up. Three sites of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery parent project were used: Columbia (New York, NY), Cornell (Princeton, NJ), and the Neuropsychiatric Research Institute (Fargo, ND).MethodsA total of 84 individuals enrolled in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery project undergoing bariatric surgery completed a cognitive evaluation at baseline. The BMI and %EWL were calculated at the 12-week and 12-month postoperative follow-up visits.ResultsClinical impairment in task performance was most prominent in tasks associated with verbal recall and recognition (14.3–15.5% of the sample) and perseverative errors (15.5%). After accounting for demographic and medical variables, the baseline test results of attention/executive function and memory predicted the BMI and %EWL at 12 months but not at 12 weeks.ConclusionsThese results have demonstrated that baseline cognition predicts for greater %EWL and lower BMI 12 months after bariatric surgery. Additional work is needed to clarify the degree to which cognition contributes to adherence and the potential mediation of cognition on the relationship between adherence and weight loss in this group.