Montreal-FH-SCORE Predicts Coronary Artery Calcium Score in Patients With Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Background

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a monogenic disease characterized by a high concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. This population is considered to be at high cardiovascular risk; however, disease evolution remains heterogeneous among individuals. The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is currently the best predictor of incidental major cardiovascular events in primary prevention in the general population. Few studies have described the CAC score in FH populations.

Methods

The objective of our study was to determine the predictors of the CAC score in FH patients. We retrospectively studied FH patients followed at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM) Lipid Clinic who had a cardiac scan for CAC score, using the Agatston method, between 2013 and 2019.

Results

Final analysis included 62 FH patients. Mean age was 48 ± 14 years old, and 48% were men. Overall, 25 patients had a CAC score of 0 (40%), and 37 patients had a nonzero CAC score (60%). Sex, age, Montreal-FH-SCORE (MFHS), waist circumference, and statin exposure in years were significant predictors (P ≤ 0,05) of a nonzero CAC score in a univariate model. MFHS was the only factor that remained significant in a multivariate model (odds ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval 1.11-1.61, P = 0.002).

Conclusions

In conclusion, we found that MFHS, which includes traditional cardiovascular risk factors, was a predictor of a nonzero CAC score in FH patients. This finding suggests that MFHS may play a role in determining the cardiovascular risk and therefore the intensity of treatment in FH patients.

Gross and histopathologic diagnoses from North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis mortalities between 2003 and 2018

Seventy mortalities of North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis (NARW) were documented between 2003 and 2018 from Florida, USA, to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. These included 29 adults, 14 juveniles, 10 calves, and 17 of unknown age class. Females represented 65.5% (19/29) of known-sex adults. Fourteen cases had photos only; 56 carcasses received external examinations, 44 of which were also necropsied. Cause of death was determined in 43 cases, of which 38 (88.4%) were due to anthropogenic trauma: 22 (57.9%) from entanglement, and 16 (42.1%) from vessel strike. Gross and histopathologic lesions associated with entanglement were often severe and included deep lacerations caused by constricting line wraps around the flippers, flukes, and head/mouth; baleen plate mutilation; chronic extensive bone lesions from impinging line, and traumatic scoliosis resulting in compromised mobility in a calf. Chronically entangled whales were often in poor body condition and had increased cyamid burden, reflecting compromised health. Vessel strike blunt force injuries included skull and vertebral fractures, blubber and muscle contusions, and large blood clots. Propeller-induced wounds often caused extensive damage to blubber, muscle, viscera, and bone. Overall prevalence of NARW entanglement mortalities increased from 21% (1970-2002) to 51% during this study period. This demonstrates that despite mitigation efforts, entanglements and vessel strikes continue to inflict profound physical trauma and suffering on individual NARWs. These cumulative mortalities are also unsustainable at the population level, so urgent and aggressive intervention is needed to end anthropogenic mortality in this critically endangered species.

Role of rs3846662 and HMGCR alternative splicing in statin efficacy and baseline lipid levels in familial hypercholesterolemia

OBJECTIVES

To assess the contribution of the rs3846662 polymorphism of HMGCR on serum lipid levels and statin efficacy, we measured in vivo HMGCR mRNA and lipid levels in French Canadian individuals affected by heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia due to the deletion of more than 15 kb of the LDLR gene.

RESULTS

Men and women carrying the AA genotype at rs3846662, and no APOE4 allele, had higher levels of total cholesterol (5.43 vs. 4.58 mmol/l, P<0.05) and LDL-cholesterol (5.20 vs. 4.39 mmol/l, P<0.05) at baseline. However, with regard to statin efficacy, the penetrance of the AA genotype was sex dependent. Indeed, the percentage reduction in LDL-cholesterol upon statin treatment was significantly decreased in women with the AA genotype compared with women without it (38.4 vs. 46.2%, P<0.05), whereas this was not observed in men. Although both men and women bearing the AA genotype showed a higher ratio of full-length HMGCR mRNA/total HMGCR mRNA compared with individuals without it (n=37, P<0.05), overall transcription of HMGCR was decreased and increased in men and women carrying this genotype, respectively (n=37, P<0.01 and P<0.05). Finally, in our familial hypercholesterolemia cohort, HMGCR alternative splicing explained between 22 and 55% of the variance in statin response.

