Determination of Pericardial Adipose Tissue Increases the Prognostic Accuracy of Coronary Artery Calcification for Future Cardiovascular Events

Objectives: Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) is associated with coronary artery plaque accumulation and the incidence of coronary heart disease. We evaluated the possible incremental prognostic value of PAT for future cardiovascular events. Methods: 145 patients (94 males, age 60 10 years) with stable coronary artery disease underwent coronary artery calcification (CAC) scanning in a multislice CT scanner, and the volume of pericardial fat was measured. Mean observation time was 5.4 years. Results: 34 patients experienced a severe cardiac event. They had a significantly higher CAC score (1,708 +/- 2,269 vs. 538 +/- 1,150, p 400, 3.5 (1.9-5.4; p = 0.007) for scores > 800 and 5.9 (3.7-7.8; p = 0.005) for scores > 1,600. When additionally a PAT volume > 200 cm(3) was determined, there was a significant increase in the event rate and relative risk. We calculated a relative risk of 2.9 (1.9-4.2; p = 0.01) for scores > 400, 4.0 (2.1-5.0; p = 0.006) for scores > 800 and 7.1 (4.1-10.2; p = 0.005) for scores > 1,600. Conclusions:The additional determination of PAT increases the predictive power of CAC for future cardiovascular events. PAT might therefore be used as a further parameter for risk stratification. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base

Stent-Graft Treatment of Patients with Acute Bleeding from Hepatic Artery Branches

To present a new treatment option in patients with acute bleeding from the hepatic artery branches.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41326/1/270_2004_Article_56.pd

Prevalence and changes in chronic diseases among South Korean farmers: 1998 to 2005

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Epidemiologic studies have suggested a unique pattern of disease among farmers in Western countries, but limited information is available about the magnitude of disease prevalence and their changes over time in Asian farmers. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and changes in chronic diseases among farmers with those of other occupational groups in South Korea.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using data from three consecutive cross-sectional national surveys: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1998 (n = 39,060), 2001 (n = 37,769), and 2005 (n = 34,145), we calculated age and gender-standardized prevalence of chronic diseases by the direct method and compared the prevalence changes from 1998 to 2005.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Female farmers had significantly higher chronic disease prevalence than other occupational groups in all three surveys. Arthritis was the most prevalent chronic disease among farmers for both men and women. Compared with other populations, farmers demonstrated a higher prevalence of arthritis and intervertebral disc disorders. Farmers showed higher prevalence changes for intervertebral disc disorders than other occupational workers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings support that South Korean farmers have a distinct pattern of diseases prevalence from other populations. More detailed studies investigating the risk of musculoskeletal diseases and intensive intervention efforts to reduce the prevalence these diseases, particularly among female farmers, are required.</p

CT angiography; useful in non-selected outpatients?

Dance has been a part of the physical education (PE) curriculum in several countries for a longtime. In spite of this, studies demonstrate that the position of dance in the subject of PE iscontested and that little time is devoted to dance. The overall aim of this article is to examine theposition of dance as a pedagogical discourse in Swedish steering documents over time. Theempirical material consists of five Swedish curricula for PE over a period of 50 years (1962–2011).Discourse analysis is used to identify organised systems of meaning, including privileged andprioritised values. Our theoretical frame of reference draws on Bernstein’s concept of codes. Threedifferent knowledge areas within dance are found in the text material: ‘dance as cultural preserver’,‘dance as bodily exercise’ and ‘dance as expression’. Three pedagogical discourses emerge fromthese knowledge areas: an identity formation discourse, a public health discourse and an aestheticdiscourse. The identity formation discourse in earlier curricula focuses on the perpetuation ofSwedish and Nordic cultural traditions, while in later curricula, it emphasises the construction of abroader multicultural identity formation related to the understanding of different cultures. Thepublic health discourse constitutes a prioritised understanding of dance as physical training relatedto a healthy lifestyle. The aesthetic discourse, which has the weakest position over time, representsthe valuing of embodied experiences and feelings expressed through movements. This discourse isclosely linked to the construction of gender. Over time, a new performance code came to surpassthe former competence code in the steering documents. The performance code positions dance inPE as mainly a physical activity with little artistic or aesthetic value. The pedagogical discourse ofdance remains within a highly disciplinary framework of social control

