Osteocardiology: Defining the Go/No-Go Time Point for Therapy

Cardiology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 139 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nalini M. Rajamannan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Bone Formation ◽  
Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Calcific Aortic Valve Disease ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Elevated Serum Cholesterol ◽  
Time Point

Recent epidemiological studies have revealed that the risk factors associated with coronary artery calcification (CAC), including male gender, smoking, hypertension, and elevated serum cholesterol, are similar to the risk factors associated with the development of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). The results of the experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that traditional risk factors initiate early atherosclerosis which over time differentiates to form bone in the heart causing clinical CAC and CAVD. Understanding the cellular mechanisms of cardiovascular calcification, the end-stage process of the atherosclerosis will help define the specific time point to modify this cellular process of bone formation in the heart termed osteocardiology. This time point between subclinical atherosclerosis and clinical calcification is the go/no-go time point, or the point of no return with severe clinical calcification in the heart. This review will summarize the development of bone formation in the heart termed osteocardiology, to define the go/no-go time point for therapy initiation to slow the progression of cardiovascular calcification.

scholarly journals A Molecular Survey on Neglected Gurltia paralysans and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus Infections in Domestic Cats (Felis catus) from Southern Chile

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1195
Author(s):  
Natasha Barrios ◽  
Marcelo Gómez ◽  
Macarena Zanelli ◽  
Lisbeth Rojas-Barón ◽  
Paulina Sepúlveda-García ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Southern Chile ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Aelurostrongylus Abstrusus ◽  
Factors Associated

Gurltia paralysans and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus are neglected metastrongyloid nematode species which infect domestic and wild cats in South American countries and in Chile, but no epidemiological studies on concomitant infections have been conducted in Chile so far. The aim of this study was not only to evaluate the occurrence of concomitant infections, but also to identify epidemiological risk factors associated with of G. paralysans and A. abstrusus infections in urban domestic cats (Felis catus) from Southern Chile. Blood samples from clinically healthy domestic cats from three cities of Southern Chile—Temuco, Valdivia, and Puerto Montt—were analyzed by an experimental semi-nested PCR protocol. A total of 171 apparently healthy domestic cats in Temuco (n = 68), Valdivia (n = 50), and Puerto Montt (n = 53) were sampled and analyzed. A total of 93 domestic cats (54.4%) were positive for G. paralysans, and 34 (19.9%) were positive for A. abstrusus infections. From those animals, 34 (19.9%) were co-infected. Cats positive with G. paralysans were found in all three cities; 47.2% in Puerto Montt, 48% in Valdivia, and 64.7% in Temuco. Levels of infection for A. abstrusus in the population under study were 4% (Valdivia), 10% (Puerto Montt), and 32.4% (Temuco). The present large-scale epidemiological study confirmed the presence of these neglected nematodes in domestic cat populations in Southern Chile, and described the possible risk factors associated with feline gurltiosis and aelurostrongylosis.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hypertension Among Adults living in the City of Bandundu, Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo. A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ferdinand Mukoso ◽  
Aliocha Nkodila ◽  
François Lepira ◽  
Pascal Bayauli ◽  
Yves Lubenga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated

Abstract Background and aim: In limited resource settings, reliable epidemiological data generated from hypertension high risk geographical areas or people is a prerequisite for the planning of proven and effective interventions. The aim of the present survey was to assess the prevalence, awareness, control and factors associated with hypertension in adults living in the port City of Bandundu, located in the southwestern part of DRC.Methods: a cross-sectional survey using a modified WHO STEPwise questionnaire for data collection during face-to face interviews was conducted from 1st May to 30th October 2018. A multistage cluster sampling method was used and inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years and informed consent. Information on demographic parameters, behavioral lifestyles, anthropometric and blood pressure (BP) measurements was obtained. Hypertension was defined as an average of two BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg or self-reported history of antihypertensive medication use. Independent factors associated with hypertension were identified using logistic regression analysis. P<0.05 defined the level of statistical significance. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 34,5% (Women 36,6 %). Older age (p<0.001), subclinical atherosclerosis (p= 0.021), sleep duration <8 hours (p<0.002), diabetes mellitus (p<0.001), and obesity (p= 0.009) emerged as main cardiovascular risk factors associated with hypertension.Conclusion: Hypertension was characterized by a high prevalence, low rate of awareness and suboptimal BP control, high cardiovascular risk and associated sleep duration and obesity as modifiable risk factors.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of aortic valve calcification: the LDL-density-radius theory: a translation from cell signaling to physiology

2010 ◽  
Vol 298 (1) ◽  
pp. H5-H15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nalini M. Rajamannan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Severe Aortic Stenosis ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesion ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Prognostic Indicator ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Early Stages

Recent epidemiologic studies have revealed the risk factors associated for vascular atherosclerosis, including the male sex, smoking, hypertension, and elevated serum cholesterol, similar to the risk factors associated with the development of AV stenosis. An increasing number of models of experimental hypercholesterolemia demonstrate features of atherosclerosis in the AV, which are similar to the early stages of vascular atherosclerotic lesions. Experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that the hypercholesterolemic AV develops an atherosclerotic lesion which is proliferative and expresses high levels of osteoblast bone markers which mineralize over time to form bone. Calcification, the end-stage process of the disease, is necessary to understand as a prognostic indicator in the modification of this cellular process before it is too late. In summary, these findings suggest that medical therapies may have a potential role in patients in the early stages of this disease process to slow the progression to severe aortic stenosis and to delay the timing of the need for surgery. The translation of these experimental studies to clinical practice will be important to understand the potential for medical therapy for this disease process.

