Attentional, emotional, and behavioral response toward spiders, scorpions, crabs, and snakes provides no evidence for generalized fear between spiders and scorpions.

Spiders are among the animals evoking the highest fear and disgust and such a complex response might have been formed throughout human evolution. Ironically, most spiders do not present a serious threat, so the evolutionary explanation remains questionable. We suggest that other chelicerates, such as scorpions, have been potentially important in the formation and fixation of the spider-like category. In this eye-tracking study, we focused on the attentional, behavioral, and emotional response to images of spiders, scorpions, snakes, and crabs used as task-irrelevant distractors. Results show that spider-fearful subjects were selectively distracted by images of spiders and crabs. Interestingly, these stimuli were not rated as eliciting high fear contrary to the other animals. We hypothesize that spider-fearful participants might have mistaken crabs for spiders based on their shared physical characteristics. In contrast, subjects with no fear of spiders were the most distracted by snakes and scorpions which supports the view that scorpions as well as snakes are prioritized evolutionary relevant stimuli. We also found that the reaction time increased systematically with increasing subjective fear of spiders only when using spiders (and crabs to some extent) but not snakes and scorpions as distractors. The maximal pupil response covered not only the attentional and cognitive response but was also tightly correlated with the fear ratings of the picture stimuli. However, participants' fear of spiders did not affect individual reactions to scorpions measured by the maximal pupil response. We conclude that scorpions are evolutionary fear-relevant stimuli, however, the generalization between scorpions and spiders was not supported in spider-fearful participants. This result might be important for a better understanding of the evolution of spider phobia.

Fabrication of Bioengineered Skin by Injection Molding: A Feasibility Study on Automation.

The use of bioengineered skin has facilitated fundamental and applied research because it enables the investigation of complex interactions between various cell types as well as the extracellular matrix. The predominantly manual fabrication of these living tissues means, however, that their quality, standardization, and production volume are extremely dependent on the technician's experience. Simple laboratory automation could facilitate the use of living tissues by a greater number of research groups. We developed and present here an injection molding technique for the fabrication of bilayered skin equivalents. The tissue was formed automatically by two separate injections into a customized mold to produce the dermal and epidermal skin layers. We demonstrated the biocompatibility of this fabrication process and confirmed the resulting bilayered morphology of the bioengineered skin using histology and immunohistochemistry. Our findings highlight the possibility of fabricating multilayered living tissue by injection molding, suggesting that further investigation into this automation method could result in the rapid and low-cost fabrication of standardized bioengineered skin.

Snakes Represent Emotionally Salient Stimuli That May Evoke Both Fear and Disgust.

Humans perceive snakes as threatening stimuli, resulting in fast emotional and behavioral responses. However, snake species differ in their true level of danger and are highly variable in appearance despite the uniform legless form. Different snakes may evoke fear or disgust in humans, or even both emotions simultaneously. We designed three-step-selection experiments to identify prototypical snake species evoking exclusively fear or disgust. First, two independent groups of respondents evaluated 45 images covering most of the natural variability of snakes and rated responses to either perceived fear (n = 175) or disgust (n = 167). Snakes rated as the most fear-evoking were from the family Viperidae (Crotalinae, Viperinae, and Azemiopinae), while the ones rated as the most disgusting were from the group of blind snakes called Typhlopoidea (Xenotyphlopinae, Typhlopinae, and Anomalepidinae). We then identified the specific traits contributing to the perception of fear (large body size, expressive scales with contrasting patterns, and bright coloration) and disgust (thin body, smooth texture, small eyes, and dull coloration). Second, to create stimuli evoking a discrete emotional response, we developed a picture set consisting of 40 snakes with exclusively fear-eliciting and 40 snakes with disgust-eliciting features. Another set of respondents (n = 172) sorted the set, once according to perceived fear and the second time according to perceived disgust. The results showed that the fear-evoking and disgust-evoking snakes fit mainly into their respective groups. Third, we randomly selected 20 species (10 fear-evoking and 10 disgust-evoking) out of the previous set and had them professionally illustrated. A new set of subjects (n = 104) sorted these snakes and confirmed that the illustrated snakes evoked the same discrete emotions as their photographic counterparts. These illustrations are included in the study and may be freely used as a standardized assessment tool when investigating the role of fear and disgust in human emotional response to snakes.

A simplified fabrication technique for cellularized high-collagen dermal equivalents.

