Which out-of-office measurement technique should be used for diagnosing hypertension in prehypertensives?

Hypertension (HT) is diagnosed with high office blood pressure (BP), although confirmation with the addition of out-of-office measurements is currently recommended. However, insufficient data are available concerning the use of out-of-office BP measurement techniques for the diagnosis of HT in the prehypertensive population. The aim of the present study was to determine which out-of-office measurements yielded earlier and more frequent detection of development of HT in prehypertensive patients. Two hundred seven prehypertensive patients under monitoring in the Cappadocia cohort were included in the study. Office BP was measured five times at 1-min intervals, followed by 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (24-h ABPM). Home BP measurement (HBPM) was performed five times, at the same times in the morning and evening, at 1-min intervals for 1 week. The same procedure was carried out at 4-6-month intervals for ~2 years. HT was diagnosed in 25.6% of subjects, masked HT in 11.1%, and white coat HT in 2.9%, while 23.7% remained prehypertensive and 36.7% became normotensive. Briefly, 56.6% of the patients with HT were diagnosed with office plus 24-h ABPM, 13.2% with office plus HBPM, and 30.2% with office plus HBPM and 24-h ABPM. Office with 24-h ABPM yielded statistically significantly more diagnoses (p < 0.001). In conclusion, our prospective observational study evaluated the usefulness of out-of-office BP measurements in confirming diagnosis of HT in prehypertensive patients. The findings show that 24-h ABPM detected HT earlier and more frequently in this high-risk population

Empirical investigation to explore potential gains from the amalgamation of Phase Changing Materials (PCMs) and wood shavings

The reduction of gained heat, heat peak shifting and the mitigation of air temperature fluctuations are some desirable properties that are sought after in any thermal insulation system. It cannot be overstated that these factors, in addition to others, govern the performance of such systems thus their effect on indoor ambient conditions. The effect of such systems extends also to Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning (HVAC) systems that are set up to operate optimally in certain conditions. Where literature shows that PCMs and natural materials such as wood-shavings can provide efficient passive insulation for buildings, it is evident that such approaches utilise methods that are of a degree of intricacy which requires specialist knowledge and complex techniques, such as micro-encapsulation for instance. With technical and economic aspects in mind, an amalgam of PCM and wood-shavings has been created for the purpose of being utilised as a feasible thermal insulation. The amalgamation was performed in the simplest of methods, through submerging the wood shavings in PCM. An experimental procedure was devised to test the thermal performance of the amalgam and compare this to the performance of the same un-amalgamated materials. Comparative analysis revealed that no significant thermal gains would be expected from such amalgamation. However, significant reduction in the total weight of the insulation system would be achieved that, in this case, shown to be up to 20.94%. Thus, further reducing possible strains on structural elements due to the application of insulation on buildings. This can be especially beneficial in vernacular architectural approaches where considerably large amounts and thicknesses of insulations are used. In addition, cost reduction could be attained as wood shavings are significantly cheaper compared to the cost of PCMs

The mediation role of personal meaning profile in the relationship between resilience capacity and meaning in life

The main purpose of this study is to examine the mediation role of personal meaning profile in the relationship between resilience capacity and meaning in life. Data has been collected from 371 college students using Resilience, Personal Meaning Profile and Meaning in Life Scales. Jamovi 1.1.4 statistical program has been used for the analysis of the data. In the study, it has been observed that there exist meaningful relationships between the sub-dimensions of the personal meaning profile and resilience besides meaning in life. Results show that there is a meaningful and positive relation between resilience and meaning in life. It has been also observed that there has been a positive relation between meaning in life and the achievement, relationship, self-transcendence, self-acceptance, intimacy, and fairness sub-dimensions of the personal meaning profile. However, no meaningful relationship between resilience and the religion sub-dimension of the personal meaning profile has been found. Considering the findings of the research, there is a significant mediation role of the personal meaning profile, except for the religion and self-acceptance sub-dimensions, in the relationship between the resilience capacity and the meaning in life. All findings have been discussed in terms of literature and the suggestion for further studies has been made. © 2021, Ozgen Korkmaz. All rights reserved.2-s2.0-8510418563

Tracheobroncopathia osteochondroplastica: Three case reports with literature review

Tracheobroncopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a benign disease of the large airways seen very rarely. It is characterized by 1-3 mm sized ossified nodular lesions in submucosa. Its etiology is unclear, but it is stated that malignancy, chronic inflammation, amyloidosis, and genetic factors might have an effect on it. It was first described by Wilks in a 38-year-old man diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1857. Generally, patients are asymptomatic and TO is diagnosed incidentally. But symptoms become significant with infections and obstruction in tracheabronchial tree. Generally chest radiography is normal, so thorax computed tomography can be remarkable in diagnosis of TO. Besides, final diagnosis can be established by viewing ossified nodules in trachea and bronchus through the fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Amyloidosis, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, bronchial carcinoma, and tracheobronchial calcinosis must be remembered in differential diagnosis. Also ossifications in submucosa and proof of bone marrow in histopathological examinations are important in diagnosis of TO. Mostly palliative treatment is performed to the symptoms . We want the clinicians to keep in mind for this very rarely seen tracheal disease with three case reports.Keywords: Ossificated nodular lesion, thorax computed tomography, tracheal disease, tracheobroncopathia osteochondroplastic

Regional clinical and biochemical differences among patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

