Virginia Commonwealth University

About: Virginia Commonwealth University is a education organization based out in Richmond, Virginia, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 23822 authors who have published 49587 publications receiving 1787046 citations. The organization is also known as: VCU.

The alpha form of human tryptase is the predominant type present in blood at baseline in normal subjects and is elevated in those with systemic mastocytosis.

Abstract: Tryptase, a protease produced by all mast cells, was evaluated as a clinical marker of systemic mastocytosis. Two sandwich immunoassays were evaluated, one which used the mAb G5 for capture, the other which used B12 for capture. The B12 capture assay measured both recombinant alpha- and beta-tryptase, whereas the G5 capture assay measured primarily recombinant beta-tryptase. G5 binds with low affinity to both recombinant alpha-tryptase and tryptase in blood from normal and nonacute mastocytosis subjects, and binds with high affinity to recombinant beta-tryptase, tryptase in serum during anaphylaxis, and tryptase stored in mast cell secretory granules. B12 recognizes all of these forms of tryptase with high affinity. As reported previously, during systemic anaphylaxis in patients without known mastocytosis, the ratio of B12- to G5-measured tryptase was always 20 ng/ml) and are at least 10-fold greater than the corresponding G5-measured tryptase level. Most of those subjects with B12-measured tryptase levels of < 20 ng/ml had only cutaneous manifestations. The B12 assay for alpha-tryptase and beta-tryptase, particularly when performed in conjunction with the G5 assay for beta-tryptase, provides a more precise measure of mast cell involvement than currently available assessments, a promising potential screening test for systemic mastocytosis and may provide an improved means to follow disease progression and response to therapy.

Electronic cigarettes: Effective nicotine delivery after acute administration.

Abstract: Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are marketed as nicotine delivery devices. Two studies with EC-naive participants suggest that ECs deliver little or no nicotine. In those studies, standard-sized ECs were used, though experienced EC users often use larger devices that house higher voltage and/or longer lasting batteries. Whether user experience and device characteristics influence EC nicotine delivery is uncertain. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of ECs in experienced users who were using their preferred devices. Methods: Eight EC users (3 women) who had been using ECs for at least 3 months, completed one 5-hr session using devices they provided and the flavor/strength nicotine cartridges they selected. Sessions consisted of 4 phases: baseline, 10 puffs (30-s interpuff interval) from the device, 1-hr ad lib puffing period, and a 2-hr rest period (no puffing). Outcome measures in each phase included plasma nicotine concentration, heart rate, and subjective ratings of nicotine/product effects and abstinence symptoms. Results: Relative to baseline, plasma nicotine and heart rate increased significantly within 5 min of the first puff and remained elevated throughout the ad lib puffing period. Increases in ratings of direct effects of nicotine and product were observed as well as decreases in abstinence symptoms. Conclusions: User experience and/or device characteristics likely influence EC nicotine delivery and other effects. System atic manipulation of these and other variables could elucidate conditions that produce intended effects.

Promoting informed choice: transforming health care to dispense knowledge for decision making.

Abstract: Ours is an era in which patients seek greater engagement in health care choices, increasing the demand for high-quality information about clinical options. Providing support for informed choice is not straightforward, however, because of challenges faced by clinicians, health systems, and consumers. Greater use of written or electronic tools can help to clarify choices for patients, but decision aids cannot replace the human element in facilitating informed choice. The ideal solution is to couple information with high-quality decision counseling to help patients understand the potential risks, benefits, and uncertainties of clinical options and to assist them in selecting the option that best accommodates their personal preferences. Decision counseling can be offered by 3 types of providers: clinicians who lack formal informed-choice training ("usual care"), clinicians with formal informed-choice training, or trained third parties who function as impartial decision counselors. Controlled studies are needed to determine which model is best, but none appears to be ideal. The health care system cannot truly support informed decision making without correcting the underlying obstacles that impede patient access to needed information. New information technology solutions, training programs, and reimbursement schemes are necessary. Patient demand for guidance will only increase as clinical options multiply and the world of information continues its rapid growth. Today's health care system is unprepared for the convergence of these 2 burgeoning domains, and the need to address systemic deficiencies will grow more urgent over time.

Early Adolescents' Significant Others: Grade and Gender Differences in Perceived Relationships with Familial and Nonfamilial Adults and Young People.

Abstract: In order to provide a fuller and more satisfying description of the significant others in the social world of an adolescent, the Social Relations Questionnaire was developed and then administered to almost 3000 seventh-through tenth-graders in a midwestern suburban school district. The sample was randomly split in half and analyses were run on both halves separately to test for replicability. Results indicated that parents and siblings are almost always listed as significant others by adolescents in all four grade levels. Furthermore, the majority of adolescents listed at least one extended family adult and at least one nonrelated adult as important in their lives. The nonrelated adults lived closer to the adolescents and were seen more frequently and in more contexts than extended family members. Fewer extended family adults were listed in the older grades. Females listed more significant others than males both overall and in terms of both same- and opposite-sex nonrelated young people. As hypothesize, an increasing number of opposite-sex young people was listed as a function of grade level. Most nonrelated young people listed (a loose definition of peers) were from the same grade, same school, and same neighborhood as the respondent. The authors conclude that age-segregation in this community is not extreme (over 40% of the significant others listed were adults) and that the Social Relations Questionnaire provides a useful and holistic description of an adolescent's social world.