In prehypertension leukocytosis is associated with body mass index but not with blood pressure or incident hypertension.

Background: Previous studies reported increased white blood cell counts (WBCCs), an inflammatory marker, in hypertension, prehypertension and metabolic syndrome. Evidence suggests that inflammation precedes blood pressure (BP) elevation and may contribute to incident hypertension. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may reduce inflammation.

An unnatural history of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm?

We report the case of a 79-year-old woman with a history of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and purulent pericarditis with subsequent subxiphoid pericardiostomy and formation of a large left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (LVPA) that has been medically managed. Long-term survival after pseudoaneurysm formation has traditionally been thought to be unusual without operative intervention. Computed tomography (CT), three-dimensional reconstructed CT, and echocardiographic images documenting the progression of the LVPA are presented over the course of the patient's follow-up.

Effect of a short-term diet and exercise intervention in youth on atherosclerotic risk factors.

Early stages of atherosclerosis are commonly noted in youth. The present study was designed to examine the effects of lifestyle modification in 19 overweight children (age 8-17) who were placed on a high-fiber, low-fat diet in a 2-week residential program where food was provided ad libitum and daily exercise (2-2.5h) was performed.

Effect of a short-term diet and exercise intervention on metabolic syndrome in overweight children.

Overweight and the metabolic syndrome are increasing radically in children. The present study was designed to examine the effects of lifestyle modification in 16 children who were placed on a high-fiber, low-fat diet in a 2-week residential program where food was provided ad libitum and daily aerobic exercise was performed. In each subject, pre- and postintervention fasting blood was drawn.

Acquired extroversion associated with bitemporal variant of frontotemporal dementia.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is characterized by alterations in personality. The nature of the personality changes depend on the localization of the pathology. The authors present three patients with acquired extroversion who met criteria for FTD.

Acquired sociopathy and frontotemporal dementia.

Background: It is not understood why some patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) manifest sociopathic behavior.

Objective: To examine the prevalence and characteristics of sociopathic behavior in FTD patients as compared to those with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods And Participants: We surveyed a group of FTD patients and a group of AD patients for sociopathic behavior, evaluated the characteristics surrounding their acts, and compared the groups on neuropsychological tests and functional neuroimaging.