Human autologous bioengineered skin has been successfully developed and used to treat skin injuries in a growing number of cases. In current clinical studies, the biomaterial used is fabricated via plastic compression of collagen hydrogel to increase the density and stability of the tissue. To further facilitate clinical adoption of bioengineered skin, the fabrication technique needs to be improved in terms of standardization and automation. Here, we present a one-step mixing technique using highly concentrated collagen and human fibroblasts to simplify fabrication of stable dermal equivalents. As controls, we prepared cellularized dermal equivalents with three varying collagen compositions. We found that the dermal equivalents produced using the simplified mixing technique were stable and pliable, showed viable fibroblast distribution throughout the tissue, and were comparable to highly concentrated manually produced collagen gels. Because no subsequent plastic compression of collagen is required in the simplified mixing technique, the fabrication steps and production time for dermal equivalents are consistently reduced. The present study provides a basis for further investigations to optimize the technique, which has significant promise in enabling efficient clinical production of bioengineered skin in the future.

Middle cerebral artery anatomical variations and aneurysms: a retrospective study based on computed tomography angiography findings.

BACKGROUND: Anatomical variations of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) are an important clinical issue, due to high prevalence of intracranial aneurysms. Anatomical variations of vessels can lead to higher shear stress, which is thought to be the main factor leading to aneurysm formation and consequently to higher prevalence of aneurysms. The aim of this study was to evaluate anatomy of the MCA; to classify MCA aneurysms using computed tomography angiography and to correlate anatomical variations of MCA and circle of Willis with prevalence of MCA aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and fifty patients without MCA aneurysms and 100 patients with unruptured MCA aneurysms were qualified for the study, with exclusion of patients after MCA clipping. Four aspects of MCA anatomy were evaluated: division point, its relation to the genu, distance to M1 division and the genu and domination of post-division trunks. RESULTS: Middle cerebral artery bifurcation was found in 86.2% and trifurcation in 13.8% of the cases. 78.4% of MCAs divided before the genu, 19.2% in the genu and 2.4% after the genu. Upper branch domination was seen in 26%, lower branch in 25.4%, middle branch in 4% and no domination in 44.6% of the cases. In the study group 116 aneurysms were found. 86.2% of the aneurysms were located in M1 division point, 6.9% in M2 segment, 3.4% near lenticulostriatae arteries and 3.4% near early cortical branches. The only anatomical variation, which had significantly higher prevalence in patients with left MCA aneurysms, was domination of upper post-division trunk of MCA. No other statistically significant differences in circle of Willis and MCA variations were found between patients with aneurysms and without them. CONCLUSIONS: The most common configuration of MCA is bifurcation before the genu with no dominating post-division trunk. Incidence of MCA aneurysms is not correlated with anatomical variations of MCA and the circle of Willis.

On the origin of extraordinary cyclic strengthening of the austenitic stainless steel Sanicro 25 during fatigue at 700°C.

The origin of the extraordinary strengthening of the highly-alloyed austenitic stainless steel Sanicro 25 during cyclic loading at 700°C was investigated by use of advanced scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Along with substantial change of dislocation structure, nucleation of two distinct populations of nanoparticles was revealed. Fully coherent Cu-rich nanoparticles were observed homogeneously dispersed with high density along with nanometer-sized incoherent NbC carbides precipitating on dislocations during cyclic loading. Probe-corrected HAADF STEM imaging was used to characterize the atomic structure of nanoparticles. Compositional analysis was conducted using both EELS and high spatial resolution EDS. High temperature exposure induced precipitation of a high density of coherent Cu-rich nanoparticles while strain-induced nucleation of incoherent NbC nanoparticles leads to retardation of dislocation movement. The pinning effects and associated obstacles to dislocation motion prevent recovery and formation of the localized low-energy cellular structures. As a consequence, the alloy exhibits remarkable cyclic hardening at elevated temperature.

Quantitative low-energy ion beam characterization by beam profiling and imaging via scintillation screens.

This study presents the imaging and characterization of low-current ion beams in the neutralized state monitored via single crystal YAG:Ce (Y3Al5O12) scintillators. To validate the presented beam diagnostic tool, Faraday cup measurements and test etchings were performed. Argon ions with a typical energy of 1.0 keV were emitted from an inductively coupled radio-frequency (13.56 MHz) ion beam source with total currents of some mA. Different beam properties, such as, lateral ion current density, beam divergence angle, and current density in pulsed ion beams have been studied to obtain information about the spatial beam profile and the material removal rate distribution. We observed excellent imaging properties with the scintillation screen and achieved a detailed characterization of the neutralized ion beam. A strong correlation between the scintillator light output, the ion current density, and the material removal rate could be observed.

