Efficacy of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor in very-low-birth-weight infants with early neutropenia.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Neutropenia is a risk factor for nosocomial infections (NI) in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. Although recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) increases the neutrophil counts in neutropenic VLBW infants, its long-term efficacy for early neutropenia (EN) remains unknown. METHODS: In this case-controlled study, charts of VLBW recipients of rhG-CSF for EN (total neutrophil count <1.5 × 10(9)/L during first 7 days) were reviewed and compared to gestational age, total neutrophil count, and birth weight matched infants unexposed to rhG-CSF. RESULTS: Twenty-seven infants were identified in each group. Mortality and morbidity did not differ between the two groups. Rate of NI (16/27 vs. 4/27, p = 0.002, odds ratio = 8.36) as well as the total number of episodes of NI (22 vs. 4, p = 0.007) were higher in rhG-CSF (+) group than in the rhG-CSF (-) group. CONCLUSION: Our experience does not show benefit in empirical use of rhG-CSF in preventing NI in VLBW infants with EN.

Impact of isolated acetabular and lower extremity fractures on long-term outcome.

BACKGROUND: The long-term clinical status of surviving patients with multiple injuries has not been well described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of acetabular and lower limb injuries. METHODS: Patients treated at a Level I trauma center at least 10 years before participation in this study were invited for a follow-up physical examination. Six hundred thirty-seven patients were examined. Inclusion criteria are as follows: Injury Severity Score ≥16 Points;treatment in a Level I trauma center; and injuries of the lower limb: fractures of the acetabulum, proximal femur, femoral shaft,knee joint, and tibial shaft. Exclusion criteria are as follows: incomplete follow-up examination, amputations, ankle and foot fractures, and patients older than 60 years and younger than 3 years. The follow-up examination included the following parameters:range of motion, pain, limping, successful rehabilitation, and outcome scores. RESULTS: Of 525 patients with fractures of the acetabulum and lower limb, 229 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Mean age: 24.9 (range,3­60) years; Injury Severity Score: 19.66 (range, 16­43). The most frequent rates of ongoing local pain were stated by patients with fractures of the acetabulum (50%) and the proximal femur (45%). Moreover, the incidence of abnormal gait was significantly lower in patients with femoral shaft fractures when compared with the patients with fractures of the acetabulum (3.7% vs. 35%;p 0.0001), proximal femur (3.7% vs. 20%; p≤ 0.006), and tibial shaft (3.7% vs. 14.7%; p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate a better long-term outcome in patients with femur shaft fractures, whereas patients with articular fractures and proximal femur fractures were associated with poorer outcomes. Fracture location is determining factor for long-term outcome

Effects of pelvic volume changes on retroperitoneal and intra-abdominal pressure in the injured pelvic ring: a cadaveric model.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic ring injuries can be associated with severe blood loss and hemodynamic instability. The increase in pelvic volume in disrupted pelvic ring injuries is thought to cause accumulation of large volumes of blood in the retroperitoneal cavity. Extra abdominal compression for reduction of the pelvic ring may affect intrapelvic pressure. We examined the effects of pelvic volume changes on retroperitoneal pressures (RPP) and intra-abdominal pressures (IAPs) in the intact and unstable pelvic ring. METHODS: In a cadaver study, unembalmed human torsos were used. Infusion lines were placed adjacent to the sacroiliac joint in the retroperitoneum and in the abdominal cavity. IAP and RPP measurements were performed with sequential infusion of crystalloid solution in 1,000 mL increments. Measurements were performed in the intact pelvic ring and after induction of unilateral and bilateral instability by disruption of the pubic symphysis, the sacroiliac joints, the sacrotuberous ligaments, and sacrospinous ligaments. RESULTS: After infusion of 4,000 mL of saline, we observed a pressure increase in the retroperitoneal cavity (RPP) of 19.64 mm Hg ± 6.43 mm Hg in the intact pelvis, 5.22 mm Hg ± 1.74 mm Hg in unilateral instability, and 2.78 mm Hg ± 0.57 mm Hg in bilateral instability. The RPP response in the case of instability decreased significantly (p = 0.019). The IAP showed a change of 4.63 mm Hg ± 2.64 mm Hg in the intact pelvis, 3.88 mm Hg ± 1.84 mm Hg in unilateral instability, and 2.30 mm Hg ± 0.36 mm Hg in bilateral instability. Further infusion revealed a close association between RAPs and IAPs. CONCLUSIONS: In the intact pelvis, RPP rises rapidly with increasing volume. The results seem to support the idea that disrupted pelvic ring fractures may lead to a significant volume uptake that is reversed during reduction.

