Maternal risk factors and adverse birth outcomes associated with HELLP syndrome: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the incidence, risk factors and adverse birth outcomes associated with elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. DESIGN: A retrospective population-based cohort study. SETTING: Canada (excluding Quebec), 2012/2013-2015/2016. POPULATION: Mothers with a singleton hospital live birth or stillbirth at ≥24 weeks' gestation (n = 1 078 323). METHODS: HELLP syndrome was identified using ICD-10-CA diagnostic code from delivery hospitalisation data. We used logistic regression to identify independent risk factors for HELLP syndrome by obtaining adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), and to assess the associations with adverse outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adverse maternal (e.g. eclampsia) and fetal/neonatal outcomes (e.g. intraventricular haemorrhage, perinatal death). RESULTS: The incidence of HELLP syndrome was 2.5 per 1000 singleton deliveries (n = 2663). Risk factors included: age ≥35 years, rural residence, nulliparity, parity ≥4, pre-pregnancy and gestational hypertension and diabetes, assisted reproduction, chronic cardiac conditions, systemic lupus erythematosus, obesity, chronic hepatic conditions, placental disorders (e.g. fetomaternal transfusion) and congenital anomalies. PROM and age <25 years were inversely associated with HELLP syndrome (P-values <0.05). Women with the syndrome had a 10-fold higher maternal mortality (95% CI 1.6-84.3) and elevated severe maternal morbidity (9.6 versus 121.7 per 1000; AOR 12.5, 95% CI 11.1-14.1); and higher perinatal mortality (4.3 versus 21.0 per 1000; AOR 4.5, 95% CI 3.5-5.9) and perinatal mortality/severe neonatal morbidity (21.2 versus 202.4 per 1000; AOR 10.7, 95% CI 9.7-11.8). CONCLUSION: HELLP syndrome is associated with specific pre-pregnancy and pregnancy risk factors, higher rates of maternal death, and substantially higher severe maternal morbidity, perinatal mortality and severe neonatal morbidity. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: HELLP syndrome is associated with higher maternal death rate, and substantially higher severe maternal and neonatal morbidity, and perinatal mortality.

Risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality in elderly patients admitted to a regional trauma center after sustaining a fall.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Falls are a significant cause of mortality in the elderly patients. Despite this, the literature on in-hospital mortality related to elderly falls remains sparse. Our study aims to determine the risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality in elderly patients admitted to a regional trauma center after sustaining a fall. METHODS: All elderly case records with fall-related injuries between 2003 and 2013 were retrospectively analyzed for demographic characteristics, injury severities, comorbidity factors and clinical outcomes. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: In total, 1026 elderly patients with fall-related injuries were included in the study. The average age of patients was 80.94 ± 8.16 years. Seventy seven percent of the patients had at least one comorbid condition. Majority of the falls occurred at home. More than half of the patients fell from ground level. Overall, the in-hospital mortality rate was 16 %. Head injury constituted the most common injury sustained in patients who died (77 %). In addition to age, ISS, GCS, ICU admission and anemia were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with in-hospital deaths in elderly fall patients. CONCLUSION: Ground-level falls in the elderly can be devastating and carry a significant mortality rate. Elderly patients with anemia were two times more likely to die in the hospital after sustaining a fall in our study population. Increased focus on anemia which is often underappreciated in elderly fall patients can be beneficial in improving outcomes and reducing in-hospital mortality.

