Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Factors Among Somali Immigrants and Refugees

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks are of concern among immigrants and refugees settling in affluent host countries. The prevalence of CVD and risk factors among Somali African immigrants to the U.S. has not been systematically studied.

Methods

In 2015–2016, we surveyed 1156 adult Somalis in a Midwestern metropolitan area using respondent-driven sampling to obtain anthropometric, interview, and laboratory data about CVD and associated risk factors, demographics, and social factors.

Results

The prevalence of diabetes and low physical activity among men and women was high. Overweight, obesity, and dyslipidemia were also particularly prevalent. Levels of calculated CVD risk across the community were greater for men than women.

Conclusion

Though CVD risk is lower among Somalis than the general U.S. population, our results suggest significant prevalence of risk factors among Somali immigrants. Comparison with prior research suggests that CVD risks may be increasing, necessitating thoughtful intervention to prevent adverse population outcomes.

     

The cost of lost productivity due to premature mortality associated with COVID-19: a Pan-European study

The European Journal of Health Economics - Economic cost estimates have the potential to provide a valuable alternative perspective on the COVID-19 burden. We estimate the premature mortality...     

Modulatory effects of phosphatidylserine on the binding of muscarinic cholinergic receptor ligands

The modulation of the binding of muscarinic cholinergic receptor ligands by phosphatidylserine purified from bovine cerebral cortex (BC-PS) was examined in vitro and in vivo. The enrichment of bovine cerebral cortical synaptosomal membranes with BC-PS, using a fusion technique, produced a concentration-dependent decrease in the affinity (increase in K _d ) of [³H]quinuclidinyl benzylate (³H-QNB) specific binding to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR), without changes in their maximal number (Bmax). Similar results were observed when [³H]oxotremorine (³H-OXO) was used to label a high affinity subpopulation of mAChR. On the other hand, preincubation of BC-PS liposomes with synaptosomal membranes in a nonoptimum fusion condition (at pH 7.4) did not alter the binding properties of both radioligands. Fusion experiments using a pure phosphatidylserine preparation from spinal cord revealed a similar decrement in the affinity of³H-QNB specific binding. Five day’s intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 15 mg/kg of BC-PS liposomes in rats increased the maximal number of cerebral cortical binding sites for³H-OXO. Scatchard analysis revealed no changes in the apparent dissociation constant. This modification is selective in relation to the neural structure studied. Thus, BC-PS treatment did not modify³H-OXO binding in the hippocampal formation and cerebellum. In contrast, parallel experiments using the muscarinic antagonist³H-QNB showed no alteration in the binding properties of mAChR. Five day’s i.p. administration of 15 mg/kg/d of phosphatidylcholine from bovine cerebral cortex (BC-PC) liposomes produced quite similar results to those obtained with BC-PS. These results indicate that mAChR are under the modulatory action of phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylcholine (PC), and suggest that this endogenous phospholipids may play a regulatory role on the mAChR. The possible implications of these findings on the effects of PC or PS treatment in neurological disorders involving a decrease in central cholinergic functions are discussed.     

Surface-Attached Polymer Networks Made from Cationic Poly(diitaconates): Synthesis,Surface Characterization,and Bioactivity

Facially amphiphilic polymers carrying cationic and hydrophobic groups on the same repeat unit have shown promising antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility, yet they are prone to suffer from protein adhesion which may induce biofilm formation. To overcome this problem, poly(diitaconate)-based copolymers with cationic/hydrophobic and protein-repellent/charge-neutral repeat units are synthesized. The bioactivity profile of surface-attached polymer networks made from these copolymers depends on the ratio of the cationic and charge-neutral repeat units. In all cases, the protein adhesion is substantially reduced compared to purely cationic polymers. At a 50:50 ratio, the polymer coatings are partially protein-repellent and antimicrobial, yet slightly cell toxic. At an intermediate composition of 30:70, they are still antimicrobial and the cell compatibility is substantially improved. The long-term stability of these materials still has to be determined to judge their suitability for medical applications.     

Lasting reduction in mesolimbic dopamine neuronal activity after morphine withdrawal

The activity of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons was investigated in rats at various times after a chronic regimen of morphine, which produced, upon suspension, a marked somatic withdrawal syndrome. Single-cell extracellular recording techniques, coupled with antidromic identification from the nucleus accumbens, were used to monitor neuronal activity while behavioural observations allowed quantification of the somatic signs of morphine withdrawal. Temporal correlation of electrophysiological indices, such as firing rate and burst firing, with scores obtained through behavioural assessments proved negative, in that somatic signs were pronounced at 24 h after suspension of treatment and then subsided to control values at 72 h after the last morphine injection. In contrast, the firing rate and burst firing of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons were found to be reduced at 1, 3 and 7 days after morphine withdrawal. After 14 drug-free days, electrophysiological analysis revealed an apparent normalization of various parameters. However, at this time, intravenous administration of morphine produced an increment of electrical activity which was significantly higher than that obtained in control (saline treated) rats. Further, administration of the opiate antagonist naltrexone, administered without prior morphine, at 3, 7 and 14 days after the last morphine administration, failed to alter dopaminergic neuronal activity. The results indicate: (i) that the activity of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons remains reduced well after somatic signs of withdrawal have disappeared; (ii) after 14 days of withdrawal, the augmented magnitude of the electrophysiological response to exogenous morphine suggests an increased sensitivity of opiate receptors; and (iii) the lack of relationship between dopaminergic activity and somatic signs of withdrawal corroborates the notion that dopaminergic activity in the mesolimbic system does not participate in the neurobiological mechanisms responsible for somatic withdrawal. The present results may be relevant to the phenomenon of drug addiction in humans and consequent relapse after drug-free periods.     

Multivariate Analysis of Left Ventricular Mass Determinants in Adults: Different Patterns in Men and Women

Echocardiographic left ventricular mass (LVM) estimates are strong predictors of subsequent mortality and cardiovascular events. It is known that blood pressure (BP), weight (WT), and age are significantly correlated with LVM. We hypothesized that stroke volume (SV) measured by Doppler echocardiography would also be correlated with LVM. Two hundred and thirteen patients referred for routine echocardiography had determination of LVM, cuff BP, and Doppler SV. Those with localized LV disease, valvular disease, or cor pulmonale were excluded. In both men and women, systolic BP (SBP) was more closely correlated with LVM than was diastolic blood pressure or mean arterial pressure, and SV was more closely correlated with LVM than cardiac output or cardiac index. Stepwise regression, followed by multiple regression showed that four variables (WT, SV, SBP, and AGE) explained 32.3% of the variability in LVM in men and 48.5% of the variability in LVM in women. WT and SV were significant determinants of LVM in both men and women. Age was also significant in men and SBP was also significant in women. For both men and women, SV was more significantly correlated with LVM than was SBP. The changes in LVM associated with 1 SD increments of SV and SBP, respectively, were 8 and 5 g for men and 13 and 11 g for women. We conclude that men and women have different patterns of variables influencing LVM. Doppler echocardiographic SV is a newly described determinant of LVM that has a greater correlation with LVM than does SBP. This study reemphasizes the importance of WT as the major determinant of LVM. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 13, January 1996)