Out & Online effectiveness of a tailored online multi-symptom mental health and wellbeing program for same-sex attracted young adults: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
- Abbott, Jo-Anne, Klein, Britt, McLaren, Suzanne, Austin, David, Molloy, Mari, Meyer, Denny, McLeod, Bronte
- Authors: Abbott, Jo-Anne , Klein, Britt , McLaren, Suzanne , Austin, David , Molloy, Mari , Meyer, Denny , McLeod, Bronte
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Trials Vol. 15, no. 1 (2014), p. 1-19
- Full Text:
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- Description: Background: Same-sex attracted young adults have been found to experience higher rates of mental health problems and greater difficulties in accessing specialist mental health care services compared to their heterosexual peers. Internet-based mental health interventions have the potential to be more engaging and accessible to young adults compared to those delivered face-to-face. However, they are rarely inclusive of lesbian women and gay men. Thus, the current study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an online mental health and wellbeing program, Out & Online (http://www.outandonline.org.au), in comparison to a wait-list control group, for reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms in same-sex attracted young adults aged between 18 and 25 years. Methods/Design: We are recruiting, through media and community organisations, 200 same-sex attracted young adults with anxiety and/or depressive symptoms and mild to moderate psychological distress (Kessler-10 score between 16 to 21). Participants will be randomly allocated to the intervention (the online program) or the wait-list control group based on a permuted blocked randomisation method to allow for stratification by gender. Participants in the intervention group will receive a tailored program for up to three types of mental health difficulties simultaneously. The primary outcome of anxiety and/or depressive symptoms, and secondary outcomes related to psychological distress, wellbeing and health behaviour will be measured at pre-intervention (0 week), post-intervention (8 weeks) and at a 3-month follow-up (20 weeks). Discussion: This online mental health and wellbeing program will be one of the first online interventions to be designed specifically to be relevant for same-sex attracted individuals. If the program is found to be effective it will improve access to specialist same-sex attracted-relevant mental health services for young adults and will facilitate wellbeing outcomes for these individuals. This program will also be a significant development in the delivery of tailored interventions that target multiple types of mental health conditions simultaneously. © 2014 Abbott et al.
- Authors: Abbott, Jo-Anne , Klein, Britt , McLaren, Suzanne , Austin, David , Molloy, Mari , Meyer, Denny , McLeod, Bronte
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Trials Vol. 15, no. 1 (2014), p. 1-19
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Same-sex attracted young adults have been found to experience higher rates of mental health problems and greater difficulties in accessing specialist mental health care services compared to their heterosexual peers. Internet-based mental health interventions have the potential to be more engaging and accessible to young adults compared to those delivered face-to-face. However, they are rarely inclusive of lesbian women and gay men. Thus, the current study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an online mental health and wellbeing program, Out & Online (http://www.outandonline.org.au), in comparison to a wait-list control group, for reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms in same-sex attracted young adults aged between 18 and 25 years. Methods/Design: We are recruiting, through media and community organisations, 200 same-sex attracted young adults with anxiety and/or depressive symptoms and mild to moderate psychological distress (Kessler-10 score between 16 to 21). Participants will be randomly allocated to the intervention (the online program) or the wait-list control group based on a permuted blocked randomisation method to allow for stratification by gender. Participants in the intervention group will receive a tailored program for up to three types of mental health difficulties simultaneously. The primary outcome of anxiety and/or depressive symptoms, and secondary outcomes related to psychological distress, wellbeing and health behaviour will be measured at pre-intervention (0 week), post-intervention (8 weeks) and at a 3-month follow-up (20 weeks). Discussion: This online mental health and wellbeing program will be one of the first online interventions to be designed specifically to be relevant for same-sex attracted individuals. If the program is found to be effective it will improve access to specialist same-sex attracted-relevant mental health services for young adults and will facilitate wellbeing outcomes for these individuals. This program will also be a significant development in the delivery of tailored interventions that target multiple types of mental health conditions simultaneously. © 2014 Abbott et al.
Meaningful and effective consultation and the construction industry of Victoria, Australia
- Ayers, Gerard, Culvenor, John, Sillitoe, Jim, Else, Dennis
- Authors: Ayers, Gerard , Culvenor, John , Sillitoe, Jim , Else, Dennis
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Construction Management and Economics Vol. 31, no. 6 (2013), p. 542-567
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Consultation between employers and employees is mandated under Australian occupational health and safety legislation. For consultation to be considered meaningful and effective, it is generally accepted that moral and ethical principles such as trust, honesty, commitment and respect need to be recognized and applied by individuals during consultation. It is also considered that an organization's level of cultural maturity is an important element in the ability of individuals to freely engage in meaningful and effective consultation. If the value of consultation is best reflected in the degree of input and control that workers have regarding the very decisions that affect them, and if the level of worker involvement is a reflection of an organization's level of cultural maturity, it is debateable whether the notion of applying moral and ethical principles during consultation, and the adoption of the paradigm of organizational and cultural maturity, have been successfully developed and embraced in the commercial and industrial sector of the construction industry of Victoria, Australia. © 2013 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
- Description: C1
May measurement month 2018 : A pragmatic global screening campaign to raise awareness of blood pressure by the international society of hypertension
- Beaney, Thomas, Burrell, Louise, Castillo, Rafael, Charchar, Fadi, Cro, Suzie, Damasceno, Albertino, Kruger, Ruan, Nilsson, Peter, Prabhakaran, Dorairaj, Ramirez, Agustin, Schlaich, Markus, Schutte, Aletta, Tomaszewski, Maciej, Touyz, Rhian, Wang, Ji-Guang, Weber, Michael, Poulter, Neil
- Authors: Beaney, Thomas , Burrell, Louise , Castillo, Rafael , Charchar, Fadi , Cro, Suzie , Damasceno, Albertino , Kruger, Ruan , Nilsson, Peter , Prabhakaran, Dorairaj , Ramirez, Agustin , Schlaich, Markus , Schutte, Aletta , Tomaszewski, Maciej , Touyz, Rhian , Wang, Ji-Guang , Weber, Michael , Poulter, Neil
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: European Heart Journal Vol. 40, no. 25 (2019), p. 2006-2017
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Aims: Raised blood pressure (BP) is the biggest contributor to mortality and disease burden worldwide and fewer than half of those with hypertension are aware of it. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global campaign set up in 2017, to raise awareness of high BP and as a pragmatic solution to a lack of formal screening worldwide. The 2018 campaign was expanded, aiming to include more participants and countries. Methods and results: Eighty-nine countries participated in MMM 2018. Volunteers (≥18 years) were recruited through opportunistic sampling at a variety of screening sites. Each participant had three BP measurements and completed a questionnaire on demographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or taking antihypertensive medication. In total, 74.9% of screenees provided three BP readings. Multiple imputation using chained equations was used to impute missing readings. 1 504 963 individuals (mean age 45.3 years; 52.4% female) were screened. After multiple imputation, 502 079 (33.4%) individuals had hypertension, of whom 59.5% were aware of their diagnosis and 55.3% were taking antihypertensive medication. Of those on medication, 60.0% were controlled and of all hypertensives, 33.2% were controlled. We detected 224 285 individuals with untreated hypertension and 111 214 individuals with inadequately treated (systolic BP ≥ 140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg) hypertension. Conclusion: May Measurement Month expanded significantly compared with 2017, including more participants in more countries. The campaign identified over 335 000 adults with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. In the absence of systematic screening programmes, MMM was effective at raising awareness at least among these individuals at risk.
