Smoking Habits According to Metabolic Traits in an Island Population of the Eastern Adriatic Coast

The study deals with the connection between metabolic syndrome (MS) and smoking habits of 1602 males and 828 females aged 18–97 years from the island of Hvar, Croatia. The age-adjusted prevalence of MS was higher in males (18.1– 31.2%) than females (9.7–24.2%) by all five criteria that were defined, except the one by AHA/NHLBI. The overall prevalence of MS reached 12.9% by WHO using body mass index (BMI), 13.1% by EGIR, 14.5% by WHO using waist to hip ratio (WHR), 18.2% by NCEP/ATP III, 18.9% by AHA/NHLBI, and 26.7% by IDF criteria. The prevalence of smoking habits was similar inmales (24.7%) and females (23.8%). The frequency ofmild,moderate and heavy smoking was higher in males than females, 35.8:26.6%, 31.0:27.0%, and 35.9:7.7%, respectively. Age and sex had significant influence on BMI and WHR, both being highest in male former smokers (28.15 kg/m2 and 0.973, respectively) and in female non-smokers (27.18 kg/m2 and 0.869, respectively). The appearance of arterial hypertension (HTN) differed according to frequency of smoking; males had higher prevalence than females using WHO and EGIR criteria of blood pressure ³140/90 mmHg, even after age adjustment. In males and females respectively, systolic HTN in non-smokers was 20.7:15.1%, in former smokers 17.9:15.2% and in current smokers 16.9:13.0%; diastolic HTN in non-smokers was 19.8:12.7%, in former smokers 22.4:10.5%, and in current smokers 11.3:9.1%. By NCEP, AHA, IDF criteria of blood pressure ³130/85 mmHg, arterial HTN was also more prevalent in males than females; systolic HTN in non-smokers being 31.4:19.8%, in former smokers 29.9:12.7%, and in current smokers 25.4:11.1%; and diastolic HTN in non-smokers was 20.5:11.5%, in former smokers 24.8:11.3%, and in current smokers 14.7:9.4%. According to AHA/NHLBI and IDF criteria of high plasma glucose as ³5.6 mmoL/L, both males and females in all the three categories of smokers had glucose levels above the normal range (5.80–6.31mmol/L in males and 5.80–5.91 mmol/L in females), except female current smokers (5.51 mmol/L). By WHO, EGIR and NCEP/ATP III criteria of high plasma glucose as ³6.1 mmmol/L, only male non-smokers (6.31 mmol/L) and former smokers (6.24 mmol/L) had elevated levels. Considering normal HDL-cholesterol as >1.0 mmol/L in males and >1.2 mmol/L in females, both males and females in all the three smoker’s categories had HDL within normal range; females having higher HDL levels (1.52 mmol/L) than males (1.30 mmol/L). Considering normal value for triglycerides as <1.7 mmol/L, male former smokers (1.76 mmol/L) and current smokers (1.81 mmol/L) had higher levels; and as a whole group triglycerides were higher in males than females, 1.66:1.37 mmol/L respectively. The prevalence of MS differed between males and females using various MS criteria. Both males and females had the highest prevalence of MS by IDF criteria; male former smokers 60.5%, female non-smokers 51.4%, male non-smokers 53.8%, female former smokers 38.2%, and lowest in both male and female current smokers 39.8 and 33.0% respectively. In males, the lowest prevalence of MS was observed in non-smokers by AHA criteria (30.5%), in former smokers by WHO criteria (35.7%), and in current smokers using EGIR criteria (18.1%). Females in all the three smoker’s categories had the lowest prevalence of MS using EGIR and WHO criteria. MS were less prevalent in current smokers than in non-smokers and former smokers

Obesity, lipoproteins and physical activity

U pretilih osoba postoji velik rizik za nastanak hiperlipoproteinemije, šećerne bolesti, hipertenzije, koronarne srčane bolesti i degenerativnih bolesti. Štetni utjecaji prevelike tjelesne težine i pretilosti na zdravlje brojni su i različiti. Veća je opasnost od prerane smrti, uz niz posljedica koje izravno utječu na kakvoću života. Čimbenici rizika za razvoj bolesti srca su visoke koncentracije ukupnog i LDL kolesterola, a snižena koncentracija HDL kolesterola, povišena koncen-tracija triglicerida, glukoze, povišen arterijski krvni tlak, pušenje te neaktivni način života. Redovita tjelovježba može smanjiti i odgoditi obolijevanje od navedenih bolesti.Obese persons are at a high risk to develop hyperlipoproteinemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary disease, and degenerative diseases. Excessive body mass and obesity have numerous and diverse adverse effects on health. Along with many consequences directly influencing the quality of life, there is an increased risk of premature death. The risk factors for cardiac disease include elevated concentration of total and LDL cholesterol, a decreased concentration of HDL cholesterol, increased concentration of triglycerides and blood glucose, elevated arterial blood pressure, cigarette smoking and inadequate physical activity. Disease development can be prevented and delayed by regular physical activity

