Nevin Manimala

Exp Physiol. 2023 Mar 29. doi: 10.1113/EP090638. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? The consumption of a high-protein diet has been associated with an anxiogenic factor that can influence anxiety and possible cardiovascular changes: does the consumption of a high-protein diet interfere with anxiety, haemodynamics and morphofunctional aspects of the heart of Wistar rats? What is the main finding and its importance? Our study showed that the high-protein diet did not interfere with anxiety and haemodynamics. The animals in the hyperproteic group showed positive heart adaptations characterized by less work and lower heart rate without impairing ejection fraction and systemic blood pressure.

ABSTRACT: Anxiety is a mechanism preparatory to a response in situations of threat and danger, involving behavioural, affective and physiological factors. Protein-based foods have a high concentration of amino acids which perform multiple functions, including in the biosynthesis of excitatory transmitters for the central nervous system. In recent years, adherence to high-protein diets has been gaining ground in society, on the basis that it brings benefits to the musculoskeletal system and cardiovascular health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a high-protein diet in a state of anxiety and to investigate morphofunctional cardiovascular effects of a high-protein diet in Wistar rats. The experiment lasted 8 weeks and two groups of male rats were submitted to either a normoproteic or a hyperproteic diet. Anxiety was assessed using the plus maze test and cardiovascular morphofunctional aspects using transthoracic echocardiography and invasive measurements of femoral blood pressure. There was no statistically significant difference in the anxiety test, but the hyperproteic group was more agitated, with greater displacement during the test. Changes were found in systolic and end-diastolic volume, left ventricular diameter in systole and heart rate, which were significantly lower in the hyperproteic group, and there was an increase in the thickness of the interventricular septum in diastole. The results showed no influence of the higher protein diet on the animals’ anxiety, body weight and haemodynamics.

PMID:36989159 | DOI:10.1113/EP090638

JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2023 Mar 29;9:e44070. doi: 10.2196/44070.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: With the increased availability of data, a growing number of studies have been conducted to address the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) factors on population health outcomes. However, such an impact is either examined at the county level or the state level in the United States. The results of analysis at lower administrative levels would be useful for local policy makers to make informed health policy decisions.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the ecological association between SDOH factors and population health outcomes at the census tract level and the city level. The findings of this study can be applied to support local policy makers in efforts to improve population health, enhance the quality of care, and reduce health inequity.

METHODS: This ecological analysis was conducted based on 29,126 census tracts in 499 cities across all 50 states in the United States. These cities were grouped into 5 categories based on their population density and political affiliation. Feature selection was applied to reduce the number of SDOH variables from 148 to 9. A linear mixed-effects model was then applied to account for the fixed effect and random effects of SDOH variables at both the census tract level and the city level.

RESULTS: The finding reveals that all 9 selected SDOH variables had a statistically significant impact on population health outcomes for ≥2 city groups classified by population density and political affiliation; however, the magnitude of the impact varied among the different groups. The results also show that 4 SDOH risk factors, namely, asthma, kidney disease, smoking, and food stamps, significantly affect population health outcomes in all groups (P<.01 or P<.001). The group differences in health outcomes for the 4 factors were further assessed using a predictive margin analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: The analysis reveals that population density and political affiliation are effective delineations for separating how the SDOH affects health outcomes. In addition, different SDOH risk factors have varied effects on health outcomes among different city groups but similar effects within city groups. Our study has 2 policy implications. First, cities in different groups should prioritize different resources for SDOH risk mitigation to maximize health outcomes. Second, cities in the same group can share knowledge and enable more effective SDOH-enabled policy transfers for population health.

PMID:36989028 | DOI:10.2196/44070

J Med Internet Res. 2023 Mar 29;25:e42845. doi: 10.2196/42845.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation is a class IA recommendation for patients with cardiovascular diseases. Physical activity is the core component and core competency of a cardiac rehabilitation program. However, many patients with cardiovascular diseases are failing to meet cardiac rehabilitation guidelines that recommend moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity.

OBJECTIVE: The major objective of this study was to review the evidence of the effectiveness of eHealth interventions in increasing moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity among patients in cardiac rehabilitation. The secondary objective was to examine the effectiveness of eHealth interventions in improving cardiovascular-related outcomes, that is, cardiorespiratory fitness, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure.

METHODS: A comprehensive search strategy was developed, and a systematic search of 4 electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library) was conducted for papers published from the start of the creation of the database until November 27, 2022. Experimental studies reporting on eHealth interventions designed to increase moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity among patients in cardiac rehabilitation were included. Multiple unblinded reviewers determined the study eligibility and extracted data. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration Tool for randomized controlled trials and the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care group methods for nonrandomized controlled trials. A random-effect model was used to provide the summary measures of effect (ie, standardized mean difference and 95% CI). All statistical analyses were performed using Stata 17.

