Medicine
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Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have already been proposed as sensitive and informative biomarkers for the diagnosis of multiple diseases. We investigated the miRNA expression patterns in plasma samples of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and explored the potential functions of certain miRNAs. Deep sequencing analysis was performed to determine the miRNA expression profiles using RNA samples isolated from 20 healthy subjects and 20 patients with CAD. ⋯ Moreover, these miRNAs were found widely related to the blood lipids in the patients with CAD, as miR-17 was positively correlated with total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B, while miR-92a was found positively related to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) but negatively related to lipoprotein-a. Additionally, miR-106b was positively related to HDL-C and apolipoprotein A-I. Taken together with existing evidence from mechanistic studies, the current results of our study support a relationship between the miR-17-92 family and lipid metabolism, which merits further study.
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The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence, treatment, and control of high blood pressure, hypertension (HBP) in Panama and assess its associations with sociodemographic and biologic factors. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in Panama by administering a survey on cardiovascular risk factors to 3590 adults and measuring their blood pressure 3 times. A single-stage, probabilistic, and randomized sampling strategy with a multivariate stratification was used. ⋯ Of those found to have HBP, 65.6% were aware of having HBP and taking medications, and of these, 47.2% had achieved control (<140/90 mm Hg). HBP is the most common cardiovascular risk factor among Panamanians and consequently an important public health problem in Panama. The health care system needs to give a high priority to HBP prevention programs and integrated care programs aimed at treating HBP, taking into consideration the changes in behavior that have been brought about by alterations in nutrition and sedentary lifestyles.