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Biomedical subjects

M Feinleib

Publications and source records attributed to M Feinleib.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Olfactory sensitivity in humans: genetic versus environmental control.

Olfactory sensitivity to acetic acid, isobutyric acid, and 2-sec-butyl-cyclohexanone was tested in 97 adult male twin pairs to determine the extent to which variation in odor perception was genetically determined. Analysis of the data revealed no evidence for heritability of olfactory sensitivity. However, factors significantly associated with odor perception included cigar, pipe, and cigarette smoking; body fatness; alcohol consumption; and diabetes mellitus.

Acetates↗

Prevalence of coronary heart disease in the Framingham Offspring Study: role of lipoprotein cholesterols.

Forth-three of 1,312 men aged 35 to 54 years in the Framingham Offspring Study had clinically recognized coronary heart disease at the initial examination. Twenty-six men in this group had previously had a myocardial infarction. Of 1,296 women in the same age range, only 11 had coronary disease and 3 a prior myocardial infarction. The prevalence of coronary heart disease in men was strongly associated with age, smoking, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol using univariate analyses. When multivariate logistic regression analysis was used, age, smoking and HDL and LDL cholesterol retained their significant associatin with coronary heart disease. The total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio was also strongly associated with coronary heart disease in the multivariate analysis. It is concluded that both HDL and LDL cholesterol are strongly and independently associated with the prevalence of coronary heart disease, whereas the level of very low density lipoprotein cholesterol makes no statistically significant independent contribution.

Adult↗

Obesity and lipoprotein cholesterol in the Framingham offspring study.

This study examines the relationship between obesity and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol in 4260 young adult men and women. The strongest association between obesity and LDL cholesterol was found in 20-29 yr-old males, the weakest in 40-49-yr-old males. Conversely, in women the relationship between LDL cholesterol and obesity was modest except in the oldest (40-49 yr) age group. An inverse relationship between obesity and HDL cholesterol was of similar shape and strength in all sex and age-specific groups. When the ratio of total cholesterol (TCHOL) to HDL cholesterol was compared in lean and grossly obese 20-29-yr-old males, substantial differences were found. Since other data show this index of the lipoprotein profile to be the single best indicator of CHD risk, it would appear that the atherogenic potential of obesity is greater than would be suggested by the relatively weak association between obesity and TCHOL or any single lipoprotein cholesterol. These data also suggest that the impact of obesity as a risk factor for CHD may have been underestimated. The paucity of lean males 40-49-yr-old prevents firm conclusions about the CHD risk in such a group. Indirect evidence indicates that lean 40-49-yr-old men would have a markedly more favorable lipoprotein profile and consequently a much lower risk of CHD.

Adolescent↗

Variability of heart rate, P-R, QRS and Q-T durations in twins.

During a cardiovascular risk factor study, electrocardiograms were done on 355 sets of middle-aged male monozygotic and dizygotic twins. Potential genetic variability in ventricular rate and P-R, QRS, and Q-T duration was investigated using classical statistical twin methodology. Significant genetically determined variability was found for ventricular rate and P-R interval. These findings suggest that heart rate and, to a lesser extent, atrial depolarization are under genetic control with 54% and 34%, respectively, of the variation among individuals explained by heredity.

Adult↗

Weight changes in adult twins.

Longitudinal study of 514 pairs of US white male twin veterans was made possible by compiling data from military records, mailed questionnaires, and physical examinations. Height and weight were used to calculate the Quetelet index for twins at different ages covering induction into the Armed Forces (generally 17-24 years), 25 years, 40-50 years at questionnaire response, and 42-56 at physical examination. Cross-sectional analyses of Quetelet Index at these 4 points in time showed consistent evidence of significant genetic variance. Additional twin analyses of change in Quetelet Index both from induction and from age 25 to approximately age 48 were done. Both analyses showed significant genetic variance for change in Quetelet Index during this time span of 25 or more years for most subjects. Heritability estimates were 0.6 for change in Quetelet Index from induction (mean age 20) to examination (mean age 48) and 0.7 for change in Quetelet Index from age 25 to examination. While studies of younger twins have shown significant genetic influence on growth (height and weight), this study of adults demonstrates significant genetic influence on change in weight even after maturation.

Adolescent↗

The relationship of psychosocial factors to coronary heart disease in the Framingham Study. III. Eight-year incidence of coronary heart disease.