Aneurysmal SubArachnoid Hemorrhage-Red Blood Cell Transfusion And Outcome (SAHaRA): a pilot randomised controlled trial protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Anaemia is common in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) and is a potential critical modifiable factor affecting secondary injury. Despite physiological evidence and management guidelines that support maintaining a higher haemoglobin level in patients with aSAH, current practice is one of a more restrictive approach to transfusion. The goal of this multicentre pilot trial is to determine the feasibility of successfully conducting a red blood cell (RBC) transfusion trial in adult patients with acute aSAH and anaemia (Hb ≤100 g/L), comparing a liberal transfusion strategy (Hb ≤100 g/L) with a restrictive strategy (Hb ≤80 g/L) on the combined rate of death and severe disability at 12 months. METHODS: Design This is a multicentre open-label randomised controlled pilot trial at 5 academic tertiary care centres. Population We are targeting adult aSAH patients within 14 days of their initial bleed and with anaemia (Hb ≤110 g/L). Randomisation Central computer-generated randomisation, stratified by centre, will be undertaken from the host centre. Randomisation into 1 of the 2 treatment arms will occur when the haemoglobin levels of eligible patients fall to ≤100 g/L. Intervention Patients will be randomly assigned to either a liberal (threshold: Hb ≤100 g/L) or a restrictive transfusion strategy (threshold: Hb ≤80 g/L). Outcome Primary: Centre randomisation rate over the study period. Secondary: (1) transfusion threshold adherence; (2) study RBC transfusion protocol adherence; and (3) outcome assessment including vital status at hospital discharge, modified Rankin Score at 6 and 12 months and Functional Independence Measure and EuroQOL Quality of Life Scale scores at 12 months. Outcome measures will be reported in aggregate. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol has been approved by the host centre (OHSN-REB 20150433-01H). This study will determine the feasibility of conducting the large pragmatic RCT comparing 2 RBC transfusion strategies examining the effect of a liberal strategy on 12-month outcome following aSAH. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02483351; Pre-results.

Tropheryma whipplei associated with diarrhoea in young children.

Tropheryma whipplei was detected in preliminary studies in faeces of young children with diarrhoea and also in faeces of asymptomatic persons, not only in Europe but also in Africa. In this study, the link between this bacterium and the presence of acute diarrhoea was evaluated in a large group of children. From December 2009 to January 2013, rectal swabs collected from 3796 children in the emergency departments of university hospitals in Marseille, France, were analysed: 555 children (245 female and 310 male, from 6 days to 6 years old) with acute diarrhoea defined as at least three loose stools per day for <1 week and 3241 children (1444 female and 1797 male, from 22 days to 6 years old) without diarrhoea. Specific quantitative real-time PCR was performed to detect the presence of T. whipplei and of two enteric pathogens Clostridium difficile and Giardia duodenalis. Tropheryma whipplei was significantly more common in children with diarrhoea (22/555, 4%) than without (56/3241, 1.7%; p 0.001). Neither C. difficile nor G. duodenalis showed this association. For C. difficile, 39 of 531 (7.3%) children with diarrhoea were positive versus 184 of 3119 (5.9%) of children without diarrhoea (p 0.25). For G. duodenalis, 2 of 529 (0.37%) children with diarrhoea were positive versus 5 of 3119 (0.16%) children without diarrhoea (p 0.26). Tropheryma whipplei was found more commonly in autumn. Tropheryma whipplei is significantly associated with diarrhoea in children, suggesting that the bacterium may be a cause of acute diarrhoea.

Polymer-based microfluidic chip for rapid and efficient immunomagnetic capture and release of Listeria monocytogenes.

Infections caused by foodborne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes pose a threat to public health while timely detection is challenging due to pathogen low numbers. The development of robust and efficient sample preparation techniques is crucial to improve detection sensitivity and workflow. Immunomagnetic separation using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is attractive, as it can efficiently capture target cells. For food safety applications, a platform is needed to rapidly process large sample volumes, allowing capture and release of target bacteria conjugated to immunomagnetic nanoparticles (IMNPs). Herein, we demonstrate a method for magnetic capture and release of bacteria-IMNPs complex based on a 3D magnetic trap integrated on a polymeric microfluidic device. The 3D magnetic capture region consist of a dense array of high-aspect ratio (3 : 1) cylindrical pillars embossed in thermoplastic polymer and coated with soft ferromagnetic nickel by an electroless deposition technique. This allows the generation of strong and switchable magnetic capture regions due to the very low remanence of the nickel shell. We propose and validate an optimized configuration of capture regions for efficient localized capture and rapid release of MNPs and IMNPs conjugated to L. monocytogenes. A maximum recovery rate for MNPs corresponded to 91% while a maximum capture efficiency of 30% was obtained for live bacteria, with a minimum detectable sample concentration of ~10 cfu ml(-1) in 1 ml volume using plate-culture method. We believe that the flexible design and low-cost fabrication process of the proposed system will allow rapid sample preparation for applications beyond food and water safety, including point-of-care diagnosis.

