Biomedical subjects

Yan Li

Publications and source records attributed to Yan Li.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMed2006

Interaction between body mass index and alcohol intake in relation to blood pressure in HAN and SHE Chinese.

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure (BP) increases with body mass index (BMI) and excessive alcohol intake. Few epidemiologic studies explored the interaction between BMI and alcohol intake in relation to BP. METHODS: We randomly selected 10 villages with a mixed population of HAN and SHE Chinese in the JingNing County in Southeast China. We measured BP, anthropometric characteristics, and alcohol intake in 1688 participants. Our statistical methods included single and multiple linear and logistic regressions. RESULTS: HAN (n = 520) and SHE (n = 1168) had a similar sex and age distribution. SHE Chinese, compared with HAN, had a higher BP (128.0/79.7 v 121.5/76.9 mm Hg, P < .001), and more frequently reported alcohol intake (45.0% v 27.7%; P < .001), but showed lower BMI (22.2 v 22.5 kg/m2; P = .05) and waist-to-hip ratio (0.83 v 0.87; P < .001). In SHE, but not HAN, there was a significant interaction (P < .01) between BMI and alcohol intake in relation to BP. In SHE with BMI < 25 kg/m2, BP was significantly higher in drinkers than nondrinkers (129.4/80.2 v 124.2/77.4 mm Hg, P < .001), whereas among SHE with BMI > or = 25 kg/m2, BP was not associated with alcohol intake (134.3/84.9 v 136.8/85.7 mm Hg, P > .41). Accordingly, in SHE Chinese, the slope of BP associated with BMI was less steep (P < .01) in drinkers than nondrinkers. CONCLUSIONS: Among SHE Chinese, alcohol intake and BMI interactively influenced BP. Further research is required to elucidate the underlying mechanism.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Measuring total corneal power before and after laser in situ keratomileusis with high-speed optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To measure total corneal power using optical coherence tomography (OCT). SETTING: Refractive surgery practices at 2 academic eye centers in Cleveland, Ohio, and Los Angeles, California, USA. METHODS: Thirty-two eyes of 17 patients having myopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) were enrolled in a prospective observational study. Manifest refraction, OCT, and Placido ring corneal topography with the Atlas 995 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.) were performed preoperatively and 3 months after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). A high-speed (2000 axial scans/second) corneal and anterior segment OCT prototype was used. The total corneal power was calculated by summation of the anterior and posterior surface powers, and the value was compared with that determined by simulated keratometry. Two methods of measuring total corneal power were tested: the direct method, which used OCT to measure both corneal surfaces directly, and the hybrid method, which combined OCT with anterior corneal topography. RESULTS: The repeatability (pooled standard deviation) of measuring total corneal power using the hybrid method was 3 times better than that using the direct method. It was 0.23 diopter (D) before LASIK and 0.26 D after LASIK. Preoperative total power was 1.13 D (2.6%) lower than the simulated keratometry. Compared to the LASIK-induced change in spherical equivalent refraction, the change in total corneal power was equivalent, while the change in simulated keratometry power was significantly smaller (-18.8%) (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Keratometry using the traditional index of 1.3375 overestimated the total power in preoperative corneas and underestimated LASIK-induced refractive change. Measuring both corneal surfaces using a combination of OCT and Placido ring topography provided a better measure of total corneal power that closely tracked the refractive change in post-LASIK eyes.

Anterior Eye Segment↗

PubMed2006

Optical coherence tomography to assess intrastromal corneal ring segment depth in keratoconic eyes.