- Authors: Beaney, Thomas , Burrell, Louise , Castillo, Rafael , Charchar, Fadi , Cro, Suzie , Damasceno, Albertino , Kruger, Ruan , Nilsson, Peter , Prabhakaran, Dorairaj , Ramirez, Agustin , Schlaich, Markus , Schutte, Aletta , Tomaszewski, Maciej , Touyz, Rhian , Wang, Ji-Guang , Weber, Michael , Poulter, Neil
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: European Heart Journal Vol. 40, no. 25 (2019), p. 2006-2017
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Aims: Raised blood pressure (BP) is the biggest contributor to mortality and disease burden worldwide and fewer than half of those with hypertension are aware of it. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global campaign set up in 2017, to raise awareness of high BP and as a pragmatic solution to a lack of formal screening worldwide. The 2018 campaign was expanded, aiming to include more participants and countries. Methods and results: Eighty-nine countries participated in MMM 2018. Volunteers (≥18 years) were recruited through opportunistic sampling at a variety of screening sites. Each participant had three BP measurements and completed a questionnaire on demographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or taking antihypertensive medication. In total, 74.9% of screenees provided three BP readings. Multiple imputation using chained equations was used to impute missing readings. 1 504 963 individuals (mean age 45.3 years; 52.4% female) were screened. After multiple imputation, 502 079 (33.4%) individuals had hypertension, of whom 59.5% were aware of their diagnosis and 55.3% were taking antihypertensive medication. Of those on medication, 60.0% were controlled and of all hypertensives, 33.2% were controlled. We detected 224 285 individuals with untreated hypertension and 111 214 individuals with inadequately treated (systolic BP ≥ 140mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg) hypertension. Conclusion: May Measurement Month expanded significantly compared with 2017, including more participants in more countries. The campaign identified over 335 000 adults with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. In the absence of systematic screening programmes, MMM was effective at raising awareness at least among these individuals at risk.
May measurement month 2019 the global blood pressure screening campaign of the International Society of Hypertension
- Beaney, Thomas, Schutte, Aletta, Stergiou, George, Borghi, Claudio, Burger, Dylan, Charchar, Fadi, Cro, Suzie, Diaz, Alejandro, Damasceno, Albertino, Espeche, Walter, Jose, Arun, Khan, Nadia, Kokubo, Yoshihiro, Maheshwari, Anuj, Marin, Marcos, More, Arun, Neupane, Dinesh, Nilsson, Peter, Patil, Mansi, Prabhakaran, Dorairaj, Ramirez, Agustin, Rodriguez, Pablo, Schlaich, Markus, Steckelings, Ulrike, Tomaszewski, Maciej, Unger, Thomas, Wainford, Richard, Wang, Jiguang, Williams, Bryan, Poulter, Neil, M. M. M. Investigators
- Authors: Beaney, Thomas , Schutte, Aletta , Stergiou, George , Borghi, Claudio , Burger, Dylan , Charchar, Fadi , Cro, Suzie , Diaz, Alejandro , Damasceno, Albertino , Espeche, Walter , Jose, Arun , Khan, Nadia , Kokubo, Yoshihiro , Maheshwari, Anuj , Marin, Marcos , More, Arun , Neupane, Dinesh , Nilsson, Peter , Patil, Mansi , Prabhakaran, Dorairaj , Ramirez, Agustin , Rodriguez, Pablo , Schlaich, Markus , Steckelings, Ulrike , Tomaszewski, Maciej , Unger, Thomas , Wainford, Richard , Wang, Jiguang , Williams, Bryan , Poulter, Neil , M. M. M. Investigators
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Hypertension Vol. 76, no. 2 (Aug 2020), p. 333-341
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Elevated blood pressure remains the single biggest risk factor contributing to the global burden of disease and mortality. May Measurement Month is an annual global screening campaign aiming to improve awareness of blood pressure at the individual and population level. Adults (>= 18 years) recruited through opportunistic sampling were screened at sites in 92 countries during May 2019. Ideally, 3 blood pressure readings were measured for each participant, and data on lifestyle factors and comorbidities were collected. Hypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure >= 140 mm Hg, or a diastolic blood pressure >= 90 mm Hg (mean of the second and third readings) or taking antihypertensive medication. When necessary, multiple imputation was used to estimate participants' mean blood pressure. Mixed-effects models were used to evaluate associations between blood pressure and participant characteristics. Of 1 508 130 screenees 482 273 (32.0%) had never had a blood pressure measurement before and 513 337 (34.0%) had hypertension, of whom 58.7% were aware, and 54.7% were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on medication, 57.8% were controlled to <140/90 mm Hg, and 28.9% to <130/80 mm Hg. Of all those with hypertension, 31.7% were controlled to <140/90 mm Hg, and 350 825 (23.3%) participants had untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. Of those taking antihypertensive medication, half were taking only a single drug, and 25% reported using aspirin inappropriately. This survey is the largest ever synchronized and standardized contemporary compilation of global blood pressure data. This campaign is needed as a temporary substitute for systematic blood pressure screening in many countries worldwide.
- Authors: Beaney, Thomas , Schutte, Aletta , Stergiou, George , Borghi, Claudio , Burger, Dylan , Charchar, Fadi , Cro, Suzie , Diaz, Alejandro , Damasceno, Albertino , Espeche, Walter , Jose, Arun , Khan, Nadia , Kokubo, Yoshihiro , Maheshwari, Anuj , Marin, Marcos , More, Arun , Neupane, Dinesh , Nilsson, Peter , Patil, Mansi , Prabhakaran, Dorairaj , Ramirez, Agustin , Rodriguez, Pablo , Schlaich, Markus , Steckelings, Ulrike , Tomaszewski, Maciej , Unger, Thomas , Wainford, Richard , Wang, Jiguang , Williams, Bryan , Poulter, Neil , M. M. M. Investigators
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Hypertension Vol. 76, no. 2 (Aug 2020), p. 333-341
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Elevated blood pressure remains the single biggest risk factor contributing to the global burden of disease and mortality. May Measurement Month is an annual global screening campaign aiming to improve awareness of blood pressure at the individual and population level. Adults (>= 18 years) recruited through opportunistic sampling were screened at sites in 92 countries during May 2019. Ideally, 3 blood pressure readings were measured for each participant, and data on lifestyle factors and comorbidities were collected. Hypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure >= 140 mm Hg, or a diastolic blood pressure >= 90 mm Hg (mean of the second and third readings) or taking antihypertensive medication. When necessary, multiple imputation was used to estimate participants' mean blood pressure. Mixed-effects models were used to evaluate associations between blood pressure and participant characteristics. Of 1 508 130 screenees 482 273 (32.0%) had never had a blood pressure measurement before and 513 337 (34.0%) had hypertension, of whom 58.7% were aware, and 54.7% were on antihypertensive medication. Of those on medication, 57.8% were controlled to <140/90 mm Hg, and 28.9% to <130/80 mm Hg. Of all those with hypertension, 31.7% were controlled to <140/90 mm Hg, and 350 825 (23.3%) participants had untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. Of those taking antihypertensive medication, half were taking only a single drug, and 25% reported using aspirin inappropriately. This survey is the largest ever synchronized and standardized contemporary compilation of global blood pressure data. This campaign is needed as a temporary substitute for systematic blood pressure screening in many countries worldwide.
