Genetic variations in or near the aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene strongly affect left ventricular size and mass in young adults free of clinical heart disease. These polymorphisms may also influence the response of the left ventricle to increases in dietary salt.

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The prevalence of lameness among 646 sows and gilts in 21 selected herds was determined; 8.8 per cent of the animals were lame and the most common clinical diagnoses were osteochondrosis, infected skin lesions and claw lesions. The lame animals had higher serum concentrations of haptoglobin and C-reactive protein than the sound animals. Animals housed on slatted floors had twice the odds of being lame and 3.7 times the odds of being severely lame than animals housed on solid floors. Yorkshire pigs had 2.7 times the odds of being lame than Landrace or crossbred animals. Higher parity and the use of roughage decreased the odds of the sows not becoming pregnant; however, lameness was not a risk factor for non-pregnancy.

Background Echocardiographically determined left ventricular (LV) mass predicts adverse cardiovascular events in the general population. We have assessed the correlates of LV mass in a population-based study focusing on lifestyle and salt intake.Methods and Results A random sample of 120 persons born in 1954 was invited; 93 (42 men) entered the study. The subjects' physical activity and alcohol, tobacco, and coffee consumption were quantified by 2-month diary follow-up, and sodium intake was quantified by 7-day food records. Blood pressure was averaged for casual cuff measurements made 2 months apart. LV mass was determined by M-mode echocardiography, and stroke volume was determined by Doppler. Hematocrit and serum insulin were measured. In multiple linear regression analysis, LV mass was related positively and independently (P<.05) to body weight, systolic blood pressure, stroke volume, sodium intake, hematocrit, and energy expenditure in leisure-time physical activity. Additional analyses showed that the relation of LV mass

Baseline clinical and BP parameters may be used to predict the efficacy of antihypertensive therapies. The GENRES Study material should provide an excellent platform for future pharmacogenetic analyses of antihypertensive drug responsiveness.

1. The acute effects of a moderate dose of ethanol (1g/kg body weight) on heart rate and blood pressure variability and baroreflex sensitivity were studied in 12 healthy male subjects in a juice-controlled experiment. Electrocardiographic and finger blood pressure data were recorded and stored in a minicomputer during 5 min of controlled breathing (15 cycles/min) and during deep breathing (5 s inspiration, 5 s expiration, four cycles) before drinking and hourly thereafter for 3 h. 2. Mean breath alcohol concentration rose to 18.9 mg/100 ml. In the time domain analysis, the root mean square difference of successive R-R interval decreased significantly with ethanol as compared with the juice experiment. The difference remained statistically significant even after adjustment for the shorter R-R interval after alcohol. In the frequency domain analysis the high-frequency (0.15-0.5 Hz) spectral power showed a significant decrease after alcohol intake. Also, the index of sensitivity of the baroreceptor reflex (square root of R-R interval power/systolic blood pressure power) decreased significantly in the high-frequency component. Ethanol did not change finger systolic blood pressure, and power spectral analysis did not show significant variability in blood pressure. 3. These data indicate that acute intake of moderate amounts of alcohol causes a significant decrease in heart rate variability owing to diminished vagal modulation of the heart rate.

To investigate the effect of a fall of intrathoracic pressure on left ventricular (LV) hemodynamics and relaxation, simultaneous micromanometric recordings of LV and aortic pressures were performed at rest and during two graded Mueller maneuvers in 16 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization for aortic valve stenosis (n = 8) or chest pain (n = 8). The reductions (means +/- SE) of airway pressure during the lesser and greater maneuvers were 26 +/- 1 and 42 +/- 1 mmHg, respectively. Simultaneously, LV isovolumic-developed pressure increased by 9 +/- 3 and 21 +/- 4 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.03 for both). During the greater maneuver, the individual changes of the time constant of LV isovolumic relaxation (tau) correlated with the changes of LV isovolumic-developed pressure (r = 0.73; P = 0.002). In patients with a > 20-mmHg rise in isovolumic-developed pressure, tau increased by 10.3 +/- 4.6 ms. By multiple-regression analysis, the change of tau was related directly to the change of isovolumic-developed pressure (standardized coefficient beta = 0.80; P = 0.001) and inversely related to the resting systolic LV-aortic pressure gradient (beta = -0.37; P = 0.050). The other hemodynamic changes were independent of aortic valve stenosis. In conclusion, during the Mueller maneuver, the LV isovolumic contraction load increases and tau lengthens, particularly with higher elevations of LV systolic load.

Common genetic polymorphisms in the aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene is associated with interindividual variation in BRS.