Effects of near cortical slotted holes in locking plate constructs.

The development of locked plating has led to substantial improvements in fracture fixation. This is particularly evident in periarticular fractures, in which conventional nonlocking plates are unable to support the articular surface from a single side. Initially, locked plating appeared to be the ideal solution for these situations and reduced the necessity for double plating and secondary bone grafting. However, with increasing use of locked plating, it became evident that the plate-bone interaction is rigid and may lead to impaired bone healing. The near cortical locking holes increased the construct stiffness and appeared to interfere with local healing. Slotted near cortical locking holes might improve this drawback. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the healing process associated with different types of near cortical locking options.

The relation of diabetes, impaired fasting blood glucose, and insulin resistance to left ventricular structure and function in African Americans: the Jackson Heart Study.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the relation of diabetes and insulin resistance (IR) on left ventricular (LV) structure and function in African Americans. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Among those receiving echocardiograms in cycle 1 of the Jackson Heart Study, we assessed the sex-specific relation of fasting blood glucose (FBG), diabetes, and IR to LV structure and function, adjusting for age, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive medications, and BMI. RESULTS: Among 2,399 participants, LV mass index (P(women) = 0.0002 and P(men) = 0.02), posterior wall thickness (P(women) = 0.01 and P(men) = 0.05), and interventricular septal wall thickness (P(women) = 0.01) were related to FBG categories. Among those with normal FBG and no diabetes, concentric remodeling and low ejection fraction in women and LV mass index and posterior wall thickness in men were related to IR. CONCLUSIONS: In the largest study of its kind in a community-based cohort of African Americans, we found a relation of FBG category and IR to LV structure and function.

The relation of C--reactive protein to chronic kidney disease in African Americans: the Jackson Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: African Americans have an increased incidence and worse prognosis with chronic kidney disease (CKD--estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 ml/min/1.73 m2) than their counterparts of European-descent. Inflammation has been related to renal disease in non-Hispanic whites, but there are limited data on the role of inflammation in renal dysfunction in African Americans in the community. METHODS: We examined the cross-sectional relation of log transformed C-reactive protein (CRP) to renal function (eGFR by Modification of Diet and Renal Disease equation) in African American participants of the community-based Jackson Heart Study's first examination (2000 to 2004). We conducted multivariable linear regression relating CRP to eGFR adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, diabetes, total/HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, smoking, antihypertensive therapy, lipid lowering therapy, hormone replacement therapy, and prevalent cardiovascular disease events. In a secondary analysis we assessed the association of CRP with albuminuria (defined as albumin-to-creatinine ratio > 30 mg/g). RESULTS: Participants (n = 4320, 63.2% women) had a mean age +/- SD of 54.0 +/- 12.8 years. The prevalence of CKD was 5.2% (n = 228 cases). In multivariable regression, CRP concentrations were higher in those with CKD compared to those without CKD (mean CRP 3.2 +/- 1.1 mg/L vs. 2.4 +/- 1.0 mg/L, respectively p < 0.0001). CRP was significantly associated with albuminuria in sex and age adjusted model however not in the multivariable adjusted model (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: CRP was associated with CKD however not albuminuria in multivariable-adjusted analyses. The study of inflammation in the progression of renal disease in African Americans merits further investigation.

Relationships of BMI to cardiovascular risk factors differ by ethnicity.