RESULTS: We screened 3636 studies, but only 29 studies were included in the final review, of which 18 were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis demonstrated that eHealth interventions improved moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (standardized mean difference=0.18, 95% CI 0.07-0.28; P=.001) and vigorous-intensity physical activity (standardized mean difference=0.2, 95% CI 0.00-0.39; P=.048) but did not improve moderate-intensity physical activity (standardized mean difference=0.19, 95% CI -0.12 to 0.51; P=.23). No changes were observed in the cardiovascular-related outcomes. Post hoc subgroup analyses identified that wearable-based, web-based, and communication-based eHealth intervention delivery methods were effective.

CONCLUSIONS: eHealth interventions are effective at increasing minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity among patients in cardiac rehabilitation. There was no difference in the effectiveness of the major eHealth intervention delivery methods, thereby providing evidence that in the future, health care professionals and researchers can personalize convenient and affordable interventions tailored to patient characteristics and needs to eliminate the inconvenience of visiting center-based cardiac rehabilitation programs during the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide better support for home-based maintenance of cardiac rehabilitation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42021278029; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=278029.

PMID:36989017 | DOI:10.2196/42845

JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Mar 1;6(3):e235248. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.5248.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Firearms are the method of suicide used most often in the US. Acute alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of suicide by firearm. However, the dose-response association between acute alcohol use and the probability of using a firearm as the method of suicide is unknown.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the amount of alcohol consumed and the probability of using a firearm as the method of suicide.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study used mortality data from the US National Violent Death Reporting System on suicide decedents aged 18 years or older with a positive blood alcohol concentration (BAC; ie, ≥0.01 g/dL). Statistical analysis was performed from January 2003 to December 2020.

EXPOSURE: Acute alcohol use, ascertained via postmortem toxicologic examination.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Probability of using a firearm as the method of suicide compared with all other methods of suicide.

RESULTS: The study included 45 959 male suicide decedents (mean [SD] age, 42.6 [14.8] years) and 12 136 female suicide decedents (mean [SD] age, 44.2 [13.8] years) with a positive BAC; of those, 24 720 male decedents (53.8%) and 3599 female decedents (29.7%) used a firearm as the method of suicide. The probability of using a firearm as the method of suicide when alcohol is consumed was higher for male decedents, with the probability starting at just below 0.50 and increasing to approximately 0.75. In contrast, for female decedents, the probability began at just above 0.30 and increased to approximately 0.55. For both male and female decedents, the dose-response curves were an inverted U shape; as BAC increased, the probability of firearm-involved suicide initially increased and then decreased at very high BACs (approximately 0.40 g/dL for male decedents and approximately 0.30 g/dL for female decedents; these BACs were present among only a small percentage of alcohol-involved suicides: male decedents, 589 [1.3%]; female decedents, 754 [6.2%]).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This cross-sectional study of suicide decedents who had consumed alcohol prior to their death suggests that, as alcohol consumption increased, the probability of a firearm-involved suicide increased until a certain BAC, at which point the probability started to decrease.

PMID:36988957 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.5248

JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Mar 1;6(3):e235565. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.5565.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Blood lipids are the primary cause of atherosclerosis. However, little is known about relationships between rates of blood lipid changes and age and genetic risk.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations of blood lipid change rates with age and polygenic risk.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort is from the Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China, which was established from 1998 to 2008. Participants were followed up until 2020 (mean [SD] follow-up, 13.8 [4.3] years) and received 4 repeated lipid measurements. Data analysis was performed from June to August 2022. A total of 47 691 participants with available genotype data were recruited, and 37 317 participants aged 18 years or older were included in the final analysis after excluding participants who were lost to follow-up or with major chronic diseases, and those without blood lipid measurements at baseline and any follow-up survey.

EXPOSURES: Age and polygenic risk scores based on 126 lipid-related genetic variants.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The estimated annual changes (EAC) of blood lipids in milligrams per deciliter.