PURPOSE: To investigate intrastromal corneal ring segment depth with a high-speed corneal optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. SETTING: Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. METHODS: A prospective observational case series comprised 4 eyes of 4 patients receiving Intacs intrastromal corneal ring segments (Addition Technology, Inc.) for keratoconus. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed between 7 days and 43 days after implantation. RESULTS: The slitlamp impression of intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation depth did not correlate well with OCT measurements (r(2) = 0.68). The fractional implantation depth was correlated with several surgical variables using a stepwise multivariate regression model, and 2 statistically significant correlations were found. The position of the distal portions of the ring segments was shallower than that of the portion closer to the insertion site (P = .003). Segments placed in the inferior cornea (P = .008) experienced more distal shallowing. Shallower depth was associated with greater fractional anterior stromal compression (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Shallower placement of intrastromal corneal ring segments may result in more complications, such as epithelial-stromal breakdown and extrusion, because of the greater anterior stromal tensile strain. The distal and inferior portions of intrastromal corneal ring segments tended to be placed at a shallower depth. Optical coherence tomography provided precise measurement of ring segment depth and may help identify implants that pose a greater risk for depth-related complications.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

High-speed optical coherence tomography for management after laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To report applications of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the management of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) related problems. SETTING: Doheny Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. METHODS: Five patients referred for LASIK-related problems were enrolled in a prospective observational study. Clinical examination, ultrasound (US) pachymetry, Placido ring slit-scanning corneal topography (Orbscan II, Bausch & Lomb), and high-speed corneal OCT were performed. RESULTS: In cases of regression and keratectasia, OCT provided thickness measurements of the cornea, flap, and posterior stromal bed. Locations of tissue loss and flap interface planes were identified in a case with a recut enhancement complication. The information was used to determine whether further laser ablation was safe, confirm keratectasia, and manage complications. Optical coherence tomography measurements of central corneal thickness agreed well with US pachymetry measurements (difference 6.4 microm +/- 11.7 [SD]) (P = .026), while Orbscan significantly underestimated corneal thickness (-67.5 +/- 72.5 microm) (P = .17). CONCLUSIONS: High-speed OCT provided noncontact imaging and measurement of LASIK anatomy. It was useful in monitoring LASIK results and evaluating complications.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Fusion protein of CDR mimetic peptide with Fc inhibit TNF-alpha induced cytotoxicity.

The variable regions of antibodies play central roles in the binding with antigens. Based on the model of a tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) neutralizing monoclonal antibody (named as Z12) with TNF-alpha, heavy chain CDR2 (HCDR2) and light chain CDR3 (LCDR3) of Z12 were found to be the most responsible to bind with TNF-alpha. A mimetic peptide (PT) was designed based on the sequence derived from HCDR2 and LCDR3. Fusion protein PT-Fc was constructed by linking PT with Fc of human IgG1 through a flexible linker (GGGGGS). The primary structural characteristics of Fc and PT-Fc were analyzed, including the flexibility, hydrophilicity and epitopes. It was demonstrated that PT and Fc in the fusion protein possessed bio-function properly and non-interfering with each other. Furthermore, PT-Fc was expressed in Escherichia coli by fusion with thioredoxin (Trx). After trx-PT-Fc was cleaved with recombinant enterokinase, PT-Fc was obtained. The results of in vitro cytotoxic assays showed that both PT and PT-Fc could efficiently inhibit TNF-alpha induced apoptosis on L929 cells. At the same micromole concentration, the inhibition activity of PT-Fc was significantly higher than PT.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Two new species of nematode-trapping fungi: relationships inferred from morphology, rDNA and protein gene sequence analyses.