Cervical esophageal cancer: a gap in cancer knowledge.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of the diagnosis, treatment options and treatment-related complications of cervical esophageal carcinoma (CEC) and to subsequently provide recommendations to improve quality of care. DESIGN: Studies were identified in PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. A total of 107 publications fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included. RESULTS: CEC is uncommon, accounting for 2%-10% of all esophageal carcinomas. These tumors are often locally advanced at presentation and have a poor prognosis, with a 5-year overall survival of 30%. Tobacco and alcohol consumption seem to be the major risk factors for developing CEC. Surgery is usually not possible due to the very close relationship to other organs such as the larynx, trachea and thyroid gland. Therefore, the current standard of care is definitive chemoradiation (dCRT) with curative intent. Treatment regimens used to treat CEC are adapted by established regimens in lower esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, dCRT may be accompanied by severe side-effects and complications. Several diagnostic and predictive markers have been studied, but currently, there is no other biomarker than clinical stage to determine patient management. Suggestions to improve patient outcomes are to determine the exact radiation dose needed for adequate locoregional control and to combine radiotherapy with optimal systemic therapy backbone. CONCLUSION: CEC remains unchartered territory for many practising physicians and patients with CEC have a poor prognosis. To improve the outcome for CEC patients, future studies should focus on the identification of new diagnostic biomarkers or targets for radiosensitizers, amelioration of radiation schedules, optimal combination of chemotherapeutic agents and/or new therapeutic targets.

Vascular age to determine cardiovascular disease risk: A systematic review of its concepts, definitions, and clinical applications.

BACKGROUND: Vascular age is an alternate means of representing an individual's cardiovascular risk. Little consensus exists on what vascular age represents and its clinical utility has not been determined. We systematically reviewed the literature to provide a comprehensive overview of different methods that have been used to define vascular age, and to examine its potential clinical value in patient communication and risk prediction. DESIGN: This was a systematic review with data sources of PubMed and Embase. RESULTS: We identified 39 articles on vascular age, 20 proposed to use vascular age as a communication tool and 19 proposed to use vascular age as a means to improve cardiovascular risk prediction. Eight papers were methodological and 31 papers reported on vascular age in study populations. Of these 31 papers, vascular age was a direct translation of the absolute risk estimated by existing cardiovascular risk prediction models in 15 papers, 12 derived vascular age from the reference values of an additional test, and in three papers vascular age was defined as the age at which the estimated cardiovascular risk equals the risk from non-invasive imaging observed degree of atherosclerosis. One trial found a small effect on risk factor levels when vascular age was communicated instead of cardiovascular risk. CONCLUSION: Despite sharing a common name, various studies have proposed distinct ways to define and measure vascular age. Studies into the effects of vascular age as a tool to improve cardiovascular risk prediction or patient communication are scarce but will be required before its clinical use can be justified.

Adiponectin is independently associated with NT-proBNP: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To investigate the associations between selected adipokines and the N-terminal prohormone of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). METHODS AND RESULTS: As many as 1489 individuals enrolled in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis were evaluated at 4 clinic visits about every 2 years. The evaluation included fasting venous blood, which was analyzed for NT-proBNP (at visits 1 and 3) and the adipokines adiponectin and leptin (at visits 2 and 3). The mean age was 64.8 ± 9.6 years and 48% were female. After multivariable adjustment, a 1-SD increment in adiponectin was associated with a 14 pg/ml higher NT-proBNP level (p < 0.01), while, compared to the 1st quartile of adiponectin, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quartiles had 28, 45 and 67% higher NT-proBNP levels (p < 0.01 for all). For changes in NT-proBNP over the follow-up period, and after multivariable adjustment including baseline NT-proBNP, a 1-SD increment in adiponectin was associated with a 25 pg/ml absolute increase in NT-proBNP (p < 0.01), while those in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quartiles of adiponectin were associated with increases of 5, 28 and 65 pg/ml (p = 0.74, 0.09 and <0.01, respectively). There was a significant interaction between adiponectin and sex for visit 3 NT-proBNP (p-interaction < 0.01), with significantly stronger associations in men. Leptin was not associated with NT-proBNP. CONCLUSION: Higher adiponectin, but not leptin, is significantly associated with higher levels of NT-proBNP, as well as with greater longitudinal increases in NT-proBNP. The associations were stronger in men.