The burden of cardiovascular risk associated with obesity disproportionately affects African Americans and little is known about ethnic/racial differences in the relationship of obesity to cardiometabolic risk. This report assesses whether obesity is similarly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in African Americans and whites of European ancestry. Cross-sectional observational data from the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) and the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) were compared. This analysis uses participants aged 35-74 years with BMI >18.5 kg/m(2), and free of prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD), from the initial JHS clinical examination (2000-2004) and the FHS Offspring (1998-2001) and Third Generation (2002-2005) cohorts. Participants were evaluated for the presence of lipid abnormalities, hypertension, and diabetes. Overall, 4,030 JHS (mean age 54 years, 64% women) and 5,245 FHS (mean age 51 years, 54% women) participants were available for analysis. The prevalence of all risk factors except high triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was substantially higher in JHS (all P < 0.001) and BMI was associated with increasing prevalence of most CVD risk factors within each race. For diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and low HDL, steeper relationships to BMI were observed in FHS than in JHS (P values <0.001-0.016). There were larger proportional increases in risk factor prevalence with increasing BMI in whites than in African Americans. The higher prevalence rates of cardiometabolic risk factors at nearly all levels of BMI in African Americans, however, suggest that additional factors contribute to the burden of CVD risk in African Americans.

Phellodendron and Citrus extracts benefit joint health in osteoarthritis patients: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this clinical study was to assess the potential benefit of a dietary supplement, NP 06-1, on joint health in overweight and normal weight adults diagnosed with osteoarthritis. METHODS: An 8-week placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study was conducted with four groups comparing the effects of NP 06-1 to placebo on overweight and normal weight subjects diagnosed with primary osteoarthritis of the knee. NP 06-1 (a combination of two botanical extracts; Phellodendron amurense bark and Citrus sinensis peel) or matching placebo were given in a dose of two capsules (370 mg each) twice daily. The outcome measures were the Lequesne Algofunctional Index (LAI) for joint pain and movement as well as biomarkers of inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]). RESULTS: Eighty (80) subjects were enrolled and 45 subjects completed the study. No serious adverse events were reported. The mean total LAI scores at baseline for the four groups ranged from 11.4 to 12.4 (SD 1.2 to 2.4). Treatment for 8 weeks resulted in a statistical improvement in the LAI score in the overweight treatment group compared to placebo (6.3 +/- 2.3 vs 11.8 +/- 1.5; p < 0.0001). At 8 weeks, a similar result was observed in the normal weight groups (7.7 +/- 1.4 vs 9.9 +/- 0.9; p < 0.0001). There was a reduction in CRP levels with treatment in the overweight treatment group at 8 weeks (-0.62 +/- 0.2; 49%) compared to baseline (p < 0.001) and to placebo (p < 0.001). For the normal weight participants, there were significant reductions in CRP compared to baseline, but not to the matched placebo group. Both overweight and normal weight treatment groups lost a significant amount of weight compared to their placebo groups. The overweight treatment group lost an average of 5% body weight after 8 weeks. There was no significant change in ESR in any of the groups. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, NP 06-1 had beneficial effects on symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee as measured using LAI scores and had anti-inflammatory effects as measured using CRP. Administration of NP 06-1 was also associated with weight loss, which may have been a contributing factor to the other benefits.

Distribution and determinants of Doppler-derived diastolic flow indices in African Americans: the Jackson Heart Study (JHS).

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to investigate the distribution and determinants of diastolic function in a middle-aged cohort of African Americans (AA). BACKGROUND: The distribution and determinants of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in AA are not well-described despite high rates of AA with diastolic heart failure and a five-fold higher risk of death in those with diastolic dysfunction (DD) compared to normal diastolic function. METHODS: Four categories of diastolic function were defined in JHS participants undergoing echocardiograms at the first examination (2001-2004) using mitral and pulmonary vein velocities. Investigators used logistic regression to assess the independent relation of DD to traditional risk factors and LV systolic dysfunction. RESULTS: Of the 3,571 study participants (mean age, 56 +/- 12 years; 63.9% female), 70.4% had normal diastolic function, and 18.0%, 10.6%, and 0.9% had mild, moderate, and severe DD, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, DD was significantly related to age (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4), male sex (OR 1.3 CI 1.0-1.5), LV systolic dysfunction (OR 1.5, CI 1.2-2.0), body mass index (OR 0.8, CI 0.8-0.9), and heart rate (OR 1.2; CI 1.1-1.2). The severity of DD was significantly related with age (OR 0.3; CI 0.3, 0.4), male sex (OR 1.6; CI 1.2-2.2), hypertension (OR 0.6, CI 0.4-0.8), and heart rate (OR 0.7; CI 0.6-0.8). CONCLUSION: This is the largest community-based analysis of LV diastolic function in middle-aged AA. DD was present in 29.5% and independently related to several traditional risk factors and LV systolic dysfunction.