Two new nematode-trapping fungi, Dactylellina sichuanensis and D. varietas from China, which capture nematodes by both adhesive knobs and non-constricting rings, are described and illustrated. D. sichuanensis is characterized by both adhesive knobs and non-constricting rings, solitary conidiophores and 3-(4)-6 septate conidia, as compared with species such as D. appendiculata, D. candida, D. leptospora and D. lysipaga. Although D. sichuanensis shares similar types of trapping devices, the presence of simple conidiophores and spindle-shaped conidia with these species, it can be distinguished by its larger conidia and presence of more than four septa. In D. sichuanensis, a single conidium is born at the tip of conidiophore, while in D. candida, 3-10 conidia are born near the apex of conidiophore in a capitate arrangement. It produces spindle-shaped conidia with 3-6 septa, whereas D. leptospora produces cylindrical-shaped conidia with 5-15 septa. D. appendiculata captures nematodes by adhesive knobs whereas D. sichuanensis captures nematodes by both adhesive knobs and non-constricting rings. They also differ in conidial size (35-82.5mum in D. sichuanensis as compared with 57-108mum in D. appendiculata). D. varietas is characterized by conidiophores that are branched at right-angles, and elongate to fusoid conidia, with 7-8 septa (more than 25% of which are curved). D. varietas resembles D. asthenopaga, Dactylella oxyspora and Monacrosporium multiseptatum, but has elongate-fusoid conidia, whereas D. asthenopaga possesses obconical or clavate conidia. D. varietas forms both adhesive knobs and non-constricting rings whereas Dactylella oxyspora does not produce any trapping device. M. multiseptatum differs from D. varietas in having larger conidia with an inflated middle cell. Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear and protein coding DNA sequences (18 S, and a combined 28 S+5.8 S+beta-tubulin dataset) indicate that these two taxa should be assigned to the family Orbiliaceae.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Corneal pachymetry mapping with high-speed optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To map corneal thickness before and after LASIK with optical coherence tomography (OCT). DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-two eyes of 21 normal subjects undergoing LASIK. METHODS: A high-speed (2000 axial scans/second) 1.3-microm-wavelength corneal and anterior segment OCT prototype was used for corneal scanning. The scan pattern consisted of 10-mm radial lines on 8 meridians centered on the vertex reflection. The entire scan pattern of 1024 a-scans was acquired in 0.5 seconds. We developed automated computer processing for 3-dimensional corneal reconstruction and measurement. Corneal thickness was measured normal to the anterior surface and presented as color pachymetry maps and zonal statistics. The maps were divided into a central zone (<2 mm) and 3 annular areas (pericentral, 2-5 mm; transitional, 5-7 mm; peripheral, 7-10 mm), which were further divided into quadrantal zones. The average, minimum, and maximum corneal thicknesses were computed for zones within the 7-mm diameter. Optical coherence tomography and ultrasound pachymetry were measured 3 times at the preoperative and 3-month postoperative visits. Reproducibility was assessed by the pooled standard deviations (SDs) of the repeated measurements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Optical coherence tomography pachymetric map and zonal statistic, and ultrasound pachymetry. RESULTS: Before LASIK, central corneal thicknesses (CCTs) were 546.9+/-29.4 microm (mean +/- SD) for OCT and 553.3+/-33.0 microm for ultrasound. After LASIK, CCTs were 513.7+/-44.5 microm for OCT and 498+/-46.6 microm for ultrasound. Optical coherence tomography and ultrasound CCT were highly correlated (Pearson correlation r = 0.97 before LASIK and 0.98 afterwards). Optical coherence tomography CCT was slightly less than ultrasound CCT before surgery (mean difference, -6.4 microm; 95% limits of agreement, -23.2 to 10.4 microm) but slightly greater after LASIK (15.7 microm; -1.6 to 33 microm). These differences were statistically significant, but no more than the CCT measurement differences between ultrasound pachymeters. The reproducibility of the OCT zonal pachymetry averages was roughly 2 microm. CONCLUSIONS: High-speed OCT provided noncontact, rapid, reproducible pachymetric mapping over a wide area of the cornea. It is equivalent to ultrasound for CCT measurement before and after LASIK. This technology could be valuable for planning keratorefractive procedures and diagnosis of corneal diseases.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

MDR1 gene polymorphisms and clinical relevance.

