Extending conceptual frameworks: life course epidemiology for the study of back pain

Background  

Epidemiological studies have identified important causal and prognostic factors for back pain, but these frequently only identify a proportion of the variance, and new factors add little to these models. Recently, interest has increased in studying diseases over the life course, stimulated by the 1997 book by Kuh and Ben-Shlomo, a move accompanied by important conceptual and methodological developments. This has resulted in improvements in the understanding of other conditions like cardiovascular and respiratory disease. This paper aims to examine how conceptual frameworks from life course epidemiology could enhance back pain research.     

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Arab Americans Living in Metropolitan Washington,DC

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor profiles of Arab Americans may differ from those of the majority ethnic groups in the United States on which clinical practice guidelines are based. Reasons for these differences include genetic homogeneity and both cultural and lifestyle factors that influence CVD risk. Therefore, appropriate therapeutic targets for effective CVD prevention in Arab Americans need to be designed. However, research on Arab American health is sparse. For the cross-sectional survey described in this article, a convenience sample of Arab Americans living in Washington, DC; Virginia; and Maryland was recruited. Arab Americans in our sample had a higher prevalence of high cholesterol and lower prevalence of diabetes and hypertension than the general population of the United States. High levels of smoking and a lack of physical activity were also reported. Most participants (71%) reported a score of 15 and below on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, indicating no signs of clinical depression. Predictors of depression were compared in those born inside and outside the United States. With the results from this survey, we have designed a cross-sectional study to begin in early 2010 to determine the prevalence of CVD risk factors in Arab Americans which can be compared with the overall population of the United States.     

Changes in Oxidative Stress and Insulin Resistance in Morbidly Obese Patients After Bariatric Surgery

Background  

The prevalence of morbid obesity has seen an increase in developed countries over recent years. Bariatric surgery is almost the only effective strategy for treating super morbidly obese patients. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of bariatric surgery on the evolution of the main variables related to diabetes and obesity, especially insulin resistance, parameters of oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers in the early stage after surgery.     

Surface dose and build-up region measurements with wedge filters for 6 and 18 MV photon beams

Purpose  

High-energy photons are most commonly used in radiotherapy to treat cancer. Wedge filters are required to obtain homogeneous dose distribution in the patient. Different wedge filter types create different surface doses. In this study, the effect of the virtual and physical wedge filters on the surface and build-up region doses was examined for 6- and 18-MV high-energy photon beams.     

Traction suture technique of the pericardium to suspend the heart for excellent exposure in abdominal-transhiatal approach

In this report, we describe our traction suture technique of the pericardium for suspension of the heart without hemodynamic instability to obtain excellent exposure in the abdominal-transhiatal approach (TH). Our technique is an application of deep pericardium stitches for off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. In detail, the left hepatic lobe is detached at its triangular ligament from the diaphragm and is deflected to the right. Then, the tendinous portion of the diaphragm arching over the esophagus is incised upward in the midline until the pericardium is exposed. Pericardial fatty tissue was dissected. Three U-shaped sutures reinforced with a felt pledget are placed on the posterior aspect of the pericardium and diaphragm. A 15 Fr. flexible catheter is placed over both ends of the suture to avoid damage of the adjacent organs. Finally, the sutures are fixed to the drape of anterior wall of the patient to maintain good exposure.     

Development of Hydrogen Sulfide-Based Therapeutics for Cardiovascular Disease

The physiological role of the gaseous signaling molecule hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) was first realized in the mid-1990s with the work of Abe and Kimura. Since then, it has become evident that this endogenous gas is extremely important in the homeostasis of the cardiovascular system and the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Several biotechnology companies have developed and are developing H₂S-based therapeutic compounds, and there are ongoing clinical trials investigating the therapeutic potential of H₂S. Several organic and chemical compounds that are known H₂S donors have the potential to be developed into effective H₂S-based therapeutic agents. This review will provide a historical and current perspective on the role(s) of H₂S in the cardiovascular system and the current state of development and future outlook of H₂S-based therapies for cardiovascular disease.     

Biomechanical Properties of Skin in Massive Weight Loss Patients

Background  

The aim of this study is to assess skin strength in MWL patients relative to control cosmetic abdominoplasty patients biophysically, biochemically, and histologically. Growing success of weight loss programs has brought about an increase in the MWL population. Skin quality is thought to be impaired by MWL, but there are no compelling studies that have fully addressed the structural mechanisms involved.     

Skeletal muscle growth defect in human growth hormone transgenic rat is accompanied by phenotypic changes in progenitor cells

Growth hormone (GH) is known to have a pivotal role in the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass. Sarcopenia, the loss of skeletal muscle mass, is a common phenomenon in aging, and it is widely accepted that sarcopenia is largely attributed to age-related decline in GH secretion. In the present study, we tested if human growth hormone transgenic rats (GH-TG rats) whose plasma GH levels are maintained relatively low could be an appropriate model for sarcopenia. Analyses of GH-TG rats revealed that they exhibit skeletal muscle growth defect as well as atrophy of myofibers. The number of myofibers in tibialis anterior muscle was comparable to that of WT rats, while the proportion of type I slow myofibers in tibialis anterior muscle was increased in GH-TG rats after 5 months. Neither increased expression of ubiquitin ligases, MuRF1 and MAFbx, nor indication of apoptotic cell death was observed. Notably, myogenic differentiation potential of skeletal muscle progenitor cells in GH-TG rats was lower than WT rats, and this was accompanied by increased adipogenic potential. These results indicate that GH-TG rats could be a useful model to elucidate the mechanism of sarcopenia induced by reduced GH action and raised the possibility that decreased GH action may cause an alteration of differentiation potential of skeletal muscle progenitor cells.