Impact of Body Mass Index on Left Ventricular Function

Background

Obesity is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A direct effect of isolated obesity on cardiac function is not well established. The study was designed to determine the direct effect of various grades of isolated obesity on echocardiographic indices of systolic and diastolic left ventricular function.

Methods

Fifty one obese and 25 normal weight, serving personnel without any other pathological condition were studied. Group I (n=25) consisted of subjects with normal weight and body mass index (BMI <25kg/m²), Group II (n=34) of overweight subjects (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m²) and Group III (n=17) of obese subjects (BMI >30 kg/m²). Echocardiographic indices of systolic and diastolic function were obtained and dysfunction was assumed when at least two values differed by ≥ 2 SD from the normal weight group.

Result

Ejection fraction, fractional shortening were increased (p<0.05) in Group II and III. Left ventricular dimensions were increased (p< 0.001) but relative wall thickness was unchanged. Systolic dysfunction was not observed in any of the obese patients. The mitral valve pressure half time (p< 0.01), left atrial diameter (p < 0.01) and the deceleration time were increased (p< 0.01) in obese subjects, while other diastolic variables were unchanged. No difference were found between obesity subgroups. Subclinical diastolic dysfunction was more prevalent among obese subjects. BMI correlated significantly with indices of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function.

Conclusion

Subclinical left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was noted in all grades of obesity which correlates with BMI.Key Words: Obesity, Systolic function, Diastolic function, Echocardiography     

Walking for Transportation or Leisure: What Difference Does the Neighborhood Make?

Background Patients are often advised to initiate a physical activity program by walking for transportation or leisure. This study explored whether neighborhood factors beyond the individual might affect compliance. Objective We examined the associations between total walking and neighborhood factors in a multi-ethnic population-based sample in California and the roles race/ethnicity plays in these associations. Design Cross-sectional study Participants Individual-level data were obtained from the 2003 California Health Interview Survey. Participants’ census tracts were linked to Census 2000 data to capture neighborhood SES. Measurements and Main Results The dependent variable was self-reported walking at recommended levels. Neighborhood SES was measured by a scale of 4 Census-based variables (alpha = 0.83). Social cohesion was measured by a scale tapping the extent of perceived social connectedness, trust, and solidarity among neighbors (alpha = 0.70). Neighborhood access to a park, playground, or open space was measured by a single item. Safety was measured by a scale of three items (alpha = 0.66). We performed a series of multiple logit models with robust variance estimates while taking complex survey design into account. Neighborhood social cohesion (odds ratio [OR] = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.14) and access to a park, playground, or open space (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.16, 1.36) were significant environmental correlates of walking at recommended levels, independent of individual socio-demographics. Subgroup analysis showed that neighborhood effects were different by race/ethnicity. Conclusions Neighborhood physical and social environmental factors are significantly associated with walking at recommended levels. Being aware of the ways that the environment could affect a patient’s compliance with PA recommendations may help physicians tailor recommendations to circumstances.     

运动对铁吸收的影响及其作用途径

目的:综合分析运动对铁吸收的影响及其作用途径。资料来源:检索Pubmed1950-01/2006-04有关运动对铁吸收的影响及其作用途径的文献,检索词为“iron absorption,iron metabolism,exercise”。同时检索万方数据库1994-01/2006-03有关运动对铁吸收的影响及其作用途径的文献,检索词为“铁吸收,铁代谢,运动”。资料选择:初选后,有关铁吸收、运动对铁吸收影响及其调节机制的文献被选中。发表于2002年后的文献被优先选择,排除重复实验和Meta分析。资料提炼:检索到9000篇文献,大部分是关于铁吸收调节机制的文献,其中40篇有关运动和铁吸收及其调节机制,30篇作为代表性研究文献被引用。资料综合:运动可导致低铁状态,影响运动能力,这种低铁状态的形成及其调节与铁吸收相关。但是,对于运动如何影响铁吸收存在两种截然相反的观点,一种观点认为运动促进铁吸收;另一种观点认为运动降低铁吸收。最近的研究已经显示运动可能通过机体铁水平、一氧化氮、Hepcidin、促红细胞生成素、低氧以及基因突变(如HFE突变)调节铁吸收。结论:有关运动影响铁吸收的研究仍是初步的,在运动情况下如何调节铁吸收尚有待研究,这对于进一步分析运动诱导的低铁状态的本质以及运动员和运动健身人群是否需要以及如何补充铁具有重要意义。     

X型胶原蛋白与骨骼生长发育关系的研究进展

X型胶原是近年来发现的一种新型胶原,它只存在于生长发育期的即将骨化的软骨内,以液态均相的形式分布于细胞外基质,并启动软骨骨化。它具有特异性合成、局限性分布、一过性存在的特征。许多骨骼系统疾病与X型胶原的异常有着密切的关系。     

Apoptosis in peripheral lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus: a review

There is increasing evidence to suggest that abnormalities in apoptosis may play a part in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). For example, there is now considerable evidence that bel-2 expression is enhanced in a proportion of peripheral T cells, but not in B cells, in SLE patients and correlates with overall disease activity regardless of the activity index employed. Further work is required to establish whether enhanced bel-2 expression by some T cells in SLE patients is related to their activation or intrinsically enhanced by genetic predisposition. Mutations in Fas result in a lymphoproliferative syndrome and may play a role in accelerating autoimmune disease. A report of three children with mutations in Fas has once again focused attention on this regulator of apoptosis. The relationships between inducers and inhibitors of apoptosis may differ in different cell types, and must be elucidated before the implications of observations made in lymphocytes from SLE patients can be fully understood.      

Haemophilus aphrophilus bleb infection after a mitomycin trabeculectomy

Background: Haemophilus aphrophilus is a rare cause of ocular infection. It has been reported once as a cause of late-onset endophthalmitis in a patient with an inadvertent bleb after cataract surgery. We present a case of Haemophilus aphrophilus bleb infection after a mitomycin trabeculectomy.
Methods: A 56-year-old woman presented with a bleb infection 10 weeks after a mitomycin C augmented trabeculectomy at a University tertiary referral practice of one of the authors (GET). The causative organism was Haemophilus aphrophilus , identified by the Toronto Public Health Laboratory, Ontario, Canada.
Results: The bleb infection resolved following topical, subconjunctival and intravenous antibiotic therapy. A formal bleb revision was required to repair a persistent bleb leak.
Conclusion: Patients who have had trabeculectomies augmented with mitomycin C may be predisposed to bleb infection with unusual organisms. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is necessary to control the infection. Increased awareness and communication with laboratory personnel may increase the isolation of this fastidious organism.