Cardiac response to exercise in normal ageing : What can we learn from masters athletes?
- Beaumont, Alexander, Campbell, Amy, Grace, Fergal, Sculthorpe, Nicholas
- Authors: Beaumont, Alexander , Campbell, Amy , Grace, Fergal , Sculthorpe, Nicholas
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Current Cardiology Reviews Vol. 14, no. 4 (2018), p. 245-253
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Ageing is associated with an inexorable decline in cardiac and vascular function, resulting in an increased risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). Lifestyle factors such as exercise have emerged as a primary therapeutic target in the prevention of CVD, yet older individuals are frequently reported as being the least active, with few meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines. In contrast, well trained older individuals (Masters athletes) have superior functional capacity than their sedentary peers and are often comparable with young non-athletes. Therefore, the 'masters' athlete may be viewed as a unique non-pharmacological model which may allow researchers to disentangle the inexorable from the preventable and the magnitude of the unavoidable 'true' reduction in cardiac function due to ageing. Conclusion: This review examines evidence from studies which have compared cardiac structure and function in well trained older athletes, with age-matched controls but otherwise healthy. © 2018 Bentham Science Publishers.
- Authors: Beaumont, Alexander , Campbell, Amy , Grace, Fergal , Sculthorpe, Nicholas
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Current Cardiology Reviews Vol. 14, no. 4 (2018), p. 245-253
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Ageing is associated with an inexorable decline in cardiac and vascular function, resulting in an increased risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). Lifestyle factors such as exercise have emerged as a primary therapeutic target in the prevention of CVD, yet older individuals are frequently reported as being the least active, with few meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines. In contrast, well trained older individuals (Masters athletes) have superior functional capacity than their sedentary peers and are often comparable with young non-athletes. Therefore, the 'masters' athlete may be viewed as a unique non-pharmacological model which may allow researchers to disentangle the inexorable from the preventable and the magnitude of the unavoidable 'true' reduction in cardiac function due to ageing. Conclusion: This review examines evidence from studies which have compared cardiac structure and function in well trained older athletes, with age-matched controls but otherwise healthy. © 2018 Bentham Science Publishers.
Male-specific region of the y chromosome and cardiovascular risk phylogenetic analysis and gene expression studies
- Bloomer, Lisa, Nelson, Christopher, Eales, James, Denniff, Matthew, Christofidou, Paraskevi, Debiec, Radoslaw, Moore, Jasbir, Consortium, Cardiogenics, Zukowska-Szczechowska, Ewa, Goodall, Alison, Thompson, John, Samani, Nilesh, Charchar, Fadi, Tomaszewski, Maciej
- Authors: Bloomer, Lisa , Nelson, Christopher , Eales, James , Denniff, Matthew , Christofidou, Paraskevi , Debiec, Radoslaw , Moore, Jasbir , Consortium, Cardiogenics , Zukowska-Szczechowska, Ewa , Goodall, Alison , Thompson, John , Samani, Nilesh , Charchar, Fadi , Tomaszewski, Maciej
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology Vol. 33, no. 7 (2013), p. 1722-1727
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1009490
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective-Haplogroup I of male-specific region of the human Y chromosome is associated with 50% increased risk of coronary artery disease. It is not clear to what extent conventional cardiovascular risk factors and genes of the malespecific region may explain this association. Approach and Results-A total of 1988 biologically unrelated men from 4 white European populations were genotyped using 11 Y chromosome single nucleotide polymorphisms and classified into 13 most common European haplogroups. Approximately 75% to 93% of the haplotypic variation of the Y chromosome in all cohorts was attributable to I, R1a, and R1b1b2 lineages. None of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including body mass index, blood pressures, lipids, glucose, C-reactive protein, creatinine, and insulin resistance, was associated with haplogroup I of the Y chromosome in the joint inverse variance meta-analysis. Fourteen of 15 ubiquitous single-copy genes of the male-specific region were expressed in human macrophages. When compared with men with other haplogroups, carriers of haplogroup I had 0.61- and 0.64-fold lower expression of ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat, Y-linked gene (UTY) and protein kinase, Y-linked, pseudogene (PRKY) in macrophages (P=0.0001 and P=0.002, respectively). Conclusions-Coronary artery disease predisposing haplogroup I of the Y chromosome is associated with downregulation of UTY and PRKY genes in macrophages but not with conventional cardiovascular risk factors. © 2013 American Heart Association, Inc.
- Description: 2003011132
- Authors: Bloomer, Lisa , Nelson, Christopher , Eales, James , Denniff, Matthew , Christofidou, Paraskevi , Debiec, Radoslaw , Moore, Jasbir , Consortium, Cardiogenics , Zukowska-Szczechowska, Ewa , Goodall, Alison , Thompson, John , Samani, Nilesh , Charchar, Fadi , Tomaszewski, Maciej
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology Vol. 33, no. 7 (2013), p. 1722-1727
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1009490
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective-Haplogroup I of male-specific region of the human Y chromosome is associated with 50% increased risk of coronary artery disease. It is not clear to what extent conventional cardiovascular risk factors and genes of the malespecific region may explain this association. Approach and Results-A total of 1988 biologically unrelated men from 4 white European populations were genotyped using 11 Y chromosome single nucleotide polymorphisms and classified into 13 most common European haplogroups. Approximately 75% to 93% of the haplotypic variation of the Y chromosome in all cohorts was attributable to I, R1a, and R1b1b2 lineages. None of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including body mass index, blood pressures, lipids, glucose, C-reactive protein, creatinine, and insulin resistance, was associated with haplogroup I of the Y chromosome in the joint inverse variance meta-analysis. Fourteen of 15 ubiquitous single-copy genes of the male-specific region were expressed in human macrophages. When compared with men with other haplogroups, carriers of haplogroup I had 0.61- and 0.64-fold lower expression of ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat, Y-linked gene (UTY) and protein kinase, Y-linked, pseudogene (PRKY) in macrophages (P=0.0001 and P=0.002, respectively). Conclusions-Coronary artery disease predisposing haplogroup I of the Y chromosome is associated with downregulation of UTY and PRKY genes in macrophages but not with conventional cardiovascular risk factors. © 2013 American Heart Association, Inc.
