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Biomedical subjects

M Trevisan

Publications and source records attributed to M Trevisan.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Increased sodium-lithium countertransport in college students with elevated blood pressure.

Blood pressure screening was carried out on a university campus to identify early hypertension or high-normal BP in young adults. Compared with normotensive control subjects of a similar age, drawn from the same population, persons identified as being at the upper end of the BP distribution had significantly increased levels of sodium-lithium countertransport. This difference persisted when other potential confounding variables, eg, overweight, sex, ethnicity, sodium excretion, and age, were taken into account. A positive family history was associated with slightly higher levels of sodium-lithium countertransport, although the effect could be explained by higher present levels of BP. These data suggest that abnormalities of cation transport are present early in the course of the development of hypertension. Measurement of transport levels may provide an estimate of risk of hypertension and allow identification of susceptible persons.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Dietary salt and blood pressure.

Research evidence on the role of dietary sodium in the etiology and pathogenesis of hypertension is briefly reviewed. This matter is assuming new importance at present, given new data on the efficacy of normalization of blood pressure for adults with so-called "mild" hypertension (average diastolic 90-104 mm Hg), hence the need for safe nutritional-hygienic alternatives to years-long drug treatment for millions of people with such hypertension. Two trials by the authors deal with some unresolved questions in this area. The first, a preliminary study, involved 21 lacto-ovo-vegetarian high school students living in a boarding school. With decrease in daily Na intake from 216 to 72 meq for the experimental compared with the control group, red blood cell Na concentration was significantly lower in the former; systolic pressure was slightly but not significantly lower. The second trial, the Primary Prevention of Hypertension, involves over 200 hypertension-prone persons aged 30-44, and explores the ability in the experimental group to reduce blood pressure and prevent development of hypertension by safe nutritional-hygienic means (weight reduction, dietary Na decrease, avoidance of excess alcohol, rhythmic exercise). Initial results at 6 months are presented. Trials on the prevention and control of hypertension by nonpharmacologic means, including reduced Na intake, and involving analyses of the inter-relationships among dietary Na, other dietary factors, Na metabolism, and blood pressure in samples from different population strata, are an important present-day research need.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Nervous tension and serum cholesterol: findings from the Chicago Coronary Prevention Evaluation Program.

Of 519 coronary-prone middle-aged men participating in the Chicago Coronary Prevention Evaluation Program, 416 reported their self-perceived state as one of no tension or tension at various periodic visits over years in the Program. Group mean serum cholesterol was significantly higher by about 4 mg/dl with tension vs. no tension (slight, moderate, or marked). This relationship was independent of weight change, intercurrent infection, use of medication, and month of year.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Characteristics of the association between salt intake and blood pressure in a sample of male working population in southern Italy.

A possible association between dietary salt intake and blood pressure was investigated in an unselected sample of 188 healthy Neapolitan men. In univariate analysis diastolic pressure was positively correlated with age, body mass index and 24-h excretion of sodium, potassium and creatinine, but not with urine volume or sodium: potassium ratio. Systolic pressure was also related to age, body mass index and 24-h sodium, but to a lesser degree. As a high level of intercorrelation was apparent, multivariate analysis was also carried out. Body mass index was shown to be the variable having the largest influence on diastolic pressure variability: nevertheless a significant independent role was still found for 24-h urinary sodium when the latter was included in a regression along with body mass index, age, urine volume and potassium excretion. These results seem to support the possibility that dietary salt has a substantial influence on blood pressure levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Family history of hypertension and red cell cation transport in high school students.

High school students who had at least one parent with hypertension (n = 22) were compared to schoolmates of the same age with a negative family history of hypertension in the parents (n = 21). We investigated in both groups the maximal rate of the ouabain-sensitive Na pump and the Na-K cotransport in nystatin-loaded cells and the Lii-Nao countertransport in lithium-loaded cells. The two groups were significantly different only in the sum of net Na transport mediated by the Na-K pump and Na-K cotransport. The mean diastolic blood pressure in the positive family history group was significantly higher. With control for blood pressure the difference in the maximal rate of Na transport was no longer significant; it remains uncertain if control for blood pressure represents "over-adjustment'. The finding of a higher maximal rate of Na transport in these adolescents who are at increased risk of future hypertension, yet currently well within the normal range, suggests that abnormal sodium metabolism may be a useful marker and appears early in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Red cell cation transport: differences between black and white school children.

