In vitro evaluation of anticancer effects of different probiotic strains on HCT-116 cell line.

AIM: Since the evolution of man, microbes are associated with humans, playing a vital role in the maintenance of good health. However, an imbalance in the gut microbial ecosystem is associated with several diseases including colorectal cancer (CRC). The supplementation with probiotics has been proven to be beneficial in improving CRC. In this study, we have evaluated the anticancer effects of 11 probiotic strains on human colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT-116). METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, HCT-116 cells were treated with various concentrations (0·5, 5, 10, 20 and 200 million CFU per ml) of probiotic strains. The viability was analysed using a MTT assay and IC50 values were determined. Besides this, we evaluated the expression of multiple genes involved in the apoptosis and stress tolerance by real-time PCR. Lactobacillus reuteri (UBLRu-87), Saccharomyces boulardii (Unique-28), Bacillus clausii (UBBC-07), Bacillus coagulans (Unique-IS2), Streptococcus salivarius (UBSS-01), Lactobacillus fermentum (UBLF-31), Lactobacillus salivarius (UBLS-22), Bifidobacterium bifidum (UBBB-55) and Lactobacillus plantarum (UBLP-40) exhibited potent cytotoxicity on HCT 116 cells. Furthermore, UBLF-31 and Unique-28 induced the expression of CJUN, CFOS and CASP-9, and downregulated the expression of BCL6. UBLRu-87 and UBBB-55 induced the expression of CJUN, CFOS and CASP-9 but not BCL-6. UBLP-40, UBBC-07, UBLS-22, and Unique-IS2 induced the expression of CJUN and CASP-9 and downregulated the expression of BCL-6. CONCLUSION: These studies indicate the anticancer effects of selected probiotic strains by inducing apoptosis. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The probiotic strains with the anticancer effects identified in this study can be proposed as potential candidates in the treatment of CRCs.

Ada-WHIPS: explaining AdaBoost classification with applications in the health sciences.

BACKGROUND: Computer Aided Diagnostics (CAD) can support medical practitioners to make critical decisions about their patients' disease conditions. Practitioners require access to the chain of reasoning behind CAD to build trust in the CAD advice and to supplement their own expertise. Yet, CAD systems might be based on black box machine learning models and high dimensional data sources such as electronic health records, magnetic resonance imaging scans, cardiotocograms, etc. These foundations make interpretation and explanation of the CAD advice very challenging. This challenge is recognised throughout the machine learning research community. eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) is emerging as one of the most important research areas of recent years because it addresses the interpretability and trust concerns of critical decision makers, including those in clinical and medical practice. METHODS: In this work, we focus on AdaBoost, a black box model that has been widely adopted in the CAD literature. We address the challenge - to explain AdaBoost classification - with a novel algorithm that extracts simple, logical rules from AdaBoost models. Our algorithm, Adaptive-Weighted High Importance Path Snippets (Ada-WHIPS), makes use of AdaBoost's adaptive classifier weights. Using a novel formulation, Ada-WHIPS uniquely redistributes the weights among individual decision nodes of the internal decision trees of the AdaBoost model. Then, a simple heuristic search of the weighted nodes finds a single rule that dominated the model's decision. We compare the explanations generated by our novel approach with the state of the art in an experimental study. We evaluate the derived explanations with simple statistical tests of well-known quality measures, precision and coverage, and a novel measure stability that is better suited to the XAI setting. RESULTS: Experiments on 9 CAD-related data sets showed that Ada-WHIPS explanations consistently generalise better (mean coverage 15%-68%) than the state of the art while remaining competitive for specificity (mean precision 80%-99%). A very small trade-off in specificity is shown to guard against over-fitting which is a known problem in the state of the art methods. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental results demonstrate the benefits of using our novel algorithm for explaining CAD AdaBoost classifiers widely found in the literature. Our tightly coupled, AdaBoost-specific approach outperforms model-agnostic explanation methods and should be considered by practitioners looking for an XAI solution for this class of models.

Tuberculosis Containment among the Homeless in Metropolitan Jackson, Mississippi.

