Voltammetric response of ferroceneboronic acid to diol and phenolic compounds as possible pollutants.

A voltammetric determination of possible organic pollutants such as diol and phenolic compounds in water was studied using ferroceneboronic acid (FBA) as a redox-active marker. A cyclic voltammogram of FBA exhibited a pair of oxidation and reduction peaks at 230 and 170 mV at pH 7.0, respectively, while another pair of redox peaks was observed in the presence of diol or phenolic compounds tested. The results were rationalized based on the formation of boronate esters of FBA with the added compounds. The changes in the redox peak currents were dependent on the concentration of the additives, suggesting a usefulness of FBA in the electrochemical determination of these compounds in water.

Effects of phase III cardiac rehabilitation on mortality and cardiovascular events in elderly patients with stable coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has numerous benefits, including reduction of mortality and cardiovascular events, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the long-term effect of phase III CR in elderly patients with stable CAD is still unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: The 111 elderly male CAD patients (>or=65 years), including 37 subjects participating in supervised CR for 6 months and 74 age-matched controls, were analyzed. The patients were followed for up to 3,500 days, until the occurrence of death or 1 of the following major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE): cardiovascular death, acute coronary syndrome, refractory angina requiring revascularization, admission for congestive heart failure, or stroke. All-cause mortality tended to be lower in the CR group than in the Control group (14% vs 28%, P=0.081). The MACE incidence was significantly lower in the CR group than in the Control group (30% vs 62%, P=0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that the MACE incidence was significantly lower in the CR group than in the Control group [adjusted hazard ratio 0.43 (95% confidence interval 0.20-0.91), P=0.027]. CONCLUSIONS: Phase III CR has the beneficial effect of reducing cardiovascular events even in elderly patients with stable CAD.

Concentrations of interleukins, interferon, and C-reactive protein in stable and unstable angina pectoris.

We analyzed the concentrations of interleukins (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-18, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in 40 patients with unstable angina (UAP), 39 patients with stable angina (SAP), and 52 age- and gender-matched controls. Compared with the control group, IL-12 concentrations were significantly higher in both the SAP and UAP groups, especially in the UAP group, and the IL-18 concentrations tended to be higher in the UAP group. Conversely, IL-10 concentrations were significantly lower in the SAP and UAP groups. Both IL-6 and hsCRP concentrations were significantly higher in the UAP group. The levels of hsCRP were positively correlated with inflammatory or proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-12, and IL-18), and negatively correlated with anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). Moreover, the levels of IL-12 were positively correlated with IL-18, and negatively correlated with IL-10, and the results revealed the T-helper 1 dominant state. These results suggested that the inflammatory response was strongly associated with coronary atherosclerosis and angina pectoris, and that the T-helper 1 dominance may play an important role in these diseases.

Effects of a phase III cardiac rehabilitation program on physical status and lipid profiles in elderly patients with coronary artery disease: Juntendo Cardiac Rehabilitation Program (J-CARP).

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available regarding the effects of phase III cardiac rehabilitation on the physical status and risk factors in elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-four male CAD patients (>65 years old) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=18) or a control group (n=16). The intervention group participated in a phase III cardiac rehabilitation program consisting of exercise training, diet therapy, and weekly counseling for 6 months. In the control group, usual outpatient care was provided. In the intervention group, body mass index, waist size and fat weight significantly decreased; peak VO2 and anaerobic threshold VO2 were maintained; isokinetic peak torques of knee extensor and flexor muscles significantly increased; anterior trunk flexibility was significantly improved. In the control group, all parameters were unchanged except for peak VO2, which significantly decreased. In the intervention group, serum total cholesterol levels significantly decreased after cardiac rehabilitation. However, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and apoA-I levels also decreased. In the control group, no significant change in lipid profile was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that phase III cardiac rehabilitation could be beneficial for elderly patients with CAD.

Effects of phase III cardiac rehabilitation programs on health-related quality of life in elderly patients with coronary artery disease: Juntendo Cardiac Rehabilitation Program (J-CARP).

The purpose of this prospective randomized controlled trial was to assess the impact of phase III comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Thirty-eight elderly males (mean age, 70 years) with CAD were stratified as the intervention group (n=20) and the control group (n=18). In the intervention group, patients participated in CR for 6 months, whereas in the control group, they received standard care. Validated questionnaires were obtained to evaluate HRQOL using the Medical Outcome Study Short-Form 36 Health Status Survey (SF-36), State-trait anxiety inventory questionnaire (STAI) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) at baseline and after 6 months. At baseline, scores of SF-36 except for general health, STAI and SDS were not different in either group. After 6 months, in the intervention group, scores of bodily pain, general health, vitality and mental health of SF-36 improved significantly compared with baseline. State anxiety scores also improved significantly (p<0.01), but SDS depression scores were not improved. In the control group, none of the parameters significantly changed. These results indicate that elderly patients with CAD should be vigorously encouraged to pursue CR even in chronic phase III.

Predictive value of the adipocyte-derived plasma protein adiponectin for restenosis after elective coronary stenting.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that plasma levels of adiponectin can predict angiographic in-stent restenosis after coronary stenting. We prospectively examined adiponectin levels in 127 consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary stenting. Restenosis was defined as more than 50% stenosis at follow-up study by quantitative coronary angiography. There were no significant differences in the clinical characteristics or angiographical findings between the groups with restenosis and no restenosis. The levels of adiponectin did not differ between the restenosis group and the no restenosis group (5.7 +/- 2.8 vs 5.9 +/- 3.6 microg/mL, p = 0.72). The plasma levels of adiponectin were not related with the late loss index after coronary stenting (r = 0.01, p = 0.89). The levels of adiponectin were significantly lower in men than in women (5.5 +/- 3.2 vs 8.8 +/- 3.7 microg/ mL, p < 0.001), and negatively correlated with body mass index (r = -0.21, p = 0.01). We analyzed adiponectin levels in male, female, obese, non-obese, diabetes, and non-diabetes patients, however, there were no significant differences between the restenosis group and no restenosis group. This study has demonstrated that the measurement of adiponectin could not predict angiographic restenosis after elective coronary stenting, whereas the plasma levels of adiponectin were associated with some coronary risk factors in patients with coronary artery disease.