Metabolic Syndrome in a Metapopulation of Croatian Island Isolates

Aim: To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with the metabolic syndrome in 9 isolated populations on Adriatic islands, Croatia, and in the group of immigrants to these islands. Methods: Random samples of 100 inhabitants from each village and 101 immigrants were collected during 2002 and 2003. Bivariate and multivariate methods were used in data analysis. Age, gender, village, diet, smoking habits, physical activity, education, occupational class, and personal genetic history (a pedigree-based estimate of the individual genome-wide heterozygosity level) were used as independent variables in logistic regression. Results: A total of 343 (34%) examinees met criteria of the metabolic syndrome diagnosis, with significant differences in the prevalence among villages (P=0.002). Metabolic syndrome was most frequently detected on Mljet island (53%), where all examinees exhibited fasting plasma glucose over 6.1 mmol/L. Examinees with metabolic syndrome were significantly older than those without it (median age 60.0 vs 53.0; P<0.001). Women were more frequently diagnosed than men (39% vs 28%; P<0.001). The highest prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was found in the autochthonous group, whereas the lowest proportion was recorded in the admixed group (39% vs 21%, respectively, P = 0.017). However, only age (odds ratio [OR], 1.06; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.03-1.08) and having a university degree (OR, 0.18; 95% CI 0.04-0.92) were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in the regression model. Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome was not associated with pedigree-based individual genome-wide heterozygosity estimate, after controlling for a number of confounding factors. More precise marker based genomic measures are needed to provide a clear answer whether metabolic syndrome development is influenced by the population genetic structure

Effects of Inbreeding, Endogamy, Genetic Admixture, and Outbreeding on Human Health: A “1001 Dalmatians” Study

Aim: “1001 Dalmatians” research program collects biomedical information from multiple small isolated populations (“metapopulation”) on Adriatic islands, Croatia, and investigates health effects of human population isolation, inbreeding, admixture, and outbreeding. Methods: We collected random samples of 100 individuals from 9 island settlements and an additional sample of 101 immigrants to the islands, pooled from all study populations. According to their personal genetic histories, the examinees were categorized as inbred, autochthonous, admixed, and outbred. A total of 76 inbred individuals from a total sample of 1001 examinees were matched to 76 autochthonous, 76 admixed, and 76 outbred controls by gender, age (±5 years), village of residence, education, and socio-economic status. We investigated the effects of presumed individual genome-wide heterozygosity predicted from personal genetic histories on the following 10 traits: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, high and low density lipoproteins and total cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, creatinine, and blood glucose. Results: Personal genetic history significantly affected systolic blood pressure (Spearman ρ=-0.157, P=0.006), while the effect on cholesterol (ρ=-0.105, P=0.069), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (ρ=0.104, P=0.071) was suggestive. Admixed individuals and immigrants consistently showed values associated with lower health risk. When inbred and autochthonous samples were merged and compared with the admixed and outbred samples to increase the power of the study, the effects on the three traits above and also on body mass index and diastolic blood pressure became statistically significant. The medians for all 10 medically relevant traits in inbred and autochthonous group, with lower values of presumed individual genome-wide heterozygosity, were less favorable in terms of health. Conclusion: The combined effects of founder effect, genetic drift, and inbreeding can increase the frequency of detrimental rare variants in human metapopulations, leading to overall worsening of population health, whereas admixture and outbreeding appear to have the opposite effect

Lipid and Lipoprotein Contents of Human Follicular Fluid

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Metabolic Syndrome in a Metapopulation of Croatian Island Isolates