IMPORTANCE: Preventing tuberculosis among the homeless has emerged as an especially difficult challenge. OBJECTIVES: We assessed a 2008-2009 tuberculosis (TB) outbreak ad subsequent prevention strategies among homeless persons in metropolitan Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We compared data about cases and subclinical TB infections (LTBI) among homeless persons during the outbreak and post-outbreak years, interviewed involved homeless persons, compiled observations from visits to Jackson homeless shelters and conducted literature reviews on homelessness and infectious diseases. We reviewed homeless shelter TB prevention methods adopted by other municipalities, guidelines developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and recommendations from other official and ad hoc groups and considered their applicability to metropolitan Jackson. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The Mississippi State Department of Health TB Program assisted by the CDC and other agencies, contained the Jackson-area outbreak by the end of 2009 as reflected by progressively lower TB rates among homeless persons thereafter. However, some follow-up activities and enforcement of shelter preventive measures have not been consistently maintained. Resources to prevent further outbreaks continue to be inadequate, and over-reliance on private organizations has continued. In the process, appreciation of the dynamic interaction enhancing TB risk among the homeless and incarcerated persons has emerged. RESULTS: Major outbreak contributors were lack of periodic TB screening among homeless shelter clients, preventive treatment compliance and follow-up difficulties among those with subclinical tuberculosis infections, interrupted preventive measures among infected persons incarcerated in local correctional facilities who disproportionately re-join Jackson's homeless community when released, inadequate attention to shelter environmental preventive strategies such as ultraviolet light germicidal irradiators and proper air-exchange/ventilation, costs of isolation housing for homeless people with full-blown tuberculosis (especially those co-infected with HIV and other infections and those with alcohol and/or other chemical dependencies), lack of adequate transportation which impacts access to evaluation and care, lack of mandated ongoing training among shelter and correctional facility staff, and inadequate attention to the societal problem of homelessness itself. CONCLUSIONS: Sustained adherence to local shelter and correctional facility TB prevention measures based on standards and policies proved effective in other settings is most crucial. These include requirements for periodic tuberculosis prevention and awareness training for shelter and correctional facility staff, ongoing tuberculosis screening and follow-up among homeless shelter clients and inmates of local correctional facilities, and attention to shelter and correctional facility environmental sanitation, proper ventilation, ultraviolet light fixtures and capacity/bed alignment standards.

Slums' access to and coverage of primary health care services: a cross-sectional study in shiraz, a metropolis in southern iran.

BACKGROUND: The United Nations has predicted that the population of slum dwellers will have grown from one billion people worldwide to 2 billion by 2030. This trend is also predictable in Iran. In the Iranian metropolis of Shiraz, more than 10% of the residents live in slum areas. There are several problems regarding the delivery of social services in these areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate slums dwellers' access to and coverage of health care. METHODS: This cross-sectional face-to-face study included 380 household of slum dwellers via stratified random sampling. Demographics, accessibility of health services, coverage of health care, and route of receiving health services were recorded through interviews. RESULTS: Approximately, 21.6% of the households had no physical access to health centers. The coverage rate of family planning programs for safe methods was 51.4% (95% CI: 48.86-53.9%). Vaccination coverage among children under 5 years old was 98% (95% CI: 97-99%). Furthermore, 34% of pregnant women had not received standard health care due to a lack of access to health centers. CONCLUSION: Limited access to health services along with inadequate knowledge of slum residents about health care facilities was the main barrier to the utilization of the health care in the slums.

