Heritability of the Retinal Microcirculation in Flemish Families.
Heritability of the retinal microcirculation in flemish families.
Filed under: Rehab Centers
Am J Hypertens. 2013 Mar; 26(3): 392-9
Liu YP, Kuznetsova T, Jin Y, Thijs L, Asayama K, Gu YM, Bochud M, Verhamme P, Struijker-Boudier HA, Staessen JA
BACKGROUND Few population studies have described the heritability and intrafamilial concordance of the retinal microvessels, or the genetic or environmental correlations of the phenotypes of these vessels. METHODS We randomly selected 413 participants from 70 families (mean age, 51.5 years; 50.1% women) from a Flemish population. We postprocessed retinal images using IVAN software to generate the central retinal arteriole equivalent (CRAE), central retinal venule equivalent (CRVE), and arteriole-to-venule-ratio (AVR) from these images. We used SAGE version 6.2 and SAS version 9.2 to compute multivariate-adjusted estimates of heritability and intrafamilial correlations of the CRAE, CRVE, and AVR of the retinal microvessels in the images. RESULTS Sex, age, mean arterial pressure, and smoking explained up to 12.7% of the variance of the phenotypes of the retinal microvessels of the study participants. With adjustments applied for these covariates, the heritability estimates of CRAE, CRVE, and AVR were 0.213 (P = 0.044), 0.339 (P = 0.010), and 0.272 (P = 0.004), respectively. The parent-offspring correlations for CRAE, CRVE, and AVR were 0.118 (NS), 0.225 (P < 0.01), and 0.215 (P < 0.05), respectively. The corresponding values were 0.222 (P < 0.05), 0.213 (P < 0.05), and 0.390 (P < 0.001) for sib-sib correlations, respectively. The genetic and environmental correlations between CRAE and CRVE were 0.360 and 0.545 (P < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSION Our study showed moderate heritability for CRAE, CRVE, and AVR, and a significant genetic correlation of CRAE with CRVE in the Flemish population of our study. These findings suggest that genetic factors influence the diameter of the retinal microvessels, and that CRAE and CRVE share some genetic determinants. HubMed – rehab
Central systolic augmentation indexes and urinary sodium in a white population.
Filed under: Rehab Centers
Am J Hypertens. 2013 Jan; 26(1): 95-103
Liu YP, Thijs L, Kuznetsova T, Gu YM, Asayama K, Stolarz-Skrzypek K, Jin Y, Verhamme P, Struijker-Boudier HA, Staessen JA
BACKGROUND The association between cardiovascular health and salt intake remains controversial. The objective of our study was to assess the association between arterial stiffness and urinary sodium, both cross-sectionally and prospectively. METHODS In 630 participants (mean age 40.6 years; 51% women), randomly recruited from a Flemish population, we measured sodium and creatinine in 24-hour urine samples at baseline and follow-up (median, 9.7 years) and the carotid and aortic augmentation indexes (AIs) standardized to heart rate at follow-up only. RESULTS From baseline to follow-up, the urinary sodium concentration decreased (117.1 vs. 105.2 mmol/L; P < 0.0001), whereas 24-hour urinary sodium did not change significantly (166.5 vs. 171.5 mmol/L; P = 0.12). In multivariable-adjusted longitudinal analyses, a 40 mmol/L (~1 SD) increase in the urinary sodium concentration was independently and inversely associated with the carotid AI (effect size, -1.38±0.66%; P = 0.04) and aortic AI (-1.54±0.72%; P = 0.02). In cross-sectional analyses of follow-up data, these estimates were -1.26±0.70% (P = 0.07) and -1.52±0.76% (P = 0.04), respectively. In the longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses, the carotid and aortic AIs were unrelated to the 24-hour urinary excretion of sodium. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed an inverse association between the central arterial AIs and the urinary sodium concentration. Further research is required to consolidate our findings, to unravel the underlying mechanism, and to establish the role of renal vasodilatation in the maintenance of sodium balance. HubMed – rehab
Selected gait parameters in children with obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) – a pilot study.
Filed under: Rehab Centers
Ortop Traumatol Rehabil. 2012 Nov-Dec; 14(6): 555-68
Grodner MR, Dudzi?ski K, Zdrajkowski Z, Molik A, Nosarzewska A
Introduction Brachial plexus injury is one of the most common obstetric injuries (OBPI). It results in upper limb muscle weakness of various severity. This affects the growth and function of the limb and the child’s postural development, which in turn disturbs some gait parameters in children with OBPI. The aim of the study was to evaluate gait parameters in children with OBPI with the help of a ground reaction force measuring device. Material and methods The study group consisted of 44 children with obstetric brachial plexus injury. Of this group, test results of 30 children from the Children’s Hospital in Dziekanów Le?ny and “STOCER” Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Centre for Children and Youth in Konstancin Jeziorna were analyzed. The CDG system was used to measure the vertical component of ground reaction forces in the lower limbs, comparing the side ipsilateral to the brachial plexus injury and the unaffected side in children with complete and incomplete brachial plexus damage. Results Although no statistically significant differences were found between the two sides, some of the patients demonstrated differences in the time course of ground reaction forces and duration of gait phases. Conclusions 1. The visually noticeable incorrect gait pattern was not statistically confirmed in full in an analysis of ground reaction forces in the study group. 2. A study embracing a larger group of children with OBPI and comparing them to healthy children should provide data on whether these values of ground reaction forces are abnormal. 3. Due to the visually noticeable asymmetries in the entire musculoskeletal system, exercise should not only focus on the affected upper limb, but involve the entire body, especially the spine, pelvis and gait pattern.
HubMed – rehab
The effect of Saunders traction and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the cervical spine range of motion in patients reporting neck pain – pilot study.
Filed under: Rehab Centers
Ortop Traumatol Rehabil. 2012 Nov-Dec; 14(6): 515-24
My?liwiec A, Saulicz E, Kuszewski M, Wolny T, Saulicz M, Knapik A
Introduction. It is estimated that about 80% of the general population occasionally experience spinal pain, with as many as 50% reporting pain in the cervical spine. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of treatment of cervical spine pain with the Saunders traction device and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) by assessing their impact on the cervical spine range of motion in the sagittal, coronal and horizontal planes. Material and methods. A total of 39 patients aged 26 to 62 years took part in the study. All patients reported chronic cervical spine pain caused by overload and postural insufficiency. The participants were randomly divided into three experimental groups. The first group was treated with Saunders traction where the traction force was administered so that the patient would experience noticeable but painless traction. The second group received traction as well as classic transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, whereas the third group received only TENS. Each patient attended 10 treatment sessions not more than three days apart. Measurements of the range of motion were performed with the CROM instrument before and after the first session, after the fifth and tenth session and about three weeks after completion of rehabilitation. Results. The study revealed the greatest ROM improvement in the coronal and horizontal planes and for the extension motion. Conclusions. The best therapeutic effect was obtained by combining traction with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
HubMed – rehab
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