Incident hypertension among pre-hypertensive adolescents: Evaluation of pre-hypertension as an independent risk factor among secondary school students in the Houston area

Cardiovascular disease has been the leading cause of death in the United States for over fifty years. While multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease have been identified, hypertension is one of the most commonly recognized and treatable. Recent studies indicate that the prevalence of hypertension among children and adolescents is between 3-5%, much higher than originally estimated and likely rising due to the epidemic of obesity in the U.S. In 2004, the National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group on High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents published new guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension in this population. Included in these recommendations was the creation of a new diagnosis, pre-hypertension, aimed at identifying children at-risk for hypertension to provide early lifestyle interventions in an effort to prevent its ultimate development. In order to determine the risk associated with pre-hypertension for the development of incident HTN, a secondary analysis of a repeated cross-sectional study measuring blood pressure in Houston area adolescents from 2000 to 2007 was performed. Of 1006 students participating in the blood pressure screening on more than one occasion not diagnosed with hypertension at initial encounter, eleven were later found to have hypertension providing an overall incident rate of 0.5% per year. Incidence rates were higher among overweight adolescents–1.9% per year [IRR 8.6 (1.97, 51.63)]; students “at-risk for hypertension” (pre-hypertensive or initial blood pressure in the hypertensive range but falling on subsequent measures)–1.4% per year [IRR 4.77 (1.21, 19.78)]; and those with blood pressure ≥90th percentile on three occasions–6.6% per year [IRR 21.87 (3.40, 112.40)]. Students with pre-hypertension as currently defined by the Task Force did have an increased rate of hypertension (1.1% per year) but it did not reach statistical significance [IRR 2.44 (0.42, 10.18)]. Further research is needed to determine the morbidity and mortality associated with pre-hypertension in this age group as well as the effectiveness of various interventions for preventing the development of hypertensive disease among these at-risk individuals. ^

The relationship between obesity, autoimmune disease, and C-reactive protein: A secondary data analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009--2010

Autoimmune diseases are a group of inflammatory conditions in which the body's immune system attacks its own cells. There are over 80 diseases classified as autoimmune disorders, affecting up to 23.5 million Americans. Obesity affects 32.3% of the US adult population, and could also be considered an inflammatory condition, as indicated by the presence of chronic low-grade inflammation. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation, and is associated with both adiposity and autoimmune inflammation. This study sought to determine the cross-sectional association between obesity and autoimmune diseases in a large, nationally representative population derived from NHANES 2009–10 data, and the role CRP might play in this relationship. Overall, the results determined that individuals with autoimmune disease were 2.11 times more likely to report being overweight than individuals without autoimmune disease and that CRP had a mediating affect on the obesity-autoimmune relationship. ^

(Table 2) Mineralogy and carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen isotope ratios for secondary mineral samples from igneous rocks from ODP Hole 128-794D

The basaltic rocks of Hole 794D drilled during Leg 128 are strongly altered. Microprobe analyses and XRD spectra on small quantities of matter extracted from thin sections show that primary minerals and glassy zones of the groundmass are totally or partially replaced by clay minerals with chlorite/saponite mixed-layer composition whatever the rock sample considered. This mixed-layer was also identified in veins and vesicles where it crystallizes in spheroidal aggregates. The largest veins and vesicles are filled by a zoned deposit: the chlorite/saponite mixed-layer always occupies the central part and is rimmed by pure saponite. Calcite crystallizes in secondary fractures which crosscut the clayey veins and vesicles. Chemographic analysis based on the M+-4Si-3R2+ projection shows that the chemical composition of the saponite component in the mixed-layer is identical to that of the free saponite. This indicates that the clay mineral crystallization was controlled by the chemical composition of the alteration fluids. From petrographic evidence, it is suggested that both chlorite/saponite mixed-layer and free saponite belong to the same hydrothermal event and are produced by a temperature decrease. This is supported by the stable isotopic data. The isotopic data show very little variation: d18O saponite ranges from 13.1 per mil to 13.5 per mil, and dD saponite from -73.6 per mil to -70.0 per mil. d18O calcite varies from +19.7 per mil to +21.9 per mil vs SMOW and d13C from -3.2 per mil to +0.4 per mil vs. PDB. These values are consistent with seawater alteration of the basalt. The formation of saponite took place at 150°-180°C and the formation of calcite at about 65°C.

