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Objective: In 2018, the United States Preventive Services Task Force promoted shared decision making between healthcare provider and patient for men aged 55 to 69. This study aimed to analyze rates of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing across racial and ethnic groups following this new recommendation. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted of the 2020–2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System database to assess men aged 55 or older without a history of prostate cancer. We defined four race-ethnicity groups: non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs), Hispanics, and Other. The primary outcome was the most recent PSA test (MRT), defined as the respondent's most recent PSA test occurring pre-2018 or post-2018 guidelines. Logistic regression adjusted for covariates including age, socioeconomic status factors, marital status, smoking history, and healthcare access factors. Results: In the age 55 to 69 study sample, NHW men had the greatest proportion of MRT post-2018 guidelines (n = 15,864, 72.5%). NHB men had the lowest percentage of MRT post-2018 guidelines (n = 965, 66.6%). With NHW as referent, the crude odds of the MRT post-2018 guidelines was 0.68 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.53–0.90) for NHB. The maximally adjusted odds ratio was 0.78 (0.59–1.02). Conclusions: We found that NHB aged 55 to 69 reported decreased rates of PSA testing after 2018 when compared to NHW. This was demonstrated on crude analysis but not after adjustment. Such findings suggest the influence of social determinants of health on preventative screening for at-risk populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emergency physicians commonly treat patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL) with rapid ventricular response, and intravenous (IV) diltiazem is the most commonly used medication for rate control of such patients. We sought to compare rate control success and safety outcomes for emergency department (ED) patients with AF or AFL who, after a diltiazem bolus, received a diltiazem drip compared to those who did not receive a drip. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study comparing outcomes of ED patients from a single hospital system with AF and AFL and a heart rate (HR) > 100 beats/min who received a diltiazem drip after an IV diltiazem bolus to those who received no drip. The primary outcome was a HR < 100 beats/min at the time of ED disposition. Secondary outcomes were hospital length of stay and safety (hypotension, electrical cardioversion, vasopressor use, and death). We compared groups using propensity score matching. Results: Between January 1, 2020, and November 8, 2022, there were 746 AF or AFL patients eligible for analysis. Of those, 382 (51.2%) received a diltiazem drip and 364 (48.8%) did not. In the unadjusted analysis, the last recorded ED HR was <100 beats/min in 55.2% of patients in the drip group compared to 65.9% in the no‐drip group (difference 10.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.7 to 17.7). After propensity matching, diltiazem drip use was associated with lower likelihood of rate control in the ED (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.48–0.99) and 22.5 h (95% CI 12.2–36.8) longer hospital stay. Conclusions: For patients with AF or AFL, the use of a diltiazem drip after an IV diltiazem bolus was associated with less rate control in the ED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia in patients at high cardiovascular risk. COVID-19 patients with underlying cardiovascular disease are at increased risk of poor clinical outcomes. In this study, we aimed to determine hospital outcomes among patients admitted with AF and COVID-19 infection. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis using the 2020 California State Inpatient data, including all COVID-19 hospitalizations of individuals aged ≥18. Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, prolonged length of stay (above the 75th percentile), vasopressor use, mechanical ventilation, and ICU admission. We compared adverse hospital outcomes between those with and without AF and used multivariable logistic regression to adjust for confounders. Results: This analysis included 94,114 COVID-19 hospitalizations, of which 9391 (10.0%) had AF. Patients with COVID-19 and AF had higher rates of adverse outcomes, including mortality (27.2% vs. 9.6%, p <.001), prolonged length of stay (40.0% vs. 27.1%, p <.001), vasopressor use (4.4% vs. 1.9%, p <.001), mechanical ventilation (19.0% vs. 9.1%, p <.001), and ICU admission (18.4% vs. 8.8%, p <.001) After multivariable adjustment, the odds of adverse outcomes remained significantly higher, including mortality adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.04, 95% CI: 1.92–2.16), prolonged length of stay (aOR, 1.37, 95% CI: 1.31–1.44), vasopressor use (aOR, 1.98, 95% CI: 1.86–2.11), mechanical ventilation (aOR, 1.95, 95% CI: 1.72–2.20), and ICU admission (aOR, 2.01, 95% CI: 1.88–2.15). Conclusion: COVID-19 hospitalized patients frequently have underlying AF, which confers a higher risk of adverse hospital outcomes and mortality, even after adjusting for baseline comorbidities. Heightened awareness is needed in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with AF. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm disorder, especially in patients with high cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to investigate the hospital outcomes for patients admitted with both AF and COVID-19. We used data from the California State Inpatient Database for the year 2020, focusing on COVID-19 hospitalizations of adults aged 18 and older. The main outcomes studied were in-hospital death, extended hospital stays, use of vasopressor medications that raise blood pressure, need for mechanical ventilation, and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Our results showed that patients with both COVID-19 and AF had significantly worse outcomes compared to those without AF. Specifically, these patients had higher rates of death, extended hospital stays, vasopressor medication use, mechanical ventilation, and ICU admission, even after accounting for other health conditions. The study concludes that hospitalized COVID-19 patients with underlying AF are at a greater risk for severe complications and death. This highlights the need for increased attention and care for COVID-19 patients with AF to improve their hospital outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular risk is increased by a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). Efforts to understand and prevent these adverse outcomes may improve both fetal and birthing persons' outcomes in the peripartum period, and over the patient's lifetime. This study aims to assess the association of clinical, sociodemographic, and economic neighbor-hood factors with preterm birth (PTB) and APOs (the composite of stillbirth, small for gestation age, and low birthweight). Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using the electronic medical records of deliveries from seven Northwell Health hospitals between January 1, 2018 and July 31, 2020. There were 62,787 deliveries reviewed in this study. Deliveries that were not the first for the patient during the study period and multiple gestational pregnancies were excluded. Patients with incomplete data on outcome were also excluded. Main outcomes were PTB and composite APOs. Measures included history of PTB, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, race/ethnicity, age, preferred language, marital status, parity, health insurance, and median income, percent unemployment, and mean household size by zip code. Results: Of the 62,787 deliveries, 43.3% were from white, Non-Hispanic, and Non-Latino patients. There were 4,552 (7.2%) PTBs and 8,634 (13.8%) APOs. Patients enrolled in public insurance had higher odds of PTB (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% CI 1.06–1.24) and APOs (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.12–1.25). There was a statistically significant association of both PTB (p = 0.037) and APOs (p = 0.005) when comparing patients that live in a zip code with a median income over 100k to those with an income <100k. In addition, living in a zip code within the second quintile of unemployment was associated with lower odds of APOs (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.84–0.99). Conclusions: Numerous sociodemographic and clinical factors are associated with both PTB and APOs. Tailored programs addressing these disparities may improve outcomes in pregnant persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Increasingly, researchers have begun to explore pathways through which psychosocial factors might influence cardiovascular disease, with some emphasis on early markers. The current study examined the cross-sectional association between psychosocial factors and aortic pulse wave velocity (an early marker of cardiovascular disease) in a biracial cohort of older adults. We were particularly interested in determining whether the association between psychosocial factors and aortic pulse wave velocity differed for older blacks compared with whites. Methods. Participants were 2,488 (40% black and 52% female) older adults from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study. Carotid--femoral aortic pulse wave velocity was assessed using standard methodologies. Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, negative life events, and inadequate emotional support were assessed, and a summary psychosocial risk index was created. Results. In multivariable linear regression models, psychosocial risk was not associated with aortic pulse wave velocity (Estimate [Est] = .00, p = .83), but there was a significant Race x Psychosocial risk interaction (Est = .07, p = .01), after adjusting for age, race, sex, and education. Further analyses revealed that this association was driven by the inadequate emotional support component of psychosocial risk (Race x Inadequate emotional support, p = .005). In race-stratified analyses, inadequate emotional support was associated with higher levels of arterial stiffness in older blacks (Est = .05, p = .04) but not whites (Est = -.04, p =. 13). This association persisted after adjusting for demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, and social network characteristics. Conclusions. Findings suggest that older blacks may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of inadequate emotional support on vascular health. Interventions aimed at increasing social support among this population might be beneficial in reducing cardiovascular disease risk. Key Words: Psychosocial--Social support--Arterial stiffness--Cardiovascular disease--African-Americans. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glq089

