Circulating cell-free DNA is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors: The Health 2000 Survey

Cell-free circulating DNA (cf-DNA) has recently arisen as a promising biomarker in acute cardiovascular pathologies and as a mortality predictor in myocardial infarction. We wanted to investigate whether the baseline cf-DNA concentration could serve as an indicator of increased cardiovascular risk and early atherosclerosis. The study population consisted of 1337 participants (aged 46–77 years) in the Health 2000 Survey. cf-DNA was quantified directly in plasma using the fluorescence-based Quant-iT™ high-sensitivity DNA assay kit. Increased cf-DNA levels paralleled a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors, such as high blood pressure, unfavorable lipid metabolism profile and systemic inflammation in both sexes. In addition, higher cf-DNA levels indicated decreased arterial elasticity and glucose intolerance in women not using hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). The cf-DNA level was also observed to be an independent determinant for Young's elastic modulus but not for carotid artery compliance or beta stiffness index in the women not using HRT. Hence, we conclude that cf-DNA could serve as an auxiliary biomarker in cardiometabolic risk assessment and as an indicator of arterial stiffness in women not using HRT.     

Obstruction-Free Survival Following Operative Intervention for Malignant Bowel Obstruction in Appendiceal Cancer

Annals of Surgical Oncology - Patients with peritoneal metastases from appendiceal cancer are at high risk of malignant bowel obstruction (MBO), which is associated with significant morbidity and...     

Both youth and long-term vitamin D status is associated with risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adulthood: a cohort study

Objectives: To determine whether vitamin D status in childhood and adolescence (herein collectively referred to as youth) and the long-term status from youth to adulthood is associated with risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in adulthood.

Materials and methods: This was a 31-year follow-up study of 2300 participants aged 3–18 years. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the association of both (a) baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels and (b) the mean of baseline and the latest follow-up 25OHD levels (continuous variable and quartiles) with incident T2DM and IFG (cut-off?=?5.6?mmol/L) in adult life.

Results: High serum 25OHD levels in youth and also mean values from youth to adulthood were associated with reduced risk of developing T2DM in adulthood (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval=?0.73, 0.57–0.95 and 0.65, 0.51–0.84, respectively, for each SD increment in 25OHD). Compared to Q1, a dose-dependent negative association was observed across other quartiles of youth 25OHD, while the strongest association was found in the Q3 for the mean 25OHD levels. Neither youth nor the mean 25OHD was associated with IFG.

Conclusions: High serum 25OHD levels in youth, and from child to adult life, were associated with a reduced risk of developing T2DM in adulthood.

• Key Messages

• High serum 25OHD levels in youth, and between youth and adulthood, were associated with a lower risk of T2DM in adulthood.

• Each SD (15.2?nmol/L) increment in youth serum 25OHD levels was associated with a 26% reduction in odds for T2DM, which was independent of a number of confounding variables and other risk factors for T2DM. A similar magnitude of association was observed for the long-term 25OHD levels between youth and adulthood.

• These findings suggest a potentially simple and cost-effective strategy for reducing adulthood risk of T2DM starting in an earlier stage of life – improving and maintaining vitamin D status throughout youth and early adulthood.

     

Cardiovascular health in former elite male athletes

To increase our knowledge on the effects of previous and current physical activity on cardiovascular health, we studied a group of Finnish male former elite athletes (endurance, n = 49; power, n = 50) and their 49 age and area‐matched controls, aged 64–89 years. Body mass index (BMI), fasting serum glucose, lipids, blood pressure, and ultrasonography of cardiac and carotid artery structure and function were measured. Former endurance athletes smoked less, had lower prevalence of hypertension, and had higher intensity and volume of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) than the controls. No difference was detected in cardiac or carotid artery structure and function between these groups. Former athletes performing high‐intensity LTPA were slightly younger (possible selection bias), had lower BMI and waist circumference, lower use of antihypertensives, lower prevalence of diabetes, lower pulse wave velocity, and higher carotid artery elasticity than former athletes not performing high‐intensity LTPA. In conclusion, former athletes had a higher intensity and volume of LTPA than the controls. Athletes performing vigorous LTPA had more elastic arteries than athletes performing moderately or no LTPA. Vigorous LTPA through the whole lifetime associates with good cardiovascular health, although the previous medical history may play an important role.