Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Six-Week Oral Guanidinoacetic Acid Administration Improves Muscular Performance in Healthy Volunteers.
Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA), a natural precursor of creatine, is a new promising dietary supplement, yet its performance-enhancing effect, if any, has yet to be established. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of supplemental GAA on muscle strength, anaerobic performance, and aerobic performance in healthy men and women. ⋯ Results from this preliminary study indicate that supplemental GAA ingested in young individuals can improve exercise performance, even at low doses (1.2 g/d).
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Elevated cardiac troponin (cTn) in the absence of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is associated with increased mortality in critically ill patients. There are no evidence-based interventions that reduce mortality in this group. ⋯ This retrospective study confirms an association between elevated troponin and outcomes in critically ill patients without ACS and identifies statins, β-blockers, and aspirin as potential outcome modifiers in a cTn-dependent manner.
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Coronary heart disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The incidence of mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has gone down to less than 1% since the advent of percutaneous coronary intervention, but although mortality resulting from AMI has gone down in recent years, the burden remains high. ⋯ Detailed knowledge of the complications and their risk factors can help clinicians in making an early diagnosis. Prompt diagnosis with appropriate medical therapy and timely surgical intervention are necessary for favorable outcomes.
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A single-nucleotide polymorphism in the aldosterone synthase gene (CYP11B2) promoter [-344C/T, rs1799998] has been reported to associate with cardiovascular phenotypes. ⋯ We were unable to reproduce previously reported associations between -344C/T and PAC, blood pressure, plasma glucose, or LV mass. Methodological differences might explain the differences between our findings and those previously reported.
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Rhinovirus (RV) infections account for most asthma exacerbations among children and adults, yet the fundamental mechanism responsible for why asthmatics are more susceptible to RV than otherwise healthy individuals remains largely unknown. Nonetheless, the use of models to understand the mechanisms of RV-induced airway disease in asthma has dramatically expanded our knowledge about the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of the disease. ⋯ This review summarizes the novel cardinal features of the asthmatic condition identified in the past few years through translational and experimental RV-based approaches. Specifically, we discuss the evidence demonstrating the presence of an abnormal innate antiviral immunity (airway epithelial secretion of types I and III interferons), exaggerated production of the master Th2 molecule thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and altered antimicrobial host defense in the airways of asthmatic individuals with acute RV infection.