Background: People/patients living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) are at an increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease due to normal disease processes, antiretroviral medication adverse effects, and age-related comorbid conditions. Preventive cardiovascular (CV) screenings such as the need for statin, low-dose aspirin, or smoking cessation counseling are not well studied in PLWH. Objectives: To investigate whether there are differences in preventive CV care offered to patients with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in 1 outpatient clinic. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 150 consecutive patients if they had at least 4 appointments in 2 years and they did not have a history and they do not have a history of CV events. A randomly selected sample of patients without HIV infection receiving primary care services in the same clinic were used as the control group and were enrolled using the same inclusion criteria. Results: More patients met statin criteria and were prescribed it in the HIV-negative arm [(70% vs. 24.67%; p < 0.0001); (89.52% vs. 54.05%; p < 0.0001)]. More patients in the HIV-negative arm met aspirin criteria and were prescribed it [(10.67% vs. 8.16%; p = 0.46); (50% vs. 33.3%; p = 0.33)]. There were more current smokers in the HIV-positive arm and a slightly greater number that received smoking cessation counseling [(38% vs. 11.33%; p < 0.0001); (82.46% vs. 76.47%; p = 0.58)]. Conclusion: Our results found that PLWH receive less preventive CV care compared to non-HIV-infected patients in the same outpatient clinic. Increased efforts are needed to ensure PLWH are receiving primary preventive CV care they need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraprocessed foods provide the majority of energy content in the American diet, yet little is known regarding consumption trends over time. We determined trends in diet processing level and diet quality from 1991 to 2008 within the prospective Framingham Offspring Cohort. Dietary intakes were collected by FFQ quadrennially 1991–2008 (total of four examinations). The analytical sample included 2893 adults with valid dietary data for ≥3 examinations (baseline mean age = 54 years). Based on the NOVA framework, we classified foods as: unprocessed/minimally processed foods; processed culinary ingredients (salt/sugar/fats/oils); and processed foods and ultraprocessed foods. We evaluated diet quality using the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Adherence Index (DGAI) 2010. Trends in consumption of foods within each processing level (servings/d) and diet quality over the four examinations were evaluated using mixed effects models with subject-specific random intercepts. Analyses were stratified by sex, BMI (<25 kg/m2, 25–29·9 kg/m2, ≥30 kg/m2) and smoking status. Over 17 years of follow-up, ultraprocessed food consumption decreased from 7·5 to 6·0 servings/d and minimally processed food consumption decreased from 11·9 to 11·3 servings/d (Ptrend < 0·001). Changes in intakes of processed foods, culinary ingredients and culinary preparations were minimal. Trends were similar by sex, BMI and smoking status. DGAI-2010 score increased from 60·1 to 61·5, P < 0·001. The current study uniquely describes trends in diet processing level in an ageing US population, highlighting the longstanding presence of ultraprocessed foods in the American diet. Given the poor nutritional quality of ultraprocessed foods, public health efforts should be designed to limit their consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Falls are among the most common adverse events reported in hospitalized patients. While there is a growing body of literature on fall prevention in the hospital, the data examining the fall rate and risk factors for falls in the immediate post-hospitalization period has not been well described. The objectives of the present study were to determine the fall rate of in-hospital fallers at home and to explore the risk factors for falls during the immediate post-hospitalization period. Methods We identified patients who sustained a fall on one of 16 medical/surgical nursing units during an inpatient admission to an urban community teaching hospital. After discharge, falls were ascertained using weekly telephone surveillance for 4 weeks post-discharge. Patients were followed until death, loss to follow up or end of study (four weeks). Time spent rehospitalized or institutionalized was censored in rate calculations. Results Of 95 hospitalized patients who fell during recruitment, 65 (68%) met inclusion criteria and agreed to participate. These subjects contributed 1498 person-days to the study (mean duration of follow-up = 23 days). Seventy-five percent were African-American and 43% were women. Sixteen patients (25%) had multiple falls during hospitalization and 23 patients (35%) suffered a fall-related injury during hospitalization. Nineteen patients (29%) experienced 38 falls at their homes, yielding a fall rate of 25.4/1,000 person-days (95% CI: 17.3-33.4). Twenty-three patients (35%) were readmitted and 3(5%) died. One patient experienced a hip fracture. In exploratory univariate analysis, persons who were likely to fall at home were those who sustained multiple falls in the hospital (p = 0.008). Conclusion Patients who fall during hospitalization, especially on more than one occasion, are at high risk for falling at home following hospital discharge. Interventions to reduce falls would be appropriate to test in this high-risk population.

