Platelet function measured by VerifyNow identifies generalized high platelet reactivity in aspirin treated patients

Selected aspirin treated patients may exhibit high platelet reactivity to agonists other than arachidonic acid. This study aimed to determine whether the VerifyNow identifies generalized high platelet reactivity supported by correlations with other established methods that stimulate platelets with various agonists. Stable outpatients with coronary artery disease (n = 110) were treated with aspirin in a two 3 x 3 Latin square design (81, 162 and 325 mg/day for 4 weeks each). VerifyNow (arachidonic acid (AA) cartridge); light transmittance aggregometry; thrombelastography; PFA-100; flow cytometry; PlateletWorks; and urinary 11- dehydro thromboxane levels were measured. Multianalyte profiling measured fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor (vWF). Patients with >or=550 ARU by VerifyNow had increased 5 mM AA-, 5 microM ADP-, and 2 microg/mL collagen-induced platelet aggregation compared to patients with <550 ARU (p 相似文献   

Noradrenergic facilitation of shock-probe defensive burying in lateral septum of rats, and modulation by chronic treatment with desipramine

We have previously shown that acute stress-induced release of norepinephrine (NE) facilitates anxiety-like behavioral responses to stress, such as reduction in open-arm exploration on the elevated-plus maze and in social behavior on the social interaction test. Since these responses represent inhibition of ongoing behavior, it is important to also address whether NE facilitates a response that represents an activation of behavior. Correspondingly, it is unknown how a chronic elevation in tonic steady-state noradrenergic (NA) neurotransmission induced by NE reuptake blockade might alter this acute modulatory function, a regulatory process that may be pertinent to the anxiolytic effects of NE reuptake blockers such as desipramine (DMI). Therefore, in this study, we investigated noradrenergic modulation of the shock-probe defensive burying response in the lateral septum (LS). In experiment 1, shock-probe exposure induced an acute 3-fold increase in NE levels measured in LS of male Sprague-Dawley rats by microdialysis. Shock-probe exposure also induced a modest rise in plasma ACTH, taken as an indicator of perceived stress, that returned to baseline more rapidly in rats that were allowed to bury the probe compared to rats prevented from burying by providing them with minimal bedding, indicating that the active defensive burying behavior is an effective coping strategy that reduces the impact of acute shock probe-induced stress. In experiment 2, blockade of either alpha(1)- or beta-adrenergic receptors in LS by local antagonist microinjection immediately before testing reduced defensive burying and increased immobility. In the next experiment, chronic DMI treatment increased basal extracellular NE levels in LS, and attenuated the acute shock probe-induced increase in NE release in LS relative to baseline. Chronic DMI treatment decreased shock-probe defensive burying behavior in a time-dependent manner, apparent only after 2 weeks or more of drug treatment. Moreover, rats treated chronically with DMI showed no significant rise of plasma ACTH in response to shock-probe exposure. Thus, acute stress-induced release of NE in LS facilitated defensive burying, an active, adaptive behavioral coping response. Chronic treatment with the NE reuptake blocker and antidepressant drug DMI attenuated acute noradrenergic facilitation of the active burying response, and also attenuated the level of perceived stress driving that response. These results suggest that long-term regulation of the acute modulatory function of NE by chronic treatment with reuptake blockers may contribute to the mechanisms by which such drugs exert their anxiolytic effects in the treatment of stress-related psychiatric conditions, including depression and anxiety.     

Stress-induced downregulation of macrophage phagocytic function is attenuated by exercise training in rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute restraint stress may induce impaired macrophage phagocytic function. Moderate physical training is associated with beneficial effects on immunological functions. We investigated the effects of moderate physical training on phagocytic function of alveolar macrophages in rats submitted to acute restraint stress. METHODS: Thirty male Wistar rats weighing 210-226 g were randomly divided into 4 groups: nontrained rats (n = 7), nontrained rats submitted to stress (n = 8), trained rats (n = 7) and trained rats submitted to stress (n = 8). Trained rats were submitted to a program of moderate running training over a period of 8 weeks. Rats subjected to restraint stress were kept immobilized in glass cylinders (8 cm in diameter and 24 cm long) during 60 min. Phagocytosis capacity of macrophages was evaluated by either Escherichia coli orzymosan stimuli. RESULTS: Restraint stress induced a decrease in phagocytosis of E. coli and zymosan particle stimulation by macrophages. Neither of these alterations was observed in trained animals submitted to acute restraint stress. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm that acute restraint stress is associated with impaired function of macrophages. Moreover, moderate physical training attenuates the effects of acute stress by a mechanism that involves an increase in tolerance of macrophages.     

