Diets containing pistachios reduce systolic blood pressure and peripheral vascular responses to stress in adults with dyslipidemia

Nut consumption reduces cardiovascular risk, and reductions in blood pressure and peripheral vascular resistance may be important mediators of this relationship. We evaluated effects of pistachios on flow-mediated dilation and blood pressure response to acute stress. Twenty-eight adults with dyslipidemia completed a randomized, crossover, controlled-feeding study. All of the meals were provided and calories were controlled. After 2 weeks on a typical Western diet (35% total fat and 11% saturated fat), test diets were presented in counterbalanced order for 4 weeks each, a low-fat control diet (25% total fat and 8% saturated fat), a diet containing 10% of energy from pistachios (on average, 1 serving per day; 30% total fat and 8% saturated fat), and a diet containing 20% of energy from pistachios (on average, 2 servings per day, 34% total fat and 8% saturated fat). None of the resting hemodynamic measures significantly differed from pretreatment values. When resting and stress levels were included in the repeated-measures analysis, average reductions in systolic blood pressure were greater after the diet containing 1 serving per day versus 2 servings per day of pistachios (mean change in systolic blood pressure, -4.8 vs -2.4 mm Hg, respectively; P<0.05). After the higher dose, there were significant reductions in peripheral resistance (-62.1 dyne · s × cm(-5)) and heart rate (-3 bpm) versus the control diet (P<0.0001). These changes were partially offset by increases in cardiac output. There was no effect of diet on fasting flow-mediated dilation. Reductions in peripheral vascular constriction and the resulting decrease in hemodynamic load may be important contributors to lower risk in nut consumers.     

Autistic Traits Moderate Reappraisal Success for Depression and Anxiety Symptoms

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - Cognitive reappraisal is associated with reduced emotional distress; however, little is known about the nature of this relationship in autism. This...     

The Necessity-Concerns Framework: a Multidimensional Theory Benefits from Multidimensional Analysis

Background

Patients’ medication-related concerns and necessity-beliefs predict adherence. Evaluation of the potentially complex interplay of these two dimensions has been limited because of methods that reduce them to a single dimension (difference scores).

Purpose

We use polynomial regression to assess the multidimensional effect of stroke-event survivors’ medication-related concerns and necessity beliefs on their adherence to stroke-prevention medication.

Methods

Survivors (n?=?600) rated their concerns, necessity beliefs, and adherence to medication. Confirmatory and exploratory polynomial regression determined the best-fitting multidimensional model.

Results

As posited by the necessity-concerns framework (NCF), the greatest and lowest adherence was reported by those necessity weak concerns and strong concerns/weak Necessity-Beliefs, respectively. However, as could not be assessed using a difference-score model, patients with ambivalent beliefs were less adherent than those exhibiting indifference.

Conclusions

Polynomial regression allows for assessment of the multidimensional nature of the NCF. Clinicians/Researchers should be aware that concerns and necessity dimensions are not polar opposites.     

Decision-making strategies for patients with localized prostate cancer

Patients diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer not only have to cope with the impact of the cancer diagnosis, but also need to interpret complicated medical information to make an informed treatment decision. We report initial results from an ongoing longitudinal investigation examining treatment decision making among men diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer. Men (N = 654) were recruited into the assessment study after an initial treatment consultation with a urologic surgeon or radiation oncologist. Patients were, on average, 66 years old, married (85%), had at least a high school education (45%), were retired (58%), and were Caucasian (91%) or African American (7%). Guided by a cognitive-affective theoretical framework, we assessed treatment and disease-relevant beliefs and affects in addition to clinical variables. The majority of patients decided on external beam radiation therapy (52%), followed by brachytherapy (25%), prostatectomy (17%), and watchful waiting (6%). Patients who decided on prostatectomy were significantly younger (mean age, 58 yr) than patients who received radiation therapy (mean age, 67 yr) and brachytherapy (mean age, 66 yr). When asked for the most important reason influencing their treatment decision, patients indicated physician recommendation (51%), advice from friends and family (19%), information obtained from books and journals (18%), or the Internet (7%). Among cognitive variables, patients who decided on surgery perceived prostate cancer as being significantly more serious (P <.001), and had greater difficulties in making a treatment decision (P <.005) compared with patients receiving radiation therapy or brachytherapy. Surgical patients were also more distressed about their treatment decision (P <.001) and concerned that the cancer might spread (P <.005). To date, patients followed-up after treatment have not indicated significant regrets about their therapeutic choice. These data suggest that unique treatment-related beliefs and affects need to be taken into account during the treatment counseling process. Implications for the development of decision aids are discussed.     

The use of neuromuscular monitoring in Germany

AIM: As there are no reliable epidemiological data for the use of muscle relaxants in Germany,we conducted a mailing study. The aim of the study was to compare the use of muscle relaxants between German anaesthesia departments. In the present part of the presentation we focused on neuromuscular monitoring (NMM) and management of residual paralysis. METHODS: A total number of 2,996 questionnaires were sent to all registered anaesthesiological facilities in Germany and the return was 68.6% (2054 questionnaires). RESULTS: In 574 of the returned questionnaires (28%) the regular use of NMM was confirmed. Intraoperative monitoring of neuromuscular block and assessment of neuromuscular recovery were the most frequent applications of NMM, i.e. 25% and 18% of returned questionnaires, respectively. Clinical signs, however, are still the most popular way to estimate the degree of neuromuscular blockade. Moreover, routine reversal at the end of surgery with a neostigmin/atropine mixture was not practiced in 75% of the anaesthesia departments. CONCLUSIONS: This survey revealed that NMM is still very rarely used in daily clinical practice. Especially the seldom use of NMM to assess residual paralysis has to be improved.