Background: Ultra-processed foods provide 58% of total energy in the U.S. diet, yet their association with cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains understudied.Objectives: The authors investigated the associations between ultra-processed foods and CVD incidence and mortality in the prospective Framingham Offspring Cohort.Methods: The analytical sample included 3,003 adults free from CVD with valid dietary data at baseline. Data on diet, measured by food frequency questionnaire, anthropometric measures, and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were collected quadrennially from 1991 to 2008. Data regarding CVD incidence and mortality were available until 2014 and 2017, respectively. Ultra-processed foods were defined according to the NOVA framework. The authors used Cox proportional hazards models to determine the multivariable association between ultra-processed food intake (energy-adjusted servings per day) and incident hard CVD, hard coronary heart disease (CHD), overall CVD, and CVD mortality. Multivariable models were adjusted for age, sex, education, alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical activity.Results: During follow-up (1991 to 2014/2017), the authors identified 251, 163, and 648 cases of incident hard CVD, hard CHD, and overall CVD, respectively. On average, participants consumed 7.5 servings per day of ultra-processed foods at baseline. Each additional daily serving of ultra-processed foods was associated with a 7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03 to 1.12), 9% (95% CI: 1.04 to 1.15), 5% (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.08), and 9% (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.16) increase in the risk of hard CVD, hard CHD, overall CVD, and CVD mortality, respectively.Conclusions: The current findings support that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with increased risk of CVD incidence and mortality. Although additional research in ethnically diverse populations is warranted, these findings suggest cardiovascular benefits of limiting ultra-processed foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Although current evidence suggests that the spatial T wave axis captures important information about ventricular repolarization abnormalities, there are only a few and discordant epidemiologic studies addressing the ability of the spatial T wave axis to predict coronary heart disease (CHD) occurrence. Methods This prospective study analyzed data from 12,256 middle-aged African American and white men and women, from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC). Following a standardized protocol, resting standard 12-lead, 10-second electrocardiograms were digitized and analyzed with the Marquette GE program. The median follow-up time was 12.1 years; incident coronary heart disease comprised fatal and non-fatal CHD events. Results The incidence rate of CHD was 4.26, 4.18, 4.28 and 5.62 per 1000 person-years respectively, across the spatial T wave axis quartiles. Among women for every 10 degrees increase in the spatial T wave axis deviation, there was an estimated increase in the risk of CHD of 1.16 (95% CI 1.04–1.28). After adjustment for age, height, weight, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, QRS axis and minor T wave abnormalities, this hazard rate ratio for women fell to 1.03 (0.92–1.14). The corresponding crude and adjusted hazard ratios for men were 1.05 (95% CI 0.96–1.15) and 0.95 (0.86–1.04) respectively. Conclusions In conclusion, this prospective, population-based, bi-ethnic study of men and women free of coronary heart disease at baseline shows that spatial T wave axis deviation is not associated with incident coronary events during long-term follow up. It is doubtful that spatial T wave axis deviation would add benefit in the prediction of CHD events above and beyond the current traditional risk factors.

Background: While progress in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been noted over the past several decades, there are still those who develop CVD earlier in life than others. Objective: We investigated traditional and lifestyle CVD risk factors in young to middle-aged patients compared to older ones with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with a new diagnosis of obstructive CAD undergoing coronary intervention was performed. Young to middle-aged patients were defined as those in the youngest quartile (n = 281, mean age 50 ± 6 years, 81% male) compared to the other three older quartiles combined (n = 799, mean age 69 ± 7.5 years, 71% male). Obstructive CAD was determined by angiography. Results: Young to middle-aged patients compared to older ones were more likely to be male (p < 0.01), smokers (21 vs. 9%, p < 0.001), and have a higher body mass index (31 ± 6 vs. 29 ± 6 kg/m2, p < 0.001). Younger patients were less likely to eat fruits, vegetables, and fish and had fewer controlled CVD risk factors (2.7 ± 1.2 vs. 3.0 ± 1.0, p < 0.001). Compared to older patients, higher levels of psychological stress (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.4), financial stress (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3–2.5), and low functional capacity (aOR 