The Appearance and Modulation of Osteocyte Marker Expression during Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Vascular calcification is an indicator of elevated cardiovascular risk. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the predominant cell type involved in medial vascular calcification, can undergo phenotypic transition to both osteoblastic and chondrocytic cells within a calcifying environment.In the present study, using in vitro VSMC calcification studies in conjunction with ex vivo analyses of a mouse model of medial calcification, we show that vascular calcification is also associated with the expression of osteocyte phenotype markers. As controls, the terminal differentiation of murine calvarial osteoblasts into osteocytes was induced in vitro in the presence of calcifying medium (containing ß-glycerophosphate and ascorbic acid), as determined by increased expression of the osteocyte markers DMP-1, E11 and sclerostin. Culture of murine aortic VSMCs under identical conditions confirmed that the calcification of these cells can also be induced in similar calcifying medium. Calcified VSMCs had increased alkaline phosphatase activity and PiT-1 expression, which are recognized markers of vascular calcification. Expression of DMP-1, E11 and sclerostin was up-regulated during VSMC calcification in vitro. Increased protein expression of E11, an early osteocyte marker, and sclerostin, expressed by more mature osteocytes was also observed in the calcified media of Enpp1(-/-) mouse aortic tissue.This study has demonstrated the up-regulation of key osteocytic molecules during the vascular calcification process. A fuller understanding of the functional role of osteocyte formation and specifically sclerostin and E11 expression in the vascular calcification process may identify novel potential therapeutic strategies for clinical intervention

Use of n-butyl cyanoacrylate in abdominal and pelvic embolotherapy: indications and techniques, complications, and their management

The purpose of this article is to describe the indications for use of n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) in abdominal and pelvic embolotherapy, appropriate techniques for NBCA embolotherapy, and NBCA-related complications and their management. NBCA embolotherapy is a feasible and effective method for treating a variety of abdominal and pelvic vascular lesions or tumors; however, the techniques suitable for each case and knowledge of NBCA-related complications are essential to achieve favorable outcomes

Coronary Artery Calcium Scores: Current Thinking and Clinical Applications

Most incident coronary disease occurs in previously asymptomatic individuals who were considered to be at a lower risk by traditional screening methods. There is a definite advantage if these individuals could be reclassified into a higher risk category, thereby impacting disease outcomes favorably. Coronary artery calcium scores have been recognized as an independent marker for adverse prognosis in coronary disease. Multiple population based studies have acknowledged the shortcomings of risk prediction models such as the Framingham risk score or the Procam score. The science behind coronary calcium is discussed briefly followed by a review of current thinking on calcium scores. An attempt has been made to summarize the appropriate indications and use of calcium scores

Reducing ultraviolet radiation exposure among outdoor workers: State of the evidence and recommendations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>Outdoor workers have high levels of exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the associated increased risk of skin cancer. This paper describes a review of: 1) descriptive data about outdoor workers' sun exposure and protection and related knowledge, attitudes, and policies and 2) evidence about the effectiveness of skin cancer prevention interventions in outdoor workplaces.</p> <p>Data sources</p> <p>Systematic evidence-based review.</p> <p>Data synthesis</p> <p>We found variable preventive practices, with men more likely to wear hats and protective clothing and women more likely to use sunscreen. Few data document education and prevention policies.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Reports of interventions to promote sun-safe practices and environments provide encouraging results, but yield insufficient evidence to recommend current strategies as effective. Additional efforts should focus on increasing sun protection policies and education programs in workplaces and evaluating whether they improve the health behavior of outdoor workers.</p

Fingertip digital thermal monitoring: a fingerprint for cardiovascular disease?

Cardiac Dysfunction and Arrhythmia

Molecular basis of structure and function of the microvillus membrane of intestinal epithelial cells

Correlation of molecular structure with biochemical functions of the plasma membrane of the microvilli of intestinal epithelial cells has been investigated by biochemical and electron microscopic procedures. Repeating particles, measuring approximately 60 &#197;in diameter, were found on the surface of the microvilli membrane which had been isolated or purified from rabbit intestinal epithelial cells and negatively stained with phosphotungstic acid. These particles were proved to be inherent components of the microvillus membrane, attached to the outer surface of its trilaminar structure, and were designated as the elementary particles of the microvilli of intestinal epithelial cells. Biochemical and electron microscopic identification of these elementary particles has been carried out by isolation of the elementary particles with papain from the isolated microvillus membrane, followed by purification of the particles by chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex columns. The partially purified particles containing invertase and leucine aminopeptidase are similar in size and structure to those of the elementary particles in the microvillus membrane. Evidence indicates that each of the elementary particles coincide with or include an enzyme molecule such as disaccharidase or peptidase, which carry out the terminal hydrolytic digestion of carbohydrates and proteins, respectively, on the surface of the microvillus membrane. Magnesium ionactivated adenosine triphosphatase and alkaline phosphatase cannot be solubilized with papain but remains in the smooth-surface membrane after the elementary particles have been removed. Cytochemical electron microscopic observation revealed that the active site of magnesium ion-activated adenosine triphosphatase is localized predominantly in the inner surface of the trilaminar structure of the microvillus membrane.</p