Genome-wide meta-analysis of variant-by-diuretic interactions as modulators of lipid traits in persons of European and African ancestry.

Hypertension (HTN) is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Metabolic abnormalities, including adverse cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) profiles, are frequent comorbid findings with HTN and contribute to cardiovascular disease. Diuretics, which are used to treat HTN and heart failure, have been associated with worsening of fasting lipid concentrations. Genome-wide meta-analyses with 39,710 European-ancestry (EA) individuals and 9925 African-ancestry (AA) individuals were performed to identify genetic variants that modify the effect of loop or thiazide diuretic use on blood lipid concentrations. Both longitudinal and cross sectional data were used to compute cohort-specific interaction results, which were then combined through meta-analysis in each ancestry. These ancestry-specific results were further combined through trans-ancestry meta-analysis. Analysis of EA data identified two genome-wide significant (p < 5 × 10-8) loci with single nucleotide variant (SNV)-loop diuretic interaction on TG concentrations (including COL11A1). Analysis of AA data identified one genome-wide significant locus adjacent to BMP2 with SNV-loop diuretic interaction on TG concentrations. Trans-ancestry analysis strengthened evidence of association for SNV-loop diuretic interaction at two loci (KIAA1217 and BAALC). There were few significant SNV-thiazide diuretic interaction associations on TG concentrations and for either diuretic on cholesterol concentrations. Several promising loci were identified that may implicate biologic pathways that contribute to adverse metabolic side effects from diuretic therapy.

Pharmacogenomics study of thiazide diuretics and QT interval in multi-ethnic populations: the cohorts for heart and aging research in genomic epidemiology.

Thiazide diuretics, commonly used antihypertensives, may cause QT interval (QT) prolongation, a risk factor for highly fatal and difficult to predict ventricular arrhythmias. We examined whether common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) modified the association between thiazide use and QT or its component parts (QRS interval, JT interval) by performing ancestry-specific, trans-ethnic and cross-phenotype genome-wide analyses of European (66%), African American (15%) and Hispanic (19%) populations (N=78 199), leveraging longitudinal data, incorporating corrected standard errors to account for underestimation of interaction estimate variances and evaluating evidence for pathway enrichment. Although no loci achieved genome-wide significance (P<5 × 10-8), we found suggestive evidence (P<5 × 10-6) for SNPs modifying the thiazide-QT association at 22 loci, including ion transport loci (for example, NELL1, KCNQ3). The biologic plausibility of our suggestive results and simulations demonstrating modest power to detect interaction effects at genome-wide significant levels indicate that larger studies and innovative statistical methods are warranted in future efforts evaluating thiazide-SNP interactions.

Large-scale pharmacogenomic study of sulfonylureas and the QT, JT and QRS intervals: CHARGE Pharmacogenomics Working Group.

Sulfonylureas, a commonly used class of medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Their effects on QT interval duration and related electrocardiographic phenotypes are potential mechanisms for this adverse effect. In 11 ethnically diverse cohorts that included 71 857 European, African-American and Hispanic/Latino ancestry individuals with repeated measures of medication use and electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements, we conducted a pharmacogenomic genome-wide association study of sulfonylurea use and three ECG phenotypes: QT, JT and QRS intervals. In ancestry-specific meta-analyses, eight novel pharmacogenomic loci met the threshold for genome-wide significance (P<5 × 10-8), and a pharmacokinetic variant in CYP2C9 (rs1057910) that has been associated with sulfonylurea-related treatment effects and other adverse drug reactions in previous studies was replicated. Additional research is needed to replicate the novel findings and to understand their biological basis.

[Availability of mechanical thrombectomy for acute stroke : Analysis of the health care reality in Germany]. / Verfügbarkeit der mechanischen Thrombektomie bei akutem Hirninfarkt : Analyse der Versorgungsrealität in Deutschland.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has become an evidence-based therapy for stroke patients with proximal vessel occlusion of the anterior cerebral circulation. Nationwide availability of MT for all eligible patients within the shortest possible time window is a major challenge. AIM OF THE STUDY: Nationwide analysis of the rates of systemic thrombolysis (STL) and MT in Germany according to region and hospital-based evaluation. METHODS: The evaluation involved data analysis of the diagnosis-related groups (DRG) statistics and structured quality reports of hospitals for 2010 and 2014. The rates and changes of STL and MT were evaluated in the 413 German districts with reference to the corresponding case number of patients with acute ischemic stroke. RESULTS: Nationwide recanalization treatment rates increased from 2010 to 2014 both for STL (from 8.0% to 11.6%) and MT (from 0.7% to 2.3%). High variations were observed depending on the patient's place of residence (STL = 3.4-36.7%, MT = 0-7.4%). In 2014 a total of 5526 MT were coded in a total of 244,757 ischemic strokes. A total of 134 hospitals with more than 2 MT per year were identified; however, 21% of the nationwide MTs were performed in only 7 hospitals with more than 100 MT/year. In 308 (75%) of the 413 districts, not a single MT was performed. CONCLUSION: Due to a narrow net of certified stroke units with nationwide availability of STL, excellent structural conditions for treatment of acute stroke patients are already established in Germany. With regard to the nationwide availability of MT, there is still a need for optimization. Despite the increasing number of hospitals providing MT as an emergency procedure, a trend toward large intervention centers with supraregional catchment areas can be observed.