Differences in red cell sodium content and sodium-lithium countertransport were studied in black and white children with a mean age of 12 years. For both boys and girls red cell sodium content was higher in blacks and countertransport lower (P less than 0.05). For both ethnic groups red cell sodium was lower in girls than boys and a consistent positive relationship was noted between body mass index and countertransport. Despite the lower red cell Na-Li countertransport values in black compared to white children, a significant positive correlation with systolic blood pressure was found independent of adiposity. In contrast, no correlation was evident between Na-Li countertransport and blood pressure in the white children. If red cell cation transport is confirmed as a marker for hypertension, study of racial differences may help explain the twofold higher prevalence of this disease among blacks.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

The selective lipid-lowering effect of vegetarianism on low density lipoproteins in a cross-over experiment.

In a cross-over experiment the effect of short-term vegetarianism on serum lipids, lipoproteins and apoproteins was studied. The experimental diet was free of animal products, with the exception of skim milk, and consequently low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Fifteen free-living individuals were randomly assigned to 3-week periods on either the experimental diet or a control diet which closely approximated the usual intake in the U.S.A. Significant reductions in total cholesterol (12.5%), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (14.7%), and apo B (13.2%) were observed, accompanied by a non-significant decrease in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (10%), apo A-I (3%) and a non-significant increase in apo-II (4%). These data suggest that a fat-modified diet low in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol, and moderate (not high) in polyunsaturated fat may not lower HDL-C or its apoproteins as much as a diet high in polyunsaturated fat, while having similar effects on LDL-C, and would therefore be preferable as the basis for primary prevention of atherosclerosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Methodological assessment of assays for red cell sodium concentration and sodium-dependent lithium efflux.

Assays for red cell sodium concentration and sodium-dependent lithium efflux were studied from a methodological point of view. The technical errors for sodium concentration--based on concurrent analysis of randomized blind duplicate samples--was 2.5% and for lithium efflux 6.4%. Based on repeated measures in the same individual, the assays were stable over time and reproducible; individual differences at a mean interval of 16 days were not significantly different. A wait of two hours from time of phlebotomy to analysis yielded a slight (3.8%) but significant fall in the sodium concentration; no further change was found at four hours. No change occurred in the lithium efflux over time. A standardized breakfast containing 664 mg sodium did not affect the measurements when fasting and three-hour postprandial levels were compared. The ratios of intra- to inter-individual variance were small--0.04 for red cell sodium concentration and 0.09 for sodium-stimulated lithium efflux. These assays appear to be reproducible and stable and can be applied in large scale field trials.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Dietary sodium, erythrocyte sodium concentration, sodium-stimulated lithium efflux and blood pressure.

1. There was a significant positive relationship between sodium-stimulated lithium efflux and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.512) in erythrocytes of black school children. Weight was also positively and significantly correlated with blood pressure. Although erythrocyte sodium concentration did not bear any significant relationship with blood pressure, it did bear significant inverse relationship with urinary sodium excretion. 2. High-school students were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. In the former a reduction of about 70% in salt intake was achieved. After 24 days, the erythrocyte sodium concentration was significantly reduced in the experimental group. A non-significant decline in systolic blood pressure was observed in the experimental group; no change was detectable in the control group for either erythrocyte sodium concentration or systolic blood pressure.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum IgA and IgG antibodies to alpha-gliadin: comparison between two ELISA methods.

We have developed two ELISA methods, i.e., enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and fluorescence immunoassay (FIA), for the semiquantitative detection of specific IgA and IgG antibodies directed against alpha-gliadin. The tests differ only for the enzyme substrate and, when optimized, could be used in large routine screening of celiac disease. Several serum samples from patients with celiac disease and gastrointestinal disorders as well as from control subjects were tested. Both methods gave good correlation with clinical data, were easily performed and had some specificity features, while FIA proved to be more sensitive.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Social network and blood pressure: a population study.

The relationship between social network and blood pressure was assessed in a cross-sectional, random sample of 1409 white adults aged 20 to 70 years studied in Buffalo in 1961. Higher total social network scores were associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both males and females. Considering the components of social network separately, increased size of household and greater participation in clubs were associated with lower systolic blood pressure for males, with the trend in the same direction for women, though not reaching statistical significance. Among females, the only social network component showing significant linear trend was the number of siblings, with increased number of siblings being associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Religious service attendance and marital status were not associated with blood pressure in this population.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Long-term psychological effects of natural disasters.

