Most of the biological understanding of mechanisms underlying coronary artery disease (CAD) derives from studies of mouse models. The identification of multiple CAD loci and strong candidate genes in ...large human genome-wide association studies (GWASs) presented an opportunity to examine the relevance of mouse models for the human disease. We comprehensively reviewed the mouse literature, including 827 literature-derived genes, and compared it to human data. First, we observed striking concordance of risk factors for atherosclerosis in mice and humans. Second, there was highly significant overlap of mouse genes with human genes identified by GWASs. In particular, of the 46 genes with strong association signals in CAD GWASs that were studied in mouse models, all but one exhibited consistent effects on atherosclerosis-related phenotypes. Third, we compared 178 CAD-associated pathways derived from human GWASs with 263 from mouse studies and observed that the majority were consistent between the species.
The mouse is the most extensively studied animal model of atherosclerosis, though its relevance to the human disease is debated. Using recent human genome-wide association data, von Scheidt and colleagues reveal strong overlap of genes, pathways, and risk factors between the two species, strongly supporting the relevance of mouse studies.
Background There are established guidelines for recommended dietary intake for hypertension treatment and cardiovascular disease prevention. Evidence is lacking for effective dietary patterns for ...kidney disease prevention. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Setting & Participants Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study participants with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (N = 14,882). Predictor The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet score was calculated based on self-reported dietary intake of red and processed meat, sweetened beverages, sodium, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes, and low-fat dairy products, averaged over 2 visits. Outcomes Cases were ascertained based on the development of eGFRs < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 accompanied by ≥25% eGFR decline from baseline, an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth/Tenth Revision code for a kidney disease−related hospitalization or death, or end-stage renal disease from baseline through 2012. Results 3,720 participants developed kidney disease during a median follow-up of 23 years. Participants with a DASH diet score in the lowest tertile were 16% more likely to develop kidney disease than those with the highest score tertile (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.07-1.26; P for trend < 0.001), after adjusting for sociodemographics, smoking status, physical activity, total caloric intake, baseline eGFR, overweight/obese status, diabetes status, hypertension status, systolic blood pressure, and antihypertensive medication use. Of the individual components of the DASH diet score, high red and processed meat intake was adversely associated with kidney disease and high nuts, legumes, and low-fat dairy products intake was associated with reduced risk for kidney disease. Limitations Potential measurement error due to self-reported dietary intake and lack of data for albuminuria. Conclusions Consuming a DASH-style diet was associated with lower risk for kidney disease independent of demographic characteristics, established kidney risk factors, and baseline kidney function. Healthful dietary patterns such as the DASH diet may be beneficial for kidney disease prevention.
BACKGROUND:The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports on the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and ...cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).
METHODS:The American Heart Association, through its Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update. The 2020 Statistical Update is the product of a full year’s worth of effort by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. This year’s edition includes data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, metrics to assess and monitor healthy diets, an enhanced focus on social determinants of health, a focus on the global burden of cardiovascular disease, and further evidence-based approaches to changing behaviors, implementation strategies, and implications of the American Heart Association’s 2020 Impact Goals.
RESULTS:Each of the 26 chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.
CONCLUSIONS:The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policy makers, media professionals, clinicians, healthcare administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.
Introduction and Aim: In India approximately two million persons are affected by urolithiasis per year and some areas of India have been named as a stone belt. This article reviews information ...regarding associated risk factors of urolithiasis from Indian perspectives.
Methods: The studies were retrieved from eight electronic databases. All the cases of an adult above the age of 18 with urolithiasis were included in this review. The studies conducted in different states of India on human subjects and published between 2010 -2017, which are available in electronic media were included. The quality of studies was assessed by the help of Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Systematic Reviews and Research Syntheses. A narrative approach was adopted to analyze the data.
Results: The risk factors identified were, less frequency of urination /day, consumption of red meat once a month or more, higher consumption of calcium, sodium, magnesium and phosphorus, high intake of coffee, tea, and sugar, working in high temperatures, lack of physical activity, obesity, and ground water consumption. Habits like smoking and alcohol consumption. Some of the disease conditions like urinary tract infection, renal cyst, horseshoe kidney, atrophic kidney, benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Conclusion: The urolithiasis among adults is a public health problem and calls for appropriate action against this.
Background: Sarcopenia and obesity have become important public health issues worldwide, especially in an aging society like Taiwan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiometabolic risk ...factors among the different weight status and grip strength status in elderly individuals in Taiwan. Methods: We conducted a series of community-based health surveys among the elderly population in Chiayi County, Taiwan from 2017 to 2019. Anthropometric characteristics, handgrip strength, and cardiometabolic risk profiles were measured using standard methods. Results: This study recruited 3739 subjects (1600 males and 2139 females). The non-obese group had lower blood glucose (BG) levels compared to the obese group (100.3 ± 32.2 mg/dl vs. 109.1 ± 34.3 mg/dl for the male subjects; 102.8 ± 32.1 mg/dl vs. 112.5 ± 40.3 mg/dl for the female subjects). The grip strength was negatively associated with BG in both genders (ß = -0.357, p < 0.001 for the male subjects male and ß = -0.385, p < 0.05 for the female subjects). The relationship between the grip strength and the risk of cardiometabolic disease showed that for every 1 kg increase in the grip strength, there was a 4.1% and 4.5% decrease in the risk for developing diabetes in the male and female subjects, respectively (OR = 0.959, 95% CI = 0.940-0.979 for the male subjects and OR = 0.955, 95% CI = 0.932-0.978 for the female subjects). Conclusions: A higher handgrip strength is associated with a lower BG level and lower risk for diabetes mellitus in the elderly Taiwanese subjects. Additional health promotion should focus on the obese and sarcopenic population to prevent cardiometabolic comorbidities in later life.
Background: Exercise is suggested for the reduction of cardiometabolic risk factors in adults independent of changes in diet. However, the volume of exercise needed in healthy young adults with ...overweight/obesity is unknown and has not been evaluated in a randomized efficacy trial. Methods: This secondary analysis examined changes in fasted lipid panels and body composition (DXA) in young adults (18-30 years, BMI 25-40 kg/m2) who completed the 10-month Midwest Exercise Trial-2. This efficacy trial randomized participants (2:2:1 ratio) to supervised exercise 5 sessions/week at an energy expenditure of either 400 or 600 kcal/session or non-exercise control and asked to maintain usual ad libitum diets. Changes in outcomes from baseline to 10 months (p<0.05) were evaluated using paired and independent t-tests. Results: Young adults (n = 69, age ~ 24 yrs., ~ 46% female) complied with the study protocol and completed all outcome assessments: 400 kcal/session (n=28), 600 kcal/session (n=27), control (n=14). The control group had no significant outcome changes from baseline to 10 months. The 400-kcal group had decreases in percent fat mass (-3.3 ± 4.2%, p <0.001), waist circumference (-1.4 ± 1.9 in., p < 0.001) and increases in percent fat-free mass (3.3 ± 3.3%, p < 0.001). The 600-kcal group had decreases in percent fat mass (-3.9 ± 3.8%, p < 0.0001), waist circumference (-1.7 ± 2.4 in., p < 0.001), glucose (-2.9 ± 6.9 mg/dL, p = 0.04), and increases in percent fat-free mass (3.9 ± 3.8%, p < 0.0001). Across all outcomes, there were no differences between the 400-kcal and 600-kcal groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In a sample of young adults with overweight/obesity, a prescribed 600 kcal versus 400 kcal energy expenditure during a 10-month exercise intervention and ad libitum diet did not provide additional impact on cardiometabolic risk factors.