Using Cluster Analysis to Identify Subgroups of College Students at Increased Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

Background and Purpose: To examine the co-occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors and cluster subgroups of college students for cardiovascular risks. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted using co-occurrence patterns and hierarchical clustering analysis in 158 college students. Results: The top co-occurring cardiovascular risk factors were overweight/obese and hypertension (10.8%, n = 17). Of the total 34 risk factors that co-occurred, 30 of them involved being overweight/obese. A six-cluster-solution was obtained, two clusters displayed elevated levels of lifetime and 30-year cardiovascular disease risks. Conclusions: The hierarchical cluster analysis identified that single White males with a family history of heart disease, overweight/obese, hypertensive or diabetes, and occasionally (weekly) consumed red meat, take antihypertensive medication, and hyperlipidemia were considered the higher risk group compared to other subgroups

Apports et limites des ententes intercantonales : le cas de l'enseignement des langues « étrangères » à l'école primaire

La présente étude vise à expliquer l'origine et la portée du débat sur l'enseignement des langues à l'école primaire. Elle s'articule en trois volets : la modélisation en termes de politiques publiques, la genèse institutionnelle et la mise en oeuvre, analysée de manière comparative dans quatre cantons (GE, BE, LU et TG). L'enseignement précoce de deux langues « étrangères » dont au moins une langue nationale (modèle 3e/5e) relève d'un compromis intercantonal, inscrit dans la Stratégie des langues de la CDIP et régulièrement remis en question : pourquoi et avec quelles conséquences ? Au-delà des arguments pédagogiques, juridiques et identitaires (cohésion nationale), ce sont deux conceptions de l'État et du rôle de la famille qui s'opposent. Quelles pistes suivre pour débloquer la situation

Activated Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages Eradicate Alzheimer's-Related Aβ42 Oligomers and Protect Synapses.

Impaired synaptic integrity and function due to accumulation of amyloid β-protein (Aβ42) oligomers is thought to be a major contributor to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the exact role of Aβ42 oligomers in synaptotoxicity and the ability of peripheral innate immune cells to rescue synapses remain poorly understood due to the metastable nature of oligomers. Here, we utilized photo-induced cross-linking to stabilize pure oligomers and study their effects vs. fibrils on synapses and protection by Aβ-phagocytic macrophages. We found that cortical neurons were more susceptible to Aβ42 oligomers than fibrils, triggering additional neuritic arborization retraction, functional alterations (hyperactivity and spike waveform), and loss of VGluT1- and PSD95-excitatory synapses. Co-culturing neurons with bone marrow-derived macrophages protected synapses against Aβ42 fibrils; moreover, immune activation with glatiramer acetate (GA) conferred further protection against oligomers. Mechanisms involved increased Aβ42 removal by macrophages, amplified by GA stimulation: fibrils were largely cleared through intracellular CD36/EEA1+-early endosomal proteolysis, while oligomers were primarily removed via extracellular/MMP-9 enzymatic degradation. In vivo studies in GA-immunized or CD115+-monocyte-grafted APPSWE/PS1ΔE9-transgenic mice followed by pre- and postsynaptic analyses of entorhinal cortex and hippocampal substructures corroborated our in vitro findings of macrophage-mediated synaptic preservation. Together, our data demonstrate that activated macrophages effectively clear Aβ42 oligomers and rescue VGluT1/PSD95 synapses, providing rationale for harnessing macrophages to treat AD

The Role of Dietary Carbohydrates in Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is hyperglycemia that is recognized for the first time during pregnancy. GDM is associated with a wide range of short- and long-term adverse health consequences for both mother and offspring. It is a complex disease with a multifactorial etiology, with disturbances in glucose, lipid, inflammation and gut microbiota. Consequently, its management is complex, requiring patients to self-manage their diet, lifestyle and self-care behaviors in combination with use of insulin. In addition to nutritional recommendations for all pregnant women, special attention to dietary carbohydrate (CHO) amount and type on glucose levels is especially important in GDM. Dietary CHO are diverse, ranging from simple sugars to longer-chain oligo- and poly- saccharides which have diverse effects on blood glucose, microbial fermentation and bowel function. Studies have established that dietary CHO amount and type can impact maternal glucose and nutritional recommendations advise women with GDM to limit total intake or choose complex and low glycemic CHO. However, robust maternal and infant benefits are not consistently shown. Novel approaches which help women with GDM adhere to dietary recommendations such as diabetes-specific meal replacements (which provide a defined and complete nutritional composition with slowly-digested CHO) and continuous glucose monitors (which provide unlimited monitoring of maternal glycemic fluctuations) have shown benefits on both maternal and neonatal outcomes. Continued research is needed to understand and develop tools to facilitate patient adherence to treatment goals, individualize interventions and improve outcomes

