Exploring the relation between Interleukin-6 and high-sensitive cardiac troponin T in asymptomatic hemodialysis patient: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: High-sensitive cardiac troponin T (h-cTnT), which serves as a marker for myocardial damage, has also been linked to adverse outcomes in asymptomatic hemodialysis patients. This study aims to explore the correlation between interleukin-6 (IL-6) and h-cTnT in asymptomatic hemodialysis patients to unravel the relationship between inflammation and cardiovascular risk. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 81 patients was conducted from November 2022 to March 2023 at An-Najah National University Hospital in Palestine. We gathered clinical data, including comorbidities, and obtained blood samples for measuring IL-6 and h-cTnT levels. We performed statistical analyses, including correlation tests and linear regression, to assess the associations between these variables. RESULTS: The study revealed a notable increase in both h-cTnT and IL-6 levels, and a significant correlation between the two (rho = 0.463, P<0.001) in asymptomatic hemodialysis patients. Likewise, h-cTnT levels displayed positive correlations with age (rho = 0.519, P<0.001) and negative correlations with albumin (rho = -0.297, p = 0.007) and transferrin saturation (rho = -0.227, P = 0.042). IL-6 levels exhibited correlations with age (rho = 0.422, P<0.001), albumin (rho = -0.389, P<0.001), iron (rho = -0.382, P<0.001), and transferrin saturation (rho = -0.362, P = 0.001). Notably, higher h-cTnT levels were associated with diabetes, hypertension, a history of coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular accidents, older age, and male gender. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the significant association between the inflammatory marker IL-6 and h-cTnT in asymptomatic hemodialysis patients, suggesting that inflammation may play an essential role in the elevation of h-cTnT levels. This association may have implications for predicting cardiovascular events and guiding interventions to reduce cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients.

Creating the Cave: Conducting Circadian Science in Early Childhood.

In humans, physiological outputs of the body's internal clock (i.e., saliva, serum, and temperature) can be collected to quantify the timing of the circadian system. In-lab assessment of salivary melatonin in a dimly lit environment is a common approach for adolescents and adults; however, the reliable measurement of melatonin onset in toddlers and preschoolers requires a modification of laboratory methods. For > 15 years, we have successfully collected data from ~250 in-home dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) assessments of children aged 2-5 years. Although in-home studies of circadian physiology may introduce a host of challenges and may increase the risk of incomplete data (e.g., accidental light exposure), in-home studies afford more comfort (e.g., less arousal in children) and flexibility for families. Here, we provide effective tools and strategies to assess children's DLMO, a reliable marker of circadian timing, through a rigorous in-home protocol. We first describe our basic approach, including the study protocol, collection of actigraphy data, and strategies for training child participants to complete procedures. Next, we detail how to convert the home into a "cave", or dim-light environment, and present guidelines for timing the salivary data collection. Lastly, we provide helpful tips to increase participants' compliance based upon behavioral and developmental science tenets.