MedWorm: Hypertension

Top 10 Sources Of Salt In Your Diet

WDSU.com - Health — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:57:54 +0100

Nearly 90% of all Americans eat too much salt, which increases the chances of developing hypertension, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Check out the top 10 sources of salt in the average diet and see how you measure up. (Source: WDSU.com - Health)

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BP difference between arms points to peripheral vascular disease

MedWire News - Hypertension — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:07:02 +0100

A difference of 10 to 15 mmHg in systolic blood pressure between the left and right arm is associated with an increased risk for peripheral vascular disease and mortality, results of a systematic review and meta-analysis show. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension)

Antihypertensives vs Alternative Options for PrehypertensionAntihypertensives vs Alternative Options for Prehypertension

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:20:13 +0100

The definition of hypertension has evolved over the years, but how has our core thinking regarding treatment changed? Future Cardiology (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Diovan 3mg/ml Oral Solution - New Product

NeLM - SPC Changes — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Source: eMC (electronic Medicines Compendium) Area: Other Library Updates > SPC Changes Novartis has launched Diovan 3mg/ml Oral Solution for the treatment of hypertension in children and adolescents 6 to 18 years of age. Please refer to the link below for the New SPC for new product Diovan oral solution. (Source: NeLM - SPC Changes)

Interventional approaches to deep vein thrombosis

American Journal of Hematology — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractThe last decade has seen increased use of aggressive, catheter‐based methods of treating venous thromboembolism (DVT). In this article, we outline the risks, benefits, and uncertainties surrounding endovascular DVT therapies, describe clinical situations in which endovascular treatment options should reasonably be considered, and update the reader on new outcomes data that pertains to catheter‐based DVT interventions. Endovascular thrombolytic therapy is reasonable to perform for selected patients with DVT causing acute limb‐threatening circulatory compromise, acute IVC occlusion, or acute iliofemoral DVT for the purposes of limb salvage and relief of presenting DVT symptoms, and appears likely to prevent post‐thrombotic syndrome (PTS) in patients with proximal DVT. A multi...

Navigating Treatment Decisions

Kidney Cancer Association — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:54:52 +0100

This article focuses on treatment for clear cell disease, but some of these treatments are also appropriate for patients with non-clear cell disease. Some patients may have only a single metastatic tumor that can be removed by surgery. But most patients with metastatic disease have tumors in many parts of the body. In order to treat all of these tumors, patients are given systemic therapies, which are drugs that travel through the bloodstream and can directly reach cells throughout the body. Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that gives a boost to the immune system. The goal of immunotherapy is to help the patient’s immune system attack the cancer cells. Immunotherapy treatments have been available for decades and have generated renewed interest for treating metastatic RCC ...

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Even for the Overweight, Exercise Helps the Heart

MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Even for the Overweight, Exercise Helps the HeartCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/7/2012 10:05:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 2/7/2012 (Source: MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General)

Blood pressure measurement - an overview.

Swiss Medical Weekly — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:36:02 +0100

This article provides an overview of current methods and trends in the field of non-invasive blood pressure measurement, an update on current clinical guidelines and an overview of blood pressure measurement in special populations. PMID: 22287317 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Swiss Medical Weekly)

Management and outcome of severely elevated blood pressure in primary care: A prospective observational study.

Swiss Medical Weekly — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:36:02 +0100

CONCLUSION: The majority of 164 patients who presented with acutely and severely elevated blood pressure (BP >180 +/or >110 mm Hg) to their GPs was asymptomatic, had pre-existing hypertension and was managed in GP's office unless a hypertensive emergency was present. At three month follow-up mean systolic BP was still above target values. PMID: 22287296 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Swiss Medical Weekly)

Vasopressors for the management of hypotension after spinal anesthesia for elective caesarean section. Systematic review and cumulative meta‐analysis

Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionsOur analysis could clearly demonstrate a decreased risk of fetal acidosis associated with phenylephrine use. In addition with our findings for BE, this suggests a favorable effect of phenylephrine on fetal outcome parameters. The mechanism of pH depression is not related to pCO2. (Source: Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica)

Metabolic abnormalities associated with initiation of systemic treatment for psoriasis: evidence from the Italian Psocare Registry

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Systemic treatments for psoriasis resulted in heterogeneous effects on the parameters analysed. (Source: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology)

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Pattern of adrenal morphology and function in patients with acromegaly

European Journal of Clinical Investigation — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:06:19 +0100

Conclusions This study provides evidence of an increased prevalence of anatomic and functional adrenal alterations in patients with acromegaly; further studies will clarify the importance of evaluating these subjects with baseline hormonal investigation along with dynamic testing and modified cut‐offs. (Source: European Journal of Clinical Investigation)

Mutual Inhibition between Carvedilol Enantiomers during Racemate Glucuronidation Mediated by Human Liver and Intestinal Microsomes.

Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:48:04 +0100

Authors: Takekuma Y, Yagisawa K, Sugawara M Abstract Carvedilol is administered orally as a racemic mixture of R(+)- and S(-)-enantiomers for treatment of angina pectoris, hypertension and chronic heart failure. We have reported that enzyme kinetic parameters for carvedilol glucuronidation by human liver microsomes (HLM) differed greatly depending on the substrate form, namely, racemic carvedilol and each enantiomer. These phenomena were thought to be caused by mutual inhibition between carvedilol enantiomers during racemate glucuronidation. The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanism of these phenomena in HLM and human intestinal microsomes (HIM) and its relevance to uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) 1A1, UGT2B4 and UGT2B7, which mainly metabolize ...

Pre-treatment with Curcumin Enhances Plasma Concentrations of Losartan and Its Metabolite EXP3174 in Rats.

Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:48:04 +0100

Authors: Liu AC, Zhao LX, Xing J, Liu T, Du FY, Lou HX Abstract The study was carried out in the Wistar rats to investigate the effect of curcumin pre-treatment on the pharmacokinetics of the hypertension-treating drug losartan and its metabolite EXP3174 following single oral administration. In the treatment group, rats were gavaged with losartan 10 mg/kg after repeat oral doses of curcumin (100 mg/kg, for 7 d), while rats in the control group were administrated only with the same dose losartan. The results showed that curcumin significantly increased the plasma concentrations of losartan and its metabolite EXP3174. The present study implicated the existence of herb-drug interaction between curcumin and losartan, and further evaluation of the possible interaction during curcu...

Prenatal exposure to a natural disaster increases risk for obesity in 5-year-old children. - Dancause KN, Laplante DP, Fraser S, Brunet A, Ciampi A, Schmitz N, King S.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:54:53 +0100

Introduction:An adverse environment in utero, including exposure to prenatal maternal stress (PNMS), can result in poor birth outcomes such as low birth weight, which increases risk of later cardiometabolic diseases such as hypertension and obesity. It is ... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Clopidogrel With Aspirin Doesn't Prevent More Small Strokes, May Increase Risk Of Bleeding, Death

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0100

The anti-blood clot regimen that adds the drug clopidogrel (Plavix) to aspirin treatment is unlikely to prevent recurrent strokes and may increase the risk of bleeding and death in patients with subcortical stroke according to late-breaking research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2012. Because of these preliminary results, researchers ended the anti-clotting part of the Secondary Prevention of Small Subcortical Strokes Trial (SPS3) in August 2011. The part of the study that examines the effect of high blood pressure treatments will continue... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Purple Potatoes Lower Blood Pressure in Overweight People

MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Purple Potatoes Lower Blood Pressure in Overweight PeopleCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/4/2012 11:01:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 2/6/2012 (Source: MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General)

Reversing the Irreversible - discover how 37 people cured diabetes, cancer, eczema, IBS, high blood pressure and more

NaturalNews.com — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0100

Valya Boutenko's newest film release reveals the true story of how 37 people reversed so-called "incurable" disease by unleashing their innate healing powers. Flying in the face of conventional medical wisdom -- which really isn't wise at all -- this film celebrates... (Source: NaturalNews.com)

Blood Pressure Measurements and Left Ventricular Mass Index in Hemodialysis Patients

Artificial Organs — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractLeft ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the most frequent cardiac abnormality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. It is related to cardiovascular diseases and is an important risk factor for mortality in HD patients. Arterial hypertension is an established risk factor for LVH in HD patients. Inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter is a good indicator of circulating fluid volume; hypervolemia is an important pathogenetic factor of hypertension in HD patients. The purpose of our study was to evaluate possible association between LVH, IVC diameter, and different blood pressure (BP) measurements in HD patients. In the present study, 85 HD patients were included. BP was measured with a standard mercury sphygmomanometer before and after the HD session; the average 1‐monthly values of the routine BP...

Long‐term results of cephalad arteries percutanoeus transluminal angioplasty with stent implantation (The CAPTAS registry)

Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: CAS is safe and successful procedure with low early and long‐term adverse events. Special attention should be put on patients with bilateral and left ICA stenoses. If possible, longer stents should be applied. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions)

Eclampsia

About.com Eating Disorders — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

is a serious condition related to high blood pressure caused by pregnancy. Similar to preeclampsia, eclampsia includes the presence of convlusions or coma and can be diagnosed with or without first having preeclampsia. Eclampsia is dangerous and must be treated immediately to avoid potentially dangerous complications (Source: About.com Eating Disorders)

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Depression medications during pregnancy increase newborn’s hypertension risk

MedWire News - Ob/Gyn — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:31:01 +0100

Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during late pregnancy to treat depression more than doubles the risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn, researchers say. (Source: MedWire News - Ob/Gyn)

Zolmitriptan-induced acute myocardial infarction.

