Fibrinogen beta variants confer protection against coronary artery disease in a Greek case-control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although plasma fibrinogen levels are related to cardiovascular risk, data regarding the role of fibrinogen genetic variation in myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary artery disease (CAD) etiology remain inconsistent. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of <it>fibrinogen A (FGA)</it>, <it>fibrinogen B (FGB) </it>and <it>fibrinogen G (FGG) </it>gene SNPs and haplotypes on susceptibility to CAD in a homogeneous Greek population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We genotyped for rs2070022, rs2070016, rs2070006 in <it>FGA </it>gene, the rs7673587, rs1800789, rs1800790, rs1800788, rs1800787, rs4681 and rs4220 in <it>FGB </it>gene and for the rs1118823, rs1800792 and rs2066865 SNPs in <it>FGG </it>gene applying an arrayed primer extension-based genotyping method (APEX-2) in a sample of CAD patients (n = 305) and controls (n = 305). Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), before and after adjustment for potential confounders.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>None of the <it>FGA </it>and <it>FGG </it>SNPs and <it>FGA, FGB, FGG </it>and <it>FGA-FGG </it>haplotypes was associated with disease occurrence after adjustment. Nevertheless, rs1800787 and rs1800789 SNPs in <it>FGB </it>gene seem to decrease the risk of CAD, even after adjustment for potential confounders (OR = 0.42, 95%CI: 0.19-0.90, p = 0.026 and OR = 0.44, 95%CI:0.21-0.94, p = 0.039, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>FGA </it>and <it>FGG </it>SNPs as well as <it>FGA, FGB, FGG </it>and <it>FGA-FGG </it>haplotypes do not seem to be important contributors to CAD occurrence in our sample. On the contrary, <it>FGB </it>rs1800787 and rs1800789 SNPs seem to confer protection to disease onset lowering the risk by about 50% in homozygotes for the minor alleles.</p

Cognitive and autonomic dysfunction measures in normal controls, white coat and borderline hypertension

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>White coat hypertension (WCHT) is a significant clinical condition with haemodynamic differences and presence of functional changes. We aim to compare cognitive and autonomic dysfunction variables (heart rate variability) between subjects with normal blood pressure (controls), WCHT, and borderline hypertension (BLH).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We performed a cross-sectional study in a cohort of 69 subjects (mean age ± SD; 38.2 ±10.8 years) comprising comparable number of normal controls, WCHT, and BLH. We measured clinic and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), cognitive function parameters, and heart rate variability (HRV). All subjects underwent 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiography monitoring which was analyzed for HRV measurements. We performed a routine echocardiography (ECHO) for all subjects.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Multiple comparison between the three groups revealed significant (p < 0.04) differences in mean day-time ABPM (systolic and diastolic). In the state anxiety inventory (SAI), both subjects with WCHT and BLH had significantly (p < 0.006) higher anxiety levels than the control group. In memory tasks WCHT subjects scored significantly (p < 0.004) lower in comparison with the other two groups. WCHT significantly (p < 0.001) performed less in memory tests, whereas BLH subjects had significantly (p < 0.001) lower reaction time. We found a significant (p < 0.05) difference in the 24-hour RMSSD and SDNN between the three groups. There was significant correlation between 24-hour RMSSD and computer CANTAB scores. The Echocardiography assessment revealed no significant differences in LV mass indices and diastolic function.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>WCHT and BLH subjects showed lower cognitive performance and higher levels of anxiety when compared to controls. Autonomic function reflected by HRV indices was lower in WCHT and BLH in contrast to control, though not significantly. Our results suggest that WCHT may not be a benign condition as it may contribute to the overall risk for cardiovascular disease and LV damage. Longitudinal studies of patients with WCHT should clarify the transient, persistent or the progressive nature of this condition.</p

An evaluation of the quality of ICT teaching in two primary schools with an ICT-rich environment between 1997-99

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN052381 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and target organ damage in pediatrics

The prevalence of hypertension in children and adolescents is rising in association with the increasing rate of childhood obesity, and it is associated with early target organ damage. Published guidelines on high blood pressure in children and adolescents, focused on the early and accurate diagnosis of hypertension, resulted in improved ability to identify children with hypertension. Although auscultation using a mercury sphygmomanometer remains the method of choice for evaluation of hypertension in children, accumulating evidence suggests that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a more accurate method for diagnosis, and it is more closely associated with target organ damage. In addition, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a valuable tool in the assessment of white-coat hypertension, and masked hypertension in children and adolescents. Masked hypertension in children and adolescents is associated with a similar risk of target organ damage as in established hypertension. © 2007 Lippincott Williams &amp; Wilkins, Inc

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and target organ damage: Effects of age and sex

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of age and sex in the ambulatory blood pressure measurements, and target organ damage. METHODS: A total of 1596 patients (50.6% male and 49.4% female), aged 10-87 years, referred to our Hypertension Center for borderline hypertension, underwent 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, left ventricular echocardiography and measurement of intima-media thickness of carotid arteries. RESULTS: Adolescent girls had higher mean 24-h and clinic systolic and diastolic blood pressure values than adolescent boys. Men aged 20-60 years had higher mean 24-h and clinic systolic and diastolic blood pressure values than women of the same age. Men older than 60 years had higher mean 24-h systolic and diastolic blood pressure values than women of the same age, but women older than 60 years had higher clinic systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. White-coat effect increased with age in both sexes, but the magnitude of the white-coat effect was higher in women than in men at older ages. Men had higher left ventricular mass corrected for body surface area or height than women in all ages and significantly higher differences in ages between 30 and 80 years. In addition, men had greater carotid intima-media thickness than women in all ages and significantly higher differences in ages between 30 and 80 years. CONCLUSIONS: Men have greater ambulatory blood pressure values and target organ damage than women of the same age. © 2006 Lippincott Williams &amp; Wilkins

Impact of gender on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and target organ damage

Differences between male and female subjects in mean 24 h blood pressure (BP) values and target organ damage such as left ventricular mass (LVMASS) and intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries were explained. The study population consisted of 1445 subjects. All subjects underwent 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring, left ventricular echocardiography and measurement of IMT of carotid arteries. Men and women did not differ in age, body mass index (BMI) and clinic BP values. Mean 24 h systolic and diastolic BP were significantly higher in men compared to women. LVMASS corrected for body surface area or height2.7, IMT of common (MCCA) and internal (MICA) carotid arteries were found to be significantly higher in men compared to women. Analysis of covariance showed that men had significantly higher LVMASS, MCCA and MICA than women, after adjustment for BMI, age, smoking status, mean 24 h systolic and diastolic BPs, fasting serum glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides. These findings indicate that male sex could be an important predictor of higher mean 24 h BP and target organ damage for subjects of similar BMI and clinic BP values