Background: Environmental habitat may play a role in clinical disparities of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) patients. Aims: To compare preoperative clinical symptoms and associated conditions and surgical findings in patients with pHPT, living in different geographical regions from the Black Sea, Mediterranean and Anatolia regions. Study Design: Retrospective, clinical-based multi-centric study of 694 patients with pHPT. Methods: Patients from 23 centers and 8 different geographical regions were included. Data related to baseline demographics, clinical, pathologic and treatment characteristics of 8 regions were collected and included age, gender, residential data, symptoms, history of fracture, existence of brown tumor, serum total Ca and p levels, serum parathormone (PTH) levels, serum 25-OH vitamin D levels, bone mineral density, size of the resected abnormal parathyroid gland(s), histology, as well as the presence of ectopia, presence of dual adenoma, and multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)- or familial-related disease. Results: The median age was 54. Asymptomatic patient rate was 25%. The median PTH level was 232 pg/mL and serum total Ca was 11.4 mg/dL. Eighty-seven percent of patients had an adenoma and 90% of these had a single adenoma. Hyperplasia was detected in 79 patients and cancer in 9 patients. The median adenoma size was 16 mm. Significant parameters differing between regions were preoperative symptoms, serum Ca and p levels, and adenoma size. All patients from South-East Anatolia were symptomatic, while the lowest p values were reported from East Anatolia and the largest adenoma size, as well as highest Ca levels, were from Bulgaria. Conclusion: Habitat conditions vary between geographical regions. This affects the clinicopathological features of patients with pHPT. © 2017 by Trakya University Faculty of Medicine/The Balkan Medical Journal published by Galenos Publishing House

Does Blood Pressure Variability Affect Hypertension Development in Prehypertensive Patients?

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with end organ damage and cardiovascular outcomes in hypertensive patients. Prehypertensive patients frequently develop hypertension (HT). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of BPV on the development of HT. METHODS: Two hundred and seven prehypertensive patients from the Cappadocia cohort were monitored over 2 years, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), office BP, and home BP measurements were subsequently performed at 4- to 6-month intervals. BPV was calculated as average real variability (ARV) from 24-h ABPM data, home BP, and office BP measurements at first visit. The relationship was evaluated between baseline ARV and the development of HT. RESULTS: HT was diagnosed in 25.60% of subjects. Baseline 24-hour ABPM systolic blood pressure (SBP)ARV and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)ARV and home SBPARV were significantly higher in patients who developed HT than the other patients (P 0.006, 0.001 and 0.006, respectively). Baseline 24-hour ABPM SBPARV and home SBPARV exceeding the 90th percentile were identified as parameters affecting development of HT at logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our prospective observational cohort study showed that short-term BPV in particular can predict the development of HT in the prehypertensive population. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2021. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: [email protected]

Zinc(II) and cadmium(II) coordination polymers containing phenylenediacetate and 4,4′-azobis(pyridine) ligands: Syntheses, structures, dye adsorption properties and molecular dynamics simulations

Due to copyright restrictions, the access to the full text of this article is only available via subscription.Two new coordination polymers (CPs) – [Zn(µ4-ppda)(µ-abpy)0.5]n(1) and [Cd(μ3-opda)(µ-abpy)0.5(H2O)]n(2) (o/ppda = 1,2/1,4-phenylenediacetate, abpy = 4,4′-azobis(pyridine)) – have been synthesized by using Zn(II)/Cd(II) salts in the presence of o- and p-phenylenediacetic acid and abpy under hydrothermal conditions. Their structures have been characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The structural diversities were observed depending on anionic ligands and metal centers in the synthesized complexes. Complex 1 consists of a 2-fold interpenetrated 3D+3D→3D framework with pcu topology while complex 2 has a 2D structure with sql topology. The adsorption of methylene blue (MB) was studied to examine the potential of the title CPs for removal of dyes from aqueous solution. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were also performed to examine diffusion of MB in 1 and 2. Thermal and optical properties of two complexes were also discussed.Eskisehir Osmangazi Universites

Which Out-Of-Office Measurement Technique Should Be Used For Diagnosing Hypertension In Prehypertensives?

Hypertension (HT) is diagnosed with high office blood pressure (BP), although confirmation with the addition of out-of-office measurements is currently recommended. However, insufficient data are available concerning the use of out-of-office BP measurement techniques for the diagnosis of HT in the prehypertensive population. The aim of the present study was to determine which out-of-office measurements yielded earlier and more frequent detection of development of HT in prehypertensive patients. Two hundred seven prehypertensive patients under monitoring in the Cappadocia cohort were included in the study. Office BP was measured five times at 1-min intervals, followed by 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (24-h ABPM). Home BP measurement (HBPM) was performed five times, at the same times in the morning and evening, at 1-min intervals for 1 week. The same procedure was carried out at 4–6-month intervals for ~2 years. HT was diagnosed in 25.6% of subjects, masked HT in 11.1%, and white coat HT in 2.9%, while 23.7% remained prehypertensive and 36.7% became normotensive. Briefly, 56.6% of the patients with HT were diagnosed with office plus 24-h ABPM, 13.2% with office plus HBPM, and 30.2% with office plus HBPM and 24-h ABPM. Office with 24-h ABPM yielded statistically significantly more diagnoses (p < 0.001). In conclusion, our prospective observational study evaluated the usefulness of out-of-office BP measurements in confirming diagnosis of HT in prehypertensive patients. The findings show that 24-h ABPM detected HT earlier and more frequently in this high-risk population. © 2019, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.Scopu