Cardiology Journal — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:36:02 +0100

We present the case of a 45 year-old woman with a history of migraine with visual aura since the age of 20. She had no history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking or any other risk factors for cardiovascular events before she was admitted to our emergency room with typical chest pain. An electrocardiogram revealed anterior myocardial infarction following her monthly dose of oral zolmitriptan. Catherization revealed a normal coronary arterial system. The laboratory indices for cardiac risk were within normal ranges. The patient was advised to avoid triptans permanently on being discharged. (Cardiol J 2012; 19, 1: 76-78). PMID: 22298171 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cardiology Journal)

Aging reduces left atrial performance during adrenergic stress in middle aged and older patients.

Cardiology Journal — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:36:02 +0100

Conclusions: Age is associated with a decrease in LA function during adrenergic stress even after adjusting for co-morbidities associated with cardiovascular disease and LV function. (Cardiol J 2012; 19, 1: 45-52). PMID: 22298167 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cardiology Journal)

Clozapine: Periorbital oedema and hypertension: case report

Reactions — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:29:54 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Induction of elastin expression in vascular endothelial cells relates to hepatoportal sclerosis in idiopathic portal hypertension: possible link to serum anti-endothelial cell antibodies.

Clinical and Developmental Immunology — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:24:33 +0100

This study was performed to clarify the mechanism of elastic fibre deposition in the peripheral portal tracts of IPH liver in relation to serum anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA). In-vitro experiments were performed using human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) and patients' sera. The presence of serum AECA was assayed by a cell-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using HMVEC. Immunohistochemical analysis of elastin was performed using liver tissue sections of IPH patients. IPH sera contained one or more AECA that could bind to the vascular endothelial cells of the peripheral portal tracts of the liver. When the value of AECA greater than the mean ± 2 standard deviations of healthy controls was regarded as positive, the positive detection rate of either immun...

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Physical activity, cardio‐respiratory fitness, and metabolic traits in rural mexican tarahumara

American Journal of Human Biology — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This study suggests high levels of overweight and hypertension in the Tarahumara, and points to fitness and physical activity as potential intervention targets although findings should be confirmed in larger samples. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: American Journal of Human Biology)

GDx VCC measurements and blue-on-yellow perimetry in ocular hypertension

Lasers in Medical Science — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:11:21 +0100

Abstract The aim of this work was to investigate the correlation between scanning laser polarimetry with variable corneal compensation (GDx VCC) parameters and blue-on-yellow perimetry (B/YP) indices in ocular hypertension (OHT). One eye each of 52 patients with OHT (with a normal visual field, a normal optic nerve, and an untreated IOP > 21 mmHg) was chosen. All patients were examined with the Octopus 101 automated perimetry dG2 program using the dynamic/normal strategy (white-on-white perimetry, W/WP), with the dG2 program using the dynamic strategy/BY method (blue-on-yellow perimetry, B/YP), and with GDx VCC. Seven of the 52 OHT patients had both B/YP visual field loss and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects with the GDx VCC measurements, and four patients ...

Feasibility of Partnering with Emergency Medical Services to Identify People at Risk for Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure

CDC Preventing Chronic Disease — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:18:10 +0100

(Source: CDC Preventing Chronic Disease)

Genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and toxicological evaluation of whole plant extracts of the medicinal plant Phyllanthus niruri (Phyllanthaceae).

Genetics and Molecular Research — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:24:05 +0100

We examined the geno-, cyto- and overall toxicity of P. niruri whole plant ethanolic extract. The extract was administered as a single dose of 30 or 300 mg/kg to laboratory rats by gavage, accompanied by negative (0.9% saline) and positive (10 mg/mL N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea) controls that were injected intramuscularly 48 h after extract administration. The ratio of polychromatic (PCE)/normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) from femur bone marrow was scored for genotoxicity. Cytotoxicity was determined using descending concentrations (0.2-0.0125 g/mL) of the extract incubated with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Lactate dehydrogenase release from damaged cells was determined and the CC(50) calculated. Subchronic administration of the extract at 30 or 300 mg/kg was done for 90 days to determine ...

CysLT1 receptor inhibition in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon: capillaroscopic evidence of the role of leukotriene

Revista Brasileira de Reumatologia — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:19:07 +0100

CONCLUSION: The use of montelukast modified the capillary abnormalities observed on nailfold capillaroscopy of patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (Source: Revista Brasileira de Reumatologia)

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Fibromuscular dysplasia: a differential diagnosis of vasculitis

Revista Brasileira de Reumatologia — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:19:07 +0100

A displasia fibromuscular (DFM) envolve artérias de pequeno e médio calibre e é uma causa bem conhecida de hipertensão em mulheres jovens caucasianas, quando envolve as artérias renais. A etiologia da DFM permanece desconhecida, a despeito de inúmeras teorias. Há suspeita de um componente genético, já que a doença atinge primariamente caucasianos. Também é descrita associação entre DFM e antígeno de histocompatibilidade HlA-DRw6. Os principais sítios acometidos são as artérias renais, cerebrais, carótidas, viscerais, ilíacas, subclávias, braquiais e poplíteas. As manifestações clínicas correlacionam-se com o sítio acometido, e a hipertensão arterial sistêmica é um sintoma frequente pelo acometimento das artérias renais em 60%-75% dos casos. O diagnóstico da D...

Current and relevant concepts in psoriatic arthritis

Revista Brasileira de Reumatologia — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:19:07 +0100

Potatoes Lower Blood Pressure In Those With Obesity And Hypertension Without Increasing Weight

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

The first study to check the effects of eating potatoes on blood pressure in humans has concluded that two small helpings of purple potatoes (Purple Majesty) a day decreases blood pressure by about 4 percent without causing weight gain. In a report in the ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the researchers say that decrease, although seemingly small, is sufficient to potentially reduce the risk of several forms of heart disease. Joe Vinson and colleagues point out that people in the U.S. eat more potatoes than any other vegetable... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Series of 8 cases of Irukandji syndrome? or bait-and-switch

The Poison Review — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:23:04 +0100

1.5 out of 5 stars Irukandji Sydrome [sic] in the Torres Strait: A Series of 8 Cases. McIver LJ et al. Wilderness Environ Med 2011;22:338-342. Abstract The problems with this paper merely begin with the dropped “n” in the second word of the title. Then we get to the first sentence of the abstract, where despite the title’s promise of a case series of Irukandji syndrome (or sydrome, or whatever) we find a classic medical literature bait-and-switch: Objective–To review the presentations of a series of patients with suspected Irukandji syndrome in the Torres Strait, where the syndrome has hitherto been unknown or undocumented, in order to identify at-risk groups and improve the management of this condition in the region. So we’re dealing not with cases of Irukan...

Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention Program to Decrease Blood Pressure in Low-Income African-American Older Adults

Journal of Urban Health — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:20:51 +0100

Abstract Hypertension affects a large proportion of urban African-American older adults. While there have been great strides in drug development, many older adults do not have access to such medicines or do not take them. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been shown to decrease blood pressure in some populations. This has not been tested in low-income, urban African-American older adults. Therefore, the primary purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of a mindfulness-based program for low income, minority older adults provided in residence. The secondary purpose was to learn if the mindfulness-based program produced differences in blood pressure between the intervention and control groups. Participants were at least 62 year...

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1 in 2 Stroke Survivors Has High Blood Pressure

MedicineNet Cholesterol General — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: 1 in 2 Stroke Survivors Has High Blood PressureCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/3/2012 11:01:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 2/3/2012 (Source: MedicineNet Cholesterol General)

irbesartan, Avapro

MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: irbesartan, AvaproCategory: MedicationsCreated: 6/6/1999 10:33:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 2/3/2012 (Source: MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General)

Anemia May Boost Death Risk After Stroke

MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Anemia May Boost Death Risk After StrokeCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/2/2012 2:06:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 2/3/2012 (Source: MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General)

1 in 2 Stroke Survivors Has High Blood Pressure

MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: 1 in 2 Stroke Survivors Has High Blood PressureCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/3/2012 11:01:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 2/3/2012 (Source: MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General)

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Blood pressure and associated factors in a North African adolescent population. A national cross-sectional study in Tunisia

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Within the limits of BP measurement on one visit only, these results suggest that Tunisian adolescents of both genders are likely not spared from early elevated BP. Though further assessment is likely needed, the strong association with overweight/obesity observed suggests that interventions aimed at changing lifestyles to reduce this main risk factor may also be appropriate for the prevention of elevated BP. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

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Thymic stromal lymphopoietin: an immune cytokine gene associated with the metabolic syndrome and blood pressure in severe obesity

Clinical Science — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

A previous expression profiling of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) revealed that the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) gene was less expressed in severely obese men with (n=7) vs. without (n=7) the metabolic syndrome (MS). We hypothesized that TSLP single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with TSLP gene expression in VAT and with MS phenotypes. Following validation of lower TSLP expression (p=0.003) in VAT of severely obese men and women with (n=70) vs. without (n=60) MS, a detailed genetic investigation was performed at the TSLP locus by sequencing its promoter, exons and intron-exon splicing boundaries using DNA of 25 severely obese subjects. Five tagging SNPs were genotyped in the 130 subjects from the expression analysis to test whether these SNPs contributed to TSLP expre...

