Influence of gender on continuous positive airway pressure requirements in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Introduction  

Gender differences have been noted in key aspects of upper airway physiology and pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We postulate that these will lead to disparities in pharyngeal collapsibility and, consequently, positive airway pressure requirements of patients with OSA.     

Ameliorative effects of GW1929, a nonthiazolidinedione PPARγ agonist, on inflammation and apoptosis in focal cerebral ischemic-reperfusion injury

PPARγ agonist; 2-(Benzoylphenyl)-O-[2-(methyl-2-pyridinylamino) ethyl]-L-tyrosine (GW1929) in focal cerebral ischemic-reperfusion (IR) injury in rats. Focal cerebral IR injury resulted significant brain infarction and neurological deficits in rats. A significant increase in various inflammatory mediators like COX-2, iNOS, MMP-9, TNFα and IL-6 and massive apoptotic DNA fragmentation was also observed in the IR challenged brains. GW1929 treatment significantly attenuated the neurological damage in focal cerebral IR injury. Neuroprotective effects of GW1929 were found to be associated with significant reduction in the COX-2, iNOS, MMP-9, TNFα and IL-6 levels. Together, we have also evaluated the effects of Pioglitazone, a clinically available thiazolidinedione PPARγ agonist, against focal cerebral IR injury. Like GW1929, Pioglitazone also showed beneficial effects in cerebral IR injury associated neurological damage but at the higher dose as compared to GW1929. Neuroprotective effects of PPARγ agonists were found to be associated with significant reduction in TUNEL positive cells in IR challenged brain. In summary, these results suggested the neuroprotective potential of PPARγ agonists in cerebral IR injury and these effects may be attributed to their anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic potential.     

Prevalence of hypertension among Indian adults: Results from the great India blood pressure survey

ObjectiveHypertension is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is limited data on hypertension prevalence in India. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of hypertension among Indian adults.MethodsA national level survey was conducted with fixed one-day blood pressure measurement camps across 24 states and union territories of India. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 mmHg or a diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg or on treatment for hypertension. The prevalence was age- and gender-standardized according to the 2011 census population of India.ResultsBlood pressure was recorded for 180,335 participants (33.2% women; mean age 40.6 ± 14.9 years). Among them, 8,898 (4.9%), 99,791 (55.3%), 35,694 (11.9%), 23,084 (12.8%), 9,989 (5.5%), and 2,878 (1.6%) participants were of the age group 18–19, 20–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–74, and ≥ 75 years, respectively. Overall prevalence of hypertension was 30.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30.5, 30.9) and the prevalence among women was 23.7% (95% CI: 23.3, 24). Prevalence adjusted for 2011 census population and the WHO reference population was 29.7% and 32.8%, respectively.ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of hypertension, with almost one in every three Indian adult affected.