Association between KRAS mutation and lung metastasis in advanced colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: KRAS mutations have been associated with lung metastases at diagnosis of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), but the impact of this mutation on subsequent development of lung metastasis is unknown. We investigated KRAS mutation as a predictor of lung metastasis development. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated data from patients with mCRC whose tumour was tested for KRAS mutation from 2008 to 2010. The relationships of KRAS mutational status with time-to-lung metastasis (TTLM) and overall survival (OS) were analysed. RESULTS: Of the 494 patients identified, 202 (41%) had tumours with KRAS mutation. KRAS mutations were associated with a shorter TTLM (median 15.2 vs 22.4 months; hazard ratio=1.40; P=0.002) and a two-fold greater odds of developing lung metastases during the disease course in patients with liver-limited mCRC at diagnosis (72 vs 56%, P=0.007). Overall survival did not differ by KRAS status. CONCLUSIONS: Lung metastasis was more likely to develop during the disease course in patients whose tumour had a KRAS mutation than in those whose tumour did not have a KRAS mutation. This finding may have an impact on decision making for surgical resection of metastatic disease.

"Soccer or emergency?" sporting event can lead to a decreased attendance in the pediatric emergency department.

AIM: Sporting events have been seen to be related to a decline in adult male visits in emergency departments. Studies about the influence of sporting events on pediatric emergency attendance are scarce and non-conclusive. In our institution there is a widely shared popular belief of the local pediatric emergency medical staff that there is a decrease in the attendance when the local soccer team (Olympique de Marseille) is playing. METHODS: We have collected data on attendance and orientation (medical or surgery) in the pediatric emergency unit (35,000 annual admission) for the Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays between July 1, 2008 and May 31, 2012 compassing 4 soccer seasons. We have also collected the date and the localization (at home or abroad) of all the games played by the city's soccer team for the four seasons. RESULTS: The study included 512 days (171 Saturdays and Sundays and 170 Wednesdays), 173 were match days and 339 were control days. After adjusting for day, month, and years, there was a 3.5% decrease of attendance during game days (P=0.007), which was higher for days of away games (4.7% decrease, P=0.012). For matches played at 9 p.m. for a 4 hour period (allowing for 1 hour before and 1 hour after the matches) the decrease was that of 8% (P=0.05) mostly for medicine admission. CONCLUSION: We observed that sporting events as soccer games can have a effect on the attendance rate in a children's emergency department. The underlying reason for this difference is not well understood.

Hysterosalpingosonography for diagnosing tubal occlusion in subfertile women: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