In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that P-glycoprotein (P-gp) plays a very significant role in the ADME processes (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) and drug-drug interaction (DDI) of drugs in humans. P-gp is the product of multidrug resistance gene (MDR1/ABCB1). Pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics studies have revealed that genetic polymorphisms of MDR1 are associated with alteration in P-gp expression and function in different ethnicities and subjects. By now, 50 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 3 insertion/deletion polymorphisms have been found in the MDR1 gene. Some of them, such as C3435T, have been identified to be a risk factor for numerous diseases. It is believed that further understanding of the physiology and biochemistry of P-gp with respect to its genetic variations may be important for individualized pharmacotherapy. Therefore, based on the latest public information and our studies, this review focuses on the following four aspects: 1) the impact of P-gp on pharmacokinetics; 2) MDR1 genetic polymorphisms and their impacts on pharmacogenetics; 3) relationship between altered P-gp expression and function and the MDR1(C3435T) SNP, and 4) relevance of MDR1 polymorphisms to certain human diseases.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed2006

In vitro developmental competence of pig nuclear transferred embryos: effects of GFP transfection, refrigeration, cell cycle synchronization and shapes of donor cells.

The present study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of producing pig transgenic blastocysts expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) and to examine the effects of shape and preparation methods of donor cells on in vitro developmental ability of pig nuclear transferred embryos (NTEs). In experiment 1, the effect of GFP transfection on development of pig NTEs was evaluated. The cleavage and blastocyst rates showed no significant difference between NTEs derived from transfected and non-transfected donors. In experiment 2, the effect of different nuclear donor preparation methods on in vitro development of NTEs was examined. The cleavage rate showed no statistically significant differences among three preparation methods. The blastocyst rates of donor cells treated once at -4 degrees C and those of freshly digested cells were similar to each other (26.3% vs 17.9%). The lowest blastocyst rates (5.88%) were observed when cells cryopreserved at -196 degrees C were used as donors. In experiment 3, the effect of different cell cycle synchronization methods on the in vitro development potential of pig NTEs was evaluated. The cleavage rate of NTEs derived from cycling cells was much better than that of NTEs derived from serum-starved cells (64.4% vs 50.5%, p < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the the blastocyst rates of the two groups. In experiment 4, the effect of different shapes of cultured fibroblast cells on the in vitro development of pig NTEs was examined. The fusion rate for couplets derived from rough cells was poorer than that observed in couplets derived from round smooth cells (47.8% vs 76.8%, p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences observed in the cleavage rate and blastocyst rate. In conclusion, the present study indicated that (i) refrigerated pig GFP-transfected cells could be used as donors in nuclear transfer and these NTEs could be effectively developed to blastocyst stage; (ii) serum starvation of GFP-transfected cells is not required for preimplantation development of pig NTEs; and (iii) a rough surface of GFP-transfected donor cells affects fusion rate negatively but has no influence on the cleavage rate or blastocyst rate of pig NTEs.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Copper catalyzing growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes on substrates.

Metallic copper, which is normally considered as a contaminant in the growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), was found to be an efficient catalyst to grow SWNTs under suitable conditions. It showed very high catalytic activity for the growth of both random SWNT networks and horizontally aligned SWNT arrays. Especially, high-quality SWNT arrays were obtained when monodispersed copper nanoparticles were used. The catalytic behavior of copper for the growth of SWNTs was discussed. The weaker interaction between the copper and silica surfaces plays an important role in the growth of high-quality horizontally aligned SWNT arrays. This new synthesis process of SWNTs with a non-ferromagnetic catalyst brings more convenience to the study of magnetic properties of SWNTs and gives more insight in structure-controlled synthesis of SWNTs.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Hepatoprotective sesquiterpene glycosides from Sarcandra glabra.

Six new sesquiterpene glycosides, compounds 1-6, with eudesmanolide, elemanolide, lindenane, and germacranolide sesquiterpene aglycons, along with one known compound, chloranoside A (7), have been isolated from the whole plant of Sarcandra glabra. The structures of 1-6 were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods including (1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY NMR experiments. In addition, compounds 1-7 showed pronounced hepatoprotective activities against D-galactosamine-induced toxicity in WB-F344 rat hepatic epithelial stem-like cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

What makes a girl (or a boy) popular (or unpopular)? African American children's perceptions and developmental differences.

