Significant differences in parameters of glucose metabolism in children of hypertensive and normotensive parents.

INTRODUCTION: In the recent years, alterations in the carbohydrate metabolism, including insulin resistance, are considered as risk factors in the development of hypertension and its complications in young age. Hypertension is associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The onset of pathology responsible for the development of hypertension, as well as levels of biomarkers specific for early stages of atherosclerosis are poorly understood. AIM: To compare a group of children whose parents have a history of hypertension (study group) with a group of children with normotensive parents (reference group), with consideration of typical risk factors for atherosclerosis, parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, anthropometric data and new biomarkers of early cardiovascular disease (hsCRP, adiponectin, sICAM-1). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population consists of 84 children. Of these, 40 children (mean age 13.6±2.7 years) had a parental history of hypertension, and 44 aged 13.1±3.7 yrs were children of normotensive parents. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and measurements of blood pressure, lipid profile, glucose and insulin levels were carried out. The insulin resistance index (HOMA IR) was calculated. Levels of hsCRP, soluble cell adhesion molecules (sICAM) and adiponectin were measured. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in anthropometric parameters (body mass, SDS BMI, skin folds) between groups. Values of systolic blood pressure were statistically significantly higher in the study group (Me 108 vs. 100 mmHg, p= 0.031), as were glycaemia (Me 80 vs. 67 mg/dl p<0.001) and insulinaemia levels (Me 8.89 vs. 5.34 µIU/ml, p=0.024). Higher, statistically significant values of HOMA IR were found in the study group (children of hypertensive parents) (Me 1.68 vs. 0.80 mmol/l × mU/l, p=0.007). Lower adiponectin levels (Me 13959.45 vs. 16822 ng/ml, p=0.020) were found in children with a family history of hypertension. No significant differences were found in the levels of sICAM, hsCRP, and parameters of lipid metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: Family history of hypertension is correlated with higher values of systolic blood pressure and higher values of parameters for carbohydrate metabolism in children. Hypertension in parents is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in their children.

Pedometer assessed physical activity of people with metabolic syndrome in Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Metabolic syndrome is a contemporary disease of civilization, an effect of lack of healthy behaviour, a consequence of lifestyle devoid of physical activity, eating poor quality food rich in calories and excessive stress. Apart from a proper diet, physical activity remains an important part of metabolic syndrome management. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the work was to evaluate the physical activity of an adult population of patients with metabolic syndrome. materials and method. Adults aged 35-70 fulfilling the criteria of metabolic syndrome according to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) were included. New Lifestyles NL-2000 pedometers were used to assess locomotive physical activity during an entire week. RESULTS: In the group of 100 subjects, as many as 61 people (61%) represented low or sedentary activity, while nearly one fourth of the respondents - 23 (32%) represented the negligible activity type. Average weekly physical activity of those in the study was 6,743 steps/day (in 100 individuals) and ranged from 1,781-15,169. A great diversity was found in the study group, since the highest number of steps per day was 23,347 and the lowest - 409. No significant differences in the number of steps on weekdays and at weekends were observed (mean: 6,676/day and 6,913/day, respectively). A statistically significant negative correlation (r = -0.29) was observed between age and physical activity, between the average daily number of steps in the week and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) (r = 0.201), as well as between the average daily number of steps in the week and Body Mass Index (BMI) (r = 0.226). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of people with metabolic syndrome represent a low or sedentary activity type and decrease of physical activity corresponds to increasing age, BMI and WHR. No significant differences in physical activity are observed between working days and free days (weekends).

[The assessment of glucose and lipid parameters in children with a positive family history of hypertension]. / Ocena parametrów przemiany weglowodanowej i lipidowej u dzieci z dodatnim wywiadem rodzinnym w klerunku nadcisnienia tetniczego.

UNLABELLED: Arterial hypertension in adults is often associated with excess body weight, and lipid or carbohydrate disorders. The incidence of hypertension in children is growing, although its connection with metabolic disorders and family history of hypertension has not been previously understood. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the relationship between a family history of hypertension and metabolic parameters (carbohydrate and lipid metabolism) and anthropometric measurements in children and adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consists of 40 children (mean age 13.6 years +/-2.7 years) with a positive family history of hypertension, and a comparative group of 44 children with a negative family history of hypertension. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, plasma insulin, glucose, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistants (HOMA IR), and lipid profiles were determined in all children. RESULTS: Body weight, BMI, WHR, and measurements of skinfolds did not differ significantly between the groups. Systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in the study group (108 vs. 100 Me mmgHg, p = 0.031) Significant differences were observed in the levels of glucose (80 vs. Me. 67 mg/dl, p < 0.001), and insulin (8.89 vs. Me. 5.34 microIU / ml, p = 0.024). The HOMA index showed values significantly higher in the study group (1.68 vs. 0.80 Me p = 0.007). Children with a positive family history of hypertension were characterized by insignificantly higher values of total cholesterol, TG, LDL-cholesterol, and lower HDL-cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: A positive family history of hypertension correlates with higher systolic blood pressure and changes in carbohydrate metabolism parameters in the direction of the development of insulin resistance in children.

Quality of life and acceptance of illness among patients with chronic respiratory diseases.

The purpose of this study was to determine quality of life (QoL) and acceptance of illness in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. The study involved 315 adult patients of the mean age of 63.9±15.7 years. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Short Form and the Acceptance of Illness Scale were used. The mean score for QoL was 2.0±1.3. The highest scores were obtained in the Social Relationship Domain (13.9±2.7) and the lowest in the Environmental Domain (10.5±2.2). The strongest correlations within QoL domains were noted between Physical and Psychological Domains: r=0.611 (p<0.001), Psychological and Social Domains: r=0.605 (p<0.001). The overall degree of illness acceptance was low (26.0±7.8). The strongest correlations were observed between illness acceptance and Physical: r=0.591 (p<0.001) and Psychological Domains: r=0.450 (p<0.001). We conclude that illness acceptance can be augmented by improving the patient's clinical state and by the provision of psychological support and QoL by improving the Psychological and Environmental Domains.

[The prolipherative and proapoptotic activity of limfoid nodules cells in the hypertrophic pharyngeal tonsil]. / Aktywnosc proliferacyjna i proapoptotyczna komórek limfoidalnych grudek chlonnych przerosnietego migdalka gardlowego.

UNLABELLED: The human immune system recognize and eliminate strange antigens by present of lymphoid cell clones, which to come into being in consequence of clonal proliferation inducted by contact with the antigen. The cell clones to be due to the somatic mutations and recognize antigens incorrectly are eliminate by apoptosis. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To estimation of expression of chosen proliferative and proapoptotic proteins in lymphoid follicles and extra-follicular region of pharyngeal tonsil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Histochemical examination of chosen proapoptotic (p53, Bax) and proliferative (Ki-67, PCNA) proteins in adenoidectomised pharyngeal tonsil was done. RESULTS: The most greater proliferation activity was in the germinal centers of lymphoid follicles, much less in the mantle zone and in the extrafollicular region. Similarly, maximal expression of proapoptotic proteins was in germinal centers of tonsil lymphoid follicles, the least in the mantle zone. CONCLUSIONS: The high proliferative and proapoptotic activity of lymphoid follicles germinal centers to bear evidence of clonal selection of undistinguished lymphoid cells to come into being by somatic mutations.