Association of Sociodemographic Factors with Tuberculosis Outcomes in Mississippi.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In the US, the national incidence of reported TB cases was 2.16 per 100,000 persons in 2020 and 2.37 per 100,000 persons in 2021. Furthermore, TB disproportionately affects minorities. Specifically, in 2018, 87% of reported TB cases occurred in racial and ethnic minorities in Mississippi. Data from TB patients from the Mississippi Department of Health (2011-2020) were used to examine the association between sociodemographic subgroups (race, age, place of birth, gender, homelessness, and alcohol use) with TB outcome variables. Of the 679 patients with active TB cases in Mississippi, 59.53% were Black, and 40.47% were White. The mean age was 46 ± ten years; 65.1% were male, and 34.9% were female. Among patients with previous TB infections, 70.8% were Black, and 29.2% were White. The rate of previous TB cases was significantly higher among US-born (87.5%) persons compared with non-US-born persons (12.5%). The study suggested that sociodemographic factors play a significant role in TB outcome variables. This research will help public health professionals to develop an effective TB intervention program that addresses sociodemographic factors in Mississippi.

Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health in Adolescents: A Systematic Review.

Due to lack of sufficient data on the psychological toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent mental health, this systematic analysis aims to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on adolescent mental health. This study follows the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews of 16 quantitative studies conducted in 2019-2021 with 40,076 participants. Globally, adolescents of varying backgrounds experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and stress due to the pandemic. Secondly, adolescents also have a higher frequency of using alcohol and cannabis during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, social support, positive coping skills, home quarantining, and parent-child discussions seem to positively impact adolescent mental health during this period of crisis. Whether in the United States or abroad, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted adolescent mental health. Therefore, it is important to seek and to use all of the available resources and therapies to help adolescents mediate the adjustments caused by the pandemic.

Association and Risk Factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. Epidemiologic studies show that sleep apnea increases cardiovascular diseases risk factors including hypertension, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. OSA is also responsible for serious illnesses such as congestive heart failure, stroke, arrhythmias, and bronchial asthma. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate evidence for the association between OSA and cardiovascular disease morbidities and identify risk factors for the conditions. In a review of 34 studies conducted in 28 countries with a sample of 37,599 people, several comorbidities were identified in patients with severe OSA-these were: heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, asthma, COPD, acute heart failure, chronic heart failure, hyperlipidemia, thyroid disease, cerebral infarct or embolism, myocardial infarction, and psychological comorbidities including stress and depression. Important risk factors contributing to OSA included: age > 35 years; BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2; alcoholism; higher Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS); mean apnea duration; oxygen desaturation index (ODI); and nocturnal oxygen desaturation (NOD). Severe OSA (AHI ≥ 30) was significantly associated with excessive daytime sleepiness and oxygen desaturation index. The risk of OSA and associated disease morbidities can be reduced by controlling overweight/obesity, alcoholism, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia.

Progression of Metabolic Syndrome Components along with Depression Symptoms and High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein: The Bogalusa Heart Study.

This study examined the association between depression symptoms and metabolic syndrome (MetS) or its components prospectively. It assessed the mediator role of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Self-reported depression symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale. MetS was defined as having at least three of the following five criteria: (1) waist circumference >102 centimeters (cm) in men or >88 cm in women; (2) triglycerides ≥ 50 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL); (3) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <40 mg/dL in men or <50 mg/dL in women; (4) blood pressure: systolic ≥ 30 and diastolic ≥85 mm of mercury or on antihypertensive medication; and (5) fasting glucose ≥110 mg/dL. The risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using multivariate Poisson regression models. A total of 419 White and 180 Black individuals with a mean age of 36 years were followed for 6.9 years. The findings demonstrated that hs-CRP mediated the influence of depression symptoms on central obesity in White young adults. The adjusted RR for central obesity was 1.08 with 95% CI of 0.88-1.32, and the value for hs-CRP was 1.12 with 95% CI of 1.02-1.23. Although depression did not influence MetS in this study cohort, the complete mediator role of hs-CRP was established for central obesity, a component of MetS in White young adults.

