Height and incidence of cardiovascular disease in male physicians.

BACKGROUND: An inverse association between height and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) has been reported in several case-control and cohort studies, but the reasons for the association remain uncertain. We evaluated this association among 22,071 male physicians, a population homogeneous for high educational attainment and socioeconomic status in adulthood. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population was comprised of participants in the Physicians' Health Study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of low-dose aspirin and beta-carotene in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer among US male physicians, aged 40 to 84 years, in 1982. Participants were classified into five height categories at study entry, from shortest to tallest, and were followed an average of 60.2 months to determine the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and death from cardiovascular disease. Men in the tallest (> or = 73 in. or 185.4 cm) compared with the shortest (< or = 67 in. or 170.2 cm) height category had a 35% lower risk of MI (relative risk, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.44 to 0.99; P = .04), after adjusting for known cardiovascular risk factors. Further, a marginally significant inverse trend (P trend = .05) across the height categories was observed. Although the relationship was not strictly linear, for every inch of added height, there was an approximate 2% to 3% decline in risk of MI. In contrast, men in the tallest compared with the shortest height category had only small and nonsignificant decreases in risk of stroke and cardiovascular death. While no significant trend in risks of these end points across the height categories was observed, the numbers of events for these end points were far less than for MI, and thus the confidence intervals were wide. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that height is inversely associated with subsequent risk of MI. At this time, a few mechanisms are plausible, but none are convincing. Other epidemiological and basic research efforts are needed to explore a variety of physiological correlates of height that may be responsible for mediating the height-MI association. In the meantime, while height is not modifiable, it is easy to measure and may be useful to evaluate CHD disease risk profiles and target lifestyle interventions.

Chloroplast and cytosolic glutamine synthetase are encoded by homologous nuclear genes which are differentially expressed in vivo.

We have shown that the individual members of the plant gene family for glutamine synthetase (GS) are differentially expressed in vivo, and each encode distinct GS polypeptides which are targeted to different subcellular compartments (chloroplast or cytosol). At the polypeptide level, chloroplast GS (GS2) and cytosolic GS (GS1 and GSn) are distinct and show an organ-specific distribution. We have characterized full length cDNA clones encoding chloroplast or cytosolic GS of pea. In vitro translation products encoded by three different GS cDNA clones, correspond to the mature GS2, GS1, and GSn polypeptides present in vivo. pGS185 encodes a precursor to the chloroplast GS2 polypeptide as shown by in vitro chloroplast uptake experiments. The pGS185 translation product is imported into the chloroplast stroma and processed to a polypeptide which corresponds in size and charge to that of mature chloroplast stromal GS2 (44 kDa). The 49 amino terminal amino acids encoded by pGS185 are designated as a chloroplast transit peptide by functionality in vitro, and amino acid homology to other transit peptides. The cytosolic forms of GS (GS1 and GSn) are encoded by highly homologous but distinct mRNAs. pGS299 encodes the cytosolic GS1 polypeptide (38 kDa), while pGS341 (Tingey, S. V., Walker, E. L., and Coruzzi, G. M. (1987) EMBO. J. 6, 1-9) encodes a cytosolic GSn polypeptide (37 kDa). The homologous nuclear genes for chloroplast and cytosolic GS show different patterns of expression in vivo. GS2 expression in leaves is modulated by light, at the level of steady state mRNA and protein, while the expression of cytosolic GS is unaffected by light. The light-induced expression of GS2 is due at least in part to a phytochrome mediated response. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicates that chloroplast and cytosolic GS have evolved from a common ancestor and suggest a molecular mechanism for chloroplast evolution.

Indigenous Koro, a genital retraction syndrome of insular Southeast Asia: a critical review.

Koro, a disorder characterized by complaints of genital hyperinvolution and fear of impending death, is found to be indigenous to certain populations of insular Southeast Asia. Koro is similar to, but nevertheless distinct from, the Chinese syndrome which carries its name and serves as the transcultural prototype; the category of genital retraction syndromes is proposed as a substitute for the use of "koro" as the transcultural rubric. In a review of the Koro literature, an exploration of the many possible cultural and biomedical factors is begun; the issues and perspectives are relevant to the wider study of culture specific manifestations of genital retraction.

The concern for health in sexual matters in the "old society" and "new society" in China.

PIP: The Taoist belief in the duality of all existence relates to the traditional Chinese yin-yang scheme for sex and health. It is believed that the yin or female principle must be balanced with the yang or male principle if productivity and health are to be maintained. Coitus serves a prophylactic purpose in bringing the 2 principles in balance. Too frequent coitus, especially for males, depletes the body of energy. Coitus between 10 and 12 midnight is believed to be best. Even in postr evolutionary China, certain of these traditional beliefs are still accepted. A coital frequency of 1-2 times per week and avoidance of vasectomy as a contraceptive method derive from traditional beliefs. Traditional medicines are accepted in Chinese medical practice. It is not known how widespread these vestiges of traditional belief are. The government is trying to eliminate mystical beliefs associated with sex. The Chinese success in family planning can serve as an example to other countries. Certainly family planning programs must acknowledge indigeno us cultural variables.^ieng