Open-ended questions were used to obtain narrative accounts of what makes a girl (or a boy) popular (or unpopular) at school. The participants were 489 African American students in Grades 1, 4, and 7 recruited from high-risk inner-city neighborhoods. Appearance and self-presentation were mentioned the most in Grades 4 and 7. Prosocial characteristics were especially relevant for popularity in Grade 1, as were studentship in Grade 4 and peer affiliations in Grade 7. Deviant behaviors were nominated for popularity more frequently in Grade 7 than in the younger grades and more for boys' popularity than for girls'. The mean deviance scores were negative in all grade levels, suggesting a normative peer culture. Male groups in Grade 7 showed significant homophily in reports of deviant behaviors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Cognitive decline in old age: separating retest effects from the effects of growing older.

Repeated administration of cognitive tests improves test performance, making it difficult for researchers to gauge the true extent of age-related cognitive decline. The authors examined this issue using data from the Rush Religious Orders Study and linear mixed-effects models. At annual intervals for up to 8 years, more than 800 older Catholic clergy members completed the same set of 19 cognitive tests from which previously established composite measures of cognitive domains were derived. Retest effects on some measures were substantial and continued to accumulate even after 8 annual test readministrations, but effects on other measures were minimal. Across cognitive measures, retest effects were not related to age, sex, or education. Individual differences in retest effects were substantial but not consistent across cognitive measures. The results suggest that retest-based improvement in cognitive test performance can be substantial and persistent.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

New cassaine diterpenoid amides with cytotoxic activities from the bark of Erythrophleum fordii.

A phytochemical investigation of the bark of Erythrophleum fordii led to six new cassaine diterpenoid amides (2, 4-8), together with two known compounds of the same skeleton, nor-cassamide ( 1) and nor-erythrosuamide (3). The structures were mainly established on the basis of 1D, 2D NMR and HR-MS analysis. The compounds 1, 2, 4, 6-8 exhibited selective cytotoxic activities (IC50 values < 10 microM) against A2780, KB, Bel-7402, BGC-823, MCF-7, HCT-8, Hela, PC-3M, A549 and Ketr3 human cancer cell lines in the MTT test.

Abietanes↗

PubMed2006

Preparation and characterization of a monoclonal antibody against human B lymphocyte stimulator.

B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family. It is required for B cell development. Deregulation of BLyS was involved in the pathogenesis of B cell-related autoimmune diseases and multiple myeloma. To prepare monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against BLyS, cDNA encoding soluble BLyS (sBLyS) was first amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with specific primers, and then inserted into a prokaryotic expression vector pET-30a. Right recombinant plasmid was expressed in Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3), purified by nickel affinity chromatography. Isolated sBLys was used as an antigen to immunize mice. Splenocytes of one immunized mouse were fused with NS- 1. Hybridomas secreting antibodies against sBLyS were identified by ELISA. One positive clone was selected to produce antibody by injecting the hybridoma into the peritoneal cavity of mice. After collecting ascites, the antibody was purified by protein A affinity chromatography. Western blot and immunoflourescence demonstrated that the antibody could bind recombinant sBLyS and genuine membrane-bound BLyS (mBLyS) on U937. This MAb can be used as a detecting reagent to analyze the serum level of BLyS in patients with autoimmune diseases and the expression profile of mBLyS on multiple myeloma cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Morphological transformation in esophageal submucosa by bone marrow cells: esophageal implantation under external esophageal perfusion.