- Description: 2003011132
- Bloomer, Lisa, Nelson, Christopher, Denniff, Matthew, Christofidou, Paraskevi, Debiec, Radoslaw, Thompson, John, Zukowska-Szczechowska, Ewa, Samani, Nilesh, Charchar, Fadi, Tomaszewski, Maciej
- Authors: Bloomer, Lisa , Nelson, Christopher , Denniff, Matthew , Christofidou, Paraskevi , Debiec, Radoslaw , Thompson, John , Zukowska-Szczechowska, Ewa , Samani, Nilesh , Charchar, Fadi , Tomaszewski, Maciej
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Atherosclerosis Vol. 233, no. 1 (2014), p. 160-164
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1009490
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: Amongst middle-aged men, haplogroup I is associated with approximate to 50% higher risk of coronary artery disease than other paternal lineages of Y chromosome. We hypothesised that carriers of haplogroup I had higher levels of aggression and estrogens and/or lower levels of androgens early in life and thus might be more prone to cardiovascular disease than men with other lineages of Y chromosome. Methods: We reconstructed phylogenetic tree of the Y chromosome in > 1000 young apparently healthy white men from the general population. Each Y chromosome was classified into one of 13 most common European lineages. Androgens (DHEA-S, androstenedione, total testosterone) and their metabolites (total estradiol, estrone) were measured by radioimmunoassays. Information on five dimensions of aggression (total, physical, verbal, anger and hostility) was collected using Buss and Perry questionnaire. Results: Approximately 17% men inherited haplogroup I from their fathers. Carriers of haplogroup I showed lower scores of verbal aggression than men with other haplogroups (beta = -0.72, SE = 0.29, P = 0.012) and when further compared to carriers of most common R1a lineage and other haplogroups (beta = -1.03, SE = 0.34, P = 0.003). However, these associations did not survive a correction for multiple testing. Sex steroids did not show even nominal level of association with haplogroup I. Conclusion: Our data show no overall association between haplogroup I and sex-related phenotypes in young white men. These results also suggest that the previously identified association between haplogroup I and coronary artery disease is not likely mediated by unfavourable profile of sex steroids or heightened aggression early in life. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Chilton, Warrick, Marques, Francine, O'Brien, Brendan, Charchar, Fadi
- Authors: Chilton, Warrick , Marques, Francine , O'Brien, Brendan , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Hypertension Vol. 30, no. e-Supplement (September 2012), p. e49
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Compelling epidemiological data demonstrates that regular physical exercise reduces cardiovascular mortality. Telomeres are specialised DNA structures located at the end of linear chromosomes where they protect them from degradation during DNA replication. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression is essential for telomere length maintenance. Accelerated telomere shortening is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) is associated with increased longevity and protection against cardiac hypertrophy. Importantly, SIRT6 maintains genomic stability by specifically associating with telomeric chromatin. We hypothesized that acute cardiorespiratory exercise will affect the immediate expression of TERT and SIRT6. Methods: Twenty four healthy adults (19-39 years old) undertook 30 minutes of continuous treadmill running at 80% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Blood samples were taken before and immediately after exercise. Total RNA was extracted from white blood cells using TRIzol(R) LS reagent. TERT and SIRT6 mRNA expression were measured by real-time PCR. Results: There was no difference in TERT (P = 0.13) and SIRT6 (P = 0.73) mRNA levels immediately after acute cardiorespiratory exercise. Resting TERT levels, however, were negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.03), waist to hip ratio (P = 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (BP) (P = 0.05), while a marginal negative correlation was observed with systolic BP (P = 0.07). Conclusions: The results indicate that intense cardiorespiratory exercise does not result in acute modulation of TERT and SIRT6 mRNA. The negative correlations between BP, BMI, waist to hip ratio and TERT levels may provide a mechanistic insight into the established negative correlations between telomere length, hypertension and obesity.
- Description: C1
121 Telomere attrition is attenuated in ultra-marathon runners
- Denham, Joshua, Nankervis, Scott, Debiec, Radek, Harvey, Jack, Pascoe, Deborah, Marques, Francine, O’Brien, Brendan, Zukowska-Szczechowska, Ewa, Tomaszewski, Maciej, Charchar, Fadi
- Authors: Denham, Joshua , Nankervis, Scott , Debiec, Radek , Harvey, Jack , Pascoe, Deborah , Marques, Francine , O’Brien, Brendan , Zukowska-Szczechowska, Ewa , Tomaszewski, Maciej , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Hypertension Vol. 30, no. e-Supplement (September 2012), p. e37
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Leukocyte telomere length is a marker of biological ageing and its shortening is associated with cardiovascular disease. Engagement in regular moderate-intensity physical activity is a recognised method of cardiovascular disease prevention. However, it is not clear whether repeated exposure to ultra-strenuous physical exercise is beneficial long-term and whether it may attenuate biological ageing. Methods: We compared leukocyte telomere length in context of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction between 67 male ultra-marathon runners and 67 age-, sex- and BMI-matched apparently healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and leukocyte telomere length was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. Adhesion molecules (sICAM-1, sE-selectin) and inflammatory markers (IL-6, C-reactive protein) concentrations were measured in 67 ultra-marathon runners by quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique, high-sensitive immunoassay and ultra-sensitive double antibody sandwich ELISA, respectively. Results: Adjusted (for age, BMI, blood pressure and lipids) leukocyte telomere length was approximately 13.8% greater in the ultra-marathon runners than in the controls (P<0.001). This translates into approximately 32.9 years difference in age-related telomere length attrition. There was a strong negative linear correlation between sICAM-1 and leukocyte telomere length in the ultra-marathon runners (r=-0.33; P=0.007) and this association retained its statistical significance after adjustment for age, BMI, blood pressure and lipids in multiple regression (P=0.026). Conclusion: Prolonged, intense physical exercise may attenuate cellular ageing possibly through a protective effect on endothelial function.
- Description: C1
A multi-omics glimpse into the biology of arterial stiffness
- Eales, James, Romaine, Simon, Charchar, Fadi, Tomaszewski, Maciej
- Authors: Eales, James , Romaine, Simon , Charchar, Fadi , Tomaszewski, Maciej
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Hypertension Vol. 34, no. 1 (2015), p. 32-35
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: It has long been recognized that the structure of arteries throughout the vascular tree is not uniform. Notably, the media of large proximal (central) vessels contains relatively much greater amounts of elastin and elastic lamellae than smaller, more distal (peripheral) arteries; the converse is true of vascular smooth muscle cells. Under physiological conditions, the greater elasticity of central arteries compared with more muscular peripheral arteries allows conversion of the pulsatile nature of ventricular ejection into a relatively steady flow of blood at the distal end of the arterial system, conferring protection from pulsatile energy [1,2]. Furthermore, these differences in impedance can generate partial wave reflections, which arrive in the aorta during diastole, boosting diastolic blood pressure and augmenting coronary perfusion pressure [3].
