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Skin Autofluorescence Measurement in Subclinical Atheromatous Disease: Results from the ILERVAS Project.
Sánchez, E, Betriu, À, Yeramian, A, Fernández, E, Purroy, F, Sánchez-de-la-Torre, M, Pamplona, R, Miquel, E, Kerkeni, M, Hernández, C, et al
Journal of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. 2019;(10):879-889
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Abstract
AIM: Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) have been involved in the atherogenic process in the high-risk population. The goal of this study was to demonstrate that AGEs are related to subclinical atheromatous disease in subjects with low to moderate vascular risk. METHODS A cross-sectional study in which 2,568 non-diabetic subjects of both sexes without cardiovascular disease were included. Subcutaneous content of AGEs was assessed by skin autofluorescence (SAF) and subclinical atheromatous disease was measured by assessing the atheromatous plaque burden in carotid and femoral regions using ultrasonography. In addition, serum pentosidine, carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) and AGE receptors (RAGE) were assessed in a nested case-control study with 41 subjects without plaque and 41 individuals subjects with generalized disease. RESULTS Patients with atheromatous plaque had a higher SAF than those with no plaque (1.9 [1.7 to 2.3] vs. 1.8 [1.6 to 2.1] arbitrary units (AU), p<0.001). The SAF correlated with the total number of affected regions (r= 0.171, p<0.001), increasing progressively from 1.8 [1.6 to 2.1] AU in those without atheromatous disease to 2.3 [1.9 to 2.7] AU in patients with ≥ 8 plaques (p<0.001). A correlation was also observed between SAF and the total plaque area (r=0.113, p<0.001). The area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was 0.65 (0.61 to 0.68) for identifying male subjects with atheromatous disease. The multivariable logistic regression model showed a significant and independent association between SAF and the presence of atheromatous disease. However, no significant differences in serum pentosidine, CML, and RAGE were observed. CONCLUSIONS Increased subcutaneous content of AGEs is associated with augmented atheromatous plaque burden. Our results suggest that SAF may provide clinically relevant information to the current strategies for the evaluation of cardiovascular risk, especially among the male population.
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Cooking behaviors are related to household particulate matter exposure in children with asthma in the urban East Bay Area of Northern California.
Holm, SM, Balmes, J, Gillette, D, Hartin, K, Seto, E, Lindeman, D, Polanco, D, Fong, E
PloS one. 2018;(6):e0197199
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is a common childhood disease that leads to many missed days of school and parents' work. There are multiple environmental contributors to asthma symptoms and understanding the potential factors inside children's homes is crucial. METHODS This is a dual cohort study measuring household particulate matter (PM2.5), behaviors, and factors that influence air quality and asthma symptoms in the urban homes of children (ages 6-10) with asthma; one cohort had cigarette smoke exposure in the home (n = 13) and the other did not (n = 22). Exposure data included measurements every 5 minutes for a month. RESULTS In the entire study population, a large contributor to elevations in indoor PM2.5 above 35 μg/m3 was not using the stove hood when cooking (8.5% higher, CI 3.1-13.9%, p<0.005). Median PM values during cooking times were 0.88 μg/m3 higher than those during non-cooking times (95% CI 0.33-1.42). Mean monthly household PM2.5 level was significantly related to the presence of a cigarette smoker in the home (10.1 μg/m3 higher, 95% CI 5.2-15.1, p<0.001) when controlling for use of the stove hood and proximity to major roadway. There was a trend toward increased odds of persistent asthma with increases in average monthly PM2.5 (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.97-1.3, p = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS Consideration of only outdoor PM2.5 may obscure potentially modifiable risks for asthma symptoms. Specifically, this preliminary study suggests that cooking behaviors may contribute to the burden of PM2.5 in the homes of children with asthma and thus to asthma symptoms.