fMRI investigation of the cognitive structure of the Concealed Information Test.

We studied the cognitive basis of the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) pattern of deception in three participants performing the Concealed Information Test (CIT). In all participants, the prefrontoparietal lie activation was similar to the pattern derived from the meta-analysis (N = 40) of our previously reported fMRI CIT studies and was unchanged when the lie response was replaced with passive viewing of the target items. When lies were replaced with irrelevant responses, only the left inferior gyrus activation was common to all subjects. This study presents a systematic strategy for testing the cognitive basis of deception models, and a qualitative approach to single-subject truth-verification fMRI tests.

Inhibition of nonselective cation channels reduces focal ischemic injury of rat brain.

The effect of the novel inhibitor of receptor-activated and calcium store-operated nonselective cation channels, (RS)-(3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxyisoquinoline-1-gamma 1)-2-phenyl-N, N-di-[2(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl) ethyl]acetamide (LOE 908 MS), on focal cerebral ischemia was studied in halothane-anesthetized rats submitted to permanent suture occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery (MCA). The treated group (n = 7) received subcutaneous injections of 30 mg/kg LOE 908 MS (in 1 ml saline) 10 min after vascular occlusion and again after 3 h. The untreated group (n = 11) was injected subcutaneously with 1 ml saline at the same times. Evolution of infarct was monitored by electrophysiological recording of EEG and cortical steady potential and by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging during the initial 6 h of vascular occlusion. The hemodynamic, biochemical, and morphological changes were studied after 6 h by combining autoradiographic measurement of blood flow with histological stainings and pictorial measurements of ATP, glucose, and tissue pH. In the untreated animals, the ischemic lesion volume [defined as the region in which the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of water declined to below 80% of control] steadily increased by approximately 50% during the initial 6 h of vascular occlusion relative to the first set of data 10 min postocclusion. In the treated animals, in contrast, the ADC lesion volume declined by approximately 20% during the same interval. Treatment also led to a significant reduction in the number of periinfarct depolarizations. After 6 h of vascular occlusion, blood flow was significantly higher in the treated animals, and the volume of ATP-depleted and morphologically injured tissue representing the infarct core was 60-70% smaller. The volume of severely acidic tissue, in contrast, did not differ, indicating that LOE 908 MS does not reduce the size of ischemic penumbra. These findings demonstrate that postocclusion treatment of permanent focal ischemia with LOE 908 MS delays the expansion of the infarct core into the penumbra for a duration of at least 6 h and therefore substantially prolongs the window of opportunity for the reversal of the ischemic impact in the peripheral parts of the evolving infarct.

High-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging of the rat brain: mapping changes in cerebral blood volume using iron oxide contrast media.

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was used to produce high-resolution activation maps reflecting local changes in cerebral blood volume after a simple sensory stimulus. Activation of the forelimb region of the somatosensory cortex was performed in alpha-chloralose-anaesthetized rats with an electrical stimulus (5 V, 3 Hz) delivered through needle electrodes placed subcutaneously on the left forelimb. A gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging sequence, sensitive to changes in the relative amount of deoxyhemoglobin within the cerebral vasculature, produced a 4.05%+/-1.69% increase in signal intensity. This effect was enhanced with an injection of an intravascular iron oxide contrast agent (Combidex, Advanced Magnetics), resulting in a 9.11%+/-1.52% decrease in signal intensity.

Potassium-induced cortical spreading depressions during focal cerebral ischemia in rats: contribution to lesion growth assessed by diffusion-weighted NMR and biochemical imaging.