Outcomes Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Before, During, and After Transition to a Default Transradial Approach at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Transradial coronary intervention (TRI) lowers bleeding and mortality compared with transfemoral coronary intervention (TFI). There are limited data on outcomes as TFI operators transition to a default TRI practice. The aim of this study was to assess TFI and TRI outcomes before, during, and after the year TRI was first learned by femoral operators. Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center from 2006 to 2012 were included. In 2009, TRI was learned by all operators and then used as the default PCI approach from 2010 to 2012. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were collected. Predictors of major bleeding, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and mortality were determined by multivariable analysis; 1192 veterans were included. TRI rates were 9% (2006-2008), 65% (2009), and 90% (2010-2012). Incidence of 1-year MACE and mortality was 5.4% and 3.9%, respectively, in 2009, and 5.6% and 3%, respectively, during 2010 to 2012. Major bleeding remained at <1%. Age, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, and ST-elevation myocardial infarction were independently associated with major bleeding, whereas TRI was protective. Transition to default TRI is feasible over a short time period and associated with low rates of MACE and mortality and very low rate of major bleeding.

Disparities in Hepatitis B Vaccine Coverage by Race/Ethnicity: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015-2016.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common form of viral hepatitis and remains a global public health problem, even though the HBV vaccine is available. HBV leads to chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. This study aimed to identify disparities in HBV vaccine coverage with the serological test by race/ethnicity, adjusting for gender and age. In this study, 5735 adult participants were included, obtaining data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2015-2016. Proc survey frequency, bivariate- and multivariate logistic regression in the weighted sample were performed due to the complex survey design of NHANES. Data were analyzed using SAS, version 9.2.4. The overall prevalence of HBV vaccine coverage was only 23.3% (95% CI: 20.7%, 25.9%). In a multivariate logistic regression model, data showed that Mexican Americans (OR 0.57, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.86) and African Americans (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.56, 0.84) had lower vaccine coverage compared to Whites. Females had (OR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.85) higher vaccine coverage compared to men. Older age groups (30-49 years) (OR 0.41, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.52) and age group ≥ 50 years (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.14, 0.23) had lower vaccine coverage compared to younger adults aged 18-29 years.

The effect of dolichol on the structure and phase behaviour of phospholipid model membranes.

The effect of dolichol C(95) on the structure and thermotropic phase behaviour of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine and stearoyloleoylphosphatidylethanolamine has been examined by synchrotron X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The presence of dolichol C(95) had no detectable effects on the temperature of either the gel to ripple or the ripple to liquid-crystal phase transition of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine. A proportionate increase of a few degrees in the temperature of the gel to lamellar liquid-crystal phase transition is observed in dispersions of dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine and significantly there is a decrease in the temperature of the lamellar to non-lamellar phase transition of stearoyloleoylphosphatidylethanolamine. There was no significant change in the bilayer repeat spacing of all three mixed dispersions in gel phase in the presence of up to 20 mol% dolichol C(95). Electron density calculations showed that there was no change of bilayer thickness of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine with incorporation of up to 7.5 mol% dolichol C(95). These data suggest that effect of dolichol on the phospholipid model membranes depend on both the head group and the hydrocarbon chains of the phospholipid molecules. The presence of dolichol in phosphatidylcholine bilayers conforms to a model in which the polyisoprene compound is phase separated into a central domain sandwiched between the two monolayers in gel phase. In bilayers of phosphatidylethanolamines dolichol tends to stabilize the bilayers in gel phase at low temperatures and destabilize the bilayers in lamellar disordered structure at high temperatures. Non-lamellar structures coexist with lamellar disordered phase over a wide temperature range suggesting that dolichol is enriched in domains of non-lamellar structure and depleted from lamellar phase. These findings are useful to understand the function of dolichol in cell membranes.

Association of HCV Infection with C-Reactive Protein: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2009⁻2010.

