Lack of association of CCR gene polymorphisms and left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a major determinant of heart damage. Scientific evidence suggests the influence of genetic factors, but these have yet to be completely clarified. This study investigates a possible relationship between LVH and two chemokine receptor (CCR) gene polymorphisms: CCR5delta32 and CCR264I. Essential hypertensive out-patients (n=118, grade I-II, age 27-54) were recruited from the Catholic University Hypertension Centre. For each subject, clinical data on office blood pressure and M-mode/2D echocardiography were collected. Statistical analysis did not show a significant association between the CCR polymorphisms and LVH in the study population.     

A high frequency of the A30, B18, DR3, DRw52, DQw2 extended haplotype in Sardinian celiac disease patients: Further evidence that disease susceptibility is conferred by DQ A1*0501, B1*0201

This study characterizes by serological and molecular methods the HLA class I and class II alleles in a group of celiac disease children, their parents and a control group of Sardinian descent. We found the DR3-DQw2 haplotype in all patients which was, in almost all cases (84%), associated with the HLA-A30, B18, DR3, DRw52, DQw2 extended haplotype named "Sardinian haplotype" because of its frequency (12-15%) in this Caucasian population. This is the first time that this DQw2-linked haplotype has been reported with such a high frequency in CD. However, no different distribution of "Sardinian haplotype" was found comparing CD patients with 91 haplotyped DQw2-positive controls. This finding indicates that the DQw2 antigen in Sardinians is almost always associated with the A30, B18, DR3, DRw52, DQw2 extended haplotype. The DQA1 and DQB1 second exon sequence analysis of the B18,DR3 and B8,DR3 haplotypes showed the DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201 alleles which shared the already published sequences. DPB1 subtyping showed the DPB1*0301 allele more frequently (p less than 0.005) in CD patients but this difference was no longer significant when patients and controls, both heterozygous for the DR3-DQw2 haplotype, were compared. We suggest that the divergent HLA extended haplotypes and DP allele associated with CD, described in different Caucasian populations, can be explained by the particular DQw2 linkage disequilibrium in each population.     

T-wave changes in intermittent left bundle branch block. Pathogenesis and clinical significance

In patients with intermittent left bundle branch block (LBBB) it is common to observe T wave abnormalities in the right precordial leads during normally conducted beats. These changes have usually been interpreted as a result of anteroseptal ischemia. More recently it has been suggested that they may be the consequence of an electric phenomena secondary to the abnormal ventricular activation. However, the "benign" character of these abnormalities has never been confirmed by clinical studies. We have studied a group of 10 pts (3 males and 7 females), aging between 23 and 66 years (mean 41 +/- 8) with atypical precordial pain admitted to our institution, because of intermittent LBBB and T wave inversion in the right precordial leads during the normally conducted beats. All patients had normal left ventriculography and coronary angiograms. During the follow-up period (20 to 102 months, mean 4.7 years) they were subjected to serial clinical examinations, 24 hours ECG Holter monitoring echocardiogram and exercise thallium 201 scintigraphy. Within this period of observation, no patient developed symptoms or signs of cardiac involvement while all but three developed a stable LBBB (these three patients have been followed only for a limited period of time). Exercise thallium 201 scintigraphy showed in 4 patients a reversible septal perfusion defect during LBBB. We conclude that T wave abnormalities observed in the normally conducted beats in patients affected by intermittent LBBB have a favourable prognostic significance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pretreatment Primary Tumor Stage is a Risk Factor for Recurrence in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Who Achieve Pathological Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy

Annals of Surgical Oncology - Although pathological complete response (pCR) after multimodal treatment for esophageal cancer is associated to the best prognosis, recurrence may occur in...     

ASO Author Reflections: Recurrence After Pathological Complete Response in Esophageal Cancer: Analysis of Risk Factors for this Unexpected Event

Annals of Surgical Oncology -     

Fear of hypoglycemia,a game changer during physical activity in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients

Hypoglycemia limits optimal glycemic management of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Fear of hypoglycemia (FoH) is a significant psychosocial consequence that negatively impacts the willingness of T1DM patients to engage in and profit from the health benefits of regular physical activity (e.g., cardiometabolic health, improved body composition, cardiovascular fitness, quality of life). Technological advances, improved insulin regimens, and a better understanding of the physiology of various types of exercise could help ameliorate FoH. This narrative review summarizes the available literature on FoH in children and adults and tools to avoid it.     

Family Belongingness Attenuates Entrapment and Buffers Its Association with Suicidal Ideation in a Sample of Dutch Sexual Minority Emerging Adults

Sexual minority emerging adults are more likely to engage in suicidal ideation than their heterosexual counterparts. Experiences of homophobic violence are associated with suicidal ideation. Yet, the specific mechanisms linking homophobic violence to suicidal ideation remain unclear. Entrapment and social belongingness were tested to determine their relevance for understanding the link between homophobic violence and suicidal ideation. A sample of sexual minority Dutch emerging adults (N?=?675; ages 18–29, M?=?21.93 years, SD?=?3.20) were recruited through online platforms and flyers. Homophobic violence was expected to be positively associated with suicidal ideation and entrapment. The association between homophobic violence and suicidal ideation was expected to be indirectly linked through entrapment. We explored whether various sources of social belongingness moderated the path between entrapment and suicidal ideation and whether those sources of social belongingness moderated the indirect effect of homophobic violence on suicidal ideation through entrapment. Results showed that homophobic violence and entrapment were positively associated with suicidal ideation and that family belongingness was negatively associated with suicidal ideation. Homophobic violence and suicidal ideation were not indirectly linked through entrapment. The interaction effect between entrapment and family belongingness was significant, suggesting that, on average, the effect of entrapment on suicidal ideation decreased when family belongingness was high. These results suggest that family belongingness may reduce the association between entrapment and suicidal ideation while adjusting for homophonic violence. Reducing entrapment and improving family belongingness may be useful targets for programs aimed at preventing suicidal ideation among sexual minority emerging adults.

     

¿Cómo medir el estatus migratorio de la población infantil y juvenil? Estudios sobre salud y desigualdades en salud en Europa

ObjectiveTo analyse how the migration status of the child and young population is measured in the scientific literature on health and social inequalities in health in Europe.MethodA systematic search of the literature published in Spanish, English and French between 2007 and 2017 in PubMed and Social Sciences Citation Index was carried out. The included studies analysed health and social inequalities in health of a population under 18 years old according to its migration origin in Europe. The variables used to measure the migration status were described.Results50 articles were included. Twenty studies analysed perinatal health, eleven mental health, nine dental health, and ten studies other variables. The main variables to define migration status were the country of birth (32 studies), either of the child, the mother, or one of the parents, and sometimes in a complementary way. Less frequent was the use of nationality (15 studies), of the child, or of the parents, especially the mother. Migration status is referred to in very different ways, not always comparable and sometimes the variable used is not clearly explained.ConclusionsThere is a great diversity of ways to measure migration status in the child and young population. A better definition and consensus is needed to improve the temporal and geographical comparability of knowledge in this area, which will help to design public policies aimed at reducing social inequalities in health from childhood.