270 research outputs found
Reninoma: an uncommon cause of renin-mediated hypertension
Reninoma (juxtaglomerular cell tumor) is a rare cause of renin-mediated hypertension. Reninomas are usually diagnosed in adolescents and young adults with occasional reports in younger children. Patients typically present with a long history of headaches leading to a diagnosis of severe hypertension that responds well to antihypertensive treatment targeting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The clue to clinical diagnosis is the presence of hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis on the first blood sample drawn before any treatment is instituted. Elevated blood levels of renin and aldosterone confirm the clinical suspicion of renin-mediated hypertension. Diagnostic imaging is employed to identify the source of excessive renin production. While renal ultrasound can miss reninoma, contrast CT or magnetic resonance imaging of the kidneys are diagnostic modalities of choice leading to the correct diagnosis. Renal vein renin sampling with lateralization might help to identify the site of excessive renin production. Nephron-sparing surgery is curative with maintenance of normal blood pressure after discontinuation of antihypertensive medications in the majority of patients. In this paper, we present the case of reninoma in an adolescent girl emphasizing clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and medical and surgical treatment of this rare tumor. We also discuss important points in the management of children presenting with renin-mediated hypertension
Prevalence of food security in the UK measured by the Food Insecurity Experience Scale
Background
Measurement of UK food insecurity has historically been inconsistent, making it difficult to understand trends. This study contributes by reporting and analysing data from a national survey conducted in line with UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommendations and standard methods, providing an internationally comparable pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) snapshot of food insecurity.
Methods
Data came from a nationally representative 2019 UK sample (N = 2000) surveyed by Ipsos-Mori. Prevalence of food insecurity was assessed using the UN FAO Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Logistic regression was used to model food insecurity in relation to geographic and socio-demographic variables.
Results
Severe food insecurity was reported by 3% of the sample, an increase of 66.7% over the last directly comparable UK analysis (Gallup World Poll data from 2016 to 2018). Indication of some degree of food insecurity was reported by 14.2% of the sample and tended to be higher amongst younger age groups, those on lower incomes, and home renters (as opposed to owners). No geographic variables were significantly associated with food insecurity prevalence.
Conclusions
The finding that prevalence of severe food insecurity was already increasing before the COVID-19 pandemic, across all areas of the UK, is cause for concern. Our results provide an important benchmark for assessing the impact of COVID-19 on food insecurity
Understanding the Accuracy of Parental Perceptions of Child Physical Activity:A Mixed Methods Analysis
BACKGROUND: Interventions to increase children’s physical activity (PA) have achieved limited success. This may be attributed to inaccurate parental perceptions of their children’s PA and a lack of recognition of a need to change activity levels. METHODS: Fifty-three parents participated in semi-structured interviews to determine perceptions of child PA. Perceptions were compared to children’s measured MVPA (classified as meeting or not meeting UK guidelines) to produce three categories: “accurate”, “over-estimate”, “under-estimate”. Deductive content analysis was performed to understand the accuracy of parental perceptions. RESULTS: All parents of children meeting the PA guidelines accurately perceived their child’s PA; whilst the majority of parents whose child did not meet the guidelines overestimated their PA. Most parents were unconcerned about their child’s PA level, viewing them as naturally active and willing to be active. Qualitative explanations for perceptions of insufficient activity included children having health problems and preferences for inactive pursuits, and parents having difficulty facilitating PA in poor weather and not always observing their child’s PA level. Social comparisons also influenced parental perceptions. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to improve parental awareness of child PA are needed. Perceptions of child PA may be informed by child “busyness”, being unaware of activity levels, and social comparisons
Beside the Seaside: Reflections on Local Green and Blue Spaces from Adults Aged over 50 in a Coastal Community
This qualitative study examined the perceptions of potential wellbeing benefits of local green and blue spaces for adults aged over 50 years in a coastal town in North West England. At a population level, living close to green and blue spaces is associated with better mental and physical health, with the strength of the benefits being inversely related to the economic prosperity of an area. However, living in economically disadvantaged coastal communities may be associated with poorer health and wellbeing, particularly for older adults, despite the proximity to blue (and often green) space. Exploring this apparent paradox was the aim of the present study. Through semi-structured interviews with members of a community group, we gained insight into lived experiences of local green and blue spaces. The main themes we developed from analysis of the conversations were
accessibility, amenities, social connections, quality of environment, and recuperation and escape. Our findings illustrate that participants valued natural spaces that were local and accessible, particularly when they felt connected to them, and were less likely to visit spaces that were further away and that were perceived as being less welcoming or accessible. This study provides insights into the experiences of adults aged over 50 living in coastal areas and suggests that policies and interventions aimed at promoting wellbeing in this demographic should consider the value of hyper-local green and blue spaces and their potential to promote connectedness to nature
VIS: the visible imager for Euclid
Euclid-VIS is a large format visible imager for the ESA Euclid space mission
