Abstract-Uric acid has been proposed as an important risk factor in the development of primary hypertension in humans.However, limited information is available linking childhood uric acid levels and blood pressure levels in adulthood. This study examined 334 whites and 243 blacks enrolled in the Bogalusa Heart Study as children aged 5 to 17 years and as adults aged 18 to 35 years. The average follow-up period was 12 years. Childhood uric acid was significantly correlated with childhood and adult blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic. In a multivariate regression analysis, adjusting for age, sex, race, childhood body mass index, childhood uric acid levels, and change in levels of uric acid were significant predictors of adult diastolic blood pressure, whereas change in uric acid was a significant predictor of adult systolic blood pressures. In conclusion, elevated childhood serum uric acid levels are associated with increased blood pressure beginning in childhood and higher blood pressure levels that persist into adulthood, in males and females, whites and blacks, suggesting that early elevations in serum uric acid levels may play a key role in the development of human hypertension. (Hypertension. 2005;45:34-38.)Key Words: uric acid Ⅲ blood pressure Ⅲ children E ssential hypertension affects up to 25% of adults and significantly increases the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure, and renal failure. 1,2 There are significant race and gender differences in the incidence of hypertension, and the disease process has been clearly shown to begin in childhood. 3 During the past several years, several clinical and laboratory studies have suggested that uric acid might be an important factor in the development of primary hypertension in humans. Hyperuricemia has been demonstrated to predict and be an independent risk factor for hypertension in adults. 4,5 Also, 25% to 40% of adult patients with untreated hypertension have hyperuricemia (Ͼ386.6 mol/L [6.5 mg/dL]). 6,7 Earlier studies in children and young adults showed uric acid levels were higher in white subjects and were associated with higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and lean body mass. 8,9 Recently, Feig and Johnson 10 demonstrated a significant correlation between elevated uric acid levels (Ͼ327 mol/L [5.5 mg/dL]) and blood pressure (BP) in children and adolescents. However, to date, there is a paucity of information on the relationship between childhood uric acid levels and adult BP. Using the longitudinal data from the Bogalusa Heart Study, a community-based study of the cardiovascular risk factors beginning in childhood, we examined the predictability of BP in adults from childhood uric acid levels. 11Understanding the early stages of this relationship will help in the early identification and prevention of hypertension. Materials and Methods Study PopulationThe Bogalusa Heart Study consists of multiple cross-sectional surveys of all children, aged 5 to 17 years, and multiple surveys of young adults, aged Ն18 years, in a bira...

Our findings demonstrate that overall survival is improved in patients receiving intensified chemotherapy with primary G-CSF support, compared with those receiving standard chemotherapy. Primary G-CSF support was also associated with a higher risk of developing secondary malignancies, including secondary acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

SUMMARY Follicular lymphoma (FL) comprises nearly 25% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases and is clinically characterized by initial sensitivity to chemotherapy followed by relapse. FL stroma contains a special type of stromal cell found in germinal centre of lymph nodes—the follicular dendritic cell (FDC). We first isolated tumourigenic cells from the FL cell line FLK-1 by side population (SP) technique, and found that SP cells, which express ABCG2, were enriched by chemotherapy and radiation treatments. In vitro, SP cells were attracted by and adhered to FDCs through chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12/chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCL12/CXCR4) signalling. In vivo, limiting dilution assays showed SP cells were highly enriched in cancer stem cell (CSC), but required FDC for tumour formation in non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Treatment with AMD3100, a specific CXCL12/CXCR4 inhibitor, eliminated tumour growth. These findings were then verified with FL cells isolated from an FL patient’s ascitic fluid (FLA-1). Finally, we detected the ABCG2 expressing lymphoma cells in FL clinical specimens. Thus, we found that the highly tumourigenic FL cells having CSC-like activities (FL-SC) interact with FDCs in a CXCL12/CXCR4 dependent manner to resist chemotherapy. Our results indicate the importance of FL-SC and niche cell signalling in maintaining tumourigenicity. These signals represent novel targets for CSC eradication.

Background/Aims: Sestamibi scintigraphy and neck ultrasonography have both been proposed as screening modalities for the detection of abnormal parathyroid glands in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. As a result, many surgeons use both techniques prior to surgery. The goal of this study was to independently evaluate both ultrasound and sestamibi as single-modality preoperative screening tools for primary hyperparathyroidism. Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism from January 1999 to December 2009. Imaging results were compared to surgical findings. Results: 440 patients were found to meet inclusion criteria. Sensitivities for correct localization of a single parathyroid adenoma for sestamibi versus ultrasound were: 83% (95% CI 78–86) versus 72% (95% CI 67–76). Ultrasound operator had no influence on sensitivity, and ultrasound identified nodular thyroid disease in 31% of patients. Conclusion: Ultrasonography alone can be used as the primary screening modality in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Ultrasound sensitivity is conserved despite operator variability, and identifies concomitant thyroid pathology.

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