STUDY QUESTION: Is hysterosalpingosonography (sono-HSG) an accurate test for diagnosing tubal occlusion in subfertile women and how does it perform compared with hysterosalpingography (HSG)? SUMMARY ANSWER: sono-HSG is an accurate test for diagnosing tubal occlusion and performs similarly to HSG. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: sono-HSG and HSG are both short, well-tolerated outpatient procedures. However, sono-HSG has the advantage over HSG of obviating ionizing radiation and the risk of iodine allergy, being associated with a greater sensitivity and specificity in detecting anomalies of the uterine cavity and permitting concomitant visualization of the ovaries and myometrium. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published in any language before 14 November 2012 were performed. All studies assessing the accuracy of sono-HSG for diagnosing tubal occlusion in a subfertile female population were considered. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Biosis as well as related articles, citations and reference lists. Diagnostic studies were eligible if they compared sono-HSG (±HSG) to laparoscopy with chromotubation in women suffering from subfertility. Two authors independently screened for eligibility, extracted data and assessed the quality of included studies. Risk of bias and applicability concerns were investigated according to the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Study (QUADAS-2). Bivariate random-effects models were used to estimate pooled sensitivity and specificity with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), to generate summary receiver operating characteristic curves and to evaluate sources of heterogeneity. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Of the 4221 citations identified, 30 studies were eligible. Of the latter, 28 reported results per individual tube and were included in the meta-analysis, representing a total of 1551 women and 2740 tubes. In nine studies, all participants underwent HSG in addition to sono-HSG and laparoscopy, allowing direct comparison of the accuracy of sono-HSG and HSG. Pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity of sono-HSG were 0.92 (95% CI: 0.82-0.96) and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.90-0.97), respectively. In nine studies (582 women, 1055 tubes), sono-HSG and HSG were both compared with laparoscopy, giving pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.78-0.99) and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89-0.96) for sono-HSG, and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.74-0.99) and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.87-0.95) for HSG, respectively. Doppler sonography was associated with significantly greater sensitivity and specificity of sono-HSG compared with its non-use (0.93 and 0.95 versus 0.86 and 0.89, respectively, P = 0.0497). Sensitivity analysis regarding methodological quality of studies was consistent with these findings. We also found no benefit of the commercially available contrast media over saline solution in regard to the diagnostic accuracy of sono-HSG. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Methodological quality varied greatly between studies. However, sensitivity analysis, taking methodological quality of studies into account, did not modify the results. This systematic review did not allow the distinction between distal and proximal occlusion. This could be interesting to take into account in further studies, as the performance of the test may differ for each localization. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Given our findings and the known benefits of sono-HSG over HSG in the context of subfertility, sono-HSG should replace HSG in the initial workup of subfertile couples. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was funded by personal funds. There are no conflicts of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This review has been registered at PROSPERO: Registration number #CRD42013003829.

Metal-organic frameworks with wine-rack motif: what determines their flexibility and elastic properties?

We present here a framework for the analysis of the full tensors of second-order elastic constants of metal-organic frameworks, which can be obtained by ab initio calculations. We describe the various mechanical properties one can derive from such tensors: directional Young's modulus, shear modulus, Poisson ratio, and linear compressibility. We then apply this methodology to four different metal-organic frameworks displaying a wine-rack structure: MIL-53(Al), MIL-47, MIL-122(In), and MIL-140A. From these results, we shed some light into the link between mechanical properties, geometric shape, and compliance of the framework of these porous solids. We conclude by proposing a simple criterion to assess the framework compliance, based on the lowest eigenvalue of its second-order elastic tensor.

Identification of glycosyltransferases involved in cell wall synthesis of wheat endosperm.

Plant cell walls are complex structures critical for plant fitness and valuable for human nutrition as dietary fiber and for industrial uses such as biofuel production. The cell wall polysaccharides in wheat endosperm consist of two major polymers, arabinoxylans and beta-glucans, as well as other minor components. Most of these polysaccharides are synthesized in the Golgi apparatus but the mechanisms underlying their synthesis have yet to be fully elucidated and only a few of the enzymes involved have been characterized. To identify actors involved in the wheat endosperm cell wall formation, we used a subcellular fractionation strategy to isolate Golgi-enriched fractions from endosperm harvested during active cell wall deposition. The proteins extracted from these Golgi-enriched fractions were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. We report the identification of 1135 proteins among which 64 glycosyltransferases distributed in 17 families. Their potential function in cell wall synthesis is discussed. In addition, we identified 63 glycosylhydrolases, some of which may be involved in cell wall remodeling. Several glycosyltransferases were validated by showing that when expressed as fusion proteins with a fluorescent reporter, they indeed accumulate in the Golgi apparatus. Our results provide new candidates potentially involved in cell wall biogenesis in wheat endosperm.

[Methaemoglobinaemia in a child treated with Emla(®) cream: circumstances and consequences of overdose]. / Méthémoglobinémie après application de crème Emla(®) chez un enfant : circonstances et conséquences d'un surdosage.

BACKGROUND: Emla(®) cream, a mixture of two local anaesthetics (prilocaine 2.5%, lidocaine 2.5%) has a good benefit-risk profile. However, methaemoglobinaemia can occur, especially when the cream is applied in excessive amounts or over long periods. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors report a case of seizure and respiratory disturbances (MetHb=20.1%) after excessive application of Emla(®) (30g) for curettage of molluscum contagiosum in a young girl with eczema. The patient's clinical condition improved after withdrawal of the cream and administration of methylene blue, and she returned home on day two. DISCUSSION: This new case of methaemoglobinaemia in a child following application of Emla(®) cream highlights the importance of strict compliance with the instructions for use of this medicinal product.