Human Y Chromosome Exerts Pleiotropic Effects on Susceptibility to Atherosclerosis
- Eales, James, Maan, Akhlaq, Xu, Xiaoguang, Michoel, Tom, Hallast, Pille, Batini, C, Zadik, Daniel, Prestes, Priscilla, Molina, Elsa, Denniff, Matthew, Schroeder, Juliane, Bjorkegren, Johan, Thompson, John, Maffia, Pasquale, Guzik, Tomasz, Keavney, Bernard, Jobling, Mark, Samani, Nilesh, Charchar, Fadi, Tomaszewski, Maciej
- Authors: Eales, James , Maan, Akhlaq , Xu, Xiaoguang , Michoel, Tom , Hallast, Pille , Batini, C , Zadik, Daniel , Prestes, Priscilla , Molina, Elsa , Denniff, Matthew , Schroeder, Juliane , Bjorkegren, Johan , Thompson, John , Maffia, Pasquale , Guzik, Tomasz , Keavney, Bernard , Jobling, Mark , Samani, Nilesh , Charchar, Fadi , Tomaszewski, Maciej
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology Vol. 39, no. 11 (2019), p. 2386-2401
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: OBJECTIVE: The male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) remains one of the most unexplored regions of the genome. We sought to examine how the genetic variants of the MSY influence male susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD) and atherosclerosis. Approach and Results: Analysis of 129 133 men from UK Biobank revealed that only one of 7 common MSY haplogroups (haplogroup I1) was associated with CAD-carriers of haplogroup I1 had ≈11% increase in risk of CAD when compared with all other haplogroups combined (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04-1.18; P=6.8×10-4). Targeted MSY sequencing uncovered 235 variants exclusive to this haplogroup. The haplogroup I1-specific variants showed 2.45- and 1.56-fold respective enrichment for promoter and enhancer chromatin states, in cells/tissues relevant to atherosclerosis, when compared with other MSY variants. Gene set enrichment analysis in CAD-relevant tissues showed that haplogroup I1 was associated with changes in pathways responsible for early and late stages of atherosclerosis development including defence against pathogens, immunity, oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial respiration, lipids, coagulation, and extracellular matrix remodeling. UTY was the only Y chromosome gene whose blood expression was associated with haplogroup I1. Experimental reduction of UTY expression in macrophages led to changes in expression of 59 pathways (28 of which overlapped with those associated with haplogroup I1) and a significant reduction in the immune costimulatory signal. CONCLUSIONS: Haplogroup I1 is enriched for regulatory chromatin variants in numerous cells of relevance to CAD and increases cardiovascular risk through proatherosclerotic reprogramming of the transcriptome, partly through UTY.
- Authors: Eales, James , Maan, Akhlaq , Xu, Xiaoguang , Michoel, Tom , Hallast, Pille , Batini, C , Zadik, Daniel , Prestes, Priscilla , Molina, Elsa , Denniff, Matthew , Schroeder, Juliane , Bjorkegren, Johan , Thompson, John , Maffia, Pasquale , Guzik, Tomasz , Keavney, Bernard , Jobling, Mark , Samani, Nilesh , Charchar, Fadi , Tomaszewski, Maciej
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology Vol. 39, no. 11 (2019), p. 2386-2401
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: OBJECTIVE: The male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) remains one of the most unexplored regions of the genome. We sought to examine how the genetic variants of the MSY influence male susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD) and atherosclerosis. Approach and Results: Analysis of 129 133 men from UK Biobank revealed that only one of 7 common MSY haplogroups (haplogroup I1) was associated with CAD-carriers of haplogroup I1 had ≈11% increase in risk of CAD when compared with all other haplogroups combined (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04-1.18; P=6.8×10-4). Targeted MSY sequencing uncovered 235 variants exclusive to this haplogroup. The haplogroup I1-specific variants showed 2.45- and 1.56-fold respective enrichment for promoter and enhancer chromatin states, in cells/tissues relevant to atherosclerosis, when compared with other MSY variants. Gene set enrichment analysis in CAD-relevant tissues showed that haplogroup I1 was associated with changes in pathways responsible for early and late stages of atherosclerosis development including defence against pathogens, immunity, oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial respiration, lipids, coagulation, and extracellular matrix remodeling. UTY was the only Y chromosome gene whose blood expression was associated with haplogroup I1. Experimental reduction of UTY expression in macrophages led to changes in expression of 59 pathways (28 of which overlapped with those associated with haplogroup I1) and a significant reduction in the immune costimulatory signal. CONCLUSIONS: Haplogroup I1 is enriched for regulatory chromatin variants in numerous cells of relevance to CAD and increases cardiovascular risk through proatherosclerotic reprogramming of the transcriptome, partly through UTY.
Short and long term mortality rates after a lower limb amputation
- Fortington, Lauren, Geertzen, Jan, Van Netten, Jaap, Postema, Klaas, Rommers, Gerardus, Dijkstra, Pieter
- Authors: Fortington, Lauren , Geertzen, Jan , Van Netten, Jaap , Postema, Klaas , Rommers, Gerardus , Dijkstra, Pieter
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Vol. 46, no. 1 (July 2013), p. 124-131
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: To determine mortality rates after a first lower limb amputation and explore the rates for different subpopulations. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all people who underwent a first amputation at or proximal to transtibial level, in an area of 1.7 million people. Analysis with Kaplan-Meier curves and Log Rank tests for univariate associations of psycho-social and health variables. Logistic regression for odds of death at 30-days, 1-year and 5-years. Results: 299 people were included. Median time to death was 20.3 months (95%CI: 13.1; 27.5). 30-day mortality = 22%; odds of death 2.3 times higher in people with history of cerebrovascular disease (95%CI: 1.2; 4.7, P = 0.016). 1 year mortality = 44%; odds of death 3.5 times higher for people with renal disease (95%CI: 1.8; 7.0, P < 0.001). 5-years mortality = 77%; odds of death 5.4 times higher for people with renal disease (95%CI: 1.8; 16.0,P = 0.003). Variation in mortality rates was most apparent in different age groups; people 75-84 years having better short term outcomes than those younger and older. Conclusions: Mortality rates demonstrated the frailty of this population, with almost one quarter of people dying within 30-days, and almost half at 1 year. People with cerebrovascular had higher odds of death at 30 days, and those with renal disease and 1 and 5 years, respectively.
