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Background: Hypertension-related increased arterial stiffness predicts development of target organ damage (TOD) and cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that blood pressure (BP)-related increased arterial stiffness is present in youth with elevated BP and is associated with TOD.Methods: Participants were stratified by systolic BP into low- (systolic BP <75th percentile, n=155), mid- (systolic BP ≥80th and <90th percentile, n=88), and high-risk BP categories (≥90th percentile, n=139), based on age-, sex- and height-specific pediatric BP cut points. Clinic BP, 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring, anthropometrics, and laboratory data were obtained. Arterial stiffness measures included carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and aortic stiffness. Left ventricular mass index, left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, and urine albumin/creatinine were collected. ANOVA with Bonferroni correction was used to evaluate differences in cardiovascular risk factors, pulse wave velocity, and cardiac function across groups. General linear models were used to examine factors associated with arterial stiffness and to determine whether arterial stiffness is associated with TOD after accounting for BP.Results: Pulse wave velocity increased across groups. Aortic distensibility, distensibility coefficient, and compliance were greater in low than in the mid or high group. Significant determinants of arterial stiffness were sex, age, adiposity, BP, and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Pulse wave velocity and aortic compliance were significantly associated with TOD (systolic and diastolic cardiac function and urine albumin/creatinine ratio) after controlling for BP.Conclusions: Higher arterial stiffness is associated with elevated BP and TOD in youth emphasizing the need for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mendelian randomization (MR) is often used to estimate effects of time-varying exposures on health outcomes using observational data. However, MR studies typically use a single measurement of exposure and apply conventional instrumental variable (IV) methods designed to handle time-fixed exposures. As such, MR effect estimates for time-varying exposures are often biased, and interpretations are unclear. We describe the instrumental conditions required for IV estimation with a time-varying exposure, and the additional conditions required to causally interpret MR estimates as a point effect, a period effect or a lifetime effect depending on whether researchers have measurements at a single or multiple time points. We propose methods to incorporate time-varying exposures in MR analyses based on g-estimation of structural mean models, and demonstrate its application by estimating the period effect of alcohol intake, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol on intermediate coronary heart disease outcomes using data from the Framingham Heart Study. We use this data example to highlight the challenges of interpreting MR estimates as causal effects, and describe other extensions of structural mean models for more complex data scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Figure: see text]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statin use is associated with lower aldosterone levels. We hypothesized that caveolin-1 may be important for the uptake of statins into the adrenal gland and would affect statin's aldosterone-lowering effects. The aim of this study was to test whether the caveolin-1 risk allele (rs926198) would affect aldosterone levels associated with statin use. The Hypertensive Pathotype database includes healthy and hypertensive individuals who have undergone assessment of adrenal hormones. Individuals were studied off antihypertensive medications but were maintained on statins if prescribed by their personal physician. Adrenal hormones were measured at baseline and after 1 hour of angiotensin II stimulation on both high- and low-sodium diets. A mixed-model repeated-measures analysis was employed with a priori selected covariates of age, sex, body mass index, and protocol (low versus high sodium, baseline versus angiotensin II stimulated aldosterone). A total of 250 individuals were included in the study; 31 individuals were taking statins (12.4%) and 219 were not. Among statin users, carrying a caveolin-1 risk allele resulted in a 25% (95% CI, 1-43.2) lower aldosterone level (P=0.04). However, among nonstatin users, carrying a caveolin-1 risk allele resulted in no significant effect on aldosterone levels (P=0.38). Additionally, the interaction between caveolin-1 risk allele and statin use on aldosterone levels was significant (P=0.03). These findings suggest caveolin-1 risk allele carrying individuals