Serotypes of respiratory isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae compared with the capsular types included in the current pneumococcal vaccine

The serotypes of 474 clinically significant Streptococcus pneumoniae respiratory isolates collected during a national surveillance study in 1987-1988 were compared to the capsular types included in the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine licensed for use in the United States. Overall, 355 isolates (74.9%) belonged to types included in the current vaccine, while another 65 (13.7%) were types serologically related to vaccine types and likely to be protective by virtue of cross-reactivity. Relatively few isolates (9.1%) belonged to nonvaccine serotypes, and only 2.3% were nontypable. The mucoid serotype 3 was most frequent (13.1% of total), followed by 19F (9.3%), 23F (7.4%), 6B and 14 (5.7% each), and 4 and 6A (5.5% each). The most frequent type not included in the vaccine was type 16 (2.1% of all isolates). Thus, nearly 89% of respiratory isolates included in this study were encompassed within the antigenic spectrum of the currently marketed pneumococcal vaccine.     

The Relationship Between Nocturnal Blood Pressure and Hemorrhagic Stroke in Chinese Hypertensive Patients

To study the relationship between nocturnal blood pressure (BP) variation and spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) among Chinese hypertensive patients and its clinical significance, the authors retrospectively screened 371 patients with primary hypertension (189 patients with ICH, 182 patients without ICH) in Shanghai and analyzed their demographics, clinical information, nocturnal blood pressure variability and medication. Compared with the control group, the levels of blood glucose, triglycerides, and creatinine were significantly increased in the ICH group, along with a marked reduction in nocturnal BP drop (P<.05). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that blood glucose, creatinine, and nocturnal mean arterial pressure were risk factors for ICH, and the magnitude of nocturnal BP drop was negatively related to the risk for ICH. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of reverse dippers between the large hematoma volume group and the small hematoma volume group (χ²=2.529, P=.112), nor among the patients taking angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, or calcium channel blockers (χ²=1.981, P=.371). Reverse dipping is associated with the risk for ICH, suggesting that appropriate antihypertensive drug and chronotherapy might be effective to normalize the rhythm of abnormal circadian variation in hypertensive patients.     

Elevated Serum Uric Acid is Associated With Angiotensinogen in Obese Patients With Untreated Hypertension

This study investigated the correlation between elevated serum uric acid (SUA) and angiotensinogen in obesity patients with hypertension. A total of 162 obese and 162 nonobese men with hypertension were recruited in this study. Plasma angiotensinogen levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Fasting insulin (FINS) was evaluated by radioimmunoassay. Compared with nonobese patients, obese patients exhibited higher levels of angiotensinogen, FINS, and homeostasis model assessment index‐insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) (P<.001 for all). Moreover, these indexes significantly increased in obese patients in the highest tertile of SUA when compared with those in the lowest tertile of SUA (P<.001, P=.002, P=.007, respectively). In the obese group, SUA levels were significantly related to angiotensinogen, FINS, and HOMA‐IR, respectively. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that obesity × uric acid was an independent contributor to angiotensinogen (β=0.257, P<.001). In conclusion, elevated SUA is strongly related to angiotensinogen in an obesity‐dependent manner in hypertension.     

Calcium Channel Blocker Compared With Angiotensin Receptor Blocker for Patients With Hypertension: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

To explore the clinical effects of a calcium channel blocker compared with an angiotensin II receptor blocker in hypertensive patients, the authors collected data from randomized controlled trials. The pooled outcomes were all‐cause mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. Eight head‐to‐head trials enrolling 25,084 patients were included. There was no significant mortality difference in the two arms (relative risk, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.91–1.07). However, calcium channel blockers were more effective in reducing stroke (relative risk, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.76–0.99) and myocardial infarction incidence (relative risk, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.76–0.98). There was no significant difference with heart failure incidence between the two arms but a lower trend in patients with angiotensin II receptor blockers was noted (relative risk, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.99–1.98). The meta‐analysis suggested that initially use of a calcium channel blocker might be superior to an angiotensin II receptor blocker for prevention of stroke and myocardial infarction.