RESULTS: This study evaluated 37 317 participants (mean [SD] age of 51.37 [10.82] years; 15 664 [41.98%] were male). The associations of EACs of blood lipids with age differed substantially between male and female participants. Male participants experienced declining change as they got older for total cholesterol (EAC, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.14 to 0.54] mg/dL for age <40 years vs 0.01 [95% CI, -0.11 to 0.13] mg/dL for age ≥60 years), triglyceride (EAC, 3.28 [95% CI, 2.50 to 4.07] mg/dL for age <40 years vs -1.70 [95% CI, -2.02 to -1.38] mg/dL for age ≥60 years), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (EAC, 0.15 [95% CI, -0.02 to 0.32] mg/dL for age <40 years vs 0.01 [95% CI, -0.10 to 0.11] mg/dL for age ≥60 years). Female participants had inverse V-shaped associations and the greatest rate of change appeared in the age group of 40 to 49 years (EAC for total cholesterol, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.22 to 1.44] mg/dL; EAC for triglyceride, 2.28 [95% CI, 1.94 to 2.62] mg/dL; and EAC for LDL-C, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.84 to 1.03] mg/dL). Change in levels of blood lipids were also associated with polygenic risk. Participants at low polygenic risk tended to shift toward lower blood lipid levels, with EACs of -0.16 (95% CI, -0.25 to -0.07) mg/dL; -1.58 (95% CI, -1.78 to -1.37) mg/dL; and -0.13 (95% CI, -0.21 to -0.06) mg/dL for total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-C, respectively. Participants with high polygenic risk had the greatest rates of change for total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-C (EAC, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.03 to 1.21] mg/dL; EAC, 3.57 [95% CI, 3.24 to 3.91] mg/dL; and EAC, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.65 to 0.81] mg/dL, respectively). Similar patterns were also observed across sex and age groups.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study, EACs of blood lipids were significantly associated with age and polygenic risk, suggesting that prevention strategies for lipids should focus on individuals with high genetic risk and in the critical age window.

PMID:36988954 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.5565

JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Mar 1;6(3):e235626. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.5626.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: The underlying biological risk factors for severe outcome due to SAR-CoV-2 infection are not well defined.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and severity of COVID-19.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective cohort study included analysis of 24 700 veterans with G6PD enzyme testing prior to January 1, 2020, obtained through the US Veterans Health Administration national databases. These veterans were cross-referenced with the Veterans Administration COVID-19 Shared Data Resource for SARS-CoV-2 testing from February 15, 2020, to January 1, 2021. The final study population consisted of 4811 veterans who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Statistical analysis was performed from June to December 2021.

EXPOSURES: G6PD deficiency.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: COVID-19 severe illness, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: hospitalization, need for mechanical ventilation and/or intensive care unit admission, or in-hospital mortality after a positive SARS-CoV-2 test.

RESULTS: Among 4811 veterans in the Veterans Health Administration who had historical G6PD enzyme activity test results and SARS-CoV-2 positivity included in this study, 3868 (80.4%) were male, 1553 (32.3%) were Black, and 1855 (39%) were White; 1228 (25.5%) were 65 years or older and 3583 (74.5%) were younger than 65 years. There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, or Charlson Comorbidity Index were present between the veterans with G6PD deficiency and without G6PD deficiency. Among these veterans with SARS-CoV-2 infection, G6PD deficiency was more prevalent in Black male veterans (309 of 454 [68.1%]) compared with other racial and ethnic groups. Black male veterans less than 65 years of age with G6PD deficiency had approximately 1.5-fold increased likelihood of developing severe outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with Black male veterans without G6PD deficiency (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.03-2.09). In the small subset of White male veterans with G6PD deficiency, we observed an approximately 3.6-fold increased likelihood of developing severe outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with White male veterans aged 65 years or older without G6PD deficiency (OR, 3.58; 95% CI, 1.64-7.80). This difference between veterans with and without G6PD deficiency was not observed in younger White male veterans or older Black male veterans, nor in smaller subsets of other male veterans or in female veterans of any age.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study of COVID-19-positive veterans, Black male veterans less than 65 years of age and White male veterans 65 years of age or older with G6PD deficiency had an increased likelihood of developing severe COVID-19 compared with veterans without G6PD deficiency. These data indicate a need to consider the potential for G6PD deficiency prior to treatment of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection as part of clinical strategies to mitigate severe outcomes.

PMID:36988953 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.5626

Reprod Sci. 2023 Mar 29. doi: 10.1007/s43032-023-01216-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether the cardiovascular profile score (CVPS) correlates with fetal outcome in patients with non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) and cardiac anomalies. In this retrospective study, we included fetuses with NIHF and the suspicion of a cardiac anomaly in prenatal ultrasound. The CVPS was calculated using information obtained by fetal echocardiographic examination. Feto-neonatal mortality (FNM) was defined as intrauterine fetal demise or death in the first 6 months of life. We reviewed 98 patients, who were referred to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz with the diagnosis of NIHF between January 2007 and March 2021. By eighteen of them, the suspicion of a cardiac anomaly was raised. After exclusion of six pregnancies (one termination of pregnancy and five because of incomplete data), 12 cases were left for analysis. Mean gestational age at which the CVPS was calculated was 29 + 2 weeks. Two fetuses died in utero. Of the remaining ten hydropic fetuses, three newborns died in the neonatal period, and seven survived after a 6-month surveillance period. Median CVPS of all fetuses was 6 points. Surviving fetuses showed statistically significantly higher CVPS values (median 8 points) than fetuses with FNM (median 5 points, p value = 0.009). Our results point towards a positive association between CVPS and fetal outcome in fetuses with NIHF and cardiac anomalies. The CVPS appears to be a useful marker in the assessment of heart failure in utero.

