BACKGROUND: A biomarker that is of great interest in relation to adverse cardiovascular events is soluble ST2 (sST2), a member of the interleukin family. Considering that metabolic syndrome (MetS) is accompanied by a proinflammatory state, we aimed to assess the relationship between sST2 and left ventricular (LV) structure and function in patients with MetS. METHODS: A multicentric, cross-sectional study was conducted on180 MetS subjects with normal LV ejection fraction as determined by echocardiography. LV hypertrophy (LVH) was defined as an LV mass index greater than the gender-specific upper limit of normal as determined by echocardiography. LV diastolic dysfunction (DD) was assessed by pulse-wave and tissue Doppler imaging. sST2 was measured by using a quantitative monoclonal ELISA assay. RESULTS: LV mass index (β=0.337, P<0.001, linear regression) was independently associated with sST2 concentrations. Increased sST2 was associated with an increased likelihood of LVH [Exp (B)=2.20, P=0.048, logistic regression] and increased systolic blood pressure [Exp (B)=1.02, P=0.05, logistic regression]. Comparing mean sST2 concentrations (adjusted for age, body mass index, gender) between different LV remodeling patterns, we found the greatest sST2 level in the group with concentric hypertrophy. There were no differences in sST2 concentration between groups with and without LV DD. CONCLUSIONS: Increased sST2 concentration in patients with MetS was associated with a greater likelihood of exhibiting LVH. Our results suggest that inflammation could be one of the principal triggering mechanisms for LV remodeling in MetS.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Area Under Curve ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/diagnostic imaging ; Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein/*analysis ; Linear Models ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/metabolism/*physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; ROC Curve ; Sex Factors ; Ventricular Function, Left/*physiology ; Ventricular Remodeling/physiology

PURPOSE: Association between body mass index (BMI) and doses in organs at risk during postoperative vaginal cuff brachytherapy (VCB) treatment has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of BMI on the dose delivered to bladder and rectum during high-dose-rate VCB using computed tomography (CT) scans at every fraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 220 planning CT sets derived from 59 patients was conducted. Every planning CT was re-segmented and re-planned under the same parameters. Rectum and bladder dose-volume histogram values (D0.1cc, D1cc, and D2cc) were extracted and evaluated. The mean values for all applications per patient were calculated and correlated with BMI, as well as other factors influencing rectal and bladder doses. Multiple regression analysis performed to model organ at risk dose-volume parameters. RESULTS: According to World Health Organization (WHO), 6.8% of patients were normal, 35.6% were overweight, and 57.6% were class I obese. Median rectal doses were 133.5%, 110.9%, and 99.3% for D(0.1cc), D(1cc), and D(2cc), respectively. The corresponding median bladder doses were 96.2%, 80.6%, and 73.3%, respectively. BMI did not show significant association with rectal doses. However, BMI did show a significant association with evaluated bladder dose metrics (D(0.1cc), r=-0.366, p=0.004; D(1cc), r=-0.454, p < 0.001; D2cc, r=-0.451, p < 0.001). BMI was retained in the multivariate regression models (D(0.1cc), p=0.004; D(1cc), p < 0.001; D(2cc), p=0.001). CONCLUSION: In this group of Mediterranean, overweight, and moderately obese patients, BMI showed association with lower bladder dose values, but not with rectal doses.
Body Mass Index* ; Brachytherapy* ; Humans ; Obesity ; Organs at Risk* ; Overweight ; Rectum ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder ; World Health Organization

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic led to various intensities of lockdowns, affecting lifestyles globally. This study investigates the impact of partial lockdown versus total lockdown on adult physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from April 2020 to October 2020, with 493 participants included in the analysis. Results: The analysis revealed no significant differences in total PA or total sitting time between partial lockdown and total lockdown scenarios. However, moderate physical activity (MPA) significantly decreased during total lockdowns, with more pronounced reductions among females than males. Notably, a positive correlation was found between household area and MPA, suggesting that larger living spaces may encourage more PA. A negative correlation was observed between sitting time and MPA during both types of lockdown. Conclusions Total lockdown conditions were associated with a significant decrease in MPA, highlighting sex disparities in PA responses. Living space size emerged as a crucial factor in maintaining PA levels during restricted conditions. This study emphasizes the need to consider environmental and demographic factors in public health strategies during prolonged periods of restricted movement.

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic led to various intensities of lockdowns, affecting lifestyles globally. This study investigates the impact of partial lockdown versus total lockdown on adult physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from April 2020 to October 2020, with 493 participants included in the analysis. Results: The analysis revealed no significant differences in total PA or total sitting time between partial lockdown and total lockdown scenarios. However, moderate physical activity (MPA) significantly decreased during total lockdowns, with more pronounced reductions among females than males. Notably, a positive correlation was found between household area and MPA, suggesting that larger living spaces may encourage more PA. A negative correlation was observed between sitting time and MPA during both types of lockdown. Conclusions Total lockdown conditions were associated with a significant decrease in MPA, highlighting sex disparities in PA responses. Living space size emerged as a crucial factor in maintaining PA levels during restricted conditions. This study emphasizes the need to consider environmental and demographic factors in public health strategies during prolonged periods of restricted movement.

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic led to various intensities of lockdowns, affecting lifestyles globally. This study investigates the impact of partial lockdown versus total lockdown on adult physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from April 2020 to October 2020, with 493 participants included in the analysis. Results: The analysis revealed no significant differences in total PA or total sitting time between partial lockdown and total lockdown scenarios. However, moderate physical activity (MPA) significantly decreased during total lockdowns, with more pronounced reductions among females than males. Notably, a positive correlation was found between household area and MPA, suggesting that larger living spaces may encourage more PA. A negative correlation was observed between sitting time and MPA during both types of lockdown. Conclusions Total lockdown conditions were associated with a significant decrease in MPA, highlighting sex disparities in PA responses. Living space size emerged as a crucial factor in maintaining PA levels during restricted conditions. This study emphasizes the need to consider environmental and demographic factors in public health strategies during prolonged periods of restricted movement.