In focal ischemia of rats, the volume of ischemic lesion correlates with the number of peri-infarct depolarizations. To test the hypothesis that depolarizations accelerate infarct growth, we combined focal ischemia with externally evoked spreading depression (SD) waves. Ischemic brain infarcts were produced in halothane-anaesthetized rats by intraluminal thread occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). In one group of animals, repeated SDs were evoked at 15-min intervals by microinjections of potassium acetate into the frontal cortex. In another group, the spread of the potassium-evoked depolarizations was prevented by application of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist dizocilpine (MK-801). The volume of ischemic lesion was monitored for 2 h by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and correlated with electro-physiological recordings and biochemical imaging techniques. In untreated rats, each microinjection produced an SD wave and a stepwise rise of the volume and signal intensity of the DWI-visible cortical lesion. The volume of this lesion increased between 15 min and 2 h of MCA occlusion from 19 +/- 15% to 66 +/- 16% of ipsilateral cortex. In dizocilpine-treated animals, microinjections of potassium did not evoke SDs, nor did the volume and signal intensity of the DWI-visible cortical lesion change. At 15 min after MCA occlusion, the DWI-visible lesion was larger than in untreated animals-43 +/- 16% of the ipsilateral cortex; however, after 2 h, it increased only slightly further to 49 +/- 21%. Slower lesion growth in the absence of SDs was also reflected by the volume of ATP-depleted tissue, which, after 2 h of MCA occlusion, involved 26 +/- 12% of the ipsilateral cortex in treated and 49 +/- 9% in untreated animals (p < 0.01). These observations support the hypothesis that peri-infarct depolarizations accelerate cerebral infarct growth.

Characterization of middle cerebral artery occlusion infarct development in the rat using fast nuclear magnetic resonance proton spectroscopic imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging.

A nuclear magnetic resonance study of the middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat is presented. Experiments were performed on seven animals before and after occlusion, which occurred in situ. The emphasis in this study was on evaluating rapid proton spectroscopic imaging. Data were acquired with experimental durations of between 4 and 15 minutes for a 32 by 32 spatial matrix, with 64 spectroscopic data points per spatial element. The spectroscopic data were interleaved with diffusion-weighted nuclear magnetic resonance water images of the same slice. The study was terminated at about 6 hours after occlusion. The brains were then frozen in liquid nitrogen for biochemical imaging. The results showed that the signal from N-acetyl aspartate decreased and that of lactate increased within the infarcted region. The temporal course of these intensity changes varied between animals. Nineteen cortical spreading depressions (CSD) were observed by electrophysiologic monitoring during the experiments. Of these, 11 could be unambiguously detected in the lactate images, and a further 3 were on the threshold of detectability. As only a single slice could be examined, it is possible that the centers of depression for the remaining 6 CSD were outside the slice. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of the measurement of CSD using proton spectroscopic imaging. Thus, it is shown that this method is valuable not only in following the continuous evolution of proton metabolites with a good spatial and temporal resolution, but also in observing transient phenomena which are believed to play an important role in the expansion of the infarcted territory.

Polynitroxyl albumin reduces infarct size in transient focal cerebral ischemia in the rat: potential mechanisms studied by magnetic resonance imaging.

Nitroxide free radicals are known to protect cells from oxidative damage. Diffusion-weighted and perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate the effects of polynitroxyl albumin (PNA) in a middle cerebral artery intraluminal suture model of transient focal cerebral ischemia in the rat. Three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated: (1) PNA (N=6), (2) human serum albumin (N =6), and (3) saline (N=7). The middle cerebral artery was occluded for 2 hours. Treatment was started 30 minutes after induction of ischemia. A total dose of 1% body weight (volume/weight) of PNA (23.5 mg/dL protein and 110 mmol/L nitroxide), albumin (23.5 mg/dL), or saline was injected intravenously at three time points: 0.5% at 0.5 hours, 0.25% at 2 hours (i.e., just before reperfusion), and 0.25% at 4 hours after occlusion. Six sets of diffusion- and perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance images were acquired throughout the 2 hours of ischemia and the 2 hours of reperfusion. The rats were killed at 24 hours, and the brains were stained with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC). Diffusion-weighted imaging showed that the growth of the ischemic lesion was suppressed in the PNA-treated group. The 4 hours diffusion-weighted imaging--derived hemispheric lesion volume in the PNA-treated group (25%+/-9%) was significantly smaller than that in the saline-treated (43%+/-13%; P=0.016) or albumin-treated groups (38%+/-6%; P=0.017). A larger difference was observed for the 24-hour TTC-derived lesion volumes in the PNA (8%+/-7%), saline (35%+/-8%; P < 0.001), and albumin (31%+/-6%; P < 0.001) groups. Perfusion-weighted imaging demonstrated a marked improvement in cerebral perfusion in the PNA-treated group during ischemia and reperfusion. In conclusion, treatment with PNA results in an improvement in perfusion and a reduction of infarct volume in a model of transient focal cerebral ischemia in the rat.