Dyslipidemia and the treatment of lipid disorders in African Americans.

BACKGROUND: Despite the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease documented among the African-American population, there has been little emphasis on the role of dyslipidemia as a prominent risk factor in this large subpopulation. Questions of medication efficacy also have been raised. Together, these factors may have affected awareness, diagnosis, and treatment rates. METHODS AND RESULTS: Dyslipidemia was defined as the presence of either hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglyceridemia using National Cholesterol Education Program III criteria and the fasting lipid measurements, self-reported treatment history, and medication survey available from 5302 Jackson Heart Study participants. Dyslipidemia was more common in men (compared with women) aged less than 50 years and increased with age in both genders. Hypercholesterolemia prevalence rates approached 50% in women aged more than 65 years. The lifestyle-related attributes found to be related to prevalence were being overweight and less physically active, and all disease status variables exhibited significant (P<.05) associations. Awareness of hypercholesterolemia is approximately 55% or more in both men and women aged more than 35 years. Treatment rates lag far behind awareness, particularly in younger adult men, and less than 50% of women and men aged less than 65 years were treated for hypercholesterolemia. CONCLUSION: Higher rates of identification and effective treatment of dyslipidemia are clearly needed in this, and probably other African-American communities. Despite the less than optimal treatment, the identification and importance of the known cardiovascular disease states and risk factors in these analyses suggest the adoption of National Cholesterol Education Program III "high-risk strategy" algorithms in treatment recommendations and decisions by providers is occurring.

Phellodendron and Citrus extracts benefit cardiovascular health in osteoarthritis patients: a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this clinical study was to assess the potential benefit of a dietary supplement, NP 06-1, on cardiovascular protective properties in overweight and normal weight adults diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee. METHODS: An 8-week, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study was conducted with four groups, comparing the effects of NP 06-1 to placebo in overweight and normal weight subjects diagnosed with primary osteoarthritis of the knee. NP 06-1 (a combination of two botanical extracts; Phellodendron amurense bark and Citrus sinensis peel) or matching placebo was given in a dose of two capsules (370 mg each) twice daily. The outcome measures reported are lipid levels, weight, BMI, blood pressure and fasting glucose. Analyses of variance were used to compare changes of physiological measures over the trial period and between groups. RESULTS: Eighty (80) subjects were enrolled and 45 subjects completed the study. No serious adverse events were reported. NP 06-1 administration was associated with a general improvement in lipid levels. Both the overweight and normal weight treatment groups had significant reductions in triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol, as well as a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol compared to their respective control groups. Overall there were decreases in blood pressure in both overweight and normal weight treatment groups compared to respective placebo groups. There was also a significant decrease in fasting glucose levels in the overweight treatment group compared to the start of the study and to the overweight placebo group. There was no change in fasting blood sugar for the normal weight groups. Both overweight and normal weight treatment groups lost a significant amount of weight compared to their respective placebo groups. The overweight treatment group lost an average of 5% body weight after 8 weeks, which was associated with a significant loss in BMI over time. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study NP 06-1 had a beneficial effect on cardiovascular risk factors; namely lipid levels, blood pressure and fasting glucose levels. Administration of NP 06-1 was also associated with weight loss.

Effect of a proprietary Magnolia and Phellodendron extract on stress levels in healthy women: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Recent research has established correlations between stress, anxiety, insomnia and excess body weight and these correlations have significant implications for health. This study measured the effects of a proprietary blend of extracts of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense (Relora) on anxiety, stress and sleep in healthy premenopausal women. METHODS: This randomized, parallel, placebo controlled clinical study was conducted with healthy, overweight (BMI 25 to 34.9), premenopausal female adults, between the ages of 20 and 50 years, who typically eat more in response to stressful situations and scores above the national mean for women on self-reporting anxiety. The intervention was Relora (250 mg capsules) or identical placebo 3 times daily for 6 weeks. Anxiety as measured by the Spielberger STATE-TRAIT questionnaires, salivary amylase and cortisol levels, Likert Scales/Visual Analog Scores for sleep quality and latency, appetite, and clinical markers of safety. The study was conducted by Miami Research Associates, a clinical research organization in Miami, FL. RESULTS: The intent-to-treat population consisted of 40 subjects with 26 participants completing the study. There were no significant adverse events. Relora was effective, in comparison to placebo, in reducing temporary, transitory anxiety as measured by the Spielberger STATE anxiety questionnaire. It was not effective in reducing long-standing feelings of anxiety or depression as measured using the Spielberger TRAIT questionnaire. Other assessments conducted in this study including salivary cortisol and amylase levels, appetite, body morphology and sleep quality/latency were not significantly changed by Relora in comparison to placebo. CONCLUSION: This pilot study indicates that Relora may offer some relief for premenopausal women experiencing mild transitory anxiety. There were no safety concerns or significant adverse events observed in this study.