3.3, 95% CI 2.4–4.5) were noted in the young to middle-aged population as well. Conclusion: Lifestyle in addition to traditional CVD risk factors should be taken into account when evaluating risk for development of CVD in a younger population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Obesity and hypertension often coexist and represent risk factors for atrial fibrillation. This study hypothesized that their single and joint effects on atrial remodeling would be reflected in the PR interval and P-wave durations on electrocardiogram (ECG).Methods: This cross-sectional analysis of a community-based study included 11,308 men and women age 45-64. Atrial indices were obtained from digital standard 12-lead resting ECG. Analyses were adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.Results: Both ECG indices displayed a progressive increase across anthropometric indices. Each 5-unit increment in body mass index (BMI) increased P-wave duration by 1.9 ms (95% CI 1.5-2.2) and PR interval by 2.4 ms (95% CI 1.9-3.0), with similar trends for central obesity, even among those without obesity by BMI. Both ECG indices displayed graded increases across levels of blood pressure control, including prehypertension. A joint effect of overweight and hypertension on both ECG indices was detected. P-wave duration or PR interval among people with obesity was not additionally increased by hypertension.Conclusions: P-wave indices increase in general and central obesity. Hypertension exerts an incremental effect in people with overweight but not in people with obesity. The study furthered the understanding of atrial remodeling in the setting of major atrial fibrillation risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

R3755 --> 562.13 --> Background: Several cardiac repolarization indices have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and arrhythmia risk, but little is known about their relation to adiposity in apparently healthy individuals. Study objective: To compare prevalence of T‐wave inversion (TWI) and QT interval duration across levels of adiposity and metabolic health. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that repolarization indices are associated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) and metabolic syndrome. Methods: Cross‐sectional data of 10531 CVD‐free participants, age 45‐64 years. TWI was considered relevant if present in leads other than V1‐V3, on a standard 12‐lead resting ECG read by study cardiologists. QT intervals were digitally obtained by automated ECG software and were corrected for frequency (QTc, Bazett formula). Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. We defined metabolically healthy/unhealthy normal weight (MHNW/MUHNW), metabolically healthy/unhealthy overweight (MHOW/MUHOW) and metabolically healthy/unhealthy obesity (MHO/MUO). We used logistic regression and general linear models to adjust for traditional cardiovascular risk factors and beta blockers medication. Results: In the overall study population (mean age [SD] 55.2 [5.3] years, 66.4% women), TWI prevalence was 2.59% and ranged from 1.4%, 2.5% to 3.9% in those with normal BMI, overweight and obesity, respectively. There was linear relation between TWI prevalence and BMI decile (p for trend <0.001). Overweight and/or obesity were associated with a 1.47 (95% CI 1.02‐2.12) and 2.09 (95% CI 1.41‐3.08) higher odds of TWI respectively, after multivariable adjustment including left ventricular hypertrophy (Cornell criteria). TWI prevalence was higher for sex‐specific increased vs. normal WHR (3.16% vs. 1.78%) and WC (3.67% vs 1.90%) respectively; these increases persisted after multivariable adjustment. TWI prevalence increased from 2.12% to 3.64% in the presence of metabolic syndrome, but not statistically significant after accounting for BMI. Compared to MHNW, higher adjusted odds (OR, 95%CI) for TWI were observed for those with MHOW (1.52, 1.03‐2.24), MUHOW (1.72, 1.08‐2.77), MHO (1.98, 1.24‐3.16) and MUHO (2.78, 1.87‐4.14). QTc increased from 423.31 to 425.97 ms in the presence of sex‐specific increased WC (delta 2.67 ms, 95% CI 0.82‐4.52), but there were no statistically significant associations with BMI or metabolic syndrome after multivariable adjustments. Conclusion: TWI prevalence showed a gradient with BMI and was associated with regional adiposity. Even traditionally considered metabolically healthy overweight/obesity were associated with increased TWI prevalence suggesting early repolarization abnormalities with weight gain. Potential implications: health promotion efforts in conjunction with a simple routine ECG may aid identification of individuals requiring targeted aggressive prevention interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although current evidence suggests that the spatial T wave axis captures important information about ventricular repolarization abnormalities, there are only a few and discordant epidemiologic studies addressing the ability of the spatial T wave axis to predict coronary heart disease (CHD) occurrence. Methods: This prospective study analyzed data from 12,256 middle-aged African American and white men and women, from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC). Following