Reperfusion after thrombolytic therapy of embolic stroke in the rat: magnetic resonance and biochemical imaging.

The effect of thrombolytic therapy was studied in rats submitted to thromboembolic stroke by intracarotid injection of autologous blood clots. Thrombolysis was initiated after 15 minutes with an intracarotid infusion of recombinant tissue-type activator (10 mg/kg body weight). Reperfusion was monitored for 3 hours using serial perfusion- and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, and the outcome of treatment was quantified by pictorial measurements of ATP, tissue pH, and blood flow. In untreated animals, clot embolism resulted in an immediate decrease in blood flow and a sharp decrease in the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) that persisted throughout the observation period. Thrombolysis successfully recanalized the embolized middle cerebral artery origin and led to gradual improvement of blood flow and a slowly progressing reversal of ADC changes in the periphery of the ischemic territory, but only to transient and partial improvement in the center. Three hours after initiation of thrombolysis, the tissue volume with ADC values less than 80% of control was 39 +/- 22% as compared to 61 +/- 20% of ipsilateral hemisphere in untreated animals (means +/- SD, P = .03) and the volume of ATP-depleted brain tissue was 25 +/- 31% as compared to 46 +/- 29% in untreated animals. Recovery of ischemic brain injury after thromboembolism is incomplete even when therapy is started as early as 15 minutes after clot embolism. Possible explanations for our findings include downstream displacement of clot material, microembolism of the vascular periphery, and events associated with reperfusion injury.

Relative abundance of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in adipose tissue and serum of women in Long Island, New York.

Some organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and PCBs are under investigation as possible risk factors for breast cancer because of their estrogenic properties and widespread presence in the environment. It is important to know whether adipose tissue used by some investigators and serum assays used by others can provide comparable information on body burden. Concentrations of seven OCPs or their breakdown products as well as 14 PCB congeners were measured in the adipose tissue and serum of 293 women enrolled as controls in a case-control study of environmental factors for breast cancer in Long Island, New York, a high-risk region. Adipose OCP/PCB levels were measured using a supercritical fluid extraction method developed by the authors. 1,1-Dichloro-2,2-di(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p'-DDE) was detected in all adipose and serum samples; two chlordane derivatives, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (a lindane isomer) and hexachlorobenzene, were detected in at least 92% of adipose samples. The di-ortho hexachlorinated PCB congeners 2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl and 2,3,4,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl were detected in all adipose and over 98% of serum samples. 1,1-Dichloro-2,2-di(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene comprised 77% of total pesticide residues in adipose and 71% in serum. 2,4,5,2',4',5'-Hexachlorobiphenyl comprised 24% of adipose and 21% of serum PCBs. The relative concentration patterns of the 14 PCB congeners were similar to those reported in other human studies and were also typical of patterns reported in environmental samples from various biota, including mammals and birds, but differed substantially from patterns reported in occupationally exposed workers. All adipose-serum correlations for pesticides and most PCBs were statistically significant. Either serum or adipose OCP/PCB levels of a variety of environmental organochlorine compounds may serve as useful biomarkers of body burden.

Breast cancer risk in relation to adipose concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in Long Island, New York.

To assess a possible etiological role of organochlorine compounds in breast cancer development on Long Island, a high-risk region of New York State, concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in the adipose tissue of 232 women with breast cancer and 323 hospital controls admitted to surgery for benign breast disease or non-breast-related conditions. Seven pesticide residues and 14 PCB congeners were assayed via a supercritical fluid extraction method followed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. After adjustment for age and body mass index, which were strongly correlated with organochlorine levels, adipose concentrations of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-di(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene, total pesticides, and total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) did not differ significantly between cases and controls. The relative abundance of individual pesticide species and PCB congeners was similar in cases and controls. Odds ratios adjusted for age, BMI, hospital, and race gave no evidence of a dose-response for 1,1-dichloro-2,2-di(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene, total pesticides, or total PCBs, whether stratified by estrogen receptor status or not. Breast cancer risk among Long Island residents was not elevated compared with residents of the adjacent New York City borough of Queens. We did not confirm a previously reported association between breast cancer risk and levels of PCB congener 118 (2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl), nor did we observe an association with the most abundant congener 153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl), a strong inducer of phase I enzymes that was reported recently to have estrogenic properties. Only PCB congener 183 (2,2',3,4,4',5',6-heptachlorobiphenyl), which is also an inducer, was significantly associated with risk, with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.2-3.4) in women with adipose levels >5.67 ng/g; the biological importance of this observation is unclear without confirmation in additional studies. Although neither the present nor other studies have provided convincing evidence of an association between body burden of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane and PCBs with cancer of the breast, these compounds are rated as "possible" and "probable" human carcinogens, respectively, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Investigations of associations with cancer at other sites should be carried out.

