The efficacy, safety, and acceptability of high-fiber rice-bran diet ("darak") in the control of diabetes mellitus

Fifteen diabetic patients were maintained on a random sequence of control and experimental diets for a period of 12 weeks each. These diets were identical except for crude fiber content, the control diet containing an additional 8g/r day in the form of rice ground bran or "darak". Three patients dropped out of study, two during the control phase, and one during the experimental phase. Using uniform criteria for dosage adjustment among the 12 who finish the study, there was the mean dropped of 69% in dose of current medications during the experimental phase (p0.01). Only two patients had an increase in medications during the experimental phase. One had very poor medical compliance, while in the other, the drop in the medications seems to have heralded the onset of diabetic nephropathy. There was no significant change in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, creatinine, calcium, phosphate, sodium, potassium, and chloride, but sample size may have been too small to detect these. The experimental diet was generally well tolerated in terms of texture, appearance, and flavor but nine patients complained of slightly bitter after taste. At the end of study however, pastries and bread were baked with the "darak" and were considered very acceptable by all patients. Average cost of supplementaion per meal was 20 centavos. We conclude that "darak" is a cheap, acceptable, and safe source of dietary fiber, which may be an effective adjustment in the outpatient control diabetic hyperglycemia. (Author)

Which monotherapy for hypertension

The comparative blood pressure lowering and hemodynamic effects of four types of antihypertensive drugs, i.e.indapamide (diuretic), atenalol (betablocker), verapamil (calcium antagonist), and captopril (converting enzyme inhibitor), were evaluated among 30 middle aged men with mild to moderate essential hypertension in a double-blind randomized multiple crossover study. Blood pressure reduction were comparable regardless of hypotensives used. However atenolol 100 mg once daily also produced significant reduction in exercise-induced rate-pressure product and improved LV compliance echocardiogram indices within 2 weeks. Antihypertensive therapy is lifelong. Thus a daily single dose drug is advantageous for better patient acceptability and compliance during longterm antihypertensive therapy.(Auth)

Cross-sectional area and intravascular pressure of the right internal jugular vein during anesthesia: effects of Trendelenburg position, positive intrathoracic pressure, and hepatic compression.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in the cross-sectional area of the right internal jugular vein (RIJV) in response to positive intrathoracic pressure and hepatic compression in mechanically ventilated patients during general anesthesia. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized study. SETTING: A university medical center. PATIENTS: 15 ASA physical status II and III adult patients undergoing RIJV cannulation after anesthetic induction and endotracheal intubation. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were studied first supine and then at a 10 degrees and 20 degrees Trendelenburg tilt. The cross-sectional area of the RIJV was determined by two-dimensional ultrasound before and during 1) an end-inspiratory hold of 20 cm H2O; 2) hepatic compression for 10 seconds; and 3) both maneuvers applied simultaneously. Subsequently, the RIJV was cannulated and the intravascular pressure was measured during the same sequence of maneuvers. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In supine patients, the cross-sectional area of the RIJV significantly increased during the end-inspiratory hold, during hepatic compression, and with both maneuvers performed simultaneously (p < 0.05). With a 10 degrees Trendelenburg tilt, only both maneuvers applied simultaneously increased the cross-sectional area of the RIJV significantly, and with the 20 degrees Trendelenburg tilt, no further increase was seen. Intravascular pressure of the RIJV consistently increased with each maneuver in all positions. CONCLUSION: Hepatic compression and positive inspiratory hold effectively dilate the RIJV in supine patients and can be used when the Trendelenburg position is not advisable or possible. Performing these maneuvers with patients in the Trendelenburg position may facilitate cannulation, possibly by making the vein less collapsible due to increased intravascular pressure.

A single dose of milrinone facilitates separation from cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with pre-existing left ventricular dysfunction.

Milrinone is used during cardiac surgery to facilitate separation from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and/or to treat myocardial dysfunction in the post-bypass period. We have demonstrated, in patients with preoperative depression of systolic function undergoing aorto-coronary artery bypass surgery, sustained improvement in cardiac function after a single loading dose of milrinone 50 micrograms kg-1, administered at the end of bypass, thus significantly decreasing the need for beta-agonist therapy.

The effect of duodenojejunal alimentation on gastric pH and hormones in intensive care unit patients.

We evaluated effects of duodenojejunal (DJ) feeding on gastric pH and selected gastrointestinal hormones in 13 randomly selected patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). To obtain baseline values for gastric pH, a nasogastric (NG) tube was placed in each patient and gastric pH was measured every 30 minutes for 2 hours. To obtain control values, a Dobbhoff tube was placed fluoroscopically and 0.45 percent saline solution (NaCl), 75 ml, was infused for 1 hour and gastric pH was measured again; the previously placed NG tube was left in position. Then, by randomization, either 0.45 percent NaCl (pH = 5) was continued (n = 6) or a high-nitrogen, isotonic, enteral feeding solution (Osmolite HN, pH = 6.4) (n = 7) was infused, both at 75 ml/h. Gastric pH was noted hourly for 96 hours; antacid (Maalox TC, 15-ml aliquots) was given by NG tube when the pH was 4 or less. After 96 hours, the infusion was stopped and gastric pH was noted for 4 additional hours. Before and during initial saline solution infusion; after 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours of continuous infusion; and 4 hours after stopping the infusion, peripheral venous blood was obtained for measurement of plasma gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and serum gastrin. Data were analyzed by ANOVA (RMD), Fishers' exact test, and the unpaired t-test. Groups did not differ demographically. Throughout the infusion, gastric pH tended to be higher with the enteral feeding solution than with saline solution, but this was significant only at 24 hours. Less antacid was required with the enteral feeding solution at 24 and 48 hours than with saline solution. Plasma GIP levels were significantly higher with the enteral feeding solution than with saline solution during most of the infusion. Serum gastrin levels did not differ between the groups. In this cohort, infusion of the enteral feeding solution tended to maintain a gastric pH of more than 4 and was associated with increased plasma GIP levels, which may inhibit gastric acid secretion. Early enteral feeding may benefit certain ICU patients.

Airway pressure release ventilation in a patient with acute pulmonary injury.

Airway pressure release ventilation is a recently described method of ventilatory support. It allows spontaneous ventilation with CPAP but differs from conventional ventilatory modes because, with APRV, peak inflation pressure never exceeds the level of CPAP, and airway pressure decreases, rather than increases, when tidal volume is delivered. The risk of pulmonary barotrauma and adverse hemodynamic effects associated with conventional modes of positive-pressure mechanical ventilation may be decreased because of lower peak inflation and mean airway pressures. We describe a patient in whom several risk factors for these complications were present who was treated successfully with APRV.