Age of obesity onset affects subcutaneous adipose tissue cellularity differently in the abdominal and femoral region.

Objective: We aimed to examine the effect of age of obesity onset, sex, and their interaction on abdominal and femoral subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) morphology (degree of adipocyte hyperplasia or hypertrophy).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we isolated adipocytes via collagenase digestion from abdominal and femoral SAT biopsies taken from male and female adults with childhood-onset obesity (CO; n = 8 males, n = 16 females) or adult-onset obesity (AO; n = 8 males, n = 13 females). Regional body composition was measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and a single-slice abdominal computed tomography scan.

Analysis of Predictive Information From Biomarkers Added to Clinical Models of Preeclampsia: Consideration of PAPP-A2, Activin A, and sFlt-1:PlGF Ratio.

Background: Preeclampsia remains a major cause of maternal and fetal adverse outcomes in pregnancy; however, accurate and universally acceptable predictive tools remain elusive. We investigated whether a panel of biomarkers could improve risk prediction for preeclampsia when measured at various pregnancy time points.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 192 women with first-trimester high-risk singleton pregnancies were consecutively recruited from tertiary obstetrics clinics in Montréal, Canada.

Association Between Patient Factors and the Effectiveness of Wearable Trackers at Increasing the Number of Steps per Day Among Adults With Cardiometabolic Conditions: Meta-analysis of Individual Patient Data From Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Current evidence supports the use of wearable trackers by people with cardiometabolic conditions. However, as the health benefits are small and confounded by heterogeneity, there remains uncertainty as to which patient groups are most helped by wearable trackers.

Objective: This study examined the effects of wearable trackers in patients with cardiometabolic conditions to identify subgroups of patients who most benefited and to understand interventional differences.

Alcohol Exerts a Shifted U-Shaped Effect on Central Blood Pressure in Young Adults.

Background: Consumption of 1-2 alcoholic beverages daily has been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in middle-aged and older adults. Central blood pressure has emerged as a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than peripheral blood pressure. However, the effects of habitual alcohol consumption on central blood pressure particularly in young adults, who are among the largest consumers of alcohol in North America, have yet to be investigated.

Methodological considerations for the measurement of arterial stiffness using applanation tonometry.

Introduction: Accurate comparisons of carotid--femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) within and across studies require standardized procedures. Guidelines suggest reporting the average of at least two cfPWV measurements; if the difference exceeds 0.5 m/s, a third measurement should be taken, and the median reported.

A trajectory analysis of daily step counts during a physician-delivered intervention.

Objectives: Higher steps are associated with lower mortality and cardiovascular event rates. We previously demonstrated that tailored physician-delivered step count prescriptions successfully increased steps/day in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and/or hypertension. In the present analysis, we examined patterns of step count change and the factors that influence different responses.

Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Exhibit a Greater Exercise-Induced Increase in Arterial Stiffness and Vessel Hemodynamics.

Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have a greater blood pressure (BP) response to acute maximal exercise compared to those without T2DM; however, whether they exhibit a different arterial stiffness response to maximal exercise has yet to be explored. Adults with (n=66) and without T2DM (n=61) underwent an arterial stress test: at rest and immediately postexercise, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, the gold standard measure of arterial stiffness, brachial BP, heart rate, and other hemodynamic measurements were assessed. Linear regression models were used to evaluate between-group differences at rest, and the response to exercise (postexercise value), adjusting for covariates including BP and heart rate when relevant, and the corresponding baseline value of each parameter.

A qualitative evaluation of a physician-delivered pedometer-based step count prescription strategy with insight from participants and treating physicians.

Aims: The integration of pedometers into clinical practice has the potential to enhance physical activity levels in patients with chronic disease. Our SMARTER randomized controlled trial demonstrated that a physician-delivered step count prescription strategy has measurable effects on daily steps, glycemic control, and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes and/or hypertension. In this study, we aimed to understand perceived barriers and facilitators influencing successful uptake and sustainability of the strategy, from patient and physician perspectives.

The Impact of Intradialytic Pedaling Exercise on Arterial Stiffness: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial in a Hemodialysis Population.

Objectives: Regular exercise is known to reduce arterial stiffness (AS) in hemodialysis patients. However, the impact of a more realistic intradialytic form of exercise, such as pedaling, is unclear. We aimed to examine (i) the effect of intradialytic pedaling exercise on AS over 4 months and (ii) the longer term effect of pedaling on AS 4 months after exercise cessation.