CONCLUSION

rs3846662 polymorphism and the alternative splicing of HMGCR mRNA significantly impact women's response to statin therapy.

Risk perceptions and behavioral intentions for Hepatitis B: how do young adults fare?

Young adults are at risk for Hepatitis B infection. Little is known about their attitudes and beliefs concerning Hepatitis B, which are determinants of getting immunized. This investigation examined risk perceptions and behavioral intentions concerning Hepatitis B among a convenience sample of 1070 young adults, 18-24 years old who participated in a Hepatitis B campaign that aired a prevention-based advertisement in movies. The campaign did not produce any significant effects. Therefore, analyses presented in this paper explored whether risk perceptions and intentions vary by sociodemographic characteristics. Most young adults do not perceive themselves to be at risk for Hepatitis B, but perceive other people to be at risk. Gender and ethnic differences in behavioral intentions to seek out Hepatitis B information were also observed. This study offers insight about important factors to consider when designing Hepatitis B prevention interventions for young adults and suggests that increasing health-promotion efforts for this group, while accounting for differences in age, culture and gender, are warranted.

Increased immunohistochemical expression of neutral metalloendopeptidase (enkephalinase; EC 3.4.24.11) in villi of the human placenta with pre-eclampsia

The purpose of this study was to identify the presence of placental neutral metalloendopeptidase (NEP; enkephalinase; EC 3.4.24.11) in human normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnancy. The localization of NEP in placentae from normotensive, chronic hypertensive and pre-eclamptic pregnancies was carried out on fresh frozen tissues by using a monoclonal primary antibody developed against human common acute lymphoblastic leukaemia antigen (CD10) together with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method. In placentae from normotensive, chronic hypertensive and superimposed pre-eclamptic pregnancies, intense staining was found in the extravillous trophoblast, and also in fibroblasts of the chorionic plate and stem villi. Light to moderate staining was noted in the villous-associated trophoblast and in some cells from the villous core. In cases of pre-eclampsia, very intense staining was detected not only on the surface, but also in the cytoplasm of the villous-associated trophoblast. The increased expression of placental NEP in pre-eclampsia suggests that this enzyme may be involved in the regulation of the local concentration of circulating biologically active peptides at the fetomaternal interface, and thus could be implicated in the pathophysiological changes of this syndrome.

Does the public understand the differences between ophthalmologists and optometrists?

Telephone interviews utilizing random digit dialing were conducted in Los Angeles County to assess the public's knowledge of differences between ophthalmologists and optometrists and to determine factors predictive of knowledge status. Knowledge status was determined by performance on a questionnaire specifically designed for this study. Using multiple logistic regression analysis for simultaneous evaluation of potentially predictive factors, higher education, history of prior eye examination as an adult, and history of prior or present contact lens or spectacle wear were associated with scoring as knowledgeable. Predicted probabilities of being knowledgeable and not knowledgeable were presented for all combinations of these predictive variables. Such information may be helpful in guiding public education campaigns regarding eye care.

Diurnal change in refraction, corneal curvature, visual acuity, and intraocular pressure after radial keratotomy in the PERK Study

Selected patients who complained of fluctuating visual acuity in the Prospective Evaluation of Radial Keratotomy (PERK) Study were examined before 8:00 a.m. and after 7:00 p.m. on the same day to determine diurnal change in uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, manifest refractive error, average central keratometric power, and intraocular pressure. Sixty-three operated eyes were examined at three months, while 46 operated and 40 unoperated contralateral eyes were examined at one year after radial keratotomy. One year after surgery, 42% of the operated eyes had an increase in minus power of the manifest refraction of 0.50 to 1.25 diopters, 26% of the eyes changed their uncorrected visual acuity by 2 to 4 Snellen lines, and 35% of the operated eyes showed central steepening of the cornea by 0.50 to 1.25 diopters. These changes in the operated eyes at one year were similar to the changes at three months. Minimal diurnal changes occurred in the unoperated eyes at one year. Only 11% of the unoperated eyes changed their manifest refraction by 0.50 to 1.00 diopters, none changed their uncorrected visual acuity by 2 to 4 Snellen lines, and only one of the unoperated eyes changed its central keratometric power by 0.50 diopters. This study documents that many patients who experience diurnal fluctuation of vision have steepening of the cornea and an increase in the minus power of their refraction during the day.