Cas Clinique: Anévrisme de l’Aorte Abdominale Compliqué de Thrombose à Propos d’Un Cas

L’anévrisme de l’aorte abdominale est une dilatation permanente de l’aorte abdominale dans sa portion sous-rénale. Les conséquences, en cas de rupture anévrismale, peuvent être fatales. La plupart des anévrismes de l’aorte abdominale ne présentent pas de symptômes jusqu’au moment de la rupture. Le symptôme le plus courant est la douleur abdominale ou dorsale Parfois, une masse pulsatile (qui présente des pulsations) peut être palpée au niveau de l’abdomen. Le diagnostic paraclinique est basé sur l’échographie abdominale et l’angiotomodensitométrie. Le dépistage est recommandé chez tous les hommes fumeurs de plus de 65 ans ayant un parent de premier degré connu pour un anévrisme de l’aorte abdominale. Les anévrismes asymptomatiques présentant un diamètre de plus de 50mm chez la femme, 55mm chez l’homme ou une croissance du diamètre de plus de 1cm par année doivent être opérés. Le traitement est chirurgical ou endovasculaire. Le traitement médicale consiste à lutter contre les facteurs de risque athéromateux.   The abdominal aortic aneurysm is a permanent dilation of the abdominal aorta in its sub-renal portion. The consequences, in the event of an aneurysmal rupture, can be fatal. Most abdominal aortic aneurysms do not show symptoms until the moment of rupture. The most common symptom is abdominal or back pain Sometimes a throbbing mass (which is pulsating) can be felt in the abdomen. Paraclinical diagnosis is based on abdominal ultrasound and CT angiography. Screening is recommended for all male smokers over 65 years of age with a first-degree relative known to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Asymptomatic aneurysms with a diameter of more than 50mm in women, 55mm in men or with a diameter growth of more than 1cm per year should be operated on. Treatment is surgical or endovascular. The medical treatment consists in combating the atherosclerotic risk factors

Cas Clinique: Anévrisme de l’Aorte Abdominale Compliqué de Thrombose à Propos d’Un Cas

L’anévrisme de l’aorte abdominale est une dilatation permanente de l’aorte abdominale dans sa portion sous-rénale. Les conséquences, en cas de rupture anévrismale, peuvent être fatales. La plupart des anévrismes de l’aorte abdominale ne présentent pas de symptômes jusqu’au moment de la rupture. Le symptôme le plus courant est la douleur abdominale ou dorsale Parfois, une masse pulsatile (qui présente des pulsations) peut être palpée au niveau de l’abdomen. Le diagnostic paraclinique est basé sur l’échographie abdominale et l’angiotomodensitométrie. Le dépistage est recommandé chez tous les hommes fumeurs de plus de 65 ans ayant un parent de premier degré connu pour un anévrisme de l’aorte abdominale. Les anévrismes asymptomatiques présentant un diamètre de plus de 50mm chez la femme, 55mm chez l’homme ou une croissance du diamètre de plus de 1cm par année doivent être opérés. Le traitement est chirurgical ou endovasculaire. Le traitement médicale consiste à lutter contre les facteurs de risque athéromateux.   The abdominal aortic aneurysm is a permanent dilation of the abdominal aorta in its sub-renal portion. The consequences, in the event of an aneurysmal rupture, can be fatal. Most abdominal aortic aneurysms do not show symptoms until the moment of rupture. The most common symptom is abdominal or back pain Sometimes a throbbing mass (which is pulsating) can be felt in the abdomen. Paraclinical diagnosis is based on abdominal ultrasound and CT angiography. Screening is recommended for all male smokers over 65 years of age with a first-degree relative known to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Asymptomatic aneurysms with a diameter of more than 50mm in women, 55mm in men or with a diameter growth of more than 1cm per year should be operated on. Treatment is surgical or endovascular. The medical treatment consists in combating the atherosclerotic risk factors

Self-Assembly of Elastin–Mimetic Double Hydrophobic Polypeptides

We have constructed a novel class of “double-hydrophobic” block polypeptides based on the hydrophobic domains found in native elastin, an extracellular matrix protein responsible for the elasticity and resilience of tissues. The block polypeptides comprise proline-rich poly(VPGXG) and glycine-rich poly(VGGVG), both of which dehydrate at higher temperature but form distinct secondary structures, β-turn and β-sheet respectively. In water at 45 °C, the block polypeptides initially assemble into nanoparticles rich in β-turn structures, which further connect into long (>10 μm), beaded nanofibers along with the increase in the β-sheet content. The nanofibers obtained are well-dispersed in water, and show thermoresponsive properties. Polypeptides comprising each block component assemble into different morphologies, showing that the conjugation of poly(VPGXG) and poly(VGGVG) plays a role for beaded fiber formation. These results may provide innovative ideas for designing peptide-based materials but also opportunities for developing novel materials useful for tissue engineering and drug delivery systems