in their Cosmic Vision program, scheduled for launch in 2019. Together with the
near infrared imaging within the NISP instrument it forms the basis of the weak
lensing measurements of Euclid. VIS will image in a single r+i+z band from
550-900 nm over a field of view of ~0.5 deg2. By combining 4 exposures with a
total of 2240 sec, VIS will reach to V=24.5 (10{\sigma}) for sources with
extent ~0.3 arcsec. The image sampling is 0.1 arcsec. VIS will provide deep
imaging with a tightly controlled and stable point spread function (PSF) over a
wide survey area of 15000 deg2 to measure the cosmic shear from nearly 1.5
billion galaxies to high levels of accuracy, from which the cosmological
parameters will be measured. In addition, VIS will also provide a legacy
imaging dataset with an unprecedented combination of spatial resolution, depth
and area covering most of the extra-Galactic sky. Here we will present the
results of the study carried out by the Euclid Consortium during the Euclid
Definition phase.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure
[111In-DTPA]octreotide tumor uptake in GEPNET liver metastases after intra-arterial administration: An overview of preclinical and clinical observations and implications for tumor radiation dose after peptide radionuclide therapy
Aims: With the aim to improve peptide receptor radionuclide therapy effects in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEPNET) liver metastases we explored the effect of intra-arterial (IA) administration of [111In-DTPA]octreotide (111In-DTPAOC) on tumor uptake in an animal model and in a patient study. Methods: Preclinical study: After administering 111In-DTPAOC intra-venously (IV) or IA, biodistribution studies were performed in rats with a hepatic somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (sst2)-positive tumor. Clinical study: 3 patients with neuroendocrine liver metastases were injected twice with 111In-DTPAOC. The first injection was given IV, and 2 weeks later, the second was injected IA (hepatic artery). Planar images of the abdomen were made up to 72 hours after injection. Blood samples were taken and urine was collected. Pharmacokinetic modeling was performed on the IV and IA data of the same patient. Based on this model, additional 177Lu dosimetry calculations for IV and IA administrations were performed. Results: The preclinical study showed a two-fold higher 111In-DTPAOC tumor uptake after IA administration than after IV injection. Patient data showed a large variability in radioactivity increment in liver metastases after IA administration compared with IV administration. Renal radioactivity was not significantly lower after IA administration; 177Lu dosimetry simulations in 1 patient using a maximum kidney radiation dose of 23Gy showed IA administration resulted in a mean increase in tumor radiation dose of 2.9-fold. Conclusion: Preclinical and clinical data both indicate that IA administration of radiolabeled somatostatin analogs via the hepatic artery can significantly increase radionuclide uptake in GEPNET, sst2-positive, liver metastases up to 72 hours postinjection, although the effect of IA administration can differ between patients
Effect of angiotensin receptor blockade on insulin sensitivity and endothelial function in abdominally obese hypertensive patients with impaired fasting glucose
AngII (angiotensin II) may contribute to cardiovascular risk in obesity via adverse effects on insulin sensitivity and endothelial function. In the present study, we examined the effects of ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker) therapy (losartan, 100 mg/day) on insulin sensitivity and endothelial function in 53 subjects with stage I hypertension, abdominal obesity and impaired fasting glucose. The study design was a randomized double-blinded parallel design placebo-controlled multi-centre trial of 8 weeks duration. We used the hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp technique to measure insulin sensitivity (expressed as the 'M/I' value) and RH-PAT (reactive hyperaemia-peripheral arterial tonometry) to measure endothelial function. Additional measures included HOMA (homoeostasis model assessment)-B, an index of pancreatic β-cell function, and markers of inflammation [e.g. CRP (C-reactive protein)] and oxidative stress (e.g. F2-isoprostanes). ARB therapy did not alter insulin sensitivity [5.2 (2.7) pre-treatment and 4.6 (1.6) post-treatment] compared with placebo therapy [6.1 (2.9) pre-treatment and 5.3 (2.7) post-treatment; P value not significant], but did improve the HOMA-B compared with placebo therapy (P=0.05). ARB therapy also did not change endothelial function [RH-PAT, 2.15 (0.7) pre-treatment and 2.11 (0.7) post-treatment] compared with placebo therapy [RH-PAT, 1.81 (0.5) pre-treatment and 1.76 (0.7) post-treatment; P value not significant]. Markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were not significantly changed by ARB therapy. In conclusion, ARB therapy did not alter peripheral insulin sensitivity or endothelial function in this cohort of patients with essential hypertension, abdominal obesity and impaired fasting glucose, but did improve pancreatic β-cell function
Pelvic floor muscle function in a general female population in relation with age and parity and the relation between voluntary and involuntary contractions of the pelvic floor musculature
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The Vehicle, Fall 1970
Vol. 13, No. 1
Table of Contents
A Thought Written in a Locked RoomJudy Huntpage 1
The Eggshell MoonWilliam Probeckpage 2
PoemBarb Parkerpage 3
4/5, May, 1970J. Michael Sainpage 5
A TreeRichard Stickannpage 6
both or noneMichelle Hallpage 6
The TrainSteve Sestinapage 8
Attempted DiscoveryDonald R. Johnsonpage 16
Island of SmokeVerna L. Jonespage 18
AwakeRobert Bladepage 19
PoemMary Klinkerpage 19
In ChurchMuriel Poolpage 21
PoemBarb Parkerpage 21
PoemMichelle Hallpage 22
Pod\u27nerVerna L. Jonespage 23
Rain and Other ThingsCarol Staniecpage 24
PoemAnn Graffpage 24
Examination of StudentdomMelvin Zaloudekpage 26
Women\u27s LiberationTonya Mortonpage 27
Morning Reflections on the Evening NewsPrudence Herberpage 29
Art and Photography Credits
Jim Diaspage 4
Mike Dorseypages 7, 20
David Griffithpages 8, 17, 25
Cover PhotographyMark McKinneyhttps://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1024/thumbnail.jp
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