Coming full circle: an evidence-based definition of the timing and type of surgical management of very low-birth-weight (<1000 g) infants with signs of acute intestinal perforation.

OBJECTIVE: Gut disruption in very low birth weight follows 1 of 3 clinical pathways: isolated perforation with sudden free air, metabolic derangement (MD) complicated by appearance of free air, or progressive metabolic deterioration without evidence of free air. To refine evidence-based indications for peritoneal drainage (PD) vs laparotomy (LAP), we hypothesized that MD acuity is the determinant of outcome and should dictate choice of PD or LAP. METHODS: Very low-birth-weight infants referred for surgical care because of free intraperitoneal air or MD associated with signs of enteritis were evaluated by univariate or multivariate logistic regression to investigate the effect on mortality of MD and initial surgical care (LAP vs PD). Metabolic derangement was scaled by assigning 1 point each for thrombocytopenia, metabolic acidosis, neutropenia, left shift of segmented neutrophils, hyponatremia, bacteremia, or hypotension. Laparotomy and PD were stratified by MD acuity, and odds of mortality were calculated for each surgical option. RESULTS: From October 1991 to December 2003, 65 very low-birth-weight infants with suspected gut disruption were referred for surgical care. Peritoneal drainage and LAP infants had similar birth weight and gastrointestinal age, neither of which predicted mortality. Despite a higher incidence of isolated perforation with sudden free air in PD infants, the incidence of MD and overall mortality were similar for PD and LAP. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated MD to be the best predictor of mortality (odds ratio [OR], 4.76; confidence interval [CI], 1.41-16.13, P = .012), which significantly increased with interval between diagnosis to surgical intervention (P < .05). Infants with MD receiving PD had a 4-fold increase in mortality (OR, 4.43; CI, 1.37-14.29; P = .0126). Conversely, those without MD and sudden free air who underwent LAP had a 3-fold increase in mortality (OR, 2.915; CI, 1.107-7.692; P = .03.) Of 5, 3 failed PD were "rescued" by LAP. CONCLUSIONS: The dramatic difference in mortality odds based on surgical option in the presence of MD defines the critical importance of a thorough assessment of physiological status to exclude MD. Absence of MD warrants consideration for PD, especially for sudden intraperitoneal free air. Overwhelming MD may limit options to PD; however, salvage of 3 of 5 infants with failed PD demonstrates the value of LAP, whenever possible, for infants with MD.