Common carotid intima-media thickness does not add to Framingham risk score in individuals with diabetes mellitus: the USE-IMT initiative.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this work was to investigate whether measurement of the mean common carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) improves cardiovascular risk prediction in individuals with diabetes. METHODS: We performed a subanalysis among 4,220 individuals with diabetes in a large ongoing individual participant data meta-analysis involving 56,194 subjects from 17 population-based cohorts worldwide. We first refitted the risk factors of the Framingham heart risk score on the individuals without previous cardiovascular disease (baseline model) and then expanded this model with the mean common CIMT (CIMT model). The absolute 10 year risk for developing a myocardial infarction or stroke was estimated from both models. In individuals with diabetes we compared discrimination and calibration of the two models. Reclassification of individuals with diabetes was based on allocation to another cardiovascular risk category when mean common CIMT was added. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 8.7 years, 684 first-time cardiovascular events occurred among the population with diabetes. The C statistic was 0.67 for the Framingham model and 0.68 for the CIMT model. The absolute 10 year risk for developing a myocardial infarction or stroke was 16% in both models. There was no net reclassification improvement with the addition of mean common CIMT (1.7%; 95% CI -1.8, 3.8). There were no differences in the results between men and women. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: There is no improvement in risk prediction in individuals with diabetes when measurement of the mean common CIMT is added to the Framingham risk score. Therefore, this measurement is not recommended for improving individual cardiovascular risk stratification in individuals with diabetes.

Quantitative monitoring of WT1 expression in peripheral blood before and after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia - a useful tool for early detection of minimal residual disease.

Overexpressed Wilms tumor gene 1 (WT1) has been found in a majority of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The aim of this study was to confirm the applicability of WT1 expression measurement as a marker of minimal residual disease (MRD). The expression of WT1 gene was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood (PB) according to European Leukemia Net (ELN) recommendations. The WT1 expression was related to the expression of a reference gene Abelson (ABL) and the results were calculated as a number of WT1 copies related to 104 copies of ABL gene. The upper normal limit of WT1 expression was set at 50 copies of WT1 to 104 copies of ABL. Morphological, flow cytometry and chimerism examinations were evaluated according to standard protocols.A total of 51 AML patients with overexpressed WT1 gene were analyzed. The median follow-up after transplantation was 14 (2-72) months. WT1 expression levels exceeding the upper normal limit were considered as a sign of impending hematological relapse, in accord with morphological, flow cytometry and chimerism data, as well as with the expression of the specific fusion genes. Moreover, in 7 patients the rise of WT1 expression preceded all other standard methods. Patients with high WT1 expression before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) had significantly worse outcome than patients with low WT1 level. Examination of WT1 expression in PB of patients with AML is a useful tool for MRD monitoring. Moreover, the WT1 gene expression before stem cell transplantation seems to be of prognostic significance.

The impact of obesity on secretion of adiponectin multimeric isoforms differs in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue.

OBJECTIVE: Hypoadiponectinemia observed in obesity is associated with insulin resistance, diabetes and atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate secretion of adiponectin and its multimeric isoforms by explants derived from subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in obese and non-obese subjects. DESIGN: Paired samples of SAT and VAT and blood samples were obtained from 23 subjects (10 non-obese and 13 obese) undergoing elective abdominal surgery. Total adiponectin quantities and adiponectin isoforms were measured in conditioned media of explants derived from SAT and VAT using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and non-denaturing western blot, respectively. RESULTS: Total adiponectin plasma levels were lower in obese than in non-obese subjects (P<0.05). Secretion of total adiponectin in adipose tissue (AT) explants was lower in obese than in non-obese subjects in SAT (P<0.05) but not in VAT. In both, SAT and VAT, the most abundant isoform released into conditioned media was the high-molecular weight (HMW) form. Its relative proportion in relation to total adiponectin was higher in conditioned media of explants from both fat depots when compared with plasma (P<0.001). The proportion of secreted HMW vs total adiponectin was higher in VAT than in SAT explants in the group of non-obese individuals (49.3±3.1% in VAT vs 40.6±2.8% in SAT; P<0.01), whereas no difference between the two depots was found in obese subjects (46.2±3.0 % in VAT vs 46.0±2.4 % in SAT). CONCLUSION: Obesity is associated with the decrease of total adiponectin secretion in SAT. The profile of adiponectin isoforms secreted by SAT and VAT explants differs from that in plasma. Secretion of total adiponectin and HMW isoform of adiponectin are different in obese and non-obese subjects in relation to AT depot.