An extensive psychosocial questionnaire was administered to 1674 coronary free individuals participating in the Framingham Heart Study between 1965 and 1967. The respondents were followed for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) over an eight-year period. Women (aged 45-64 years) who developed CHD scored significantly higher on the Framingham Type A behavior, suppressed hostility (not showing or discussing anger), tension, and anxiety symptoms scales than women remaining free of CHD. Type A women developed twice as much CHD and three times as much angina as Type B women. In a multivariate analysis, Framingham Type A behavior and not discussing anger were independent predictors of CHD incidence when controlled for the standard coronary risk factors and other psychosocial scales. Men exhibiting Framingham Type A behavior, work overload, suppressed hostility (not showing anger), and frequent job promotions were at increased risk of developing CHD (especially in the age group 55-64 years). Among men aged 45-64 years, Type A behavior was associated with a twofold risk of angina, myocardial infarction, and CHD in general, as compared to Type B behavior. The association was found only among white-collar workers and was also independent of the standard coronary risk factors and other psychosocial scales. This prospective study suggests that Type A behavior and suppressed hostility may be involved in the pathogenesis of CHD in both men and women.

Aged↗

Geographic patterns in county mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases.

Age-adjusted mortality rates for coronary heart disease (CHD) and cerebrovascular disease (CVA) were calculated for over 3000 counties in the contiguous United States. Rates were for 35-74-year-old white males and white females for years 1968-1971. Maps by cause and sex displayed patterns similar to those found in 1950 and 1960. For CHD, rates were highest in the southeastern United States while lowest rates were in the Plains and mountain regions. CVA rates for males followed a similar pattern but rates for females showed little clustering. Quantitative assessment was done using a multiple linear regression to predict mortality rates by the latitude, longitude and altitude of the population centroid of the counties. Approximately 30% of the variance was explained for CHD rates for males and females. However, less than 10% of the variance for CVA rates for females could be explained by the final regression equations. Longitude was the largest and most consistent contributor to the regression equations. Variables correlated with longitude in the United States should be considered for possible association with cardiovascular mortality rates.

Adult↗

Evidence for additional blood pressure correlates in adults 20-56 years old.

The offspring of parents belonging to the original Framingham Heart Study cohort, and spouses of these offspring, were examined beginning in 1971. Cardiovascular examinations similar to those performed on the parents in 1952-1953 were given to offspring and their spouses. The mean blood pressure (BP) appeared to be lower in the female offspring-spouses than in the cohort mothers. Comparable multivariate analyses on 3588 offspring and spouses of both sexes, ages 20-49 years, and 1842 parents, ages 30-49 years, confirmed the frequently reported importance of weight, heart rate, alcohol consumption, glucose and hematocrit or hemoglobin as independent positive correlates and smoking as an inverse correlate of botsured variables of total serum proteins and plasma triglycerides added significantly to prediction of BP in both sex groups, and a less striking negative association was found for serum phosphorus. The findings for serum proteins and triglycerides were supported in a separate population of middle-aged twin men. Even with the additional measured variables, only 28-34% of the total BP variance is explained in these populations.

Adult↗

Women, work and coronary heart disease: prospective findings from the Framingham heart study.

This study examined the relationship of employment status and employment-related behaviors to the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in women. Between 1965 and 1967, a psychosocial questionnaire was administered to 350 housewives, 387 working women (women who had been employed outside the home over one-half their adult years), and 580 men participating in the Framingham Heart Study. The respondents were 45 to 64 years of age and were followed for the development of CHD over the ensuing eight years. Regardless of employment status, women reported significantly more symptoms of emotional distress than men. Working women and men were more likely to report Type A behavior, ambitiousness, and marital disagreements than were housewives; working women experienced more job mobility than men, and more daily stress and marital dissatisfaction than housewives or men. Working women did not have significantly higher incidence rates of CHD than housewives (7.8 vs 5.4 per cent, respectively). However, CHD rates were almost twice as great among women holding clerical jobs (10.6 per cent) as compared to housewives. The most significant predictors of CHD among clerical workers were: suppressed hostility, having a nonsupportive boss, and decreased job mobility. CHD rates were higher among working women who had ever married, especially among those who had raised three or more children. Among working women, clerical workers who had children and were married to blue collar workers were a highest risk of developing CHD (21.3 per cent).

Career Mobility↗

The relation of antemortem characteristics to cardiovascular findings at necropsy--The Framingham Study.

The relation of premorbid cardiovascular risk attributes routinely measures at regular biennial examinations to cardiac necropsy findings using a special autopsy protocol was examined among 127 decedents of the Framingham cohort. Necropsy findings analyzed were: heart weight, left ventricular (LV) muscle thickness, percent luminal insufficiency of the coronary arteries, and percent intimal involvement with atherosclerosis. Clinical data analyzed included weight, height, blood pressure and serum cholesterol measured 1, 5, and 9 years prior to death. Systolic blood pressure, but not diastolic, correlated strongly with heart weight and LV muscle thickness in both sexes, and with atherosclerotic involvement in women, but not men. Serum cholesterol 1, 5, and 9 years antemortem all correlated positively with the degree of luminal insufficiency in men, while in women only cholesterol 9 years before death correlated significantly. In multivariate analysis only systolic pressure in women correlated independently with left ventricular muscle thickness and relative weight was the only independent correlate of heart weight. Only age was an independent significant correlate of the extent of coronary atherosclerosis in women. For men, coronary atherosclerotic involvement was independently correlated with only the serum cholesterol and measures of obesity were the major predictors of heart size. The degree of coronary pathology also correlated positively with heart weight in men and LV muscle thickness in women. In general clinical data measured just prior to death did not correlate as well with pathological findings as did earlier measurements.