- Description: C1
Renal nerves contribute to hypertension in Schlager BPH/2J mice
- Gueguen, Cindy, Jackson, Kristy, Marques, Francine, Eikelis, Nina, Phillips, Sarah, Stevenson, Emily, Charchar, Fadi, Lambert, Gavin, Davern, Pamela, Head, Geoffrey
- Authors: Gueguen, Cindy , Jackson, Kristy , Marques, Francine , Eikelis, Nina , Phillips, Sarah , Stevenson, Emily , Charchar, Fadi , Lambert, Gavin , Davern, Pamela , Head, Geoffrey
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Hypertension Research Vol. 42, no. 3 (2019), p. 306-318
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Schlager mice (BPH/2J) are hypertensive due to a greater contribution of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The kidneys of BPH/2J are hyper-innervated suggesting renal nerves may contribute to the hypertension. We therefore determined the effect of bilateral renal denervation (RD) on hypertension in BPH/2J. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured by radiotelemetry before and for 3 weeks after RD in BPH/2J and BPN/3J. The effects of pentolinium and enalaprilat were examined to determine the contribution of the SNS and RAS, respectively. After 3 weeks, MAP was −10.9 ± 2.1 mmHg lower in RD BPH/2J compared to baseline and −2.1 ± 2.2 mmHg in sham BPH/2J (P < 0.001, n = 8–10). RD had no effect in BPN/3J (P > 0.1). The depressor response to pentolinium was greater in BPH/2J than BPN/3J, but in both cases the response in RD mice was similar to sham. Enalaprilat decreased MAP more in RD BPH/2J compared to sham (−12 vs −3 mmHg, P < 0.001) but had no effect in BPN/3J. RD reduced renal noradrenaline in both strains but more so in BPH/2J. RD reduced renin mRNA and protein, but not plasma renin in BPH/2J to levels comparable with BPN/3J mice. We conclude that renal nerves contribute to hypertension in BPH mice as RD induced a sustained fall in MAP, which was associated with a reduction of intrarenal renin expression. The lack of inhibition of the depressor effects of pentolinium and enalaprilat by RD suggests that vasoconstrictor effects of the SNS or RAS are not involved.
- Authors: Gueguen, Cindy , Jackson, Kristy , Marques, Francine , Eikelis, Nina , Phillips, Sarah , Stevenson, Emily , Charchar, Fadi , Lambert, Gavin , Davern, Pamela , Head, Geoffrey
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Hypertension Research Vol. 42, no. 3 (2019), p. 306-318
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Schlager mice (BPH/2J) are hypertensive due to a greater contribution of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The kidneys of BPH/2J are hyper-innervated suggesting renal nerves may contribute to the hypertension. We therefore determined the effect of bilateral renal denervation (RD) on hypertension in BPH/2J. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured by radiotelemetry before and for 3 weeks after RD in BPH/2J and BPN/3J. The effects of pentolinium and enalaprilat were examined to determine the contribution of the SNS and RAS, respectively. After 3 weeks, MAP was −10.9 ± 2.1 mmHg lower in RD BPH/2J compared to baseline and −2.1 ± 2.2 mmHg in sham BPH/2J (P < 0.001, n = 8–10). RD had no effect in BPN/3J (P > 0.1). The depressor response to pentolinium was greater in BPH/2J than BPN/3J, but in both cases the response in RD mice was similar to sham. Enalaprilat decreased MAP more in RD BPH/2J compared to sham (−12 vs −3 mmHg, P < 0.001) but had no effect in BPN/3J. RD reduced renal noradrenaline in both strains but more so in BPH/2J. RD reduced renin mRNA and protein, but not plasma renin in BPH/2J to levels comparable with BPN/3J mice. We conclude that renal nerves contribute to hypertension in BPH mice as RD induced a sustained fall in MAP, which was associated with a reduction of intrarenal renin expression. The lack of inhibition of the depressor effects of pentolinium and enalaprilat by RD suggests that vasoconstrictor effects of the SNS or RAS are not involved.
- Haitjema, Saskia, van Setten, Jessica, Eales, James, van der Laan, Sander, Gandin, Ilaria, de Vries, Jean-Paul, de Borst, Gert, Pasterkamp, Gerard, Asselbergs, Folkert, Charchar, Fadi, Wilson, James, de Jager, Saskia, Tomaszewski, Maciej, den Ruijter, Hester
- Authors: Haitjema, Saskia , van Setten, Jessica , Eales, James , van der Laan, Sander , Gandin, Ilaria , de Vries, Jean-Paul , de Borst, Gert , Pasterkamp, Gerard , Asselbergs, Folkert , Charchar, Fadi , Wilson, James , de Jager, Saskia , Tomaszewski, Maciej , den Ruijter, Hester
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Atherosclerosis Vol. 259, no. (2017), p. 114-119
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background and aims: Haplogroup I, a common European paternal lineage of the Y chromosome, is associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease in British men. It is unclear whether this haplogroup or any other haplogroup on the Y chromosome is associated with histological characteristics of the diseased vessel wall in other vascular manifestations of cardiovascular diseases showing a male preponderance. Methods: We examined Dutch men undergoing either carotid endarterectomy from the Athero-Express biobank (AE, n = 1217) or open aneurysm repair from the Aneurysm-Express biobank (AAA, n = 393). Upon resolving the Y chromosome phylogeny, each man was assigned to one of the paternal lineages based on combinations of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the male-specific region of the Y chromosome. We examined the associations between the Y chromosome and the histological characteristics of the carotid plaque and aneurysm wall, including lipid content, leukocyte infiltration and intraplaque haemorrhage, in all men. Results: A majority of men were carriers of either haplogroup I (AE: 28% AAA: 24%) or haplogroup R (AE: 59% AAA: 61%). We found no association between Y chromosomal haplogroups and histological characteristics of plaque collected from carotid arteries or tissue specimens of aneurysms. Moreover, the distribution of frequency for all Y chromosomal haplogroups in both cohorts was similar to that of a general population of Dutch men. Conclusions: Our data show that genetic variation on the Y chromosome is not associated with histological characteristics of the plaques from carotid arteries or specimens of aneurysms in men of Dutch origin. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.
Genetics of blood pressure : Time to curate the collection
- Harrap, Stephen, Charchar, Fadi
- Authors: Harrap, Stephen , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article , Editorial
- Relation: Journal of Hypertension Vol. 35, no. 7 (2017), p. 1360-1362
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The genetics of blood pressure (BP) is all about discovery and understanding, but it is certainly not for the faint hearted. Despite heroic effort, the question we posed nearly 15 years ago [1] regarding the whereabouts of BP genes remains largely unanswered.
- Jackson, Kristy, Gueguen, Cindy, Lim, Kyungjoon, Eikelis, Nina, Stevenson, Emily, Charchar, Fadi, Lambert, Gavin, Burke, Sandra, Paterson, Madeleine, Marques, Francine, Head, Geoffrey
- Authors: Jackson, Kristy , Gueguen, Cindy , Lim, Kyungjoon , Eikelis, Nina , Stevenson, Emily , Charchar, Fadi , Lambert, Gavin , Burke, Sandra , Paterson, Madeleine , Marques, Francine , Head, Geoffrey
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Hypertension Research Vol. 43, no. 11 (2020), p. 1152-1164
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: BPH/2J mice are a genetic model of hypertension with overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and renin–angiotensin system (RAS). BPH/2J display higher renal renin mRNA and low levels of its negative regulator microRNA-181a (miR-181a). We hypothesise that high renal SNS activity may reduce miR-181a expression, which contributes to elevated RAS activity and hypertension in BPH/2J. Our aim was to determine whether in vivo administration of a renal-specific miR-181a mimic or whether renal denervation could increase renal miR-181a abundance to reduce renal renin mRNA, RAS activity and hypertension in BPH/2J mice. Blood pressure (BP) in BPH/2J and normotensive BPN/3J mice was measured via radiotelemetry probes. Mice were administered miR-181a mimic or a negative control (1–25 nmol, i.v., n = 6–10) with BP measured for 48 h after each dose or they underwent renal denervation or sham surgery (n = 7–9). Injection of 5–25 nmol miR-181a mimic reduced BP in BPH/2J mice after 36–48 h (−5.3 ± 1.8, −6.1 ± 1.9 mmHg, respectively, P < 0.016). Treatment resulted in lower renal renin and inflammatory marker (TLR4) mRNA levels in BPH/2J. The mimic abolished the hypotensive effect of blocking the RAS with enalaprilat (P < 0.01). No differences between mimic or vehicle were observed in BPN/3J mice except for a higher level of renal angiotensinogen in the mimic-treated mice. Renal miR-181a levels that were lower in sham BPH/2J mice were greater following renal denervation and were thus similar to those of BPN/3J. Our findings suggest that the reduced renal miR-181a may partially contribute to the elevated BP in BPH/2J mice, through an interaction between the renal sympathetic nerves and miR-181a regulation of the RAS. © 2020, The Japanese Society of Hypertension.