AIM: To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with the metabolic syndrome in 9 isolated populations on Adriatic islands, Croatia, and in the group of immigrants to these islands. ----- METHODS: Random samples of 100 inhabitants from each village and 101 immigrants were collected during 2002 and 2003. Bivariate and multivariate methods were used in data analysis. Age, gender, village, diet, smoking habits, physical activity, education, occupational class, and personal genetic history (a pedigree-based estimate of the individual genome-wide heterozygosity level) were used as independent variables in logistic regression. ----- RESULTS: A total of 343 (34%) examinees met criteria of the metabolic syndrome diagnosis, with significant differences in the prevalence among villages (P=0.002). Metabolic syndrome was most frequently detected on Mljet island (53%), where all examinees exhibited fasting plasma glucose over 6.1 mmol/L. Examinees with metabolic syndrome were significantly older than those without it (median age 60.0 vs 53.0; P<0.001). Women were more frequently diagnosed than men (39% vs 28%; P<0.001). The highest prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was found in the autochthonous group, whereas the lowest proportion was recorded in the admixed group (39% vs 21%, respectively, P=0.017). However, only age (odds ratio [OR], 1.06; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.03-1.08) and having a university degree (OR, 0.18; 95% CI 0.04-0.92) were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in the regression model. ----- CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome was not associated with pedigree-based individual genome-wide heterozygosity estimate, after controlling for a number of confounding factors. More precise marker based genomic measures are needed to provide a clear answer whether metabolic syndrome development is influenced by the population genetic structure

Effects of Inbreeding, Endogamy, Genetic Admixture, and Outbreeding on Human Health: A “1001 Dalmatians” Study

AIM: (1001 Dalmatians) research program collects biomedical information from multiple small isolated populations ((metapopulation)) on Adriatic islands, Croatia, and investigates health effects of human population isolation, inbreeding, admixture, and outbreeding. ----- METHODS: We collected random samples of 100 individuals from 9 island settlements and an additional sample of 101 immigrants to the islands, pooled from all study populations. According to their personal genetic histories, the examinees were categorized as inbred, autochthonous, admixed, and outbred. A total of 76 inbred individuals from a total sample of 1001 examinees were matched to 76 autochthonous, 76 admixed, and 76 outbred controls by gender, age (+/-5 years), village of residence, education, and socio-economic status. We investigated the effects of presumed individual genome-wide heterozygosity predicted from personal genetic histories on the following 10 traits: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, high and low density lipoproteins and total cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, creatinine, and blood glucose. ----- RESULTS: Personal genetic history significantly affected systolic blood pressure (Spearman rho=0.157, P=0.006), while the effect on cholesterol (rho=0.105, P=0.069), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (rho=0.104, P=0.071) was suggestive. Admixed individuals and immigrants consistently showed values associated with lower health risk. When inbred and autochthonous samples were merged and compared with the admixed and outbred samples to increase the power of the study, the effects on the three traits above and also on body mass index and diastolic blood pressure became statistically significant. The medians for all 10 medically relevant traits in inbred and autochthonous group, with lower values of presumed individual genome-wide heterozygosity, were less favorable in terms of health. ----- CONCLUSION: The combined effects of founder effect, genetic drift, and inbreeding can increase the frequency of detrimental rare variants in human metapopulations, leading to overall worsening of population health, whereas admixture and outbreeding appear to have the opposite effect. Methods We collected random samples of 100 individuals from 9 island settlements and an additional sample of 101 immigrants to the islands, pooled from all study populations. According to their personal genetic histories, the examinees were categorized as inbred, autochthonous, admixed, and outbred. A total of 76 inbred individuals from a total sample of 1001 examinees were matched to 76 autochthonous, 76 admixed, and 76 outbred controls by gender, age (±5 years), village of residence, education, and socio-economic status. We investigated the effects of presumed individual genome-wide heterozygosity predicted from personal genetic histories on the following 10 traits: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, high and low density lipoproteins and total cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, creatinine, and blood glucose. Results Personal genetic history significantly affected systolic blood pressure (Spearman ρ=0.157, P = 0.006), while the effect on cholesterol (ρ=0.105, P = 0.069), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (ρ=0.104, P = 0.071) was suggestive. Admixed individuals and immigrants consistently showed values associated with lower health risk. When inbred and autochthonous samples were merged and compared with the admixed and outbred samples to increase the power of the study, the effects on the three traits above and also on body mass index and diastolic blood pressure became statistically significant. The medians for all 10 medically relevant traits in inbred and autochthonous group, with lower values of presumed individual genome-wide heterozygosity, were less favorable in terms of health. Conclusion The combined effects of founder effect, genetic drift, and inbreeding can increase the frequency of detrimental rare variants in human metapopulations, leading to overall worsening of population health, whereas admixture and outbreeding appear to have the opposite effect

Association between Deletion Polymorphism of the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Gene and Cerebral Atherosclerosis

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Analysis of the In Vitro Secretory Activity of Human Pituitary Adenomas: Modification of Corticotropin Release from Adenoma Tissue Explant Cultures by Addition of a Human Plasma Ultrafiltrate Bioactive Fraction

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