University of Vermont

About: University of Vermont is a education organization based out in Burlington, Vermont, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 17592 authors who have published 38251 publications receiving 1609874 citations. The organization is also known as: UVM & University of Vermont and State Agricultural College.

Effect of Internet Support on the Long‐Term Maintenance of Weight Loss

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the efficacy of an Internet weight maintenance program. Research Methods and Procedures: Two hundred fifty-five healthy overweight and obese adults (mean ± SD BMI, 31.8 ± 4.1 kg/m2) men (18%; mean ± SD age, 45.8 ± 8.9 yrs) participated in a 6-month behavioral weight control program conducted over interactive television. Treatment was followed by a 12-month weight maintenance program with three conditions: frequent in-person support (F-IPS), minimal in-person support (M-IPS) and internet support (IS). Main outcome measures included body weight, program adherence, and social influence components. Results: There were no significant differences among the groups in weight loss (mean ± SD) from baseline to 18 months (7.6 ± 7.3 kg vs. 5.5 ± 8.9 kg vs. 5.1 ± 6.5 kg, p = 0.23 for the IS, M-IPS, and F-IPS, respectively). Discussion: Participants assigned to an internet-based weight maintenance program sustained comparable weight loss over 18 months compared with individuals who continued to meet face-to-face. Therefore, the internet appears to be a viable medium for promoting long-term weight maintenance.

Spring Filling of Xylem Vessels in Wild Grapevine

Abstract: Xylem vessels in grapevines Vitis labrusca L. and Vitis riparia Michx. growing in New England contained air over winter and yet filled with xylem sap and recovered their maximum hydraulic conductance during the month before leaf expansion in late May. During this period root pressures between 10 and 100 kilopascals were measured. Although some air in vessels apparently dissolved in ascending xylem sap, results indicated that some is pushed out of vessels and then out of the vine. Air in the vessel network distal to advancing xylem sap was compressed at about 3 kilopascals; independent measurements indicated this was sufficient to push air across vessel ends, and from vessels to the exterior through dead vine tips, inflorescence scars, and points on the bark. Once wetted, vessel ends previously air-permeable at 3 kilopascals remained sealed against air at pressures up to 2 and 3 megapascals. Permeability at 3 kilopascals was restored by dehydrating vines below −2.4 megapascals. We suggest that the decrease in permeability with hydration is due to formation of water films across pores in intervascular pit membranes; this water seal can maintain a pressure difference of roughly 2 megapascals, and prevents cavitation by aspirated air at xylem pressures less negative than −2.4 megapascals.

Peripheral blood markers of inflammation predict mortality and functional decline in high-functioning community-dwelling older persons.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Several peripheral blood markers of inflammation have demonstrated prognostic ability, but the value of combining multiple markers as a measure of inflammatory burden remains unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic value of combining four peripheral blood measures of inflammation in healthy older persons. DESIGN: Inception cohort study with 7 years of follow-up. SETTING: Three communities. PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred seventy high-functioning subjects aged 70 to 79 who had serum albumin, cholesterol, interleukin (IL)-6, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels measured at baseline. MEASUREMENTS: Three- and 7-year mortality and Rosow- Breslau functional decline. RESULTS: A summary score was created that assigned one point each for the following blood levels: albumin 3.8 pg/mL (top tertile), and CRP>2.65 mg/L (top tertile). By 3 years, 6% of subjects had died, and, by 7 years, 23% had died. In subjects with three or four markers of inflammation, the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for 3- and 7-year mortality were 6.6 and 3.2, respectively, compared with those who had no abnormal markers. Subjects with one or two markers were at more moderate and statistically insignificant increased risk of 3- and 7-year mortality with AORs of 1.5 and 1.3, respectively. The risks for functional decline at 3- and 7-years were generally small (AOR = 1.1–1.9) and not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In high-functioning older persons, a measure of inflammation can identify those at a much higher risk of mortality and a possibly higher risk of functional decline. Whether therapies directed at reducing inflammation can attenuate such risk remains to be determined.

Regulation of membrane potential and diameter by voltage-dependent K+ channels in rabbit myogenic cerebral arteries

Abstract: The hypothesis that voltage-dependent K+ channels are involved in the regulation of arterial smooth muscle membrane potential and blood vessel diameter was tested by examining the effects of inhibitors [4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP)] of voltage-dependent K+ channels on the membrane potential and diameter of pressurized small (100- to 300-microns diam) cerebral arteries from rabbit. In response to graded elevations in transmural pressure (20-100 mmHg), the membrane potential of smooth muscle cells in these arteries depolarized and the arteries constricted. 4-AP (1 mM) and 3,4-DAP (1 mM) depolarized cerebral arteries by 19 and 21 mV, respectively, when they were subjected to a transmural pressure of 80 mmHg. 3-Aminopyridine (3-AP, 1 mM), which is a relatively poor inhibitor of voltage-dependent K+ channels, depolarized smooth muscle cells in the arteries by 1 mV. 4-AP and 3,4-DAP constricted pressurized (to 80 mmHg) cerebral arteries. 3-AP had little effect on arterial diameter. 4-AP increased the arterial constriction to transmural pressure over a wide range of pressures (40-90 mmHg). The effects of 4-AP and 3,4-DAP on membrane potential and diameter were not prevented by inhibitors of calcium channels, calcium-activated K+ channels, ATP-sensitive K+ channels, inward rectifier K+ channels, blockers of adrenergic, serotonergic, muscarinic, and histaminergic receptors, or removal of the endothelium. These results suggest that voltage-dependent K+ channels are involved in the regulation of membrane potential and response of small cerebral arteries to changes in intravascular pressure.