Correlates and long-term consequences of poor insight in patients with schizophrenia. A systematic review

Between 50 and 80% of the patients diagnosed with schizophrenia have been shown to be partially or totally lacking insight into the presence of their mental disorder. Although a causal chain connecting poor insight with poor treatment adherence and thus with poorer outcome and functioning is straight forward, numerous studies investigating correlates and long-term impact of insight have provided differing results. In addition, higher levels of insight in schizophrenia have been associated with depression and hopelessness, but the causal direction of the relationship is unclear and the data are inconclusive. The current study provides a critical review of 88 studies on the assessment of insight and its impact on symptoms and functioning. Studies published by June 2006 were selected using a keyword search for English peer-reviewed articles in the databases PsycINFO and MEDLINE. The majority of studies support the assumption that insight is associated with adherence during treatment phase, but the association with long-term adherence remains unclear. Insight correlates with better long-term functioning, but this might be explained by its association with symptoms. There is a positive cross-sectional and longitudinal relationship between insight and depression, but the underlying processes need further clarification. In the concluding discussion, the problems relating to definition and study designs are considered responsible for many of the inconclusive findings. Suggestions for further research are derived.     

Caloric restriction protects mitochondrial function with aging in skeletal and cardiac muscles

In skeletal muscles and heart in vitro complex IV activity is lower in young adult caloric restricted (CR) animals despite normal aerobic function in situ and in vivo. On the other hand, whereas markers of oxidative capacity decline 25% to 46% between 8 and 10 months and 35 months in ad libitum fed (AL) animals, in most muscles there is no decline in CR across the same absolute age (35 mo old) or relative age (35% survival rate) span and PGC-1alpha gene expression in gastrocnemius muscle declines more slowly with aging. The present results show that CR largely prevents the age-associated decline in mitochondrial function in heart and skeletal muscles, and suggest that this is secondary to a better-maintained drive on mitochondrial biogenesis.     

Using community matrons to target long-term conditions

The community matron is a new type of practitioner, one who is highly skilled and a specialist in community care and inter-agency working. It is considered that this new role will support new ways of working to reduce unplanned hospital admissions and support the most vulnerable people in our communities. The role is not simply one of coordination but will extend to undertaking clinical interventions, making referrals, prescribing medicines and requesting investigations.     

Sexual Offenders’ State-of-Mind Regarding Childhood Attachment: A Controlled Investigation

Attachment experiences have been regarded as significant by researchers and clinicians attempting to explain the etiology of sexual offending. Although initial studies have revealed some promising evidence, there are a number of theoretical and methodological problems with this preliminary body of work. While addressing these limitations, the goal of the present study was to investigate state-of-mind regarding childhood attachment among subtypes of sexual offenders, comparing them to both a sample of nonsexual offenders and to the documented patterns of nonoffenders. Sixty-one sexual offenders (extrafamilial child molesters, incest offenders, and rapists) and 40 nonsexual offenders (violent and nonviolent) were administered the “Adult Attachment Interview.” Results indicated that the majority of sexual offenders were insecure, representing a marked difference from normative samples. Although insecurity of attachment was common to all groups of offenders, there were important differences in regard to the specific type of insecurity. Most notable were the child molesters, who were significantly more likely to be Preoccupied. Rapists, violent offenders, and, to a lesser degree, incest offenders were more likely to be Dismissing. Although still most likely to be Dismissing, nonviolent offenders were comparatively more Secure.