Restoration of the blood pressure circadian rhythm by direct renin inhibition and blockade of angiotensin II receptors in mRen2.Lewis hypertensive rats

Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The altered circadian arterial pressure rhythm in this renin-dependent hypertension model uncovers a significant role of Ang II in the desynchronization of the circadian rhythm of arterial pressure, heart rate, and locomotive activity. (Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease)

Olmesartan/amlodipine: blood pressure lowering and beyond in special populations

Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Clinical studies and population-based analyses show that in patients with hypertension, the majority cannot control their blood pressure (BP) by treatment with a single antihypertensive agent. Combining agents from different antihypertensive classes with complementary modes of action significantly increases efficacy and is a treatment strategy recommended by European treatment guidelines, particularly in patients at high cardiovascular risk. The combinations of antihypertensive agents recommended by the European guidelines include an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) with a calcium channel blocker (CCB). The single-pill combination formulation of the ARB olmesartan medoxomil plus the CCB amlodipine is an effective and well-tolerated treatment that provides greater blood pressure lowering ...

Critical Care Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Adults

Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major medical and socio-economic problem, and is the leading cause of death in children and young adults. The critical care management of severe TBI in adults is largely derived from the "Guidelines for the Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury" that have been published by the Brain Trauma Foundation. The main objectives are prevention and treatment of intracranial hypertension and secondary brain insults, preservation of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and optimization of cerebral oxygenation. In this review, the critical care management of severe TBI will be discussed with focus on monitoring, avoidance and minimization of secondary brain insults, and optimization of cerebral oxygenation and CPP. (Source: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscit...

NADPH oxidase-mediated Rac1 GTP activity is necessary for nongenomic actions of the mineralocorticoid receptor in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus

AJP: Endocrinology and Metabolism — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we investigated the relationship between ROS and the nongenomic actions of MR. We examined the nongenomic actions of MR by measuring the slope of the field excitatory postsynaptic potentials and found that ROS induced an additive increase of these potentials, which was accompanied by Rac1 GTP activation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. An NADPH oxidase inhibitor, apocynin, blocked the nongenomic actions of MRs. A Rac1 inhibitor, NSC23766, was also found to block synaptic enhancement and ERK1/2 phosphorylation induced by NADPH and corticosterone. We concluded that NADPH oxidase activity and Rac1 GTP activity are indispensable for the nongenomic actions of MRs and that Rac1 GTP activation induces ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the brain. (Source: AJP: Endocrinology and Metabolism)

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Hypertension and longitudinal changes in cerebral blood flow. The smart‐mr study

Annals of Neurology — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We examined the longitudinal association of hypertension, BP, and antihypertensive drugs with change in parenchymal cerebral blood flow (pCBF) in 575 patients with manifest atherosclerotic disease (mean age 57±10 years) from the SMART‐MR study. Total CBF was measured at baseline and at follow‐up with MR angiography and was expressed per 100mL brain volume as an indicator of cerebral perfusion. Automated brain segmentation was used to quantify brain tissue volumes and cerebrospinal fluid on MRI.Results:Mean (SD) baseline parenchymal CBF was 52.3 (9.8) mL/min/100mL and after 3.9 years (range=3.0‐5.8) of follow‐up declined to 50.7 (10.3) mL/min/100mL. Regression analyses, adjusted for age, sex, follow‐up time, and vascular risk showed that untreated and poorly controlled hypertensi...

Nurse preparedness for the non‐communicable disease escalation in Thailand: A cross‐sectional survey of nurses

Nursing and Health Sciences — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractChronic diseases are now the largest cause of mortality in Thailand, and form an increasingly large portion of the healthcare landscape. In the Thai health system, many patients with chronic conditions receive care and disease management services from nurses, yet specialized training in chronic diseases is not currently part of standard nursing degree programs. Given the evolving epidemiology of the Thailand population, we questioned whether practicing nurses remain confident in their knowledge and skills in chronic disease management. We conducted a cross‐sectional, self‐efficacy survey of nurses in eight randomly‐selected provinces in Thailand, receiving 468 responses. Nurse self‐efficacy was analyzed in prominent chronic disease types, including cancer, hypertension, dia...

[Original Articles] Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms, Anemia, and Iron Status in Older Residents From a National Survey Population

Psychosomatic Medicine — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Iron deficiency commonly co-occurs with depressive symptoms in older people, although the association with anemia is accounted for by physical health status and may primarily reflect anemia of chronic disease. (Source: Psychosomatic Medicine)

[Original Articles] Effect of Chronic Dementia Caregiving and Major Transitions in the Caregiving Situation on Kidney Function: A Longitudinal Study

Psychosomatic Medicine — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Kidney function did not differ between caregivers and controls over time. However, GFR had impaired at 3 months after a major caregiving transition. Because the effect of placement of the spouse with Alzheimer’s disease on the decline in GFR was moderated by BP, it might be confined to caregivers who experience increased sympathetic activation after placement. (Source: Psychosomatic Medicine)

Adams–Oliver syndrome and portal hypertension: Fortuitous association or common mechanism?

American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We present a boy with AOS who developed a progressive splenomegaly and hypersplenism at the age of 2 months, and was admitted for acute gastrointestinal bleeding (GI) at the age of 9 months. Subsequently, we documented an extrahepatic portal vein obstruction and esophageal varices. After several episodes of cataclysmic upper GI bleeding a mesentero‐portal shunt (MPS) was performed at 10 months. The shunt thrombosed, and after three failed attempts of thrombectomy, it was removed. One month later a splenorenal shunt was performed, and this closed spontaneously by 3 years. The patient suffered from ischemic stroke after placing the first shunt, and has spastic diplegia, left frontal lobe epilepsy, hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder, and severe psychomotor delay. At 11 years and h...

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[Pediatric poisoning with triptans: Review of cases in the Lille poison center between 2000 and 2010.]

Archives de Pediatrie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study aims to more accurately estimate the risks incurred when a young child ingests triptan tablets. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: This study reviewed all cases of acute triptan poisoning listed by the Lille poison center between January 2000 and December 2009 in children younger than 6 years. Cases with certain ingestion, no drug interactions, and no other known etiology were selected. The gravity of each case was estimated by the poisoning severity score and follow-up was conducted by phone. RESULTS: A cohort of 84 patients was collected: 6% were lost to follow-up. The mean intake was 1.22 tablets (range, 0.25-6), for the most part zolmitriptan (64.2%), eletriptan (14.3%) and naratriptan (14.3%). Fifty-nine children (74.5%) were admitted to the hospital and 20 children monitored at home. ...

A Brief Overview of Mouse Models of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Problems and Prospects.

Am J Physiol Lung Ce... — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Gomez-Arroyo JG, Saleem SJ, Mizuno S, Syded AA, Bogaard HJ, Abbate A, Taraseviciene-Stewart L, Sung Y, Kraskauskas D, Farkas D, Conrad DH, Nicolls MR, Voelkel NF Abstract Many chronic pulmonary diseases are associated with pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular remodeling, which is a term that continues to be used to describe a wide spectrum of vascular abnormalities. Pulmonary vascular structural changes frequently increase pulmonary vascular resistance, causing pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right heart failure. While rat models had been standard models of PH research, in more recent years the availability of genetically engineered mice has made this species attractive for many investigators. Here we review a large amount of data derived from experimental pulmona...

Matrix metalloproteinases in metabolic syndrome.

European Journal of Internal Medicine — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:28:42 +0100

Authors: Hopps E, Caimi G Abstract Metabolic syndrome is commonly accompanied by an elevated cardiovascular risk with high morbidity and mortality. The alterations of the arterial vasculature begin with endothelial dysfunction and lead to micro- and macrovascular complications. The remodeling of the endothelial basal membrane, that promotes erosion and thrombosis, has a multifactorial pathogenesis that includes leukocyte activation, increased oxidative stress and also an altered matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression. MMPs are endopeptidases which degrade extracellular matrix proteins, such as collagen, gelatins, fibronectin and laminin. They can be secreted by several cells within the vascular wall, but macrophages are determinant in the atherosclerotic plaques. Their activit...

Growth differentiation factor-15, a novel biomarker related with disease severity in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

European Journal of Internal Medicine — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:26:31 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The present results show that higher levels of GDF-15 are associated to conditions of severe disease in HCM. Hence, GDF-15 is suggested as a novel marker related to the severity and could represent a further useful tool in monitoring functional capacity of HCM patients. PMID: 22284249 [PubMed - in process] (Source: European Journal of Internal Medicine)

Effects of renin-angiotensin blockers/inhibitors and statins on mortality and functional impairment in polypathological patients.