The impact of accelerometer wear location on the relationship between step counts and arterial stiffness in adults treated for hypertension and diabetes.

Objectives: Accelerometer placement at the wrist is convenient and increasingly adopted despite less accurate physical activity (PA) measurement than with waist placement. Capitalizing on a study that started with wrist placement and shifted to waist placement, we compared associations between PA measures derived from different accelerometer locations with a responsive arterial health indicator, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Physician step prescription and monitoring to improve ARTERial health (SMARTER): A randomized controlled trial in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Aims: There are few proven strategies to enhance physical activity and cardiometabolic profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. We examined the effects of physician-delivered step count prescriptions and monitoring.

Methods: Participants randomized to the active arm were provided with pedometers and they recorded step counts.

A systematic review on the effect of acute aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness reveals a differential response in the upper and lower arterial segments.

The objective of this systematic review was to provide insight into the controversy that still abounds as to the impact of acute aerobic exercise on immediate changes in arterial stiffness. Electronic databases were searched to identify articles assessing the effects of acute aerobic exercise on parameters of arterial stiffness. Eligible studies included arterial stiffness measurements before and after acute aerobic exercise in healthy human subjects.

From rest to stressed: endothelin-1 levels in young healthy smokers and non-smokers.

Introduction: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor produced by vascular endothelial cells, and a known marker of endothelial dysfunction. However, the acute and chronic effects of smoking and nicotine gum on the ET-1 response to acute physical stress in young healthy smokers have not been investigated.

Methods: Healthy smokers (n=35) and non-smokers (n=35) underwent an exercise test to exhaustion (maximal oxygen consumption) on a treadmill.

Role of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases 2 and 3 in μ-Opioid Receptor Desensitization and Internalization.

There is ongoing debate about the role of G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) in agonist-induced desensitization of the μ-opioid receptor (MOPr) in brain neurons. In the present paper, we have used a novel membrane-permeable, small-molecule inhibitor of GRK2 and GRK3, Takeda compound 101 (Cmpd101; 3-[[[4-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-yl] methyl] amino]-N-[2-(trifuoromethyl) benzyl] benzamidehydrochloride), to study the involvement of GRK2/3 in acute agonist-induced MOPr desensitization. We observed that Cmpd101 inhibits the desensitization of the G protein-activated inwardly-rectifying potassium current evoked by receptor-saturating concentrations of methionine-enkephalin (Met-Enk), [d-Ala(2), N-MePhe(4), Gly-ol(5)]-enkephalin (DAMGO), endomorphin-2, and morphine in rat and mouse locus coeruleus (LC) neurons.

Plasma irisin levels progressively increase in response to increasing exercise workloads in young, healthy, active subjects.

Background: Irisin, a recently discovered myokine, has been shown to induce browning of white adipose tissue, enhancing energy expenditure and mediating some of the beneficial effects of exercise. We aimed to estimate the time frame of changes in irisin levels after acute exercise and the effect of different exercise workloads and intensities on circulating irisin levels immediately post-exercise.

Methods: In a pilot study, four healthy subjects (22.

Differential endosomal sorting of a novel P2Y12 purinoreceptor mutant.

P2Y12 receptor internalization and recycling play an essential role in ADP-induced platelet activation. Recently, we identified a patient with a mild bleeding disorder carrying a heterozygous mutation of P2Y12 (P341A) whose P2Y12 receptor recycling was significantly compromised. Using human cell line models, we identified key proteins regulating wild-type (WT) P2Y12 recycling and investigated P2Y12 -P341A receptor traffic.

Novel role for proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) in membrane trafficking of proteinase-activated receptor 4 (PAR4).

Proteinase-activated receptors 4 (PAR(4)) is a class A G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) recognized through the ability of serine proteases such as thrombin and trypsin to mediate receptor activation. Due to the irreversible nature of activation, a fresh supply of receptor is required to be mobilized to the cell surface for responsiveness to agonist to be sustained. Unlike other PAR subtypes, the mechanisms regulating receptor trafficking of PAR(4) remain unknown.

Heme-oxygenase induction inhibits arteriolar thrombosis in vivo: effect of the non-substrate inducer cobalt protoporphyrin.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO) metabolizes heme to form the vasodilator carbon monoxide and antioxidant biliverdin. Upregulation of HO-1 by hemin, which is also a substrate attenuates thrombosis in rodent models, however, whether protection is due to HO-1 upregulation or to increased substrate availability is unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that treatment of mice with cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP), a non-substrate HO-1 inducer, would protect the endothelium from laser injury.