Subclinical Atherosclerosis to Guide Treatment in Dyslipidemia and Diabetes Mellitus.

Purpose Of Review: Dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus are two common conditions that are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In this review, we aimed to provide an in-depth and contemporary review of non-invasive approaches to assess subclinical atherosclerotic burden, predict cardiovascular risk, and guide appropriate treatment strategies. We focused this paper on two main imaging modalities: coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and computed tomography coronary angiography.

Clearing Properties Between Coconut Oil and Xylene in Histological Tissue Processing.

Xylene is the commonest clearing agent even though it is hazardous and costly. This study evaluated the clearing properties of coconut oil as an alternative cost-effective clearing agent for histological processes. Ten (10) prostate samples fixed in formalin were taken and each one was cut into 4 before randomly separating them into four groups (A, B, C and D).

E-Cigarette Use Among US Adults in the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey.

Importance: After the initial disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unclear how patterns of e-cigarette use in the US have changed.

Objective: To examine recent patterns in current and daily e-cigarette use among US adults in 2021.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study used data from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) database.

Coronary Artery Calcium Scores in Older Adults With Diabetes and Their Association With Diabetes-Specific Risk Enhancers (from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study).

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a validated marker of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk; however, it is not routinely incorporated in ASCVD risk prediction in older adults with diabetes. We sought to assess the CAC distribution among this demographic and its association with "diabetes-specific risk enhancers," which are known to be associated with increased ASCVD risk. We used the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study data, including adults aged >75 years with diabetes, who had their CAC measured at ARIC visit 7 (2018 to 2019).

Examining the association of habitual e-cigarette use with inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in young adults: The VAPORS-Endothelial function study.

Introduction: Acute exposure to e-cigarette aerosol has been shown to have potentially deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system. However, the cardiovascular effects of habitual e-cigarette use have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association of habitual e-cigarette use with endothelial dysfunction and inflammation - subclinical markers known to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

Patterns of tobacco product use and substance misuse among adolescents in the United States.

Among adolescents, sole use is the most common pattern of e-cigarette use. However, concurrent use of e-cigarettes with other tobacco products is not uncommon and may be associated with high-risk behaviors. We used data from 12,767 participants in the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey to examine the patterns of tobacco product use among youth in the US.

Pod-based e-cigarette use among US college-aged adults: A survey on the perception of health effects, sociodemographic correlates, and interplay with other tobacco products.

Introduction: E-cigarette use among youth and young adults remains of public health concern. Pod-based e-cigarettes, including JUUL, significantly changed the e-cigarette landscape in the US. Using an online survey, we explored the socio-behavioral correlates, predisposing factors, and addictive behaviors, among young adult pod-mod users within a University in Maryland, USA.

Healthcare Provider Screening for Tobacco Product and Electronic Cigarette Use Among Youth in the United States.

Purpose: Healthcare providers play a critical role in curbing youth tobacco use through screening and counseling. Current rates of tobacco use screening by healthcare providers among US youth are unknown.

Methods: We used 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey data to examine the prevalence of healthcare provider screening for tobacco and e-cigarette use among US youth.

Impact of the Food and Drug Administration enforcement policy on flavored e-cigarettes on the online popularity of disposable e-cigarettes: analyses of Google search query data.

Background: The impact of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) initial enforcement policy on flavored cartridge-based e-cigarettes and subsequent notice for the removal of flavored disposable electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) such as Puff Bar from the market has not been well evaluated.

The inverse association of state cannabis vaping prevalence with the e-cigarette or vaping product-use associated lung injury.

The e-cigarette or vaping product-use-associated lung injury (EVALI) epidemic was primarily associated with the use of e-cigarettes containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)- the principal psychoactive substance in cannabis, and vitamin-E-acetate- an additive sometimes used in informally sourced THC-containing e-liquids. EVALI case burden varied across states, but it is unclear whether this was associated with state-level cannabis vaping prevalence. We, therefore, used linear regression models to assess the cross-sectional association between state-level cannabis vaping prevalence (obtained from the 2019 behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) and EVALI case burden (obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) adjusted for state cannabis policies.