The relationship between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and C-reactive protein (CRP), which is an inflammatory biomarker, is limited in studies with the general population. It was hypothesized that changes in CRP levels are genotype-dependent in the general population with HCV infection. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of HCV infection and compare CRP levels with an anti-HCV antibody, HCV-RNA status, and HCV genotypes. A total of 5611 adult participants from the National and Health Nutrition Examination (NHANES), 2009⁻2010 survey were analyzed. Proc survey frequency, means, and multivariate regression were used due to the complex survey design of NHANES. The prevalence of HCV infection among the study population was 1.6%. There were lower mean CRP levels among people with anti-HCV antibody positive status compared to those with antibody negative status (0.12 ± 0.08 vs. 0.24 ± 0.02, p = 0.08, 95% Confidence Intervals, CI: -1.12 to 0.07). Mean CRP levels were also lower in people with HCV-RNA positive status compared to those with HCV-RNA negative status (0.56 ± 0.03 vs. 0.48 ± 0.05, p = 0.62 and 95% CI: -1.37 to 0.86). However, these differences were non-significant. With respect to HCV genotypes, significantly higher CRP levels were noted among people infected with HCV genotype 2 vs. genotype 1 (0.53 ± 0.06 vs. 0.23 ± 0.05, p < 0.01, 95% CI: -0.58 to -0.02) and those with HCV genotype 2 vs. HCV genotype 3 (0.53 ± 0.06, 0.28 ± 0.04, p < 0.01, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.48). Further studies are needed to confirm this finding.

Tranexamic acid has no advantage in head and neck surgical procedures: a randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of tranexamic acid in head and neck surgical procedures. METHODS: A prospective, double-blind and randomised, parallel group, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted. Ninety-two patients undergoing various head and neck surgical procedures were randomised. Subjects received seven infusions of coded drugs (tranexamic acid or normal saline) starting at the time of skin closure. Haematological, biochemical, blood loss and other parameters were observed by the staff, who were blinded to patients' group allocation (case or control). RESULTS: Patients were analysed on the basis of type of surgery. Fifty patients who had undergone surgical procedures, including total thyroidectomy, total parotidectomy, and various neck dissections with or without primary tumour excision, were included in the first group. The second group comprised 41 patients who had undergone hemithyroidectomy, lobectomy or superficial parotidectomy. There was no statistical difference in blood parameters between both groups. There was a reduction in post-operative drain volume, but this was not significant. CONCLUSION: Although this prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial found a reduction in post-operative drain volume in tranexamic acid groups, the difference was not statistically significant between the various head and neck surgical procedure groups.

Interaction of G-protein beta3 subunit and nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms on carotid artery intima-media thickness in young adults: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: G-protein beta3 subunit (GNB3) gene C825T and endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) gene G894T polymorphisms both influence arterial structure and function. However, information is scant regarding the interaction of these genes on arterial wall thickness. METHODS: This aspect was examined in 654 white and black subjects, aged 25-43 years (72.9% white, 39.3% male). Arterial wall thickness was assessed in terms of the average intima-media thickness (IMT) of common carotid, internal carotid, and carotid bulb segments by B-mode ultrasonography. RESULTS: Frequencies of T allele of the GNB3 C825T polymorphism (0.718 vs. 0.304, P < 0.0001) and G allele of the eNOS G894T polymorphism (0.868 vs. 0.661, P < 0.0001) were higher in blacks compared to whites. In a multivariate model including gender, age, mean arterial pressure, body mass index, triglycerides/HDL cholesterol ratio, insulin resistance index, smoking, and/or race, there was no significant genotypic effect on carotid IMT with respect to GNB3 C825T or eNOS G894T polymorphisms among whites, blacks, and total sample. However, the carriers of TT genotype of the GNB3 C825T and T allele of the eNOS G894T had a significantly lower carotid IMT among blacks (P = 0.003) and the total sample (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the genetic variations of the eNOS gene in combination with the GNB3 gene jointly influence carotid artery wall thickening process in young adults, especially in blacks.