European Journal of Internal Medicine — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:26:12 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The prescription of statins, alone or in combination with other drugs, may impact the survival and functional decline in polypathological patients. Further prospective blinded randomised assays are needed to confirm these observations. PMID: 22284251 [PubMed - in process] (Source: European Journal of Internal Medicine)

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Effect of age on aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) and comparison of screening accuracy of ARR plus elevated serum aldosterone concentration for primary aldosteronism screening in different age groups

Endocrine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:15:12 +0100

Abstract The serum aldosterone concentration (SAC)/plasma renin activity (PRA) ratio (ARR) is considered a useful screening test in the differential diagnosis of essential hypertension (EH) and primary aldosteronism (PA). The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of age on ARR and compare the screening accuracy of ARR plus elevated SAC for PA screening in different age groups. Thirty-nine patients with PA, 274 patients with EH, and 153 healthy volunteers were recruited. Blood was sampled for SAC and PRA measuring under keeping upright posture for 1 h. Levels of SAC, PRA, and ARR were compared at different ages range for the respective three groups of subjects. The screening accuracy of ARR plus elevated SAC was compared in different age groups and PA pati...

The Link Between the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System and Renal Injury in Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

Current Hypertension Reports — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:12:54 +0100

This article reviews the role of the RAAS in renal injury seen in obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Hypertension and Metabolic Disarray: Diabetes Mellitus, Insulin Resistance, and Obesity (E Reisin, Section Editor)Pages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s11906-012-0245-zAuthors Tina Thethi, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave., #SL - 53, New Orleans, LA 70112, USAMasumi Kamiyama, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave., #SL39/M720, New Orleans, LA 70112, USAHiroyuki Kobori, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave., #SL39/M720, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA Journal Current Hypertension ReportsOnline ISSN 1534-3111Print ISSN 1522-6417 (Source: Current Hypertension Reports)

Low birth weight and end-stage renal disease: demographic analysis by region in Japan

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:12:09 +0100

Conclusions The present study, relating regional distribution between LBW and ESRD dynamics in a nationwide population of Japan, revealed that the marked regional differences in the incidence of ESRD within Japan could be explained by a similar regional distribution in the incidence of LBW. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s10157-012-0600-zAuthors Tadashi Ichikawa, Department of Cardio-Renal Medicine and Hypertension, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, 467-8601 JapanMichio Fukuda, Department of Cardio-Renal Medicine and Hypertension, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, 467-8601 JapanTamaki Wakamatsu-Yamanaka, Department of Cardio-Renal Me...

Epigenetics and developmental programming of adult onset diseases

Pediatric Nephrology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:11:43 +0100

Abstract Maternal perturbations or sub-optimal conditions during development are now recognized as contributing to the onset of many diseases manifesting in adulthood. This “developmental programming” of disease has been explored using animal models allowing insights into the potential mechanisms involved. Impaired renal development, resulting in a low nephron number, has been identified as a common outcome that is likely to contribute to the development of hypertension in the offspring as adults. Changes in other organs and systems, including the heart and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, have also been found. Evidence has recently emerged suggesting that epigenetic changes may occur as a result of developmental programming and result in permanent changes ...

Call to 'tax sugar like alcohol'

NHS News Feed — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:00:00 +0100

This article will be of interest to food scientists, health policy makers and the public alike, but the use of strategies to restrict the consumption of added sugar is complicated and, indeed controversial. The implications of such moves would need to be considered in both medical and societal terms. They would need both medical evidence to support their effectiveness and assurance that the public would accept drastic changes, such as age limits on buying sweets. For example, in recent years, Denmark has imposed taxes on fatty foods, a move that has divided opinions greatly. It is generally accepted that added sugar or excessive sugar consumption is bad for health and dietitians advise restricting sugar intake to the occasional “treat”. However, to what extent sugar is directly to blam...

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Accuracy and measures of association of anthropometric indexes of obesity to identify the presence of hypertension in adults: a population-based study in Southern Brazil

European Journal of Nutrition — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:57:43 +0100

Conclusions Anthropometric indexes provide an effective, simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive means for a first-level screening for hypertension. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ContributionPages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s00394-012-0314-8Authors Diego Augusto Santos Silva, Programa de Pós Graduação em Educação Física, Centro de Desportos, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário Trindade, Florianópolis, SC CEP 88010-970, BrazilEdio Luiz Petroski, Post-Graduation Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, BrazilMarco Aurelio Peres, Post-Graduation Program in Public Health, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil Journal European Journal of NutritionOnline ISSN 1436-621...

“From Bench to Practice”, ESC Congress set for Munich this summer

European Society of Cardiology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:43:01 +0100

In response to feedback from delegates, this year’s congress will kick off on Saturday with a fuller day of scientific sessions. The grand finale on Wednesday will be a two-hour highlight session in which world leading experts summarise all the new and exciting developments in basic, clinical and population sciences presented at the congress. Read more about this year's event.... Topics: Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS), Arrhythmias, Atrial Fibrillation, Basic Science, Cardiac Tumours, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention - Risk Assessment and Management, Cardiovascular Nursing, Cardiovascular Surgery, Chronic Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD), Clinical pharmacology, Computers in Cardiology, Congenital Heart Disease, Diabetic heart disease, Diseases of th...

Hypertension major risk factor for mortality in Japan

MedWire News - Hypertension — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:06:16 +0100

High blood pressure and tobacco smoking are the two major risk factors for adult mortality from noncommunicable diseases and injuries in Japan, researchers say. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension)

Long-Term Mortality and Role of Troponin Elevation in Hypertensive Emergencies

The American Journal of Cardiology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:05:53 +0100

We read with great interest the report “Effect of Joint National Committee VII Report on Hospitalizations for Hypertensive Emergencies in the United States” by Deshmukh et al. The investigators provided a comprehensive overview of trends in hospitalizations and inpatient mortality for hypertensive emergencies before and after the publication of the Seventh Joint National Committee report on the prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure. They reported an average increase in hospitalizations of 1.11% and a decrease in inpatient mortality from 2.8% to 2.6% (after the publication of the report). (Source: The American Journal of Cardiology)

How to Assess Microvascular Structure in Humans

High Blood Pressure — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:05:41 +0100

(Source: High Blood Pressure)

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Prevalence of Hypertension and Sociodemographic Factors within the Scheduled Caste Community of the District Nadia, West Bengal, India

High Blood Pressure — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:05:41 +0100

(Source: High Blood Pressure)

Role of Tissue Doppler Imaging for Detection of Diastolic Dysfunction in the Elderly: A Study in Clinical Practice

High Blood Pressure — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:05:41 +0100

(Source: High Blood Pressure)

Microalbuminuria and Left Ventricular Mass in Overweight and Obese Hypertensive Patients: Role of the Metabolic Syndrome

High Blood Pressure — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:05:41 +0100

(Source: High Blood Pressure)

RESPeRATE approved in UK for hypertension

Pharmacy Europe — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:51:00 +0100

Innovative non-drug, non-invasive treatment device receives NHS stamp of approval (Source: Pharmacy Europe)

Women Over Age 50 Not At Increased Risk During Pregnancy Via Egg Donation Compared To Younger Women

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Although women over age 50 who become pregnant via egg donation are at an elevated risk for developing obstetrical complications, their complication rates are similar to those of younger recipients, according to a study by Columbia University Medical Center researchers to be published in the February 2012 issue of the American Journal of Perinatology. This is contrary to epidemiological data suggesting that these women are at greater risk of certain complications of pregnancy, including hypertension, gestational diabetes, premature birth, and placenta abnormalities... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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labetalol, Normodyne, Trandate

MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: labetalol, Normodyne, TrandateCategory: MedicationsCreated: 1/16/2000 1:17:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 2/2/2012 (Source: MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General)

Americans Sweet on Sugar: Time to Regulate?

MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Americans Sweet on Sugar: Time to Regulate?Category: Health NewsCreated: 2/2/2012 11:01:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 2/2/2012 (Source: MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General)

cGMP becomes a drug target

Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:56:38 +0100

This report summarizes the new data on molecular mechanisms, (patho)physiological relevance, and therapeutic potentials of the cGMP signaling system that were presented at this meeting. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory ReviewPages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s00210-012-0730-6Authors Jens Schlossmann, Lehrstuhl für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Institut für Pharmazie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93040 Regensburg, GermanyElisabeth Schinner, Lehrstuhl für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Institut für Pharmazie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93040 Regensburg, Germany Journal Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of PharmacologyOnline ISSN 1432-1912Print ISSN 0028-1298 (Source: Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology)

Circulating endotoxin and interleukin-6 levels are associated with Doppler-evaluated pulmonary vascular resistance in cirrhotic patients

Hepatology International — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:55:50 +0100

Conclusions Our results suggest that endotoxin and IL-6 may contribute to cirrhosis-associated PH. In this regard, modulation of these substances could improve pulmonary pressures in cirrhotic patients. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s12072-011-9337-0Authors Georgios N. Kalambokis, First Division of Internal Medicine and Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit, Medical School of Ioannina, University Hospital, 45110 Ioannina, GreeceAthanasia Mouzaki, Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, GreeceMaria Rodi, Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, GreeceKonstantinos Pappas, Department of Cardiology, University Hos...