A Simple Approach to the Identification of Guideline-Based Coronary Artery Calcium Score Percentiles (From the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis).

Absolute coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores and CAC percentiles can identify different patient groups, which could be confusing in clinical practice. We aimed to create a simple "rule of thumb" for identifying the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association endorsed 75th CAC percentile based on age, gender, and the absolute CAC score. Using the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, we calculated the age and gender-specific percent likelihood that a guideline-based absolute CAC score group (1 to 100, 100 to 300, >300) will place a patient above the 75th percentile.

Sex-and race-specific burden of aortic valve calcification among older adults without overt coronary heart disease: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Background And Aims: The prevalence of aortic valve calcification (AVC) increases with age. However, the sex-and race-specific burden of AVC and associated cardiovascular risk factors among adults ≥75 years are not well studied.

Methods: We calculated the sex-and race-specific burden of AVC among 2283 older Black and White adults (mean age:80.

Lipoprotein(a) and Subclinical Vascular and Valvular Calcification on Cardiac Computed Tomography: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Background Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a potent causal risk factor for cardiovascular events and mortality. However, its relationship with subclinical atherosclerosis, as defined by arterial calcification, remains unclear. This study uses the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study) to evaluate the relationship between Lp(a) in middle age and measures of vascular and valvular calcification in older age.

The Association Between E-Cigarette Use and Prediabetes: Results From the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2016-2018.

Introduction: Both E-cigarette use and the prevalence of prediabetes have risen dramatically in the past decade. It is crucial to understand whether E-cigarette use is associated with the risk of prediabetes.

Methods: Participants who completed the prediabetes and E-cigarette modules of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey (2016-2018) were included in this study.

Coronary Artery Calcium for Risk Stratification of Sudden Cardiac Death: The Coronary Artery Calcium Consortium.

Background: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a marker of plaque burden. Whether CAC improves risk stratification for incident sudden cardiac death (SCD) beyond atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk factors is unknown.

Objectives: SCD is a common initial manifestation of coronary heart disease (CHD); however, SCD risk prediction remains elusive.

The Interplay of Race/Ethnicity and Obesity on the Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism.

Introduction: Factors predisposing asymptomatic individuals within the community to venous thromboembolism are not fully understood. This study characterizes the incidence and determinants of venous thromboembolism among the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis cohort with a focus on race/ethnicity and obesity.

Methods: This study (analyzed in 2020-2021) used the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis cohort (2000-2017), which included participants with diverse ethnic/racial backgrounds aged 45-84 years without cardiovascular disease at baseline.

Coronary artery calcium scores indicating secondary prevention level risk: Findings from the CAC consortium and FOURIER trial.

Background And Aims: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) burden displays a stepwise association with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. Among primary prevention patients, we sought to determine the CAC scores equivalent to ASCVD mortality rates observed in the FOURIER trial, a modern secondary prevention cohort.

Methods And Results: For the main analysis, we included participants from the CAC Consortium ≥50 years old with a 10-year ASCVD risk ≥7.

Association of E-Cigarettes With Erectile Dysfunction: The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study.

Introduction: Smoking is independently associated with erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Given existing similarities in the constituents of e-cigarettes or ENDS and cigarettes, this study examines the association between ENDS use and erectile dysfunction.

Methods: Data from Wave 4 (2016-2018) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study were analyzed in 2020.

Aspirin for cardiovascular disease prevention among adults in the United States: Trends, prevalence, and participant characteristics associated with use.

Objective: : Aspirin has been widely utilized over several decades for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) prevention among adults in the United States. We examined trends in aspirin use among adults aged ≥40 years from 1998 to 2019 and assessed factors associated with its use for primary and secondary ASCVD prevention.

Methods: : Using 1998-2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, we obtained weighted prevalence of aspirin use among adults aged ≥40 years for each year and examined trends in use over this period.