Adult↗

Detection of genetic variance in blood pressure of seven-year-old twins.

Results from twin studies in older children and adults indicate that there is significant genetic variance for blood pressure (BP). Utilizing date which were collected in 12 US university-affiliated hospitals in 1966-1973 in the Collaborative Perinatal Project (NCPP), the authors sought to determine if the effects of heredity on BP variability are apparent in younger twins. BP was determined in 197 pairs of like-sexed twins at seven years of age. Significant genetic variability for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was found in the twins, with a heritability estimate of 0.53. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) results tended in the same direction but were not statistically significant. The trends were comparable for both sexes and races. These findings suggest that even at a young age substantial genetic influences on DBP variability are detectable.

Blood Pressure↗

An investigation of coronary heart disease in families. The Framingham offspring study.

The Framingham Heart Study (FHS) was started in 1948 as a prospective investigation of cardiovascular disease in a cohort of adult men and women. Continuous surveillance of this sample of 5209 subjects has been maintained through biennial physical examinations. In 1971 examinations were begun on the children of the FHS cohort. This study, called the Framingham Offspring Study (FOS), was undertaken to expand upon knowledge of cardiovascular disease, particularly in the area of familial clustering of the disease and its risk factors. This report reviews the sampling design of the FHS and describes the nature of the FOS sample. The FOS families appear to be of typical size and age structure for families with parents born in the late 19th or early 20th century. In addition, there is little evidence that coronary heart disease (CHD) experience and CHD risk factors differ in parents of those who volunteered for this study and the parents of those who did not volunteer.

Adult↗

A comparison of blood pressure, total cholesterol and cigarette smoking in parents in 1950 and their children in 1970.

Blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels as well as cigarette smoking are compared for parents who were examined in the Framingham Heart Study between 1948 and 1950 and their offspring who were studied in the early 1970s in the Framingham Offspring Study. For ages 30-49 years there are modest but significant differences in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure when mothers are compared to daughters, with the average pressures in the daughters being lower. Blood pressure differences in fathers and sons are not as large, and they disappear when families which include hypertensives are eliminated from the analysis. Total cholesterol levels were found to be significantly lower in both daughters and sons, but the difference was not large after adjusting for changes in methodology. The proportion of cigarette smokers was found to be substantially lower in the sons in all age groups, and modest reductions in cigarette smoking were also noted in all but the oldest (age 45--49 years) group of daughters.

Adult↗

The association of total cholesterol, triglycerides and plasma lipoprotein cholesterol levels in first degree relatives and spouse pairs.

HDL, VLDL, and LDL cholesterol as well as total cholesterol were measured in young adult offspring of Framingham Heart Study participants. Parental total cholesterol levels measured in the early 1950s were found to be significant predictors of present total cholesterol in the offspring. While both maternal and paternal cholesterol levels made an independent contribution to the prediction of the offspring's cholesterol, the mother's contribution was significantly greater than the father's for male offspring with a similar but less striking relationship for female offspring. The correlation for LDL cholesterol levels for siblings was higher than for HDL cholesterol or log VLDL choles terol. When adjustments were made for age, body weight, alcohol intake and cigarette smoking, slight reductions in the correlations were noted, but all adjusted correlations remained significantly different from zero. The spouse correlations for lipoproteins, however, did not differ from zero after adujustment. Since the significant association for lipoproteins in spouse pairs disappears on adjustment for correlates but the association for siblings does not, it is likely that the sibling lipoprotein associations result from either genetic or environmental factors shared early in life.

Adult↗

alpha1-Antitrypsin deficiency in twins and parents-of-twins.

Serum-trypsin-inhibitory-capacity (STIC) and alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) genotypes were evaluated in 83 twins and 112 paired parents-of-twins. An increased prevalence (17.0--21.9%) of intermediate AAT deficiency (STIC less than 0.95 units/ml) was detected in both of these groups as compared to a prevalence of 4.1% in 1,841 healthy controls. PiS and PiZ molecular variants of AAT were also found more frequently in the twin and parent groups, but this was not statistically significant. Low levels of protease inhibition may enhance fertility and a tendency towards twinning, since proteolytic enzymes are involved in fertilization of ova by sperm and in gametogenesis. Increased fertility and twinning may be heterozygous advantages for AAT deficiency.

Female↗