Effect of a proprietary Magnolia and Phellodendron extract on weight management: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of a dietary supplement ingredient containing proprietary extracts of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense in helping overweight, otherwise healthy, premenopausal female adults, who typically eat more in stressful situations manage their body weight. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Setting Miami Research Associates, a clinical research organization consisting of 32 board-certified physicians, Miami, Fla. SUBJECTS: Healthy, overweight (BMI 25 to 34.9), premenopausal female adults, between the ages of 20 and 50 years, who typically eat more in response to stressful situations and scored above the national mean for women on self-reported anxiety. INTERVENTIONS: Two-hundred-fifty-mg capsules or identical placebo capsules 3 times a day for 6 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Salivary cortisol levels, weight change, psychological measures of stress and anxiety. RESULTS: Twenty-eight subjects completed the study. Extracts of M officinalis and P amurense were well tolerated. There was a significant weight gain during the study for the placebo group (P < ,01), but no significant weight gain for the group receiving extracts of M officinalis and P amurense (P < .89). Paired t-tests comparing baseline to post-treatment weight showed an average gain of 1.5 kg in the placebo group and no change in the treatment group (P = .89). When groups were divided into gainers (ie, participants who gained at least 1 kg or more) and maintainers or losers, 75% of the control group were gainers versus 37% of the treatment group (P < .04). There was a nonsignificant trend for lowered average cortisol in the treatment group at the end of the study (group X time interaction, F = 1.1, P < .15). This difference was due to a treatment effect on evening cortisol. There was a marginally significant group X time interaction (P = .06), showing the treatment group tended to have lower levels of cortisol in the evening, whereas the control group tended to have higher levels of cortisol in the evening. Bedtime cortisol levels decreased in the treatment group and increased in the placebo group. Participants in both the treatment and placebo groups had improved scores on a number of psychological measures during the study. There was a correlation between perceived stress and weight change. CONCLUSION: The results of this pilot clinical study indicate that obese subjects who eat in response to stress may benefit from taking a dietary supplement ingredient containing proprietary extracts of M officinalis and P amurense. The mechanism of action appears to be through reduction of cortisol levels and possibly perceived stress, thereby helping participants maintain body weight. The sample size was small, however, and there was higher attrition in the control group than in the treatment group.

Cardiovascular disease event classification in the Jackson Heart Study: methods and procedures.

OBJECTIVE: The process of identifying, abstracting, and classifying cardiovascular disease (CVD) endpoints in the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) is described. METHOD: Trained interviewers conduct telephone annual followup interviews on or near the JHS exam 1 anniversary to ascertain any significant health events since the last JHS contact, including diagnostic tests, hospitalizations, or death. Information on cohort hospitalizations and deaths is transmitted to the medical record abstraction (MRA) unit who review death certificates and hospital records to identify CVD events in the cohort. Interviews with the next of kin and completed questionnaires by physicians and medical examiners or coroners are used to obtain information on deaths in the cohort. A computer-generated diagnosis with follow-up review and adjudication by trained medical personnel completes final, disease-specific event classification of hospitalized and fatal coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and congestive heart failure (CHF) events. DISCUSSION: Surveillance of this well-characterized group of African Americans for CVD events as well as sub- and preclinical manifestations of disease is a central aspect of the JHS. Particular focus is placed on the leading causes of CVD illness and death, including fatal and nonfatal CHD, stroke, and CHF.

Toward resolution of cardiovascular health disparities in African Americans: design and methods of the Jackson Heart Study.

OBJECTIVE: The design, overall methods, and major phenotypes for the all-African-American Jackson Heart Study (JHS) are detailed. METHODS: Participants were enrolled from the three counties that make up the Jackson, Mississippi metropolitan area. Relatives of selected participants were recruited to develop a large, nested family cohort. Participants provided extensive medical and social history, had an array of physical and biochemical measurements and diagnostic procedures, and provided genomic DNA. RESULTS: Data and biologic materials have been collected from 5302 adult African Americans, including 1499 members of 291 families. Participants have a high prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and related disorders. DISCUSSION: The JHS dataset and biologic materials (serum, DNA, and cryopreserved cells) offer a valuable resource for the study of diseases that are of particular importance to African Americans.

Metabolic syndrome and echocardiographic left ventricular mass in blacks: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome has been associated with cardiovascular disease, but few studies have examined its relationship with subclinical measures such as echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) mass. This relationship is likely to be of particular importance in blacks, in whom both the metabolic syndrome and LV hypertrophy are common. METHODS AND RESULTS: Echocardiography, performed at 1 of 4 sites in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, was used to assess LV dimensions in 1572 black women and men aged 49 to 75 years in 1993-1996. Participants were categorized by number of metabolic syndrome characteristics (hypertension, dyslipidemia [low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides], and glucose intolerance). Age-adjusted mean LV mass indexed by height (g/m) increased in a stepwise gradient with increasing number of metabolic syndrome disorders (none, any 1, any 2, all 3) in both women and men (125.1, 143.9, 153.7, 169.3 and 130.5, 148.7, 160.8, 170.2, respectively; P<0.001, tests for trend). Associations were diminished slightly by adjustment for smoking, alcohol intake, and education; additional adjustment for waist circumference resulted in some attenuation, but associations remained statistically significant. Analyses focusing on components of LV mass revealed that posterior wall and interventricular septal thickness, but not LV chamber size, were significantly and independently associated in general with the number of metabolic syndrome disorders. Consistent with these findings, relative wall thickness was also associated with number of disorders. Associations were similar across age and central adiposity. Hypertension had a strong influence on LV mass with additional contributions from dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance; strong synergistic effects of the syndrome beyond its individual components were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional population-based study of black women and men, the degree of metabolic syndrome clustering was strongly related to LV mass and its wall thickness components. These associations are consistent with a possible influence of underlying factors such as insulin resistance or other vascular processes on myocardial thickening and not on chamber size.