are likely to receive the most benefit from statin's aldosterone-lowering properties; however, due to the observational nature of this study, these findings need further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is associated with cardiovascular events in adults. Subclinical changes to left ventricular strain and diastolic function have been found before development of decreased left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiovascular events. Our objective was to study effects of blood pressure (BP) on ventricular function in youth across the BP spectrum. Vital signs and labs were obtained in 346 participants aged 11 to 19 years who had BP categorized as low-risk (N=144; systolic BP <75th percentile), mid-risk (N=83; systolic BP ≥80th and <90th percentile), and high-risk (N=119; systolic BP ≥90th percentile). Echocardiography was performed to assess left ventricular strain and diastolic function. Differences between groups were analyzed by ANOVA. General linear models were constructed to determine independent predictors of systolic and diastolic function. Mid-risk and high-risk participants had greater adiposity and more adverse metabolic labs (lower HDL [high-density lipoprotein], higher glucose, and higher insulin) than the low-risk group. Mid-risk and high-risk participants had significantly lower left ventricular ejection fraction and peak global longitudinal strain than the low-risk group (both P≤0.05). The E/e' ratio was higher in the high-risk group versus the low-risk and mid-risk groups, and the e'/a' ratio was lower in the high-risk versus the low-risk group (both P≤0.05). BP and adiposity were statistically significant determinants of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. Subclinical changes in left ventricular systolic and diastolic function can be detected even at BP levels below the hypertensive range as currently defined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a risk factor for cardiovascular events. Since cardiovascular events in youth are rare, hypertension has historically been defined by the 95th percentile of the normal blood pressure (BP) distribution in healthy children. The optimal BP percentile associated with LVH in youth is unknown. We aimed to determine the association of systolic BP (SBP) percentile, independent of obesity, on left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and to estimate which SBP percentile best predicts LVH in youth. We evaluated SBP, anthropometrics, and echocardiogram in 303 adolescents (mean age 15.6 years, 63% white, 55% male) classified by SBP as low-risk (L=141, <80th percentile), mid-risk (M=71, 80-<90th percentile), or high-risk (H=91, ≥90th percentile) using the mean of 6 measurements at 2 visits according to the 2017 guidelines. Logistic regression was used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of various SBP percentiles associated with LVH. Results: BP groups did not differ by age or demographics but differed slightly by body mass index. Mean BP, LVMI, and prevalence of LVH increased across groups (BP: L=111/75, M=125/82, and H=133/92 mm Hg; LVMI: L=31.2, M=34.2, and H=34.9 g/m2.7; LVH: L=13%, M=21%, H=27%, all P<0.03). SBP percentile remained a significant determinant of LVMI after adjusting for covariates. The 90th percentile for SBP resulted in the best balance between sensitivity and specificity for predicting LVH (LVMI≥38.6 g/m2.7). Abnormalities in cardiac structure in youth can be found at BP levels below those used to define hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring provides a more precise measure of BP status than clinic BP and is currently recommended in the evaluation of high BP in children and adolescents. However, ambulatory BP monitoring may not always be available. Our aim was to determine the clinic BP percentile most likely to predict ambulatory hypertension. We evaluated clinic and ambulatory BP in 247 adolescents (median age, 15.7 years; 63% white; 54% male). Clinic BP percentile (based on the fourth report and the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics clinical practice guidelines) and ambulatory BP status (normal versus hypertension) were determined by age-, sex-, and height-specific cut points. Sensitivity and specificity of different clinic BP percentiles and cutoffs to predict ambulatory hypertension were calculated. Forty (16%) and 67 (27%) patients had systolic hypertension based on the fourth report and the 2017 guidelines, respectively, whereas 38 (15%) had wake ambulatory systolic hypertension. The prevalence of ambulatory wake systolic hypertension increased across clinic systolic BP percentiles, from 3% when clinic systolic BP was <50th percentile to 41% when ≥95th percentile. The 2017 guidelines' 85th systolic percentile had similar sensitivity (86.8%) and better specificity (57.4% versus 48.1%) than elevated BP (≥90th percentile or ≥120 mm Hg) to diagnose ambulatory hypertension. When evaluating adolescents for hypertension, 2017 guidelines' clinic systolic 85th percentile may be the optimal threshold at which to perform ambulatory BP monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although hypertension is identifiable in children and adolescents, there are many knowledge gaps on how to best define and manage high blood pressure in the young. SHIP-AHOY (Study of High Blood Pressure in Pediatrics: Adult Hypertension Onset in Youth) is being conducted to address these knowledge gaps. Five hundred adolescents will be recruited and will undergo ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, echocardiographic, vascular, and cognitive assessments, as well as epigenetic studies to identify mechanisms that underlie the development of hypertensive target organ damage. Details of the design and methods that will be utilized in SHIP-AHOY are presented here, as well as baseline characteristics of the first 264 study participants. The primary aim of the study is to develop a risk-based definition of hypertension in the young that will result in better understanding of the transition from blood pressure in youth to adult cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Assess the effectiveness of selected yoga postures in raising bone mineral density (BMD). Methods: Ten-year study of 741 Internet-recruited volunteers comparing preyoga BMD changes with postyoga BMD changes. Outcome Measures: Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometric scans. Optional radiographs of hips and spine and bone quality study (7 Tesla). Results: Bone mineral density improved in spine, hips, and femur of the 227 moderately and fully compliant patients. Monthly gain in BMD was significant in spine (0.0029 g/cm², P = .005) and femur (0.00022 g/cm², P = .053), but in 1 cohort, although mean gain in hip BMD was 50%, large individual differences raised the confidence interval and the gain was not significant for total hip (0.000357 g/cm²). No yoga-related serious injuries were imaged or reported. Bone quality appeared qualitatively improved in yoga practitioners. Conclusion: Yoga appears to raise BMD in the spine and the femur safely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The obesity epidemic in children makes it plausible that prevalence rates of elevated blood pressure (BP) are increasing over time. Yet, previous literature is inconsistent because of small sample sizes. Also, it is unclear whether adjusting for risk factors can explain longitudinal trends in prevalence of elevated BP. Thus, we analyzed a population-based sample of 3248 children in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III (1988-1994) and 8388 children in continuous NHANES (1999-2008), aged 8 to 17 years. Our main outcome measure was elevated BP (systolic BP or diastolic BP ≥ 90th percentile or systolic BP/diastolic BP ≥ 120/80 mm Hg). We found that the prevalence of elevated BP increased from NHANES III to NHANES 1999-2008 (Boys: 15.8% to 19.2%, P=0.057; Girls: 8.2% to 12.6%, P=0.007). Body mass index (Q4 versus Q1; odds ratio=2.00; P<0.001), waist circumference (Q4 versus Q1; odds ratio=2.14; P<0.001), and sodium (Na) intake (≥ 3450 mg versus <2300 mg/2000 calories; odds ratio=1.36; P=0.024) were independently associated with prevalence of elevated BP. Also, mean systolic BP, but not diastolic BP, was associated with increased Na intake in children (quintile 5 [Q5] versus quintile 1 [Q1] of Na intake; β=1.25 ± 0.58; P=0.034). In conclusion, we demonstrate an association between high Na intake and elevated BP in children. After adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, waist circumference, and sodium intake, odds ratio for elevated BP in NHANES 1999-2008 versus NHANES III=1.27, P=0.069. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adherence to a Mediterranean diet may help prevent cognitive decline in older age, but studies are limited. We examined the association of adherence to the Mediterranean diet with cognitive function and decline.Methods: We included 6174 participants, aged 65+ years, from the cognitive substudy of the Women's Health Study. Women provided dietary information in 1998 and completed a cognitive battery 5 years later, followed by two assessments at 2-year intervals. The primary outcomes were composite scores of global cognition and verbal memory. The alternate Mediterranean diet adherence nine-point score was constructed based on intakes of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, fish, red and processed meats, moderate alcohol, and the ratio of monounsaturated-to-saturated fats.Results: After multivariable adjustment, the alternate Mediterranean diet score was not associated with trajectories of