Effect of Vitamin D3 Supplements on Development of Advanced Cancer: A Secondary Analysis of the VITAL Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Epidemiologic and trial data suggest that vitamin D supplementation may reduce metastatic cancer and cancer mortality, reflecting shared biological pathways.

Objective: To follow up on the possible reduction in cancer death in the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL) with an evaluation of whether vitamin D reduces the incidence of advanced (metastatic or fatal) cancer and an examination possible effect modification by body mass index.

Design, Setting, And Participants: VITAL is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial clinical trial of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, 2000 IU/d) and marine omega-3 fatty acids (1 g/d).

Targeting Inflammation to Reduce Residual Cardiovascular Risk.

Purpose Of Review: Patients with established cardiovascular disease are at high risk for recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. The term residual risk refers to this risk that persists, even after optimal treatment. Considerable progress has been made to understand the biological basis of residual risk and to devise therapies that can safely and effectively reduce risk.

Anti-Inflammatory HDL Function, Incident Cardiovascular Events, and Mortality: A Secondary Analysis of the JUPITER Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has inverse association with cardiovascular disease. HDL possesses anti-inflammatory properties in vitro, but it is unknown whether this may be protective in individuals with inflammation. Methods and Results The functional capacity of HDL to inhibit oxidation of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ie, the HDL inflammatory index; HII) was measured at baseline and 12 months after random allocation to rosuvastatin or placebo in a nested case-control study of the JUPITER (Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: An Intervention Evaluating Rosuvastatin) trial.

Decreased serum TRAIL is associated with increased mortality in smokers with comorbid emphysema and coronary artery disease.

Background: Smokers are highly susceptible to lung and cardiovascular disease that can reduce their survival. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a protein in the circulation that may suppress vascular and pulmonary inflammation. Therefore, we hypothesized that diminished circulating TRAIL levels would be associated with poor survival in smokers with lung and cardiovascular disease.

Ideal Cardiovascular Health Metrics in Couples: A Community-Based Study.

Background: Determination of the correlation of ideal cardiovascular health variables among spousal or cohabitating partners may guide the development of couple-based interventions to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

Method And Results: We used data from the HeartSCORE (Heart Strategies Concentrating on Risk Evaluation) study. Ideal cardiovascular health, defined by the American Heart Association, comprises nonsmoking, body mass index <25 kg/m, physical activity at goal, diet consistent with guidelines, untreated total cholesterol <200 mg/dL, untreated blood pressure <120/80 mm Hg, and untreated fasting glucose <100 mg/dL.

Association of obstructive sleep apnea with microvascular endothelial dysfunction and subclinical coronary artery disease in a community-based population.

Studies have reported an association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Proposed mechanisms include endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate the associations of OSA with endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD), and assess the impact of race on these associations.

Glucokinase mutation-a rare cause of recurrent hypoglycemia in adults: a case report and literature review.

Background: Hypoglycemia occurs frequently in patients both in the inpatient and outpatient settings. While most hypoglycemia unrelated to diabetes treatment results from excessive endogenous insulin action, rare cases involve functional and congenital mutations in glycolytic enzymes of insulin regulation.

Case: A 21-year-old obese woman presented to the emergency department with complaints of repeated episodes of lethargy, syncope, dizziness, and sweating.