scholarly journals Risk factors associated with congenital anomalies in children

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Căpățînă ◽  
Georgeta Camelia Cozaru
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Case Management ◽  
Congenital Anomalies ◽  
Large Study ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Diagnostic Algorithm ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Practical Approach ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Factors Associated

Abstract The practical approach to effective prevention and diagnosis of congenital anomalies involving them early (prenatal or neonatal), correctly and completely. Both actions require but etiopathogenic knowledge, clinical skills and appropriate means of exploration. Epidemiological studies can contribute in a meaningful way to identify and assess risk factors involved in the etiopathogenesis of congenital anomalies. This research is part of a large study (retrospective and prospective), which aims to identify factors involved in congenital anomalies determinism towards a diagnostic algorithm for an early and optimal case management.

scholarly journals Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gowthami M. Arepally ◽  
Anand Padmanabhan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Immune Complexes ◽  
Optimal Management ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Platelet Factor ◽  
Thrombotic Risk ◽  
Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Clinical Complications ◽  
Immune Mediated

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is an immune-mediated disorder caused by antibodies that recognize complexes of platelet factor 4 and heparin. Thrombosis is a central and unpredictable feature of this syndrome. Despite optimal management, disease morbidity and mortality from thrombosis remain high. The hypercoagulable state in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is biologically distinct from other thrombophilic disorders in that clinical complications are directly attributable to circulating ultra-large immune complexes. In some individuals, ultra-large immune complexes elicit unchecked cellular procoagulant responses that culminate in thrombosis. To date, the clinical and biologic risk factors associated with thrombotic risk in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia remain elusive. This review will summarize our current understanding of thrombosis in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with attention to its clinical features, cellular mechanisms, and its management.

Intravascular Ultrasound in the Determination of the Mechanical Properties of Diabetic Arteries

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (S2) ◽  
pp. 546-547
Author(s):  
D. Geoffrey Vince ◽  
Azita Tajaddini ◽  
Alex I. Veress
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Amino Groups ◽  
Cholesterol Levels ◽  
Vascular Elasticity ◽  
Elevated Serum Cholesterol

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic individuals. Diabetes mellitus is associated with a two- to four-fold increase in risk of coronary heart disease. This risk is independent of other classical risk factors including age, smoking, elevated serum cholesterol levels, and hypertension, and the overall risk of cardiovascular disease increases proportionally with the number of risk factors. Many groups are currently investigating the aetiology of diabetic vascular disease, with particular interesting being paid to the processes involved in the formation of highly cross-linked carbohydrate-protein complexes known as melanoids. These complexes appear to be formed by glycation arising from reactions between glucose and the amino groups on proteins, and their formation within the vessel wall resqlts in a decrease in vascular elasticity. This decrease in elasticity has been implicated in the increased incidence of atherosclerosis in diabetic individuals. Previous testing modalities could not test in the radial direction and required assumptions based on incompressibility in order to determine the radial behavior of the artery.

Risk factors associated with elevated serum pancreatic amylase levels during hemodialysis

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Hsu CHEN ◽  
Wu-Chang YANG ◽  
Feng-Ming WANG ◽  
Der-Cherng TARNG ◽  
Jinn-Yang CHEN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Pancreatic Amylase ◽  
Factors Associated

scholarly journals The Burden of Drug Abuse in Nigeria: A Scoping Review of Epidemiological Studies and Drug Laws

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abubakar Ibrahim Jatau ◽  
Abubakar Sha’aban ◽  
Kabiru Abubakar Gulma ◽  
Zayyanu Shitu ◽  
Garba Mohammed Khalid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Systematic Search ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Drug Laws ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Gray Literature

Background: The burden of drug abuse is becoming a public health concern in Nigeria. Preventive measures should include identifying the root causes of the burden for targeted intervention. We, therefore, aim to conduct a scoping review of the literature to summarize the findings of epidemiological studies on drug abuse and provisions of drug laws in Nigeria. The review also provides appropriate recommendations as interventions for prevention.Methods: We conducted a systematic search of the literature on PubMed to identify information on drug abuse and drug laws in Nigeria from the inception of the database to March 2020. Additional information was retrieved from Google Scholar, a manual search of included articles, discussion with experts on the subject matter, and gray literature. Study selection was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statements. Information from gray literature was assessed for quality and accuracy using the AACODS checklist (authority, accuracy, coverage, objectively, date, significance).Results: The systematic search of the literature generated 253 studies. Nine articles were obtained from other sources. After the selection process, 23 eligible studies were included for review. A prevalence of 20–40% and 20.9% of drug abuse was reported among students and youths, respectively. Commonly abused drugs include cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, heroin, diazepam, codeine, cough syrup and tramadol. Sources where abusers obtained drugs, were pharmacies/patent medicine shops, open drug markets, drug hawkers, fellow drug abusers, friends, and drug pushers. Drug abuse was common among undergraduates and secondary school students, youths, commercial bus drivers, farmers, and sex workers. Reason for use included to increase physical performance, stress and to derive pleasure. Poor socioeconomic factors and low educational background were the common risk factors associated with drug abuse. We identified several drug laws and policies that were established under government agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and a Presidential Advisory Committee.Conclusion: Findings from epidemiological studies on drug abuse in Nigeria has demonstrated that the burden of drug abuse is still high despite the existing drug laws, policies, and strategies for prevention. Measures to reduce the burden should involve the community, government, and religious bodies. Preventive measures should target the youths, the students, identified sources of the drugs, reasons and risk factors associated with drug abuse in Nigeria.

P115 RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED TO SUBCLINICAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN ADOLESCENTS

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
E. Silva ◽  
L. Chacin ◽  
J. Villasmil ◽  
G. Ferrer ◽  
A. Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽  
Factors Associated
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