- Description: This work was supported by a grant from the National Health & Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC, Project grant 1065714) and in part by the Victorian Government’s OIS Program. Investigators were supported by NHMRC/National Heart Foundation (NHF) Postdoctoral Fellowships (NHMRC APP1091688 to KLJ, NHMRC APP1052659 and NHF PF12M6785 and 101185 to FZM) and NHMRC Research Fellowships (APP1042492 to GWL and APP1002186 to GAH).
- Jackson, Kristy, Marques, Francine, Watson, Anna, Palma-Rigo, Keisia, Nguyen-Huu, Thu-Phuc, Morris, Brian, Charchar, Fadi, Davern, Pamela, Head, Geoffrey
- Authors: Jackson, Kristy , Marques, Francine , Watson, Anna , Palma-Rigo, Keisia , Nguyen-Huu, Thu-Phuc , Morris, Brian , Charchar, Fadi , Davern, Pamela , Head, Geoffrey
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Hypertension Vol. 62 , no. 4 (2013), p. 775-781
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Genetically hypertensive mice (BPH/2J) are hypertensive because of an exaggerated contribution of the sympathetic nervous system to blood pressure. We hypothesize that an additional contribution to elevated blood pressure is via sympathetically mediated activation of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system. Our aim was to determine the contribution of the renin-angiotensin system and sympathetic nervous system to hypertension in BPH/2J mice. BPH/2J and normotensive BPN/3J mice were preimplanted with radiotelemetry devices to measure blood pressure. Depressor responses to ganglion blocker pentolinium (5 mg/kg i.p.) in mice pretreated with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalaprilat (1.5 mg/kg i.p.) revealed a 2-fold greater sympathetic contribution to blood pressure in BPH/2J mice during the active and inactive period. However, the depressor response to enalaprilat was 4-fold greater in BPH/2J compared with BPN/3J mice, but only during the active period (P=0.01). This was associated with 1.6-fold higher renal renin messenger RNA (mRNA; P=0.02) and 0.8-fold lower abundance of micro-RNA-181a (P=0.03), identified previously as regulating human renin mRNA. Renin mRNA levels correlated positively with depressor responses to pentolinium (r=0.99; P=0.001), and BPH/2J mice had greater renal sympathetic innervation density as identified by tyrosine hydroxylase staining of cortical tubules. Although there is a major sympathetic contribution to hypertension in BPH/2J mice, the renin-angiotensin system also contributes, doing so to a greater extent during the active period and less during the inactive period. This is the opposite of the normal renin-angiotensin system circadian pattern. We suggest that renal hyperinnervation and enhanced sympathetically induced renin synthesis mediated by lower micro-RNA-181a contributes to hypertension in BPH/2J mice.
Hypertension and renin-angiotensin system blockers are not associated with expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the kidney
- Jiang, Xiao, Eales, James, Scannali, David, Prestes, Priscilla, Charchar, Fadi
- Authors: Jiang, Xiao , Eales, James , Scannali, David , Prestes, Priscilla , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Heart Journal Vol. 41, no. 48 (2020), p. 4580-4588
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Aims Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the cellular entry point for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) - the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the effect of renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-inhibition on ACE2 expression in human tissues of key relevance to blood pressure regulation and COVID-19 infection has not previously been reported. Methods and results We examined how hypertension, its major metabolic co-phenotypes, and antihypertensive medications relate to ACE2 renal expression using information from up to 436 patients whose kidney transcriptomes were characterized by RNA-sequencing. We further validated some of the key observations in other human tissues and/or a controlled experimental model. Our data reveal increasing expression of ACE2 with age in both human lungs and the kidney. We show no association between renal expression of ACE2 and either hypertension or common types of RAS inhibiting drugs. We demonstrate that renal abundance of ACE2 is positively associated with a biochemical index of kidney function and show a strong enrichment for genes responsible for kidney health and disease in ACE2 coexpression analysis. Conclusion Our results indicate that neither hypertension nor antihypertensive treatment is likely to alter the expression of the key entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2 in the human kidney. Our data further suggest that in the absence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, kidney ACE2 is most likely nephro-protective but the age-related increase in its expression within lungs and kidneys may be relevant to the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. © The Author(s) 2020. *Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliates “James Eales", "Priscilla Prestes" and "Fadi Charchar” are provided in this record**
- Authors: Jiang, Xiao , Eales, James , Scannali, David , Prestes, Priscilla , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Heart Journal Vol. 41, no. 48 (2020), p. 4580-4588
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Aims Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the cellular entry point for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) - the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the effect of renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-inhibition on ACE2 expression in human tissues of key relevance to blood pressure regulation and COVID-19 infection has not previously been reported. Methods and results We examined how hypertension, its major metabolic co-phenotypes, and antihypertensive medications relate to ACE2 renal expression using information from up to 436 patients whose kidney transcriptomes were characterized by RNA-sequencing. We further validated some of the key observations in other human tissues and/or a controlled experimental model. Our data reveal increasing expression of ACE2 with age in both human lungs and the kidney. We show no association between renal expression of ACE2 and either hypertension or common types of RAS inhibiting drugs. We demonstrate that renal abundance of ACE2 is positively associated with a biochemical index of kidney function and show a strong enrichment for genes responsible for kidney health and disease in ACE2 coexpression analysis. Conclusion Our results indicate that neither hypertension nor antihypertensive treatment is likely to alter the expression of the key entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2 in the human kidney. Our data further suggest that in the absence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, kidney ACE2 is most likely nephro-protective but the age-related increase in its expression within lungs and kidneys may be relevant to the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. © The Author(s) 2020. *Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliates “James Eales", "Priscilla Prestes" and "Fadi Charchar” are provided in this record**
The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular disease among primary care patients in Poland : results from the LIPIDOGRAM2015 study
- Jóźwiak, Jacek, Studziński, Krzysztof, Tomasik, Tomasz, Windak, Adam, Charchar, Fadi
- Authors: Jóźwiak, Jacek , Studziński, Krzysztof , Tomasik, Tomasz , Windak, Adam , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Atherosclerosis Supplements Vol. 42, no. (2020), p. e15-e24
