Cardiovascular biomarkers and vascular function during childhood in the offspring of mothers with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: findings from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children

<p><b>Aims:</b> It is uncertain if the higher blood pressure (BP) observed in the offspring of hypertensive pregnancies is an isolated abnormality or one that is accompanied by impaired vascular function and alterations in lipid and inflammation markers that would be indicative of a more general cardiometabolic disturbance of the type observed in the mother during pre-eclampsia.</p> <p><b>Methods and results:</b> In a large UK cohort of maternal-offspring pairs (n = 3537–4654), assessed at age 9–12 years, we examined the associations of maternal gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia with offspring BP, endothelial function assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation; arterial stiffness assessed by carotid to radial pulse wave velocity; brachial artery distensibility and BP (vascular outcomes); as well as markers of inflammation, lipids and apolipoproteins A1 and B. Offspring of women with pre-eclampsia or gestational hypertension had higher systolic blood pressure by 2.04 mmHg (95% CI: 1.33, 2.76) and 1.82 mmHg (95% CI: 0.03, 3.62), respectively, and higher diastolic blood pressure by 1.10 mmHg (95% CI: 0.47, 1.73) and 1.26 mmHg (95% CI: −0.32, 2.85), respectively, in analyses adjusted for maternal and offspring body mass index (BMI), offspring dietary sodium intake and other potential confounders. However, we found no associations of either hypertensive disorder of pregnancy with the other vascular outcomes or with inflammatory markers, lipids, and apolipoproteins.</p> <p><b>Conclusion:</b> Pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension are associated with higher offspring BP in childhood in the absence of other vascular alterations or metabolic derangements. The findings support the existence of shared mother-offspring risk factors that are specific for higher BP, rather than the additional cardiometabolic abnormalities of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy having long-term consequences for offspring.</p&gt

Valuation of Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA

Master's thesis in Applied financeThe purpose of this thesis is to estimate the share price of Norwegian Air Shuttle per 31.12.2018. In order to do so, we will analyze the strategic environment in which Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA operates and its financial position. This will be used as a basis for our financial analysis, forecasting and finally a valuation. We will at first give a proper presentation about Norwegian Air shuttle followed by a strategic analysis where we will analyze the external and internal environment that Norwegian operates in. Furthermore, we will perform a financial statement analysis, in this section we will introduce the peer group. We will under financial analysis reformulate Norwegian’s and make adjustments in order to make both Norwegian and the peer group comparable. Based upon this information we will conduct a forecasting section that will be used in the valuation. The valuation methods will be a discounted cash flow, multiple valuation and liquidation method. Norwegian faces both challenges and opportunities in the foreseeing future. The intense competition in the industry keeps putting pressure on ticket prices resulting in a lower revenue growth. However, Norwegian is in a situation where they are able to obtain market shares from competitors. In addition, the expansion in the long-haul market seems to be growing rapidly, especially in the US where they are one of the biggest carriers in New York and Los Angeles. Our valuation conclusion was that Norwegian´s share price the 31.12.2018 was overpriced according to both our DCF and multiple valuation. The share price per 31.12.2018 was 173,5 NOK. The liquidation method basically told us that if the choice was to liquidate the company, there would be nothing left to the shareholders. The observable share price from the discounted cash flow was 595 NOK and 132 NOK from the multiple approach. We arrived at a weighted share price of 502 NOK in section 7.0 Conclusion. In terms of the valuation we do believe that the sensitivity analysis would give a better understanding of both the potential and the risk that comes along with Norwegian Air Shuttle. Due to the concluded share price, as stated above, we believe the share price is undervalued and propose a buy recommendation on Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA with an upside potential of 140%, although we do want of high risk and volatility

Preeclampsia and future maternal health

Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder that complicates 3-8% of pregnancies in the Western world, and is a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although it is a disease unique to pregnancy, evidence has mounted in recent years that preeclampsia has important implications for future maternal health, in particular cardiovascular health. In this review we examine epidemiological evidence for this relationship, and examine potential mechanisms such as insulin resistance, genetic factors and endothelial dysfunction that may explain the relationship. In addition we explore potential future avenues of research into the field, such as genomics, proteomics and metabolomics

Cardiovascular Sequels During and After Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder complicating 2%-8% of pregnancies worldwide and characterized by de novo development of hypertension and proteinuria. Current understanding of the pathophysiology of preeclampsia is limited. A main feature is disrupted spiral artery remodeling in the placenta, which restricts the blood flow to the placenta, which in turn leads to decreased uteroplacental perfusion. Impaired blood flow through the placenta might result in fetal growth restriction and secretion of several factors by the placenta-mainly pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-angiogenic factors-which spread into the maternal circulation, leading to endothelial dysfunction, which subsequently results in disrupted maternal hemodynamics. To date, no treatment options are available apart from termination of pregnancy. Despite normalization of the maternal vascular disturbances after birth, it has become apparent that formerly preeclamptic women experience an increased risk to develop cardiovascular and kidney disease later in life. One well-accepted concept is that the development of preeclampsia is an indicator of maternal susceptibility to develop future cardiovascular conditions, although the increased risk might also be the result of organ damage caused during preeclampsia. Given the associations between preeclampsia and long-term complications, preeclampsia is acknowledged as woman-specific risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Current research focuses on finding effective screening and prevention strategies for the reduction of cardiovascular disease in women with a history of preeclampsia