Automated Breast Arterial Calcification Score Is Associated With Cardiovascular Outcomes and Mortality.

Background: Breast arterial calcification (BAC) on mammograms has emerged as a biomarker of women's cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, but there is a lack of quantification tools and clinical outcomes studies.

Objectives: This study assessed the association of BAC (both presence and quantity) with CVD outcomes.

Methods: This single-center, retrospective study included women with a screening mammogram from 2007 to 2016.

Assessment of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Asymptomatic People In Vivo: Measurements Suitable for Biomarker and Mendelian Randomization Studies.

Background: One strategy to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease is the early detection and treatment of atherosclerosis. This has led to significant interest in studies of subclinical atherosclerosis, using different phenotypes, not all of which are accurate reflections of the presence of asymptomatic atherosclerotic plaques. The aim of part 2 of this series is to provide a review of the existing literature on purported measures of subclinical disease and recommendations concerning which tests may be appropriate in the prevention of incident cardiovascular disease.

Nutritional Avocado Intervention Improves Physical Activity Measures in Hispanic/Latino Families: A Cluster RCT.

Introduction: Nutrition and physical activity are key components for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. There remains a paucity of trial data on the effect of specific nutritional interventions on physical activity and sedentary time. One question is how a common nutrient-dense food such as avocado may impact physical activity and sedentary time in Hispanic/Latino families, a group that reports the lowest levels of physical activity.

Lipoprotein(a) and the pooled cohort equations for ASCVD risk prediction: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background And Aims: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) but is not included in the Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE). We aimed to assess how well the PCE predict 10-year event rates in individuals with elevated Lp(a), and whether the addition of Lp(a) improves risk prediction.

Methods: We compared observed versus PCE-predicted 10-year ASCVD event rates, stratified by Lp(a) level and ASCVD risk category using Poisson regression, and evaluated the association between Lp(a) > 50 mg/dL and ASCVD risk using Cox proportional hazards models in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

WHIM Syndrome: First Reported Case in a Patient of African Ancestry.

Background: Warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis (WHIM) syndrome is a rare, primary immunodeficiency syndrome characterized by warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, immunodeficiency, and characteristic bone marrow features of myelokathexis. The pathophysiology of WHIM syndrome is due to an autosomal dominant gain of function mutation in the CXCR4 chemokine receptor resulting in increased activity that impairs neutrophil migration from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood. This results in bone marrow distinctively crowded with mature neutrophils whose balance is shifted towards cellular senescence developing these characteristic, apoptotic nuclei termed myelokathexis.

The Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) on Cardiometabolic Health Biomarkers: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) on cardiometabolic health biomarkers.

Method: Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, Medline, and PsycINFO were searched, and records were screened by two independent reviewers. Inclusion criteria were adult population, delivery of CBT-I, randomized controlled trial design, ≥1 cardiometabolic health outcome, and peer-review.

State-of-the-Art Review: Evidence on Red Meat Consumption and Hypertension Outcomes.

Hypertension (HTN) is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including ischemic heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. The prevalence of HTN, as well as mortality rates attributable to HTN, continue to increase, particularly in the United States and among Black populations. The risk of HTN involves a complex interaction of genetics and modifiable risk factors, including dietary patterns.

Medical Nutrition Therapy for Patients With Advanced Systemic Sclerosis (MNT PASS): A Pilot Intervention Study.

Background: The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility and associations with short-term outcomes of a medical nutrition therapy (MNT) intervention in patients with systemic scleroderma (SSc).

Materials And Methods: Eighteen patients with SSc, gastrointestinal (GI) involvement, and unintentional weight loss were consented and recruited for a 6-week MNT intervention, in addition to their usual medical management. MNT emphasized increased calorie and protein intake, modified textures, and lifestyle modifications.

Choice of antibiotics in late neonatal sepsis in the extremely low birth weight infant.

Objective: To review the choice of antibiotics in treating suspected late neonatal sepsis in infants weighing 1000 g or less in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods: Retrospective review of medical records.

Results: Ninety-six infants weighing 1000 g or less were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit during the study period.

External validation of outcome prediction model for ureteral/renal calculi.

Purpose: We externally validated a previously designed neural network model to predict outcome and duration of passage for ureteral/renal calculi. The model was also evaluated using a 6 mm largest stone dimension cutoff in predicting stone outcome.

Materials And Methods: The model was previously designed on 301 patients at Albany Medical Center (free shareware from www.