Reanalysis of two eclipsing binaries: EE Aqr and Z Vul

We study the radial-velocity and light curves of the two eclipsing binaries EE Aqr and Z Vul. Using the latest version of the Wilson & Van Hamme (2003) model, absolute parameters for the systems are determined. We find that EE Aqr and Z Vul are near-contact and semi-detached systems, respectively. The primary component of EE Aqr fills about 96% of its 'Roche lobe', while its secondary one appears close to completely filling this limiting volume. In a similar way, we find fill-out proportions of about 72 and 100% of these volumes for the primary and secondary components of Z Vul respectively. We compare our results with those of previous authors.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures, 10 table

Guideline adherence in cardiovascular risk assessment and analysis in 15,000 hypertensive German patients in real life: results of the Prospective 3A Registry

The benefit obtained from antihypertensive treatment is related more to overall cardiovascular risk reduction than to blood pressure levels. Accurate implementation of cardiovascular diagnostics is a key step toward assessment of cardiovascular risk. In the 3A Registry study, data about patient history, concomitant diseases, diagnostic procedures, and medications were prospectively collected. A total of 14,738 patients recruited by 899 physicians in 2008 and 2009 were analyzed. Assessment of cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical end-organ damage (SOD) showed broad differences in the implementation of European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology recommendations. Electrocardiograms were available in 59% of patients, cholesterol in 71.4%, and glucose in 69.7%. Almost all patients (99.6%) had creatinine measurements performed and microalbuminuria was measured in 8.5%. Metabolic syndrome (MS) had been evaluated in 59.7%. Implementation of diagnostic guidelines was highest in hypertensive patients with diabetes, followed by patients with known cardiovascular disease and established chronic renal insufficiency. For hypertensive patients without known comorbidities, the authors estimated that up to 29% had missed SOD (detection rate <50%) and 13% missed MS due to incomplete assessment of risk factors. This large registry study shows that assessment for cardiovascular risk factors and SOD is incomplete. Major efforts are required to improve comprehensive hypertension management as recommended by current guidelines

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring: Is it mandatory for blood pressure control in treated hypertensive patients? Prospective observational study

OBJECTIVE: Twenty-four hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) is superior to office blood pressure (BP) in predicting cardiovascular events. However, its use to optimise BP control in treated hypertensive patients is less well examined. DESIGN AND METHOD: In this observational study conducted in 899 general practitioners' offices, 4078 hypertensive patients with uncontrolled office BP were included. Antihypertensive therapy was intensified and after 1year office BP and 24-hour ABP were measured to categorise patients according to the ESC/ESH 2007 guidelines. RESULTS: In this cohort (mean office BP 156/90mmHg, mean ABP 146/85mmHg), 2059 out of 4078 patients (50.5%) had controlled office BP (<140/90mmHg) at 1year examination. Of these apparently controlled patients (N=2059), 1339 (65.8%) had 24-hour ABP≥130/80mmHg, indicating masked hypertension (32.9% of all treated patients). In the prespecified subgroups the prevalence of masked hypertension was the following: diabetes 28.2%, CVD 29.1%, and CKD 32.1%. White coat hypertension (24h-ABP<130/80mmHg and office BP≥140/90mmHg) was found in 12.4% (N=233) of patients with elevated office BP (6.1% of all treated patients), and in 5.7% of the diabetic subgroup, 5.6% CVD and 7.1% CKD. Discrepancies in BP categorisation between office BP and 24-hour ABP were high; all subjects 52.8%, diabetes 50.0%, CVD 49.0% and CKD 50.4%. CONCLUSION: In hypertensive patients on therapy, 2 out of 3 with apparently controlled office BP had masked hypertension, suggesting a more aggressive therapy, and 1 out of 8 with elevated office BP had white coat hypertension potentially falsely forcing physicians to intensify therapy. The 3A Registry is listed under clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01454583

VULNERABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS OF OLDER ADULTS IN DEPRIVED NEIGHBOURHOODS IN THE NETHERLANDS

Recent policy rests on the assumption that it is better for older people to live independently within the community for as long as possible. A related assumption is that the local community forms a supportive context for vulnerable older people; the environment can compensate the limitations resulting from growing old. However, Lawton's 'environmental docility hypothesis', in which the interaction between characteristics of the environment and a person's competence is described, forms a reason to be more careful with this assumption. In a survey of 1,939 Dutch older adults carried out in 2002-2003 this hypothesis is explored for older people living in deprived and non-deprived neighbourhoods. The results of the analysis seem to be in line with Lawton's hypothesis. In non-deprived neighbourhoods, no differences in environmental stress are found between vulnerable and non-vulnerable older adults, while in deprived neighbourhoods vulnerable older adults experience significantly higher levels of environmental stress than non-vulnerable older adults. Copyright (c) 2008 by the Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG.