Cardiovascular Diseases Commons^™

Smooth Muscle Hyperplasia Due To Acta2/Myh11 Mutations: Identification Of Novel Pathology And Pathways Leading To Aneurysms And Diverse Vascular Occlusive Diseases, Christina L. Papke

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Missense mutations in smooth muscle cell (SMC) specific ACTA2 (á-actin) and MYH11 (â-myosin heavy chain) cause diffuse and diverse vascular diseases, including thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD) and early onset coronary artery disease and stroke. The mechanism by which these mutations lead to dilatation of some arteries but occlusion of others is unknown. We hypothesized that the mutations act through two distinct mechanisms to cause varied vascular diseases: a loss of function, leading to decreased SMC contraction and aneurysms, and a gain of function, leading to increased SMC proliferation and occlusive disease. To test this hypothesis, ACTA2 mutant SMCs …

Gender Differences Of Case-Fatality Rate In A Brazilian Stroke Registry, Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

No abstract provided.

Characteristics Of Small Areas With A Higher Stroke Mortality, Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

No abstract provided.

Higher Frequency Of Stroke Deaths On Monday And Saturday, Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

No abstract provided.

Social Inequalities And The Decline Of Stroke Mortality In The City Of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

No abstract provided.

Stroke Prevalence In A Poor Neighbourhood Of Sao Paulo, Brazil: Applying A Stroke Symptom Questionnaire, Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

Background Brazil has one of the highest stroke mortality rates in the world, these rates are most endemic in the poor. We verified the prevalence of stroke in a deprived neighbourhood in the city of Sa˜ o Paulo, Brazil and compared it with other surveys worldwide. Methods A questionnaire with six questions concerning limb and facial weakness, articulation, sensory disturbances, impaired vision, and past diagnosis of stroke was completed door-to-door in a well-defined area of 15 000 people. Questionnaires were considered positive when a participant answered two or more questions about stroke symptoms or the presence of stroke being confirmed …

Subclinical Hyperthyroidism And Dementia: The Sao Paulo Ageing & Health Study (Spah), Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

Background: Several epidemiologic studies have shown a possible association between thyroid function and cognitive decline. Our aim was to evaluate the association of subclinical hyperthyroidism and dementia in a population sample of older people. Methods: A cross-sectional study - São Paulo Ageing & Health Study (SPAH) - in a population sample of low-income elderly people ≥ 65 years-old to evaluate presence of subclinical thyroid disease as a risk factor for dementia. Thyroid function was assessed using thyrotropic hormone and free-thyroxine as well as routine use of thyroid hormones or antithyroid medications. Cases of dementia were assessed using a harmonized one-phase …

Atherosclerosis And Antioxidants, Yehoshua Lewis

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Cellular lipid oxidation is a known cause for the cascade leading to the formation of lipid laden foam cells, which can cause of atherosclerosis. While statins and antioxidants have recently come under question in the amelioration of atherosclerosis, Flavonoids have recently been touted as a powerful antioxidant and suppresser of atherosclerosis. This paper will attempt to show why statins and vitamin E have come under scrutiny, and how the desired effects of Flavonoids can be attributed to the role it plays in increased paraoxonase-1 activity (a known anti inflammatory associated with HDL), decreased C- Reactive protein activity, and increased nitric …

Cardiac Tissue Regeneration - The Use Of Stem Cells, Chavy Friedlander

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is the introduction to the article: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of illness and fatality. Diseases such as coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction and subsequent congestive heart failure pose a serious problem to much of the population in the Unites States and all over the world. The heart’s compromised function that results from the above conditions is so influential as the heart has little capacity to repair its lost tissue; once the cardiac myocytes are destroyed its effects are amplified by a drastic decrease in cardiac function. Until recently with the advent of stem cell technology, researchers …

Role Of Genetics In Prediction Of Coronary Artery Disease, Andrey Yuabov

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is the introduction of this article: Coronary arteries disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death in United States and rest of the world. It mostly involves atherogenic formation within the walls of the coronary arteries, which in turn restricts the adequate perfusion to the heart muscle. This leads to myocardial infarction and sudden death. In the past few decades the theories of coronary arteries disease pathogenesis have changed. The facts reveal that the onset of the disease can develop as early as childhood. The degree of the disease gradually progresses in stages and it is regarded as …

Cardiac Regeneration, Sara Leah Abraham

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is an excerpt from the introduction to this article: Cardiovascular disease is a generic term that refers to any illness or disorder that involves the heart and its vessels or the blood vessels of the body. Cardiovascular disease has been accepted as the leading cause of death worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control’s National Vital Statistics Reports, twenty six percent of deaths in 2006, 631,636 in total, were caused by diseases of the heart (Heron et al. 2009).

One of the most common of all cardiovascular diseases is Ischaemic Heart Disease. This coronary artery disease often …

Practice Patterns For Antibiotic De-Escalation In Culture-Negative Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia, M. Schlueter, C. James, A. Dominguez, Laura V. Tsu, G. Seymann

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background Published guidelines for the treatment of healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) recommend initial broad-spectrum antibiotics with appropriate de-escalation based on culture results. Guideline recommendations are based on data from intubated patients, in whom cultures are easily obtained. The approach to antibiotic de-escalation for culture-negative patients has not been addressed. Consequently, there are no published reports that describe the current standard of practice. Patients and methods All patients admitted to a university hospital with a diagnosis of HCAP, as defined by use of a pneumonia orderset, were identified retrospectively over a 2-year period. Antibiotics prescribed on admission, during hospital stay, and on …

Association Between Weekend Hospital Presentation And Stroke Fatality, Gustavo Saposnik

Gustavo Saposnik

No abstract provided.

Risk Of Premature Stroke In Recent Immigrants (Presario): Population-Based Matched Cohort Study., Gustavo Saposnik

Gustavo Saposnik

No abstract provided.

Myocardial Infarction Associated With Recency Of Immigration To Ontario., Gustavo Saposnik

Gustavo Saposnik

No abstract provided.

Acetaminophen Combinations Protect Against Iron-Induced Cardiac Damage In Gerbils, Ernest M. Walker Jr., Ryan G. Morrison, Lucy Dornon, Joseph P. Laurino, Sandra M. Walker, Mark Studeny, Paulette S. Wehner, Kevin M. Rice, Miaozong Wu, Eric R. Blough

MIIR Faculty Research

This study tested if acetaminophen, N-methyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (NMGDTC), deferoxamine, and combinations of these agents reduce excess iron content, prevent iron-induced pathology, reduce cardiac arrhythmias, and reduce mortality in iron-overloaded gerbils. Eight groups of 16 gerbils received iron dextran injections (ferric hydroxide dextran complex, 120 mg/kg, ip) or saline solution (controls) twice/wk for 8 wk. The 8 groups were treated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with one of the following: saline control, acetaminophen, 150 mg/kg, ip), acetaminophen (150 mg/kg, po), deferoxamine, 83 mg/kg, ip), NMGDTC (200 mg/kg, ip), or combinations of acetaminophen (75 mg/kg) with deferoxamine (42 mg/kg, each ip, separately) …

Effect Of Obesity On The Traditional And Emerging Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors In African American Women, Queen Obiageli Henry-Okafor

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Background: Obesity is a growing health care concern with cardiovascular disease (CVD) implications. African American women (AAW) have the highest prevalence rate of obesity and highest CVD morbidity and mortality rate of all ethnic groups. The traditional CVD risk factors have not been sufficient to explain this disparity in disease prevalence and outcomes. Current knowledge is limited regarding the interaction between various levels of adiposity and both traditional and emerging CVD risk factors, particularly in AAW. This study sought to explore these interactions.

Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational analysis of 48 AAW ages 18 to 45 …

Does Admission Hyperglycemia Predict Intracranial And Extracranial Vasculopathy, Ather Mohammed Taqui, Ayeesha Kamral Kamal, Saqib Ali Gowani, Bhojo Asumal Khealani, Shafquat Rozi

Community Health Sciences

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between admission hyperglycaemia and the presence and pattern of intracranial and extracranial vascular disease.METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at a major tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Patients who had presented with acute stroke and had undergone a carotid ultrasound Doppler of the carotids and/or Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) of the brain were included in the study. A multiple logistic regression analysis of variables was done for an abnormal finding on each investigation.RESULTS: Out of the total of 216 patients, the age of majority of the patients (83.3%) was > 50 years and 134 (62%) …

Metabolic Syndrome, Inflammation, Heart Rate Variability, And Fitness In Obese African American Youth, Belinda J. Fleming

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Purpose. The purposes of this dissertation were to (1) explore the relationships among fitness, heart rate variability (HRV), inflammation and components of the Metabolic Syndrome in obese African American youth participating in a supervised weight management program, (2) examine the effect of change in severity of obesity on these variables, and (3) identify predictors of weight loss.

Method. This study consisted of a post-hoc analysis of existing pre and post-intervention data obtained from 50 African-American youth (70% female, aged 7-18 years). Anthropometric assessment of height, weight, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, body mass index percentile …

Associated Symptoms In The Ten Days Before Diagnosis Of Kawasaki Disease., Annette L. Baker, Minmin Lu, L Luann Minich, Andrew M. Atz, Gloria L. Klein, Rosalind Korsin, Linda Lambert, Jennifer S. Li, Wilbert Mason, Elizabeth Radojewski, Victoria L. Vetter, Jane W. Newburger, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators, Girish S. Shirali

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: To describe common associated symptoms within the 10 days before diagnosis in subjects enrolled in the Pediatric Heart Network's trial of steroid therapy in Kawasaki disease (KD).

STUDY DESIGN: Patients with acute KD were enrolled between days 4 and 10 of illness at 8 centers between 2002 and 2004. We defined common associated symptoms as those occurring in >or=10% of patients. Principal clinical criteria for KD were not included in this analysis.

RESULTS: Among 198 patients, irritability was reported in 98 (50%), vomiting in 88 (44%), decreased food/fluid intake in 73 (37%), cough in 55 (28%), diarrhea in 52 …

Inflammatory Biomarkers And Subclinical Atherosclerosis In African-American Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Sle), Edith M. Williams, Carlos J. Crespo, Joan Dorn

Community Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Women with lupus are at increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous studies of atherosclerosis in SLE have not been representative of the minority groups most affected by lupus and its complications. Therefore, a study of 41 lupus cases and 83 controls was conducted to investigate the relationship between carotid atherosclerosis and inflammation in African-American women. Participation consisted of a questionnaire, physical examination, fasting blood draw, and ultrasound of the carotid arteries. There were observed differences between cases and controls with regard to carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, although few reached statistical significance. Tumor …

Preliminary Characterization Of Mitochondrial Atp-Sensitive Potassium Channel (Mitokatp) Activity In Mouse Heart Mitochondria, Venkat Raghav Aachi

Dissertations and Theses

Myocardial ischemia, infarction, heart failure and arrhythmias are the manifestations of coronary artery disease. Reduction of ischemic damage is a major concern of cardiovascular biology research. As per recent studies, the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mitoK_ATP) opening is believed to play key role in the physiology of cardioprotection, protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury or apoptosis. However, the structural information of mitoK_ATP is not precisely known. Elucidating the structural integrity and functioning of the mitoK_ATP is therefore a major goal of cardiovascular biology research. The known structure and function of the cell ATP-sensitive potassium channel (cellK_ATP) …

Alcohol And Cardio-Respiratory Deaths In Chinese: A Population-Based Case-Control Study Of 32,462 Older Hong Kong, Mary Schooling, Tai Hing Lam, Sai Yin Ho, Yao He, Kwok Hang Mak, Gabriel M. Leung

Publications and Research

Background
In observational studies moderate alcohol use reduces cardio-respiratory mortality. However observational studies may be biased by many factors including residual confounding by unmeasured differences between moderate alcohol users and other groups or by changes in alcohol use with ill-health and aging. We used two different analytic strategies in an under-studied population, i.e. southern Chinese, to provide an assessment of the specific impact of moderate alcohol use on mortality from ischemic heart disease (IHD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD).

Methods
In a population-based case-control study of all adult deaths in Hong Kong Chinese in 1998, we used adjusted logistic …

Stroke Mortality In Brazil: One Example Of Delayed Epidemiological Cardiovascular Transition, Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

No abstract provided.

Zinc-Finger Protein Mcpip In Cell Death And Differentiation, Craig Younce

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) plays a critical role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. How MCP-1 contributes to the development of heart disease is not understood. We present evidence that MCP-1 causes death in cardiac myoblasts, H9c2 by inducing oxidative stress, ER stress and autophagy via a novel Znfinger protein, MCP-1 induced protein (MCPIP). MCPIP expression caused cell death and knockdown of MCPIP, attenuated MCP-1 induced cell death. Expression of MCPIP resulted in induction of iNOS and production of reactive oxygen (ROS). It caused induction of NADPH oxidase subunit phox47 and its translocation to the cytoplasmic membrane. Oxidative stress led …

Nutritional Evaluation Of The Patients With Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma [Portuguese], Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) usually present nutritional disorders, secondary to the upper aerodigestive tract involvement or due to the treatment sequels. Objective: To assess the nutritional status of patients with HNSCC in different phases of the disease treatment. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 155 patients divided in 4 groups: 103 patients with HNSCC (29 before treatment, 47 post-treatment with no recurrence and 27 post treatment with recurrent disease) and 52 controls without HNSCC. Clinical and epidemiological data were collected and a nutrition assessment was performed from anthropometric parameters (weight, height and Body Mass Index – BMI), …

Patterns Of Viral Load In Chronic Hepatitis B Patients In Brazil And Their Association Withalt Levels And Hbeag Status, Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level is a predictor of the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B patients. Nevertheless, the distribution of viral load levels in chronic HBV patients in Brazil has yet to be described. This cross-sectional study included 564 participants selected in nine Brazilian cities located in four of the five regions of the country using the database of a medical diagnostics company. Admission criteria included hepatitis B surface antigen seropositivity, availability of HBV viral load samples and age >or=18 years. Males comprised 64.5% of the study population. Mean age was 43.7 years. …

An Overview Of Cardiovascular Risk Factor Burden In Sub-Saharan African Countries: A Socio-Cultural Perspective, Rhonda Belue, Titilayo A. Okoror, Juliet Iwelunmor, Kelly D. Taylor, Arnold N. Degboe, Charles Agyemang, Gbenga Ogedegbe

Africana Studies Faculty Scholarship

Background: Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries are currently experiencing one of the most rapid epidemiological transitions characterized by increasing urbanization and changing lifestyle factors. This has resulted in an increase in the incidence of non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular disease (CVD). This double burden of communicable and chronic non-communicable diseases has long-term public health impact as it undermines healthcare systems.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the socio-cultural context of CVD risk prevention and treatment in sub-Saharan Africa. We discuss risk factors specific to the SSA context, including poverty, urbanization, developing healthcare systems, traditional healing, lifestyle and socio-cultural factors. …

Rhoa/Rho-Kinase Signaling: A Therapeutic Target In Pulmonary Hypertension, Scott A. Barman, Shu Zhu, Richard E. White

PCOM Scholarly Papers

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease characterized by progressive elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular resistance due to pulmonary vasoconstriction and vessel remodeling as well as inflammation. Rho-kinases (ROCKs) are one of the best-described effectors of the small G-protein RhoA, and ROCKs are involved in a variety of cellular functions including muscle cell contraction, proliferation and vascular inflammation through inhibition of myosin light chain phosphatase and activation of downstream mediators. A plethora of evidence in animal models suggests that heightened RhoA/ROCK signaling is important in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension by causing enhanced constriction and remodeling of …

Isoniazid Completion Rates For Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among College Students Managed By A Community Pharmacist, Karl M. Hess, Jeffery A. Goad, Joanne Wu, Kathleen Johnson

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Objective: The authors' objective was to document 9-month and previously recommended 6-month treatment completion rates for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in a pharmacist-managed LTBI clinic in a community pharmacy oil a college Campus. and to describe patient characteristics. Participants: Participants were university Students diagnosed with LTBI. Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective review, of pharmacy records from 2000 to 2006. Main outcome measures included 6-month and 9-month LTBI treatment completion rates, total isoniazid (INH) tablets taken. characteristics of completers versus noncompleters. average time to treatment completion, and reported adverse drug events. Results: The 9-month completion rate was 59%, and the …