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background and aim: To estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) disease and CV risk factors among Polish patients. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study, LIPIDOGRAM2015, was carried out in Poland in the 4th quarter of 2015 and 1st and 2nd quarters of 2016; 438 primary care physicians enrolled 13,724 adult patients that sought medical care in primary health care practices. Results: Nearly 19% of men and approximately 12% of women had cardiovascular disease (CVD). Over 60% of the recruited patients had hypertension (HTN), >80% had dyslipidaemia and <15% of patients were diagnosed with diabetes (DM). All of these disorders were more frequent in men. In 80% of patients the waist circumference exceed norm for the European population. Less than half of the patients were current smokers or had smoked in the past. Patients with CVD had significantly higher blood pressure and glucose levels but lower low density lipoprotein-cholesterol level. Conclusions: The prevalence of CVD and CV risk factors among patients in Poland is high. CVD is more common in men than in women. The most common CV risk factors are excess waist circumference, dyslipidaemia and HTN. Family physicians should conduct activities to prevent, diagnose early and treat CVD in the primary health care population. © 2021 Elsevier B.V. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Fadi Charchar” is provided in this record**
- Authors: Jóźwiak, Jacek , Studziński, Krzysztof , Tomasik, Tomasz , Windak, Adam , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Atherosclerosis Supplements Vol. 42, no. (2020), p. e15-e24
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background and aim: To estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) disease and CV risk factors among Polish patients. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study, LIPIDOGRAM2015, was carried out in Poland in the 4th quarter of 2015 and 1st and 2nd quarters of 2016; 438 primary care physicians enrolled 13,724 adult patients that sought medical care in primary health care practices. Results: Nearly 19% of men and approximately 12% of women had cardiovascular disease (CVD). Over 60% of the recruited patients had hypertension (HTN), >80% had dyslipidaemia and <15% of patients were diagnosed with diabetes (DM). All of these disorders were more frequent in men. In 80% of patients the waist circumference exceed norm for the European population. Less than half of the patients were current smokers or had smoked in the past. Patients with CVD had significantly higher blood pressure and glucose levels but lower low density lipoprotein-cholesterol level. Conclusions: The prevalence of CVD and CV risk factors among patients in Poland is high. CVD is more common in men than in women. The most common CV risk factors are excess waist circumference, dyslipidaemia and HTN. Family physicians should conduct activities to prevent, diagnose early and treat CVD in the primary health care population. © 2021 Elsevier B.V. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Fadi Charchar” is provided in this record**
A phase II trial for the efficacy of physiotherapy intervention for early-onset hip osteoarthritis: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
- Kemp, Joanne, Moore, Kate, Fransen, Marlene, Russell, Trevor, Crossley, Kay
- Authors: Kemp, Joanne , Moore, Kate , Fransen, Marlene , Russell, Trevor , Crossley, Kay
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Trials Vol. 16, no. 1 (2015), p. 1-8
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Early-onset hip osteoarthritis is commonly seen in people undergoing hip arthroscopy and is associated with increased pain, reduced ability to participate in physical activity, reduced quality of life and reduced range of motion and muscle strength. Despite this, the efficacy of non-surgical interventions such as exercise therapies remains unknown. The primary aim is to establish the feasibility of a phase III randomised controlled trial investigating a targeted physiotherapy intervention for people with early-onset hip osteoarthritis. The secondary aims are to determine the size of treatment effects of a physiotherapy intervention, targeted to improve hip joint range and hip-related symptoms in early-onset hip osteoarthritis following hip arthroscopy, compared to a health-education control. Methods: This protocol describes a randomised, assessor- and participant-blind, controlled clinical trial. We will include 20 participants who are (i) aged between 18 and 50 years; (ii) have undergone hip arthroscopy during the past six to 12 months; (iii) have early-onset hip osteoarthritis (defined as chondrolabral pathology) at the time of hip arthroscopy; and (iv) experience hip-related pain during activities. Primary outcome will be the feasibility of a phase III clinical trial. Secondary outcomes will be (i) perceived global change score; (ii) hip-related symptoms (measured using the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) pain subscale, activity subscale, and sport and recreation subscale); (iii) hip quality of life (measured using the HOOS quality of life subscale and International Hip Outcome tool; (iv) hip muscle strength and (v) hip range of motion. The physiotherapy intervention is semi-standardised, including joint and soft tissue mobilisation and stretching, hip and trunk muscle retraining and functional and activity-specific retraining and education. The control intervention encompasses individualised health education, with the same frequency and duration as the intervention. The trial primary end-point is the conclusion of the 12-week intervention, and follow-up measures will be collected at the 12-week post-baseline assessment. Discussion: The findings of this study will provide guidance regarding the feasibility of a full-scale phase III randomised controlled trial, prior to its undertaking. Trial registration: The trial protocol was registered with the Australian Clinical Trials Registry (number: 12614000426684) on 17 April 2014. © Kemp et al.
- Authors: Kemp, Joanne , Moore, Kate , Fransen, Marlene , Russell, Trevor , Crossley, Kay
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Trials Vol. 16, no. 1 (2015), p. 1-8
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Early-onset hip osteoarthritis is commonly seen in people undergoing hip arthroscopy and is associated with increased pain, reduced ability to participate in physical activity, reduced quality of life and reduced range of motion and muscle strength. Despite this, the efficacy of non-surgical interventions such as exercise therapies remains unknown. The primary aim is to establish the feasibility of a phase III randomised controlled trial investigating a targeted physiotherapy intervention for people with early-onset hip osteoarthritis. The secondary aims are to determine the size of treatment effects of a physiotherapy intervention, targeted to improve hip joint range and hip-related symptoms in early-onset hip osteoarthritis following hip arthroscopy, compared to a health-education control. Methods: This protocol describes a randomised, assessor- and participant-blind, controlled clinical trial. We will include 20 participants who are (i) aged between 18 and 50 years; (ii) have undergone hip arthroscopy during the past six to 12 months; (iii) have early-onset hip osteoarthritis (defined as chondrolabral pathology) at the time of hip arthroscopy; and (iv) experience hip-related pain during activities. Primary outcome will be the feasibility of a phase III clinical trial. Secondary outcomes will be (i) perceived global change score; (ii) hip-related symptoms (measured using the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) pain subscale, activity subscale, and sport and recreation subscale); (iii) hip quality of life (measured using the HOOS quality of life subscale and International Hip Outcome tool; (iv) hip muscle strength and (v) hip range of motion. The physiotherapy intervention is semi-standardised, including joint and soft tissue mobilisation and stretching, hip and trunk muscle retraining and functional and activity-specific retraining and education. The control intervention encompasses individualised health education, with the same frequency and duration as the intervention. The trial primary end-point is the conclusion of the 12-week intervention, and follow-up measures will be collected at the 12-week post-baseline assessment. Discussion: The findings of this study will provide guidance regarding the feasibility of a full-scale phase III randomised controlled trial, prior to its undertaking. Trial registration: The trial protocol was registered with the Australian Clinical Trials Registry (number: 12614000426684) on 17 April 2014. © Kemp et al.