Factorial structure and reliability of a perceived influence on selection of a specialized plan of studies, IPEP, in secondary school students of Chillan, Chile

To evaluate these factors, the scale of perceived influences on the election of a specialized plan of studies, IPEP, was built and in this study its factorial structure and reliability were evaluated. The instrument was applied to 115 students, chosen by quote sampling. They were students of a subsidized private secondary school from the city of Chillan, Chile. An exploratory factorial analysis identified eight factors in the scale IPEP: Academic projection, Personal development, Maintenance of the social environment, Academic requirements, Satisfaction of others' expectations, Vocational information, Image of the plan and Family pressure. The results present an initial factorial structure, that empirically and theoretically adequate, whose factors were reliable and conceptually useful. These factors distinguish psychogenic and sociogenic aspects of the vocational process, and allow to initiate diagnostic and investigative actions in relation to this early vocational election that is established in secondary schools of the Chilean educational system

Factorial structure and reliability of a perceived influence on selection of a specialized plan of studies, IPEP, in secondary school students of Chillan, Chile

To evaluate these factors, the scale of perceived influences on the election of a specialized plan of studies, IPEP, was built and in this study its factorial structure and reliability were evaluated. The instrument was applied to 115 students, chosen by quote sampling. They were students of a subsidized private secondary school from the city of Chillan, Chile. An exploratory factorial analysis identified eight factors in the scale IPEP: Academic projection, Personal development, Maintenance of the social environment, Academic requirements, Satisfaction of others' expectations, Vocational information, Image of the plan and Family pressure. The results present an initial factorial structure, that empirically and theoretically adequate, whose factors were reliable and conceptually useful. These factors distinguish psychogenic and sociogenic aspects of the vocational process, and allow to initiate diagnostic and investigative actions in relation to this early vocational election that is established in secondary schools of the Chilean educational system

Factorial structure and reliability of a perceived influence on selection of a specialized plan of studies, IPEP, in secondary school students of Chillan, Chile

To evaluate these factors, the scale of perceived influences on the election of a specialized plan of studies, IPEP, was built and in this study its factorial structure and reliability were evaluated. The instrument was applied to 115 students, chosen by quote sampling. They were students of a subsidized private secondary school from the city of Chillan, Chile. An exploratory factorial analysis identified eight factors in the scale IPEP: Academic projection, Personal development, Maintenance of the social environment, Academic requirements, Satisfaction of others' expectations, Vocational information, Image of the plan and Family pressure. The results present an initial factorial structure, that empirically and theoretically adequate, whose factors were reliable and conceptually useful. These factors distinguish psychogenic and sociogenic aspects of the vocational process, and allow to initiate diagnostic and investigative actions in relation to this early vocational election that is established in secondary schools of the Chilean educational system

Mineralogy and chemistry of basalts and secondary minerals from DSDP Site 417, Atlantic Ocean