a standardized protocol, resting standard 12-lead, 10-second electrocardiograms were digitized and analyzed with the Marquette GE program. The median follow-up time was 12.1 years; incident coronary heart disease comprised fatal and non-fatal CHD events. Results: The incidence rate of CHD was 4.26, 4.18, 4.28 and 5.62 per 1000 person-years respectively, across the spatial T wave axis quartiles. Among women for every 10 degrees increase in the spatial T wave axis deviation, there was an estimated increase in the risk of CHD of 1.16 (95% CI 1.04-1.28). After adjustment for age, height, weight, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, QRS axis and minor T wave abnormalities, this hazard rate ratio for women fell to 1.03 (0.92-1.14). The corresponding crude and adjusted hazard ratios for men were 1.05 (95% CI 0.96-1.15) and 0.95 (0.86-1.04) respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, this prospective, population-based, bi-ethnic study of men and women free of coronary heart disease at baseline shows that spatial T wave axis deviation is not associated with incident coronary events during long-term follow up. It is doubtful that spatial T wave axis deviation would add benefit in the prediction of CHD events above and beyond the current traditional risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To assess the correlation between magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings and angiogenetic activity in hepatocellular nodules evaluated by immunohistochemical staining with antibody of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Materials and Methods We searched the pathologic records of our institution from December 1999 to April 2002, and included 16 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma ( N = 14), large regenerative nodule ( N = 1), and dysplastic nodule ( N = 1) who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (10 patients) or partial hepatectomy (six patients) and MR imaging within an interval of two weeks. The MR images were retrospectively assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. Angiogenetic activity of the hepatic nodules was evaluated by means of immunohistochemical study for VEGF. Analysis of variance and the Scheffé criterion were used for statistical evaluation. Results Hepatic nodules with moderate to strong immunoreactivity for VEGF showed higher signal intensity on T1-weighted images ( P < 0.05) and those with intense immunoreactivity for VEGF showed higher signal intensity on T2-weighted images ( P < 0.05). No correlation was found between the immunoreactivity for VEGF and tumor vascularity on postcontrast early- and late-phase images. Conclusion Our current results suggest that signal intensity on unenhanced T1- and T2-weighted MR images may correlate with immunoreactivity for VEGF. Correlation was not found between immunoreactivity for VEGF and signal intensity on gadolinium-enhanced MR images. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:426-434. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Short- and long sleep durations have emerged as potential cardiovascular risk factors. Yet, the relation with metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) remains uncertain due to potential residual confounding by depression and comorbidities. Purpose: To test whether compared to adequate-sleepers, short and/or long- sleepers have higher prevalence of MetSyn, independent of current depression or past psychiatric illnesses. Methods: Cross-sectional data of 12754 participants, age 45 to 64 years, in an ongoing cohort study, with structured questionnaires and fasting blood samples. We categorized self-reported sleep duration as short (le 5 h), adequate (6-8 h) or long (ge9 h). Metabolic syndrome was defined based on AHA/NHLBI's criteria. Depression symptoms were ascertained with a culturally-adapted, 7-item Patient Health Questionnaire. We estimated multivariable-adjusted prevalence ratios using Poisson regression models with robust standard error estimates. Results: Compared to adequate sleepers, both short- and long -sleepers were less likely to be men, to drink alcohol, and be current smokers but more likely to have history of cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. Among short-, adequate and long-sleepers the prevalence of self-reported past psychiatric diseases was 2.28%, 1.59% and 8.50% respectively (p =0.0001) and the prevalence of current antidepressant use was 5.09%, 2.52% and 10.26% respectively (p=<0.0001). Similarly, the prevalence of 5 or more depressive symptoms was 39.36%, 22.09% and 26.98% respectively (p =0.0001). The prevalence of MetSyn among short-, adequate and long-sleepers was 45.38%, 38.12% and 49.56% respectively (p =0.0001). Compared to adequate sleepers, the prevalence of MetSyn remained higher among short-sleepers (PR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01-1.19) and among long-sleepers (PR 1.15, 95%CI 1.02-1.30), after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, alcohol, coffee intake, physical activity, education, non-cardiovascular chronic diseases, past psychiatric diseases, current depression symptoms and current antidepressant drugs use. Difficulties with sleep initiation