Free energy landscapes for the thermodynamic understanding of adsorption-induced deformations and structural transitions in porous materials.

Soft porous crystals are flexible metal-organic frameworks that respond to physical stimuli such as temperature, pressure, and gas adsorption by large changes in their structure and unit cell volume. While they have attracted a lot of interest, molecular simulation methods that directly couple adsorption and large structural deformations in an efficient manner are still lacking. We propose here a new Monte Carlo simulation method based on non-Boltzmann sampling in (guest loading, volume) space using the Wang-Landau algorithm, and show that it can be used to fully characterize the adsorption properties and the material's response to adsorption at thermodynamic equilibrium. We showcase this new method on a simple model of the MIL-53 family of breathing materials, demonstrating its potential and contrasting it with the pitfalls of direct, Boltzmann simulations. We furthermore propose an explanation for the hysteretic nature of adsorption in terms of free energy barriers between the two metastable host phases.

[Relationship between precariousness, social coverage, and vaccine coverage: survey among children consulting in pediatric emergency departments in France]. / Précarité, couverture sociale et couverture vaccinale : enquête chez les enfants consultant aux urgences pédiatriques.

UNLABELLED: Poor children are more susceptible to infectious diseases. Routine medical follow-up is infrequent in these patients, sometimes resulting in immunization delays. The aim of this study was to correlate a number of socioeconomic factors related to poverty with vaccination coverage in children visiting a pediatric emergency ward. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Previous routine vaccinations and various socioeconomic features were prospectively recorded for children aged 9 months to 7 years visiting two public pediatric emergency departments in Marseilles (southern France) from 2009 to 2010. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy-five children were included. Vaccination coverage was 87% for diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b infections and pertussis, 69% for tuberculosis (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin), 77% for measles, mumps and rubella, 74% for pneumococcal infections (conjugate vaccine), and 55% for hepatitis B. Socioeconomic factors related to poverty were significantly associated with delays in immunizations. Children not attending school (OR=2.5), having parents who were not fluent in French (OR=5.7), living in caravans or squatting (OR=11.5), or being recipients of the national medical assistance for foreigners (OR=12.8) had significant delays with diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis vaccines. The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine was also delayed in homeless children (OR=3.4). Children who were recipients of the national medical assistance for citizens were better vaccinated against tuberculosis and hepatitis B. CONCLUSION: Poor children living in southern France had significant delays in their routine immunizations, resulting in gaps in their protection. Every medical visit, even those conducted in an emergency ward, should identify children with immunization delays and offer a catch-up schedule if necessary.

[Pneumonia with empyema during varicella]. / Pleuropneumopathie bactérienne en cours de varicelle.

UNLABELLED: Chicken pox is usually considered a benign viral affection; however, possible infectious complications are observed. Although cutaneous infections are well described, bacterial pneumonia with empyema is more exceptionally reported. PURPOSE: To describe the clinical characteristics of bacterial pneumonia with empyema associated with chicken pox. METHODS: This descriptive multicenter retrospective study was based on a questionnaire sent by Internet to 30 French pediatric and pediatric respiratory hospital wards. RESULTS: We found 4 cases of children (mean age, 19 months) presenting during the chicken pox eruption concomitant bacterial pneumonia with empyema. The average time of diagnosis was 4.5 days after the beginning of the eruption. All the children were febrile and had an average pulsed oxygen saturation of 87%. The inflammatory syndrome was constant with a mean C reactive protein of 253 mg/l. Group A Streptococcus was identified in 3 cases out of 4. Admission to an intensive care unit was necessary for 3 children, 1 of them requiring mechanical ventilation. No clinical or radiological sequelae were observed during the complete year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Bacterial pneumoniae with empyema are not current complications of chicken pox but have to be sought when prolonged fever and/or alteration of the health status occurs during chicken pox eruption.

