Carotid baroreflex function ceases during vasovagal syncope

Abstract. Despite the arterial baroreflex control of heart rate and blood pressure, vasovagal syncope is a common cause of loss of consciousness in people exposed to stimuli that reduce the central blood volume, such as head-up tilt. Carotid baroreflex function was evaluated using a rapid pulse train of neck pressure and neck suction in three conscious volunteers who developed a vasovagal episode during head-up tilt. The maximal gain of the carotid-heart rate and carotid-blood pressure baroreflex function curves were identified as measures of carotid baroreceptor responsiveness. When presyncopal symptoms developed, one further baroreflex assessment was obtained before the subjects were returned to the supine position. The bradycardia and hypotension exhibited during pre-syncope and syncope reflected a leftward and downward relocation of both the cardiac and vasomotor stimulusresponse curves. In addition, during the vasovagal syncope, baroreflex control was suppressed as blood pressure remained low during neck pressure stimuli. In conclusion, arterial baroreflex function ceases during vasovagal syncope.     

Author index for volume 106, number 1

Treatment of mouse L929 cells with immune T (type II) interferon resulted in the induction of two double-stranded (ds) RNA-dependent enzymes which have been described previously in viral (type I) interferon-treated cells: pppA(2′p5′A)n synthetase and protein kinase(s). The induction of these enzymes by T interferon was blocked by anti-T but not by antiviral interferon serum. The kinetics of the development of the antiviral state along with a comparison of the levels of pppA(2′p5′A)n synthetase and protein kinase in T and viral interferon-treated cells were investigated. In addition, [³⁵S]methionine-labeled extracts from control, T, and viral inteferon-treated cells were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Extracts from cells treated with either type of interferon were found to contain several identical proteins, of estimated molecular weights 60,000, 88,000, and 120,000, which were absent or found at much lower levels in preparations from control cells. The newly synthesized proteins can be partially purified by chromatography on columns of poly(I)·poly(C)-Sepharose, thus providing a convenient method for their further characterization. These results show that treatment of cells with T interferon results in the induction of intracellular events identical to those observed in viral interferon-treated cells.     

Nutritional Surveillance of Christian Orthodox Minority Adolescents in Istanbul

Previous studies have shown that the diets of migrant populations are of poor quality; however, studies on populations remaining in one geographical region as a minority after an acute population movement are scarce. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess dietary intake and growth of Greek minority adolescents in Turkey. Anthropometric measurements and dietary assessment were performed in 103 Greek Orthodox students (aged 10–19 years old) of three minority schools in Istanbul. Prevalence of overweight and obesity according to the WHO growth charts was 39.8 %. Accordingly, 40 % of the sample exhibited excess body fat. Dietary intakes of protein, carbohydrate, fiber, vitamins E and D, folic acid and calcium were inadequate, while energy, total fat and iron intakes were considered adequate. Our results indicate that Greek minority adolescents living in Turkey have similar weight status compared to their counterparts in Greece, but greater body fat than Turkish coevals, while being at risk of several nutrient inadequacies.     

Correlation Between Financial Toxicity,Quality of Life,and Patient Satisfaction in an Insured Population of Breast Cancer Surgical Patients: A Single-Institution Retrospective Study

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Repeatability and Validation of a Short,Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire Designed for Older Adults Living in Mediterranean Areas: The MEDIS-FFQ

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the repeatability and the validity of a short food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that could be used for older people living in Mediterranean areas. The semi-quantitative FFQ included questions regarding the frequency of consumption of the main food groups and beverages typically consumed in the Mediterranean areas as well as some questions regarding eating habits of older persons. During 2006–2007, for the repeatability assessment (within 10–30 days), 150 individuals (51 ± 17 yrs, 40% males) were studied, while another 190 individuals (74 ± 9 yrs, 52% males) were enrolled for the validation purposes. Agreement of the FFQ with the 3-day food records was evaluated using the Bland–Altman method and the Kendall's tau-b coefficient. Repeatability was tested using the Cohen's kappa coefficient. Between 3-day food records and the FFQ, good agreement for alcohol (tau-b = 0.64, p < 0.001) was found, while moderate agreement for food and beverage groups of greens (tau-b = 0.32, p < 0.001), fruits (tau-b = 0.35, p < 0.001), cereals (tau-b = 0.61, p < 0.001), sweets (tau-b = 0.51, p < 0.001), and coffee (tau-b = 0.58, p < 0.001) was observed. Low, but still significant, agreement for fish (tau-b = 0.21, p = 0.001), legumes (tau-b = 0.23, p < 0.001), vegetables (tau-b = 0.23, p < 0.001), pasta (tau-b = 0.25, p < 0.001), potatoes (tau-b = 0.17, p = 0.006) and meat consumption (tau-b = 0.14, p < 0.001) were also found. The FFQ was also valid regarding the estimation of macronutrients and energy intake. Sensitivity analyses by sex, age category (≤ or > 75 yrs), and education status showed similar validity of the FFQ in each subgroup, except for elders older than 75 years. The repeatability of the FFQ was fair in all foods tested (Cohen's kappa coefficients varied between 0.15–0.39, p-values < 0.05). The suggested FFQ seems to be a reasonably valid and repeatable measure of dietary intake and can be used in older persons living in the Mediterranean areas.     

Efficacy of Colchicine in the Treatment of Mesenteric Panniculitis in a Young Patient

Mesenteric panniculitis (MP) is a rare inflammatory and fibrotic disease of the mesentery of unknown etiology. It has various clinical and radiological manifestations, posing a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Its diagnosis is indicated via radiologic imaging and is usually confirmed via peritoneal biopsies. We describe a case of a patient with histopathologically proven MP, in which steroid dependence was successfully managed with colchicine.     

Big Events in Greece and HIV Infection Among People Who Inject Drugs

Big Events are processes like macroeconomic transitions that have lowered social well-being in various settings in the past. Greece has been hit by the global crisis and experienced an HIV outbreak among people who inject drugs. Since the crisis began (2008), Greece has seen population displacement, inter-communal violence, cuts in governmental expenditures, and social movements. These may have affected normative regulation, networks, and behaviors. However, most pathways to risk remain unknown or unmeasured. We use what is known and unknown about the Greek HIV outbreak to suggest modifications in Big Events models and the need for additional research.