The spectroscopic studies of humic acid extracted from sediment collected at different seasons.

Goczalkowice Reservoir is the biggest water reservoir in the south of Poland. For our studies bottom sediments were collected from eight different places of the reservoir at various seasons of the year. EPR spectroscopy was applied to analyse both quantitatively and qualitatively the humic acids (HA) present in the samples. EPR spectra of the extracted HA exhibited broad lines from the paramagnetic metal ions and narrow lines from free radicals. The values of the free radical concentration obtained for HA amounted to 1.14-13.6 × 1016 spin g(-1) depending on the season and the place of sample collection. The values of the g factor obtained for HA were of the range 2.0027-2.0035. The EPR studies show that HA extracted from bottom sediment collected at various points of the Goczalkowice Reservoir exhibit similar physical-chemical properties. It was also observed that the depth of the reservoir affects the content of the oxygen functional groups as well as the free radical concentration in HA. The identification of the functional groups was done by means of IR. UV/VIS spectroscopy was used to estimate the maturity of the HA.

Association of endothelial and oxidative stress with metabolic syndrome and subclinical atherosclerosis: multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A cluster of metabolic abnormalities termed metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction and oxidative internal milieu. We examined whether the association of MetS with subclinical atherosclerosis is explained by biomarkers of endothelial damage and oxidative stress. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) is a population-based study of 45- to 84-year-old individuals of four US ethnicities without clinical cardiovascular disease. A random sample of 997 MESA participants had data on the following biomarkers: von Willebrand factor, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), CD40 ligand (CD40L), soluble thrombomodulin, E-selectin and oxidized LDL (oxLDL). We examined whether the associations of MetS with B-mode ultrasound-defined common and internal carotid intimal-medial thickness (IMT) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) measured using computerized tomography were explained by the biomarkers using multiple regression methods. RESULTS: MetS was associated with higher levels of each of the biomarkers (P<0.001, CD40L-suggestive association P=0.004), with greater IMT (P<0.001), and with greater extent of CAC in those in whom CAC was detectable (P=0.01). The association of MetS with measures of subclinical atherosclerosis remained unchanged after adjustment for the biomarkers. After adjusting for MetS, oxLDL was suggestively associated with greater prevalence of detectable CAC (P=0.005) and thicker internal carotid IMT (P=0.002), whereas sICAM-1 was significantly associated with greater prevalence of detectable CAC (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The association of MetS with subclinical atherosclerosis was independent of its association with biomarkers of endothelial damage and oxidative stress, suggesting that metabolic abnormalities and oxidative endothelial damage may lead to atherosclerotic disease through distinct mechanisms.

Adiponectin inhibits spontaneous and catecholamine-induced lipolysis in human adipocytes of non-obese subjects through AMPK-dependent mechanisms.

Adiponectin is an adipokine increasing glucose and fatty acid metabolism and improving insulin sensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of adiponectin in the regulation of adipocyte lipolysis. Human adipocytes isolated from biopsies obtained during surgical operations from 16 non-obese and 17 obese subjects were incubated with 1) human adiponectin (20 microg/ml) or 2) 0.5 mM AICAR - activator of AMPK (adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase). Following these incubations, isoprenaline was added (10(-6) M) to investigate the influence of adiponectin and AICAR on catecholamine-induced lipolysis. Glycerol concentration was measured as lipolysis marker. We observed that adiponectin suppressed spontaneous lipolysis by 21 % and isoprenaline-induced lipolysis by 14 % in non-obese subjects. These effects were not detectable in obese individuals, but statistically significant differences in the effect of adiponectin between obese and non-obese were not revealed by two way ANOVA test. The inhibitory effect of AICAR and adiponectin on lipolysis was reversed by Compound C. Our results suggest, that adiponectin in physiological concentrations inhibits spontaneous as well as catecholamine-induced lipolysis. This effect might be lower in obese individuals and this regulation seems to involve AMPK.