Molecular simulations of the n -alkane liquid-vapor interface: interfacial properties and their long range corrections.

Monte Carlo simulations have been performed to study the interfacial properties of the liquid-vapor interface of alkanes. We highlight the chemical equilibrium of the liquid-vapor interface by calculating a local chemical potential including the appropriate long-range corrections profiles. We extend the "test-area" (TA) technique developed by Gloor [J. Chem. Phys. 123, 134703 (2005)] on Lennard-Jones and square-well fluids to molecular systems. We establish both operational expressions of the TA approach for the calculation of the surface tension profile and the corresponding long-range corrections by underlining the approximations used. We compare the results between the different operational expressions of the surface tension and focus on the truncation procedures to explain the difference between the different techniques using either the potential or force equations. We make the results of surface tension identical between the different methods by using consistent potential and force equations. In the case of a relatively small cutoff, we propose to show that the Irving-Kirkwood definition and TA methods lead to the same value of the surface tension under condition that appropriate long-range corrections be included in the calculation. We end this paper by calculation of the entropy change profile and a comparison with experiments.

The effect of local defects on water adsorption in silicalite-1 zeolite: a joint experimental and molecular simulation study.

We report a joint experimental and molecular simulation study of water condensation in silicalite-1 zeolite. A sample was synthesized using the fluoride route and was found to contain essentially no defects. A second sample synthesized using the hydroxide route was found to contain a small amount of silanol groups. The thermodynamics of water condensation was studied in these two samples, as well as in a commercial sample, in order to understand the effect of local defects on water adsorption. The molecular simulation study enabled us to qualitatively reproduce the experimentally observed condensation thermodynamics features. A shift and a rounding of the condensation transition was observed with an increasing hydrophilicity of the local defect, but the condensation transition was still observed above the water saturation vapor pressure P0. Both experiments and simulations agree on the fact that a small water uptake can be observed at very low pressure, but that the bulk liquid does not form from the gas phase below P0. The picture that emerges from the observed water condensation mechanism is the existence of a heterogeneous internal surface that is overall hydrophobic, despite the existence of hydrophilic "patches". This heterogeneous surface configuration is thermodynamically stable in a wide range of reduced pressures (from P/P0 = 0.2 to a few thousands), until the condensation transition takes place.

Carotid and femoral arterial wall mechanics in scleroderma.

OBJECTIVE: Large-vessel arterial disease is increasingly recognized as a major cause of morbidity in autoimmune rheumatic disorders. Recent evidence suggests that scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc) may be linked to altered fibrillin-1 metabolism associated with a defect in chromosome 15q. If this is the case, we may expect to see changes in the arterial wall mechanics of large vessels not clinically involved in the disease process. We undertook a study to determine whether the biomechanical properties and intima-media thickness (IMT) of the elastic carotid artery and the muscular femoral artery are altered in subjects with limited (lcSSc) and diffuse (dcSSc) cutaneous SSc. METHODS: Measurements of carotid and femoral wall mechanics were made in 33 patients with lcSSc, 19 patients with dcSSc and 21 control subjects, using a duplex scanner coupled to a Wall Track system. Their age, gender, body mass index, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, presumed cardiovascular load, and plasma creatinine, fasting cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose concentrations were also measured. RESULTS: There was a progressive and significant reduction (P < 0.001) in the elastic properties of the carotid artery from the control group (compliance, 16.24 +/- 4.39 %mmHg(-1) x 10(-2)) to the lcSSc group (10.89 +/- 2.43 %mmHg(-1) x 10(-2)) to the dcSSc group (7.65 +/- 2.08 %mmHg(-1) x 10(-2)), even after adjustment for the systemic physiological and biochemical variables studied, which are known to influence the mechanics of arterial walls. There was no apparent difference between the groups in the mean elastic indices of the femoral artery and the IMT of the carotid and femoral arteries. CONCLUSION: The elastic properties of the carotid artery are significantly altered in SSc, and the two major subsets of SSc may be distinguished by their carotid artery biomechanics. This suggests that connective tissue abnormality occurs at sites not previously assessed.