Relationships between self-reported psychological distress (Symptom Checklist) and experience with two earthquakes are presented for a group of male factor workers (N = 772) from Naples, Italy, participating in the 1987 follow-up of the Olivetti Heart Study. Although all were exposed to the 1980 earthquake that racked southern Italy, only men residing in the Naples suburb of Pozzuoli experienced the continuing swarm of earthquakes ("bradyseism") of 1983-1984, allowing for the observation of a "natural experiment" of sorts. Levels of psychological distress were found to be higher 7 years after the first earthquake for those men who reported damage from that earthquake. Overall, findings were similar for those who were evacuated, or suffered financial loss from the 1983-1984 bradyseism earthquakes. Stratification by 1980 earthquake damage revealed that 1983-1984 evacuation or financial loss was associated with increased distress reporting only for those men who had not reported damage from the 1980 earthquake. Overall, however, distress scores tended to be higher for men evacuated in 1983-1984 if they had also reported damage from the prior earthquake (only the F ratio for anxiety reached criterion for statistical significance). These findings suggest that the psychological consequences of earthquake exposure are long lasting and seem to be related to the consequences of the earthquake in terms of damage/loss.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Short- and long-term association between uric acid and a natural disaster.

OBJECTIVE: This paper analyzes the longitudinal relationship between serum uric acid level and a natural disaster. METHODS: The sample consists of factory workers who were participating in a longitudinal epidemiological study of coronary heart disease risk factors. Participants were seen in 1975 (baseline), 1980 (5 year follow-up), and 1987 (12 year follow-up). The 5 year (1980) follow-up examination was interrupted by a major earthquake and resumed 2 weeks after the quake. At this examination, participants seen after the quake had, on the average, significantly lower serum uric acid than those seen before the earthquake. In 1987 (7 years after the quake), participants were questioned whether or not (in their own perception) they were still suffering from damages due to the 1980 earthquake. RESULTS: At the examination in 1987, participants who reported suffering from damage due to the 1980 quake showed on the average significantly increased serum uric acid compared with participants who reported not suffering from damages due to the 1980 quake. The analyses of the data of 578 individuals who participated in all three examinations confirmed these findings and showed that they were independent from levels of uric acid measured prior to the disaster. CONCLUSIONS: The reason for this apparent different association with uric acid and acute and long-term exposure to the quake remains to be clarified but these findings are consistent with the existence of diverse patterns of physiologic response to different stressors.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dietary lipids, sugar, fiber and mortality from coronary heart disease. Bivariate analysis of international data.

Univariate analyses with data for the years 1954-1969 from 20 economically advanced countries showed that a combined dietary lipid score based on per capita consumption of saturated fat, cholesterol, and polyunsaturated fat (equation of Keys, et al.) and the consumption of refined and processed sugars were both highly correlated with age-standardized coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality rates for the years 1969-1973 for both men and women aged 35-74 years (r values of 0.54 to 0.72). Fiber intake, estimated as the sum of calories available from vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes, yielded a significant inverse correlation with CHD mortality rates (r = -0.49 to -0.68). These three dietary variables are highly intercorrelated. With bivariate analyses (2 X 2 cross-classification and analysis of variance), lipid score, but neither that of sucrose or fiber, was consistently and significantly related to CHD mortality. However, with both higher and lower lipid scores, CHD mortality rates tended to be slightly (nonsignificantly) higher with higher sugar values and with lower fiber values.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Short-term effect of natural disasters on coronary heart disease risk factors.

In this analysis of the data from a longitudinal study on coronary heart disease risk factors, it was found that participants screened a few weeks after a major disaster (earthquake) had a higher heart rate, serum cholesterol levels, and serum triglyceride levels than matched participants that were screened shortly before the catastrophic event. The two groups of participants did not differ with regard to their characteristics at the baseline examination carried out 5 years previously. The lack of difference in blood pressure between exposed and nonexposed participants could be explained by the lag-time between the earthquake and the blood pressure measurements. We conclude that the acute stress associated with major disasters can influence risk factors for coronary heart disease. Permanent elevation of these risk factors due to the disruption of the social environment of the individuals affected by major disasters might be responsible for the apparent long-term adverse effects on cardiovascular mortality discussed previously in the literature.

Body Weight↗