Whole body MR imaging in ankylosing spondylitis: a descriptive pilot study in patients with suspected early and active confirmed ankylosing spondylitis

Background  

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorder which usually begins in early adulthood. The diagnosis is often delayed by many years. MR imaging has become the preferred imaging method for detection of early inflammation of the axial skeleton in ankylosing spondylitis.     

Cardiovascular intervention for high-risk families: the Heart Smart Program

The Heart Smart Family Health Promotion Program is a multidisciplinary, school-based program for cardiovascular risk reduction among high-risk children and their families. As a program that includes young adults at high risk, it is adaptable to a clinical practice. Nineteen fourth and fifth graders were selected as probands for elevated risk factors after a general screening to identify families for an intervention program. Twenty-three parents participated in a 12-week program focused on eating, exercise, and smoking behavior changes enhanced by behavicral support strategies. Weekly sessions were held in the auditorium/cafeteria of the elementary school and consisted of orientation and presentations, cardiovascular (CV) screening with medical feedback, activities, self-monitoring, counseling, and contingency contracting. Information gathered before and after the program included medical history, CV health knowledge and relevant behavior, blood pressure, serum lipid and lipoprotein values, anthropometric measurements, and urine electrolyte excretion. Both children and parents showed positive changes in eating habits and physical activity and significant changes in knowledge and blood pressure levels, while the children halted their weight gain. We believe this multidisciplinary, behavior-oriented, school-based program can be an effective cardiovascular risk intervention adaptable for a clinical office practice.     

The Emergence of Clinically Abnormal Levels of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Variables Among Young Adults: The Bogalusa Heart-Study

Background. The Bogalusa Heart Study, a long-term epidemiologic investigation of the early natural history of atherosclerosis, was conducted for the first time in 1973-1974 on children from birth through the age of 14 in a biracial (black-white) population. Methods. The emergence of clinically recognizable abnormalities (obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia) was studied in 1,928 young adults, ages 19-32 years, examined in the 1988-1991 survey. Results. The occurrence of morbid levels of cardiovascular disease risk factors varied by race and gender. The prevalence of severe overweight, body mass index ≥ 31.1 kg/m² for males and ≥ 32.3 kg/m² for females, was much higher for black women (20.1%) than for white women (8.7%), black men (14.0%), or white men (11.7%). The frequency of hypertension [systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140 mm Hg, diastolic BP ≥ 90 mm Hg, or treatment for high BP] was greatest for black women (13.9%) versus black men (10.1%), white men (6.2%), or white women (5.0%). Approximately 9.5% of the men and 6% of the women had elevated LDL cholesterol (≥160 mg/dl), while elevated triglycerides (≥250 mg/dl) ranged from 0% in black females to 7.4% in white males. Dyslipoproteinemia related to HDL cholesterol (≤35 mg/dl) was more marked among white men (16%) compared with the other groups (approximately 4%). Correlations for risk factors in a subgroup of 1,587 individuals initially surveyed as children in 1973-1974 were examined as an indication of tracking over a 15-year period. Highly significant correlations were seen for obesity, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol. Conclusion. Early identification of adverse levels of cardiovascular disease risk factors defined by clinical experience should help to predict and prevent future cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.     

慢性低氧时小鼠肺组织低氧诱导因子-1α的表达

目的：研究低氧时小鼠肺组织中低氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-k)表达的变化。方法：实验用雄性小鼠，低氧仓浓度分别为10％、7％、5％。用免疫荧光组织化学技术及共聚焦显微术，检测小鼠在低氧条件下肺组织中HIF-1α表达的变化。结果：正常组小鼠肺组织HIF-1α无表达，低氧组HIF-1α表达增加，且随低氧时间的延长及低氧强度的增加而增强。结论：低氧可诱导小鼠肺组织中HIF-1α的表达增强，(HIF-k)可能参与肺组织细胞凋亡的发生。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">TCF7L2</Emphasis>variant genotypes and type 2 diabetes risk in Brazil: significant association,but not a significant tool for risk stratification in the general population

Background  

Genetic polymorphisms of the TCF7L2 gene are strongly associated with large increments in type 2 diabetes risk in different populations worldwide. In this study, we aimed to confirm the effect of the TCF7L2 polymorphism rs7903146 on diabetes risk in a Brazilian population and to assess the use of this genetic marker in improving diabetes risk prediction in the general population.