PMID:36988903 | DOI:10.1007/s43032-023-01216-w

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2023;1422:353-377. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-21547-6_13.

ABSTRACT

The lowering of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is an easily achievable and highly reliable modifiable risk factor for preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD), as validated by the unparalleled success of statins in the last three decades. However, the 2021 American Heart Association (AHA) statistics show a worrying upward trend in CVD deaths, calling into question the widely held belief that statins and available adjuvant therapies can fully resolve the CVD problem. Human biomarker studies have shown that indicators of inflammation, such as human C-reactive protein (hCRP), can serve as a reliable risk predictor for CVD, independent of all traditional risk factors. Oxidized cholesterol mediates chronic inflammation and promotes atherosclerosis, while anti-inflammatory therapies, such as an anti-interleukin-1 beta (anti-IL-1β) antibody, can reduce CVD in humans. Cholesterol removal from artery plaques, via an athero-protective reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) pathway, can dampen inflammation. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) plays a role in RCT by promoting adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1)-mediated cholesterol efflux from arterial macrophages. Cholesterol crystals activate the nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (Nlrp3) inflammasome in advanced atherosclerotic plaques, leading to IL-1β release in a PIP2-dependent fashion. PIP2 thus is a central player in CVD pathogenesis, serving as a critical link between cellular cholesterol levels, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, and inflammasome-induced IL-1β release.

PMID:36988888 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-031-21547-6_13

Endocrine. 2023 Mar 29. doi: 10.1007/s12020-023-03306-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In patients with low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), remnant ablation with radioiodine (RA) after total thyroidectomy (TT) is controversial. No benefits have been demonstrated in terms of mortality or disease-free survival. Recent evidence found that RA did not improve mid-term outcomes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate initial response to treatment and long-term follow-up status in low-risk DTC patients after TT vs. TT + RA with ¹³¹I 1.11 GBq (30 mCi).

METHODS: Prospective multicenter non-randomized study; 174 low-risk DTC that underwent TT were recruited an divided in two groups according to RA (87 ablated and 87 non-ablated). Response to treatment was evaluated at 6-18 months after thyroidectomy and at the end of follow-up with measurements of thyroglobulin, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies levels, and neck ultrasonography.

RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of both groups were similar. Ablated patients: median age 45.5 years, 84% females, 95.4% papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), mean tumor size 16 mm; non-ablated: median age 45 years, 88.5% females, 96.6% PTC, mean tumor size 14 mm. Response to initial treatment was similar between both groups, with < 2% of structural incomplete response. Final status was evaluated in 139 cases (median follow-up of 60 months). Among ablated patients, 82.8% had no evidence of disease (NED), 12% had an indeterminate response (IR) and 5% a biochemical incomplete response (BIR). Non-ablated patients had NED in 90%, IR in 8.7% and BIR in 1.2%. No statistical difference was found between groups (p = 0.29). No patient had evidence of structural disease at the end of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the recommendation against routine RA in low-risk DTC patients.

PMID:36988853 | DOI:10.1007/s12020-023-03306-w

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2023 Mar 29. doi: 10.1007/s12010-023-04437-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Several plant species contain volatile compounds extracted as “essential oils” through different technologies. After essential oil extraction, the residual solid is a lignocellulosic solid waste. This work proposes the instant controlled pressure-drop (DIC) technology to autovaporize volatile compounds and modify the lignocellulosic matrix. Indeed, DIC technology is a thermomechanical process based on short-time/high-temperature and pressure pretreatment. It enhances the saccharification and fermentation process (SSF) for bioethanol production. A 3-variable design of experiments optimized the DIC processing parameters to reach 100% efficiency (EE) of volatile compound extraction using response surface methodology (RSM). Eucalyptus chips presented 50 volatile identified compounds after 7 min of DIC treatment. 1,8-Cineole, β-phellandrene, aromadendrene, eudesmol, and spathulenol are the most important volatile compounds. The empty Aleppo pinecones delivered 32 volatile compounds in 5 min of DIC treatment, the most important of which were caryophyllene, nortricyclene, verbenol, and camphor. After the autovaporization extraction stage, solid fraction residues were hydrolyzed and fermented in the same stirred bioreactor, using SSF strategy for 72 h at 37 °C. The highest bioethanol yields reached 73.9% and 54.82% (g per 100 g DM) from eucalyptus chip and empty Aleppo pinecone, respectively.

PMID:36988842 | DOI:10.1007/s12010-023-04437-6