Association of serum bilirubin with pulsatile arterial function in asymptomatic young adults: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

The inverse association between serum bilirubin, a potent antioxidant, and oxidative stress-mediated diseases like cardiovascular disease is known. However, information is scant regarding the influence of bilirubin in relation to traditional cardiovascular risk factors on pulsatile arterial function in asymptomatic younger adults. The present study examines this aspect in 777 black and white subjects (71% white, 42% male) aged 18 to 44 years. Pulsatile arterial function was assessed in terms of large-artery (capacitive) and small-artery (oscillatory) compliances by radial artery pressure pulse contour analysis. In bivariate analysis adjusted for race and sex, bilirubin related significantly and positively to large- and small-artery compliances and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and inversely to age, body mass index, blood pressure variables, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin resistance index. In multivariable analysis including race, sex, body surface area, and risk factor variables mentioned above, bilirubin did not relate to large-artery compliance, without or with smoking status in the model, whereas bilirubin associated beneficially with small-artery compliance (P=.01) in a model that excluded smoking status. When smoking status was included in the model, this association became less strong (P=.04); and smoking entered the model as an adverse predictor (P=.003). The observed beneficial association of serum bilirubin on pulsatile arterial function, albeit the attenuating effect of smoking on this relationship, in asymptomatic younger adults supports the antioxidant function of bilirubin in providing protection against oxidative stress-mediated vascular dysfunction.

The risk factors and laboratory diagnostics for post renal transplant tuberculosis: a case-control, country-wide study on definitive cases.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients and, because of its infrequency and the lack of medical awareness, it is usually misdiagnosed. This study was carried out to determine frequency and weight of multiple risk factors for post kidney transplantation TB. METHODS: A total of 44 cases (0.3%), out of 12,820 patients from 12 major kidney transplantation centers in Iran from 1984 to 2003, were compared with 184 healthy transplant subjects who were transplanted by the same surgical team. RESULTS: The mean age of cases and controls was 37.7 (13-63) and 35.6 (8-67) years (P=0.3), respectively. The mean duration of pre-transplantation hemodialysis was 30.3 (3-168) months in cases and 18.2 (1-180) months in controls (P=0.03). A positive past history of TB was detected in 2 cases and 1 control (P=0.3). The mean doses of initial and maintenance immunosuppressive drugs in cases and controls were not significantly different. A total of 25 cases (56.8%) and 60 controls (32.6%) had rejection before diagnosis of TB (P=0.004; OR=2.7, CI(95%): 1.3-5.6). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrated an increase in the risk of post-transplant TB by increasing the duration of pre-transplant hemodialysis and the number of post-transplant rejection episodes as 2 immunocompromised states. Further study is needed to clarify our new findings, specifically in relation to different immunosuppressive regimens.

G-6A polymorphism of angiotensinogen gene modulates the effect of blood pressure on carotid intima-media thickness. The Bogalusa Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: The adverse association between blood pressure and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), a surrogate measure of subclinical atherosclerosis, is well-known. However, whether the G-6A polymorphism of the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene, a candidate gene of hypertension and vascular remodeling, modulates this relationship is unknown. METHODS: In 662 white and black subjects aged 25 to 43 years (73.4% white, 39.7% male), common carotid IMT was measured by B-mode ultrasonography. RESULTS: The variant A-6 allele frequency was higher in blacks than in whites (0.850 v 0.448, P < .0001). In a bivariate analysis, there were no differences in mean arterial blood pressure and common carotid IMT between carriers and noncarriers of the G allele in whites, blacks, or the total sample, after adjusting for gender, age, and race. In a multivariable regression analysis that included the status of the G allele (carriers versus noncarriers) along with gender, age, mean arterial blood pressure, body mass index, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides:HDL cholesterol ratio, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, smoking, and race (in the total sample), mean arterial blood pressure was significantly and adversely associated with common carotid IMT in whites, blacks, and the total sample. This adverse positive relationship between mean arterial blood pressure and common carotid IMT was noted among noncarriers but not carriers of the G allele (comparison of slopes, P = .02) in the total sample. Although the interaction was not significant (P = .2 and P = .05 in whites and blacks, respectively), a trend similar to that in the total sample was found in both races. CONCLUSIONS: In a recessive manner, the genetic variant (G-6A) of the AGT gene modulates the association between blood pressure and carotid IMT in young adults.