Basalts from DSDP Site 417 (109 Ma) exhibit the effects of several stages of alteration reflecting the evolution of seawater-derived solution compositions and control by the structure and permeability of the crust. Characteristic secondary mineral assemblages occur in often superimposed alteration zones within individual basalt fragments. By combining bulk rock and single phase chemical analyses with detailed mineralogic and petrographic studies, chemical changes have been determined for most of the alteration stages identified in the basalts. 1) Minor amounts of saponite, chlorite, and pyrite formed locally in coarse grained portions of massive units, possibly at high temperatures during initial cooling of the basalts. No chemical changes could be determined for this stage. 2) Possible mixing of cooled hydrothermal fluids with seawater resulted in the formation of celadonite-nontronite and Fe-hydroxide-rich black halos around cracks and pillow rims. Gains of K, Rb, H20, increase of Fe 3 +/FeT and possibly some losses of Ca and Mg occurred during this stage. 3a) Extensive circulation of oxygenated seawater resulted in the formation of various smectites, K-feldspar, and Fe-hydroxides in brown and light grey alteration zones around formerly exposed surfaces. K, Rb, H20, and occasionally P were added to the rocks, Fe3+/FeT increased, and Ca, Mg, Si and occasionally Al and Na were lost. 3 b) Anoxic alteration occurred during reaction of basalt with seawater at low water-rock ratios, or with seawater that had previously reacted with basalt. Saponite-rich dark grey alteration zones formed which exhibit very little chemical change: generally only slight increases in Fe 3 +/FeT and H20 occurred. 4) Zeolites and calcite formed from seawater-derived fluids modified by previous reactions with basalt. Chemical changes involved increases of Ca, Na, H20 , and CO2 in the rocks. 5) A late stage of anoxic conditions resulted in the formation of minor amounts of Mn-calcites and secondary sulfides in previously oxidized rocks. No chemical changes were determined for this stage. Recognition of such alteration sequences is important in understanding the evolution of submarine hydrothermal systems and in interpreting chemical exchange due to seawater-basalt reactions.

Chemical composition of secondary minerals from ODP Site 206-1256

Two basement holes were drilled during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 206. Hole 1256C penetrates 88.5 m into basement and Hole 1256D, ~30 m to the south, penetrates 502 m into basement (Wilson, Teagle, Acton, et al., 2003, doi:10.2973/odp.proc.ir.206.2003). Recovered cores consist of basalts exhibiting the effects of low-temperature alteration by seawater. As part of a larger study of alteration effects, a study of the secondary mineralogy was undertaken. This data report presents the major and some minor element compositions of secondary minerals. Analyses focus on the major secondary phases, phyllosilicates, and less abundant feldspars, but also include limited analyses of carbonates and apatite. Different occurrences of secondary minerals are included (e.g., veins and vesicles replacing olivine and plagioclase) as well as variations with depth.

Geochemistry of secondary carbonates in ODP Leg 115 basalts

This report presents the results of a study of the stable isotopic and chemical composition of secondary carbonate minerals precipitated within basalts at Ocean Drilling Program Sites 707 and 715. At Site 715, the secondary carbonates are all composed of calcite and display a narrow range of carbon and oxygen stable isotope ratios, with values ranging from -2.75 per mil to 1.95 per mil PDB and -0.27 per mil to 2.86 per mil PDB, respectively. Strontium, iron, and manganese values of the samples are generally low. The geochemistry of Site 715 samples indicates that they precipitated from seawater-domi- nated fluids, at low temperatures, as is typical of secondary carbonates from most Deep Sea Drilling Project sites. In contrast, at Site 707, aragonite, siderite, and manganese-rich calcite occur as secondary carbonates in addition to calcite. The carbon isotopes of the Site 707 carbonates of all rock types are depleted in 13C. Values range from -2.79 per mil to -16.43 per mil PDB. Oxygen isotope values do not show a wide variation, ranging from -1.78 per mil to 1.17 per mil. The strontium contents of the samples range from 5200 to 8100 ppm for aragonites, and from 145 to 862 ppm for calcites. Iron and manganese contents are high in calcites and siderites and low in aragonites. Site 707 carbonates precipitated at low temperatures in a fairly closed system, in which basalt-seawater interaction has greatly influenced the chemistry of the pore fluids. The reactions occurring within the system before and in conjunction with secondary carbonate precipita- tion include oxidation of isotopically light methane, derived from fluids circulating within the basalts, and reduction of substantial amounts of iron and manganese oxides from the basalts.