were not associated with MetSyn. In a subgroup analysis restricted to those with BMI 25-29.9 kg/m², compared to adequate sleepers, the prevalence of MetSyn remained higher among short-sleepers (PR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02-1.32) and among long-sleepers (PR 1.29, 95%CI 1.04-1.60) after multivariable adjustment. Conclusion: Both short and long sleep duration are associated with the presence of MetSyn, independent of past psychiatric conditions or current depression symptoms or treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Obesity has been linked to increased risk of sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmia. Whether the metabolically healthy obese phenotype is a benign condition, is debatable and few studies examined its ventricular repolarization profile. Purpose: To examine the association of metabolically healthy/unhealthy obesity phenotypes with prolonged corrected QT (QTc) interval in a large population-based study. Methods: Cross-sectional data from an ongoing cohort study in Poland. Data was collected using a standardized protocol. The QT intervals were obtained from digital standard 12-lead resting ECG and were corrected for heart rate by Bazett's formula. Plasma lipids and glucose were measured in a fasting state. After excluding drugs known to affect the QT interval (antiarrhythmics, digoxin, antipsychotics), the analytic sample size was 11068 participants, ages 45 to 64 years. Based on the presence of obesity (BMI ge 30 kg/m²) and metabolic syndrome (per the AHA/NHLBI harmonized definition), we defined four phenotypes: metabolically healthy non-obese (MHNO), metabolically unhealthy nonobese (MUNO), metabolically healthy obese (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used for analyses. Results: The prevalence of the 4 phenotypes was: MHNO: 51.34%, MUNO: 18.07%, MHO: 10.07%, MUO: 20.52%. The prevalence of an increased QTc interval (greater than >430ms in men/450ms in women) was 14.28%, and the prevalence of a highly prolonged QTc interval (greater than 450ms in men/470ms in women) was 5.2%. The age- and sex-adjusted mean QTc across the 4 phenotypes was: MHNO: 417.05ms (416.39-417.71; MUNO: 418.82 ms (417.71-419.92); MHO: 420.46 ms (418.99 -421.93); MUO: 422.45 ms (421.41-423.49). The age- and sex adjusted odds (OR, 95% CI) of an increased QTc interval (greater than 430/450ms in men/women) were increased in MUNO (1.11, 0.96-1.29), MHO (1.44, 1.20-1.72) and MUO (1.47, 1.28-1.69), compared to MHNO phenotype. These estimates were minimally attenuated after additional adjustment for prevalent CVD, LVH on ECG, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity and education: MUNO (1.10, 0.94-1.28), MHO (1.45, 1.21-1.73) and MUO (1.44, 1.26-1.66). We did not detect effect modification by sex. We obtained similar results in subgroup analyses restricted to those without diabetes and after excluding those with third degree atrioventricular blocks or conduction abnormalities with QRS>120ms. Conclusion: Both metabolically healthy- and non-healthy obese phenotypes had a higher likelihood of an increased/borderline QTc interval compared to the MHNO phenotype. Our study furthered our understanding of ventricular repolarization as reflected in the QTc interval, in the setting of different obesity phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the subphases of early post-contrast enhancement of the liver, using vessel enhancement patterns, and correlate these findings with enhancement patterns of abdominal organs. Materials and Methods: A total of 114 patients who underwent gadolinium-enhanced abdominal magnetic resonance imaging examinations constituted the final study group, of which 56 were women (age range, 3–94 years; mean, 50 years) and 58 were men (age range, 6–85 years; mean, 54 years). Early post-contrast sequences in all patients were evaluated retrospectively by two reviewers for the determination of the presence of contrast enhancement in predetermined major vessels of the abdomen and qualitative and quantitative extent of enhancement of the renal cortex, spleen, pancreas and liver. Based on the overall findings, subphases of early contrast enhancement of the liver were described and quantitative extent of enhancement of organs was correlated with subphases of early contrast enhancement of the liver. Mann–Whitney U test and one-way unbalanced analysis of variance tests were used for the comparisons. Results: Early hepatic arterial phase was observed in 14/114 patients, mid-hepatic arterial phase in 23/114 patients, late hepatic arterial phase in 33/114 patients, splenic vein only hepatic arterial dominant phase in 20/114 patients and hepatic arterial dominant phase in 24/114 patients. There was an overall association between the subphases of enhancement and the quantitative extent of enhancement for all studied organs (P<.0001). Conclusion: The evaluation of vessel and organ enhancement patterns has allowed the characterization of five different subphases in early post-contrast enhancement of the liver. The quantitative extent of enhancement of abdominal organs also demonstrated significant correlation with these five subphases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]