1 in 2 Stroke Survivors Has High Blood Pressure

WebMD Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

A disturbing 47% of people who have had a stroke have poorly controlled high blood pressure, researchers say. (Source: WebMD Health)

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Reduction of NADPH-Oxidase Activity Ameliorates the Cardiovascular Phenotype in a Mouse Model of Williams-Beuren Syndrome

PLoS Genetics — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

by Victoria Campuzano, Maria Segura-Puimedon, Verena Terrado, Carolina Sánchez-Rodríguez, Mathilde Coustets, Mauricio Menacho-Márquez, Julián Nevado, Xosé R. Bustelo, Uta Francke, Luis A. Pérez-Jurado A hallmark feature of Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) is a generalized arteriopathy due to elastin deficiency, presenting as stenoses of medium and large arteries and leading to hypertension and other cardiovascular complications. Deletion of a functional NCF1 gene copy has been shown to protect a proportion of WBS patients against hypertension, likely through reduced NADPH-oxidase (NOX)–mediated oxidative stress. DD mice, carrying a 0.67 Mb heterozygous deletion including the Eln gene, presented with a generalized arteriopathy, hypertension, and cardiac hypertrophy, associated wi...

The Doctor Can Listen To You Now

RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Did you hear the one about the patient who tackled his high blood pressure because of a friend's remark that stuck with him? Or the doctor who finally cracked an elusive diagnosis after letting his patient talk longer? Note: Viewing this article may require a subscription. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality)

A novel vascular clip design for the reliable induction of 2-kidney, 1-clip hypertension in the rat

Journal of Applied Physiology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The 2-kidney, 1-clip (2K1C) model has provided many insights into the pathogenesis of renovascular hypertension. However, studies using the 2K1C model often report low success rates of hypertension, with typical success rates of just 40–60%. We hypothesized that these low success rates are due to fundamental design flaws in the clips traditionally used in 2K1C models. Specifically, the gap widths of traditional silver clips may not be maintained during investigator handling and these clips may also be easily dislodged from the renal artery following placement. Therefore, we designed and tested a novel vascular clip possessing design features to maintain both gap width and position around the renal artery. In this initial study, application of these new clips to the left renal artery ...

Spaceflight regulates ryanodine receptor subtype 1 in portal vein myocytes in the opposite way of hypertension

Journal of Applied Physiology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Gravity has a structural role for living systems. Tissue development, architecture, and organization are modified when the gravity vector is changed. In particular, microgravity induces a redistribution of blood volume and thus pressure in the astronaut body, abolishing an upright blood pressure gradient, inducing orthostatic hypotension. The present study was designed to investigate whether isolated vascular smooth muscle cells are directly sensitive to altered gravitational forces and, second, whether sustained blood pressure changes act on the same molecular target. Exposure to microgravity during 8 days in the International Space Station induced the decrease of ryanodine receptor subtype 1 expression in primary cultured myocytes from rat hepatic portal vein. Identical results were foun...

ACE2 gene polymorphism and essential hypertension: an updated meta-analysis involving 11,051 subjects.

Molecular Biology Reports — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lu N, Yang Y, Wang Y, Liu Y, Fu G, Chen D, Dai H, Fan X, Hui R, Zheng Y Abstract The polymorphisms of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene have been suggested to be linked to increase risk of essential hypertension in multiple populations. However, the results are still debatable. To assess the association between ACE2 G8970A genetic polymorphism and essential hypertension, we conducted a meta-analysis of case-control studies across different ethnicity. PubMed, Embase, CBM, Wanfang and VIP databases were searched, and a total of 11 separate studies in females and nine separate studies in males met the inclusion criteria. Because ACE2 is on the X chromosome, data for each sex were analyzed separately. The selected studies contained 7,251 (4,472 females/2,779 males) h...

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Preproendothelin-1 Expression Is Negatively Regulated by IFN-gamma During Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation.

American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Li T, Shi Z, Rockey DC Abstract Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a powerful vasoconstrictor peptide, is produced by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and promotes cell proliferation, fibrogenesis, and contraction, the latter of which has been thought to be mechanistically linked to portal hypertension in cirrhosis. Interferon-gamma (IFNγ), a Th1 cytokine produced by T cells, inhibits stellate cell proliferation, fibrogenesis, and muscle specific gene expression. Whether IFNγ-induced inhibitory effects are linked to regulation of ET-1 expression in activated stellate cells remains unknown. Here we examined IFNγ's effects on preproET-1 mRNA expression and the signal pathways underlying this process. We demonstrated that preproET-1 mRNA expression in HSCs was prominently increase...

Improved Prognosis of Takayasu Arteritis Over the Past Decade.

Circulation Journal — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The prognosis of TA patients has improved over the past decade, which may be related to early diagnosis because of the development of noninvasive diagnostic imaging tools and improved medical treatments. PMID: 22301847 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Circulation Journal)

Birth Measurements, Family History, and Environmental Factors Associated With Later-Life Hypertensive Status.

American Journal of Hypertension — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionLow birth weight, low education, alcoholism, and hypertensive family history are linked to later-life hypertensive status. Low birth weight is also partly associated with one's genetic background; whereas the association with education and alcoholism are independent from hypertensive family history.American Journal of Hypertension (2012). doi:10.1038/ajh.2011.262. PMID: 22297260 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Hypertension)

Black tea lowers BP

MedWire News - Hypertension — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Regular consumption of black tea significantly lowers systolic blood pressure and diastolic BP, researchers have found. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension)

Tax and regulate sugar like alcohol and tobacco, urge scientists

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:16:00 +0100

Sugar is as toxic to the liver as alcohol and is at the root of obesity and certain types of liver disease, claim US scientistsSugar should be regulated in the same way as alcohol and tobacco because its increasing use in processed foods poses a significant danger to public health, according to a group of scientists. They advocate controlling sales to children under 17 and taxing sugary foods.Sugar, they argue, is as toxic to the liver as alcohol and overconsumption is at the root of growing public health problems including obesity and certain types of liver disease.In an opinion article for the journal Nature, Robert Lustig, Laura Schmidt and Claire Brindis of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), said that, over the past 50 years, consumption of sugar had trebled worldwide....

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Review of Inhaled Nitric Oxide in the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Setting

Pediatric Cardiology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:13:49 +0100

Abstract Surgical intervention for congenital heart disease (CHD) can be complicated by pulmonary hypertension (PH), which increases morbidity, mortality, and medical burden. Consequently, postoperative management of PH is an important clinical consideration to improve outcomes. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is a widely accepted standard of care for PH and has been studied in the context of cardiac surgery for CHD. However, large randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trials in pediatric patients are limited. This review will provide an overview of the clinical studies in this setting and will discuss general treatment considerations to facilitate a better understanding of the clinical use of iNO for PH after pediatric cardiac surgery. Content ...

What Are New Avenues for Renal Protection, in Addition to RAAS Inhibition?

Current Hypertension Reports — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:11:24 +0100

This article reviews these recent developments as potential therapeutic interventions that may prevent this disease, with targets generally beyond the RAAS. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Hypertension: Kidney, Sodium, and Renin-Angiotensin System (R Carey and A Mimran, Section Editors)Pages 1-11DOI 10.1007/s11906-012-0251-1Authors Shinji Hagiwara, JDRF Danielle Albert Memorial Centre for Diabetes Complications, Diabetes Division, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Road, Melbourne, 3004 AustraliaPhillip Kantharidis, JDRF Danielle Albert Memorial Centre for Diabetes Complications, Diabetes Division, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Road, Melbourne, 3004 AustraliaMark E. Cooper, JDRF Danielle Albert Memorial Centre for Diabetes Complicatio...

Many children with liver transplants from parents can safely stop using anti-rejection drugs

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(New York- Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center) Physicians at three transplant centers have found in a pilot study that a majority of children who receive liver tissue from a parent can eventually stop using immunosuppression (anti-rejection) medications safely. These drugs, which tamp down natural immune function, have been linked to a bevy of complications, including cancer, diabetes, hypertension and kidney failure. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

The Editors’ Choice

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is a common disease caused by environmental allergens, such as pollens and animal dander, in allergic persons. Characteristic symptoms include runny nose, nasal itching, sneezing, and congestion. Antihistamines that block the first of 4 different receptors, molecules that mediate the effects of histamine released during allergies, are available over the counter and by prescription. These antihistamines are effective in treating allergic rhinitis–associated itching, runny nose, and sneezing but are not very effective against nasal congestion, often the most bothersome symptom. A number of decongestants are available either alone or in combination with these antihistamines, but they are not completely effective in treating nasal congestion either, and they of...

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

European Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion 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. (Source: European Heart Journal)

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Abdominal obesity vs general obesity for identifying arterial stiffness, subclinical atherosclerosis and wave reflection in healthy, diabetics and hypertensive.

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The measures of abdominal obesity (WHtR and WC) correlates better than BMI and BFP with arterial stiffness evaluated by PWV, and with subclinical atherosclerosis evaluated by C-IMT, independently of the presence of diabetes or hypertension.Trial Registration: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT01325064 (Source: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders)

The Heart Failure Society of America in 2020: A Vision for the Future

Journal of Cardiac Failure — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In 1994 Dr. Jay Cohn and other leaders in cardiovascular disease met in New York city to explore the possibility of establishing a professional society that could channel the rapidly growing interest in the nascent field of heart failure into an effective force for improving patient care. The preceding 2 decades had been marked by unprecedented insights into the underlying pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction that were paralleled by therapeutic advances that, for the first time, were shown to clearly improve outcomes in heart failure patients. At the same time, heart failure prevalence was rapidly increasing throughout the world because of the aging of the population, improved survival of patients with myocardial infarction and other cardiac conditions, and inadequate treatment of common...