Cystic fibrosis detection by means of a test-strip.

The effectiveness of meconium screening for albumin as an indication of cystic fibrosis is examined. BM-Test Meconium was applied to 69,000 investigations. In 60 positive tests, cystic fibrosis was confirmed later. No increased albumin content was observed in four cases of cystic fibrosis.

Intrapleural tetracycline for spontaneous pneumothorax in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Spontaneous pneumothorax is occurring in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and Pneumocystis carinii infection with increasing frequency. These patients are typically poor surgical candidates. Conservative management using tetracycline sclerosis was performed with good results in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and recurrent pneumothorax.

Pulmonary complications in patients undergoing thoracotomy for lung carcinoma.

One hundred three consecutive patients undergoing 106 thoracotomies for primary lung carcinoma were reviewed to determine factors associated with the development of postoperative pulmonary complications. Pulmonary complications occurred in 40 of 104 (39 percent) patients. Minor complications occurred in 17 of 104 (16 percent) patients and major in 23 of 104 (22 percent). There were six deaths in the entire series of 103 patients (6 percent), two of which were directly caused by a pulmonary complication and one where it was a contributing factor. Extended surgical resections were associated with an increased risk of complications. Pulmonary complications occurred in 9 of 11 (82 percent) patients undergoing extended resections involving chest wall resection. The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy also was associated with an increase in the rate of major complications. Poor nutritional status as measured by a history of weight loss and preoperative serum albumin levels also was associated with an increased risk of any pulmonary complication. Cardiac complications were significantly increased in the group of patients having pulmonary complications. Pulmonary complications continue to present a major source of morbidity and mortality for patients undergoing thoracotomy for lung carcinoma. Determination of factors associated with increased risk is important in order to identify patients who might be predisposed to the development of these complications.

Embolic stroke in a woman with mitral valve prolapse who used oral contraceptives.

A case of angiographically-documented embolism is presented in a patient using oral contraceptives (OC) with marked mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and an atrial thrombus. OC use has been shown to decrease levels of antithrombin III and increase platelet coagulant activity. This increased coagulability may increase the risk of intra-atrial thrombus formation and subsequent cerebral embolism in patients with MVP. We believe that MVP, especially when redundant valve leaflets are recognized, may be a relative contraindication to OC use.

PIP: A 21-year old women taking oral contraceptives suffered thromboembolic stroke associated with mitral valve prolapse. She had been using an unspecified oral contraceptive for 3 months postpartum, and had smoked a pack a day for 5 years. She complained of sudden right orbital headache, left-sided weakness and pain. Clinical exam showed left sided anopsia, facial paralysis, tongue protrusion, parietal sensory deficit, and loss of position sense. Computed tomography suggested a lesion near the right middle cerebral artery; and cerebral angiography revealed an 8 x 2 mm filling defect in that artery. A midsystolic click without a murmur was evident in the cardiac exam. Thickened, redundant mitral valve leaflets with marked prolapse, and a mass on the atrial side of the posterior leaflet appeared on the echocardiogram. The atrial thrombus was considered the source of the apparent embolism in the cerebral artery. Oral contraceptives have been found to increase the risk of thrombotic stroke and venous thromboembolism. Therefore, women with known mitral valve prolapse or leaflets may be advised not to use the pill.

Improved model of thromboembolic stroke and rt-PA induced reperfusion in the rat.

We report the technical details and validation of an improved rat model for thromboembolic stroke and rt-PA induced reperfusion, which closely resembles clinical embolic stroke. The middle cerebral artery (MCA) was proximally occluded by injection of twelve medium sized (1.5 x 0.35 mm), fibrin-rich autologous blood clots. On inspection, densely packed clot material was found at the ipsilateral MCA origin in all untreated animals. Autoradiographic rCBF measurements showed severe ischemic deficit throughout the ipsilateral MCA territory in untreated animals. The volume in which flow values fell below 30 ml/100 g per min was 54 +/- 14% of the hemispheric volume. In all rt-PA treated animals the proximal MCA was recanalised, and the volume with flow values below 30 ml/100 g per min was reduced to 29 +/- 17%. Histological findings paralleled the spatial spread of the CBF deficit. The rat model presented is well-suited for investigations of the specific pathophysiology of thromboembolic stroke. Furthermore it allows detailed studies of thrombolytically induced reperfusion, beyond the question of successful recanalisation.