Aims/hypothesis The prevalence of atherosclerosis is increased in type 1 diabetes despite normal-to-high HDL-cholesterol levels. The cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) of HDL is a better predictor of cardiovascular events than static HDL-cholesterol. This cross-sectional study addressed the hypothesis that impaired HDL function contributes to enhanced CVD risk within type 1 diabetes. Methods We compared HDL particle size and concentration (by NMR), total CEC, ATP-binding cassette subfamily A, member 1 (ABCA1)-dependent CEC and ABCA1-independent CEC (by determining [ 3 H]cholesterol efflux from J774-macrophages to ApoB-depleted serum), and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in 100 individuals with type 1 diabetes (37.6 ± 1.2 years; BMI 26.9 ± 0.5 kg/m 2 ) and 100 non-diabetic participants (37.7 ± 1.1 years; 27.1 ± 0.5 kg/m 2 ). Results Compared with non-diabetic participants, total HDL particle concentration was lower (mean ± SD 31.01 ± 8.66 vs 34.33 ± 8.04 μmol/l [mean difference (MD) −3.32 μmol/l]) in participants with type 1 diabetes. However, large HDL particle concentration was greater (9.36 ± 3.98 vs 6.99 ± 4.05 μmol/l [MD +2.37 μmol/l]), resulting in increased mean HDL particle size (9.82 ± 0.57 vs 9.44 ± 0.56 nm [MD +0.38 nm]) (p < 0.05 for all). Total CEC (14.57 ± 2.47%CEC/4 h vs 12.26 ± 3.81%CEC/4 h [MD +2.31%CEC/4 h]) was greater in participants with type 1 diabetes relative to non-diabetic participants. Increased HDL particle size was independently associated with increased total CEC; however, following adjustment for this in multivariable analysis, CEC remained greater in participants with type 1 diabetes. Both components of CEC, ABCA1-dependent (6.10 ± 2.41%CEC/4 h vs 5.22 ± 2.57%CEC/4 h [MD +0.88%CEC/4 h]) and ABCA1-independent (8.47 ± 1.79% CEC/4 h vs 7.05 ± 1.76% CEC/4 h [MD +1.42% CEC/4 h]) CEC, were greater in type 1 diabetes but the increase in ABCA1-dependent CEC was less marked and not statistically significant in multivariable analysis. CIMT was increased in participants with type 1 diabetes but in multivariable analysis it was only associated negatively with age and BMI. Conclusions/interpretation HDL particle size but not HDL-cholesterol level is independently associated with enhanced total CEC. HDL particle size is greater in individuals with type 1 diabetes but even after adjusting for this, total and ABCA1independent CEC are enhanced in type 1 diabetes. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these effects, and whether they help attenuate progression of atherosclerosis in this high-risk group. Keywords HDL particle size . HDL-cholesterol efflux capacity . Type 1 diabetes Mohamad O. Ahmed and Rachel E. Byrne are equal contributors. James Gibney and Fiona C. McGillicuddy share senior authorship.

Primary hyperaldosteronism is reported to account for approximately 10% of hypertension depending on the population studied. [1][2][3] The initial screening test is the aldosterone/renin ratio. 4 Traditionally, a positive result has been followed by confirmatory testing; however, the importance of the aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) has been enhanced by the recent Endocrine Society guideline which states that in the setting of spontaneous hypokalaemia, plasma renin activity or concentration (PRC) below detection levels and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) >20 ng/dL (550 pmol/L), confirmatory testing is not required.Hypertension and its complications are more common in Black than White populations. It was first observed in 1964 that 30% of Summary Introduction: The aldosterone/renin ratio is the initial screening test for primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA), but little data exists regarding ethnic variations in this. Methods:Following clinical observation of a high prevalence of abnormal aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) in patients of African-origin, we retrospectively reviewed all ARR measurements in a single centre over 10 years. Rates of hypokalaemia, intraventricular septal thickness (IVS, by echocardiography) and adrenal imaging were recorded when available. Results: Aldosterone/renin ratio was available in 1473 patients, and abnormal in 374 (25.4%). Abnormal ARR was observed in 305/1349 (22.6%) of European-origin and 69/124 (55.6%) of African-origin patients (P < 0.001). Among those with abnormal ARR, hypokalaemia (<3.5 mmol/L) was documented on at least one occasion in 171/305 (56.1%) European-origin and 43/69 (62.3%) African-origin patients (P = 0.35). Median (range) IVS was 1.57 (0.78-2.80) cm in African-origin and 1.20 (0.69-2.18) cm in European-origin patients (P < 0.002); IVS did not correlate with aldosterone or ARR however. Adrenal adenoma was identified in 41/170 (24.1%) of European-origin and 4/29 (13.7%) African-origin patients (P = 0.15), while hyperplasia was identified in 35/170 (20.5%) of European and 8/29 (27.5%) African patients (P = 0.39). Conclusion: In summary, ARR was abnormal in 55.6% of African-origin patients screened at an Irish hospital. Rates of hypokalaemia were similar between Europeanorigin and African-origin patients. These findings have implications for the use of current screening guidelines for ARR in African-origin patients and also for the mechanistic role of aldosterone in hypertensive complications in African-origin patients. Alpha blocker 10.1% (n = 7) 9.6% (n = 29) Beta blocker 4.3% (n = 3) 12.1% (n = 37) Calcium channel blocker 33.3% (n = 23) 13.1% (n = 40)* ACE inhibitor 7.3% (n = 5) 10.8% (n = 33) ARB 8.7% (n = 6) 5.6% (n = 17) Diuretic 7.3% (n = 5) 4.5% (n = 14) *P < 0.05.

The integration between advanced techniques for groundwater exploration is necessary to protect and to manage the vital resources. Enhanced Thematic Mapper Landsat (ETM+) images, a geographic information system (GIS), hydrological modeling and direct current (DC) resistivity geoelectrical techniques were used in integrated manner to identify the groundwater potentialities in the study area. The study area is approximately 1195 km 2 , located at the western portion of south Sinai. From the results of the eight thematic layers as input to GIS model, the suitable locations for dams could be estimated in the two main drainage basins Matulla and Tayiba.

The hydrogeological study of Apapa, a coastal part of Lagos, Nigeria, has been investigated using combined geophysical borehole logs, consisting of natural gamma and electrical resistivity components and ditch cutting samples. This study utilized data from 10 boreholes to delineate freshwater aquifer and proposes the best borehole design and construction for optimum groundwater developments in the study area. The electrical resistivity log data show that the depth to the freshwater interface varies across the study area occurring between 150 and 160 m and as shallow as 110 m in a borehole. The variations in depth of the freshwater interfaces are attributed to the extent of saline/brackish water contamination and distribution of rock types. Based on these differences and the inability to identify water quality from ditch cuttings, borehole geophysical logging is a vital tool in providing in situ subsurface information of the rock types and fluid contents in groundwater studies. This further demonstrates that geophysical borehole logs play an important part in borehole design for development of water wells.