Model‐based treatment optimisation of a novel VEGFR‐inhibitor

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The proposed hypertension intervention design is expected to be effective in maintaining patients on treatment with lenvatinib. The AE‐guided dose titration with blood pressure as biomarker yielded a higher overall dose level, without relevant increases in toxicity. Since increased exposure to lenvatinib seems correlated with increased treatment efficacy, the adaptive treatment design may thus be a valid approach to improve treatment outcome.© 2012 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2012 The British Pharmacological Society (Source: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology)

Proteomic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid from obese women with idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a new approach for identifying new candidates in the pathogenesis of obesity.

Journal of Neuroendocrinology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, we have identified potential candidates that could be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity. Further studies addressed to investigating the precise role of these proteins in the pathogenesis of obesity and their potential therapeutic implications are needed. (Source: Journal of Neuroendocrinology)

Pulmonary complications after major head and neck surgery: A retrospective cohort study

The Laryngoscope — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions:Patients undergoing major head and neck surgery are at high risk of PPCs. Advanced age and hypertension significantly correlated with PPCs. PPCs correlate with prolonged ICU and hospital stays, and increased mortality. Further research is needed to define risk factors, useful investigations, and effective optimization strategies to mitigate PPCs. (Source: The Laryngoscope)

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Association of glutathione S-transferase Ω 1-1 polymorphisms (A140D and E208K) with the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), and apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1) in humans chronically exposed to arsenic in drinking water.

Archives of Toxicology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Escobar-García DM, Del Razo LM, Sanchez-Peña LC, Mandeville PB, Lopez-Campos C, Escudero-Lourdes C Abstract Human exposure to arsenicals is associated with inflammatory-related diseases including different kinds of cancer as well as non-cancerous diseases like neuro-degenerative diseases, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes. Interindividual susceptibility has been mainly addressed by evaluating the role of genetic polymorphism in metabolic enzymes in inorganic arsenic (iAs) metabolism. Glutathione S-transferase omega 1-1 (GSTO1-1), which had been associated with iAs metabolism, is also known to participate in inflammatory and apoptotic cellular responses. The polymorphism A140D of GSTO1-1 has been not only associated with distinct urinary profile of arsenic metab...

Urinary Proteome Analysis to Exclude Severe Vesicoureteral Reflux

PEDIATRICS — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: This noninvasive test is ready for prospective validation in large cohorts with the aim of identifying those children with UTI and hydronephrosis in need of further invasive diagnostics, such as voiding cystourethrography, thus sparing most children without pathologic urinary proteome patterns from additional diagnostics. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

A workplace physical activity program at a public university in Mexico can reduce medical costs associated with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Salud Publica de Mexico — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: This research meets the call to use health economics methods to re-appraise health priorities, and devise strategies for optimal allocation of financial resources in the health sector. PMID: 22286825 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Salud Publica de Mexico)

Optimal cutoff points for the detection of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome in Mexican adults.

Salud Publica de Mexico — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of abdominal obesity defined by the IDF was a better screening tool for diabetes and hypertension, considering that initially a high sensitivity and low cost tool at population level is required. PMID: 22286824 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Salud Publica de Mexico)

Prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome components in Mexican adults without type 2 diabetes or hypertension.

Salud Publica de Mexico — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of adults with obesity-related metabolic comorbidities remains undiagnosed in Mexico. PMID: 22286823 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Salud Publica de Mexico)

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Effect of Duration, Participation Rate, and Supervision During Community Rehabilitation on Functional Outcomes in the First Poststroke Year in Singapore

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Koh GCHK, Saxena SK, Ng TP, Yong D, Fong NP. Effect of duration, participation rate, and supervision during community rehabilitation on functional outcomes in the first poststroke year in Singapore. Objective: To examine the effect of duration, participation rate, and supervision during community rehabilitation on functional outcome during the first poststroke year. Design: Prospective longitudinal study with interviews at admission, discharge, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after discharge. Setting: Two subacute inpatient rehabilitation units and the community after discharge in Singapore. Participants: Subacute nonaphasic stroke patients (N=215). Intervention: Participation rate in supervised therapy (at an outpatient rehabilitation center) and unsupervised therapy (a...

Med Sci Monit 2012; 18(2):BR69-75 "Determination of PKC isoform-specific protein expression in pulmonary arteries of rats with chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension"

Medical Science Monitor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This study is the first systematic analysis of PKC isoform-specific membrane translocation and protein expression in pulmonary arteries, suggesting that the changes in membrane translocation and protein expression of cPKCalpha, betaI, betaII and nPKCdelta are involved in the development of hypoxia-induced rat PH. (Source: Medical Science Monitor)

Med Sci Monit 2012; 18(2):CR78-87 "Relation of hs-CRP and BNP levels with the atrial spontaneous echo contrast and thrombi in permanent atrial fibrillation patients with different etiologies"

Medical Science Monitor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Higher hs-CRP levels in AF patients may be a predictor for the presence of SEC and thrombi in the atria. (Source: Medical Science Monitor)

Med Sci Monit 2012; 18(2):PH6-11 "How well do anthropometric indices correlate with cardiovascular risk factors? A cross-sectional study in Croati"

Medical Science Monitor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Results encourage the use of BMI and WtHR as important tools in predicting CV risk in GP’s practice. (Source: Medical Science Monitor)

Does a reduction in dialysate sodium improve blood pressure control in haemodialysis patients?

Nephrology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Change in clinical practice, amounting to a modest reduction in dialysate sodium was associated with a reduction not only in pre and postdialysis blood pressures, but also ultrafiltration requirements and symptomatic intradialytic hypotension. However this effect on blood pressure was most marked for older patients and women, within minimal effects for younger patients, and lesser effects for men, suggesting that dialysate sodium reduction alone may help improve blood pressure control, but requires additional factors such as dietary sodium restriction to be effective in younger male patients.© 2012 The Authors. Nephrology © 2012 Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology (Source: Nephrology)

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Cardiac O-GlcNAc signaling is increased in hypertrophy and heart failure

Physiological Genomics — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Reversible protein O-GlcNAc modification has emerged as an essential intracellular signaling system in several tissues, including cardiovascular pathophysiology related to diabetes and acute ischemic stress. We tested the hypothesis that cardiac O-GlcNAc signaling is altered in chronic cardiac hypertrophy and failure of different etiologies. Global protein O-GlcNAcylation and the main enzymes regulating O-GlcNAc, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), O-GlcNAcase (OGA), and glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT) were measured by immunoblot and/or real-time RT-PCR analyses of left ventricular tissue from aortic stenosis (AS) patients and rat models of hypertension, myocardial infarction (MI), and aortic banding (AB), with and without failure. We show here that global O-GlcNAcylation wa...

Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension “Probably Linked” to PFOA Contamination

EHP-in-Press — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: EHP-in-Press)

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and its associated risk factors: the first report from iran using both microalbuminuria and urine sediment.

Archives of Iranian Medicine — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: CKD and its main risk factors are common and represent a definite health threat in this region of Iran. Using and standardizing less expensive screening tests in low resource countries could be a good alternative that may improve the outcome through early detection of CKD. PMID: 22292573 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Archives of Iranian Medicine)

The Use of Darbepoetin to Stimulate Erythropoiesis in Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats: 25 Cases

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceDarbepoetin is effective for treatment of anemia of kidney disease in cats. Pure red cell aplasia appears to be less common with darbepoetin than with epoetin usage. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine)

Sleep duration and hypercholesterolaemia: Results from the National Health Interview Survey 2008

Sleep Medicine — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study examined the association between sleep duration and hypercholesterolaemia in a nationally representative sample of US adults.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 16,652 participants in the 2008 National Health Interview Survey (aged ⩾18years, 52.5% women) was conducted. Sleep duration was categorized as ⩽5, 6, 7, 8, or ⩾9h. Hypercholesterolaemia (n=5578) was assessed by questionnaire.Results: A significant gender difference was found in the association between sleep duration and hypercholesterolaemia (P interaction=0.003). Among women, sleep duration ⩽5h was positively associated with hypercholesterolaemia after adjusting for potential confounders and mediators including physical activity, psychological distress, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Compa...

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Management of cardiac toxicity in patients receiving vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway inhibitors

American Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The panel recommends that physicians (1) conduct and document a formal risk assessment for existing cardiovascular disease and potential cardiovascular complications before VSP inhibitor treatment recognizing that preexisting hypertension and cardiovascular disease are common in patients with cancer, (2) actively monitor for blood pressure elevations and cardiac toxicity with more frequent assessments during the first treatment cycle, and (3) aggressively manage blood pressure elevations and early symptoms and signs of cardiac toxicity to prevent clinically limiting complications of VSP inhibitor therapy. (Source: American Heart Journal)

Frequency and impact of lifestyle modification in patients with coronary artery disease: The Japanese Coronary Artery Disease (JCAD) Study

American Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Exercise and diet interventions have a beneficial impact on all-cause mortality in patients with CAD, yet these interventions are surprisingly infrequent. Lifestyle interventions should be more actively promoted. (Source: American Heart Journal)

Associations of pentraxin-3 with cardiovascular events, incident heart failure, and mortality among persons with coronary heart disease: Data from the Heart and Soul Study

American Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Among persons with stable CHD, higher PTX3 concentrations were associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality, CV events, and incident HF independently of systemic inflammation. Adjustment for eGFR modestly attenuated these associations, suggesting that future studies of PTX3 should adjust for kidney function. (Source: American Heart Journal)

Circulating microparticles and endothelial progenitor cells in atherosclerosis; pharmacological effects of irbesartan

Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Hypertension associated with hypercholesterolemia is accompanied by structural modifications and expression of pro‐inflammatory molecules by vessel wall, the alteration of vascular tone, enhanced release of MPs and reduced EPCs; the ratio between the latter two may be considered as a marker of vascular dysfunction. Irbesartan that exhibit a pharmacological control on the levels of MPs and EPCs has the potential to restore homeostasis of the arterial wall. (Source: Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis)

Prevalence and outcome of Middle-eastern Arab and South Asian patients hospitalized with heart failure: insight from a 20-year registry in a Middle-eastern country (1991-2010).

Acute Cardiac Care — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: HF patients in the Middle East present at relatively younger age regardless of ethnicity. In-hospital mortality and stroke rates decreased significantly over the 20-years. PMID: 22295893 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acute Cardiac Care)

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Epidemiology of Prehypertension and Associated Risk Factors in Urban Adults From 33 Communities in China.

Circulation Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Prehypertension is common among urban residents in China, and is associated with many risk factors. Comprehensive lifestyle modifications need to be taken to decrease the incidence of prehypertension and to prevent prehypertension progressing to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. PMID: 22293448 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Circulation Journal)

Childhood obesity: a life-long health risk.

Acta Pharmacologica Sinica — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This article reviews factors underlying the accelerated vascular disease development due to obesity. It also highlights the importance of recognizing childhood obesity as a disease condition and its permissive role in aggravating the development of other diseases. The importance of childhood obesity for disease susceptibility later in life, and the need for prevention and treatment are also discussed. PMID: 22301858 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Acta Pharmacologica Sinica)

Efficacy of inhaled nitric oxide in preterm neonates.

Advances in Neonatal Care — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Love LE, Bradshaw WT Abstract Over the past 20 years, the recognition of nitric oxide (NO) as an endothelial-derived vasodilator has led to remarkable advances in vascular biology awareness. The signaling molecule NO, produced by NO synthase, is a molecule that is widespread in the body and important in multiple organ systems. Soon after its discovery, investigators found NO to be a potent pulmonary vasodilator in term neonates. Nitric oxide has come to perform a key function in neonatal therapy and management since its identification, especially in those with respiratory failure. It is conventionally used in the neonatal population for the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension, resulting in hypoxic respiratory failure of the term or near-term newborn. Inhaled NO ...

Comorbidities of Psoriatic Arthritis -- Metabolic Syndrome and Prevention: A Report from the GRAPPA 2010 Annual Meeting.

J Rheumatol — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Raychaudhuri SP Abstract Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with serious comorbidities such as increased cardiovascular risk, hypertension, depression, and reduced quality of life. Patients with psoriasis have been observed to have an increased incidence of metabolic syndrome compared with the general population; recently, this has also been observed in patients with PsA. This review focuses on the comorbidities associated with PsA, with an emphasis on risks of coronary artery disease and metabolic syndrome. We also discuss the development of a comprehensive approach for the management of comorbidities of PsA. The review summarizes a presentation at the 2010 annual meeting of GRAPPA (Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis). PMID: 22...

Clinical aspects of hepatic disease

Anaesthesia and intensive care medicine — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Liver disease has a high prevalence. Patients with advanced liver disease have poor outcome after surgery. Prognostic scoring systems help to identify those at high risk. Chronic liver disease is associated with typical extra-hepatic manifestations, resulting from failure to clear endogenous vasodilators, splanchnic vasodilation, high cardiac output and decreased central blood volume. Complications include hepatorenal syndrome, hepatopulmonary syndrome and porto-pulmonary hypertension. In fulminant liver failure, cerebral oedema is a prominent feature. Without liver transplantation, prognosis is dismal. Appreciation of the multi-system sequelae of liver disease is a prerequisite to appropriate management. (Source: Anaesthesia and intensive care medicine)

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Resperate: The £7 headset that can keep blood pressure low could help thousands of patients

the Mail online | Health — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:42:48 +0100

The device (pictured), which looks like a portable CD player, slows down breathing by playing relaxing music through headphones. But experts warn it should not replace any high blood pressure drugs. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Hostile Social Interactions May Increase InflammationHostile Social Interactions May Increase Inflammation

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:41:53 +0100

Hostile and competitive social interactions may increase proinflammatory cytokine reactivity, a phenomenon that has been linked to hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Effect of heterozygous deletion of WNK1 on the WNK-OSR1/SPAK-NCC/NKCC1/NKCC2 signal cascade in the kidney and blood vessels

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:47:51 +0100

Conclusion The contribution of WNK1 to total WNK kinase activity in the kidney may be small, but that WNK1 may play a substantial role in the regulation of blood pressure in the arteries. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s10157-012-0590-xAuthors Koichiro Susa, Department of Nephrology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima 1-5-45, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0034 JapanSatomi Kita, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, JapanTakahiro Iwamoto, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, JapanSung-Sen Yang, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, TaiwanShih-Hua Lin, ...

How to manage HIV-infected patients with chronic kidney disease in the HAART era

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:47:49 +0100

Abstract As human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients now live longer while receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), chronic kidney disease (CKD) has emerged as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among urban HIV population. Risk factors associated with CKD in such HIV-infected population include aging, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, co-infection with hepatitis C virus, low CD4 cell count, and high HIV viral load. Clinical experience has shown that HIV-infected individuals often have one or more concurrent risk factors for CKD. The cumulative effect of multiple risk factors on the development of CKD should be noted in this population. Glomerular disease directly related to HIV infection, so-called HIV-associated nephropathy, rema...

Renal Sympathetic Denervation for Treatment of Hypertension

Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:46:16 +0100

Opinion statement Sympathetic nervous system activation of the heart, kidney and peripheral vasculature increases cardiac output, fluid retention and vascular resistance and plays an important role in acute and chronic BP elevation. Renal sympathetic denervation via a percutaneous radiofrequency catheter based approach is a safe and effective procedure that lowers BP in patients with resistant hypertension. Exploratory studies in patients with resistant hypertension and a variety of comorbidities, including insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea and the polycystic ovary syndrome, have shown benefit of renal denervation in attenuating the severity of the comorbid conditions, as well as reducing BP. However, more studies are needed to further address ...

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Early cardiac dysfunction is rescued by upregulation of SERCA2a pump activity in a rat model of metabolic syndrome

Acta Physiologica — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:28:05 +0100

ConclusionIn early stage, metabolic syndrome primarily disturbs SERCA2a function in the heart, but consequential hemodynamic dysfunction is prevented by upregulation of SERCA2a protein level, and phosphorylation pathways regulating phospholamban. However, this compensated state is very vulnerable to a further decline in SERCA2a function. (Source: Acta Physiologica)

Natural language processing in EMRs can improve disease tracking

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:09:31 +0100

Source: Jaan Sidorov, KevinMD Content: “Years ago, if you were elderly, had diabetes, high blood pressure, low back pain, needed a yearly flu shot and came to see this electronic health record-enabled physician (now with the nom de plume “Disease Management Care Blog”), you would have had your diabetes, high blood pressure and low back [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

Lipid Nephrotoxicity: New Concept for an Old Disease

Current Hypertension Reports — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:12:27 +0100

Abstract The prevalence of obesity in the United States remains high, exceeding 30% in most states. As this trend continues unhindered, we will continue see a persistent rise in obesity-related metabolic effects—hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis. These diseases are also the leading causes of chronic kidney diseases and end-stage renal disease. The lipid nephrotoxicity hypothesis, proposed over three decades ago, suggested that proteinuria, decreased albumin levels, and the resultant hyperlipidemia may cause a glomerulosclerosis similar to atherosclerosis. More recent studies have demonstrated the role of oxidized high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles in the progression of kidney disease. Elucidation of...

Outcomes Following Laparoscopic Choledochoduodenostomy in the Management of Benign Biliary Obstruction

Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:06:42 +0100

Conclusion Laparoscopic choledochoduodenostomy is a useful technique in patients with benign, refractory common bile duct obstruction. This technically demanding procedure is feasible; however, the associated comorbidities in this complex group of patients result in a relatively high complication rate. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s11605-011-1768-3Authors Yashodhan S. Khajanchee, Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Program, Providence Portland Medical Center, Portland, OR, USAMaria A. Cassera, Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Program, Providence Portland Medical Center, Portland, OR, USAChet W. Hammill, Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Program, Providence Portland Medical Center, Portland, OR, USALee L. Swanströ...

Takayasu arteritis as a cause of arterial hypertension. Case report and literature review

European Journal of Pediatrics — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:06:39 +0100

Conclusion: The rarity of the disorder and the heterogeneous nature of its clinical manifestation predispose to a late diagnosis and delayed treatment. Our report highlights the fact that the condition can and does occur in a pediatric population in Europe and hence must be considered in patients presenting with suggestive symptoms and signs, especially in young patients with unexplained hypertension. Clinical suspicion and proper imaging are crucial for the correct diagnosis and management of patients with TA. A brief review of literature completes this report. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Case ReportPages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s00431-012-1674-zAuthors Elżbieta Sadurska, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodźki 2, 20-093 Lublin, PolandRen...

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Complications of kidney transplantation with grafts from expanded criteria donors

World Journal of Urology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:06:01 +0100

Conclusions Transplantation of kidneys from expanded criteria donors is associated with a significant higher risk of medical and surgical complications than kidneys from non-expanded criteria donors. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s00345-012-0831-3Authors Javier Barba, Department of Urology, University of Navarra Clinic, P.O. Box 4209, 31008 Pamplona, SpainJuan Javier Zudaire, Department of Urology, University of Navarra Clinic, P.O. Box 4209, 31008 Pamplona, SpainJosé Enrique Robles, Department of Urology, University of Navarra Clinic, P.O. Box 4209, 31008 Pamplona, SpainDavid Rosell, Department of Urology, University of Navarra Clinic, P.O. Box 4209, 31008 Pamplona, SpainJosé María Berian, Department of Urology, Univers...

Does Obesity Cause Pain?

MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Does Obesity Cause Pain?Category: Health NewsCreated: 1/31/2012 11:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 1/31/2012 (Source: MedicineNet High Blood Pressure General)

Risks of pregnancy via egg donation similar for women over age 50 as for younger women

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Columbia University Medical Center) Although women over age 50 who become pregnant via egg donation are at an elevated risk for developing obstetrical complications, their complication rates are similar to those of younger recipients, according to a study by Columbia University Medical Center researchers to be published in the February 2012 issue of the American Journal of Perinatology. This is contrary to epidemiological data suggesting that these women are at greater risk of certain complications of pregnancy, including hypertension, gestational diabetes, premature birth, and placenta abnormalities. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Thiopental dose requirements for induction of anaesthesia and subsequent endotracheal intubation in patients with complete spinal cord injuries

Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionsThese results suggest that the dose requirements of thiopental for induction of general anaesthesia and subsequent tracheal intubation are reduced in the SCI patients. (Source: Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica)

Increased arterial smooth muscle Ca2+ signaling, vasoconstriction, and myogenic reactivity in Milan hypertensive rats

AJP: Heart and Circulatory Physiology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The Milan hypertensive strain (MHS) rats are a genetic model of hypertension with adducin gene polymorphisms linked to enhanced renal tubular Na+ reabsorption. Recently we demonstrated that Ca2+ signaling is augmented in freshly isolated mesenteric artery myocytes from MHS rats. This is associated with greatly enhanced expression of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger-1 (NCX1), C-type transient receptor potential (TRPC6) protein, and sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2) compared with arteries from Milan normotensive strain (MNS) rats. Here, we test the hypothesis that the enhanced Ca2+ signaling in MHS arterial smooth muscle is directly reflected in augmented vasoconstriction [myogenic and phenylephrine (PE)-evoked responses] in isolated mesenteric small arteries. Systolic blood pressure was h...

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Autophagy mechanism of right ventricular remodeling in murine model of pulmonary artery constriction

AJP: Heart and Circulatory Physiology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Although right ventricular failure (RVF) is the hallmark of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the mechanism of RVF is unclear. Development of PAH-induced RVF is associated with an increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Increases in oxidative stress lead to generation of nitro-tyrosine residues in tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) and liberate active matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs). To test the hypothesis that an imbalance in MMP-to-TIMP ratio leads to interstitial fibrosis and RVF and whether the treatment with folic acid (FA) alleviates ROS generation, maintains MMP/TIMP balance, and regresses interstitial fibrosis, we used a mouse model of pulmonary artery constriction (PAC). After surgery mice were given FA in their drinking water (0.03 g/l) for 4 wk. Produ...

PVN adenovirus-siRNA injections silencing either NOX2 or NOX4 attenuate aldosterone/NaCl-induced hypertension in mice

AJP: Heart and Circulatory Physiology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Mineralocorticoid excess increases superoxide production by activating NADPH oxidase (NOX), and intracerebroventricular infusions of NADPH oxidase inhibitors attenuate aldosterone (Aldo)/salt-induced hypertension. It has been hypothesized that increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain may be a key mechanism in the development of hypertension. The present study investigated the brain regional specificity of NADPH oxidase and the role of NOX2 and NOX4 NADPH oxidase subunits in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in Aldo/salt-induced hypertension. PVN injections of adenoviral vectors expressing small interfering (si)RNA targeting NOX2 (AdsiRNA-NOX2) or NOX4 (AdsiRNA-NOX4) mRNAs were used to knock down NOX2 and NOX4 proteins. Three days later, delivery of Aldo (0.2 mg&mid...

Time-dependent changes in autonomic control of splanchnic vascular resistance and heart rate in ANG II-salt hypertension

AJP: Heart and Circulatory Physiology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Previous studies suggest that ANG II-induced hypertension in rats fed a high-salt (HS) diet (ANG II-salt hypertension) has a neurogenic component dependent on an enhanced sympathetic tone to the splanchnic veins and independent from changes in sympathetic nerve activity to the kidney or hind limb. The purpose of this study was to extend these findings and test whether altered autonomic control of splanchnic resistance arteries and the heart also contributes to the neurogenic component. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), superior mesenteric artery blood flow, and mesenteric vascular resistance (MVR) were measured during 4 control days, 14 days of ANG II delivered subcutaneously (150 ng·kg–1·min–1), and 4 days of recovery in conscious rats fed a HS (2% N...

Angiotensin-(1-7) attenuates angiotensin II-induced cardiac remodeling associated with upregulation of dual-specificity phosphatase 1

AJP: Heart and Circulatory Physiology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, saline- or ANG II-infused rats were treated with ANG-(1–7) to determine whether the heptapeptide reduces myocyte hypertrophy in vivo and to identify the signaling pathways involved in the process. ANG II infusion into normotensive rats elevated systolic blood pressure >50 mmHg, in association with increased myocyte cross-sectional area, ventricular atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA, and ventricular brain natriuretric peptide mRNA. Although infusion with ANG-(1–7) had no effect on the ANG II-stimulated elevation in blood pressure, the heptapeptide hormone significantly reduced the ANG II-mediated increase in myocyte cross-sectional area, interstitial fibrosis, and natriuretic peptide mRNAs. ANG II increased phospho-ERK1 and phospho-ERK2, whereas cotreatment with ...

Enhanced catabolism to acetaldehyde in rostral ventrolateral medullary neurons accounts for the pressor effect of ethanol in spontaneously hypertensive rats

AJP: Heart and Circulatory Physiology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, evidence was sought to implicate the oxidative breakdown of ethanol in this strain-dependent hypertensive action of ethanol. Biochemical experiments revealed significantly higher catalase activity and similar aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity in the RVLM of SHRs compared with WKY rats. We also investigated the influence of pharmacological inhibition of catalase (3-aminotriazole) or ALDH (cyanamide) on the cardiovascular effects of intra-RVLM ethanol or its metabolic product acetaldehyde in conscious rats. Compared with vehicle, ethanol (10 μg/rat) elicited a significant increase in blood pressure in SHRs that lasted for the 60-min observation period but had no effect on blood pressure in WKY rats. The first oxidation product, acetaldehyde, played a critical role in e...

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Blockage of the afferent sensitive pathway prevents sympathetic atrophy and hemodynamic alterations in rat portal hypertension

Liver International — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionThese results indicate that the nervous system has a central role in the genesis of the circulatory abnormalities of portal hypertension, and support that mesenteric sympathetic atrophy contributes to splanchnic arterial vasodilation. (Source: Liver International)

Elevated Blood Pressure is Associated with Rarefaction of the Retinal Vasculature in Children [Clinical and Epidemiologic Research]

Investigative Ophthalmology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. Higher blood pressure in children is associated with smaller retinal Df, reflecting rarefaction of the retinal microvasculature. Retinal fractal analysis detects early subtle microvascular effects of elevated blood pressure, and may further the understanding of the genesis of ocular and systemic vascular complications of hypertension. (Source: Investigative Ophthalmology)

Could the “Cochin risk prediction score” be applied in daily practice to predict pulmonary hypertension in systemic sclerosis?

Arthritis and Rheumatism — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Arthritis and Rheumatism)

Effects of non contact low‐frequency ultrasound on healing of suspected deep tissue injury: a retrospective analysis

International Wound Journal — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of non contact low‐frequency ultrasound on the healing of suspected deep tissue injury (SDTI). Participants were adults ranging in age from 28 to 93 years old, with multiple diagnoses including anaemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Data were examined retrospectively on 85 patients (intervention group = 43 and non intervention group = 42) with 127 SDTI (intervention group = 64 and non intervention group = 63). Participants in both groups received standard of care for treating pressure ulcers. A severity score was used to assess SDTI severity before treatment and healing/progression after treatment. This scale measures surface area, wound colour/tissue assessment, and skin integrity with potential scores of 3 to 18 (higher sc...