repeated cognitive scores (P for score quintiles medians-x-time interaction = 0.26 for global cognition and 0.40 for verbal memory), nor with overall global cognition and verbal memory at older ages, assessed by averaging the three cognitive measures (P trend = 0.63 and 0.44, respectively). Among alternate Mediterranean diet components, a higher monounsaturated-to-saturated fats ratio was associated with more favorable cognitive trajectories (P for ratio quintiles medians-x-time = 0.03 for global cognition and 0.05 for verbal memory). Greater whole grain intake was not associated with cognitive trajectories but was related to better averaged global cognition (P trend = 0.02).Conclusions: In this large study of older women, we observed no association of the Mediterranean diet with cognitive decline. Relations between individual Mediterranean diet components, particularly whole grains, and cognitive function merit further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the efficacy of yoga-based maneuver in the treatment of rotator cuff syndrome. It says that the participants of the study underwent a triangular forearm support (TFS)-associated single partial weight-bearing maneuver, which was repetitively done in physical therapy sessions. Study reveals that TFS and physical therapy contributes in the improvement of patient's flexion and abduction, and on the reduction of pain for rotator cuff syndrome' patients.

Large differences in blood pressure (BP) by ethnic group are apparent among adults. There is uncertainty as to whether similar differences by ethnic group exist among children and, if so, the age of onset. BP measurements were obtained from 58 698 children at 78 556 visits using Pediatric Task Force data, a collection of 11 studies with BP data from children and adolescents age 1 to 17 years. Generalized estimating equation methods were used to identify sex-specific differences in body mass index (BMI)-adjusted rates of BP elevation and prehypertension by ethnic group. Significant BMI-adjusted differences in rates of BP elevation were found between Hispanic boys versus white boys (odds ratio: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.37; P=0.002). No overall significant differences were found between black boys versus white boys (odds ratio: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.12; P=0.49); however, there was significant effect modification (P=0.01) with significant differences found for normal-weight boys (BMI: <85th percentile; OR black versus white: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.27; P=0.01) but not for overweight boys (BMI: > or =85th percentile; OR black versus white: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.05; P=0.20). No overall ethnic group differences in BMI-adjusted rates of hypertension were found for girls. Ethnic differences in prevalence rates of pediatric BP elevation that are not explained by obesity are present, primarily in boys. Whether these differences are attributable to genetic or environmental factors is unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many studies have examined whether caffeine, alcohol, or specific beverages containing these substances affect fertility in women. However, most of these studies have retrospectively collected information on alcohol and caffeine intake, making the results susceptible to biases.Methods: We followed 18,555 married women without a history of infertility for 8 years as they attempted to become (or became) pregnant. Diet was measured twice during this period and prospectively related to the incidence of ovulatory disorder infertility.Results: There were 438 incident report of ovulatory disorder infertility during follow-up. Intakes of alcohol and caffeine were unrelated to the risk of ovulatory disorder infertility. Comparing the highest to lowest categories of intake, the multivariate-adjusted relative risk, was 1.11 (95% confidence interval = 0.76-1.64; P for trend 0.78) for alcohol and 0.86 (0.61-1.20; 0.44) for total caffeine. However, intake of caffeinated soft drinks was positively related to ovulatory disorder infertility. Comparing the highest to lowest categories of caffeinated soft drink consumption, the RR was 1.47 (1.09-1.98; 0.01). Similar associations were observed for noncaffeinated, sugared, diet, and total soft drinks.Conclusions: Our findings do not support the hypothesis that alcohol and caffeine impair ovulation to the point of decreasing fertility. The association between soft drinks and ovulatory disorder infertility seems not to be attributable to their caffeine or sugar content, and deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Smoking during pregnancy has been associated with asthma, obesity, and decreased cognitive functioning in the offspring. To study the role of in utero smoking exposure in