Accumulating clinical and experimental studies indicate that Barrett's esophagus might arise through multipotential stem cells under the stress of gastroesophageal reflux. Previously, we have presented a novel external pump perfusion rat model and demonstrated that perfusion with both acid and bile can induce severe esophagitis in 1 week with a similarly pathological change seen in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the histological changes of esophagus after bone marrow cell engraftment with bile and acid perfusion. The external pump perfusion procedure involved implantation of a microosmotic pump for esophageal perfusion. Bone marrow cells were obtained by flushing of the femur marrow, and the cell suspension was injected between the esophageal muscular and inner mucosa layer. Histological changes were determined after 4 weeks of perfusion. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen, 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, manganese superoxide dismutase, and apoptosis were measured by immunohistochemical staining and TUNEL assay, respectively. Severe esophagitis was seen in both acid and bile perfusion. Bone marrow engraftment and potentiation was seen in both the acid and bile perfusion, when compared to saline controls. Glandular-like cells in submucosa, consistent with intestinal metaplasia, confirmed by Alcin Blue-PAS staining were observed after bone marrow esophageal implantation along with bile perfusion, but not with acid perfusion and controls. Bone marrow implantation in conjunction with esophageal reflux injury contributes to abnormal histological changes consistent with early Barrett's esophageal changes. Engrafted bone marrow cells proliferate under oxidative stress conditions with bile perfusion.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗

PubMed2006

Ambulatory arterial stiffness index predicts stroke in a general population.

OBJECTIVE: The ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) can be computed from individual 24-h blood pressure recordings. METHODS: We investigated the prognostic value of AASI and 24-h pulse pressure in a random sample of 1829 Danes, aged 40-70 years. We adjusted for sex, age, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, smoking, diabetes, ratio of total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and history of cardiovascular disease with Cox regression. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 9.4 years, incidences of fatal and nonfatal endpoints were 40 for stroke, 150 for coronary heart disease, and 212 for cardiovascular events. In fully adjusted models, the hazard ratios associated with 1 SD increase (0.14 U) in the AASI were 1.62 (95% confidence interval, 1.14-2.28; P = 0.007) for stroke, 0.96 (0.80-1.14; P = 0.62) for coronary heart disease, and 1.06 (0.91-1.23; P = 0.49) for cardiovascular events. None of these ratios reached significance for pulse pressure (P > 0.47). The AASI still predicted stroke after excluding individuals with previous cardiovascular disease or after adjustment for systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure instead of mean arterial pressure. CONCLUSIONS: In a randomly recruited European population, the AASI was a strong predictor of stroke, beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including the mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Ambulatory arterial stiffness index: determinants and outcome.

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that one minus the slope of diastolic on systolic blood pressure in individual 24-h ambulatory blood pressure recordings (ambulatory arterial stiffness index) might reflect arterial stiffness and predict cardiovascular mortality. METHODS: In volunteers and a population recruited in China, we studied concordance between ambulatory arterial stiffness index and established indexes of arterial stiffness. We assessed the predictive value of ambulatory arterial stiffness index in relation to cardiovascular outcome in Irish hypertensive patients. RESULTS: In 166 healthy volunteers, aged 22-83 years, the correlation coefficient between ambulatory arterial stiffness index and pulse wave velocity was 0.51 (P<0.001). In 348 randomly recruited Chinese, the correlations between ambulatory arterial stiffness index and both the central and peripheral systolic augmentation indexes were significantly stronger than those for 24-h ambulatory pulse pressure, particularly in study participants younger than 40 years. Among normotensive participants, the 95th percentile of the ambulatory arterial stiffness index was 0.55 in 234 Chinese and 0.57 in 1617 Europeans enrolled in the International Database on Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring. The upper boundary of the 95% prediction interval of the ambulatory arterial stiffness index in relation to age ranged from 0.53 at 20 years to 0.72 at 80 years. In 11 291 patients enrolled in the Dublin Outcome Study, both ambulatory arterial stiffness index and 24-h ambulatory pulse pressure significantly predicted cardiovascular mortality. Ambulatory arterial stiffness index was a strong predictor of fatal stroke in normotensive participants, whereas pulse pressure better predicted heart attack in hypertensive patients. CONCLUSION: Ambulatory arterial stiffness index is a novel measure of arterial stiffness, which can be readily determined from ambulatory blood pressure recordings and which independently predicts cardiovascular mortality.

Adult↗