Upsala journal of medical sciences
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Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are generally less intensively managed than patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), despite that their risk of complications is believed to be equivalent. Identification of PAD patients at risk of poorly controlled blood pressure (BP) could lead to improved treatment, thus lowering the risk of cardiovascular (CV) complications. We aimed to describe the prevalence of poorly controlled cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, focusing on BP, in outpatients with PAD diagnosed in a vascular ultrasound laboratory. ⋯ Poorly controlled clinical and ambulatory systolic BP profiles were common. In addition, suboptimal control of other important CV risk factors was detected. The findings of this study highlight the need for better preventive efforts against CV risk factors in outpatients with PAD.
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During more than five decades, the author has kept a critical eye on how statistical methods are (mis-)used in medical research. Some areas are presented where serious statistical mistakes are prevalent. ⋯ The authors own efforts to improve the use of statistical methods and the current situation with easily accessible statistical program packages are described. Finally, the importance of continued 'statistical cleansing' is stressed.
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This research study aimed at assessing the electrocardiographic (ECG) changes caused by ageing in a cohort of healthy subjects with normal echocardiographic examinations. ⋯ Although most ECG changes found at baseline could be considered as a normal variation, they may progress to more severe heart complications as the subject ages. The results of this study also validate ECG findings of previous studies and underline that diagnostic criteria should be based on gender and age.
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Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a common defect in newborns, and studies have revealed that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is involved in the progression of HSCR. This research study aims to investigate the mechanism of downregulated RNA in cancer (DRAIC) on cell proliferation and migration in HSCR. ⋯ DRAIC promoted cell proliferation and migration by regulating the miR-34a-5p/ITGA6 signal axis in HSCR.
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In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), recurrent upper airway obstruction and apnea/hypopnea episodes result in endothelial dysfunction, which leads to the release of many proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS induces NLRP3, a protein involved in the synthesis of interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-18; vaspin is a serine protease inhibitor that has an important role in suppressing the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of NLRP3 rs10159239 (rs9239) and vaspin rs2236242 (rs6242) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on OSA development. ⋯ The vaspin rs6242 SNP AA genotype increased susceptibility to OSA, while the AT genotype appeared to be protective. The lower plasma vaspin levels in OSA compared with the control group and in patients with the AA genotype suggest that vaspin may be a protective biomarker for OSA.