offsprings' adult health outcomes, it may be necessary to rely upon reports by the offspring themselves.Methods: We studied 34,949 mother-daughter pairs participating in the Nurses' Health Study II for whom data on the daughter's early passive cigarette smoke exposure had been obtained from both mother and daughter. We calculated sensitivity and specificity of daughter's early exposure to smoke (using mother's report as the gold standard), as well as kappa statistics. Mother and daughter reports were also analyzed as risk factors for asthma and birthweight to demonstrate face validity.Results: Sensitivity of daughters' reported prenatal exposure ranged from 74% to 85%, while specificity was between 90% and 95% (kappa = 0.72-0.81). Daughter's reported childhood exposure as a proxy for mother's report of smoking during pregnancy had a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 88%. Results were similar for daughter's report of father's smoking during her childhood. Maternal smoking during pregnancy is consistently associated with reductions in offspring birthweight, and with asthma risk in offspring. The daughter's risk of being very low (<1500 g) or low birthweight (<2500 g) or of having asthma were similar when exposure was defined according to mother's report, daughter's report of fetal smoke exposure, and daughter's report of mother's smoking during childhood.Conclusions: Daughter's report of mother's smoking prenatally and in childhood are good proxy measures for mother's own report of smoking during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pike has proposed "protected time" as one summary method for modeling reproductive risk factors in relation to ovarian cancer incidence. We evaluate this and other approaches to summarizing risk for ovarian cancer.Methods: We identified 472 incident cases of ovarian cancer during 2,298,068 person-years of follow-up of 24- to 55-year-old premenopausal women at cohort inception. Reproductive exposures, use of oral contraceptives, and history of tubal ligation were evaluated.Results: Age at menopause is directly related to cumulative risk of ovarian cancer up to age 70 years (age 55 vs. age 45, risk increase = 62%; 95% confidence interval = 36 to 96%) and age at menarche is inversely related to risk (age 15 vs. 11, risk reduction = 31%; 27-34%). Use of oral contraceptives for 5 years before age 30 decreases risk of ovarian cancer to age 70 by 37% (32 to 41%). Tubal ligation reduces risk up to age 70 by 21% (-2 to 38%). Parity reduces risk, independent of age at first birth and age at last birth. A model summarizing years of ovulation offers a fit comparable to a more complex modeling of reproductive variables. The model fit is good, with a concordance statistic of 0.60 (0.57 to 0.62) indicating reasonable ability to differentiate those who will develop ovarian cancer from those who will remain disease free.Conclusion: This model may be applied in the identification of women at high risk for ovarian cancer, for example, in selecting candidates for prevention trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Numerous studies have reported associations between the type of feeding during infancy and subsequent cardiovascular risk factors. Only 2 studies have evaluated the relation between having been breastfed and the risk of adult cardiovascular events.Methods: We examined this association among 87,252 female participants of the longitudinal Nurses' Health Study. Participants (all born between 1921 and 1946) reported in 1992 whether and for how long they were breastfed. During 8 years of follow up, there were 1099 cases of coronary heart disease and 940 strokes among women who knew whether they had been breastfed. We used proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios for cardiovascular events, adjusting for changing adult risk factors.Results: Compared with women who were never breastfed, women who were breastfed had hazard ratios of 0.92 (95% confidence interval = 0.80-1.05) for coronary heart disease and 0.91 (0.79-1.06) for stroke, after adjustment for age, birthweight, and smoking. When body mass index was also included in the model, the results were similar. Looking within subgroups of stroke, hazard ratios were 0.86 (0.70-1.07) for ischemic stroke and 1.01 (0.70-1.46) for hemorrhagic stroke. Comparing women who were breastfed at least 9 months with those who were not breastfed, the hazard ratios were 0.84 (0.69-1.03) for coronary heart disease and 1.00 (0.81-1.23) for stroke. Breastfeeding history was not associated with high blood pressure in adulthood.Conclusions: These data suggest, but cannot establish, that breastfeeding in infancy may be associated with a small reduction in risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease in adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]