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Considerations in designing a standard health care benefits package as a part of national health care reform are discussed. Specific features examined include deductibles, employer contributions, regional variations, cost management techniques such as managed care and higher copayments, annual out-of-pocket maximums, and lifetime benefit maximums. Implications for institutions of higher education are drawn. (MSE)

Proteinuria is pathogenic to proximal tubular cells (PTC) and linked with progression to renal failure. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of human serum albumin (HSA) overload on the changes in gene and protein expression stimulated by oxidative stress in PTC and any interaction with ANG II that is pivotal in disease pathogenesis. Markers of oxidative stress, antioxidant defences, transcription factor activation, and the expression of stress-related genes were measured in human PTC (HK-2 cells) overloaded with either globulin-free fatty acid free (GF/FAF) HSA or globulin-free (GF) HSA. The effects of ANG II were also determined. HSA overload in HK-2 cells caused PTC hyperfunction, increased oxidative stress, and an upregulation of adaptive responses and stress-related genes. Some responses were common to both HSAs but others were unique to either HSA and unaffected by addition of ANG II or candesartan (a specific ANG II type 1 receptor blocker). ANG II also independently induced oxidative stress and upregulated other stress-related genes. HSA overload in HK-2 cells stimulated increased oxidative stress and upregulated changes in stress-related gene expression indicating new pathways of PTC injury that are not mediated via ANG II type 1 receptors. stress-related gene expression; HK-2 cells; cell culture; oxidative metabolism doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00265.2006

This article discusses the beneficial aspects of vitamin C supplementation on the reduction of muscle damage and soreness. An analysis of serum creatine kinase, body mass index, free radical activity, and blood plasma is presented.

Purpose We developed a prototype device using an automatically controlled inflatable penile cuff to measure bladder voiding pressure continuously and non-invasively in men. The purpose of this study was to validate the pressure measurements made by this device by comparison to those during simultaneous invasive PFS. Methods A device was developed to automatically modulate flow rate by controlling pressure in a penile cuff. Men undergoing conventional urodynamics studies were recruited to have an additional fill-void cycle whilst using the new device. We report on 40 men using a standardized protocol. Pressure measured by this device was compared with simultaneous vesical pressure by evaluating maximum pressure during voiding, and calculating the root mean square (RMS) difference between pcuff and pves. Results We recruited 80 men of whom 18 were excluded, 22 were involved in initial development phase and 40 in the standard protocol. Mean (SD) difference between maxima of pcuff and pves (1.3 (15.6) cmH2O) was not significant. In 20 (50%) men, agreement between pcuff and pves throughout the void was moderate or good (RMS difference <20 cmH2O). Causes of unsuccessful measurements were identified. Conclusions Although a prototype device, this technique appears to be promising for continuous non-invasive bladder pressure measurement. From the results of this study a number of improvements have been recommended and implemented. The next generation of this technique will allow assessment of clinical application. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:557-563, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]