Portal venous gas and surgical outcome of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.

PURPOSE: The prognostic significance of portal venous gas (PVG) in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) for operative intervention (OP), neonatal complications, and mortality remains uncertain. The authors designed a long-term prospective study to describe the natural history of PVG related to these outcomes and to test the hypothesis that PVG does not mandate OP. METHODS: All infants admitted to a single center between October 1991 and February 2003 were evaluated weekly to identify all cases of NEC (defined as Bell stage II or higher). Demographic, radiological, surgical, and outcome data were abstracted prospectively. Radiographic studies were performed at the onset of illness and at subsequent 6- to 8-hour intervals or as clinically indicated. A single pediatric radiologist reviewed all radiographs. Values are expressed as mean +/- SD. Odds ratios and relative risk ratios are reported with 95% CIs. The level of significance was P < or = .05. RESULTS: After the exclusion of 24 infants with lethal diseases, major congenital or chromosomal anomalies, or recurrent episodes of NEC, 194 of 5891 infants developed NEC. The overall incidence of NEC was 3.7%. In 194 infants with NEC, the incidence of PVG was 33% (n = 64). Gestational age (30.8 +/- 4 vs 29.3 +/- 4.2 weeks; P = .02) but not birth weight (1609 +/- 761 vs 1434 +/- 810 g; P = NS) was greater in infants with PVG compared with infants without PVG (n = 130). Sixty-six (34%) infants with NEC underwent OP. Operative intervention occurred more frequently in infants with PVG compared with infants without PVG (OR, 2.5; CI, 1.37-4.76; P = .003)--only 48% of infants with PVG underwent OP. Among the variables, gestational age, severe NEC (Bell stage III), severe intramural gas (in all 4 abdominal quadrants), and the presence of PVG, severe NEC was most highly associated with OP (OR, 77.47; CI, 10.36-580.16; P < .0001). Bell stage III NEC was present in 98% of infants who underwent OP compared with 40% of infants without OP ( P < .0001). Of all infants with NEC, 37 (19%) died. Mortality was higher among infants who underwent OP (33% vs 12%; P < .0003). A multivariate regression model identified Bell stage III (OR, 3.74; CI, 1.20-11.62; P = .02), but neither PVG nor OP, to be significantly associated with mortality. Of interest is that survival in infants with PVG was greater (but not significantly so) than in infants without PVG in both OP (74% vs 59%) and non-OP (91% vs 87%) groups. Furthermore, 30 of 64 (47%) infants with PVG survived without OP, and of all 33 infants with PVG who did not undergo OP, 30 (91%) infants survived. CONCLUSIONS: Decision for OP should be based on the severity of NEC and not on the presence of PVG alone because nearly half of infants with PVG survive without OP. Overall, the presence of PVG does not increase the risk of mortality among infants with NEC. Severe NEC, but not OP, is associated with higher mortality.

Relation of aortic valve sclerosis to risk of coronary heart disease in African-Americans.

To assess the relation between aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) and subsequent occurrence of coronary heart disease (CHD) events, we analyzed echocardiographic data obtained from 2,279 middle-aged African-Americans enrolled in the Jackson Mississippi Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study cohort who were free of known CHD at the time of the examination. Cox regression analyses demonstrated a hazard ratio of 3.8 for incident first myocardial infarction or fatal CHD after adjusted for multiple risk factors, including markers of inflammation. An amplification of CHD risk in the AVS subgroup with high levels of serum inflammatory markers (the highest quartile of fibrinogen and von Willebrand Factor levels) demonstrated greater than fivefold higher risk of CHD associated with AVS than risk in the lowest quartile.