Correlates of vascular structure and function measures in asymptomatic young adults: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: Adverse changes in arterial structure and function, independent predictors of cardiovascular (CV) disease morbidity and mortality, are known to be associated with CV risk factors, especially in middle-aged and older adults. Although non-invasive studies in this regard are beginning to emerge in a younger age population, information is lacking on the correlates of measures of vascular structure and function obtained simultaneously by different non-invasive methods. METHODS: In 518 black and white subjects (72% white, 44% male) aged 27-43 years, vascular structure and function were measured in terms of (1) carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), (2) aorta-femoral pulse wave velocity (af-PWV), and (3) pulsatile arterial function in terms of large (C1) and small (C2) artery compliances. RESULTS: Blacks versus whites and males versus females had higher carotid IMT; blacks versus whites higher af-PWV; and blacks versus whites and females versus males lower C1 and C2. In a multivariate regression model, significant predictors in the order of entry into the model were systolic blood pressure, male gender, age, cigarette smoking, and LDL cholesterol for carotid IMT (R(2)=0.189); systolic blood pressure, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), cigarette smoking, and age for af-PWV (R(2)=0.200); systolic blood pressure, female gender, and HOMA-IR for C1 (R(2)=0.258); and systolic blood pressure, female gender, age, diastolic blood pressure, cigarette smoking, triglycerides, and black race for C2 (R(2)=0.394). CONCLUSION: In asymptomatic young adults, CV risk factors influence adversely measures of both structure and function of the vasculature to varying degrees, with small artery compliance showing maximum variance. As part of preventive cardiology, assessment of structure/function measures of the vasculature by simple non-invasive methods may be helpful in identifying early vascular damage in a high-risk young population group.

Cardiopulmonary functions and adenotonsillectomy: surgical indications need revision.

OBJECTIVE: To assess cardiac functions in adenotonsillar or tonsillar hypertrophy. METHODS: A prospective, interventional, academic centre based study was conducted on 25 children with adenotonsillar or tonsillar hypertrophy. All patients underwent pulsed 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiography, pulse oximetry and 12-lead electrocardiography. These assessments were repeated three months later to determine the impact of adenotonsillectomy. RESULTS: There were significant differences in mean arterial oxygen saturation, pulmonary flow acceleration time and mean pulmonary artery pressure post-operatively. Adenotonsillectomy led to significant improvements in pulmonary flow acceleration time and pulmonary flow velocity time index, while tonsillectomy resulted in right ventricular early and late diastolic velocity index improvement. CONCLUSION: Upper airway obstruction in children affects cardiac functioning and this can subsequently lead to morbidity and delayed growth. Hence, revision of surgical indications is advocated in adenotonsillar hypertrophy to avoid irreversible damage to cardiopulmonary functions.

Distribution and correlates of arterial compliance measures in asymptomatic young adults: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: Impaired arterial compliance is an independent predictor of early vascular damage and related adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcome. Information is scant on the distributions and correlates of measures of arterial pulsatile function in a community-based, biracial cohort of young adults. METHODS: In 800 African American and white subjects aged 18 to 44 years, pulsatile arterial function was assessed in terms of large artery (capacitive) compliance, small artery (oscillatory) compliance, systemic vascular resistance, and vascular impedance by noninvasive radial artery pressure pulse contour analysis. RESULTS: African Americans versus whites and women versus men had lower large and small artery compliances and higher systemic vascular resistance and vascular impedance (P < .001). In multiple regression analysis, mean arterial pressure, body mass index (BMI), insulin levels, and age were correlated inversely and body surface area positively with large artery compliance and accounted for 39.2% of the variance; mean arterial pressure, female gender, age, and triglyceride levels inversely and cardiac output positively with small artery compliance and explained 56.4% of the variance; mean arterial pressure and age positively and cardiac output inversely with systemic vascular resistance and accounted for 91.4% of variance; and mean arterial pressure and BMI positively and cardiac output and body surface area inversely with vascular impedance and contributed to 37.6% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: The observed deleterious impact of traditional CV risk factors on the arterial wall dynamics in asymptomatic young adults has important implications for preventive cardiology. Noninvasive pulsatile arterial function assessment may be helpful for evaluation of early vascular damage in a high-risk young population group.