Pericardial fat is associated with carotid stiffness in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Arterial stiffness is a prominent feature of vascular aging and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Fat around the heart and blood vessels (i.e. pericardial fat, Pfat) may contribute to arterial stiffness via a local paracrine effect of adipose tissue on the surrounding vasculature. Thus, we determined the association between Pfat and carotid stiffness in 5770 participants (mean age 62 years, 53% female, 25% African American, 24% Hispanic, and 13% Chinese) from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pfat was measured by computed tomography, and ultrasonography of the common carotid artery was used to calculate the distensibility coefficient (DC) and Young's modulus (YM). Lower DC and higher YM values indicate stiffer arteries. Pfat quartile was highly associated with demographic, behavioral, anthropometric, hemodynamic, metabolic, and disease variables in both men and women. After adjusting for height, clinical site, CVD risk factors, and medications, a 1 standard deviation (41.91 cm(3)) increment in Pfat was associated with a 0.00007±0.00002 1/mm Hg lower DC (p=0.0002) in men and a 48.1±15.1 mm Hg/mm higher YM in women (p=0.002). Additional adjustment for C-reactive protein, coronary artery calcification, and carotid intima-media thickness had only modest effects. More importantly, adjusting for body mass index and waist circumference did not significantly change the overall results. CONCLUSION: Higher Pfat is associated with higher carotid stiffness, independent of traditional CVD risk factors and obesity.

Endothelial dysfunction is associated with left ventricular mass (assessed using MRI) in an adult population (MESA).

Brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a measure of endothelial nitric oxide bioavailability. Endothelial nitric oxide controls vascular tone and is likely to modify the ventricular muscle coupling mechanism. The association between left ventricular mass and FMD is not well understood. We assessed the association between left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and FMD in participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). MESA is a population-based study of 6814 adults free of clinical cardiovascular disease at baseline who were recruited from six US clinics. LVMI (left ventricular mass per body surface area) and FMD were measured in 2447 subjects. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the association. The subjects had a mean age of 61.2±9.9 years, 51.2% females with 34.3% Caucasians, 21.6% Chinese, 19.4% African Americans and 24.7% Hispanics. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.4±4.8 kg m⁻², 9.4% had diabetes, 11% were current smokers and 38% hypertensives. The mean±s.d. LVMI was 78.1±15.9 g m⁻² and mean±s.d. FMD was 4.4%±2.8%. In univariate analysis, LVMI was inversely correlated with FMD (r= -0.20, P<0.0001). In the multivariable analysis, LVMI was associated with FMD (ß coefficient (se) = -0.50 (0.11), P<0.001 (0.5 g m⁻² reduction in LVMI per 1% increase in FMD)) after adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, systolic blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, smoking, weight, statin use, antihypertensive medication use, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The association between brachial flow mediated dilation and LVMI maybe independent of traditional CV risk factors in population based adults.

Dietary intervention-induced weight loss decreases macrophage content in adipose tissue of obese women.

OBJECTIVE: Accumulation of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) is observed in obesity and may participate in the development of insulin resistance and obesity-related complications. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of long-term dietary intervention on ATM content in human adipose tissue. DESIGN: We performed a multi-phase longitudinal study. SUBJECTS AND MEASUREMENTS: A total of 27 obese pre-menopausal women (age 39 ± 2 years, body mass index 33.7 ± 0.5 kg m(-2)) underwent a 6-month dietary intervention consisting of two periods: 4 weeks of very low-calorie diet (VLCD) followed by weight stabilization composed of 2 months of low-calorie diet and 3 to 4 months of weight maintenance diet. At baseline and at the end of each dietary period, samples of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were obtained by needle biopsy and blood samples were drawn. ATMs were determined by flow cytometry using combinations of cell surface markers. Selected cytokine and chemokine plasma levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, in a subgroup of 16 subjects, gene expression profiling of macrophage markers in SAT was performed using real-time PCR. RESULTS: Dietary intervention led to a significant decrease in body weight, plasma insulin and C-reactive protein levels. After VLCD, ATM content defined by CD45+/14+/206+ did not change, whereas it decreased at the end of the intervention. This decrease was associated with a downregulation of macrophage marker mRNA levels (CD14, CD163, CD68 and LYVE-1 (lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1)) and plasma levels of monocyte-chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and CXCL5 (chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 5). During the whole dietary intervention, the proportion of two ATM subpopulations distinguished by the CD16 marker was not changed. CONCLUSION: A 6-month weight-reducing dietary intervention, but not VLCD, promotes a decrease in the number of the whole ATM population with no change in the relative distribution of ATM subsets.